News Archives

NSDAR American History Essay Contest Bronze Metal Winner Announced

BJ Kirkpatrick News 11/19/201707/23/2025

Pottsboro Texas | November 19, 2017

Preston Trail Chapter, NSDAR Pottsboro, Texas awarded Miss Sienna Wideman, the winner of the NSDAR American History Essay Contest for the 2017 – 2018 school year, a bronze metal and a certificate. Miss Wideman came in with the high score on her essay. She was one of twenty one seventh graders in the Pottsboro ISD and Bells ISD which entered the contest. All participants received a Certificate of Participation Award. The essays were all evaluated by three local community judges to determine the winner. The judges this year were Carole Siebman, Dianne Connery and James Peercy.

This year’s essay contest was titled “Remembering World War 1: The War to End All Wars” in honor of the 100th anniversary of World War 1. The American History Essay Contest is offered annually to local school district students in grades fifth through eighth. This year, the American History Essay Contest Committee chairman, Mrs. Natalie Bauman of Pottsboro, and two chairpersons, Mrs. Carolyn Dexheimer of Bells and Margaret Alverson of Ector, worked diligently to make the essay contest a success

One student`s essay from each grade was chosen to represent their grade and locale. The winning essay is then escalated to district, state and ultimately, the national level. This is the first time our local schools have been offered the opportunity to participate, and Preston Trail Chapter NSDAR is excited to have the cooperation of teachers and schools, as well as the students of the Pottsboro and Bells School Districts. One teacher, in particular, Mrs. Mindy Hawthorne of Pottsboro Middle School, went the extra mile to put this into her curriculum and entered twenty students into the contest.

The students were given the title for the essay, a list of reference materials pertaining to the subject and the rules required to qualify for the contest. The scores were based on required information, interest and originality of the essay written. Congratulations to all the students that participated and good luck to Ms. Wideman in the next round of judging.

American History Essay Contest Bronze Medal Winner — Adults: Far left: Vicki McComack, Far Right: Natalie Bauman, Back row: Assist Principal Shannon Edwards, second row right: Teacher, Mindy Hawthorne Winner of essay contest, front row center holding medal: Sienna Wideman Students in alphabetical order: Hollee Boyles, Novelee Covington, Audrey Dill, Drake Foster, Creighton Gattis, Jordyn Hampton, Riley Hines, Cody Johansen, Nina Kirkpatrick, Magnus Laitinen Savannah Lipscomb, Zoey Mayes, Rian Morris, Analiese Sims, Madeline Skipworth, Abigail West, Sienna Wideman, Alexa Williams, Caleb Williams, Ethan Zapata

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 177,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world during the past three years. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.

Northeast Texas Childrens Museum Host Brunch with Santa

BJ Kirkpatrick News 11/19/201707/23/2025

Santa Claus knows the way to the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum for the annual Brunch with Santa. This year’s event will be on Saturday, December 2 from 9:30 to 11:30. Commerce Lil’ Angels will provide a pancake breakfast. Christmas crafts and, of course, pictures with Santa Claus, will make the event a wonderful way to begin the Christmas Season.

Santa has already made an early visit to the Children’s Museum and children will enjoy new exhibits during their time. The new wind machine built by Jim Brown will be on the floor; there is also a new Kids at Play Activity Board built by Dennis Anderson. Children will also notice the new Imagination Station Blue Blocks.

“This is a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season,” said Sharline Freeman, Executive Director. “It is exciting for us to see the children so happy with the excitement of Christmas.”

In addition to brunch, several Christmas craft areas entertain the children. They may make snow globes, Christmas decorations, or have their face painted. They may even write a letter to Santa and mail it at the Children’s Museum. Children have the opportunity to play in all the exhibits. They can make bubbles in the Commerce Lil Angels Bubble Room, doctor the dogs in the Commerce Veterinary Clinic, buy groceries in the Brookshire’s Grocery exhibit, milk a cow, or play in any of the other play areas.

“This event has become a highlight for families in northeast Texas,” said Donna Tavener, Board President. “It is one of my favorite events of the year.”

Get ready for a picture with Santa, bring your wish list and say “hello” to jolly, old Saint Nick on December 2. Tickets for the event are $8.00 per person and are $10.00 at the door on the day of the event. For more information, call the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum at (903) 886-6055.

Waterfowl Hunters Reminded to Help Prevent Spread of Invasive Species

Texas Parks and Wildlife | Austin Texas

With duck hunting season getting underway in most of the state in early November, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding waterfowl hunters to clean, drain and dry boats and equipment before traveling from lake to lake to help avoid spreading invasive species like giant salvinia and zebra mussels.

“Invasive species like giant salvinia can quickly grow to cover expanses of fresh water, which can block access for hunters to prime waterfowl hunting areas,” said John Findeisen, TPWD aquatic invasive species team lead. “By properly cleaning, draining and drying equipment and reporting sightings of invasive species, waterfowl hunters can make a big difference in the fight to protect our lakes and waterways from aquatic invaders.”

Findeisen noted all equipment that comes into contact with the water is capable of harboring invasive species – including waders, boats, trailers and decoys – and can quickly spread them to new places and destroy aquatic habitats.

“Any gear that has been in the water can carry invasives and must also go through a thorough clean, drain and dry process,” Findeisen said. “This includes decoys, waders and marsh sleds.”

In Texas it is unlawful to possess or transport prohibited aquatic invasive species, dead or alive, anywhere in the state. TPWD regulations also require boaters to drain all water from their boat and onboard receptacles before leaving or approaching a public body of fresh water in order to prevent the transfer of invasive species. This regulation applies to all types and sizes of boats whether powered or not: personal watercraft, sailboats, kayaks/canoes or any other vessel used on public waters.

These three steps can prevent further spread of invasive species in Texas:

CLEAN: Before leaving the ramp area, do a walkaround inspection. Remove any plants, mud and debris from the boat, trailer and gear. Be sure to check your boots, dogs, decoys, and anything else that was in the water.

DRAIN: Drain your boat, motor and other water-retaining compartments. Keep your drain plugs out until you are home.

DRY: Let your boat and gear dry completely before entering another waterbody. If it can’t dry for at least a week, then wash everything thoroughly with high-pressure, soapy water.

A new video intended to help hunters properly clean, drain and dry boats and equipment can be found at https://youtu.be/f-CQW9n0t4c.

Because early detection is an important part of reducing or eliminating the presence of invasive species, TPWD encourages hunters to help be the eyes open in their hunting areas. To report giant salvinia call (409) 384- 9965 or use the online report form. If you find zebra mussels on your boat or gear, call TPWD at (512) 389-4848 before moving it to another waterbody. To report zebra mussels in a new waterway, use our online report form.

Text TPWD GS or TPWD ZM to GOV311 for updates on giant salvinia (GS) or zebra mussels (ZM).