The Hometown Treasure July 2012 | Page 50

Breakfast Club Returns To Shipshewana This year marks the ninth season for the Breakfast Club. Meeting each Friday morning from June 29 through Sept. 7, it has become a regular destination for hundreds of active retirees. “Though we say active retirees, anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. The word ‘club’ is just a name,” remarks Breakfast Club director, Dave Edwards. Every week, attendees are treated to the breakfast buffet at the Blue Gate Restaurant. From there, audiences move up to the theater to enjoy a variety of southern gospel groups, comedians, memorable favorites from the Lawrence Welk Show, Grand Ole Opry and more. Travel is another feature of the Breakfast Club, destinations such as Branson, Missouri, European excur- sions and cruises to locations including Alaska and the Caribbean. Dave says, “We like to keep everything as active and exciting as possible.” Dave and his wife, Irma, founded the Breakfast Club in 1988, when he left his position as the Senior’s and Music Minister at their local church in Clearwater, Florida. It was started to answer a need for a positive, inspirational and encouraging ministry that was not affiliated with any specific denomination. The vision worked and has grown to include six locations in Florida, Indiana and Ohio. During the winter months the program has regular weekly programs in Clearwater, Bradenton and Lakeland, Florida. “We couldn’t do things down there without a host of amazing Lehman, Hershberger & Co., P.C. Certified Public Accountants & Consultants • Tax Consulting & Preparation • QuickBooks Support Services • Financial Statement Preparation • Complete Payroll Services • Accounting & Bookkeeping Services volunteers and board members. We’re so glad that with many of our folks being snow birds, they are able to be a part of our northern programs as well,” says Dave. In addition to Shipshewana’s Blue Gate restaurant and theater, the Breakfast Club’s northern summer programs include Sugarcreek, Ohio, at the Carlisle Inn and beginning this year, Cedar Lake, Indiana, at the Cedar Lake Conference Center. This season opens on Friday June 29, with the Gospel Music Caravan featuring the Chuck Wagon Gang, LeFevre Quartet and the Blackwood Brothers. Breakfast begins at 8:00 am and the programs begin at 9:30 am. Further information about the Breakfast Club, their schedule and activities is available on their website, www.thebreakfastclubonline.com. Coming to the Breakfast Club in July The Lesters 7/6 Aaron Wilburn 7/13 Brian Hershberger, CPA [email protected] Call Any of Our Convenient Locations 574-533-8857 • Goshen, IN pg 48 · The Hometown Treasure · July ‘12 768-4552 · 446 N. Van Buren St. · Shipshewana, IN Three Bridges 7/20 Kenny Bishop 7/27 For more information dial the Blue Gate at 260-768-4725