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Meeting the first Friday of each month at the Golden Corral at 71st and Mingo in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
GMC Lunch Bunch December 3, 2010 JINGLE BELLS LUNCH BELL MERRY CHRISTMAS Tis that time of year…again and already…and with Chaplain Farris reminding us that "HE" is the reason for the Season, the Tulsa Lunch Bunch joined in the Holiday Festivities with another great time at the Golden Corral. Special guests today were our Music Leader Gerald Weems and his guest, Vera Wilson. Also joining us for the first time was Art Moore's daughter, Priscilla, who has just moved back to OK. Priscilla is a career Navy gal and she and her daughter are going to be with us for a spell. Her new duty station is the Naval Reserve Armory in Broken Arrow, OK… Most of the gang were here today, along with their appetites, good humor and exceptionally bad jokes…ugh!! We did miss Black Bart, who, along with his son, were off to Las Vegas to take in the "Rodeo"…'fraid we are going to have to see the program, Ron… Bob and Marilyn Musgrove, along with their beautiful coach, were the first to arrive…soon Glyn Trimble came along, then Fred and Peggy Pitezel…then the rush…Jim and Betty Haynes, Ken and Doree Broostin, Becky Trimble, Clyde and Nora Jones, Chaplain Claude Farris and his bride, Sally, Monte and Helen Jestes, plus a few more. Over in the corner were Art Moore and his daughter, Priscilla…Sharon Eimen came on out anyway…said she doesn't like Las Vegas "rodeos"…especially the cigar smoke… Good to have Don and Barbara Pogue out again…it was fun watching Don go back to the chow line…again…and again…what a man! Bill and Darlene Rowland anchored down a table…watch out for that cane of us…Moses doesn't have a thing on him… Ken and Doree very graciously invited us all out to their home again for a Christmas Party on the 14th…sure don't want to miss out on that one…Last year was a real fun time…and Hostess Doree plays a mean game of "Dirty Santa"… Lastly, we want to thank Gerald Weems for once again bringing us a chorus of melodies on his Q-Chord…of course he played "Jingle Bells" again for us…and Chaplain Farris closed out with a special message with emphasis on the REASON FOR THE SEASON…Thank you, Claude. Love to all The Tulsa Lunch Bunch
November 5, 2010 GMC SURVIVAL KIT HALLOWEEN HIDEOUT Call it what you want but this past month has been a real doozie!! Some went to Branson, some went to Arkansas, some went to the GMC Classic Rally in Burleson, TX and then a few more went to Rocky Point Campground on Fort Gibson for a few days…
And some went to OK City to help inaugurate the first Lunch Bunch meeting for them…somebody squeezed off a trip to the Illinois cornfields…others went off doing their "grandparent" thing…but, guess what…we all made it safe and sound for Lunch today at the Golden Corral… This past month has indeed been one of the most traveled months we have ever had…and nobody broke down, nobody had to be left stranded along side the road…our GMC ladies performed like champs … cold nights and all… Two special guests were on hand today…Ron Edwards, who is looking for a GMC, and his buddy from St Louis, Carl Martin. Welcome, and thanks for coming, fellas… . Let's see…Trick or Treat survivors on hand today…there was Black Bart and his bride, Sharon Eimen, Bob and Marilyn Musgrove, Clyde and Nora Jones, Fred and Peggy Pitezel, Glyn Trimble, Claude and Sally Farris for starters…. Bernie and Renee Baldwin, Ken and Doree Broostin, Bill and Darlene Rowland, Don and Barbara Pogue, Jim and Betty Haynes, plus George Livingston and his bride…think that's all but too many Halloween goodies make one slightly forgetful!! Seven coaches were on hand today…George, Glyn, Ron, Don, Bob, Bernie and Bill all parked out in a beautiful cluster of coaches on the north side of the Corral!!! Keep 'em coming, guys…help spruce up the neighborhood!!!
