It was a more-intimate affair, the kind of "Dukes of Hazzard" event you really love because you're not winding your way around a million people or waiting in lines for hours. And with three cast members of "The Dukes of Hazzard," how can you go wrong? The Hazzard County Christmas at the
Shiawassee Harvest Church in Corunna, Michigan, this past weekend was rather blessed and magical. Pastor Steve Rau said in yesterday morning's service that this church loves on people, and he was certainly right. Everyone at the church was warm and welcoming. This particular author gave up organized religion a few years back, but if I lived in the area, I would totally attend this church. The worship team even performed a very sweet song that's popular right now, Lauren Daigle's "You Say" (which was also performed by a young female contestant on "The Voice" last week). Great stuff.
But anyway! On to the "Dukes" thing! Wow, it was nice to see Byron Cherry again! Such a great guy -- always the life of the party, anywhere he goes. He was in his Santa suit for the parade on Friday night, even, just as he had earlier donned the Santa suit to record a video promoting the event. Byron looks great and gave a wonderful testimony at the church service, his own version of the well-known "Footprints" poem, made so personal from tragic events that have shaped his beliefs over the years. Besides our own Coy Duke, Sonny ("Deputy Enos Strate") Shroyer, a very keen age 83, also shared some powerful words as part of the service. You'll see video of both later this week on
BRBTV on YouTube.
BRB and Jason with Coy Duke! Below, a moment from the morning church service, with Pastor Steve on the right ...
You had two General Lees at the event, along with two Hazzard County Sheriff's cars, supplied by Ray and the
Northeast Ohio Dukes, Brian and Kristy of
B and K Star Car Rentals, and T.J., who also brought just a few (!) of the cool items from his "Dukes" collection for display.
Oh, and then that wonderful, still-so-handsome, one-third of what we call The Big Three of "The Dukes," Mr. Tom Wopat, happened to give a concert last night! You'll see that video, too! Wopat had performed to a sold-out audience the night before, and spent the weekend signing for fans. He has a new Christmas album out with John Schneider -- so very cool! Ten bucks got you that item, signed (below), best friggin' deal I've seen all year.
BRB and buddy Andrea with Tom Wopat, last night.
And .... history was made yesterday at the event. Sonny Shroyer now owns an actual gumbush, below. You see, he's been talking about possums on these things for years, and who has ever even known what the heck a gumbush is? Well, our friend Mike did wonder that, and asked Shroyer what a gumbush was at the Hazzard Homecoming event in Virginia a few years ago. Did Sonny know?
Well ... he mentioned it being a Kentucky thing. Anyway, Mike decided to make one for ole Enos. You might see video of that little presentation from yesterday, too, if it turns out! Sonny says he'll find himself a possum for it somewhere ...
First three photos courtesy of Jason G.; second and third photos courtesy of Andrea M.; last photo courtesy of Mike.
