People, Places & Events

HC Heritage Festival slated
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–The Historical Commission’s Henderson County Heritage Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the East Texas Arboretum on Patterson Road, just inside the loop at U.S. Highway 175 in Athens. It is open to the public free of charge.
“One of the most anticipated events will be our version of the Antiques Roadshow,” according to Judy Jacobson, chairperson for the festival.
“Every family has its treasures passed down from generation to generation. The experts from Wagon Wheel Antiques in Murchison have graciously agreed to put on our Antiques Roadshow-type activity. Residents will be able to bring that family treasure for the experts to examine and appraise,” she added.
“No purchases or sales of antiques will be allowed at the festival,” Jacobson cautioned. “This is strictly for educational purposes.”
Among other groups taking part are Texas Rangers, who will be on hand to remind visitors what law enforcement was like in the past, and re-enactors who will set up an historically correct Civil War military camp and answer questions.
Retired teachers will be showing what education used to be like in the Arboretum’s one-room schoolhouse.
Meanwhile, another exhibit will educate visitors about the county’s old St. Paul Industrial Training School.
The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution will display different flags that have flown over our country, and have a Revolutionary War soldier on hand to explain his war and military gear.
Members of the Athens Genealogical Organization will be helping anyone interested in tracing their family tree.
Colonial Dames and Athens Womens’ Club will highlight the history of their organizations.
W.D. Lewis will display work done by his late wife, writer Dottie Lewis, on the history of Brownsboro. Native American and Hispanic heritage in Henderson County will be represented with exhibits.
Meanwhile, craftsmen from the county will be demonstrating their skills of spinning and weaving throughout the day.
In addition to showcasing some of the area’s historical and genealogical organizations, the Commission hopes to enhance the public’s understanding of the county’s history through exhibits, demonstrations and talks.
A concession will be serving barbecue, hot dogs, snowcones and popcorn. Proceeds from the concession will go to charity.
Picnic tables are scattered around the grounds, but visitors are also welcomed to bring a blanket and have and old-fashioned picnic sitting under a tree.
“In addition to the beautiful gardens and large pavilion, the history of the Wofford House makes the Arboretum the perfect spot for the festival,” Jacobson said.
When Bushrod Wofford arrived in Texas in 1851, he built a two-room house with a “dog trot” near Fincastle.
As Wofford became more successful, he made additions to the home, including a front gallery porch. When the house fell into disrepair, Wofford descendants donated it to the Arboretum.
“Behind the house sits a corn crib barn which dates back to the 1800s. And thanks to the Arboretum, the house also has its own medicinal and kitchen gardens,” Jacobson said.
The Historical Commission has scheduled talks focusing on Henderson County throughout the day at the Henderson County Heritage Festival.
Speakers - Group 1
10:30 a.m. - The Battle of the Neches
11 a.m. - Malakoff Mines
11:30 a.m. - St. Paul Independent Training School
Noon - Barbed Wire and Early Cattle Brands
12:30 p.m. - WPA Schools
1 p.m. - Norwegian Settlement in Brownsboro
1:30 p.m. - The Extinct Town of Pauline
2 p.m. - Henderson County in the Civil War
2:30 p.m. - Hispanic Heritage
Speakers - Group 2
10:30 a.m. - Ancestor’s Life in Early Athens
11:30 a.m. - Fincastle
12:30 p.m. Cynthia Ann Parker
1:30 p.m. - Sports in the 20s and 30s
2:30 p.m. - Henderson County’s Oral History Project.

Don’s Port Marina reports successes
Special to the Monitor
TOOL–In March, Terry L. Scott became the new manager of Don’s Port Marina and has now completed his first summer, deemed a big success.
“This was a great summer for Don’s Port Marina. We’ve accomplished a lot and feel really good about how things have gone. There is certainly no substitutes for having a lake full of water,” Scott said.
Changes and upgrades over the summer include rebuilding the boat ramp and boat slips into first-class condition, which has led to the slips being filled up, Scott said.

Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Friends, staff and members of The Greater Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce join Don’s Port Marina manager Terry L. Scott in a ribbon cutting celebrating the Marina’s Chamber membership. Holding the large ceremonial scissors is Tiki Hut manager Brenda Lane and holding the small scissors is club employee Barbara Davis.

Other improvements include new fuel pumps, re-opening the Ship’s Store and the on-site service facility.
The biggest change is with the Tiki Hut Bar and Grill, located on the second floor of the Marina. The menu was cut back somewhat and customer service was improved.
A new manager, Brenda Lane, a successful operator of two other restaurants in the Metroplex and in Temple, will be bringing her expertise to the Tiki Hut.
“It is our intention for the Tiki Hut to be open year round,” she said.
“Also, the menu will be expanded to feature catfish and barbecue in addition to the best hamburger on the lake,” she said.

Kerens Cotton Harvest Festival slated for Oct. 30
Special to The Monitor
KERENS–The Kerens 2007 Cotton Harvest Festival will be held on the city’s brick-lined downtown streets with the opening ceremony at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20.
The Ira Bradford Bustin’ Loose Band will end the festival with a street dance at 8 p.m. on Colket Avenue.
The festival is sponsored by The Friends of the Kerens Library, with all proceeds going to the operation of the new downtown Kerens Library.
Many events and activities for kids and adults alike will be featured throughout the day.
Two stages will feature live musical entertainment all day long.
Vendor booths displaying arts, crafts, food and drink will line the main street.
Kids will enjoy a bouncy house, a miniature train ride, face painting, mule-drawn wagon rides, games galore and much more.
There will be a three on three basketball tournament, bingo for the adults, horseshoe tournament and a target shoot near downtown sponsored by Gander Mountain.
The quilt show that has been a huge hit the past two years will be held again at the historic Presbyterian Church. Quilts can be both antique and new hand-sewn quilts.
New fun this year will be a display of activities that went along with the old times on the farm.
Corn shucking, butter churning, corn shelling, horse shoeing and other activities and implements used on the farm will be demonstrated.
For the chili-lovers, there will again be a mouth-watering chili cook-off contest.
This event is sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International, and all in attendance will be able to sample the chili.
Kerens has been a cotton raising capital since the 1800s.
There will be displays of cotton equipment, plus scales, cotton sack and cotton plants to highlight the rich history of the area.
As last year, there will be tours of one of the only two operating cotton gins left in Navarro County.
The tour will go west seven miles from Kerens to Powell.
You are invited to attend the Cotton Harvest Festival Saturday, Oct. 20, and enjoy the day shopping, eating and visiting with family and friends.
Kerens is located on State Highway 31, just 14 miles east of Corsicana, 23 miles west of Athens and 65 miles south of Dallas.
From Interstate 45, take the 231 exit in Corsicana and go east on State Highway 31.
Parking is free. Watch for the directional signs when you enter Kerens.
For vendor booths, chili cook-off sign up or other information, please contact Betty Partain at (903) 396 7337.
The Kerens Library is located at 106 South East Second Street in Kerens.