Sunday, September 28, 1997
Small town keeps festive spirit going
By JOHN STARBUCK / Abilene Reporter-News
NOODLE -- The population of this small Jones County community
may have dwindled over the years, but residents are trying to
make sure that the town's festive spirit never dies.
Featuring an assortment of activities for both the young and
old, a Noodle Fest held Saturday in Noodle, 10 miles north of
Merkel, attracted more than 60 people.
Visitors were invited to submit their favorite noodle dish
and baked goods for judging, eat barbecue, play volleyball, horseshoes
and dominoes, and sing gospel tunes.
With the closing of the Noodle-Horn School in 1973, the community
has seen its population drop from 30 families to 20.
"When the school was open, we were a real close-knit community,"
said Lawan Israel, who helped organize the festival. "We
saw each other all the time."
Although the school's last graduating class only had four students,
about 50 were enrolled in the district.
"We had a good size school and both of our churches were
pretty good size, too," said Israel.
Israel, a local resident since 1972 when her family moved here
from Stamford, said citizens were wanting to have a festival last
year. But the idea evolved too late.
"I think it's important for communities (to have festivals)
because its things like this that holds communities together,"
said Israel. "And I think it's something that we've lost
that we kind of need to get back to."
Abilene resident Betty Griffin Hale, who graduated from the
school in 1951, is glad to know that Saturday's event was the
prelude to more community socials.
"I think for the people who live here, they need to keep
it up," said Hale.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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