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88TH PROMENADE NATIONALE
Overland Park, Kansas
September 5th/8th, 2007

 The 2007 Promenade Nationale was well attended. Pictured here is the opening session.

Grand Du Georgia was pretty well represented with 14 Voyageurs and 11 Dames in attendance.

The annual Children's party, sponsored primarily by the National Boxcar Association, was a fun time. The children  enjoyed a nice meal & entertainment by the Hobo Clowns

Georgia Dames did an outstanding job with the Hospitality Room for La Presidente Irene Puckett

It was estimated that over 400 guests passed through the hospitality room in a four hour period to wish Irene well.

The Georgia Dames enjoying the moment. They worked hard and they played hard.

The Bar was in good hands with Jack Wade and Bobby Boss. Dan, shown here thanked them for a job well done.

Irene put Dan to work helping greet visitors and laying the ladies. I will rephrase  that, putting bead leis around the ladies necks.

Out with the old and in with the new. Eleanor Harris wishes Irene good luck and pledges her support.

The two first families. Bernie and Terri Sampson and Dan and Irene enjoy the moment before the hard work begins.

We all got gussied up for the banquet. Shown here Kent and Jean, Sybil Simmons, Deanna and Nick Nicholson and Rick Beasley.

Bernie says, I do and I will

Bernie gets the gavel

Bernie give his acceptance speech and looks forward to the challenge.

Irene, flanked by Dan and Berta Henderson prepare to go down the aisle to the podium.

Here they come through a tunnel of Georgia Voyageurs
Then Irene gives here acceptance speech.
Dan being the romantic devil  that he is, presented Irene with a dozen roses.
South Carolina Color Garde once again won the competition and became the National Color Garde

                                             

HOOCH WRECK
 2007
Duluth, Georgia

Record Crowd of 200 plus enjoyed the hospitality of Voiture 402
Big Chef Bernie and Terry enjoyed the Friday night spaghetti dinner.
Madame La Presidente Nationale Irene says, "That spaghetti looks pretty good, I think I will have some too"
Judge Terry Brown came down pretty hard on this PG
Each PG was eventually found guilty and sentenced to the stocks. Is this a surprise?
Dofence Attorney Art Shadduck was unsuccessful in getting this ugly lady off
Six PG's were transformed into Voyageur Militaire
La Presidente Nationale Passé Audrey O'Keefe and Wanda Savage showed no mercy on La Presidente Irene. They seemed to be having way too much fun.
Madame La Presidente thanks Voiture and Cabane 402 for their hospitality
Looks like Bill Jenkins from Voiture 280 was negotiating  a price with Miss Viagra
PG Mira Little was proud to have here parents travel all the way from Michigan to see her wrecked. Her daddy is a long time Voyageur.
Twinkle Toes Salter is a real Arthur Murray on the Dance floor, first with La Presidente Irene
Then with Past Grande La Presidente Lori Odem. Watch him girls, he is a real masher.
Frank from V-567 Savannah and Chris from V-217 Atlanta took time out for a Kodak moment at the bar. Bartender Rose Palmerson did her usual great job.
The two top dogs of the nation, Chef de Chemin de Fer Bernie Sampson and La Presidente Nationale Irene Puckett really enjoyed their first Official Visit since being installed at Promenade Nationale.
Hey Columbus bunch! Who is the guy with the funny hat behind you.
Big Chef Bernie takes a short pause to welcome PG Mira Little into our great organization
The Goose Creek bunch didn't know what to think of Miss Viagra
Grand Chef Kent and Grande La Presidente Jean tried hard to show Bernie and Irene and Past Big Chef Joe Jamnick a good time.
From that sleepy little town of Pascagoula, from left to right, Mary Lyle, Past Sous Chef David Lutrell and Shirley Miller enjoying the festivities.
Chef de Chemin de Fer Bernie Sampson speaks kind and complimentary words to the packed house at the banquet.
Grand Chef Kent Molen welcomes everyone
Grande La Presidente Jean Molen introduced her officers and thanked everyone for coming.
Past Grand Chef Michael "Chicken Legs" Paul and Brenda Pizzo presented Grand Chef Kent with a penguin. They said we can't call him chicken legs so we will call him a penguin

 

SOUTHLAND DIXIE PROMENADE
2007
Ocala, Florida

Good crowd on hand for the 07 Dixie. Grand du Florida did themselves proud.
 This was a nice touch. A meet the Grand Chefs reception.

Mike and Barbara shook a lot of hands in the receiving line.

Nine of the eleven Grand Chef de Gares were in attendance, and had the time of their lives.
Dan and Irene Puckett had a Kodak moment with  Big Chef Terry and Smoke.
Then it was Rick Beasley and Pat Beamer's turn to share the spotlight with the Chef de Chemin de Fer.

This is the passing of the torch. Outgoing Dixie President Bill Barkett turns the gavel over to next years President David Lutrell. The Dixie will be in Mississippi in 2008.

Madame Nationale Presidente Eleanor Harris got a hug from Nationale Presidente Passé Audrey O'Keefe.

Grande La Presidente Barbara stole the show when they introduced the Grand Chef from Georgia, she stood up while holding Michael down. This got a good laugh.

Chef de Chemin de Fer Terry Sims gave one of his very moving patriotic speeches.

217 Train was a big hit at the Dixie. Everyone wants to see inside and have their picture taken with it.

The great singing group really livened the banquet up with their patriotic music. Kudos for a great show.

