Travel and Leisure
Cruise line launches new Web site for 'easy online' travel planning by Pamela Mones, editor
Discovery World Cruises
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(FORT LAUDERDALE, December 2003) — Discovery World Cruises has just launched a new Web site that will allow passengers to learn about the exciting itineraries MV Discovery will set sail to, including some of the most exotic destinations in the world, during the new line's inaugural cruise season. The site features the latest in navigational tools, and has a sophisticated appearance that directs site visitors to the areas they are most interested in faster and with ease.
The home page is user-friendly, and provides an easily navigable site map of sections that provide information on itineraries, a profile of the ship, interactive maps of the routes traveled by famed captains and explorers, historical anecdotes, important information about the destinations, and what to pack before embarking on any of the line's extraordinary voyages.
The site's new "Cruise Vacations" leads to an interactive map, with each cruise region marked off and, through interactive technology, highlights the routes of each sailing by changing from white to red with just one click. The map is also equipped with links to corresponding cruise itineraries. In addition, links to cruise categories are found at the top of each page, steering users directly to the Transatlantic, Antarctic Expeditions, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal, South Pacific and combination cruise itineraries quickly and easily.
Visitors can select and scroll through menus linked to schedules of departures, detailed descriptions of the ports of call, a detailed list of suggested reading to assist passengers in learning more about the places and cultures they will be visiting during their cruise, vacation extensions, prices for low-cost airfare add-ons, cruise-tour price breakdowns by accommodation class, and pre- and post-cruise hotel stay information. Selecting any departure brings up a day-to-day itinerary and an outline of the added bonus features of the cruise-tour experience and any specials on select itineraries. To learn more about Discovery and what the ship has to offer, users can navigate through the section entitled "MV Discovery" to learn about the first-class amenities offered on board, as well as view the "Ship's Profile," which provides a detailed deck plan to assist passengers in deciding which level of accommodations to choose for their next cruise.
Visitors to the site will also find important information about cruising to Discovery's exotic destinations in the "What You Should Know" section of the site. Here visitors will learn more about the suggested attire for various expeditions, including those articles of clothing necessary for landings in Antarctica, as well as passport and visa information, vaccinations; and find information provided that answers frequently asked questions about special needs passengers, special dietary needs, currency while traveling, dining arrangements and gratuities. There is also a section of the site that paints a picture of "Life Onboard" MV Discovery, including information regarding the special guest lecturers featured on select cruise-tours, including Dr. Jerri Nielsen, Sir Edmund Hillary, Steven Dachi, Bob Kirk and Dr. Peter Carey, among others.
Travelers aboard MV Discovery will explore the world in luxury and style while navigating the seas that hug the shores of some of the most remote destinations. The ship is resplendent with every modern comfort and convenience, including 351 cabins and suites equipped with televisions and built-in hairdryers; three restaurants; five elegant lounges; a well-stocked library; casino; modern health club and beauty center; two swimming pools, including one with a retractable dome; two Jacuzzis; and duty-free boutiques. The ship's senior officers are from Scandinavia, the cruise staff is American and European, while the service staff - perhaps the ship's biggest asset - is from the Philippines.
Founded in 2002 by Gerry Herrod, a noted travel industry entrepreneur and adventure cruise specialist, Discovery World Cruises is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with an operations center in London. For more information and to make a reservation, see a travel professional or contact Discovery World Cruises toll-free at 866-623-2689.
Health Services
Caregivers celebrated during November by Pamela Mones, editor
Aberdeen Mayor Doug Wilson presents Harford County Office on Aging Executive Director Carol Lienhard with a proclamation recognizing November as National Caregivers Month. Pictured (from left): Mayor Doug Wilson, Carol Lienhard, Sue Rice representing Home Instead Senior Care, Inc; Beth Boyson and Mike McPherson, officers in GAIN. |
(ABERDEEN, December 2003) — Aberdeen Mayor Doug Wilson presented Carol Lienhard, director of the Harford County Office on Aging, and members of the Geriatric Assistance and Information Network (GAIN), with a proclamation recognizing November as National Caregiver's Month. The mayor presented the proclamation during the council meeting on Nov. 4th, following the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected council members who won their seats in the recent election. In accepting the proclamation, Mrs. Lienhard spoke of the important role caregivers play in the lives of others who need their attention.
