Soup’s on
NEW CASTLE – Chuck and Bryan Johnson helped stir a pot of beans at the 147th annual G.A.R. Bean Dinner, held in New Castle at McElwee Park on Sunday, Aug. 17. Ed and Kenneth Moran were also there helping as usual. Chuck said, “We started at 7 a.m. with 40 pounds of beans in each kettle. We only had two quarts left last year. It’s fun helping the community and we follow the same recipe that’s over 100 years old.” The two kettles contain beans, ham bones, onions, salt, pepper, butter and chunked ham. One of the Moran brothers said, “Next year we want the smokeless wood,” as he stirred the mixture.
Everet Beatty said, “I think people come out to this to see people that they haven’t seen since last year. If you watch we’ve had speakers come here and nobody listens because they’re (the people) talking to each other. This is a nice place to be. It’s just the fellowship – seeing people – and catching up on old friends, family and finding out how many kids and grandkids they have.”
Beatty said, “The funds raised go back into McElwee Park, mowing, refurbishing and the upkeep on the Park, things that need to be done. We painted the bathrooms and some doors and replaced some wiring this year. We refurbished some benches that were donated from Coshocton. It takes a lot of good people to do this and we have a bunch of good people that are dedicated, we gripe about it a little bit and kinda dread it every year – we’re always glad when it’s over with but we have a good time doing it.”
mark@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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