Woops! Almost forgot…five coaches showed up for a "Show and Tell" earlier this month at a local Antique and Hot Rod Show"…we were well received and also invited back for the March show…it was an open classification outdoor show with any thing and everything imaginable available…we weren't quite as spotless as some of those fantastic muscle guys but at least we were bigger…ha…don't want to brag too much but we were inundated by visitors from start to finish…
Participating at the show were Claude and Sally Farris, Bob and Marilyn Musgrove, Fred and Peggy Pitezel, Ron and Sharon Eimen plus Glyn Trimble. Must say a decided plus were the hamburgers from the local Fuddruckers establishment…of course, we were using their parking lot… Time to fold up shop until next month…oh, almost forgot again…about twenty of the gang will be going later this month to Okmulgee Tech in Okmulgee for the annual Culinary Thanksgiving banquet, prepared and presented by the students themselves…this will be our third consecutive trip for this fun time…it's a sold out affair with reservations required…and after you have been there once you will know why… Til next month … Happy Gobble Gobble Day… October 8, 2010 FALL WEATHER FABULOUS FOOD FUN TIME AT CANTON Where do we start? Today is chow time at the Golden Corral…a few days ago it was "Do your thing at Canton…buy it, pack or drag it home…next week it's show time at the Antique Auto Show.. From there it's off to Branson, then next it's Classic time at Burleson, TX…then we get back just in time to camp out at the Army Corps campground, Rocky Point…somewhere in between it's Halloween and Ghost and Goblin time… Almost forgot…hopefully we can squeeze in a trip to OK City to the Golden Corral for the OK City Lunch Bunch inaugural lunch meeting…… Whew!! We are all worn out just reading that schedule, let alone doing it!! Coming up next month is our annual camping trip to Okmulgee State Park and…you guessed it..Fall Feastival Time…pardon the pun… Today was a day made for doing a "Nothing" thing…the weather was absolutely gorgeous…no rain, sleet or snow…sunny, lazy daze of fall…The appetites were on schedule and so were we!! Ron and Sharon were off to Illinois for a visit…Bill and Darlene were somewhere in Alabama…Chet was absent without leave…but the rest were present with flying colors…Drop in guest George Clark wandered in…didn't know we were GMCers…he just knew a bunch of the people snackin' away… Irv and Shirley were back from a victorious trip to the Cotton Bowl…'nuff said about that…ha… Thank you, Claude, for giving the invocation today…He and wife Sally always make a great twosome for our group…It was good to see Clyde and Nora again…they have been on the Blue Grass tour over in big MO…Fred and Peggy looked as dapper as ever…
Ken and Doree talked about the fun things at Canton…Doree was wearing some very beautiful costume jewelry she had just acquired…Bob and Marilyn shared some new travel plans as well as old...Somehow it centered around grandchildren and the holidays to come…imagine that..ha… Glyn got himself in trouble…again…he has his GMC in the shop for a bit of paint touch up…it was only the first or second time in years that it wasn't parked outside of the Corral at lunch time…He promised not to do that again…(shhh, it was supposed to be ready Thursday but you know how that goes…ha). Fall…what a wonderful time of the year…may you enjoy it…and if you enjoy it just half as much as the Tulsa Lunch Bunch…well, you are on your way to a fabulous fun time… May the Lord guide and protect you…and may the Leaves of Autumn fall perfectly in your lap… Your Tulsa Lunch Bunch
September 3, 2010 "TURN THE RADIO ON" and Happy Birthday to Us
But, first, it's hard to imagine but just a few short years ago, in Sep 1999, to be exact…the Tulsa Lunch Bunch met for the very first time…my how we have changed…hair lines have receded, waist lines have expanded and the wrinkles have slightly grown a wee bit longer and also in number…but the jokes are still as awful, however the food is still perfect and the camaraderie is the best ever… Holdin' down one table were those impeccable folks, Claude and Sally Farris, along with Art and Sherry Moore…Cecil Martin and Chet Simpson gravitated nearby…Bob and Charlotte Ankershell balanced out for the good guys…Irv and Shirley Pense sort of made it along the lines of "Beauty and the _______, uh oh, he's watching so we'll give Irv the benefit of the doubt!! Across the way were the multi-talented Bernie and Renee Baldwin, Ken (Tweetybird) and Doree Broostin, Bill and Darlene Rowland and together with Fred and Peggy Pitezel…the plotting was furious and heavy…
Speaking of plotting…let's see..this month some of the gang are going to International…some are going to the lake to look for catfish …some are going to Canton to shop for those little things no body wants or needs but who cares??? Bob and Marilyn Musgrove were out doing a 50th wedding anniversary for friends…Clyde and Nora Jones were blu-grassin' off in Missouri…Sonnie Martin was celebrating her new found freedom from her leg cast (knee surgery) by checking out her favorite stores to see if they were still in business… Jim and Betty Haynes were in the middle of the plotting, and Black Bart and his bride were learning the tune to "Turn Your Radio On"….or rather he was trying to teach her the difference between the radio dials and the air level dials…never mind, you really don't want to hear it all…yeah!!! (We just can't wait to tell you next time we see you)…. Bringing their coaches today were Bill and Darlene Rowland, Black Bart and his beautiful songbird and Glyn Trimble…by the way, we have been invited to bring our coaches out to one of the local Hot Rod and Antique Car Shows so our first outing will be next Tuesday, Sep 7, at the nearby Fuddruckers-Target parking lot…will let you know how it turns out…should be about 150 exhibits there… But, one thing for sure…several of us visited the show recently to sort of "check things out"…don't know which we liked better…the "out of this world" hot rods on those fabulous Fuddruckers hamburgers…with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mushrooms, bacon and all the fries that you can eat…along with FREE drinks plus refills…oh yes, huge onion slices too! And for the brave in heart, jalapeño peppers for toppings…and don't forget the senior discount, either!! A great time today…and thank you, Lord, for a marvelous and wondrous ELEVEN years…may they be even better the next eleven… See you soon Your Tulsa Lunch Bunch
August 6, 2010 EGG FRYING TIME ON THE SIDEWALK?
