Masonic Youth Celebrate in Ben Wheeler

Pictured, from left, are Carrie Currey, Samantha Ramos, Kayla Rife, Emily Currey, Katie Schaefer, Dixie Rife, and Mrs. Tonya Currey (Mother Advisor) "man" the Gun Barrel City Rainbow Girls booth at the Ben Wheeler Hog Fest.
Pictured, from left, are Carrie Currey, Samantha Ramos, Kayla Rife, Emily Currey, Katie Schaefer, Dixie Rife, and Mrs. Tonya Currey (Mother Advisor) “man” the Gun Barrel City Rainbow Girls booth at the Ben Wheeler Hog Fest.

The Gun Barrel City Masonic Youth Rainbow Girls attended the Fall Feral Hog Festival in Ben Wheeler on Saturday, Oct. 26. They sold sno-cones and cotton candy and distributed fliers and brochures about their organization. The Gun Barrel City Assembly is looking to increase their membership. In addition, to working their booth, they were able to take time out to enjoy the festivities of the day and had a really great time!

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a service-oriented, leadership organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20. Rainbow Girls participate in a wide array of activities, including leadership training, service projects, competitions, and annual retreats. Their younger group, the Pledges, have activities for girls ages 7 to 10. Please contact Mrs. Donna Dean at 903-345-2001 or Mrs. Tonya Currey at 903-920-5608 for more information about the Rainbow Girls or visit www.txiorg.org. The Gun Barrel City Rainbow Girls and Pledges are proudly sponsored by the Cedar Creek Lake Masonic Lodge and the Gun Barrel City Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star on Legendary Lane in Gun Barrel City.

60 students attend TVCC PTK’s ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ conference

Cindy Mays of Elkhart High School shows off her unharmed egg after it dropped two stories into a device built by fellow teammates (from left) Laynnie Hogan of Slocum, Kali Oliver of Slocum and Lane Helms of Slocum during PTK's Leaders of Tomorrow Conference Friday.
Cindy Mays of Elkhart High School shows off her unharmed egg after it dropped two stories into a device built by fellow teammates (from left) Laynnie Hogan of Slocum, Kali Oliver of Slocum and Lane Helms of Slocum during PTK’s Leaders of Tomorrow Conference Friday.

By Jayson Larson/TVCC Public Information

Sixty students from 20 area high schools gathered at Trinity Valley Community College’s Athens campus last Friday to participate in the Phi Theta Kappa Leaders of Tomorrow Conference.

School districts selected three students each to attend the morning-long conference.

Students selected ranged in variety from athletes and student government representatives to National Honors Society members and classroom leaders. Each was presented with an award at the conclusion of the conference for being selected.

“We’re honoring these students for being chosen as leaders at their individual schools,” said Nancy Long, TVCC’s PTK adviser and faculty member, “but we’re also talking to them about becoming servant leaders, learning about their leadership styles and helping them understand the leadership styles of others.”

In addition to the leadership workshop, structured after Dr. Taylor Hartman’s book, “The People Code,” students participated in a team-building exercise called “Saving Humpty Dumpty.” The exercise required students to use various household items, such as cereal boxes, shrink wrap, trash bags and plastic utensils, to build a device or vehicle that would allow an egg to stay intact after a two- to three-story drop.

Participating schools and students were: Athens (Hannah Feinsod, Tayron Hall, Caleb Phillips); Canton (Brett Blevins, Gabe Gomez, Scott Munroe); Cayuga (Reichart Bauder, Macie Croft, Kent Pickle); Crandall (Ariel Banda, Sierra Survil, Garrett Wesley); Cross Roads (Carli Ivey, Kelsi Lookabaugh, Seth McGlaun); Edgewood (Baxter Chaney, Kendra McGahee, Thomas McPherson); Elkhart (Jordan Ives, Nathan Jensen, Cindy Mays); Frankston (Cheyenne Gideon, Leah Laudry, Alexandra Porter); Fruitvale (Stephen Holland, Monica McGee, Cody Smith); LaPoynor (Melody Avalos, Marissa Dunn, Stacy Edwards); Malakoff (Fernando Garcia, Michael Silvey, Tiffany Wilson); Martins Mill (Kayla Martin, Cassidy McCoy, Autumn Osborne); Neches (Halea Kendrick, Kelsee Wade, Brittaini Wilbanks); North Forney (Austin Lindler, Mark Mejia, Luissa Ponce); Palestine (Breanna Jackson, Trevon Jones, Elliot West); Slocum (Lane Helms, Laynnie Hogan, Kali Oliver); Terrell (Enrique Gonzalez, Julia Perry, Cameron Smith); Trinidad (Emily Airheart, Alyssia Ned, Brooklyn Snider); Westwood (Eunice Casas, Corey Dorsey, Neeli Hardison); and Wills Point (Chloe Jaeda McCombs, Rachel Katherine Myers, Tiffani Nicole Porter).

