Family life on the fourth of July

Today, we celebrate our Independence as a country. Some will travel to see family and friends and some will get together locally to celebrate at home. Those who enjoy barbecuing will fire up the charcoal or gas grills and cook some of the best food in the South, barbecue pork or beef ribs, smoked butts, steaks, hamburgers, or hot dogs, grilled potatoes, squash, and corn-on-the-cob, then add to the side some delicious slaw, beans, corn salad, or summer salad. But my favorite will have delicious homemade ice cream with an option to add apple or peach pie. Just listing the foods makes me wish the fourth was already here.

The City of Holly Springs will have its Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 5, beginning at 5 p.m. In Blues Alley Park. Participants may bring lawn chairs and tents. It will be a family fun-filled evening for everyone to enjoy. The fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Who likes to fish? That is the question, but those who do fish usually have to buy a fishing license. On the Fourth of July, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks announced they will have a `Free Fishing Day.’

Free Fishing Day is a great opportunity to try out fishing for the first time or for seasoned anglers to introduce someone new to the sport.

For more information, visit the MDWFP website, www.mdwfp.com, or call 601432-2400.

The Marshall County communities have always worked together to help those in need and I received some information on a food drive and back-to-school drives last week. Also, several Braiders and barbers are offering a free haircut day for students.

Byhalia Nutrition Shack is holding a Food Drive for Hearts and Hands in Byhalia through July 6. Bring in a donation and save $1 on a tea or shake. Hearts and Hands has been a great ministry for many in the community. Monetary donations may be mailed to Hearts and Hands, P.O. Box 308, Byhalia, MS 38611, or call 662-838-8899. Hearts and Hands is located at 32 Brunswick Street, Byhalia.

July will be a busy month for many families as they prepare for the upcoming school year. Several community-minded merchants have come together to help parents get their children ready for another school year.

The Byhalia Police Dept, Guardian Insurance, the Event Center in Byhalia, Southern Cabinets, and Byhalia Bank have joined the community in helping to fill student backpacks until July 30.

School supplies, backpacks and monetary donations are greatly appreciated. The dropoff locations are Insure Motives Insurance Agency, 28A Chase Street, Guardian Insurance, 7984 Highway 178, and the Byhalia Police Department. A backpack giveaway will be held on August 2 at the Byhalia Event Center, 28 Chase Street, from 5 p.m. To 9 p.m.

Braidingcastle will host free simple cuts and styles for students at a Back2School Haircut event, ages 6-16. Local braiders and barbers have come together to offer students free haircuts at the Victoria Community Center, 77 Victoria Road. The Sunshine Ladies, Cookie The Clown, and RichLyfe will be at the event to give away school supplies.

For more information, call 662-782-6558 or email braidingcastle6@gmail.com.