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If you have any information for the Community Calendar, please email it to justin.schuver@bogalusadailynews.com.

Parish tourism commission
The Washington Parish Tourism Commission is seeking interested citizens to fill an open commission seat. Consider spending a few hours each month evaluating matter that helps shape the future of tourism in our community. Commission Members serve a three-year term. Applicants must be a resident of Washington Parish at least 18 years of age. The Commission is seeking candidates from the Enon, Isabel, Plainview areas as a priority. All interested persons should still submit a resume. This is a volunteer position. Send your resume to wptour@bellsouth.net or mail to Washington Parish Tourism, 1950 Washington St., Franklinton, LA 70438. The deadline is Saturday, July 31.

Housing resource fair
The Bogalusa Rebirth fifth annual housing resource fair will be held Saturday, June 26, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the gymnasium at ESM United Methodist Church, located at 510 Ave. B in Bogalusa. Topics to be discussed include: Learn how to become a first-time home owner; Financial programs for low- to moderate-income families; Housing counseling programs; Down payment assistance programs; Learn how to get a clear title on heir property; Home repair programs if you already own your home; and Learn about fair housing rights.

Fourth of July parade/fireworks
Bogalusa will have a complete and dignified observance of Independence Day, beginning with the selection of the Paper Queen and her Court and then their presentation on the evening of Friday, July 2, at 7 p.m. The observance will continue throughout Saturday, July 3, with a parade at 10 a.m. that will be open to all, at no charge. It will be held on the standard parade route. The parade will be followed by a luncheon at noon at the Veterans’ Memorial Hall for parade participants and families. The celebration will end at dusk by illuminating the skies above with fireworks.

Franklinton fireworks
Join the Town of Franklinton on Saturday, July 3, for its Independence Day celebration, with a fireworks show at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds at 9 p.m.

Bush gospel singing
Enjoy flag waving and gospel singing at the Bush Recreational Center (down the road from the Bush Community Center off Louisiana Highway 41) on Saturday, July 3, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. This event will then continue on the first Saturday of every month, at the same time. There will be concessions (benefiting the Bush Food Pantry), and old-time gospel music led by Manny and Mary. Musicians and singers are welcome — sign up with Pam Parker by phone at 985-516-6091. There will be flag waving, and free flags will be handed out. There will also be a raffle for a beautiful bird feeder made by local artist/craftsman Tony Huggins. The drawing will be Saturday, July 10, at the Food Pantry in Bush during the donation garage sale.

“Believe” arts camp
The “Believe” five-day performing arts camp will be returning to Bogalusa this summer. The camp includes singing, dancing and acting, taught by internationally experienced professionals from Los Angeles and New York City. The cost is $120 per student, and limited spaces are available. Register online at www.believecamp.com. This camp is open to third-grade through 12th-grade students. It will be held at Bogalusa High School on Monday, July 5, through Friday, July 9, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Master Gardener classes
Louisiana Master Gardener volunteer training courses are scheduled for Aug. 11 through Nov. 17 in Washington Parish, and Aug. 12 through Nov. 18 in Tangipahoa Parish. Class members will read specified materials, watch videoed lectures, and attend in-person meetings. In-person meetings/laboratories are scheduled for Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. in Franklinton, and Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. in Amite. To get an application or ask questions, contact Horticulture Agent Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson (mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-277-1850). Applications are due by Friday, July 2. A fee of $185 and a background check will be required for those who are accepted and choose to enroll.

Summer food service program
The City of Bogalusa School District is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all eligible children, without charge. Acceptance and participating requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for any prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows: meals will be available through Wednesday, June 30, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Sites and times include: Byrd Avenue — breakfast from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., Central Elementary — breakfast from 7:15 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., and Bogalusa High — breakfast from 7 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. and lunch from 10:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. For more information, call Lorene Randazzo at 985-281-2124.

American Legion bingo
Bingo is back at the American Legion building every Thursday. Masks are not required. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Washington Parish alerts
Stay alert by enrolling in the Washington Parish Emergency Notification System. This alert system provides rapid notification of emergencies, critical events and urgent situations. The alert system can send notifications through the following methods: phone call, text, email or TTY/TTD service for the hearing impaired. Landline phones are automatically entered for the alert system. To receive alerts through a mobile phone or email, a citizen must register through one of the following options: call 985-282-2620, text “Alert” to 985-282-2620, or sign up online at www.hyper-reach.com/lawashingtonsignup.html. Citizens can also download the Hyper Reach Anywhere app to any smartphone. This alert system is completely free.

Yoga/meditation classes
Riverstone Gallery and Holistic Art Center, located at 415 S. Columbia St., offers a variety of yoga classes throughout the week. Tuesdays is “Gentle Yoga” at noon — this is perfect for beginners, seniors or anyone who wants to take it slow. Tuesdays also has “Yoga Flow” at 6 p.m. — this class focuses on the breath, and is slow to moderately paced. Thursdays is “Meditation Yoga” for all ages and abilities. Saturdays is “Gentle Yoga” at 11 a.m. — an easy-going pace, with a focus on flexibility and relaxation. Classes are $12 each, or purchase a four-class pass for $40. For more information, call 985-516-6919, or message the center on Facebook.

COVID-19 shots
Rural Behavioral Health Services, located at 59448 Highway 10 W. in Bogalusa, has COVID-19 vaccines. Call 985-732-0253 for appointments. Walk-ins welcome. To receive your vaccine, bring a photo ID, proof of insurance (if applicable) and know your date of birth. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until noon and 12:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Wi-fi locations
The Washington Parish Library System recently acquired state funding to boost their existing public wi-fi. The signal at each branch has been strengthened considerably and usage is unlimited by any number of people. For more information, contact any branch: Bogalusa at 985-735-1961, Franklinton at 985-839-7805, Enon at 985-839-9385 or Thomas at 985-848-7061.

Bogalusa Help Center
It’s easy to smile when someone cares, and Bogalusa Help Center, our local food bank, cares. It is now a drive-through operation, located at 350 Martin Luther King Drive in Bogalusa. It is open from 8 a.m. until noon every Wednesday (except the fifth Wednesday of the month) providing food to those in need in our community. Since partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank/USDA, and along with generous donations from our community, BHC now distributes 35-40 pounds of food each month to over 400 families. These distributions include canned goods, meat, dry beans, peanut butter, fresh fruit and vegetables, etc. New clients can apply each week. They must provide: Name of head of the household; driver’s license or ID; address; number of persons in the household and ages; and SNAP or SSI printout, or proof of income of all in the household. Donations are always very much needed and appreciated. For more information, BHC may be reached at 985-735-6404 every Wednesday.