New Laws Assist Drivers with Disabilities

Several bills were passed during the regular legislative session earlier this year which will assist motorists with disabilities or certain medical conditions.

House Bill 1330 becomes effective January 1, 2004 and helps ensure that law enforcement officers are able to appropriately respond to drivers with medical conditions and disabilities. The new law allows a person to disclose on a drivers license application any medical condition which may impair the person’s ability to communicate in certain instances. The supplied information must be verified by written statement from a licensed physician. The information will be printed on the back of the person’s drivers license, if space allows, to be seen by an officer during a traffic stop.

To illustrate the reasoning behind this bill, take as an example a person who suffers from diabetes. A person on the verge of a diabetic coma could seem intoxicated initially. Displaying the person’s medical condition on the driver’s license would enable the officer to identify that condition quickly and call an ambulance, rather than wasting important time performing a roadside test for intoxication.

House Bill 1784 became effective September 1, 2003 and provides that a person commits a crime if the person parks a vehicle so that the vehicle blocks an access aisle designed to aid people with disabilities. An example of an access aisle is the area marked off next to a van-accessible parking space designated for a disabled person. It was already a violation of state law to block a curb ramp with a vehicle. The fine for either of these offenses ranges from $250 to $500 for the first offense.

House Bill 148 explicitly prohibits a person from manufacturing, selling or possessing a placard that is deceptively similar to a disabled parking placard. A violation of this provision results in a Class A misdemeanor. Further, the new law makes it a Class C misdemeanor for a person to knowingly park a vehicle displaying a counterfeit disabled parking placard in a parking spot designated for persons with disabilities. This law also became effective September 1, 2003.

Top Of Texas Builders Assn.

Red River Theater Singers set the mood for the coming Christmas season with a program of Christmas Carols and Mary-K Ashly Wilson announced that Habitat for Humanity was taking applications for individuals in the county to build a home with them. Hosts for the event were B and B Food of Leonard, First National Bank of Trenton, Bonham State Bank, Fannin Bank of Windom, and Valley Creek Mechanical of Leonard and Trenton.Ms. Ashly Wilson explained that Habitat for Humanity for Fannin County, Texas Inc. is a non profit group that helps individuals move from substandard housing to a new home, built at cost by the organization.
She explained that home sites have been donated and that Habitat has just announced that it is taking applications from individuals who are eligible to have a new home. It is not a gift, but Habitat builds the house at cost, then arranges for a mortgage at no interest, and at a payment the individual can afford. Ms. Cindy Godbey is president and Ms. Ashley Wilson is secretary.

She announced that the Mortgage Counseling Applications are available at the Bonham Chamber of Commerce, at Moss and Cox offices, 518 N. Main, at Whitewright Public Library, and at the Bailey Post Office.

Interested individuals must be willing to be partners with Habitat, to build their home and they must be eligible by having an ability to make the loan payments. Web sit is www.fanninhabitat.org.

Vocalists from Red River Theater included Lauren Durham, Allison Cardile, and Donna Henard. They opened with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". Ms. Henard presented the solo "Holly and the Ivy" and Ms. Durham sang "O Holy Night". Ms. Cardile sang "Santa Baby" and the trio presented "Angels, We Have Heard on High".

Mayer Carl McEachern, Honorary vice president, opened the meeting calling on Joe Ward to give the prayer and the Pledge to the Flag.

Door prizes were donated by Leonard Pharmacy, Brookshires of Bonham, Susie McEachern, Susan White, and Stephens Builder. Prizes were won by Joe Ward, Harold Stephens, john Henard, Carroll Mulder, April Hensley, Lauren Durham, Susan White, Stephannie Castle, Crystal Helms, Mary-K Ashly Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bowling.

Following the program individuals described their businesses and services.

Stephanie Castle introduced her guest, Keith Hensley, who described his Carpet Cleaning Service in Bonham, and the extras he does for his customers.

The builders association is made up, not only of those in the construction professions and suppliers, but by all businesses in the communities and citizens. They meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Shumardii’s for a buffet meal and programs related to the building industry and new products. They are source of information on businesses, products, and legislation as they are affiliated with Texas Association of Builders and National Association of Home Builders.

Daughters Of The American Revolution Christmas Luncheon And Meeting

The Daughters of the American Revolution, George Blakey Chapter, Bonham, Texas met Saturday, December 13, 2003, at the Savoy home of Kay Merworth-Partain for its Christmas party and gift exchange. Eleven members and two guests brought a covered dish. After the luncheon at 11:00 a.m a short business meeting was held. Mary Lou Kissinger, vice-regent, opened the meeting with a silent prayer for our service men and women. She led everyone in reciting the DAR Ritual with Mary Pauline Yarbrough as chaplain. Mary Beavers led the group in saying, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Kay led The American Creed and Mary Lou led the members in saying, the Daughters Pledge to the Flag. Judy O’Shields gave the National Defense Report. Mary Pauline introduced Dean Griffin of Honey Grove and Jade Fowler of Dallas as guests. Roll call was givin. Nancy Bellows, Secretary, read the minutes of the previous meeting. Martha Mayrell, treasurer, gave the treasury report and gave a report on the Northeast Texas Regional III Division meeting in Sulphur Springs, Texas last month which she, Dot Linn and Mary Jo Barbee attended. One of the highlights of the meeting was meeting Dorothy Bruce, Chairman, III Division. Myra Rodgers gave the results of the Chapter Achievement Awards. Nancy gave a report on the Crossmore School and Flo Odom gave a report on the Hindman School in Kentucky.

The chapter gave phone cards to the veterans at the Bonham V.A. center for Christmas. The meeting was with their 1:30 p.m., then we had our gift exchange. The next meeting will be January 10, 2004 in Bonham at the Chamber of Commerce meeting room at 2 p.m.

Country Music Hoe- Down

There will be a big country music special show at the Lake Bonham Hoe-Down, 1/2 mile from Lake Bonham recreation area east of the spillway on CR2610, Bonham. The show will be taking place this Saturday night. Dec. 27, 7:30pm. The show will be hosted by Joan Kelton and the talented "Country Hoe Downers", Open at 6:30pm Featuring: George Kirby, Randy Keisten, Glen Clark, Michael Williams, Mike Stroud, Paul Mathews, Fred Ulick and Gary Monroe.
Our scheduled special guest will be new comer to our stage, Emma Joan from Coalgate, Okla., Main Street Opras own Mike Copelard from Farmersville, Tx., the talented, and always welcome our own Jimmy Rhodes from Celina, Tx., plus humor from a new and upcoming comedian, and she is new to our stage, Vickie Reynalds, or better known as "May Pearl" from Fairfield, Tx. We are also expecting other guests. Sounds like fun.
Everyone is invited out for an evening of clean fun. Admission is free. Donations are accepted and most appreciated. For information call: 903-583-4731 or 903-583-5710.
Thanks to all for your support. God bless you "see ya at the Hoe-Down".

