People, Places & Events

Civic League Appraisal Fair set for March 8 in Mabank
Special to The Monitor
MABANK–The Cedar Creek Civic League’s fourth annual Appraisal Fair, set Saturday, March 8, at the First United Methodist Church, 501 South Third Street, State Highway 198 in Mabank, will benefit many local entities.
The League supports The Library at Cedar Creek Lake as well as the Tri-County Library in Mabank.
All area Head Start programs, Special Olympics and area Meals on Wheels are also recipients of proceeds from this popular fund-raiser.
For a $25 ticket, you will receive a verbal appraisal on two items, as well as the opportunity to support the above-mentioned programs.
Each ticket holder will be assigned a color-coordinated tag and treated on first-come, first-served basis.
This is a “new and improved” method of check-in and will allow the program to proceed in a timely manner.
Also new this year is free admission to those without items to be appraised who just want to watch and learn.
The doors will open at 9 a.m. for those with items to be appraised.
Appraisals will begin promptly at 10 a.m., so plan to arrive early.
Those whose items are appraised early are welcome to stay to watch the rest of the appraisals.
Items not accepted are weapons, gemstones, signed photos, stamps or coins.
Don King Cowan and C.L. “Sam” Webb will once again offer the appraisals. Their knowledge of antiques and collectibles is extensive.
Webb is a Dallas appraiser, antique dealer and estate liquidator specializing in American and Continental glassware and porcelain of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Cowan, is a Dallas antiques dealer, appraiser and estate liquidator specializing in American furniture, folk art and decorative accessories of the 18th and 19th centuries as well as Chinese Export porcelain.
Tickets are limited and are now available from any Civic League member, at Hydrangea House in Mabank and at Scents N More in Gun Barrel City.
For further information, call Jennifer at (903) 887-7657 or Teddie at (903) 887-0188.

‘Always – Patsy Cline’ musical set March 15 in Canton
Special to The Monitor
CANTON–If you grew up listening to Patsy Cline and still love to hear her sing the likes of “Crazy,” “Walking After Midnight,” I Fall To Pieces” and “Your Cheating Heart,” then you are going to love “Always – Patsy Cline.”
This musical production is set to play in Canton Saturday, March 15, at the Larry Davis Auditorium, benefiting Project Graduation.
“Always – Patsy Cline” is based on the true story about Cline and her relationship with one devoted fan.
It’s an intimate look at the woman behind the legend, an insider’s story as only a true friend could tell it.
The production features almost 20 of Cline’s popular songs, performed by one of the two actresses in the play.
“I saw the production recently and I could close my eyes and it felt like I was hearing Patsy Cline on the radio, just as when I was a little girl,” describes Michael May, 2008 Project Graduation Coordinator.
The play is based on the friendship of Cline and Houston housewife, Louise Seger, and is set in Seger’s kitchen.
Seger first heard Cline on the Arthur Godfrey Show in 1957 and became an immediate and avid fan. She constantly hounded the then one local disc jockey to play Cline’s records on the radio.
In 1961, when Cline went to Houston for a show, Seger and her buddies arrived early and by coincidence met Cline, who was traveling alone.
The two women struck up a friendship that led to Cline spending the night at Seger’s house and a friendship that lasted until Cline’s untimely death in 1963.
The relationship, which began as fan worship, evolved into one of mutual respect.
Over a pot of strong coffee, the two women chatted about their common concerns.
When Cline left for her next job in Dallas, the two women had exchanged addresses and telephone numbers.
Seger never expected to hear from Cline again, but soon after she left, Seger received the first of many letters and calls from Cline. The pen-pal relationship provides much of the plot of the shows.
Seger supplies the narrative while Cline floats in and out of the set singing the songs that are still favorites 50 years later.
The show is a combination of humor, sadness and reality. The production, which was written by Ted Swindley, offers fans who remember Cline, a chance to look back, while giving new fans an idea of what seeing and hearing her was like, and what she meant to her fans.
Rob Toups, Canton High School band director, also went to see the production in Corsicana recently.
He says, “It is hilarious and very authentic. No one is Patsy Cline, but the actress portraying her does a great job of impersonating her personality and voice.
“I just loved the performance and would recommend it highly. It will be a super evening of entertainment and I encourage everyone to attend,” Toups said.
“Always – Patsy Cline” is licensed by the family and estate of Patsy Cline and has played across the country in large and small venues.
In fact, most locations sell out and additional performances are added.
Many locations bring the performance back at later dates, due to its popularity.
Even though Patsy Cline was tragically killed in an airplane crash in 1963, her music is still played and revered by those of that generation and younger.
She was the first woman inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and her music and gusty voice still grace airways today.
Her popularity remains strong and this production adds to her younger fan base.
“I went to the production with my mom and really didn’t have any idea of who Patsy Cline was or the scope of her popularity. I loved it and learned a lot about this icon in the country music business,” Canton senior Shelby May said.
Project Graduation is an event set for graduation night that provides the senior class with a drug and alcohol free-party.
The parents of the Canton High School Class of 2008 are thrilled to bring this caliber of entertainment to Canton.
“We appreciate the strong support we receive from our businesses and residents and while this is a fund-raiser for our event, it is also a way for us to provide an evening of unique and professional entertainment to the community,” May said.
May wishes to thank Legacy Dental Group, title sponsor for the event.
“Always – Patsy Cline” is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Larry Davis Auditorium on the Canton High School campus.
Tickets are $22 each and group packages are available. Tickets can be purchased at Brookshire’s, Chamber of Commerce and Legacy Dental in Canton, as well as from any CHS senior, or by calling (903) 567-6898.
Ticket requests, with checks made payable to Project Graduation and return address information can also be mailed to Project Graduation, Box 506, Canton, TX 75103.