Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

Friday morning, July 14th, the men and women of the Oak Grove Community will be back in familiar territory, preparing for a night they haven't experienced in three years.

For 70+ years, everyone has come together with their hands out, but it's not for a hand-out. Just the opposite, in fact. Some will be gloved, some holding tongs, and others covered in batter, but their hands are reaching out into the community by way of the infamous, OAK GROVE FISH FRY. "It's almost like a homecoming for people who grew up here," said member and chicken attendant Bobby Page. "Several have moved off into different parts of the world, but this one day a year brings them back home, and it's a true joy to see that sense of community."

Way back when (for you transplants, that's a term for "a long time ago), the fish fry was held on the second Friday in July because that's when the catfish came off the bed and our guys would go catch them fresh. As years passed, markets started carrying them, and it was more convenient and efficient to purchase them there. However the "second Friday" tradition continues. Aside from fish, 250 chicken halves will be placed on the grill, then dipped in Carlene Davis' famous barbecue sauce. And according to everyone I've spoken to, "everybody knows Carlene and her barbecue sauce."

Proceeds from the event go to Oak Grove Church and Oak Grove Davis Cemetery. More details can be found on the ad in this edition.

"So," says Church Member Cindi Baxter, "this is how you get to the Oak Grove Fish Fry. Head out of town around the big curve toward Summertown, BUT, take the right fork right in front of Nick and Bubba's called Buffalo Road, or Hwy 99 if you are a numbers person. Mosey on out that way past Bill and Nancetta Webb's house on the right past Switzerland Road on the left and you will run up on Freedom Holy Temple on the left. Keep cruising on down the highway past Dale Floyd's house on the right and enter the curvy little area that makes those bumper strips whine til you get around to Maddie and Josh Garrison's house and then slow down for a doozy of a curve but keep hanging in there. Howard Switch road forks off Buffalo right past the big curve but you keep on driving, staying left on Buffalo / Hwy 99, past the Conner's little market and right here is where you start enjoying the beautiful scenery cause you are entering the little hamlet of Oak Grove. You will stay with the road as it drops off a big hill and heads down toward Buffalo River. Cross the big Buffalo River bridge and stay with the main road on past some sweet little houses and then up the hill again. At the top of the hill you will run into some of our county's finest directing the traffic. Park yourself and bring your appetite around the left hand side of the church and you will find a take out line and the "eat right here line". We do have indoor dining if you would so like. You might miss getting a hug or howdy tho' cause all those picnic tables outside stay full for several hours with neighbors and kin from all over Lewis County. Now you can plug the address in your GPS, but hey, this will get you there too!"