Papa’s World – Fun times in pictures!

October 21, 2025June 11, 2025 / Tom / Leave a comment

Above – H.S. and Grade School buddy – Bob.

Pam is his wife, Sherry, and Diane is our neighbor.

They stopped by for a visit on their way North to N.H.

We see them at least once a year.

Here we are at INLET VIEW – for lunch/dinner!

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

We were neighbors in Portville, New York, from the mid-80s to the mid-90s.

Cindy and Buck!

They sold their longtime home and moved to Wilmington, N.C.

Eventually, building homes in Magnoilia Greens, Leland, NC.

We stayed in touch and have traveled the world with them on vacations.

Today, we live about 38 miles from them-

and still get together.

This was taken at OIB FISH COMPANY on the ocean side of the causeway to OIB.

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

A group of longtime friends.

On our way to Shakleford Island to see the wild horses.

I have known one couple – Jim and Dottie – in the middle –

Since before Sherry and I were married-

All three of us grew up in Eldred.

Craig and Debbie, we met through Jim and Dottie –

And Craig, seated next to Debbie on the left of the picture-

Grew up in Sheffield, Pa.-

Close to where Sherry was raised in Mount Jewett.

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

We all travel –

and stay,

and play golf together.

And this is so true to all our games! LOL!

Troy and Shawn –

My two sons-

They still live back in Pa., where they were raised.

They have both been to visit us at OIB.

Looking forward to them coming again.

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

Three couples who knew each other in the NVA!

Today, they live near us in OIB, NC.

The lasting friendships have now made their way to N.C.

Jim – Papa – Sherry – Ginger – Jason and Claudia.

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

April and Brian, her husband-

Sherry and I worked with Brian back in Olean at Dal-Tile.

We left in 1999 and transferred to NVA.

The Olean plant closed in 2012, and Brian transferred to the Gettysburg plant.

We have seen them in our area and gotten together with them.

Soon, they will be retired and moving somewhere to a warmer climate.

FUN TIMES IN PICTURES!

When family visits –

Debby, Sarah, Ella, and Sherry.

I like to take them to visit “FAT HAROLDS” in North Myrtle Beach.

For almost 80 years –

The dance called “THE SHAG” has been the rage on the Carolina coast.

And “FAT HAROLDS” is in the center of it all.

Walk through the JUKEBOX door into the world of dancing.

North Myrtle Beach is the “SHAG CAPITAL” of the world.

FUN TIMES IN PICTURES!

Thanks to all of you who read my blogs-

FAMILY – FRIENDS and where we live in Cameron Woods Community-

Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

For over twenty years –

AGING AS HEALTHY AS WE CAN!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – When family visits!

July 28, 2025March 9, 2025 / Tom / Leave a comment

They came for a long weekend –

Debby and her two daughters – Sarah and Ella.

This was back for Spring Break –

Ella at college (she has graduated)

and Sarah from H.S. ( she has graduated)

They came,

and one of the things they wanted –

They wanted to visit Vareen Gardens –

Which has paths along the ICW-

Here they are hunting seashells to hang from trees-

Which thousands of people do “TO MAKE A WISH”!

Here, they pose in front of a tree –

We always have folks and family pose here!

Ella and Sarah are looking at the Marsh-

and the ICW –

from a swing in a small park at Vareen Gardens.

This is such a peaceful place to spend time just doing nothing!

But we were done here and ventured South to North Myrtle Beach.

At North Myrtle Beach –

We walked around so they could shop and look for bargains.

And had lunch at BOUYS!

Then we took them to “FAT HAROLDS”!

This is a dance club right in the middle of town.

THE SHAG started in NMB-

at clubs along the beach –

And this was the early 40s.

It became known nationwide as

“CAROLINA BEACH MUSIC”!

So for 80 plus years –

National competitions have been held in NMB –

and this club is the main one for “SHAGGERS” –

from all over the country.

They have events every three months,

and the whole town participates.

FAT HAROLD was a real person –

and passed away before the Pandemic.

The tradition continues,

and 80 years of history is contained inside.

The band ALABAMA even had a top hit –

“SHAGGIN’ ON THE BLVD” in the 90s.

When you walk through “THE JUKE BOX” front doors –

You walk back in time –

Everyone was very friendly –

And talked to the girls.

Sherry and I hung out here –

when we spent nine months at a condo-

In Ocean Keyes – a half-mile walk.

The history of “THE SHAG” is something I like to share –

with family and friends.

Thanks for reading,

and as always, HGD!

PAPA’S WORLD –

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Somewhere near the beach is a club – FAT HAROLDS!

September 3, 2023August 18, 2023 / Tom / Leave a comment

We had told our neighbors about the “SHAG DANCE” and how we ventured into a dance club while living for nine months in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

You walk through the “JUKE BOX DOORS” into the past – the 40s – 50s – 60s – 70s – 80s – 90s and still going strong in the 2000s!!!!

Over 80 years – a dance was born in this area – from rhythm and blues – swing – jitterbug and rock and roll all wrapped up in one called “THE SHAG”!

You look up at the water tower and a couple is dancing – and “FAR HAROLDS” is THE CLUB!

