Steak Night And A Correction
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DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell
I had one of the finest steaks I’ve tasted in a while. Yep. Thursday before last — Feb. 12, to be exact.
The Farm Bureau crew, with Chuck Upchurch serving as head cook and assisted by Beau Pullen and Brad Embry, turned out one of the best steaks I’ve eaten in some time.
Now for a full disclaimer: with the price of a good cut of beef these days, steak has become more of a delicacy at our house. We are much more inclined to grill a thick pork chop. Or venison. We eat plenty of venison. You don’t even have to buy it — just go to the woods.
(And let’s not add up the hunting costs. My wife might decide steak is actually cheaper.)
So yes, steak qualifies as an occasion.
This particular occasion was the Water Valley football banquet. The Blue Devils won nine games this season, which means they earned steak.
The tradition dates back decades and Tommy White shared how it all started during the banquet.
“Back in 1963, when we were trying to be 10-0 — and we eventually accomplished that — there were a group of businessmen in this town who took it upon themselves to feed us a hamburger steak on game days,” White said. “We’d go across the street to Sartain’s Restaurant where the city auditorium is now. We really enjoyed it.”
That gesture stuck.
Years later, in 1992, Reynolds said his son Jordan White was playing, and a new wrinkle was added to the tradition.
“He said, ‘Dad, you’ve got to do something else for this bunch,’” White recalled. “So we came up with the deal — if you win eight, you eat steak.”
Nine wins this year meant the grill was loaded.
The steaks were cut just right at Larson’s Cash Saver and cooked just right — which is no small accomplishment when you’ve got more than a hundred on the grill at one time.
And I can personally testify: they got it right.
And while we’re talking about getting things right, I need to circle back and correct something from January. The Herald reported statements made during a Yalobusha County Board of Supervisors meeting regarding the Coffeeville Fire Department’s fire truck funding and compliance questions raised during discussion of the county’s annual fire report.
At that meeting, supervisors authorized EMA Director Stewart Spence to request additional documentation from the Town of Coffeeville as he worked to complete his required annual report to the state.
Coffeeville City Clerk Rosaline Torrance subsequently presented documentation addressing the issues discussed.
Torrance provided records showing that the full $90,000 Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program (RFTAAP) check was submitted to Mechanics Bank. The previously referenced $50,000 check was a separate payment made toward the truck to help secure the purchase.
Torrance also clarified details surrounding the $5 monthly fee added to Coffeeville water bills to help fund the annual fire truck note. She explained that the truck payment is due before the end of the fiscal year, meaning the full year’s revenue from the $5 assessment has not yet accumulated when the annual note comes due. In addition, unpaid water bills contribute to shortfalls in the amount collected.
The information was presented at an earlier supervisors meeting after I had already left, which is why it took a few weeks to review the documentation and update the record. Thanks for reaching out, Ms. Rosaline.
