O'Kelley Celebration of July 4th

Some of my fondest childhood memories were made every July 4th.  The entire O'Kelley clan would meet usually on the creek near Rudy Arkansas to swim and get one heck of a sunburn and to gorge on burgers, chips, soda, watermelon and home made ice cream.  My parents never grilled, we didn't even own a grill, so this was my only time as a child to taste those wonderful grilled burgers normally grilled by my Uncle Charles.  This time was almost as wonderful as Christmas which for a kid that is saying something.  Sometimes our favorite spot would be taken and we would have the get together at Landcaster which was several miles up the same creek.  As my cousins and I became adults and had our own children and our own interest sadly this family custom died way and was replaced by a fall family get together at our grandparents home.

Rick O'Kelley