Meals drivers needed
The Senior Center at the Ball Park is in desperate need for “Meals on wheels,” drivers in Kemp and Mabank. This only takes one hour of your day, week or month. Make a difference in a seniors life. The Center is also looking for quilters. The quilting table is up and ready.
For information call Lisa Smith, director, at (903) 887-0643.

Cardinal Halloween
The residents of Cardinal Hall, the newly opened residential hall at Trinity Valley Community college, is hosting Cardinal Halloween from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. The trick-or-treat event is free and open to kids ages 12 and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cardinal Hall is located at the intersection of Dean Street and Farm-to-Market Road 2494 on the TVCC-Athens campus.

New Grace Trio
The New Grace Trio will perform at Tolosa Baptist Church, at 6 p.m. Sunday, (tonight), located at FM 19101, and SH 274, between Kemp and Seven Points. The concert is free and the public is invited to attend.

Trunk or Treat
Members of the Payne Springs United Methodist Church will hand out candy from the trunks of their cars in the parking lot (across from the fire department) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. All kids are welcome.

FBC Malakoff fall fest
The First Baptist Church Malakoff invites all children in the community to its Fall Festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, in the church parking lot. The event includes many carnival games, booths, inflatables, hay rides, hot dogs and lots of candy. For information call (903) 489-0228 or visit www.fbcmalakoff.com.

Christian Life Center
The annual Hallelujah Party, hosted by Christian Life Center, is set for 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. The event is free and offers inflatables, games and lots of candy. The church is located at 2611 W. Main, Gun Barrel City. For information, call (903) 887-5429.

First Baptist Fall Fest
First Baptist Church, Gun Barrel City, is hosting it annual Fall Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, with games, prizes, hayride, train ride, cake walk, hot dogs, soft drinks, popcorn and more. For information call (903) 887-6955.

Patriotic essay contest
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4376 announces the 2012 Patriotic Essay Contest for students in grades 9-12. The winning essay on the theme, “Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military,” offers an opportunity for students to compete at higher levels to earn college funds. An essay contest for students in grades 6 to 8 is also offered. For information on either contest, call Cmdr. Sid McIntosh at (903) 432-2138 or president Lynn Hill at (903) 887-0827.

CCL Literary Club
The Literary Club of Cedar Creek Lake will hold an executive board meeting at the Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Care Giver’s seminar
The first Care Giver’s Information Seminar is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Kaufman County Extension Office, 2471 North SH 34, Kaufman. Speakers will be present to cover some tough subjects. For information call (972) 932-9069.

Decorating contest
The Gun Barrel City Beautification Committee is holding a holiday merchant decorating contest Tuesday, Nov. 1, at city hall. Entry fees are canned goods and the prize is $250. The winner will be announced Dec. 7. For more information, call (903) 887-8620.

PSUMC fellowship
The Payne Springs United Methodist Church fellowship night is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, with a covered dish dinner followed at 7 p.m. by entertainment by the Trinity Valley Community College Encore Ensemble. Public is invited. For information call (903) 451-3131.

Presbyterian bazaar
The Busy Bees are serving up their annual stew and cornbread luncheon 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the First Presbyterian Church in Mabank to complement their Christmas Bazaar, set for Monday - Wednesday, Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The historic church is located at 112 W. Vernon St. For information, call (903) 887-2571.

Tamarack Ladies Club
The Tamarack Ladies Club meets at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the TLC Hall. A potluck luncheon follows the meeting. Tamarack Ladies are invited. For information call Linda at (903) 887-8984

Country music and meal
Free admission to Country music and a meal from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Music provided to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Poynor Civic Center. Any may bring a dessert. For information call (903) 360-0766 or (903) 876-5448.

Square dancing
Round and square dancing is held from 8 to 10 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month, at Log Cabin Swingers Square Dance Club, located at 1210 North Tool Drive (SH 274). Everyone is invited. No charge for observers. For information, call (903) 340-9672.

VFW food drive
The VFW Post 4376 and its Ladies Auxiliary in Seven Points are collecting nonperishable food items for the families in need of assistance at Christmas time. To make a donation, call (903) 432-2138.

Westside Seniors
The Westside Senior Centers Club meets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday. Covered dish lunch served at noon. The event is at the Cedar Creek Bible Church Activities Building, 700 North Seven Points Blvd.
Seniors 55 and older can attend and enjoy refreshments, cards, domino and other games.

CCL Garden Club
The Cedar Creek Lake Garden Club meets at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Library at Cedar Creek Lake. The program, “Growing Lilies and Other Bulbs,” is by Steven Gent, owner of McDades Nursery and Garden Center. The public is invited.

