AANR-East Meets Wild, Wild West—Gathering at the OK Corral
by Steven Stoller—AANR-East Board of Directors / Webmaster
There is no escaping the Wild West frontier theme at the Cherokee Lodge and Resort (Crossville, TN) for the AANR-East Convention and Festival Monday, July 15th – Sunday, July 20th. If you don’t come, your brain cavity wouldn’t make a drinkin’ cup for a canary. When you arrive, we guarantee that you’ll be as pleased as a pup with two tails and will be grinnin’ like a baked possum.
Cherokee’s wooded setting amenities include an outdoor pool, hot tub, hiking trails, clubhouse restaurant, snack shack, cabins in an idyllic wooded setting and even a little church in the wildwoods. Bring your Western garb and be prepared for plenty of good eatin’ including a chuckwagon dining night and Danny’s famous barbeque (don’t name a cow you plan to eat) not to mention a wine and cheese party but we ain’t makin’ moonshine in the saloon. If you are so thin you could take a bath in a shotgun barrel or look like a snake on stilts, then Club Manager Danny promises you’ll be feasting all week till you are grinnin’ like a weasel in a hen house.
Tenting, RV, and covered wagon sites are available.
After finishing up AANR-East business on Wednesday, we’ll be packing away our laptops for fun. Of course, y’all are invited to participate in Committee meetings and the Regional Assembly where you’ll learn about all the satisfying opportunities to volunteer and make a difference. You may speak your mind, but ride a fast horse. Seriously though, we do want you to participate. Some people follow wagon tracks but others may break new trails for us.
50% of the stick horse races profits will benefit the AANR Legal Fund with the remaining 50% going to each race’s winner. In addition to sporting events and contests, we will observe Tennessee justice for the cheaters, conduct an auction, share Western and Indian folklore, and get down for some good ol’ guitar pickin’ and story tellin’ contests. You’ll see some real antique cars and tractors and enjoy an old timers’ gadgets demonstration. Elvis will be on the grounds to entertain – have your photo taken with him!
When it gets dark, folks will be gathering and singin’ ‘round campfires for the little ‘uns and adults. Everyone’s welcome – even if your voice sounds like someone forgot to grease the wagon. But just remember that a closed mouth may gather no boots. And kids will have a special water balloon toss just for them.
If so much activity is not for you, you can always kick back yer cowboy boots, be as slow as molasses in January, and lounge ‘round the pool deck listening to muther nature’s animals.
So grab yer cowboy hat, don yer boots, and join us! Make your reservations now. Call Cherokee at 931-277-5140.
