Columns

Recently I was approached by a Global War on Terror (GWOT) Veteran needing a place to live. The Regular Army (RA) Veteran, we will just call RA, was in immediate need of a place to live.

Being a fellow RA combat Veteran, I decided to do something to help and allowed RA to move into an unoccupied rental property during April at no cost other than utilities.

I explained clearly to RA the lease for the property would begin in May with rent and security deposit due upon signing the lease, which was provided to RA the last week of April.

To read the full article, subscribe to the Wills Point Chronicle or pick up a copy from one of our vendors.

Boy Scouts learn to make waterproof matches, so it isn’t rocket science. If you’re going to be doing any camping, hunting, or fishing, learning to waterproof matches is a skill you need.

The first and most important thing is to get the right matches. You must have “Strike Anywhere” wooden matches.

You can tell them from any other kind of matches because they have a bright red head with a white tip.

The white tip is a phosphorus compound that will burn from friction. When it burns, it ignites the red compound, which in turn starts the wooden matchstick burning.

The bigger the white spot on the tip, the better that match will light. “Strike Anywhere” matches are about 2-1/4 inches long.

About the same size, and in the same size box, you can find “Strike on Box” wooden matches.

This July 28, 1961, edition of the Wills Point Chronicle is “Lake Tawakoni” edition. Merchants, and business and professional people throughout their advertisements welcome sportsmen to the Lake and to Wills Point. The lake officially opens August 1. This issue includes a complete map of the lake and surrounding area.

Miss Glieth James, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.M. James will represent Wills Point at the formal opening of Lake Tawakoni on Tuesday, August 1. “Miss Wills Point will be a member of the senior class when school opens this fall.

Friday, July 21, 1961

  Swimming contest is slated tonight (Friday) at Wills Point’s new pool beginning at 7:30 o’clock according to Mark Ashworth, manager. Mr. Ashworth who has been in charge of the summer recreation swimming program, said the contest is not limited to those participating in the program, but is open to everyone through 16 years of age. The competition will be split in two age groups, 12 and under and 13 through 16. Groups will also be divided into boys and girls divisions. There will be no entry fee, however, admission of 15 cents will be charged for participants.

  College Station:  William F. McFarland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Grady McFarland of Wills Point, has been designated Distinguished Student at Texas A and M College for the spring semester 1961.

Friday, July 14, 1961

  Open house honoring Mr. and Mrs. Green Evans was held at their home in the Board community on July 2, marking the 50^th anniversary of their marriage. Green Evans and Miss Elsie McEnturff were married on Sunday, July 2, 1911, at the home of minister, Rev. Jeff McBride in the Bright Star community. Rev. McBride also had united the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. McEnturff. Assisting with the house party were Mrs. Evans’ sister, Mrs. Ada Stewart of Edgewood, her niece, Mrs. Martin Malone, Wills Point, and her neighbor, Mrs. Russell Scott. (See newspaper for complete article.)

It comes down to this: In an emergency or a disaster when no internal combustion-engined vehicles are available, would you rather walk or ride a bike? I’ll take the bike!

At home I have more than a dozen bicycles. I fix up bicycles and give them to kids. That means I have good bicycles, fair bicycles, parts bicycles, and parts of bicycles. It doesn’t take mechanical genius to work on a bicycle. Probably most of you reading this article know how to fix a bicycle tire, tighten a chain, adjust a brake, etc. Bicycles are easy to fix.

It’s possible that these skills, and the bicycles, might be valuable someday. I have a friend whose driver’s license was suspended. I gave him a 10-speed bicycle, and he used it for six months. He told me what he learned.

Friday, July 7, 1961

Members of the graduating class of 1941 of the Wills Point High School bought four redwood benches and have placed them around the swimming pool at the city park, according to an announcement by one member of the class. A reunion of the class members was held recently and after the expenses were paid, their treasury had funds left sufficient to pay for the benches.

Reagan James, president of the Wills Point Riding and Roping Club has announced that the club will hold its three-day rodeo next week, July 13,14 and 15. “The show was postponed in June due to rains, but we are planning to make this one of the biggest and best shows in the area.” Mr. James stated.

Friday, June 30, 1961

  Little Leaguers No. 1 won their first game of the season Monday night on the Wills Point field by taking a 4 to 2 win over Canton. At the end of the sixth, the score was tied 2-2, and another inning was played to break the tie. Evans relieved Kinney at the pitcher’s mound after the sixth, Evans struck out the next three up to bat. Warner led off with a walk, Roberts singled and Laney doubled to drive in the two winning runs.

  James Travis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Travis of the Bethlehem community, a junior student at Southern Methodist University was named on the Dean’s list. He is a 1959 graduate of the Wills Point High School. He attends SMU on an athletic scholarship and is an accountant major.

Do you believe in magic?” as the song goes. Dictionary.com defines magic as “the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.” This Friday, June 23 at 10 a.m. James Wand will appear at the Van Zandt County Library in his “James Wand Secret Agent Magic Show.” The super spy's magical show includes clues, secret codes and lots of magic as the children help him on a top secret mission. He will show the audience, Pre-K through sixth grade, that the most important skills a secret agent needs are reading and writing. They will be motivated to excel in these skills.

Friday, June 16, 1961