Friday, May 11, 2007
The Rose Buddies of Elizabeth City, NC
Friday, May 11. Having heard about the Rose Buddies ever since we first learned about the Great Loop, stopping in Elizabeth City was a must. Shortly after we tied up at the town dock yesterday, 93-year-old Fred Fearing arrived at the town dock by golf cart and invited us (and other boats docked there) to wine and cheese at his house five blocks away. Fred told me that his wife and been “gone” for more than twenty years. Shortly after her death, he began the tradition of bringing a rose to lady boaters in her memory. “This way,” he said, “I honor her every day.” Eventually other volunteers joined him, and soon Elizabeth City became known as the friendliest city along the east coast. Fred himself comes whenever he can, and we were fortunate that he felt up to a visit. If more than five boats are docked there, he often hosts the wine and cheese party, along with a tour of his house. The hospitality is contagious; everyone we met as we toured the town went out of their way to be friendly to boaters.