The best answer is that today it was most noticeable that no one left very early and conversations about GMC stuff went on and on and on … plus craft ideas … plus grandchildren … plus this and that … and more than one went back to the chow line again and again and again … testing the food, of course! Speaking of grandchildren, it was nice to see Ken Broostin's grandson, Imeldo Broostin, back with us again. Imeldo, from Minnesota, last visited with us about three years ago … my oh my, how that boy has grown … can't wait to see how big that boy will be when he's all grown up!! Of course, Ken already has to look "up" to talk to him … and he's still in high school … It was certainly nice to have new owners, Don and Barbara Pogue, back again with us today … Don, from nearby Collinsville, brought a "grocery" list of questions … of course, we had a similar list of answers … just hope that they matched up … and with our "Home Grown List of Experts" … you can be 100 per cent sure they did NOT … Oh well, more fun that way … . Let's see … some of our "experts" today included Black Bart and his lovely bride Sharon, Bob and Marilyn Musgrove, Bernie and Renee Baldwin, Bill and Darlene Rowland, Ken "Tweety Bird" and Doree Broostin, along with grandson, Imeldo, Ron Whisenhunt, Jim Haynes, Glyn Trimble, Clark Southmayd and Fred and Peggy Pitezel along with her parents, Clyde and Nora Jones. Of course, overseeing all this multi-level and mercury challenging what-for-all was our faithful and thoroughly capable waitress and boss-in-hand, Nadine. She keeps us going with a constant flow of clean plates and beverages … Thank you, lovely lady!! Discussions ran in all directions … from our Fort Sill trip two months ago … the Mineola GMC rally last month … the International Rally next month … the Burleson rally in Oct … and how to cook eggs on top of the GMC's today … no, just kidding … but you could have!! We just couldn't find a ladder … yeah!! Recently we received an invite to participate in one of our local Antique and Hot Rod Clubs to show the GMC coaches … looks like a go on that but we are going to wait until it's more Merry Ho Ho type weather … that tarmac they exhibit on is just a wee bit mucho temp wise!!! Time to run along…enough of the chit chat…we missed several of our regulars … as well as … Chet, we just don't know how to say it..so, plan on being on hand next month…maybe somebody will buy your lunch … ha!!! Your Tulsa Lunch Bunch July 2, 2010 HAPPY JULY 4 GMC'ERS ARE HAPPY CAMPERS What a lovely day it was! With eager appetites and brand new Golden Corral discount coupons in hand, we charged into our favorite waterin' hole promptly at 11:30 AM and took off, plate in hand, for the food lines!! And the weather was A-OK…for a change! Nadine, our favorite waitress, was on hand to greet us…she had the tables all set up…the Tulsa Lunch Banner was hanging in a new place…and we had four new guests today… First of all, we had newcomers Bob and Charlotte Ankershell, newly moved to Tulsa and looking to buy their very first GMC…right after their new home is finished….we congratulated them on their wise choice, then tried to talk them out of it…but, alas, to no avail…they still want to buy one!!! Later, two brand new owners, Don and Barbara Pogue, surprised us with their very first visit!! They only recently purchased their first GMC after downsizing from a larger motorhome…naturally they had lots of questions and we had lots of answers…some good, some more or less good and some…well, never mind…. Delighted to have both of you join us today…we look forward to many more visits and renewed friendships in the future!! Both couples said they had been reading our reports on the website…and they came anyway!!! A number of the folks left early and were already at the lake…Don Cooper and his family as well as Ron and Sharon Eimen. Monte and Helen Jestes were caught up in the throes of that intolerable mode…believe it's called WORK…Several others were playing "grandparent" for the weekend…like they said, someone has to do it and it might as well be them… Holding down the fort on one of the tables today were Ken and Doree Broostin, Fred and Peggy Pitezel plus Bob and Marilyn Musgrove…Bill and Darlene Rowland anchored down another table, along with Bernie and Renee Baldwin…Jim and Betty Haynes kept another corner going…Chuck Meyers along with Glyn Trimble and Chet Simpson kept another table humming…Irv and Shirley Pense kept raiding the chow line…not sure where they were sitting…Missed Claude and Sally Farris today, along with Clyde and Nora Jones…turned out the Jones were visiting off in Missouri…Cecil and Sonnie Martin played hookey today…for shame… Also we heard via the grapevine that one or two guys/gals have not completely recovered from the Fort Sill adventure last month…we sort of believe it probably was the shock of their VISA bill this month…nahhh…couldn't be that…no way…. After a complete wrap up of all things GMC…along with a thorough discussion of the new goodies at Hobby Lobby (just across the parking lot, by the way)…we broke up the inside mêlée and continued outside near the motorhome section…and yes, we did wind up the afternoon with hugs and goodbyes till next time… Your Tulsa Lunch Bunch June 4, 2010 FUN TIME AT THE CORRAL Well, which would you rather do? Eat or Yak? You won't believe it but the guys and gals did a little of both today at the Lunch Bunch monthly feast at the Golden Corral… The fast food contest started early and continued late…Nora Jones started early with a "pizza" appetizer and Chet Simpson finished it with a late entry "dessert teaser"…Somewhere in between we had the invocation, scramble for the lunch line and a lot of catching up on GMC stuff… Of course, since a majority of us had just returned from our sojourn last week to Fort Sill, there wasn't too much to catch up on…WRONG…we just swung into high gear as if we had been up on the top of Mt Scott last night… Leading the way were Bernie and Renee Baldwin, Jim and Betty Haynes, Bob and Marily Musgrove, Ron and Sharon Eimen, Fred and Peggy Pitezel plus Ken and Doree Broostin!!
