The University Interscholastic League finished the Texas Two Step it started back in November 2015 on Monday morning, announcing which districts teams across the state will be calling home for the 2016-2018 athletic seasons.
The first step for the UIL became public Nov. 20, with a press release announcing the conference cutoff numbers for the 2016-2018 reclassification and realignment. According to the UIL, conference cutoff numbers were set at:
The East Texas Genealogical Society will meet at 2 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Taylor Auditorium at the Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave. in Tyler.
The meeting will include a presentation on antebellum plantation records by Ari Wilkins, a genealogist and family historian with concentrated interest in North Carolina and Louisiana research. She also specialized in African American genealogy and research.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit the website www.etgs.org.
The ABC Room will host its Ninth Annual Bunco Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Deen Building of Russell Memorial United Methodist Church in Wills Point..
“It’s a day of fun and laughs for women and men,” said Karen Forester with the ABC Room.
A $30 ticket is good for three rounds of Bunco, dessert and coffee, a lunch provided by the Ladies Guild of St. Therese Catholic Church in Canton, a door prize ticket and a goody bag and a chance to shop in the silent auction. Cost for those who sign up early is $25.
Victory Church and will host a marriage conference simulcast beginning at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 through 9 a.m. Feb. 13.
Founded in 1994, MarriageToday’s founders Jimmy and Karen Evans have “encouraged and coached couples in building rewarding marriages and healthy homes,” said Victory Church Pastor Mike Burns.
“The Evans are committed to sharing proven truths that can make the most troubled marriage good, and any good marriage great. They bring more than 25 years of experience equipping and teaching couples to MarriageToday's mission to restore the dream of marriage in America.
Dr. Henry Cloud will be a guest speaker the conference also.
Dr. Cloud is a clinical psychologist, leadership consultant, and best-selling author of the Boundaries series of books for couples, parents and leaders, said Pastor Burns.
My Credit Union, located at 408 E. Hwy. 243 in Canton, recently held an open house to celebrate its 20th year serving the community. Participating in the party were President Mark Massey and Branch Manager Angela Gray.
Feb. 13 Canton’s Two-Acre Lake (behind the Wal-Mart Super Center by Mill Creek Lake) will be the site of a Kids’ Trout Fishing Day.
The event, which is sponsored by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the city of Canton, local merchants, civic organizations, and many individual contributors, will run from 1 to 4 p.m.
Soft drinks and hot dogs will be provided, and there will be drawings for door prizes for participating kids.
Anglers are encouraged to bring their rods, reels and bait so they can have a chance at catching some of the 2,852 rainbow trout that will be stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
When Glenn McNeill Jr. and his wife, Betsy, sold their newspaper publishing company (Campbell-McNeill Publishing Company) in 1996, Glenn decided to stay on board for a time during the transition period, working three days a week in advertising.
That “transition period” turned into 20 faithful years of additional service to Van Zandt Newspapers L.L.C. working with his colleagues and his customers.
All of that came to a close this week as McNeill announced his retirement ending 56 years of dedicated service in the newspaper publishing business which began in 1960.
Although he is best known for his connections with county newspapers, he has contributed to the county in other ways. He was named Outstanding Citizen of Van Zandt County in 1978, and he was president of the Van Zandt County Fair Association one year.
Lake Fork Golf Course is showing its appreciation to all law enforcement officers with a free round of golf.
In the month of February 2016, all police officers, sheriffs, game wardens and state troopers are invited to play a round of golf at no charge by presenting a badge and I.D.
“Law enforcement is often times a thankless job. We want to show our officers that we do appreciate the protection they provide us. This is our small way of saying thank you,” said Donnie Knecht, golf course manager.
All playing officers will be entered into a drawing for an expense paid guided fishing trip on Lake Fork.
Lake Fork Golf Course is an 18 hole golf course located on FM 2946 between Hwy. 514 and Hwy. 515 in Emory. For information, call 903-473-3112.
Congressman Jeb Hensarling is asking students across the 5th Congressional District to help honor the service and sacrifice of veterans by participating in the annual Valentines for Vets program.
Each year, Hensarling’s office collects hand-made Valentine’s Day cards from 5th District students that are delivered to hospitalized veterans at the Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center. The valentines will also be delivered to members of veterans organizations.
“These valentines are a great way to say thank you to the brave men and women who have made tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedom,” Hensarling said. “We need to let them know that we appreciate all that they have done for our country. I know each veteran who receives one of these cards will be happy to see how much our students care about them and care about America.”
Candidates vying to serve the citizens of Van Zandt County in a variety of positions currently up for grabs during the 2016 election cycle, including VZC Tax-Assessor Collector, Precinct 1 Constable, Precinct 2 Constable, Precinct 1 Commissioner, Precinct 3 Commissioner, State Representative District 2 and VZC Sheriff came to the Farm Bureau office in Canton Jan. 21 to tout their qualifications and connect with prospective voters.
The evening was broken into six separate segments, with candidates for each of the positions up for contention being given an opportunity to make both and opening and closing statement, as well as the opportunity to answer questions submitted prior to the forum and read by event moderators.
