Another Gravette Days celebration is in the books and, as always, it was an exciting and fun-filled celebration.
It was a busy weekend, perhaps a little too busy. I must confess I didn't enjoy the day's activities quite as much as in past years because I was working too hard.
Frankly I don't know how Dodie did it, covering all the day's activities so thoroughly. Of course, he usually had his trusty bike to get around on and I was on foot for part of the day. I did more walking than I normally do and I was really ready to hit the hay that night.
Friday evening, I went over to Pop Allum Park. The BMX bike/skateboard exhibition didn't materialize since the group that was to put it on failed to show up. A few youngsters were putting on their own show on the skateboard ramps and lively games of sand-volleyball and softball were going on. Crowds of friends and family members lined the fields to watch the activities. Some of the players were engaged in game after game and were putting a lot of effort into their performance, but I noticed a few were still out early the next morning to eat pancakes and sausage with the Kiwanis.
I went out Saturday morning to photograph the pancake breakfast, silent auction and early stages of the Dutch oven cook-off. I made a trip to the farmers' market and bought some juicy peaches, yellow squash and nice big green peppers. I got a break at mid-day when our editor came up from Gentry to cover the noon parade and afternoon pageants.
I really appreciate his taking over for me there. I was able to join my classmates from the class of 1964 and ride on our 50th reunion float. (My, that sounds like a long time, doesn't it? Could it really have been THAT long since we walked down the aisle at our graduation ceremonies?) We enjoyed representing our class in the parade, waving to the crowd and throwing goodies to the waiting youngsters.
After the parade I walked by the museum to see how the Dutch-oven cooking was progressing and on to the park where I was rewarded with a bottle of cold water from the guys at the local Legion post and a slice of free watermelon.
As the storm blew up I headed on to Main Street to buy a couple of the Lions Club smoked chicken dinners. I was only about half-way there when the clouds really opened up and rain came pouring down. I got pretty thoroughly soaked and, when I went into Austin Drug to call Jim and tell him where to pick me up, I cooled off in a hurry!
I took a brief rest and returned to the museum to sample the tasty dishes coming from the competitors' Dutch ovens. I met my sister Nancy and her husband there and the three of us delighted in taste testing the various recipes. We collected a few recipes for our own files and visited with several friends who were strolling through the area. Then it was back to the park for the pretty baby and tiny tot contests.
That evening, I enjoyed gathering with my classmates at the GHS commons for our 50th reunion dinner. It was a joy to see old friends I seldom see and catch up on their news. The meal was delicious and we were treated to a lively trivia game that revealed how badly our memories were fading. After our group headed home, I drove back to the park to hear the band playing to conclude the evening's events.
The weekend's activities were not over yet though as I attended another delightful event Sunday evening, a beach theme going away party for Betty and Alan Williams, friends who are moving to Florida. We got together at the lovely home of Joe and Eileen Tyler and enjoyed a bountiful potluck meal, dining on the patio overlooking their blueberry farm.
The crowning touches were a sand-castle cake and cookies shaped like flip-flops. Everyone wore their beach clothes and the youngsters enjoyed swimming, throwing water balloons, playing horseshoes and twister, supervised by co-hostess Shelby Thomason. It was a wonderful ending to a busy weekend.
Susan Holland is longtime resident of Benton County and a staff member of the Westside Eagle Observer. She may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 08/13/2014