Day 6

Today is “Alligator Day” with Rivoli Rallies!  We enjoyed the entire day with Bruce Mitchell, his wife, Janet, and their friends Wayne & Patty.  Bruce is now one of the main reality stars on History Channel’s hit show Swamp People.

“Alligatorman” Bruce & Janet Kliebert met when they were in Jr. High. In 1980, Bruce married Janet Kliebert. You may recognize her name from Kliebert's Alligator & Turtle Farm. Bruce began working at Kliebert's around age 20 and moved on the farm property when he married Janet.  Over a period of thirty plus years, he learned from his father-in-law, many aspects of the business and was able to take on more responsibility. With Janet’s help, they ran the business together with Janet's father for over thirty years.
 
While working at the farm, Bruce was asked by the A & E Network if he would like to participate in a documentary on the History Channel.  Being that the History Channel was (and still is) the most watched network in the Mitchell household, how could he say no?  From there Bruce and
Swamp People were connected.
 
In his honor, and because we were in “Gator” country, we had a morning of gatorgames.  It got a bit confusing today because we also had a guest by the name of Bruce Mitchell.  I know, crazy - right?

And, yes, there were prizes.  What else, but GATORHEADS.

Everyone was able to get them signed by Alligatorman.  How cool is that?!

Speaking of alligator heads, that’s what was for lunch.

Muffuletta, pasta salad, gourmet cookies, Voo Doo chips and a big old fashion dill pickle; remember the ones you used to get out of a barrel when you were a kid.
 
Before Bruce, aka alligaorman, got ready to cook us dinner, we had to make sure he got all of his energy from an ice cream social.  Not just any kind of ice cream, but a banana split with your choice of flavor.

While settling our stomachs from all that food, we engaged in a Black Jack class to get us ready for that next casino. 

Once we were comfortable that we could “beat the house” on our next casino visit, we joined Bruce outside who was cooking pastalaya for us, along with our appetizers of shrimp boulettes, twice baked stuffed petite potatoes, crawfish pie, and gourmet cheese board.

What a treat.  Many of us helped with the stirring, while his wife, Janet, was busy on facebook Live.  We had people from all over the world watching Bruce entertaining Rivoli Rallies.

We thoroughly enjoyed Bruce, his wife, and friends as well as the delicious food they prepared for us.  They are such down to earth “real” people.  This is how caring they are; one of our guests ended up in the hospital the day before and Bruce drove with Ron, 1 hour away, to visit him.

Bill was so happy that he was able to meet Alligatorman in person.  How many celebrities do you know who would do that?