Branson Trip - Day 7

A fantastic trip comes to an end!


Saturday, September 26 was our final day of this trip. We departed St. Louis
at 8:30 in the morning after a nice breakfast in our hotel. Then we drove across, Illinois, Indiana and into Ohio before arriving in Dayton about 5:30PM. This time is significant and is representative of the way our trip went all week. This is the time of return originally planned. All week we arrived and departed as planned. In fact, often we were a little early.

I think everyone truly enjoyed this trip. Our driver, Donna, was a very good driver and a great assistance throughout the trip. She became part of our group and a real friend to most of our Young at Heart people. She was also a great help when last minute arrangements or changes had to be made.

This trip was a fun one and will live on in our memories for a long time. Of course a lot of the credit goes to the entertainers and our planners, Diamond Tours. However, I believe one other major reason for the success of this trip is our people. Everyone was cooperative and helped each other when help was needed. Some long lasting friendships have been made during the week of our Branson Trip. It is my hope that these relationships will continue and grow.

Branson Trip - Day 6

All good things must come to an end, so they say. We departed from Branson this morning at 8:30 AM. We truly enjoyed the time in Branson.

We drove across Missouri and stopped in St. Louis to visit the Gateway Arch at the Mississippi River. Some of our group rode to the top of the monument and others walked up the street for a better view of the Old Courthouse and the Arch.

Some also walked to the waterfront for a view of the casino, river boats and the mighty Mississippi River.

There is a nice museum under the arch; Mercantile Store and gift shop, too. That is also were we board the cars to the top of the arch.

Branson Trip - Day 5

It is difficult to believe this is our last full day here in Branson. We are making the most of it!

We enjoyed a show by the Twelve Irish Tenors in the morning. These guys are either born in Ireland or are Irish/American. They did a wide variety of music including Irish Ballads and Dance and popular music.

After the show we went to Old Downtown Branson for more shopping and lunch. They we had time to rest back at the hotel before dinner and also time for our Trip Photo.

Remember: You can click on the photos to enlarge them!

This evening we had dinner at McFarlains Restaurant; then we experienced the Hughes Brothers Show in their theater. At first you would think this is another all guys group, but that is not the case. This includes the families. We had loads of fun listening to the music and watching the children perform with their fathers
.

Branson Trip - Day 4

September 23 we visited the Americana Theatre to see the Red, Hot and Blue Show. This is a musical show with music representing most decades of the 20th Century. It was a very fast moving show with an extremely large number of costume changes. This show included music and dancing.
After this show we visited the Grand Country Market and had lunch in a variety of restaurants.

This evening we went to the Stage Door Restaurant at the Welk Resort for a buffet dinner and then to see Lee Greenwood & Bellamy Brothers Show. The music style of this program is decidedly Country Western.

Branson Trip - Day 3

Tuesday, Sept. 22, we had another very fun day in Branson. The weather was a bit overcast but we didn't have a problem with rain of any significance.

We left the hotel at 9AM for Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre where we experienced the Brett Family Show with singing and comedy/magic. These were two very talented families. Everyone enjoyed the singing and acts. The Brett family is changing with a son away in college and the youngest son stepping in as a baritone. The comedian/magician also involved his family with the exception of his wife.

This photo is Don Brett talking with some of our YAH people.

After this performance we went to Branson Landing for a little shopping and a lot of eating. While we were there, we saw the Fire and Water Show.

We left at 2:30 PM for the Showboat Branson Belle for dinner and another show of music and a very good ventriloquist, Todd Oliver. Finally, we returned to the hotel for the earliest of this trip.


Here are a few photos of our YAH group on the showboat.

Branson Trip - Day 2

Monday September 21, we departed from St. Louis for Branson after a nice breakfast in our hotel. We were on our way promptly at 9AM. We made a stop along the way for candy and cheese (just to take up a little more time). We were running well ahead of time and would arrive in Branson too early to check into our hotel. We also stopped for lunch where we had a choice of fast food or a nice little cafe.

We arrived in Branson at the Stone Castle Hotel at exactly 3:15 PM as scheduled. Our tour company (Diamond Tours) had their person available on site to assist with check-in. We freshened up for dinner then went to the Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House for a very nice dinner. One of the things this restaurant is famous for is tossing rolls. You had better catch them or they got a bit dirty on the floor. Fortunately, those who didn't wish to play this game were gently handed their rolls!



After dinner we went to the Baldknobbers Theatre. In case you didn't know, Baldknobbers were vigilante groups who would meet on the top of a barren hill (bald knob). The Baldknobbers are celebrating their 50th year in Branson as the oldest entertainment. It is easy to see how they have survived so long. They are one of the most fun entertainment programs I have ever attended. The music was great and the comedy was outstanding.

Branson Trip - Day 1

This will be a running commentary with photos of our Young at Heart Fall Trip to Branson, MO.

We left Dayton Sunday morning promptly at 8AM. There were people arriving at the church for check-in as early as 6:30 and we were there with Lisa to greet them and help prepare for loading the bus.

Several of the other pastors from Washington Heights Baptist Church arrived to help load the bus which arrived promptly, as planned, at 7:15 AM.

The trip continued like clock work with only some minor showers along the way. We stopped at the Cracker Barrel in Effingham, IL for lunch. Then arrived at the Drury in St. Louis for the night at 3PM as planned.

At 5 PM we departed the Drury for dinner at Bandanas. This is a barbecue place with very good St. Louis style barbecue ribs.

Young at Heart Luncheon with Spittin' Image

We had a good group of outstanding performers for our Young at Heart program today (September 8, 2009).
Don Rickard led off the program with about 30 minutes of piano prelude music. I’m going to continue to push him to play the organ for us sometime.

Click on a photo to enlarge it

Our headliners for the day were the Spittin’ Image (Swabb twins, Brian and Blain). These guys are some of our group’s favorite entertainers. They do great singing and instrument playing plus comedy.
Don’t ask which is Brian or Blain but I hear that their family knows the difference. I’m betting that they have to say something first.
This time they had a couple of our guys come up to the platform and perform with them as Elvis. The Elvis Brothers were a real hit and had me laughing out loud. You gotta believe that two 80+ year old guys as Elvis is funny but these guys did a great job and played the parts very well. I always say us old guys are really all just teenagers in old man’s bodies and this duo are certainly proof of my theory.

To end the Elvis segment, the guys really let their "hair" down!

If you know anyone who would enjoy good entertainment from the Spittin’ Image they can be contacted via their website. http://spittinimage.org/

Next month we will feature Charlie Pagnard on the Trumpet. He is our Worship and Praise Pastor here at Washington Heights Baptist. Charlie is First Chair Trumpet with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a music professor at Cedarville University; and is part of a group called Carillon Brass and a mission group called Euro Brass who has played worship concerts in Germany for the past several years.

We always have a great time in our Young at Heart Luncheons and Day Trips.

Please join us.