Those of us who found ourselves somewhere else on the Fourth of July 2008 missed a wonderful summer night on the lawn at Jim Holland's annual "Viewing of the Fireworks."  Thanks to Linda Methvin Smith, we can share some of the moments of the day's events.  
 

Linda's Account

Sheffield High School 1956 graduate, Jim Holland, the host with the most, once again opened his heart and home to hundreds of family and friends for his annual on-his-lawn Fourth of July celebration, 2008 above O'Neal Bridge on the Tennessee River.  Beneath a perfect sunset, there were tables laden with food, Trowbridge ice cream and coca-cola abundant, in surround-sound music out-door style, and a splendid fireworks display from a large barge anchored in the river near O'Neal  Bridge to the delight of an overflow crowd watching from MacFarland Park in Florence, as well as along the bluffs.

 
SHS classmates present were Shirley Kimbrough White and husband Jim, Harold Chambers and wife Barbara, Peggy King Bishop and husband Frank, and Ronald Pace and wife Pat and their son Terry Pace  (UNA instructor, author, actor, motion picture historian) and his wife Anita and their children, Forrest and Alexandra.................and   Linda.  Sheffield Mayor Billy Don Anderson was a guest.   
 

'Stars Fell on Alabama' in our Sheffield hometown!  Welcome to Our world.

 
                Thank you, Jim                          

                                     Linda

 

Jim's parties are never without these three ingredients:

  1. Trowbridge hand-packed ice cream

  2. Old-fashioned Cokes

  3. Popcorn

Jim is the convivial host, seeing to every guest's every need.  And, boy, does Harold Chambers need some of that hand-packed Trowbridge ice cream!

  

Pssssst . . . . . 

You can view these pictures on a full screen video slide show created by Jim Kimbrell:

CLICK HERE

 

Jim's checking all the supplies for the making of the main entrée--Hot Dogs.

 

He still finds the time to visit with every guest.  Here he is with Jim and Shirley Kimbrough White.

 

And, of course, our website reporter, Linda Methvin Smith.

 

The lawn was teeming with folks from Jim's church, the SHS class of '56, and many others.  Socializing and having fun was the order of the day.

 

The view from the lawn on The Point looking across the river to Florence is spectacular, and the best seat in town from which to watch the fireworks.

 

As darkness gathers, the river comes alive with boats on this magical day to view the fireworks from up close.

 

Classmates Peggy King Bishop and Shirley Kimbrough White

 

Classmate Ron Pace with Pat and his son and daughter-in-law and their twins.

 

Harold Chambers and his two loves, Barbara and Ice Cream.

 

Ron and Pat Pace sharing moments with Barbara Chambers

 

Linda Smith and His Honor, Billy Don Anderson, Mayor of Sheffield

There's evidence of the Mayor's campaign in the game room!

 

The sunsets from Jim's home are inspirational.

Now the stage is set for the FIREWORKS!
 

 

What others have

said about freedom

and liberty.

CLICK HERE

 

EXAMPLE:

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -- Theodore Roosevelt

 
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
 

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
 
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
 
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
 
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
 
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
 
What kind of men were they?
 
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
 
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his Ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
 
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
 
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
 
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.
 
He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
 
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
 
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.
 
So, take a few minutes while reflecting on the way you spent your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.
 
Remember: Freedom is never free!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"America"

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