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It
was an oddly sort of day for The Flat Rock General Store regulars and other
community and area folk. The final touches had been set for the two thousand
ought seven Independence Day celebration in Flat Rock. By "oddly" I
mean arrangements had to be made precise because of it (July fourth) being on
Wednesday, full dab in the middle of the week; radio folk for some reason call
it hump day. I, in my guestimation or thought, see that as meaning to them and
other folk that there is work to be done on both ends of Wednesday.
Irreverent
to the day of the week, all plans were complete and required heavy support and
participation by all The Store regulars includin’ Slim, Essex, Ms. Ida, the
widow Cora, Willerdean, Farlow, "Truth," Estelle, Bro., S.R., J.R.,
"Hatch," Heath, Dustin, Mr. Music himself, Harley Hood and even my
Daddy "pop" C.C. Plus, a bundle of other community and area Flat
Rock folk would each provide their own degree of heavy assistance.
Startin’
first, the American flags were goin’ out on the Saturday shy of July fourth
ought seven. ’Course my usual charge was people – public notification to
Mr. Luke Slaton up to The Moulton Advertiser, AFC Cooperative
Farming News and other media sources. Ms. Ida had done her own form of
notification – she had run off two large pieces of Slim’s white butcher
paper and in red marker noted all the day’s activities right there on The
Store wall behind the old pot bellied heater.
Bro.
would start things off around eight a.m. with a devotional and music by the
Baptist church ensemble for all those early sterin’ folk. There would be an
early eatin’; matter factly there would be a triple eatin’ on this day for
all community and area Flat Rock folk, plus others who are obliged to happen
by on this celebration day in ought seven. The early offerin’ would be
coffee, orange juice, sweet milk, cinnamon rolls and sausage biscuits.
Nextly,
startin’ around eleven thirty, there would be a full offerin’ of Mr. L.O.
Bishops pulled pork Hawg House Bar-B-Que with all the trimmins’ and, for all
those late evenin’ celebrators, at around five thirty there would be grilled
pure beef burgers with trimmins’ plus gobs of homemade Butterfinger, peach
and just normal vanilla ice cream.
The
full day’s list of celebratin’ activities is too long to pencil down.
Besides the triple eatin’, there’s kids play, horseshoes, softball, story
tellin’, recollections and remembrances. Finalized off with music by Harley
Hood and friends, plus a nine p.m. fireworks show - weather permittin’.
Course
Bro. was offerin’ out flyers concern’ the July fourth two thousand ought
seven celebration in Flat Rock and it contained this short prayer…
PLEASE!
GOD BLESS THE
USA!
MAKE IT
STRONGER,
TURN IT BACK YOUR WAY.
LEAD US TO
APPRECIATE,
FROM WHENCE COMES EVERYDAY.
SHOW US THAT WE
MUST TURN,
FROM OUR INDIVIDUAL SELFISH WAYS.
GIVE STRENGTH
AND GUIDANCE,
TO THOSE THAT LEAD DAY AFTER DAY.
HELP US ALL TO
SEEK AND PETITION YOU, AS
WE PRAY
FOR BOTH THANKFULNESS AND GUIDANCE,
THROUGH ANOTHER DAY.
PLEASE! GOD
BLESS THE USA!!!
Like
the flyer says "YA’LL COME," but ifin you can’t get to Flat
Rock, celebrate with family or friends, do the Que, make some homemade ice
cream, relax and play with the kids and G-kids. But, above all remember
everyday is independence day!!! |
