What A Great Week!

As our week here in Sedalia progressed and picked up speed, we were entertained, amazed, and educated.  We have been reunited with old friends and met new friends.  Join me now, for a look at our past few days

Tuesday was the day set aside as "Donuts For Care".  Lois and Carol,  better known as

The Donut Diva's orchestrate their mission to sell their donuts for lots of dollars.   And, they are serious about taking your money, all donations!

Some donuts went for $1.00, some for $5.00, some

for $10.00.

But, with the help and cheers from our

cheerleaders, the winning donut was purchased by Alliant Credit Union for a donation of $500.00.  And, by the end of the morning, the Donut Diva's had collected

$2,085.13.  All monies go to CARE!  Great job girls!

We had an great time...our annual get-together with our

class of 2007.  And, with this group...the food always comes out!

We adopted several

new members, including Jim and Chris...better known as The Geeks on Tour!

Escapades is not all

play, even though the staff did try out the playground one afternoon.

And, the days have been filled with many awesome educational seminars.  Thanks to Wanda for organizing them and thanks to all the speakers!

This year, we had our first Chili Cook Off, another CARE project...we had the

Fireman, Bob, Mark, and John, with their Firehouse Chili,

Brenda made Pork Green Chili,

while...

Nell and her mom, Blondie, made good old Texas Chili.

And, Donna and Marcia chose

Hawaiian Chili!

These were just a few of the competitors.  And...

The winner, chosen by how many $$ which equaled votes was collected in their donation bucket was

the one and only Miz Kay, the founder of the Escapees Club.

The total from all the participants for our first chili cook off was just shy of $4,000!

What a great week, but, yesterday the closing ceremonies and last night's dance party wrapped up another awesome Escapade.

This morning, several of the staff was up really early and by 5 am, we were

preparing 364 biscuits and sausage in

preparation for the

Hitch Up Breakfast.

After lots of hugs and see you laters...it was time to start packing up! And, now tonight, all that is left is

Big Red, waiting at the loading dock to pack up and carry off the memories of Escapade 2012...

but, we, are hoping that you like us are already planning for Escapade 2013.  So, mark your calendar and join us in Gillette, Wyoming June 30 - July 5, 2013.

Let The Fun Begin...

Yesterday, the campground filled up

and

registration was in full swing.

The market vendors

 

were open for business and the

first timers were in orientation.

Three o'clock came before we knew it, and the

Opening Ceremonies were underway for Escapades 2012.

The Row

had the parade of chapters...of course, I picked Texas!

Scott and Karen

had door prizes under control and

 

Mary was everywhere with her camera...so watch out!

Last night's entertainment was Yakov Smirnoff from Branson...he was awesome!  Lots of laughter and fun!

Today dawned a little foggy and cool.  There were a few early showers, but soon we were enjoying a beautiful day.

There were

jammers, jamming, and

shoppers shopping, and

lots of hamburgers and hot dogs to be served.

Everyone seemed to have a great day.  Tonight we headed back to the Mathewson Center for the

evening announcements and

more door prizes.

We concluded the day with

George Dyer, another Branson entertainer.

What a great start for Escapade 2012.

Escapade Staff Week

A little over a week ago, the 2012 Escapade Staff started

arriving and the

fellowship,

fun, and

food was soon to follow.

As every day passed the

group grew and

grew.

In the middle of all the food and fun, there were even a couple of informal

staff meetings.  Here, the Parking Chairs are getting an early briefing, while...you guessed it, the rest of us were

waiting on the food.

As the weekend came to an end and Monday morning dawned, it was time for all to get to work.

With everything already unloaded from

Big Red, we

were just waiting for

 

Mark and Wallace to bring

the materials to us for distribution.

Once everything was unloaded, it was time to get to work.

Donna and Keith, recruited Bob's help and got to work making

welcome packs for the vendors.

There were lots of staff meetings going on throughout the week.

Mark and I, along with Norm and Mary have been busy all week

hanging sponsor banners,

and past Escapade banners.

While Mary and I decorated for

staff Happy Hour and dinner,

Marcia and Bea were busy

in the kitchen preparing lots of

beautiful food trays!

As the week moved along, the

golf carts were delivered,

signs were hung,

Welcome Bags were stuffed and

and delivered to registration, and

rigs started arriving.

By Friday, the pace was picking up.  The

staff meetings,

and staff registration were successful.

The

Market area was made ready for the vendors to move in and set up their products.

As Saturday dawned, these lovely ladies were all smiles as they

served the staff lots of coffee and donuts.

And,

with the finishing touch made to the stage, we are ready for tomorrow's Opening Ceremonies of Escapades 2012, brought to you from Sedalia, Missouri.