Genetic Counselors Can Help Hopeful Parents Have Healthy Children

HOUSTON - (Dec. 12, 2003) - By simply paying Pat Ward a visit before conception, couples hoping to get pregnant can save themselves and their future children a lot of unnecessary suffering.
Ward, a genetic counselor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, helps eager couples determine what potential diseases they may see in their offspring.
"We look at both family histories, as well as the results of genetics tests we can do here in the lab, to determine risk," she said. "I help them decide what the best course of action is for their particular case."
For instance, a popular form of testing and counseling deals with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. Ward and the BCM genetics lab can test for CF without drawing blood; all that is needed is a swab inside the cheek.
"It is painless and inexpensive, and when you compare it to what you could be avoiding, having the test it is a very smart choice," said Della Olvera of BCM Medical Genetics Laboratory.
More than 10 million Americans are unknowing carriers of the defective CF gene. An individual must inherit two defective CF genes -- one from each parent -- to have CF. Each time two carriers conceive, there is a 25 percent chance that their child will have CF; a 50 percent chance that the child will be a carrier of the CF gene; and a 25 percent chance that the child will be a non-carrier.
"Once we determine that risk, I can let them know their options," Ward said. "In some cases that might be using donated sperm, prenatal testing, or pre-implantation diagnosis," she said.
Pre-implantation diagnosis is commonly practiced by BCM assisted reproduction. "With this procedure, we can avoid cystic fibrosis by choosing the embryos that are unaffected by the defective gene, and implanting them in the uterus," said Dr. John Buster, director of the BCM Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. "That is why it is imperative for couples to get tested. We can only help if we know about it in advance."
"Couples have the advantage of avoiding decisions about terminating pregnancy or destroying embryos," said Dr. Laurence McCullough, professor of medicine and medical ethics at BCM, who has published widely on ethics and obstetrics. "They will also reduce the need for subsequent invasive pre-natal testing. However, the success rate in producing a pregnancy in assisted reproduction may be lower than the natural pregnancy rate. These are all issues that the Baylor genetic counseling service routinely discusses with couples interested in pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. "
In addition to CF testing, BCM geneticists offer prenatal testing for numerous syndromes that are not detectable by standard prenatal diagnostic methods, including Angelman Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome and Williams Syndrome.

When the weather turns cooler, we all get our jackets and coats out of the closet. Did you know that putting your infant or child in their coat or blanket before putting them in their car seat can greatly affect the way the car seat is designed to work?

The harness straps in car seats are designed to lie flat and snug against your child. When they are adjusted properly, there should be no slack in the harness system. If you wrap your baby in a blanket before placing him in the car seat, and loosen the harness straps to accommodate the extra cloth ... you have put slack into the system. The same thing happens if you put a coat on your toddler and loosen the straps before buckling him in his seat.

In a collision, this extra fabric and padding will compress and create slack in the harness system, which will allow your child to move further forward during a crash before being stopped by the harness straps--increasing the injuries they will suffer.
So what should you do? First, always keep your child in the clothes they will be wearing when they are indoors. Place the child in the infant seat or car seat, making sure the harness straps are snug over the shoulders and that they lie straight and flat down to the buckle. Buckle the child in and THEN put the coat or blanket OVER them--on TOP of the harness system. You can even turn the coat around and put his arms through the sleeves after he is buckled into his car seat ... BUCKLE THEM, THEN BUNDLE THEM.

This will ensure your kids are kept snug in their seat, the harness system is able to do its job in the event of a crash, and that the kids stay warm.

Remember to check your safety seats often and look for stress marks or hairline cracks on the shell, frayed harness straps, torn padding, etc. You can contact the manufacturer for replacement parts.

DPS Issues Christmas Wish List

The Department of Public Safety has composed a wish list for the holiday season. DPS is asking travelers for the following gifts:

Slow down-speed is the number one killer on Texas roads.

Don’t drink and drive; get a designated driver.

Buckle up everyone in the vehicle.

Keep cell phone chatter to a minimum.

Drive with courtesy; it’s contagious.

Slow down in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic.
"Following these tips will keep your family and everyone on Texas roads safer, and that will mean a merrier Christmas for all of us," said DPS Director Thomas Davis Jr. "The sad truth is that most fatal traffic crashes don’t have to happen."
DPS will have all available troopers patrolling Texas roadways from Wednesday, December 24 through Sunday, December 28. DPS is once again participating in Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort)- a nationwide effort maximizing enforcement on major interstate highways to reduce fatalities commonly associated with holiday weekends.
Alcohol is always a concern during the holidays, and DPS is supporting the statewide drunk driving campaign.
"We would prefer voluntary compliance with traffic laws," said Davis. "However, if you choose to drive without regard for the safety of others, increased enforcement means you are three times more likely to get a traffic citation or be arrested for DWI during the Christmas weekend."

Home Alone For The Holidays

HOUSTON--(Dec. 15, 2003)--Does the idea of spending the holidays home alone make you want to scream like Macauley Culkin? Make these days more enjoyable with some planning ahead.
"First of all, know that you are really not alone," said Dr. Kristin Kassaw, associate professor of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine and associate director of the Baylor Psychiatry Clinic. "There are many other people who have to spend the holidays away from their family or friends because of work or financial obligations."
Film and television depictions of happy families celebrating the holidays together create unrealistic expectations of what the "perfect" holiday should be like, Kassaw said.
"The truth is that problems with families don’t go away for the holidays," she said. "If anything, family tension is often higher during the holidays. In some extreme cases, it is better to spend the holiday alone, rather than be subjected to a hurtful situation."
"If you do choose to spend the holidays apart from family or close friends, Kassaw suggests coming up with a game plan to avoid feeling left out when the season arrives with all its hoopla.
* Organize an orphan party. Create your own makeshift holiday family with people who can’t go home for the holidays. To make it easier on the host, have each guest bring a food item or drinks.
* Reach out. Call friends or family before you start feeling a little lonely. Don’t wait for them to call you. "If there has been some distance or strain in the family’s relationship, now may be a good time to try and repair it."
* Skip it. "If it really is upsetting to you to be alone on a holiday, think of something to do that is unrelated to the holiday," Kassaw said. "Go see a movie or take a hot bath. Indulge in something that you wouldn’t normally do otherwise. Today is your day."

