The Greenville Police Department has a series of fun activities, camps and classes for area kids that are all part of their Summer of Safey. Here's the schedule of the summer's remaining events:

For the seventh year, members of the Hunt County Bar Association will conduct a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The event is scheduled for noon Friday, July 1st. A group of local attorneys plans to celebrate the 246th birthday of the United States by gathering on the north steps of the Hunt County Courthouse to recite the words which helped create the nation. The public is invited to attend.

The W. Walworth Harrison Library continues their Summer Reading Challenge, "Oceans of Possibilities" and you can still register. And they have a great list of special Friday afternoon activities for kids through the month. Here's the schedule. Keep up with the details on the library's Facebook page.

On July 2-4, a Rodear America Cowdog Competition will take place at Longhorn Arena. They had one last month that was a big success. The sport of Rodear teams a cow dog with a horse & handler to negotiate a small group of cattle through a series of obstacles. It is guided by a few rules & ranked by points & time. Riders who use dogs in their work, will really enjoy this competition. There will be 4 classes; Open, Non-Pro, Green Dog, and Rookie Handler. Contact the Longhorn Arena and Event Center at (903)287-9501 to enter. Spectators are encouraged with a small entry fee. The dogs and handlers are amazing to watch!

If you enjoy riding, the regular weekly events at the Longhorn Arena and Event Center, 301 East Interstate 30, might be of interest to you. It's covered and climate-controlled, so bad weather is not a factor for the fun. The arena also hosts a variety of horsemanship clinics and workshops every month. Complete information on all their events is available on their Facebook page. You'll be amazed at how much goes on at this place!

On Saturday July 2nd, CASA for Hunt County will present the Charlotte Turner Memorial Car, Truck & Motorcyle Show on the parking lot of Alliance Bank, 6609 Wesley St. Enjoy family fun, a silent auction, food trucks, and more! Check in is at 9 am and the awards will be presented at 1 pm. The registration fee is a donation to CASA for Hunt County in an amount that’s meaningful to you. Donations/registration can be made in advance online at this link or by mail. The registration deadline is noon on Monday, June 27, or when capacity is reached (whichever comes first). Don’t wait! Space is limited.

On Tuesday, July 5th at noon, the museum will present their monthly Lunch Break Special with Ron Robinson, talking about the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Robinson has been a student of the American Civil War and Abraham Lincoln for over 60 years and has been a long-time member of the Lincoln Forum. He will present an overview of the battle and the key military and civilian leadership of the time. He will also cover a less-discussed topic about why the battle occurred in the first place. It should be fascinating. Regular musuem admission will apply.

While you're there, check out the temporary display of antique purses from the collection of the late Mary Lauderdale. Here's a link to a recent article in the Herald Banner about this display, which will be on view into August.

Every Tuesday night is "Game Night" at Landon Winery. Grab some friends and beat the heat playing your favorite games every Tuesday all summer long. Landon's will have card games, board games, dominos, and more. And of course, the wine! Meet new people, try new wines, relax and unwind. Seating is first to come first seated; no reservations are necessary.

Every Wednesday is Wine Down Wednesday at Landon Winery. And the warmer weather means that pleasant afternoons and evenings on their patio are here! You can enjoy half price bottles of wine on site - along with yummy meat/cheese boards, flatbreads and small plate treats. You can also take up to three bottles for at-home consumption at the same 50% discount. And if you need incentive to try these award-winning wines – Wine Down Wednesday is the perfect time!

The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum has some fun activities planned this summer, in addition to their wonderful regular displays. My granddaughter loved the "village" of kid-sized storefronts, as well as the pneumatic tubes that "swooshed" the balls around when we visited. The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30-4:30. Admission is $7 per person over 2. The museum is located at 100 Maple Street in Commerce - about a 20-minute drive away and well worth the trip! Here's a list of the upcoming events in July. Keep up with things on their website.

