Seeing green at Joy Makers

The Joy Makers of Forest Home Baptist Church met on March 11, at 6 p.m. in the gym. Any Irishman would have been proud looking over the gathering and seeing so much green. The trio of Sylvia Reid, Beverly Dorminy, and Betty Bearden enhanced the festive mood of St. Patrick's which is March 17. The tablecloths had green toppers with green and white candy in cups at each place setting along with figurine and paper leprechauns, lighted shamrock tapers, ribbons, and gold (really plastic) coins. As the men arrived, they were given green hats to wear.

In appreciation of their hard work of getting the meal ready to serve at each meeting, Neola Leach and Banona Watson were presented corsages. Everybody was so happy to see members who had been under the weather. Rue Taylor and Lavelle Jenkins were still scheming for a way to help finance their upcoming trip to Branson. They had a Pac Man bank that would do a trick for a nickel. Waller Photocopy handed out pictures form the Valentine meeting.

Dwight Dorminy welcomed all the meeting. Jim McWilliams gave the invocation. All sorts of food was available. Best dish was a potatogreenbean sausage casserole brought by the Dorminys. The big question is who has been making the dish for several months.

While eating, the members and guests were treated to dinner music. Aidan Hermes played the piano, and his sisters, Garland Grace and Anna Hermes, played their violins. Cousin, Jada Burton was there to watch them. The Hermes children are the great-grandchildren of Talmadge and Laverne Mercer.

Mary Jane Formby, Lavelle Jenkins, and Jimmie Faye Myers were serenaded by the group in celebration of their birthdays. Gertie Lacy treated everyone with her humor about her recent cruise. She had all laughing about her experiences.

Laverne Mercer introduced Charlie and Mary Johnson as the program. They thrilled everyone's heart with their talents in singing, playing the piano and trumpet and testimony. The singing was just unbelievable. An added treat was Laci Reid singing "His Eye is on the Sparrow" At the conclusion, Mercer asked that the names on the prayer list be remembered.

Those attending were Neola Leach, Banona Watson, JC and Betty Bearden, Travis and Betty Crews, Don and Betty Bonds, Dwight and Beverly Dorminy, Ruth Johnson, Art and Doris Snow, Rue Taylor, Carnell and Anne Waller, Harold Ray and Joanne Guinn, Jimmie Faye Myers, Ertis Murphy, G.W. and Elaine Woodmansee, Talmadge and Laverne Mercer, Kenneth Leonard, Lavelle Jenkins, Charles and Carolyn Wimberley, Lee and Sylvia Reid, and Betty Ware.

Also in attendance were Jewel Matlock, Doris Waggoner, Debbie Hollowell, Mary Jane Formby, Howard and Helen Alexander, Lou Hanks, Jo Pickett, Jim McWilliams, Irene Reid, Eloise Duncan, Gertie Lacy, Wanda Pierce, and Johnny and Sue Clements.

Dorothy Mitchell was welcomed as a new member. Special guests were Charlie and Mary Johnson, Chris Nyvall, Amanda Hermes, Aidan Hermes, Garland Grace (G.G.) Hermes, Anna Hermes, Jada Burton, and Reta Maxted.

After a great night, the group sang "Blest Be the Tie" with Talmadge Mercer leading as the benediction.