Bonham City Commissioner’s Meeting

By: Sarah Meek

The Bonham City Commission met on Monday, November the 8th for a regular meeting. The Commission first approved the minutes of the October 11th and the 25th meetings, and the financial report for the month ending October 31st.

The Commission entered into closed session for a consultation with legal counsels regarding threatened litigation in connection with Lake Bonham Hidden Cove campsite leases.

After returning from the closed session, the Commission heard a presentation given by Diana Lundelius of the HBC Terracon Environmental Engineering Consultants concerning testing results at Lake Bonham.

Tests were taken of the soil and the water in the Hidden Cove area and sporadic areas around the lake. Hidden Cove resulted in being the highest pollutant at the lake, which means that its the biggest problem for the pollution in Lake Bonham. Many Hidden Cove lease holders attended the meeting to discuss the termination of their leases.

The Commission approved to terminate the Lake Bonham Lease Agreement for the Hidden Cove campsites. The lease holders will have until January 1, 2005 to vacate the premises, unless legal action is taken. Wayne Moore assured the lease holders that the city was doing everything it could to help protect the quality of the drinking water.

In other business:

The Commission approved Linda Floyd as representative to Texoma Area Paratransit System Board of Directors.

A request for an outside City water service from Paul and Sandi Berryhill was approved by the Commission.

The Commission approved BEDCo Board’s actions to purchase a Vermeer model brush chipper for no more than $24,000 and to negotiate purchase of property at 101 W. First St.

An award of a contract to B. Bray Construction company, Inc. for water line installation on South Fifth Street under the Office of Rural Community Affairs CDBG Program was approved.

The following items were approved upon first reading:

• An ordinance abandoning and vacating a portion of Preston Avenue from Oriental to Franklin Street and adjacent to and between Blocks 21 and 22 Fairview Addition and revoking Ordinance 883 pertaining to the same property

• An ordinance abandoning and vacating a portion of McGrady Street from Agnew Street of the Bonham Golf and Country Club property.

The court approved a three-year tax abatement agreement on 1110 Russell Avenue and 2117 Albert Broadfoot.

Four Corners 4-H Club Meeting

Four Corners 4-H has received their first financial contribution for the 6^th Annual Christmas Dinner from the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. We are counting on the continuing financial support from the generous people of Fannin County to help us with this worthwhile enlightening project. As in previous years, there is a need for contributors, volunteers, and drivers. The dinner is only made possible because of the time and effort of the people and businesses in Bonham and the surrounding communities. If you would like to contribute to the Christmas Dinner or are interested in volunteering, please call (903)583-2325 or (903)583-0446. The dinner is provided at no cost and will be held on Christmas Day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Family Life Center in Bonham. Delivery is available to the homebound.

Victorian Christmas At The Heard-Craig House

Victorian Christmas at the historic Heard-Craig House in McKinney will celebrate the traditions of Victorian Christmas circa 1900. The beautifully decorated holiday rooms in the 7,000 sq. ft. mansion will include Fred Heard’s bedroom (he was an Austin College freshman in 1900), Katie Heard’s blue bedroom with antique brass bed (she was 16 in 1900), a formal dinner in the elegant dining room (resplendent with crystal and silver) and a children’s Christmas room with vintage Heard family dolls and toys.

The theme this year will have the Heard family in the midst of preparing for a formal dinner party before they attend the Heard Opera House Ball. All of the accoutrements for such an exciting evening including dance cards, top hats, evening wear and kid gloves will be on display. The holiday spirit will be heightened by the heavenly sounds of music and voices raised in song. Costumed docents will provide information about the Heard family and Victorian Christmas traditions. The aroma of holiday goodies baking in the kitchen will fill the air, and exquisite Victorian trees and décor will fill the rooms.

The Victorian Christmas Gift Shop in the Carriage House will offer handcrafted treasures and unique holiday items for gift giving. Father Christmas and Queen Victoria will stop by to visit during the celebration. Model A cars in mint condition will line the path to the Carriage House.

The Heard-Craig Victorian Christmas has become a must-see holiday event in North Texas. The event will be held Friday, November 26 and Saturday, November 27, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tickets ($5 adults, $3 children) may be purchased in advance at the Heard-Craig House or on the weekend of the event. Tours of the decorated home will continue during regular tour hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 pm and Saturdays at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.) through December 20.

Many of the decorative pieces in the House will be available for purchase and can be picked up as early as December 1. The dining room’s royal hued accents, Christmas stockings and majestic 3-foot tall Father Christmas are timeless designs for any home.

Sponsors of Victorian Christmas are Trudie and Gary Davis, the Dale family – McKinney Lumber Company, McWilliams and Thompson, and Market Street. This fund-raising event will benefit the operation and preservation of the Heard-Craig House. For more information call 972-542-5340, 972-569-6909 or info@heardcraig.org.

