Benton Senior Center reminds of why we mark the Fourth
We celebrate American Independence Day on the Fourth of July every year. We think of July 4, 1776, a day that represents the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. But July 4, 1776, wasn’t the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence.
They did that July 2,
1776. It wasn’t the day we started the American Revolution either. That happened in April 1775. And it wasn’t the day Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. That was in June 1776. Or the date on which the Declaration was delivered to Great Britain. That didn’t happen until November 1776. Or the date it was signed. That was August 1, 1776.
So what did happen on July 4, 1776?
The Continental
Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. They had been working on it for a couple of days after the draft was submitted on July 2 and finally agreed on all of edits and changes.
July 4, 1776, became the date that was included on the Declaration of Independence, and the fancy handwritten copy that was signed in August. It’s also the date that was printed on the Dunlap Broadsides, the original printed copies of the Declaration that were circulated throughout the new nation. So when people thought of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, was the date they remembered.
So on July 4, enjoy celebrating with family and friends, enjoy the fireworks, and remember what sacrifices were made by our forefathers to ensure that we would live in a free nation.
A shaved ice truck will be at the Benton Senior Wellness and Activity Center every Friday during the month of July from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be a fundraiser for the Center. Everyone is welcome to stop by and purchase a shaved ice and help support the Center.
Monday – The Country Ramblers Band, led by Lawrence Savage, will play at 9 a.m. for your listening pleasure and a little boot scootin’ if you are so inclined.
Volleyball practice will begin at 12:30 p.m.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibily) will be held at 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Farmer’s Market will be held 8:30 a.m.
At 9:30 a.m., PEPPI Exercise and Move with Balance will be held.
Gospel singing will begin at 10 a.m. and everyone is welcome to share a song or just sing along.
Volleyball practice is set to begin at 12:30 p.m.
A sign language class is offered at 12:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m. each Tuesday, a different band will play for your listening and dancing pleasure. The band for this week is the Western Debonaires. Tickets are $5. PLEASE REMEMBER THE RULES FOR THE DANCE.
Wednesday – At 9 a.m. Harmonicas for Health will be held. Harmonicas and music are provided. All you have to do is show up. Not only are you learning something new, it is a great way to help your breathing.
Bingo starts at 10 a.m. Great way to spend a morning and you can practice for bingo at Chick-fil-a on Thursday.
A genealogy course will be given at noon.
Intro to Windows 10 will be held at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday – CLOSED FOR FOURTH OF JULY
Friday – Yard Sales begin at 8:15 p.m.
The Danny Perryman and Old Country will entertain us from 9 to 11 a.m. If you dance by the camera you just might find yourself on TV showing off your dancing skills. Sort of like a senior version of American Bandstand or Steve’s Show.
Shaved ice (Fundraiser for the Center) will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Line Dancing will be held at 1 p.m.
Each day, a delicious, hearty meal is served. For ages 60 plus, a $3 donation is requested. For those 59 and younger, there is a charge of $8. If you want a take-out plate the charge will be $8 as well.
Monday – Green pepper steak, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, whole wheat roll, mandarin oranges and milk.
Tuesday – Baked chicken, baked sweet potato, green beans, whole wheat roll, banana pudding and milk.
Wednesday – Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, broccoli, roll, sherbert and milk.
Thursday – CLOSED FOR FOURTH OF JULY
Friday – Stuffed pepper casserole, tossed salad, Texas toast, fresh orange and milk.
The Center is open each day from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Come join in a game of dominos, working a puzzle, a rowdy game of bean bag ball, a game of pool, volleyball or maybe researching something on our computers.