These Miller Grove FFA students served stew to the supporters who came out for the annual Stew and
Auction, and help raise funds for activities.

 

Miller Grove Stew and Auction
Raises Funds, Friday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

It was a large crowd of supporters from all across Hopkins County that traveled to Miller Grove on Friday night for the Annual Miller Grove FFA Stew and Auction. Both chicken and beef stew was served, along with hearty dips of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, then it was time to purchase a varietyof items donated by local businesses and crafted in the vocational agriculture shop, by students.

Auction items included: wooden lawn chairs, cowboy coolers, savings bonds, landscaping plants, farm gates, tool sets, and picnic tables.

 

Community volunteers cooked these large washpots of stew for
Friday night's annual event.

 

"This is the way that we raise funds to travel to the livestock shows, leadership contests, and judging events," allowed vocational agriculture teacher, Lindsey Potts. "The students use the solicitation of donations and the crafting of the projects as a learning experience and then it's great for them to meet and greet the supporters that attend our auction and are served stew!"

 

 

Vocational agriculture teacher, Richard Watson, added, "It's proven to be a successful means, here in Hopkins County, to motivate students to complete their projects, when they know that they will be on display before the community, and it seems that the means of bringing out local supporters for over 30 years in this manner, is successful. Everyone in Hopkins County like Hopkins County Stew and we've got some of the best cooks in the Miller Grove Community. It's a sense of pride with them, to serve some of the best in the county!"

 

A record number of bowls of ice cream and Hopkins County Stew were served on Friday night, in Miller Grove.

 

Murphy Howle, one of the parents of a Miller Grove FFA student, served as Friday night's auctioneer, and community patrons, local businessmen, and other supporters bid on the items, in support of the work that the Miller Grove FFA does.

 

Auctioneer, Murphy Howle, takes a bid on one of the many items auctioned Friday night, in
support of the Miller Grove FFA..

 

 

"I've had children and now grandchildren, that have been members of the Miller Grove FFA, and we always come out in support of their auction and enjoy the stew and ice cream. It's a great way for the community to get together and support the activities of our youth," expressed Brashear resident, Carolyn George.

"Alliance Bank has always been a supporter of the youth of Hopkins County and I've known Richard Watson since I was in high school," expressed Tom Sellers, President of Alliance Bank, as he bid on a particular item. "We have many customers in the Miller Grove area and want to continue to show our support for their community activities!"

The Friday night auction and stew raised several thousand dollars to be used in supporting students in the Miller Grove FFA in contests, activities, and stock shows.

 

Miller Grove FFA Chapter Advisors, Richard Watson and Lindsey Potts, make certain that all of the
items are catalogued and presented during Friday night's auction.

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