Singles and seniors
Singles and seniors – meet for fellowship, fun and games at 1 p.m. each Monday at the Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church fellowship hall in Tool. Refreshments are served. All singles and seniors from around the lake are invited. Monthly outings, breakfast and occasional parties are planned. For information call (903) 432-2688 or (903) 887-1680.

Methodist OWLS study
Mabank First United Methodist Church OWLS (Older, Wiser, Loving Seniors) are sponsoring “From Age-ing to Sage-ing,” a study by Zalman Schichter-Shalome and Ronald S. Miller, taught by the Rev. Eston Williams, pastor of Aley UMC. Four sessions are planned for 7 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 7, 21, 28 and March 7, at Mabank FUMC. Free except for study book.

Garden workshop
Kaufman County Master Gardener Margaret Ann Trail is presenting a short workshop on maintaining and cutting back ornamental grasses at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7. The event, weather permitting, will be in front of the Garden Learning Center at the Kaufman County south annex (old jail), 3003 S. Washington. For information call The Texas AgriLife Extension Office at (972) 932-9069.

Spanish Shores Señoras
The Spanish Shores Señoras will meet Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the home of Mina McDonalds. Joe M. will provide the entertainment.

Rose pruning workshop
Master Gardener Debra Middleton will present a workshop on pruning roses, which should be done in February. The workshop is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the EarthKind Rose Trial Garden located in front of the Kaufman County AgriLife Extension Office at 2471 North SH 34.
For information call the Extension office at (972) 932-9069.

CCL Literary Club
The Literary Club of Cedar Creek Lake meets Tuesday, Feb. 8, starting with refreshments at 9:30 a.m. at The Library at Cedar Creek Lake, Seven Points. Rose-Mary Rumbley will present the “History of the Comic Strip.”
Guests are welcome, and for information on membership, call Ruth Pimm at (903) 778-4752.

Wild Olive Branch sale
The Wild Olive Branch Ministry is hosting a garment sale of gently loved linens from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 9-11, with a salad buffet luncheon both Thursday and Friday, featuring salads, croissants, sandwiches, tea breads, scones, decadent cookies, cakes and tarts. The church is located at 1008 South Tool Drive (across from the Tool water tower).

Valentine celebration
The Cedar Creek Lake 49ers Senior Citizens Club is hosting a valentine celebration from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, with dancing to Chuck & the 49ers. Great decorations and friendly atmosphere. Donation at the door.
Located two blocks off Arnold Hills Road, off SH 334, Seven Points. Phone or fax to (903) 432-3552.

Library fund-raiser
The Friends of the Tri-County Library are sponsoring a fund-raiser for the library from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 10-11, in the library community room. Items include plants, baked goods, jewelry, etc. For information call Jackie Groom at (903) 887-8545.

Quincy Jones
The First Baptist Church, Kemp, is hosting its fifth Sunday event, Quincy Jones, aka “Q,” founder of hip-hop group, Christcentric, immediately following the Kemp High School basketball game Friday, Feb. 11. Visit the website www.christcentric. net.

Relay for Life
Registration for the Relay for Life, either as participant or survivor, is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at McDonald’s in Athens. Information will be available at the registration about the event, teams, becoming a team leader, a participant and the American Cancer Society Action Network. For information call (903) 425-6720.

Malakoff FFA events
The third annual Run for Roses barrel race is set for 9 a.m. (taking entries) and exhibition at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Malakoff AG Arena, 15201 FM 3062, behind the high school. Watch for signs. Following the barrel race, the second annual chili dinner and auction will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the crowning of the FFA Sweetheart during the dinner.

Valentine’s dinner
A Valentine’s sit-down dinner hosted by American Legion Post 310 on SH 198 South is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. The dinner (prime rib and trimmings) is followed by Big Band DJ music. Dressy casual attire. Reservations required (only 72 seats available) and a charge.
For information call Marcia or Benny at the Post, (903) 887-3532.

Sweetheart dance
The Rope, Catch and Ride for Christ Cowboy church is hosting a free Sweetheart Dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, featuring John Spivey and his band. Donations accepted to pay the band. Prizes for kids and adults. Concession stand open to the public. North on SH 198 to CR 2807, turn right. Cowboy Church is on the right and looks like a red barn. For information call Vickie at (9030 880-2695.

CC Civic League
The Cedar Creek Civic League is hosting a Joker Tournament and luncheon benefit, with doors opening at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at the Lakeshore RV Park recreation room, Seven Points. Prizes for top players. Profits benefit many local charities. To register or for information, call Jeanie Hulsey at (903) 432-3341 or Claudett Allsup at (903) 432-3545.

