Hope everyone has a safe and happy July 4th.

Don’t forget to enjoy the fireworks celebration at the Purcell City Lake on Friday, June 30.

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A special happy birthday wish to Brady Moakley of Norman.

Brady celebrates his 19th birthday Saturday, July 1.

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The Purcell Register will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, for the 4th of July holiday.

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Happy birthday to Jake Harris, Pam Irwin, Leona Mote, Janone McCoy, Katie Wilson Blue, Sarah Dumas, Loretta Farley, Andrea Johnson, Amy Woods, Jeffrey Chaples, Fritz Johnson, Paul Neal Gullion, Megan Summers and Connor Still.

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Purcell’s Independence Day Celebration will be held Friday, June 30, at the Purcell City Lake.

The celebration will include food trucks, games, a car show and the fireworks show.

For more information contact the Purcell Parks at 405-527-7227 or the Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce at 405-527-3093.

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The Washington Fire Department, partnering with the American Legion, will hold a Fourth of July Freedom Weekend Saturday, July 1, starting at 6 p.m.

The event will be held at 103 E. Carter Ave. in Washington and will feature a fish fry, food trucks, fireworks, bouncy houses and yard games.

A raffle for new rifles will be also be held and tickets are $20.

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The Purcell Public Library will present “Eat Smart: Nutrition for a Healthy Life” Thursday, July 6, from 5-6 p.m. in the library meeting room.

Eating healthy can be easy and delicious. Join us to learn the art of healthy cooking and eating. The program is designed for adults and registration is required.

In this four week program participants will be learning to prepare healthy recipes for diabetes and heart health. Come and explore a variety of healthy culinary techniques and skills through interactive demonstration and information.

Discover how small daily actions and nutritional choices can help you eat better and maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

The programs will be presented by a dietician in English with recipes and food demonstration.

Programming paid by a grant from the PLS Foundation.

Register by calling 405-527-5546 or online at mcpioneerlibrarysystem.org.

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Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Purcell will hold Vacation Bible School Tuesday, July 18, through Thursday, July 20, from 9-11 a.m.

All children age four to sixth grade are invited to attend.

The theme for VBS is “The Eucharist.”

To register, pick up a form at the church or call the church office at 405-527-3077.

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Here’s a perfect casserole to fix for the Fourth of July!

Firecracker Casserole

2 lbs. lean ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1 tsp. salt

2 TBL chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

2 TBL chopped jalapeno

1 can ranch style beans, undrained

1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes

1 can cream of mushroom soup

8 corn tortillas (broken up into 6 pieces each)

6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a medium skillet, brown the beef and then drain.

Add all other ingredients except tortillas and cheese to the beef and stir.

Spray a 13×9 casserole dish.

Tear up tortillas and place them in the bottom of the casserole dish. Add meat mixture and top with shredded cheese.

Bake for 50 minutes or until bubbly.