MACC Seeking Board Members

The Melissa Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking candidates to fill open seats on its board of directors. Melissa residents and business owners are encouraged to apply.

For more information, email melissaareachamber@gmail.com, call 972-837-4277, visit www.melissatx.org or contact any chamber board member.

AFD Seeking Cookbook Recipes

The Anna Fire Department is seeking recipes for a community cookbook. Proceeds from sales of the book will go toward fire station remodeling and new protective clothing for firefighters.

Those submitting recipes are encouraged to include a brief history of the dish as well. The cookbook will be about 50 pages long and will include some recipes from firefighters' families. Each community member whose recipe is selected for the book will receive a free copy.

The AFD will receive recipe submissions through the end of September. Recipes can be mailed to jr.reynolds@annafire.com.

AUMC Cookbooks for Sale

"Favorite Recipes of Anna United Methodist Church: A Collection of Recipes from Friends & Family" is on sale for $15 by Anna United Methodist Women. Includes a free cookie cookbook, "Capital Cookies", that has many unusual recipes. There are several tables in the main cookbook, such as ingredients substitutions, cooking and food terms, hints, etc. For sale between services (8:45 a.m., 11 a.m.) and Sunday School (9:45 a.m.) on Sundays at the church, 120 E. Second St., www.annatxumc.org, annaunitedmeth@sbcglobal.net. Or call Bea Gillespie, 972-924-4785.

Volunteer McKinney Center Opportunities

* McKinney Public Library. A Genealogy Assistant is needed to view microfilm and transfer information to written logs. This ongoing project requires attention to detail, legible handwriting, and willingness to deal with repetition. For additional information, look for "McKinney Public Library . . ." under Updated listings on the VMC website.

* 2010 Taste of Collin County. North Collin County Habitat for Humanity has scheduled its largest annual fundraiser event for Monday, September 13, featuring food from area restaurants, a silent auction, and big name live entertainment. Volunteers are needed to help the day of the event and must attend an orientation the morning of August 28 or September 11. Your help at this event will benefit Humanity's mission to build affordable housing for people in need. To apply or to obtain additional information, call 972-542-5300 Ext 103.

* Turn Over a Green Leaf. Would you like to join a group of volunteers interested in making Plano cleaner, greener, and healthier? After training in water conservation, air quality, energy efficiency, responsible yard care, and waste management, volunteers can become involved in educating residents through gardening, community outreach, and presentations. The next volunteer training occurs on six consecutive Thursdays, from 7 - 9 p.m. beginning September 30. For registration information, contact Deb Bliss at 972-769-4313 or debb@plano.gov.

For information on these and other volunteer opportunities, contact Volunteer McKinney Center at 972-542-0679 or by email at volunteermck@sbcglobal.net or Web Site www.volunteermckinney.org.

Country Western Dance

The Van Alstyne Senior Center will host a country western dance from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26.

The dance is for everyone, not just seniors. Admission will cost $3.

Snacks and beverages will be provided by Brookshire's in Anna.

Deep Summer Bluegrass Festival

Do not miss our Deep Summer Bluegrass Festival with 12 bands performing Aug. 25-28 held inside the air-conditioned Chrystal Opry House at Melody Ranch! A three-day pass is only $36. Friday or Saturday afternoon is $8 and any evening admission is $10.

Wednesday evening we host a potluck fellowship that is free for campers. Donations to defray expenses will be accepted by others wishing to join us. Jamming will follow the fellowship.

Thursday night will be an all-gospel night with four bands performing beginning at 6 p.m. They are Full Quiver, High Strung, Blocker-Stephens Band and Copper Canyon.

Friday will have two sessions, (afternoon and evening) for $16 for the entire day. Bands performing beginning at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. will be The Upper Grassmen, Melody Ranch Ramblers, Boggy River, Blue Valley and Star Canyon.

Saturday also will have two sessions with the entire day being $16. Bands performing beginning at noon and 6 p.m. will be Star Canyon, Bill Grant, Welch Mountain Boys, Boggy River and the Shady Grove Ramblers.

Camping is available at our RV park with water and electric hook-ups. A dump station is available onsite.

The Chrystal Opry house is located at 1977 White Mound Road, which is 1.5 miles west of Tom Bean and 6 miles east of Howe on White Mound Road a half-mile south of F.M. 902. No alcohol is permitted and there is no smoking inside the building. Seating is provided.

Food is available at the snack bar inside the Opry House.

Individuals or bands interested in performing at the Chrystal Opry House should contact Bill Hayes at 903-546-6893 or www.chrystalopryhouse.com.

KidsTime and Little KidsTime

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 5:45-6:45 p.m.

A new midweek Bible club for ages 4 years through sixth grade

Music, crafts, games, and bible study - come join the fun!

