I want to share with our Hartselle Enquirer readers this week my thoughts about America. I am so very thankful to be able to say that the United States of America is my country. There are many things wrong in our country today, but there’s no other place I would want to live.

Many brave young men and women have given their lives for our freedoms and many more returned home with missing limbs and other terrible injuries. I am proud to say that I love God and my country, and I am very proud to be an American.

Michelle Randolph was director of the Neel UMC vacation Bible school. Kick-off was Fri., June 19, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. There were 37 area children who attended. All of the volunteers and leaders were appreciated. On Sat., June 20, everyone met for classes, music, crafts and recreation. Everyone enjoyed a hotdog picnic at 11 a.m. for the closing of vacation Bible school.

There will be a memorial service for the late Ted Bryant at Corinth West Cemetery July 12, at 2 p.m. Ted was formerly from the Piney Grove Community. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Amy Luker Bryant and a brother, Ronald Bryant. He has a surviving sister, Sonya Duke of Good Hope and brother, Phillip Bryant of Piney Grove. For two years, Ted had been at a Veteran’s Home in West Palm Beach, Fla. Ted’s family in Florida will be coming to Cullman County July 10. They live on Florida’s east coast near the Cape. As long as Ted was able, he was a loyal attendee at the Mt. Vernon and Corinth Decorations in May.

Norris and Mary Turney of Forrest Chapel were happy to have their daughter Leslie visiting them from June 27 to July 5. Leslie lives in Mobile and is employed by the Corps of Engineers as a biologist/project manager. She received her marine biology degree at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.

The Rev. Shannon Black from Arab will be the evangelist for Corinth West Methodist Church’s revival. Their Sun., July 12, service will be at 5 p.m. The Monday through Friday night special singing and the sermons will be at 7 p.m. Church members would like to thank those who supported their Swamp John’s fund raiser supper on June 16.

Youth 7-12 grades from the community had an all day vacation Bible school at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church Sat., June 27. Brother Greg Compton, pastor, directed the classes and activities. Youth and leaders met from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. After the closing of VBS, leaders and students enjoyed bowling and pizza.

The Bridge Center of McKendree UMC was the host location for the community-wide, free movie Thur., June 25, at 6:30 p.m. The movie shown was “National Treasure.” Everyone enjoyed popcorn and soft drinks. This event will be monthly on Thursdays. Brother Mike Vest is their pastor and welcomes the public.

Lori Nelson of Forrest Chapel UMC will be vacation Bible school director this summer. Children and youth will meet Fri., July 31, at 6 p.m. for a campfire meal that they prepare. On Aug. 1, leaders and those attending VBS will meet at 8:30 a.m. to noon, and lunch will be served in the fellowship hall. Their studies will be on Old Testament Biblical foods and nutrition today. The Rev. David Teel is the new pastor at Forrest Chapel UMC.

Get well wishes go out this week to Fay Hall White who has returned to her home in Danville from Summerford Nursing Home.

Christian love and heartfelt prayers go out this week to Kathryn Maddox of Cullman and Joyce Blackmon of Hartselle. Both are from Mt. Vernon community.

Christian love and heartfelt sympathy goes out this week for the family of Peggy Bailey Durand. Peggy’s home was at Cotaco, but she was formerly from the Massey-Mt. Nebo community, and she graduated from Falkville High School with the Class of 1953. In addition, sympathy prayers go out to Nell Hampton Steele’s family. Nell is formerly from Lawrence county and graduated from Speake High School. Nell’s home was on Hwy 55 west.