Where The Old South Meets The Wild West

New Brochure Highlights Attractions In North Central Texas

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Historical Commission (THC) launches its newest heritage tourism brochure, the Texas Lakes Trail Region. This colorful travel guide details the area’s historic and cultural sites, as it explores the history of communities in North Central Texas from Paris to Dallas-Fort Worth to Wichita Falls.

"The brochure is a road map and a history lesson all in one," said Janie Headrick, director of the THC’s Texas Heritage Trails Program. "This part of Texas has all sorts of gems for tourists, such as historic railroads, early settlement communities, great museums and recreational opportunities." Separated into four user-friendly sections, the brochure guides travelers to the state’s best-preserved dinosaur tracks, one of America’s largest wine festivals and a new Civil War museum that interprets both sides of the war.

The region encompasses 31 counties including: Archer, Baylor, Bosque, Clay, Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Delta, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Henderson, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Lamar, Montague, Navarro, Parker, Rains, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, Van Zandt, Wichita, Wilbarger and Wise.

The Texas Lakes Trail regional brochure is the eighth in a series of free brochures from the THC highlighting the historic people and places that make Texas unique. The Texas Heritage Trails Program is a regional tourism initiative that promotes tourism, revitalizes local economies and fosters community leadership through historic preservation.

For a free Texas Lakes Trail Region brochure or other heritage trail guides, please call 512/463-6254 or visit www.thc.state.tx.us/travel.

The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.

LDS Youth Begin Scripture Study

The alarm goes off between 5 and 5:30 a.m. Teenagers throughout Fannin county crawl out of bed and head to church for voluntary early morning scripture study. Over a dozen youth, ages 14 - 17, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began this early morning class with the 2003-04 school year on August 25 at 6:15 a.m. The "class" meets weekdays throughout the school year where they participate in scripture study and receive instruction on applying scripture to their daily lives. Beginning as freshmen, by the time they complete their high school curriculum, these teens will have received the equivalent of a college-level religion course.

Eric Rogers of the Church Education System in Salt Lake City, Utah which oversees the worldwide seminary program stated, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began sponsoring the student seminary program in 1912, with 70 students at Grannett High School in Salt Lake City. Last year, over 380,000 young people were enrolled in seminary in over 150 countries and territories worldwide. Most were members of the Church, but many thousands of youth from other denominations attended as well. All are welcome. In addition, nearly 45,000 were enrolled in home-study programs in 2002, and 1,500 in programs tailored to students with disabilities or special needs."

Worldwide, 36,000 adult volunteer instructors teach the seminary students. They are seldom professional teachers but rather local business owners and executives, homemakers, attorneys, and others with varied backgrounds and experiences who sacrifice their time and talents. A dome home builder, instructor Harold Huber of Trenton leads the students in a 45-minute lesson before the students disperse to attend their various high schools for regular classroom studies.

At an introductory meeting, Mr. Huber expressed to the students and parents that: "Coming to Seminary helps the students to realize the scriptures are not dead to them. They have very real application to their lives today. I learn as much preparing the lessons as presenting them to the students. We’re studying the Old Testament this year, which has so much ‘meat’ in it. It’s very exciting to me to know that these students are choosing to begin their day in the most positive way they can."

Seminary includes students from all over Fannin County. Michael Talley, Student Council President and a senior at Bonham High School says, "Seminary gives me a spiritual uplift for the day and makes my day go smoother." Summer Norman, a sophomore at Leonard High School states, "It helps me to be stronger in my faith and do what I feel is right against peer pressures."

"These seminary classes are open to any high school student (ages 14-17)," stated Huber. Seminary meets at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bonham Chapel, 2 miles south of the square on Highway 78 just before the intersection of FM 1629.

Come along with us on a journey….a journey into the bold, joyful and colorful world of artist Roger Reeves. Your adventure will begin Friday, November 7^th, at Bonham’s Creative Arts Center Gallery. Reeves’ exhibit, "Life’s a Piece of Cake," opens to the public at 7:00 pm, and promises to be both inspiring and intimate. Our gracious patrons at Cole Title Company have sponsored the exhibit and its opening night celebration.

A Native Texan, Roger Reeves is an artist from the heart, primarily in mixed media, oil and acrylics.

After attending the University of Texas at Arlington and being in the commercial printing industry for the majority of his life, Roger put down the ink paddle and picked up the art brush.

