The Tillman reunion will be Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Tillatoba Baptist Church fellowship hall starting at 11 a.m. It will be potluck. It’s been a few years since we have had one and I’m really looking forward to seeing my family.
Tillatoba Baptist Church has their Fall Fest celebration on Oct. 18 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. There will be fun, food, fellowship and a hayride at 6. The event is free, so mark your calendar and please plan to join us.
Tillatoba Baptist Church is also having a “Trunk or Treat” on Oct. 31 beginning at 5:30. Please mark your calendars and we’ll see you there!
Cossar State Park will have a Fall Festival Oct. 25 from 4-7. There will be a costume contest with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners They will have a cake walk, sack races and duck-grabbing game. Luther Folson will be with his bouncy houses. Kids can bounce for a small fee. Also, there will be face-painting, and if anyone wants to donate a cake or other sweets, please feel free to do so. Buckley’s Shaved Ice will be on the park for all your shaved ice and funnel cake needs. J.R. Dukes Trucking will provide free hot dogs, cupcakes and juice on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a donation pot for Magnolia Mutts, and everyone is asked to please give. There will be raffles — $2 each for a Stihl blower, a coffee maker and a TV. Cossar State Park Friends will also have a Trunk or Treat. There will be lots of prizes and candy for the kids and we are hoping to see the community come out and enjoy a great evening of family fun. The gatehouse will be open for a fee of $2 per vehicle.
Martha Box had a great out-and-about weekend. Her sister Joyce and she walked about the Batesville Square Saturday and lunched at Sonic before heading to Cossar Park. They enjoyed walking there, seeing so many friends and some great artwork, especially the crosses by Darby. Martha said there were “good hugs and love all over the park.” On Sunday, Martha heard a short but sweet church service at Pine Grove Baptist. “Bro. Truman Scarborough certainly brings out the truth, the love and the way,” she noted. “Beautiful ride over and back!”
Mary Brett Hartley participated in a cross-country meet on Oct. 4 and won a gold medal. Congratulations, Mary Brett! Mary Brett‘s grandmother, Faye Hartley, is up and about but slowly recovering from back surgery. I know Faye will give it all she’s got to be back up and going.
Wanda Crawford and Lila Myrick visited with Shannon Manzo Thursday afternoon.
Diane Dukes and Kathy Dukes went to Greenville Saturday morning and visited all day with Diane’s best friend, Yvette Correo. They had lunch at her house and a real good visit. Diane said there were “lots of new memories and old ones, too!” Yvette is Mike Myers’ aunt. Diane and Yvette worked at Greenville Mills together until the Dukes family moved to Tillatoba.
Tommy and Deborah McCool had a cookout and birthday cake for daughter Kimberly after church. Tommy, Jason Beavers and Dallas Boyett went to Greenville Saturday night for the races.
On Saturday morning, my daughter, Donna, called and reminded me about our plan to go shopping at the new Hobby Lobby with her and Frankie. I hated to say no, but I had just gotten up and wasn’t feeling like going anywhere but back to bed. Well, seconds later, my granddaughter, Frankie Holliday, called and told me she wasn’t taking “no” for an answer and said they’d be here in 10 minutes. I got in the mood real quick, got myself dressed and put my makeup on in the car ride to Batesville. During our adventure, we ran into Cody and Treasure McClendon and their sweet baby girl, Farron, and Melissa Bloodworth. Once we finished shopping, Frankie drove us out through the countryside to Ms. Dee’s cafe for lunch. We didn’t know what to expect, but it was delicious and your writer plans on returning.
Celebrating birthdays this week are Brent Anderson on the 9th; my great-niece Ann Ragon, Gracie Beardain and my great-nephew Bo Bickerstaff, who celebrate on the 10th; Jacque Dickey, Billy Jack Williamson and Kathy Bloodworth on the 11th; Sheila O’ Bryant on the 12th; Delia Arbuckle on the 13th; and my sweet sister, Ann Hudson, along with Samy McCracken, Johnadam Robinson and Randy Hoop on the 14th. I wish you all a wonderful “Happy Birthday!”
Recipe for the week: Warm Berry Compote
6 cups frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1½ teaspoons finely grated orange zest
1½ Tbs. cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Stir frozen berries, sugar, orange juice and orange zest together in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1½ hours. Stir cornstarch and water together in a cup until fully dissolved. Stir into berry mixture. Cover again and cook until thickened, about 5 or 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Thought for the day: My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to always finish what I start. So far, I’ve finished two bags of Peanut M&M’s and a chocolate cake. I feel better already!
