ELVIS TREASURE & HEART OF DIXIE FAN CLUB FLORIDA AND TENNESSEE

Just have to share this with yall now I don't feel so crazy ..

Hi Audrey

Ingrid Lielbardis

Etobicoke,ON
Canada
Thank you so much for sending it to me.
I hope your trip was fun and relaxing for you. Hope you had good weather too.

Graceland was such an amazing place for me to see. I not sure when I first became a Elvis fan but I do know it was before he died. I have waited so long to get there. It was late when I got to the Days Inn up the street but I had to go see Graceland. I couldn't believe I was finally there. I had to touch the wall as soon as I could. I even wore my Elvis jacket. I met a girl that told me about being able to get into the Meditation Garden in the early mornings. So that is what I did first thing the next morning. It was quite an experience to be able to walk up that driveway and go to the garden. But you know Audrey....something weird happened. All my life I have been in tune with dead people...I went up the driveway with the girl I had met. Her name is Sheila. About 40 feet into the gate we felt a presence with us, we both felt it. It was like someone came down to the gate to see who was coming up the driveway. The person was with us for a few minutes then left. I had bought the VIP ticket so later I was able to go into Graceland 2 times. The first time was ok for me. It was really packed, then I went back around 2:30. There were alot less people so I was able to really take my time going around. I was ok in the house but as soon as I stepped out the back door towards Vernon's office from that point on I had a hard time keeping it together. I wanted to keep breaking down. Even when I went up to the stables. That time I couldn't even go near the Meditation Garden. That was going to be my undoing. People were looking at me weird, I wasn't sure if it was because I would not go near the Grave or what it was. But I couldn't get out of there fast enough, before I actually did break down. The next day I had to do the long drive up to Chicago but I went to the Garden one last time before I left. I had a hard time keeping it together so I didn't stay long, but I had to go one more time. Another funny thing...the time when I did go into the Mediation Garden I could feel someone close by watching everyone but not coming into the Garden area with us.
I think when in October when I have to pick my vacation weeks I will go see Graceland again.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. It means alot to me.
Ingrid xo

By Angie a Uk Friend

Just a quick story to share....

Randy was off yesterday, and now that I'm at home all the time, we did something we very rarely got to do before - went out for lunch together. Randy wouldn't tell me where we were going but I knew we didn't go in the direction of all the usual places around us. There was a place on Floyd Rd, about 5 minutes from our house, that we both used to pass every day on our way to work. It had been closed down for awhile, but we noticed the other day that it had reopened. That was our 'secret' destination. There is a little drive-through car wash, an automotive service and a little sandwich shop, all apparently owned by the same person and all connected, except the car wash. That's where we pulled in. As we did, I noticed the name - TCB AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE - with the appropriate lightning bolts, of course! We walked in the sandwich shop and it was really cute inside, with black & white checkerboard square tile floor, booths, etc. I looked at the menu and everything was named after an Elvis song or movie! Of course, there was "The Elvis" - a grilled peanut butter & banana sandwich, "The Jailhouse Rock'n'Roll" , "The King's Favorite Club" - all kinds of things like that. It was really neat.

I said something about, "Okay somebody here is a big Elvis fan", and a guy turns around - sideburns and all, and says "Thank you, thankyouverymuch! " It was so funny! He was the owner, his name is Brad Latham, and he's an ETA (surprise, surprise). The guy who runs the sandwich shop/bakery told me that this guy is one of the top 10 ETA's in the southeast region. He has a web site, but I haven't looked at it. He for sure didn't look anything like Elvis. Don't know if he uses a wig or not. Don't know how he sounds. Not being an ETA person, I have no idea about anybody around here. We didn't really talk because he went back to work at the auto shop

I will say the sandwiches were delicious and the baked goods looked great - we did share a brownie. I would have scanned and shared a menu, but they were out. It was a fun lunch surprise.

