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28 • OCTOBER 2020 - Senior Voice of Citrus County
THE JOYS OF CRUISING

A L o o k B a c k a t M id n ig h t B u ff e t s

of fancy cakes, and often a There were travel books assist if you need help. Ah, for
watermelon carved so that it and maps, as well as several the good old days!
was the face of a person or a best-selling novels and old
fantastic flower. There were classics. Holland America Shipboard photographers have,
ice carvings of exceptional had the largest library, with for the most part, gone the

beauty. You wondered where soft leather lounge chairs that way of the midnight buffet and
they found such talented artists invited you to sit and enjoy a library. They still offer formal
among the crew members book. All this has disappeared portrait shots for the dressy
to produce these amazing now, and a small rack of books evenings, as well as candid
decorations. has been demoted to a seldom photos taken in the dining
used corner on their upper room and on shore when in
The buffet also featured main deck. Celebrity ships still port. Some ships print and post
course dishes in case you had the pictures for sale in large
By Margaret Hammond enjoyed an early dinner and have a designated library area racks along one passageway,
with comfortable chairs and
Although foreign cruise lines needed something more by lines of mostly empty shelves while other lines offer viewing

have begun cruising again in midnight. Anything from a – offering a quite limited on a computer with the option
the Orient and Mediterranean, decorated whole roast pig to choice of books among cast to print and purchase any you
they are not yet allowing lobster and pasta dishes was off encyclopedias, donated select. Prices have increased
passengers from the US. apt to be presented. There paper backs, and many novels considerably over the years
So, let’s take time to look was always a wide display of in foreign languages left by from $5 for a small photo to a
back over voyages of past cheeses and crackers, and cold former European passengers. multi-photo page that ranges in
years when things were a bit meats of all varieties. Now Once there was a librarian price from $25 and up. Most
different. The midnight buffet was the perfect time to sample to check out books for a $25 passengers use their personal
comes to mind as one of the those bits of blue cheese, charge on your shipboard credit cell phones and inexpensive
most anticipated shipboard goat cheese, creamy brie or – refunded when the book was cameras to take all of the
delights many years ago. camembert with a few varieties returned. Most passengers now scenic and “selfie” pictures
of salami, ham or prosciutto they desire. Everything keeps
Each ship tried to offer and some crackers. bring their own choice of paper changing and becoming “new
something so special that you backs or electronic readers. and improved” in spite of the
would remember it and return The library is the other most Only Cunard’s three Queen fact that we were happy with
for your next cruise. There missed feature of past cruises. liners retain a formal library on the way things were. So it
was always a huge selection Many ships offered a selection two decks joined by a circular goes!
of a thousand or more books. staircase, and a librarian to

Seeking applications for seat on the Beverly FRIENDS

Hills Advisory Council continued from page 25

The Citrus County Board of County the second Monday of every month at 10 When the building is fully open
Commissioners is seeking applications for a.m. at the Beverly Hills Civic Center, One again, come by and check out
the Beverly Hills Advisory Council. This Civic Cir. The purpose of this board is to the great selection of gifts; the
Advisory Council is seeking one qualified provide street lighting and landscaping prices are reasonable and the
regular member whose term will expire on services for the Beverly Hills area. volunteers who run the shop are

January 31, 2022. friendly. All purchases come
Applications are due by October 16, 2020
Eligible applicants must reside full time and and can be accessed at: in nice gift boxes and bags. Or,
own property within the boundaries of the if you are interested in greeting
Beverly Hills Municipal Service Benefit https://www.citrusbocc.com/commissioners/ customers when the shop
Unit as approved by the Board of County advboards/advisory-board-application.pdf reopens, selling nice gift items
Commissioners. Completed applications should be sent to and helping local seniors in the
Citrus County Administration, 3600 W. process, call 352-527-5975.
The Beverly Hills Advisory Council meets
Sovereign Path, Ste. 267, Lecanto, FL 34461.