"I’ve always known that I wanted to paint, it was just letting go of one brush and picking up another," states Reeves. "Technically, I like the larger size formats…they seem to vibrate energy and relate what is on my mind."

It comes natural to Reeves – he paints what he knows. His style has been tagged pop art and loose. Reeves’ paintings are colorfully interjected with objects that invite multiple interpretations. Every stroke of the brush is a bold stroke of the heart.

Anyone can get an inkling of the spirit that drives Reeves with all the components in place. Whether he is portraying dogs having ice cream, afternoon boat rides, over the hill houses, whimsical cakewalks, Studebaker trips, or the grandeur of Queen de la Queen, Reeves plunges himself into a canvas like thick paint on a palette.

Reeves also states, "I love to create a strong visual impact in my work through color and mood. Once I have started a painting, I can work all evening with the enthusiasm of laughter flowing like electricity."

Reeves is a member of the Creative Arts Center in Bonham and the Sherman Art League where he has won various awards.

From the ink paddle to the paintbrush, Reeves is a natural and enjoys satisfying the need to create.

The Creative Arts Center is located in Bonham, Texas at 200 West Fifth Street, just one block West of the historic town square. The gallery and educational center are open Monday -Friday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and on Saturday from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Special evening hours are also on the busy calendar, varying in times to accommodate the center’s many classes, workshops, artists’ freestyle gatherings, exhibit openings and facility rentals.

Our opening night celebrations and artist demos are open to the public and free of charge. Memberships are available and are key to the facility’s growth and survival. Our mission is to encourage the creative arts in Fannin County through the exposure to and teaching of visual and performing arts. We constantly strive to maintain our objective to provide a venue where artists and performers explore, create, display and teach their craft and where people of all ages learn and experience art. Call the Creative Arts Center at 903-640-2196 or email us at creativeartscenter@netexas.net with your inquiries. See you at the Arts Center!

States Seek More Return On Highway Investments

Members of the Texas Legislature not only keep a close eye on issues of state government, but they also monitor issues happening at the federal level of particular importance to the state. One example of this is the Texas Legislature’s passage of HCR 82 which requests Congress to increase Texas’ share of revenue from the federal fuel tax.

The federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21), passed in 1997, authorized more than $218 billion for transportation programs in states across the nation. Of every dollar of gas pumped into your car, 18.4 cents are sent to the federal government’s Highway Trust Fund. From there, the money is distributed to states for such things as road improvements, bridge repairs and new highway construction. Texas is the second largest contributor to the Highway Trust Fund, sending in over $2.5 billion per year.

However, states do not receive an amount of money back from the federal government equal to what they contribute. Some states, such as Texas, receive as little as eighty-five cents on the dollar in return under the highway program. Other, more sparsely populated states or states with older transportation systems receive much higher rates, such as South Dakota which receives $2.23 or New York which receives $1.21.

The states which receive less than a dollar for every dollar sent to the federal government are called "donor" states. Currently, there are seventeen donor states, most of which receive a return of less than ninety-five cents on the dollar.

The federal Congress is currently working on the Highway Funding Equity Act of 2003 which would help to alleviate some of the loss that states such as Texas are incurring. The Act would raise the minimum return to states from the current level to ninety-five cents on the dollar. Proponents of the bill argue that donor states want a fairer share of the money that they send to the federal government to spend on their transportation systems. Their citizens send the money to Washington, so more of it should be returned to benefit those who are paying.

Being a donor state receiving only eighty-six cents on the dollar, Texas is in a position to benefit from the increase in guaranteed returned made possible through the Highway Funding Equity Act of 2003. The state would receive over $100 million per year in additional funds if the increase is passed. Most of the members of the Texas House of Representatives signed a letter to the members of Congress from Texas expressing their full support of the legislation.

Although states that are benefiting from the current formula, i.e. those that receive more than a dollar return, stand to lose some of that return, the legislation does offer protection to sparsely populated states to ensure that every state is able to provide the quality of roads necessary for mobility. The bill requires a minimum return of greater than ninety-five cents if a state has a population density of fewer than fifty individuals per square mile. Currently, fifteen states fall below this threshold.

Please feel free to contact me if I may be of assistance regarding any matter of state government. You can contact me by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by e-mailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.

