When we got up this morning, I had a bad case of arthritis in my right ankle. We had planned on going over to the driving range to hit a bucket of balls in preparation for my scheduled golf outing on Friday, but that changed those plans. We hung around the house catching up on some computer work and getting everything packed until about 1:30 when PDG Ed & Lion Pat picked us up for the trip to Ocala.
It was a little over two hours to Ocala from Cocoa Beach. When we got to the Holiday Inn, we were greeted by DG Estelle and her Ed, and got checked into our room. The room was a very nice suite, and they really went overboard on the welcoming gifts. We has a fruit basket, a snack basket, some chocolates and citrus candy, a refrigerator full of Coke, and a beautifully painted horse that was a replica of one that had been displayed in town as part of the town festival.
After unpacking and getting settled, Estelle & Ed came to escort us down to the bar where we shared a libation with CC Rocky and a couple other DGs and partners. The Thursday social included a nice buffet dinner with salad, meatloaf, chicken, potatoes, rice, vegetables, etc. We both went for the salad, meatloaf and rice. The evening’s entertainment was provided by Lion Richard Cary, who was quite an accomplished magician. He had a great act that included audience participation, and of course, Debra became part of the act. Everything was done by about 9:00, and we called it an early night along with everyone else.