Friendlee Live presents programs at the Texan Theater every Wednesday at noon. Greenville’s “local color” radio host, Friendlee, interviews a musical artist from the stage in the theater. Along with performances, there are stories, tall tales and lots of laughter. You can order lunch from the Texan Coffee Shop, and it's delivered to your seat in the theater. Can't make it? Enjoy the show online each week at this link:

Greenville Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a series of creative art classes with Steph Black. Each class will be held from 7-8:30 pm in the Art Room at Reecy Davis Recreation Center, 4320 Lee St. All art supplies are included, and you get to bring home a masterpiece! Classes are offered for all ages and skill levels. The cost for each class is $20 for a Greenville resident and $30 for a non-resident. Space is limited, so register at this link. Here's the schedule (all classes are on Thursdays):

Tickets are now on sale for one of my favorite arts events of the summer: Greenville Family Theater's summer musical presentation. This year, they are presenting Mary Poppins over two weekends: July 8 & 9 and 15 & 16. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic, common sense, and a “spoonful of sugar”, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.” Tickets ($10-$25) are available at this link. You will be amazed at the talent shown by the young people on the stage.

The City of Greenville and Splash Kingdom present "Movies by the Pool" on selected Friday evenings in July. The movies will be at Splash Kingdom Air Patrol - Greenville beginning at approximately 8:30pm. Arrive after 8pm and get $5 entry and a free popcorn. The movie schedule is

Local artist and retired Texas A&M Commerce professor Jerry Dodd will be the July Artist of the Month at Uptown Forum and honored with a public reception for Dodd will be held on Saturday, July 9th, from 1-3 pm at At The Top Gallery. He will be recognized with an exhibit of his work in At The Top Gallery, located on the top floor of the building, located at 2610 Lee Street, through the month. Dodd lives and works in Commerce, TX. He received a B.S. in art from Central Michigan University and an MFA from the University of Oregon. He taught art and sculpture for nearly 40 years, retiring in 2006 after nearly 30 years at Texas A&M University Commerce. His work has been exhibited on a regional and national basis since 1968. He has participated in over 60 juried shows, about 30 invitational exhibitions, and approximately 20 one-man shows. His current focus is in welded steel sculpture and digital prints.

And Fiddle & Fork Restaurant in Uptown Forum is expected to open any time! Keep up with the latest news on their Facebook page.

The Greenville Knights of Columbus Council 7438 will be hosting Freedom Fest in appreciation for first responders be on Saturday, July 9th, from 6 – 10pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 2705 Sunset Strip, Greenville, TX. The event will include food and live entertainment. This event is open to the public for $10 per person cover charge (kids 12 and under are free). First responders include medical workers, law enforcement, Fire Department, EMS, and active duty military.  First responders will be admitted for free with proper identification and will be provided a free meal. For all others, meals are available for purchase which include a hamburger or hot dog, chips, and water. Other beverages will be available for purchase. Live entertainment will feature the Cruz and Council Band. Folks are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the music and fun as the Knight of Columbus says “Thank You” to all first responders.

The City of Greenville Parks & Recreation Department is featuring “Parks Pop Ups” during July and August. They will be taking the Event Trailer to each park on a different day and there will be lots of fun, games and activities for everyone to enjoy. Some of the things they’re planning include chalk art, cornhole, sports and scavenger hunts. Here’s the schedule:

On Monday, July 11th, from 5-7 pm, Greenville Young Professionals Alliance will have a Networking Event on the patio at Fatto a Mano Pizzeria, 2205 Lee Street. The Greenville Young Professionals is an alliance with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and designed for 21 to 39-year-olds to connect with other young professionals to build a network and create lasting relationships in the community.. If you're interested in learning more, check their Facebook page.

A meeting to discuss potential designs for a new GISD middle school and early childhood center has been set for 5:30 p.m. on July 12, at the Middle School cafeteria. The school district will share the input it received from previous design meetings and will consider additional insight from participants. The GISD Board of Trustees has hired Corgan Architects to lead a visioning meeting to gather design ideas. The school district believes students, parents, teachers and other members of the community have some of the best ideas for what they’d like to see in future GISD campuses.

