FALCON REST – July 28, 2007

Lady Felina (Vivian) was our “Queen for the Day” and planned a fabulous trip to Falcon Rest in McMinnville, TN.  Others who came to play today were, Queen Cleopurrrtra (Faye), Lady Siamese Kat (Debbie), Dutchess AristiKat (Amy), Princess ApriKat (Barbara), Sassy Kat Woman (Shawn), Princess Pink Panther (Brenda), Baroness Von Meow, (Linda), Kountess Katnip (Samantha).  Lady Doris (Lady Felina’s sister) also joined us, so we gave her a big MEOW welcome.   We all met at Beech High School around 8:15 a.m. and our huge bus arrived to take us on our journey.  Don Juan was our driver.  Ms. Furball Kitty and Ms. Kitty rode proudly up front with Lady Doris (they are so spoiled).  As we were getting on the bus, “Nashville Kats” was playing, how clever was that!!  The bus was beautifully decorated and Lady Felina had prepared delicious food for us, fruit, bagels, cream cheese, Danish, quiche, and juice.   Our 2 hour drive was so comfortable and it was such fun all being together laughing, chatting, and playing cards.  We celebrated a belated June birthday for Lady Felina, and for our July birthday Princess ApriKat.

When we arrived at the Mansion we were greeted by Clay Falkner, the owner, and given signs identifying each of our characters with historical details on the back for this interactive murder mystery play.  We each had props and were to assume the characters of actual people from 1897 attending a banquet given by Clay and Mary Falkner to celebrate the opening of their new mansion.  We had such fun preparing for our roles and we really did become the stars of the show!!   Our very own Queen Cleopurrrtra was picked for the local madam (Nan Meadows – go figure!), Lady Felina was (Anthia Hughes) and packed a gun which she used at the end of the play to shoot the murderer (HH Falkner) who just happened to be played by Don Juan, Lady Doris was the Falkner’s daughter (Daisy), Dutchess AristaKat was (Margie) the Falkner’s daughter who was about to be married William White (ooops to a 12 year old girl~~so funny who was 2 feet shorter than her), Lady Siamese Kat was (Judge Cantrell), Princess Pink Panther was (Lady Somerset) and had to give a speech on Temperance, Sassy Kat Woman was (Frances Willard), Princess ApriKat was (Jack Daniels), Kountess Katnip was (Mary Cunningham), and Baroness Von Meow was (Thula) Mary Falkner’s mother.  Such hilarious dialogue!!  We enjoyed lunch in the beautiful Victorian Carriage House dining room, (chicken breast, green beans, fruit salad, roasted potatoes, red velvet cake, lemonade and tea). 

After the meal was completed and the murder was solved, we took a tour of the beautiful mansion and visited the Victorian Gift Shop which had lots of things that could have been in the mansion in the 1890’s.  Called Tennessee’s Biltmore, the 10,000 square foot, solid-brick mansion had all the modern conveniences when it was built, including electric lights, indoor plumbing, central heat and air, and even a telephone.  Today, it is furnished with museum quality antiques, and some say Mr. Faulkner stays on in the form of a friendly ghost. 

It was time to head back to Nashville.  We had great fun laughing about the play and each of our roles.  Lady Felina served us chocolate covered strawberries (YUM YUM), and a special gift bag of candy, M&M gift cards and bath salts.   As we exited the bus, our wonderful driver Don Juan handed each of us a long stemmed purple tulip.  We felt so pampered today and had such a great time.  Thanks to Lady Felina and Don Juan for planning such a delightful day, it was sooooo PURRRRRFECT.