Wednesday Night - 5/3/00
“Citizen Don”
It all began with breakfast…
Don wheeled into a convenience store on the southeast side of Knoxville to buy
breakfast. The woman at the cash register was obviously curious about him. Its
not every day that a huge bumble bee walks into your store. When she heard Don’s
“buzz,” she asked if the media was aware of this.
Don shrugged his shoulders.
She said, “Well, I’m calling the TV stations about this!”
Within 30 minutes, Don was under hot pursuit by local television stations.
Channel 10 had a good story on Don. They found people at a local restaurant to
be ‘extras’ during the taping.
Some comments were:
“There’s no way I’d ride one of those things!”
A lady said, “You’d have to put a motor on it before I’d even touch it!”
Don later saw the piece on Channel 10 and said it was well-edited and had “good
production value” to it. (“Good production value?”) and then I heard about the
camera angles. (Sweetie, lets keep that head size in check so you don’t lose
balance off your wheel!").
Most importantly, Don did elaborate about his cause – RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF
MEMPHIS! ! ! Let’s fill those pantries folks!
Don met a nice couple this afternoon named Jeff Lansdown and Debbie. Jeff is a
well known balloonist in Morristown. (He’s for hire folks! ! ! – Check out this
web -site: www.smokymtnballoons.com/
Jeff told Don that he books bed and breakfast packages that involve a balloon
ride over the Great Smoky Mountains. Its important to ride when it is ‘calm’
like around sunrise or sunset.
As I talked to Don, he petted their cat named “Shotsie.” Don’t worry, Don. My
lips are sealed! Pooky and Boo will NEVER KNOW! (However, they are suspicious).
Don was interviewed on Channel 6, but, unfortunately, missed that broadcast.
Don, Jeff and Debbie had dinner at Appleby’s. Don was not modest! He went for
the STEAK! And, had a couple of beers.
Don plans to ride into Kingsport tomorrow. That will be a long day for him,
because that is over 60 miles. It looks like we kind of (ahem) UNDER estimated
the mileage! Its looking like it will probably be 600+ when this is over.
Again, I will be leave Memphis tomorrow (Thursday) morning. I plan to meet Don
tomorrow evening in Kingsport. I will find a way to get messages through (via my
daughter, Diana – or Chuck).
As for TV coverage – You may want to stay tuned to Channel 5 in Bristol (as
well as Channel 5 in MEMPHIS) both NBC affiliates Friday evening. (NOTHING
DEFINITE). Consider this another plug. Also, Fox 13 in Memphis.
God bless you…
See y’all in Bristol ! ! !
Sheree Hudgins
Mileage count:
Don traveled 34 miles today
Add to the 489 yesterday
which makes Don 523 miles from Ronald McDonald House of Memphis!