Highlights from the Highway

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We drove to Tropical Acres this evening in Ft. Lauderdale and enjoyed a great dinner with friends. Since I am not an alum of Shorter, I do not know ANY of the people that are invited to the events, so meeting so many new people at once can be slightly intimidating for me. However, each and every time we have had an event, I leave with a new friend and not just an “acquaintance”. There is something about Shorter people that stands out and tonight has been such a great example of that. I met 5 alums of all ages and some knew Chip and Rachel but you would have thought they knew me too! Everyone was super friendly and funny! Pat Palfrey (’70), Robert Taylor (’82), and Travis Hall (’04) had great stories to share and each and every one of them was equally funny.

I am not a graduate of Shorter (yet…) but it is so comforting to see what the school means to others that have gone before me. I hear stories about Shorter from Chip and Rachel often, but it’s different hearing things from other people you have never met. We are not even halfway through our road tour and I have already found a common denominator for Shorter U alumni….and that is love for the school. Through this road tour we have not only re-engaged many alumni but we have also opened doors for them. At the past two events, we have linked four alums together that live and work near each other and had no idea. In fact, Mr. Palfrey and Mr. Taylor are going to meet up and have breakfast later this summer!

Ahhhh...it feels so good to be a part of such a great trip representing such a great institution like Shorter University!

Over and out,

Mal

P.S. in case anyone is wondering, Chip, Rachel and I are still getting along and loving life. 6 more days with each other left to go! Pray the sanity continues!

P.P.S. it is now Monday and I’m finishing up and reviewing this journal on our car ride to Orlando. News flash---no one is getting along. We must have all woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Help us all!

Mal

It was great having a down day in Miami. Luckily my sister in law Gaile Stephens (Shorter alumna '01) is working on her Phd in Music Ed at the University of Miami and was able to be our tour guide. My wife Anne Marie (Shorter alumna '06) was also able to fly down to Miami after she wrapped up a week of VBS. We got an opportunity to see a lot of the mansions and famous beaches. 

Our Miami event went very well and we had a great group of alumni to share a meal with. Pat Palfrey '70 found us a great location at Tropical Acres in Ft. Lauderdale. It's been around for like 60 years and you can tell it's because of the food and great service. 

We had three couples join us for dinner. Pat Palfrey and his wife, Robert Taylor and his wife (who are expecting their fifth child) and Travis and Elliscia Hall who both graduated from Shorter. We had great conversation and it was neat having folks from three different decades to see how things have changed. Also interesting was to hear how folks from so far south hear about Shorter and what helped them decide to attend. 

The life of everyone on board depends upon just one thing: finding someone back there who can not only fly this plane, but who didn't have fish for dinner.

Chip

Thankfully our stop in Miami has included some down time. I don’t mind driving or road trips, but after so much time in the car I was starting to get a little antsy for a break. Most of my time here in Miami has been spent by the pool or by the beach just relaxing. My battery is officially recharged and I am ready to hit the road again!

We decided to move our Miami event to Fort Lauderdale and call it more of a South FL event a few weeks ago. I think it was a great move! Once again, I felt like our size was perfect. We all got to interact in conversation as a group and individually, which I think is important. Joining us tonight were Pat Palfrey (’70) and wife, Robert Taylor ( ’82) & his wife, Gaile Stephens (’01), and Travis (’04) & Elliscia Axson (' 07) Hall. Of course there were a 1,000 great parts of the night, but I really thought it was cool how our trips are creating opportunities for alumni to connect and become friends. Having a connection with someone in your area is important to how we work, live and socialize. When I see alums giving each other phone numbers after an event, it makes me smile on the inside.

Tonight’s event was number NINE on the tour, and I am confident that we are making a difference in the lives of Shorter University and its alumni. Years down the road, I think this tour will mean so much more than it does right now… I’m excited to see the end results.

Shoutout s- I’ve got to THANK Gaile for her hospitality and for being a little mini tour guide for us. She went out of her way to make sure that we had the chance to see all the hot spots Miami/South Flordia has to offer. You are wonderful, and I hope we can hang out again in the future!! Travis Hall - Travis and I go way back to the basketball court at Shorter. He has such an engaging personality, and people are just drawn to him. His success makes me so proud! Ellisica’s was telling us tonight how all of her siblings went to Alabama. Her father is always looking for Shorter stuff to hang out up in his den next to the Alabama stuff. I hope he will be happy with the new SU goodies I sent his way! It was so great seeing the Hall family. They are just precious!

We are headed out bright and early (the normal) for Orlando. The SBC is also going on up there (don’t forget I’m writing from Miami), so we should have a great crowd including Dr. Newman and other SU staff! If you are in the area, please let us know. We would love for you to come too!

Till next time,

Rach