Though it seems a bit trite, it is near impossible to begin an

article without some sort of mention of the weather. I have heard of several regular columnists that write for the "big" papers that sometimes review their articles from the same time a year back to see what was going on back then. I think this is a tack they might use when they really have little news to start with. We would imagine that last July and August might be a bit similar to this year, albeit somewhat hotter. Fact is, we hear some folks say that if Hades is any hotter, more going are going to try to be better and right with their living according to the "Good Book."

There were a good number of Harkey relation in Town weekend before last. At best count, seems like there were upwards of 77 Harkey friends & kin that gathered for the weekend of Family activities down at the American Legion Hall by the Mill Pond. This marked the 23rd re-enactment of the modern Harkey Family Reunion that was initiated from the organizational efforts of Jerry Harkey out at the Wallace Creek Community center back in the late 80’s. Some 99 relatives and friends attended that year out under the Pecan trees by the creek and it was still running that year. It’s fairly easy for me to recall whatever annual number the Reunion might be as the Family gathering and lil’ Darling Katylee are the same age. Fact is, Katylee

was baptized in Wallace Creek at the crossing below the B.D. Harkey place by Cousin Thurman who is a retired Minister. I think she was a bit shy of four at the time.

This year’s Saturday activities culminated with the famous Family fish fry early in the evening with six of we Harkey Boys serving up boxes of fried Catfish, taters & onions, & hushpuppies sided with a big batch of fried okra brought in by Richard & Floydene. Jimmy, Gordon, and Scott ran two fry pots, while John Scott, Harry, & yrs. truly ran two pots. Though the hungry Harkeys did their best, we still had a big box of fried fish left over for the covered dish dinner at the Sunday table. All the diverse dishes covered two long serving tables, with a dessert table on the side. It looked like we could have served twice as many folks as we did. The white elephant auction went rather well following the

noon meal with lively bidding on the various items including a number of different jams, jellies, what-nots, and a few articles of apparel. Wild Plum jam seemed to be the favorite, but Will’s Mesquite Bean Jelly brought a nice price and I wound up with one of Barbara Horn’s jars of Prickly Pear tuna jelly. We haven’t dipped into it yet, but it looks pretty on Lady Z’s kitchen shelf. Anyhow, it looks like we made enough to fund next year’s meeting. John Scott’s big bowl of Avocado dip is always a hit & Harry might have been the high bidder making off with a big bottle of Will’s Harkeyville barbecue sauce. Lewis Smith shared "high bid" honors with his home-made wooden Potato bin for which Jimmy paid the big bucks. Everyone had a great time and we were elated at the attendance of Patsy & Jerry Harkey as they overcame some recent health related problems to make the meeting. A friend of theirs from Leander, Pat Neff, made a hit with the family bringing 3 big batches of the best darn cookies we’ve had the honor of eating. Good food, friends and family are a welcome event no matter where you’re from.

This humble scribe really lucked into it Sunday morning as I traveled up the San Saba to Sloan and attended Sunday Services at New Hope. Not only did I get to hear a good sermon and visit with a number of treasured friends and acquaintances, but it just happened to be the Sunday for the dinner on the grounds. In case you’ve never witnessed such an event, those Presbyterians can really set a great table. Max Mahan had to summon the Session as they were a bit lengthy in their meeting prior to the dinner.

The ladies brought a number of "light" summer dishes that turned out not so light if you sampled every one. I did recognize Imogene Hawkins’ precious Pecan Pie, and Christine brought some sort of Salmon ring that was to die for. Two platters of deviled eggs went fairly soon and Larry Baker said something of deviled eggs being somewhat symbiotic with Sunday services. I would have to admit that if word got around, they would more than likely add to attendance. The center piece in front of the pulpit might have been a bit unique as it was a huge Moon & Stars watermelon coming from the J & J Byrd Organic Farm up at Maxwell Crossing. I also took time to swing over to the Joe Ellis Ranch for a brief visit with Lucille after dinner. She has a fair set of nuts on her Pecan trees if she can keep the squirrels out of them . I think the Mayor & yrs. truly might have some of the same problems

somewhere out around————Harkeyville!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!