Athens-Henderson County Now

AHS qualifies three for state powerlifting

The Athens High School boys powerlifting team finished second at the regional meet in Lindale Thursday, with senior Chad Walker setting the new regional record in the bench press at 460 pounds. Three lifters — Josh West, Logan Fuller and Walker — advance to state, and Joseph Mahmoud is a state alternate.

Seven of the 10 AHS lifters medaled, with the team finishing just behind Bullard. The Hornets will finish the season having won three of the four invitational meets they attended.

Individual results follow:

Chad Walker, 1st place with a 1,615-pound total
Josh West, 2nd place with a 1,510-pound total
Logan Fuller, 4th place with a 1,400-pound total (auto qualifying total for his weight class)
Joseph Mahmoud, 3rd place
Jacob Moore, 4th place
Jordan Mayhall, 4th place
Noah Bush, 4th place
Manuel Vazquez, 6th place
Daniel Vazquez, 7th place
Maalik Hall, 8th place

Pictured are (from left) Coach Craig Brown, Chad Walker, Noah Bush, Logan Fuller, Joshua West, Manuel Vazquez, Jordan Mayhall, Jacob Moore, Daniel Vazquez, Maalik Hall and Coach Tim Hensley.

Arboretum receives donation of structure

One of the first Henderson County Jail structures has been donated to the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society. If anyone knows any history about this jail, please contact the arboretum at 903-675-5630 as we would like to know more about it. Come see it, admission is only $4 and flowers are blooming too! (Courtesy photos)

Library book box at Kiwanis Park

LendingLibraryBookBox — Pictured (from left) are Hadley, Schroeder, Public Library Fund board member Charlie Tidmore, Library Advisory Board Chairman Toni Garrard Clay, and Cox. (Meredith Lemmon photo)

The Henderson County Memorial Library recently placed a lending book box at Kiwanis Park in Athens (406 S. Prairieville Street), which operates on a “take a book/leave a book” premise. The book box project was spearheaded by Library Advisory Board member (and former chairman) Kathie Schroeder.

“We hope parents who utilize the park will enjoy reading to their children and then come to the library to utilize all the resources and programs available there,” said Schroeder.

The box was built and donated by Bob and Ginger Hadley of Safari Waters.

It was initially stocked with a selection ranging from “Amelia Bedelia” and “Clifford the Big Red Dog” books to a selection of manga and books for older readers, such as “Catching Fire” and “The Time Machine.”

“We’re focusing on literacy through all stages of life and reaching people where they are,” said Library Director Rachel Cox.

Clay moderates CEO Roundtable

Athens ISD Communications Specialist Toni Garrard Clay moderates a “CEO Roundtable” on Monday sponsored by the Athens Chamber of Commerce. The event centered around an open discussion of experience, advice and personal stories among some of the area’s leading business owners. They are (from left) Hayden Elder, Charles Elliott, Brandon Allen, Kevin Lilly and Sean Ray. The evening was part of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) program, in which students from Athens ISD, Cross Roads ISD, Athens Christian Preparatory Academy, as well as a home-schooled student, are working toward developing their own businesses. (Courtesy photo)

Cedarview celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday

Cedarview Place residents celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday on Wednesday, March 2, in Seussville. The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, 2 & 3 along with the Lorax were present at this whimsical party among the Truffua trees. Even the local VNA nurse, Michelle joined in on the chance to let out her inner child. During the day, residents dined on green eggs and ham, Cat in the Hat parfaits, 1 fish 2 fish sweets and washed it down with some Lorax juice. (Courtesy photos)