October 11, 2008

Local briefs for 10-12-08

Special subscription offer available

Herald-Press readers can save some money on their newspaper subscriptions by bringing in a bag of candy for the Fall Fest Carnival set for Oct. 25.

From now until Oct. 30, customers who bring in a 2-pound bag of candy will receive a 3-month newspaper subscription for $20.

Candy may be brought to the newspaper office at 519 N. Elm St.

All proceeds from the carnival will go toward the newspaper’s Newspapers in Education program.

The NIE serial “The Time Bridge Travelers” has been featured every Tuesday in the Herald-Press since Sept. 16. The serial will continue with new chapters every Tuesday until mid-December.

Through NIE, the Herald-Press provides more than 80 local teachers with newspapers once a week that can be used in the classroom for various projects and assignments.

WISD board to meet Monday

The Westwood Independent School District Board of Trustees will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Westwood Primary School cafeteria, located at 1701 W. Point Tap Rd. in Palestine.

The board will consider for possible approval: canvassing results of the Oct. 4 Rollback tax rate election; consent agenda (minutes, tax reports and investment report); fundraisers and donations; a report from a board sub-committee, and contracting with TASB for a policy review/update seminar; and taking action on deceptive marketing by individuals falsely claiming to represent WISD in selling products/advertising to community businesses.

Trustees also will hear a report on construction and tour the primary campus; and will hear reports on: the campus and district site-based decision making policy; C-Scope Curriculum; the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System; accelerated academic options for secondary students at WISD; and the TASB fall convention and pending legislative issues.

In closed session, the board will consider hiring, accepting resignations and leave requests of professional and non-professional personnel.

EISD tax office closed

The Elkhart Independent School District Tax Office, located at at 106B W. Parker in Elkhart, has closed.

The office of Anderson County Tax Assessor-Collector Teri Garvey began collecting taxes for EISD Oct. 6.

Any questions may be directed to Donna Hobson, 903-764-2952, Ext.64, at the EISD Administration Office.

PHS 1959 reunion set

The Palestine High School Class of 1959 is seeking mailing addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for a 50th Reunion to be held March 6-7.

Classmates, family and friends of classmates are asked to contact Linda Jenkins Swinney at ljenkinsphs1959@aol.com or 233 Glenwood Dr. Palestine, 75801.

WHS junior class sale set

The Westwood High School Junior class will be having a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25.

The Junior class also will be accepting donations for the garage sale Monday through Thursday and Saturday between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Oct. 20 between the hours of 4 to 6 p.m.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can bring their donation to the back of the high school in the Ag Shop.

NAACP to meet Tuesday

The Palestine/Anderson county NAACP will have its general meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church located at 708 South St.

The agenda items are general business, the report of the nominating committee and the election of the election supervisory committee.

All members should attend and bring a friend.

For additional information contact the secretary at 903-389-2569 or email: willsafety@yahoo.com.

Elkhart band earns recognition at contest

The Elkhart Big Red Band earned a 1st Division and 2nd Place overall at the First Annual Palestine Dogwood Classic Marching Contest held at Palestine Wildcat Stadium on Oct. 4.

The Big Red Band’s show this year is entitled “Russian Encore” and consists of “Russian Sailor’s Dance” by Reinhold Gliere, “Hymn to Red Oktober” by Basil Poledouris, and “Russian Easter Overture” by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov.

The drum major for this year’s band is Nathan Trim. The band is directed by J. Wes Canaday and Katy Estrada.

Hospice training offered

The Hospice of East Texas, a non-profit community based hospice, has cared for patients with life limiting illnesses for 25 years.

Volunteer opportunities include direct patient volunteer (at the patient’s place of residence or in an inpatient facility), office/administrative support, guest services at the front desk, bereavement services and special events volunteer.

Male, female and bilingual volunteers are in demand.

“We need volunteers in all 18 East Texas counties that we serve. We also offer student volunteer opportunities for young people ages 14-18,” a news release said.

The next volunteer training will be held Wednesday from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Volunteer training dates and times vary each month.

They have evening, day and weekend classes to meet the training needs of all interested volunteers. For more information call Pat Drake at 903-391-0669 or 903-729-4432.

Blood drive set Thursday

The residents of Cartmell Home for Aged are sponsoring a blood drive at the facility from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.

Families and the community are invited to support the blood drive.

For more information, call 903-727-8500.

Republicans to meet Monday

The Anderson County Republican, PAC will meet Monday at the Republican Headquarters, 515 N Church St. Join in for light snacks and conversation at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

Guest speaker for the evening will be Michael Bennett, Branch Manager and Vice President of Investments at Wachovia Securities. He will address the current concerns about the stock market.

For information, call Lynn Broughton, President at 903-729-6585.

Golf tournament for CMN slated

A charity golf tournament to benefit Children’s Miracle Network will be held Oct. 24 at Elkhart Golf Course. This will be the second tournament of the year to raise funds for the Children's Medical Center in cooperation with CMN and local business sponsorship.

Entry fee is $200 per four man team, or $50 per individual person. The first 18 teams will tee off at 8:00am and the second 18 teams will tee off at 1 p.m.

Your entry fee includes golf with a cart, lunch, snacks, drinks, and a chance for door prizes. Cash prize of $600 will be awarded for the first place, $400 for second place, $200 for third place, and 192 golf balls for fourth place. Please contact Marty Denney at 903-538-4124, stop by the Elkhart Golf Course, or visit www.cmnhio.org to pick up a registration form or get more details.

Retired teachers to meet Tuesday

The Anderson County Retired Teachers Association will meet Oct. 14 at Curves, located at 2507 W. Oak St. off U.S. 79 S.

Greg Gunnels, occupational therapist of Palestine, will be the guest speaker. He will explain exercises we can do at home easily. Refreshments will be served at 2:30 p.m. by hostess Sherry Wages, owner of Curves and Trudy Huffman.

The 3 p.m. meeting includes a short business session with Trudy Huffman, president, presiding. Plans will be announced for the District Fall Convention Oct. 28 in Athens.

Retired school personnel of Texas School Districts who live in Anderson County are urged to join and participate in the local and state Retired Teachers Association.

For more information call 903-723-2176.

Trick-or-treater event planned

Elkhart Oaks located at 214 Jones Rd., will be passing out candy to all the little trick-or-treaters from 6 to 8 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31.