Well, it's come and gone

From my viewpoint, (and that of everyone I talked to), this years reunion was a complete success. Before I go any further, I would like to pay special attention to my wife Shirley,(our treasurer/secretary), who held this thing together and kept it alive while I was in and out of the hospital. Thank you dear. I would also like to thank our new full and honorary members that helped to make this more interesting. We had a total of 23 this time, (7 couldn't make it at the last minute, bringing our group now to 30).

WE WISH THOSE ILL A SPEEDY RECOVERY

I can't say enough about the accomodations at the Raddison Hotel, Branson. They had a registration table all set up for us in the lobby, for people to check in and receive their name tags, and this year, gift bags for all, (donated by local businesses in Branson - i.e.; Raddison Hotel, Titantic museum, Residence Inn, Branson Chamber of Commerce,and the Branson Variety Theater; and in Joplin, The Visitors Bureau, Holiday Inn, 15th & Rangeline Wal Mart stores, 32nd & Indiana Southwest Missouri Bank. The Cracker Barrel Restuarant also gave something for our bag.

The Raddison Hotel , in addition to it's fine resturant with it's breakfast buffet, (in addition to it's menu) had the most comfortable hotel beds that I have ever slept in) and the rooms were neat, clean, and well kept. The Hotel and all of it's staff are to be commended on taking care of us so well. Our group voted to make the Raddison Hotel, our official "Home away from Home", while in Branson. (P.S. Thank you Sarah, et al.)

The first night (Friday), we had dinner at the Andy Williams Grill. They had a section reserved just for our group. Even the Mayor of Branson dropped by to say hello to us. (She was there on a separate birthday party.)

Later that evening we went to see the show the "Six". Six brothers who use no musical instruments, but their own voices to make the sounds. AMAZING!.

The next morning after breakfast in the Raddison Hotel restaurant, we went to the Branson Variety Theater (across the street) for the showing of the "Twelve Irish Tenors". Some of us had seen them before, but they were worth seeing again.

For lunch, we went to the White River Restuarant down on the Wharf. For those who have never been there, it sits out on the river (accessed by ramps). It has the atmosphere of an old hunting lodge, complete with a large fireplace. The staff had a prime section reserved just for us.
(I personally liked their fish and chips - OH YES and their cornbread - mmmm mmmm good!!)

In the afternoon, the Raddison Hotel let us use the "Medal of Honor" room, (so named for the Medal of Honor recipients who held their reunion in the Raddison in 2002). We held a small meeting and had a drawing for prizes, (from the donation of Wal Marts in Joplin)

That evening, dinner was on our own and later we went back to the Branson Variety Theater for the "Shake, Rattle and Roll" show. It was very good for us 1950 nostalgic seniors (and the younger ones also).

The next morning after a good nights sleep, we met for our "Goodby breakfast" once again in the Raddison Hotel restaurant. We said our goodbyes and headed for home.

UNTIL NEXT YEAR - IN THE SPRING OR FALL ??????

P.S Photos of this reunion will be on the CURRENT PHOTOS page as soon as we get them all in. If anyone who was there has any pictures to share, please send them to me at the below address: (just click it)

Jim Thompson
Webmaster/etc.
jim@redscarfclub.com