Category: Clubs

After a wonderful luncheon, Henderson County Retired School Personnel had the pleasure of celebrating Veterans Day with a program given by Sgt. Major Bill Malone, VFW Post Commander 7103, Athens. The program began with High School student Peyton Fortner playing “TAPS” on the trumpet and High School student Patricia Garcia playing “The Star Spangled Banner” on the flute. Sgt. Major Malone gave a program on families of veterans from the prospective of the veteran, then the spouse, and then the children. A Q and A time followed. We also had as a guest Malakoff ISD Superintendent Randy Perry. A short business meeting followed the program. The meeting was held on Wednesday, November 9, at the First United Methodist Church of Athens. The meetings are the second Wednesday of each month. All are welcome.

Pictured are: Sgt. Major Bill Malone and HCRSPA President Eugene Buford, Peyton Fortner on trumpet and Patricia Garcia on flute. (Courtesy photos)

Press release

Two women have been chosen to receive the Sara Maples Chapter NSDAR Women of America History Award. Each will receive a certificate, a gold medal and a quilt made by our very own Jacque Vaughn. Her two caregivers helped with the festivities.

Francis Lois Reasonover

Frances Lois Reasonover is an outstanding, 99 year-old member of our chapter who has spent her life living the three main pillars of NSDAR— God, Home and Country.

Frances was born in Kemp in 1917 and still lives in Kemp. Her father was born near Kemp in 1872 and her mother, Katie McDougald, was born on the John McDougald Jr. farm near Kemp in 1884. Her mother was a direct descendant of John McDougald who emigrated from Scotland to NC, then Florida and Texas. She has been active in preserving the history of Kemp as well as her family history for many years. Most recently, she placed a Texas Historical Marker in a family cemetery that is located just a few miles SW of Kemp. An article in the local paper in the Spring of 2016 outlined the family genealogy that has been so important to her own life. In 2009 she had published, along with Peggy Myers and Clifton Smith, a 329 page book, John McDougald, Sr. His Descendants and Relatives from Florida to Texas. This book includes valuable genealogical information, sources and proof of lineage and even favorite family recipes passed down over the years.

Continue reading “Reasonover, Small win DAR Women in American History Award”

By Calista Turner/Cross Roads 4-H Club Reporter

Cross Roads 4-H Club met at its November meeting this past Tuesday. Sydney Loftin led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and Colton Hemphill led the 4-H Motto and Pledge. Ty Templeton was the club’s t-shirt design winner so a big congratulation to him! Club shirts will be ordered soon.

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The Cedar Creek Lake Masons and all their appendant bodies held a successful Open House on Sunday, October 23. The Masons, Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, Commandery, Chapter, and Council all had a display table with information about their organizations. There were delicious refreshments as well. The Open House gave guests the opportunity to visit with Lodge members and ask questions about their organizations.

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. Tonya Currey at 903-920-5608 or Mrs. Donna Dean at 903-879-4305 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.

Pictured, from left, John Irvin, Cheryl Nix, Tara Trimmins, Lucy Gray, Brittleigh Fleck, Laura Walters, McKenzie Fleck, Preston Green (Worshipful Master), Donna Dean, Rosalie Randall, and Steve Rankin. (Courtesy photo)

Press release

The Gun Barrel City Masonic Youth Rainbow Girls inducted three new members into their Assembly on Saturday, October 15. The new members are Brittleigh and McKenzie Fleck and Laura Walters. Parents were in attendance for the induction ceremonies.

The girls were also given the opportunity to honor Miss Becky Simon, Grand Worthy Advisor, their girl leader on the state level, at their meeting on October 15. The Rainbow Girls performed a beautiful honor program and presented her with art supplies and books for the patients at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, the State Charity Project. The girls and their guests then dined on a lunch of pizza, soft drinks, and a cake specially decorated for Miss Simon’s visit.

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