Texoma Talk Blog

Come Hear a Humorous Exploration of All Things Southern

BJ Kirkpatrick News 02/21/201807/23/2025 0 Comment

Pottsboro, Texas | February 21, 2018

There will be a humorous and interesting program given at the March 1^st meeting of the Preston Trail NSDAR meeting. The title of the program will be “Southern Fried.” The speaker for the March 1st meeting will be Catherine Fowler. There’s something enchanting and irresistible about the style of a Southern woman and the incomparable culture that produced her. Come revel in our wonderfulness as we gently poke fun at all things Southern — from magnolias to moon pies. Sit a spell on the porch and share in the laughter as we decode the manners and myths, the rules and rituals of the storied South. Rich traditions such as how to eat watermelon in your frilly sundress to the importance of biscuits, banjos, and bless your heart will all be explained. We will make you proud of putting’ on the grits! Y’all come now, ya hear?

The speaker, Catherine Fowler is a graduate of the University of North Texas and taught English at Lake Highlands High School for four and a half years when it first opened. Mrs. Fowler is an adult Sunday school teacher and chaired various church committees – Council on Ministries, Worship, Education, Women’s Retreat and Capital Campaigns. She has served as a librarian and as district library coordinator for Frisco Independent School District, where she worked for 22 years, serving on many committees. Mrs. Fowler and her husband, Pat, are honored to have a school named after them—Pat and Catherine Fowler Middle School. She has been awarded the “Spirit of Frisco” award by the Frisco Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Frisco Education Foundation Board, where she helped raise money for and award scholarships to graduating seniors. Mrs. Fowler has volunteered as a living history demonstrator as the school marm in the one-room school at Frisco Heritage Village. She has presented programs to various organizations, including the Frisco Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Frisco Association of School Personnel and more. She is also active in the Frisco Association of Retired School Personnel. Mrs. Fowler is a proud mother and grandmother.

Would you like to be part of our meetings and be able to listen to the interesting speakers we have each month? You are welcome to come and see what the DAR is all about even if you are not a member. Would you like to be involved in the good works that DAR participates in? Anyone interested in receiving help to prove their ancestry for qualification to become a Daughter of the American Revolution are welcome to contact our chapter at www.facebook.com/PrestonTrailNSDARPottsboroTX75076 on Facebook or www.DAR.org.

The Preston Trail Chapter of the DAR next meets Thursday, March 1st, and thereafter through May on the first Thursday of the month at 5pm for snacks and fellowship and at 6pm for chapter meetings and programs. For the meeting location please contact the chapter at prestontrailnsdar@gmail.com

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, and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.

Children’s Health and Safety Fair at Children’s Museum

BJ Kirkpatrick News 02/20/201807/23/2025 0 Comment

February 19, 2018 | Commerce, Texas

No topic is more important than children’s health and safety. This will be the focus of the Children’s Health and Safety Fair held at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, March 3 from 9:30 to 11:30. Sponsors for the event include Walmart, Hunt Regional Healthcare, Atmos, and Pediatric Center of Greenville. Free admission to the museum will be offered during the time of the Health and Safety Fair.

Although the museum will be open for creative play, exhibits throughout the museum will highlight health and safety. The 8 foot tall Mega Lung will be on display and will provide an opportunity for children to ask questions and have a greater understanding of the importance of a healthy lung. ” I enjoy seeing the expression on each child’s face as they see the MegaLung for the first time. They become even more interested as they walk through the lung, ” said Elana Barton, Director of Development.

Ms. Angela Price of the Commerce Police Department will provide children’s identification cards. The cards will include fingerprints and pictures of each child. Ms. D’Ann Frank will use oxymeters to compare each child’s resting pulse rate to the pulse rate after exercise

“What could be more important than an event which focuses on the health and safety of our children?” said Sharline Freeman, Director of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. “We are excited to offer an event that is so beneficial to children and their parents.” The Children’s Museum and the play areas will be open.

“We appreciate the sponsors for the event and the Children’s Activity Book. The sponsorship of Walmart, Hunt Regional Healthcare, Pediatric Center of Greenville, and Atmos make this event possible. We are very appreciative of their support,” said Donna Tavener, Board President.

For more information, call the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.

CAMP DRAGONFLY Children’s Grief Camp at Camp All Saints on Lake Texoma

Lake Texoma | February 18, 2018

Registration for Camp Dragonfly is now open. Camp Dragonfly is a weekend retreat, led by professional clinicians and trained staff, for children ages 8-12 who have suffered the loss of a loved one. All activities at Camp Dragonfly are designed to help children heal and live successfully after loss. During the weekend, campers have the opportunity to participate in art activities, games, nature hikes, discussions, and a campfire with s’mores. Campers learn ways to process feelings and treasure memories. Camp is not about forgetting, it is about healing. We use exercises to help the children learn to process grief and then fun activities to practice the coping skills they are learning,” said Nancy Jackson, Community Development Director and Camp Director. “Children grieve differently than adults. Some children have behavioral problems, some struggle with schoolwork, some become argumentative or fearful, some hesitate to be away from a parent, and many don’t like to be alone.”

Children dealing with grief often feel isolated and feel that no one understands. One of the goals of Camp Dragonfly is to give the campers a chance to be with others who can relate to their feelings of grief and sadness to help them realize that they are not alone. “My child very much enjoyed camp, she has always felt different from other children and camp seemed to make her feel like she belonged,” said a parent whose daughter attended a previous session. “The grief counselor I talked to was awesome! She was very honest and straightforward with me. She even asked how I was handling everything.”

Parents will receive a debriefing after the weekend from the clinical staff designed to not only provide them with resources, but insight as to how children grieve. The goal is to help the parents understand that a child experiences grief differently and help parents recognize and help them to cope with those behaviors.

The spring session of Camp Dragonfly is scheduled for March 23rd -25th at All Saints Camp on Lake Texoma, 418 Stanton Way, in Pottsboro, Texas. If you know a child who would benefit from participating, contact Nancy Jackson at (903) 868-9315 or nancy.jackson@homehospice.org.
Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke and Fannin Counties is a 501(c)(3) local community-based organization founded in 1982. Our mission is to provide compassionate care, emotional support and education to our patients, their caregivers and the community to enhance their Quality of Life. For more
information visit our website at www.homehospice.org.