Members will serve five-year terms on the planning group

Members will serve five-year terms on the planning group
DALLAS - December 12, 2003 - The Region C Water Planning Group (RCWPG), which is responsible for revising the water plan for North Central Texas over the next few years, elected nine members this week to serve five-year terms on the 19-member planning group.
With passage of Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) in 1997, the Texas Legislature put in place a "bottom up" water planning process designed to ensure that the water needs of all Texans are met. SB 1 allows individuals representing 11 interest groups to serve as members of Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPG) to prepare regional water plans for their respective areas. The 11 interest groups are: agricultural, counties, electric generating utilities, environmental, industries, municipalities, public, river authorities, small business, water districts and water utilities.
Among the members elected, two were newly elected to serve on the board and seven were re­elected to their previously held positions.
Russell Laughlin, senior vice president of Hillwood Properties - developer of Alliance Texas a 15,000-acre mixed-use, master-planned community - was elected to represent industries on the RCWPG. Laughlin has been instrumental in leading the North Fort Worth and Tarrant County areas in long-term regional planning initiatives. In addition, he serves on the Board of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business Advisory Council.
The planning group elected G.K. Maenius to represent counties on the RCWPG. Maenius is currently the county administrator for Tarrant County. In this position, he is responsible for overseeing community development, county facilities, human resources, transportation services, public health and human services, policy formation, budget and risk management and federal/state grant programs countywide.
The planning group also re-elected seven members of the RCWPG to continue serving on the board. The following is a list of the re-elected members and the associated interest groups they represent:
Municipalities - Howard Martin
Public - Irvin (Marsh) Rice Environmental - Robert Scott
Water Districts - George W. Shannon
Water Utilities - Connie Standridge
River Authorities - Danny Vance
Electric Generating Utilities - Paul Zweiacker
The RCWPG is one of 16 regional water-planning groups selected by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to help develop a comprehensive state water plan for Texas over the next 50 years, as mandated by Senate Bill 1 (SB 1). Each water-planning group is responsible for preparing and adopting a regional water plan for its area.
Region C is made up of all or part of 16 counties in North Texas including Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Freestone, Grayson, Henderson, Jack, Kaufman, Navarro, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise

Municipalities - Howard Martin Public - Irvin (Marsh) Rice Environmental - Robert Scott Water Districts - George W. Shannon Water Utilities - Connie Standridge River Authorities - Danny Vance Electric Generating Utilities - Paul Zweiacker

The RCWPG is one of 16 regional water-planning groups selected by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to help develop a comprehensive state water plan for Texas over the next 50 years, as mandated by Senate Bill 1 (SB 1). Each water-planning group is responsible for preparing and adopting a regional water plan for its area.
Region C is made up of all or part of 16 counties in North Texas including Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Freestone, Grayson, Henderson, Jack, Kaufman, Navarro, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise.

Bonham Education Plus Classes

Bonham Education Plus will begin new classes for students planning to take the GED test of to improve reading, writing, and math skills.

Classes will begin January 7, 2004, for Orientation and Evaluation at 9:30 a.m. Please call 903-583-7206 and leave your name and phone number so that we may reserve a place for you.

Classes will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday each week. The session will end February 26, 2004.

There are no night classes at this time. If you are interested in night classes, please call 903-583-7206 and leave your name and phone number advising that you would like to attend night classes so that we can plan for the future.

SCHEDULE FOR GED 2004 SESSIONS

January 5,2004- Interview date for Students under age 18 **PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT**

January 6, 2004- Office Closed

January 7, 8 and 9, 2004- Orientation and Evaluation

January 19, 2004- Martin Luther King Day

February 2, 2004- Progress Test

February 23, 2004- Progress Test

February 24 and 25, 2004- Practice Test

Bonham Snap Center

Ranch Mix, Mexicali Corn, Greens, Cornbread, Rice Pudding, Milk

Chicken Fried Steak/Creamy Gravy, Texas Potatoes, Sunny Mixed Vegetables, Bread, Jello w/pineapple, Milk

Baked Ham/Raisin Sauce, Orange Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Jellied Cranberry Orange Salad, Green Beans w/red Peppers, Brown and Serve Rolls, Tropical Apple w/whipped Topping, Milk

Closed for Christmas

Closed

Child Molesters Sentenced to 32 Years In Prison

Crutcher Graduates From Basic Military Training

Infantry Army Private Brian Crutcher graduated from Basic Military training at Fort Benning, Georgia in September 2003.

During 9 weeks of training he studied the 7 core Army values, organization, military customs and law. He participated in the confidence course, warrior field training, drills, ceremony marches and defensive live-fire exercises. In addition he earned scholarship money to complete his education.

Brian is the son of Dale and Diana Crutcher. Grandparents are: Marlin and Betty Crutcher of Bonham, and Ray and Peggy Dagenais of Sherman.

