Another anniversary of the deadly attack on the United States. We remember the lives lost, their families and the heroes who responded that day.
Never forget.
Another anniversary of the deadly attack on the United States. We remember the lives lost, their families and the heroes who responded that day.
Never forget.
A benefit to help the family of Mason Whitaker, who is battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is scheduled for 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Paxton Civic Center, 601 S. Fall St.
The Prayers for Mason Whitaker Benefit will include a silent auction, games, a bake sale, costume contest for kids and adults, food and more.
Mason is the 2-year-old son of Ashley Deck and Jimmy Whitaker. The family travels weekly to St. Louis for Mason’s treatment. Donations will help the family with travel costs and day-to-day expenses.
For more information about the benefit, or to donate, call Doris and Martin Varela at 390-8697 or 550-6883 or Betsi Cahill at 781-2473.
Paxton’s town-wide yard sales will be held Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 13, starting at 8 a.m. each day.
A list of the sales will be available for pickup at local gas stations and the Dollar General store in Paxton.
The garage sales are hosted by the Paxton Park District.
For more information, or to have a sale added to the list of sales, contact Kaye at 841-0068 or kayecb99@yahoo.com.
The second annual Paxton Swine N’ Dine Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in downtown Paxton.
The festival will include a barbecue competition for ribs and chicken with cash prizes awarded. This year the number of competitors will be capped at 50.
Bands will also perform from noon to 10 p.m., and beer tents will be serving beverages.
At least eight local antique stores and businesses will be open, as well. There will also be various food vendors, arts, crafts, children activities and flea markets open.
For more information, visit “Paxton Swine n Dine” on Facebook.
Enjoy a day filled with fun for the whole family celebrating the Fourth of July!! A day packed with activities and events is scheduled:
— 7:30-10:30 a.m. — Breakfast at American Legion building on East Pells Street (sponsored by Prospect Chapter 367, Order of the Eastern Star).
— 8 a.m. — “Color Me Free” Fun Run registration opens.
— 9 a.m. — “Color Me Free” Fun Run begins.
— 9 a.m. — Flea market opens.
— 9 a.m. to noon — Car show registration.
— 10 a.m. — Patriotic music by the community choir in the pavilion.
— 10:15 a.m. — Presentation of the colors by the American Legion Prairie Post 150 color guard in the pavilion.
— 10:20 a.m. — Golden Deeds Award winners announced.
— 10:30 a.m. — Community worship service.
— 11 a.m. — Antique tractor show (sponsored by the Paxton Rotary Club).
— 11 a.m. — Lunch stands open. Porkburger and butterfly pork chop sandwiches will be available at the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce’s tent.
— 11:30 a.m. — Children’s parade (kids are to assemble at the playground at this time).
— Noon — The Back Paiges perform ; car show judging begins; WPXN-Radio 104.9 broadcasting live; Take A Craft by the Paxton Carnegie Library; appearances by Uncle Sam and Betsy Ross.
— Noon to 3 p.m. — Children’s game area opens; bounce house area opens.
— 1-3 p.m. — Ford County Historical Society museum opens downtown.
— 1 p.m. — Pie competition judging.
— 1:30 p.m. — Paxton Community Nursery School bake sale.
— 2:15 p.m. — Pizza-eating contest.
— 2:30 p.m. — Pie competition winner awarded.
— 2:45 p.m. — Watermelon-eating contest.
— 3 p.m. — Car show awards presented.
— 9 p.m. — Fireworks display at Memorial Field on Paxton’s east side (sponsored by the City of Paxton).
1. There have been 27 official versions of the American flag, each with a different number of stars in the blue union. The official original flag contained 13 stripes and 13 stars, both symbolizing the first colonies.
2. The flag didn’t always have 13 stripes. In 1794, Kentucky and Vermont were added to the Union, resulting in a 15-star, 15-stripe flag that inspired Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner,” which was written after the battle at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
3. The latest version of the American flag is the longest to last, celebrating its 54th anniversary this year.
4. There is no written record of Betsy Ross being the creator of the American flag. The story was largely unheard of until 1870 when Ross’s grandson, William Canby, brought it up to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The family swears by the oral history and recorded government payments to Betsy Ross seem to suggest that what they say is true.
5. The colors of the flag are symbolic. Red stands for valor, white stands for purity, and blue stands for perseverance and justice.
6. The flag was first called “Old Glory” by a young sea captain named William Driver in 1824.
The flag is, after all, the greatest emblem of our nation. As President Coolidge said:
“We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth. It represents our peace and security, our civil and political liberty, our freedom of religious worship, our family, our friends, our home. We see it in the great multitude of blessings, of rights and privileges that make up our country.”