Columns

May 10, 2015,  is a day the citizens of Van  will never forget. The tornado damage and loss of life in our community made us realize how fragile we are and how things can change in a matter of seconds.

The resilience of the people in Van and support from people and organizations in and around Van Zandt County have been an essential part of our recovery process. This support has given the people of Van the hope and strength to move forward.

Helping Van in their tornado recovery process will take many years and we will continue to need help in so many ways from so many people. 

The Swing For Van Recovery Golf Tournament held July 25 at The Van Zandt Country Club was nothing more than a group of volunteers coming together to show their support and it was a huge success. 

Trials of Life come upon us

Temptations strives to lead us stray

Sinful thought to sinful actions

Jesus speaks of a better way

Adam and Eve sat before the Lord

All things perfect so divine

Satan connived with his intention

Saying God is wrong here is my line

Go ahead and eat the fruit

It will only make you wise

They ate and sin came into existence

As a result the human dies

Satan pays for his temptations

Jesus speaks the truth He always tells

The snake Satan crawls upon his belly

On his journey to an eternal hell

Then Jesus came by our eternal Father

Mary’s virgin body gave Him birth

Jesus shed His blood and gave His body

To save all who will believe upon the earth

CANTON HERALD, Aug. 11, 1949: 

Final funeral services for T Sgt. Clifford E. Black were held at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon at the Carroll Church.  Re-burial was in Carroll Cemetery under the direction of Eubanks Bros.

T Sgt. Black was killed in action Dec. 4, 1944, while serving as a member of the 95^th Infantry division in Germany.  He was 26 at the time of his death.  Survivors are his father Henry M. Black of Ben Wheeler; two brothers, Willie L. Black of Tyler and Murray Black of Garden Valley and two sisters, Mrs. J. W. McClenny of Lindale and Mrs. T. T. Hines of Ben Wheeler.

Large print books coming to VZC Library

Summer programs at the Van Zandt County Library are giving way to thoughts of school starting.  The staff, The Friends of the Library, The Library Advisory Board –and of course the children who enjoyed the programs—are grateful for the support of the Community that made it possible.  

Trinity Valley Electric Corporation underwrote the performers who presented a widely varied range of subjects to an average of 100 kids and half that many adults each Friday morning for seven weeks. 

The Canton Rotary Club provided a $50 bill for each session to one lucky child. 

The Canton Lions Club provided a vision screening clinic one Friday.  Drawings for smaller gift bags each week closed the programs.

CANTON HERALD, Aug. 4, 1949: B.L. Stevens, father of 10 children, 34 grandchildren and 19 great- grandchildren, was honored at Myrtle Springs Park July 31. He was 78 on July 28. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Lovie Mewbourn and sons Lloyd and Jack, of Martins Mill; Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Amato; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Floyd and family of Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. B.C. Stevens and family; Mr. and Mrs. I.J. Stevens and son of Tyler; Mr. and Mrs. A.N. White and daughter of Kaufman; Nevel White Jr., of Oklahoma and Mrs. Roy King and family of Grand Saline.

August is dry and ever so hot

The sun beaming down on every spot

We remember the days of ice and snow

How we complained, wanting them to go

Those days are gone, no more to fear

A complete turn of season, August is here

Try remembering the fun this season brings

The fishing, the swimming and all those fun things

Drink lots of water, use sunscreen galore

Each year august seems hotter than ever before

We love all those bonfires on the beach

Those hamburgers and hot dogs, several of each

The children all splashing, having great fun

Not willing for this great day to be done

We pack up the car, loading the gear

This day was so hot, August is here

We love making ice cream, visiting with friends

Summer isn’t quite over at Van Zandt County Library.  See Facebook, or ask at the desk about other activities.

Fall and winter plans are being discussed.  The Friends of the Library have upgraded the Buchanan Room visual and sound capabilities, and groups are already scheduling meetings.  Several Thursday night activities will be announced soon.  Remember, Thursday the Library opens at noon and is open until 8 p.m.  Delta Kappa Gamma, Canton Rotary, Canton Lions and other groups are pairing with the library to assist in programs.

It is a goal of the library staff that the facilities be used for community affairs, and that patrons are welcomed to a busy, enjoyable atmosphere. 

Regular volunteers are essential to providing a full range of service.    Membership in Friends of the Library is important because this group provides a wide range of support that the county and city do not cover.  Meetings begin in September, on the second Monday at 10 a.m.