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Imagine Going There Travel
770.421.9627
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For Culture-Collecting Clients & Friends of Imagine Going There Travel THE COMPASS
NOVEMBER 2022
On Today’s Menu: Uncomfortable
Did You Know ...
Viking has released their 2024 river cruise schedule (and portions of the 2024 ocean schedule as well.) Many of the best dates are going fast, so you’ll want to reserve your preferred dates and stateroom category as soon as possible.
“Are you going to get your face painted?” Jan Cieply asked at the fundraising walk for Water@Work. Many Cresswind Lake Lanier residents are active supporters of this nonprofit, which helps provide communities in the Dominican Republic with a clean, sustainable water source. “No, I don’t do face painting,” I promptly responded. When she asked why, I told her I
Did You Know ... (Pt. 2)
You can make a reservation with Viking and change the itinerary without affecting your deposit and insurance? As long as it’s more than 120 days prior to departure, there is no penalty for changing dates or itineraries, and sometimes you can take advantage of any current pricing and promotions, too.
Jan, Carol, Diana & John
was there to represent Viking and that wouldn’t be the most professional look, and in all honesty, I wasn’t comfortable doing things like that. “Well,” she said, “I know what you mean, but I realized that as we get older, we seem to be more resistant to change. But change will always be a part of our lives, so I made it a goal to do something uncomfortable every day, so I learn to embrace it rather than avoid it.” It couldn’t have made a bigger impact if she had been on a podium presenting a speech on the subject. After a pause, I said, “Oh … you’re right.” And like any uncomfortable truth, the fact that I was uncomfortable with the suggestion in the first place shows that I have room for growth.
So, I promptly (and uncomfortably) went over to Diana Thurman to get my face painted. As a side note, Diana is a professional artist and 39 years ago was painting wildflowers on a canvas when a student asked if she could paint a design on his face as he was heading to a party. She quickly fulfilled his request, and the result was such a hit that referrals started pouring in. She ended up becoming a mainstay at the Georgia Renaissance Festival as well as many other venues over the years. She even taught her girls to do face painting and became so good at it that the work provided funds to put them through college. Diana said she really enjoys seeing the transformation on the faces of the kids, who are so happy with their new identities. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ...
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
A TIDBIT FROM TIM AND JUDY, PRO VIKING TRAVELERS Tales From Our Sails
Tim and Judy are truly passionate about travel and cruising — they’ve been on all of the European river cruises and four of
When it comes to Viking, their customer service is off the charts. “While we love the fact that there are not any casinos
the ocean cruises. They have two more on their calendars and they’re anxiously awaiting and counting down the days to departure! For Tim and Judy, escaping on the sea is a thrilling adventure, and Viking provides just the experience they are looking for every single time. While both the river cruises and the ocean cruises have their pros and cons (although they admit there really is nothing negative to say about either), if they had to choose between the two, they’d opt for a river cruise. “With Viking’s river cruises, there’s a certain intimacy element that isn’t as prevalent on the ocean cruises,” they tell us. “We enjoy being
and there are fewer travelers on board, it’s truly the Viking crew that makes the trip fabulous,” Tim and Judy say. “Not to mention, Carol with Imagine Going There makes the entire experience wonderful. She’s the best blessing we’ve had.” Tim and Judy want other travelers to enjoy Viking’s cruises and excursions as much as they do, and they have a few pieces of advice to offer other travelers. First, be sure to pack
light. On the ocean cruises, you have the opportunity to do your own laundry, and on the river cruises, for a fee, the crew can assist you in washing your clothes. Not to mention, it’s really all about comfort! Also, don’t forget to bring along a camera, and no need to bring an umbrella — the Viking crew will provide one for you! Tim and Judy, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us! We hope you enjoy your next two Viking excursions and come back with more stories to share! Bon voyage!
aboard a smaller ship and the fact that on river cruises, you go right into the cities and have the opportunity to walk right off the boat and into the city. You can explore so much more!” Hands down, their favorite cruise destination to date was the Grand Hawaii & Polynesia . Exploring the many islands was an experience they’ll never forget!
Chicago’s ‘Dentist to the Queen’ THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE GOLD CUFF LINKS
THE MAKING OF A ROYAL SMILE In truth, Queen Elizabeth likely had a team of dentists at her beck and call over the years. Fun fact: Even though she passed away at age 96, the queen did not wear dentures. She had all of her own teeth! Queen Elizabeth’s exact dental upkeep appears to be a national secret, but Matthew Rose, an implant surgeon and restorative dentist with The Implant Center, told Express the queen likely invested in cosmetic dentistry like crowns and veneers to keep her smile white. According to The Mirror, the queen herself credited her smile to the fact that she once wore braces. “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men [and women].” Proverbs 18:16)
Way back in 1959, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visited Chicago for 14 hours — and during that small window, the queen went to the dentist. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth had lost a filling in one of her back teeth and needed a dentist to replace it between royal sightseeing stops at places like the Museum of Science and Industry. She chose Dr. Norman Olson, a dentist who practiced out of the nearby Drake hotel. WHY DR. OLSON? Talking about the incident years later, Dr. Olson’s daughter told the Chicago Tribune that he was likely selected thanks to his reputation and location. “It was a very secure hotel,” she said. “I’m sure it was easy for the Secret Service and everybody else to guard the place,
and in my opinion, my dad was the best dentist in Chicago.”
