Meals liined up, games ready for annual Auxvasse Loafer's Week

February 1, 2012 at 9:28 a.m. | Updated February 1, 2012 at 9:28 a.m.

From left, clockwise, are: Walter Williams, Chuck Ball, Earl Ingrum, Robert Shuck and Donald Bryan playing a game of five-point pitch on Feb. 22, 2011, at the Auxvasse Community Hall. The five men, all from Mexico, came to Auxvasse to participate in Loafer's Week. This year, Loafer's Week begins on Feb. 20 and runs through Feb. 25.
From left, clockwise, are: Walter Williams, Chuck Ball, Earl Ingrum, Robert Shuck and Donald Bryan playing a game of five-point pitch on Feb. 22, 2011, at the Auxvasse Community Hall. The five men, all from Mexico, came to Auxvasse to participate in Loafer's Week. This year, Loafer's Week begins on Feb. 20 and runs through Feb. 25.

AUXVASSE - For more than 50 years now, those with ties to Auxvasse have congregated for the annual Loafer's Week event.

This year, a diverse menu will be offered up throughout the week - Feb. 20-25 - with the traditional card playing and peanut shelling going on from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Auxvasse Community Hall. Food will be served starting at about 11 a.m. each day except Friday, Feb. 24. The hall will be closed this day unless an organization steps in and decides to serve a meal on that day.

The 52nd Annual Auxvasse Loafer's Week will start with a meal on Feb. 20 by the Auxvasse Presbyterian Church. It will serve barbecue pulled pork sandwiches with sides for $7. Proceeds from each meal go toward the local organizations serving.

Tina Willingham, vice president of the Auxvasse Community Hall Committee, said Loafer's Week is an important fundraiser for the hall as well, helping to support its everyday functions and building repairs.

Willingham explained that by purchasing meals during the event, "everyone knows that they're supporting one organization or another throughout the week."

Fulton Masonic Lodge will provide fried chicken, mashed potatoes and other sides on Feb. 21 for $8. On Feb. 22, the Callaway Senior Center will have pork roast with the fixings for $8. Turkey and dressing with sides is the Auxvasse Community Hall's menu for $8. Then the Auxvasse Lions Club will offer its pancake meal for $7 on Feb. 25. Meals come with dessert and drink.

The hall will hold 50/50 raffles throughout the week and two $25 cash gifts donated by United Security Bank will be given away. Winners will be announced on Feb. 25 and don't have to present to win.

Loafer's Week was originally held at the town grain elevator. Late winter has always been the chosen time for the event, because it's when crop farmers had free time to congregate. Free peanuts and coffee have remained a part of the gatherings.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.