Volunteer Hands Needed for Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive

Salvation Army

Help Center press release

Once again it’s time for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Salvation Army bells and Christmas go together like reindeer and antlers. Volunteers are needed to “ring those bells” and collect donations for those in need in Henderson County. As the “army behind the Army” volunteer bell ringers play a crucial role in the Salvation Army’s ability to provide services.

It’s 1891 in San Francisco and Salvation Army Captain Jospeh McFee resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner to the needy there. From his days as a sailor McFee remembered a large “pot” displayed on the stage landing that took in donations. So a large crab pot was placed on a tripod and the Salvation Army “Kettle” was born. McFee’s call of “keep the pot boiling” drew in much needed donations. Now the Red Kettle Campaign is used worldwide. The campaign is traditionally kicked off during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day football game.

Last year, the local Salvation Army Service Unit Red Kettle Campaign collected $13,392.86 to be used for direct assistance for families in need. Every penny of those funds was used to assist the needy right here in Henderson County. Kim Hodges at First State Bank coordinates all the funds that go into the account, and all the funds that are expended from the account. The Board governs the funds, and how they are dispensed. Continue reading “Volunteer Hands Needed for Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive”

Obituary: Harold Lloyd Wilbanks

wilbanksGraveside services for Harold Lloyd Wilbanks, 72 of Athens, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Carroll Springs Cemetery in Athens with Bro. Mike Drinkard and Scott Dishman officiating.

Mr. Wilbanks passed away on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 in Palestine, Texas.

Harold Lloyd Wilbanks was born May 18, 1941 in Anderson County, Texas, the son of O.C. Wilbanks and Gracie Pearl Ingram Wilbanks. He joined the Air Force in August 1962 and was honorably discharged in August of 1968 after a tour in Vietnam. He was a Life Member of the Athens VFW Post 7103 and the Disabled Veterans Chapter in Palenstine, Texas. Harold was a member of Bois D’ Arc Baptist Church and enjoyed competitive shooting for disabled veterans, leatherwork and a good game of dominoes, bingo or horseshoes. He was a loving father, brother and grandfather and will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, William Jesse Wilbanks, Donnie Wilbanks, Clovis Wilbanks; and step-daughter, Susan Benton.

He is survived by his son, David Harold Wilbanks and wife Lisa of Rusk; daughter, Stephanie Strunk of Cobb, California; two sisters, Evalyn Roberts of Bradford, Texas, Linda Smith and husband William “Beri” of Palestine, Texas; two brothers, Paul Wilbanks of Athens, Danny Wilbanks and wife Myra of Athens; six grandchildren, Ashley, Jeremy, Christina, Tyler, Coby and Madison.

Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 4, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Serving as Pallbearers are Terry Willingham, Kevin Clary, Chad Glenn, Calvin Smith, Donald Roberts, Keith Wilbanks.

Honorary Pallbearers will be George Blailock, Jason Tatum, Jeremy Miller, Michael Davis, Chase Glenn, Colby Glenn.

In Lieu of flowers please send memorials to: Operation Christmas Child Fund of either:

Dogwood Church – 6467 FM 2494, Athens, TX 75751 – Phone: (903) 677-3185

Or Bois D’ Arc Baptist Church – 310 A.C.R. 445, Palestine, TX 75803 – Phone: (903) 549-2373

The family would like to give special thanks to Greenbrier Nursing staff and the Hospice of East Texas.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

You may light a candle or write condolences to the family at: www.hannigansmith.com.

FOOTBALL WRAP UP … Friday, Nov. 1

ATHENS: The Hornets are still undefeated (9-0) after beating Mineola tonight, 55-20. Athens will look to finish the regular season with a perfect record when they host Brownsboro next Friday.

BROWNSBORO: The Bears fell to 2-7 after losing to Canton, 35-25, in a game that was delayed because of lightning.

CROSS ROADS: The Bobcats are now 2-7 for the year after falling to Cayuga, 61-14,

MABANK: The Panthers were beaten by Van, 55-10, and fell to 2-7 on the year.

MALAKOFF: The Tigers moved to 8-1 on the season with a 41-3 win over Quitman.;

TRINIDAD: The Trojans fell to 4-5 on the year with a 52-6 loss to Calvert tonight.