Hello everyone. Monday is the day we celebrate our great nation, the 4th of July. Please enjoy and be safe.

Congratulations to Griffin and Addie Waldrop who welcomed daughter, Adaline Hayes, into the world on Sat., June 25th.

Special birthday wishes to my daughter, Deborah Turner, who will celebrate her birthday on July 7th and to my granddaughter, Kayla Snow Byrd, who will turn 22 on Monday, July 8th. Also, to Kayla’s friend Savannah Tipton, who will also celebrate her 22nd birthday on July 8th. My, where does the time go?

Also, three members of the Lee family were born on the 4th of July. Gordon Lee (Pawpaw), Sandy Simpson (Gordon’s daughter) was born on the 4th, and Tristan Foster (Sandy’s grandson) was also born on July 4, 2012. Birthday wishes go out to the Lee family.

Other July 7th birthday wishes go to Dawn Reed and Larry Mullinax. Happy birthday to Jim Whitlock on the 5th, Robin Muir on the 8th, and to Carsa Harris, Rebekah Klinner, Kaitlyn Gossett, Clayton Alexander, Olive Dewberry, Gretchen Baker, Kathy Donnan, Abby Hodgens, Cindy Stefaniak, Olivia Dewberry, Mary Honeycutt, Everett Strickland, Carolyn Weems, Sara Beth Whitten, Lee Tuggle, Clyde Tidwell, Marie Manning, Mike Staggs, Camaran Payne Williams, and Dana Merrymon. Lots of July birthdays.

Deaths:

Sybil Ramsey, Patti Benson, Mylo Whidden, Gary Stevens, Marlyn Hyche,

Tom Kelly, Tony Underwood, Larry Doyle Patterson, Ernest Edward Roe, Ches Garner, and Edna Lee Lipham. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.

The Meanings of the Red, White, and Blue. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers’ beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The colors, red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Sec. of the Continental Congress, reporting to the Congress on the Seal, stated: “The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.” “The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of lights emanating from the sun.” (Copied from the book OUR FLAG published in 1989 by the House of Representatives.)

Did you know that Pell City, with a population of approximately 17,000, is the largest city in St. Clair County? Located on I-20, between Birmingham and Atlanta, it is known as the short route to Florida. It was made the 2nd county seat in the 1900’s. for many years, St. Clair was the only county in America with 2 full-service county seats. (Copied from The Historical News)

Pell City always puts on an amazing firework display at the Civic Center beginning around 9pm. Whether you come by boat or vehicle, please be careful out there. Cropwell Baptist Church is offering: FREE Parking FREE Bottled Water FREE Popsicles. Also, I understand that there will be fireworks at Lincoln Landing, Surfside Marina, and Rivers Edge on July 2nd; Clear Creek on July 3rd; and Riverside Park, Back Porch Restaurant, as well as the Civic Center on the 4th.

Logan Martin LakeFest and Boat Show gave back to our community $37,500 this year and have given over $350,000 in the past 11 years. Thank you!

Congratulations to the PCHS Fishing Team. They came in 3rd in the State Tournament in Guntersville. They also placed 2nd overall in the ASABFA Classic.

You can still register you child for fall baseball, soccer, & softball until July 31st. you can register online at pellcity.recdesk.com or visit the Civic Center.

You are invited to the Business Builder Breakfast sponsored by Pell City Chamber of Commerce. It will be June 30 from 8:30-9:30am. Guest Speaker will be Ken Grissom, from the JSU Small Business Dev. Center. Limited seating so register early.

You are invited to a free Lunch & Learn, on July 7, 12-1pm, featuring Dona Bonnett. Dona has worked alongside companies to develop and manage their businesses as well as being in the trenches with her own business ventures, so she know what it takes to have a successful business. Refreshments provided

On July 8, at 7 pm, the CEPA in Pell City will host a brand-new musical experience for the area — The Coosa Phat Katz. Led by drummer Sid Brown, who directed the Pell City High School Band of Gold for a decade, The Coosa Phat Katz arrived on the scene summer 2022. The nine-piece ensemble performed their first show at the Pell City Hometown Block Party. The act features musicians from across the region who came together over their love of 1970s and 1980s soul, R&B and blues. Combining the elements of a traditional rock band with three vocalists and three horn players, the Phat Katz have a big-band sound that will fill up the CEPA auditorium. Tickets are $10, under 5 are free.

Remember: If you have a need or lack, believe that our Lord Jesus is more than willing and able to provide for you (see Matt 8:2–3).

See you next week. Contact me at 205-338-5590 with information or email it to annette_snow@yahoo.com. Be blessed.