By Michael V. Hannigan/HCNow
“The Fiddler” is gone, but hopefully not for long.
The statue of the The Fiddler has been on the square since the 1980s, when it was commissioned by the Sesquicentennial Committee. It was created by TVCC art teacher Albert Stewart.
In recent years, the statue has begun to deteriorate from being exposed to the elements, so the Henderson County Arts Council has started a drive to “Save The Fiddler.” The Arts Council board is raising money to have the statue bronzed to preserve it for many generations to come.
With that goal in mind, the Arts Council is hosting the Save The Fiddler Shindig, scheduled for 5-8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the TVCC Student Union Building.
The event will include a Western Swing Dance Class from 5-6 p.m., and then
dinner and dancing with the award-winning Wesern Flyers plus champion guest fiddlers.
Call Dr. Marylyn Wright at 903-340-7592 or Joanne McElroy at 903-340-2088 or email [email protected] for ticket information.
Gospel Explosion
One of the most important Martin Luther King Jr. Day events held locally each year is the Henderson County Black History Committee’s Gospel Explosion.
This year’s event will be held at Johnson Chapel AME Church in Malakoff 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, and will feature Chuck and The Guiding Clouds from Huntsville.
This is a Henderson County tradition and a great event for music lovers of all ages.
Local Libertarian
A man with local ties has decided to run for Congress against Rep. Louie Gohmert in Texas’ 1st Congressional District.
Jeff Callaway was born in Athens and grew up in Henderson County, but now resides in Tyler. He said he was running as a Libertarian “to keep Congress honest.”
His core issues include that taxation is theft, legalization of marijuana, prison reform, ending the Federal Reserve System, ending the Federal Communications Commission, abolishing the IRS, and having a welcoming immigration policy while still maintaining a secure border.
A graduate of Malakoff High School, Callaway is a performing artist using the stage name Texas Outlaw Poet. Some of his artwork currently hangs in The Forge in Ben Wheeler and is available at Gallery 211 in Athens.
“I hope to represent the people of my district warmly honestly and accurately as well as maintain the ideals of my current party,” he said.
Learn more about Callaway on his Facebook page.
I said and wrote a note of how and what it takes to preserve bronze statues but no one contacted me.