John Tyler Class of ‘66 plans 50-year reunion

 

The 50-year reunion for the John Tyler High School class of 1966 is scheduled June 24-25.

The first night will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at Bruno’s on Old Jacksonville Highway. Celebrations will take place at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on South Broadway.

Attendees are asked to update and confirm their mailing address at www. jths1966reunion.com.

Information: 903-825-6506 or 903-574-4628

 

Program to focus on life during WPA era

 

The Smith County Historical Society will host a screening of “Enough to Live On: The Art of the WPA,” a documentary by Michael Maglaras at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Tyler Public Library.

The film will be introduced by John Moore and Greta Dixon-Moore, who will discuss the influence of Works Progress Administration projects in their lives.

Information: smithcounty historicalsociety.com

 

Input sought on sales tax use at open house

 

An open house will be held on Tuesday to gather public input on capital projects to be considered for Half Cent Sales Tax funding.

The event will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center’s Large Conference Room at 423 W. Ferguson St.

Staff from each of the funded categories including police, fire, parks, airport, traffic, engineering and drainage will be available to talk with the public and gather data for potential half cent funded projects.

The city of Tyler collects Half Cent Sales Tax revenue and utilizes it to fund capital improvement projects. Expenditures of the fund include, but are not limited to, administrative costs, right-of-way acquisition costs, design costs and construction costs.

This will be the fifth annual open house for the Half Cent Sales Tax program.

Information: 903-531-1126

 

Shriners hospitals to benefit in IHOP event

 

On Tuesday, National Pancake Day, the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) will celebrate a “Decade of Giving,” and offer dine-in guests a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes.

With every short stack of pancakes served from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., diners will be invited to make a donation to designated charities, including Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The restaurant chain hopes to raise $3.5 million in this one-day event.

There is a limit of one free short stack of free pancakes per guest. This is not valid with any other offer, and only applies to participating restaurants.  

  

Public library hosting Spring Book Sale

 

The Tyler Public Library will host its Spring Book Sale in the library lobby and the first floor Book Nook from Wednesday through Sunday. 

Items for sale include donations that do not meet the library’s current needs and gently used resources that have been withdrawn from circulation.

Framed and unframed art prints will be part of the sale again this year.

Stock will be replenished during the sale days, so there will be new items available daily as space permits. Many items, including animal and nature volumes, art books and history titles, have not been previously available at the sale.

The sale areas will be open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Information: www.Tyler Library.com or 903-593-7323

 

‘Loners on Wheels’ chapter to host camp

 

The “Border Lows,” a local Chapter of “Loners on Wheels,” will have its monthly campout from Thursday to Sunday at Texarkana RV Park, near U.S. Highway 59 in Texarkana.

Information: Call Ruth at 903-678-3714 or Dorothy at 903-701-4907

 

Book drive to benefit Tyler literacy council

 

A book drive benefiting the Literacy Council of Tyler is taking place at United Heritage Credit Union until Friday.

Members of the community are encouraged to participate in the book drive by bringing new and gently used children’s books to the UHCU Tyler branch at 522 S. Broadway Ave. Donations help the Literacy Council of Tyler provide free books to families in the community. The books are placed at sites where low-income families have access to them, and children are invited to choose a book to keep.

Books must be new or gently used children’s books, for children up to 8 years old and with pages that are intact, clean and unmarked.

Team United Heritage – a group of UHCU employees who volunteer their time, raise funds and collect donations for local charitable organizations – sponsors the book drive.

 

Daylily Club to host meet at Rose Garden

 

Local grower Joey Dziema will present “Introducing the Daylily” at the East Texas Daylily Society’s 2 p.m. meeting on March 13.

The PowerPoint presentation will cover the history of the plant, its transfer to America, and its subsequent development into numerous colors, shapes and sizes. 

The meeting will be at the Tyler Rose Garden Center in the Azalea Room. Visitors and new members are welcome. 

Information:  903-670-3302

 

Innovation Showcase set for Pine Tree ISD

 

Pine Tree ISD will hold a showcase to share student-learning experiences that increase engagement, improve achievement, encourage collaboration and ignite a renewed passion for learning throughout the district. 

The Pine Tree ISD Innovation Showcase will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. March 17 at Pine Tree High School.

Information: 903-295-5136 or email mwhitton@ptisd.org 

 

Teams sought for barbecue cookoff

 

The Grill Fest-sanctioned barbecue cook-off, presented by Farmers State Bank and held by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, will take place Saturday, March 19 on the grounds of the Windham Civic Center.

More than $6,500 will be awarded in prize money to registered cook teams, according to the Grill Fest Committee. Cook teams may register and enter the contest with a $150 registration fee prior to March 4 or $200 after that date.

Prize money for the top three cook teams will be awarded in three categories – Pork Spare Ribs, Chicken and Brisket. First place is $1,000, second place $750 and third place $500.

