As summer begins to subside and we prepare to start another school year, it is time for me to dust of the old laptop computer and start writing Miller Grove News for yet another year. It seems like just yesterday I started writing this column but looking back it has nearly been a decade ago. Things in “The Grove” have changed over time and the world has changed quite a bit too. As we look to the upcoming months we wonder how the November elections will turn out or if there will be other riots break out across our nation, or if any of our other freedoms will be stripped from America’s people. One thing I have come to realize in my short 33 years of life is that no matter the changes or what lies ahead we can rest assured that there is no place like Miller Grove and it will always be home to me.
Thankfully, we have received good, slow rains this week and temperatures have been very nice for August. I know this will help resurrect some of the gardens in the area that have been fading in the summer heat. My peas and okra are still producing though. And there are a couple of pumpkins that are beginning to turn orange beneath the long, leafy green vines of the plant.
Congratulations to Colten and Ally Baylus that recently purchased Mrs. Kim Irby’s house on FM 1567. They moved in a few weeks ago and are getting ready to welcome their son, Brysen, into the world in September. Mrs. Irby has moved to Fort Worth, near one of her brothers.
Speaking of people moving, Leon and Inge Heijligers have moved into their new house in time for Inge to start the new school year. She’s so close to the school now, living on FM 1567, she can probably walk to work in the mornings.
I have two other congratulatory wishes that are due to a newly wed couple and an engaged couple in our community. Patrick Covington and Kelsey Steele were wed at First Presbyterian Church in Sulphur Springs on July 23, at 6 pm. They were both graduates of Miller Grove ISD and I’m very proud of both of them. They have worked hard up to this point and have decided to make Miller Grove their home.
Jeremy Blackstead and Brytany Briggs have gotten engaged and will be getting married in October. Jeremy is a MG graduate and is currently employed at Hooten’s in Emory. Jeremy has always been a top-notch welder and it is no surprise that Hooten’s hired him since they have such a large business.
Last weekend my cousin, Nathan Petty, and I went to Carthage to a Clint Black concert. He was being inducted into the Texas County Music Hall of Fame. There were several entertainers there. The Master of Ceremonies was Neal McCoy. Also performing were Barbara Fairchild, Dallas Wayne, and Billy Dean. After the concert we saw Gay Seiber and Diane (Russell) Hart as we were about to leave. Well, leave it to me to see someone I know 2 hours away from home!
Thursday night’s Meet the Teacher night seemed to be a big success this year. With enrollment soaring about 300 for the upcoming school year, it is no wonder there were so many parents and students there that night. I saw several folks I knew and was also proud to meet our new 3-5 grade science teacher, Mrs. Davis, who is new to the campus this year. The PTO served BBQ sandwiches, chips, and tea throughout the night.
While I’m on the subject of PTO, let me tell you about the newest fundraiser they have planned. A lot of work and preparation has went into organizing Miller Grove’s first Glow Run/5 K Run (or Walk whichever you choose). The run will be held Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7 pm near Kid’s Kingdom in Sulphur Springs. Teams will have an entry fee of $30 with all proceeds going toward MG PTO for the benefit of the school and our students. For more information contact Stacie Wilbur or go to the Miller Grove PTO Facebook page.
This summer things began to change around the Miller Grove School campus. Back on July 21, the concrete was poured for the new elementary addition. Since then the contractors have seen that the steel frame of the building and room have been installed. At the last school board meeting (Aug. 15) the school board picked out the brick to skin the outside of the building with. Slowly, the building is coming together but I know we will all take great pride in having new and expanded facilities for our elementary students.
The concrete for the school wasn’t the only concrete poured in our community that day. Just down the road in County Line they were having a parking lot poured for the church. If you haven’t went by to check it out, please do. It is one amazing building. I know many hours of planning has went into the building and I know everyone involved is proud of the new church.
Friday, Aug. 12, Ryan Dougan and my cousin Hunter Darrow graduated from Northwest Lineman School in Denton. They are now fully fledged linemen! Congratulations to both of them!
Doug Lewis of Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department contact me recently and said that they are still in need of a few good men and women to volunteer their services to help the department. He said they are now down to about 5 available responders – and folks, that’s not many. Anyone willing to serve is welcome to check out the facility and visit the department on meeting nights (2nd and 4thThursday of the month at 7 pm). Also feel free to contact the station if you have any inquiries about what can be done to help. The phone number is 903-382-3505.
Doug also mentioned that they are thinking about starting a Junior Fire Fighter program. The age frame would be about 16-18 years of age. This would be great for anyone who is in high school and thinking about pursuing a career as a fire fighter.
Miller Grove school will officially start up on Monday, Aug. 22 and the FFA will host it’s annual FFA Hamburger Supper on Thursday, Aug. 25. Remember to come out and help them welcome in the new year that night.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
