Sunday brought us together at  for a “Welcome Barbeque” on Texas Row.  Our President Kathie and First Dude Mike brought brisket from Texas that was joined by yummy sides from attendees.  We all then made our way to the amphitheater for Opening Ceremonies.

What fun & excitement the “First Timers” brought to our group.  Ernest’s Sparkling W group brought all manner of creative décor to bring “Witstock” to life at Head of Row.  The Diehl’s also entered into the mood with décor, shirts, and wigs.  We even had our own celebrity when Mike had his picture and interview on the front page of the Forest City paper wearing his “hippy” wig while flagging at the front gate.







Monday’s offering for supper was brisket fajitas cooked up by Chef Mike. Tuesday, Bill & Vera, Ben & Pat, and Betty Smith from Red River Wrangers hosted our Texas Row Party serving tasty pinto beans and corn bread to everyone passing by (over 300 servings).  Wednesday, we served sloppy joes to the tired Texans.  Thursday, Mike organized our Second Annual Pizza Party served at our social gathering to fortify us for the evening’s  entertainment at the amphitheater.







It may sound as though we did nothing but eat, however, we were very busy building good appetites every day.  We took day tours, and attended seminars, and craft classes.  We also checked out the merchants in Friendship Hall and walked the vender/craft  rows.  Those who arrived a week early, spent the days at the Puckerbrush festivities in Forest City.  We were back and forth for the ice cream socials, pork and corn feed, salad lunch, and red hat tea.  We took advantage of the Belgium Waffle and Biscuits and Gravy breakfasts, and the airport fly-in pancakes also.  I guess we really do eat a lot. This was all building up to the parade on Sat. followed by the biggest chicken barbecue I’ve ever seen.

The Doyle’s were busy golfing every day that week, and Bob won second place in the big GNR Tournament.  Our Texas beanbag baseball team did not make it past the first round but we had a great time playing, and it was a very close game.  We also entered a team in the Happy Camper Cookoff with Chef Bill Thatcher and Sous Chef Betty Smith.  They looked very professional and won the “Most Unique Hamburger and Side”  prize.  


More Texas winners in the group showed up at the GNR Arts & Crafts Show. Larry Miller won a Blue Ribbon for his relief wood carving (a relatively new craft for him) and wife Sharyn won a Blue Ribbon for a quilt that has taken years for her to complete, all done by hand.  We're very proud of these two as well as all our other Texas Winners.

Our   local chapters  also were proud that  12 of our thirteen chapters received Chapter of Excellence awards as well as Texas W. Kathie shown receiving the award from the Formaneks.

Pretty much everyone agreed that it was the best ever GNR, can’t wait until 2010.