McGennis Youth Center barbecue set for Sept. 28

The 39th Annual McGennis Youth Center barbecue is set for Sunday Sept. 28. Good food, good music and good times are the order of the day on that Sunday with activities for all ages.

Horse drawn wagon rides will be offered beginning at noon and running to 1:30 p.m., to the 160-acre youth center.

Children's games will start at 12:30 p.m., with many of the classic county picnic events included. Attention will turn to the serving line at 1 p.m. Again this year Neil Steiner, of Flaming Lantern, will be preparing beef and pork, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, bread, iced tea and lemonade. Everyone who wishes to lend a hand to the center is encouraged to bring along a cake for the dessert table. Any extra cakes will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

Ron Newcomb, local musician, and friends, will provide music through the dinner hour.

About 2 p.m., a unique variety of crafts and collectible items will go on the auction block. Delbert Johnston, Marvin Swickhamer and bob Wingate, will be handling the auctioneering duties. The crafts auction has become known for its quality items ranging from antiques to delicious baked goods. Among items already donated are a beautiful walnut hope chest, made by Jim Wheatley, miniature garden planters, MS69 quarters, floral arrangements and other plants by Schlyer Designs, Rich Hill Car Wash tokens, and full-sized picnic tables and two miniature picnic tables for children, made by the boys at Rich Hill Youth Development Center.

For more information about the auction or to donate an item, call Katie Bell-Abend, during the day at (417) 395-2275 or (417) 395-4888 in the evening. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the youth center.

The admission price to the barbecue is $8 for those over 12 years of age, $4 for those 5-12, and under 5 are admitted free with parents. Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction.

From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.