Angie

A Mini Graceland

Graceland, Elvis City - Roanoke, Virginia

Don Epperly lives with his family in an older neighborhood at the base of Mill Mountain, nightly bathed in the eerie glow of the Roanoke Star. Back in the 1980s, he built a magical miniature hamlet of Elvis landmarks on the sloping property next to his home. Sometimes known as Elvis City, at other times called Mini Graceland, it has been a compulsory stop for those on the Memphis Pilgrimage Trail for many years.

At the height of the attraction's unofficial popularity, bus-loads of tourists came by. Wife Kim would dress a tiny Elvis Presley figure in a different outfit each morning. Don was designing a new building each year. The handcrafted structures included Graceland, the Tupelo birthplace of Elvis, and various performance halls, including the Roanoke Civic Auditorium. He even created the Elvis Presley Car Museum in miniature.

Unfortunately, Don began to suffer from a debilitating illness that curtailed new construction. He could only work on a building if a family member moved it to the porch for him, and eventually had to cease work altogether. Even up to a few years ago, the site was reported to be well manicured, but more recent tips had us worried.

During the summer of 1999, we paid a visit to Elvis City. The Epperly family was busy in the backyard razing an old garage, as Don silently watched from a wheelchair, but they invited us to walk around Elvis City. A teenager warned that it's the "worst it's ever looked..."

Update - February 14, 2008

The Epperly family has been hard at work reviving their homegrown attraction to its former glory. Things looked grim for Miniature Graceland a few years ago, when Elvis fan and creator Don Epperly became too old to maintain it. A huge tree fell in a 2005 storm, blocking access to the Epperly's side yard, where the miniature buildings were slowly deteriorating.

Don Epperly's son Mike took up the cause in 2006, and writes with this update: "Guys, we're up and ready for Christmas, with all the lights on and Elvis Christmas music playing in the background. Miniature Graceland is well on it way to a full recovery."

Holiday lighting at Mini-Graceland

"It has been a lot of fun making this come back to life. I have had a lot of visitors since I started. I started this out of love for my mother and my father, who loved Elvis."

Mike has extended an invitation to roadside and Elvis fans to visit during the holidays: "Hope to see all of you there. Plus will have a candle light Ceremony on the 16th of August [2007]. Look forward to seeing everyone there for this event."

If you make it to Miniature Graceland, let Mike know we're all fans of his efforts to save this important roadside landmark!

Mini-Graceland, Elvis City

Address: 605 Riverland Rd. SE, Roanoke, VA

Directions: From north: take I-81 to I-581, Exit in downtown Roanoke at Elm Av., turn left onto Williamson Road. This will go under 581... follow to end, turn right, then right onto bridge -- Walnut, then left on Piedmont, right on Riverland.

Some Memphis Restaurents some Elvis Ate At

Memphis Restaurants

If you have a favorite restaurant, add it to this list. Post as much information as available. Name, location, hours, phone number and directions, website link and your review.

Chickasaw Oaks Plaza is built to resemble an 18th-century village street including a cobblestone walkway. There are about 20 shops, a french bakery/restaurant, and two restaurants. It is easy to get to - is located on Poplar near Highland.

La Baguette

3088 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: (901) 458-0900
Hours:
Mon-Sat 6:30AM - 7:00PM
Sun: 8:00AM - 3:00PM

Just For Lunch

3092 Poplar Ave., Suite 11
(901) 323-3287
Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

http://memphismenusonline.com/la_baguette.html

Check out this menu
http://memphismenusonline.com/menus...ette-dining.pdf
===========================================

The Arcade

S. Main - Downtown - corner of Main St. and G.E. Patterson - it is a stop on the trolley.

The Arcade has the honor of being Memphis' oldest restaurant. Elvis ate there many times since at the time it was the only place downtown that was opened 24 hours. For more information, this is their website.

