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by PMS*red
by LAWTON
by NOTICKETDONNA
by PADRE_RALPH
by LULUWALLS

Pork Chops & Beaujolais Soiree Review

Let's see, where should I start....... Well, after many e-mails and phone calls to and from Reeda, making plans and changing them, dealing with folks about campsites, pigs and beer, the day finally came. 

Reeda and Terry showed up on Thursday afternoon and after only a few minutes of visiting, Reeda and Julie headed out to the local Goodwill. Too bad it was closed (not!!). Terry and I stayed behind and hung a door on my bathroom. Jon S. came in on his Goldwing and Kathy O. showed up a couple of hours later. 

Friday morning found us gathering up the last remaining pieces to our weekend, buying corn barrels and coffee pot cords. Picking up the pig cooker and setting up tents. 

Donna and Dennis found us at the house and right away headed to the campground to set up their tent before show time. We were all gathered back up and on our way to The Olde Peninsula Pub, just a little behind schedule. We parked the cars and it only took about 10 minutes to see the very large sign telling us how much parking fees were. As we were walking down the sidewalk, we spotted Mr. Prine headed in to the alley where the stage door of the State Theater is located.

A few blocks later we were at the Olde Peninsula. Jon S. and Kathy O. were at the bar eating their dinner and having a beverage. Apparently they were able to stay on the schedule that Reeda had posted in the Shrine. We met Mike Hillard and his wife Pam. The Reverend Ralph came in a while later as did Crusher and his son Eddy. Folks were coming in, as show time grew nearer. Alan Chapman, his wife Carrie and daughter Brittany, and Gary Jackson showed up and after eating and visiting and having a few beers, we all headed toward the theater. Half way there, I was met by two smiling and familiar faces. Dave Jacques and Jason Wilber stopped in the middle of Burdick Street to say hi and give Alan and I a handshake. 

The night was already looking good. 

Outside the theater, we met more fans. Kathy 47 and her chauffeur Thom, Brian Frain, James and Linda Barnett, my nephews Darby and Josh and their girly friends Autumn and Amanda, G.B, Alan's parents Ruth and Gary, Jeff and Roberta, John and Rosemary Fouth (Julie's parents), Joe and Chris (Julie's brother and wife) and Bobbie and Jessica (my daughter and son-in-law). 

Once inside and seated we were treated to the talents of Greg Trooper. He is quite an act. Very good vocals and guitar playing. I have never heard Greg before but I WILL get some of his music. I was impressed. After Greg's performance, the lights came up and we visited with some more friends. 

We met Kim, the lady that supplied the corn, Lyla, and a few others that I can't remember names of. The lights went down. John and the Boys took the stage. I didn't get the set list, but I'm sure Reeda has it. After a few songs, John said, "It's good to have the Shriners here tonight."

It was really hot in the theater and John was using a towel after every song. Someone from back stage finally brought out a fan and turned it on. I don't think it helped much on stage but I could feel a breeze from it every now and then. The band continued on like the professionals they are. Not a word was spoken about how hot it was up there. They played all of our favorites and a new one to boot. The show seemed short, but Reeda and I checked the set list later and all the songs seemed to be there. They quit with Lake Marie as they usually do and came back for the encore. They did a couple of songs and John invited Greg Trooper back to the stage. 

Then John did something that I will never forget. He started playing Paradise and said, "This is for the Pork Chops and Beaujolais people". If no one showed up for the Soiree and everyone told me to get lost when I suggested it, that simple act of kindness would have been well worth the effort. After the show, we milled around for a bit and Terry and I headed out to meet Buster, the hog guy. Reeda and Julie stayed behind to see if they could get to say Hi to the guys. They were successful, as was Alan and his family. Alan even got his guitar autographed by the entire band. Reeda will have to fill you in on what all happened. 

Terry and I picked up the hog and met Steady Eddie at my house and we were off to the campground. Terry and Steady loaded the hog up with all kinds of good stuff and he went on the cooker right on time. We sat with the hog and visited, had some of Roberta's spiked coffee and finally laid down at 6:30 am on Saturday. 

People started showing up Saturday afternoon. We all visited, pitched tents, and took turns looking at the hog. It was supposed to rain on Saturday, but the night before I had ask Reverend Ralph to see if he could pull a few strings and get us some good weather. I don't know what he said but it was a beautiful day. We didn't get any rain until late Saturday night and it wasn't enough to hardly get things wet. We all ate and drank and visited for the afternoon. We had the bandstand set up and Alan, Gary Jackson, Marty Koviac and G.B (AKA Swift Kik) treated us to some really good live music. After much prodding, I joined them on stage and managed to butcher a few of my favorite John Prine songs. 

The night ended way too soon and everyone bedded down. Sunday morning everyone was up packing their stuff in cars and getting ready to head home. We said our good-byes and it was done. 

Just like that it was over. 

Everyone was gone by noon except for good ole' steady Eddie, Mona, Alan, Jeff and Roberta, Julie and I. We cleaned up what little mess was at the campground, loaded up the cooker and went home. I did enjoy a few hours of rest, but I wanted to turn back the clock and do it all over again. 

I can't thank Reeda and Terry enough for all their help in making this whole thing happen. Hanging doors and scrubbing tubs, cutting cabbage for cole slaw, shucking corn and everything else they did while they were here. Thanks to Steady Eddie and Mona for cooking a great hog and just being you. Thanks to Reverend Ralph and his Boss for the weather. Thanks to everyone that pitched in with food and help. Thanks Jessica and Bobbie for picking up the keg. Thanks Tramble and Kara for all your help. Thanks Swift Kik, Guitar Joe, Moses and Amy and Eddy Reynolds for the music. I'm sure I forgot some of you but it was not intentional and I will remember someone about two seconds after I send this. 

And most of all, thanks to each and every one of you for coming. You made this a weekend that we will never forget. I wish Jike, Sue, Eric, Megan and Doug could have been here and I hope that everything is working out for them. We really had a great weekend and I can't wait to do it all again (at someone else's house). Just kidding. You are all very special people and we are privileged to know you. Oh yeah, thanks a lot John, Jason, Dave and Greg for a great show. See you all soon, Rich, Julie, Leslie, Melissa and Zach Barnett 

PS..... For those of you that noticed Zach and the tape on his hand when he returned from his football game, he had 3 broke fingers. I told him I thought it was a sprain and he helped us put away guitars and amps Saturday night. Thanks a lot son and the next time you tell me your hand really hurts, I'll listen.

©2002 Rich Barnett