Independence Day Celebration

Annually, Garner and its neighbors come together to celebrate America's birthday each 3rd of July at Lake Benson Park! Gates open at 5 p.m. Enjoy musical entertainment from Johnny White and the Elite Band followed by the North Carolina Symphony, a full-time professional orchestra 68 members strong, playing a rousing patriotic program. Children's inflatable games are available from 5-8pm. Local nonprofit groups provide food and other refreshments. The evening concludes with spectacular fireworks at 9:30pm. This celebration is FREE to the public. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic. NEW PARKING INFORMATION: Due to the construction of White Deer Park, parking spaces at the event will be reduced this year. To help alleviate congestion in this area we will have shuttle buses operating from Centennial Park, Garner Church of God, and New Bethel Baptist Church. Alternate parking spaces will be at Aversboro Road Baptist Church and Aversboro Elementary School (these will be park and walk-in locations). In addition, Buffaloe Road will also be closed to thru traffic from Hwy 50 to Aversboro Road. The alternate route will be Hwy 50 to Timber Drive to Aversboro Road.

American Legion Post 116

The American Legion Post 116 will be holding a potluck Old Fashion Family Picnic on July 4, Saturday at 11 a.m. and open to the public. We will be having hamburgers and hot dogs from the grill. Please bring a side dish, appetizer or dessert to share. The Post is located at 2600 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina. Also, we have Karaoke every Friday and Saturday night in the rec room starting at 7 p.m. See you there!

Vacation Bible School

Mount Zion United Methodist Church invites children three through Jr. High to attend SUNROCK Kid’s Camp Vacation Bible School. VBS takes place July 13 – July 19 from 6:30 to 8:40 p.m. A light meal will be served from 6 to 6:25 p.m. each evening. Commencement will be on Sunday, July 19 during the 11 a.m. worship service, followed by lunch in the fellowship hall. Children will be immersed in a Christian Camp setting filled with music, skits, cool crafts, delicious snacks and an opportunity to make new friends and learn about Jesus Christ. Please contact our church office at 919-772-8415 or e-mail us at info@mountzion-umc.org. Visit www.mountzion-umc.org.

GSHS Class of ‘79

Upcoming GSHS Class of '79 30th Reunion July 18, 2009. It's hard to believe it's been 30 years! Come and reminisce with fellow classmates from years past. The location is the Heather Hills Club in Garner. Dress will be casual. Tickets cost $38 per person or $70 per couple if mailed by May 30. The cost goes up to $40 per person or $75 per couple if mailed after May 30. Costs include dinner, two drink tickets, music, door prizes and time with friends. Purchase additional drink tickets at the door. BYOB and designated driver! There will be a disclaimer to sign for those drinking at check in! Make payments to: Garner Sr. Hi Sch Reunion 1979. Mail payment to: Beverly Guimond, 7320 Westworth Dr. Willow Spring, NC 27592. Volunteers are welcome to help now and later. Please help us locate fellow graduates’ updated postal and email addresses. Please pass the word to anyone you see and their families. Contact Beverly Shirah Guimond at 919-552-3046 or email sunshin0123 @hotmail.com for more information. Visit www.classmates .com or www.gmhs-athletics.blogspot.com.

Kingdom of the Son- A Prayer Safari

Vacation Bible School for children ages 3 years to fifth grade at New Hope Alliance Church near McGee’s Crossroads July 20 to 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please email jcochrane@nhach.org or call 894-7034 for more information or to register your child for the fun.

PTSD – Free Classes for Soldiers & Families

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? An anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Naturally, many soldiers returning from combat may have symptoms of this problem. Is there hope for healing and management? Yes, with treatment. Come learn how you, the caretaker, can help them. (parents of soldiers, spouse, anyone)

Dr. Bergidas'class description:

Free education for military service members and their families on the readjustment process following a deployment. Classes will focus on: common reactions after a deployment (including post-traumatic stress reactions), communication challenges and strategies, and coping with stress of deployments for service members and family at home. These topics will be discussed in an open forum to answer questions and address needs of the class members. Classes led by Heather Bergida, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at the Raleigh Vet Center. Classes will be held July 28, Aug. 25 and tentatively Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Triangle Baptist Church, 9713 old Stage Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 www.tribaptist.org 919-661-7755. Childcare is provided. Contact Coordinator, Ronna Jones at 772-3482 for more information.

Outback Steakhouse of Johnston County

Outback Steakhouse and The Partnership for Children invite you to a very special Steak LUNCHEON to benefit the young children of Johnston County. The date is Wednesday Aug. 19 with two available seatings, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The menu includes Steak, Caesar Salad, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cheesecake, Tea and Soft Drinks all for only $10. Outback Steakhouse will be donating all proceeds to The Partnership for Children. Tickets are pre-sold only in limited quantity and will not be available at the door. To purchase tickets call 202-0002.

