Branson Update 12-4 Friday

Back in our motor home now recovering from the morning business & resting up for tonight’s Andy Williams' Christmas show. Andy Williams’s birthday was yesterday and he is 82 or 83! That is hard to believe, Mr. Moon River is an octogenarian. That happens to be the name of his theater too, Moon River. What a place it is, one of the most magnificent here in Branson. Waterfalls, cliffs, ornamental huge statutes of moose, deer, more wrought iron and brass outside and all around the area thousands of trees with white lights. When I picked up our tickets yesterday, the box office said there were 400 seats left. I don't know the seating capacity but will ask. We are in the third row from the front. Lucky, but picture taking has been prohibited in all the shows so cannot imagine that Andy Williams venue will be different.
The Twelve Irish Tenors were superb entertainers. In an over two hour long show, they performed a great array of wonderful songs: (well yes there were arias in that array. yuk, yuk. Enough with the corniness, I have been hanging around the Branson shows too long. There are usually several corny jokes...this is an encouraging influence for someone like me who thrives on that type of play.)

• Irish medleys including Danny Boy and McNamara's Band which has been wandering through my head ever since we heard it yesterday; why do some things stick in the head?

• Pavarotti's selections from Puccini;

• Tributes to Mario Lanza'(memories of my grandmother who idolized Mario );

• Beatles Medley;

• Barry Mani low songs;

• Christmas songs including an Irish drinking song;

• Frank Sinatra songs;

• Josh Groan songs including my favorite "You Raise Me Up";

• And my tear jerker’s, "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel; (This was my mom's favorite. I used it at her funeral and at Steve's service.). The other, "I Believe" another that Mom liked and one I have often hummed to myself when I could call up music in the dark times of my life. Why does this one remind me of the old TV show, Hit Parade? Must have heard it a lot then.

• Too many more to list.

The Branson Variety Theater seats 1600, but was only about half full and most of that with busloads. I have friends in La Crescent who have been to Branson on these bus tours. We have ever slightly considered doing that. Right decision because after observing the herds of elderlies on these tour busses, we would not be happy! Got to hand it to the folks, at least they are getting out, but several can barely walk and many look like they don't know where they are. Some use a cane or walker with someone on each side to hold them up. Looks like they emptied out care facilities. On the other hand Baptist churches from Texas, Arkansas, and Arizona and all over bring bus loads.

We drove over to the Lawrence Welk Theater, far outside the main Branson strip. The Welk resort is another small town, with condos and a gold course. My 92 year old friend Rena, from CA called me with a request when she got the email that we were going to Branson. Another assignment from Rena! I used to tease her that I was moving out of CA to avoid further assignments from her. She is a dear friend and up to teasing. It's the way this southern lady asks, no one ever refuses her. She is quite active and can keep her family and many of us friends busy. It was Rena who lured me to the Rose Societies and had me elected president twice! I have known her for a long time. She invited me to Business and Professional Women in the late 70's and had me elected President, and then expected me to go on to be district president. She was just waiting for me to retire to join the Arrangers Guild and the Garden Clubs. Ash, Rena is a story unto herself. But she wanted a Christmas CD by the Lennon sisters and cannot find one in CA, can I find out. Of course we would. Jerry likes her as much as I do, and remembered we had a task from Rena. The Welk Theater is where the Lennons perform along with Tony Orlando, the "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" guy. The Christmas show is on now. While I cruised the gift shop, Jerry checked out the auditorium--he said it must seat 3000. And the busloads were pouring in! But when did Tony Orlando, my contemporary reach the age of Welk performance? My 92 year old mother in law delights in Lawrence Welk reruns on PBS. When did Tony Orlando get so old? This is getting scary. I know I and my friends have our Medicare cards, but come on....we're not that old!

