Butch Cassada had told me that I should look for the fifth house on the left. But, honestly, in Monday night’s thick fog, I couldn’t see any houses at all! Fortunately, as I made my way along the dark road, my headlight beams at last revealed a mailbox that had the correct number on it. I slowly turned in and made my way down the gravel driveway until I found the sloping temporary grass "parking lot" filled with cars and trucks. I parked my car, got out, and proceeded to follow the lights and music emanating from the big freestanding building located behind the house. "This must be the place," I thought. When I opened the door, I stepped into a huge well-lit room filled with several men standing around, clustered together in various groups—some conversing with one another, some enjoying their cups of coffee, some hovering near the heater. In the rear of the building, almost unnoticed, a small group of bluegrass pickers—the "warm-up band"—played and harmonized together. And in another corner, a team of cooks was busy frying fish and preparing the rest of the food for the meal. The whole place was abuzz with excitement. It was the weekly Monday night men’s get-together at Ricci Stroud’s.
As I removed my coat and made my way into the room, I was warmly greeted with numerous “hellos” and handshakes. “Hey, Pastor, come on in!” First, Butch Cassada, and then, Archie Boswell took me around and introduced me to everyone in the place. I immediately recognized a number of other church members—Raymond Crane, Frank Mobley, Ray Dodson, Ronnie Plaster, Ed Turner, Bob Cross, Russell Franklin, and host Ricci himself. (I hope I didn’t leave anyone out!) But there also were several other men from the community that I hadn’t met before. All told, some forty to fifty men were in attendance.
After prayer, we all sat down to a delicious meal of fish, potatoes, slaw, beans and bread, followed by a potpourri of homemade desserts. (Don't tell my wife, but I had pecan pie AND banana pudding. Mmm. Mmm.) Over dinner, I met and got to talk baseball—one of my favorite subjects—with local resident and former major leaguer Gordon Windhorn, who for a time back in the 1950s was a reserve centerfielder with New York Yankees, backing up some other young guy by the name of Mickey Mantle. (Gee, I wonder whatever happened to him.) Gordon is a Christian, a member of North Main Baptist, and also a picker and singer like many of the other men there that night.
After the meal, the tables were put away, the chairs were rearranged, and the sound system was set up and plugged in. About a dozen guys gathered in the middle of the room, forming the band. The rest of us, encircling them, became the audience. The group of talented performers was composed of several guitars, a fiddle, an upright bass, a dobro, a banjo, and a harmonica. As the night progressed, they led us through a steady stream of old-time bluegrass and country gospel favorites, with the various participants taking turns offering up the lead vocals. Throughout the jam session, I heard songs I hadn’t heard in years—you’ve got to remember that I grew up in the “bluegrass state” of Kentucky—as well as some tunes I’d never even heard before.
It was a fun time to say the least. Not only good food and good music, but also good wholesome entertainment and fellowship, with a strong Christian flavor. That was especially remarkable in that this was not some official "church" event. It was simply a "guy" event.
Monday nights at Ricci Stroud’s is definitely the place to be. My first visit there certainly will not be my last. What began a few years ago as a small intimate weekly gathering involving only a handful of men has developed into a grand tradition drawing dozens. And, believe me, I’m all for any kind of positive activity that—either formally or informally—brings people together, offers them encouragement, helps them to develop and strengthen relationships, and—above all—lifts up Jesus. And that’s what Mondays at Ricci’s are all about.
Pickin’ and grinnin’ might not be your thing. And that’s okay. But whatever your interests may be, always look for opportunities—both inside and outside the church—to connect with others, to offer them encouragement, and to bear witness of the reality of Jesus Christ in your life. I guarantee that it will help to make the world a better place and you a better person.
Pastor Danny