The Farmers Market hours are 9 am - 12 noon every Saturday. Our Farmer's Market is very special and unique, because everything sold there is grown or made in Texas. Of course, that means you won't ever find pineapples at our market, but you WILL find the most delicious seasonal produce, as well as cheese, yogurt, honey, eggs, jams, pickles, nuts, breads, sweets, grass-fed meats, locally roasted coffee and more. The selection will vary from week to week, so the best way to know what's going to be available is to subscribe to their weekly newsletter. Send me an email and I'll see you are added to the list. It's held at Market Square, on the far eastern end of Lee Street in Downtown. You can also keep up with the market through the website and Facebook page. And don’t forget that Fatto a Mano Pizzeria is right there, too!

The City of Greenville will host a fun and collaborative event to help plan the future of Downtown Greenville on Saturday, July 16th, from 10am-4pm at the Landmark on Lee Street, 2920 Lee Street. You are invited to this come and go project to share your thoughts and suggestions. There will be a short presentation of the day's findings at 5pm. Come help plan the Downtown our city deserves!

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Annual and Casino Night at Innovation First International on Saturday, July 16th, from 5:30-9:30 pm. The event is from 5:30-9:30 p.m. and a ticket includes poker chips, food, wine/beer, games and entertainment. Ticket prices are $65 each. The evening benefits the Chamber Foundation to fund local nonprofit grants. Complete information and tickets are available here.

The Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum presents the Golden Oldies Movie Night on Saturday, June 16th at 5:30 pm. This month's movie is “The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez". In this 2012 comedy, Retired audio DJ Rex Page (Ernest Borgnine) and Gabby Waters (Eddie Foy Jr) is recovering from a back injury in a nursing home and with the help of the staff, faces down the unscrupulous owner and his evil henchman. Thirty minutes prior to the movie (5:00), they will show an episode of the classic 1957 black-and-white TV show, "Blondie". Admission is free (but donations are always appreciated) and popcorn and soft drinks will be served.

On Saturday, July 16th, the Parks and Recreation Department presents Gale Hague and the Lone Star Express with live music and dancing from 7-9:30 pm at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center, 5501 S Hwy 69. This is a monthly series for seniors 55 and up, that is on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Admission is $5 per person. For additional details call 903-457-2994.

Paris Junior College is holding a robotics coding camp made possible by the Texas Workforce Commission at the PJCGreenville Center on July 18-22, 2022 from 9am-3pm each day. The free camp is for students entering the sixth, seventh, or eighth grades, or those who have completed eighth grade in the 2021-22 school year. The Robotics Coding Camp is designed to allow students to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. The sign-up deadline is July 8th and enrollment is limited. To apply, a parent or guardian and the student must complete the application forms, which are available at this link. For questions or additional information, contact 903-782-0447.

Registration is open for Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum summer day program "Camp Lone Star." There will be two sessions, July 19-23 and July 26-30. Each session is from 9 am - noon. Crafts, games and demonstrations from the days when Texas was young will offer entertainment and education. Registration is $60 per child and you can call the museum at 903-450-4502 to register. This is a delightful program!

There will be two "DSO On The GO" presentations planned for July 23rd and August 26th. This is a new format of concert to Greenville, 2 evenings of virtuosic, fun and beautiful chamber music at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium. These concerts will feature DSO String, Woodwind and Brass musicians performing solo and small ensemble repertoire by a variety of composers and diverse in style. Each program will last just under 2 hours, with intermission, and will include comments from the stage by the performers. Providing a more personal and intimate setting than the traditional full orchestra concerts Greenville audiences have enjoyed for many years, these programs have something to offer everyone and promise to be an enjoyable and fulfilling evening for all in attendance. Each of these ensemble performances will include light refreshments from 6:30-7:00. Complete information is available at this link.

