Greetings everyone! Hoping you all had a wonderful time celebrating Independence Day this year. Do you know the history of the 4th of July? On July 4, 1776, the 13 original colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.

Senior citizens here at the Garland Senior Center had a nice pool party to celebrate the occasion on July 3. There were small wading pools and beach towels to add to the beach theme. It was so nice to splash our feet in the pools and visit with old and new friends. There were a few faces we saw that day that we haven’t seen in a while, and it was surely good to see all of our friends. Mr. Calvin Artis and brothers came out and prepared a fine breakfast feast for us all which was followed up by some tasty foods grilled to perfection at lunch time. Mr. Artis and his lovely wife Emma, along with his brothers, have been long time contributors and volunteers for our Garland site. We appreciate them and all of our volunteers and are very thankful for their help. It is the help from our community volunteers that means so very much. Thank you.

We are so excited here at the Garland Senior Center because several of our seniors have been chosen for the North Carolina Senior Games. The games will be held in Cary, Durham and Raleigh starting on Sept. 17 and continuing through Sept. 23. Our Garland site has the oldest participant from Sampson County this year and we are very grateful. At the age of 91, Mrs. Sabina Gamas took home four gold medals and one silver for the events she competed in on April 11 during the MidCarolina Senior Games. Also, Mr. Charles Powell a Sampson County native and Vietnam Veteran, at the age of 83 took home several medals himself and has also qualified for the State Finals in September. Both Mr. Powell and Mrs. Gamas are looking forward to the events and are very excited to be able to go onto the North Carolina Senior Games State Finals to represent GSC and Sampson County. We would like to congratulate both Mrs. Gamas and Mr. Powell on a job well done in representing Garland and Sampson County’s finest. We are very proud of all of our seniors and their accomplishments and are ready to cheer them on all the time.

By the time you all read this, the event will have come and gone, but, Ms. Eve Black from Black & Associates Insurance will be hosting a BINGO game for the Garland Senior Center tomorrow, July 10, 2018. We’ve certainly been anticipating Ms. Black coming and we know it’s sure to be a great time of fun and fellowship. It is always a good time for friends, fun, and BINGO!

In closing, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of my readers who may be suffering or are grieving over the loss of loved ones. I am sincerely sorry for your loss. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 “Always pray and never give up.” Luke 18:1

I can’t brag about my love for God because I fail Him. But I can brag about His love for me because it never fails. Until next time, let us live, laugh and love without limits.

Marie Faircloth
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Marie-Faircloth-1.jpgMarie Faircloth

By Marie Faircloth

Contributing columnist

Marie Faircloth is the director at the Garland Senior Center.