Ector High School Employee Of The Week

The Ector High School Employee of the Week for October 20-24 is Ben Connell. Mr. Connell is currently teaching Algebra I, Junior High Math, Accounting, Health and Coaches Junior High and High School Boys Athletics. Coach Connell’s favorite activities are camping, traveling, watching sports and spending time with his wife Lori and two sons, Landry and Niall. the thing that Coach Connell likes best about his jobs is the small school atmosphere and the great students. Coach Connell we would like to congratulate you as our employee of the week and thank you for your commitment and support that you continue to show and give to Ector ISD.

Daughters Of The American Revolution, George Blakey Chapter, Bonham, Texas

The Daughters of the American Revolution met Saturday, October 11, 2003, at the Bonham Chamber of Commerce meeting room at 2 p.m. with Mary Jo Barbee, regent, calling the meeting to order and leading the members in the DAR Ritual with Dot Linn, chaplain. Flo Odom, registrar, led the members in reciting; Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, The Daughters Pledge to the Flag and The American Creed.

Nancy Bellows, secretary, read the minutes of the previous meeting. Martha Mayrell, treasurer, gave the treasury report.

Mary Beavers was in charge of the program, "Reflections, A Woman’s View", a collection of her antique compacts.

Mary and Julianne Grant were hostesses. They served refreshments to nine members.

Mary Jo reminded everyone to send their registration forms in for the division III Workshop, November 1, 2003, in Dallas.

The NSDAR focuses on raising the awareness of the importance of the American Revolution and the cost of gaining freedom. It encourages pride in America and its armed forces. Anyone interested in applying for membership may contact, Flo Odom, chapter registrar, at (903) 623-4031. Our next meeting will be November 8, 2003 at the chamber meeting room.

"Best Of Bluegrass"

The very best of Bluegrass music will be back at the Lake Bonham Hoe-Down located 1/2 mile from Lake Bonham recreation area just east of the spillway on CR 2610, Bonham, TX. It will all be taking place this Saturday night, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The show will be hosted by Joan Kelton and her talented "Shades of Bluegrass." Featuring: George Kirby on fiddle, Randy Keister on dobro guitar, Michael Williams on five string banjo, Glen Clark on mandoline, James Rice on flattop guitar, and Freddie Ulich on doghouse bass. Our special guest group and always welcome back, will be Don Sharp and his talented "Texoma Valley Bluegrass," along with his new, young and talented 11 yrs old, fiddler, the award winning, Olivia Page, from Denison, TX. If you are a bluegrass music fan, you will not want to miss this show. Both bands are straight from the Bluegrass music circuit and have shared the stage on many other occasions. Everyone is invited and welcome. Admission is free. Donations are accepted and most appreciated. Thanks to all for your support. May God truly bless you. "See ya at the Hoe-Down." For more information call 903-583-4731 or 903-583-5710.

Seven Oaks Care Center Fishing Trip & Cook Out

On September 20, 2003, residents from Seven Oaks Care Center celebrated the beginning of fall with an end of summer fishing trip and hot dog cook-out. The residents loaded up into the van and traveled to Melissa Norris’s, one of their nurses, secret fishing spot. (Her Grandma’s stocked fishing tank.) Who knew we had our very own Jimmy Houston’s right here at Seven Oaks. Before everyone could get out of the van, Claude Rayford had already put his line in the water and caught the first fish. Everyone had a great time catching lots of perch and catfish. Fred Cook landed the biggest with a catfish that weighed about 4 lbs. Thanks to Bruce Caylor with his rubber boots and fish food, we didn’t have too many tangled lines and the fish kept biting. Residents Venita Matlock, Maney Holt, and Rose Johnson kept volunteers Helen and Kim Standifer, JR Matlock, Sherry Caylor, and Melissa Norris busy baiting hooks and throwing back fish until lunch was ready. Doris Matlock, Activity Director, put together quite a spread. They had hotdogs, chips and dips, and cookies. Thank you to volunteer Cody Comba for doing a great job cooking all those hot dogs. Resident Hazel Parker had fun enjoying the scenery, laughing at everyone’s fishing antics, and over-seeing Cody’s hot dog cooking. The weather was perfect for sitting in the shade, visiting, and eating the big watermelons Doris had brought. Thank you to everyone who helped arrange such a great trip and to all the volunteers who helped out. Special thanks to Morene Caylor and Bruce and Sherry Caylor for allowing us to come out and have a wonderful time.

DPS Needs More Troopers Recruiting Deadline Approaching

DPS is kicking off a new recruiting drive to fill the next trooper training class.

