Greetings from the City! Every week, it is always a blessing to be with you. You may be reading this paper at your kitchen table, at work, in another state or overseas while serving the country. Wherever you are, I would like to say thank you for taking time out of your busy (or retried!) schedule to read the hometown news. Always remember this is the day the Lord has made; let rejoice and be glad in it!
Father’s Day is this Sunday. It is a special day set aside to honor and recognize fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and father figures who have made a positive impact in our lives. Did you know that Father’s Day was first proposed in 1909 by Sonora Smart Dodd? Inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon, she wanted to honor her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent. The first official Father’s Day celebration was held on June 19, 1910, at the Spokane, Wash., YMCA. In 1972, President Nixon signed a proclamation establishing Father’s Day as a permanent national observance. Today, Father’s Day provides an opportunity to express our love, appreciation and gratitude for the fathers and father figures who have guided, supported and encouraged us throughout our lives. Be sure to take time this Father’s Day to celebrate the special men who have helped shape your life.
Even though my father, Mr. Parnell Brown, is no longer with us, the lessons he taught his children continue to guide us every day. He taught us about life, problem solving, a strong work ethic, how to love others and how to be both kind and firm when necessary. Yes, I was definitely a daddy’s girl! This Father’s Day, I will be taking flowers and a flag to place on my daddy’s grave in honor of the wonderful man he was. I thank the Lord for blessing me with so many precious memories of my father that I will cherish forever. If your father is still with you, take the time to let him know how much you love and appreciate him. Tomorrow is not promised, and the opportunity to say I love you is a gift.
To all the fathers out there, thank you for the love, guidance, sacrifices and support you give your families. May you have a wonderful and blessed Father’s Day!
Sunday, June 14, was Flag Day and also the date of the Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony held at Gene Record Park. The Chester County American Legion Davidson-Haltom Post 157 conducted a wonderful and respectful ceremony honoring our nation’s flag. The event served as a reminder of the importance of patriotism, service and respect for the symbols of our country. The City of Henderson greatly appreciates the dedication, hard work and community service provided by the members of the American Legion. Their continued commitment to honoring our veterans, supporting local events and serving our community does not go unnoticed. Thank you to the Chester County American Legion Davidson-Haltom Post 157 for making this year’s Flag Retirement Ceremony a meaningful and memorable occasion.
Well, the rain has gone for a while, and the sun is out. The temperatures have been hot, and guess what? Summer will arrive on June 21. How HOT will it get this year? But we do welcome the Summer Season.
I have a little brief history I want to share with you about a holiday most Americans do not think has value or have even heard of but need to know about. Many black Americans will commemorate an important day in our nation’s history Friday, a day that is called Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation ordering freedom for the 3.1 million slaves in the Confederate states, Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger marched his soldiers to Galveston, Texas, to spread the word that slavery had ended in America. Although the Civil War had just concluded, many of the nearly 250,000 black men, women and children in the South had no clue that they were officially freed on Jan. 1, 1863. With the South in rebellion at the time the proclamation took effect, Lincoln had no way of enforcing it. Gen. Granger’s announcement that slavery been abolished sparked widespread celebrations among newly freed black Americans, culminating with the establishment of a spontaneous holiday on June 19, 1865, that they called Juneteenth. Although considered an official holiday in Texas since 1980, Juneteenth still goes largely unrecognized by our country as a whole. That’s too bad.
On Saturday, June 20, we want you to come out to help celebrate JUNETEENTH at the Old Vincent High School, now known as North Chester County Alternative School, located at 186 Luray Ave, Henderson. The festivities will be from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. There will be lots of fun, food and entertainment. Program is sponsored by Oasis CDC. It is a FREE event, and there will be a FREE giveaway. For more information, call Brother Marles Flowers at 608-2222. Do not miss this great event. Come one! Come all! Hope to see you there!
There is truly nothing like the love between sisters. Having shared a lifetime together from the very beginning, these two remarkable ladies continue to be a blessing to all who know them. On June 19, sisters Maurene and Laurene Priddy will celebrate their 57th birthday. Together, they represent 114 years of life, love and cherished memories. If you see these lovely ladies, be sure to wish them a Happy Birthday! We pray that God continues to bless them with good health, happiness and many more wonderful years to come.
On our prayer request list this week, Ms. Valorie Griggs is requesting prayer for her mother, Ms. Jo Ann Cawthon, for a hip injury. She is also requesting prayers for her nieces from Selmer who have lost their father. Continue to pray for people that are in the hospitals, for the ones that are sick in their homes, for our children, teachers and families, for the men and women that are serving our country and the incarcerated. Please remember to pray for OUR United States of America.
THOUHT FOR TODAY: God promises to provide for us. That doesn’t mean we’ll get everything we want. The timing may be different than we imagine. What we have in mind may not match God’s plan. But He will take care of us, no matter what!
Continue 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, birthday, anniversary, announcements and things happening in the City, I need to HEAR from you. Text or call me at 608-6132 and leave your message.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK! LOVE YOU!
