God Bless America
Winner number 45 of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 52-week gun raffle was drawn Sunday, July 4. The winner of a Ruger Precision, 22 LR is Chester McClosky. The next drawing will take place Sunday, July 11. A new 52-week gun raffle will begin August 29, so if you are interested in buying raffle tickets for this upcoming raffle contact Marcy Pavlock, 936-661-6662 or Mike Wetuski, 936-870-6836. I will also have some to sell so you can contact me, 936-870-6842. Tickets are $100 each.
Vince Hanak of Lake Conroe and my cousin Connie (Hoffart) Brooker of Plantersville were married at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Anderson on Saturday, July 3. A dinner and dance reception followed in the parish hall. Dancing music was provided by the Bill Mock & Hwy. 105 Band. Connie is the daughter of Tim and Cathy Hoffart of Plantersville.
Ann Smith, wife of James Smith of Dobbin will turn 80 on July 7. Her family threw a drive-by birthday party on Sunday afternoon, July 4. At the start time, rain was coming down hard, so we were invited into their home. Family and friends stopped by throughout the afternoon wishing her the best. “Ms. Ann” as she was known to our family, worked in Hoffart’s Grocery for my mom and dad for many years. She basically became part of our Hoffart family through the years. Happy Birthday to this special lady in my life.
Don and I had several invites to various Fourth of July parties, but ended up going to the closest one to our home. Bob Dixon and his wife Jo-Ella held a family and friend get-together at their place on the corner of FM 3090 and FM 149 W. There was good food, good company and fireworks to end the night.
Speaking of the Fourth of July, I hope everyone had safe and fun get-togethers. Before we ate at the Dixon’s, Bob reminded everyone this holiday is not only about fun, food and fireworks but about the freedom America received by the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the sacrifices our forefathers made so we can enjoy that freedom on this day. Which brings to mind - our neighbors to the north of us are Ray and Lovenieh Merola. Lovenieh was born and raised in the Philippines but legally became an Ameri can citizen over 10 years ago. She commented to her husband this weekend that when she watches the fireworks and listens to the patriotic music she gets all choked up about living in America. Sometimes I think we, as native Americans, take our lives for granted and forget how lucky we are to be able to be an American and live in the U.S.A. God Bless America!
The Grimes County Mobile Food Pantry will be open Thursday, July 8, from 9:30- 10:45 a.m. at the Expo Center in Navasota under the back covered pavilion. If you are a resident of Grimes County and have filled out a once a year client assistant intake form, all you have to do to receive food is show your driver’s license.
The Knights of Columbus #4053 will host another much-needed blood drive at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Sunday, July 11 from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the parish hall. A free beach towel will be given to each one who donates blood that day. This blood drive is in cooperation with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. For more information or to sign up, contact Henry Ostermann at 936-873-2291. Sponsor Code is STKR.
Looking back at my birthday and anniversary calendar I realized that I put the anniversary of Mike and Linda Copley and Joe and Judy Corley on July 1, both couples were actually married on July 3. Ugh. Age is catching up to me!
Happy Birthday to those celebrating this week: July 8 – Carolyn Ashorn and Lisa Everett; July 9 – Travis Neeley, Audrie Busa, Angela Kubacak and Felipa Torres; July 10 – Danielle Moriarty and Chico Godfrey; July 11 – Haley Bennett, Anthony Sicinski and Pearl Steinkuehler; July 12 – Rickie Lemons, Dianne Blair and Debbie Lero; July 13 – Susan Wisnoski and Kyleigh Backhus; and July 14 – Joey Schulze, Cynthia Todd, Laveta Makek and Pam Evans.
Happy anniversary to those celebrating this week: July 8 – Scott and Mona Kessler, 15 years; July 10 – Larry and Crystal Sechelski, 17 years; July 11 – Carl and Tina Schroeder, 34 years; July 12 – Jerry and Hope Moriarty, 24 years; July 12 – Jeffrey and Natalie Nobles, 18 years; July 12 – Matt and Kirby Borski, 12 years; July 12 – Gary and Bonnie Klodzinski, 41 years; July 14 – Tommy and Barbara Szymczak, 48 years; and July 14 – Dennis and Pam Johnson, 31 years.
If you have special news about what goes on in your family or life, let me know by calling 936-870-6842 or email me at gailmsowell@yahoo.com.