The application deadline is November 7 for in-state applicants and October 28 for out-of-state residents.

"Retirements and an increase in the number of trooper positions continue to create challenges on the recruiting front," said DPS Director Col. Thomas Davis Jr. "We have already graduated 652 troopers the last two years, but we need a strong recruiting push to ensure a quality, diversified applicant pool to fill our next recruit school."

The six-month training academy will start February 2, 2004 in Austin. Application packets can be picked up at the nearest DPS office and extensive information is accessible on the DPS Web site, www.txdps.state.tx.us <http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/>. Information also is available by calling a toll-free number, 1-866-TXTROOP (898-7667), that rings directly into the recruiting office at DPS Headquarters in Austin.

Graduates are initially assigned as uniformed troopers in one of several services. After gaining experience, troopers can compete for a variety of assignments in the Texas Highway Patrol, Criminal Law Enforcement, Driver License, Administration and Texas Ranger divisions.

An applicant must be a U.S. citizen, at least 20 years of age by the time they are accepted as trooper-trainees and have completed 90 hours of college credit. Law enforcement, jailer or military experience may be used toward fulfilling the college requirement.

An applicant’s background will be carefully scrutinized, including prior criminal history. DPS is an equal opportunity employer.

Drive For Early Childhood Intervention Texoma

Bonham: KKFYN/KFYZ is hosting a radio Drive for Early Childhood Intervention Texoma on Wednesday, October 22, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Pledges will be taken during the hour to help Fannin County families receive the service their children need.

For twenty-two years, ECI has been providing services at no cost to the family. Due to the 78^th Legislative Session budget cuts, there will be a fee for every service given to the child and family beginning on January 1, 2004. Please donate to help Fannin families in crisis, buy program supplies, special adaptive equipment, and offer scholarship money to families who are unable to pay the fees for services. ECI also has program needs that require donated funds.

ECI serves children in Grayson, Fannin, Cooke, Lamar, Delta, and Hopkins counties who have a developmental delay. Anyone can refer an infant or child to the ECI program for screening.

ECI provides developmental therapy support services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or who have a medical diagnosis likely to result in a developmental delay. A developmental delay can be defined as a significant variation in normal child development in one or more of the following areas: cognitive and/or communication development, physical development (vision, hearing, gross and fine motor skills and nutritional status), social and emotional development, and adaptive development and self-help skills.

Services available are: screening and assessment; speech, occupational and/or physical therapy, special instruction, family support and training; toy, book, and video lending library; service coordination for child and family; referral and transition services; other services specific to child and family needs. Services are provided in homes and community-based settings.

The ECI program is an affiliate of the Texas Interagency Council of ECI and hosted by Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma. For more information about the ECI program, call Grayson: 903-337-4810, Fannin: 903-337-4764 or 337-4763, Cooke: 903-337-4784 and Delta, Lamar, and Hopkins: 903-395-4445.

Please donate to help Fannin County children and their families.

TDH Seeing More Infections Linked to Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

A healthy high school football player has a skin infection that sends him to a doctor. An equally healthy toddler in day care comes home with a similar problem. They are both diagnosed with Staphylococcus aureus, commonly called a staph infection.

The laboratory report confirms that these infections are resistant to standard antibiotic treatment. Both are infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. (Methicillin refers to a group of antibiotics frequently used to treat common staph infections. An MRSA infection doesn’t respond to these antibiotics.)

MRSA has been a serious problem for years among hospital patients and residents of long-term-care facilities. But reports of MRSA in the community are increasing, according to Neil Pascoe, epidemiologist with the Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance Division at the Texas Department of Health (TDH).

"Staph and MRSA infections are not routinely reported to TDH, so we do not have precise numbers," Pascoe said. "But we are seeing an increase in reports of MRSA infections in the community, especially among those participating in contact sports such as football, volleyball and wrestling."

Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infection in the United States. Most of these infections are minor such as pimples and boils, but they may lead to more serious illness including pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Staph infections are spread when bacteria from an infected person comes in contact with another person through a break in the skin such as a cut or scrape. People also can get a staph infection from bacteria-contaminated items such as clothing, sheets, towels, equipment or furniture. These bacteria are not transmitted through the air or soil.

"An MRSA infection is more difficult to treat because the bacteria is resistant to methicillin-related antibiotics such as penicillin," Pascoe said. Many other commonly used antibiotics no longer work against these infections.

