Lifestyle

A 50th wedding anniversary celebration will be held honoring Bobby and Mary Williams at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 4. The celebration will be held at Serenity Springs, 3865 Farm-to-Market 858, Ben Wheeler. The celebration is given by their children and guests are asked not to bring gifts.

The city of Wills Point will once again serve as the central hub for area Juneteenth activities, playing host to the largest Juneteenth celebration in the area June 18. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Adults confront various age-related side effects as they transition from middle age to their golden years. Skin may begin to wrinkle and hair may turn gray, but those are just the visible side effects of aging. Many additional effects are unseen, but those changes can have a profound effect on adults’ quality of life.

If asked to describe how they envision retirement, many professionals might reference travel, time spent with grandchildren and various recreational pursuits. Few, if any, would mention cognitive decline. However, cognitive decline poses a significant threat to aging men and women, especially during retirement.

Longtime Van High School Counselor Bill Giles shakes hands with representatives from UT Tyler on the announcement of a new scholarship program for VISD students. Van ISD has announced a new tuition assistance program with the UT Tyler Promise Plus Program (to pair with the current Van ISD TJC Promise Scholarship). The program will enable eligible Van ISD students to have an opportunity to get a four-year college degree paid in full. Courtesy photo

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.

The members of the Martin’s Hundred Chapter, Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, met at the Tri-County Library Community Room in Mabank March 24. Present at the meeting in person and via Zoom were: JoAnn Bowman, Sandra Conley, Lana Filgo, Ruth Shelton, Becky Rosson, K.

The James Pinckney Henderson Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, met on March 26 at the Van Zandt County Library in the Buchanan Room in Canton, Texas. Present at the meeting in person and via Zoom were Roseann Ward, Sherrie Archer, Benja Mize, Carol Powell, Pat Thibodeau, Wenonah Wilson and Carrie Anne Wil son-Woolverton.

A free family research workshop focusing on computer research, will be held Saturday, April 9, from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Van Zandt County Library, at 317 First Monday Lane, Canton. This yearly event, hosted by the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, addresses beginner genealogists’ questions, but will have plenty of information for advanced genealogists.