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Lifestyles

Living Earnestly: Earnest Geis recounts 100 years

From his humble beginning in Scotland, Texas to his country life in Young County for over 60 years, Ernest Geis has been through thick and thin as he approaches his 100th birthday next week.

Geis was born Feb. 12, 1924 to William Henry Geis and Ada Christine Geis in Scotland at a two-story house across the street from the catholic church. He is the oldest of six children, three brothers and two sisters, and his youngest sister Lucille is his only remaining sibling.

Community service: Graham Crisis Center provides necessary services to those in need

Following the giving season there are many in the community who still require assistance and the Graham Crisis Center provides for those in need. During this time of the season the organization itself also is looking to the community for support.

The nonprofit organization is made up of The Food Pantry, Harry’s House women’s shelter, The Nifty Thrifty and the benevolence fund.

After stepping into the role of director in August, Joy Petersen, her staff and volunteers continue their work to provide for the community.

The Nifty Thrifty

A giving heart: Mary Braddock and her family continue over 60-year Cookie Day tradition Friday

A Graham holiday tradition since 1958, Cookie Day returns Friday as Mary Braddock and her family invite the community for sweets. For over 60 years Braddock has provided cookies at her home for all in the community.

Thousands of cookies will be available at the event in Graham which will take place from 4-6 p.m. at 1010 Westwood Drive.

Mary Braddock said the event has grown so large that around 500 to 600 visitors now show up to the event each year looking for a plate of cookies made by her and her family members.

The ‘Hart’ of downtown: Bob Hart opens Graham restaurant, restores 100-year-old property

After opening two restaurants in Colorado, Bob Hart recently opened his newest venture on the Graham downtown square.

Though semi-retired, Brickhouse Pizza & Taproom has allowed Hart to restore a historic downtown property and live closer to his family.

Hart was the founder and president of Hart Construction Corporation in Pagosa Springs, Colo. He later founded Mountain Pizza & Taproom in Pagosa Springs, something he said was a dream to open.

United Way makes final push for donations

Graham Area United Way is approaching the end of its fundraising campaign and looking for donations to help reach its $100,000 goal in support of seven local agencies. At over $75,000 raised, the organization is making a final push for community support.

The organization kicked off its fundraising campaign Friday, Sept. 22 and announced it raised $42,558.58, or 43% of its $100,000 goal. GAUW Executive Director Susie Cerecedez said the campaign year lasts from early August to near the end of November, but this year they are looking for more support to reach their goal.

Pursuing a passion: Lisle publishes novel and turns the page to a new chapter of her life

Graham native Hailey Lisle took her childhood hobby of writing novels to the next level after recently publishing her novel “Things She Borrowed.” Three years of work paid off for Lisle who self-edited and published the novel available online and locally in Graham.

Lisle said when she was a child she wrote small novels which her mother laminated for her to share with her friends. She said it started as a hobby which, later after graduating from college and nursing school, was something she revisited as she became a more avid reader.

Lake Country Art Show heading to OPOMAC, accepting entries Friday

The Graham Art Guild will be accepting artwork this week for the Lake Country Art Show which will be on display at the Old Post Office Museum and Art Center at the end of July. According to the Graham Art Guild, the show has been held in Graham for over 50 years.

The Lake Country Art Show will be on display at the OPOMAC from Wednesday, July 27 through Saturday, Sept. 10. The show is for paid-up members of local art clubs or guilds and will accept artwork from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 at the OPOMAC.

Revitalizing a family legacy: Mote family restores, expands family pecan farm

Off FM 61 and Clark Road is a piece of land with a panoramic view of Lake Graham which serves as a historic property for the Mote family, housing a pecan orchard at Pea Ridge. Last year, the 90-acre property, which used to house over 1,000 pecan trees, was transferred to Ryan Mote. The property has since died down to 140 trees, but Mote and his family have begun efforts to revitalize the property and opened a new pecan business for sale online.

A ‘labor of love’ returns home: Nocona quilt returns to Graham resident after 56 years

In 1965, three women designed and poured their heart into a quilt for honor student Cynthia Strider of Nocona High School as a graduation gift. After 56 years, the quilt has found its way home to one of the creators who now resides in Graham.

Jeanne, Sheila and Janie Hoehn created the quilt in 1965 to honor Strider’s achievements through her high school years. The three were trying to capture Strider’s whole high school story onto the quilt by noting her classmates, clubs, school trips as well as teachers and district staff who were present during her graduating year.