Athens —
Work is progressing well on the Henderson County Veterans Memorial and Plaza under construction at the East Texas Arboretum.
Arboretum Executive Director Teresa Glasgow has circled November 10 as a target date for a large dedication for the structure that will honor military veterans who enlisted in Henderson County, or were natives of Henderson County, and enlisted elsewhere.
Names from as far back as the Civil War will be included on the monument.
“We’re checking with some VIPs and honored guests to see if that date is good for them,” Glasgow said. “We’re going to have bands, entertainment and concession stands. We’re going to have to shuttle people in because there’s not enough parking at the Arboretum.”
The Arboretum contracted for the names of 9,200 veterans to be engraved on a granite slate that goes on the wall. Glasgow said the final total of names might exceed that number, adding that the engraving process should take about three months.
Glasgow said the favorable weather and a good work crew have allowed construction to progress at a fast clip.
“They’re not going to be able to do much more until we get those plates,” Glasgow said. “After the plates are mounted it will take the workers about three more months to complete the project.”
The memorial will consist of two red-brick curved walls located within an open plaza with a bronze eagle sculpture overlooking the plaza. Glasgow said sculptor Paul Tadlock will be mounting the eagle on the structure.
According to Tadlock’s website, the artist has created works that grace prominent public displays, museums, galleries and private collections around the world. He is noted for sculpting wildlife.
Glasgow said with all of the activity, the Arboretum will temporarily close a bit earlier in the afternoon. Closing time is usually 6 p.m. in the winter, but the facility will close between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. during the winter months.
Local News
Work moves ahead
Veterans memorial could open Nov. 10
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Don’t let the fire die
Brownsboro Junior High eighth-grader Yasmine Mendez lights one of the candles during Thursday's induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society. Mendez and this year's NJHS class helped to officially welcome 36 new members who will be in eighth grade next year.
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‘Click it or Ticket’
The Athens Police Department is part of a nationwide effort to cut down on traffic injuries and deaths by getting motorists to buckle their seat belts. It’s part of the Click It or Ticket campaign underway through June 2.
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WWII vets visit Washington, D.C.
Two Athens men who served in World War II are part of a veteran’s visit to the nation’s capital this week.
J.C. Garrett and Doug Tanner join 28 others being escorted by Brookshires Grocery Co. who will tour the WWII Memorial and other sites. The veterans were set to leave Texas on Thursday and return at 9 a.m., Saturday. -
Taking a break, just like you
Henderson County offices will close Friday through Monday for the Memorial Day weekend.
The courthouse and other county locations have traditionally closed on a Friday in May for Fiddlers Day. County employees were given May 24 as a holiday this year in anticipation of the event. The county’s 2013 holiday schedule was already set when the organizers of Fiddlers Day decided to make it a Friday night and Saturday affair on May 31 and June 1. -
Great ability, not debatable
BROWNSBORO — Brownsboro senior Caleb Cade earned a state championship in persuasive speaking at the 2013 UIL State Speech and Debate Meet in Austin on May 22.
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Wet and wild
A line of severe thunderstorms roared throughout Henderson County on Tuesday afternoon, dropping significant rainfall and taking down trees and power lines.
The storm produced heavy rains in Athens, where the National Weather Service reports 2.16 inches fell. Residents in the county were seeing three or more inches in their rain gauges. -
Strong message
A Henderson County jury delivered a strong message to a 37-year-old Kemp man in the sentencing phase of a child sexual-abuse trial on Tuesday.
The jury, in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court, handed Danny Ray Lusk four life sentences and one 20-year sentence, the maximum jail time on each count. -
Going to ‘WAR’
A program termed “We Are Responsible” was generated this year at South Athens Elementary School by its principal, Eugene Buford.
At first reading, the slogan appears to be for the school’s students. But, after looking at the slogan and noting that the abbreviation is WAR, Buford says the slogan is for educators. -
A need that’s very easy to see
The Greater Athens Lions Club is asking for used eyeglasses, lenses, glass cases and hearing aids for the annual Lions Club White Cane Day this Saturday.
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Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
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