K of C fish fry
The Knights of Columbus fish fry is set for 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. Located at 172, Luther Lane, Gun Barrel City. All you can eat fried U.S. grown catfish, hush puppies, French fries, cole slaw, tea and coffee. Funds benefit the local food pantry, KC wheelchair program, scholarship program and other charities.

Christmas bazaar
The Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church annual Christmas Bazaar is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Nov. 5, featuring Home and Holiday shop, bake shop, quilt donated by Marie Dicus, silent auction ending 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Lunch on both days begins at 11 a.m. Menu includes stew and cornbread, ham and chicken salad sandwiches and great desserts. Church is located at 100 S. Old Indian Trail, Tool. For information, call (903) 432-3657.

Joker Tournament
The Cedar Creek Civic League is hosting a Joker Tournament and benefit with doors opening at 9 a.m. and play beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, in the Family Life Center of the First United Methodist Church in Mabank, located at 501 South Third St. (SH 198), Mabank. Registration fee includes lunch. Profits benefit area charities. To register, call Claudett Allsup at (903) 432-3545.

National EAS test
The Emergency Alert System will conduct a nationwide test 1 p.m. local central time Wednesday, Nov. 9. This first nationwide test involves radio, television, satellite TV, cable TV and wireless video services. The test will resemble the monthly EAS test with minor differences.

Harbor youth supper
Harbor Baptist Church Youth Group invites the community to a spaghetti supper and an evening of food, fellowship and entertainment from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Donations will fund the youth camp.
The church is located at 12059 SH 198. For information, call (903) 451-4171.

5K Fun Run/Walk
DECA students are hosting a 5K Fun Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Mabank City Park Pavilion. Register online at Mabankisd.net. For information, call (903) 292-3450 or (903) 467-2791 or e-mail alexis-jamey@aol.com.

Humane Society needs
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake currently has a shortage of canned dog and puppy food and is in immediate need of donations. Lamb and rice or chicken is preferred. The brand is not important.

Square Dance
The Log Cabin Swingers Square Dance Club meets from 8 to 10 p.m. the first and third Saturday of each month. All square dancers are welcome. No charge for observers. Lessons taught by Club members are from 7 to 9 p.m. each Monday at Promenade Hall, 1210 N. Tool Dr. (SH 274) in Tool. For information, call (903) 340-9672.

Recovery Program
Celebrate recovery with Hurts, Habits and Hang-ups recovery program at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the Church of the Nazarene, 150 Mabelle Ln. in Gun Barrel City.
For more information, call (903) 880-7080.

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City asks utility to provide water
Lowering lake levels means Kemp’s raw water intake will soon be sucking mud
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
TOOL–Kemp mayor and council members asked the West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District board for urgent help Monday.
Though begun with an appeal by Kemp mayor Donald Kile for a line connection to serve as a backup, similar to a reciprocal agreement Kemp has with Mabank, it turned into a plea for long-term water service.
Kile, four council members and Kemp’s public works director discussed the request with the West Cedar Creek utility board.
“A water provider is what we’re actually looking for,” Kemp utility director Chris Burns interjected. “It will take years to address infrastructure issues, at least 20 years to get the plant rebuilt. We want to take it (the plant) out of service to re-establish it in the future.”
Kile added that it would take between $30 million and $50 million. “We don’t have that,” Kile said.
Burns also stressed the urgency of their request. “Our lake level is shrinking real fast. If it were still hot, I’d say we only had two months worth left.”
Burns said he has just a foot and eight inches away from being inoperable at his intake structure.
“It’s not feasible for us to extend the line, we’d have to go two miles, practically to the bridges in Gun Barrel City,” he said. “We have to figure out something now. Our best solution is to connect with you all.”
“I do not want to be in the same situation next year as we are this year,” Kile said.
After much discussion, the District board members agreed to have general manager Tony Ciardo meet with Burns and present both boards with a workable solution.
“It’s just the neighborly thing to do,” District board president Clifton Smith said. Talks were to begin immediately.
Ciardo asked the city of Kemp to petition the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a variance on the .6 gallon rate per connection as a first step.
Kemp residents have been in a Stage 3 Drought Contingency Plan, blocking all nonessential water use; and have been restricted to water for drinking and cooking only, during crisis times.
WCC is in the process of seeking deeper water itself. It is spending $200,000 to float a temporary pumping station and extend a line to feed raw water into its Tolosa Water Plant for processing and distribution.
Smith told the Kemp delegation there were no impediments to the District providing water to Kemp except those outlined in the district’s CCN (Certificate of Convenience and Necessity) and financial considerations.
WCC director Joe King asked if Kemp was contemplating merging the two systems on a permanent basis, if even subconsciously. “No,” the Kemp council agreed.
“No, the people of Kemp just know that it will take a good amount of time to return the system to standard operations and are looking for help, but nothing permanent,” Kile explained.
“Good,” King responded. “That’s not what we want either.”
“We’ve been holding a number of town hall meetings,” Kemp councilman Tommy McSpedden said. “We know this is going to cost money to do. We just need to understand the costs.”
He added that the council is trying to be proactive and has sought assistance from Rep. Lance Gooden’s Office, Kaufman County and a number of other agencies are actively looking for grant funding for the city’s predicament.
Ciardo reported that the District has taken delivery of a massive barge, now at Tom Finley Park. Plans call for planting a pump and floating the barge into deeper water off shore and extending water lines to connect with the Tolosa Water Treatment Plant.