The treatment for MRSA may be longer, more expensive and more complicated, and infections can reappear frequently. MRSA infections can progress to life-threatening blood or bone infections because there are fewer effective antibiotics available for treatment.

"Hand washing is the single most important factor in preventing infectious disease," Pascoe said. "Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a supplement or substitute when soap and water are not available."

He advises people to remember to wash their hands after sneezing, blowing or touching their noses and after using the restroom. Hands should be clean before you touch your eyes, mouth, nose or any cuts or scrapes on the skin.

Other precautions, especially for athletes, include:

• Do not share towels, soap, lotion, ointments, antibiotics or other personal-care items.

• Avoid direct physical contact with infected wounds or contaminated materials.

• Shower with soap and water as soon as possible after direct contact sports.

• Dry using a clean, dry towel.

• Use a moisturizing lotion to prevent dry, cracked skin.

• Prewash or rinse with plain water any items that have been heavily contaminated with body fluids.

• Wash towels, uniforms, scrimmage shirts and other laundry in hot water and ordinary detergent and dry on the hottest recommended cycle.

To help prevent antibiotic resistance, Pascoe suggests that people take the right amount of any prescribed antibiotic, take prescribed doses on time and take all the medicine even if the person feels better. "Never share antibiotics," he said. "Throw away any old antibiotics. And remember that antibiotics do not work against viruses."

TDH has information on staphylococcal infections specific for child-care centers, parents of children in child-care centers, school athletic departments and athletes. This information is available on the TDH Web site at: www.tdh.state.tx.us/ideas/antibiotic_resistance/mrsa/school_athletic_departments.asp and www.tdh.state.tx.us/ideas/antibiotic_resistance/mrsa/daycare_administrators.asp.

Update On Third Called Session

The Texas Legislature recently adjourned the third called session after completing work on several pieces of legislation, including a new congressional redistricting plan. Contained in this article are analyses of some of that legislation.

House Bill 1 - With the passage of H.B. 1549 and H.B. 2496, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, two runoff primary election dates now exist in the law. Similarly, H.B. 1695 and H.B. 1549, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, established two timetables for conducting the local canvass in certain elections. In addition to these conflicts, current law provides two deadlines for the counting of late overseas mail ballots, depending upon the type of election. H.B. 1695, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, attempted to clarify these deadlines, but provisions relating to overseas voters and voting clerks need further clarification.

Finally, H.B. 1549, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, moved the May uniform election date from the first to the third Saturday in May to accommodate provisional voting under the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002. However, because other enacted legislation lengthened the election calendar, this change in the May uniform election date is unnecessary. C.S.H.B. 1 attempts to correct and clarify the conflicts and confusion which arose relating to the dates for certain election procedures and practices as a result of the enactments of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003.

House Bill 3 - The 77th Legislature adjourned without enacting new congressional districts after the 2000 federal census. Ultimately, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued an order adopting congressional districts (PLAN 01151C) for the 2002 elections. The members of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas for the 108th Congress were elected under this plan.

The 78th Legislature adjourned its regular, first, and second called sessions without enacting new congressional districts. Governor Rick Perry called a third special session of the 78th Legislature to consider legislation relating to congressional redistricting. C.S.H.B. 3 sets forth the composition of districts for the election of members of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas.

House Bill 7 - C.S.H.B. 7 relates to the organization, board membership, and functions of certain agencies and to the transfer of certain functions to other agencies. This is also the legislation that moved up the effective date for an additional district court in Kaufman County to January 15, 2004.

Next week, I will outline the remaining pieces of legislation passed during the third called session.

To contact Sen. Deuell about the legislative process, contact the Capitol Office at (512) 463-0556 or mail to Sen. Bob Deuell, Texas Senate, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711. The website for the Texas Senate is www.Senate.state.tx.us. The e-mail address for Sen. Deuell is: bob.deuell@senate.state.tx.us.

Red River Antique Car Club News

The Red River Valley Antique Car Club, held their regular monthly meeting Oct. 9th, at the American Bank, with 25 members present and 2 visitors. Plans were made to attend Colbert, Okla., Frontier Days Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 11th. Also, we will be driving our cars in the Fannin County Fair Parade Oct. 16th at 5:30 p.m.

We will display our cars on Saturday, November 8th, for the Bonham Heritage Day Festival, starting at 9 a.m. on the square in down town Bonham, TX. Plans for our Christmas Party on December 11th will be finalized at the November meeting.

