By Staff
FOOD, FUN, FELLOWSHIP Myles Frank, left, Joyce Frank, 2-year-old Will Hamm and his father, Jon, enjoy a meal Saturday at the 33rd Annual Church of the Mediator Barbecue. Perfect autumn weather helped attract a large crowd to the church's annual event and funds raised will go to help charities in the Meridian area. PHOTO BY PAULA MERRITT / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By William F. West / community editor
Nov. 17, 2002
The sight and smell of good food and the warmth of friendship drew scores of people to the 33rd Annual Church of the Mediator Barbecue on Saturday.
The annual event at the north Meridian Episcopal church attracted what organizers said was a larger-than-anticipated turnout, thanks to perfect autumn weather.
Proceeds from the event will go to help charities in the Meridian area.
Honeycutt's husband and event co-organizer, David, said the goal is to raise $15,000.
But he said, "It looks like we're going to be pushing past that because we've been extremely busy."
The food was prepared by church members and one of those helping was Willis Melancon, a construction company owner.
Asked how he can withstand the constant aroma of barbecue without immediately becoming hungry, Melancon said, "Actually, you just eat before you start doing this."
Regan Velotas, 37, an elementary school teacher, was getting ready to help with the freezer food bake sale and the selling of eclairs.
A lot of fun
About 12:30 p.m. at least 100 people were inside eating or lined up to get lunches or eclairs. Others were outside enjoying the lush, tree-covered grounds of the church, located at the corner of 35th Avenue and 38th Street.
But the masses were inside and they were of all ages and walks of life and various denominations.
One of them was Allen Kimbrell, who manages the Meridian SmithBarney office. He and his wife, Chantel, have two sons, Addison 3 1/2, and Avery, 2.
Saturday's event was the first for the two youngsters.
Tradition, purpose
Kimbrell and others said their reasons for coming included the tradition of fellowship and the sense of community purpose.
Bobbi Crudup, a housewife, said she's been coming for 10 years.
Asked what keeps her coming back, she said, "I think seeing everybody and enjoying the food and knowing that it's going to a good cause."
Imogene Lockett, an 88-year-old retired junior high school teacher, said she's been coming for several years because it's simply the kind of event she looks forward to.
Shelia Scott, an elementary school teacher, was attending for the first time. She said she plans to come back next year.
Asked what the event says for the community, she said, "Togetherness."