Bernie Samson tells Terry, "I want your job".  Terry says not yet young man, not yet.
Bernie is the lead Candidate for Big Chef next year.

 

GRAND PROMENADE 2007

The incoming and the outgoing Grand Chefs and Grande La Presidentes at the banquet.
Mike and Barbara exchanged gifts.
Then it was more gifts. This one a Chicken platter for Chicken Legs from Past Grand Chef Rick Beasley.
Past Grand La Presidente Janet Aprill, tells  Jean "Now don't be nervous" as she ushers her in for installation.
Kent being the Installing Officer, dawned a Beret before starting the Installation and reminded everyone that he was made an honorary LaFemme last year.
Then he got serious as he installed his bride of 56 years.
Madame La Presidente says I do, I will etc.
Good Crowd there to witness the Installation
Then it was the rest of the Dames turn to "Raise your right hand and repeat after me", as LaPresidente Nationale Passé Audrey O'Keefe did the honors.
La Presidente Jean Molen gave an appropriate  acceptance speech and pledged to perform her duties to the very best of her ability.
Kent was escorted in by his good friend, and Conducteur  Dan Puckett. (Past Grand Chef)
Rick Beasley is not only a good friend of the Grand Chef, he is also the only Past Grand Chef  from  his Voiture (402). Kent says he was honored to have Rick as the Installing Officer.
Kent's turn to raise his hand and say I do.
Installing Officer Beasley turns the Gavel over to Grand Chef Kent Molen.
Madam La Presidente Jean had the honor of placing the Grand Chef Chapeau on Kent
The remaining officers were installed.
Kent referred to Barbara as Passé, then asked her, how that sounded?
Mike and Barbara wished Kent and Jean well and pledged their support for the coming year.

 

VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
Birmingham, Alabama
November 10, 11 &12th, 2007

The oldest and largest Veterans Day celebration is in Birmingham. This is the banquet the night before with 1000 attending from all veterans organizations.
Bernie was one of 90 people at the head table
Irene at the head table.
Grand Chef  and Grande La President, Kent and Jean enjoying the festivities.
All the Dames in attendance surround Irene for a picture
Then it was the Voyageurs turn to pose with Bernie
Another Kodak moment. Bernie, Irene, Ken Reisenweber from Alabama and Kay and Bill Cain from North Carolina
All the ladies attending were escorted in by active duty personnel.
The two national leaders. Bernie Sampson and Marty Conatser enjoy the moment.
Bernie and Irene and other dignitaries escorted down the aisle at the Church for the 40 & 8 Memorial service.
This is a group of Gold Star Mothers attending the Memorial Service.
Bernie speaks at the banquet at the Post after the parade.
Irene thanks Alabama for their hospitality and recognized the LaFemme Nationale officers
A three and a half hour parade was well attended
The main watering hole was the Hospitality room at the hotel hosted by Grand Chef and Grand La President of Alabama, Johnny and Virginia Warren
More hospitality room. The guys enjoying the sunshine.

MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES

 Kent welcomes the new Chef de Gare of Voiture 1597 Buddy Acree

Jean enjoyed the rendezvous in Columbus. Shown here with Janet April, Cheryl Boswell and Lori Odem

Jean with some of the Albany Dames
The Train Babes of Cabane 217 and other party goers attending the tenth Anniversary Party.
The party was held at Reid;s Deli in Mableton. The staff there put out an awesome Hawaii display.
The guys joined in the fun and thanked the Babes for all their help.
Two of the Voiture 1229 nurses training scholarship recipients.
Albany Voiture has three new Voyageur Militaire after a wreck on November 15th. Welcome Voyageurs
Grand Chef  Michael Paul presented the Charter to Voiture 867 Swainsboro a few months ago. Bill Ramsell who is the first Chef de Gare excepted the Charter.
Grand Chef Molen conducted a wreck at Voiture 867 Swainsboro. Three new Voyageurs joined their ranks and now they are up to strength.
Swainsboro officers posed here with the new Voyageurs and Grand Chef Molen. Correspondant Bob Muns on the extreme left passed away less than a week later. He will be sorely missed.

GRAND MID-WINTER/HOMECOMING
 

 A Wild Bunch in the Hospitality room. The Columbus bunch is a bad influence on the rest of us.

The ones that came to farthest, Jean welcomes Alicia Armstrong from New York and Sybil Simmons from Texas.

Jean was initiated into the "Shooters Club". She is the first female in the club.
A big thank you to the Loganville Color Guard for posting the colors.
Awards were presented to the Voitures that have reached 100% membership. Shown here is Ron Hoffman from Voiture 719 Augusta. Ron has since passed away.
Johnny and Virginia Warren, Grand Chef and Grande La Presidente of Alabama. There were folks in attendance from 6 states besides Georgia.

Kent and Jean were overwhelmed with the Homecoming party and entertainment. Voiture and Cabane really outdid themselves.

Sixteen penguin dancers came waddling out. Not only C-402 Dames but they enlisted Dames from around the state. It was a real hoot.

There was a never ending line of gift givers. What a weekend.
There were penguins everywhere and then the Albany bunch presented Kent with a large box of stuffed penguins of all sizes.
Several people made kind remarks to Kent and Jean. Shown here Judy Beasley at the Microphone. Rick Beasley was MC. Kent was Rick's Aid de Camp in 2001 when he was Grand Chef. This was pay back time.

 

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