Joining in the friendly melee also were Irv and Shirley Pense, Cecil and Sonnie Martin, Clyde and Nora Jones, Don Cooper, Monte and Helen Jestes, John and Carolyn Mahan and Granddaughter Nikki, plus Ron Whisenhunt, Clark Southmayd and Glyn Trimble. Joining in the festivities also was our perennial traveler Chet Simpson…He and Pat just returned from a trip to up state New York…brrr…cold, he said!!! Good to see an old favorite, Don Cooper, back in the fold again. He has promised to resume work on his GMC Landau…but, don't tell anyone, but he said that last year also…ha… Claude and Sally were out in the land of the high flying balloons, Albuquerque, but they sent their regards anyway…wonder if they were just trying to make us jealous…nah…no way…Claude is our Chaplain and he wouldn't do that to us…or would he? Absent today were a few of our regulars, Bill and Darlene Rowland (hanging out at the Mayo Clinic)…Chuck Myers (motorcycling in Kansas City)… Leonard and Jane Howard… Your Tulsa Lunch Bunch P.S. When you have time, you just gotta look at all the pics we took on the trip…and yes, we deleted those naughty pics of all of us at the food tables….well, most of 'em anyway!!! May 24-27, 2010 WAGONS WEST HO When was the last time you worshipped in a 135 year old sanctuary…or dined in a 100 year old elegant diner…or walked in the steps of a legend… or paused at a gravesite of an Indian Chief…or stood at rigid attention at retreat…or passed in review…or viewed the world from atop the mountain at sundown… Several weeks ago, plans were made by the Lunch Bunch guys and gals to make a safari trip to view history in the making as well as the past…a visit to Fort Sill and also the Wichita National Wild Life Refuge nearby. Ten coaches signed on and into high gear we went. First, a scout trip was made about two weeks prior to ascertain the best accommodations available and reservations were made accordingly, both for daytime activities and also evening festivities…everything lined up like ducks in a row…right? Read on, dear friend, and laugh with us (or weep)… On Monday all ten coaches lined up at Wal-Mart on Hiway 75 and 121st St to set out on our newest trek across Oklahoma…no, make that nine…one fell out the night before…no, make that eight, one went ahead the day before and would join in later…no, make that seven, cause mechanical problems would force a slight delay…no, make that six, cause medical issues came about…and they would join us later also… So, six modern Conestoga Wagons (GMC Motorhomes to the uniformed)…Fred Pitezel, Glyn Trimble, Ron and Sharon Eimen, Ken and Doree Broostin, Bill and Darlene Rowland plus Jim and Betty Haynes…set out around 9:30 AM toward our rendezvous with adventure! Traveling westward on Hiway 117 through Sapulpa, we enjoined on Old Hiway 66, traveling westward through Bristow and further on to Stroud, turning south on Hiway 99 to I-40, and finally a stretch stop for the undaunted drivers…(potty break for the over 70 crowd)… Resuming our westward trek, we traveled on I-40 to Hiway 102, turning south to Hiway 9, then westward again to Norman for a scheduled visit to the University of Oklahoma Natural History Museum. Joining up with us there were Bob and Marilyn Musgrove…After a brief lunch on board (the Museum restaurant is closed on Mondays) we were greeted by the Tour Director and then a Docent took us on an inspiring visit to prehistoric times, with huge fossils and even those big T-Rex guys. Never did find Alley Oop, tho…. An interesting note here…while we were stopped for lunch, several people came up to admire our vintage coaches…all lined up in a nice, intriguing row…the desk clerk said later that several employees came up to them while we were touring and commented "Did you see those beautiful old coaches out there?"…comparing our 35 year old motorhomes to their prehistoric fossils…they were interested in us and we were interested in them….not sure whether that was good or bad…ha…. Then it was load up time and head for Lawton and the Doris Campground on the Wild Life Refuge, or so we thought. About an hour out, a phone call was made and panic, albeit slight, set in. Seems as though our phone number had been misplaced and they had been trying to reach us to inform us that there were NO campground spots available…shades of the past…where had we heard that before? Lake Spavinaw, I believe!!! White knights, where are you… Rather than leave us high and dry with no place to go…Clinton, our contact at the Refuge, had located us places nearby on Lake Ellsworth, a Lawton City Park campground…not knowing how to get there, a White Knight for sure, an angel in disguise, Park Ranger Randy Hale walked and talked us in to this beautiful, out of the way, green, lush, hillside park, staying on the phone with us the entire last 30 miles of our trip just to make certain we arrived safely and had a place to camp!! And, to make it even better, we had the entire hillside to ourselves!! A real hidden gem, for sure!! And with all the amenities we needed…electrical hookups, plus a fresh water spigot and dumpsite nearby … without Randy's guidance, we would have never found it…it's one of those places you have to know where it is before you start…ha… About that time, Bernie and Renee Baldwin joined us…being thoroughly knowledgeable now, we were NOW able to guide them in…ha…!!! Also joining us was Kem, daughter of Jim and Betty Haynes. After getting all set in, we set about to find our way to our evening dining destination, The Old Plantation Restaurant, in Medicine Park. Fortunately, the staff at the restaurant knew where we were and gave us excellent directions to their location. Surprise! Surprise! Upon arriving we thought for a few moments we had gone back in time…and maybe we had! The Old World cobblestone décor was everywhere…had it not been for the automobiles, we would have looked for horse drawn carriages and their entourages! We had stepped back in time to a 100 year old restaurant, and it's beauty and charm were reflected throughout. The beautiful stained and waxed floors glistened with a softness that reminded one of a sailing sloop. They had provided us with a banquet table right in the center of a ballroom type dining area and it seemed we should have been dressed in royal gown and other appropriate attire.
