Published: June 27, 2008 09:27 am            

July 4 memories

Celebrating holidays past and present

Well, it’s about that time of year again. The Fourth of July is nearly here and it will be time to celebrate our country’s birth as a nation.

My remembrances of past occasions vary. As a child, I can remember Daddy cooking hamburgers or hot dogs on the grill (that was a rare occurrence), eating watermelon, and Mother and Daddy making homemade ice cream.

Sometimes other family members, such as my siblings and their spouses and nephews and nieces, would show up to celebrate the day. And I recall a few years when the next door neighbor children came over to eat watermelon.

Times have changed through the years, and normally our family participates in watching the local fireworks. Many years ago, some friends that were employed at the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center (Corsicana State Home) and lived on campus opened their back yard to us for the celebration of July 4. At that time, fireworks came from the south end of Tiger Field and it was an awesome sight to behold. Then for a few years, we’d go sit at Tiger Field while the fireworks were shot from the pasture near the State Home (or maybe where the old drive-in movie theater used to be). And, yes, while fireworks were at either of the previous locations, I’ve been guilty of sitting in the College Park Mall parking lot to view fireworks.

The last few years the fireworks have been at the I.O.O.F. Park. I’ve been there, too. A couple of years ago, however, I was invited to go to some friends’ house on Glenbrook. It was great to just sit in their back yard and enjoy the colors without a clamoring crowd taking away from the effect.

This year’s event will have a little different slant on it. Yes, the fireworks will still be at I.O.O.F. Park, but Child Advocates of Navarro County will also have its annual “Duck Dash” on the same day, too. So, if you’re in town, make an effort to support this very worthwhile cause. I’m sure you’ll have a good time.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to be at this event, as something else has already been planned, and I’m anxious to see how the place I’ll be celebrates our 232nd birthday! Maybe I can give a report later on this.

A week or so ago, Kelli Ritterbach from Frost was mentioning to me what she considers the easiest strawberry short cake recipe. (Personally, the easiest way is to buy it already made!) After talking to her, I had to agree it is pretty simple and with a couple of embellishments, you could turn this into a humdinger of a Fourth of July cake. Enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcake (optional Fourth of July Cake)

1 white cake mix

1 large container frozen sliced strawberries with juice, thawed

1 large whipped topping, thawed

blueberries and strawberries (optional)

Prepare cake mix as directed. Bake in a 9-by-13-inch pan. When removed from oven, slightly cool cake, then punch holes in cake with straw. Pour strawberries over entire cake (letting juice go through holes). Then spread whipped topping evenly. If desired, top with fresh blueberries and strawberries for a colorful Fourth of July cake. You may also use frozen blueberries, thawed.

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Camille McClanahan may be contacted via e-mail at camille@corsicanadailysun.com.

        

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