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PAGE 2B PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. JANUARY 23. 2003 Observations from the Side ofjhe Road Disney World By Charles O. Walker Since I was little (in age, not size) I have been a Disney fan. Actually, Mickey Mouse and his friends were what I watched in car toons at the Fairfax Theater on Main Street, East Point. I usually went on Wednesday and Saturday when the entry rate was only a nick el. Now when Snow White came out, it was a different story. This was a 100 movie! I “loved” that movie! Back in 1976, my friend Russell Bennett worked for the Home Mis sion Board, SBC and planned a South wide Royal Ambassador (boys) conference at Disney World. He invited J.R. Huddlestun and me to help in parts of the program. We got to take our families with us and stayed on the property. We had a great time! Out of the blue, just before Christmas, Mark Miller asked me if I would like to go with Leslie and him to Disney World after Christ mas. I jumped at the offer! It happened like this. We were at the Jasper Family Steak House. I was kidding Mark about being a workaholic and never taking time off. He replied, “No, that’s not true. I take time off. In fact, I am planning a vacation right now. Why don’t you come and go with us?” “Where are you going?” “We are going to Disney World,” Mark exclaimed. I answered, “That’s great!” He continued, “I am planning for us to go the Disney World after Christmas. How would you like to go to Disney World?” Kinda stunned, I replied, “I never thought anything about it!” Mark said, “Leslie and I are going after Christmas. We will have an apartment with an extra bedroom and bath. We will be glad to have you go with us.” “Fine! I’ll just do that!” A couple of days later we met with Joy Huddlestun at Woodbridge so she could tell us where we would have our main meals. Whatever Joy suggested we were in agreement. She decided the schedule of parks we would visit and naturally she made reservations for us in the major restaurants. Away We Go So, after church on Sunday, Dec. 29, we head South. Because of dis tance, Joy scheduled that we spend the night in Fairfield Inn, Ocala, FI. and arrive at Disney the next morn ing. So, Hallene, J.R. and Joy Hud dlestun arrived about the same time as we. Mark and Leslie had a great fourth floor apartment at the end of the last building in Beach Yacht Club Villas. My quarters had a big bathroom, a bed area with a table and chairs, a large TV and a porch outside double doors. From Mark and Leslie’s porch we had an excel lent view of the nine PM Epcot fire works. As soon as we unpacked, we departed our rooms to enter the world of fantasy. When at EPCOT, we met J.R., Hallene and Joy Huddlestun and the fun began. EPCOT The part of EPCOT that we visit ed is made up of attractions from eleven nations: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, USA, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada. These circle the World Showcase Lagoon. Each country has their nationals working in their buildings and space. We snacked at France and enjoyed the pastries. I was traveling by a battery oper ated one-seat motorized chair and doing fairly OK. However, near China the machine got tired and slowed down to about zero. It even stopped a couple of times. A young Chinese girl who worked in a shop of the large China complex apprised her supervisor of my predicament. The young man told us to go on in and see the spectacular Wonders Of China show and then come back. When we returned, a new chair was there and we went on out merry way! The Mime who put on a brief show at Italy was a tremendous actress. Dressed in a white costume, all her skin was covered with white. In the act, she stood as a stature and a young man was admiring her. He moved around her. At times, when he was not looking, she would come to life and make gestures which caused the audience to laugh. She would steal his glasses or date book or make ears behind his head. The crowd would express amusement, for she was making light of the man. The partner would look blank, wondering, “Why is the crowd laughing?” At the end, he gives her a kiss on the cheek. The Mime’s eyes suddenly came open. They were wonderful! The USA presentation is one that every citizen should see. It makes you proud to be an American! At 4:30 we dined at the Garden Grill in The Land. You sit on a revolving platform and move from display to display. The waiter was top quality and the food delicious. We served ourselves from large fry ing pans filled with reef scrimp, slices of turkey breast, catfish nuggets plus steamed vegetables and cornbread stuffing. Coffee and pumpkin cheesecake topped off the meal. We took the Living with the Land boat ride through working greenhouses and a fish-production facility. This tour revealed unique growing systems and over 60 food crops from around the world.. That night we rushed to the Christmas Candlelight Processional. Since two of us were in handicap chairs, we had excellent seats. There are 96 performances in the holiday season by 400 performers. The 51-member orchestra comes from central Florida professional musicians. The choir is composed of Walt Disney World cast member volunteers, along with high school and community groups from over 24 states. On previous