Winners at Area Car Shows: September 13th, in Tom Bean, Texas, Nadine May won 2nd place with her 1957 Chevrolet. October 4th in Wolfe City, Texas, Claude Wix won 2nd place in the 1950 class with his 1954 Buick Century. Bill and Cheryl Spann won 1st place in the 1960 class with their 1965 Mustang Convertible. G.W. and Elizabeth Binnion won Best Chrysler Mopar Class with there 1972 Dodge Charger, Caddo, Oklahoma. Joe Darling won Best of Show with his 1960 Thunderbird.

Plans for our Annual Spring Antique Car Show 2004 were discussed. Things that we can do to make it a larger and better show, was tabled for a later meeting. Area Car Shows: Oct. 11th at Colbert, Okla. Frontier Days; Oct. 18th at Whitesboro, Texas Peanut Festival; Oct. 25th, Bells, Texas Fall Festival; Oct. 25th, Trenton, Texas Beta Club.

Remember Friday Night Cruise In on the Square, until it gets too cold for us. Bring your Antique and Streetrods, lawn chairs and join in on the fun night in down town, Bonham, TX. The next regular monthly meeting of the Red River Valley Antique Car Club will be on November 13th, at the American Bank, 7 p.m. Visitors always welcome!!

Bonham Snap Center

Fish, Mexicali Corn, Beets/Orange Sauce, Bread, Cran Apple Crunch, Milk

Pepper Steak, Whipped Potatoes, Green Beans, Bread, Rice Pudding, Milk

Dedication Of Trenton Veterans Memorial Announced

"For the Dedication, we are proud to have the names of 106 veterans from all five of the armed services engraved on the monument," stated council chairperson JoAnne Duncan. "United States Congressman Ralph Hall will be on hand to dedicate the monument. We invite all veterans and their families, both those who are included on the monument, and those who live in the area, to attend this special celebration to honor those who have helped preserve the freedoms we enjoy."

The memorial honors veterans who lived within the Trenton School District boundaries and/or had a Trenton address, and served in any of the following wars (as designated by the United States Veterans Administration): World War I: (April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918), World War II: (December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946), Korean War: (June 25, 1950 - January 31,1955), Vietnam War: (February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975), Lebanon/Grenada: (August 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984), Panama: (December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990), and the Persian Gulf: (August 2, 1990 - cessation of hostilities as determined by U.S. Govt.).

"The monument was designed to be able to add veterans who may not have been aware, or made the deadlines for the initial engravings. We plan to add names next year, then every five years after that," stated Duncan.

Veterans or their families may still obtain nomination applications by contacting Stacy Walls at the First National Bank of Trenton (P.O. Box 4, Trenton, TX 75490, telephone 903-989-2235).

Hometown Military News

Seth Tribble, the grandson of Julia Gatchel of Trenton, Texas, recently graduated from Infantry school in Fort Benning, Georgia. After his graduation he had to remain at Fort Benning for further training and then was shipped to Fort Lewis, Washington. At the present time he is awaiting orders to Iraq.

Christopher Pleis, the great-grandson of Julia Gatchel has just completed basic training at the Marine Recruit Training Depot in San Diego, California. After 10 days leave he will return to Camp Pendelton, California for further training for two and 1/2 months, before being assigned to his duty station. This makes the third and fourth generation of Mrs. Gatchel’s family to serve in the military of our country, beginning with 7 December 1941, in Pearl Harbor until the present time.

The family has seen service in the Marines, Army, and Navy. Seth is the son of Major Fred Tribble of Anaheim, California. Christopher is the son of Tina Hunter of Cleveland, Texas.

Leonard Resident, Aaron Norman, Leaves On Church Mission

LEONARD, TEXAS: Friday, August 29, 2003 was an exciting day at the Robert Norman household in Leonard. A letter from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived issuing a call for their eldest son, soon to be 19-year-old Aaron, to serve a two year mission in a Spanish speaking area of the California Los Angeles Mission.

"Usually families have at least a couple of months to prepare before their youth is asked to report to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah," stated Bishop Philip St.George of the Bonham Ward in Bonham, Texas where Aaron attends. "However," he continued, "in Aaron’s case, he was asked to report on September 17, as there is particular need for missionaries in that area." Before leaving on a mission, each missionary is assigned to one of 16 missionary training centers around the world. Those required to learn another language spend eight weeks in training before traveling to their assigned mission. If the missionaries do not need to learn a new language, they attend only two or three weeks of basic orientation.

