Audrey Mitchell-Wineland

“Kristin – Your tape is broken!!” (circa ~ early 1980s)

I remember being SO excited to have been invited to travel with the Carstarphens to the beach for a whole week as Daughtry’s friend. I knew for sure I was going to be part of high-spirits, fun, and well, just plain “coolness.” And indeed I was. Right in middle of six, yes SIX, (barely) teenage girls. And Bill. (In hindsight, clearly this man had extraordinary capacity.) Despite being teased mercilessly for thinking Kristin’s Pink Floyd tape was broken (how could you not know it was just the sound effect?!); he seemed to have as much fun as anyone as master of ceremonies, card shark, beach comber, and chef. He radiated warmth, responsibility, a fun-loving nature and well, just plain “coolness.”

What else could explain convincing my parents to co-sponsor a surprise roller-rink party? Or to wiz around town in a caravan of convertible MGs and Fiats? And Lord only knows what else behind-the-scenes of the 1970s Unitarian Universalist Spartanburg, SC congregation. Surely then, this man was a Santa Claus for good times. And as testimonial to his steadfast good-cheer; as my mother was recently reminiscing about some of these past exuberances, Tim (Bill’s son-in-law) paused, furrowed his brow in bemusement and said “I love how you talk about it as if it was a phase.” Obviously for Bill it was not. And he was much loved and appreciated for it.

Love to his girls-
Audrey Mitchell-Wineland