Homecoming

GUEST EDITORIAL

This editorial is by Barbara Gross, president of the Rockdale Homecoming Association

Rockdale Homecoming Association is ready to host the 85th gathering of all current and previous citizens and businesses of Rockdale on June 9 at the Patterson Civic Center.

This all started 85 years ago when a group of Rockdale friends and neighbors gathered at Fair Park with their picnic lunches, homemade cakes and pies, watermelons (if they were ripe), iced tea and quilts spread under the beautiful oak trees.

Visiting was a relaxing time for sharing family happenings such as good news, sad news, new babies, grandchildren, great grandchildren and so forth.

These type of gatherings continued each year until the attendance grew enough to move into the New Salem Home Demonstration Club building at Fair Park.

Eventually the gatherings had to move to the KC Hall to accommodate the increased attendance.

Those years were highlighted by the auction of desserts baked by Ruby Holliman and Mary Brannon. During this time period a decision was made to honor the RHS graduating class from 50 years ago and tables were set for other years also.

In retrospect, this action probably caused the notion that this annual gathering was mostly for people that graduated from Rockdale High School.

That is not true! Ultimately the attendance began to falter and the gatherings had to move to the Patterson Civic Center. Participation has now dwindled to less than 100 in attendance.

The Association has tried several activities to enhance participation but with still negative results.

This year the officers of the Homecoming Association will prepare and serve the meal of brisket, beans, potato salad, coleslaw, dessert and ice tea for $12 per plate.

The last several years we have had excellent meals prepared by Terri York Sandoval at a competitive and reasonable price.

She has been very generous to help us out by selling leftover plates at half price and if there are still more left, they are taken to the police department for those on duty.

The Association wants to emphasize that our annual gathering is intended to include all current and previous citizens, schools and businesses of Rockdale. This year we are excited to add a new feature and hope it will enhance attendance.

The Association’s officers are proud to announce that this year’s honoree will be The Rockdale Reporter with its owners and dedicated staff.

The Cooke Family has led this award winning and well respected weekly community newspaper for four generations and has contributed so much to the community of Rockdale.

John Esten Cooke purchased the newspaper in 1911 and was followed as publisher by son W. H. Cooke, grandson J. W. (Bill) Cooke and currently great grandson Ken Cooke and wife Christine Granados.

Please make plans now to be in Rockdale on June 9 and come early for coffee and donuts at 9:30 a.m.—Barbara Gross