The monthly meeting of the Hardy History Association is Thursday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hardy Gym, 203 School Street. Crystal Gray is the presenter and will share “A Fun Way to Re-live the Founding of Hardy” about the upcoming Hardy Homesteaders Day event. Crystal Gray and her husband, Robert Gray, committee chairpersons, have been working diligently preparing for the event to be held Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Loberg Park and along Main Street in Hardy. Crystal and Robert live outside of Thayer, Mo. on a farm with cows, donkeys, goats, chickens, cats, and a dog. They have five children and nine grandchildren.

The Gray, Baldridge, and Angotti families have lived in the area for over 90 years, with two of the Baldridge family members having stores on Hardy’s Main Street for over 20 years. Robert is retired Air Force of 20 years and currently owns a heat and air business. Crystal does taxes through the season and bookkeeping and payroll in the off-season. They also own the Wood ‘n’ Things store at 114 East Main Street in Hardy. Crystal said “Hardy is not just a dollar-value venture for us. The opportunity to be blessed comes from the opportunity to give. This is our opportunity to give. We want to see family events remain in Hardy. We want to see Hardy build strong.” Please join us September 1st at the Hardy Gym to learn more about the new Hardy Homesteaders Day being sponsored now by the Hardy History Association. Everyone is invited to wear their homesteader outfit to get into the spirit and be ready to enjoy Hardy Homesteaders Day. The public is always welcome to join the monthly programs presented by the Hardy History Association. For more information, call 870-847-5273 or email [email protected].