Texans Talk Foreign Affairs

Each year I ask Texans to gather around my "listening post" and give me their opinions. Hearing from you enables me to learn firsthand what’s affecting you and your families throughout our great state. Not surprisingly, I hear from a great number of you on issues ranging from homeland security to tax relief. This year, our survey hit the infor­mation superhighway and was for the first time available online. An overwhelming number of you responded to the survey via e-mail, and this is the first of several Capitol Comments devoted to your answers.
The topic of foreign affairs garnered a host of strong opinions. Many of you feel very passionately about our place in the world, and I received a huge response to the following question: "Civil unrest is plaguing many regions of our world. Often, the United States is called upon to help restore peace and meet the humanitarian needs of civilian populations. But our involvement in regional conflicts comes at a high price, both in dollars and by putting our uniformed men and women in harm’s way. As our troops are stretched thinner and thinner how do you think we should respond?"
A whopping 90 percent of you felt we should elimi­nate any involvement where no clear U.S. security interest is at stake. On the question of working through NATO or the United Nations to deal with regional conflicts, Texans had a variety of opinions. Below is a sampling of your thoughtful contributions:
• We are spreading ourselves too thin. It is important to protect ourselves from terrorists, but not get involved in areas where the U.N. and NATO can manage. Jane, Boerne
• Stop sending troops and giving money to countries that do not support free and open democracy. Stop giving money to countries that take our money and vilify us for being Americans. Anna, Fort Worth
• I definitely do not want our troops under the direction of NATO or the U.N. Shannon, Friendswood
• Get the U.N. out of the U.S. and the U.S. out of the U.N. James, San Antonio
• We need to increase the size of the U.S. military. Natalie, Whitehouse
• The U.N. has been successful. It is wrong to down­grade their accomplishments. Don, Sugarland
• We can’t do anything right in the eyes of the world so we must do what we feel is right for America. If that is helping to secure another nation’s peace and freedom from tyrannical dictators or seeing that hu­man rights violations do not occur in any nation then we must ... Chelsea, Austin
• I feel the rest of the world needs to step up to the plate and take more responsibility. Johnny, Odessa
• Every nation needs to fulfill their responsibilities to the extent of their resources. We have been mightily blessed. To whom much is given much is required. Gladys, Conroe
• For Heaven’s sake let’s get out of the nation-building business. Richard, Pennington
I share the opinion that our involvement with NATO and the United Nations must be continually reviewed. Fifty­-four years ago, the United States pledged to protect Europe from the Warsaw Pact. Clearly, our commitment played a vital role in NATO’s victory in the Cold War. Now is the time to ask: What is the mission of NATO today? Is NATO going to protect the future or defend the past? For NATO to remain relevant, we must agree on the fundamental mis­sion that common threats to our security outside of NATO member countries must be addressed together. Our alliance should recognize that terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction have replaced the threat of Soviet imperialism. NATO has always been unified around a common purpose, but if it becomes nothing more than a patchwork quilt, we will be wasting our money and en­dangering our own national security by continuing to pay its bills and diverting our attention.
I also agree we must not stretch our troops too thin, but unfortunately, that is what’s currently happening. They are doing a magnificent job in Iraq and around the world, but we simply don’t have enough of them. It takes boots on the ground to win. Unfortunately, we are pushing them to a breaking point, taxing their readiness and putting undue strain on service members (both active duty and reserves), their families and their communities. I continue to make that point to officials at the Department of Defense and will keep asking the tough questions about military readiness and the size of our Armed Forces.
With nearly 22 million people in our great state, our ideas are as bold and diverse as our heritage. Thank you for taking the time to send in your thoughts on these pressing issues and providing me with a snapshot of Texan’s opinions. Look for future columns devoted to your comments on homeland security, tax relief, education and much more.

New Hire Reporting Notices Mailed to Employers

AUSTIN- Tax statements with information notifying employers of their obligation to report new hires will be mailed to 400,000 employers Dec. 15. New Hire Reporting is mandated by federal law under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) and requires employers to report new hires within 20 calender days of their start date. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) have been working together to ensure that these notifications get mailed. The notices contain
New Hire Reporting: Good for Kids, Good for Employers
Good for Kids: The OAG uses this information to:
• Locate parents who owe child support
•Establish new child support orders
•Enforce and modify existing orders
•Issue income withholding orders
Good for Employers:
•Lowers your taxes by returning overpayments recovered by TWC to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund
•Assists state agencies, such as the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission and TWC, in detecting fraudulent claims and preventing overpayments
•Reduces Government spending on public assistance
• Assists the attorney general in collecting child support payments for families
What to Report: Employers need only report six basic items to the Texas Directory of New Hires:
• Company Name
•Payroll mailing address
•Company federal employer identification number
•Employee name
•Employee address
•Employee Social Security number
How to Report: Choose any one of six reporting options:
•The Internet, including online submission and file uploads: visit (www.oag.state.tx.us) select "Child Support" then click on "Employer"
•A shareware software program that generates a file for submission
•A file transfer protocol
•An electronic file, mailed via diskette or tape
•A hard-copy report of the workers W-4
•Simply call 1-888-TEX-HIRE (839-4473) or fax the information to : 1-800-732-5015
Information received from employers is entered into a statewide registry and then transmitted to the National Directory of New Hires. New hires must be reported within 20 calendar days of hire. if you report electronically, new hires must be reported 12-16 days apart.

HOUSTON – ’Tis the season to bundle up if you are headed outside to exercise.
"People can continue outdoor exercise during the winter months if they take precautions," said Dr. John Cianca, an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
While outdoor exercisers in moderately warm climates may have to make only minor adjustments, people working out in cold-weather states need to make equipment and clothing changes to avoid hypothermia and falls on slippery terrain.
Cianca suggests dressing in layers of clothing, covering the head and ears, wearing athletics shoes with a jagged tread to get better traction on snow-covered trails and drinking plenty of water.

Researchers Aim to Understand Teen Inactivity

HOUSTON- Simply thinking they’re "just not athletic" could be keeping "couch-potato" kids rooted to the sofa.
"People tend to limit their activity level based on how they see themselves athletically," said Dr. Cheryl Braselton Anderson, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "To do vigorous exercise, like running, swimming, or cycling, or any type of physical activity, you have to see yourself as a person who does these things."
Anderson, also a behavioral scientist at the USDA’s Children’s Nutrition Research Center, believes that the tendency to be active (or inactive) is maintained by a feedback loop, with "athletic identity" determining what activities people do, and the activities they do influencing how they see themselves.
"To change ingrained identities like ‘I’m a poor student’ or ‘I’m not athletic,’ kids need the opportunity to have positive experiences," she said. "although I’m a big supporter of team and individual sports, not everyone can be on the ‘A team’. We have to make a place for all kids."

The 2nd Annual Fannin County Republican Women Christmas Cookie Exchange was a huge success again this year. Over 40 ladies participated in baking and exchanging their home made cookies and recipes. State Representative Larry Phillips surprised the ladies with his appearance and with his wife Robin’s cookies. Also present were the 336th District Judge candidates Lauri Blake and Rick Dunn as well as Bob Collins, candidate for Representative in Congressional District 4, Bob Cherenko, candidate for Fannin County Sheriff and other local office seekers.
President, Sandra Ward, presented the STAR AWARD ( an award given to only 5 clubs in Texas) to the 2003-2004 officers honoring them for the club that had the highest percentage of gain in membership from 2001.
Aleha Michaud presented her inspirational and contest winning essay "Voice of Democracy" to the ladies. This essay won 1st Place at the VFW Post 4852 contest as well as a $700.00 scholarship.
Sandra Ward stated that the 2004 goals for the Fannin County Republican Women are community involvement thru volunteering and helping others. The slogan "Republicans Care" will be a part of the theme throughout the year.

Bonham State Bank Helps Local Kids

Bonham State Bank employees donated $3,000 in memory of Jimmy Arie to the Fannin County Children’s Center. Picture (l-r) Jeff Arie, Bethany Arie, Linda Arie, Warren Jamieson, Cindy Bankston, Myles Porter & Sandy Barber.

Local children served by the Fannin County Children’s Center (CASA & Children’s Advocacy Center) recently received a generous gift from Bonham State Bank employees. Bank employees stayed after work to gather with the family of Jimmy Arie and representatives of the Children’s Center for the presentation of a check for $3,000.