The past 80 years are on the walls in pictures – plaques – trophies – name plates on the bar top –

a dance floor with one wall covered with ceiling-to-floor mirrors!

And – we arrived at 6:30pm. thinking we could just walk in and get a table!

It was STANDING ROOM only!

A small portion of the people in the club – and another back room and bar was closed!

6:30 pm. WEDNESDAY night and dozens of folks were dancing the night away –

you could not walk on the dance floor!

I took this picture between songs and a break – if you look toward the right side back of the room –

you can see the control room of the DJ and this was being broadcast live on 94.9 THE SURF –

the classics and beach music station on NMB!

We brought our neighbors Bill and Marcea –

and before we left – it was can we come back and take dance lessons!!!!

Papa – Bill – Marcea – Sherry at “FAT HAROLDS”! Note the pictures on the wall – Shag competitions over the years – they have a week of Shag Dancing every four months all over the town –

Live music in all the clubs.

Stay tuned for DANCE LESSONS – learning how to do the”SHAG DANCE at FAT HAROLDS BEACH CLUB”

PAPA’S WORLD – SOMEWHERE NEAR THE BEACH IS A CLUB – FAT HAROLDS!!!!!!

my site: livinglifedoinitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Revisited our old neighborhood – NMB!

May 6, 2023April 7, 2023 / Tom / Leave a comment

Main Street and Beach Blvd intersection of North Myrtle Beach – during our nine-month condo stay here – we walked this almost every day – heading for the beach – you can see the stage at the entrance to the beach.

The radio station 94.9 THE SURF is on the left along with HODO’S Beach Club and the Old Arcade on the right.

The parking lot on Friday nights is full of beach chairs and the streets are closed off for concerts on the stage.

Turning around from the intersection is Main Street and you can see Sherry walking up the street.

We were here at the beginning of the Pandemic and this was a ghost town – although the stores were open.

Our favorite nightclub to go to where we finally learned what THE SHAG was!

A dance that came from the Rythem and Blues of the 40s and became a cross-over called Carolina Beach music.

And has become the state dance!

This scene has been ongoing for 80 years!!!!

“ENTER THROUGH THE JUKEBOX DOORS” so goes the advertisement heard on the radio.

This club is full of history – pictures and items from the past 80 years!

The dance is like the STROLL-JITTER BUG – SWING where you never lose contact with your dance partner.

Yearly competitions are held here and every four months SHAG comes to town –

Bands – music- dancing in the streets!

Like the Hollywood Walk of Fame – the sidewalks are full of plaques from all through the years of people and dancers and dates!

The big water tower that overlooks the town has a picture of a couple dancing THE SHAG!

On the beach from the beach entrance – we walked this every day while we lived here!

Sherry walking North Myrtle Beach – one of the widest beaches at low tide I have ever been on!

Exiting the sixth street beach entrance and looking up the street to where we stayed at the back entrance to Ocean Keyes.

Over 700 condos and a huge lake with six water fountains.

Six pools – tennis courts and a workout room.

Loved living there but no garage and no storage space – or else we might have stayed there.

Looking back from sixth street beach parking to the main town of North Myrtle Beach – our old neighborhood.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – REVISITED OUR OLD NEIGHBORHOOD – NORTH MYRTLE BEACH! livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – first-time visit to Fat Harolds for neighbors and sister-in-law!

December 12, 2021November 28, 2021 / Tom / Leave a comment

In North Myrtle Beach is a club called Fat Harolds – and this is the third location in the last 80 years!

It all started in the early ’40’s – on the beach – a Pavillion – where the beach music scene started.

The original club was taken out in the ’50s by a hurricane.

The music was started in the Carolinas and became a nationwide dance – called the SHAG!

Until the pandemic – they held national and international competitions here at Fat Harolds.

It is a combination of some Jitterbug – Swing – Boogie – and I think either six or eight steps!

You never lose contact with your partner and the intricate steps are fascinating to watch.

On Wednesday nights the crowd swells – to where there is no room on the dance floor!

This is now our generation coming here to dance – and man are they ever good!

You can tell by the shoes – men and women wear special dancing shoes!

But I see younger people also here – the next generation is now coming –

after all – it now is 80 years and still going strong.

There is a radio station right on the beachside of Ocean Drive – 94.9 THE SURF

They play all the beach songs – and classics – but there is music and songs dedicated to this era –

and some national bands that play nothing but beach music as it is called here.

Every six months – Spring and Fall – they have a 7 to the 10-day festival – here in NMB –

All the clubs take part – live music in all of them and live music on the beach in the square.

Thousands of people come here to stay and dance.

The Pandemic cut it back but now it is back after a year off.

And Wednesday nights they broadcast live from Fat Harolds – playing all the beach sounds.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY EMAIL: fitztdf@aol.com

Our neighbors – Steve and Diane – Sherry’s sister Debbie – Sherry and Papa.

Their first visit and experience at FAT HAROLDS on the BLVD SHAGGING! North Myrtle Beach – S.C.

Papa’s World – Friends – Barefoot Landing – Land shark – hanging out – Fat Harold’s!

