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On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress boldly approved the Declaration of Independence, launching the 13 colonies on their road to freedom. Americans mark this iconic holiday with fireworks, parades, concerts, family gatherings, and backyard barbecues across the country - traditions as vibrant as our history! While Callaway’s community celebration is not technically associated with the 4th of July holiday, the spirit of the annual Pioneer Picnic is the same.

The 4th of July fun begins Saturday at 5 p.m. at the ballfield, with flag retirement ceremony at 8 p.m. and fireworks around 9:45 p.m. Bring the family for an evening of celebration of America’s 250th.

It’s the 250th birthday of the Unites States of America. However, the history of our country goes back well beyond that. About 500 years before Columbus, Leif Erikson landed in what is today Canada. Following Columbus was John Cabot in 1497 and Ponce de Leon in 1513. The city of St. Augustine was established in 1565, and Jamestown was founded in 1607, followed by the Mayflower, which landed in 1620. All of them found people already living here. Call them “Indigenous Peoples”, “First Peoples”, “Native Americans”, Columbus called them “Indians”, whatever, but they were already here.

Over 30 floats entered by businesses, clubs and churches highlighted the 1976 Pioneer Picnic Bicentennial parade. The first place float in the business category of competition was entered by Bellamy Elevators. In the church and adult clubs division the Woman’s Club float captured the top prize. The most unusual entry award went to Donald Ryun who was the organ grinder with his monkey.

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TEAM Physical Therapy, P.C. has welcomed two local graduates back to the area, adding Emily Kaelin, DPT, and Lindsay McMeen, DPT, to its growing staff in Callaway and Broken Bow. The hires bring additional expertise in women’s health, pediatric rehabilitation, geriatrics, vestibular rehabilitation, and neurologic care as the practice continues expanding services in rural central Nebraska.

(written by John Bowen, AASA/Discover Card Gold winner, Table Rock-Steinauer) Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you are less than 10-years-old, you are so excited about aging that you think in fractions. “How old are you?” “I’m four and a half.” You are never 36 and a half, but you are four going on five! That’s the key.

* Editor’s Note: In the June 4 and June 18 issues of the Callaway Courier we spotlighted Callaway Public School’s recently awarded grant to help purchase sensory products and a unique program that has received national recognition for the school. In part three of our spotlight on how CPS is educating the whole child, we are wrapping up our feature.

The Callaway pet vaccine clinic will be held on Thursday, July 16, from 9-11 a.m. at the Morgan Park Pavillion. Annual vaccines, wormer, and flea/tick meds will be available. No appointment is necessary. The pet clinic is provided by Bierman Vet Services. For more information call 308-848-3334.

As Nebraskans travel across the state this summer, many have likely encountered petition circulators gathering signatures for various proposed ballot measures for the November election. One of those efforts is the Fairness for Girls constitutional amendment initiative. The proposed amendment would add language to the Nebraska Constitution establishing protections for sex-separated athletics. It would limit participation on female-designated athletic teams and programs to biological females. The proposal would apply to athletic programs at both K-12 schools and colleges across the state.