15 MINUTES FOR A LIFETIME OF FAME It’s funny to think of a queen in the dental chair, but the way Queen Elizabeth paid for her procedure is even more curious. Reportedly, Dr. Olson declined to charge her for the 15-minute filling fix — so she gifted him a pair of gold-enameled cuff links for his trouble. The cuff links were decorated with crowns and the letters “ER” for “Elizabeth Regina.” From then on, Dr. Olson was nationally known as “The Queen’s Dentist.” According to the Tribune, he never accepted requests for TV interviews about his experience with the queen. But cards addressed to “The Queen’s Dentist” continued to appear in his mailbox long after her visit.
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“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” —WINSTON CHURCHILL
... CONTINUED FROM COVER
After the event, I went into the grocery store with my new identity! I know it wasn’t a big deal, but the challenge was. Jan was right — as we grow older, we tend to get too comfortable with being comfortable, and that’s asking for trouble. Many uncomfortable changes are forced on us whether we like them or not. Pushing ourselves into the discomfort zone ultimately makes us more flexible and enables us to turn our sails into the winds of adversity rather than letting them capsize our ship. I learned an impromptu “pay now or pay later” lesson about 10 years ago, when one evening while walking the dog, I fell and broke my hip, resulting in emergency hip replacement surgery. My doctor said, “I’ve done a lot of these operations. If you don’t want to keep coming back and seeing me for the next 20 years, you are going to have to be very serious about your physical therapy. My role is about 20% of your healing. Your role accounts for 80%.” I heeded his advice, pushed through the challenge of therapy, and took his warning seriously. This also forced a significant lifestyle change, but I’m better for it and stronger than ever. What steps do you take to account for your growth, even if it is uncomfortable? Perhaps it’s braving that thing you’ve always been scared to try. Maybe it’s making new friends and joining a new club after a life change. Or stepping out into a new adventure, even if it looks different now than it did in the past. Having people beside you who recognize when you do something uncomfortable and celebrate you for it can also make a world of difference. Our Compass readers are full of activity and determination — I’ve seen it and love hearing their stories of courage and optimism! If you’re like me and needed Jan’s reminder, perhaps the next step for you is to share with a partner or friend and ask when was the last time they did something out of their comfort zone. Then challenge each other to take the plunge!
Southwestern Beef Stew
A simple twist on beef stew is great for cool fall or winter evenings!
Ingredients • 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes • 2 tbsp cooking oil • 3 cups water • 1 1/4 cups chopped onion • 1 cup salsa • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes • 2 tsp beef bouillon paste • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 3 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 14 1/2-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained • 1 1/2 cups frozen cut green beans • 1 1/2 cups frozen corn • 4-oz can chopped green chiles • Hot pepper sauce, optional • Hot cooked rice
Directions 1. In a 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat, brown meat in oil; drain. Add next eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 hour. Add carrots; return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add tomatoes, green beans, corn, and chiles. Return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until beef and vegetables are tender. Season with hot pepper sauce and serve over rice.
Even nature teaches us that things grow and change. Keep growing.
I can’t wait to hear the stories — and adventures — that come with it.
—Carol Shaddix
2. Garnish with corn chips and sour cream, if desired.
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
A Platinum Circle Agency for:
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
770.421.9627 | www.ImagineGoingThere.com 3600 Dallas Hwy, Suite 230-215, Marietta, GA 30064
Everything you love about Viking, only better! A great destination is just one part of an amazing vacation. Just like having a master chef prepare your meal at your favorite restaurant, as one of Viking’s largest representatives, we’ve booked these vacations countless times. We intuitively know how to enhance the outcome of your experience so it consistently delivers above and beyond your expectations (and know when those special promotions such as extra shipboard credit or free airfare are available you might not know about). Whether you are interested in an individual reservation or want to travel together as a group, call 770.421.9627 for your free consultation on how to make your next vacation even better than you expected! Tip: If you’ve already booked direct with Viking in the last 60 days, contact us to add some additional bonuses to your reservation!
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GROWTH CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE
TALES FROM OUR SAILS
THE STORY OF ‘THE QUEEN’S DENTIST’
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SOUTHWESTERN BEEF STEW
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Team Spotlight: Heidi Bulla Heidi never knew she’d have the opportunity to serve with a team at a travel agency, but Imagine Going There has certainly expanded her borders! Growing up in Colorado, her mountain-loving heart was so content; she never had
passion for the military (with a soft spot for the Marines) and volunteers to help our troops and their families in her spare time. And while Scotland is still on her wish list, her hobbies are broad. They include reading, researching, writing, military, politics, history, law, painting Western mountainscapes, playing the piano, and making caramels at Christmas!
any globe-trekking inclinations … but then, there was Scotland! Falling in love with the land, the dialect, and history (especially of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Scottish Reformation), anything Scotland captured her interest. After working 14 1/2 years in the medical field, she now serves as IGT’s Engagement Coordinator and is amazed at the many wonderful itineraries Viking offers! Heidi is detail-oriented and enjoys working behind the scenes. Everyone knows things would come to a grinding halt if she weren’t on the team. While you might see her helping at the Viking vendor fairs, her favorite tasks are gathering important documents and preparing special cruise packages for our clients.
Heidi has a huge heart and loves hearing people’s stories and encouraging them on their journey. She has a
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