The Alto Herald and The Wells News 'N Views (Alto, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 30, 1986 Page: 1 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: The Alto Herald and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Stella Hill Memorial Library.
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Rt. 1, box 16U
J1to, Texas 75P^5
Per Issue
Established 1896
Vol. 90, No. 38
Alto Herald
and The Wells News TV Views
Thursday, January 30,1986 — Alto, Texas 75925
Alto
A Designated
Sesquicentennial
City
8 Pages
Sun Shines On Well Attended Sesqui-C Ceremony
By BETTY RARDIN
With a brisk wind from the north,
but bright sunny skies, the Alto
Sesquicentennial celebration began
last Saturday, Jan. 25, with the
Opening Ceremony called, “The
Big 150.” A large crowd of about 200
persons, turned out for the event
that was held on the revitalized
historic corner of U.S. Highway 69
and State Highway 21, El Camino
Real. Dressed in authentic period
costumes, members of the Alto
Sesquicentennial Committee
welcomed and registered guests to
the event.
The Alto High School bund began
the program with a medley of
Texas songs and the carillons
played from the speakers on the
roof of the A. Frank Smith United
Methodist Church. The invocation
was brought by the Rev. Bill
Morgan, pastor of the Hilltop Bap-
tist Church and the welcome was
given by Alto Mayor Doug Brad-
ford.
Committee Chairman NoMn
Ward recognized the various com-
mittee chairmen and noted that the
committee started one year ago
with 14 persons and had increased
to 23 project chairpersons. Ward
spoke briefly about the upcoming
events planned for the city in the
coming months and then told the
audience that he had a special
presentation to make, at which time
he asked Mrs. Jack Mertz to please
come to the speaker's platform
The chairman then presented
Mrs. Mertz with a plaque declaring
that the Alto Sesquicentennial year-
long celebration of Texas’ 150th bir-
thday was dedicated to the memory
of her husband, Jack Mertz, former
mayor of Alto Ward told the
gathering that original plans for the
Alto celebration had begun while
Jack Mertz was triayof of the city,
and that he was a moving force
behind the activities now becoming
a reality. Mrs. Mertz graciously ac-
cepted the plaque and said that her
husband was proud of this city and
always wanted the very best for it
and she very much appreciated the
presentation of the plaque.
Committee Co-Chairman Bill
Neal Shat tuck introduced two life-
long residents of Alto who have
given much of their time and
energy over the past years to the
betterment of the city: Mrs. Marion
Armstrong was recognized as the
oldest person in attendance at the
ceremony along with Dr J. C. Hill
The official representative of the
Texas Sesquicentennial Com-
mission. Bob Bowman spoke to the
audience about some plans for the
state-wide celebration. He pointed
out that this year people and places
of interest will be recognized for
their importance and/or
Lady Jackets
Head
For Playoffs
Lady Jackets are headed for the
play-off and a 15-3 over-all record.
Leading the team in scoring are
Sherry Griffin. Pam Green and
Kim Mitchell. Sherry Griffin is
averaging 24 points a game and she
was named as one of the “East
Texas Players of the week.” Sherry
Griffin scored 28 points against
Elkhart The Lady Jackets
defeated the Elks 79-45, and 75-38.
She scored 32 points against
Corrigan/Camden and 28 points
against Grapeland Sandies. Pam
Green, the next leading scorer is
averaging 18 points in her last three
games of district competition she
scored 14 points against Grapeland,
10 points against Elkhart and 29
points against Corrigan/Camden.
Kim Mitchell is averaging 13 points
per game.
“She is doing a great job defen
sively and offensively,” said coach
Brown. Kim leads the team in
assists. Other starters are Shelia
Johnson who is averaging 4 points
per game and Nedar Blackshire
who is averaging 6 points per game.
“Kim Reggie and Camille Green
are doing an outstanding job
coming off the bench and helping
out," said the coach. The Lady
Jackets are tied for first place in
district competition with the
Grapeland Sandies.
achievement and that this will be a
highlight of the birthday
celebration. He said that there are
little known facts that will come out
in 1986 and will then be recorded for
history. Bowman, a noted author
and lecturer, urged the audience to
take part in the Sesquicentennial
activities of their city, that this is a
moment in time that will never be
repeated and not to miss the en-
joyment of it. He then presented the
official flag and certification
designating Alto as a Sesquicenten-
nial City.
Members of the Alto Veterans of
Foreign Wars post 8908 Gerald
Germany. Bobby Germany and
Tro> Montgomery raised the U.S.
flag, the Texas flag and the
Sesquicentennial flag on the newly
erected flag pole.
At the conclusion of the ceremony
guests were invited to luncheon at
the A Frank Smith United
Methodist Church where the Ladies
Guild had prepared dinner for 100.
From 2 to 3 p m. that afternoon
the Stella Hill Memorial Library
was open with a special book
presentation made to the library by
former Altonion, the Rev J M.
