May 2022

Union Grove Cemetery, Inc in Wills Point will have its annual meeting on Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m. “We will recognize our veterans, have a short program, have our annual meeting, and join together for lunch under the pavilion. We are proud of Union Grove and would appreciate any donation to maintain this beautiful countryside cemetery. Donations can be made to Union Grove Cemetery, P. O. Box 722, Wills Point, Texas 75169,” stated cemetery officials

The City of Van and the Van EDC (Economic Development Corporation) are sponsoring ‘3rd Thursdays with Erin York’ featuring an ‘Open Mic Night’ at The Movie House in downtown Van. The first ‘Open Mic Night’ was held May 19.

The Canton athletic program was well represented in Austin May 12 with three different athletes, Hannah Cade, Preston Yarber and Jaxson Hubble, qualifying to compete at this year’s Class 4A State Track and Field Meet May 12-13.

The 5 th annual Tiger Supply Run, benefitting the Wills Point ISD Back-to-School Fair, will return to the Gospel for Asia campus located at 1116 St. Thomas Way in Wills Point June 11.

The Fruitvale Lady Cats entered the softball season looking for a fresh start after coming off a 1-18 campaign the previous year. Fruitvale more than accomplished that feat, improving their overall record to 19-10 while also climbing up to 9 th in the state according to the most recent 1A softball rankings.

Martins Mill standout Mia Nixon made what has become a familiar season-closing trip to Austin last week, wrapping up one of the most decorated careers of any Van Zandt County athlete at the Class 2A State Golf Tournament.

The other day, as Freida and I headed to Dallas to celebrate our grandson completing his first trip around the Sun, a thought struck me. And that thought had to do with the center stripe painted on the highway — a line directing my path, signaling me not to stray across it without taking precautions. Then other lines holding sway over our daily lives came to mind. Lines like the one we sign our name on to pay a bill, or take title to a home, or apply for a fishing license. And there’s the line Johnny Cash sang about in “I Walk the Line.” Staying true to that course through five decades of wedded life has been my joy. And then there are lines such as Col. William Travis drew in the Alamo’s dust after Santa Ana demanded surrender or death. Roughly 200 brave Texans stepped over that line, thus entering history as slain heroes. That’s when lines on a map, boundary lines to be precise, gripped me.

You actually did it. You won the election.

Spring is well into bloom and while Cherry Creek and the Old City Lake are both great parks, have you ever stepped foot into the park at Mill Creek Reservoir? Down Arnold Paul Road, you may be surprised to find a city park that offers a completely different experience compared to the other two parks. At Cherry Creek Park you will find a very kid-friendly park which has an awesome playground and paved walking trail all connecting to Old City Lake Park, which offers recreation opportunities of all kinds such as baseball, tennis, soccer, and basketball. At Mill Creek Lake Park you will find an experience that satisfies the outdoor enthusiast.

Sheryl Braxton, a veteran’s widow, middle, who is raising her grandkids ages 2, 4 and 5, received a van with the help of Help 4 Heroes USA organization. Presenting the van to Braxton are left, Ron Gowin and far right, Sarah Clayton of State Farm.