By Travis Dockery
389 Country Editor
Last Friday evening, my wife and I took advantage of the Concert on the Square series in Hayesville. The lawn of the Historic Beal Center was filled with lawn chairs and blankets as the community came together for an evening of music and fellowship.
While the Joe Average Band was tickling the ears, impromptu reunions of family and friends were putting smiles on faces. I had the nice surprise of running into someone I've known for more than a decade, but haven't seen in awhile. We laughed as we shared memories and caught up on each other's life.
I visited one of the awesome food stands and on my way to back to my chair, I was stopped a handful of times by others I hadn't run across in a few months. At one point, while seated next to my wife, a friend texted to let me know he had tried to get my attention, but I snubbed him and walked by. As I chuckled and typed out my reply, I couldn't help but appreciate the moment.
For years, I have lovingly referred to Hayesville as Mayberry. That feeling could not have been any stronger on, Friday evening. I couldn't help but think of the episode of "The Andy Griffith" show where the gang was trying to get a band concert put together for that evening. As I scanned the crowd, I was almost disappointed not to see Barney in his salt and pepper suit, trying to steal a smooch from Thelma Lou.
Opie would have blended in perfectly with the kids who were running around and dancing. A group of older ladies had found each other and I could tell by the body language that they were catching up on the latest rumors. It definitely wasn't gossiping, so Aunt Bea would have had no issue partaking.
No, Otis wasn't there. I can only assume he was on a backroad trying to track down a quart of fire water.
Too many times, conversations among locals turn to the issues and problems. Maybe, occasionally, we should all have a moment where we see our community as a little slice of peace pie. Those free concerts on the square seem to be the perfect environment for that to happen.
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