TVCC mourns death of vice president ‘Rip’ Drumgoole
By Jennifer Hannigan
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–The flag at Trinity Valley Community college is at half-staff Thursday as the school mourns the passing of Vice President of Student Services Dr. W.P. “Rip” Drumgoole.
Drumgoole served the college and the Athens community for almost four decades and died Thursday morning at East Texas Medical Center-Athens following a long battle with cancer. He was 61.
A native of Jefferson, he began his career with TVCC in 1973 as a full-time counselor. He served as guidance services coordinator and director of counseling before being named vice president of Student Affairs in 1980. The title later changed to vice president of Student Services. He also served as the college’s director of athletics for the 2009-10 school year.
“To paraphrase the Apostle Paul, Rip fought a good fight, he finished his course, and he kept the faith,” said TVCC president Dr. Glendon Forgey in a written statement to the college staff.
“Rip worked tirelessly for TVCC and our community. His contributions have been invaluable and it has been our good fortune to be able to learn from his experience.”
Forgey said Drumgoole will be remembered for his dedication to the college and the community, his unwavering loyalty to a variety of local causes and his passion for all aspects of education.
Many of his co-workers also called him friend, and say the Athens area has lost one of its best.
“He was a mentor to me and was a mentor to all the people who were around in my early years,” said TVCC Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jerry King, who began his career at the college two years after Drumgoole. “We all looked up to Rip because he was such a professional and was so enthusiastic about helping students and helping the college.”
King said Drumgoole’s dedication to the students of TVCC was inspirational.
“He enjoyed what he did and being here was important to him. He made a difference in so many lives. He had such an impact on all those people and their lives and there’s no way to count the number of people’s lives he changed in a positive way.
“He’s going to be very much missed. I know we’ll continue on here at the college, but it won’t be the same.”
A 1968 graduate of Central High School in Jefferson, Texas, Drumgoole received his bachelor’s degree from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce) in 1972. He received his master’s degree from there the following year and his doctorate in 1980, also from ETSU.
Drumgoole was an active member of many civic and professional organizations, including the Athens Rotary Club, Community College Chief Student Affairs Administrators of Texas and Junior College Student Personnel Association of Texas.
He was also a longtime member of the Cain Center Board of Directors, the Athens Economic Development Corporation, the East Texas Arboretum and the Henderson County Girls Softball Association.
“He was really dedicated to everything he did,” said Mike Peek, an instructor at TVCC who served many years as director of Student Activities.
“To me, his involvement in the girls’ softball association was something that stands out. He got involved when his daughter was playing. Most people get out when their children are done, but he stayed in there for many years after his daughter was long gone and was president for many years.
“It is a monumental task to run that kind of group, but it was so easy because Rip was the constant. What is amazing to me is he stayed on and he didn’t take a back seat. He stayed in the front seat and was dedicated.”
Drumgoole also served more than 25 years as a high school football official was a member of the Texas Association of Sports Officials. He officiated five state championship football games and in 2007 was selected to officiate in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Football Game.
Peek officiated for many years on the same team as Drumgoole, along with Henderson County Tax Assessor/Collector Milburn Chaney and the late Wayne Boozer.
“He enjoyed calling those games, and it was an honor not only to get to call regular games, but to be invited to call state championship games,” said Peek. Drumgoole called games up until the end of the 2010 season.
Peek said Drumgoole had a heart for athletics and for activity in general. He was instrumental in the construction of the pavilion behind Cardinal Gym around five years ago, said Peek, because he believed students needed a place to play basketball after classes. He was also instrumental in the addition of softball to the college, said Peek. During his year as athletic director, he oversaw the addition of volleyball to the college’s list of programs.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Espanola. Earlier this year, the college dedicated a scholarship fund in her name.
Drumgoole is survived by two children – Carmen Drumgoole and Rashaan Drumgoole. He also has two grandchildren.

Sexual assault charged
Monitor Staff Reports
KEMP–Kemp resident John Anthony Jacob, 50, is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Jacob was arrested Oct. 20 and taken to Kaufman County jail.
The offenses alleged occurred over a long period of time. Upon conviction, he faces five to 99 years in prison and $10,000 fines in each incident.
Bonds totaled $200K