When September finally rolls around, all the folks at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church begin to talk about Founder’s Day. The very first job on the agenda to get ready is to pick off peanuts for the “Boiled Peanut Booth.” Eugene Williams and Charles Wooten have been in charge of the Boiled Peanuts for over 20 years at Hickory Grove, and they cook them with the right amount of salt. They are really delicious. But the peanuts at Founder’s Day could not be possible without Willie Agner and his son Willie, Jr. or more commonly known to us as Bobo. The Agners have been growing our Church Peanuts for many, many years, and this year’s crop are some of the best ever. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Willie and Bobo for donating this crop of peanuts to Hickory Grove. Heck, Bobo even plows the vines up for the church, which saves the older members lots of sweat and aching backs from having to pull the vines up. Thanks Bobo. Founder’s Day 2015 will take place on the third Saturday in October, which is October 17th.
It all begins at around 8 a.m. with a biscuit and ham or sausage cooked on wood-burning stoves in Cousin Mary Lou’s Country Kitchen. Mary Lou Buchanan was a life-long member of Hickory Grove, and everyone dearly loved her gentle nature. She was a really great cook as well. Heck, her son Glen still works in the kitchen at Founder’s Day cooking biscuits, sausage and ham. The key to the entire day will be the Circuit Riding Preacher arriving at about 2 p.m. and delivering his God inspired message under the trees at the Church. Pastor Tim Blanton will once again deliver this message. We will have the usual foods like collard greens and hoe-cakes, barbeque, corn on the cob cooked in the shuck and dipped in real butter, and the list goes on and on. A certain highlight will be the quilt raffle, and you can purchase an opportunity to win one of three beautiful quilts and Afghans.
This year’s highlighted quilt was donated by LaNora Zipper and the Pine Tree Quilters, and the design is called “Everything Florida.” It is also reversible and totally awesome. Your home would look great if you won this piece of artwork. Don’t forget the date of October 17th, and make your way to Hickory Grove for a day of good Christian fellowship and fun. Come hungry and stay for the Worship Service. See you at Founder’s Day!