WEBSITE
http://www.arcaderestaurant.com/

MENU
http://www.arcaderestaurant.com/menu.html

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Brother Juniper's

3519 Walker Ave.
Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: (901)324-0144

Brother Juniper's is a unique and wonderful place for breakfast and lunch. They open at 6:30AM and close at 1 PM. http://www.brotherjunipers.com/restaurant.html

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Republic Coffee

(Walnut Grove & Racine)
2924 Walnut Grove Rd
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 590-1578
www.republiccoffeememphis.com
http://republiccoffeememphis.com/in...les/Page378.htm
open 6AM-Midnight

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Zinnie's East
1688 Madison Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zinnies-east-memphis

__________________

wow

"The transformation was incredible. We knew instantly that we were in the presence of a phenomenon, electricity bounced off the walls of the sound stage. One felt it as an awesome thing - like an earthquake in progress, only without the implicit threat. Watching this insecure country boy, who apologized when he asked for a rehearsal as though he had done something wrong, turn into absolute dynamite when he stepped in the bright lights...he believed in it, and he made you believe it, no matter how ‘sophisticated' your musical tastes were. I had not been a fan until that point, but to deny his talent would have been as foolish as it was impossible. He was a force, and to fail to recognize it would be the same as sticking a finger into a live socket and denying the existence of electricity. "

Alan Wiess, who wrote the screenplays for several of Elvis' motion pictures remembers his first meeting with Elvis in 1956. It was during the 21 year old star's screen test for producer, Hal Wallis

Notice The Gals On The Wall

Linda writes a Magazine in the UK

Thanks Linda We need Members 3ike you in the Tn Club

Linda Memphis

July 31 at 7:03am

Hi Audrey,
Well I cant' thank you enough for sharing this story with me! What a lucky lady you are and wonderful to hear what a great person Elvis was. One of the things I like most about him (aside from that voice, those looks lol!!) is that he always had time for people and was so great with the fans. I have met my fair share of celebrities over the years, and there are not too many who are like that, believe me.
Lol my husband isn't an Elvis fan either, I usually go to the tribute shows with friends, he will go once in a while but that's it.
I really enjoyed reading your story, it's just wonderful to hear a firsthand account like that, you have every right to treasure every second of Elvis, believe me I completely understand!! :)
Take care!
Best wishes, Linda xx

Good Evening Audrey:

We just got back in from 4 days in Tunica, Mississippi with Charlene Presley. Her husband was Harold Ray Presley, Sheriff of Lee County that was murdered. Harold was Elvis' 1st Cousin.

Alan Jackson did a concert in Tupelo at the BankcorpSouth Arena a few weeks back. An attorney that attended the concert said Alan Jackson's closing song, "My Home Town" and/or something like that was played.

While it was being played large TV Screens showed the Welcome to Tupelo Sign, The Tupelo Hardware Store, Elvis' Birth Place, and in closing it showed our property with the "Fans Forever Memorial Wall", "as places to visit in Tupelo".

I still need to contact the arena and see who did that? They didn't tell us anything about it so as soon as I find out I will let you know.

It has been raining for almost a solid month and the engraver can't engrave the names on the wall until it is "dry".

The weather is suppose to be great this week so I can't wait for the pending "17 names" to go on the wall.

See you soon.

Bill & Linda Kinard

A woman
visited a plastic surgeon who told her about a
new
procedure called 'The Knob,' where a small
knob is placed
at the top of the woman's head and
could be turned to
tighten up her skin and produce the
effect of a brand new
face-lift. Of course, the woman
wanted 'The
Knob.'

Over the course of the years, the woman
tightened the knob,
and the effects were wonderful, the
woman remained young
looking and vibrant.

After
fifteen years, the woman returned to the surgeon with
two
problems.

'All these years, everything has been working
just
fine. I've had to turn the knob many times and
I've
always loved the results. But now I've
developed two
annoying problems: First, I have these
terrible bags under
my eyes and the knob won't get rid
of them.'

The
doctor looked at her closely and said, 'Those
aren't bags,
those are your breasts.'

She said, 'Well, I guess
there's no point in
asking about the
goatee.'

Sent In By John

I thought this might be interesting for the website.

