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My name is Mark Thompson, and I am running for the open Van City Council Place # 4 seat. I’m married to Lori, my wife of 44 years. We moved here from Central America in 2005 after seven years on the mission field with Mercy Ships. We have four adult children, all of whom have attended Van ISD. Our youngest both graduated from Van HS. We also have four grandchildren living here in Van.

In late December 2021, the Texas Department of Public Safety released information regarding a two-vehicle crash that took the life of a Van Zandt County teen Taylor Raper, 18, of Canton. According to reports, around 10:10 a.m., Friday, Dec.

Paula Marshall and the Van Zandt County Master Gardeners along with VZC Veterans Memorial Board Director Dan Curtis and the Volunteer Missionaries from the Church of the Latter-Day Saints have begun a landscaping project to beautify the Veterans Memorial flag area on the plaza of the Veterans Memorial. The volunteers will be spending the next several weeks beautifying the much-needed upgrade to the landscape around our flagpole. “There will be beautiful spring flowers and fresh low maintenance landscaping before Memorial Day,” said Paula Marshall. thank you to all our gracious volunteers. A special thanks to Bob Reese Team of RE/MAX Landmark for sponsoring the Flag Landscaping project. For more information contact Phil Smith, PR Director, VZC Veterans Memorial 972-896-0776. Photos by Phil Sith

Quiet settled over the barn. With the rest of her family at work, Shelley Morgan was by herself taking care of the horses.

Confederate Rose 2548, United Daughters of the Confederacy in Mabank held a scholarship fundraiser on April 9, in the community room of the Tri-County Library in Mabank. The Chapter surpassed its goal for the fundraiser, with donations and guests from the Tri County area of Henderson, Kaufman and Van Zandt, and across the State of Texas. Members and guests were honored to have the UDC Texas Division President, Tami Hurley, in attendance. The group enjoyed the renowned speaker Scott Bowden, a 14-time award-winning author of 28 published titles connected to Napoleonic and American military history. His current work projects include the groundbreaking multi-volume series, “Robert E. Lee at War: The Mind and Method of a Great American Soldier,” as well as several titles connected to the Napoleonic wars. His latest release (August 2021) is titled, “Lone Star Flag to the Top: Robert E. Lee and the Texas Brigade at Gettysburg.” Mr. Bowden spoke on Robert E. Lee -- Tragic Sucessionist, Great Captain Robert E. Lee – his beliefs, his background, his leadership and his place in history and our hearts. Members and guests listened to interesting, little-known and sometimes surprising facts about Robert E. Lee. The group also enjoyed the beautiful display some of Mr. Bowden’s latest books. Following the program, he answered questions and signed books for the group. Confederate Rose 2548 will be announcing and awarding the scholarship to a deserving 2022 graduate with a reception in May of this year.

The annual Decoration Day for the Union Chapel Cemetery will be held Friday, April 29, at the cemetery located at State Highway 110, approximately three miles east of Van. A barbecue brisket lunch will be offered for sale, and a bake sale and an open business meeting will also be held.

Farmer’s Market opens for season The downtown Canton Farmer’s Market will hold its opening day of the season on Saturday, April 23, in downtown Canton. The local producers-only market will be held at 202 N.

Free coffee, donuts and pigs in blanket for all veterans and spouses are offered every Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m. at the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial office.