I FIRST knew the Saks community as a fifth-grader at the elementary school, an old white frame building hard by Saks Road. I was there just over two years before moving to my grandfather’s farm near Ohatchee.

My next move was as a young married renting a number of apartments in the community before moving into our own home in ... the Vaughan Subdivision.

Owned by the late Boyd Vaughan.

From then until Boyd and his wife Elon left, I can not recall when my life was not, in some way, involved with the Vaughn family.

Now, an explanation is in order.

In some parts of this, I use the “Vaughan” spelling, in others it is “Vaughn.” They are one and the same in that Boyd, early on, changed his spelling to Vaughan.

“Put me first in the phone book’s listings,” he told me, laughing.

I tell you all of that to tell you there will be a gathering of the Vaughn/Vaughan family this afternoon at the original homestead of John William and Rosa Vaughn on Saks Road.

It is true, also, that this is a bit personal in that Boyd and I became good friends over the years, had some business dealings along the way. Not once did the man fail to do exactly what he said he would do.

At the time we moved to “Vaughan Land,” so to speak, my older sister had already married into the family, taking up with a Neal Vaughn in a marriage that is still going. Neal was one of Boyd’s nephews.

Another of the nephews, Garvin, was the person we bought our home from, but my dad did the construction. I also knew, very well, Bob Lee, Wallace, and Cecil Vaughn, all Boyd’s nephews. And Grady Vaughn drew house plans for area home builders for years.

What I’m saying is that in all those years, in all my dealings with the Vaughn/Vaughan family, not once did I ever have anything except respect and good feelings to each and every one.

They were and are the Saks community’s “First Family.” It is worth noting that the gym at Saks High is named for Boyd.

I hope they have a grand time this afternoon.

IF YOU want to see some really gorgeous grass, just drive by the house.

Last year, in a moment of weakness I got talked into sodding the front yard in Zoysia. And it’s out of sight, really.

But I wouldn’t do it again, no way. I’m cutting the stuff twice a week and it still chokes the mower. It is also damaging my reputation as “a piece of sorry white trash.”

‘Course I’m not owning a house in my next life, either, which I’ve mentioned before, too ... but not today.

QUOTABLE: I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. First, let her think she’s having her own way. And second, let her have it.

— Lyndon Baines Johnson

GOLF WRITERS and TV talking heads spent a good three days following the British Open dissecting how Adam Scott “lost” the championship.

What young Mr. Scott did was blow a four-shot lead over the final four holes to lose by one stroke.

Thing is, I think Mr. Ernie Els deserves a bit of credit, too. While all around him, including Tiger Woods, were coming apart at the seams, Els threw a four-under-32 at the backside of a tough, tough nine championship holes.

That’s not exactly chicken manure, period. In fact, it was one heck of a charge.

THERE ARE now 149 shopping days left until YOU KNOW WHAT, but more importantly, you now have just 34 days to agonize over whether Alabama can beat Michigan.

That one is Saturday night, Sept. 1, at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

Try to get some sleep, huh?

George Smith can be reached at 256-239-5286 or e-mail: gsmith731@gmail.com