VFW Post 2250 Rodeo Road Trip
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009by Way Paver
Sister Paula Twaits organized a trip to Westgate River Ranch. Those who didn’t make it missed a great time. After everyone arrived and got settled in, (Paula reminded everyone to get rodeo passes when we checked in) we all gathered at the pool and then in back of Don and Sharon’s room for a little more hospitality.
At 5 o’clock, it was dinner time and we all got duded up, ( I wore my Dude T-Shirt for the occassion)and went over to the Smokehouse Grill down on the water, for some great spare ribs and prime rib of beef, all smoked to perfection. What a feast; a salad buffet, corn on the cob, potatoes, up range beans and apple crisp for dessert. The waitress made sure we had plenty of libations during the meal.
We then adjourned to the saloon for an after dinner drink on the way to get our seats for the rodeo. The rodeo is an official Americon sanctioned and had bull-riding, team calf roping, and barrel racing as events. They also had ladies and men trick riders, who put on a fantastic performance. The rodeo started with the participants in a patriotic parade around the arena, honoring our servicemen and us old veterans who were present at the assembly. We all sang the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless the USA, and the ring announcer lead a prayer giving thanks for our many blessings, and our freedom. They played a sound bite of Michael Buffer’s, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”, and the events started.
A highlight of the evening was children’s calf catching. All the participants were from the audience, and everyone had a wonderful time. From there we went back to Saloon for some partying and dancing. They had a great band, which played all the popular C&W songs, with a few oldies thrown in. They did great on Dwight Yoakum songs. We then adjourned to the Browne’s cabin to tell a few lies and socialize until we all retired.
In the morning, some of the gang went to Frank’s Roadhouse Grill for breakfast, and some ate breakfast at the Ranch. After breakfast, we went to the petting barn to see the farm animals. It was fun to see the chickens taking dirt baths and to pet the minature stallion, who seems to run things there. They also had an emu, a llama, one of Santa’s reindeer and some guinea hens. They also had an International Harvester Farmall “H” tractor sitting out on display. I got a few hours in the seat on one of those, and it makes me sad to see it sitting there, when a little TLC and some red paint and new decals would make it just like new.
Lee Twaits brought his 1940 Johnson outboard, and Minne-Tonka electric trolling motor to fish with. I thought everyone used oars and paddles back then. I guess Lee is an innovator and an inventor too. I used to think I was old, but Lee was ths subject for “The Old Man and the Sea”.
I noticed they had a lot of “KEEP OFF THE GRASS” signs, so I guess they have a very strong anti-drug program there at the Ranch.
On our way back to the post, we made a pit stop at Lake Wales All American VFW Post #2420; it is the home post of District #4 All-American Commander Norm Ford. Post Commander Ed Perkins, and his wife LA Post President Betty greeted us. Ed was very gracious and showed us around the post. It is newly painted and really looks nice. Ed is especially proud of their barbeque, where you can cook 800 pounds of meat at a time. They just remodeled the inside of the post home and they did a beautiful job. The windows are covered with service flags and the sunlight illuminates them for wonderful effect. Norm arrived later and introduced us to the Blues. Someone had also made some shrimp stuffed jalapeño poppers, which really complimented the Blues and made for good fellowship. Clyde then told us it was time to go, and we journeyed back to Dunedin to reunite with our fellow dudes and dudettes.
Make sure to thank Paula for organizing a wonderful weekend.
Go to Photos to see pictures.