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Standing the test of time: Our Town column honors tradition, longevity
<i>Our Town</i> column
PALESTINE — The Palestine Ranger Co. A surprised its oldest member Saturday with a special award honoring his 98th birthday.
With passengers from the Texas State Railroad gathered around on the Palestine Depot’s porch, Ranger Co. president Cleveland Countryman presented W.L. Broughton with an engraved plaque honoring Broughton’s years with the Old West re-enactors and his efforts to entertain the public as Old West lawman “Cactus Jack.”
Broughton, who lives near the depot, continues to raise horses and to ride and take on the “bad guys” during the group’s shows at the railroad park and other places.
Longevity runs in the family, Broughton said, noting that he has a sister who is 100 years old and another in her 90s. He and his wife, Ola, who is 95, have been married for 77 years.
Grandfather, granddaughter continue long distance dance
A wonderful tradition continues tonight when Grapeland resident Jack Terrell, 78, will once again escort his date, 15-year-old granddaughter Kaitlynn Simpson to the Palestine YMCA’s annual Daddy-Daughter Dance.
This year’s dance will make the eighth straight year they have attended, beginning when Kaitlynn lived with her parents near Huntsville.
After a move to Salt Lake City, Utah three years ago, the Terrells have presented her with plane tickets each February to continue this special date night with her grandpa.
Kaitlynn’s teachers work with her to let her keep up with school work by Internet and turning in work missed when she returns to her classes. She arrived in Dallas Wednesday and, after the dance tonight, will enjoy a few more days in Texas before returning to Utah.
Kaitlynn has two more years of high school and plans to return to Texas for college, which means two more special dates in February 2010 and 2011. After that, Terrell says, Kaitlynn can drive and pick him up for that date.
“We urge every dad and grandpa to make the YMCA Daddy-Daughter Dance each February a special time with their daughters and granddaughters,” Jack and Earlene Terrell said. “It is such a heartwarming scene at that dance each year, seeing all the ‘dressed up’ girls with their ‘date’ and the loving smiles between all.
“Some lucky dads have more than one daughter date for this special night,” they added. “You will make precious memories that last a lifetime.”
The Terrells express their appreciation to the YMCA staff for the work involved in keeping this special occasion available to everyone.
A mother-son dance was held Friday night at the Palestine YMCA. Tickets for tonight’s dance are available at the door.
Longtime Vulcraft employee retires
Palestine resident Chris Rogers, the third longest tenured employee of Vulcraft in Grapeland, retired from the company Jan. 31 and celebrated the occasion with a reception in his honor.
Rogers began his career with Vulcraft-Grapeland on Aug. 22, 1968. Since that time, he worked in several positions in the joist and deck plants, finishing out his career in the bridging plant. Also, during his career at Vulcraft, Rogers never had an accident at work.
He announced his decision to retire in December. The employees of Vulcraft-Grapeland wish Chris well in his future plans and want to thank him for everything he has done for Vulcraft.
PHS Alumni present HAT award
Palestine High School science teacher Kathleen Brown was the January recipient of the Palestine High School Alumni Association’s Honor a Teacher award, receiving a $100 award for the honor.
A teacher for 23 years, Brown is currently in her 21st year of teaching at Palestine High. She participates in a variety of leadership activities at school, including serving as the student council advisor for eight years and the National Honor Society advisor for 18 years.
Brown also coaches students in a variety of UIL competitions including science, social studies and computer science. She serves as the organist and pianist at the First Presbyterian Church.
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