A memorial and soil collection ceremony will take place to remember George Lindley, a black man, who was shot in the back in Wolfe City, TX July 22, 1889. The public is invited to attend the ceremony on July 22nd at 6:30 pm at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 301 S Spencer (corner of Witt and Spencer), Wolfe City. This occurrence was sparked by his employment at a brick factory. A group of white men attacked him, because they felt they deserved his job. This is being done as an act of repentance and reconciliation to draw our community closer together. The event will take place outdoors. Please bring a chair. Masks are by individual choice. This effort is a coalition of The Corporation for Cultural Diversity of Greenville TX, Inc, Greenville Interdenominational Alliance and the NAACP Greenville Branch. The solemn ceremony will include several readings, a message of remembrance, a song, and presentation of soil gathered from a location east of Wolfe City. A glass urn of soil taken near his place of death will have his name, site and date of his murder engraved on it. This will be sent to the Equal Justice Initiative National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery Alabama. Additional urns will be for view in Hunt County

The City of Greenville and Waste Connections will conduct a Citywide Cleanup on Saturday, July 23rd, from 8am-2pm at 4618 Ed Rutherford Drive. This is one of four events held each year to help residents dispose of certain unwated items. They will accept the following items: Computers/Monitors, Construction Material, Furniture, Household Waste, Tires, Washers/Dryers, Stoves/Cooktops and Microwaves. The following items are NOT allowed: Air Conditioners, Auto Batteries, Chemicals, Freezers, Hazardous Waste, Paints, Pesticides and Refrigerators.

"Hanging with the Heroes" takes place on the 4th Wednesday of every month (July 27th this month) from 4:30-6:00 pm at Reecy Davis Recreation Center, 4320 Lee St. Kids are invited to come play games or just sit and chat with members of the Greenville Fire and Police departments. There will be free snacks, fun and games too! No registration required - just come out and have some fun.

Here's a list of the upcoming shows and events at the Texan Theater. Complete details are available on the Facebook events page. Each show includes a full four-course dinner, cocktails, wine and specialty coffees, luxurious seating, table service and all gratuities. Shows labeled "Dinner Party" offer the whole package for only $99! Complete information on each show and links to purchase tickets, are available at the Texan's Facebook page.

Shenaniganz's "Summer of Fun" has started. Kids ages 2-15 get 2 free games of bowling each day if they're registered through the Kids Bowl Free program and you can sign them up here. All participants must wear bowling shoes - rental shoes are available. This offer is not good for use with daycare outings, camps, business or club outings, or birthday party celebrations.

Shenaniganz of Greenville is also selling Morning Madness passes for just $19.99 during the Summer (5/30 - 8/31), Mon - Fri, from opening until 4PM. That's unlimited bowling, arcade video game play, 50% off Axe Throwing and 20 Arcade credits. If you're among the first 20 people to show up in the first hour they're open, you'll get your pass for just $14.99. You can also buy your pass at Shenaniganz.com today.

The Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas and the Greenville Parks & Recreation Department are partnering to offer Reecy Davis Summer Camps for ages 6-12. Each session is Mon-Thurs 8 am - noon. Breakfast and lunch are provided. The cost for each session is $60 for Reecy Davis Recreation Center members and $80 for non-members. You can register at this link or by calling 903-457-2994. The sessions are

Did you know that on Wednesdays in July the Planetarium at Texas A&M Commerce offers matinee shows at 1 and 2:15 pm? And unlike the Friday night schedule where the 7 and 8 pm shows change on a monthly basis, each matinee show is different, so you can go back several times over the summer to enjoy the cool, dark atmosphere and entertain the kids! All information on both sessions, as well as a complete schedule of shows, is available on the planetarium's website. Reservations are not accepted for the summer matinees and walk-ins are welcome. Tickets are purchased at the time of arrival. I think this is one of the best-kept secrets in our area!