The pixie type staff gave the impression that they had been preparing themselves just for us and their service reflected it! It only made the food taste that much better…and the food was impeccable in it's presentation and taste, especially those hot, fresh yeast rolls!! After a leisurely and fun time at dinner, we carefully loaded up and started the trek home to our hidden retreat…As we drove north on I-44, we were startled to see going down over the far mountain the most beautiful sunset most had ever seen…with a myriad of reds and oranges, brilliant rays streaming forth, letting one and all know that God was still in control. Thank you, Lord, for such an inspirational sight!! Nighty night…it's been a big day! And just about that time, Irv and Shirley Pense arrived…Everybody is now present and all accounted for, Sir!! Tuesday AM we were awakened by Lake Ellsworth's built in alarm clock…a gaggle of geese insisting it was time for everybody to rise and shine!! After a quick shower and a succulent breakfast (coffee, orange juice, banana and cold cereal), we were off to tour Fort Sill. Our first stop was at the entrance to the Post, Key Gate…Black Bart was held for questioning but finally was allowed in…Seems as though his reputation had preceded him. Next, a guided tour of The Artillery Museum…from ancient times to modern warfare, the history and use of artillery as a weapon of war was dictated. Some even found the weapon they had trained with in years past. The most poignant display was that of a life-like portrayal of an artillery-tank crew from World War II and the Battle of the Bulge. To those brave men, we offer a salute and deep vote of gratitude!! Forgot to mention that as we entered we saw the horses used for ceremonial occasions being put through their morning exercises…later after leaving The Artillery Museum, we stopped and looked at the caissons that were pulled for those special times. We also peeped through the gun slots of the old Quartermaster Corral just across the street. My oh my, those walls were at least a foot thick…. From there we drove up to the Post Museum and there Mr. Towana Spivey, Director of the Museum, (and part Chickasaw Indian), held us spell bound as he described the history of the post and it's responsibilities over the years as an Army outpost and protector of the people who lived there, both white and Indian alike. Next was a visit to join up with the ladies…at the Food Court in the Post Exchange. This was no ordinary Food Court, it was humongous, featuring every know Fast Food Restaurant chain known to man, or so it seemed. Each had his or her choice but must say the milkshakes were by far the best part of each meal!! Just had to admire those long ago cannoneers who braved the heat as well as the cold to perform their duties. Doubt they would even begin to comprehend the modern complexities of artillery warfare…but, they paved the way!!! Cannoneers, we salute you!!! From there it was but a short distance to the Old Post Chapel, now all of 135 years old, being founded and \first built in 1875. Those early day soldiers who needed God's guidance would be thrilled to know that our modern soldier is still attending there for worship and guidance. The quiet atmosphere and worshipful attitude still prevails and even more so to those of us who quietly sat with bowed heads in respectful reverence this day. What could be more fitting than, after visiting the Old Post Chapel, than to visit the Apache Cemetery, with it's permanent resting places of so many noted Indian leaders. As you visit the gravesite of Geronimo, you see also the site of his wife, children and grandchildren. It brings home to you that he also was a man, just like us, with an obvious love of family. Were we placed in his shoes, how would we have responded? And also the realization that here was a man that God loved, just as He loves us. Indeed a place of eternal rest and beauty for all to see!!! And now the coup de gras for a visit to Fort Sill. We were privileged to be at Post Headquarters in time for retreat. Precisely at 5:00 PM the military detail marched out, came to attention, and lowered the flag… Back to home base for a brief respite, and, suddenly, as if by magic, from out of nowhere the ladies brought out a feast for the ages…salads, entrees of all kinds and ending with home grown strawberries topped off with ice cream!! Of course, a picnic lunch would not be complete without some of nature's friends…we were soon invaded by, as Renee described them…G-gnats…of course, Grizzly, in his best Airedale manner, soon began leaping up in the air, snapping his huge jaws at them…can't you just see that 90 lb Airedale jumping up in the air chewing on those G-gnats…don't know who won but it was quite a battle!! Nighty Night!! The morning alarm went again, right on schedule..those geese must delight in doing that, too!! Soon we were off for a visit to the Wichita Wild Life Refuge…arriving about 10:00 AM, we were soon greeted by our friendly Park Ranger, Randy Hale himself…Randy regaled us with tales about the Refuge, most of which we are sure are not in the book anywhere….but the most entertaining tale was that of how he set his magnificent beard on fire a while back…but that's another story for another time…ha… After viewing a fascinating film, we strolled about the complex and then set out for drive through the Refuge, viewing Elk, buffalo and Long Horn Cattle. Easily the most intriguing aspect was the stop at the Prairie Dog Colony…those little critters were not afraid and literally came right up to your feet to peer up at you with those little beady eyes…as if to ask, "Are