Published: July 05, 2008 11:14 pm      

Local briefs for 7-6-08

NAACP sets meeting Tuesday

The Palestine/ Anderson County NAACP will host its monthly general meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church. The church is located on 708 S. St.

Agenda items are the reading of local bylaws, reviewing of the biannual election procedures and a special session on “ideas and issues.” In this session participants will have the floor to raise their concerns.

All members should bring a friend.

For any additional information contact the assistant secretary at 903-389-2569.



Bereavement group to meet

Hospice of East Texas will be having a Bereavement Support group on the first Tuesday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. at the Palestine Rehab Hospice in the Dogwood Room.

There is no cost and the meeting is open to all persons wishing to talk with others about their loss.



AARP drive course offered

A two day AARP Driver Safety Program will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. July 7-8 at First Christian Church located at 113 E. Crawford St.

The refresher course is designed for drivers 50 years of age and older, but is open to anyone.

The cost of the course is $10 per person.

Attendees may qualify for reductions in automobile insurance premiums for three years upon successful completion of the course. For more information, call l903-723-7155.



Meals on Wheels offering trip

Meals on Wheels and the Palestine Senior Activity Center is sponsoring a trip to Branson, Missouri from Oct. 1-5. The bus will depart from and return to the senior center at 125 Kickapoo St. Included in the cost of the trip is four nights lodging in Branson, transportation by Deluxe Motorcoach, Chuck’s Travel; eight meals and all entry fees to all attractions including gratuities. The attractions in the tour will include RFD TV Theater; Lost in the 50’s Show with The Platter’s; Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater Show, The Twelve Irish Tenors Show; Dinner and Show on the Showboat Branson Belle, with a cruise on Lake Tannicomo; Tram Ride and Picnic in Dogwood Canyon Wildlife Park; Tram Ride through Fantastic Caverns; visit to the Titanic Museum and the most fabulous show “Noah” at the Millenium Theater.

If you have never been to Branson, this is the tour to go on. If you have been to Branson before, this tour is totally different than any you have ever been on. The Millenium Theater just opened this past April. This is a fantastic theater that wraps around the audience for a maximum experience. The production uses live animals as well as mechanical animals. The show tells the Biblical story of Noah. The Titanic Museum features complete sets from the Titanic movie, including the grand staircase and ballroom, as well as costumes from the movie.

For information, call 903-729-0255.



Cemetery meeting set

The historic Blackshear Cemetery Association will have a fund-raising event at 2 p.m. July 20 at New Canaan Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dennis Smith is the pastor.

Guest speaker for this event will be Reginald Browne, Jr. He is the son of the late Reginald Browne Sr., the former Anderson County Precinct No. 2 Commissioner.

The cemetery, established in the 1890s, will be the topic of a fund-raiser and cemetery information-sharing event sponsored by the Blackshear Cemetery Association as participants in the Texas Historical Commission's (THC) Record, Investigate, Protect (RIP) Guardian program. Interested community members and volunteers are encouraged to participate.

New Canaan Baptist Church is located at ACR 359 at ACR 3591 (Old Frankston Road).

Call Carl Simon at 817-271-4215 for further information

If you are unable to attend, please send a donation of $ 25 or more, by check or money order. Please make it payable to the Blackshear Cemetery Fund. Mail to: Carl Simon, 8100 Shoshoni Dr., Arlington, Texas 76002.



Nutrition class offered Thursday

Fats, which ones are good for our bodies and which ones should we avoid? With so much talk in the media about fats and all the different types that exist, is it any wonder people are confused about which fats are good and which fats are bad?

To learn more about hidden fats in your diet, join Gerri Simpson of Crown Health Services at the Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living at 2 p.m. Thursday.

For more information, contact Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living, 421 Avenue A., 903-729-7505, 1-888-326-5166 (toll-free long distance).



Blueberries health program

July is the best month of the year to sing praises to the blues — blueberries, that is — because July is the peak month for fresh blueberries. This tiny fruit is your blueprint for success when it comes to nutrition, economy, and good taste.

Join County Extension Agent Holly Black at 2 p.m. July 15 to learn the nutritional benefits of blueberries, plus sample a tasty dish and receive easy nutritious recipes.

For more information, contact Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living, 421 Avenue A., 903-729-7505, 1-888-326-5166 (toll-free long distance).



First aid course offered

JACKSONVILLE—Lon Morris College will be offering a First Aid/CPR certification course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for $75. The course instructor is Chuck Roper.

For more information or to register, please visit the Lon Morris Camp & Outreach Web page at www.lonmorris.edu/campandoutreach or contact Amanda Holloway by email at aholloway@lonmorris.edu or by phone at 903-589-4065.



DAV to meet Saturday

The Disabled American Veterans will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Disabled American Veterans Hall located at 927 Gardner Drive, Palestine, Texas.

“We realize that it's summer time and everyone has other plans but please don't forget that the needs of disabled veterans continues. We need you participation to help our fellow disabled veterans obtain the appropriate services. As always we are actively seeking new members for our organization,” a press release said.

A free breakfast will be available at 9 am. All veterans and other guests are welcome.

If you have any questions or need further information, call Gordon Brett at 903-922-2693.



Veterans groups plan meetings

The Vietnam Veterans of America Dogwood Chapter No. 991 and the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Disabled American Veterans Hall, located at 927 Gardner Dr. in Palestine.

Just a reminder that the deadline for donations on the raffle for the M-14 rifle will be Nov. 11, Veterans Day. Sounds like a long way away but it will be here before we know it.

Please come visit with us! Our membership is open to U.S. armed forces veterans who served on active duty (for other than training purposes) in the Republic of Vietnam between Feb. 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between Aug. 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975. There will be a special guest at the month's meeting so be sure and attend. Come early, have a cup of coffee and good conversation. Spouses and other guests are welcome. For more information, call Allan Ayo 903-322-4850.



Free health screenings set

Hypertension — high blood pressure — is one of the most serious diseases in the US. It contributes directly or indirectly to almost 900,000 deaths a year costing many billions of dollars a year. Many deaths can be prevented if hypertension is found early and managed properly. Often, individuals with high blood pressure also have diabetes. Approximately 15 to 20 million Americans and about 200 million people worldwide have diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of heart, kidney, and brain disease. If someone has hypertension and diabetes, his/her risk is greatly increased.

The good news is that if high blood pressure and diabetes can be diagnosed and treated early, the individual’s quality of life may be greatly improved and their life span increased.

Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living will host a free high blood pressure and diabetes screenings on July 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16 from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Randall Peay, R.N. with University of Texas School of Nursing will be performing the screenings. For more accurate blood sugar results, one must be fasting prior to testing.

For information, contact PRCIL at 903-729-7505.