Hundreds of people gathered in the former Gillett High School Auditorium for the annual Coon Supper Saturday night. The 73rd event brought many people from across the state, and even from out of state, to gather, eat coon and meet local, state, and federal politicians and candidates for office. Some have been attending the event for most of their lives. Gillett residents Margie and Johnny Holzhaeur have been attending the event for over 60 years, and have only missed it twice. Margie tells the significance of the supper.
“It means togetherness and it means a lot for the community,” Margie commented. When asked about why people keep coming back, Johnny stated, “It is the novelty of the event. You don’t hear of another coon supper in the nation, do you?”
Johnny Holzhauer laughs heavily after making that statement. The draw of the Coon Supper is what brought a family from Cabot to attend the supper for the first time. Beth Moore, Laura Abbott and Leslie and Keith Boone talked about their experience with the Coon Supper. Beth Moore says the event is one that her parents have attended, but they had not, until this year. While the coon was the talk of the supper and the scholarships that the proceeds from the event went to, politics also dominated the conversations they had. It is unavoidable, because the Coon Supper is the first unofficial political event of the New Year in Arkansas. Moore says she likes the fact that she could meet with candidates and express her concerns.
“Either party has got to come and go back to traditional American values that this country was founded on.”
Laura Abbott and Keith and Leslie Boone all expressed what their concerns are this election year. Laura stated that national security was important, as well as Leslie. Keith agreed, adding that the next president and officeholders must be trustworthy. As far as their thoughts on the presidential race, they all agreed that it is wide open.
Mark Roy is from Dumas and has attended the Coon Supper for many years. He echoed the other concerns, saying he is concerned about terrorism.
“It worries me for our young people how much the United States has changed since September 11, 2001. I think this issue will be the most important one that faces our candidates.”
That issue that Roy mentioned is one of the many key issues that are facing the presidential candidates as the Iowa Caucuses rapidly approach.