June 24, 2021June 9, 2021 / Tom / Leave a comment

At Barefoot Landing – North Myrtle Beach – walking to Land Sharks – Dottie – Cindy – Sherry – Jim and Buck.

We had gone to Crooked Hammock Brewery to taste beer –

and then decided to head over to the newly opened Land Shark to grab a late lunch –

Sherry and I come here all the time to walk – doing a couple loops will get us 2 1/2 miles!

We really like this better than Broadway on the Beach.

There are more places to visit here and sit!

This all sits on top of water on the lake!

Jimmy explaining to the sales lady why he won’t give his name and phone number to her! LOL

We planed to eat and then go to Fat Harold’s to watch Shag dancing later!

Dottie Cindy Sherry – planning for the golf game the next day if it does not rain!

This had just opened recently and was our first time here.

It was not as busy as the other place – but had many wide open spaces!

Seated – we had this area all to ourselves!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World –

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

PAPA’S WORLD MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Later – we stopped in at Fat Harold’s to watch SHAG DANCING on the BLVD!

At FAT HAROLD’S BEACH CLUB – Sherry – Dottie – Jim – Cindy and Buck.

The walls – everywhere you look through out the rooms and bar

are covered with plaques and awards through the years of SHAGGER’S!

The picture behind Sherry represents the original shag clubs since the 1940’s which were destroyed

in a Hurricane in the 1950’s!

This building has been in operation since the 1990’s!

HISTORY of the dance which started here in NMB and spread around the nation and world.

SHERRY’s SITE: http://www.sf.juiceplus.com contact: ssherrylynn49@aol,com

Next blog – rain – golf inside – beaching it – walking in the rain!

Papa’s World – The SHAG- Fat Harolds – dancing the night away – North Myrtle Beach

May 19, 2021April 27, 2021 / Tom / Leave a comment

It was here or close to here that THE SHAG started!

It was a beach dance created in the ’40’s along this beach.

The first I believe was in Cherry Grove – but that club was wiped out

by a hurricane in the ’50’s!

Other clubs had formed over the years and along main street

in North Myrtle Beach was the hot spot for SHAGGING!

It grew so popular it spread all across the country and became the state dance!

Clubs were formed and it went worldwide.

Competitions were held and champions crowned!

It reminds me of the Jitter bug – Strolling – Swing – Dirty dancing – all rolled into one –

where you have contact almost 100 % of the time with your dance partner!

And – from what I could see – the age group was 40 to 80 years plus old!

CUTTING THE RUG!

It did not matter how old you were – they still danced and they were good!

Sherry and I have walked by this building dozens of times – it was closed up – deserted looking!

Wondering what it was and if it was empty?

Then – listening to the radio station – 94.9 THE SURF – we found out!

On TV we found out!

FAT HAROLDS was reopening after being closed of over a year –

because of Covid19 and the Pandemic.

Which I found out hit this establishment really hard.

I was told that early on – a half dozen people passed away – having caught the virus here.

And – I could see why as it was the older generations who were dancing.

It caught them by surprise and they -the owners – shut it down.

But now it was back after the state reopened – and it was I learned a national landmark.

This is the third location – and has been here for twenty plus years – since the ’40’s!

World competitions – nationwide competitions – local – all held here or across main street

on the beach in a big stage and dance floor.

A view of one of two dance floors – four bars – one at the entrance – one on the main dance floor and two on the second dance floor in the rear.

There are hundreds of these signs of dance shag clubs all over the nation. And a tribute to the man who brought it to the forefront – FAT HAROLD! Who sadly passed away in 2015.

The main bar on the dance floor number one – Fat Harold – was known all over the country and many pictures of him and famous performers hang from the walls. This was the spot where you came to dance for all these years!

On this single wall – dozens of pictures dedicated over the many – many years to DJ’s – radio – who spun the records to the SHAG! And radio hosts still do to this day.

It is a true living museum to the past 80 plus years!

Pictures – a Hollywood walk of fame throughout the sidewalks of main street honoring dancers from the past 60 years! With there names and year of dancing!

Fat Harold – known to the music world – and now the tradition continues with the reopening!

PAPA’S WORLD: livinglifedoingitmyway fitztdf@aol.com A day to remember – a visit to the reopening

OF FAT HAROLDS on Main Street – North Myrtle beach!

SHERRY: CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH http://www.sf.juiceplus.com ssherrylynn49@aol.com

Yes – we walked by this place of business dozens of times – just wondering what it was –

and found out it was a historical club – for a historical dance some 80 plus years old!

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

THE SHAG FAT HAROLDS DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY once again – North Myrtle Beach , S.C.

Papa’s World – A place to SHAG! N.M.B – where it all began – “FAT HAROLD’S” – SHAG CLUB!

May 12, 2021May 26, 2021 / Tom / Leave a comment

Sherry – Cindy and Buck sitting near the dance floor of Fat Harold’s – the first few Shagger’s starting to dance.

We had eaten dinner at HOTO’s ( Harold’s On The Beach) and then walked through the OD Arcade ( Ocean Drive)Seeing all the pictures and people were dancing there already.

Even saw a picture of all people the Pro Golfer Sam Snead who had been there