People, Places & Events

Eubank named ‘Kiwanian of the Year’
Monitor Staff Reports
MABANK–Club secretary Carol Eubank was named the “Kiwanian of the Year” by the Cedar Creek Lake Kiwanis club at the club’s end-of-year banquet Oct. 23.
Incoming officers were formally installed by district Lt. Gov. JoAnn McCarty of the Athens Kiwanis Club during the 90-minute fete at the Victorian Lady Tea Room in downtown Mabank.
Outgoing president Ralph Fortner of Southside State Bank thanked club members for helping him through the year.
During the year, the club’s annual pancake breakfast and its partnership with the area chamber of commerce for the May Krawfish Boil and Car Show both proved to be very successful, Fortner told the gathering.
As his final act in office, Fortner presented a clock to Eubank, noting the vote to name her “Kiwanian of the Year” wasn’t close at all.
“One voter said she holds all of this together,” Fortner said.
Incoming president Denise York thanked Fortner, Eubank and former president Dr. Jeannie Caillet “for helping me get ready for this.”
York reminded the group this year’s top project is for each member to bring in a new member to the club.
In addition to York as president, the club’s new officers are president-elect Lisa Hudgens, vice president Tate Cramm, secretary Eubank, treasurer Derrick Hoelscher and past president Fortner.
McCarty, accompanied by her husband Dub, swore in the new officers.
In a brief address, McCarty announced Kiwanis International had voted to require a criminal background check of every member.
“We’ve had four big lawsuits,” she said. “Each member (undergoing the check) will get a card that’s good for two years.”
Kiwanis International will not recognize background checks conducted by other agencies – it must be a Kiwanis check, she added.
Each background check will cost $7.50. The Athens club has voted to pay for members’ background checks, although that is up to each individual club, McCarty said.
The Texas-Oklahoma district is the first in the nation to implement the required checks, she added.
Club directors were also recognized.
Directors for fiscal year 2009 include Larry Williams (2008-11), Carie Goodrich (08-11), Paula Kimbell (06-09), Carie Bobbitt (08-10), Shannon Steakley (07-09) and Mary Jo Love (07-10).


Monitor Photo/Kerry Yancey
Cedar Creek Lake Kiwanis club officers for 2008-09 are president Denise York
(left), president-elect Lisa Hudgens (not pictured), vice president Tate Cramm,
secretary Carol Eubank, treasurer Derrick Hoelscher and past president Ralph Fortner.

Rotary hosts Gold Card honorees
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–Friday, approximately 54 Mabank High School students were treated to lunch by the Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake.
The students were among 104 eligible for the Gold Card luncheon by maintaining a 90 or above grade average in all courses for a six-week period.
While the students enjoyed lunch at Vetoni’s Italian Restaurant, they heard about the upcoming Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp for juniors only.
The camp is near Carthage and takes place Feb. 13-15, 2009.
In addition to RYLA, the students were told about several overseas Rotary scholarships, including a $23,000, one-year ambassadorial trip to a foreign country.


Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Approximately 54 Mabank High School students were treated to lunch at Vetoni’s
Italian Food Restaurant. The students were among the 104 eligible this six-weeks
for the Gold Card luncheon program. In order to be eligible, the students were required
to maintain a 90 or above grade average for the six-weeks.

Main Place Cinema lists
items for soldiers program
Special to The Monitor
SEVEN POINTS–Main Place Cinema is selling Willie Wonka bars for the troops.
Main Place Cinema will donate a portion of the profit of operation to Stars and Stripes for every Wonka bar sold.
The cinema is also sending cases to Operation Stars and Stripes for the troops.
For 10 days, Main Place Cinema is accepting donations of items and money for Operation Stars and Stripes.
The holiday season is especially difficult for those away from their loved ones.
Holiday stockings are filled with most-needed items, in addition to snacks, games, books, etc., and will be sent to our troops overseas.
We are also having an area for anyone who wishes to write some encouraging words or just say “Thanks” to the troops.
These letters will be included in the stocking sent to the troops.
Everyone who participates in our program will be on our “Thank You Wall.” This will be in the lobby for everyone to see.
Operation Stars and Stripes, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting America’s military and their families at home and abroad.
Our organization operates solely by donated items and monies, as well as funds collected by fund-raisers we conduct.
All proceeds go directly to support our brave heroes who sacrifice their lives so that we may live freely.
We rely on monetary donations, donations of supplies and volunteers.
Many schools, churches, and civic clubs raise money and supplies through their community service projects and “Cents for Soldiers” competitions.
List of suggested items
Most-needed items are postage stamps, sunscreen, Crystal Light on the go packs, chewing gum, tuna and chicken salad lunches to go, Chapstick, toothbrushes, travel size toothpaste, travel size body wash, travel-size unscented wet wipes, men’s razors, recent DVDs, playing cards, travel games, disposable cameras, black pens, long and thick black socks, pocket fans, canned fly traps and batteries.
Toiletries and other items are (travel size toiletries work well) toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, shaving gel, Chapstick, unscented lotion, mouthwash, combs, eye drops, Q-tips, dental floss, sunblock, insect repellent (Off® with DEET is requested for troops in Iraq and Africa), wet wipes, shampoo, body wash, foot powder, inflatable pillow, small travel pillow, batteries, and pocket/foot warmers (during winter months).
Entertainment items are DVDs, CDs, comics, phone cards, disposable cameras, crossword puzzles, word searches, paperback books, current magazines, playing cards, travel games, Frisbees, water guns and Hackie Sacks.
Writing supplies are envelopes, stationary, black ink pens, and Highlighters.
Food/snacks are: (note – all snacks must be prepackaged. Homemade goodies are discouraged, due to custom’s regulations), chocolate (only during the winter months), hard candies, Tic-Tacs, chewing gum, trail mix, Cracker Jacks, Slim Jims, cookies, fruit cups in metal tins only, individual size drink mix packs, nuts (unshelled sunflower seeds and pistachios are favorites), handi snacks, mini-boxes of assorted cereals, pretzels, pre-popped popcorn, fruit-by-the-foot, gummy snacks, Pringles, and prepackaged tuna and chicken salad lunches.