Surely looks like we’re still enjoying our sunny summer days in the fair Valley of the Pecan. As we were talking last week, being past the midpoint of “our” summer puts us one week closer to September.

I hear that we are into about our 3rd or 4th “Blow” out in the Gulf. Certainly wishing no ill upon the Coastal dwellers, it might still be well received if it would come in meekly around Corpus & then make it’s way on up around our parts, stall out, and rain for a few days. Stranger things have happened. As a wise ol’ Judge told me once, “ Take care in what you pray for as you might well get it.”

I don’t know if you have been keeping an eye on the levels of our rivers, creeks, & tanks as of late, but levels are lowering or just plain stopped running.

Realizing there has been some supplemental watering of Pecan orchards, it’s still about the time most of our streams fall to a lower ebb unless we get some monumental rains during late July or August. Anything is possible during the Hurricane season and most folks are standing ready for the rain.

Looking back on last week’s edition of the “News”, we were visiting on certain names of communities or geographic sites around San Saba and the County.

Some of the names of tanks, ponds, holes, and crossings were named for settling families , incidents, or geographic points of the area. Anyhow, a few of those coming to mind right off would be listed as follows : Henderson Pond, Big Click, Lil’ Click, Deadman, Blue Hole, Glory Hole, Turkey Valley, Pump Hole, Raven’s Bluff, Double Ford, Barber’s Crossing, Duncan Crossing, Shaw Bend, Allen Pond, Cedar Holler, Rattler, Flat Rock, Joe Miller Hole, Spring Hole, Miller Lake, and Hannah’s Pond.

Anyhow, there are countless others in outlying areas of the County that would provide lots of history and interesting stories as to how they might have come by their name. Fact is I know someone that went swimming in Trussell Lake one Dec., retrieving a Canada Snow, but R. Barker can provide additional info. on that one.

The Sons of San Saba Class of ’55, held their annual Summer gathering at the ol’ Hardy House down by the Pecan Grove crossing this past weekend. Scotty Oliver was the host this season with Thomas Earl Smithhart cooking catfish and Gerald helped with the mealing and dipping.

Some of the boys in attendance were Thumper Millican, Don Woodruff, Skinny Hamrick ( with son, Ron), John Buddie Oliver, and Worth Wood. Others that came by during the weekend included Roscoe & Ernest Laird, Jimmy Don Gage, and Clifford Wilson and Gene Williams.

Tony Navarra was in working on his re-mod next door and went down with me to visit Sat. evening. We had stopped by the Vangorp Farm (Ken Bailey’s old place) and picked up some Squash and Okra, so Smithhart mealed and fried a batch or two of that as well.

Daddy really enjoyed the plate that Scotty sent him, too. Quite a number of stories were told and a few ball games replayed. Our Class of ’63 is having a reunion the 1st weekend in August, so we’ll get to recall some more of the “Good ol’ Days”.

If you happen to see more than the normal amount of Harkeys around town this weekend, it’s also on account of the Family reunion. The center of attendance will be down at the American Legion Hall at Mill Pond with some activities scattered around.

Saturday and Sunday are the scheduled days with the covered dish dinner and White Elephant Auction closing out the festivities Sunday afternoon.

Any friends or relatives are welcome and are encouraged to bring old family photos, books, letters, etc. and visit & eat. There are a lot of activities for just about any age such as dominoes, cards, games, swimming,etc.Jimmy, Jerry, Will, and G. Horn are usually in charge of fish frying, while Eddy Ragsdale is in charge of catching the fish this year.

John Scott Harkey is scheduled to be in from Shreveport and might have some copies of the CD with all the restored photos from the Harkeyville Hall. Best stop by if you’d like to see.

Folks that have been around these parts for nigh on to 153 years created a lot of stories. Once again, we’ll try to get the Mayor to come by Sat. afternoon for a welcoming affair & he’s got some relation in some of the old photos, but guess we’ll see out around———————Harkeyville.