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.

Food Pantry Supplies Needed

Anna Food Pantry supplies are low and burdened to meet the needs of summer lunches. We need macaroni and cheese box dinners, sugar and flour, canned and packaged pasta, 1-pound boxes of crackers and pancake mixes. Drop off donations at the pantry from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Anna UMC, 100 W. Second St.

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

* ESL Bilingual Instructor. Webb Elementary has many Hispanic parents who wish to learn the English language. Bilingual volunteers are needed to provide basic instruction to parents one evening a week for approximately 1 hour. If you can commit to this schedule, look for "ESL Bilingual Instructor" under Updated Listings on the VMC website.

* Race Trials. The YMCA Turkey Trot Trials will be held the mornings of September 11 for the 5K and October 9 for the 10K. Volunteers are needed both days to man water stops, supervise bounce houses, and check in runners. If you like to have fun, will enjoy cheering runners, and can stand for 4 hours, look for additional details on the VMC website. Look for "YMCA Turkey Trot Trials" under New Listings.

* Teach Golf to the Disabled. Rise Adventures provides opportunities for physically disabled persons to experience and learn new sports and recreation skills. Volunteer golfers can make a difference in the life of a disabled person by helping them to learn golf. If you have patience and a willingness to serve, find out more about this opportunity by clicking on "Disability Golf Assistant" on the VMC website.

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.

Free Mother's Day Out

Free Mom's Day Out program for toddlers (age 2) through pre-K (age 5) children at Elmont Baptist Church the second Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beginning in September and ending in May. Registration will be Thursday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call the church at 903-482-6356 on Mondays from 9 to 11 a.m. or call Beverly at 903-482-5587.

VAHS Freshman Orientation

Van Alstyne High School's Camp 2014 freshman orientation will be from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 19. The registration form can be found on the school website, www.vanalstyneisd.org.

All incoming freshmen will have a fun morning during which they will get to meet upperclassman leaders and learn some helpful insights into high school life.

Van Alstyne Chamber Activities

Aug. 19: Join us for our last Downtown Jam of the Summer from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 19 at Dorothy Fielder Park. Kings Trail will perform. Bring your family and your lawn chairs and expect to have good old-fashioned fun!

Be sure to check the website for more events around town.

www.VanAlstyneChamber.org.

GCC South Campus Registration

GCC's South Campus facility, located at 1455 W. Van Alstyne Parkway, just celebrated its fifth birthday in May. Surprisingly, many people do not even know that we are here, and those who do know we are here sometimes are not sure of all the services we offer.

Here are just a few of the things you can do at GCC's South Campus:

Apply for Admission

Enroll in Classes

Visit with an Academic Advisor

Visit with a Financial Aid Advisor

Take College Entrance Tests

Complete all of the General Education Core Requirements

Purchase books, get a student ID, and/or get a parking permit

Become a Licensed Vocational Nurse

Take a Swing/Salsa/Country and Western Dance Class

Participate in Adult Basic Education/GED/ESL classes (for free!)

Pay for classes

It's not too late to get started for the fall semester. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 23. The last day to register and pay (without paying a late registration fee) is Thursday, Aug. 19. For the latest news and updates about the South Campus, follow us on Facebook.

Anna Football Media Day

The Anna ISD Athletic Department will host a football media day for the 2010 season at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20.

Magic Show

Friday, Aug. 20, the Van Alstyne Community Library will present magician James Wand for our monthly Family Night at the library.

Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. The show starts at 6:30.

Door prizes will be given away.

All families are welcome!

Eating Sunday

It's Eating Sunday at Melissa Christian Church this Sunday with a theme of "School Daze." Come and enjoy a delicious meal and good fellowship on the Sunday before school starts. The church will provide fried chicken and drinks and everyone is invited to bring a side dish and/or dessert. All are welcome.

At the 10:45 worship service, Dr. McConachie will conclude his message series, "A God Who..." with a message titled, "A God Who Is Returning" based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and John 14:1-3. Come and hear the end of this inspiring and interesting message series.

The Sunday School class, which meets at 10:00 a.m. continues its video study of "The Case for Christ." This week's session is titled, "Evidence Outside of The Bible."

The crafty ladies meet each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Hale Hall, and you are invited to join them.

Melissa Christian Church is located at the corner of Harrison and Cooper streets about two blocks east of Texas 5 in Melissa. The church phone is 972-837-4410 and email address is melissachristianchurch@yahoo.com.

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.

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.

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 four ways: 1. Apply for a project need (Our project deadline is Aug. 15), 2. Volunteer for service during the event (you can complete a volunteer form or just show up any time during event days) 3. Make a financial contribution, or 4. 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.

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.