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Dave Edwards' traveling Breakfast Club emulates a popular '40s format. It visits New Port Richey today.
By MICHELLE JONES
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 21, 2000
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Dave Edwards patterned his popular Breakfast Club, for active retirees, after one of the top radio shows of the 1940's.
Don McNeil's Breakfast Club brought smiles to people's faces during the three decades it was on the air, and Edwards' program makes people happy now.
"There are some places it reminds me of the radio show," said Larry Ford, referring to program that will be at the First Baptist Church of New Port Richey at 9:30 this morning.
Ford, a member of Bill and Gloria Gaither's successful Gaither Homecoming television and road show, is the scheduled singer for this week's program.
He has traveled with the Gaithers for six years.
The 52-year-old tenor also has made CD's and videos with the Gaithers, as well as some on his own.
Edwards visited the popular Chicago-based radio show when he attended Moody Bible College.
"Sometimes it would be only five or six people making all that noise marching around the breakfast table," said the 53-year-old. "It certainly was unique and unforgettable."
The hourlong show was filled with fun and laughter as McNeil talked with guests, and presented special entertainment. He scored laughs by, among other things, rummaging through women's purses and describing the treasures he found.
Another person who remembers the show is 72-year-old Ralph Kievit of Hudson.
"It is basically the same thing," Kievit said.
Kievit and his wife Barbara have attended the local show for seven years.
"It provides an extended family for us," he said. "We've established a lot of relationships with the people."
The Breakfast Club starts with a continental breakfast of doughnuts, bagels, coffee, tea and orange juice. Cost is $5 for breakfast and the program.
Each week a special artist performs and participants share, pray and visit with one another.
During the fall, winter and part of the spring, the program is held at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater each week. During the summer, when many retirees go north, the show goes on the road, visiting local churches twice a month.
Edwards presents a Breakfast Club program in Bradenton and Lakeland on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
He started the program in 1988 and the audience has grown to more than 300 people during the height of the season.
"We get together and have a good time," said Edwards.
He also presents items of social interest to those who attend, including medical, legal and educational programs.
"We also honor the people who have anniversaries, birthdays and first time visitors," he said.
The program lasts two hours and is open to anyone, regardless of denomination.
Traveling to Pasco County isn't a long haul for Ford, who lives in Fort Myers.
"I can hop in my van and be there," he said in a telephone interview from Lubbock, Texas where he appeared with the Gaithers last week.
The father of five sons and one daughter, Ford has been married to Sherryl for 30 years.
During his career, he has pastored churches in Texas and in Florida and traveled the world as a vocalist.
Ford, who has appeared on the local program several times, said he tries to interact with audiences wherever he entertains.
Kievit says this is the reason the program is successful.
"It gives people an opportunity to do things together," said Kievit.
The First Baptist of New Port Richey is at 6561 Circle Blvd.
-- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com