2005 Homecoming Report
The 2005 Homecoming was held on October 2 this year. Considering the unseasonable hot weather and the high price of gasoline, we had a good turnout, with 51 registered guests, but a total count of approximately 65. I did notice that most of the people were local or semi-local, with only a few traveling from more than 150 miles away to visit Baxter.
There was a lot of visiting, a lot of swapping tales about events from the 1930s and 1940s, a lot of picture taking (some involving the little Smith boys, the youngest of whom is now 65!), and generally remembering the old days of Baxter and the Baxter school. Several of the World War II combat veterans from Baxter were in attendance, and they, of course, are always double welcome.
Several of the Perkins and Smiths were here this year, along with the Aldermans (Forester). They are regular guests and we can depend on them being here. Travis Perkins came this year from the first time in probably 15 years. He is now 83, but looking fit and well. We're hoping that next year more "backsliders" will come to downtown Baxter.
The old school building was 90 years old this October and is still in pretty fair shape. Here's hoping it'll hold up another 10 or 20 years.
The downside to this annual event is that each year we lose several of the old Baxterites. I know this is the natural progression of life, but it's still sad to know we will never again see those faces — faces that were once young and full of life, when they were students living in the Baxter area. That last long sandy road awaits all of us to take our final journey. So be it.
Joyfully, I never cease to be amazed at the huge amount of down-home, home-cooked, delicious dishes the ladies come up with regardless of the attendance. The big hits this year were slow-cooked fresh turnip greens and a large dish of butter beans with ham — simmered on low for several hours. Desserts ranged from New York, Texas, cheesecake to peach cobbler to pecan pies to chocolate sheet cake full of icing and ladled with chopped pecans on top. Two six-foot-long tables were full of desserts alone!
We're already looking forward to next year, with plans to pretty-up the inside and for the Jelly Man to have more of his popular jellies, jams, and preserves. More than 150 jars were sold this year, with all proceeds going to upkeep of the building.
Hope to see you in 2006.
— Jimmy Smith
From last year: 2004 Homecoming report
The Baxter Community Center Association is a duly recognized 501(c) association by the Internal Revenue Service. All contributions are tax deductible.
Site by Stollie Web Builders