"Our Ward currently has two other young men serving missions in Arizona and Mexico City. We have another young man due to leave in November for Argentina," stated St.George.

Young men may choose to serve a two-year mission at age 19. Like most missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Norman is putting college and career on hold while he serves. The church currently has over 60,000 missionaries worldwide serving full-time missions. Young women may also serve for a period of eighteen months at age 21. In addition, there are many couples of retirement age who, like the younger generation, choose to give two years service teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a missionary. Currently the church has 330 mission fields throughout the world.

Aaron, who will be known as Elder Norman for the next two years, is a 2002 Honors graduate of Leonard High School. He has been working at Walgreens in Plano to earn money to pay for his mission. An Eagle Scout, he was on the school’s football, basketball, and baseball teams. He was also Parliamentarian for the Student Council, and Vice President of the Beta Club.

Aaron is the son of Robert and Jane Norman of Leonard, and grandson of Archie and Anne Norman of El Paso.

Twenty Six Family History Classes Offered Free On-line

Provo, Utah: Long known for their interest in family history (genealogy), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now offers 26 free family history courses through the Internet. Available through Brigham Young University (BYU) the Independent Study courses are non-credit and can be taken anytime from any computer with Internet access. "These are the same courses given for college credit at BYU. The university has made them available for free using the technology at hand for those not requiring credit. This years, courses have grown from three last year to 26 this year," reported Director of Independent Study, Dwight Laws.

"There is no time frame for finishing the courses and no registration is required. Instructional materials are free online, stated Laws. An accredited genealogist teaches each course. Using the instant electronic Speedback feature, a student taking the course works at his or her own pace, possibly finishing the course in 24 hours. Courses outlined include an introduction to family history; teaching children to love family history; family records; vital records; military records; Huguenot research; and researching France, Germany, Scandinavia, church records and feast days. To take one of the free courses, go to the department’s web site at http://elearn.byu.edu then click on Special Offers. Taking advantage of this free instruction is great news for all interested in learning more about researching genealogy, and is wonderful for those living on a tight budget or homebound."

Citizen Questions City On Permit To Sell Alcohol

In Heritage Corridor

By Paul Berryhill

By Paul Berryhill

Southbound Water Supply Seeks To Get City To Waive Access Fee

By Paul Berryhill

The commissioners also voted to table action in accepting the donation of the Southwest Pump Property. Roy Floyd said he felt before accepting the property there needed to be a plan in place for it and not just randomly accept it.

Negotiating Team To Define Expectations With Upper Trinity

by Paul Berryhill

Savoy Beautification Committee Meeting

The Savoy Main Street Beautification Committee met for their regular monthly meeting. Business entailed planning for a Bake Sale on November 21st, the Friday before Thanksgiving at the First National Bank of Bells/Savoy.

Also on the agenda was planning for a city wide "White Elephant" Sale to raise funds for the park landscaping. Funds to be donated on completion of the park.

The yard of the month for September was presented to Tony and Becky Owens at 106 W. Fowler St. The elected yard for October was Gladys Pierce at 101 S. Mill St.

4^th Annual Pecan Fest

Several area children and adults alike entered the 1st Pet Parade as a part of the Annual Pecan Fest in Pecan Gap, Texas on October 11, 2003. Everyone with an entry walked away with a ribbon for their efforts. Some of the entries included: a donkey, two hermit crabs, two heifers, a cat and dogs of all sizes and colors. Some of the pets were dressed in fine attire, while others simply sported their God-given beauty. Peggy Reed Durham was the coordinator of this years pet on parade event.

Fannin County Republican Party

The FANNIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY had nominated Juanita Lance for Volunteer of the Year Award for 2002 and John Cook, SREC Committeeman from Terrell, TX presented the award. Chairman Joe Ward stated that this was the largest scheduled monthly meeting and packed the courthouse Annex. The large group enjoyed the Pot Luck dinner and the legislative update from Representative Larry Phillips. The 336th District Judge candidates, Lori Blake and Rick Dunn addressed the group as well as Fannin County Sheriff candidate Bob Cherenko. Majorie Humphres talked about the success of the Children’s Literacy "Bookmark" contest and David Hembree addressed concerns and solutions to the local property tax issues.

