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It was about 6:30 p.m., more than an hour before sunset. I was out running errands. “Should I head home to throw a load of laundry in the washer or should I throw caution to the wind and head to Residents’ Beach an hour early? Oh, what the heck, live a little,” I said to myself, so I drove toward the beach!

After parking my car, I left my sandals along the boardwalk as most everyone does, and headed to the water, intending to walk along the water’s edge.

What a grand surprise I received when I finally reached the water and discovered an extremely low tide! Wonderful, colorful shells were everywhere. Since I hadn’t planned on shelling I had no bag or bucket. With just one pocket in which to put shells I had to be super selective and pick up only my favorites. One of these days I’ll learn the names of these beauties! Of course, those with animals still calling the shells “home” were left behind to grow bigger.

I’ve heard that shellers in Sanibel have perfected the “Sanibel Stoop.” What does a Marco sheller do? Any ideas?

Before I knew it, the sun was getting closer to the water. I hurried back toward the boardwalk anticipating the arrival of the real reason I went to Residents’ Beach, the Sunset Serenader, Mr. Jim Greeley! I was not disappointed. Mr. Greeley and his son, Jim, arrived with an entourage with just seconds to spare. As the sun dipped into the Gulf, Mr. Greeley softly began to sing “God Bless America.” With a full moon at our backs, the sunset was absolutely breathtaking and the entertainment wonderful!

What a champion our Mr. Greeley is. He arrived on Marco in December from the Cape Cod area and in January did a tour of the hospital, then a nursing home, hospital, nursing home . . . But now he is finally back on Marco and getting into his routine of singing at sunset at Residents’ Beach. Jim began singing various songs at sunset in 1999. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, he made “God Bless America” the star of the show and would throw in other old favorites as well.

It is hard to believe that Mr. Greeley will soon be 90. He’s young at heart and has a magical smile with an Irish twinkle in his eye that is sure to cheer you up and make you feel very special.

Just after Mr. Greeley sang his favorite song the other night, several people in the “audience” approached and thanked him. Two different groups of members told Mr. Greeley that his singing of “God Bless America” is one of the highlights of their trips to Marco Island!

After a couple renditions of our favorite song, Mr. Greeley was pushed along in his chair with many following behind, just like the Pied Piper! Welcome back, Mr. Greeley!