Warren Jamieson, Chairman/CEO of Bonham State Bank welcomed everyone and addressed the group before presenting the gift.

"Each year the Bonham State Bank receives hundreds of requests for donations from worthwhile organizations in Bonham and Fannin County and as a corporate citizen we try to meet those requests on behalf of the bank," he said.

"This summer however some of the employees wanted to do a fund raising project to raise money for CASA & the Fannin County Children’s Center. Carolyn Stroud came up with the idea of compiling and selling cookbooks to raise money. I agreed and the process began of collecting recipes," he continued.

Bank employees solicited recipes from employees, customers and non-customers and collected over 450 recipes. "Next came the process typing the recipes, proof reading the recipes and making copies. They ultimately solicited Roger and Barbara Reeves of Reeves Printing to help with binding the books," said Jamieson.

By the first of November staff had a finished product. The staff planned a luncheon at the Family Life Center to kick off the selling of the Million-Dollar Recipes.

Jamieson said, "Almost every employee participated in some way on this project. Whether is was requesting recipes and collecting recipes, typing recipes, coping and putting the books together, proof reading each recipe, working the luncheon or selling cookbooks. This has truly been a team effort by the staff at the Bonham State Bank."

"Two weeks ago the employees decided that they would like to make this donation in memory of Jimmy Arie. He was one of those parents that was at every event that his children participated in when they were in school. He was a member of the Bonham Independent School District Board of Trustees for years and worked with the children at his church. Simply said, "Jimmy loved kids," said Jamieson.

The employees made 350 cookbooks and have sold 200 of them to this date. "We have 150 left to sell, so this organization can count on receiving additional funds in the future," said Jamieson. Cookbooks can be purchased for $15 each at the bank’s main branch on the northeast corner of the square in Bonham.

Craig Nichols Announces Re-election

Craig Nichols, Constable, Precinct #1 of Fannin County, has announced that he will seek re-election to his fifth term in the upcoming Democratic Primary. Nichols, 54 years of age and a native of Fannin County, has served as Constable, Precinct #1 since January, 1989. Constable Nichols and his wife, Betty, have four children and six grandchildren. Craig’s parents are Weldon and Lyda Nichols of Bonham.
Nichols has over 32 years of public safety experience and holds a Master Peace Officer’s License, a Master Firefighter’s Certificate and is an Emergency Mdical Technician. The Incumbent is a member of the Justice of the Peace and Constable Association of Texas, the Texas Narcotic Officers Association, the Shariff’s Association of Texas and is a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.

Constable Nichols stated that since taking office in 1989 over $400,000.00 has been returned to the merchants in Fannin County in resitution on "hot checks" that have been filed as criman complaints with te Justice Court. Along with the restitution, over $516,500.00 has been generated for Fannin County and the State of Texas through fines, fees and taxes.

Constable Nichols stated, "My employment background has provided me with experience in a variety of criminal justice areas, ranging from traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, undercover narcotic operations, civil process, supervision to training and counseling. Being acquainted with these areas of law enforcement has allowed me to appreciate each area with respect to their level of importance." Nichols continued by saying, "It has been a humbling experience serving as your Constable and I appreciate the support I have received from the citizens of Fannin County. If re-elected I will continue my dedication in serving the citizens of Precinct #1 in an honest professional manner and being productive part of your County government."

Kiwanis Club Presents Check To Bonham Education Foundation, Inc.

The Bonham Kiwanis Club presented checks to Carol Amlin (left) of the Bonham Education Foundation, Inc., and to Susy Meehan (third from left) of Child Protective Services. Also shown are Charlotte Wicker (second from left) of CPS, Buster Norman, Mary-k Ashley Wilson, and Denton Jones from Bonham Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanis meet on Tuesdays at noon at the First Christian Church in Bonham. If you would like to be a part of a group helping the youth of Fannin County, you are welcome to join us in fellowship.

Employees from GE Zenith Controls recently presented Christmas gifts for 50 children to the staff of the Fannin County Children’s Center (CASA & Children’s Advocacy Center.) Many other businesses, civic groups, churches and individuals have also donated to provide holiday gifts to more than 160 abused and neglected children served by the Center.

Bonham ISD Board Of Trustee

Members Present: Charles Butler, Allen Sanderson, Charlotte Kearney, Mike Sisk, Clark Smith, Nolan Ashmore, Doyce Taylor, and Linda Gist.

RECOGNITIONS: Bonham ISD Business Services Department

PUBLIC HEARING:

• Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) Report- Joetta Wallace

• Safe Schools Report- Joetta Wallace

• Adequate Yearly Program (AYP)- Joetta Wallace

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

• Six Weeks Assessment Reports

• Campus Reports

• Update of Facilities Planning Committee

• Average Daily Attendance Update- 1834.86

• Two Transfer Students

• Resignations: John Sorrell, Cathy Sorrell, Tanya Kountz

THE BOARD APPROVED:

• Six substitutes

• Tax credits, supplements and delinquent tax collection for November 2003

• Financial statements and bills payable for November 2003

• Ordering a bus for special needs students

• Ratifying the head football coach’s contract

• Amended budget

• Glynn Walker as Bonham High School Principal

• Sarah Davis as communication/speech/drama as teacher at Bonham High School

• Mary Wells as kindergarten teacher at Finley-Oates Elementary School

AUSTIN-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott Dec.18 urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold as constitutional the practice of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. Attorney General Abbott made his argument in an amicus curae ("friend of the court") brief that he filed on behalf of all 50 states, in a case involving a California man who contends that having public schoolchildren recite the Pledge of Allegiance violates the U.S. Constitution because the Pledge contains the words "under God."

"From the time of her founding, our nation has recognized her religious heritage in historical documents, speeches and even her architecture," Attorney General Abbott said. "The phrase ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance is one such acknowledgment, and I urge the Supreme Court to protect its continued presence in our public schools."

The Court’s decision in the case, Elk Gove Unified School District v. Michael A Newdow, will directly impact the laws of at least 43 states, including a newly enacted Texas statute that requires school districts to have students recite the Pledge of Allegiance once during each school day. The law was passed to help fulfill the Texas Education Code’s mandate that students be taught to be "thoughtful, active citizens who understand the importance of patriotism."

Attorney General Abbott notes in the brief that virtually every reference to the Pledge of Allegiance by the Supreme Court has agreed that the Pledge is entirely consistent with the First Amendment. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, for example, said in 1985’s Wallace v. Jaffree that the reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance "serve as an acknowledgment of religion with ‘the legitimate secular purposes of solemnizing public occasions, and expressing confidence in the future’."