"Caregiving is a very demanding thing, and one of the most important things you can do if you are a caregiver is to ask, 'What can I do to help?'", she said, explaining that sometimes it's just a matter of taking over for an hour, so the caregiver can get out and get their hair done or just have a break from their duties.
Mrs. Lienhard also named services available in Harford County, such as Home Instead in Bel Air, that can provide in-home non-medical support to caregivers. GAIN and the Harford County Office on Aging will again partner to sponsor the annual Caregivers Conference, planned for April 3rd at the McFaul Activities Center in Bel Air. Last year's conference featured Jamie Costello as the keynote speaker, but planners of that event said the format will be slightly different in 2004.
"The responses we got back from those who attended last year and filled out the evaluation form said they preferred to have more time to spend with the exhibitors, and also to attend more of the sessions that were offered," said Mike McPherson, president of GAIN. The Caregivers Conference Committee will again be chaired by Leslie Lewis, owner of Home Instead Senior Care, Inc. in Bel Air, a franchise which provides in-home, non-medical care to seniors in local communities.
Community
Lorien Bel Air celebrates first anniversary by Pamela Mones, editor
Among those attending the First Anniversary Dinner were: Lorien Bel Air resident Phyllis Carreck, with her son John Blische as her guest; and resident Edna Nethken, with her daughter Carole Bowan.
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(BEL AIR, December 2003) — To mark its first anniversary, Lorien Bel Air hosted a formal dinner for residents and their guests on Nov. 4th. Brenda Cook and Randy Melchor, administrator at Lorien Bel Air, greeted residents and guests in the formal dining room during dinner.
In addition to her work at Lorien, Brenda also hosts a radio program, Eye on Seniors, every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1370 AM, where she discusses a variety of topics with her guests. The elegance of the dining room — tables dressed with coordinated linens, soft lighting casting a warm glow through the room, and the greens decorated with tiny white lights — created an atmosphere found at 'fine dining' restaurants anywhere. "Each resident could invite two guests," said Brenda, who is on the corporate staff of Lorien Health Systems, of which Lorien Bel Air is a subsidiary. The company also has a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Belcamp, as well as several in other regions of the state.
This 'senior living community' offers residents a continuum of care, including the Assisted Living Foundation Program, Helping Hands Program, Helping Hands Plus Program, Respite Care, and Medication Management (the cost of which is included in all the levels of care). The living units range from studio apartments to two-room suites, ranging in price from just over $3,000 a month for a studio to just over $5,700 a month for a two-room suite. A monthly charge of just over $1,100 is added for a spouse. Lorien has a total of 56 apartments, which can accommodate up to 64 people in the assisted living units; and 62 beds in their short- and long-term care units.
To get more details about living arrangements, services and amenities offered at Lorien Bel Air, call 410-803-1400.
Travel and Leisure
Christian Seniors enjoy "Ghostly Walk of St. Michael's" by Lois Gosley
Kelley Cox narrates local history of St. Michael's for Christian seniors. |
(December 2003) — On October 23, Christian Seniors boarded a Gunther Motor Coach and after a prayer for travel mercies by Dolly Goebel, coordinator, departed from Havre de Grace's Tydings Park. En route they enjoyed lunch at Old Country Inn Buffet. They arrived at St. Michael's at 2:00 pm.
St. Michael's is a quiet, charming, peaceful haven just a leisurely drive from Havre de Grace. It is a visitor's delight with its interesting shops, enchanting inns and bed and breakfasts. St. Michael's derived it name from the Episcopal parish. The town's taxes were due on St. Michael's day, the parish's feast day for St. Michael, who slew the serpent.
