The first Saturday in August is a time-cherished date for many families far and near to Clarksville. That day, no matter the date, is reserved for the largest Black Family Reunion event in Montgomery County. This year’s event proved itself up to par. The barbecue cooking started, as usual, on Friday afternoon and continued through to Saturday afternoon. Barbecue pulled pork, ribs, roasted lamb-mutton, fried fish, hot dogs, hamburgers, cole slaw, chips, ice cream cones, soft drinks and bottled water were the menu fare.

Down in the tree-lined grove, activities of all kinds were unfolding. Music, mainly old school R&B, soul and funk played across the rolling lodge grounds. An inflatable jumping castle was available for the younger set. Cake walk competitions drew lively participants and livelier observers and commentators. The home-made cakes ranged from caramel to upside-down pineapple and even chocolate layered cakes. In the cooling breeze of the grove, group dancing was enjoyed by young and old.

The members of the Benevolent Lodge host this annual family celebration and welcome all to come enjoy their barbecue skills and a community centered family celebration. For them, this a labor of love and a affair of long hours and tedious work. The proceeds from the picnic help fund the lodge’s annual college scholarship fund. The focus of the picnic is the celebrated homecoming- the return to home of families that trace their roots to this unique Clarksville community in the gracious countryside of our more rural environs.

Family groups mingle amid a myriad of divergent family groups. Generational connections are made, renewed and expanded as grandchildren and great-grands are introduced to their family elders and ancestral community elders as well. Attendees come from Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Kentucky, Milwaukee, Ohio, Alabama, New Jersey, Chicago, Baltimore, Florida, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, California, North Carolina, Georgia and even Hawaii. Truly, a homecoming!

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Mission Statement: We will endorse and vote for the candidates that we believe best support our agenda and we will work to vote out the elected officials that we know do not have the best interest of their constituents in mind.

During the last election season nine candidates on the ballot endorsed by L.O.V.E. won their races and are still representing their constituency today. We encourage everyone to register to vote and then to cast your vote on Election Day because your vote is your voice!

Our endorsements are:

United States Senate: Robert D. Tuke

United States House Of Representatives 7th congressional district: Randy G. Morris

United States House Of Representatives 8th congressional district: John Tanner

Tennessee Senate 22nd senatorial district: Tim Barnes

Tennessee House Of Representatives 67th representative district: Joe Pitts

Tennessee House Of Representatives 78th representative district: David W. Davidson

Assessor of Property: Robert Wayne Hunt

Highway Supervisor: Mike Frost

School Board Member School District 2: Morris N. Stevens

School Board Member School District 6: Eula Gardner Dowdy

Judicial Retention Question Court Of Appeals: “Shall RICHARD H. DINKINS be elected and retained in office as Judge, Court of Appeals, Middle Division?” YES