Wes Hardin said last week the 10th annual Wine & Chocolate Festival at Memorial Park in Hennessey is “still a go.”

The festival is planned Saturday, Sept. 26.

Hardin has chaired the Hennessey United-sponsored event since it was started and, again this year, Teresa Oliver, vice president, will be in charge of chocolate vendors and more.

The United board met Tuesday, June 23, after no meetings for three months due to COVID-19.

At that meeting, Hardin and Oliver said they wanted to see what kind of participation they’d have at the July 4 events, but also went ahead with plans for flyers and posters and Deb Hardin offered to make the save-the-date cards.

The board also made plans for the 10th annual Red Carpet Night which is rescheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, tentatively set at the public library.

The event honors outstanding members of civic and other groups and volunteers and teachers of the year. United will honor Scottie Hajek, Kaden Mitchell and Jack Quirk for their service to the community.

There was no update from the Legacy Foundation Committee, but United President Stacy Cline said after the August rodeo she’d like to explore options and ideas for Foundation projects, including possibly raising funds for new rodeo grounds due to parking and other constraints at the current location.

Barb Walter reported via text that the third annual Leadership Hennessey class for HHS seniors is scheduled for fourth hour again this year.

She later said she’s unsure if the classes will be in-person or virtual, or if educational trips will be possible.

The class is conducted by United in partnership with Enel Green Power Energy (Red Dirt Wind Farm).

Secretary Cathy Howard reported that United’s canopies and picnic tables were used at the July 4 event and four of the group’s picnic tables are in use at the new pool until the town’s come in.

She also said that United awarded scholarships to HHS 2020 grads and board members Mariana Gonzalez and Mitchell.

Oliver suggested the board move tables and canopies from United’s small cargo trailer to the new one and get an accurate inventory after the meeting.

Attending the meeting, and the physical labor after it, were: Tammy Henderson, treasurer; Dagan Hardin; Wes Hardin; Oliver; Howard; Hajek; Mitchell, and Cline.

Absent were Walter and Gonzalez.

Guests at the meeting were Richard Simunek, Angie Bruner and Lavonne O’Bryant.

Prior to the meeting, the group presented checks to the Hennessey Senior Citizens Center (see photo and cutline inserted in story).