A spirit of civic service inspired individuals of all ages to contribute to the fight for independence during the American Revolution. Now that the 250th birthday celebration is underway, there are many ways to make a difference in one’s community through acts of service. Chances are, one may already be doing many of them.
Start by doing some of the suggestions:
•Display the flag…draped or unfurled.
•Enjoy a fireworks display.
•Record oral histories. Interview elders in one’s community to preserve their stories for future generations. Take in a museum.
•Help clean up a park. Grab some gloves and keep the local green spaces beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
•Volunteer as a poll worker on election day to help check in voters and ensure a smooth voting process.
•Read the Declaration of Independence. Highlight or write down the parts that still resonate today.
•Be a parade spectator.
•Become an emergency volunteer. Sign up with a local organization that helps during emergencies or natural disasters. Learning skills such as first aid and CPR can help a person support one’s neighbors when they need it most.
•Get to know one’s neighbors. Say hello, lend a hand, and build a stronger, friendlier community. Join the Neighborhood Watch.
•Help a homebound neighbor. This could be a one-time project, such as raking leaves or shoveling snow, or an ongoing commitment such as taking out their trash or walking their dog.
•Spend more quality time with family and friends.
•Express gratitude to others.
•Get involved by volunteering with a group or organization.
•Share garden produce.
•Plant flowers, and trim shrubs to beautify the landscape.
Two hundred fifty years after the Declaration of Independence, Americans still cherish the right to life, pursuit of happiness, and the fundamental ideals of liberty. Let everyone join in the celebration!
Life’s little instructions include the following:
1. Smiles are contagious.
2. Kindness is free.
3. Everyone’s journey is different.
4. The past cannot be changed.
5. Do an act of kindness for someone else.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” — Helen Keller
“We don’t stop going to school when we graduate.” — Carol Burnett
“If you want to fly, you have to give up on things that weigh you down.” — Toni Morrison
“There are two kinds of music…good music and the other kind.” — Duke Ellington
“There’s no pillow quite so soft as a father’s strong shoulder.” — Richard Evans
Sitting by the patio is the best place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
The Ark, and the Creation Museum in Kentucky was the tour that Evelyn Varner, Janet Judy, Judy Costello, and Geneva Mongold took from last Thursday to Saturday. They also enjoyed the Riverboat Ride before returning to their respective homes.
Joe Anderson took his parents, Charles and “Pidge” Anderson to enjoy the Outback food. This was to celebrate Father’s Day and their 57th anniversary. To be married 57 years is quite a feat today! Congratulations! On another note, Charles is undergoing another round of radiation.
Shaun, Leslie, and Ava Bowers returned home after spending the last three weeks driving across the country. One of the first stops was Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The next stop was Glacier National Park in Montana. They also enjoyed an evening at the Brash Rodeo in Columbia Falls. The trip continued into Washington State, where they explored the beautiful scenery of North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park. The alpine lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks were some of the trip’s most beautiful views. They headed south and visited Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and continued to the towering trees of California’s Redwood National Park. In California, they visited San Francisco, where they explored Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, the Painted Ladies, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the sea lions at Pier 39. They then traveled to Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, and the giant sequoias of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. They drove through Death Valley National Park, one of the hottest and most unique places on Earth. The road trip also included a stop in Sedona, Arizona, where they enjoyed the area’s famous red rock landscapes and Petrified National Park. They also made a quick stop at Meteor Crater and Winslow in Arizona before starting the drive back home. It was an amazing trip to see such diverse landscapes.
This weekend, Judy and Doyle Moats visited Charles and “Pidge” Anderson.
Ben, Becky and Wesley Puffenbarger are flying to San Antonio, Texas, where Ben is competing in the National FBLA Conference.
The fireman’s lawn party went off without a hitch. So good to see the younger generation “stepping up to the volunteer plate,” learning how to do things when they will take their turn to carry the torch. Between rain showers, folks “milled” around and enjoyed the food offerings, as well as the variety of entertainment. The culmination of the weekend festivities ended with a fireworks display.
Macie Mitchell has returned home following a week at Camp Luther at Cowen.
Saturday, Evelyn Varner attended her 65th high school reunion. The Wood Grill in Harrisonburg, VA, was where 22 classmates enjoyed catching up with each other.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
•All bees die after giving a single sting.
•Roosters only crow at dawn.
•Goldfish only have a three-second memory.
July birthdays include Dale Kile and Jordan Ronek, first; Elaine Rexrode, fourth; Kames Ryan, fifth; Jimmy Rexrode, sixth; Gary Pitsenbarger, eighth; Patricia Rexrode and Kathy Kile, ninth; John Clinton Bowers, II, 10th; Blair Mitchell, Terry Ryan and Jerry Lambert. 12th; Bruce Smith, 13th; Deloris Simmons. 14th; Janet Judy, 15th; and Sharon Scott, 16th.
Concerns are for Charles Anderson, Sheila Armstrong, Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, Jeff Craig, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, Sue Hall, Clyde Hamilton, Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Keith Hoover, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Tara Kelley, Stanley Kile, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, the family and friends of Dave McConnell, the family and friends of Thelma Moats, Willa Nelson, Ronald Pitsenbarger, Alda Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Rexrode, Bernie and Margaret Sasscer, Robbie Sites and Edwin Wimer.
