Christopher Creek has always been a community that loves to celebrate. Every holiday is recognized with some sort of celebration, but there are two parties held every year that are more than just a celebration. They are, and will always be, part of our community tradition. ~ DUDE FIRE SURVIVORS PARTY ~ This is the 10th anniversary for the "Dude Fire Survivors" party. Every year, Sam and Bob Conklin host a gathering of local residents, kids, pets and visitors from out of town. Sometimes, even local wildlifecan be spotted at these gatherings. The conversations these past few years hasn't really dwelt on the Dude Fire, but rather on just getting together, enjoying each other's company, and savoring the great food that seems to be everywhere! The hosts charbroil huge bratwurst sausage links, with all the trimmings, and that's in addition to what the guests bring in. The aroma of the brats, the good cheer, the lovely setting in the tall evergreens in See Canyon... they all work together to make this annual July event one that we all look forward to. The first year of the party, someone had some T-shirts printed up that said "Christopher Creek Dude Fire Survivors". Some of us wear them throughout the year, and some of us wear them just to the party, then store them away 'till next year. On the back of the shirts are the signatures of almost everyone in town. Won't that be a collectors item someday? A "work in progress" of mine is a story with photos and local recollections of that devastating fire. Hopefully, I will have it ready for next month's column. ~ FLATLANDERS' PARTY ~ This year will be the 20th anniversary of the "Flatlanders' Party", originally called the "Flatlanders, Go Home Party!" Twenty years ago, after all the summer activities were over, all the folks who worked the tourist industry... the restaurants, the motels, the store, even the gas station... everyone was worn to a frazzle. That Blessed time would come when all the visitors would just quit coming, and stayed home for the winter. You could just feel the whole community heave a great sigh of relief... but it was really just another reason to celebrate! The locals would get together and have a huge party just up the road at Sharp Creek. There was always a great bonfire, a live band, (well, most of them were live!), and a tasty pot luck with every kind of dish imaginable. I can still see Woody throwing the corn on the grill, husks and all! Then when it was ready, (how did he know?) he'd peel the husks down just so far, then dip the cob in a huge bucket of hot melted butter. Ahhh, memories... but Don Pennington does a pretty darned good job with the corn, too, now that I think of it! Over the years, the party's theme has changed a bit. Now we don't really want to see all the visitors leave at the end of summer... we actually want most of them to keep coming year-round! And, guess what? Many of them do! Some of those "Flatlanders" have now bought homes here in Christopher Creek, and now they party right along with us. Even some of those who do go home to a warmer clime for the winter still come back up every second Tuesday in September, and they are as welcome as if they were year-round residents. Who knows... next year, they may be! The location of the party has changed several times. Sonni Hunt held it in her yard for three years, and now it is hosted by Power Webb. Power travels all the way over to Dewey just before the party to pick up fresh corn at Young's Farm. Now, some things about the party will never change... we still have the hot dogs, the pot luck, and a huge bonfire. The Chef-in-Charge is our very own Don Anderson, while Margot Holmes and Rod Brittain have had considerable involvement in the function. And last, but not least, we can always count on a lot of help from the rest of the locals around here. Power had T-shirts printed up for the l7th anniversary, and it's reported he's done so again this year. And before I forget, there will be a special dedication ceremony to those we have lost recently... Heber White and Bob Shields. Heber, while we're eating that corn, will you sing "Lovesick Blues" just one more time? And Bob, I know you'll be there with me...
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