Lifestyle

The Wills Point Chamber of Commerce hosted a special ribbon cutting for Ramsey’s Roadhouse and Pub located at 505 N. Fourth St. June 12. Linda Ramsey, owner of the business, did the honors as community members and Ramsey’s Roadhouse employees looked on.

Members of the Van Zandt County 4-H Project Club ended the ’14-15 year with a dinner and movie.

Pictured are Laci Randolph, Sabrina Swinford, graduating senior Kayla Barrentine, Alyse Randolph, Sierra Ross and new member Tessa Barrentine.  Not pictured is Emily Coval. The Club managers are Barbara Metch and Linda Teel. Members of the Club participated in 4-H projects, community service activities and leadership opportunities throughout the year.  

The Wills Point High School Graduating Class of 1955 held its 60th class reunion at Four Winds Steakhouse near Wills Point May 23 with a number of class members, their spouses and friends present.

Class members present were LaRea Loven Miller, Sylvia Wingo Huckabee, Hubert Armstrong, Winnell Furrh Mitchell, Joy Whitaker McClanahan, Judith Threatt Hollister, Betsy Campbell McNeill, Tommy Lamar, Judy McLeod Powers, James Ashworth, Joe David Day, Joe Bob Wilson, Jerry Brookins, and the class president, Gerald Clemmons, who made arrangements for the reunion.

Class members not present were Mildred Richardson Blandsett, Shirley Earnhart Glidden, Joyce Kent Hobbs, Dorothy York Hunt, Joyce Gramley Ragan, Rebecca Gullett Ramey, Charles Willis, and Carrel Wilson.

A celebration was held in honor of Margaret Dagley’s 94^th birthday June 6. Margaret was born June 7, 1921. 

Bob and Nancy Kapitan, Mary Glover and Frank and Inez Keller of Tyler took Margaret to a Terrell restaurant for dinner.  There was nice visiting and laughter, attendees said.

 Margaret was then taken to Garland to attend a David Allen (Elvis) concert.  David recognized Margaret’s birthday to the audience which brought a great applause.

Sunday morning, June 7, was a happy and surprising day for Mrs. Dagley, family members said.   

She attends Turner Baptist Church.  When she went into the church there she saw most of her family there to be with her. 

Margaret then headed to the Lumber Yard Café for lunch and a huge, beautiful birthday cake.  There was much laughter, visiting, picture taking and happy hearts, family members said.

Travis Thomas of Wills Point is a new member of the American Angus Association, reports Bryce Schumann, CEO of the national breed organization headquartered in Saint Joseph, Mo.

The American Angus Association, with nearly 24,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef breed association in the world. Its computerized records include detailed information on more than 17 million registered Angus.

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Roland Heddins of Fruitvale will present his program "Using Technology to Preserve our Past" at the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at the Van Zandt County library.

Heddins will be telling his own story of genealogical research and how he has used photography, audio recording, videography, video production and the Internet to preserve his family history as well as the stories and memories of many of his elderly relatives over the years.

Heddins will also talk about his use of computer graphics scanning and editing software to restore, enhance and share a large collection of old family photographs.

Born in 1960 to Van Zandt County native, Charles R. Heddins and Sulphur, La. native, Barbara (Daigle) Heddins, in Lake Charles, La., he has Van Zandt County and East Texas family roots dating back to the early 1850s.

The Children’s Advocacy Center raised almost $7,000 dollars at their annual Superhero 5k Run thanks to more than 75 runners and a host of sponsors and volunteers.

Funds will be used to support direct service programs including the forensic interviews, family advocacy, counseling program and student/teacher education, center officials said.

First-place runners included Chris Hensley, top male  and Taylor Tidwell, top female. 

Dozens of children also participated in the Kids’ 100 yard dash and played in the bounce houses, supplied by Ryan Williams of Jumpin’ Fun Inflatables.

Safety was provided by Canton Police Department, The Van Zandt County Emergency Management staff and Champion EMS. 

The advocacy center said they wanted to issue a special thanks to all the volunteers, especially Bikers Against Child Abuse, the Canton High School Interact Club and the Wills Point Cheerleaders and Canton High School for the use of Eagle Stadium.

Tag and his handler Kimberli Leas recently passed the handling portion of their Therapy Dogs Inc. test in their quest to become members of the Van Zandt County Therapy Dog Team. They will be proceeding on three observed tests and will then become the 11th local therapy team bringing miles of smiles to residents throughout our county, according to coordinator Vickie Ragle. 

Mary Jane Hollowell, of Grand Saline, recently honored the Van Zandt County Historical Commission with a large collection of memorabilia of her husband, the late Bill Hollowell.  The collection included many items acquired during Hollowell’s 14 terms of service in the Texas State legislature.  Bill Hollowell served on various committees and was senior member of the House when he retired in 1991.  After retirement, he practiced law in Grand Saline and worked for Congressman Ralph Hall in Washington D.C. for a short period of time.

The collection includes several gavels used in the legislature, framed legislature photographs and certificates, scrapbook of photos and newspaper articles, as well as military medals from his time of service in the Texas Army and Air National Guard.