Last week leading up to July 4 has been busy for most organizations celebrating the 250th birthday of our country.
Shepherd Chamber of Commerce welcomed State Rep. Janis Holt who gave a wonderful speech about the meaning of the celebration. She was followed by Shepherd Mayor Charles Minton, who welcomed everyone who had turned out in the heat and. humidity. Before this, American Legion, VFW Post 629 opened the event with the flag ceremony and prayer and the MIA ceremony of the empty chair.
Thank you, veterans, Commander Larry Lowe and all the members of the Harold Davis Post.
Our DJ was Board Member Joe LeBlanc who was also a great MC. You may know him as Karaoke Joe and DJ Services, he kept the music coming all day till fireworks at 9 p.m. The Hot Steppers performed around 8 p.m. They had already danced at an earlier event, but Leader Diane Clevenger took time to teach some of the crowd how to line dance a simple routine. I say simple but it looked pretty clever to me.
The vendors were all excellent and the games for kids were great fun. Musical chairs and a watermelon eating contest came after a session of Dunking in the Water by Shepherd VFD. This was incredibly popular since anyone could volunteer to sit in the large tank waiting to be dunked when the ball hit the right spot. Since it was around 100 degrees, this was a wise move.
Margaret Williams represented Friends of Hopewell, and she and I shared a table with Chamber Treasurer Lynne Hoban Montez for the Shepherd Chamber. A very worthwhile organization, Dead South MC, Muspelheim Chapter, was there to publicize the Second Annual Pencils & Pistons School Supply Drive.
Their aim is to supply children who cannot afford school supplies. Donations of New/Unused supplies, backpacks or money will be distributed to these students. You may donate at the following drop off locations; McClain’s; El Taquito and Texas Grill in Shepherd; The Den or on the day of the event, July 11 from noon-6 p.m. at American Legion Post 393 in Cleveland. This located at 25774 Highway 321, Cleveland. Contact Kenneth Watson at (936) 433-9518.
The Muspelheim Chapter was well-represented at the event with their motorcycles creating a solid line of shiny, immaculate machines. Come out to see them on the day. Food will be available to purchase. Todd Cotie dressed in his Elvis costume, won Patriotic Dress for Adults and the youth winner was Miss Anna, accompanied by her mother. No pet was entered this year.
The fireworks display was incredible. Extremely effective, very colorful and was watched by a huge crowd. Cars were parked on both sides of the road for a long distance as well as in the school parking lot. Thank you to the Fireworks Team and the City of Shepherd who donated $5,000 towards the cost of the show.
The five candidates will speak and answer questions from the audience, giving a chance for them to get to know what each candidate is focused upon and putting a face to the name on the ballot. They are Holly Taylor, Texas Court of Criminal Appeal; Dana Van de Walker, State Board Education District 8; Valerie Jackson Barton, Texas House District 18; and two many of our county may have already met — Caitlin Rourk, Congressional District 10, and Paul Thomasson, Texas Senate District 5.
Contact the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce at (210) 995-7420 or the Coldspring Chamber at (936) 653-2184.
Yvonne Cones is president of the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce.
