It’s been one year since Carmella (Carmie) Calta retired and handed over the reins of Staffing Solutions Enterprises to SueAnn Naso, who purchased the business in October 2019. Upon retirement, Carmie had grand plans to travel the world. But as with so many of us, her travel plans were diverted by the pandemic.  

She did, however, have the opportunity to fit in one international trip before the world turned upside down. In December of 2019, Carmie traveled to Iceland, an adventure inspired by her desire to see the Aurora Borealis (photo above was taken in Reykjavik). Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and she was unable to experience the Northern Lights. Putting her disappointment aside, she visited Perlan, a “must-visit” museum in Reykjavik that hosts a planetarium, observation deck, and a restaurant. While there, Carmie enjoyed a film about the Northern Lights. 

Another adventure took her to Thingvellir in the southern part of the country where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates “meet,” or rather drift apart. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the area that runs between the plates, is essentially a volcanic seam many thousands of miles long. Magma comes up between the plates and pushes them apart at a rate of about 1 inch each year. The outer shell of the earth is made up of roughly a dozen major plates and several minor plates, with most plate boundaries underwater. Yet in Iceland, you can see two different plates from above ground.  

In the end, Carmie enjoyed her visit immensely but would opt to come back during the summer months when the country experiences more than 5 hours of daylight. She discovered a country that is proud of its culture and very focused on maintaining it, as well as friendly, happy residents who were most eager to help visitors. 

“The landscape was very stark, yet somehow beautiful – glaciers, ice caves, volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls, and hot springs,” Carmie reflected. “It really is an amazing country.”

Following the pandemic shutdown, Carmie spent her time staying safe and healthy. But this past September, she traveled to Chautauqua, NY. This quaint lake resort community is home to the Chautauqua Institution, a center known for promoting intellectual and spiritual growth and renewal. While there, Carmie captured a few of the sunrises over the lake. 

Most recently, Carmie ventured to Asheville, NC, to enjoy some R&R at The Horse Shoe Farm, an 85+ acre riverfront retreat nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Asheville. In addition to enjoying time on the Farm, and indulging in one of their many spas, Carmie took day trips to Blue Ridge Parkway and DuPont Forest, where she spent time enjoying the inspiring scenery and hiking. 

DuPont State Forest, made famous as the setting for the movies The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans, is home to more than 10,000 acres of forest, spectacular waterfalls, mountain lakes, and hiking trails. 

Blue Ridge Parkway, aka America’s Favorite Scenic Drive, weaves through the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains connecting Shenandoah Nation Park (Virginia) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina). 

We miss seeing Carmie’s smiling face at Staffing Solutions but are thrilled to know she is enjoying retirement. Thank you, Carmie, for sharing some of your travels this past year with us!

Carmie at Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
Carmie at The Horse Shoe Farm in NC

Above Left: Carmie at Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Above Right: Carmie at The Horse Shoe Farm in North Carolina. 

To see more pictures of Carmie’s travels this past year, click here.