Wednesday, October 5, 2011

#11-37 Springfield and Branson, MO 10-1 thru 1-5, 2011

We stopped in Springfield, MO on our way to Branson.  I’d been in contact with my friend and schoolmate, Carol and made it a point to stop and visit.  We met them at the Elk’s lodge that evening for dinner with Carol and her husband Rick and some of their friends.  It was nice to see her, but all too short, so we made arrangements for them to drive down to Branson on Sunday and spend some time with just the four of us.
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Sunday, we went to “Mel’s” diner and had lunch. 
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All the servers sing, the one in the picture above is singing to the girl at the table next to us,  and our server had even been on American Idol. 
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Carol and I with our server, Matt Kester. 
After lunch, Rick drove us around to places in Branson we had never seen.  There is a beautiful golf course near the airport.  Rick loves to golf and wanted us to see this place because it has such a beautiful view of the valley.  It is called Murder Rock!
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We stopped at the clubhouse and had a cocktail.  We were able to sit outside on the deck and look over the valley.  What a treat.  Thanks, Rick and Carol for a great afternoon and visit!
We managed to see 4 shows during the time we spent in Branson.  We really liked the 12 Irish Tenors and was wishing for our friend, Linda Phillips when they were singing Irish folk songs.  We also saw the group Six, which are six brothers that sing without any instruments.  All the sounds they make are human, but, boy do they sound like drums and horns while they sing.  They were quite amazing.  The last show we saw the night before we left for AR was the Osmond Brothers.  They put on a wonderful performance and are so personable.  One of the things that Jimmy Osmond said about the difference between performing in Vegas and in Branson really says it all.  He said it is the reason they have been performing in Branson for 26 years,  and why they love it here.  “You can talk about Jesus Christ, be patriotic about our country and sing gospel.”  I think that is why Frank and I love it so much and keep coming back.  This is our 4th trip.
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During intermission the Osmond’s come down into the audience and talk to the audience.  No restrictions on photographs. 
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Jay, Jimmy and Wayne Osmond
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Our picture to remember the night we were with the Osmond Brothers.

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