Trophies will be awarded for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion. Set-up, meat inspection and cooking will begin Friday afternoon, March 18. Cook teams may also take part in the bean cook-off with a $10 entry fee and jackpot prize.

Cook teams and the public are also invited to participate in a dessert cook-off. Desserts may be prepared on- or off-site. There will be a $10 entry fee per dessert with a jackpot prize and trophy.

An entry wristband will be $10 with the public invited to sample tastings of barbecue at cook team stations.

Information: www.shelby countychamber.com

 

Meals On Wheels to take part in campaign

 

Meals On Wheels Ministry will be participating in the national 2016 March for Meals campaign on Tuesday, March 29.

Festivities will include a special showing of support by “Community Champions,” both elected officials from the organization’s six-county service area as well as local celebrities who have volunteered to deliver meals and help bring awareness to the mission of Meals On Wheels.

The month of March mobilizes hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs across the country to reach out to their communities and build the support that will sustain them all year long.

Information: Contact Zoe Lawhorn at zoe@mowmet. org, or by calling 903-525-0906.

 

Easter Bunny photos available at mall

 

Simon, a global leader in retail real estate, is hosting its annual Easter celebration festivities at Broadway Square Mall, offering families the chance to participate in traditional and unique seasonal events.

The Bunny Photo Experience runs until March 26 in front of New York and Co. in the Sears wing. Kids will have the chance to visit with the bunny and take home a snapshot of the occasion.

Families can also visit the Caring Bunny – a unique event in a subdued environment tailored to children living with special needs and their families.

Reserve your moment with Bunny at http://simon. noerrbunny.com. 

 

ET Master Naturalist classes through March

 

The East Texas Chapter of Master Naturalist hosts its 2016 classes from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at the Tyler Nature Center, 11942 Farm-to-Market Road 848.

Classes will continue through March. There also will be classes on Saturdays and three Saturday field trips.

The classes are aimed to educate and prepare participants for service and volunteerism in the field of natural resources. Topics will include: archaeology, mammalogy, aquatic systems, native plants and more.

All inclusive class fees are $125. See website for dates and class descriptions.

Information: txmn.org/ etwd

 

Glass Recreation to host rummage sale

 

The Glass Recreation Center’s Annual Rummage Sale is slated for March 12.

Vendor registration is $15 per booth. Setup time is from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Vendors are encouraged to register quickly because booth space is limited.

Doors open at 7 a.m. on the day of the sale; no early bird shoppers are allowed.

Proceeds from the sale of booth spaces help fund the free youth service programs vital to the East Texas area.

Information: 903-595-7271

  

Quilters’ Guild plans two-day celebration

 

Celebrating National Quilting Day, the Quilter’s Guild of East Texas will have an event titled “Scraps! Quintessentially American” on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19.

Special exhibits, merchants with a variety of wares and demonstrations will be happening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at Harvey Convention Center.

The show is for beginning quilters, experienced quilters and those who enjoy viewing quilts.

General admission tickets can be purchased at the door and are $7. For seniors 65 and over and children 6 to 12, tickets are $6. 

 

Women’s auxiliary hosting USO show

 

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary will host their USO show, “God Bless America,” from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Harvey Convention Center.

The event is geared toward honoring local veterans, celebrating the United States and showcasing local talent all while raising money for the work of The Salvation Army in Smith County.

Advance tickets are on sale for $12 and can be purchased by contacting Virginia Barron at 903-530-2448 or by email: barro@sudden link.net. Tickets are $15 at the door. 

 

Annual MDA Muscle Walk on March 26

 

The MDA of East Texas Muscle Walk is scheduled for 8 a.m. March 26 at Robert E. Lee High School. 

Through MDA Muscle Walk, people in the East Texas area can join forces to raise critical dollars that will make a real difference in the lives of people fighting life-threatening muscle disease in the community.

Funds raised through the Muscle Walk program help build on decades of research progress and help the search for treatments and cures.

Information: For registration information, visit www. musclewalkmda.org/tyler2016 or call the local MDA office at 903-574-1045.

 

Komen Race for the Cure set for May 7

 

Registration is open for the 18th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, set for Saturday, May 7, in downtown Tyler.

This year’s theme is “Be a Hero in the Fight Against Breast Cancer.”

The Komen Race Series is the world’s largest and most successful education and fund-raising event for breast cancer.

Again this year, breast cancer survivors will be treated to a breakfast and special gifts in the foyer of Regions Bank following the survivor group photo, which will be take place at 7 a.m. In addition, all participants are encouraged to wear “in memory” or “in honor” back signs, honoring loved ones for their strength and courage.

Information: To register and for more information visit www.komentyler.org.

 

– Compiled by Augusta Robinson

 

Send event information to augusta robinson@tylerpaper.com