Published: November 02, 2008 01:08 am      

Local briefs for 11-2-08

Monday workshop on hypertension set

Hypertension — high blood pressure—is one of the most serious diseases in the U.S. It contributes to almost 900,000 deaths a year costing billions of dollars.

Many deaths can be prevented if hypertension is found early and managed properly. The good news is that over the past 20 to 25 years stroke deaths have decreased by about 60 percent, and deaths caused by heart disease have decreased by more than 50 percent.

Much of this increase in life span can be attributed to earlier and better treatment of high blood pressure.

Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living (PRCIL) will be hosting a Hypertension workshop at 10 a.m. Monday.

Join Gerri Simpson with Crown Health Services for the presentation.

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



GOP election party Tuesday

The Anderson County Republican Party will host an election victory party on Tuesday at the Republican Headquarters at 515 N. Church St.

There will be national, state and local results viewed via satellite. Refreshments will be available.



Library book sale set for weekend

The Friends of the Library will hold a book sale at the Palestine Public Library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

There are books for every age group and interest.

A pre-sale will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday for Friends of the Library members.

Membership forms are available at the library. Money raised from the book sale is used to fund projects for the library including software purchases, landscaping and the children's summer program.



Friday Night fun planned

Any elementary age student ages six and above are welcome to a night of food, fun, fellowship and games (sleep is optional) Nov. 7-8 at Candy Cane Corner. Drop off time is at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 and pick up time is at 9 a.m. Nov. 8. The cost is $25 per child.

All are welcome to join the adult staff for these activities. Bring your own sleepwear, sleeping bag and pillow. Pizza will be served for dinner and breakfast will include donuts and juice.

Enrollment is limited. Pre-registration is encouraged by calling Candy Cane at 903-723-8822 to reserve your child or children a spot. This will be a once a month opportunity. Each parent must fill out an Emergency/Contact Information form for each child prior to attendance. Call Candy Cane Center for questions or more information.



Smith Chapel to honor pastor

The Smith Chapel Church of God In Christ family will honor its pastor and wife, the Rev. and Mrs. Milton Algood for 10 years of service beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Rev. David Algood, pastor of Inspiration Point Church of Houston, will be the special guest speaker.



Turkey drawing at Candy Cane

Candy Cane Corner will be conducting a $1 per ticket drawing for one lucky winner to receive a Greenburg Turkey just in time for Thanksgiving.

The drawing began on Oct. 27 and the winner will be drawn on Nov. 14, just in time for the turkey to be delivered to you in time for Thanksgiving. You do not have to be present to win. The winner will be notified.

Any number of tickets may be purchased by stopping by Candy Cane Corner located at 4013 W. Oak St. or by calling the center at 903-723-8822 for additional information.



Turkey bingo planned Nov. 18

The Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Columbus #1323 will have Turkey Bingo beginning at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Knights of Columbus Hall located on Line Street.

A cake auction also will be held.

The cost is $7 per ticket.



125th anniversary at Westwood UMC

Westwood United Methodist Church will celebrate its 125th anniversary at 10:50 a.m. Sunday.

Fellowship is held between 9:30 to 9:50 a.m. for coffee, donuts, and fellowship. Sunday school classes will start at 9:50 a.m.



Fort Houston DRT to meet

The Fort Houston Chapter of Daughters of the Republic of Texas will hold its regular monthly meeting Thursday in the private dining room at the Downtown Bistro. Members should be there by 11 a.m. in order to finish lunch in time for the meeting at noon.

All local members are encouraged to attend.



Newcomers Club meeting planned

The Newcomers Club coffee will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, . The event will be hosted by Laura Bates in her home at 101 St. Andrews Drive, Palestine. The club's coffee cup sign in the front yard will designate the home.

All members are encouraged to attend and bring a guest. The Newcomers club has a tradition of welcoming all newcomers to the community through fellowship.



Episcopal Church Women meet

The regular meeting of the Episcopal Church Women of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church was held in the parish hall on Oct. 14. Fourteen members and one guest attended. The hostesses were Jeanette George, Sara Minton, and TomE’ Gregg.

President George called the meeting to order with the ECW Prayer.

Linda Walton introduced Helen Walters, a member of the Dallas Church of the Incarnation and also Diocesan President of the Daughters of the King. She is a former DISD Teacher of the Year as well as the author of two books entitled “Growing in the Shadow of His Wings” and “A Basket of Strawberries.” Mrs. Walters presented a program on the many different names of God that can be found in the book of Psalms. She also passed out helpful information on this subject.

After the program, Beverly Beck gave a devotional entitled “The Character of God.”

The president announced that the budget would be reviewed after Francis Williams asked if all items on the budget had been fulfilled.

Linda Walton asked for help in putting labels on bottles of water to be passed out during Fall Fest on Oct. 25. Members were also asked to sign up to help with the Church Garage Sale the same day.

A nominating committee of Beverly Beck, Marilee Rogers, TomE’ Gregg, and Ann Skelton were appointed by the president.

The next meeting will be on Nov. 11 hosted by Joann Evans and Eleanor Eilenberger.

The meeting adjourned with members reciting the ECW charge.



Cayuga Project Grad meeting

The Cayuga ISD Project Graduation parents and students will hold their next meeting at 6 p.m. Monday the Elementary Library. All parents of graduating Seniors are urged to attend. All pledge monies are due at this time.

The money raising projects that have been approved are a drawing for an iPod touch 16GB/ 3,500 songs/20 hour Video. Drawing for this item to be held on December 16, 2008.

The second item is a Deer Rifle, Savage243, Bolt Action/synthetic stock Simmons Scope 3-9X40 and Camouflage Case. Drawing for this item will be Dec. 15. Tickets are five dollars each or five tickets for $20.

For more information contact: Linda McNeill at (903) 729-1641 or Susie Sharp at (903) 731-9124.



Marriage class volunteers needed

Your help is needed to make sure that marriage is alive and strong in our community.

Healthy Marriage classes are being planned in Cherokee and Anderson Counties in an effort to reduce the number of marriages ending in divorce, and reduce stress in marriages that leads to family violence.

Couples completing the class will receive a certificate to save $60 on their marriage license.

Volunteers are needed to lead these classes, and the training is free.

Roger Pharr, of the Crisis Center says that this is something that any individual or couple can do to help their community.

“These classes are so full of information that would help any marriage. But they are DVD driven, which means that the leader basically leads a discussion about what was viewed on the DVD. If you can read, you can lead!” said Pharr.

The training session is only 1 1/2 hours long.

A training will be held at the Crisis Center office in each county. Please register by calling the office nearest you.

● Jacksonville Training — 6 p.m. Nov. 10 (700 E. Cherokee St.) 903-586-9118

● Palestine Training — 6 p.m. Nov. 11 (313 W. Debard St.) 903-723-5858.



Retired teachers to meet Tuesday

Anderson County Retired Teachers Association will meet Tuesday with the Smith County Retired Educators in Tyler.

Guest speaker is Tim Lee, Texas Retired Teachers Association Executive Director. He will speak at 2 p.m. at the Jim Plyler Complex.

Anderson County RTA plans to meet at the First Baptist Church parking lot at 10:15 a.m. and leave at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be Dutch Treat at Luby’s near the mall, then go to the Jim Plyler Complex for the meeting.

Retired Texas school personnel living in Anderson County are urged to participate in the RTA.

For more information call 903-723-2176.