Thomas, now living in Marshall.
The book, “From Hide To Horn" is
a Sesquicentennial Anthology of
Texas Poets, and one of the poems
featured in the book was written by
the Rev. Thomas It will b<> added to
the library's extensive collection of
Texanna literature, according to
librarian, Virginia Singletary.
Later that afternoon the historic
Mitchell House was open for a
reception that continued on until
dark. Hostess, and owner of the
recently restored 100 year old
home, Corinne Moore showed the
guests many of the artifacts that
she has collected over the years
belonging to the Dill Berryman
family of which she is a descended!.
Mrs. Moore registered 75 persons
during the afternoon and expressed
her appreciation to the people who
helped w ith the reception, including
the refreshments.
The next Sesquicentennial event
in Alto will be an Old Photos Exhibit
at the Stella Hill Memorial Library
on Feb 16, from 2 to 4 p m and
featuring pictures of Alto children,
taken fifty or more years ago
WISD Slates Election
Citizens To Decide $975,000 Bond Issue
Alto Sesquicentennial To Honor The Late Jack Hertz
Committee Chairman Nolvin Ward, pictured here at the podium, reads a proclamation dedicating the Alto
Sesquicentennial celebration to the memory of the late Jack Mertz, former mayor of Alto. Mrs. Sally Mertz
accepted the plaque from the chairman. In back is the Rev. Bill Morgan and to the left is Boh Bowman,
featured speaker at the opening ceremony. -photo by betty rardin
By Diana Speer
Wells ISD trustees have set Mar-
ch 22 as the election date on a
$975,000 bond issue. That action
came during a special meeting of
the board on Jan. 24
The district estimates that a 34.8
cents per $100 valuation will be
needed to fund the bond issue.
Board President Gene Carrier
said that the proposed building
would satisify current basic needs
County’s Insurance Is Explained
A representative of the county
health insurance company,
Republic Life, met with Cherokee
County Commissioners Monday
morning to explain the company’s
policy of insuring employees on
leave of absence. Commissioners
discussed continuance of salary
benefits for employees injured on
the job, but took no action to change
“Fit For Life’ Program
Set At Stella Hill Library
A total fitness program called.
‘Fit for Life’ will be held at the
Stella Hill Memorial Library in Alto
beginning Monday. Feb 3 from 9 30
am to II a m Sponsored by the
Cherokee County Extension Agen-
cy, the program will teach a com
bination of weight control, stret-
ching and exercise principles,
nutrition. lifestyle changes
suggested and other aspects of fit-
ness. according to Extension Agent
Linda Bear
Mrs Bear will be conducting the
weekly sessions that are limited to
an enrollment of 25 The cost for the
13 week program is $25 and by at
tending 12 sessions. $15 of the
registration fee will be returned at
the last class
The first session will be orien-
tation, said Mrs Bear, with
following sessions to include in-
dividual checking of blood
pressure, stamina level and stan
dards and goals for each individual.
Mrs. Bear stressed the fact that this
is not a class of aerobics but rather
an individualized program of exer-
rcies designed for each age level of
stamina
In describing the Fit for Life con-
cept, Mrs. Bear went on to say that
it means eating nutritiousmeals and
snacks and engaging in moderate
excercies “It's the only proven
way to keep your weight under con-
trol," she said “By making the
lifestyle change suggested in the
program you will discover that
weight control is possible, rewar-
ding and permanent."
For more information and to
register, contact the Cherokee
County Extension Office in Rusk at
(214) 683-5416
(TfiV W Ann
vjuv • A
Is Topic
John Mark Lester will present a
program entitled "James Stephen
Hogg The People’s Governor" at
the Monday evening meeting of the
Cherokee County Heritage
Association at the Southern Gout
met Restaurant
Directors will meet at 6 p in ,
dinner will be served at 6:30 p m
and Lester's program will begin at
7 pm
or terminate the policy now used.
County Judge Robert McNatt
discussed a policy provided by the
Texas Association of Counties that
employees would be paid for a
period of up to six months Em-
ployees receiving workman com-
pensation w ill be paid the differan-
ce in their salary than the workman
comp, the policy says.
Commissioner Joe Henderson,
Precinct 3, said this is the policy
being used by the county, although
there has been no written policy ap-
proved by the court
Commissioner Frank Ross,
Precinct 4, questioned the county
adopting this policy as the county
operates with tax tunds rather than
dues as the association does
Gail Norris of the insurance com-
pany said the company covers an
employee lor six months after going
on leave of absence. It then offers
three options for health care
coverage. Howerver, she said she
was not to familiar with the work
man compensation laws.
