News

A vast majority of the hay that was produced in East Texas this year (especially the first cutting due to excessive spring rains) is low in both protein and energy; thus leaving producers scratching their heads on how to fill the gap in fulfilling their herds nutritional needs. 

With feed grain costs high, inter-seeding small grains in Bermuda grass pastures is a better idea than ever.

The key factor this year will be soil moisture.  Most of our East Texas soils don't have deep moisture reserves due to prolonged dry spell this summer.  Producers need to check for soil moisture before planting.

Whether you intend to use a prepared seedbed or plant into Bermuda grass sod, Van Zandt producers should start planning now for small grains. Now is the time to check with dealers for seed availability and price, pick the location, and test the soil.

The East Texas Genealogical Society's will meet at 2 p.m. Oct. 10 for a program called “Wicked Weather” by Sandra Crowley.

The program will deal with how major weather-related events often shaped the lives of our ancestors, organizers of the events said.  Crowley will talk about 10 weather phenomena before the 1940s that impacted where and how we live.

The program will be in the Taylor Auditorium at the Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave. in Tyler.

ETGS meetings are free and the public is invited to attend, members said.

 For more information, visit the website www.etgs.org, email scottfitzgerald@tyler.net or call 903-539-5572.

The Canton Main Street program and the Canton Economic Development Corporation have freshened up the Van Zandt County Courthouse landscape. 

The corner beds and planters have been replanted and trees added to the corners of the courthouse building. All of the plants that were in prior plantings have been replanted in other areas on the courthouse grounds.

“Carl Waddell and his community service helpers accomplished the task Sept. 26,” said Main Street spokesperson Donna Rakestraw.

The project was financed with funds raised in last year’s Canton Main Street Autumn Festival.

Grand Saline Middle School Principal Brad L. Swain, 41, was arrested Sept. 18 and is facing felony charges stemming from a domestic incident.

According to Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department reports, Swain’s estranged wife called 911 around 3 p.m. Sept. 18 and reported that Swain was trying to run her vehicle off the road as she drove on FM 16 from Martins Mill toward Van.

Mrs. Swain had the couple’s two children with her in the car.

Mrs. Swain had filed divorce papers and Swain had been served with those as well as a restraining order, officials said. Authorities believe he was driving in a reckless manner, trying to get her to pull over.

Swain was charged with two counts of felony endangering a child/criminal negligence and one count of reckless driving.

He posted $25,000 bond and was released from jail Sept. 19.

Grand Saline ISD officials said Swain has been placed on paid leave until the case can be resolved.

Van Zandt County Commissioners tackled a relatively light agenda Sept. 22 powering through two dozen items in just over an hour.

Highlights of the meeting included a presentation by the Van Zandt County Child Welfare Board and several annual bookkeeping items.

Business opened with County Judge Don Kirkpatrick announcing that a special meeting will be held at the Farm Bureau office in Canton at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 to discuss the proposed special road tax that will be on the November ballot.

Kirkpatrick explained that he, along with county commissioners and possibly Scott Hyde of the Van Zandt County appraisal district, will be on hand to help educate the public about the tax, and what impact it could have on the county.

Grace Bible Fellowship will host a free movie night at 6 p.m. Oct. 11.

The movie will be “God’s Not Dead.”

Concessions will be available from the Faith Warriors youth group.

Grace Bible Fellowship is located at 17897 FM 1255 in Canton.

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

Tommy Joe Wilson, born in Grand Saline, never forgets where he comes from and it’s easily heard in his music. 

He started playing at the age of 13 and his seasoned baritone voice draws on influences like George Strait, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley and Alabama.  Tommy pays homage to these heroes on the first track of his CD “The Road Home.”  With songs like “Handyman” and “Pistol,” Wilson will get the blood pumping, but easily calms the heart with passion-filled ballads “Til I Run Out of Texas” and “The Road Home.” 

Wilson will be on the Main Stage at the Autumn Festival from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 10.

Other local performers to be featured on the Main Stage will be Todd Brewer from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Brother and Sister from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.  

Old-timer recounts early Trade Days

First Monday grounds in Canton used to home to a real Hack – a hack by the name of Hack Berry.

The nonagenarian First Monday guru now lives in Wills Point, but was always a figure to be seen at Frist Monday.

“As far back as I can remember, I have been involved in First Monday more than anyone else. I was a seller, promoter and everything in between for 58 years at First Monday, In fact, I remember when the best things to find at First Monday were handles,” Mr. Berry said.

In 1933, when Mr. Berry was 8 years old, the handmade handles for shovels and farm equipment was the item sought out by buyers who came from far and wide to see what Trades Days had to offer.

Mr. Berry ended up in Van Zandt County by way of his grandparents, who came from Arkansas in a covered wagon accompanied by eight children.

A blessing of the animals service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Justin’s Episcopal Church, 977 W. Hwy. 243.

The event is sponsored by the St. Justin’s Episcopal Church.

All creatures great or small are invited to receive a special prayer in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.  Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, turtles, fish and more are invited.  Bring a pet on leash, lead, bowl, or in a crate to this service just for them.  All pets must be up to date on vaccinations, organizers said.

CLAW members will be available to answer questions regarding membership in the organization, fostering animals and adoptions.

For more information or questions contact Carolyn Davis at 903-567-4162 

Local musician Wesley Pruitt will be the featured performer at this week’s Friday Night Live event in downtown Canton.

The music will play on the courthouse square from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.

Those attending should bring their lawn chairs.

Pruitt and his band play all kinds of music but he categorizes it as Texas blues, soul and southern rock. The band plays original tunes – some about Pruitt’s growing up in the area – and can also cover everything from Elvis to the Allman Brothers.

For more information, contact the Main Street office at 903-567-1849.