with Gloria Holiday
Hello to my family and friends. It is good to be with you on another day that the Lord has allowed us to see. Not only has He allowed us to see a new day, He has allowed us to see another month. February has arrived. In the United States, the month of February begins with a very odd ritual started in the late 1800s by German settlers in Pennsylvania. On Feb. 2, we celebrated “Groundhog Day.” The legend holds that if the groundhog sees his shadow then winter weather will last another six weeks (roughly until the first day of spring). However, if the groundhog does not see his shadow, then spring weather will come sooner. No matter what that little furry animal saw, February is a frigid month across most of the country. It is the last month of winter, after all. However, signs of spring do tend to emerge by the end of the month in most parts of the country. I do not know if he saw his shadow or not. One thing I do know, I am ready for Spring!
February is Black History month. The theme for Black History Month 2020 is “African Americans and the Vote.” 2020 is an important general election year and a landmark year for voting rights. 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) which gave the right to vote to black men in America following the Civil War.
It also marks the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment and the culmination of the women’s suffrage movement. This year’s theme for Black History month, “African Americans and the Vote,” recognizes the struggle for voting rights among both black men AND women throughout American history.
February is also a celebration of love with Valentine’s Day. The root of Valentine’s Day goes back to ancient times when people paid honor to the Roman God of Fertility. This was known as the Feast of Lupercalia, and it was celebrated on Feb. 14. It is a time to exchange cards or small gifts. Chocolates, flowers, jewelry and romantic dinners are the big hits of this holiday. It is also a fun event for kids and family. We have nine days to make sure everything is ready for the people we love.
We will observe Presidents’ Day on Feb. 17. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln both were born in February, but we honor all the presidents.
There is one more very special person whose birthday we celebrate in February. Ms. Annie’s birthday is Feb. 6. She celebrated her last birthday with us in 2018. Her sister Betty Bass Williams from Memphis; her children, Larry (Jackie), Gloria (Frank), Sylvia (Marles) and Dennis (Cynthia); Aunt Georgia; cousin Robert; cousin Mae; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and so many others stopped by to help mother celebrate this great event. It was great to see and hear Mrs. Annie (mother) laugh and be happy. She really enjoyed herself on her last birthday. Ms. Annie was one of the few pioneers here in Lucyville. Many of you have eaten her cooking and enjoyed it all. Cooking was one of her favorite things to do other than praising the Lord! Yes, I miss and love my mother! Ms. Annie would have been 86 years young!
To all of the thousands of visitors who came to the City of Henderson for the 2020 FHU Lectureship, we would like to welcome you to our City once again, and we hope you enjoy your visit. We welcome you!
Chester County Head Start is accepting applications for three- and four-year olds. For more information, call 989-2561 or 989-5111.
Happy belated birthday Robert Bass, Feb. 1. We pray the Lord will bless you with many more!
The city would like to take this time to wish all of our loved ones in the Nursing Home who had a birthday this week a happy birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
On the prayer list this week: our children in school, teachers and our men and women who are serving our country. Remember to patronize with our local businesses here in town; let us try to support our own as much as we can. If you live in the City of Henderson and have news about your family, birthdays, anniversaries, announcements or things happening in the City, I need to hear from you. Call me at 989-1907 and leave your message, or you may email me at gloria__holiday@msn.com. HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
