We had a wonderful weekend at Gatlinburg -- the weather was so beautiful and the leaves still full of color. We stopped at Boone Tavern on the way down for lunch. Being Halloween they had pumpkin soup, trick or treat salad, hobgoblin sundae and other goodies. The motel where we all stayed was just about three years old and very posh. It had four floors and a glass elevator. The pool was actually on two levels with a slide between and a whirlpool which really helped us to relax after our trip down. Most of the rest went up to Pigeon Forge to have dinner at the Apple Tree Inn (where we ate years ago) but we weren't at all that hungry. They had a family style dinner with three meats and too much other food they all said. They held the Autumn Promenade at the convention center where there must have been close to 50 squares in one room and then the more advanced were in another room. It was quite an experience. We found out Saturday night that our group tied with another for fourth largest group there -- 26 people and the largest to come the farthest.
Gatlinburg turned us off as far as so many shops and tourist attractions. We did look around Saturday -- found the library closed but very attractive -- off the tourist tract and asked many before we were told where to find it. We did see the Bearskin Motel where we had stayed 20 (?) years ago. [A postcard of the Bearskin Motel mailed 8/1/60 can be found on the blog here.] It is still starred in the Mobil Tour Guide but has certainly had its day. The pool still in the shape of a bearskin was still filled with water but also leaves and dirt.
We got an early start coming home and went to church in Harrogate, Tennessee at a pretty little Baptist Church where the minister announced his resignation to the congregation that morning and had everyone including us in tears by his emotions and remarks. We also stopped at Cumberland Gap and saw two movies (10 minutes each) and historical data there.
Mary Virginia seemed to have a good but busy weekend so hadn't missed us too much -- we got home about 8PM before she did. She and Kelly Walker had gone to the Visitation Day at Wilmington College and had enjoyed it. In reading last night's paper found she had written a letter to the editor which we hope to include in this.
Mrs. Belle Gordon passed away Sunday and they had calling hours yesterday and the funeral is private this afternoon. Friday she was looking forward to coming home but they found a blood clot and she died as a result of the surgery. (She had a slight stroke a week before and was in Clinton Memorial). All the girls except Nancy are home and Jack was at the funeral home as well as Virginia's sister Betty and her husband who has been in the hospital with a very bad heart. Anxious to see if Jack moves back as he had said Mrs. Gordon was the reason he had moved out several years ago. She was just 3½ months less than 97.
Mrs. Walker was to have had the Mothers Club last night but Charlotte Hause had it in her place and Mary Virginia gave the program -- our annual musical. She did an excellent job and I wished that I had taped it. Bill Kincaid was her accompanist. The theme of our programs this year is Love and so she was asked to do love songs and the group was to answer roll call with their favorite love song. She sang "Love is a Song", "I Wonder", "Indian Love Call", "Some Day My Prince Will Come", "Pagan Love Song", "Longer", and "Goodnight My Someone". Four of the members came in late because of working at the election polls and Easter Star services at the funeral home so she did an encore of I Wonder with Bill singing with her this time. She got a lot of compliments.
The news of the outcome of the election was quite a surprise coming so early but can't say that I was at all unhappy about Reagan's election. Haven't heard yet whether Helen Hiestand won the Highland County recorder's job. The Republican running against John Glenn for Senator didn't do well at all
Last nite Dad went to a bank dinner and then square dancing to keep Mary Virginia and me up on the things taught at the most recent sessions. Tonight he has Lions Club and our United Methodist Women is meeting too in place of next week when the church is having a week of evangelistic services.
Catherine we didn't get out of passing out treats as Beggars Night was last Thursday night. We must have given well over a hundred balloons between six and seven and then turned out our porch light briefly so we could eat supper without interruptions as we tried earlier without any luck at all. But the majority had come evidently for we never had another one. We had all sizes and ages, masked and unmasked. We had given up going to the Halloween Square Dance for didn't want to leave MV home alone and she later decided to go Halloweening in Sabina with some friends who have little brothers and sisters. But we got to bed early and plenty of rest before our trip.
Roberta we have tried to reach you often on the phone but no one answers so guess we are calling at a bad time. Had wanted to know Agnes' new address so could complete the Guideposts subscription list but got our fourth reminder from the magazine with list and noticed her address has been changed. I meant to ask if any of you would want to subscribe for any friends it is a good opportunity to get it at a reasonable price so let us know for next year. They also have three other editions at the same price -- Big Print, Braille and Talking Book. Joe Horton never got his so sent it in with the Andover, Massachusetts address (via Raymes pouch) so hope that it goes through. None of the foreign subscriptions I ordered last year were acknowledged except Joe and he never got the magazine.
Have talked to Kim several more times and the church voted to send him a notarized letter (as requested) but really feel it is too late this school year for Mie Young to come and she isn't going to school there so has wasted at least several months. Of course they didn't realize what a hassle it would be for her to get out of the country.
On the Gatlinburg trip we enjoyed having the Harners go with us -- is is still hard for us to call Melba Harner rather than Melba Fawley, as she was before Stan's death. The Harners are "talking" of going to Seattle next year to the Square Dance Convention. We have sent in our reservations for the ABA mtg in New Orleans the 2nd week of August. In '82 it will be in San Francisco.
Dad will soon be ready to mail this unless we wait til noon in case we might hear from one of you. Got your message, Serena, about your not being able to call til you get your teeth and/or root canals paid for -- do make sure that it isn't their idea of how to gain experience in that field We have heard of more people getting ripped off that way. Too bad you are not nearer Catherine's dentist employer for a second opinion.
Hope you enjoy your long weekend, John and Carol. Do you also have next Monday off, Roberta? MV and I are going to Huron for the Women Anew weekend -- more about that later.
With much love to all of you,
Dad & Mother