My sister Shirley, who lives in northern Cal. was invited by her best friend to attend her small church on Apr 19th to meet and listen to Jimmie Rodgers give testimony to his faith in God. My sister wasn't sure who he was until she was told that he had many hit records in the 50's and 60's including "Kisses sweeter than wine", "Honeycomb", "Oh, Oh I'm Falling in love again", and many others. She wasn't sure she wanted to miss her own church service where she is an usher. I sure knew who he was and I was a big fan of his. I told her if I was out there, I'd be there in a minute. She did go to support her friend who was involved in the event. It seems that the Pastor of the church is very good friends with Jimmie. The following is a brief bography of his life. By the way my sister sent me an autographed picture and an autographed copy of his CD. That was great.

In 1967 Jimmie Rodgers was found brutally beaten and left to die in his car in the San Fernando Valley. The LA police and sheriffs dept. were involved. He suffered through three brain surgeries. His brilliant career was stopped for several years ahead. Jimmie is now writing music and has finished his story for a film that depicts the life of a man who’s faith in God and Love for his Family has lifted him up.

His life storybook “Dancing On The Moon” is written by Jimmie Rodgers. A true story that is uplifting and yet tragic as it describes his journey through the Mafia power of some of the music business to the high road of success that can change lives.

This highly charged emotional autobiography, detailing the savagery of the recording business, his tragic life threatening beating by a Los Angeles off-duty policemen leaving him with a metal plate as a skull to the tragic deaths of loved ones in his family. The screen play is currently being circulated within the film community

Jimmie's career eventually encompassed over 450 recorded songs, his own television shows and motion pictures. Today Jimmie resides in Palm Springs, California with his wife Mary, teenage daughter Katrine and 4 dogs. He continues to write music, poems and is extensively involved in writing and scoring animated films. He can no longer sing the way he did before as his voice is raspy from Spastic Dysphonia (tightening of the voice box).

I've enclosed a few pictures

John.L

Good Morning Audrey:

You have done a great job promoting the "Fans Forever Memorial Wall". Your friend Louise Keith from Canada has placed 3 name orders.

Today I'm making a list of at least 10 names to go on the memorial wall, of which one is Patsy Andersen.

We are adding Janelle Mccomb, Roy Mccomb,, Mike Mcgregor, Barbara McGregor, Charlie Hodge, JD Sumener, Al Dvorin, Bill Black, Mariy Jenkins, Pauline Nicholson at her request.

Patsy is going to try and get "fan clubs" to sponsor at least one of the above names in their memory.

These names along with the 5 name request I have will actually give me about 15 plus names to add. This is great. One pannel of the wall only needs about 100 more names to go.

Sincerely,

Bill & Linda Kinard

I THANK YOU

Hi Audrey,

Really nice party yesterday. Great food too.

I think I forgot to say that when people send their emails regarding Coco Palms to please put their name and city/state. Could you please put that in your post; thank you. That way the commissioners see it is a concern of all us fans all over, not just Kauai.

We are really going to miss you! You started a really great club; so glad I saw your post on the Insiders several years ago. You do so much to keep it a great club, too. I'm so sorry I won't get to see you when you come back in June. Hopefully, you will come back again later. Or maybe you will change your mind and go to EW.

My prayers for Rick's health; as you know, doctors don't know everything and there are miracles all the time.

Love, Linda

Dr Phil Told Me To Do This.

Subject: Dr.Phil told me to

I am passing this on to you because it definitely
works and we could all use a little more calmness in
our lives. By following simple advice I heard on the
Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace. Dr.
Phil proclaimed "The way to achieve inner peace is
to finish all the things you have started and never
finished." So, I looked around my house to see all
the things I started and hadn't finished, and before
leaving the house this morning, I finished off 23
Bud Lights, a bottle of Absolute, a package of
Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription,
the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos and a box
of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I
feel.

SENT IN BY JOHN

Subject: DRIVING IN THE RAIN.......

I wonder how many people know about this ~ A 36 year old female had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore , Texas , she was traveling between Gladewater & Kilgore. It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydro-plane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence!

When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened, he told her something that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON. She thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain.

