My father, the hero | Lifestyles
It seems the older I get, the more I realize my father was a very smart man. The first man I ever loved, my dad has not been with me for the last 14 years, but I think of him and my mama almost daily. I miss our talks, his laugh, his matter-of-fact advice. Riddled with arthritis in his late years, he never stopped moving. He made a garden each summer and fed family and friends with its bounty. Every Friday, he would cook his specialty, an Italian soup, Minestra, and deliver it to neighbors and his kids. A World War II veteran, he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He never considered himself brave, just serving his country. He put his time in with the USPS, and he was retired for 30 wonderful, healthy years. He took care of himself and us until he could no more. He was a hardworking man of integrity. He was my hero. I am hoping that you have someone in your life that you can look up to on this upcoming Father’s Day. If you do not, then I challenge you to make a difference in someone else’s life so you can be looked upon as their hero.
Here is what is happening around the area … continue to wear a mask if you feel the need, wash your hands and stay safe!
Friday, June 18, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday, June 19, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Central Christian Church, 1640 Big Tree Drive, Fairmont. Furniture will be priced. Everything else sold for donations. Hot dog sale for takeout only. Face masks required.
School’s Out for Summer Skating Party on Friday, June 18, from 9 p.m.-7 a.m., 718 Carlone Street, Fairmont. $25 per person. Children of all ages with or without parent are welcome. Parents must sign children in if being dropped off. RSVP by noon June 18. Spots are limited. Games, pizza and water provided. For more information, call 304-365-5587.
Deon Dobbs Basketball Camp at Fairmont Senior High School, June 28-July 1. Grades 3rd-7th, 5:15-7 p.m; grades 8th-12th, 7:15-9 p.m. The camp will focus on the fundamentals of basketball, including shooting, passing and dribbling with a strong emphasis on defense. At the end of each session, there will be 15 minutes of scrimmage time. $80 per camper; all campers will receive camp T-shirt. Contact 304-216-1516 or email dobbs232000@yahoo.com.
Marion County Schools is offering seven-day food boxes delivered to students’ homes this summer. Anyone ages 18 and under is eligible. Students must not be participating in another summer food program. Boxes will be delivered weekly through Aug. 18 to the address provided. How to sign-up? Visit www.marionboe.com to register now until July 19th.
The Marion County Family Resource Network will hold a community meeting at noon Wednesday, June 16, at Pavilion 6 by the Wave Pool, 34 City View Terrace. Lunch will be served. Please bring information you would like to share with the group. Special guest: Laura Hedrick of the Mountaineer Food Bank and Kelly Thompson of Mission West Virginia.
MCPARC lifeguards will be offering swimming lessons throughout the summer season at 12th Street Pool. Lessons are open to youth of all swimming skill levels. Children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Cost: $40 per session. It is recommended that you only sign up for one session due to the high demand for this program. Session Two: June 21-25, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Session Three: July 12-16, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Register online at www.mcparc.com, call 304-363-7037 or email:info@mcparc.com for more information.
Elementary learning camp for grades K-4 set for June 22-25 and June 28-29 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily. Transportation available. Breakfast and lunch provided. Featuring Happy Campers social-emotional learning, reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, music, arts and crafts, wellness, STEM activities. Register your child on-line at marionboe.com or contact your child’s school for more information.
Resiliency Summer Camp is coming to Windmill Park June 28–July 2: 9 a.m.-noon, ages 3-12; 1 p.m.-4 p.m., ages 13-21. Free of charge. Staffed by mental health specialist, youth outreach specialist and counselors. Coping skills, courage, calming techniques, communication skills, resiliency, and socialization. Free food and fun. Contact to RSVP or for questions, Robin Hayes: Email robin.hayes@wvumedicine.org or phone 304-623-5666, Ext. 1257.
West Fairmont Colts sign-ups
Sign-ups for cheerleading and football will be held on Wednesday, June 16, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. by football field at Mary Lou Retton Park. Late registration will be Tuesday, July 27 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Mighty Mite: Ages 5-7; 7-year-olds must be under 100 pounds. Pee Wee: Ages 8-10, 10-year-olds mustt be under 90 pounds. Midgets: Ages 10-12. Registration fees: Football, $100 in May or June, $125 in July; cheerleading, $60. Checks should be made payable to WF Colts. Bring a copy of child’s birth certificate to sign-ups. Follow events on West Fairmont Colts Youth Football and Cheer.
Fairmont Catholic School is sponsoring a Car Cruise on Friday, June 18, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1660 Mary Lou Retton Drive. $15 vehicle entry fee. Registration: 3 p.m.-5 p.m. People’s Choice Award: 7 p.m. General public welcome. No admission fee. Raffles, 50/50 drawing, concessions. All social guidelines will be followed.
Sessions offered in Palatine Park on Everest Drive, Fairmont, Tuesdays from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Conducted by WVYogaGirl and Wild Vinyasa Yoga Studio. Tickets: ww.vagaro.com/wildvinyasayogastudio
Join Marion County WIC to celebrate the reopening of the local clinic. The first 75 participants will receive a gift bag and snack to go. July 1 from 3-5 p.m. at Marion County WIC office, 532 Pennsylvania Ave., Fairmont.
Designer Purse Bingo will be held at the Fairmont Knights of Columbus to benefit the United Way on Sunday, July 11, featuring beautiful purses. Call 304-534-8696 to purchase tickets. Advance tickets, $20; at the door, $25 (if available). There will be raffles, 50/50, pull tabs, concessions and more. Doors open 11:30. Early bird, 12:30. Bingo begins at 1 p.m.
Fairmont Catholic Golf Outing
Looking for teams and sponsors for the Fairmont Catholic Golf Outing 2021, to be held at Green Hills Country Club on Friday, Sept. 10, with noon start. Contact Chris Pallotta at 304-322-0260 or Anthony Burnside at 304- 594-6402.
Organizers are looking for crafters and vendors to take part Oct. 9. If you would be interested, email craftvendor2021@yahoo.com. Vendors will be accepted on a first come, first pay basis. When emailing, include at least two pictures of the items you make and sell, along with full name, address and phone number. If you are approved, organizers will send you an application with full details. The fee for this event will be $40 a table, with additional fee of $5 for electrical access, which will be limited. If you are a food vendor, take note that you must have your Health Card, as well as a permit from the Health Department to sell items. You will be asked to display this the day of the event. The $40 fee includes a 6-foot table, two chairs, easy loading and unloading, lots of parking and advertising. Organizers will ask that you help with sharing the event with your family, friends, co-workers and social media. Looking forward to hearing for you. Organizers will respond to emails within two weeks.
If you have an event that you would like published. Email Toni @ tabr1960@gmail.com or call 304-376-5835.
I leave you with: “What you teach your children, you also teach their children.” — Anonymous
I leave you with – “What you teach your children, you also teach their children.” — Anonymous