We were met by Kelley Cox of Dockside Express. Kelley escorted us aboard the Express Royale, docked by the Crab Claw Restaurant, and introduced us to Captain Jerry Cox for our scenic cruise around the Miles River. Kelley narrated local history, depicting how the town had fooled the British. The British had planned an attack in the dark morning hours of August 10, 1813, and the residents, forewarned, hoisted lanterns to the masts of ships and in the tops of trees, tricking the British to overshoot the town. This first "blackout" was effective. Only one house was struck. A cannon ball penetrated the roof and rolled down the staircase as Mrs. Merchant carried her infant daughter downstairs. The Cannonball House still exists as a private residence. The cannon ball used to sit in the window. It is now in a museum. Oddly enough, Mr. Merchant was trading with the British at the time. After the American Revolution, the British were sent packing.
After a scrumptious dinner at the Chesapeake Cove and the sun had set, our guide, Kelley, rejoined us. She was dressed in a 19th century-style long black dress with flowing black cape and bonnet, and carried a large lantern. She led us on a stroll through the historic streets of St. Michael's. She narrated tales of misty spirits moving through a house; furniture and objects changing places in another home. As we neared the waterfront, she told the story about a British sailor who had enough of British Navy life and decided to jump ship. He swam right into the hands of pirates or privateers, depending whose side you were on. He was instantly captured and beheaded, and his head was tossed into the Miles River. His ghost still wanders the shoreline, hunting for his head. One-liners came from our group, such as, "You can't get ahead around here."
Another fascinating story was about why grave sites are in one place and gravestones are in another. The church building was sold to the Masonic Lodge and a new church was built, and when the laborers were instructed to move the cemetery to the new site, they only moved the headstones.
One story of particular interest and supposed to be true was about the minister of the Church of Christ. His wife had died and the custom of the day was to bury people with their jewelry on. The minister's wife was buried with a fine ring on her finger. "So, the night of the funeral, grave robbers dug up her casket and tried to take the ring. It was stuck. They decided they had to cut off her finger. When they started to cut, they woke her up. She was only in a coma. The robbers ran screaming into the night. Since she lived "right outside town," she walked home. After that, when they buried someone, they would tie a string around the deceased's finger and attach the other end of the string to a bell outside the grave. Patrols were set up to watch the grave sites and listen for bells. This is how "graveyard shift" originated. One-liners from our group, such as, "Dead Ringers," kept us laughing.
There was a casket standing on its end in a storefront window, so "viewing" would be from the street. (This is now an ice cream parlor.) Capturing all the ghostly stories and odd occurrences on paper isn't as exciting as strolling along the narrow dark alleys of St. Michael's with our costumed guide, with swinging lantern, and seeing the house, graveyard or waterfront connected to the story.
A prayer of thanks was offered as we arrived in Havre de Grace at 5:45 pm. Dolly had distributed descriptions of upcoming trips. There is one remaining trip for this year, namely Tom Netherton, in Williamsburg, VA.
Our Year 2004 schedule is as follows:
Apr. 1 - Odyssey Cruise and Cherry Blossoms, Wash., DC - $64.
June 11 thru 17 - Trains of New Eng.- board 7 vintage trains - relive the Good Old Days - $1,110/sgl - $975/dbl.
Jul. 15 - The Baltimore "Ducks," and Land and Sea Adventure - $45.
Aug. 19 - Chesapeake Exploration Center at Kent Narrows, and Fisherman's Crab Feast - $58
Sept. 23 - Luncheon Cruise aboard Paddleboat, Dorothy Megan, Hurlock, MD - $72
Oct. 7 - By Land, Sea and Rail, Harrisburg, PA - $80
Nov. 18 - Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre "Christmas Show", Wilmington, DE
Call Dolly Goebel for more information at 410-272-4560.
For comments or questions, please contact the editor of Prime Times at pmones@cpc.chespub.com.
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