The Richland Springs Report

Saturday was the culmination of weeks of hard work for the Howler’s Committee. Parade entries were rounded up and arranged by Tana Lusty.

The early morning heat was not friendly to anyone rushing around. I received a message around eight fifteen telling me where to go to conduct the emcee duties for the day. Michelle and Wes Bryant had the sound system all set up for me, and my list of parade entries and winners of the cooking division was handed over to be read. Our law enforcement officers were David Jenkins and Reed Daly.

Amy Beam was rushing around trying to get the auction items ready for the evening. The fish fry and silent auction provide many of the funds needed for our amazing fireworks display. Shannon Sutherland was overseeing the ever-popular pig sacking contest entries. This event is carefully run for the protection of the pigs and the contestants.

Fortunately, the heat level came down thanks to a surprise front blowing into the area. The showers helped to reduce the discomfort of vendors and visitors. I hope to have pictures to put in the paper.

Christa Peterson was recording the days event for the committee and promised to forward them to me. The First Baptist peened their fellowship hall as a cooling station for overheated visitors.

This year’s Grand Marshall was Douglas Gibson with his wife, Wanda.

Douglas graduated from Richland Springs in 1972; Wanda graduated in 1976. They were married in 1975. Wanda and Douglas have three children and six grandchildren. After their house burned in 1998, the community helped them rebuild. Douglas has repaid that debt of gratitude many times. He and Wanda donated the land for the city park and have opened the grassy area below their house for many events. Douglas served on the city council for 37 years and was mayor for three. The Stars and Stripes committee have honored him on several occasions for his generosity and hard work in the community. Congratulations, Douglas and Wanda.

There were multiple genres of floats and entries. The Most Patriotic Float ward went to 1964 Thunderbird named Black Beauty. Bob Collins entered his 5 ton, 6x6 army truck. Other vintage vehicles were a 1932 International pickup, a 1967 named Big Red Galaxy 500, a 1965 white Jeep and of course our RS VFD fire truck. The were carried by Ryleigh Bryant and Raegan Wright. Businesses that entered were Triple S Construction, Frank Pearce Well Drilling, Chrissy’s Plants and McKinnerney Real Estate. Best Dressed entry was Jonathan Hawkins in a superb Uncle Sam costume.

The most loved float is always the Veterans Float. The following men and women represented the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines. There were no Air Force veterans present today. Thank you to Jesse Luce; Larry Crump; Walter Stratton; Larry Lafferty; Helen Bates; Alene McQueen; Tracy, Trey and Tonya Hicks; Trip Gustafson; John Luce; and Bruce White. We love and respect our veterans.

Results of the cooking and canning contests are as follows: Jellies: Canned Vegetables: 1st - Christopher Elkin, Mesquite bean jelly 1st - Abigail Burks, Pickled asparagus 2nd - Kim Locker, Blackberry jelly 2nd - Terry McKinnerney, Pickled pepper slices 3rd - Christ Burks, Spicy apricot jelly 3rd - Dale McKinnerney, Hamburger slices Salsa/Relish 1st - Dale McKinnerney, pickle relish 2nd - Barbara Bachman, Squash relish 3rd - Chris Perry, Salsa Cakes: Pies:

1st - Kim Locker, Red velvet cake 1st - Jennifer McKinnerney, Lemon cobbler 2nd - Elissa Gilmore, Blueberry lemonade cake 2nd - Rachel McKinnerney, Peach cobbler 3rd - Jimma Fleming, Cake pops 3rd - Ann Christion, Tomato pie Cookies/Brownies/ Cupcakes Breads: 1st - Jadyn Fleming, Chocolate Chip Caramel bars 1st - Kay McKee, Sour dough bread 2nd - Kimberly Barn hill, Mint cupcakes 2nd - Kristy Perry, Peach bread 3rd - Aubrey Barnhill, Chocolate chip cookies 3rd - Barbara Bachman, Squash bread I bumped into Coach Burkhart at the fire station. He and some of the football team were setting up the tables for the fish fry and auction.

Later, at the fish fry, the cheerleaders did the serving and cleaning with other school personnel Stacy Kubin and Kim Danford.

A final note on the celebradents tion: every great event requires volunteers. Every school event, church event and community event needs volunteers willing to share the workload. Please make a resolution to be one of the volunteers who make things better for our community.

Did everyone notice the Yard of the Month sign delivered to Delores Mask for the yard of the month? Delores does a great job of beautifying our little community. Thank you to the members of the Beautification Committee for their hard work in keeping our community looking pretty.

The next big celebration will be the Back-to-School bash on Wednesday, the second of August. All elementary stuflags and family are invited to the city park to enjoy games, hotdogs, water slides and will leave with a free string bag to hold their school supplies. Come and enjoy.

Also, another reminder that the community Men's Breakfast will be held this coming Saturday on the 8th. All men are welcome. Breakfast will be served at 7:00 a.m. to stay away from the heat. Please join the men under the Tabernacle.

Happy 4th of July, everyone. Praise God for the rain and cooler temperatures. Please continue to pray for our country, the world, our borders, and our sick. Most of all, honor and pray for our precious troops and their families.