Lifestyle

U.S. Army National Guard Pvt. Christopher S. Abbott has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Jackson, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Abbott is the son of Stephen R. Abbott of Mabank.

He is a 2013 graduate of Canton High School, Canton. 

The TVEC Charitable Foundation recently awarded a $2,500 grant to every fire department within the TVEC service area, for a total of $130,000. The TVEC Charitable Foundation is funded entirely by donations from TVEC members who participate in Operation Round Up. Participating in the presentation were, alphabetically, Tony Bates, Randy Brumbelow, Josh Farivsworth, Darren Marshall, Robert Mcclelen, Chris Meyer and Heath Morris representing Ben Wheeler, Canton, Edgewood, Elmo and South Van Zandt.

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The Rotary Club of Canton was pleased to honor the December Students of the Month from Canton Junior High, Clayton Barker and Audrey Thelen, at a recent meeting. The teachers at CJH have recognized these two as students that display outstanding leadership characteristics. Congratulations to these exemplary students, said Rotary President Karen Paul.

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The Rotary Club of Canton named Phyllis Wise the Rotarian of the Year for 2015.

Wise was awarded a plaque by club President Karen Paul at the annual Christmas Party held at the Van Zandt Country Club Dec. 3.

Wise has selflessly been a shining example of the Rotary motto, “ervice Above Self, in numerous ways throughout our community, in her work and with family and friends during the past year, Paul said. “The members of the Rotary Club are proud to have Phyllis as a member and look forward to working alongside her in service during 2016,” she said.

Librarian Tonja Garten presents Suzette Seymore a cash prize of $20 sponsored by the Friends of the Library for being the winner of the Van Zandt County Library’s Fall Reading Challenge. Watch the library’s Facebook page for information on the next reading challenge.

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Christmas is here.  Glorious day.

The Van Zandt County Library staff is celebrating the Christmas holiday with their families.  The staff will also be working some of the days the library is closed. 

Be aware, the library will be open to the public again Dec. 29, then closed for New Year’s Day Jan. 1, 2016.  There will not be a Storytime Jan. 2.

Shift gears in your reading.  The Western Section in the northwest corner of the library has authors old and new.  Zane Grey, Louis L’Amour, Max Brand, Tony Hillerman and Elmer Kelton are just a few.   Lots of paperbacks as well as hard covers.

The Canton Lions Club has a box that you may use for discarding old reading glasses.  It is on one of the small tables in the library reading area.  Prescription, as well as “dime store” glasses may enable someone to see things they never knew were there.   Spring clean early and bring your discarded glasses in.

Twin Lakes Golf Club recently held a golf tournament to raise toys and funds for the Van Zandt County Child Welfare Board’s Santa’s Kids program. The toys and cash will be used to provide Christmas presents and other needed items for 150 children in the foster care in Van Zandt County, VZCCWB President Sandy Hilliard said.

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The Interact Club of Canton High School collected the toys gathered by Twin Lakes golfers and added a few donations of their own for the Van Zandt County Child Welfare Boards’ Santa’s Kids program. Club members gave the toys to VZCCWB President Sandy Hilliard.

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Dec. 2, Lion Anna McDaniel welcomed Sandy Hilliard, president of the Van Zandt County Child Welfare Board.  Hilliard gave the club an update on the status of foster children in Van Zandt County. The Canton Lions Club made a $500 donation to the Welfare Board for their Santa's Kids project.

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Storytime Dec. 11 started off with Christmas carols led by Ms. Rhonda.  The first story read was “Here comes Santa Cat” by Deborah Underwood. The book is about a cat that needs to be nice since Christmas is coming and being nice doesn’t come naturally.  The book was illustrated by Claudia Rueda. 

The next book read was “Not Until Christmas, Walter!” By Eileen Christelow.  Walter is the family dog that does not wait until Christmas to enjoy the presents. 

During craft time the children made a Santa ornament to take home.  The next Storytime will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 8 at the Van Zandt County Library