This November, our nation held an extraordinary election. Voters turned out in record numbers across the country to cast their ballots for the President of the United States, their representatives in Congress, state and local officials and countless ballot initiatives. Every state and territory, from Maine to California, saw voters set new records for turnout. President Bush received 59,246,889 votes while Sen. Kerry received 55,710,448.

The elections were just as important to Texans as they were to other Americans. The office of the Texas Secretary of State reports 7,357,837 ballots were cast on November 2, up almost a million from the 2000 presidential election in which Texans cast 6,407,637 votes.

When the smoke of battle cleared, we saw that President Bush won a second term in office. As is the case with most elections in our great democracy, we are left with a clear winner and a gracious runner-up. There will be time in the days ahead to examine the results, but what we need to do today is come together as a nation to work for the common good.

America still faces serious challenges. An implacable and fanatical foe still seeks to kill Americans and to deny 53 million Iraqis and Afghans liberty and self-government. We have planted democracy in those countries and President Bush said he will continue to nurture its growth as we fight and destroy the terrorists who mean all free people harm.

As part of this effort, President Bush has called for passage of legislation to overhaul the nation’s intelligence apparatus. This will improve national security and help our forces find and destroy our enemy.

President Bush has outlined an ambitious domestic agenda as well. We must continue to improve our education system, create jobs and grow our economy, and work toward greater energy independence.

He also boldly called for Congress to join him in an effort to strengthen the Social Security system, saying "the cost of doing nothing ... is much greater than the cost of reforming the system today."

Social Security will soon face tremendous strains when 77 million baby boomers begin to retire. This was an important election issue because Americans know we cannot afford to wait until a financial crisis occurs. The President has proposed allowing taxpayers to voluntarily set some of their payments aside into personal savings accounts, while ensuring current and near-retirees receive the benefits they were promised.

The President has also announced his intention to continue his program of tax reform, with the goal of simplifying the system and reducing its burden on America’s families. Two of the leading proposals are the "Flat Tax" which would replace numerous deductions and tax rates with a single established tax rate, and the "National Sales Tax" which would replace payroll and income taxes with a national sales tax. Both systems have some advantages, and deserve study.

By any measure, we have a great deal to do. To reach the best solutions, we will need the thoughtful input and cooperation of both Republicans and Democrats.

This means we have to set aside the passions which often flare up in tough campaigns. One of the most important lessons of this election was the public’s rejection of politicians who resort to obstructionist partisan tactics. We are sent to Washington to get a job done. On November 2^nd, the public said putting politics before the nation’s business is not acceptable. This does not mean we should discard our beliefs or surrender efforts to promote our visions for America. Nobody wants all Americans to think alike. We are a nation of lions, not sheep.

While we may disagree on certain issues, we share the same goal and responsibility of making this nation a better, safer place.

With his generous concession speech, Sen. Kerry noted, "In an American election, there are no losers, because whether or not our candidates are successful, the next morning we all wake up as Americans… In the days ahead, we must find common cause. We must join in common effort, without remorse or recrimination, without anger or rancor. America is in need of unity and longing for a larger measure of compassion."

This is a good beginning: a fresh start for the new term for our re-elected president.

Santa’s Helpers – Now Hiring!

"Extra work around the holiday season is beneficial to employers, employees and the economy as a whole," said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. "The extra revenue from holiday sales allows for extra hiring, which in turn gives the workforce more disposable income and allows for a rise in consumer spending. It’s a win-win situation all around."

The last holiday season showed an increase in the number of people employed across the state. Last year, 100,700 jobs were gained from August through December. The biggest workforce boosts usually occur in the retail sector, with transportation, warehousing and trade also seeing increases.

"This is a traditional time for employers in many industries to add to the workforce as business activity expands and sales increase," said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. "We are already seeing gains over the last year in virtually every major industry, and further increases due to the holidays will only add to those."

TWC recently launched a new resource for job-seekers, WorkInTexas.com. This powerful, web-based tool matches employers of all sizes with workers from entry-level to executive. WorkInTexas.com also offers career resources, including information about résumé preparation, job interview tips and current employment data.

"It is good to see so many workers joining the labor force, whether for temporary or permanent employment," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. "Seasonal employment not only adds to an individual’s income, but in many cases, a temporary job can be the springboard to permanent employment."

Employers and job seekers alike sometimes have questions about laws relating to temporary work. TWC offers the following information about seasonal staffing:

· Temporary employees are subject to the same laws as regular full or part-time employees. Even if a worker’s job is scheduled to end at a specific time, temporary staff members are not contract labor. They are entitled to the same protections under the law as regular employees.

· The Texas Payday Law requires that both temporary and regular employees receive their wages in full and in a timely manner. Employers cannot withhold any amount of a paycheck without prior written authorization from the employee, or unless authorized by state or federal law, or by court order. Additionally, current minimum wage laws apply to wages earned.

