People, Places & Events

Photo exhibits now at TFFC
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–Some of the best outdoor photographs taken during 2006 and outstanding works of art by young Texas artists are now on display in the Visitor Center at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens.
Top entries in the 2007 Outdoor Writers of America Association photography contest are on display through mid-December.
The 28 photographs include stunning shots of wildlife, colorful scenics, dramatic fishing action and a bit of whimsy.
Falling into the latter category are pictures of a camera-shy otter and a grouse that chose an unusual perch: a birder’s shoulder.
The photographs all illustrate a basic truth about taking great photographs: You have to be at the right place at the right time with the right equipment.
Winning Texas entries in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2007 Junior Duck Stamp Contest are also on display at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center until Jan. 18.
Overall winner in the competition was a depiction of red-breasted mergansers by Michelle McElree, 16, of Arlington. McElree is home-schooled.
The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program teaches wetland habitat and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school.
Three first places are awarded in each of four grade groups: grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
The 12 first-place Texas winners are on display at TFFC.
Grades K-3 winners were: Corbin Doyle, Santa Fe (Texas); Matthew Le, Texas City and Jared Mancuso, Hitchcock.
Grades 4-6 winners were: Sarah Gossling, Magnolia; Denise Hernandez, Brownsville and Sophia Jackson, Texas City.
Grades 7-9 winners were Barry Carter, Magnolia (also second place overall), Kelly Goodman, Houston and Sergio Gutierrez, Pasadena.
Grades 10-12 winners were, Carrie Cook, Jasper (also third place overall), Maria Hawes, Livingston, and McElree.
McElree’s artwork will be entered into the national Junior Duck Stamp Contest, where it will compete against other state winners.
The first-place design from the national competition is used to create a Junior Duck Stamp.
These stamps are sold by the U.S. Postal Service, on the Internet and at many sporting goods stores.
Proceeds support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for students, teachers and schools that participate in the program.
The Texas Junior Duck Stamp Program is headquartered at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas.
For info, visit www.fws.gov/juniorduck  or contact humbertorodriguez@fws.gov.
 

TVCC students and Labor of Love serve community
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–Saturday, Oct. 27, a joint effort by Trinity Valley Community College’s cheer team/Athens and their courageous leaders Lucie Strom and Dr. Rip Drumgoole, vice-president for student services, and the Labor of Love (LOL) completed no less than three home improvement projects.
Six young men from the team guided by Wade Feemster, an LOL project manager, built a porch and wheelchair ramp for Glenda Bennett of Athens, who cried when she saw it.
The family received a wheelchair ramp and the youth learned first hand about service to others.
In another effort, J.W. Wilson was thrilled to have his home painted and looking fresh. It was almost a magical transformation, especially when you look at the before and after pictures.
A third effort by four young men from the team, under the guidance of Ray Hicks, an LOL project manager, replaced multiple windows, and completed several small but important tasks for Patricia Fisk of Mabank.
Clearly, the people of Henderson County can be proud of the young people attending Trinity Valley Community College and their willingness to give their time to improve the quality of life for the less fortunate families living among us.
The Labor of Love, a United Way of Henderson County agency, is a faith-based volunteer organization that provides home repairs free of charge to the handicapped, indigent, single mothers and grandmothers raising grandchildren in Henderson County, Texas.
Examples of repair or modification of homes include construction of wheelchair ramps, installing grab bars, widening bathroom entrance, fixing rotted front steps, repairing leaking roofs, holes in floors, etc.
It is an all volunteer organization except for a part-time paid administrator.
It works with youth groups from churches, schools or 4-H clubs to paint the exterior of homes for the less fortunate across Henderson County.
Labor of Love provides the paint, scrapers, ladders, brushes, and the youth group provides the painting effort. The end result is one very happy family.
Over the past four years we have grown substantially.
The LOL team of volunteers has completed projects that have positively impacted the lives of 176 families during 2006.
If you need assistance, please call (903) 675-LOVE and ask for an application.
If you would like information or to join our team, please call the same number and request a phone call.