Subject: Colony Thank You Press Release Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1999 11:42:39 EDT From: RickIPratt@aol.com To: opa@hcnews.com The Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Colony Cemetery Big Card of Thanks Over 125 attended the second annual Juneteenth Celebration which was held again at the Colony Cemetery grounds located on the Double D Ranch, formerly the Black Ranch. A special thanks to Mr. James Thompson and the ranch hands for their on-going support of the preservation efforts at the cemetery. Everyone who ate lunch came away with full stomachs and satisfied smiles, thanks to the efforts of "Chief" Keith Callahan, excellent chef of the pit, who along with other fellow city employees , played an essential part in this year's celebration. They helped set up tents, tables , and chairs for the event and then prepared and smoked to perfection chicken, pork, brisket, and sausage made possible through donations from The First National Bank of Granbury and individual contributors. Jean Robertson arrived with her delicious pot of beans along with fresh fruit and vegetables. Homer Robertson cooked delicious cobblers, cakes and biscuits, while adding to the atmosphere by setting up his chuck wagon. Other culinary treats, such as potato salad and deviled eggs were graciously supplied by various celebrators, such as Jennifer Pratt, Becky Perkins, and Ann Moore. This year's weather for the event was great due to the cooler temperatures than the previous year. Also, tents provided by the Acton Business Professional Association and the City of Granbury allowed attendees to lunch in the cool breeze, while they listened to Leroy McSmith play tunes on his mouth harp and guitar, as his wife Wilma sang along. Albert Barker placed flags on the veterans' graves at the Colony Cemetery to honor their memory. Ms. Catherine McCormick, formerly of the Colony, was in attendance, as were several other relatives of the Hightower family. Hightower descendants, Obie Shaw along with Marvin Allen kept control over the dominoes throughout the afternoon. Others pitched horseshoes while attendee, Frank Saffarrans, of the Hood County Genealogical Society, challenged people's skills with his version of washer toss. Through the efforts of Karen Nace and Diane Lock, of the Hood County Preservation Council, a certificate from the Texas Historical Society stating that the Colony Cemetery has been officially designated a historical cemetery was obtained and displayed during the celebration. According to Nace, the Colony is the first cemetery in Hood County to receive this acknowledgment. The new designation and on-going preservation efforts added to those accomplished last year, when a grave marker was unveiled for former caretaker, R. D. Edwards. Also the fence around the cemetery grounds was replaced and new stone columns were added to the entrance thanks to local businesses, such as The Hansen Group, Higginbothams, First National Bank of Granbury, Durant Autoplex, and Hook's Ford. The Colony Cemetery Committee, Inc. thanks everyone for their help, and will continue its efforts to maintain the grounds and provide for an annual Juneteenth event. If you are interested in taking part in up-coming efforts, please contact the committee at 707 N. Horton St. Granbury, TX 76048. Thanks again to all who supported this years event and the efforts of the Colony Cemetery Committee, Inc. to preserve this vital part to Hood County's historical past. -- Frank Saffarrans Home Page Editor Hood County Genealogical Society http://www.hcnews.com/~ancestor opa ['opa] masculine noun, colloquial German: grandpa