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Saturday was more structured, with a full morning and afternoon program scheduled for everyone’s enjoyment. Karl Roach opened by singing “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by introductions by emcees Anne Bowman and Terry Lathan. Reunion vice-president Bob Kelly opened (and closed) a short business meeting, followed by introduction of a few guests by Terry Lathan. Bill Bowman must have drawn the short straw several years ago as once again, he led the memorial tribute, the “Ten-Bell Salute,” to our friends who have passed away since our last reunion. As always, it was a touching and sobering moment.
The annual awards were presented next. Lou Thesz was on hand for the first time to present Cauliflower Alley Club Awards to Skip Wetjen, Don Fields and Florence Fields.
This years’ GCWR Pioneer Awards went to Sylvia Hackney, Len Rossi, Bonnie Schwartz and Dick Steinborn.
The Living Legends Award were presented to Bob Boyer and Dandy Jack Donovan.
And the 1999 recipient of the coveted “Speedy Hatfield’s Man of the Year Award” went to Billy Wicks.
After a group photo was taken, and a delicious buffet meal was enjoyed by all, the afternoon entertainment began with another original routine by Dick Steinborn set to the music of “A Better Place To Be.” Jerry Barber, Norman Frederick Charles, Diamond Lil and Sputnik Monroe all appeared in the skit.
One of the lines that will go down in reunion history was uttered by Ted Allen at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday morning – “I spent nine dollars on this beer ... and I’ve had $500 worth of fun!”
Saturday Afternoon Variety Show
A Better Place To Be -- Dick Steinborn
Twist and Shout -- Florence Fields
Candle in the Wind -- Karl Roach
Tennessee Stud -- Evelyn Fields
Magic -- Scott Teal
Old Friends -- Bobby Simmons
Rocky Top
Curtis Smith and the Wrestlers’ Bluegrass Band
Magic -- Danny Hodge
Song -- Bill Mitchell
It’s Me Again, Margaret -- The Fields Boys
Fist City -- Sister Cyclone (aka Ida Fields)
The Blue Cyclone -- The Fields Boys
My Dog Buster -- Ida Mae Martinez
Wine to Water -- Bob Kelly
Monica -- Dick Steinborn
The Godfather (skit) --
Terry Lathan, Becky Fields, Bobby Fields, Evelyn Fields, Bobby D. Fields, Karl Roach and Ray Hall
The Wrestler’s Prayer -- Karl Roach
GRAND FINALE: Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Curtis Smith, Bobby Simmons and Karl Roach
Thanks to the following for their invaluable assistance during the entertainment portions of the reunion.
Video -- Ricky Fields
Audio -- Joey Turner and Susan McKay
Stagehands -- Ray Hall, Joy Lathan
Kitchen crew -- Skip Wetjen (chef), Pam, Nancy, Nanette, Tommy, Terry
Those attending who have not already been mentioned include Jack Adkins, Jim Atkins, Jody Atkins, Bruce Austin, Dick Beyer, Smokey Boyette, Pete “Scorpion” Cannon, George “Curtis” Caulkin, Chris Cody, Buddy Colt, Willie Paul Davis, Bobby Dee, Tom Drake, Red Donovan, Bill Dromo, Karen Dromo, “Dandy” Jack Donovan, Ricky Fields, Billy Garrett, Skip Gossett, Joyce Grable, Buddy Hack, Danny Hodge, Ben Jordan, Peggy Allen, Ronnie McCall, Tony “Galento” Miller, Steve Neeley, Len Rossi, Stu Schwartz, Charlie Smith, Thomas Tate, Joe Turner, Ann “Tyler” Vaughn, Gladys Wall, Ella Waldek, Buddy Wayne, Jack Welch, Jim White, Mike “Cool Breeze” Williams, Betsy Williams, and Don Wright.
Those who were attending for the first time include Donna Christantello, Randy Cohran, Don and Dotty Curtis, Randy Curtis, Mickey and Debbie Doyle, Marvin “Hillbilly Slim” Cheatham, Burrhead Jones, LeeAnn Lopez, Ricky Slover, Lou and Charlie Thesz, Sammy Vaughn, and Elliott Wiggins.
We appreciate the support from all those who send in the dues for their membership each year. We missed those who were unable to make the trip this year. Those include Bob and Gail Armstrong, Levi and Susie Banks, Penny Banner, Tiger and Inita Conway, Faye Davis, Buster and Evelyn Faye, Tommy Fooshee, Judy Glover, George Grant, Don and Betty Greene, George and Edna Harris, Arthur Hatfield, Doug Kinslow, Karl Lauer, Ted and B.J. McIrvin, Don and Dawn McRae, Bill “Paul Bearer” and Dianna Moody, Mack Morton, Randy Powell, Ken and Kay Russell, Dean and Ruth Silverstone, Earl and Lena Smith, Eddie and Barb Sullivan, John Wall, Roy Lee Welch, Ronnie West, Linda Wright, and Johnnie Mae Young.
A lot of hard work and effort goes into preparing for the reunion each year. Thanks to everyone had a part, no matter how big or how small, in making this a weekend that we will remember for a long time. Join us in the fun next year as we meet for the 9th Annual Wrestlers Reunion on the second weekend of March. The dates are March 10-11, 2000! |
