Free clothing, shoes
Crescent Heights Baptist Church, SH 31, will distribute free clothing and shoes, from 9 to 11 a.m., the first Saturday of each month.
For information, call (903) 675-3904.

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, (tonight), at Poynor Civic Center. Any may bring a dessert.
For information call (903) 360-0766 or (903) 876-5448.

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. Thursday (today and every Thursday). A light 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 enjoy refreshments, cards, domino and other games. Membership is free. For information call (903) 340-9672.

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.

Square dance
Round and square dancing is from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 & 19 (first and third Saturday of each month), at the Log Cabin Swingers Square Dance Club, 1210 North Tool Drive (SH 274) Everyone is welcome, no charge for observers. For information call (903) 340-9672.

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.

CCL Women’s Club
The Cedar Creek Lake Women’s Club executive board meeting is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Lakeridge RV Park, , 301 West Main in Gun Barrel City.

MHS spaghetti dinner
The annual Mabank High School choir Spaghetti Dinner Drive-Thru is set for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8. A to-go box containing the spaghetti, and garlic bread will be delivered to your car by a choir member in the HS front circle drive. Tickets on sale now from any choir member.

CCL Literary Club
The Literary Club of Cedar Creek Lake meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at The Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points. The musical group, Ye Merry Ole Players will present “Meet Me in Dallas.” Guests are welcome and for membership information call Ruth Pimm at (903) 778-4752.

National EAS test
The Emergency Alert System will conduct a nationwide test at 3 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.

Financial seminar
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is sponsoring a fall financial seminar beginning with registration at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Trinity Valley Electric Company community Room, 1800 E. SH 243, Kaufman. Dr. Joyce Cavanagh, Extension specialist will discuss the importance of credit reports and scores. For information call (972) 932-9069.

MHS Choir concert
The Mabank High School Choir is presenting an “American Concert,” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 in the MHS Auditorium. The free concert expresses gratitude and love to the soldiers and leaders.

VZ Senior Citizens
The Van Zandt Senior Citizens Club monthly dance is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Henderson County Senior Center in Athens. Country music provided by Joe Walenta and the Ranch Hands. Everyone is welcome.

Caregivers group
The Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church is sponsoring a caregivers support group at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 (second Friday of the month), located at 100 South Old Indian Trail (Off SH 274 in Tool. For information or directions call Pat Simms at (903) 432-4248 or (903) 880-6050.

Kemp UMC fall bazaar
The First United Methodist Church of Kemp is hosting its annual Fall Bazaar and Chili ‘N Stew dinner from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. For information call the church office at (903) 498-4791.

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.

Toys applications
The Gun Barrel City Toys for Tots will accept Christmas applications for families from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, through Friday, Dec. 2, at the Gun Barrel City Police Station located on Municipal Drive. For more information, call Jane Horton at (903) 887-1289.

CCL Women’s Club
The Cedar Creek Lake Women’s Club meets at 11 a.m. (doors open at 10:30 a.m.) Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Cedar Creek Country Club. Carol Brandon will present, “God Save the Sweet Potato Queens by Jill Browne. Bring items for make-A-Difference Day.

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.

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 of 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.

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Kaufman County lifts burn ban
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KAUFMAN–Kaufman County Judge Bruce Wood lifted the burn ban Monday on outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county. He urges citizens to remain vigilant and cautious, to only burn under non-windy conditions and follow all the rules pertaining to the burning of trash and brush.
The burn ban has been in place in Kaufman County and much of Texas, since late June. Dropping humidity levels and drought conditions has kept the area at the highest dryness rating and at a high risk for wildfires. In the meantime, trash and vegetation have been stacking up, awaiting the day when the burn ban would be lifted.
An e-mail from assistant fire marshal Randy Richards warned the county will be closely monitored and said if the drought conditions worsen, the ban will be reinstated.
He also urges citizens to follow established outdoor burning rules:
• Common household trash may be burned in a proper container, such as a barrel. A screen must be placed over the top of the container to prevent sparks or embers from escaping.
• An extinguishing source must be near the container to prevent any unwanted fires.
• The fire must be monitored at all times.
• Brush piles can be burned on the ground, but must be monitored full time during the burn.
• It is against state law to burn trash or any man-made debris on the ground.
The Keetch-Byram drought index, used by the Texas Forest Service to determine wildfire potential, has remained high all summer.
The index ranges from 0 to 800, with 0 representing the highest moisture content while 800 represents the driest of conditions.
Kaufman County has hovered between the 550 and 650 mark, sometimes even higher most of the summer months.

Car burglars bungle
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–A homeowner in Kaufman was surprised by a knock on her door Oct. 23. Peering out, she did not recognize the man outside, so did not respond to the knock at the door. A few minutes later, she noticed the passenger side door open on her vehicle, and another man standing by her son’s pickup with the driver’s door open.
As she yelled for the man to get out of her son’s truck, she was dialing 911 to report a burglary in progress.
The Kaufman Sheriff’s Office responded with deputies, according to a press release.
Both suspects fled. However the homeowner was able to give 911 operators an exact description of the vehicle they were driving, as well as a license plate number. Deputies quickly had both suspects apprehended and returned property that had been taken from the vehicles at the homeowner’s address.
Zackery McFarland, 20, of Kaufman and Adrian Dorries, 33, of Kemp were both charged with burglary of a motor vehicle. McFarland was also charged with possession of marijuana.
They were take to the Kaufman County Law Enforcement Center, where bond was set at $110,000 for McFarland and $100,000 for Dorries.
Persons with information concerning a crime are encouraged to provide information to Kaufman County Crime Stoppers at 877-TIPSKCC (847-7522) or click on “Crime of the Week” on the web kaufmancountycrimestoppers.org/. Tips are always confidential and can result in awards of up to $1,000 if leading to an arrest.
 

Eustace letter carriers transfer to Mabank
Monitor Staff Reports
EUSTACE–Starting Nov. 18, letters carriers from the Eustace Post Office will be reporting to the Mabank Post Office for their routes.
If you miss delivery of your package and you live in Eustace, you can still collect it from the Eustace post office.
Nothing will have changed except for the street routes.
“We can take care of everything you need here at the window,” postmaster Earl Beets told The Monitor.
“There are no lines here, and we appreciate your business, which means you’ll get service with a smile,” Beets added.
The Eustace Post Office will continue to deliver mail to the 400-some post office boxes rented at the station, and it has 100 more available for rental.
Purchasing stamps, receiving outgoing mail and weighing packages for shipping are still services the Eustace Post Office will be handling.
Beets said, he’s argued with the powers that be for three months, but the change is seen as saving money, though Beets said no one is losing his or her job over the change.
Mabank Postmaster John Lindsey said the change is meant to consolidate manpower under fewer managers, so after a transitional period the management of the Eustace post office will be downgraded and the current post master may either remain at the same grade and wage for a transitional period or be transferred to another post equal to his current civil service ranking, he explained.
Postal customers in Eustace are going to retain their same letter carrier. The delivery time may differ slightly, since they will likely start their route from a new starting point, he commented.
Otherwise, the customer will likely not notice any change at all.
Customers who have dropped off bulk mail for the Eustace area to the Eustace Post Office will now do so at the Mabank Post Office, beginning Nov. 19.