Whip Popping - A Cracker Tradition

Long ago, when Florida was just being populated, the settlers had one tool that they could not do without. The cow whip! It was used for many, many things. From rounding up swamp cattle, to popping the head off a rattler.

There are few old "Florida Crackers" left in Florida, but at our Youth Fair, the whip popping contest is one of the most popular events.

This year, Peter, Kitty, Markie, RG and Benny competed! We were SO proud of all of them!!! They all did very very well, and shocked us with their winnings!

Markie got third place in the Junior division with a trophy and 75 dollars!!!

Does she look happy or what?

Benny got first place in the Junior division!!!

Getting his whip, trophy, and 150 dollars!

RG gets his 100 dollars, and trophy for second place in the Senior division!

Matthew Stevens placed third in the Senior division!!!

The "popping people"

L to R - Amanda, Kitty, Markie, Matthew S., RG, Benny, Peter

"Sariana" (As we have been called) enjoy the show.

Grandmama and Grandaddy with their little cowhand Grandbabies!

I thought this was a neat picture. It actually caught some of the action:)




Gracie and Mary

The popping people again.

Sarah, Ariana and Rachel
WooHoo!! Wild West Kathy!!!
Little People! They were excellent cheerers!
Go RG!!!!
The Cowgirls
The Cowboys

The Mama's "Florida Crackers 4-H Club"



After the contest, we all headed over to Grandmama's for refreshments and fellowship.Mrs. Tanner, Mrs. Graves and Mrs. Stokes

The adults

Ben and Callie play with the babies
Mrs. Pollock and Christiana make the famous "Pollock Ceasar Salad"


Stacy and Abby enjoying eachother's company
Hamming it up for the camera

Until next time...

Posted by ~Sarah~

Story Telling

Wednesday morning, Kitty, Gracie, Markie and Sarah competed in the story telling competition at the Youth Fair.

Everyone did very well!

Markie told the story "Is Your Mama a Lama?"

She place third in the Junior Division!



Kitty told "Are You my Mother"

She placed third in the Senior division!

Sarah told "Peter and the Wolf"

She placed second in the Senior division!

And Gracie told the story "The Three Little Pigs"

She got first in the Senior division!!!

"The Ledger" interviewed her, and we all eagerly searched the next day's paper for the write up. Also, here is the live interview on the Ledger's website. :)

Margaret also competed. She got first in the Junior division!!!

While waiting for the results, the Stricklens and us went to our favorite resturant! SONNY'S!!!

Mama, Emma, Aunt Molly and Willie P. enjoy the felowship.

Posted by ~Sarah~

~Youth Fair time is here!!! ~

The endless forms, the rush to get entries turned in on time, seeing old aquaintances in line... Ah yes! It certainly is that time of year. Thursday was the baking deadline, so we spent the day baking baking and baking!!! Though I had no pictures of her, Markie entered a wonderful "Prince of Wales" cake, and brownies.

Braided bread in the making

The braided bread is finished.

Cinnamon Rolls!!! (The folks at the Y.F. office could sure tell she had been baking! With all that flour on her person) :)

~Church~

Grandmama and Grandma Sue prepare the meal

Little Friends

Three sisters cooking

Pete sets up chairs and tables

Abby and her sweet tea! (Down South here, we can't live without it!) :)

Singing the Doxology before prayer

Sweet cousins

Enjoying the beautiful Florida weather!

-Posted by Sarah-

JR STATE

This past weekend the younger cousins and their friend Andrew (ages 8-12) participated in the ACE Jr State Convention, kindly hosted by the wonderful folks at Orange Avenue Baptist Church in Ft. Peirce, FL.

The children competed in music, drama, athletics, academics, and arts and crafts. All of the older cousins went along to support the younger ones. The Country Cousins also played gospel music at the evening rally. Markie won many awards and we are very proud of her - as well as ALL of the children!

Markie entered this picture that she took in honor of her great grandaddy Harris, who served in WWII

PACE Bowl, an academic quiz team competition is always very exciting! Here is our little team. They placed 2nd!

For years Grandmama and Grandaddy have run the PACE Bowl portion of the competition - Thank you!

Grace keeps score for the audience

"Oh Boy! What WAS that answer?"

Agonizing over the question

"YEAH! We got it!"

Andrew competes in chess

Benny competes in checkers

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures..."

Markie competes in expressive reading

Praying with the judges before competition

Kitty and Grace WERE judges in art and Social Studies exhibits.

Abby and Margaret compete in instrumental duet

Markie competes in string solo

Markie said she sounded like a cow bell with all her medals! (She doesn't look like she minds!)

Sweet Grandmama makes it all possible!

Every year Miss Carolyn watches the little ones so the moms can watch the competition. This precious lady (and others) watched Markie when she was only a couple of months old and Kitty and Sarah competed!

"You did a good job, Margaret"

Just another fun time for Rosie and Rachel!

Grandaddy holds his little cowgirl

Everybody wants to shoot some hoops

Andrew looks like he means it! He missed the deadline to compete by a week, but he was glad to cheer on the others!

"Everyone"

An annual tradition...Cracker Barrel afterwards