It all started with one couple in 1925, followed by 6 children, 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and countless nieces, nephews, and in-laws.  What Ben Lovelace Martin (AKA “Fee”) and Kate Richburg Martin put in motion 97 years ago is still growing and multiplying today.  The Martin family of Escambia County, Alabama – more specifically the Keego Community just outside of Brewton, Alabama – has made a difference in this little part of the world.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up, our grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered together as a family a few times a year – usually on the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, with a few other times thrown in from time to time.  Back then, it wasn\u2019t uncommon to have 40 or 50 people at Granny and Paw Paw\u2019s – as they were lovingly known by their grandchildren.  We even had guests who were not related, but we still considered them as close as family.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year on the 4th of July, the men of the family barbecued half chickens over a hot barbecue pit.  The women made everything homemade including barbecue sauce, baked beans, potato salad, and the best custard ice cream and pound cake.  We all ate together in what we called the \u201cBarbecue House\u201d.  It was an un-air-conditioned, screened-in porch that was located in the back yard a short distance from the main house.  I don\u2019t remember anyone ever complaining about the heat in those years.  It was just a part of life for us back then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granny had a way of making each of her 20 grandchildren feel like they were her favorite.  There was always room in her lap for one more grandchild and I never heard her raise her voice.  She was known for always having an endless supply of Cheez-its, Lemonade Koolaid, Dentyne Gum, Butter Rum Life Savers, and good old Coca-Cola.  I still love all of these things and hold her personally responsible for having to have a coke first thing every morning!  Unfortunately, they no longer make Dyntene Gum or Butter Rum Life Savers! Granny also cooked the best fried chicken and biscuits.  I wish I could have one of her fresh hot biscuits right about now! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paw Paw was a tobacco-chewing man with a gruff voice, but the grandchildren knew that underneath that harsh outer covering was a loving heart.  He would do anything for his family and community.  After all, this man had been instrumental in bringing electricity to the outlying areas of Escambia County, Alabama during the time he served as county commissioner.  That makes him pretty special in my book!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This past Saturday was a day that had been anticipated for months.  Texts had been sent, food had been ordered, miles had been driven, cakes had been made, groceries had been bought, a house had been cleaned, a yard had been mowed\u2026.  it was the long-anticipated day when the Martin family would converge on one certain home in Brewton, Alabama\u2026 MINE!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we first started planning this event, I had envisioned a lovely Summer day where some of the family would congregate inside the house with others outside playing cornhole or some other yard game.\u00a0 I could almost hear the laughter and loud Martin voices as I anticipated this glorious day. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We thought about the menu\u2026 What would we eat on this day?\u00a0 It would have to be something to make a big impact.\u00a0 Food is a big deal for the Martin family and I knew that it had to be something good! I ran a few ideas past my husband Cavin to see what his thoughts were on the subject.\u00a0 Some things that came to mind were boiled shrimp, fried chicken, or burgers.\u00a0 These are all good, down-to-earth Southern options, but after some deep discussions, we decided to make it as much like our old-time Summer celebrations as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We decided on pulled pork barbecue and grilled chicken breasts.  Cavin agreed to cook the grilled chicken, and I knew just who to call for the pulled pork barbecue.  This was a job for Pig Daddy\u2019s Barbecue<\/a>!  They are a local barbecue company that cooks and caters for special occasions such as the annual Blueberry Festival, which just so happened to coincide with the Martin Family Reunion on the very same weekend!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A group of 28 people came together last Saturday on the hottest day so far this year!  Needless to say with temperatures soaring near 100 degrees, we decided to move the celebration inside!  We gathered just north of the city limits of Brewton, Alabama – approximately 20 minutes from the old home place in Keego.  It was a time to talk about old times, remember those special people who have departed from this world, and continue building on those strong family ties that started way back in 1925.  It was a time to celebrate our family and the relationships we still hold dear to our hearts.  It was also a time to eat some good Southern food!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cavin and Pig Daddy\u2019s<\/a> came through with the meat. David\u2019s Catfish supplied the coleslaw.  Mrs. Edwards made the key lime pie!  Various members of the family brought homemade potato salad, baked beans, fruit salad, sliced tomatoes, pound cake, brownies, cookies, and of course\u2026. homemade ice cream.  And I just have to believe that Granny and Paw Paw would have been proud.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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No, the men didn\u2019t hover over a hot barbecue pit for hours getting the chicken just right.  No, the women didn\u2019t make all of the sides and desserts homemade.  Pig Daddy\u2019s Barbecue, David\u2019s Catfish, and Mrs. Edwards all helped out!  Aunt Katherine still made her homemade potato salad and Aunt Flossie still made homemade brownies.  Cavin grilled the chicken breasts just right.  Loretta brought a beautiful fruit salad and sliced tomatoes.  Kay made chocolate chip cookies with a little help from Tollhouse.  I made \u201chomemade\u201d ice cream, but it wasn\u2019t the boiled custard that my mother used to make.  I found an easier way to make it but based on Aunt Katherine turning up the canister to get the last drop, I think it must have been pretty good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n