This week, The Grenada Star highlights Meko Hardiman of Grenada.
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born on July 23, 1963, in Grenada.
Q: Who are your parents?
A: My parents are the late Homer and Betty Hardiman.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have two brothers and three sisters. They are Homer Hardiman Jr., Herman Hardiman, Wanda Jones, Janice Hardiman Sparks and Dorothy Henderson (deceased).
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I attended Grenada High School and graduated from Austin High School in Chicago, Ill.
Q: What do you recall most from your childhood?
A: I remember traveling to Chicago, Ill., for vacation, along with playing with my friends growing up.
Q: Where have you lived?
A: I have lived in Grenada, Chicago, Ill., and Jackson.
Q: What do you like most about Grenada?
A: The people of Grenada are so nice and will do anything for you.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: I have one son, Garrick Hardiman, who is 33 years old.
Q: Where does your son live?
A: Garrick lives in Grenada.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: I attend church at Powell Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Grenada.
Q: Where do you work? What is your role?
A: I am the assistant programmer for Grenada Parks and Recreation in Grenada. The responsibilities that I have include recruiting children and officiating the many sports that we offer. I also schedule games and practices, along with helping to maintain the fields.
Away from this job I have been a high school basketball official for 30 years and also officiate volleyball games.
Q: Do you have any grandchildren?
A: I have four grandchildren. They are Braylon Hardiman (16), Cayden Avery (15), Aniyah Hardiman (12), and Dreym Hardiman (7).
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Most of the traveling I do is to officiate Mississippi High School Activities Association sports. I also love watching my grandchildren play sports.
Q: What inventions have you witnessed that intrigue you?
A: The cellphone because you can do whatever you want with it.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I stay busy with work and keeping up with my grandchildren.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and movie? Why?
A: My favorite television show is “Gunsmoke” because I grew up watching the show with my father. The movie that I enjoyed most was “The Color Purple” because I enjoyed the storyline.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: You need to exercise and eat right.
~ By Chuck Hathcock