· Employers must pay Unemployment Insurance taxes on their temporary employees. The wages earned must be reported and are subject to taxes. This law applies even though a temporary employee knows from the outset that the job will end at a set time and the employee doesn’t plan to seek another job after that assignment has ended.

· Federal and Texas child labor laws ensure that children are not employed in an occupation or manner that is detrimental to their safety, health or well-being. Any individual under 18 years of age is defined as a child. Youths age 16 and 17 may perform any job not declared hazardous by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for unlimited hours. Youths age 14 and 15 may work outside school hours in various nonmanufacturing, nonmining, nonhazardous jobs under the following conditions: no more than three hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, eight hours on a nonschool day or 40 hours in a nonschool week. Except during the summer, 14- and 15-year-old employees may not begin work before 7 a.m. or work after 7 p.m.

Dodd City ISD Honor Roll

1st Grade: Quinton Anzaldua, Zane Dockery, Codie Gilbreath, Lauren Hilliard, Holden Horton, Jordan McCraw, Bobbie Newman

2nd Grade: Cailee Fry, Kaleb Hammett, Makagan Mitchell, Hannah Monroe, Shelby Moore, Madison Phillips, Tiffany Prock, Jenna Wallace

3rd Grade: Lane Anderson

4th Grade: Hunter Brent, Rainy Goodin, Tyler Knight, Jaiden Pelton, Christi Petty, Hayley Smith

5th Grade: Landon Darwin, Julie Hellwarth, Kaitlyn Massie, Conner Reed, Jaylen Wallace

6th Grade: Morgan Hartnett, Patrick Moore, Sarah Smeltzer, Seth Stephens, Dillon Stewart

7th Grade: Ethan Bowman, Kasey Gatlin, Barbara Kemp, Brittany Lasater

8th Grade: Kaci Cumpston, Callie Maxwell, Samantha McCarty, Will Reed, Ethan Stephens

9th Grade: Holly Hill

10th Grade: Jeffrey Sullivan

11th Grade: Jennifer Burpo, Kim Gibson, Whitney Parker, Bethany Stephens

12th Grade: Jessica Hoffman, Crystal Hough, Cody Maxwell, Tabatha Ottmo, Casey Rodgers, Justin Weeks

1st Grade: Riley Blevins, Nicholas Capehart, Dakota Hale, Kyle Horton, Sierra Howell, Victoria Kinnaird, Colton Spindle, Thomas Standlee

2nd Grade: Ashlee Booth, Dakota Brown, Blake Deweese, Gracie Grandstaff, Susannah Gustine, Riley Hartnett, Jared Huff, Joedavid Huff, Jacqueline McGehee, Daulton Pilliod, Keeshia Thompson, Daulton Underwood, Hunter Vaught

3rd Grade: Jessica Glatt, Amry Hellwarth, Meghann Maggrett, Eric McInnis

4th Grade: Joanna Gilbreath, Misty Goodin, Casey Hall, Briann Hilliard, Jayson McGehee, Walker Phillips, Steven Standlee, Karley Tucker

5th Grade: Charles Gibson, Dakota Kirkpatrick, Lexi Langford

6th Grade: Blake Butler, Tara Carlisle, Kim Lay

7th Grade: Blaze Blain, Jayme Brown, Steven Cockrill, David Dunn, Joseph McGehee, Joshua Skipworth, Kayla Thompson

8th Grade: Brandon Blevins, Kaylee Booth, Rebekah Gustine, Dalton Herndon, Sydnee Horton, Cassidi Rodgers, Hailey Spindle, Megan Thompson

9th Grade: Lorran Anderson, Chelsea Bell, Kendra Billy, Cecily Darwin, Tayler Dophied, Stacy Graves, Kamey Herpeche, Jaylyn Mccarty, Jordan Parker, Michael Smeltzer, Colin Taylor

10th Grade: Jeramie Horton, Kelli Horton, Leslie Jones, Angel Milner, Heath Spindle, Justin Spindle

11th Grade: James Baxley, Nathan Blankenship, Deanann Pickering

12th Grade: Lori Brown, Cody Horton, Tim La Vergne, Tiffany Lawhon, Amanda Spindle

Bonham Nursing & Rehab Center

Bonham Residents had a surprise visit from a trick or theatre. Aria was dressed in a 50’s costume that included a poodle skirt and lace collar, and neck scarf.

Aria’s rider was Sharon Witherspoon granddaughter of Resident La Johnna Quinn.

The residents gave Aria apples for her treat.

November Features License Plates Honoring Members of the Armed Services

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Fannin County tax assessor-collector’s office are featuring a group of specialty license plates that honor members of the United States Armed Services and surviving family members during the month of November, in observance of Veteran’s Day.

The following armed services license plates are available to those who qualify and my also be viewed at

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtrspplates/allplates.htm.

