By Sara Schafer

Mower County Senior Center

Following its adoption, the Declaration of Independence was read to the public in various American cities.

Whenever they heard it, patriots erupted in cheers and celebrations. In 1777, Philadelphians remembered the Fourth of July. Bells were rung, guns fired, candles lighted, and firecrackers set off. Over time, various other summertime activities also came to be associated with the Fourth of July, including historical pageants, picnics, baseball games, watermelon-eating contests, and trips to the beach. Common foods include hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, apple pie, cole slaw, and sometimes clam bakes.

While the Fourth is celebrated across the country, historic cities like Boston and Philadelphia draw huge crowds to their festivities. The second president, John Adams, would have approved.

“I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival,” he wrote his wife, Abigail. “It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…”

John Hancock, the president of the Second Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration. With its ornate capitals, Hancock’s sprawling signature is prominent on the document. Since then, when people are asked for their “John Hancock,” they are being asked to sign their names.

No matter what your plans are to celebrate July 4th. We at the senior center wish you a safe and happy holiday. You may not be old now, but if you’re lucky, one day you will be. We look forward to seeing you at our many programs at the senior center.

Don’t forget our coffee shop where every day you can have homemade soup for $1 and sandwich for 50 cents. Tuesday, we are having scalloped potatoes and ham in the coffee shop for only $2.

Upcoming events

Monday: Blood Pressure Checks, 9 a.m.; SAIL Bone Builder, 9 a.m.; Walking Club 9 a.m.;  Cards (Pinochle and bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evies Friends, 1 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers 8:15 a.m.; Exercise with Evie’s Friends, 9 a.m.; Scalloped potatoes and ham, 11:30 a.m.; Cards (500, Duplicate Bridge,  Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: Tops, 8 a.m.; Silver Sneakers, 8:15 a.m.; Exercise with Evie’s Friends, 9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo and open chess, 1 p.m.;  Weight Watchers, 5 p.m.

Cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo and open chess, 1 p.m.;  Weight Watchers, 5 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

June 18, one table

1st Dave Solomonson, 2nd Millie Seiver, 3rd Carolyne Higgins, 4th Mary Johnsen

Tuesday Bridge

June 19, six tables

1st Dave Ring, 1st Loren Cleland; 2nd Ray Schmidt, 2nd Gail Schmidt; 3rd Larry Crowe, 3rd Bill Momsen; 4th Gail Nelson, 4th  Sue Manor

Tuesday 500

June 19, two tables

1st Dave Solomonson, 2nd Dennis Bray, 3rd Carol Evenson

Friday 500

June 22, three tables

1st Arlys Spurlin, 2nd Carol Hamilton, 3rd Sally Michels

Wednesday

Duplicate Bridge

June 20, 5.5 tables

1st Stan Schultz, 1st Dave Funkhauser; 2nd Dave Ring, 2nd Orrion Roisen; 3rd Barb Engebretson, 3rd Eunice Michels; 4th Gail Schmidt, 4th Ray Schmidt; 5th Larry Crowe, 5th Jim Fisher; 6th Lorraine Quinslivan, 6th Julie Prochnow

Friday Bridge

June 22, one table

1st Quentin Fiala, 2nd Jaynard Johnson, 3rd Carolyne Higgins, 4th Mary Johnsen

Pinochle

No Results