Highlights from the Highway

See the photos

Drive wise, this was our longest trip of the Road Tour. I actually enjoyed it though. While Chip and Mal were doing their own things up front (mostly arguing over the air conditioning) I put in my headphones and set up my mini office in the back seat. With people constantly calling me to RSVP for every city, I am staying on my toes. It’s fun though!! I love talking to the alums on the phone and then meeting them in person. Don’t get me wrong, I am working nonstop, but I am really enjoying myself.

Tifton - I have to admit that I don’t know much about the area. Being from extreme North Georgia, my only trips were passing through on the way to the beach. It’s a neat little town though. I really liked the main street area. It’s charming! Mallory did a great job picking Three Graces Manor. It’s a bed and breakfast with tons of character, very inviting. Our group tonight was smaller than we anticipated as a family of five couldn’t make it at the last minute. BUT I like the small events. They give us all the chance to really get to know everyone. We are able to form friendships instead of just an acquaintance. It was great to chat with Mrs. Brown and friends, and the Stephens—they were cracking me up!

My shout outs for the day include: Facebook, Prissy Morgan, and Jason ( ’99) & Patsy ( ’01) Shivers. I’m convinced that Facebook is the greatest networking tool of the modern day. This road trip wouldn’t be half as successful as it’s been without it. Thanks to all of you that are following us!! Prissy gets a HUGE thank you for helping find a place to leave my car in Macon for the next nine days. I was scared to leave it just anywhere, so she used her awesome resources to hook me up! I owe you big time!! I am feeling the pressure to give Patsy & Jason an adequate shout out since I know they are actually reading this… I’ve been looking forward to seeing them all week. Patsy is just amazing! I remember being a student and looking up to her, like a role model. As a student, we wanted to be like Patsy and her friends when we grew up… I realized a long time ago that I will never be that cool! Jason graduated before I got to Shorter, so we really never got the chance to know each other. Thanks to the SU Road Tour we are now buddies! I also got to meet the littlest of the Shivers’ clan. Jordyn is adorable and has the most precious personality. She is going to be a heartbreaker for sure.

If we survive Chip slamming on the brakes every five seconds we will be in Tampa tomorrow night. Come see us!!

Till next time,

Rach

What...a.....GREAT....evening! Tonight we dined with alumni at Three Graces Manor in Tifton, Georgia. I learned all sorts of neat things about the older alums---they were a hoot! Betty Brown, class of '41 was so excited to be there and told us all about her days at Shorter..."BEFORE boys," she said. She lived in Cooper dorms and one of her favorite classes was "tumbling". I tried to get her to perform one of her tumblling routines for us at the restaurant but she said she can barely handle walking, much less gymnastics. She had a great sense of humor.

Unfortunately an alum and her family had to cancel last minute so we were 5 people short at the dinner. Even though they were missed, we still had an enjoyable evening, it was just a smidge more intimate. I met Patsy and Jason Shivers, both alumni of Shorter and their daughter Jordyn. Rachel explained to me how awesome of an athlete Patsy was at Shorter and that she basically set every record in baseketball at the school. Patsy was very modest about the whole situation but we were loving it! It was kind of like eating dinner with a small town celebrity!

We laughed at dinner and had such a good time. In fact, when we got back into the van Chip said, "you know...even though that crowd was smaller, I had a GREAT time!!!" And we all agreed. Tifton folks are great folks. :)

Over and out!

Mal

Today started off great because we ran into Corey Colbert an alum (who is also one of my Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia brothers) at a Cracker Barrell in McDoungah. He just graduated this past May and will be starting law school in the fall.

The Tiftion event was another great experience. I am blessed to have met Betty Brown class of 1941. She had found a Shorter belt buckle that she had as a student that she joked for some reason didn't fit anymore, but she had made a necklace out of it. I got to find out lots of great stories about the way Shorter was 70 years ago. Joining Betty was Lucia and Jimmy who were great to get to know as well.

Also at the event were alumns Patsy and Jason Shivers who graduated in 2001 and 1999 respectively who also brought their daughter Jordyn. They had to head out early to pick up their kids at VBS. We had a family of five that had to back out at the last moment but hopefully they will be able to come to Macon instead. I also got a chance to catch up with my inlaws Sam and Diane Stephens. While they are not alums themselves they did put two daughters through Shorter so we were happy to have them there.

According to the map we've only gone about four inches. You know, I don't think we have enough gas money.

Chip