Airborne Parachutists, Armed Forces Reserve, Congressional Medal of Honor, Desert Storm Veteran, Disabled Veteran, Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, Enduring Freedom Veterans, Former Prisoner of War, Gold Star Mother, Korean Veteran, Dugion of Valor, Marine Corps League, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pearl Harbor Survivour, Purple Heart Recipient, Texas Gurad, Texas WIng Civil Air Patrol, U.S. AIr Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, Vietam Veterans, World War II Veterans

"These specialty plates are a reminder of our history," said Pam Sweet- Richardson, tax assessor-collector for Fannin County.

TxDOT can help qualified veterans display these license plates on their vehicles. INformation about eligiblity requriements and applicable fees are avaliable at county tax offices, on TxDOT’s web site (www.dot.state.tx.us), by calling the TxDOT Help Desk at (512)465-7611, or TxDOT’s Fax-On-Demand forms line at (888) 232-7033. Customers requesting orders for specaily license plates through the fax service should enter the code 0999 to receive the form for the license plate they are ordering.

TxDOT started its specialy license plate program in 1965. Today, there is a wide variety of different plate designs, many of them benefiting a particular group, organization, college or university. Since 1994, more than $10 milion has been raised for sponsoring organizations, colleges or universities.

For more information call Pam Sweet-Richardson, Tax Assessor-Collector for Fannin County at 903-583-7493

Jones Field Now Open

The decision was made to open the Airport prior to the final inspection. The Capitol Improvement Project is substantially complete.

The only issue of concern that those involved with the project are aware of is a paint problem with the stripping.

Due to Budget constraints there will not be an attendant at the Airport.

An Automated Credit Card Fuel System to allow Fueling of Airplanes anytime of the day or night.

The specifications are being prepared to receive Sealed Bids on this system.

For the time being Aviators may contact City Hall Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM @ 903-583-7555 and City staff will be dispatched to assist in fueling.

The Texas Attorney General’s Fugitive Unit Works to Keep Children Safe

By Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

As a parent, I can think of no worse crimes than those committed against children. That is why protecting children from sexual predators is a top priority of my office. We place an emphasis on preventing these kinds of crimes, in part by policing the Internet chat rooms where predators hunt for their victims.

The Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Unit (CCU) is actively pursuing predatory pedophiles who use the Internet to develop relationships with children for the purpose of luring them to a meeting. Since May 2003, the CCU has arrested 53 men who solicited teens online for sex.

Prevention also includes making sure that felons adhere to the terms of their parole. Otherwise, they may repeat their heinous acts. That is why in August 2003 we launched the Fugitive Unit at the Office of the Attorney General.

The mission of the Fugitive Unit, is to locate, arrest and send back to prison convicted child predators who have violated their parole. The Attorney General’s Office is not targeting paroled offenders who abide by the law. To be a target of the Fugitive Unit, a person must be a child sex offender who has absconded from the law, violating the terms of their parole.

These felons have been given a second chance, something victims never have. Instead of abiding by the terms of their parole, they chose to run and hide. We have no sympathy for these criminals, and we will continue to find them and put them behind bars.

The Fugitive Unit has been highly successful. In just 14 months, the unit’s hard work has led to the arrest of 162 fugitives. In fact, one of the unit’s very first arrests was a sex offender who was watching children on a busy playground. I have no doubt our officers thwarted a child predator’s ill intentions that day.

The reach of the Fugitive Unit extends far beyond Texas. We recently extradited fugitive parolee Ramon Cerillos from California for violating the terms of his parole.

In 1989, Cerillos was convicted of indecency with a child. In 1990, he was released and paroled. He disappeared in 1991 and had a parole warrant issued for his arrest.

Thanks to excellent detective work by an officer and a crime analyst in the Fugitive Unit, we found out that Mr. Cerillos was living in Los Angeles. We contacted the Los Angeles Police Department for assistance. The LAPD confirmed his identity and arrested him, helping us bring this fugitive to justice.

Mr. Cerillos had been on the run for 13 years. He is now behind bars.

A large part of our success lies with the parole officers of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). They have been extremely supportive of our efforts. They provide us with the valuable information on parole violators that we need to do our work. We thank them for working with us to make our communities safer for our children.

We are very pleased that our efforts to date have been successful, but we will not rest on our laurels. Our work in removing child predator fugitives from our neighborhoods is ongoing. We must all remain vigilant and united in the protection of our children.

Whitewright Library building campaign

The Whitewright Public Library, as part of its new building campaign, will be including a recognition walkway in the new building plan. You can honor your family, children, parents, or friends with a brick made especially for them. The brick also makes a nice memorial for family, friends and even pets.

The cost is $25 per brick for two lines ($30 for three lines), with all proceeds designated for the new building fund. Each brick will have a maximum of 3 lines, with up to 14 characters per line, including letters, punctuation and spaces. A form to order bricks is available at the library, or you can visit the library’s website at ww.whitewright.lib.tx.us.

