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It really does look like Christmas

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ItReallyLooksLikeChristmasTSNTCandy Cane Lane leads folks to Santa’s Workshop and Rolly the Reindeer, and even sports carolers from Sam Houston State University. PHOTOS BY TONY FARKUS

By Tony Farkas
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Lone Star Lights is a wonderland near Riverside.

Maybe not a wintery one, but one full of not only the Christmas spirit but the Holy Spirit as well, with 1.2 million LED lights creating a holiday glow.

Event Director Wes Armstrong said Lone Star Lights covers an area of approximately 17 acres just off of FM 980, and was created last year as an extension of Carolina Creek Christian Camp’s mission of bringing families closer to Christ.

Since the camps and retreat centers close down during the holiday season, Armstrong said Lone Star Lights was designed to allow the camp to reach people year-round in a family-centric and community-oriented way.

Following a large loop, there are eight themed areas for visitors to explore, all designed to make them feel as they won’t be “nickel and dimed” by the park.

One such is the Snow Zone, a place where three quarters of a million pounds of snow is created for the full winter experience. Armstrong said they truck in 30,000 to 60,000 pounds of ice daily, depending on the weather, which is then shredded on site.

There is Santa’s Workshop, where people and children can get their pictures taken with Santa, which is provided free in digital form to the patrons. Prints can be purchased if desired.

A hit with children is Rolly the Talking Reindeer, who is an animatronic animal that is interactive and will respond to questions, all the while cracking jokes.

Patrons can do crafts, decorate sugar cookies at Silver Bell Bakery, take horse rides through the park (led by attendants), ride a zip line over a river of lights or take on challenges in what Armstrong says is a hidden gem — the Adventure Park.

There are crate stacking challenges and bucking barrels for kids of all ages

There are daily acoustic musical acts, live bands, and in Halley Hall, community groups of all types, such as acting, dancing or even martial arts, can perform.

For a more immersive experience, the camp offers dinner theater, which includes a four-course meal and acts by the A.D. Players, or even overnight stays can be purchased, as the camp has 12 family cabins, each themed and decorated for the season, and 12 lodge rooms, all Christmas-centric.

Armstrong said it takes 135 people a night to staff the park, which includes full-time, seasonal and volunteer staff.

The park is open on select days beginning Nov. 24 and ending with a nine-day run to Dec. 24. Hours run from 5:30-10 p.m.

Armstrong said costs for adults is $35 and $22 for children; however, there are several discount nights where costs drop to $25 for adults and $15 for youth. The park closes at 9 p.m. those nights. Parking is free, and shuttles will ferry guests to the park.

For information or to purchase tickets or make reservations, call (936) 744-0134 or visit lonestarlights.org .

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GISD likely to remain 2A

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The Groveton school building got a bit of an upgrade as new signs were installed over the entrances facing Main Street. Photo by Martha MericleThe Groveton school building got a bit of an upgrade as new signs were installed over the entrances facing Main Street. Photo by Martha Mericle

By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — The Groveton Independent School District will probably remain a 2A school after the upcoming UIL realignment based on its current enrollment figures.

Superintendent Jim Dillard delivers a monthly report to the Board of Trustees, as he did on Nov. 27, on enrollment, and currently the district is sitting at 769 total students, with an average daily attendance around 96 percent.

However, for the UIL Snapshot, used by the organization when it realigns districts every two years, it largely is concerned with the students in grades 9-12, which is 228 students.

Dillard said the district has been a D1 2A for years; since last year’s cutoff to move up was 249, he doesn’t expect that will change, even though this year’s cutoff hasn’t been announced.

The board also recognized the girls cross country team for their trip to state, the second year in a row for that honor, Dillard said.

“They have been very successful the past few years,” he said. “We’re extremely proud of them. Every time they compete at that level it’s good for the school and the community. We appreciate the way these young people represent the city.”

In other business, the board:

•held a hearing on updates on policy; and

•discussed the annual evaluation of the superintendent.

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Groveton students progressing along with school year

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StudentProgress STCK

By Jo Ann Anderson Beken

It is hard to believe that another calendar year has passed, and half of the school year is over. Thank you to all the Groveton ISD staff members, students, and community folks who work, plan, support and organize the many activities for our students.

