Hello, everyone. Can you believe it's July already? This is "camping month" for many folks. Hopefully, the weather will become a little warmer, especially in the evenings.

It's Mexican Day Thursday, July 3, at the Luce County Community Resource and Recreation Center in Newberry. It's a great place for kids. Stop by the center, located in the same building as the Senior Center, on the same street as the IGA in Newberry.

The summer reading program "Catching the Reading Bug," will be Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Engadine Library. The first session will be July 9, and the last session is August 13. Preschool group, story hour kindergarten through second grade, Reading Club for third through sixth grade, crafts, games, treats, and prizes are included. All area children are welcome to attend.

Storyteller Jenifer Strauss will be at the Engadine Library Wednesday, July 23, at 3 p.m.

Sunday, July 27, during the Engadine Heritage Days, Leslie Helakoski, author of the "Big Chickens" book, will present on the main stage at the Engadine Mill Pond Park pavilion. There will be children's activities and book signings.

The Engadine Library is accepting donations for the annual used book sale, which will be Friday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Naubinway Pavilion. All sales are by donation.

Celebrate Independence Day in Naubinway, starting with the Kiddie Parade Thursday, July 3. Line-up begins at 5:30 p.m. by the fire department, with the parade starting at 6 p.m. Participants must follow the parade theme, "Float Your Boat." Children's activities will follow.

Friday, July 4, the 25th Annual Black Bear Run begins at 9 a.m. The starting line is in Engadine, with the finish line in Naubinway. For more information, call Aaron Fulton at (906) 477-9019.

Friday, July 4, at the Naubinway Pavilion, the Lions booth opens at 1 p.m., and the Knights of Columbus fish fry at noon at the pavilion. The parade begins at 1 p.m. Following the parade, there will be kid's games and much more. Don't miss the fireworks at dusk, over the bay.

The Newberry Independence Day parade is Friday, July 4, at 10:30 a.m. The parade line-up starts at the American Legion, on East Victory Way. Following the parade will be the Kiwanis Club's chicken barbecue at the American Legion and the Newberry Community Appreciation Day, at Tahquamenon Area School. There will be arts and crafts, inflatables, and games for the kids. The Masons' Child Identification Program, Jim Dwyer's local historic photographs, and lots of food will be offered. The "Alumni and Friends Variety Show Fundraiser" will take place in the Bystrom Auditorium in Newberry High School at 7 p.m.

The second annual Hulbert Music Fest will be Friday, July 4, from noon to 4 p.m. at the American Legion in Hulbert.

The Hulbert Independence Day parade will be Saturday, July 5, at 11:30 a.m. at the Legion parking lot. The Hulbert Music Fest continues Saturday. There will be a horseshoe tournament at 2 p.m. Cost is $5 to enter. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a chicken dinner. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and younger.

There will be a barbecue chicken or ribs dinner Saturday, July 5, at Gould City Eagles Club 4483, near the corner of South Gould City Road, on US-2.

The Gould City Eagles Club will host Carney's Cajun Shrimp Boil Sunday, July 6. This event is held the first Friday of every month, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Gould City Eagles Club held a surprise retirement party for Alice Schroeder of Engadine, who retired Friday, June 27, from Helen Newberry Joy Hospital.

Heaven McGahan has put a lot of time and energy into sprucing up Gould City Park, the Gould City Eagles Club reports. So far, there are two new picnic tables, and I've heard there's more to come.

Sunday, July 6, it's the Biggest Little Town Parade in Curtis, starting at noon. This year's parade theme is, "Serving Our Community." Parade line-up starts at 11:30 a.m. on the Sand Town Road. There will be floats, marching bands, bands, and more. On the hill, located at the end of town, you will find a lot of things to see and do, including arts and crafts booths. The Lions Club's famous chicken barbecue will begin at 11 a.m. The Curtis Chamber food and refreshments tent will be on the grounds, and the Curtis Women's Club will have baked goods for sale. There will be inflatable slides, rock climbing, and games on the grounds for the whole family.

The Hulbert American Legion will have a breakfast Sunday, July 6, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Hulbert Town Hall. Cost is $6.

Winners of the Engadine VFW and Auxiliary Post 8372 Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen essay programs were: Andrew Wheeler, first place; Elisa Hobbs, second place, and Heather Troyer and Michael Klobucher tied for third place. The winners, finalists, and their families were treated to a dinner. May 12 the students in the seventh and eighth grade were treated to brownies and ice cream with toppings by the Auxiliary members in their school classroom. The winners were: Cody Flatt, first place; Morgan MacArthur, second place, and Brittany Perrault, third place. Andrew Wheeler and Cody Flatt each placed second in the 14th District in each program.

The VFW and Auxiliary Post 8372 of Engadine will participate in the parades Friday, July 4, in Naubinway, and the Sunday, July 6, in Curtis.

The Engadine VFW Post will have a meeting Wednesday, July 9, at 7 p.m. at the post home.

Happy birthday to Donnie Clark Jr. July 3, Imani Miller and Mathais Miller July 4, Abigail Germain July 5, Laura Cook, Cyelste Livermore, Joann Klobucher, and Mark Campbell Jr. July 6, Dominic Adams, Stefen Alright, Sean Feneley, and Kolby Hood July 7, Michelle Vallier and Hanna Bigelow July 9, and a wonderful and very talented lady, Tillie Smith, July 10.

Happy anniversary to Nathan and Jaci Livermore July 4, Joshua and Shannon Ott and Keith and Mandy Butkovich July 5, Don and Karen Frazier July 6, Tim and Kitty Mast and our son and daughter-inlaw, Travis and Sarah Freeman, on their first wedding anniversary July 7, Gerry and Linda Kerbersky and Sean and Amber Feneley July 8, Carl and Sally Frazier July 10, and Bob and Cindy Hartwig July 11.

Until next time, take care.