The library is open Monday-Friday mornings from 10-2. Afternoon hours are 1-5:30, with extended hours on Thursdays until 7:00. Please call 903-364-2955 or email wwpl@texoma.net for more information.

IRS Prepares to Release its Annual Unclaimed Tax Refund List

Someone in Texas has a tax refund check for $562,000 that cannot be delivered because of a bad address. The Internal Revenue Service needs your help in locating more than 7,500 taxpayers across Texas with $6.9 million in undeliverable tax refund checks. Next week, we plan to release the list of names to media across the state with the hope that the taxpayers will see their names in the newspaper and will call the IRS to claim their money.

Road To Hana Ribbon Cutting

The Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed it’s newest member with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, November 5, 2005. Tandy Hix, Chamber Chair, presented Karen Parten and Tanja Bills, owners, with a Ceremonial Certificate. Road to Hana is located at 112 JFK Drive and they specialize in message therapy. To ease your tension and relax, give them a call at 903-449-1567.

"FURFRIENDS" REPORT

By AOHT’s Rainbow Bridge

AOHT’s (All Our Hearts Together) Rainbow Bridge a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization catering to the welfare of abandoned/abused companions and educating the public about animals welfare.

TOP TEN WAYS TO PREVENT ANIMAL CRUELTY

It is frustrating when a person witnesses an abuse and can’t seem to get justice. Our first inclination is to ask ourselves "WHY?" Then we want justice to be served and when it’s not we tend to give up hope. I ask that you don’t surrender and continue to be their voice. "YOU" as citizens in this community have the power to make a change. The law is there to protect abused or neglected animals, 77(R) HB 653. Abuse is a "VIOLENT" crime, learn to recognize animal cruelty, here are some signs and symptoms that you might look for according to the ASPCA investigated cases:

1. Tick and flea infestations. Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian can lead to an animal’s death. 2. Wounds on the body.

3. Patches of missing hair.

4. Extremely thin, starving animals.

5. Limping.

6. An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.

7. Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard.

8. Dogs who have been hit by cars—or are showing any of the signs listed above—and have not been taken to a veterinarian.

9. Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions.

10. Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners.

Here is what you do when you witness abuse, whether they are two legged or four legged…that is not the issue here:

1. Report this to your local police and provide as much information as possible, having a photograph or a digital camera handy would be helpful. Remember the police department is not your enemy. By giving them as much information as you can, it will help them to expedite the problem. It helps to write down the type of cruelty that you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place.

2. Call or write your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority. Animal cruelty is a CRIME and the police MUST investigate these crimes.

3. You can fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade on the internet, or ASPCA at government@aspca.org for further information.

4. Set a good example for others and remember to talk to your kids about kindness and respect to animals.

5. Support your local shelter and animal organization when you are ready for a companion. Please put your money into saving lives.

6. Here is our local human organization when actions are not being implemented:

SPCA OF TEXAS

KEN QUALL OR DAVID GARCIA

214-651-9611 Ext. 120

E-mail: investigations@spca.org

Sam Rayburn 4-H News

By: Dylan Potts, Sam Rayburn 4-H Reporter.

The Sam Rayburn 4-H Group met November 4th at Sam Rayburn School for their monthly meeting. Ashley Butler, president, called the meeting to order. Taylor Potts, treasurer, gave the treasurer report.

The group will be selling candles during the month of November for their fund raising project. A discussion was held about a Goat Field Day at Texas A&M to be held next spring.

The December meeting will be held Dec. 9th at the school. Each member is asked to bring canned food for the needy. This will also be the group’s Christmas party.

Little Miss 2004

Alexis Faith Lappin Crowned Alexis Faith Anderson the new 2004 Little Miss. Alexis Anderson is daughter of Aaron and Tammy Anderson of Bonham and sister of Savana Anderson, granddaughter of Jerry and Pat Ottmo of Bonham and Garry and Linda Anderson of Bonham, Great-granddaughter of the late Melton Anderson of Bonham and Helen Anderson of Bonham, Freda Ottmo and the late VC Ottmo of Honey Grove and the late J.D. Wilkerson of Bonham.

Hometown Military News

November 10, 2004(FHTNC)--Coast Guard Seaman Richard Riemer, a 2002 graduate of Sam Rayburn High School, Ivanhoe, Texas, recently returned from a routine homeland security patrol in the Windward Passage and Florida Straits while stationed on the Coast Guard Cutter Forward, homeported in Portsmouth, Va.

During the patrol, Riemer’s unit participated in operation Able Sentry, which entailed rescuing Haitian and Cuban migrants found in unseaworthy vessels and returning them back to their respective countries. The Forward’s crew also rescued a Haitian fishing vessel blown out to sea by hurricane Ivan after high winds from the hurricane tore the vessel from its anchorage and cast it adrift.

Forward is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter with a crew of 14 officers and 91 enlisted. The ship’s primary missions include maritime search and rescue, law enforcement and homeland security.

