The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-30
M E N, w O M E N
 A ND HIN GS

Wednesday County Agent Jordan came by for me to go with him down to a community fair at Oak Grove. about 15 miles below Bessemer, and as there was dinner ahead and a chance to speak I went with him.
 summer Is still lingering, but there IS suspicion of fall in the atmos- phere in spite of the heat, a faint in- dehnaole~ something which tells that tue back of warm weather is giving way md that soon there will be a tang in the air which will put a spring In our step.
 For years l had to attend the Bap- tiss association held all over the state Curing the fall months, and since seli.rg the Alabama Baptist l have missed the trips; and so on Wodn.' day we sped through the country and smelt the sorgaGm cook ing, saw tho harvest fields ripe with grain, watched the cattle in the pas- lures or got glimpse of the hogs recting in the fields. I felt like the old times had come back.
 In this day of compulston, when we have to do so many things we would .iko to leave undonc, if we are bound to have any more compelling, l hope some power will make it obligatory for every man and wom- an who has to work indoors shall at least be required to spend two weeks during the year in the open, ore week in the dog days and the orber during the fall in order to let the breath of heaven blow through their lungs and give them renewed strength for their labors shut out from nature.
 One thing I am finding, and that Is the people are taking to com. munity fairs. It is always hard for the promoters to arouse interest, but once 1t Is done it is easy to keep it going. I consider the get-together spirit is one of the heartening things of the day. Competition and riv- airy are giving way to co-bperation and service, not only in town and city, but out in the country. Here- tofore it has been mighty hard to or- ganize the farmers, but they are finding out that it pays, not only in dollars and cents, but in neighbor- liness.
 You might think that one com munity fair would be just like an- other. In general way this is true, and yet I find something different about every one I attend If Julian Street would detect the flavor of cities" I make boast that I can taste the difference in towns and country. There is always an indefinable some- thing about each community which sets it apart from others and gives it individuality. It is just as marked as is personality in people.
 When we arrived at Oak Grove a large crowd had already gathered. The band was on hand to furnish music. The soft drink stands were busy places. The baseball teams in their uniforms were the center of groups, the boys who were going to enter the races were tuning up, here and there counting couples were oc- cupying automobiles (the day of the buggy for such purposes being about over), and quite a few were looking at the animal exhibits.
 Principal J. A. Davis gave us warm welcome, and took us through the rooms where the exhibits were placed. We got to look them care fully over before the doors were opened to the public. was interest ed not only in the excellent farm display, the choice needlework of the women, the attractive shelves of jel- lies. preserved fruits, pickles and vegetables. and the large showing of cakes but also in some relics handed down from generation to generation. believe the two things which inter- ested me most was a hand pair of shears and a wrought steel pair of forceps which more than 100 years ago had been used for pulling teeth.
 was surprised and delighted to find that the Oak Grove community was interested in stock raising, and had brought out for inspection and prizes chickens, turkeys, goats, hogs Gone hound pup), cows, calves, colts and mules and horses. I saw some fine mule colts and a pair of chest nut colts which would attract atten- tion in any show ring. It was a start. but a good one, and next year am expecting to see an improve ment both in the number and variety as we'll as in quality.
 Yes, there was speaking and it fell to my pleasant duty to try and hold the crowd quiet until the judges had finished their work on the in- side. Professor Davis acted as chafr- man. Helpful speeches were made by T. J. Jordan, H. l.. Brown and Mrs. Kinnebrew, each one being special ist in their lfDe.
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