Joy Makers invade Branson

The Joy Makers left for Branson, Missouri on a rainy Friday at 6 a.m., April 18, 2008. Even with the dreary weather throughout the day, the spirits of everyone was high with excitement. Rue Taylor breathed a sigh of relief when the bus past her house. She was home free on her trip of mischief, deceit, and trouble making. He side kick, Lavelle Jenkins, was like a shadow lurking in the darkness ready for her first act of criminal activity.

Laverne Mercer, Sue Clements, Pam McWilliams kept the activities going. When there was slack time on the bus ride from signing, bingo, games, joke telling, or talent show, friends as well as all the kin folks visited with each other. There was a lot of catching up on latest happenings as well as reminiscing the past. The sleepy heads took mid-morning as well as mid-afternoon naps. Some were even doing sewing projects and reading books. The snacks were plentiful thanks to Carnell Waller and Mary Jane Bearden for their homemade candy. Mr. Waller received a nice thank you gift for all of his work on the trip. He even played a song without a title on his harmonica.

Although five shows were seen, it was the tricks and late night activities that kept everyone on their toes. The tirelessness of this "Fun Bunch" was either caused from excitement, lack of sleep or the pains of aging.

Devotions were shared with the group, but some forgot the message very fast. To no one's surprise, the Mercer family of mother, two daughters, and a drag-a-long son-in-law (to tote the packages) were the top shoppers. Lee Reid was close when he purchased his dollar pocket knife. Anther mother and daughter team of Betty Lee and Lee Ann Warren dressed up the doors to the rooms with posters, pictures, clothing, and even Christmas decorations on the Guinn's (seems that Santa is unhappy with Harold Ray's Christmas lights). Funny that Betty Lee left her Branson shirt at home but brought the empty bag. Red plastic bag looks good as a scarf around the neck. Everyone was shocked when Mary Jane Formby tried to kidnap a good looking male entertainer. Doris Waggoner injured this same guy with a stone in her ring. Also shocking was when Richard Cain started singing loud during an opera song. Art and Doris Snow got a new daughter on the trip.

Big mistake was when Doris Snow turned over her responsibilities to Rue Taylor on the Saturday morning shopping trip. There won't be any more excursions with Commander Taylor. The domino tournament winners for 2008 are Dan Yancey and JC Bearden for beating Lavelle Jenkins and Rue Taylor. Talk about sore losers, but Rue Taylor's attitude changed with a surprise birthday party Sunday morning. One of the funniest tricks was when a certain group was eating at the McFarlain's Family Restaurant, and did not realize their table was slowing rising to twelve inches taller.

The Joy Makers want to thank the businesses and financial institutions in Kilgore and Overton for the many items that went in each gift bag for all to enjoy. The word "Great" describes the trip, food, and entertainemnt, the leader-Doris Snow, the activity leader-Laverne Mercer, and the bus driver- Gary Davis.

The travelers arriving the Kilgore around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 2l, were, Don and Cynthia Adams, Suzanne Allie, Randi Clower, Howard and Helen Alexander, JC and Betty Bearden, WC and Mary Jane Bearden, Don and Betty Bonds, Richard and Margie Cain, Jonny and Sue Clements, Travis and Betty Crews, Gary Davis, R.D. and Nita Dawson, Mary Jane Formby, Diana McGlasson, Harold Ray and Joanne Guinn, Betty Lee, Lee Ann Warren, Kenneth Leonard, Jewel Matlock, Marilyn Shockey, Jim and Pam McWilliams, Debbie Hollowell, Laverne Mercer, Lee and Sylvia Reid, Clark Sexton, Art and Doris Snow, Rue Taylor, Lavelle Jenkins, Carnell and Anne Waller, Lawanna Williams, Dorthy Mitchell, Dan and Gloria Yancey, Wilbur and Kay Yates, Belle Young, and Doris Waggoner.