Legacy Ridge Voted Best New Course For 2004

November 9, 2004 - Bonham, Texas: Legacy Ridge Country Club located in Bonham, Texas has been voted "Best New Course for 2004" by avidgolfer magazine in their November issue.

The Dallas / Fort Worth based avidgolfer magazine is an upscale golf publication, which highlights North Texas area golf with feature stories about area courses, golf personalities, lifestyle interests, and the game of golf.

News of Legacy Ridge Country Club being voted "Best New Course for 2004" comes as the semi-private 18-hole golf course moves into a newly completed 8,000 square foot Clubhouse facility. To find out more information about how to play the course Legacy Ridge, please call 903. 640. 4800, or visit our website at www.legacyridge.com.

Palliative Hospice Center Celebrates National Hospice Month With Outreach To Community

November is National Hospice Month, and Palliative Hospice Centers will host community forums on November 16th at NE Medical Center in Bonham and 18^th at The Renesaince on Loy Lake in Sherman at 6pm to educate the public about the range of choices available when coping with life-limiting illness.

These local events are part of a broader national campaign launched by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reminding people that hospice is not about how you die but it’s about how you live. There will be a range of activities across the country throughout November focusing on living life as fully as possible up until the end of life.

Most people think hospice is what you do when there’s nothing left to do, commented J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of NHPCO. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Hospice provides a wide range of services to the family and patient that maximize quality of life and help people live as fully as possible, on their terms.

Hospice uses an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals and trained volunteers to provide pain-management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients, and their families, coping with life-limiting illness.

NHPCO reports that the nation’s 3,300 hospice providers served one million patients last year. Hospices helped these people live, and die, with dignity, comfort, and compassion.

Hospice is a covered benefit under Medicare, Texas Medicaid, and most private insurance plans.

The Palliative Hospice Center is committed to informing the community and local health care professionals about the benefits of hospice and palliative care.

National Hospice Month provides a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of the options of care available, commented Kim Rice, Community Representative. Far too many people wait until they are facing a health crisis to learn about care options.

The educational forums will be offered free-of-charge and will help participants understand what hospice is, what services it provides, and when hospice or palliative care is appropriate. The importance of communicating your wishes to family and loved ones early and often will be emphasized, and ways to help initiate these difficult discussions will be provided.

To register for the community forum or for additional information about local resources, call Kim Rice at 903-813-7448 or 1-866-738-7448.

Chi Lambda Charity Auction

The 20th Annual Chi Lambda Charity Auction will be held at the Bonham Civic Center 11-20-2004 beginning with Hor’D’Oevres at 6:30 pm. The theme for this year’s auction is "The Silver Bell Ball". Immediately following the auction there will be entertainment by Linda and Larry Petty. Tickets are $30.00 per person and can be purchased from any Chi Lambda Member or at the door. Seats are limited though, so hurry and buy your ticket today!

All proceeds from the auction go to support the needs of the children of Fannin County.

Good Health the Best Medicine

By Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H. Commissioner, Texas Department of State Health Services

News of former President Bill Clinton’s quadruple bypass in September is sending middle-aged men rushing to their doctors to find out if they too are in imminent danger of a heart attack. Some have called this anxiety over heart health the "Clinton syndrome," and reports continue to show that requests for diagnostic heart tests have doubled or tripled in the weeks since Clinton’s operation.

When celebrities or public leaders face a health crisis, it often serves as a wake-up call to the public. President Eisenhower’s heart attack in 1955 was transformed into a public education opportunity by his cardiologist. More recently, television talk show host David Letterman had bypass surgery, and other celebrities and sports figures have dealt publicly with heart disease. These stories help us remember that heart disease is the number one killer of adults in the United States. But the real message surrounding these very public health problems is not being conveyed.

Let’s focus on cardiac "prehab," not cardiac rehab.

For many people, a heart condition is, best case, preventable; usually predictable; and something that should warrant early intervention.

Anyone - celebrity or average person on the street - is considered lucky if he or she gets to the doctor in the nick of time for successful treatment. The fact that anyone has warning signals for heart disease should serve as the equivalent of a giant flashing neon sign long before chest pains lead that person into the OR for open heart surgery.

Don’t get me wrong. We are fortunate that medical science can help acute cases. Medications, bypass surgery, rehabilitation can be lifesavers. But what if, just maybe, a person did not have to go to the expense of daily medication or through the pain of surgery or adjust to the long weeks and months of recuperation. Would they be better off?

Some risk factors for heart problems are beyond control: being male, being over age 50, having a family history of heart disease. But there often are other controllable lifestyle risk factors that include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and being overweight.

We cannot afford to let every preventable chronic disease reach an acute or advanced state before addressing it. Officially, the specific diseases that kill us today are the chronic ones such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. But when we look at the real causes of death, the top three are tobacco, poor diet/lack of exercise and alcohol.