Attorney General Abbott added, "The Supreme Court has consistently acknowledged a key distinction between government-sponsored religious ceremony or display, and simple historical and patriotic recognition of religion by government institutions. We urge the Court to continue that tradition in this case. "

The case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Oral arguments have yet to be scheduled at the Supreme Court.

After an early form first appeared in a youth publication in 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance grew in notoriety and changed form until Congress officially adopted it in 1942. Congress added the phrase "under God’ in 1954.

Santa Claus visits DISD Head Start students

Santa Claus made an early visit to 95 DISD students on Wednesday, December 17th. The 3 and 4-year old students are enrolled in the Head Start programs at Lamar and Golden Rule Elementary Schools. Each child had a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas before accepting an early wrapped Christmas gift from the jolly old elf.

"The look on their faces when they saw Santa walk in was priceless," commented Christy Wilson of the Texoma Medical Center Development Department. "It was a great reminder of why we hold such a fun event each year."

This visit by Santa marked the second year that gifts were donated by motorcycle riders who rode in the Holiday Helpers Motorcycle/Toy Run. The Motorcycle Run was held on Saturday, November 22, and brought out close to 100 riders who brought gifts as their entry fee. The event was co-sponsored by Texoma Medical Center in Denison and Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman. The gifts were collected for the Head Start students in both the DISD and SISD schools. The gifts for students in Sherman were delivered on the 17th as well.

Austin College January 2004 Events Calendar

SHERMAN -- As Austin College’s January Term gets underway, many students will be leaving campus for study courses traveling to Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, England, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Scotland, Spain, and West Africa, as well as to sites around the United States.

Lectures and musical performances will enhance January for those students participating in on-campus courses ranging from "Sleep and Dreams" to "The Morality of Greed: Leadership and Ethics in Corporate America."

January Term Classes Begin

12th Mon. 10:00am - Lecture: Robin Meyer, U.S. Department of State "The U.S. in the World"

Wright Campus Center, Room 231 10:00 am

Free and Open to the Public

(903)-813-2015

7:30pm Community Series: Marian Anderson String Quartet, Wynne Chapel, Ticketed Event: (903) 813-2251

19th Mon. 6:00pm- Lecture: Mohamed El Faranawany, Egyptian diplomat, "Leadership in the Middle East", Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall, Free and Open to the Public (903)813-2015

9:00am-4:00pm- Admission Open House for Prospective Students, Wortham Center, Free and Open to Prospective Students and Parents, (903)813-3000, 1-800-KANGAROO

27th Tue. 5:00pm- January Term Ends/ Break Begins

30th Fri. 7:00pm- Community Series: Capriccio Benefit (featuring Dan Dominick, piano), Finley Cultural Center, Ticketed Event (not included in season tickets) (903)813-2251

Austin College, affiliated with Presbyterian Church (USA), is an independent, liberal arts college of 1,300 students located 60 miles north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Chartered in November 1849, it is the oldest college in Texas under original charter and name as recognized by the State Historical Survey Committee.

Austin College is included in Loren Pope’s Colleges That Change Lives, ranked among the "Best 351 Colleges" in the 2004 Princeton Review, and profiled in the 2004 edition of Kaplan’s Insiders Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges.

Cold Weather Brings Texas Department of Health Precautions

-Be extremely cautious in the wind. A strong wind, even in only moderately cool weather, can cause a wind chill far below freezing.
-Remember, too, that animals may die if left outside in extremely cold weather. Provide them a warm environment, out of the chilling wind. Be sure they have access to food and that their water has not frozen.
Winter storms also may cause power outages, and food safety can be a problem. If you lose power for more than four hours, take the following precautions with refrigerated food products:
-Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
-Discard any potentially hazardous foods such as meats, eggs, dairy products and leftovers that may have exceeded 45 degrees. When in doubt, throw it out.
-Any frozen food that has thawed but not exceeded 45 degrees should be prepared as soon as possible. Do not re-freeze.
Wind chill refers to the cooling effect wind has on the skin. Not only can wind chill cause rapid body heat loss, it also can cause frostbite C actual freezing of tissues. Frostbite can occur in 15 minutes or less at wind chill values of 18 below zero or lower.
TDH officials warn that no one should underestimate cold weather and should dress appropriately. Anyone planning outdoor activities in cold weather should check local weather forecasts for information.

Wind Chill Chart

The term wind chill refers to the cooling effect wind has on the skin together with the temperature. As winds increase, heat is carried away from the body at a faster rate, driving down both skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. The wind chill chart combines the temperature and wind speed to indicate an equivalent temperature at which the body’s heat loss would be the same if winds were nearly calm. A strong wind, even in moderately cool weather, can cause a wind chill far below freezing.
To access the Wind Chill Chart from the National Weather Service, go to: www weather2ov/om/windchill/index html

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Dallas Consumer Protection Office has obtained a temporary restraining order halting the deceptive practices of a McKinney business purporting to help senior citizens file for an "elderly tax freeze." The order, issued late Tuesday, prohibits the company from accepting any payments as a result of its deceptive letters.
The service offered by State and County Tax Reduction, a for-profit business, purported to be part of the homestead exemption application process for those over 55. However, the company failed to state in large type, as required by law, that the correspondence was advertising and that the company is not an official government agency. Also named in the order is owner Ronald Gene Morgan and another d/b/a called State and County Tax Redemption Center.

The Collin County District Court will hold a hearing on December 23 to consider extending the injunction until a trial can be held. Attorney General Abbott has the authority to ask the court for a civil penalty of up to $250,000 because this was allegedly an attempt to deceive senior citizens and deprive them of money unlawfully.

"Our office received numerous calls from outraged Collin County citizens about this service, which is free for anyone who wants to file through local property tax appraisal offices in Texas," said Attorney General Abbott. "The Collin County tax offices also received more than 1,600 complaint calls from citizens. We won’t stand for this kind of deception against tax-paying seniors." The mail out, which is designed to appear to be official correspondence from the Collin County appraisal district, alerts seniors that this tax freeze could save them thousands of dollars. The solicitation asks for a $55 fee to start the processing, although it costs nothing through local government tax offices in Texas.

The Attorney General’s office asserts in its pleadings that the company is misleading property owners by suggesting it has an affiliation with the county tax office, a violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (TDTPA).

The company failed to make the following disclosure in large type, which is required by law: ^"This document is an advertisement of services. It is not an official document of the state of Texas." Its mailings also bear the words "important property tax information enclosed," suggesting that it has ties to an official government office.