But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on when your car begins to hydro-plane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you take off like an airplane.

She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.

The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY, along with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.

The only person the accident victim found, who knew this (besides the patrolman), was a man who had a similar accident, totaled his car and sustained severe injuries.

NOTE: Some vehicles (like the Toyota Sienna Limited XLE) will not allow you to set the cruise control when the windshield wipers are on..

If you send this to 15 people and only one of them doesn't know about this, then it was all worth it. You might have saved a life.

Sent In By Louise C

Hi Audrey, Hooray !!! the wall looks wonderful, the notes between the names is perfect. Thanks so much for doing thisAlso I went on the guestbook and error came up twice, so I went this way.

Also I must congradulate on Remembering Todd Morgan. You really did an outstanding piece of work. He was so special & warm human being. Elvis would have really been his friend.

We did have a wonderful time at the Sunday meeting. I love how we all get together and have a real gab fest about everything under the sun. I know how much we will miss you & vice-versa.

I'll keep this short, I had no idea you received so many e-mails. Your a popular gal.,I can understand why, its that big heart of yours. Hugs, Louise for us. I so do appreciate it.

Thanks John I did read about this .

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN YOU'RE OLD AND DON'T MOVE FAST ANYMORE.

George Phillips of Meridian , Mississippi , was going up to bed, when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things.

He phoned the police, who asked   'Is someone in your house?'   He said 'No.' Then they said 'All patrols were busy. You should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available.'  George said, 'Okay.'
hun
He hung up the phone and counted to 30.  Then he phoned the police again.   'Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I just shot them.' and he g up.

Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic, and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence, and caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to George, 'I thought you said that you'd shot them!' George said, 'I thought you said there was nobo
dy available!'
(True Story)
I LOVE IT!   Don't mess with old people.

IN MEMORIAM - 63 YEARS LATER

Please read the little cartoon carefully, it's powerful. Then read the comments at the end.

In Memoriam

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russian peoples looking the other way!

Now, more than ever, with Iraq, Iran, and others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it's imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.

This e-mail is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide!

Join us and be a link in the memorial chain and help us distribute it around the world.

Please send this e-mail to 10 people you know and ask them to continue the memorial chain.
Please don't just delete it.

It will only take you a minute to pass this along. Thanks!

*´¨ )
¸.·´¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.Gigi

Graceland Then

Thanks for posting.
I used to walk up there beside the wall when I lived in Memphis and a Church occupied the space where the EPE offices now stand.
There was a little hill with a nice dip to it that the kids from the "Presley
compound" use to ride the motorbikes,jumping over the little hill.Once while venturing up there I heard the sound of a full fledged motorcycle.As I approached I noticed it was a man - and not the teens.My heart about stopped - as it looked like it was ELVIS - I quietly backed away.I never wanted to bother him during his private times.Always wondered if it really was HIM!
A couple of times I saw GETLO between the gaps in the wooden fence,strutting like the little lion he looked like.
Once I called out to him,he stopped and slowly turned toward the fence.I thought - cool,he's gonna come over closer.I've always been a dog-lover - actually an animal over (Though not in the BIBLICAL sense!).
But instead of walking closer to see who was calling him,he turned back away - seemed to stick his nose up in the air a little arrogantly - and strutted away.I laughed so hard I thought I'd get caught!
It seemed as if he knew who he belonged to and unlike his owner - who always seemed so down to earth - he wasn't about to associate with a mere mortal like me.He looked so majestic.
Perhaps my most thrilling time up there was late in '76,when I heard an unusual sound emanating from the house.As I got closer it became obvious that it was a bass guitar.
It sounded uniquely different in the sound that it was making,not recognizable to my ears at all at the time.It was the bass line that would soon be all to familiar to us from the soon to be recorded "For The Heart".
Don't know if it was JERRY SCHEFF working it out,or ELVIS himself - but it was weeks before the RCA Recording Truck's arrival.

__________________
ELVIS never set out to CHANGE THE WORLD!