A typical person who has open heart surgery and aftercare will see a bill approaching $100,000. American Heart Association data suggests we are performing more than 300,000 heart bypasses a year. Using a conservative figure of $50,000 for each single procedure, we are

spending $150 billion dollars annually to replace clogged arteries. And let’s admit it - most of what clogs those arteries fall into the category of lifestyle choices or risk factors that can be changed.

Is it really so difficult to understand why U.S. health care costs increased 57 percent in the last five years? The United States has the most expensive health care system in the world, averaging more than $5,000 a person; yet we rank 47th among nations in life expectancy.

Most people who have heart surgery will undergo cardiac rehabilitation, which is a program of exercise and healthy eating. It is exactly the same type of program one would engage in to prevent a heart attack in the first place. This after-surgery rehab is conducted in a hospital under the supervision of a cardiologist. But before problems occur, people could be doing the same types of healthy activities at the local fitness facility or on the neighborhood walking trail at a fraction of the cost of the post-surgery rehab.

Increasing life expectancy and regaining control of spiraling medical costs require that we change people’s behavior. Here’s what the average person can do right now: stop using tobacco, be physically active, eat healthy foods, maintain a proper weight, avoid excessive alcohol.

Just because medical interventions are available do not make them the best prescription for a real success story.

Good health beats good medicine any day.

The Masons And The^, BISD Have A Long History Of Educating Students In The Bonham, Texas, Area.

The 6th Judicial District Court of Fannin County, Texas, issued an Agreed Declaratory Judgment on the 4th day of November, 2004, in which The Grand Lodge of Texas, Constantine Lodge No. (13) Thirteen Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Bonham Independent School District amicably resolved a title dispute concerning ownership of the 3.46 acres located on the corner of 10th and Center Streets in Bonham, Texas. This property is presently located where the Bailey Inglish Elementary School has been operated for well over 50 years. The school was originally built and established by the Bonham Independent School District, who acquired the property through a series of transfers beginning on January 23, 1856, when The Constantine Lodge No. (13) Thirteen Ancient Free and Accepted Masons purchased the property from Bailey Inglish, one of the founding fathers of the City of Bonham for four-hundred ($400.00) dollars. The Constantine Lodge received the property as Trustee for a charitable education trust called the "Bonham Female Institute". The purpose of the Trust was to educate female residents of the City of Bonham. This property housed a school for girls until approximately 1905, when the District Court of Fannin County, Texas, allowed the local Constantine Lodge to donate the Bailey Inglish property to the Free Public Schools of the City of Bonham. A school was subsequently erected on this property called "Masonic School for Girls". The Bonham Independent School District, as successor in title, erected the Bailey Inglish Elementary School in approximately 1949 and has continued to operate the building for educational purposes.

The Grand Lodge of Texas has a long history of providing support, funds and property for the education of boys and girls in. the State of Texas, and the Bailey Inglish property matter is one example of this longstanding commitment by the Masons of Texas.

Bonham Reunion Committee

The 2005 Reunion Committee is in need of help in locating former students of Bonham High School. The all-school reunion is set for June 17-19, 2005.

This week we are focusing on the classes of 1970-1972. If you know the address or can provide any information on the location of the following former Bonham High School students, please contact Pam Thompson (903-989-5528) or send an email to pamt@fanninelectric.com.

Class of 1970: Judy Catherine Ball Kemp, Betty Banks Stockton, Mary Kathryn Bell Trahan, Becky Blackerby Holiday, Donald Reed Brown, Louise Chesser Soto, Jerry Don Childress, Betty Lora Clark Hughes, Sandra Clark Brewer, Carolyn Coonrod Harris, Robert Lee Crumby, Betty Fae Crump, Craig Dopson, Thaddeus Dunlap, Johnny Echols, Jackie Fitzwater McGehee, James Edward Franklin, Linda Gamel, Joe Garrett, Randy Gray, Anna Lou Hoeldtke, Jeff Jaynes, Steve Knecht, Paul Lively, Rodney Malone, Joe Maxwell, Joe Merworth, Cordelia Ann Mooney, Terry Moore, Doug Morgan, Sandra Newton Hall, Jerry Perry, Sandra Polk, Betty Ann Roberts, Willie Ross, Thomas Skidmore, Becky Smith Ball, Roger Steward, Paula Taylor, William Floyd Underwood, Chris Waite Upton, David Warren

Class of 1971: Marjory Bell Carpenter, Myrna Biggerstaff Malone, Debbie Burgess, Guinlin Cirkles, Deana Ann Clay, Judy Dodson Davis, Carol Dry Clement, Judi Gail Freelen, Jan Garrett Phillips, Eddie Garrison, Charles Bruce Gray, Rita Joyce Gray, Tammy Hammann, Charles Haney, Cheryl Hicks Jones, Jesse Olen Howell, Joann Irving, Mike Johnston, Steven C. Justice, Cathy Lackey Melson, Cathy Lane Walsh, Hazel Leatherwood, Donald Lewis, Linda Long, Michael McCain, Gloria McCraw Nelson, Linda McGuire McClain, Byron Moon, James Riggs, Gayla Shoulders, Kathy Thornton, Peggy Vaden West