Community Bible Church of Van Alstyne

8487 State Highway 5

Preregistration suggested -- pick up registration forms at the church or email childrensministry@cbcvatx.org.

Democratic Women Annual Dinner

The Texas Democratic Women of Collin County will host their fourth annual dinner and silent auction at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at Southfork Ranch.

The evening's keynote speaker will be Bill White, Democratic candidate for governor. Guest Individual - $50; Host Individual and Couple - $500; Sponsor Couple - $250 Sponsor Individual - $150. Purchase tickets at www.tdwcc.org. All donations go to Democratic candidates. Contributions are not tax-deductible. TDWCC is a registered Political Action Committee (PAC).

To view events, volunteer or join the Democratic Party of Collin County, visit www.collindems.us or contact bsharp@texoma.net, Precinct 17 chair.

VA Senior Center Trip to Choctaw

The Van Alstyne Senior Center is sponsoring a "Trip to Choctaw on the Fancy Dancy Bus".

Date: Thursday, Sept. 9

Leaves the center: 9:15 a.m.

Returns to the Center 5 p.m.

Cost: Free, and you don't have to be a senior to participate.

Sign-up deadline: 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3

Call Sandy at the Van Alstyne Senior Center by noon Monday, Sept. 6, with the following info: Name, address, phone (just for my info), player card number and birth date.

Unbiological Sisterhood Events

Open to All Ladies -- Join us the third Thursday of every month for a Potluck/Game Night at Texas Star Bank in Anna! Also, on Saturday, Sept. 10th, join us for a Mexican Cooking Class hosted by one of our very own members, Belle! And on Saturday, Oct. 2, we are meeting at Joe's Italian Bistro in Anna to discuss our summer read, Native Son, by Richard Wright. To RSVP for these events, and more, please join the group at:

www.meetup.com/collin-county-sisters.

VA Great Days of Service

We are preparing for Great Days of Service (GDOS) 2010, and we need your help!

Van Alstyne Great Days of Service is a nonprofit service organization formed by the Van Alstyne Ministerial Alliance in 2001 and is dedicated to assisting those who may be physically or financially unable to provide needed home repairs and improvements.

GDOS will be Friday, Sept. 10 and Saturday, Sept. 11 this year. Breakfast and lunch are provided each day.

The GDOS committee is seeking your assistance in this year's event. You can help in three ways: 1. Volunteer for service during the event (you can complete a volunteer form or just show up any time during event days) 2. Make a financial contribution, or 3. Pray for this event.

All information can be found on our website: www.greatdaysofserviceva.com.

If you don't have Internet access, you can call Theresa Auch at 903-482-1267 for more information.

If you would like to make a monitary contribution, please make checks payable to Great Days of Service Van Alstyne and mail to Great Days of Service, P.O. Box 853, Van Alstyne, TX 75495.

Sept. 11 Remembrance Service

The Anna Fire Department will host a Sept. 11 remembrance service Saturday, Sept. 11, at Slayter Creek Park. The ceremony will begin at 9:59 a.m., the time the first of the two World Trade Center towers collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001.

The colors will be presented, and local clergy will offer prayers. All are invited.

ACCO Ice Cream Social

Anna Community Christian Outreach will host an ice cream social from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Calvary Baptist Church in Anna. There will be a homemade ice cream contest, cookies and drinks, children's games and gospel music. The fundraiser event will support ACCO's emergency utility assistance program for families and the elderly in Anna. For more information, call 214-884-6871.

2010 Howe All-School Reunion

The 2010 Howe All-School Reunion will be Sept. 17 and 18 at Howe High School, 200 Ponderosa Road.

The Bulldogs will host the Wolfe City Wolves at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available through the high school office, at Independent Bank of Howe before noon on gameday or at the gate.

A "Mix and Mingle" is planned for 8 p.m. to midnight in the commons area at the high school. Refreshments will be served.

A reception with coffee and doughnuts will start at 8 a.m. Saturday. Lunch will begin at 11, with several former teachers scheduled to speak (Norman Bennett said to have your homework ready!). Scholarship recipients will be honored.

The alumni flag football game will be at 3 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. Come watch the fun as the guys become young again or at least act like they think they are.

The King of Rock'n'Roll will be in the building when Elvis Presley tribute artist Kraig Parker and his band perform a benefit concert at 7 p.m. in the high school cafetorium. Proceeds will go to support the scholarship fund.

For your convenience, motels are located only a few miles from Howe. You can check availability by visiting: hotelguides.com/texas/sherman-tx-hotels.html.

Check the Ex-Student Association website for more up-to-date information as the reunion gets near, or look under the "Community" tab at www.howeisd.net.

We look forward to seeing you in the fall. For more information, send questions to howehsalumni@gmail.com.