Lifestyle

The Wills Point Police Department received a donation of new stuffed animals from two local children to be given out by officers to children in need April 4. Joining WPPD officer Tyler Scott are Ryden Bronc Lovvorn and Kutter Titsworth.

Say Happy 97^th Birthday to Ruth Lowrie Bayless on April 10! No celebration will be held due to health reasons.

Sandy Hilliard, left, gave a plaque of appreciation to Billie Rose Floral owner Janis Brown for her contribution of blue ribbons in honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Brown said that she makes the bows out of blue ribbon each year and “loses count” on how many bows are made for Van Zandt County and will make them until the “ribbon runs out.”

Friends of the Van Zandt County Library have firmed up the design for the sign that will call attention to the Library, and fundraising has begun in earnest. 

One attorney made the initial donation of $500.  

The building has been at the present location nearly 25 years, and still people say,”I thought that was a residence.” 

Any contribution is welcome.  Be sure to mark your donation as “SIGN.”

And the work goes on!  The Van Zandt County Library is still operating on limited space. 

Actual flooring work is in progress, after a lot of time was spent moving books, shelves and computers. 

The Buchanan room is now serving as a temporary mini library with books, computers, the copy machine, newspapers and some magazines.  Until the flooring is completed, this is the situation.   Regular library open hours will be maintained.

The Friends of the Library did not meet on their regular March day as many of them are involved in the hard work part of the renovation.

Wills Point Middle School hosted its annual Donuts with Dads event prior to Spring Break March 9. This event allows for fathers who serve in the school's Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program to come spend to quality time with their students, and help them start off the day on a positive note. Assistant Principal Jeff Russell stated, "Thank you to all the father's that give of their time in order to impact not only their student, but all of the students at Wills Point Middle School."

The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society held its monthly meeting Feb. 27 in the Buchanan Room of the County Library. 

Guest speaker was John Nance who talked about the role of Jefferson during the Civil War.  It was a very interesting and informative program explaining the importance of protecting and operating the navigational port on the Big Cypress Bayou at Jefferson, society officials said.

Nance also gives historical tours on the Big Cypress Bayou riverboat in Jefferson.     

A 90^th birthday celebration honoring Mary Robertson will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at First Baptist Church in Canton.

The family invites friends and family to attend.  No gifts please.

It was Storytime ‘alfresco’ at the Van Zandt County Library March 4. 

Due to the renovations in the library the children enjoyed stories on the front porch. 

The stories read included “Pecos Bill Invents the 10-Gallon Hat” by Kevin Strauss. This is a hilarious tall tale about Pecos Bill and his horse, Lightning. 

Next was “There Once was a Cowpoke who Swallowed an Ant” by Helen Ketteman. This story is a play on the original story of the old woman who swallowed a fly. 

903-567-4276 is the phone number at the Van Zandt County Library. 

A pesky answering machine will answer, and it will give you lots of information on the status of the flooring project.  

Please kick the cat instead of blaming the staff for the inconveniences.

A “mini-library” is set up in the Buchanan Room.  Computers, the copy machine, some books, the newspapers and some magazines, and a couple of comfortable chairs will be available at regular Library hours until the renovation is completed.