Following a five-year hiatus, the St. Elmo Homemakers Club has reorganized, and its ever-popular community barbecue is nearing a return to the annual calendar.
Set for 5-8 PM, July 14, the 66th convening and its tickets are for sale through numerous outlets, including Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble and his office, the office of Farm Bureau Insurance’s Gary Keeton, The Farmer’s Daughter and United Southern Bank in Pembroke.
For $13, one can get the meal, a drink and a dessert.
Proceeds from ticket sales will be used in efforts to renovate the St. Elmo School, which has been utilized as the club’s home since its closing. The club is also seeking donations and grant opportunities to continue and complete this renovation.
In a June 29, 2018 story from the Kentucky New Era, a final few organizers for the long-running event said they weren’t sure it would ever return to the fold.
According to William Turner and Chris Gilkey, the school was built in the late 1860s and operated until 1949, following county consolidation. Students from St. Elmo School then attended Pembroke.
The St. Elmo Homemakers Club was organized in 1922, with the first barbecue held in 1953.
Several political events have been held on the school’s grounds, and it is a long-heralded event locals came to love.
