Columns

Friday, October 21, 1960

   “Greater Wills Point United Fund climbed 21 per cent since last Thursday to reach 45 per cent of its goal, stated Dewitt Bateman, drive chairman.”

   “The Tigers will give their give their ancient arch rivals, the Edgewood Bulldogs, a taste of real football 1960 style, Saturday night when they clash at Brandon Field for the Bulldogs homecoming game.” (See newspaper for complete article.)

   “Jimmy Burch, 1960 graduate of Wills Point High School and Tiger football star, was elected co-captain of the freshman team at North Texas State College, Denton, last week, where he is attending on an athletic scholarship. Burch is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Burch.”

Friday, October 7, 1960:

“The Business and Professional Women’s Club met Monday evening in Wills Cabin for the first social of their new year. Mrs. Bill Courtney, president, welcomed the guests and all new members. Following invocation by Mrs. A.N. Herrin, a delicious dinner was served to the group cafeteria style by Mrs. Willie Arnett, Mrs. Joe Crow and Mrs. Emma T. Blasingame, hostesses.” (See newspaper for those in attendance.)

  “Chevrolet line for 1961, including trucks, Corvair and the regular passenger cars, are being displayed today at Queen City Chevrolet Co.’s open house. In addition to the completely new body styling, which provides easier loading for both passengers and baggage, the Chevrolet has many improvements.”

Monkey Business! If you're ready to find out about the business that monkeys take part in, come to Preschool Storytime 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 7. Miss Rhonda will be reading about monkeys at the Van Zandt County Library.

If your child is in the older group, Dog Days at the Library will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12. The children have a chance to read to the most patient and adorable audience ever- dogs.

For the adult library patron, at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10 the second Friends of the Library meeting will take place. Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett will be portraying Belle Wood, in a one-woman dramatization of the Diary of the Runaway Scrape of 1835.

Babies...nothing cuter! Whether you're looking at puppies, kittens, people or a baby giraffe that's taller than you, no one can resist those big innocent eyes and surely cuddling is in order. Carl Sandburg said, “A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.” This week's Preschool Storytime will feature “babies.”

The week's volunteer profile features Susan Evans. She followed her interest in reading into the library and has worked there for two years. She has a background working with computers, with an associates degree in computer aided design.

Working about four hours every week, Susan's jobs include shelving books and generally helping out where needed. Her least favorite part is dealing with the Dewey Decimal System as she shelves books. Thank you, Susan for all you do to help the staff and patrons of the library.

Friday, September 30, 1960

 Mrs. Troy Owens, president of the Wills Point Parent-Teachers Association stated today that a membership drive by the local organization will get underway here on October 3 and be concluded by the middle of the month. A contest will be conducted among the rooms for the greatest number of members and a prize will be awarded at the end of the membership campaign. A member of the membership committee will call on each grade to explain to the children about the contest and present them with an envelope to take home to their parents. Membership dues are 50 cents per person. 

 Fifty-four Van Zandt County 4-H Club members will receive awards at the annual 4-H Achievement and Awards Banquet to be held Nov. 12. 

Friday, September 23, 1960

   “Van, 15AA pre-season favorites, will invade Wills Point to clash with the Tiger squad tonight, in the local stadium. Both teams have a one win, two-loss record. Game time will be 8 o’clock. The Vandals are expected to put up a good fight, judging from the reports of the scouts. Coach Edsel Nix of Wills Point, said in order to beat the Vandal’s we’ll have to be up and at ‘em.”

  “Members of the Wills Point high school band elected officers Tuesday, Sept. 20. Serving the band, as president and vice president will be Sue Curtis and Carman Girdley. Other officers are Teena Wilson, secretary; Carolyn Robbins, treasurer, Sandra Sledge, reporter; and Carolyn Lang will represent the band in the Student Council.”

As a retired kindergarten teacher, I loved to gather the children around me and read to them. The interest and excitement that they displayed was such fun to see; and I admit, I felt like a kid again as I watched! If you haven't had the pleasure of being in a group of children as they listen to a story being read, put that on your bucket list.

Speaking of reading to children, at 10 a.m. this Friday, Sept. 23 during Preschool Storytime, Miss Rhonda will be reading stories about trucks and tractors. Most children love the noise and power of these vehicles; and I'm sure they will have lots of response as these books are read.

This week's volunteer profile is about Beth Muse who has volunteered for two years. The home-school mom, whose daughter Abigail is also a volunteer, began volunteering because of a love for the library and all it offers the community.

Bedtime—As a child, bedtime is a thing to dread, even fight against. As a parent, it's something to look forward to; but it's usually elusive, since there are so many things to finish before bedtime. As an older person, it finds me, as I fall asleep in the chair trying to read.

During this week's Preschool Storytime, Miss Rhonda will tackle the subject of “Bedtime.”

Come to the library at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sep. 16, and learn about bedtime as its presented in some of the library books.

While you're there, look for volunteer Brandie Flanagan. She has been volunteering for two years, as she wanted something to fill her time when her daughter started school; and her love of reading led her to the library. She hasn't always been a library volunteer or a mom. Brandie worked for 10 years as a paralegal after studying legal administration. 

Friday, Sept. 16, 1960:

                 Van Zandt County’s one million dollar road improvement bond election carried Saturday with an overwhelming majority. County Judge G.D. Staton reported today that 1178 voters favored the issue while only 249 voters cast ballots opposing the issue. Mr. Staton reported also that the bonds had been sold and after a 30 day waiting period required by the attorney general, work will get underway on the county roads.

Friday, Sept. 9, 1960

Weather Report: Following is the weather report for the week ending Sept. 8, as furnished by Jack Gibbard, co-operative observer of the National Bureau, Department of Agriculture: Temperature ranged from 100-101 for a high and 69-70 for a low from Sept. 2 to Sept. 8, partly cloudy, no precipitation.

Saturday Sept.10 will find qualified voters of Van Zandt County who own taxable property at the polls registering their desires on a proposed one million dollar bond election. The bond election is for the purpose of constructing new roads and improving existing roads in all areas of the county.