I just asked Jerry what has been his favorite so far and he concluded that it is impossible to pick a favorite. Each show has been so different that they can't be compared. He was stuck before he said it's not possible to choose one. The Duttons are a talented family of 4 generations now with the grandkids being added to the singing dancing, song writing, instruments; The Stampede was fun and western; the Tenors have magnificent voices, this morning's Christmas show was spectacular. Nope can't just pick one! This makes me smile and say, "YES" I selected these for an array of entertainment and we got it! I did well if I do say so meself...

One short coming was my booking us into this morning's Christmas show at 10:00. The show was the Broadway review of singers, dancers, costumes, and a mime and put the holiday mood into our hearts. But we had to get up and be about this morning before we wanted to do so. It has been freezing cold here and we'd have been happy to stay inside till later in the day. We came south for warm weather but MO has been colder than MN. These same phenomena occurred in 2004 when we went to spend Christmas in Louisiana with our friends and it froze. That year it snowed in New Orleans and Houston! We will be happy to head to the warmth of the north!

The Broadway Branson Christmas show was delightful from opening curtain. We were surprised when we noticed three of the Irish tenors in the cast; why not though, the pay must be better to perform in two venues. I noticed that most all the performers are small people, with the exception of the one tall blond tenor who is over 6'. Most appeared 5' 8" max with the girls maybe. How different from the Radio City Rockettes all of whom are to be minimum 5' 9" if I recall correctly, the taller the better. Costume changes and sequins galore. Sparkles for the season. This is the same theater where the tenors perform. Busloads came in for this performance too. We were familiar with our seat area from yesterday so we were standing for a bit because it would be a long time in the seats and ours were at the end of the row, so we were letting the row fill up.

It really is a small world, and I can hear God say, "I know, I made it!" We were talking with another couple from Mission, TX discussing the different venues. Most frequently when we say we are from La Crescent, MN no one has ever heard of it. But this man smiled. "So do you know Mac Dahl?" With mouth wide open and Jerry laughing, I replied, "very well. We go to the same church. We are frequently at the Legion together. Barb, his wife and I have the same birthday!" He revealed they are cousins! Can't wait to share that story back home.

Last night we ate at Starvin' Marvin's a Cajun seafood buffet among other foods. We got the senior discount of $19 each at the seafood buffet which included crab legs, fried catfish, boiled crawdads, shrimp (fried and boiled), other fish, and frog’s legs. For non seafood eaters or to balance out the proteins, fried chicken, and pork ribs Umm umm umm, Did we ever fill up! Hush puppies, fried okra, potatoes, green beans, giant size onion rings. Salad bar was full with veggies and all the expected standards and the very best ranch dressing I have ever had! Well I love crab but hate cracking it. Jerry usually foregoes the experience. The crab was so good that I got into it and then some, cracking and pulling it through the shell, dipping it into butter. Not only did I feast, I wore that crab! Although a roll of paper towels is provided it does get messy. I've not had crawdads since our Louisiana trips. Most of us just eat the meat from the tails, but we talked about our friend Marilyn who likes to suck out the bodies! After all that food, vanilla ice cream and choice of fresh cobbler. We both chose blackberry. Was it any wonder I had indigestion last night requiring dousing with Canada Dry ginger ale? I never have indigestion, so this was an event. I made a trip to the ladies room to scrub up and woke right up, only cold water wash! I really scrubbed up when we got home, had to get that crab, shrimp, fish smell gone! Worth the experience one time!

We will top all this with Andy Williams tonight. It has been a pleasurable trip and we are glad we came in the off season. Our short visit to Dick's 5 and 10 in old downtown Branson today sent us gladly to the motor home. Just seeing 5 and 10 advertised took me back to the glory days of New Kensington and Murphy's 5 & 10. Dick's is a massive variety store, a full city block. The herds of folks discouraged me from looking too long. Weekend is arriving and the final crowds for the season are arriving. Sadly I noticed most items made in China, so much for 5 & 10! Have not bought trinkets this trip. Only my two tops at Dressin Gaudy!