Cultural Glimpse

Wherever we went in Myrtle Beach, we saw signs for the dinner show “Pirates Voyage.” On our hotel’s “Do Not Disturb” door hanger, airplane advertising banners that flew over the ocean, on street billboards. If we asked a hotel employee to suggest a tour or show, the first words that came out of their mouth was “Pirates Voyage!” Adding that not only our children will love it, but so will we. And the food – “It’s amazing!” one man told us.

We placed it on our to-do-list, never expecting that the experience would mesmerize our children where we could eat our entire dinner, dessert included, without a single distraction. We watched a show prior to the show, where there was wonderful entertainment, particularly that of a sea lion. Then we were led into the dinner arena, which resembled a ship with seats all around and in the middle a smaller ship in water.

Within no time, a colorful splendid show appeared before our eyes. It consisted of pirates and mermaids and acrobats and sea lions and parrots! As we watched, we got to enjoy a delicious feast of creamy vegetable soup (served and eaten right out of a cup without a spoon), half roasted chicken, cob on the corn, “Pirate Shipwreck Taters” and “Apple O’Me Eye Pie.”

It seems that anything Dolly Parton puts her hands on is filled with tremendous love, high spirits, and great quality – from her singing to her movies to her shows and philanthropy. Her literacy program, “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” mails one book per month to each enrolled child from the time of their birth until they enter kindergarten, across 36 U.S. states. In December 2007, it expanded to Europe. The program distributes more than 2.5 million free books to children annually. My children at one point had enjoyed these wonderful books!

Thank you, Dolly!