Numerous activities and competitions occur and most of them are posted on our Groveton Ex-Student’s Facebook page, so check them out. Homecoming, football, volleyball, cross-country, UIL competitions, FFA and 4-H contests, cosmetology, the Veteran’s Day Celebration (almost 1,000 people registered.), and much more.

Our Groveton students make us proud in all aspects of their representation of the Groveton Indian family and our community. Thank you for continuing the winning spirit and pride we all learned in those halls at GHS. Our best wishes for a successful Spring semester as additional sports and activities begin.

•Our college students are finishing up their fall classes and will be submitting to us their grades, as well as their proposed schedules for the spring semester. Students were sent an email in October reminding them of the process and deadlines.

Requirements for continued funding of their scholarships include a GPA of at least 2.5 and completing at least 12 hours per semester. Once those requirements are submitted and verified by our Secretary, Liz Ledbetter, she forwards the information to our Treasurer, Tim Coker, who issues the funding to the designated college for each scholarship recipient.

In May, we will review scholarship applications from our seniors of the Class of 2023, as well as current college students, and the process continues. How satisfying to observe the vision of the dedicated Groveton school supporters who created the Groveton Ex-Student’s Association in the 1970s as it continues to thrive and fulfil the goal of the association.

Many people before us had the insight and the skills to use this process year-after-year to help Groveton students earn their college degree. Generous donors provided the funds. We are thankful to the creators of the association, as well as the various members of the Executive Board over these many years for their dedication to the process. We are proud to carry on your work.

We are grateful for a generous donation by the family of Barney Callahan to fund his memorial scholarship that is awarded each year in May to a Groveton graduate. Mr. Callahan was a well-respected member of our community and was the ultimate Groveton supporter. He has several children and grandchildren who graduated from Groveton high schools and who are valuable members of their communities, both in Groveton and surrounding areas.

We are honored to remember Mr. Callahan and his contributions to Groveton through this scholarship. Thank you to his family.

•Since my last article, we have, sadly, lost ten members of our Groveton school family. We are going to miss Mark Hester, Class of 1972; Horace M. Fletcher, Class of 1946; Shirley Barnett Headley, Class of 1966; Marvin Thompson, Class of 1966; Delton Antley, Class of 1956; David Ebarb, Class of 1995; Ronnie Eastepp, Class of 1965; Sallye Thompson Evans, Class of 1953; Carolyn Lipscomb, Class of 1977; and Lenora “Lynn” Collins Due, Class of 1943 associate member.

Each of these names represent families who are dealing with the pain of their passing, and we ask for comfort and peace as they deal with their loss.

My best wishes for you and your family for a wonderful Christmas as well as a happy, healthy new year. We look forward to all the good news that will come from our Groveton school family as well as the Groveton Ex-Students Association.

Go, Big Red.

Jo Ann Anderson Beken is president of the Groveton Ex-Students Association.

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Ranch wins top awards

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The animals of the Casaray Ranch near Groveton won numerous awards at a recent show. Courtesy photoThe animals of the Casaray Ranch near Groveton won numerous awards at a recent show. Courtesy photo

Special to theNews-Standard

BRYAN — Casaray Ranch, a Trinity County breeder of red Brahmans, won numerous awards, including senior yearling champion, at the 2023 National Brahman Show, held Nov. 6 in Bryan.

Other awards include reserve champion genetic group and first place senior yearling.

Casaray Ranch of Trinity County is dedicated to the genetic improvement of the red Brahman breed.

2023 National Brahman Show

Brazos County Expo Complex, Bryan

•Senior Yearling Champion Red Bull — Casaray Derek

•Reserve Champion Red Breeder’s Genetic Group — Sire: Smokin Gun; Dam:Lady Rhineaux; Casaray Hg Rose, Casaray Hg Kate, Casaray Hg Roberth

•First Place Senior Yearling — Casaray Hg Karen

•First Place — Casaray Hg Axel 150/2

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We’ve arrived at grand celebration

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Julias TidbitsThis is it. The Christmas extravaganza is this weekend. On Saturday at 10 a.m., the doors open to the Trinity Community Center with more than 30 vendors presenting their wares for the residents of Trinity County to go Christmas shopping.

