News

Reservations for the Canton Chamber of Commerce sponsored Van Zandt County Economic Outlook, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 19, are due by Friday, Nov. 13.

The event is also sponsored by the Canton Economic Development Corporation, Edgewood EDC, Wills Point EDC, Van EDC and Grand Saline EDC. It will be held

 The Rustic Barn in Canton.

The Perryman Group will present the program based on an economic study of the county.

According to information from the chamber, the outlook will include “a detailed overview complete with a five-year forecast of the U.S., Texas and Van Zandt economies. The findings of this study and key indicators will be a useful tool as businesses and leaders in Van Zandt County map out a plan for growth in the years to come.”

Canton Chamber members can attend the conference at no charge with a reservation. Cost for non-members is $15 in advance and $25 at the door.

Dinner will be provided.

The Canton Chamber of Commerce Festival of Trees begins this week with “an opening extravaganza” from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Plaza Museum, 119 N. Buffalo St.

The Main Street Tree Lighting on the Courthouse Square will follow at 7 p.m.

According to information from the chamber, the Festival of Trees was once an annual event for Canton presented by the chamber of commerce.  After a successful return in 2014, the chamber is bringing the Festival back again.

The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the chamber in which businesses, groups and individuals decorate artificial Christmas trees. The trees are displayed in the Plaza Museum and sold through a silent action that lasts three weeks. 

Because of Thanksgiving, the newspaper will have early deadlines for the Nov. 26 issue.

The deadline for all editorial information, photographs, classified and display advertising and legal notices will be noon Friday, Nov. 20.

The Canton Herald office will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, in observance of Thanksgiving.

The office will be open regular hours – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Friday, Nov. 27.

For more information, call 903-567-4000.

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The Van Zandt Extension Education Association and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension County Agent Melisa Rhodes will be hosting “Santa’s Workshop” Nov. 16 at the Farm Bureau meeting room in Canton.  Registration for the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the program will follow at 6 p.m.

Family and Consumer Science agent Johanna Hicks of Hopkins County and FCS Agent Katie Phillips of Kaufman County will join Van Zandt County FCS Agent Melisa Rhodes in demonstrating holiday recipes, homemade Christmas gift ideas, gift wrapping ideas and holiday decorating ideas. 

“You won’t want to miss the fun evening that will allow you to give unique gifts, decorate with style, and will allow you while entertaining your holiday guest to serve delicious holiday recipes,” Rhodes said. “VZEEA club members will have crafts available for sale that night so you can start checking off your Christmas list.”

The Whitton Volunteer Fire Department will host a Chili Cookoff and Dessert Auction at 6 p.m. Nov. 14. 

Firehouse chili to be served along with the contestants' chili, organizers said.

There will be prizes for best chili, best cornbread and dessert – the winner will be the pot, pan or pie that "brings the most at auction." 

To enter an item, call Sarabeth Dover at 903-288-0750. 

All funds raised from the benefit the fire department. 

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The Van Zandt County Humane Society has several fundraisers on tap during the last few months of the year. 

“Our annual Thanksgiving bake sale has been fun for us in the past,” President Carol Whatley. “We offer a lot of homemade goodies for your holiday tables. With all our collective years of cooking experience, why not let us help you out with your Thanksgiving meal? We will have cakes, cookies, pies, breads and specialty treats available.” 

The bake sale will take place from 10 a.m. “until everything is gone” Saturday, Nov. 21 at Ace Hardware on Hwy. 243 in Canton. 

Another upcoming event is the annual Photos with Santa.  "This is another event we look forward to.  The managers and team at Ace Hardware are kind enough to let us come and have photo sessions with all the pets,” Whatley said. “Dress up your cat, dog, guinea pig or bunny rabbit and have his picture made for your Christmas card!”

The GriefShare Ministry of Lakeside Baptist Church invites the public to attend “Surviving the Holidays,” a two hour Seminar where participants can receive encouragement and practical advice about how to survive the holidays.

The seminar will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16.

To register, call the church off at 903-567-4787 by Nov. 9.

For more stories like this one, subscribe to the Canton Herald or pick up a copy from one of our vendors. 

Canton artist sculpts soldier 

Ed Pickett is a man of many talents. A self-taught vintner, artist, sculptor and veteran are just some of the names that Pickett can tuck under his belt.

Pickett, a larger than life character, haunts his establishment, the Savannah Winery and Bistro in Canton, but more than likely, wine and food are not the only things that one could find in Pickett’s establishment.

In fact, an 8 foot Styrofoam and clay sculpture of a soldier kneeling is tucked away in a corner of the front room of the Savannah Winery.

Pickett is a sculptor, and a good one at that. His almost 8-foot, double body size rendition of Canton solider Juan Herrera is lifelike and precise to the point.

The sculpture, once completed and bronzed, will be part of the Van Zandt County Veteran’s Memorial.

A slew of community improvements and projects filled the Canton Economic Development Corporation’s agenda Oct. 27.

The board discussed options concerning proposed projects while also hearing an update from CEDC Director Julie Seymore concerning the fire on The Mountain and the impact that it left behind.

The first proposed project discussed by the CEDC board was that of a wildflower garden to be installed at the Blackwell House.

The Iris Garden Club and Keep Canton Beautiful Committee will sponsor the project. The purpose of the project would be to add improvements to the Blackwell House Museum and property and also to add an additional point of interest for the community and venue.

“A gazebo was added behind the Blackwell House in spring 2015.  Three benches around the gazebo were added by the Iris Garden Club in summer 2015,” said CEDC Director Seymore.

Wallace United Methodist Church will hold a chili and soup supper and pie auction on Saturday, Nov. 21. The soup and chili supper begins at 6 p.m. and is $5 per person. All proceeds go towards Relay for Life. The pie auction starts at 7 p.m.  Guest auctioneer will be Brian Cummings.

Wallace UMC is located off of Highway 243 at VZCR 2501.

For more information, email wallaceumc@yahoo.com or www.Facebook.com/wallaceumchurch.