Daily Dunklin Democrat

Off the Beaton Path -- Happy belated Independence Day

Posted Monday, July 9, 2007, at 11:30 AM
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Greetings blog-a-rinos! Happy Belated Independence Day. I'm trusting everyone enjoyed their barbeques, band concerts, fireworks and other festivities that come along with Independence Day. For those that came to the Friends of Music, Municipal Band Patriotic Cavalcade Concert at the Jones Park bandstand on Monday, I thank you. The show was a smashing hit; just ask Alexandra Brown, our cymbal player. From Director Russell Alexander's very own arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner to the traditional Sousa finale, the Stars and Stripes Forever, people seemed to be entertained. Of course, the highlight of every show is the Master of Ceremonies, Dr. T. Everett Mobley- Your Pet's Best Friend. His unsurpassed wit and canny humor leave people a little happier and more learned of this history and making of the performed music. The person, however, that deserves the most applause is the guy who made the absurd notion of spending an evening in a Kennett park without mosquitoes a reality. So crack open an ice cold Bud Light Mr. mosquito fogger guy. You make our pipe dreams come to life.

The personal highlight of my July 4th activities is the "Mobley Family Annual Gala Celebration of the Anniversary of our Nation's Independence….Be there AND be square," or something like that. Once again, the Master of Ceremonies, Dr. T. Everett Mobley- Your Pet's Best Friend, did a fantastic job. This Kennett tradition celebrated 20 years of entertaining locals, visiting families, friends, and other strangers who stopped by to see what was going on upon the old wrap around front porch. As usual, the show presented many distinguished guests including the father of our country, George Washington (Joe Mobley), Abe Lincoln (Chuck Earnest), the Andrew Sisters (as themselves), and Scooter Libby (Libby Mobley on a scooter), and the Mobley Family Wild West Cowboys. The singing of patriotic hymns, skits and Americana readings followed by some lemonade on the porch make you understand and appreciate why we are often proud of our hometown and its many talented inhabitants.

Joe Mobley's singing of his mother's native land OOOOO-K…. lahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, seems to be the perfect segue into my next paragraph. I spent this past weekend in Tulsa to celebrate the marriage of my cousin Sarah. I was quite entertained by the attendees whose idea of dressing up was pulling out their biggest belt buckle and long string tie with a bull skull at the top. Don't get me wrong, the wedding was beautiful and it was nice to see family. However, in all do respect to Aunt Jill, I have decided that I don't like Oklahoma. Sure it has that nice Wild West feel to it, but does that really mean that the bathrooms can't have sinks? In fact, unlike the luxurious Missouri rest areas with a plethora of amenities, the Oklahoma rest stop I visited consisted of a dilapidated wooden shack with a small hole in the middle for excrement. Not only did it not have running water, IT HAD NO SINK! Moreover, the state has more toll booths than Carter has pills. 50 cents here, $2.50 there; and to make matters worse you always have to have correct change. Unfortunately, I did not have exact change on one turnpike entrance causing me to become a fugitive on the run from authorities that were not there. A bell did go off as I drove through the turnpike entrance though. I suppose I will get a ticket in the mail for 60 cents plus a 42 cent stamp. The best part of the trip was visiting the "World's largest McDonalds" with the "World's Most Disgusting Bathrooms" (with the exception of the rest areas) that overhangs Interstate 44. As the song says, Oklahoma--OK, and I now see why Oklahoma is OK… not Great, not even good, just OK.

Possible Discussion Questions:

1.	What is your least favorite state and why?
2.	What is your favorite July 4th tradition?
3.	What is your favorite Rogers and Hammerstein musical?
4.	Is there such a thing as a good Rogers and Hammerstein musical?

Comments
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[Show most recent comments first]

How could someone who relentlessly sings, whistles and hums songs from Rogers and Hammerstein's musicals doubt that there is such a thing as a good one?

-- Posted by Jo-Co-Worker on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 3:30 PM

Funny stuff!

