Happy birthday to Makayla Cooper, Houston Hays, Greg Lucy, Leonard Bryen, Carla Davis, Jeremiah Berger, Noah Ewing, Amy Nemecek, Stephanie Knowles, Debbie Umber, Karlee Tolle, Mary Dawson, Jeff Wells, Erik Gonzalez, Eric Peters, Bruce Moore, Scott Stephens, Pam Beller, Sheri Enox, Alison Wells, Mariela Ocampo, Natalie Still, Sean Michael Braden, John Schmitz, Kenslee McKiddy, Rowan Ardery, Daniel Chavez, Tanner Clouse, Tony DiRienzo, Eduardo Reyes, Erika Romero, Regina Hayes and Kelly Lambdin.

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The Purcell Public Library will present “Paleontology: Clues to the Past” Tuesday, July 11, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.

Step into the shoes of a paleontologist to excavate, identify, and interpret fossils and discover clues to the past, when dinosaurs roamed. The program is designed for children ages 8 to 12 and registration is required.

Join the Sam Noble Museum in discovering the science of paleontology and Oklahoma’s prehistoric past through engaging activities and hands-on exploration. Discover what it takes to be a paleontologist through excavating, identifying, and interpreting fossil specimens.

This program is a part of our Summer Learning Challenge. Earn prizes, collect badges, and help our community reach 11 million minutes learning by joining the Summer Learning Challenge today!

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

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The Purcell Public Library will present “Forensic Osteology: Human Skulls” Wednesday, July 12, from 2-3 p.m. in the library meeting room.

Enter the world of forensic osteology. Learn how to read trauma signatures on human skulls to uncover the story of the injury. Designed for teens 14 to 18. Discretion is advised and registration is required.

Discover different careers within forensic science while learning what information specialists can identify by examining human osteological remains. Join SKELETONS Museum of Osteology to examine different trauma signatures on the human skull and dentition caused by blunt force trauma, sharp force trauma, and gunshot wounds.

Learn how you can read these trauma signatures and how to differentiate between healed injuries and those injuries that were sustained at the time of death.

Please note that the information covered in the class does include information from real homicides and images of human bone.

This program is a part of our Summer Learning Challenge. Earn prizes, collect badges, and help our community reach 11 million minutes learning by joining the Summer Learning Challenge today!

Register by calling 405-527-5546 or online at pioneerlibrarysystem.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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I love slow cooker recipes and this one would be perfect for July 4th.

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Beef Brisket

3/4 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup flour

1-1/2 lb. small red potatoes (about 10)

3 carrots, peeled, cut lengthwise, then crosswise in half

1 onion, cut lengthwise in half, then sliced crosswise

3 lb. beef brisket

Whisk barbecue sauce and flour until blended.

Place vegetables in slow cooker; top with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce mixture and meat. Cover with lid. Cook on low 8 to 9 hours. Meanwhile, refrigerate remaining barbecue sauce mixture until ready to use.

Remove meat from slow cooker; place on cutting board. Cover; let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, use slotted spoon to transfer vegetables to platter.

Whisk remaining (refrigerated) barbecue sauce mixture into juices in slow cooker. Cook, covered, on high 10 minutes or until thickened.

Cut meat across the grain into thin slices. Add to platter with vegetables. Drizzle with sauce.