Fifth Annual Ava Gardner Festival

Each year the Ava Gardner Museum celebrates Ava's life and career by hosting the Ava Gardner Festival. This annual event includes heritage tours, screenings of classic Ava Gardner films, and special exhibits. This year's festival will kickoff during the Ava Gardner Festival Gala on Friday evening, Oct. 9 and will continue Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The theme for the fifth annual festival celebrates the special relationship Ava shared with Ernest Hemingway. Ava called Ernest Hemingway "Papa," and he called her "Daughter." The accomplished author admired Ava's work in the films based on his works, and considered her "the most exciting woman of her generation." On Saturday, Oct. 10, heritage tours will be scheduled throughout the day. These tours will be hosted by Doris Rollins Cannon, Johnston County native and Ava Gardner biographer, and Rick Lotz, Chair of the Museum's Board of Directors. Visitors will be shown points of interest in Ava's hometown, including Ava's birthplace, the Teacherage where she grew up, the Howell Theater where Ava first went to the movies, and will end with a visit to her gravesite at Sunset Memorial Park. For more information about the festival, please call the museum at 919-934-5830. The Ava Gardner Museum’s located in downtown Smithfield, at 325 E. Market St. and more information may be found on the museum website, or by calling 919-934-5830.

SJHS Class of ‘79

The South Johnston High School Class of 1979 is having their 30th year reunion Nov. 28, 2009 at the Johnston County Country Club in Smithfield, N.C. from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. If you have any questions, or need additional information you can contact Cindy Johnson at 919-662-0004 or Debbie Barbour at 919-801-9497.

South Johnston HS 1984 Class Reunion

South Johnston High School Class of 1984 is planning their 25th year class reunion for later this fall. If you were part of the 1984 SJHS class, contact Pam Stephenson at 919 894-1748, pam.stephenson@embarqmail.com or Ronnie Lee at 919-818-4270, barnstormer1932@yahoo.com.

Volunteers Needed

Can you spare one hour per month? If so, would you donate it to us? Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers who are willing to spare one hour of their time to deliver lunch to home bound citizens in the Garner area on weekdays only. Is that person you? Call us at 919-772-5057 or visit us in the Garner Senior Center on 205 E. Garner Road between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.

Military Families Connection

This is a group of military families that live away from a base, who meet to learn from and lean on each other. It is very important to be with others that are going through the same thing that you are. We can help you through the difficult time when your loved one is in harm’s way, or will be deployed soon. We have classes, speakers as needed, and discuss problems and resources. Anyone is welcome to come. We meet the second Monday and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Triangle Baptist Church at 9713 Old Stage Road in Raleigh. Childcare is provided. Call 919-661-7755.

Bible Buddies

New Life Wesleyan Church is offering Bible Buddies, a special needs class, for ages K-5th. Held every Sunday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The class focuses on music, sensory activities, art, snacks and one on one Bible teaching. Each child is prayed for every Sunday. All disabilities are welcome. Lots of fun for the kids and a chance for parents /caregivers to relax, take a class and enjoy the service. Call Lisa at 919-934-7497.

Yes He Can Prayer meeting

Yes He Can, a weekly prayer meeting, takes place every Sunday from 8 to 9 a.m. at East Garner Middle School’s auditorium. The prayer meeting is sponsored by the Kingdom Advancement and Empowerment Center. Call 919-772-8454 or visit www.KingdomAdvance.org.

Looking for Vendors

On Oct. 31 the Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Seventh Annual Day in Downtown in the historic Fuquay downtown business district on South Main Street. The day will consist of an arts and craft fair, chili cook-off, Kids Korner, entertainment, food vendors and more. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admis-sion is FREE. Call 919-552-4947 for vendor information.

Southside Christian School

Southside Christian School (near 40/42) is currently enrolling students. Low student/teacher ratio. Excellent ABeka curriculum. Degreed teachers. Join a Christian school for Christian families. Call 553-7652.

Scouts Needed

Troop 397 meets every Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary Mother of Church in garner (1008 Vandora Springs Road). The Troop is looking for new members, but those interested must be in at least sixth grade. The Troop does a number of activities including camping, hiking, community service projects and much more.

Red Hat Society

Interested in joining a day-time Red Hat Society group? Our chapter is seeking a few new members -- congenial women 50 and older who want to have fun, meet new friends, lunch at a different restaurant each month, play RH bingo, ride to our outing in a limo, etc. We meet the first Friday of the month (subject to change for holiday months) at 11:30. Call the Queen Mum at 661-7368.

Christian Academy

Lighthouse Christian Academy NOW Enrolling Grades 1-12. A.C.E. Curriculum, We offer relaxed atmosphere, positive influence, smaller class sizes, Art, Drama, Key Club, Service Projects, History and Science Fairs, P.E., Tutoring and so much more! Call LCA at 427-8362.

Immunization Clinic

Wake County Human Services offers an Immunization Clinic on Mondays and Fridays at the Wake County Southern Regional Center. The SRC is located at 130 N. Judd Parkway NE in Fuquay-Varina, directly across from the U.S. Post Office, and is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling 212-7000 and requesting an appointment at SRC. Fees are based on the type of vaccine used, but all children’s’ vaccines are free for all children 18 and younger.

Garner Deadlines

Thursday by 12 p.m. (the week prior to publication date) is the deadline for submission of typed, faxed and handwritten items to be submitted for the following week's paper. They can be faxed to 552-7564. The deadline for e-mailed submissions is Friday by 5 p.m. Send emails to kgriffith@raleighsouthonline.com. Submissions should be no longer than 100 words.