Do you love a parade? Then you're in for a treat as the 10th annual Independence Day Parade steps onto South Trotter Road and follows its route along Guilford Road and Great Star Drive to the Fifth District Fire Station Saturday, July 4 at 9:15 a.m. The 10th anniversary parade is sure to be one you'll enjoy and long remember. See you there!

Rashmi and Kirit Parmar are justly proud of their children. Both Puja and Suraj are making excellent academic progress. In fact, Suraj came home with a Presidential Award certificate for academic excellence and Puja was nominated as Student of the month for June.

Grass is not growing under their feet during summer break. Suraj was promptly off to Morgan Wooten's Basketball Camp at Frostburg University campus and is now trying his hand at engineering camp at Howard County Schools Applied Physics and Research Lab while helping Mom and Dad plan their July 4 parade floats.

The Parmar Dental office had a float in the first River Hill sponsored parade and they wouldn't miss the opportunity to join the 10th anniversary parade. It's always amusing to see Rashmi's dental float promoting good oral health coupled with Kirit's Dunkin Donut/Baskin Robbins float.

Oh, and let's not forget, Suraj will celebrate his 13th birthday July 9. Have a great day, Suraj, and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Meanwhile, Puja Parmar is doing her own thing. Puja turned Sweet Sixteen on July 1. What did she do for the big day? Puja served others by constructing homes with Dreambuilders of Howard County in Madison County, N.C. She's driving now, but only with parents riding shotgun. Her birthday will not be overlooked. She'll be celebrating with friends and family Sunday, July 5. Uncle Bharatsinh and Aunt Purnimadevi visiting from India and Uncle Rajni and Aunt Vilas and cousins from North Carolina and Uncle Prabodh and Aunt Yogini from Georgia and Grandma Sarla will all be together for a religious ceremony at Temple Mangal Mandir followed with a family party.

You might not want to rush home immediately after the parade passes by. Oak Ridge Community Church will host a July 4 Picnic in the Gathering Place parking lot. I hear there may be games and crafts for kids with a moonbounce, cotton candy, hot dogs and more and it's free.

If your kids are interested in fun, adventure and time travel, you might want to take this opportunity to sign them up for "Mission Possible" Vacation Bible School July 20-24 from 6:30-9 p.m. It's free for all ages. Parents are welcome, too. No diaper changes are provided.

To learn more, visit the booth at the Picnic, call 410-531-6618 or e-mail info@oakridgecc.org.

What happened June 29? Brad Clark became 15 years old. Hope you had a great day and will have a wonderful year as you anticipate getting that all-important driver's license next birthday. Happy birthday, Brad.

Howard County schools were still in session when out-of-state grandkids began arriving. Wesley and Bradley Ganbin came from Pennhook, Va., to spend some time with Len and Roxanne Ganbin. Both boys were on the honor roll this year. Wesley will be entering high school with all advanced classes. They are looking forward to a busy summer.

Where did they get such scrumptious food? Right here in Clarksville, of course. Rehm's Caterers provided the meal for the Survivors Reception at Relay for Life of Western Howard held in the Glenwood Community Center.

After the meal, everyone headed across the field for the Opening Lap. Western Regional Park is an idyllic setting and the weather was perfect. Hundreds of luminaria lighted at 9:15 p.m. help show clearly just how many of our lives have been impacted by cancer. There are dozens of varieties of cancers for what were once thought to be only a single cancer type. Research brings cures and longer lives one small step at a time.

Relay for Life began 25 years ago when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked, jogged and ran for 24 hours to raise money for his local American Cancer Society unit.

Since then, it's spread around the world. Western Howard County joined the movement just three years ago and has already raised over $250,000.

This year's results are not yet available. Aside from Rehm's Caterers, Clarksville seemed a bit under-represented. Let me know if you were there and I missed you or plan to have a team next year.

Spur and Stirrup 4-H Club was riding for a cure under the direction of Lisa Albrecht. They sponsored the horse shoe pit. You'll find plenty of fun activities, foods and items for sale at Relay.

Margaret and Randy Walton's team of Survivors and Friends did not stay all night this year. You don't have to stay all night, but you might have fun if you do. Joyce and Lloyd Ludy of Dayton came. The Walton's daughter Julie Williams and kids were having fun along with Joan Reilly and Anula van Haagan. How about you?

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