Last week I mentioned a few of our local vendors who are faithful to this Christmas show year after year, and the Trinity Peninsula of Commerce is grateful for this participation and their continued support.

This week I am going to invite you to come and attend our Christmas show. We have local groups that participate by singing, dancing, and playing instruments and groups that participate by donating gifts and money to this wonderful event. The tree lighting ceremony program flyer can be found in several stores downtown since Monday.

We are thankful Elizabeth and David Drake take care of this task, and for all our advertisement for the Christmas show. It is so nice not to have to drive to Huntsville to get marketing needs and copies made when you can obtain that goal right here in downtown Trinity. They are very talented and helpful when it comes to advertising and printing commercial needs for our community.

The schedule of events and the entertainment time frame for Saturday’s Christmas Show is:

•9 a.m.-5 p.m.   Open for business, “Shop Trinity First,” Trinity Florist and Gifts open house and The Way You Live opens

•9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Wellness Center Opens

•10 a.m.-8 p.m. — TPCC Craft Show & Food Court, Trinity Community Center

•Noon — Trinity Lions Club Christmas Choir

•1 p.m. — Christmas Cantata, Pavilion Stage, Calvary Tabernacle Pentecostal Church Choir

•2-4 p.m. — Free pictures with Santa Claus in Annex Room

•2 p.m. — Kelly Hartsfield at the Pavilion

•3 p.m. — Karen DeBose at the Pavilion

•3:30 p.m. — Liberty Christian Center Dancers at the Pavilion

•4 p.m. — SHSU Jazz Ensemble at the Pavilion

4-6 p.m. — S’mores at the Trinity Center Park Barn Area

•6 p.m. — Parade starts on North Robb Street

•7 p.m. — Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Park

•8 p.m. — Awards and More

The 25th Christmas Parade has changed the starting location this year. We will line up at the north end of town on Robb Street and proceed south past the Trinity Community Center and disperse at the Alco Parking Lot.

The Christmas parade entry form can be found at All Around Electrical Services on North Robb Street across from Trinity Café. There are 6 categories to enter, and each first-place winner of that category will receive a $250 cash donation from a Trinity business sponsor. Winners will be announced at the Tree Lighting ceremony at the Trinity Community Center on Saturday at 7 p.m. The categories are cars, trucks, emergencies vehicles, floats, motorcycles/four wheelers, and walkers (student groups).

There are several events that are happening elsewhere in Trinity on Saturday, Dec. 2, the Eddie and Maxie Dinner and Dance will take place at the VFW Hall on Caroline Street from noon until 4 p.m. For more information, call Dawn Bray at the hall.

For the parents on the weekend of Dec. 8- 9, several events will be held for the children’s enjoyment while you shop.

First, need a babysitter? Liberty Christian Center will babysit your children from ages 5-12 for you to go Christmas shopping for two days, Dec. 8-9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., “free” with a program for the children entitled “Chosen,” a VBS Blitz. They are located at 101 W. Main St., and for more information please contact the Church at (936) 355-3309.

Second, come meet Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus Saturday, from 4:30-6 p.m. at the River Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at 1410 S. Robb St. and take pictures with the Clauses that will be taken by a professional photographer.

A movie will be shown outdoors entitled “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and this is a free event for families. Activities include a Hot chocolate bar, cookie decorating, letters to Santa, reindeer food making station, popcorn, and a blanket provided for the movie. For more information, please call (936) 594-7521.

The Knights of Columbus are hosting their last blood drive of 2023 on Dec. 10 at the Brookshire Brothers’ Parking lot in Trinity from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please, if you can, donate. Trinity County needs to support this worthwhile cause especially during this time of year.

Also on Dec. 15, Liberty Christian Center will present a Christmas play, “Frozen.” The play starts at 6 p.m. and all ages are welcome. Admission is free. Liberty Christian Center is located at 101 W. Main St.

The next event to be held on Dec. 14 at Liberty Christian Center is the Share Your Holiday Food Basket Giveaway from 10 a.m. to noon. The free boxes or baskets will be given away on this day only and hopefully will supply all who are in need.

Thank you to all the participants for decorating the Christmas Show areas early. I will see you Saturday at Christmas in the Park. The theme for the Christmas Show this year was promoted by the Founders Day event held last year in November which celebrated 151 years of Trinity’s existence.

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