Senior game day
The senior game day in gun Barrel City is set for 12:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Brawner Hall. Henderson County benefits counselor Sharon O’Maley is the speaker, afterwards board and card games will be enjoyed.
Februrary birthdays will be celebrated with cake. For information call city hall at (903) 887-1087.

Alzheimer’s support
The Greater Cedar Creek Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb.17 (each third Thursday), at 256 Harbor Drive, Gun barrel City.
For information call Bill Shaw at (903) 887-4789.

Animal welfare meeting
An animal welfare meeting is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15 (the third Tuesday of the month), and from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 (third Saturday of the month). Those interested, whether rescue workers, shelter workers, foster or volunteers, are invited to share concerns and ideas. For information and location contact Pam Boyd at etxpets@gmail or phone (903) 714-2172.

Westside Senior Center
The Westside Senior Citizens Center meets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 (every Thursday), at the Cedar Creek Bible Church activities building, 700 North seven Points Boulevard (SH 274). Seniors 55 and older in the area are invited for fellowship, domino and card games, other games, coffee and snacks. A light lunch will be served.
For information call (903) 340-9672.

Free tax help
Free tax help is available at Tri-County Library, Mabank, with Peggy Rogers, VITA. Rogers worked for the IRS for many years and keeps up with current changes. Call the library at (903) 887-9622, leaving name, local phone number (calls from cells with long distance numbers will not be returned), and the best time for her to return your call to set up an appointment.

AARP free tax help
AARP free tax services will be available from 8 a.m. to noon through Wednesday, April 13, at the following locations: Fridays at the Henderson County Senior Center, Athens, Mondays at The Library at Cedar Creek Lake, Seven Points, and Wednesdays at the Senior Citizens Center, Malakoff. For information call (903) 778-2423.

Flu shots available
Flu shots are available for adults and children. Contact the Texas Department of State Health Services at (972) 932-2038 for an appointment. Medicare/Medicaid accepted, sliding fee scale or $20 for adults. The clinic is located at 3001 S. Washington, Kaufman.

News in Brief policy
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Power outages, frozen pipes close Eustace ISD
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Sustained freezing temperatures and rolling power blackouts have had little lasting effect on most residents who didn’t have to travel into Dallas – for those who did, it was a very different story.
However, an extended power outage in Eustace and local daytime temperatures remaining in the low 20s froze city water and sewer pumps, with the unwelcome prospect of thawing pipes cracking and producing leaks throughout the city.
Coupled with a snow forecast overnight Thursday will likely see Eustace ISD closed four out of five days this past week.
“We’re not out of water,” Mayor Laura Ward told The Monitor Thursday. The decision to close the schools were precautionary due to several unknowns, she explained.
Among them were:
• the potential of future power blackouts resulting in extended outages,
• the uncertainty of water supplies due to icy conditions causing the floats to stick,
• how leaks from thawed pipes might affect water supply recovery time, and
• the possibility of snow overnight Thursday were all factored into the decision to close the school.
“In the interest of safety for our students and employees,” school superintendent Dr. Coy Holcombe said, “we will always err on the side of caution.”
What was for most folks around the lake a 15- to 30-minute period without electricity stretched to 3.5 hours for Eustace.
With the loss of heat and falling water pressure, and no answer as to when power would be restored, Eustace ISD dismissed classes at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday with plans to resume Thursday morning.
Ward reported that two switches in the area’s main electrical transformer were broken, so when power should have been restored, it didn’t come back on.
“A team from Corsicana had to come out to manually restore power,” she said. “However by late Wednesday, the electricity provider couldn’t guarantee that Eustace would be exempt, should other power blackouts be ordered, nor whether the fix would hold through another rolling blackout and come back on,” she added.
Ward met with Holcombe and maintenance director Jack Wallace to review the situation Wednesday.
Holcombe decided to cancel classes Thursday and possibly Friday (check Eustaceisd.net for updates).
Ward viewed the decision as taking a proactive stance, instead of having to make a reactive decision later.
“From experience, having no water with about 1,460 students and another 250 employees is not a workable situation,” Holcombe wrote on his blog Wednesday.
“I greatly appreciate Mayor Ward working with the district in this situation,” he wrote.
City workers worked “hard, long and cold” hours throughout the night to flush lines to maintain water flow every two hours, Ward said.
“We appreciate their dedication to the residents and businesses of Eustace,” Ward said. She also thanked citizens for their patience through this unprecedented situation.
Water customers were asked to conserve water.
Thursday, many businesses in Eustace were open with power and water.
Sue’s Roost welcomed steady business all day, where customers could choose one of daily two specials – chicken spaghetti or chicken-fried steak meals for $5.95. Personnel had thawed out water pipes overnight to be ready for breakfast trade in the morning.
“We anticipate many leaks and repairs needed throughout the city as PVC pipes crack from having frozen water in them,” Ward said.
The rolling blackouts were ordered by the Energy Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and came with little warning early Wednesday, as Trinity Valley Electric Co-op customers were preparing children for school and checking on local school closings.
Mostly dry conditions in the area kept ice formation at a minimum, though bridges were sanded as a precaution.
Police departments report less than a handful of vehicles skidding off roadways into ditches needing assistance to free themselves.
The forecast called for snow overnight Thursday, which may cause delayed school openings or closures Friday.
Walmart reported an overnight power outage from 3 to 7 a.m. Wednesday with a loss in refrigeration. Icy road conditions elsewhere caused some deliveries to be delayed, manager Paul Edmundson reported.
East Texas Medical Center-Athens reported all systems normal, with doors being kept closed to retain heat in hallways and rooms.

