By Dr. Cynthia L. Toles
The Carver High School Class of 1964 is celebrating its Golden Year (2014) as a class. Beginning with an amazing road trip of six nights and seven days, the group began exploring sites in some of northern cities.
Everyone was down for the trip and excitement was everywhere. The group included Linda Beard and Xavier Davis as team leaders. The other members were Angenetta Rodgers, Gregory Johnson, Odessa Evans, Diretha Allen, Johnny Eddins, P. Spanks, Johnnie Williams, Helen T. Harris, Mary L. Gray, Aaron Williams and Johnny Dobbs.
On June 14, class members, family and friends gathered at the Midtown Plaza heading for the nor-thern lights and sites. As each person entered the bus, smiles, laughter and exhilaration were on everyone’s face. The amazing road trip had just begun!
Troutville, Va., was the first stop on the trip for rest and relaxation. As the sun began to dawn the earth the second day of the trip, the group was off to Whitehall, Pa., stopping at the Old Time Country Buffet.
Dinner was great, and the celebrants were off to New York and began a whirlwind guided tour of Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, Central Park and Time Square. It was a great tour that left a lasting impression on all who gazed upon the attractions.
Before the words “Are We There Yet” were said, the bus was on the road to Atlantic City, N.J. The group spent two whole wonderful days exploring the Resort International Casino and the Boardwalk along with a trip to the mall outlets.
On Wednesday of the trip, the group traveled to the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, with a guided tour that highlights the St. Peter Church where George Washington worshipped, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the home of Betsy Ross, Penn Landing and a ride through Will Smith’s childhood neighborhood (the Fresh Prince of Belair).
The last part of the ama-zing road trip was Baltimore, Md. The group members had an opportunity to tour and visit the site at the Baltimore Inner Harbor on their own. Some members dined at Bubba Gump Restaurant in the harbor. Other sites included a walk around the harbor, the National Aquarium, water taxi, the USS Constellation and the Submarine USS Torsk that graced the Baltimore Harbor.
On June 20, the amazing road trip came to a glorious end. The trip ended but friendships were rekindled, remembered and renewed, which was the heart of the amazing road trip.
Even though the physical structure of Carver High School is gone, the Wildcat Spirit still lives in the hearts of all the Carver alumni!