TDH Issues Flu Advisory, Urges Shots

The Texas Department of Health (TDH), October 15, 2003, issued a statewide health advisory reporting heavier-than-usual influenza activity in the state and urging people to get a flu shot.

"It’s not unusual to have flu occur this early in the season. What’s unusual is to have this much of it this early," said Texas Commissioner of Health Eduardo Sanchez.

Influenza, or flu, has been reported in Bell, Bexar, Brazos, Collin, Harris, Jefferson, Montgomery, Nolan, Smith, Travis and Williamson counties the first two weeks of October.

"Get a flu shot," Sanchez advised. "That’s the first line of defense."

Authorities report that the flu vaccine is in plentiful supply this year. People wanting to get a flu shot should contact their doctors, employers or local public health departments or watch for announcements from supermarkets and other businesses offering the shot to the public.

Flu season officially begins in October and runs through May, usually reaching its peak in Texas in January and February.

This season’s vaccine protects against the A/Moscow, A/New Caledonia and B/Hong Kong strains of the influenza virus and against other similar strains.

Most people six months or older can receive the flu vaccine, but it is especially encouraged for children 6 months to 23 months, people 50 and older, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, diabetics, women who will be in their second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season, people with weakened immune systems and people who have asthma or other chronic respiratory, heart or kidney conditions.

It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to be effective.

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness marked by the sudden onset of fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. The illness is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, sending the highly contagious virus into the air.

As a flu control measure, Sanchez stressed that people with flu symptoms should stay home to avoid infecting classmates or colleagues.

Influenza is not a reportable illness in Texas, so exact flu case numbers are not known. Instead, TDH relies on a surveillance network of reporting sites around the state to track influenza levels and identify circulating strains of the virus.

More information about the flu is available online at: www.tdh.state.tx.us

Need Help Paying For Your Pets Spay/Neuter?

Fannin County is no stranger to the epidemic of pet over-population. Did you know Bonham has the dubious honor of being in the Guinness World Records for the most prolific cat? It’s true, when Dusty, a tabby from Bonham, Texas, gave birth to her final kitten in 1952, she had produced 420 kittens in 17 years! Consider that most of her kittens had kittens and the fact that in six years, one female cat has the capability of giving rise to 420,000 young, and one female dog can produce up to 67,000 puppies. It is no wonder that there are so many unwanted pets. There are more dogs and cats than there are homes.

The Friends of Fannin County Critters, FFCC, has received a small Spay/Neuter grant which will allow them to help some Fannin County residents to be better able to afford Spay/Neuter procedures for their pets. It is hoped that every pet that is spayed or neutered will help stem the tide of pet over-population.

Stephanie Wood, FFCC President says, "Everyone’s financial situation is different. Applicants will be asked what they can afford to contribute for the spay/neuter of their pets. We hope that this will allow the grant to go farther and be able to help the maximum number of people. Of course, we will not turn down people on the basis of what they can or cannot contribute."

You can get your application for the Spay/Neuter Program by either mailing a stamped, self-addressed envelope to FFCC, 200 Winkler, Bonham, Texas 75418 or pick up an application during the open hours of FFCC Critter Corner, 10-2pm on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.

The deadline for returning the application will be 11/30/03 and applicants will be notified if they are selected before 12/15/03.

Stephanie Wood commented "Helping provide low-cost Spay/Neuter for pet owners who need financial assistance with preventing litters is important to FFCC and the community. We hope that this is only the first of many grants that we are able to acquire that will benefit Fannin County."

Christmas Basket Donations

The Bonham Police Officer’s Association is preparing once again to participate in community assistance programs for the Holiday Season. Last year the BPOA assisted with serving approximately 200 families who requested assistance. This year the numbers are expected to be equal and possible larger. Therefore, the BPOA is soliciting your generous contributions to help them help those in need.

Contributions may be mailed to Bonham Police Officer’s Association, 301 E. 5th St., Bonham, TX 75418, Attention Christmas Fund or you may make your contribution in person at the Bonham Police Department, or call the Bonham Police Department and arrange to have your contribution picked up. The number to call is 903-583-2141.

Anyone wishing to apply for assistance is encouraged to contact the Bonham Community Ministries at (903) 583-3635.

Police Chief Mike Bankston is asking that citizens use caution throughout the Holiday Season for solicitors of donations and know whom they’re talking to and where their donations are going.