Lifestyle

Surveys across the country indicate that students are not learning history or government.  Indeed, many colleges do not require even one course for graduation in most majors.    Do you know when the Civil War was?  Do you “remember Pearl Harbor”?  Do you know how many senators are in Washington?  Do you know what the electoral college is?

Try a history book the next time you are looking for an exciting read. 

Or pick a book about the Constitution of the United States.   Consider the pages and pages of laws and rules that are in force now, and compare that to the simplicity of our founding document.

The Van Zandt County Library has sections on the west wall that deal with history and the people who made it.  Include selections from the 900s (Dewey Decimal classification) in your reading and enjoy as well as learn.

Lion Anna McDaniel recently invited Director of the Canton Economic Development Corporation Julie Seymore to give the club an update of current and future happenings around Canton.

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Jan. 13, Lion Kenny Edwards introduced John Shinn. Shinn gave an informative program on the hunters safety program and the upcoming Kid Fish.  The Kid Fish will be held from1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 13 at Two-Acre Lake.

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Children at Storytime at VZC Library Jan. 22 learned all about getting dressed and learned that the first step is putting on underpants.

“Underwear,” by Mary Elise Monsell was read to children and is about Zachary the zebra who does not like or snaps or sleeves or slippers or zippers but he did like “underwear” of all descriptions. 

The next story was “Dinosaurs Love Underpants” by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort.  Dinosaurs were all wiped out, a long way back in history.  No one knows quite how or why but the answer may just be underpants. 

At the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society’s monthly meeting Jan. 23, Tom Tyler of Canton was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for 2015. 

Tyler is a regular volunteer librarian at the Van Zandt County Library of Genealogy and Local History. He assists with numerous projects of the society and volunteers to take tombstone photos at local cemeteries in answer to requests through findagrave.com.

A regular feature of the genealogy meetings is a short item of genealogical or historical interest presented by Martha Heard of Canton.  This month’s topic was the Teapot Dome Scandal of the 1920s.

An entertaining program was presented by Benja Mize of Canton to install the new officers.  

Dec. 15 – North/South: first, J. L. Allen and Bari Hart; second, Nelda Avent and JoAnn Parten; third, Beth Hankins and Patsy Williams; fourth, Rosalyn Tullos and Tillie Reed.

East/West: first, Neva Davis and Jan Holcomb; second, Judy Kelley and Renate Brown; third, Gloria Rowland and Betty Wilkinson; fourth, Patrician Hargrave and Mary Peden.

Dec. 22 – First, Jean Roach and Carol Garza; second, Rosalyn Tullos and Tillie Reed; third, Ron Austin and Joyce Austin; fourth, Ursula Brooks and Betty Wilkinson.

Dec. 29 – North/South, first, Rosalyn Tullos and Tillie Reed; second, Evelyn Schmidt and Neva Davis; third, Jared Blakely and Pansy Blakely. East/West, first, Carol Garza and Frances Sanders; second, Lee and Norma Lunsford; third, Betty Wilkinson and Mary  Priest.

Storytime at the Van Zandt County Library was a big hit Jan. 15.  There were 27 children in attendance.  Ms. Rhonda read three books.  The first book was “Penguin Pete” about a pint-sized penguin that has many adventures.  The second book was “Dragon's Extraordinary Egg” about a dragon that found an egg and decided it needed a mommy, when the egg hatched it was a penguin.

The third book was titled “Sergio Makes a Splash” which was about a penguin from Argentina that learn how to swim. The craft for the day was a penguin.

Next weeks' theme is Getting Dressed and will be Friday Jan. 22 at the Van Zandt County Library. 

The 2016 Reading Challenge is on at the Van Zandt County Library.  Pick up a list of challenges at the library or look on Facebook.  

There is a wide range of challenges- one is a book published this year; another is a book published before you were born. (The Bible may be the only one that would qualify for your Footnote reporter.)

Jan Crow will be installed as president of the Van Zandt County Genealogy Society at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23.   Visitors are always welcome at these meeting (which are held at the main library on FM 859. 

The GenSoc, as it is usually called, operates and funds the Genealogy Library which is located in the Courthouse Annex.  Everyday volunteers assist folks in finding information about their ancestors.   There is no charge for this help.

The Christmas Bow project benefitting children’s books was a howling success this year. 

The Storytime theme on Friday, Jan. 8 at the Van Zandt County Library was “favorites.”

Also read was a funny favorite “Never Tease a Weasel” which brought many chuckles from the parents in attendance.  The craft for the day was a snowman all dressed with hat and scarf.  The next Storytime will be Friday, Jan. 15 with a theme of penguins. 

“Bring your preschooler and come join us at the Van Zandt County Library,” said organizers. 

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There were 24 members and guests of the Wednesday Study Club who participated in a Christmas tea at the Roseland Plantation Dec. 16. 

Tim and Carolyn West opened their home, the Hambrick Mansion, to serve the ladies a four course high tea.  The guests were given a tour of the decorated antebellum mansion that is filled with antiques and history from the mid 1800's.

The tour ended with shopping and a surprise in the gift shop.

The next meeting will be held at the Blackwell House on Jan. 27.

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