Class of 1972: Mark Biggs, Mary Beth Boone Semosh, Robert Chaffin, Ricky Cockrill, Jon Daniel, Donna Denney Malcom, Mary L. Dodson, Cynthia Edwards, Joyce Foster, Janice Gordon, Barbara Harris, Janice Herriage Beers, Stanley Johnson, Tina Dianne King Langford, Ray Allen Landers, Kathy Lindsey Ellis, David Wayne Lively, Ritz Lockridge Bruner, Ann Martin Schnitker, Mike McVay, Jack Mendenhall, Dale Montgomery, Becky Moon, Zara Morrison, Sheree Robinson Williams, Carmen Russ, Peggy Simpson Mason, Garland Smith, Keith Stephens, Sandra Stevens, Bobby Strapp, Joyce Tilley Holman, Eddie Jean Traylor Simmons, Deidra Ann Walker, John Alan Walker, Patricia Walker Flowers, Tommy Washington, Charles Watson, Judy Wheless, Juanita Williams, Patricia Wood

SNAP Serves Fun, Food To All

By MAE KNIGHT

Bonham SNAP Center

Bonham SNAP Center had their Halloween party on Thursday, Oct. 28. All had a wonderful time with visitors from the Kiwanis Club.

SNAP Center makes every day enjoyable. Open five days a week, Monday through Friday, a hot lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. to about 130 to 140 people with dine ins and carry outs combined.

The meal provided by the SNAP Center is often what keeps many people out of nursing homes.

Donations and volunteers are always welcome to help with food and bills. The Center currently needs a new vent hood in the kitchen and a fire extinguisher.

Everyone is welcome to eat at the SNAP Center. Call (903) 583-8573.

The Golden Kiwanis Club’s monthly breakfast will be this Saturday, Nov. 6, starting at 7 a.m at the SNAP Center, on 15^th and Lynn Sts. For $3.50, a full plate is served with ham, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy, jelly, orange juice and coffee.

Atmos Energy Reminds Customers To Prepare For Safe, Warm Winter

Bonham (November 12, 2004) - With wintry weather nearly upon us, TXU Gas, recently acquired by Atmos Energy, reminds its customers and the public to prepare for a safe and comfortable winter season. Although natural gas is one of the cleanest, safest and most valued fuels by consumers, it is possible to have a gas leak by accident or through neglect or misuse.

"Safety is our highest priority, and you are an important partner in maintaining natural gas safety," says Earl Fischer, senior vice president, utility options, of Atmos Energy. "Be alert for the smell of natural gas. We add a distinctive, pungent odor that smells like sulfur so that you will know when you have a leak or when you have left an appliance on."

Fischer went on to say that if you suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately. Do not stop to use the phone, strike a match, turn a switch on or off, or do anything that could cause a spark. Call 9-1-1 or TXU Gas operations, at 800-817-8090 from a safe distance. Gas company personnel respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

With proper maintenance of your natural gas appliances, your home will be safe and warm this winter. According to Fischer, there are some things that families can do to stay safe and warm this winter and year-round:

• Have a qualified professional install and maintain all gas appliances.

• Replace all non-approved or damaged connectors on gas appliances, including uncoated brass connectors.

• Cap or plug all gas lines and valves not connected to an appliance.

• Keep all areas near gas appliances or open flames free of rags, paper, gasoline or other combustible materials.

• Use a gas appliance only for its intended purpose. Do not use an oven or range to heat a room.

• Check the color of the gas flame; it should be blue. A yellow flame indicates gas is not burning properly. Have it checked by a qualified professional.

• Do not allow electrical wiring or other objects to touch any gas connection or piping,

To find a qualified professional for gas equipment inspection or repair, check the yellow pages or log on to www.txugas.corn/dealer.

Last year the Rotarians of District 5810 adopted a new project called The H20 Project. This project brings clean water to countries where children are dying daily because their water is unsafe to drink. Doug Bryan of the Grand Prairie Metro Rotary Club presented a brief video of this project. The contributions the Rotarians make will be matched to drill new water wells or rehabilitate existing water wells in third world countries. 1.3 billion people in the world lack clean water and 80% of the world do not have a faucet with clean water. Every 8 seconds a child dies because of a lack of clean water. That’s 10,800 children per day, 3.9 million per year. Most of the time the water is right beneath their feet - underground. The contributions will help drill water wells for those in desperate need of clean water. As little as $20 can provide one person with a lifetime supply of clean water. The contributions go directly to the wells because of Rotary volunteers and they pay their own way. The engineers are through World Vision. If you would like to donate to this worthwhile project, you may call Nancy Lawrence at 903-583-8105.