We might have been a bit short of moisture in the form of rainfall around our Fair Valley the past couple of weeks, but we are most certainly getting our share of hot, sunny weather.

Back when we were kids, some newsman at one of the big papers would usually take a picture of someone frying an egg on the sidewalk downtown. It probably wouldn’t have taken very long to cook it any mid-afternoon the past couple of weeks.

One would imagine that we’re still in for some pretty hot days as August is not normally noted for many cool, wet days. However, some of the long-range forecasters are indicating that the El Nino might be on & we could get some tropical depressions come in from the Gulf that might bring us some rain. It is said that most folks from west Texas spend most of their lives waitin’ on the next rain.

We mentioned in “Highlights” from last week’s edition that there would probably be quite a number of Harkeys in town over the weekend. As best as Barbara H. Horn & y rs. Truly could figure, there were around 78 family & friends that visited Sat. & Sun. down in Mill Pond Park at the American Legion Hall.

Saturday’s activities were topped off with the famed Family Fish Fry. Jimmy Harkey & son, Will served as head fryers with Larry Horn apprenticing on a fryer. John Scott Harkey & Teaspoon (Tony) Navarra worked at keeping the fryers supplied with mealing the fish, squash, okra, as well as taters & hushpuppies.

James B. Harkey made it in from the Golf Course in time to sit on the side, serving as quality control coordinator in the tasting dept. and Cousin Bill Prescott did lend James B. a hand in keeping the quality control in line. Fifty-four folks made it in for the fish-fry and ate most of what we fixed for 75.

Katylee Harkey made it in from Houston and Kari & Tyler Owen came up from College Station.

Sundays activities started off with the usual covered dish dinner with the usual entrees of Harkey family recipes. Lady Z’s big Pasta Salad was a hit as it was about all gone when I got around to fixing my plate. A big bowl of Banana Pudding was devoured at both of the big meals. Good food seems to be one of the main events at most family reunions.

Drawing for prizes is also a event enjoyed more by the recipients than the other members as Jo Ann Stanley, Taylor Bryan, Tyler Mitchell, & Emily Harkey won some prizes; Jerry Harkey got the door prize, while Daddy was most Senior, with Jessie Cotney was the youngest. Nolan Patterson, Brandi House, and Terri & John Scott Harkey tied for greatest distance traveled.

The White Elephant Auction went over quite well, as family members bring in all sorts of items that are auctioned with the proceeds helping fund next year’s reunion. We heard that Daddy wound up buying Duke’s basket of canned jams, jellies, & special seasoning for the winning bid of the day.

Katylee & yrs. truly missed the auction as we left after lunch to get her back to Austin for the 1st leg of her trip back to Houston.

Barbara Horn reported that the Auction, several donations, & sale of several of the Harkey Family Cookbooks brought in enough to support next year’s reunion.

Marlis & Heather Oliver are in for the week vacationing at the ol’ Hardy House down at Pecan Grove. The boys, Baker, Jackson, & Charley have been trying their hand at fishing but said bait was in short supply, while the biggest fish landed so far was a 38" Needlenose Gar landed by Baker. Landing a Gar fish by rod & reel is a very rare event.

Jarvis Shaw & yrs. truly landed a large Yellow catfish last week & it was large enough that we had to enlist the help of lil’ Jack Whitten in getting the 41 pounder out of the River out around————Harkeyville!!!!!!!