you going to feed me or not?" Of course, we didn't…but they certain were a world of fun to watch!!! From there it was off for an epicurean delight we will never forget…"Lunch at Meers" at Meers Hamburger Store in Meers, OK!! It's located in an old abandoned mining shack stuck back in the hills, that was converted into dining facilities over 50 years ago…serving all varieties of Buffalo Burgers … served on and in old pie tins, any way you like them as long as it is "Well Done"…kind of like that old Henry Ford philosophy…you could have your car painted in any color you like, as long as it was black… As Wednesday afternoon was "free time"…we sort of scattered…Ron and Sharon, Ken and Doree along with Bill and Darlene headed out for home….others went exploring the Refuge some more and the rest of us headed back for "nappy nap" time… Along about 7:00 PM we gathered all up and headed out for a final farewell to the Refuge…from atop the world renown Mt Scott…the highest mountain in the area…we watched the sun sink slowly and majestically down in the distance…a beautiful sight not only to see but also to enjoy…the girls thought it was quite a romantic setting…the guys just talked about GMC's…what a way to end the day… Thursday AM rolled around, way too soon…this time we were treated to the sounds not only of our morning gaggle of geese but also Woody Woodpecker and his distant cousins, Bob White and his covey. All home safely and a little "bushed"…a trip extraordinaire then some to say the least!!! Would we do it again? Hmmm….You betcha!!! Thank You, Lord, for a safe trip…until next time…our love and prayers… Your Tulsa Lunch Bunch P.S. And, just for the record, all those boo-boos we pulled…like getting lost a couple of times…turning the wrong direction more than once…etc…to paraphrase an old proverb…what happens in Lawton stays in Lawton… May 7, 2010 JOIN THE ARMY Remember that old song that goes something like this…"You're In the Army Now…You'll Never Get Rich…(Bleep the next line)…You're In The Army Now… A whole passel of the Lunch Bunch signed up today to go to Fort Sill and maybe we just might re-up…but don't count on it!! Our patriotic fervor may be great but just afraid one or two of us might not pass the physical…this time, anyway!! Lunch time rolled around today and we were blessed with a goodly number of guests…Two couples from down south (TX) way joined in the melee…Bill and Lillian Wortham and Charlie and Minnie Meyers…also joining us was Kyle Spencer, a guest of Glyn. Kyle is getting married in about two months…we tried our best to set a proper example but, alas, despite putting on our best behavior, he is still determined to follow through…Congratulations, my friend…you are getting a winner!!! Some of the others in attendance were: Bob and Marilyn Musgrove, Ken and Doree Broostin, Bill and Darlene Rowland, Clyde and Nora Jones, Fred and Peggy Pitezel, Chuck Meyers, Irv and Shirley Pense, Andy and Jondine Flynn, Ron and Sharon Eimen, Jim and Betty Haynes, and. Bernie Baldwin (Renee was off gathering up "the graduating from college" Minda. Old friends Bill and Bobbie Bramlett stopped by for lunch also…they were enroute from Bean Station to Tulsa to Estes Park…seems as though Bill, Bobbie, Claude and Sally just made it back it time… Oh boy…now the good stuff…we have a trip planned in a couple of weeks to take in the sights and sounds of Fort Sill and the Wichita Mountains Wild Life Refuge near Lawton… So far we have about ten coaches planning to make the trip…we have scheduled sight seeing trips to the Old Post, The Artillery Museum, Mt Scott, the Wild Life Refuge plus a tentative stop enroute at the University of Oklahoma Historical Museum at Norman, OK with it's collection of dinosaurs and saber tooth tigers….And YES, we have also scheduled a visit to dine at the Meers world famous eatery in Meers OK… And, hopefully, we can make a stop at Geronimo's incarceration cell, plus his gravesite, maybe a meal or two at the Post PX Food Court…(that's a huge cavernous eating place on the post)…tour Artillery Row…and enjoy the outstanding and famous posting of the colors at Post Headquarters… Bring your cameras…the tour of the Wild Life Refuge is a must on everyone's tourist stop…nature as nature is supposed to be…the animals are for real…no zoo creatures here… Those (so far) planning to make the trip: Glyn, Bill and Darlene, Irv and Shirley, Bill and Lillian, Jim and Betty, Bob and Marilyn, Ken and Doree, Ron and Sharon, Fred and Peggy, Bernie and Renee, plus a couple of maybees…We will be camping out in somewhat primitive areas, with only electricity offered…well, at least we are not boon dockin it…so, stock the fridge, fill the water tank, and EMPTY the holding tank before you leave…for sure it's better than Wal-Mart…but not much…however, the scenery is spectacular! So, chigger bites, warts, and all…here we come…will tell you all about it next month… Our love for each of you The Tulsa Lunch Bunch P.S. Thank you, Claude, for giving the invocation…appreciate you! April 2, 2010 THE $64 DOLLAR QUESTION HAVE YOU GOT THE ANSWER Okay, all you puzzle solvers…gather around…here's the question and you have three guesses… Quick Now! What do the Wal-Mart in Denison, TX and the Wal-Mart in Sulphur Springs, TX have in common? Your first guess is probably that they are both named Wally World…good guess but nope, not the correct answer! Your second guess is that they are both located in TX…good answer but not the one we are looking for…so, keep thinkin' and we'll share later…maybe… Today's Tulsa Lunch Bunch gathering at the ole' watering hole was all about the GMCMI Rally last week at