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The Story Until Now...

June 1997
Record attendance for Sunday School--ten people! Rev. Walker retires and Bearden gets a new minister, Grady Winegar. Several members go to the CMC Festival at World's Fair Park, to hear the music of Tony Vincent, Jaci Velasquez, and Carolyn Arends. Marilyn passes her big qualifying exam for her master's degree and there is great rejoicing! Michael chaperones the youth trip to the Lost Sea and while he does manage to get completely covered in mud, doesn't break any limbs. Tuesday Nite Out begins with several trips to Cotton Eyed Joe. The softball teams continue to lurk in the cellar. Michael takes great comfort in the verses that "the last shall be first and the first shall be last," especially after a bad showing at the bowling alley. Everyone begins to wonder if the T-shirts will ever be done. The web page makes its first appearance.

July 1997

Michael finally takes the T-shirts to the printer. The gang celebrates the fourth of July together by going to see Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Tape wears out and breaks. In an attempt to console themselves over this loss, the group gets together for a Python marathon. This is after indulging in a huge meal at the Old Country Buffet. While there, everyone is like lemmings going back to the food bar again and again, irregardless of whether we are actually hungry or not. Marilyn enters the joke hall of fame as a lifetime member with a truely funny story. John and Brian are lucky to have been restrained by seat belts in the car when the joke is told. Monty Python's funniest joke in the world has NOTHING on this story!

August 1997
At long last, T-shirts arrive! There is great rejoicing, though some members point out they look a bit like the flag of Japan. Michael remains unconcerned. College people head back to school and return to the Knoxville area. Summer slowly begins to wind down as football season starts. UT blows out Texas Tech in the first game of the season, causing great rejoicing yet again.

September 1997
The new re-mastered Star Wars trilogy arrives on video. Michael and John are first in line to buy their widescreen copies of these classic movies. September is officially kicked off by the great Knoxville tradition of Boomsday, the largest fireworks show of it's kind in the southeast. Done on the Tennessee River, the show is spectacular. Sara visits the group for the first time to watch the UCLA games (from UT barely esacpes with a victory). The annual church picnic is held, along with the annual touch football contest with the youth. Don't ask how we fared.

October 1997

The Vols defeat Alabama yet again, making the streak three years in row. Florida loses to LSU, causing stirrings of hope in the group that maybe UT can still win the SEC and contend for the national championship. Meanwhile, Bible Study begins with Grady discussing the doctrine and beliefs of the United Methodist Church. Courtney asks LOTS of questions and Michael observes if he's ever on trial, he wants Courtney as his lawyer. The Halloween Party happens at the home of Travis and Tish Morin We also find a new restaurant to eat lunch on Sundays--the Hong Kong House, which features a great all you can eat Chinese food buffet for a very reasonable price.

November 1997

Michael calls it undeniable proof that God does root for the Vols when Florida loses again, this time to Georgia. Hopes of an SEC Championship and maybe a national title come back into view. Homecoming happens at UT. And at long last, the The X-Files season premiere happens, sending Michael into a euphoric state. On other fronts, Kevin makes a come back from college and the gang begins plans for care packages.

December 1997

For the first time ever, the Vols are in the SEC championship game! UT pulls out a win against Auburn 30-29 and there is great rejoicing. The regressive dinner is a great success with visits to the Wallaces', Leigh Cheek's home, and the Sherbakoffs. Leigh Cheek gives us all a taste of another land by serving an authentic Ethopian meal and the Sherbakoffs are horrified when we take over their living room to watch Santa Claus vs. the Snowmen (a new classic!). Barry and Laura Wallace join the adventure after we eat desert at their house! (It's a regressive dinner so we started with desert first!) The Christmas party is a great success. During this time, John and Courtney join Bearden UMC. Marilyn brings her brother Mark for a visit and he and Michael quickly bond while watching Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and drooling over Sarah Michelle Gellar. New Year's Eve is celebrated by going to see Titanic.

January 1998

Can it be that the new millennium is only 2 years away? It's a New Year and we all know what the means--it's time to be chaperones for Ressurrection again! Lane obviously hasn't learned his lesson from last year since he gladly embraces the idea of us going along as chaperones. The prime rib buffet is revisted. Bob and Brian compete to see who can pack away the most meat and Bob wins. Later, victory doesn't seem as sweet to Bob. The Super Bowl is actually a game this year with Denver beating the Packers. Michael remains loyal to the Pack to the end, while Opal's husband, Desmond, roots for Denver from the beginning. Debby returns home for a visit, bringing Tonya for a quick visit. (Amazingly, Tanya has talked to both Debby and Tara and still is not afraid to visit this wild group!) The gang gets ready for Celebration in February. The waiters at the Hong Kong house know us all by name and are rarely surprised by what we order to drink with out buffet.

Februray 1998

It's off to Celebration, for a weekend of Celebration and fun. Piling into the van, we head up the Moutain View Lake Retreat Lodge. While there, we are treated to the leadership of Jacquie Weekley and the musical leadership of Anna Uptain and Mark Herron. We ran into old friends and came up with a new silly voice to greet each other (after over a year of using the Monty Python squeaky voice!) In other developments, our study of Matthew begins but is delyaed due to snow and ice. Michael also discovers the wonders of South Park. And a new member visits Bearden for the first time--Marilyn Elam, a recent UTK graduate!

March 1998

Lent is upon us once again! The group shares what they have given up or taken on in remembrace of the season and vows to help each other with these promises. The annual chruch retreat comes and we make our presence known. Michael and John act like a couple of kids, throwing Nerf footballs up and down the aisles of Super Wal-Mart in Gatlinburg. Luckily, they don't get caught or thrown out! Also, a mean game of UNO is played in which Michael wins, but Debby denies it. John enjoys the dollar movie showing of Blues Brothers 2000 while Michael laughs more at the preview for Odd Couple II and counts down days until The X-Files movie.

April 1998
Put me in coach! I'm ready to play..today!. Softball is back! This year, we're a different league that's a wee bit more competitive. (As that wacky robot on Lost in Space would say, "Danger, Will Robinson!) Speaking of Lost in Space, the Michael, John, and Andy take Travis out for guys's night out and see the movie. A spirited disucssion ensues over the preview for Blade about who is tougher--Blade or Buffy. Together, we celebrate Easter as we make care packages for our college students and young single members serving in the military. Marilyn Elam, Debby, and Emily go shoe shopping while Michael stays at Cindy's contentedly finishing off the care packages. The group plans to help Michael's dream a reality and plan an exciting day trip to Rock City. However, due to the copious amounts of rain, the gang votes to see the world famous Ruby Falls instead, promising to make a return journey to Rock City in the future.

May 1998
As the Tracy Lawrence song, Time Marches On says, "The only thing that stays the same is everything chages..." John accepts a job in Tulsa, Oklahoma and moves away from Knoxville. But not before we roast him with embarassing stories. Marilyn Elam also makes her prepartions to leave us, but turns the tables and makes fun of Michael while he's trying to roast her. Courtney takes a job in Minnesota for the summer while Sarah returns home to Northern Virginia. Debby returns for the summer and she and Michael engaged in a war of words on who might win the UNO tournament. The softball team goes on a two game winning streak. Michael gives his all for the team when he trips on third base and crashes to the ground.

There's still more history to go!

Last Updated June 7, 1999


Bearden United Methodist Church
4405 Sutherland Ave
Knoxville, Tennesse
e-mail: bearden@icx.net
Web Page: http://user.icx.net/~bearden


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