It will soon be time to celebrate 30 years of helping Greene County students

Thirty years ago this year, Dr. Don Stewart, Ted Bishop, the late Phil Harris -- a hometown boy who made it big in the entertainment field, but never forgot his roots, his wife, Alice Faye, the late Frank Miller and others in the community had a vision to help future generations in our Greene County community.

They founded a golfing event and musical show to raise scholarship money.

The weekend event conducted in Linton -- generally staged in late May or early June -- was an instant hit.

This year it will be May 29-30-31 and the vision remains the same.

Money raised goes to students in our communities who want to attend college.

In recent years -- since Harris' death in 1995 -- Country Music Hall of Fame legend Roy Clark has pitched in to be the show's headliner at the Roy Clark and Friends Show on Saturday night.

Clark brings with him a talented array of musical and songwriting talent who play their hearts out to entertain the Greene County folks in a show that traditionally approaches three hours in length.

Most -- including Roy Clark -- do it because they want to help and come here at their own expense and don't charge a dime.

What a wonderful gesture.

It would be very nice if the county-wide community come out this year to see the show and say thank you to Roy and his friends for what they do for us.

The Greene County Foundation and the Friends of Phil Harris Golf Committee now oversee the planning of this wonderful event known as the Greene County Festival Weekend.

With the help of an army of faithful volunteers, the event survives after providing thousands and thousands of dollars in scholarship monies to scores of Greene County students through the years.

It's a great event for a good cause.

And, this is NOT a Linton-only event.

Scholarship money is awarded to students from all five Greene County high schools -- Bloomfield, White River Valley, Shakamak, Eastern Greene and Linton-Stockton.

The format was from the beginning and remains pretty simple.

It's a relaxing and entertaining weekend.

On Friday night, the Greene County Shrine Club hosts a wonderful meal and many of the featured entertainers attend. The event usually features a 'sneak preview' of the Saturday night musical show that is conducted at Linton-Stockton High School gym.

The show is top-notch.

It's a Branson or Grand Ole Opry type show at a bargain price -- $24 buys you the best seats in the house. You can be entertained and help 'the cause' for $10 if you sit in the bleachers.

And, the show also offers some up and coming stars that appeal to the "younger folks".

It also features a two-day scramble golf tournament on Saturday and Sunday -- featuring many legends from the Major League Baseball League and National Football League ranks, TV and movie entertainers, college coaches and athletes, politicians, business leaders and a host of other celebrities join with local golfing enthusiasts. Most are more than willing to sign autographs, if asked.

It's billed as one of the largest celebrity golf tournaments in the country -- drawing more than 500 golfers in some years.

This year behind the scenes planning is underway to make the 30th anniversary event a memorable one that draws on the traditions that have helped to sustain the event for three decades and present new faces and ideas that will carry the torch for this charitable event on for generations to come.

The committee is putting together another great show with some surprise 'big name' entertainers who are sure to pack the place. More details about the entertainment line-up will be forthcoming in future weeks.

In the meantime, the committee asks for your help.

*We need sponsors and you'll be hearing more about those options in the coming weeks.

*We need volunteers.

*We need people playing in the golf tournament and attending the show.

A special photo tribute is being compiled -- that will feature photographs from years past at the golf tournament and the show.

A special commemorative CD that will be for sale is in the making and we need your help.

If you have any of those photos and you would be willing to share them with the committee -- on a loan basis -- for this project, please contact me or Greg Cravens at Hunley Realty in Linton at 847-7777.

Many more details will be announced as the date draws nearer.

For now, mark the event on your calendar.

Sign up for the golf tournament.

Plan to be a the show.

Buy a ticket.

Greene County's youth and leaders of tomorrow need your support and help. This event will help them attain that goal.

Nick is the assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com or nschneider@gcdailyworld.com.