June 2011
By Alice Sprout, F201841
A Hilly Billy Wedding was the highlight of the Fingerlakers chapter’s 37th annual Officers Rally in upstate New York. Sixty-six members and guests attended the three-day rally held October 8 through 10, 2010, at the Genesee Country Campground in Caledonia, New York.
Besides the usual chapter meeting and other fun, this rally included the staged nuptials of Emmie Lou (Karen Skidmore) and Billy Clyde (Roger Flick), two “youngsters” who were madly in love and had to get married. The bride wore a designer gown made from a white plastic tablecloth and a sheer curtain. Her veil was created from the finest cotton quilt batting, with a pink tiara holding it in place. The groom was attired in bib overalls and a country shirt. The bride was given away by her father, who had his shotgun at the ready just in case the groom should suddenly change his mind. The maid of honor, best man, flower girl, ring bearer, other family members, and guests were fashionably dressed for the occasion as well.
Standing under a line of clothes hung out to dry “” including various unmentionables “” the two ministers explained to the guests how the couple had met. Turns out they fell in love outside a two-holer. Following the exchange of vows, the groom promised to take the garbage to the backyard instead of out front every day, and then the couple exchanged plastic rings. It was a quick ceremony. The usual pictures of the whole wedding party and guests were taken out back. Games were played, including corncob toss, which was won by Nick Mosier. Later in the afternoon, a festive dinner was served. The menu included road kill and other stuff (vegetable soup), “˜possum stew (bean chili), gassy stuff (a bean dish), and hot dogs. The newly married couple was toasted with moonshine cocktails (ice water) served from a freshly rinsed scrub pail.
The five-tiered wedding cake was served following dinner. The creation was assembled using Hostess Cupcakes and Twinkies. After the vittles were finished, there was dancing featuring the Really Bad Attytude Band. The dancing was briefly interrupted by the untimely arrival of the new couple’s baby, a cute little redhead they named Danny Jane, as they couldn’t make up their mind if it was a boy or a girl. Following these events, some attendees retreated to their motorhomes while others stuck around to play cards. A wonderful time was had by all.