Last week, I wrote
about all the things to do in our area if one is willing to get up and out and
enjoy it! This week, I’d like to brag on an event that if you missed it, well,
you missed it. Tucked away on the shores of Grand Lake is the treasure of
HarBer Village. Most locals know about it, and probably have been there once or
twice. If so, give yourself two points. HarBer Village is celebrating its 50th
year of preserving the past. This private collection was started by Harvey and
Bernice Jones, owners of Jones Truck
Lines. Their little project of a log cabin, then a church, then, then,
then... grew to the 120 buildings that
exist today.
If you haven’t been to HarBer Village in the last 6 years, you
lose 5 points. The Village has drawn tourists from all over the USA and the
world, even when there was no admission
as long as guests “conducted themselves as ladies and gentlemen.” The collection has continued to grow and the
grounds continue to be kept beautiful. There is a small entrance fee, but that
has actually made the place more popular because of the mentality, if it’s
free, it must not be much. There is newly completed, paved walking trail to be
enjoyed, even if you don’t pay an admission fee. If you knew that, give
yourself a point.
There are all sorts of
activities throughout the season. You could take a cast iron cooking class, a
weaving class, and participate in special themed weekends. Give yourself 10
points if you mark your calendar and take advantage of these opportunities.
Don’t forget the neat gift shop in the Visitors Center. It’s Cracker Barrel
meets museum gift shop and a fun place for unusual gifts. If you didn’t know
there was a gift shop, lose 2 points.
Last week was a fun-raiser,
whoops, fund-raiser for HBV. Murder Comes a Courtin’, a murder mystery and
dinner all served up on the Village grounds. A team of workers under the driving
force of Ms. Sandy Coaly, organized, prepared, created, decorated, sold, gathered,
begged, borrowed, arranged, reserved, and celebrated two sold out nights of the
show and dinner. Oh, yes, we perspired. Make that- sweat. We will call it a
success even before the books are closed on the financials. If you were there,
give yourself 10 points. If you donated or sponsored or volunteered, give
yourself 10.
What I will remember about the event was having fun with a cast of 80 folks from the area. Sure, there were costumes, and scripts but it really was like a small village. The actors came from all sorts of occupations but slowed down to be residents of this “town” for a couple of days. They laughed together, got to know each other, and were part of something much bigger. Memories were made. They deserve 100 points.
We have
a treasure here in Northeast Oklahoma and we need to support it. Things like
this can go away if we don’t invest in them. And if you missed it, you really missed it.
