The Leonard Graphic (Leonard, Tex.), Vol. 114, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 18, 2004 Page: 2 of 12
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Page 2 -The Leonard Graphic - Thursday, March 18, 2004
Viewpoint
Progress is finding its way to our little town
Progress is here. Now some of you
are laughing because you had to shoo a
cow off the highway to get to work this
morning, but I really mean it. Change
for the better and, believe it or not, busi-
ness growth is happening in Leonard.
It still takes less than five minutes
to drive across town. There are still no
traffic lights. (Some ofyou out-of-town
subscribers probably can’t believe
that, but we still effectively rely on
red stop signs to navigate traffic in
Leonard proper.) You can still charge
gas at the full-service center, get the
drugstore to deliver your medicine
and find pretty much anyone in town
by asking someone at the B&B. But
growth is happening and it’s exciting.
Here’s a roundup of recent events:
Premier Daycare, a faith-based
childcare center, is slated to open April
19. The owner of the corporation is
Ron Glaser, Ector ISD School Board
President and a Whitewright Baptist
Church member. He is opening three
centers across Fannin County. The one
in Leonard will be directed by local
resident and daycare operator Rita
Beegle. Beegle said the new center is
desperately needed since other facili-
. ties are full. Her home-based day care
is turning away parents weekly, while
Happy Times is also filled to capacity
at most times of the year. Waiting lists
do not help parents get to work. When
a parent can’t stay at home, available
childcare is essential. Bible stories,
songs and Biblical values will be in-
corporated into the curriculum. The
new center will be next door to Kwik
Check at 400 N. Hwy. 69, in what is
now the KD Johnson Inc. building.
Movie Matrix announced it is
opening this month in the Village
Shopping Plaza. Shawn and Jen-
nifer Wilkerson are faces you will
recognize as Leonard High students
(Shawn was known as “Work Horse”
in his late-80’s football playing years).
Graphic .
Remarks 1
Bethany Russell I 1
Editor & Publisher
BRussell@Leonardonline.net
Suzy Q’s Diner, Ruby’s Chicken
& Subs, and Benny’s are newcomers
to the restaurant listing held down
by Lea’s, Dairy Queen and Kwik
Check’s ever-expanding faire. Benny’s
opened a new laundrymat in the Village
Shopping Center, and a neighboring
tenant, Champion’s, reportedly has
a 24-hour workout program now.
Leonard Service Center own-
ers Steve and Mary Kay Holly have
. expanded their auto repair to in-
clude state-of-the-art services that
eliminate trips to expensive dealer-
ships for many of their customers.
Former Service Center owners
Larry and Bettye Thompson have
cleaned up and remodeled an unused
gas station on U.S. 69 and are selling
tractors and related equipment there.
KD Johnson Inc., owned by David
and Jeannie Johnson (former Graphic
owners) is taking part in a downtown
rehabilitation revolution. Soon, they
will have a grand opening in their
beautiful building on the northeast
corner of the square. The Johnsons
did not cut corners when they con-
tracted Silver Plumbline of Leonard to
renovate the old brick landmark that
was last used as a washateria. Double
wooden doors emblazoned with cut-
glass stars open to completely restored
office spaces. The Johnsons and their
crew are electrical manufacturers
representatives specializing in protec-
tion solutions, ideas and concepts.
Across the street from the John-
sons is the Sudderth Realty building,
which was recently sandblasted and
restored to its original historic beauty 9
by Sudderth Construction. The upstairs I
includes gracious loft apartments with
hardwood floors, exposed brick walls
and views of the square. Imagine that
-- classy loft apartments in downtown 1
Leonard. The Sudderths are now work- I
ing to restore their father’s old office a
building on the north side ofthe square. ■
Work your way around the
square and it’s more of the same.
The brand-new Leonard Pub-
lic Library features rows and
rows of books, a children’s area
and high-speed internet access.
D’s Carriage Service and Leon-
ard Feed are utilizing the long-
empty auto dealership buildings.
Leonard Saw and Mower opened "
last spring and is providing ser-
vices next door to Crawford Auto.
The City of Leonard is making good
use of the former American Legion Hall
and former Leonard Hardware store.
Those now house the Police Depart-
ment and Public Works, respectively. Susan Little is whipping up “cow- Silver Plumbline Custom Homes office, ply in our town right now, and surely
On the south side of the square, girl cookin’ that makes you good Very few buildings remain di- someone is being left out of this
the most recent news is that David lookin according to a sign in her cafe, lapidated and unused in downtown writing. Someone I can’t forget is
Norman, local school board member The Leonard Graphic erected Leonard. It wasn’t long ago that I Grady Teague, who died of cancer last
and businessman, has bought and a tower late last year and delivers looked out over the square and feared week. He left his mark by working to .
plans to restore one of the old stores high-speed internet to the Leonard, it was turning into a ghost town, rehabilitate Leonard neighborhoods,
on the far end. There, he will open Celeste, Trenton and Merit areas. Now, the changes are hard to keep He tore down old rundown houses
a Century 21 Realty office. Norman Cross the corner to the west side of up with and very exciting to watch, and put in their place shiny, new af-
already owns a successful operation the square and you’ll see that Nolen’s The City Council has implemented fordable homes for local families,
in Van Alstyne and has been in Leon- carpet renovated its store and jazzed new building codes and rental property Across town and just outside
ard-area real estate for many years, up the walkway out front with new ordinances to ensure new construction is the city limits, new homes are pop-
Acouple of doors down is the Leon- fights and a remodeled porch line. Hair quality and to help eliminate slums and ping up everywhere. These: homes
ard Sidecar Company and Upholstery Central opened its completely reno- eyesores. A new Fannin County health attract new neighbors who will
Shop, owned by Bob and Debra Darden, vated store in October. The Leonard department and food inspector will be bring new ideas and energy to town.