-- Posted by Mrs. C on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 11:09 PM

did you know that according to this months "Discovery" Magazine, that "Canadian researchers who bared their arms, legs, and torsos reported as many as 9,000 mosquitoe bites per minute from swarming, newly hatched mosquitoes. At that rate, an individual could lose HALF his blood in two hours." ??? Sounds to me like a great way to improve Missouris death penalty!? Cheaper too!! This process could just take place here in Kennett!!

-- Posted by oefvet on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, at 1:49 AM

Oh, Ron...you really should give Oklahoma another chance. Next time go a little deeper into the state. OKC is really a great place. One of our favorites girls was born there.

-- Posted by Vickie on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, at 7:48 AM

Very interesting information oefvet. And certainly true. What's with the mosquitos? Can't anyone find something that works? Any ideas?

-- Posted by vambfly on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 2:04 PM

Ron, just happened to check out The DDD

and found your Blogs....Great, Wonderful,

Entertaining, So unlike the young lad who

helped me in Morning Worship. You made my

day SOOoo special.

-- Posted by The Jackson Reviewer on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 2:06 PM

Thanks for commenting folks!

Jo-Co-Worker...you have an excellent point. I never said I didn't like their music, I'm just not a fan of their scripts. Their music is great for "Some Enchanted Evening" singing. There are few thing in life that are better than singing show tunes.

Vickie... Thanks for reminding me of the type of people that come from Oklahoma! I must say, she's one of my favorites, too!

Mrs. C... glad you like it!

oefvet... HAHAHAHAHA! I think you are on to something! Why, not only is it a way to improve our death penalty, we could charge money to have other states bring in their death row inmates. Reminds me of a Simpson's episode... 10 points if you can tell which one I'm talking about!

vambfly... I'm right with you. You'd think there would be something. I hear they are attracted to carbon dioxide. We could just stop exhaling! Otherwise we'll have to stay with the mosquito truck man. Sure we may have to compromise our health and risk getting cancer, but I think it's worth it.

The Jackson Reviewer... Or should I say Rev. Jackson Reviewer. Glad you like the blog! For anyone who reads this blog and knows who The Jackson Reviewer is, you know he's one of the kindest, gentlest and most loving people that has ever come through Kennett and has played a major role in my life. Thanks JR!

-- Posted by Ron on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 3:29 PM

You forgot to mention your trumpet playing friends awesome rendition of a not-so-patriotic Patriotic Medley!!! hehe, and I am so thankful that I now know the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas Flag. By the way, Texas is my least favorite state.

-- Posted by Rowdy 1 on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 4:45 PM

Ok. Let me just say that I love the "Possible Questions" that you include in your blog. Isn't Sound of Music a Rogers and Hammerstein musical?

If so that is my absolute favorite. I used to like Oklahoma when I was younger but tried watching it a couple of years ago and didn't like it. The whole "dream" sequence was really weird!

-- Posted by vambfly on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 7:44 PM

But Oklahoma does have some REALLY good songs in it...

-- Posted by vambfly on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 7:45 PM

The Mobley crew has been entertaining SEMO folks as far back as I can remember (1950s) Good bunch of folks.

-- Posted by semobrat on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 10:44 AM

There is at least one good Rogers and Hammerstein musical and that is "The Sound of Music." By the way, that is my favorite one of theirs.

-- Posted by Jack Rollins on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 1:03 PM

Rowdy 1... whoever you are, we should probably remind those Texans that we too were once an independent state... The Independent State of Dunklin. And you are right, I should have mentioned that great trumpeteer

vambfly... glady you like the questions, I hope it stirs a little discussion. Sound of Music is R&H musical... while I'm not a big fan of the musical it does have some catchy tunes. Would you say Oklahoma is OK?

semobrat...you are right! those Mobley's are a good bunch of folks and quite entertaining!

Sir Rollins... I think you and vambfly could be best of friends!

-- Posted by Ron on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 3:02 PM

Ron, your observation is interesting, and "Sir Rollins" sounds like something I would say. Does this mean I've been Knighted?

-- Posted by Jack Rollins on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 4:12 PM

My favorite Rogers and Hammerstein musical was the unforgettable:

"The Possum and I."

Truly a classic.

-- Posted by Obadieh on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 9:08 PM

Or:

"My fair bloodhound"

with the goosebump inducing song: