Friday, December 27, 2013
Christmas Dinner
The VFW offers two Free Full Meals a year: Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For this Christmas, they had over 250 folks attend. Obviously, this is a major Social Occasion for all, and not a Homeless Outreach exercise. A good-sized kitchen prepares Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Dressing, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Jelly, and a Roll. But some seem determined to abuse the VFW's largess...They get a number, get in line, eat a meal, then get another number, and get in line for a "to go" meal...Ah Well...Most of the folks in town, and in attendance, are retirees living on a fixed income, and just barely making it. No Harm No Foul. And they can attend without the social stigma of attending most free holiday meals...besides, Christmas Day is specifically mentioned in Arkansas Law as the one day a year when no alcohol of any kind can be sold anywhere. Baptists and Bootleggers negotiate the liquor laws here. Seems to work.
For this Christmas, they had over 250 folks attend. Obviously, this is a major Social Occasion for all, and not a Homeless Outreach exercise. A good-sized kitchen prepares Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Dressing, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Jelly, and a Roll. But some seem determined to abuse the VFW's largess...They get a number, get in line, eat a meal, then get another number, and get in line for a "to go" meal...Ah Well...Most of the folks in town, and in attendance, are retirees living on a fixed income, and just barely making it. No Harm No Foul. And they can attend without the social stigma of attending most free holiday meals...besides, Christmas Day is specifically mentioned in Arkansas Law as the one day a year when no alcohol of any kind can be sold anywhere. Baptists and Bootleggers negotiate the liquor laws here. Seems to work.
The V
That's what locals call the VFW which remains very popular, as it is the only Bar in town. The Old Timers , usually from Korea Service, usually open the place in the morning; and the younger Support Our Troops members (kind of like the Auxiliary) still get served, although they Never Served.
An older fellow pushes his walker away from the Bar and slides down quietly to the floor. His comrades move quickly to assist him.
Call 911? someone asks. No, what happens at the V stays ay the V sez someone else. They get him up and outside into his car.
Just like Las Vegas? Well, quite a difference between the ladies in LAS and the line of cougars at the end of the bar, Not exactly in the same business, although there are rumors of intimate acts in the side closets by the manager; eyewitness accounts even.
Judge not, as Ma Moo would say...Like the singing dog, one should not criticize its performance, but simply be amazed that it sings at all...
An older fellow pushes his walker away from the Bar and slides down quietly to the floor. His comrades move quickly to assist him.
Call 911? someone asks. No, what happens at the V stays ay the V sez someone else. They get him up and outside into his car.
Just like Las Vegas? Well, quite a difference between the ladies in LAS and the line of cougars at the end of the bar, Not exactly in the same business, although there are rumors of intimate acts in the side closets by the manager; eyewitness accounts even.
Judge not, as Ma Moo would say...Like the singing dog, one should not criticize its performance, but simply be amazed that it sings at all...
