Lifestyle

Story time on hiatus until September

July 28, 19 pre-school Story Time children brought their stuffed animal friends to the Van Zandt County Library for a sleep over.

Mrs. Rhonda read bedtime stories to the animals before they were tucked in for the night. Some of the attendees were Pinkie, Sparkle, Elefantita, Marshall and Caterina. There were bears, monkeys, a rabbit, several dogs, a turtle and even a mallard duck spending the night in the Library.

The Friends of the Library furnished snacks in the morning when the children returned to the library to pick up their animals and watch a slide show of all the mischief the animals got into after the Library closed.  

Story Time will take the month of August off and return to its Friday morning time Sept. 9.

July 12 – North/South, first, Sandy Molander and Chester Neel; tied for second and third, Rosalyn Tullos and Tillie Reed with Shirley Matthews and Nick France. East/West, first, Ursula Brooks and Mary Priest; second Mauel and Phyllis Alvarez; tied for third and fourth, Jan Holcomb and Neva Davis with Lee and Norma Lunsford.

July 19 – North/South, first, Tillie Reed and Rosalyn Tullos; second, Chester Neel and Sandy Molander; third Nelda Avent and JoAnn Parten; fourth,  Sue Ritschel and Yvonne Houston. East/West, first, Ann Bennett and Kay Mitchell; second, Jo Poynter and Pat Hargrave; third, Judy Kelley and Reni Brown; fourth, Greg Cooley and Frances Sanders.

The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society held its monthly meeting July 23 in the Buchanan Room of the County Library. 

The brief historical moment, a regular feature of the meetings by Martha Heard of Canton, was about the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCCC provided work for many young men during the Great Depression of the 1930s.  

Guest speaker Carol Taylor of Greenville talked about Ben Bickerstaff and the war of reconstruction in Texas after the Civil War. Taylor is co-author of the book “The Devils Triangle,” which is a historical look at the terrorist and outlaw groups operating in the northeast Texas area following the Civil War.

Refreshments were served by hosts for the meeting, Scott Fitzgerald of Tyler and Sandra Jones of Canton.  

The TVEC Charitable Foundation recently awarded five grants totaling $21,500.

Founded in 2013, the foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization, created to serve the community and help improve the quality of life for residents in our service area. The foundation is funded entirely by donations from TVEC members who participate in Operation Round Up.

Grant recipients were:

First Community Church Crandall - $2,500. The church has a contract with Texas Presbyterian Hospital Health Ministry to provide first aid training. The grant funds will be used to provide AED and CPR training to a wide range of groups using the church facility.

Pastor Dan and Cendy Tarno were honored with a reception on July 23 celebrating their 40 years of full time church ministry. 

The event was held at Grace Bible Fellowship Baptist Church in Canton where the Tarnos have served the past 24 years.

The Tarnos have ministered in churches in Nixa, Mo., Kilgore, Paris, Houston and Canton. They founded the church in Canton and still serve here.  

There was a many of friends and family present at the occasion, many of whom traveled from out of town to be a part of the event, organizers said. 

The program of special music and testimonials included an appearance and presentation by Texas State Rep. Dan Flynn. Flynn read a proclamation recognizing the pastors 40^th year of ministry and presenting a Texas flag which was flown over the State Capitol in the Pastors honor.

CANTON  HERALD-July 21, 1960: 

The wildest show east of the Pecos is going to be revealed Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights at the Canton Rodeo Arena, according to reports being released by the Fair Association. That is when the “Western Week” rodeo in Canton will be unreeled before the people of Canton and Van Zandt County.

As Western Week progresses a visitor to Canton can see some of the remains of the old West… For instance have you seen the beard of Alvin Norman, Chili Campbell, Harold Stevens, A. L. Scott, Jr. and Jake Slaughter… Just to name a few of the rough customers.

Harold Stevens, manager of the Canton Farm Products Company told the press he is setting up an old time bar at his firm’s location, offering a slug of cider to anyone visiting it Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

Durham’s Roost Bed & Breakfast recently celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and meet and greet.

The Roost is part of The Silver Spur Resort, a 35-acre RV park with camping and “glamping” spots. This ranch-style house has five bedrooms (three downstairs with private bathrooms) and a family suite upstairs with two bedrooms and one bath. The Roost officially opened June 1 and is Phase 1 of The Silver Spur Resort.

Phase 2 of the resort begins with The Barnyard Experience.

The Barnyard will be built around a large rustic barn, serving as an event center for weddings, family reunions, and other celebrations. When there are no events, the Barn will be open for exploration and learning during the day, or a mixer for resort guests in the evening. 

The Barn is expected to open Fall 2016.

June 21 – North/South: first, Richard and Mary Hinkle; second, Sue Ritschel and Yvonne Houston; third, Nelda Avent and JoAnn Parten. East/West: first, Sandy Molander and Bonnie Magee; second, Ann Bennett and Kay Mitchell; third, Judith Kelley and Renate Brown.

June 28 – North/South: first, Sue Riutschel and Dee Gammel; second, Joann Parten and Nelda Avent; third, Evely Shmidt and Yvonne Houston. East/West: first, Ursula Brooks and Betty Wilkinson; second, Gloria Rowland and Sandy Molander; third, Rosemary Mize and Mary Priest.

July 5 – North/South: First, Ann Bennett and Barbara Bradford; second, Jean Roach and Valerie Chapman; third, Carol Bates and Lynda Pillans. East/West: first, Betty Wilkinson and Mary Priest; second, Neva Davis and Jan Holcomb; third, Marion Davis and Dan Cowling.

Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church will hold “Submerged,” a Vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, July 25 to July 29.

“Kids will begin their exploration each day at the Helm.  From the Helm, kids will gather at the Observation Station where they will be submerged in God’s word.  Each day kids will explore what lies blow the surface in the deep sea by creating crafts, playing fun games, enjoying tasty snacks, singing cool songs and learning about missions.  Kids will discover that Jesus saw people for who they were deep down, not who they appeared to be on the surface,” church members said.

Children in kindergarten through sixth grade eligible to participate in the event.

For more information, call 903-962-4566. Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church is located at 14500 FM 17, Grand Saline. 

The Faith Warriors Youth Group of Grace Bible Fellowship in Canton raised $508.66 for their summer activities.

As part of a fundraising contest, the Youth Team chose four church members – Pastor Dan Tarno, Billy Hensley, Paul Landrum and Russell Roden – as contestants in the Kiss the Pig competition.

In February, four cans were placed at the altar for donations. Whichever contestant receive the most money by the end of the competition would be the one to kiss the pig.

The lucky winner was Pastor Tarno with a total of $225.46.

When the pastor’s daughter, Melody Tarno, went to pick up a baby pig for the event she was told they had all been sold the day before but the momma pig was available.

“Let’s just say she wasn’t the most pleasant female Pastor Dan has ever kissed,” a church member said.