Next stop: Independence Day celebrations

Julia’s anecdotes

It’s hard to believe, but half of 2024 is already behind us and time has not yet decided to stop. Two hurricanes have already ravaged both Americas, and more are still to come.

I hope we get our 4th of July activities done before Mother Nature decides to interfere with our freedom celebrations.

This past weekend, the fireworks display took place at Westwood Shores Subdivision. There was little color, but the “oohs” and “ahs,” the cheers and screams, and the noise made me realize that it was a huge success and that the guests and residents were enjoying it very much.

This week, the fireworks near us are:

• A giant fireworks display will take place Thursday at the Groveton Y. Doors will open at 3 p.m. on July 4 and the festivities will begin with food, games, live music, vendors and entertainment, followed by a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

The Groveton Lions Club is sponsoring the event, and the parade that begins Thursday at 1 p.m. will line up at noon in the Indiana Stadium parking lot at 1 p.m. No registration is required, just show up, join the parade and participate.

• The Trinity fireworks display will take place on Friday at the old Stadium Street football ground at dusk.

• McLeod Fireworks on Saturday, July 6th at Barrett’s Landing. I think I say where they have food, music, vendors and games before the fireworks at dusk.

The latest in Trinity’s July Vacation Bible School listings:

• Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist Church is hosting a Vacation Bible School July 8-12 at 201 N. Robb St. in Trinity. School begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. The theme for this Vacation Bible School is “Breaker Rock Beach.” Children must have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. For more information, call the church office at (936) 5943822.

• First Methodist Church of Trinity is hosting a Vacation Bible School July 15-19. You can register now. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Cokebury’s VBS program this year is “Hero Hotline” called to serve God. The church is located at 131 N. Elm St. For more information, call Laura at (936) 594-3826 or email firstmctrinitytx.org to register.

Other community activities for early July: On Thursday, Trinity VFW Post 6899 will be closed. No bingo that night. Bingo will resume Friday at 7 p.m. as usual.

On Saturday, there will be two events at the hall, at 400, rue Caroline.

First, a blood drive is being held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the VFW parking lot. The Gulf Coast Blood Center is recruiting blood donors. Call Marilyn Barnes at (281) 7828309 for more information.

During the blood drive, you can come in and purchase the best baked goods in Trinity County provided by the Ladies Auxiliary and my favorite baker, Lanora Ainsworth.

I know for a fact that there will be cherry pie, blackberry pie, banana bread, and peanut butter, but you have to get there early to buy Lanora’s treats.

The second event is Eddie and Maxey’s Saturday Afternoon Dance from noon to 4 p.m. The Texas Thunder Band of Vidor will be performing classic country music for your enjoyment. The canteen and snack bar will be open at that time and admission is $15. For more information, call Eddie at (409) 550-4348, Maxey at (936) 635-4787 or the VFW at (936) 594-9467.

More activities for the community at the end of July.

• SAAFE House will host its annual Denim & Diamonds Bingo fundraiser from 6-10 p.m. on July 13 at the Manor on Pinecrest Drive in Trinity. There will be food, a silent and live auction, door prizes and of course 10 games of bingo with prizes for the winners.

Tickets and tables are available. Call SAAFE House at (936) 2913529, Veronica at (936) 284-5580 or Tammy at (936) 284-5547.

• The annual ROTC Summer Conference will be held July 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trinity Community Center. Prayer in the Park is held each summer to provide music, free school supplies, food, door prizes and spiritual pursuits to the Trinity community.

This event is sponsored by many churches in our city and county, and for more information or to sponsor a booth, donate gifts, provide music, food or school supplies, your generosity would be greatly appreciated and welcomed, so contact Karen Dixon at (936) 581-6531.

• The second annual school supply drive will be held July 27 and will be hosted by Lone Star Missionary Baptist Church, 502 W. Main St., in Trinity.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and ends when school supplies run out. Free backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Donations or money can be dropped off at the church on Sunday morning at 10am or Wednesday evening at 6pm at the church. Please help make this initiative a success.

For more information, call Charolett Clayborne at (936) 662-5947, Pastor DeBose at (936) 355-1987 or Lula English-DeBose at (936) 355-3973.

• The Trinity Lions Club will meet for its regular business meeting at noon in the Chamber Building on Wednesday.

• The Trinity Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will not meet until next Wednesday, July 10, due to members on vacation.

Happy Independence Day and be cool if you can.