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Plans are coming along for the first-ever Fort Towson/Doaksville Cemetery Walking Tour. Ladies are shaking their historical and event dresses while the men are polishing their boots and dusting their hats. In one case, we have a man growing out his beard!
Storytellers will share the history of specific local people buried in the cemetery, from the 1840s to the current time. As far as we know, this cemetery is the longest continually used cemetery in the state. With a few 1840 burials identified by their headstone, into the 20th century through today, at no time has the cemetery not been used.
Guests will be led from storyteller to storyteller by a pusher/puller (guide). The walk is about 1/2 mile, and the entire tour will take about one hour to complete. There will be resting benches here and there so you can sit if you need. The chapel will be open to see its beauty and learn how the chapel became part of the cemetery. In addition to the stories, you will learn about Woodsmen of the World (WOW) headstones. There is a nice collection of them in the cemetery. And let’s not forget our veterans. We have veterans from the War of 1812 through the Vietnam War and many more from non-combat times. This cemetery is rich in its 180-year history!
This tour is a joint venture between the Fort Towson Cemetery Association and the Friends of the Fort Inc. organization supporting the Fort Towson Historic Site and Museum.
The Fort Towson Cemetery Association Board Members will be on-hand with their cemetery directory to answer any inquiries. It will allow folks to inquire about their possible relatives and ask questions about how the cemetery is maintained today.
Friends of the Fort will have people on site to share how the volunteer group helps the Fort Towson Historic Site and Museum through various volunteer programs and projects.
So, it is up to you to come to listen to the treasure trove of history shared by the storytellers. I can guarantee you will hear something you did not know, and you will enjoy seeing the cemetery as it exists.
Reno’s Summer Celebration and Hamburger Cook-off are Saturday, Jun 26, at Reno Kiwanis Park. They are looking for Hamburger Cooking Teams. We provide the meat, and proceeds from the cook-off will benefit Reno Volunteer Fire Department. Applications for a team to participate in the cook-off are available at Reno City Hall, 160 Blackburn in Reno, or on the city’s website at renotexas.us. For more information, call 903-785-6581.
“Heroes” Vacation Bible School – July 12 – 16, Daily 9:00 sm – 12:15 pm
The Red River County Genealogical Society’s monthly meetings resume on Monday, July 12 at 7:00 pm at the Red River County Chamber of Commerce meeting room. It will be the first meeting since early 2020, so all members and interested persons are encouraged to start making plans now to attend.
The speaker is Bill Covington, and his subject is “A Dark and Bloody Ground – Daniel Boone and Kentucky during the American Revolution.”
The Annual Tour de Paris Bike Rally is happening Saturday, July 17, at 8:00 am. On Friday, July 16 at 5:00 pm, $5 Spaghetti Dinner and registration at Love Civic Center, 2025 S. Collegiate. Event day Registration and a $5 Pancake Breakfast from 6:00 am until 7:45 am. Rides start at 8:00 am for all routes 20,35, 57, 68, and 80-mile ride around Historic Downtown Paris, and through scenic rural areas, and a 14 or 24-mile ride on the trail. Free hamburger and fruit smoothie after the ride. To learn more or to register, go to www.tourdeparis.com.
Saturday, July 24, it’s the First Annual Liberty Syndicate Fun Run. It starts at Paris Harley-Davidson at 8:00 am. Join us to support Powderly Volunteer Fire Department. We’ll have multiple events, live music, and food vendors after the run, lunch included in the price at the first stop, breakfast burritos, and coffee available before the run. Registration is $30.00 for a rider and $35.00 if you have a passenger.
As a part of the day, there will be a Powderly VFD Hamburger Supper with Silent Auction Saturday, July 24, from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at the Powderly VFD Fire Station. They will host a hamburger supper with a silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Powderly VFD. This event is also in conjunction with Liberty Syndicate First Annual Fun Run Fundraiser to help benefit our department. The meal will include hamburger, chips, drink, and desert