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UMW Trip - last Wednesday (May 18, 2011) the United Methodist Women greatly enjoyed a trip to Arlington, where they were given a personalized tour by the Vicky Bryant, the wife of the current president of the Arlington Baptist College. To those of you who aren't familiar with that location, it was bought in 1826 by Fred and Mary Browning, and became known as "Top O' the Hill" serving as a speakeasy and casino in the 1930-1940's era. Many famous people came to use the facilities, including movie stars like Clark Gable, John Wayne, and Marilyn Monroe, Well-known gangsters, such as Bugsy Siegel and Bonnie and Clyde also enjoyed the services. The main building contained gambling equipment, which, in case of a police raid, could be immedietely hidden inside trick walls. A secret tunnel led over to the tea garden, where the gamblers could escape to be seen openly enjoying a fine meal and tea, as  the police arrived. The facilities included horse barns, due to the nearby Arlington Race Track, and the top stud, Royal Ford, had his own private stable building.In 1947, a raid by the Texas Rangers finally shut the place down. Meanwhile, the preacher of a Bapist church nearby had sworn he would shut it down and eventually own it. Ironically, in the 1950's, the Browning Estate and Top O'the Hill became the Arlington Bapist Seminary and College. One of the first graduates was John Birch after whom the ultra-conservative John Birch Society is named.

 
The UMW members and five guests, a total of twenty ladies,  greatly enjoyed the lunch at the Rose Petal Tearoom, part of the Decorators Warehouse; additionally, the year-around Christmas store and boutique areas provided welcome shopping opportunities.