American Red Cross Provides Holiday Safety Tips

DENISON, TX (December 17, 2003) -The holiday season should be a joyous time of year but statistics show it can also be a dangerous one, according to the American Red Cross. Since November 14, the Texoma Area Red Cross has responded to nine (9) house fires. "That’s almost two home fires a week, and more tragically two families a week whose lives and holiday plans have been disrupted by disaster," according the Sharon Watson, executive director.

The Red Cross urges families to take precautions to prevent house fires. One obvious place to start is in inspecting wiring and making sure that holiday decorations do not pose a threat. Nearly 500 deadly home fires happen each December as a result of Christmas trees catching fire. Many of these fires and deaths can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions. According to the National Fire Protection Association, four out of seven home fires occur during December, January and February, and about half of these fires are caused by using candles and overloading electrical circuits. As families turn to alternative heating sources out of necessity or to avoid the rising utility bills, there is an increased risk of accidental fires in the home.

The Red Cross says candle safety alone would help prevent thousands of injuries each year. "Taking precautions such as keeping candles away from Christmas trees, never leaving children unattended in a room with lit candles and always keeping candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of the reach of children, could prevent thousands of injuries and numerous deaths," Watson said. The American Red Cross recommends the following safety tips for a joyous holiday season:

Keep Christmas trees fresh - Place your tree away from heat sources and exits; water it daily. Make sure your artificial tree is fire-retardant.

Decorate only with flame-retardant or non-combustible materials - Avoid using candles during parties. Check ashtrays, upholstery and trash cans for smoldering cigarette butts after any holiday party.

- Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves - Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of the heating season. Burn only wood-never burn paper, including discarded gift wrap, or pine boughs. If you plan to hang stockings on your fireplace, do not use the fireplace for fires.

Get your furry friends a special gift - Pet First Aid, developed by the Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States, is an important guide to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to the emergency needs of their pets. The local Red Cross has both the Pet First Aid book and special first aid kits for pets..

Equip both your home and vehicle with first aid kits. Make sure you have supplies in your vehicle in case you are stranded. Include plenty of water for each person, and pet, traveling.

- Don’t get stressed out. Slow down. If you find your mind wandering while working or driving, slow down, breathe deeply, and focus on pleasant thoughts. Don’t let the traffic and long lines make you anxious and irritated.

The Texoma Area Red Cross serves Cooke, Fannin and Grayson Counties. Led by volunteers, the chapter works to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. For more information, contact the Red Cross at 903-465-1330 or 940-465-4365.

New License Plates Raise Funds For Safe Routes To School Projects

AUSTIN- In 2001, the State of Texas enacted legislation to increase safety in school zones by directing TxDOT to implement the Safe Routes to School program. TxDOT now has two new specialty license plates that will create funds for this initiative.

By purchasing a God Bless America or God Bless Texas license plate, drivers can display pride for their stat and country while contributing dollars for construction projects that will increase the chance of their children getting to school safely.

"The responsibility to provide safe walkways and bicycle crossings for our school children is every bit as important as a quality education," said John W. Johnson, chair of the Texas Transportation Commission.

The God Bless America specialty plate features a patriotic illustration of the American flag with an eagle positioned over the flag. The words "God Bless America" run along the bottom of the plate. The God Bless Texas specialty plate design includes the state flag on the left side of the plate and the phrase "God Bless Texas" on the bottom of the plate.

The God Bless America and God Bless Texas license plates are now available for a $40 annual fee, plus $40 if personalized, in addition to regular registration fees. Of the $40 annual fee, $32 is deposited in the state highway fund to improve safety in and round school areas such as sidewalks and pedestrian or bicycle crossing.

Applications for the God Bless America and God Bless Texas specialty plates are available at county tax offices, on TxDOT’s web site, www.dot.state.tx.us, or 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 specialty 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 specialty license plate program in 1965, Today, there are more than 100 different plate designs, many of them benefiting a particular group, organization, college or university.

The faculty and administration of Ector Elementary is proud to recognize (L-R) Tiffany Sellers and Danyelle Huey as the newest members of our 100 Points AR Reading Club. Congratulations!

Ector Elementary Welcomes Newest 25 Point Reading Club Members

The faculty and administration of Ector Elementary is proud to recognize (L-R) Mallory Smyers, Nathan Glaser, Darcy Holder, Kendall Owen, and Shelby Stockton as the newest members in our 25 Point AR Reading Club. Congratulations.

Collinsville High School Color Guard Provided Entertainment for the Mental Health And Mental Retardation Services

The Collinsville High School Color Guard, decked out in Santa hats, provided entertainment for the Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma Family Support Christmas party recently. The girls performed a routine to Santa Claus Is Coming to Town as a required community service project. The color guard featured Jamie Jackson, Samatha Southerland, Tiffany Dewey, Danielle Birdsong, Dawn Baldwin, and Stephanie O’Bryan. The Color Guard was established last year with several of the girls being first year members.

The MHMRST Family Support Christmas party is an annual event for persons with mental disabilities. The event was held at MH Community Support Services in Sherman. Greg Guymon of Durant, OK, served as the disc jockey playing all types of music from country, hip-hop, rock, golden oldies, and more.

MHMRST consumers and family members danced and enjoyed the evening. Volunteers, Harold Wright and Jackie Mitchell, provided a variety of party food and door prizes for each family attending.

Family Support educational meetings are held quarterly in Grayson, Fannin, and Cooke counties. Family members, consumers, and interested community members are invited. There is no charge to attend. For more information call Paula Cawthon at 903-337-48

Guidelines Established For Evaluating Potential Toll Projects

AUSTIN - December 18- State transportation officials today approved a measure to review controlled-access state highway projects as potential toll roads.

At its monthly meeting, the Texas Transportation Commission authorized TxDOT to evaluate a project during any phase of development or construction for consideration as a toll road. This includes new location and expansion highway projects on controlled-access roadways, such as adding lanes or constructing new main lanes.

State law allows TxDOT to study, design, construct, operate, expand, enlarge or extend a toll road. project as part of the state highway system.

Historically, TxDOT has financed highway projects on a "pay-as-you-go" basis, using motor fuel taxes and other revenue deposited in the state highway fund. However, population increases and traffic demand have outpaced the efficiency of this traditional finance mechanism.

Developing projects as toll roads can help bridge the gap between transportation needs and resources. Construction of toll roads can improve mobility and safety and address transportation needs sooner by stretching limited state dollars.

In other action, the Commission approved a measure allowing counties and TxDOT to designate restricted lanes on the state highway system relating to large commercial vehicles to increase mobility and safety. Counties and TxDOT must hold public hearings regarding such designations prior to implementation.

