September 2022

According to Gallup’s 2021 Economy and Personal Finance survey, the average individual in the United States is retiring earlier than many people might expect. Gallup found that the average retirement age was 62, which is two years earlier than the working respondents indicated they planned to retire. Canadians are retiring a little bit later than their American counterparts, as Statistics Canada reports the average retirement age in Canada is just over 63 and a half. The average retirement age is worth noting, as studies routinely find that many working professionals greatest concern about retiring is that they won’t have enough money saved to meet their needs. By recognizing that they may end up retiring earlier than they initially planned, professionals can make a concerted effort to save more money in the years ahead.

Rising prices affect all of us, but are particularly challenging for older adults on fixed incomes. Approximately one in 10 persons rely on Social Security only and received a 2022 cost of living increase that’s well below the inflation rate.

Funeral services for Shirley Jean Valentine, 87, of Edgewood, were held on Sept. 6, 2022, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Edgewood.

Funeral services for Sylvia Gladys Ramzy, 90, of Edgewood, are scheduled for 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at Bright Star Baptist Church in Wills Point.

James Robertson of Garland passed away Sept. 2, 2022.

With a winning percentage of 74, Rob Driskill of Van is the winner of Football Contest No. 1 in the Van Zandt News.

DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com The Edgewood Lady Dogs played host to some of the top volleyball programs from across the area last week, hosting teams from Blue Ridge, Westwood, Sulphur Springs, Miller Grove, Canton, Brownsboro, Caddo Mills, Van, Cayuga, Farmersville and Wills Point for their annual varsity tournament. Edgewood has been no stranger to tournament success this season, winning first overall at the Chuck Powers Invitational Tournament in Eustace Aug.

Van Zandt County was well represented at Kaufman’s annual Run with the Lions event last week with four schools, Canton, Fruitvale, Martins Mill and Wills Point, all entered to compete. Individual varsity boys results included: -Canton: Kevin Velazquez, 12th, 18:13.79; Cooper Behrend, 77th, 20:21.52; Riley Smith, 81st, 20:24.48; Rocco Foley, 84th, 20:31.45 -Martins Mill: Justin Orlando, 78th, 20:22.58; Andrew Parker, 143rd, 23:48.94; Isaiah Skinner, 150th, 25:11.12 -Wills Point: Avery Brown, eighth, 17:07.94; Sebastian King, 29th, 18:50.49; Michael Jenkins, 44th, 19:23.78; Martin Luna, 67th, 20:04.78; James Nichols, 73rd, 20:15.58 Individual varsity girls results included: -Canton: Lana Stapleton, fourth, 13:17.89; Graycee Wilson, seventh, 13:27.54; KeAna Whitlock, 50th, 15:22.09; Mykah Mebane, 57th, 15:35.32; Kate Wallis, 58th, 15:35.73; Olivia Freeman, 113th, 18:55.5 -Martins Mill: Mattie Burns, 17th, 14:08.75; Neveah Smith, 116th, 19:05.22 -Wills Point: Catherine Dixon, 44th, 15:15.08; Madison Egenbacher, 47th, 15:17.17; Stephanie Arvisu, 65th, 16:03.27; Lexi Taylor, 71st, 16:25.38; Hallie Lovvorn, 83rd, 17:05.17 Individual JV boys results included: -Canton: Zack Seyffert, fifth, 19:42.19; Bryce Mebane, 50th, 22:21.27; Tucker Brown, 66th, 22:46.72; Kaden Nichols, 106th, 25:15.77; Logan Glasscock, 115th, 27:44.48 -Fruitvale: Micheal Hale, 114th, 27:24.6 -Wills Point: Ethan Kornegay, 14th, 20:15.31; Sheldon Taylor, 15th, 20:18.36; Andrew Hammons, 45th, 22:10.5; Cameron Greene, 68th, 22:47.37; Logan Wells, 84th, 23:36.74 Individual JV girls results included: -Canton: Justynne Earl, 12th, 15:53.17; Hailee Peffer, 30th, 16:55.97;; Caroline Freeman, 53rd; 18:59.72 -Fruitvale: Brooklyn Brown, sixth, 15:20.13; Rylie Owens, 24th, 16:30.56; Ashlynn Swallow, 69th, 21:04.03; Danica Brown, 80th, 22:47.04 -Wills Point: Zarena Martinez, third, 14:37.07; Allison Lopez, eighth, 15:40.4; Mia Kedlarchuk, 14th, 15:57.92; Isabella Dixon, 17th, 16:06.17; Samantha Ortiz, 29th, 16:53.68; Erin Thornton, 36th, 17:19.75; Audree Mills, 44th, 18:08.06; Janie Olvera, 56th, 19:06.42; Ashley Leonhart, 77th, 21:48.28 Cameron Greene and the rest of the Wills Point cross country program began their season at Kaufman’s annual Run with the Lions event Aug.