By By Kerry Whipple Bean – publisher
Castleberry residents celebrated Juneteenth Saturday with a fundraiser and special activities at the Castleberry Community Center.
Juneteenth - which is a holiday in 14 states - commemorates the date two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived on Galveston Island in Texas to enforce the freedom of the slaves.
In addition to the sale of barbecue plates as a fundraisers for the community center, the event included activities for children and a performance by the praise team from Centennial No. 1 Baptist Church.
The community center is located in an old middle school in Castleberry - where Palmer and many of the community members attended classes. They decided a few years ago to try to reclaim the property as a place to host activities like the Juneteenth celebration and other services.
This summer, the community center will host its second summer camp for children, Palmer said. Students will learn life skills and have tutoring in reading and math.
The community center also provides counseling and drug intervention services, Palmer said.
The summer camp, which costs $25 per child, begins July 9. Anyone interested in participating can call Palmer at 966-3308; Ola Ball at 867-7376; or Mary Moncrief at 966-2124.