Approval also was given to Bexar County to establish a regional mobility authority to expedite mobility improvements and provide more local control on transportation decisions, Regional mobility authorities allow counties to acquire, construct, operate, maintain, or extend a transportation project.

Bonham ISD January Lunch Menu

Breakfast-Cheese Toast, Breakfast Ceral, Buttered Toast, Fresh Pears

Lunch-Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Vegetable Soup, Pickle Spears, Peaches, Yogurt Combo, Salad Dressing

Breakfast-Blueberry Muffin, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Orange Smiles

Lunch- Hot Wings, Yummy Hot Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Country Gravy, Green Beans, Gelatin Desserts

Breakfast-Ham, Egg,Cheese Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch-Sausage Pizza, Tossed Salad, Ranch Dressing, Corn, Pineapple Chunks, Yogurt Combo

Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Rosy Applesauce

Lunch- Chili, Pinto Beans, Apricots, Carrot Sticks, Ranch Dressing, Crackers, Picante Sauce

Breakfast- Waffles w/ Syrup, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Apple Wedges

Lunch- Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Vegetable Soup, Crackers, Pickle Spears, Apple Wedges, Pears, Blonde Brownie

Breakfast- Cinnamon Toast, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Canned Fruit Cocktail

Lunch- Chicken Rings, Yummy Hot Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Country Gravy, Green Beans, Mixed Fruit, Gelatin Desserts

Breakfast- Breakfast Burrito, Buttered Toast, Breakfast Cereal, Pears

Lunch- Sausage Pizza, Tossed Salad, Ranch Dressing, Frozen Peaches, Sweet Pears, Yogurt Combo, Garlic/Cheese Toast, Marinara Sauce

Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Nachos with Ground Beef, Tossed Salad, Pinto Beans, Pineapple Chunks, Fruit Crisp, Picante Sauce, Salad Dressing

Breakfast- Biscuits, Country Gravy, Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Bananas

Lunch- Hamburger, Burger Salad, French Fries, Rosey Applesauce, Milk-Variety, Ranger Cookie

In-Service Work Day

Breakfast-Breakfast Bagel, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Peaches

Lunch- Vegetable Beef Soup, Crackers, Pimento Cheese Sandwhich, Potato Chips, Pickle Spears, Yogurt Combo, Assorted Ice Cream, Milk-Variety

Breakfast-Sausage on Stick, Syrup, Pancake, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Canned Fruit Cocktail

Lunch-Fish Nuggets, Cornbread High School, Black Eyed Peas, Macaroni and Cheese, Chilled Pears

Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Turkey Club Wrap, French Fries, Assorted Fresh Fruit, Pickle Spears, Peanut Butter Cookies, Ranch Dressing

Breakfast- Biscuit and Sausage, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Apple Wedges

Lunch- Hamburger, Burger Salad, French Fries, Frozen Juice Bar, Apple Wedges, Milk-Variety, Salad Dressing

Breakfast- Waffles w/ Syrup, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Apple Wedges

Lunch-Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Vegetable Soup, Crackers, Pickle Spears, Apple Wedges, Pears, Blonde Brownie

Breakfast-Ham, Egg, Cheese Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Chicken Rings, Yummy Hot Rolls, Chef Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Country Gravy, Green Beans, Mixed Fruit, Gelatin Desserts, Ranch Dressing

Breakfast- Sausage on Stick, Syrup, Pancake, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Canned Fruit Cocktail

Lunch- Sausage Pizza, Laid Back Lasagna, Tossed Salad, Ranch Dressing, Garlic/Cheese Toast, Pears, Yogurt Combo

Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Chicken Sandwich, Nachos with Ground Beef, Tossed Salad, Pinto Beans, Orange Smiles, Pineapple Chunks, Fruit Crisp, Picante Sauce, Salad Dressing

Breakfast-Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Rosy Applesauce

Lunch- Hamburger /Cheeseburger, Chili Dog, French Fries, Celery Sticks, Ranch Dressing, Burger Salad, Assorted Fresh Fruit, Sherbet, Salad Dressing

Texoma Area Red Cross Announces Holiday Schedule

DENISON (December 18, 2003)-The business offices of the Texoma Area Red Cross will be closed from noon Wednesday, December 24 and re-open at 8:30 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2004. This includes offices in Denison and Gainesville.

Emergency Red Cross disaster and military services in the tri-county area will not be disrupted during this closure. Persons will fire or other disaster emergencies or military communications emergencies may call the

offices for emergency contact phone numbers. Office number for Denison is 903-465-1330 and for Gainesville is 940-664-4365. Fannin County residents should call the Denison number.

"Curtailing holiday office hours will help us maintain funds for disaster-related activities," according to Red Cross Executive Director Sharon Watson. "This is an economic decision, but we have prepared contingencies for emergency situations."

Beginning the first week in January, all services will resume, with the following events scheduled:

Monday and Tuesday, January 5-6, First Aid and CPR class in Denison, 6 to 10 p.m. nightly. Denison office is at 2527 Highway 691.

Tuesday, January 6, Cooke County volunteers’ brown bag lunch in Gainesville, at noon at the Red Cross office in the Cooke County Courthouse. Thursday, January 8, CPR for the Professional Rescuer class in Denison, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Red Cross will also conduct at 24-hour class to train new first aid and CPR instructors on January 12-14 in Denison.

Persons wishing to register for any of these classes should call 903-465-1330 and leave a voice message with name and telephone number on extension number 15. Registration may also be made via E-mail to tarc@cableone.net.

Grayson County Assistant District Attorney Lauri Blake was the guest speaker at the Bonham Rotary Club last week. Blake explained some of the changes in the Texas laws - from capital murder to identity theft to victim’s rights. Blake is a candidate for Judge of the 336th State Judicial District Court.

The Bonham Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Family Life Center.

The Bonham I.S.D. owns the Bailey Inglish School building and in an effort to dispose of the property, since the school building has been closed down, they have not been able to. The school district does not hold a clear deed to the land that the school building sits on. The land is still deeded to Constantine Lodge. Through court action that took place in 1905, the school district obtained control of the land which housed Constantine Lodge's women's school.

In an effort to obtain a clear deed to the land the school district has filed a lawsuit against Constantine Lodge No. 13 and the Grand Lodge of Texas. The Grand Lodge Civil Law Committee is handling the legal aspect of the lawsuit on the behalf of Grand Lodge and Constantine Lodge. On October 31, 2003 Grand Lodge filed its answer, in the District Court of Fannin County, to the lawsuit denying all claims made by the school district.

At this time a trial date has not been set.