Season tickets are now available for the 2022-2023 season of the Greenville Entertainment Series. This program has brought live entertainment to Greenville at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium for over 75 years! This season's selections feature a wide variety of musical entertainment including musical tributes, country originals, traditional holiday music, and classic rock and roll. Season tickets are $75 for adults, family $175 and students $25 and available at this link. This year's concerts are:

Tickets for all shows are available at this link 

Saturday, July 30 at 6:20 pm: Ronnie McDowell with guests George Dickerson and Colin Dexter. Ronnie McDowell is an American country music artist, songwriter, and painter. He is best known for his 1977 song “The King Is Gone”, a tribute to Elvis Presley, who had recently died. From that single onward, McDowell charted more than thirty Top 40 hits on the Billboard country music charts. Two of his singles – “Older Women” and “You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation” — reached Number One on the country charts, while eleven more reached Top Ten. He has also released more than twenty studio albums and has been signed to Curb Records since 1986. Tickets: $25-$75

Saturday, August 13 at 7 pm: Jimmy Fortune. Jimmy Fortune toured, sang, and performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years. Fortune quickly lived up to his name. He wrote the group’s second No. 1 hit, “Elizabeth,” on their 1983 album Today, and followed that with two more No. 1 hits “My Only Love” (from 1984’s Atlanta Blue) and “Too Much On My Heart” (from 1985’s Pardners in Rhyme). Fortune also wrote the top-10 hit “Forever” from 1986’s Four for the Show and co-wrote the top-10 hit “More Than a Name on the Wall” from 1988’s The Greatest Hits. After The Statler Brothers retired on October 26, 2002, Jimmy seized the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his fans. Jimmy is currently living in Nashville, writing, touring, and recording. Tickets: $29-$69

There's a new venue for Live Music in Downtown Greenville on Saturday evenings from 6-9 pm - Fatto a Mano Pizzeria, located at 2205 Lee Street (in the same block as the Farmer’s Market). You can find more information on this and other happenings in Downtown Greenville through the website www.ShowtimeDTGreenville.com. Bookmark this website and check it often for the latest updates!

Please don't forget, if you know of something that I need to include in this newsletter or on the Housewarmers of Greenville Facebook page, please email me the details by the last week of the month before the event.

Don't ever believe there's nothing to do in a small town. We are so fortunate to have so many talented folks and dedicated people who want to make our lives and our community better. So get out and do something!

Pud Kearns

Housewarmers of Greenville

903-456-2257

Did you know there is also a website that links directly to the hiring portals of most of the manufacturing companies in town? It's GreenvilleTXJobs.com. And the Facebook page shares the latest updates like job fairs and new postings. If you know someone who's looking for work - or looking for another reason to move to Greenville, please share this information.

HUNT COUNTY SHARED MINISTRIES (FISH) WELCOMES DONATIONS OF THESE ITEMS: These food donations are always welcome at the Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH) food pantry: Peanut Butter, Macaroni & Cheese, Jelly or Jam, Hamburger Helper, Cornbread Mix, Pork & Beans, Oatmeal, Canned Vegetables, Canned Soups, Tomato Sauce, Spaghetti Sauce, Dry Beans & Rice, Pasta, Dry Cereal, Tuna - canned or packaged, Spam, and Vienna Sausages.

GISD TEACHERS' SUPPLY CLOSET IS RUNNING LOW! Some of the GISD retired teachers got together and started a supply closet of items that teachers commonly need in their classrooms (and often use their own money to purchase them!). Some of the supplies are running low and I'm sharing the list with you in case you're interested in helping with this. They are in need of composition books, washable markers, colored pencils, Kleenex, highlighters, pointed scissors, and file folders. If you would like to make a donation of any of these items - or make arrangements to help purchase some - please contact Jan Teeters at this email address: supplies@greenvilleisd.com.

Hunt Regional Healthcare offers a Shareable Health Data on Hundreds of Topics. There are times when you may want to reference or print information about health topics to share with employees, students, or parents - or for yourself. Check out the Online Health Library on the Hunt Regional Healthcare website. Go to www.huntregional.org, then select "Online Health Library" under the "Wellness" tab. Even easier? Click this link.