All Tomato Luncheon Delights Crowd

The 2015 Bradley County All Tomato Luncheon was held Saturday, June 13 in the First Baptist Church Activities Center.  The delicious menu consisted of chicken salad stuffed tomato, tomarinated carrots, tomato bean salad, tomato basil crackers, and heavenly tomato cake, all planned and prepared by the Bradley County Extension Homemakers Club.

The program began with a welcome from the Master of Ceremonies, Gregg Reep, followed by the invocation given by Rev. Russell Rhoden, Pastor of First Baptist Church.  Mayor Bryan Martin recognized guests and the luncheon.  Mr. Reep recognized the past Pink Tomato Festival Chairmen

Liz McKinstry

who were in attendance.  After a number of awards were distributed, County Extension Agent-Staff Chair John Gavin extended some brief remarks and introduced Dr. Mark Cochran, the Vice President for Agriculture-University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture who addressed the attendees about the role of the University in tomato research.

State Representative Jeff Wardlaw and State Senator Eddie Cheatham address the people shortly before US Representative Bruce Westerman spoke.

Two were inducted into the Tomato Festival Hall of Fame:  Mrs. Liz McKinstry, the first Little Miss Pink Tomato who continued in adulthood to support the festival through a number of positions and Mr. Jim Wheeler for his

Jim Wheeler and David King

many years of working with the sound for Tomato Festival activities.

A plaque was presented to Clanton Farms for bringing in the first box of 2015 tomatoes.

The Lynn Grice family was recognized as the Bradley County Farm Family of the Year.

Miss Pink Tomato Amber Helms, Tommy Maxwell, and Teen Miss Pink Tomato Elisabeth Garay

Auctioneer Mike Nichols was joined by Miss Pink Tomato Amber Jade Helms and Teem Miss Pink Tomato Elisabeth Garay to auction off a box of tomatoes.  The top bidder was Mr. Tommy Maxwell who bid $1200.00.  The money raised from this auction goes to the University of Arkansas Agriculture Department for tomato research.

Michelle Carter

In her closing remarks County Extension Agent-FCS Michelle Carter thanked the Bradley County Extension Homemakers for their hard work and the 4-H members who helped serve the meal.

The All Tomato Luncheon committee consisted of Judy Simmons (Chair), Michelle Carter, Norman Johnston, Wanda Carr, Tabitha Herrington, Virginia Hargis, Shelby Kiersey, Georgia Mae Smith, Linda McDiarmid, Robbie Ashcraft, Edith Castleberry, Linda Kercheval, Sandra Dalsanto, Louise Atkins, and Egie Wilson.

Bradley County Extension Homemakers

The organizers extend a special thanks to Deep Woods Farm owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Terry Donnelly for their donation of the box of tomatoes for the auction, the Pink Tomato Festival for the donation of the Table Centerpieces, the Hermitage FFA/4-H, and the Bradley County Extension Homemakers.