This is worldwide: 88-year-old retiree rides out coronavirus in Horry County
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Horry County Coronavirus Diaries
The coronavirus has upended life for everyone. Here is a look at the toll the virus’ impacts have had on our neighbors in Horry County. A nurse, a waitress, a pastor, a retiree and a family grappling with job loss all tell their stories.
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Drive through the Clay Pond Road area and try to miss Fred Portway. Whether it’s literal or metaphorical, Portway is hard not to notice.
He is an 88-year-old who bikes a dozen miles each day in the neighborhood. He’ll often stop to chat with neighbors or for a friendly wave. Nearly nine decades of living has given Portway a lot to discuss.
But, it’s sitting in the garage on rickety blue chairs where his mind shines. He talks about his past like it happened yesterday.
“My life has been mostly sports. I was on the high school baseball team as a center fielder. I was on the high school basketball team. I was just another player. I was nobody special.”
He talks in great detail about how he and a friend played hooky from their Massachusetts high school to attend a Red Sox game. It was almost ruined by a teacher driving by as they tried to hitchhike to the park.
Portway would later serve in the U.S. Coast Guard and proudly shows off the flag one of those neighbors on his bike ride made. The red-and-white wood planks now hang above the garage where he talks to whoever stops by.
But, it might be his civic duty where he is most proud. He served as town administrator in Acushnet, Massachusetts, home of the Titleist golf ball. He served on boards, such as the Governor’s Rationing Board. He also helped raise money for cancer research.
“Maybe 20 or 30 years now when I’m really old,” Portway thinks about back to when he was a spry 60 year old helping those charities. “Maybe all this hard work of raising this money is going to pay off and help some people in our lifetime.”
That is his greatest trait. It isn’t the fact that at 88 years old has the physical energy to bike 10 miles a day. It isn’t the money he made and the investment he has. It’s not his life experiences before retiring to Myrtle Beach. It’s certainly not the golf tournaments he’s won over the years.
It’s the ability to always want to help others or to give context to the situation.
Portway provides good context as he’s been alive for nearly nine decades. So he’s serious when he says coronavirus is the worst thing he’s ever seen.
“We’ve gone through fires, and tsunamis and earthquakes, and 9/11, World War 2, World War 1,” he said, “those were in isolated areas, this is worldwide and we’re into something that is an unknown.
“It’s a serious matter and now, where I’m really old, I recognize a little bit more the dangers of the outside world. It’s a tough thing.
“But then I’m thankful also with my life that I’ve done.”
March 27- A happy birthday
Our Story: Hotels across the Grand Strand are closing their doors as the world attempts to slow the coronavirus spread. In Horry County, there are 24 confirmed cases and more than 500 across South Carolina.
Fred Portway’s Story: When Portway first heard about coronavirus, he wasn’t too worried. He frequently reads the New England Journal of Medicine and thought the country was in good hands.
“I was slightly concerned, not overly concerned,” Portway says.
Then it arrived in Horry County, and Portway had to make some changes to his daily routine — but not bike riding or playing golf, he still does those things. He tries to limit his exposure to others. He stopped visiting his wife’s sister in the nursing home.
For the most part, Portway’s life has not had a significant change because of coronavirus. That includes today, his 88th birthday.
He took his car to the garage and talked antiques, showing off his Boy Scout identification card. He rode his bike around the neighborhood and then opened a few birthday cards.
Dinner of chicken pot pie and the nightly ritual of watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with his wife capped the day.
‘That’s how I spent the day,” Portway said. “A happy day you know.”
March 30- Just trying to help
Our Story: COVID-19 cases continue to rise as more businesses try to figure out how they will pay bills. A recently passed federal stimulus package gives some hope to shop owners worried about the lack of customers.
Fred Portway’s Story: A noticeable change is sweeping through Myrtle Beach as coronavirus becomes more of a threat, Portway notices.
“It’s just somber, that’s how I feel out there,” he says.
But, just like usual, Portway starts to talk about ways to help others and brushes off the somber attitude. Portway says whenever the threat ends, he wants to work with local officials and find a way to show appreciation to those on the front lines.
Portway wonders if they could give free hotel rooms to doctors and nurses and invite them to Myrtle Beach during one of the slower times. Maybe for a round of golf, just a way to say “thank you” for their efforts.
“I just try to help people, so it’s better for them,” Portway says.