Man gets 60 years for 2009 sexual assault of 14-year-old
Monitor Staff Reports
ATHENS–A Henderson County jury handed down the maximum sentence after finding Jeffrey Ross Seery, 41, of Athens guilty of three counts of sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl in 2009.
Three 20-year sentences were handed down Jan. 31, after a four-day trial.
Upon a request by D.A. Scott McKee, Judge Carter Tarrance ordered the 20 years on each count to be served consecutively.
“These cases are extremely important to our community,” McKee said. “The jury’s maximum sentence for each count is evidence of what our community feels about these kinds of cases.”
Seery was arrested Sept. 27, 2009, by Henderson County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators from the District Attorney’s Office after searching his home, following allegations of sexual contact with a teenage girl.
The case was then assigned to Sheriff’s investigator Ceresa Ballard, who specializes in crimes against children.
Seery was indicted by a Henderson County Grand Jury in February of last year on three counts of sexual assault.
Seery pled not guilty to the charges. The trial began Jan. 25 in the 392nd District Court and concluded Jan. 31, with the jury deciding the case that afternoon.
The maximum sentence is 20 years on each count. Seery could have received for each count. “I certainly hope that this message is heard loud and clear by other potential predators lurking in our county.”
McKee and assistant district attorney Nancy Rumar prosecuted the case.

Considering a race for public office?
First day to file for a local city or school board office is Feb. 12
Monitor Staff Reports
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Those interested in running for local offices in area cities and school boards are advised that the first day to file is Saturday, Feb. 12. Filing is done with the particular political subdivision. The last day to file for a place on the ballot is Monday, March 14.
The last day to register to vote is Thursday, April 14. Election day is Saturday, May 14.
Early voting in person begins Monday, May 2, and continues through May 10.
The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Friday, May 6.
The cities of Mabank, Tool, Kemp, Eustace and Gun Barrel City have ordered elections.
Current city office holders whose terms will be expiring in May include:
• Caney City: Mayor Joe Barron, Jack Boykin and Ron Welch
• Enchanted Oaks: Guy Gorden, Zelma Montgomery and Mayor Don Warner
• Eustace: Mayor Laura Ward, council members Lisa Roberts and Elisha Sanders
• Gun Barrel City: Marvin Pace, Curtis Webster and Marty Goss
• Kemp: Mayor Matt Ganssel, Jerry Hazlip and Barbara McFaul
• Log Cabin: Mayor Billy Goodwin
• Mabank: Mayor Larry Teague and Jeff Norman.
• Malakoff: Mayor John Shumate, Jeanette King and Tim Trimble.
• Payne Springs: Linda Carr, Michael McDonald and Ida Zimmerer.
• Seven Points: Tommy Taylor, Claudette Allsup, Bubba Powell.
• Star Harbor: O.R. Perdue, Ken Zimmer, Bob Scible.
• Tool: Mayor J. Michael Black, Nathan Reeder and Nelson Wright
• Trinidad: Mayor Larry Estes, Susan Latham, Gary Brett Nolan
School boards will also hold elections for seats with expiring three-year terms. These include:
• Eustace ISD: Place 3 Sara McAtee, Place 4 Mike Smith and Place 7 Billy Cotton
• Kemp ISD: Place 1 Don Jedlicka, Place 2 Steve Greenhaw
• Mabank ISD: Place 4 Michael Cathey, Place 5 Todd Grimes and Place 7 Gary Sapp (one-year unexpired term)
• Malakoff ISD: Jan Shelton and Clyde Tinsley
• Trinidad ISD: names not available by presstime