The HSU Friendship House back-to-school party was a tremendous success as over 40 children and their families cooled off in the HSU swimming pool, feasted on Betty Rose’s famous brisket, and received enough school supplies to make a “splash” in class.

At least 92 of HSU’s neighbors attended the event, and the smiles and laughter were contagious. Neighbors who hadn’t met each other chatted like old friends; even Mother Nature smiled as the threat of rain disappeared shortly before the party began.

This year, back-packs replaced paper bags as containers for notebook paper, scissors, crayolas, pencils, notebooks,and markers. “There was a special at WalMart and we just couldn’t pass it up,” said Neighborhood Enhancement coordinator, Linda Carleton.