nights, Pickens High School Chorus was one of the 223 groups which sang! In the last five years, over 1,000,000 youth have been in Disney programs! This was the best Hanukkah/Christ- mas program I have ever heard. The Kitchen Sink The enjoyment of good food is one of the delights of living! We spent the second day in the ANIMAL KINGDOM. This was a fantastic day. We arrived about 7:30 a.m. to make the tour ride through the Savannah to see the animals. The Kilimanjaro Safaris tours through the wild animal savannah were tops for me. Not only did we take the early ride, I asked that we repeat the late ride through the Savannah to see the lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos and vari ous gazelles. We hurried to get best seats to see the show. The Festival of the Lion King. The Guidemap is modest when it read: “You and the little ones will enjoy ..this high-energy tribal cele bration of pure pageantry with joy ous music, dance, and specialty per formances. Simba, Timon and Pum- baa lead the way as you sing and clap along with your favorite songs from The Lion King movie.” Beautiful costumes, magnificent dancing and acrobatics, stirring music and singing, thrilling actions were all a part of the presentation. This presentation and later the parade were outstanding! The meal that day was at 11:15 a.m. at the Rainforest cafe. Was it high-quality! After a full day at the Animal Kingdom, I was ready for rest and supper. Now rest doesn’t take but a few minutes when the time to eat arrives. Leslie called the restaurant, but all reservations were taken. Conse quently, we headed out for the small Beaches and Cream. Even then we had to wait an hour before seats were available inside for us. This wait was not really bad, for we had great seats with a view of Storm Along Bays big sandy bottom pools, the yards and the Wind Mill. People would pass in front of our window, but we ignored them. At last, we were given a table in the small rectangle shaped sand wich, coffee, ice cream parlor. The comment was made, “We need something like this in Jasper.” On the menu, we noted an item listed as “The Famous KITCHEN SINK - Scoops of Vanilla, Choco late, Strawberry, Coffee and Mint Chocolate, smothered in every Top ping we have — You gotta see it to believe it.” They forgot to mention the four brownie square and slices of cake under the mound of ice cream which was covered with a can of cream topping and a dozen red cherries! The sink was the size of a metal water fountain basin with a crooked faucet. Naturally, this concoction was discussed in a derogatory and humorous manner by the three of us. Every time one came out to be served, the lights were dimmed and public announcement of the serving was proclaimed. Every eye was turned toward the courageous crew which ordered the KITCHEN SINK. We always noted the number eating the massive dessert. When we finished our hamburg ers, the subject of dessert was raised. The menu was filled with enticing “Sundaes on the Beach” and “Happy Endings.” While we were debating what to order or not to order, a Kitchen Sink came out. We had discussed three items $ which we might purchase. After observing this latest Sink, we added the prices of our three items and discovered that we would save $2 but ordering the Kitchen Sink. So, being ice cream lovers and at the same time being very thrifty individuals, we called the waitress and ordered the Kitchen Sink! Frankly, the economic considera tion of saving $2 was mentioned, but conservative monetary motives went of the window! Why miss a once in a lifetime opportunity to “pig out” with a spectacular ice cream concoction? The die was cast! The order for the Kitchen Sink was placed! In a few minutes, the Beaches and Cream lights were dimmed. Bells rang! A manager came out into the table area and proclaimed: “Here we come with our famous Kitchen Sink Ice Cream dessert! It is a great dessert! We are delivering it to the three piglets at this table!” I remarked, “No! One of us is a COW.” Every on in the place had a good laugh! Now, you have heard about it! I wish we could have had a picture, for we ate the whole contents of the Kitchen Sink. Lusk Pools & Leisure Products 8521A Knox Bridge Hwy. Canton, Ga 30114 11 wy. 20W toward Cartersville Locally-owned and operated since 1983 Licensed and insured Quality work in a timely manner In Grounds, Above Grounds, Spas and more! Owners: Doug & Lisa Lusk MEMBER (770)479-9579 C23! Call today for a free estimate ww w.luskpools .com P CL. <! S8 Mountain Mentors ft Seeking VOLUNTEERS to work with children in Pickens County Schools as: Tutor Role Model Coach Confidant YOU can make a difference in the life of a child. CALL Pickens County Middle School 770-253-1830 or Jasper Middle School 706-253-1760 ask for Ann Burger, Youth Coordinator Pickens County Family Connections Doyal Dacus Painting Quality Residential Painting Since 1972 Sherwin Williams Paints Free Estimates mmm ALLTEL - DSL LITE AD GOES HERE R&R SELF STORAGE THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: REFUGE RD. CAMPUS DRIVE OLD HWY. 5 N. JASPER JASPER JASPER All Three Location Feature: Outdoor Lightins • Perimeter Fencing 24 HruTenant Access RENTAL OFFICE LOCATED AT BURNT MOUNTAIN AUTOWASH 293 BURNT MOUNTAIN ROAD JASPER, GEORGIA PHONE 706-692-2382 PAGER 770-735-8579 CELL 770-354-0216