Reading at the Library, Friends of the Weatherford Public Library Luncheon, Texas Busniness Women's Luncheon

Saturday, April 16, 2011
Are you beginning to think I don't do anything but attend luncheons? Well, it's not true! I did want to mention that I spent some time at the Weatherford Library as a volunteer reading to first graders one afternoon. It was a lot of fun for all of us. I involved them in the stories and they really enjoyed interacting. One little boy confided as he left, "I'm going to be an author. I get top grades in reading in my class."

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On April 1, 2011 The Friends of the Weatherford Public Library (FOL) held their Spring fundraiser luncheon with the guest speaker being Dolly Marting. Dolly is a huge advocate for the mentally retarded as she has two grandsons, now in their 30's, who are profoundly mentally retarded. She spoke of her experiences in getting them the kind of help and care they needed when they could no longer be cared for at home. Her speech was laced with hilarity along with the sobriety of the subject and she was well received by the audience.


Major underwriters for the event were Linda and Drew Springer and Parker County Today Magazine. As you can see by the photos, it was a huge success. The monies go to help the Weatherford Library obtain services they might not otherwise be able to afford. In this economy, their state funding has been cut over $14,000 this year.

Staff of Parker County Today Magazine, Steven Schillio, Graphics Designer
and Marsha Brown, Editor/Publisher

Shown above is Dottie Mills, President of FOL and Carla Kerr, Board Member

Dolly Marting. Speaker with Dr. Brandi Buckner, Luncheon Committee Chair

Weatherford Public Library Director, Dale Fleeger

Amy Mercer, an underwriter of the FOL luncheon, in serious conversation with the Sheriff

Weatherford Councilman Jerry Clinton with his lovely wife

Kelli from Kelli's Kitchen catered the luncheon and the food was great.
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April 2, 2011 was the date for the Texas Business Women's Luncheon. My friend, Barbara Farley, invited me to attend as her guest.

The guest speaker was Shirley Cothran (Barret), Miss America 1975 from Denton, Texas. She is an excellent speaker and even taught us how to do the "royal wave" which she learned behind the scenes in the Miss America Pageant. She related how she was first runner up the year before and this just made her more determined to win.

Of course I had to have my picture made with Shirley.
Miss America 1975!

Attendee Patricia Rider proudly wearing her hat

This is all I have to say for now.

Red Hat Luncheon, Book Signing, Opal's Husband

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
I've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger since we last communicated as you will see.

March 23, 2011, a large group from Wild West Women of Weatherford Red Hat Chapter gathered at The Olive Garden in Weatherford, Texas for a scrumptious lunch while visiting and getting acquainted with four prospective members.
Everyone was really decked out in their red hat finery and it made for some excellent photos. It's not easy getting good photos of Red Hatters because they are having so much fun talking and gesturing that you just have to ask them to freeze in place for the picture to work.
I think we have a beautiful group of ladies in our chapter and they are just as nice as they are pretty.

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March 26, 2011 I held a book signing at The Copper Pumpkin, 1713 Bethel Road in Weatherford, Texas. The book, "The Cherokee Advantage", is my memoir of surviving in an extremely dysfunctional family and finally, at sixteen, being reunited with my Cherokee grandparents after being kidnapped from them by my misguided mother when I was four years old.
One lady, who bought three books made an interesting statement. Her sons are half Cherokee and were born in Oklahoma as was I. She said, "I don't think your degree of Indian blood matters because I'm convinced that it's your state of mind regarding your Indian heritage that matters most."
Darlene, owner of The Copper Pumpkin, had everything set up beautifully and served punch and cookies. She laughingly remarked about said cookies, "I stayed up all night baking these!"
By the way, "The Cherokee Advantage" may be ordered directly from lulu.com or from cckerr@att.net, if you want an autographed copy. I write under my maiden name, C. C. Crittenden.

Thanks to my dear husband, Doug, for being my photographer, as usual.

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On March 27, 2011 Doug and I along with our friend, Barbara Farley, enjoyed lunch at the Whistle Hill Cafe in Weatherford, Texas after which we drove to Theater Off The Square (TOTS) to see "Opal's Husband" written by John Patrick and capably directed by Kay Huse.

This is a comedy and Joyce Eckstein, who plays the role of Opal Kronkie, gives an excellent performance as do the rest of the cast. Jerry Hall as Captain Mooney is a riot too. You really need to make time in your life to go see this play.

Play dates left are April 1 and 2 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 3 at 2:00 p.m. TOTS is located at 114 North Denton just off highway 180 in Weatherford.

As you can see, I got to be in "pictures" with members of the cast because my personal photographer (Doug) was there!

This is all I have to say for now.

Viva Las Vegas-Elvis Lives

Saturday, March 19, 2011
A group called "Day Trippers", members of Parker County Women's and Newcomers' Club, attended the Donny Edwards "One Night With Elvis" show at Texas Opry Theater in Weatherford, Texas.
The show was Excellent with a capital "E" and everyone appeared to be thoroughly enjoying this very professional production. Donny truly channels Elvis and if you close your eyes, you'll think you are listening to the man himself.

Also on the program was David Allen who made his tribute to Elvis in a black leather costume. He sang lesser known songs by Elvis and was fantastic. His energy level was incredible and he kept the audience completely engaged the whole time he was on. I must mention that the back-up band "Fever" is one of the best I've ever heard. Just hearing them play is a treat in itself.

Looking around the audience, there were many in attendance whom probably danced to Elvis records and songs in their younger years. The younger girls in attendance were screaming and yelling just like we did in our heyday.

This show is coming back to Weatherford on May 21, 2011 so mark your calendars and make plans. When you see it you'll surely say, "For one night, Weatherford, Texas becomes Viva Las Vegas!"

This is all I have to say for now.

PCWNC Board Meeting

Thursday, March 17, 2011
It was my turn to hostess the club board meeting in my home. I made coffee, served orange juice, cantaloupe with strawberries and cinnamon buns with green icing. Our stylish President Dottie Mills came looking as lovely as any Irish Colleen in her shamrock green ensemble in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
Dr. Brandi Buckner officially presented the award plaque to Sue Coleman as a 2011 Woman of the Year recipient since Sue was unable to attend the tea at Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, Texas.
Did someone forget and wear their house socks to the meeting? Horrors!

We had a few people missing today, but Doug, our in-house photographer took a group shot of those who managed to last through the meeting. What a wonderful group of women to work with and, believe me, we accomplish an amazing amount of good works.

This is all I have to say for now.