Larry & Patsy Wood (12255-L)
Region Three Directors
The Region Three Rally was held in Branson, Missouri, June 14-18. The weather cooperated with us, and we were able to do our outdoor activities without getting rained on. One of the highlights of the rally was the Welcome Dinner and Hillbilly Party. Musical, and comedy entertainment from Silver Dollar City kept us in stitches. Many of our members dressed up in their best hillbilly outfits.
A parade of “our hillbillys” ended up with three finalists being chosen by a panel of judges. Little did the contestants suspect that they would end up in a musical showdown to determine who was the winning hillbilly. The three finalists were Marilyn Miller, Steve Miller, and Patsy Wood.
They were each assigned a musical instrument to play along with the band. Marilyn was given spoons. She was a pro! She could make those spoons sing!! Steve was given a jug in which he tried to blow to make a sound. Unfortunately, his “hillbilly” teeth stuck out a little too far and not much sound came out of the jug. Hilarious!!! Patsy was assigned the washboard and discovered her new talent, although there doesn’t seem to be much demand for a washboard player back in Oklahoma. After judging by the audience, the winner was Patsy, aka Minnie Pearl. Her prize was an executive hillbilly briefcase (a pair of briefs with a handle attached) and two tickets to the Titanic exhibit. Later, Larry Wood reluctantly agreed to participate in a rendition of Ghost Riders in the Sky. However, the version Larry performed was called “Ghost Chickens in the Sky.” He chimed in at the appropriate times with a “Cock-a-doodle-do.” What fun!!!!
Sight and Sound Theater’s production of Queen Esther was another highlight of the rally. Our group was amazed at the size and quality of the production. We were surrounded on three sides with actors and live animals and amazing stage settings. The sound system was good, and the story of Esther came to life in front of our eyes.
Another rally highlight was the special luncheon in the beautiful Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks. Every student at College of the Ozarks works their way through school. We were served by students, and much of the food was grown and prepared by students. Known as “Hard Work University,” the students are debt free when they graduate. If you have never been there, you need to check them out.
We also enjoyed the outdoor drama “Shepherd of the Hills” which was written in 1907 by Harold Bell Wright. At one time, it was the third best-selling book in the world. It was outsold only by the Bible and the Koran. It was a fictionalized account of people who actually lived on the property where the amphitheater was located in the 1880s. In fact, the original cabin belonging to Old Matt and Mollie is still located on the property.
Upcoming International Rally – The International Rally is almost upon us. Our job this year is Parking and Registration. We are fortunate to have Region Six Directors, Chuck & Michelle Steenwyk, and their volunteers helping us. They will be hosts of the International Rally next year in Michigan.
Resigning as Region Directors – It is with mixed feelings that we announce that we will be stepping down as Region Three Directors effective at the end of this year. Larry joined Newmar Kountry Klub in 2001 and missed only one International Rally during that time when he was leading a caravan to Alaska. Patsy joined him in 2010 when they got married. We have enjoyed a total of ten wonderful years as Region Directors. During that time, we have had the opportunity to lead caravans to Alaska four times, and Newfoundland once (with another trip there on our own). We have attended state rallies in all six states in our region and have made many good friends.
Although our days as Region Directors are coming to a close, we look forward to continuing being a part of Newmar and are already planning our trip in 2024 to the International Rally in Berrien Springs, Michigan. We look forward to seeing you there.
As always, Safe Travels!
