Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Local News

Discussion

June 18, 2008

Eustace gears up for Pioneer Day this weekend

By Lauren Ricks

Folks in Eustace will be kickin’ up some dust this weekend — whether they’re running in a race or dancing in the street.

The city’s annual Pioneer Day will kick off Saturday to mark its 33rd year, according to Cary Reeve, the original — and current — chairman of Eustace Pioneer Day.

“It’s kinda like a hometown family reunion,” Reeve said.

Reeve said the Pioneer Day Parade will have wagons, some pulled by horses and some by tractors. He said anyone is welcome to join the parade.

“I will make sure of it. I’ll be in the front,” Reeve said.

The first event of the day is the Eustace Pioneer Day 5K run, beginning at 8 a.m. This is the third year of the event.

Race coordinator Gene Myers said registration on Saturday will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Town Square Gazebo.

He said he expects about 90 participants to race. Twenty-two have registered so far. The $20 entry fee includes a T-shirt.

“The race starts at the middle school, with two large laps around the school property and finishes at the flag pole at the square,” Myers said.

At 9 a.m. various booths — peddling arts, crafts, games and food — are scheduled to open for business on the square. Reeve said about 45 booths are expected to participate.

“I’ve never had a bigger variety of people doing stuff,” Reeve said.

A booth with electricity can be rented for $20; one without costs $10.

“It pays for the bands, the ribbons and the trophies,” Reeve said. “I don’t ever break even.”

Pioneer Day will offer many competitions and entertainment for attendees.

A “42” domino tournament at the Eustace Fire Department and the Classic Jaguar Car Show begin at 11 a.m.

At noon, a horseshoe-pitching contest and a cake walk will be held. A pet show will follow at 1 p.m.

The Eustace Fire Department will host a bingo game at 3 p.m. Reeve said prizes will include Beanie Babies and Wal-Mart gift cards.

Throughout the day entertainment will be provided by The Allen Family Four; Texas Praise; Heaven’s Calling; Zachary Stokes and Austin Pogue; Diamond Dawgs Dance and Country Boy D.J. Grant.

From 8 p.m. to midnight a street dance will be held featuring John Allen and the WhipLash Band.

Reeve said throughout the day he expects about 2,000 people to participate in Pioneer Day.

“We could have more,” he said.

Text Only
Local News
  • kengeeslin_profile.jpg Geeslin under fire

    Henderson County Attorney Clint Davis, has asked the Texas Rangers to look into a complaint filed against Precinct 4 County Commissioner Ken Geeslin by one of his employees. 
    Three witnesses agree that a verbal altercation occurred at the precinct barn on Jan. 11.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Juneteenth.JPG Early planning!

    It was  June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. A ship pulled into the Galveston port and Major Gen. Gordon Granger reads Orders, No. 3 to the people of Galveston.
    “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.  The freed men are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages.  They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
    With the reading of this order, slavery was ended in Texas, and Juneteenth was created.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bro. Henry Lusk.jpg Remembering Pastor Lusk

    Henry Lusk was a man who sold hardware during the week, and preached about the carpenter of Nazareth on Sundays.
    Lusk died Wednesday after a bout with cancer. He had pastored the Athens Church of God for about 6-1/2 years, and was manager of Athens Lumber and Supply for 29 years. Church members remembered him Friday as a energetic Bible preacher and caring pastor.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • 2-3 Rotary grant recipients pic.jpg Athens Rotary Club presents grants for public service

    The Athens Rotary Club presented grants to several organizations for their public service, Thursday. Pictured, left to right are club members and representatives of the organizations recognized. They are: Doug Scala, Rotary; Debbie Zea, Meals on Wheels; Mark Roberts, Henderson County Performing Arts Center; Ray Talbot, Labor of Love; Kathleen Lilly, Cain Foundation; Jean Riggs, Cain Center; Charla Hendrix, Leslie Saunders, Sarah Grey, Athens Independent School District; Carol Morton, Keep Athens Beautiful; Robert Nelson; Karen Whitton, Food Pantry; and Kyle Rocha, Cain Center.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Hampton.jpg Murder’s conviction affirmed by the Court of Appeals

    The Twelfth Court of Appeals in Tyler this week affirmed James Arlie Hampton’s murder conviction from December of 2010.
    Hampton was convicted, and sentenced to life in prison by a Henderson County jury for the murder of Corey David, who had been a guest in Hampton’s home. 

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Airport Board discusses Loop 7 sign

    The Athens Airport Advisory Board held a preliminary discussion on putting up a sign on Loop 7 at a regular session, Thursday.

    February 3, 2012

  • Oglesby..JPG Beloved teacher Oglesby dies suddenly

    An Athens Middle School teacher who died Wednesday from a recent illness cared about his craft, and the 8th graders he taught.
    Thomas Oglesby, 64, taught in the Athens Independent School District for more than 20 years.  He specialized in language arts, and even did a little coaching on the side.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • Athens Rotary tenders grants

    The Athens Rotary Club gave grants to several organizations, Thursday, in recognition of community service.
      Robert Nelson presided over the presentation of gifts ranging from $500 to $1,500 to help the groups in their services which included endeavors like feeding the hungry, home improvement and community theater.

    February 2, 2012

  • Deputies answer call for stolen copper from Oncor in Mabank

    MABANK     — Henderson County Sheriff’s Department officers answered another call on Jan. 26 concerning the theft of still more copper wire, this time from Oncor at 13680 County Road 2925 in this community.

    February 2, 2012

  • Man, woman arrested for burglary north of Murchison

    Henderson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call reporting trespassing on property north of Murchison Wednesday. The deputies arrested a man and a woman for burglary.

    February 2, 2012