Montgomery, TX, plus the usual how-to fix this and that…. We had six coaches from the Lunch Bunch on hand at the Rally…Claude and Sally Farris, Bill and Bobbie Bramlett, Bernie and Renee Baldwin, Ron and Sharon Eimen, Glyn Trimble and first timers rally attendees, Fred and Peggy Pitezel… We had a great time…got a few pics to prove it…plus a few other little quirks and gotchas…Black Bart managed to find the bees without the nest…Glyn won a door prize he can't use…Fred found a new leak or two during the rain…learned from Claude that if your feet get cold (and it was rather chilly a couple of nights), put a stocking cap on your head…works every time, he says…and he's the Chaplain…that means it's gospel… Okay, it's back to the drawing board…today for lunch we shared the usual rumors, told wild tales about our gasoline mileage, bragged about how "easy" it is to drive through Dallas at even tide…it does certainly help your prayer life…that's for sure!!! Blood pressure goes way up and knuckles turn "ghastly" white…. Today was really a check to see if your coach leaked while driving in the rain…It started raining early this morning and, believe it or not, it quit just as we started in for lunch…had a great group on hand, including special guests of Bernie, his cousin Vicky Aeschbacher and her better half, Adolfo Isassi, who were traveling through in their Airstream trailer and full timing at that!! Also hanging loose in the rain today were Claude and Sally Farris, Andy and Jondine Flynn, Bob and Marilyn Musgrove, Monte and Helen Jestes, John and Carolyn Mahan, along with granddaughter, Clark Southmayd, Glyn Trimble, Fred and Peggy Pitezel, Tweety Bird and Doree Broostin, Jim and Betty Haynes, Bill and Darlene Rowland, plus the effervescent Black Bart and spouse, Sharon. Chet, along with Don Cooper, skipped out again…for shame…Sonnie Martin is over in Europe spending Cecil's money…Chuck Meyers is off traveling in Louisiana…guess the rest were rained out…well, at least the guys and gals here found all the new leaks…ha… Plans were loosely made for our next outing…of course, we don't know where we are going yet…when we are going…how many are going…but, being good GMCers, we made plans anyway… Now it's time to dispel all those rumors and wild 3rd guesses you have been making…so here is the CORRECT answer…seems as tho on the way home, half of the Lunch Bunch Rally attendees stopped overnite at the Wally World in Sulphur Springs, TX…and unbeknownst to the them, most of the others stopped overnite at Wally World in Denison, TX Now, if the Denison overniters shopped as much as did the ladies at the Wal-Mart in Sulphur Springs…well, folks, it would a whole lot cheaper to have stopped at the campground…but, dears, we love you anyway!!! Now to bring this chatter to a graceful close…ha...we tippy toed out through the raindrops, climbed aboard our trusty steeds, and zoooomed out of the parking lot…well, maybe a little slower… Till Next Month…. March 5, 2010 WHAT A DAY GREAT WEATHER AND WILD TALES 'Tis True…Scout's Honor!! The temp today was a scandalous 60 degrees outside and the GMC guys and gals literally came out of the woodwork…even our special buddy, Chet Simpson, made it out to lunch, even though he was driving his wife, Pat's, sleek, shiny, nary a dust spot on it…new ebony black Corvette…Pat, how could you? Clark Southmayd brought their new coach (to them) out today…sort of a warm up spin around the block…seems as tho he and wife, Patty, are hosting a group of foreign exchange students on a sight seeing tour of Tulsa tonight…in the GMC of course…only way to go… Ron (Black Bart) Eimen and his lovely bride, Sharon, have just purchased a new 16' pontoon boat with lots of room on it for all of us…well, you won't believe it but by the time lunch was over that 16' pontoon boat had grown to a 60' yacht that was capable of sailing o'er the ocean blue…see what that warm, sun drenching weather does to a guy!!! And we believe you, Ron…yeah!!! Had quite a few coaches with all hands on deck today…Bill and Darlene Rowland, Black Bart and Sharon Eimen, Clark Southmayd minus Patty, Bob and Marilyn Musgrove, and Glyn Trimble…minus Lady Barbara (his ever demanding little kitten)… And along with Claude and Sally Farris, Clyde and Nora Jones, Fred and Peggy Pitezel, Leonard and Jane Howard, Bruce Smith, Joey Coulter, Bernie and Renee Baldwin, Don Cooper, C A and Jan Townes, Ken and Doree Broostin, Monte and Helen Jestes, Jim and Betty Haynes…well, we had a fairly good size roomful of exuberant, yakkety yak GMCers…poor Nadine…we kept our favorite waitress hoppin' all though lunch… Oh yes, congratulations to Claude and Sally Farris…those nice folks celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary yesterday…and Leonard and Jane Howard just recently celebrated their 50th …looks like owning a GMC is good for long life… Happy to report that Becky Trimble is home from the hospital and resting well…she promised to be back with us real soon!! And Bernie and Renee gave us a special report on daughter Minda…believe it or not, she is graduating from college in May and is already looking for a job…shux, she was just in Junior High the other day…can't hardly wait until she get's her first paycheck and she finds out about all those little goodies that somebody deducts before it gets to her!!! A sort of pre-welcome to the real world, Minda… It's off to the International Rally in a couple of weeks…so far Glyn, Claude and Sally, Ron and Sharon, Fred and Peggy, Bernie and Renee plus Bill and Bobbie Bramlett will be going along also…a couple of others are still up in the air…to go or not to go…that is the