Citizens Journal Online
'Winter Wear Drive'
CSNT seeks donations to keep children warm this winter
By ANGELA GUILLORY
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A "Winter Wear Drive" is underway at Community Services of Northeast Texas. Director Dan "Lucky" Boyd said a coat drive isn’t enough -- it is everything a child needs to keep warm during the cold winter months.
"Its long sleeve shirts, hats, gloves, scarves, winter socks, insulated under garments -- it's all these things children end up going to school and not having," Boyd said. "Parents understand to a child ‘what’s for Christmas’ is more important than ‘what am I wearing to school tomorrow to keep warm’ and responsible parents know they have to keep their children warm. And in this economy it is tough to be finically responsible with all that is going on in the economy so we want to help. We know there are people who can help and we want to connect people who can help with those who need help.
The organization also manages a food pantry which is always in need of non-perishable items such as can goods, personal items, cleaning supplies, and infant items such as diapers, wipes, baby powder and such. Monetary donations help assist in case by case basis and to purchase less frequently occurring sizes for children.
"It is not just a food pantry it is a life pantry so everything you need for life we want to help you get," Boyd said.
Donations can be made at one of two locations in Cass County at 211 N. Pinecrest Drive in Atlanta or 304 E. Houston St. in Linden.
For more information call 756-5596 or 903-796-3383.
Also volunteers are needed to help deliver two to six meals a day to homebound citizens. Call 877-lunch81.
Labor Day fun downtownRabbits, Roberson win first prizes in Moonlight Madness events By BRENDA BROWN This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Cass County does, indeed, have talent! Chateau Roberson of Atlanta walked away with braggin’ rights and $100 as the winner of the first-ever "Cass County Has Talent Show," held in conjunction Sunday evening with the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual "Moonlight Madness and Cheer-Off." The Atlanta Varsity Cheerleaders took home the $300 prize for the best cheer squad. Their only competition this year was the McLeod Longhorn Varsity Cheerleaders, who also fired up the crowd with their cheers and routine. Eleven-year-old Kaydee Kelly sang "Redeemer" and took home $50 for her second-place performance, while Rodney Williams of Huffines won an unexpected third place prize of $30. Doug Beeman, Chamber of Commerce president, said the judges "came up with another $30" to award the third place award to Williams, who sang "Farewell Party." Roberson, who was the last contestant in the talent show, wowed the crowd with her a capella performance of "Eye on the Sparrow." Shoppers came out in droves to take advantage of discounts offered by downtown merchants, as well as to purchase home-baked goodies from various nonprofit groups who set up tables along the street to make a little extra money for their organizations. Other talent show contestants were Kelsey Johnson of Atlanta, who sang "Just A Dream"; Kinsey Kelly of Bloomburg, who sang "Get Down"; Kim Crump of Atlanta, who sang "Old Gospel Ship" with a little help from her 3-year-old granddaughter, Braylie Duncan; "The Spicettes," a line-dancing quartet consisting of Virginia Hyatt, Fay Hufstetler, Joann Taylor and Janna Rogers, who danced to "Boot Scoot Boogie"; the Atlanta Middle School Color Guard, who performed one of their routines with flags and wooden rifles; and Rachel Woods of Atlanta, who sang "The Only Exception." While the judges tallied votes, Tamara Shada, sang Christian songs for the crowd lined up along the street across from the stage. Sponsors for the event were Atlanta Memorial Hospital Gift Shop, Benita’s Atlanta Floral, JoJo’s Cakes & Confections, Laura’s Used Book Store, Merle Norman and Terrell Brothers Furniture and Appliances. Atlanta Area Chamber eventHoot-N-Holler BBQ set Sept. 24-25 The seventh annual Hoot-N-Holler barbeque cook-off is set for the weekend of September 24-25 at the Mattie Lanier Richey Center in Atlanta, with $5,000 cash to be awarded to the best barbecue chefs. The pubic is invited to an all-you-can-eat barbecue-and-fixin’s lunch, which will be served from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce office or from chamber board members for $7 each. "We will have lots of exciting things taking place during this event," said Beverly Johnson, chamber manager. "There will be an auction with lots of wonderful auction items awaiting your bid. There will also be activities for the kids and live music." The cook-off is sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association. Being a state champion cook-off opens doors to the national cook-off competitions held throughout the country for the grand champion of the Hoot-N-Holler cook-off. It is one of many competitions held throughout the state. Entry fee for the competition is $85. Complimentary brisket is not required. Categories include brisket, ribs and chicken, and there will also be a jackpot beans contest. Cooker entry forms may be obtained at the chamber office at 101 N. East St. or by visiting www.atlantatexas.net and clicking on the Hoot-N-Holler logo. |
County's most talented will win $100'Midnight Madness and Cheer-Off' set Sunday High school cheerleaders and Cass County’s “most talented” will have the opportunity to make some cash and shoppers will have the opportunity to save some cash during Sunday night’s Moonlight Madness and Cheer-Off in downtown Atlanta. This year the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce will also sponsor its first-ever “Cass County Has Talent Show” and the winner will walk away with $100 cash. The Labor Day weekend event begins at 8 and ends at midnight. The cheer squads will gather in downtown for the cheer-off with the $300 prize going to the school that shows the most spirit. Cheer squads leaders who haven’t contacted the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce yet to let them know you will be participating are encouraged do so as soon as possible. Chamber Manager Beverly Johnson said the family-friendly event includes street vendors and kids activities, including a bounce house. Johnson said folks with talent will want to compete for the $100 cash prize. “If you have a talent for dancing, singing, magic, playing an instrument or anytime of talent call Randy Smith at KAQC TV at 903-796-8820 or call the chamber to register for the talent show,” she said. Merchants will open their doors with lots of bargains. Sponsors for the Moonlight Madness include Atlanta Memorial Hospital Gift Shop, Benita’s Atlanta Floral, JoJo's Cakes & Confections, Laura's Used Book Store, Merle Norman and Terrell Brothers Furniture and Appliances.
Oct. 4 is the deadlineWould-be voters must register soon Cass County tax assessor-collector and voter registrar Becky Watson wants to remind everyone of the approaching Nov. 2 general election. The last day to register to vote is Oct 4 and if a change of residence is needed the voter registrar must be notified also by this date. Voter registration applications may be picked up at the City Hall office in Hughes Springs, the Chamber of Commerce office in Atlanta or the Cass County Tax Office in Linden. A person must be 17 years and 10 months of age or older. When voting, citizens must present their voter certificate or some other form of identification. For questions or to request more applications, call the Cass County Tax Office at 903-756-5513. For more information about Texas voter registration, go to www.votexas.org. |
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