February has been an exciting month for the Wanda Mountain Boys.  Since returning from the cruise, we have been busy fielding phone calls.  2010 looks to be one of our busiest years  yet.

We had been anticipating a great day on February 13 as we were scheduled to sing in St. Charles,  Missouri at the 1st General Baptist Church.  The group has been singing for Pastor Stanfill for many years at various churches and always look forward to singing for his congegation.  We had a wonderful concert and got to see many or our friends on the Missouri side of the river.

That day was made extra special by getting the opportunity to have dinner provided by our friend Betty Lesley.  Betty and her friend, Karen Roden have joined us on our cruises the last two years and we have gotten to know them well.  Betty lives in St. Peters, MO and promised us a home cooked meal the next time we were in her area and boy did she deliver.  This was as good a meal as I've had in a long time.  We ate until we could barely get up from the table.  These ladies are very special to the Wanda Mountain Boys. 

On the 20th, we traveled to Manchester, IL to take part in the 1st Cabin Fever Gospel Jubilee with our buddies, the Chosen Ones.  We had a near perfect day weather wise and the folks responded in a major way.  We had a capacity crowd with people sitting in the vestibule to hear the singing.  Unfortunately a few folks had to leave because we were were out of seats.  Plans are being made for next year so make sure you get there early.

My sons traveled with me to Manchester and it was good to have them with me.  Devin sang "The Long Black Train" and we were also joined by our unoffical fourth member, Gracen Lomelino on "King Jesus".  I think Gracen really has a bright future if he sticks with us Wanda Mountain Boys. LOL

We always have a good time when we go to the United Methodist Village in Godfrey, IL.  This ia a senior living facility.  Several friends of the group reside there including a couple of Claude's school teachers from many years ago.  It is a blessing to see these folks smile as we sing to them.  We look forward to returning in the future.

We closed out the month by going to Taylor Springs, IL to  sing at the 1st Baptist Church and Pastor Gary Stanford.  This is an old Gospel Four date that the group has been doing for years and it is always good to see the Campbells and the Hamby's and all the folks at Taylor Springs.  Our friends the Sturms, Glen and Pat Gobel, Dee Neathery and an old friend of the Gospel Four, Pastor Edmund Hill also were in attendance.

From there we rushed back to East Alton to sing at the Township Village Apartment Complex.  This is a senior living complex as well.  Ms. Jeri Hood has been booking Sunday night concerts there for the last couple of years in their chapel.  These folks really know how to respond and we sang our hearts out. 

I can't end this newsletter without sending out our prayers and condolences to the Charlie Simmons family.  Charlie passed away just a few weeks ago after a battle with cancer.   He is the father of former Wanda Mountain Boys bass singer, John Simmons who is also Claude's son in-law.  Claude has often said  that Charlie was the best example of a Christian man that he has ever met.  We had the privilege to go to his home prior to our cruise and do a private concert for him and his family.  They are very special to the Wanda Mountain Boys and Charlie's smile and wit will surely be missed at our concerts.