GRADY — It’s time to pass the torch — or, maybe the catfish, fries and deep fryer — to the next generation, and some say the youngsters are already stepping up to man the Grady Lions Club Catfish Supper serving line.
The club celebrated its 57th anniversary Thursday evening.
Lifelong Grady Lions Club member Edward Clinton “E.C.” Hardin, 94, and one of the organizers of the first fish fry, said he’s proud of the youngsters.
Each year the dinner is held on his farm in Grady and like always, his grandsons Jody and Josh Hardin spend most of the week working in preparation of the supper.
Josh Hardin came from Redfield for the Thursday evening spread that included catfish and all the trimmings, while his brother has a market in North Little Rock. But the distance they traveled doesn’t compare to what John Reed covered.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Although he lives in Oregon, he hasn’t missed volunteering for a fish fry in seven years.
“It’s a good cause,” he said as explanation of his dedication.
According to Lions Club secretary/treasurer Jane Buchan said they sold about 1,400 tickets last year and expected this year to attract just as many diners.
Linda Sims drove from Little Rock to take her parents to the Grady fish fry — that’s how more folks in Southeast Arkansas refer it.
“I brought my dad (J.C. Williams of Grady) because it’s his 90th birthday, but I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” Sims said.
Sims said it’s time for the next generation of supporters to step up to the dinner plate.
Is the catfish really that good?
Well, Bill and Glenda Dean of White Hall said “yes.”
Plus, Glenda Dean said, “We’re really big supporters of their cause.”
In between bites of watermelon, six-year-old Kennedy Creighton of Star City said she was doing her part as a paying customer.
“It’s our only fundraiser and the money goes to a number of charities,” Buchan said, adding that charities include college scholarships, eyeglasses and more.
Marty Shell of Pine Bluff and a member of the Evening Lions, who was volunteering, said the Grady event is about more than raising big bucks.
“It’s important that we keep this local tradition alive. Grady has become famous for its fish fry,” he said.
Josh Hardin was manning three fryers.
“Now, we’re the ones pushing to continue the tradition,” he said.
Christopher Edwards, 10, of Pine Bluff, along with his dad, Eric, a Pine Bluff Downtown Lions Club member, were volunteering behind the scenes.
“I enjoy helping out,” Christopher said. “I could see myself doing this when I get older,” he said.
There were several years when Donna, 80, and the late Clyde Venable planned their annual vacation around the fish fry.
“Of course, we came for the catfish and to visit,” she said.
Will she be back next year?
God willing, she said, “I’ll be here.”