Our WWW 2017 Christmas Luncheon was held at Luigi's Italian Ristorante, 12779 Jones Rd., Houston, TX 77070. The Manager is Miguel Segovia. E-Mail is www.luigiaonjones.com

We had a total of 27 persons attend the luncheon and we had 5 cancellations, we had a private room.
Terry Smotherman gave the blessing.
The food was very good. Thanks to Julian for locating this for us. We did have five persons cancel due to the weather threat for this afternoon.
We were able to go around and visit with everyone and be able to hear everyone. It was a very nice place and everyone raved on the food. Some said they would drive this far again, to eat out, the food was so good.
LaVerne had pics of her new great grand babies, three to be exact, Gunter and maria also had a new great grand baby and the Bakers are expecting one today. Boy, use to be we discussed grand babies and now we are having our great grand babies, we can't be getting older. LOL
Everyone brought something for the food pantry for Maria to take to her church.
At the end of our meal, I handed everyone Christmas cards along with a hard copy for all rallies in 2018. We now have three of our five rallies with host. Thank you so very much for volunteering for next year.
I believe the ones that came the farthest were Gerald and Sandy Dudley, they came from Sargent, where they are spendng a few days.
We all got to catch up on some news from some we had not seen in a while. Bess Brantner came and we got to catch up on all with her and Pete. Pete was not able to make it.
WE just want to thank everyone who made the time to come and missed those not in attendance.
May everyone have a Blessed Christmas and hope your New Year is great. Hope to see all soon.

A gathering of friends in Branson, MO.

There were 6 RV's that made it to Branson, MO. for this gathering of friends. Ed and Margaret Fitzgerald, Frank and Barb Adamec, Sam and Mari Churchill, George and Mary Welsh, Harold Dowdy and LaVerne Williams, George and Pat Franklin.
This was a very special time and we enjoyed it so much with our friends. We all seemed to agree on almost every show and place to eat so we round up having a lot of fun traveling together to different venues.
Needless to say everything is decorated for Christmas and then with it being Veterans day there is much excitement and things to see and do at this time of the year.
We saw Six, We went to sight and sound, Legends in Concert, we saw The Oakridge Boys, We went to the 60's and 50's revue,
We went to the College of the Ozarks, had a wonderful meal and some toured the grounds. It is a completely tuition free college. All the students work at the college in some capacity and pay their way thru. From livestock, gardening, restaurant, gift shops, jelly factory and the list goes on.
Went to Top of the Rock, a must do also if you go. you rent golf carts and drive yourself around and see some beautiful and unusual sights.
We visited Dick's 5 and Dime Store, went to Branson landing and shopped and ate at the Mexican Restaurant, sampled Moon Shine there at the landing.
We drove the the Christmas light display, which was not exactly what we were expecting but it was fun and we were given free hot chocolate at the end. Nice for a cool night.
We went to the Veteran's Day Parade and we had a good advantage point to see from and close to where George W. parked. George and I want to thank George and Mary for being our transportation while on the Carthage rally and the Branson trip.
We visited Mel's diner twice and shopped in the village there. That is where LaVerne and Harold discovered the Copper Penny. The owner gave all the veterans a key chain with a copper penny and she gave me, a cancer survivor, a piece of jewelry and LaVerne one also. We bought a few gifts from her.

A special place to visit while in Branson is: The Copper Coin, The Grand Village, 2800 W. 76 Country Blvd.., Branson, MO 65616. please visit their website @ thecoppercoin.com.

We enjoyed making new friends and hope to see them again in our travels. The trip was fun and relaxing and they treat you right in Branson.
I am sure I have forgotten something, it was a fun filled time. Oh yes, I do know we missed having breakfast at the campground, seems some arrived before us and Ed was gracious enough to treat them to breakfast. We all went to go one day and the cook was sick so it was closed and we decided not to go the next day not sure if they were completely well. LOL
As you know George has been doing the blog for quite sometime now and he loves to take pics, while he is driving I am taking them along the route. I help by trying to remember and write the story so it is a joint project. Hope it brings some joy and information to yall that you may visit some of the places.

George and I would like to wish each and everyone of you a Blessed Christmas and a very safe and healthy New Year. Hope to see you on our travels.

Pictures along the way from Carthage TX to North Little Rock TX.

following George and Mary Welsh on the way

At the KOA in North Little Rock AR.

Now on to Branson MO.

George and Mary had been here before and said we had to stop here and have breakfast and it was as good as they claimed.

inside it is restaurant and gift shop. really some neat things

Rainy but we made it to Branson MO.

We are now in Branson, LaVerne came over to visit and start our plan for this week.

in front of ABC office

Our spot at ABC RV Park.

Sam and Mari Churchill they are from Maine, friends of the Fitzgerald's.

Sam's RV has close to 300,000 miles on it. and still going.

I don't remember the results LOL

Harold and LaVerne

Mel's Diner

She sang to Ed.

Count down to Christmas in Branson MO.

our group taking in a show.

Six

Hope they get what they asked for!!!!

Breakfast this Morning.

Then Lunch

Did George W. write this????

Micah and David our waiters

LaVerne showing off her ticket for tonight

Veterans Memorial in Branson

The Trail of Lights at night.

Now to Top of the Rock
A must see if you go to Branson.

George F. the driver and George W. the navigator

They say this is true.

Looks like the tree is on fire. Beautiful.

Mary and George W.

Harold and LaVerne

Sam and Mari

Frank and Barb

Margaret and Ed

Looking up...

George W. driving his New Jeep.

Notice: NO Clearence Markers ???

George is dreaming.

Everyone's best friend.

see no, hear no, speak no

thumbs up on Branson

Look what Pat found.

Oakridge Boys

LaVerne and pat had to be with the ORB's.

He still has all of his energy.

Pat's Turkey.

Legends in concert

Marilyn was here

Veterans memorial Garden

George parked his Jeep

Dicks 5 & dime. Great store.

So good.

Great sign here.

The Dam

The Duck Boat

Legends in /concert

Santa was here..

Alan Jackson

The Blues Bros.

Barbara Streisand

Elvis was good.

Great Shop and a Must for everyone. Check out their website also.

MORE ABOUT THE COPPER COIN

Susan Abar began making necklaces out of two pennies she found after being healed miraculously of pancreatic cancer. Her amazing story is found in her book, Against All Odds: Two Pennies, A Rainbow, and a Woman Called Mercy has touched the lives of thousands and can be found here on our Copper Coin website and Amazon.com. Susan's jewelry caught on and today she integrates her hand-glazed pennies into stunning jewelry found only in Branson, Missouri and on our website.