No action was taken to change the
way any injured county employee *
being paid The employee was m-
juried on Oct. 8, 1985, and is curren-
tly receiving workman compen-
sation payments, which are being
turned in to the county auditor’s of-
fice. She then receives a regular
payroll check
In another matter, the com-
missioners authorized the payment
of $634 to the Lutkin Memorial for
indigent health care for a Cherokee
County resident
Judge McNatt was appointed as a
member of the Jacksonville
Economic Development Agency
McNatt announced that James
Rardin, Justice of the Peace
Precinct 2, has completed a 20 hour
course. J P Acker III, Precinct 1
Justice of the Peace and Bobby
Caveness Precinct 4 Justice of the
Peace attended and completed the
course in December.
and, “address the problem with our
existing structures.' He said that it
will provide classrooms necessary
because of HB 72 and will give an
energy efficiency to both school
buildings."
Superintendent Cole Pugh said
that the bond issue had been a five-
month process He said that, we
have what we feel is a basic plan to
meet our needs
Architects drawings < f the
proposals are on view at the high
school and citizens having
questions may contact any board
rnembet or the superintendent for
additional information.
In addition to the nine added
classrooms.lour at elementary and
five at the junior/senior high
school-there will be a complete
remodeling of restroom facilities, a
new Vocational Ag building,
cafeteria expansion and numerous
other repairs.
Voting on March 22 will be from 7
a m to 7 p m in the cafeteria at the
school.
Special Meeting Called
WISD Renews Superintendent’s Contract
Wells School Superintendent Cole
Pugh received a one-year extension
on his contract during a special
meeting of the wells ISD trustees
Jan. 24. The extension gives him a
contract with the school through
June of 1989 All trustees attended
the meeting and the action on
Pugh’s contract was unanimous
A work session was held with
Devotional Set
For Broadcast
Beginning this Sunday , Feb. 2,
the Rev Merv Dawson will be
bringing an early devotion from
7:15 to 7:30 a m on KWRW - 97 7
FM Dawson is the pastor at Cold
Springs Methodist Church and Lyn-
ches Chapel
Candidacy Is Announced
Former Legislator To File for County Judge
Emmett H Whitehead, former
member of the Texas House of
Representatives, announced today
that he plans to seek the office of
Cherokee County Judge in the
Democratic Primary
The veteran lawmaker served in
the Texas Legislature for eight
years, was mayor of Rusk for six
years and was vice chairman of the
Angelina-Neches Water Conser-
vation District for a number of
years prior to his service in the
legislature
“I have spent most of my adult
years living and working with the
people of Cherokee County. I feel
that 1 am qualified for the job, and
know first hand the problems that
confront our county,” he said
He and his wife. Marie, own The
Rusk Cherokeean, Alto Herald.
Radio Stations KTLU/KWRW, E Z
Vision TV Cable Co and a small
cattle farm
Whitehead stated that his busin-
esses are well staffed and that
because of their experience, he will
be able to devote his full time and
attention to the service of the people
of Cherokee County.
“This is a full time job. and I will
give it my full time and attention,”
Whitehead stated
The former lawmaker said that
he will have a formal announ
cement in the immediate future
Wells Scho€>l Trustees See Plans
Members of the Wells ISI) board go over preliminary plans with ar-
chitect Thomas Knowles, third from left. Left to right are Board
President Gene Carrier and members James Shelton and Larry
Hailey. -photo by diana speer
Knowles Architects of Tyler and a
resolution ordering a bond ' lec’ .on
for $975,000 on March 22 w >s passed
unanimously by the b ■ ;i-’ (See
story on bond issue. >
Trustees considered a policy on
students taking driver education
and talked with three parents con-
cerning that course Gay Jackson
Hicks was added to the substitute
teacher list and there was a report
of a review of the food service
program by a TEA consultant
The budget was amended to show
$3,800 for locker refurbishing and
$1,000 for other contract repairs as
needed at the school. Trustees
tabled a review of TASB policy
manual Section E
Guests at the meeting were
Thomas Knowles, Mike Byrd.
Sharon Hartless. Brenda and
Cal’ .n Choate. Linda Goodwin and
Ferrill Hicks
Six File
For Alto
Council Seats
Six persons have filed for three
Alto City Council seats up for elec-
tion this year The council positions
now held by Jim Lindsey, Dixie
Dolcater and Chip Boyd will be
voted in an at-large election Three
persons receiving the most votes
will be given a seat on the council
The first person filing for elec-
tion w'as incumbent Dixie Dolcater
followed by Lindsey Also filing for
election are Johi
Grindle. Mik<
Rvnum
Deadline for filing is Feb 19. The
city election is set for April 5 and
absentee voting will bo from March
17 to April 1 The last day to register
to vote in elections this year is
March 6
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The Alto Herald and The Wells News 'N Views (Alto, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 30, 1986, newspaper, January 30, 1986; Alto, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1146183/m1/1/?q=%22Texas+Press+Association%22: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Stella Hill Memorial Library.