Published: March 22, 2008 01:57 am            

Rolling toward a cure

Events to help wipe out polio

70th annual Dogwood Trails Celebration

PALESTINE — Looking for something different to do after the Dogwood Trails parade concludes this morning?

A local non-profit group has a pair of options — pumping a hand gang car along 320 feet of rail or getting a small first-hand taste of what being inside an “iron lung” felt like.

The yellow hand gang car, dubbed the “Thunderbird Eagle,” is owned by Hugh Summers and is similar to those used by the railroads in an earlier era. Between two and six people can stand on either end of the car, grasp the handles and pump the handles up and down to move the car around the custom-made track.

The iron lung is one of two owned by the Palestine Rotary Club, which uses them to remind people of the treatment polio victims underwent in order to breathe and survive the disease a few decades ago.

Both the hand gang car and the iron lung will be displayed on the Rotary Club’s parade entry, then will be removed and set up by the Union Pacific caboose at the Palestine Farmers Market and the Visitors Center between Spring Street and W. Oak Street.

Rather than setting a price, the group is asking for minimum donations, with the money to be given to the Rotarians for their efforts to eradicate polio world-wide, Summers said.

“Bill Gates donated $100 million to wipe out polio,” Summers said Friday afternoon as adult and Boy Scout volunteers assembled the track. “The Rotarians need to raise $100 million to match it. That’s the whole purpose for this.”

The group is suggesting a minimum donation of $1 per person to ride the hand gang car. For those wishing to race the car to see which team can record the fastest time around the track, suggested minimum donation is $6 per car, with between two and six people on board.

For those wishing to lay down inside the iron lung, suggested minimum donation is $5.

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70th annual Dogwood Trails Celebration

Today's Events

• Arts & Craft Fair — Historic downtown and Old Town Palestine. 9 a.m. Kids Zone with lots of activities for everyone. $1 donation benefiting non-profit organizations.

• Dogwood Trails Celebration Parade, 10 a.m., beginning at the Anderson County Courthouse and runs down Avenue A and W. Main Street.

• 23rd Annual Cars of Palestine Car Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., downtown behind the First Presbyterian Church on Spring Street.

• Live Entertainment, Family Stage 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sawdust Stage in the Hollow, noon to 6 p.m.

• Palestine Rangers Company, a cowboy re-enactment group from the period of 1873, will be presenting show in Old Town on Crawford Street each Saturday during Dogwood Trails. Starting at 9 a.m. with presentations off and on throughout the day.

• First Christian Church BBQ Dinner - 11am till sold out. 113 E. Crawford.

• Palestine Lodge No. 31, A.F. & A. M. BBQ Dinner - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., $5 plate with drink; corner of Debard and Queen streets.

• Howard House Museum Open House and Tours, noon to 4 p.m. Free admission.

• Sweet Dreams Winery, open Saturdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; CR 441, go Texas 155 North and turn on FM 315 North at FM 321 intersection, go 2.2 miles north to CR 444, turn right and then right at the end of 444 - turn right and see sign.Tastings for all available varieties are only $2.50. Sweet Dreams is located about 12 miles from town at 2549 ACR 441. Call for directions 903-549-2027. The Web site www.sweetdreamswinery.com has a map and more details.

• Texas State Railroad, Trains depart Palestine or Rusk Depot at 11 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. Call 903-683-2561 or 888-987-2461 for tickets or visit www.TexasStateRR.com for more information.

• Bea Maddo & The Creative Palettes: Art Show in the Museum for East Texas Culture Auditorium - 903-723-1914.

• Free driving tours of historic homes of Palestine - self guided or guided tours.

• Free tours of Davey Dogwood Park, self-guided or guided tours. For more information or guide assistance, call 903-723-3014 or 800-659-3484.

• Country Gospel Concert, 6 p.m., benefiting the Crisis Center for Anderson and Cherokee Counties. at Palestine Civic Center. This concert is presented by Homer Bentley and The Ray Brothers. The Ray Brothers are a local country gospel duo. They will be performing and also Mike Manuel country gospel singer from Nashville, Tenn.

• “Once Upon a Mattress,” presented by Palestine Community Theatre; Texas Theater, 213 W. Oak St., downtown Palestine; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; Tickets available at the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce; 903-729-6066.

        

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