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GWGF Spring Fling ~ 2006
~ continued ~
(Playing ~ "Kentucky Derby")

Continuing on, after our continental breakfast on Wednesday we assembled for our trip to
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
Their mission to is "preserve and maintain the site of the
Shaker community which once existed at Pleasant Hill."

This was a most interesting and enjoyable tour. We visited the Centre Family Dwelling where we entered an extremely
wide hall which runs from front to back. On one side had been the quarters for females; the other side for males ... all
very plain and primitive, of course. (It looked terribly uncomfortable!)

At the Meeting House, we noted plain benches with no backs where the two sexes sat on opposite sides of the room.
The Shakers held worship services there, which included the "shaking, whirling dances which resulted in the
'Shaker' name." We were entertained by a fascinating lady, with a big and beautiful voice, who explained
the background of the Shaker music and demonstrated the traditional moves.

The Trustees' Office houses the dining room on the first floor. We enjoyed a delicious lunch, part of which
was served family style.

Visitors were invited to help finish a quilt in one of ............ Barbara J and daughter Tina pose in the foreground at
the buildings at Shaker Village. Mattie and I wanted ............. Shaker's Village. Actually I wanted to get a picture
to participate. Alas, no needle or thread was found ................ of the horse. Look over Barbara's left shoulder;
so Mattie just posed. ..................................................................... the horse is nibbling on the leaves of a tree.

We had time on our way out to look around the two craft shops. Then we were off to travel just about
a mile down to the port of
Shaker Landing.

There we boarded
Dixie Belle,
a "replica of a 19th century paddlewheel riverboat which provides visitors with an opportunity
to experience the history and natural wonders of the Kentucky River." This was a delightful
and breezy experience lasting about an hour.

Imogene pauses just as she is ....................................................... Enjoying the ride on the top deck ...
ready to board the Dixie Belle. ....... ............................................... Imogene, Earlene, Jean, Mattie,
................................................................................ ................................ Lois Jean and Mary Dean

We had ample time for rest later in the afternoon and then it was dinner on our own.
We did assemble later, however, for our "girls only" time in the suite.
Ann brought a beautiful and inspiring devotional before we departed for the night.

Thursday morning found many of us sorry to have to leave a day early. In fact, just about half had
plans that necessitated their leaving. However, we all bade our fond farewells and those remaining said,

"We're off!"
And they were ... to
Three Chimneys Farm,
home of Smarty Jones, winner of the Kentucky Derby in 2004.
He was brought out for the group to see and take pictures but "not to touch."
A proud stallion, this Smarty Jones .... I learned his stud fee is $100,000!
The trip to Three Chimneys was an obvious favorite for those privileged to go.

Wanda and Smarty Jones

After leaving Three Chimneys Farm, the group went to Midland, a small, very quaint village. There, they
enjoyed lunch at Quirk, a charming restaurant with a bookstore on the bottom level. The first real rain
finally drove everyone inside so they traveled back to Lexington where some shopped (to get out of the rain)
at Fayette Mall; others at Garden Ridge.

That evening, they enjoyed their evening meal at Cheddars, a favorite restaurant of Jean's.

Nellie Faye gave an excellent devotional the last night of Spring Fling. She had brought her thimble
collection and her theme was "little things mean a lot." For everyone, she had a small, purple bag
which contains a gold thimble and a tag with the words: Little things mean a lot. I have mine on
the window sill behind my kitchen sink as a constant reminder to say a little prayer and remember
my friends ... the GWGF ... and their families!

Friday morning everyone said goodbye until homecoming this fall at Carson-Newman.
Hopefully, we'll all meet again "somewhere" next year for another memorable GWGF Spring Fling.

Our rotating "Welcome Girlfriends" plaque .....
Every year the person responsible for Spring Fling will
pass it on to the host/coordinator for the next year.

"Till We Meet Again"

"The Lord Bless You and Keep You"

Click here to return to page one
2006 GWGF Spring Fling

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