Allen Mustang fans are really proud of their football team this season. Tea leaf readers predicted a tough (losing) season. Playing larger schools and others we have never played before gave some of us a sort of nervous disorder. But we did pretty well after all. We were 5-2 ‘till we drove down to Hartshorne. I wasn’t there but those that were said it was a hard game. Allen did OK in the early going but “hard” calls by unfriendly refs meant most of our big gains were called back on holds, and we lost to a good Hartshorne team. I’ve heard it said that a referee can call a “hold” about any time he wants.

Pat and I made a drive up to St. Louis, Missouri this past weekend visiting with our daughter Traci and her family. Got to meet grandson Alec’s girlfriend Jaime and had a good visit with the whole crowd up there. Traci’s husband Dr. Alan Runge is a hospital Chaplin in St Louis.

We planned to go to church Sunday, but the early morning cold rain discouraged us. You know how we Baptists are about rain of any kind on a Sunday. But we toughened up later in the day and braved the elements by going to St. Charles. St. Charles is a very old town and is the site where Lewis and Clark set out to scout out the land purchased by President Jefferson back in 1803.

The town is pretty much into celebrating this event (especially on this anniversary) and doing it up good right now. Residents get in costume as street singers ply the streets of this pretty little and very historic town. We spent some time in their museum and that was very educational. Also enjoyed some oldfashioned treats as we trapsed up and down their main street.

Our family plans on meeting in Branson soon and celebrating Thanksgiving together. We try to do this every so often in Branson and we enjoy having our Thanksgiving dinner together. Of course, there are the season’s new Christmas shows. Lots of good places to eat too. I will try to avoid eating chicken this time. A few years back I was getting ready to feast on some of that good Branson chicken when I noted it just didn’t taste right. I stopped eating immediately but of course, I got sick as a horse and on the way home I felt so bad that Pat ran me into the emergency room. I don’t know what all they did to me other than the IV’s but between it all I survived, and it gave me a memory of Thanksgiving that I never forgot. Naturally, I was the only one that got sick.

Tipping is favored at all restaurants and especially at Branson. And even more so if a waitress has to serve and handle a large group. So it was with interest that I observed this large family exiting the big café at Silver Dollar City and the cashier spoke to the old grandfatherly looking guy paying the bill. She said, “Sir, I see you haven’t added the tip onto this bill. Was that just an oversight?” A lady of the group hurried over to his side, and said, “Dad, you need to give her a nice tip, these people did such a good job a serving us.” The old guy said, “why sure. She sure did.” The bill was over $200 bucks as I remember and he said, “Yeah, add on a couple dollars for the little lady. She did a good job.”

A staring contest ensued before another member of their party came up and handed her a wad of money. I don’t know how much, but the old guy was pretty pleased with himself and failed to see the other family member increase the tip. So, rest assured, if we run up a big tab at a restaurant up there, I’ll be sure and tip handsomely. Probably go, uh, $5.00.

I always enjoy the Christmas Show at the Southern Palace and naturally another favorite is the Saloon Show. I hope it’s not too early to encourage all of you to plan on attending and supporting our many upcoming Season’s programs in our school and churches. They’re always the best ‘cause we are the ones doing them. I appreciate hearing from you and hope your week ahead is great.

Don’t forget to go to church.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com