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The Reunion doesn't officially "begin" until Friday, but as usual, the "weekend" of March 1st and 2nd began with the arrival on Tuesday of George and Edna Harris and Mac McMurray. Coming in on Wednesday was (in no particular order) Ole Anderson, Ted Allen, Bill and Anne Bowman, Randall Brown, Randy Cohran, Rocket Monroe, Bob Roop, Bobby Simmons, Charlie Smith, Scott Teal, and Joe Turner. That illustrious group met at Dick Russell's for great food, renewing friendships, and all the "who can top this" stories you could listen to.
Thursday afternoon found many others checking into the Red Roof Inn. They joined us for a "dutch treat" meal at Barnhill's Buffet (the use of their private dining room for our group was arranged by Joe Turner). There was probably 30+ in attendance at the restaurant.
On Friday morning, bright and early, many of the attendees arrived at the Reunion for coffee, doughnuts, and home cooked "goodies" that had been prepared by Florence Fields, Ida Fields, Chris Kelly, Evelyn Fields and Lucille Welch. The crackers covered with nuts and the chocolate covered peanut butter bars were wonderful!
The memories started to come back as everyone greeted old friends. By the afternoon, the building was filling up and the walls were stretching with the reminiscing of days gone past.
Friday night brought cloudy skies and rain, but inside the building, the warmth of renewing friendships continued as over 142 showed up for the spaghetti supper. We had 42 "pay at the door," which caused some extra work for the kitchen staff (our hats are off to Nancy, Jeannie, Nanette, Sherri and Bill), and the buffet line was a bit slow – BUT – good news for next year! We have already solved the problem so the line will move faster.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to Mac McMurray and Stu Schwartz for their contributions to the Gulf Coast Wrestling Reunion each year.
The evening concluded with our Friday night entertainment. After Bobby Simmons opened with prayer, Cowboy Bob Kelly and Curtis Smith's Wrestling Bluegrass Boys presented their rendition of God Bless the U.S.A. Norman Frederick Charles III read some stories, followed by a Sweatin' to the Oldies skit and songs by Bobby Simmons and Karl Roach. Florence Fields and Ida Fields closed the show.
On Saturday morning, the skies were clear and the rain had moved on. 43 additional guests joined our group for a total attendance of 185 – our largest crowd ever!
GCWR President, Bob Kelly, and Anne Bowman, each welcomed everyone and gave a special greeting to those who were attending the Reunion for the first time. Karl Roach sang The Star Spangled Banner and Jack Welch gave the invocation.
Bill Bowman presided at the Memorial Service for the members who had passed away since our last Reunion. GCWR members who weren't with us this year due to their passing included Greg Peterson, Bobbie Peterson, Benny McGuire, Oki Shikina, and Nelson Royal. A ten-count tribute was given at the close of the reading of the names.
The highlight of the morning activities was the Awards Ceremony. This year's winners were:
Legend Award
Buddy Wayne, Tiger Conway Sr. (accepted by Tiger Conway Jr.)
Pioneer Award
Kathy Branch Renesto, Ronnie Garvin, Tony Gonzales, Joyce Grable, Burrhead Jones
Speedy Hatfield, Man of the Year Award
Lee Fields, Don Fields, Bobby Fields
Tony Gonzales wasn't present at the Reunion to receive his award. We didn't know it at the time, but he passed away on Monday, March 4th.
A buffet lunch was served at noon and everyone enjoyed a buffet with fried catfish, chicken tenders, meat loaf, and "all the fixins'," along with enough desserts to open our own bakery.
Dick Beyer, Tom Drake, and Dean Silverstone, Cauliflower Alley Club Board Members, gave a recap of the recent CAC convention held in Las Vegas and invited everyone to join their prestigious group – now celebrating 36 years! Other CAC Board Members at our Reunion were Ida Mae Martinez and Scott Teal.
The final attraction of the Reunion was an afternoon of entertainment provided by many of our members. Once again, the show was emceed by our own Scott Teal, who delighted us with the marvels of magic, sleight of hand, and comedy. His "escape from a rope while under water" routine had everyone laughing out loud. He is truly amazing and his contributions to GCWR are appreciated.
