Athens —
The Athens Rotary Club dined to the sounds of old standards and spiritual songs played by the Trinity Valley Community College Wind Ensemble, Thursday, then heard from the director.
Michael Matchael told the Rotarians that the band program is busy throughout the year and brought a visual presentation highlighting some of their work Concerts, football games and parades dot the calendar throughout the year. This Saturday, at 10 a.m, the Cardinal Regiment marches in the Dallas Christmas Parade.
“There’ll be four television stations on the parade route. Please watch for us. You should be able to see us live somewhere,” Matchael said.
Thousands are expected to brave the chilly weather to see the entries.
Events like the one in Dallas help spread the TVCC name and the reputation of the red and white, military clad band beyond the counties where the school’s classes are located.
“I’m very proud of the work that they’ve done. The keep improving year after year,” Matchael said.
Michael Matchael became marching band director at TVCC last year. Before that, his career included stints as director of jazz band, pep band and orchestra. For six years he was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.
The Regiment will have a bright, new look bringing up the rear of the band.
“Wednesday, we had six new sousaphones come in — beautiful,” Matachael said.
They replace instruments that almost date back to the days of John Phillip Sousa himself, who died in 1932. Two of the old instruments were made between 1935 and 1940. The other four were manufactured between 1940 and 1945.
“We’ve been using 70 to 75 year old instruments in the band,” Matchael said. “They were well made, but they were well past their prime. They were costing us more to repair than to buy new ones.”
Local News
TVCC band to march in Dallas Christmas Parade
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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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