This week we started thinking about the ways schools raised money during my tenure as a teacher and some that we attended over the years. Woodrow Frazier taught at the Possum Hollow Elementary School in the 30’s in a one room school with all grades together. One of the fund raisers was to pay $5.00, a lot of money back then, to get to reach into a covered big bowl of various stripped stick candies. The key was, as a couple, to pull out a matching set of strips to get to keep the stick of candy, or pay another five to try again. It was a simple game, but one everyone enjoyed. Later on, Mr. Will Allen Cathcart continued this game when he came to teach there.

Another popular fund raiser was square dances. We remember attending one at Blue Springs with many of the Davis family present. We believe Lucille Ferrell was the teacher at that time. One of the most popular and successful fund raisers was the cake walk. People from the community would donate the sweets and a couple would pay $10.00 to take a chance on winning them. This was good money that helped our little community schools provide service for the children. We remember seeing Superintendent Roe Harney at many of these fund raising events to the schools.

Our family really enjoyed reading Robert Robinson’s interview with the Smithville Review. We enjoyed his store for many years in Liberty. We still miss those little community stores in Dowelltown and Liberty. It was good to hear that his dear wife, Roberta, has returned home after an illness. We pray for this sweet couple many more years of great memories together.

Matt Boss, who is attending law school in Alabama, came by for a visit last week. It was so good to hear he was on the Dean’s List. We got to know Matt while he worked as our mail carrier. We continue to ask God’s blessings on Matt and look forward to his next visit. The Boss family goes way back with Dry Creek Church roots.

We send sincere sympathy to Jeffery and Jeanette Youngblood in the death of Jeanette mother Helen Redmon. Please remember the Braswell family of Dowelltown in the passing of their son, Steve Braswell. We send love and prayers out to LeeAnn Vandergriff during these sad days. Praying those precious memories bring a smile to your face and the hope we have in Christ for a reunion day.

Ballgames have been on nightly at the Frazier home. We really enjoyed seeing TN beat KY last week. What a fabulous game! My son-in-law Jerald Cripps kept predicting KY to win, but I held out hope till the victorious end for TN.

Please continue to pray for the following: Karen Jacobs, Baby Harper Rhody, Baby Lela Young, Joyce Poss, Susan Braswell, Craig Woodside, Georgie Hawker, Randy Hawker, Jewell Barney, and Cindy Faircloth.

We would like to wish our daughters, Lisa Cripps and Deborah Fuson, a Happy Birthday.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Dry Creek Baptist Church on Feb. 15 for our Valentine’s meal and worship.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face . 1st Corinthians 13:12