The entertainers were:
Karl Roach - Coming to America
Chris Kelly - Don't Tell Me What To Do
Bobby D. Fields - I Wanna Talk About Me
Bobby Simmons - Old Friends
Shane Fields - In Dreams
Bob and Chris Kelly - There's Power in Our Love
The Destroyer and Dean and Ruth Silverstone (musical skit) - Grandma versus the Crusher
Pat Patterson - Harmonica medley
Shane Fields - I'm a Man in Constant Sorrow
Ida Mae Martinez - He Taught Me How To Yodel
Randy Fields - My Maria
Mac McMurray and Bob Fields - Boot Scootin' Boogie
The Fields Boys - It's Me Again, Margaret
Wrestler's Prayer
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
We were happy to hear the "repeat" performance of the much requested "Old Friends" song by Bobby Simmons. The words of the song hit close to home each time we hear him sing it. It means so much to every one of us.
While the entertainment of all members is appreciated and enjoyed, the most applause is heard when "those Fields boys" – Shane, Randy and Bobby Darrell – are introduced. They give more meaning to a song than (singer) Ray Stevens every dreamed was possible. We at GCWR appreciate them taking time off from their jobs and families to be at our Reunion and give us the laughter that we so need. They are an important part of our Reunions.
The 11th GCWR closed with everyone circling the building and joining hands during the singing of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."
The stage crew that did such a good job of helping make the transitions between acts was made up of Ray and Judy Hall, Miles and Judy Horton, Joey Turner and Susan McKay, Brandon Fields.
And, again, I don't want to leave anyone out (but I might have a "senior moment") and so if I do, forgive me, but thanks also to Bob and Chris Kelly, Karl and Darlene Roach, Curtis Smith, Mae Young, Don Fargo, William Stone, Frank Martinez, Ida Mae Martinez, Pat Patterson, Dean and Ruth Silverstone, Dick Beyer, Florence Fields, Norman and Ann Charles, Adrian Charles and Ida Fields.
Members attending not already mentioned were Sika Anoai, Bruce Austin, Levi Banks, Jerry Barber, Don Bass, Leon "Tarzan" Baxter, Chuck Bowman, Bob Boyer, Adrian and Linda Street, Chris Cody, Buddy Colt, George Caulkin, Randy Curtis, Bobby Dee, Bill Dromo, Dandy Jack Donovan, Fabulous Moolah, Don Fargo, Smokey "Galento" Ford, Gorgeous George Jr., Buddy Hack, Dennis Hall, Danny Hodge, Arvil Hutto, Diamond Lil, Chris Markoff, Tony Galento, Sylvia Hackney, Sputnik Monroe, Bill Moody, Mack York, Freddie Morton, Joe Powell, Marcel Pringle, Ken Ramey, Tom Renesto Jr., Tim Renesto, Len Rossi, Lavon Stone, William Stone, Thomas Tate, Kurt von Brauner, Gladys Wall, George Weingeroff, Roy Lee Welch, Lester Welch, Jim White, Tim Woods, Mae Young. Please forgive us if we left anyone out.
Those members unable to attend include Jack Adkins, Red Bastien, Danny Buck, Tiger Conway Sr., Don Curtis, Chuck Gardner, Skip Gossett, Don Greene, Tom Henderson, Karl Lauer, Corsica Joe, Sara Lee, Mark Nulty, Sandy Scott, Dick Steinborn, Chuck Thornton, Ella Waldek, Colin West, Billy Wicks and Jack Williams.
The skies started darkening in the late afternoon as everyone was starting to depart at the close of another Reunion. We look forward to next year when we meet again on March 7-8, 2003.
Sincerely,
Bill and Anne Bowman
P.S. We have heard a rumor that next year those rowdy, raunchy pirates will be returning as a part of our entertainment. We also heard that Burrhead Jones was working on a routine that would make James Brown sit up and take notice. |
