PICNIC: South Side Neighborhood Organization hosts its annual Independence Day picnic at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Ritter Park, 12th Street Shelter. Patriotic music is by Jeff Pappas, Marshall University Music Department chair. Tim White, the city’s Weed & Seed grant program coordinator, also gives a presentation. Members are to bring a covered dish. Hot dogs and drinks provided. Call 304-525-4243.

A FIRST: The first recipient has been named for the Dorothy Goodman Memorial Scholarship, a fund made possible by a $10,000 gift from the Pilot Club of Huntington. Molly Elizabeth Grove, a Bunker Hill, W.Va., advertising major at Marshall University, is a member of MU’s track and field team and used her $1,000 award this academic year.

UPDATE: Brad Franklin, son of Pastor Jim and Phyllis Franklin of Lesage, began chemotherapy Thursday, June 25, in Maryland after battling cancer and undergoing other treatments for some time. Our prayer is this young man receives good news regarding his health as his pain and suffering is limited. 

MILITARY: Army Pvt. Christopher S. Smith completed the Warrior Transition Course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla., earning distinction as an honor graduate of the course. The private is a 1992 Barboursville High grad.

HONORED: Among several Potomac State College of West Virginia students recently recognized was Kolby Wyant. The Milton native, majoring in equine production and management at the college, received the Don S. Starcher Outstanding Freshman Agriculture and Forestry Award, the Agriculture and Forestry Living and Learning Community Book Scholarship and the Student Support Services Book Scholarship.

ON HER WAY: A 2009 Huntington High School grad made her way to Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind., to attend the Doctorate of Pharmacy Program for the fall semester. Whitney May, who has been involved with the Honors Program, National Honor Society, Speech Team and other clubs as a graduating senior, hopes to work in research and development.

ARRIVAL: Phil and Lisa Hibbard-Fraley are parents of a 7-pound, 12-ounce baby girl, Reese Adrianna Hibbard-Fraley, born May 10 - to be precise, at 7:55 a.m. She was 20 inches long. Mike and Debby Hibbard are grandparents; Thelma Bash is great-grandmother. Here’s wishing God’s blessings on this family.

KEEPS ON: Joe Frazier, “little” brother to Delores Reed, became another year older June 26, but he keeps on keeping on. This fine gentleman keeps going by keeping lawn mowers running for everyone in his neighborhood and Kenova area. Here’s hoping his day was filled with special people and happy memories. His daughter, Sandy Hammock, became one year older a few days earlier than her dad. This wonderful friend and co-worker, who can’t be beat anywhere you would go, blew out her birthday candles June 16.

60: Brooke and Blaire Vaughn and Andrew and Derek Lester didn’t call the local fire department on June 25 when their papaw celebrated another birthday. It was the big 6-0 for Doug Vaughn of Barboursvillle.

BELATED: Loretta Whitfield continues to hold her own at the wonderful great age of 39, but had another birthday June 24; Doloris Freeman, Becky Myers, Mark Shaver, June 29.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Betty Chapman, Zackary Thomas Meadows becomes a teenager at 13, Rick Adkins and John Thomas Scribner is one under a nickel (4), Mrs. J. Foster Carr, Jenna Martin, Sean Martin, Jackson Holbrook, Raymond Byrd is six from 60 at 54, Kourtney Sarka is an adult at 21, Helen Dean and Barbara Boley turns 59 plus one (60).

TODAY’S ANNIVERSARIES: Berlin and Kathy Meredith (1989), Pastor Bob and Cindy Weaver.

CHUCKLE: On her way back from the concession stand while attending a ball game, Julie asked a man at the end of the row, “Pardon me, but did I step on your foot a few minutes ago?” Expecting an apology, the man said, “Indeed you did.” Julie nodded, then noted, “Oh good. Then this is my row.”

Send items to Brenda Lucas, P.O. Box 596, Ona, WV 25545; fax to 304-526-2857; or e-mail to bklucas53@aol.com.