April 4- Still riding
Our Story: Horry County is coming to grips about living in a COVID-19 world and all the restrictions. In days, that will mean “work or home” for all South Caoralians.
Fred Portway’s Story: “Same as I ever was.”
That is going to become a common phrase for Portway as he describes how he handles the coronavirus restrictions. The routine hasn’t changed much. Wheel of Fortune is still on at 7 p.m. and Portway still rides several miles a day.
Though, now when he stops to talk to neighbors, everybody keeps 10 feet of distance. Really, his only close interactions are with the clerks at the grocery store.
“We’re apprehensive like everyone else,” he says.
April 16- We all want it to go away
Our Story: The restrictions placed to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Myrtle Beach area are ever-so-slowly starting to lift. Gov. Henry McMaster reopened boat landings. Though many remain apprehensive and several festivals announced delays to their annual events.
Fred Portway’s Story: Portway says dealing with the pandemic is “discouraging,” and he is doing his best to avoid boredom.
“[This is] the worst thing in my whole life,” Portway says.
Portway’s frustration was also starting to creep in more as he details how he saw people protesting the shutdown orders on the news.
“We all want it to go away, but God almighty,” he says, baffled at their actions.
Like usual, Portway then gives some context. Sure, it’s frustrating and discouraging, but it’s only a small moment in time. Portway quickly points out how the healthcare workers — the same ones he still wants to take care of after the pandemic — have it worse.
“I can put up with a little bit of hardship,” Portway says.
April 23- Rolling with the punches
Our Story: Gov. Henry McMaster will allow municipalities to open their beaches access to the public, the first sign that Horry County is starting to come out of large-scale coronavirus restrictions.
Fred Portway’s Story: As the Myrtle Beach area reopens some of the beach accesses and discusses easing more COVID-19 restrictions, Portway is on the fence with the decisions. He says he has no problem with the beaches reopening as people typically stay in their own area in the sand.
He also agrees with the golf courses being open. He doesn’t say it, but it’s fair to wonder if there is a bit of personal reason behind the support.
Retail stores, is that OK?
“They are looking at it, to me, in a selfish manner,” Portway says, adding it’s too soon for people to be close together. He adds locals should be more thoughtful and patient with the restrictions.
“It’s not pleasant,” Portway says, “but I got to try, as they say, roll with the punches.”
April 29- Not a political issue
Our Story: It’s one of the few days in Horry County where there were no new coronavirus cases reported. It comes as more is reopening and hotels should soon to welcome back customers.
Fred Portway’s Story: Portway details how he was left shaking his head during a trip to Walmart. Customers were going every which way in the aisle and there was little social distancing.
Portway says he didn’t care if he was quoted when he called those people lazy and inconsiderate.
He talks about the political vs. medical debate that seems to be happening. He says people need to listen to the medical experts about the best ways to stay safe. He says COVID-19 is a medical issue and then gave an apt analogy.
“If you got a dental problem, you’re not going to the shoemaker,” he says.
May 13- We got enough
Our Story: Horry County lifts its State of Emergency declaration, though the statewide one remains in place. Gyms, salons and public pools are set to reopen in the next week.
Fred Portway’s Story: Life is getting close to normal for Portway as more restrictions ease. He said he just came from eating outside at the Sons of Italy Lodge. Manicotti and his favorite, linguini with clam sauce, were on the menu.
“It’s quite a meal really,” he says, “really good.”
A day earlier, they had a chance to visit Portway’s sister-in-law in the nursing home. Coronavirus forced restrictions there as Portway and his wife couldn’t go inside. Instead, they had to wave through a window.
“We were only there for about five or 10 minutes,” Portway says, “we’re laughing and I’m right there waving and we’re right there 10 feet from the window. But, like I say, it’s a sad thing for the sickly, the elderly and the people that have to work there.”
Like so many times before, Portway turns the conversation away from himself.
“I have a lot of empathy,” Portway says. “I feel bad for poor, elderly, sickly patients and the nursing staff and doctors.
“They are in danger for one thing, they got a job there caring for these people. … They have to do everything.”
Portway also took a second to talk about the past two months and quickly puts it into context. Sure he’s taken an economic hit like so many others, but it doesn’t seem to matter much as long as he’s avoided coronavirus.
“I’m old. I’m 88. I’m thankful for everything I have. The first thing is the well-being of all the people that are involved, including my family and myself. We can do without the money as long as we got enough to get by on.”
This story was originally published June 3, 2020 at 9:31 AM.
