School & Community News

Groveton News July 2, 2009 p2

Emma Mae Fears Holled, Class of 1940. She was a hoot. She had a witty sense of humor and loved whole heartedly. Everyone remembers her cooking at the cafe, but when that time passed, Emma Mae began a telephone ministry. She had ten or so friends she would call everyday. These friends were “shut ins” just like she was. They were not crippled or disabled, they just didn’t drive. They depended on others to take them to the grocery store or shopping and even the doctor. She touched base with each of them and shared what the others had told her about their last trip to town and in general, became a trusted friend. Now, Home Health agencies do daily checks but back then Emma Mae filled the gap. Our community was blessed to have such a friend. Another person I dearly miss is Marcette Brannen Williams, Class of 1943. It was a sad day for Trinity County, the day she retired from the welfare office. Times have changed and the needs of our generation are different but Ms. Marcette was the most helpful person I have ever known. She read letters for folks that couldn’t read. She completed important forms for those that couldn’t write. She took the education she received from Groveton ISD and gladly shared it with those who had to quit school to work or help in the field, or those that had to go to war; Marcette graciously gave of herself and ask nothing in return. There aren’t many folks around today that have the unselfish, caring personalities Raymond, Emma Mae or Marcette

Groveton News June 25 Part I

We have our first Life Member from the Class of 2009! This is a rarity. Seldom do young graduates have this type foresight. Travis Rasbeary comes from a long line of time-honored Ex-Students. He is the ninth Rasbeary to become a Life Member. His grandparents, Baylous, Class of 1931 and Life Member L-028 and Linnie Burchfield Rasbeary, Class of 1932 and Life Member L-029 were the first Rasbeary members and Baylous later served as President. He has aunts, uncles and cousins upholding this tradition. We welcome Travis, the salutatorian of his ’09 class, and wish him well as he continues his education. Besides being a recipient of one of our scholarships, he also received the “Smith-Hutson” scholarship to attend Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. His brother, Greg Rasbeary, Class of 1999 and Life Member L-569 also received this scholarship and graduated from Sam.
Speaking of Greg, this past weekend was busy in Groveton. He was our official umpire at the Dixie League Baseball “Machine Pitch” tournament held at the “Y”. Nelson Reynolds, Class of 1976 is President of our local association. Shawn Reynolds Porter, Class of 1998 is the Vice President of the Dixie League Softball. Dixie Softball girls will be participating in a tournament at the softball fields located in Centerville beginning June 26th.. We would like the invite the community to attend and support our kids as all money raised from the tournament will better the Dixie

Groveton News June 25 part II

Program for our local area. The winners of the tournament will move forward to the state tournament held in various locations depending on the age group. Thanks to these two hard workers and the faithful fans, grandparents and parents that make this opportunity possible for the young ladies of our area. Tri-Cities cover Kennard, Centerville-Apple Springs, and Groveton. We have great players!
Our community lost Mr. Jim Bob Lee this past week. He was one of our “old-timers”. Our sympathy is extended to the Lee family. Most of his family, like ours, chose to live and send their children to GHS for their education. I believe it was and still is a wise choice. When I was little, my dad told stories of driving the school bus that picked up out toward their place. His favorite stop was Mr. Lee’s ’cause they usually had to hunt Pee Wee.
We have currently received notification and grades from four college students. Please send your request for scholarship payments now. We will need your grades, a letter for the paper and your coversheet. We have received notification from two new college students. I will begin showcasing a student of the week soon.
If you have a story about a current GISD teacher you would like to share, please feel free. I only like the ones that show a positive light on our community and school so please put your thinking hats on and send it in!
Until next time, Martha Mericle
grovetonindians@windstream.net

Groveton News June 18, 2009

How many times have you heard kids say, “There’s nothing to do in Groveton”? If you hear it this summer, somebody either has a streak of laziness or they just want to gripe. Around here, summer is always kicked off by Bible School at First Baptist. Bobby Read, Class of 1957, PHS and Wanda Doyle Read, Class of 1958 PHS orchestrate five fun filled days of teaching in a manner that doesn’t resemble public school but still instills God’s Word in our youth. You can’t help but learn.
Summer school began on the second Monday along with “speed camp”. Our high school girls are playing summer league basket-ball. The season is in full swing with our girls playing in Crockett on Tuesdays. Speed camp is similar to an all sports camp for girls. Our girls are fortunate that the school’s athletic facilities are opened for them to keep in touch with friends, to keep in shape and to hone their skills to a new level. Parents can be confident the coaches in Groveton, under the leadership of our new head coach, Kevin Parker, Class of 1995, supervise the facilities to insure student safety and provide positive role models and quality leadership.
I mentioned last week Charles Anthony and Kristi Wars Lowery are our newest life members. Kristi is Life Member L-629 and Charles is Life Member L-630. We thank them for their active roll in our community, their willingness to work with our youth and for becoming Life Members!
This week we received a generous donation

Groveton News June 2009

Last week the article was too long to include all the names of the scholarships and the recipients so I can keep this one shorter. First, I have some kudos’ to share. Thanks to Kristi Wars Lowery, Class of 1986 and to her husband, Charles Anthony Lowery, Class of 1980 for becoming life members. We will get their cards in the mail and I’ll post their numbers in our next article. Also, thanks to Louise Johnson Joyner, Class of 1967 and Life Member L-488 for her help in updating my email address book. She told several classmates and friends of our need. Thanks to Louise, I have begun a data base of names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. I also heard from Ann Netta Kennedy Oliverio, Class of 1959; Life Member L-025 suggesting a web page for our organization. I don’t know how to make one, but come fall I will, I’ll go to Angelina College for a class and learn. Then all I’ll have to do is post it. I promise I will keep everyone up to date to the best of my ability. I received two very sweet notes from Virginia Collins, Class of 1937A and Life Member L-326 and Mrs. Anna Hester, Class of 1947A, Life Member L-234. These two ladies are very involved with our organization and we are better because of them.
Our hearts are heavy today because of the passing of Joe Leon Dial, Class of 1950; Life Member L-204. I heard Leon tell that he was one of the boys saved from combat by his ability to type. His comments of praise for Mrs. Thelma Terry’s ability to te