'Minnie Pearl' Says Howw-ddy In Eureka

Although the late Sarah Colley, aka "Minnie Pearl," of the 1970s hit variety show "Hee Haw" passed away in 1996, her legacy carries on through Laurene Taylor of Waterloo, IL. Her country charm recently arrived in Eureka while senior social day was being observed by the Eureka parks and recreational department.

Taylor travels the states surrounding her native one, entertaining  people of all ages with her one-woman, banjo-playing show. Route 66 Senior Citizens club members got to catch her act on May 19 at the  

Residents were served a "southern-style" lunch—county fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and of course, corn bread—all while Taylor played Patriotic songs on her trumpet.

Once residents finished up with cookie and ice cream sandwiches for dessert, they gathered around the stage and were greeted by Taylor, who wore a red and white checkered ruffle dress with yellow and orange daisies and the famous floral-lined straw hat with a $1.98 price tag. She did provide a great big howdy!

Her 30-minute show was jam-packed with hilarious jokes, stories, dancing and singing.

Local resident, Barbara Schott, who came sporting her own floral straw hat said the show was funny.  "It brought back good memories of Minnie Pearl, and one of her favorite shows Hee Haw," she said, as she reminisced about stories regarding Roy Clark and Buck Owens.

Taylor is a retired real estate investor. The idea of being a Minnie Pearl impersonator came to her after the Sept. 11 tragedy in New York. She wanted a way to spread some happiness and cheer.

She also does a Phyllis Diller impersonation. She is sure to prompt smiles, which is all she wants, because she does not charge for her show. That's right, her show is FREE.  She is a good-hearted woman, just wanting to lift others spirits.