You may not know it from the outside, Pharmacy overhauled its interior. Add keeping tabs on food establishments. Every restored landmark, salvaged
but these two draw motorcycle enthusi- these changes to other restorations in Grants have funded a beautiful city piece of the past and new business
asts from across the country to Leonard, recent years: The Leonard Preserva- park with ball fields and play equip- brings stability to our town. Each coat
because it is one of a handful of places tion League’s beautiful Historical ment. Work is going on to restore the of paint, cleared lot, weeded garden
in the world where you can have a mo- Museum, Larry Thompson’s massive Leonard pond as a wetland preserve and spruced up porch adds- to the
torcyle sidecar custom made to order, building next to the Pharmacy (cur- and place to visit. The Concerned Citi- quality of life we all want to enjoy.
And the eating crowd is happy rently housing Monogram’s), Dr. zens of Leonard group is mobilizing to Thank you to everyone who is not
to expand its options to include Suzy Jack Parker’s dentist office, Cypress bring forth an agenda for what it sees only working hard to make a living, but
Q’s Diner, which opened ,last week Creek Candle Company’s quaint and as positive and necessary changes. ‘ working to make Leonard an attractive,
next door to the Leonard Graphic, industrious store, and the impressive The elbow grease is in ready sup- well-loved little town on the grow.
-----—— Letters to the Editor
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County emergency only your family but also to protect and Management Coordinator, 903-640-
volunteers needed give help tothe citizens of the county. 8484 or email femcem@cableone.net
VOICCCIB These groups will be trained Clint Wagstaff
prepare for the Worst in first aid, fight search and rescue Fannin County Emergency
• P and other areas. The training will Management Coordinator ‘
In the advent of an emergency situ- be provided by the Fannin County
ation either in your family or a large- Office of Emergency Management m see
scale event in Fannin County would and other emergency service instruc- league family offers
you know how to protect and save your- tors, and the American Red Cross, income than
self or your loved ones? Do you have Each individual upon comple- sincere mnank you
a few hours a week to volunteer and tion of the required training will The family of Grady Teague wants
learn how to prepare for such a need? be issued special equipment to to thank everyone for the telephone
In the wake of Sept. 11 terror- use during the time of emergency, calls, food and beautiful flowers. A
ist attacks on America, thousands These groups are open to any special thanks to Charles and Janice
of Americans responded by vol- citizen of Fannin County and Sur- Fletcher, Mary Ruth Edwards Clark,
unteering their talents and skills to rounding areas, that are willing to Melvin Barr, Howard Netherton for
help others. Many more Americans commit to the training and the ability their help while Grady had to go to
asked “What can I do to Help?” to respond to an emergency situation, the cancer clinic. .
Fannin County has been awarded The kick off meeting will be held Joy, Sherry, Kristi and Stefanie
grants to establish two new vol- on March 30th at 7pm at the South
unteer groups within the county to Annex 210 S. Main Street, Bonham. Letters policy: The Graphic
help in times of crises. These two The two volunteer groups will be ex- does not run unsigned letters Only
groupsof Volunteers will supple- plained in detail and membership ap- lerrers Thar include a signature, ad-
ment the existing emergency ser- plications will be accepted at that time. 1 t ,
vices throughout the coming years. Special guest will be speaking about dress and phone number for verify-
The groups meet once a week for these opportunities at this meeting, ing purposes will be published:
a approximate eight week course. This For more information contact Clint Letters may be edited for libel,
training will better prepare individuals Wagstaff Fannin County Emergency space and clarity,
and the group to protect and help not -,
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AMERICAN BANK
OF TEXAS
200 W. COLLIN IN LEONARD* (903) 587-3314
www.abtexas.com
. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC
Hours:
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
24-hour drop box, south
side, Leonard square
Editor@LeonardOnline.net
www.LeonardOnline.net
903-587-3303
FAX 903-587-9893
Charles Russell, Publisher
Bethany Russell, Editor & Publisher
Beth Anderson, Assistant Editor
Betsy Blevins, Staff Writer
Published by Russell Community Newspapers, Inc.
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The Leonard Graphic
The Leonard Graphic (ISSN: 1048-0013) is published weekly by Russell Community
Newspapers Inc., The Leonard Graphic, 121 W. Fannin Street (P. 0. Box 1108), Leonard,
TX 75452, (903) 587-3303, FAX (903) 587-9893, Editor@LeonardOnline.net, www.
LeonardOnline.net.
Subscriptions: Fannin and Hunt counties $21, outside this area $28, outside USA available.
Periodicals postage paid at Leonard, Texas. ‘ NothA FeTead '1 -
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Graphic, P.O. Box 1108. Leonard, TX 75452-1108. /ma
MEMBER 2004
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Russell, Bethany. The Leonard Graphic (Leonard, Tex.), Vol. 114, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 18, 2004, newspaper, March 18, 2004; Leonard, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1660244/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Leonard Public Library.