HATHAWAYS … Sherman and Linda Hathaway have been running the Harrison Lake Gospel Drive for the past 7 years. The couple is hoping to make it at least one more year with the event.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Harrison Lake has been the home to a gospel drive every Sunday evening, from the beginning of June until the end of August, for the past 59 years. This year, now concluded, marks the end of those 59 years.
The gospel concert takes place on the corner of County Road M and 26-1 and draws in a crowd of anywhere between 50 to 90 people, with the August 27th concert bringing in somewhere close to 80.
Sherman and Linda Hathaway have been running the event for around the past seven years now with help from Nate Hardy.
They explained that 25 years ago, they began helping a pastor who inherited the event. At the time, it seemed as though the event might die out, so the couple did everything they could and helped Pastor Joe Redmond keep everything going. Since then, Sherman and Linda have been running things.
“I just couldn’t see it die. Not now and not ever. At this point though, I’m not sure if I will be able to make it another year to sixty, but I just can’t see it die,” said Sherman Hathaway.
As of right now, there are plans to continue the concert next year into its 60th year. These plans however might change, which also may put the gospel drive in jeopardy.
Still, this year’s final gospel drive, with performances by the Steve Raymond Family, saw enough people come to give an indication the want is there for these performances.
“We are really happy that people have continued to ensure it’s still going. It’s a good crowd and we like to see that. Everyone is welcome and we always have good people. It’s been very rewarding,” said Linda Hathaway.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com