question!!! Now that the temp is up and away, it's time to check out those sweet ladies…hoses, belts, brakes, you name it…wash and wax, new tires…checkbook, dear friend…get ready… So, see you in Montgomery and then back here next month…it's been a real blast today…enthusiasm galore, questions unabated, and extraordinary food on the buffet line…what more could a guy want? Our love and our prayers for each of you February 5, 2010 IT'S GROUNDHOG DAY (BAD WEATHER) THE WHOLE WEEK Mercy Sakes Alive!! Don't know what we did to make that ole' Groundhog mad but we surely did something!! It's been one not very good day and then two bad days and then one not so bad for so long…Take your choice…sleet, snow, freezing rain, mush, slush, fog, plus loads of black ice on the roads…Mr. Groundhog, GO AWAY!! Despite the "friendly" weather today, we had a great turnout including a number of very special guests!! First of all, we had a most gracious family from Colorado visiting with us…Chuck Kellogg, wife Susie and mother-in-law, Doris Turner. Chuck is here undergoing medial evaluation at one of the local hospitals. Also, we had Debbie Gleason's parents, C A and Jan Townes…Jan reported that Debbie was doing just fine, progressing very well since the loss of Roger. Visiting for the first time today was Ed Vincent. Ed has a 23' GMC and has made rapid strides to make it roadworthy. We gave him lots of tips today…some good and some…well, check out that grain of proverbial salt… Our stalwart colleague, Chet Simpson, was nowhere to be found today…we nearly called off the luncheon…ha…Don Cooper called early this morning and said he was going hunting for pheasants up north in southern Kansas…and in the snow, too!! Holding down one table were Bob and Marilyn Musgrove, Bernie and Renee Baldwin, Bill and Darlene Rowland, Ron "Black Bart" and Sharon Eimen plus Ken "Tweety Bird" and Doree Broostin… Over at another table were Clyde and Nora Jones, Cecil and Sonnie Martin, C A and Jan Townes, Glyn Trimble and his guest, Diane Hayes, Ed Vincent, Chuck and Susie Kellogg plus Doris Turner. Not sure we should tell you this but here goes anyway…Fred and Peggy Pitezel were off on ANOTHER cruise in the Caribbean…and they didn't invite a single one of us to go along…Claude and Sally Farris were called away to a friend's funeral…plus Irv and Shirley Pense were no where to be found!! He was probably working on his GMC…yeah, sure!! Diane Hayes came out today to invite our ladies to a special tea coming up in April, with a special speaker from Florida coming. Turns out her hubby, Chad Foreman, has owned a GMC for several years…yeah…one big happy family!! More next month. Preparations are under way for a group to attend the GMC International Rally next month in South Texas. Quite a few are planning to attend. Now if that ole' Ground Hog will cooperate so we can get out and under those GMC babies to fix all the little goblins that cropped up while sitting in cold (and we do mean COLD) storage. Bill Bramlett, you are needed here!! So, you have been in Colorado long enough…time to return…if not, just send us a "Get Going" card or something like that…ha… And last but certainly not least, two of our favorite people, Leonard and Jane Howard, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary tomorrow at a "surprise" party at their church. So, great big congratulations and a huge "wrap around" hug for the both of you. So, from all of us to all of you…Have a great Valentine Day, President's Day, and ignore the extended Ground Hog Daze… See you real soon… P.S. The food today here at the Golden Corral was outstanding, delicious, superb, mouth watering plus it was very good…ha… Jan 15, 2010 LUNCH BUNCH ESKIMOS COME OUT OF HIDING WHERE IS MY GMC? Blizzard, blizzard…where art thou? Last Dec 23 a real norther' blizzard hit our area and the lunch bunch guys and gals alike, along with their GMCs, disappeared into their hastily built igloos and learned how to make real Eskimo pies… Today we crawled out of our home made igloos and made a hasty retreat to the golden corral for a much delayed January luncheon….wearily each straggled in, much the worse for wear, but came with appetites in hand…must confess that most of the gmc babies were still locked up at home in deep storage…imagine that!!! Ken and Doree were the first to arrive, but not before Doree checked to see if hobby lobby was still in business…ha..(editor note: they were)… Soon bob and Marilyn made in it…Jim and betty Haynes…glyn…Becky…Clyde and Nora … Fred and peggy…bruce…joey…bernie and renee…cecil and sonnie…ron and Sharon…also irv and Shirley… Just about half way through luncheon, one of our favorite 'pick on' guys, chet simpson, arrived…we couldn't have lunch without him…. We are saddened to report that during the holiday season we lost one of our favorite guys, roger gleason…roger had a sudden heart attack…debbie is doing fine… she sold their beloved gmc to a very nice family, clark and patty soutmayd, who will be joining our fellowship very shortly…roger, we will miss you…. Thanks for the wonderful memories…. Today also was nora "peanut brittle lady", jones' birthday…naturally we sang "happy Birthday" …she did admit to being barely over 39 but not by much…she and hubby clyde have been married 65 years…wowie…. A very special thank you to ken and Doree…they very graciously invited all of us to their home last month for a christmas party…must confess that Doree plays a mean game of "dirty santa"… Time to roll on down the road…right after we dig away the snow and ice, load up the gmc And go, go and go The Tulsa Lunch Bunch
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