People, Places & Events

KEMP–Visitors to the first Kemp Board Buzz were given a progress update on the new Kemp High School construction.
Tuesday night’s meeting was the first such public meeting with school trustees and administrators, with food provided by Chartwell Dining Services.

Monitor Photo/Ronda Pennington
Kemp School Board members Curtis Donovan (left) and Jim Collinsworth, along with superintendent Dr. Peter Running, greeted school district patrons at the first Kemp Board Buzz public meeting Tuesday.

Trustee Curtis Donovan gave a brief report about the new high school.
It will not have lockers, and the gym will feature two rows of premium seating, Donovan reported.
Visitors received report on the H.E.A.R.T. program at the Intermediate School.
The H.E.A.R.T. program provides a positive, upbeat message for the children, visitors heard.
Audience members primarily wanted to know about parking issues – in particular the lack of available parking around Yellowjacket Stadium during home games, due to the new high school construction – and the apparent lack of provisions at school.
Why should parents buy so much of teachers’ supplies? Why can’t each student have their own set of books? parents asked.
School superintendent Dr. Peter Running explained the state legislature furnished funds for books. In an effort to cut expenses, books are being phased out.
Many schools are already turning to laptop computers for each student.
That means each student won’t have to keep a full set of books in his/her locker, and almost every new school does not have lockers.
 

‘Toys for Tots’ fund-raiser set
Event set for Sept. 6 at Brawner Hall
Special to The Monitor
GUN BARREL CITY–The Gun Barrel City “Toys for Tots” fund-raiser will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Brawner Hall, located behind the Gun Barrel City hall.
Mark your calendars. Do some early Christmas shopping and come visit the exciting variety of booths, such as garage sale items, crafts, embroidery, pottery, quilts, jewelry and paintings.
Local businesses will include Avon, travel, energy, financial institutions, Mary Kay, weight loss program, home services and real estate offerings.
There will also be a concession stand with hot dogs, chili, soft drinks, nachos, bake sale items and prizes.

‘A Night at the Red Garter Saloon’ coming Sept. 13
Special to The Monitor
TOOL–Tickets are now available for the sixth annual “A Night At The Red Garter Saloon,” the highly anticipated fall fund-raiser sponsored by the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
The $35 per person price tag includes admission, steak dinner and chips to get started on the gaming tables.
According to Chamber President Jo Ann Hanstrom, “it is more fun than you can have anywhere else in one evening for such a nominal price, while supporting your chamber of commerce.”
The doors of the Red Garter Saloon (Promenade Hall, State Highway 274 in Tool) will swing open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, where an evening of country flavored music presented by Dino “Danger” Perelli, auctions, gaming for fun, saloon girls (chamber volunteers) and many surprises, all with an “Old West” ambiance and a touch of “glitz” await attendees.
A special steak dinner, cooked on the spot by the Chamber Grill Team, and supervised by Sharon Strickland of Sharon Strickland Catering, will be available when the doors open, setting the stage for the rest of the action-packed, fun filled evening.
Volunteer committee members are calling on businesses for donations and sponsorships to help underwrite “A Night at the Red Garter Saloon.”
All contributors will be given valuable publicity leading up to and during the event, making donations a good advertising value.
If you have an auction item that you can donate, call the Chamber of Commerce office and a volunteer will be happy to pick it up.
Some of the items that will be available for bid so far include the third “Red Garter Girl” original oil painting by local portraitist Ellie Buzcek (this is the only chance anywhere to purchase this work of art), gift certificates from the exciting NY TX ZipLine Adventures, located on the highest spot in Henderson County with panoramic views of the East Texas Countryside, a three-dimensional work of art by Athens artist Dana Lynch, who just completed a show at Goode’s Art Gallery in Athens, a $400 aerial photograph donated by AerialAperture.com (Mark Knowles), and a 33x48 wall map of Cedar Creek Lake, donated by Lone Star Maps.
Also availabale are a $325 Texas Star Double Swing donated by Linda and Bud Henry, hand made jewelry by Baubles & Beads, handmade lamps by Ronnie Davis, gift certificates for golf rounds, spa treatments, cabin stays, restaurants, legal services, dental services and other items too numerous to list.
Get out your boots and Stetsons and pick up your tickets before they are sold out.
Tickets are available at the chamber office, 604 S. Third St., Ste. E in the Lawndale Building in Mabank, Southside Bank/ Gun Barrel City, First State Bank/Mabank and Franklin Bank/ Seven Points.
Tables of six ($210) and eight ($280) are available, but you must reserve those through the Chamber of Commerce office and pay by cash, check or MasterCard/Visa when the reservation is made.
For a complete sponsorship packet or for any questions about the event, call the chamber office at (903) 887-3152. Or e-mail info@cedarcreeklakechamber.com, or visit www.cedarcreeklakechamber.com for a complete calendar of events.