Battlement Mesa & Parachute Sun

July 2004

By Ruth Ann Walker, Correspondent

Bitsy Betsy the Clown, direct from the Big Top, portrayed by Betty Randol, chairperson, introduced the Sonshine Gang Puppets at the Grand Valley Christian Women's Club June Luncheon to the delight of lots of kids and 70 adults. Kids were seated in the Peanut Gallery (on the floor) where they could get a good look at all the characters in the Sonshine Gang Puppets.

After the puppets performed, the kids were excused to enjoy their sack lunches outdoors, and the adult luncheon program continued. The Sonshine Gang Puppets are all from Battlement Mesa and Parachute and are available to perform for various groups and can be contacted to make arrangements. Call Teri Richards or Janelle Noble for details. They have several different skits and musical arrangements.

First-time guests were welcomed. School teachers and home-school moms were also recognized for their dedication and commitment to educating children.

Guests enjoyed a vast array of goodies from the Hospitality Table and a delicious Chef's Salad and Pineapple Cake for dessert prepared by Alain of Easy Cuisine. His helpers in the kitchen were Hal Coblentz and Glenn Walker - thanks fellows!

The table decorations were white tablecloths with a centerpiece of a clown holding a helium-filled balloon in several different colors, as well as napkins in different alternating colors.

A prize was awarded to the person guessing the closest to the number of Tabasco red hot cinnamon candies in a bottle. Other prizes were awarded to the newest school teacher, the school teacher with the most years of teaching, the home-school mom teaching the most kids, and the person who attended the circus this year.

Vi Causbie was honored with a gift on the occasion of her birthday - the day of the luncheon. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to her.

Denie Noble, age 9 and Desiree Smith, age 9, two of the puppeteers sang a duet "Titus 2:6."

Nancy Hergert from Mitchell, Nebraska was the inspirational speaker. Her reflections on her Mississippi lifestyle and transplanting to Nebraska were entertaining and interesting.

First-timers received a gift and booklet.

Thanks to Napa Auto Parts and Radio Shack for sponsoring the printing of the invitation and posters for the next month of June.

Next month's luncheon will be Fashions on a Budget -  Clothes for Kids and Grown-Ups by Wal-Mart of Rifle.