1982 DOVE FESTIVAL

Across the Fence 



By Arvord Abernethy 

“Wasn’t that a great Dove Festival?” That is a remark that has been sounded over and over again. The crowds were large, many of them being from out of town. The crowds were having an enjoyable time; I didn’t see a single person who looked bored. And the crowds were at their very best in deportment. 

The courthouse grounds make an excellent place for such an occasion. The large shade trees and green lawns, give the right atmosphere for a festival that seems like a big family picnic. 

We are indebted to the ones who have worked so hard to get our courthouse grounds in such a beautiful condition. Let us hope that the damage to the new grass will be very light. Did you notice those cute signs warning people of the new plants? They did the trick for people seemed to be careful not to step on any of them. 

Most of the people were careful to throw their trash in large boxes that had been placed around. When I got down town early Sunday morning the Boy Scouts were there with trash bags picking up trash that had been thrown down. We drove by after church and one could never tell that a festival had just been held there, everything was spic and span. 

The quilt and antique show was so interesting. I went by twice to see it. There was so much interest shown, it will probably become a regular part of the Dove Festival. 

I enjoyed watching Mrs. Adams, who lives over behind Shive on their sheep and goat ranch, spinning wool and mohair into thread on her spinning wheel. She had on display some sweaters that she had knotted from the thread. Novis Tomlison was sitting there in her easy chair piecing a quilt. 

The Barbershop Quartet was one of my favorite attractions. The word quartet has to be used lightly, as I counted seven people up there singing [The members of the quartet admitted that they did not know how to count.]. The type of songs they sing, along with the harmony they produce, plus the kick they seem to get out of singing, can’t keep from rubbing off on a person. 

[The seven people I"The Barbershop Quartet" in August, 1982, were:

Dr. George Tolbert, Lead
Chris Frizzel, Lead
Milton Harelik, Baritone
Barry Curtis, Baritone
Pete Jordan, Tenor
Jolene Curtis, Tenor
Ray Weathers, Bass
Jason Frizzel, Marching Assistant

In July, 2004, I found a cassette tape of the concert given by the 7-member singing quartet.--Elreeta Weathers]

Two bands gave concerts, but there was a slight difference in their instruments and the music they produced. The Senior Citizen Band in their un-describable uniforms gave us a lively concert on their pots and pans, plus a few other instruments. The First Cavalry Band from Fort Hood gave us a stirring concert in their usual fashion. 

I had been asked to have charge of the gospel singing, and I found a great spirit of cooperation from different singing groups from over the county. Wish the cooperation of the lights would have been just as great. When it began to get dark enough for some lights to be turned on, the large light on the courthouse wouldn’t come on. This worked a hardship on some of the last singers. When some of you good citizens are paying your county taxes, hand the tax collector an extra dollar to buy a light bulb for the courthouse’s west porch. 

The parade, the 10,000 meter run, everything seemed to go over big. It would be impossible to name everyone who took part in putting the Festival on, but may I just mention the General Chairman, Billy Snell, who had thoroughly planned and delegated work to make everything go smoothly. It was a pleasure to work with him. 

I will see you next year at an even bigger and better Dove Festival.