COUNTY LIFE
Grandparents who are parents again, finding much-needed support

By DANI BLACKBURN
The third Thursday of each month, a group of children can be found singing, playing and doing arts and crafts at the First United Methodist Church in Saint Jo.
This group of little ones has more in common than their enthusiasm for fun. When they all go home for the night, they won’t be tucked into bed by their biological mother and father, but by grandparents or other kin who are caring for these children when their parents no longer can.
Those caregivers are finding support at the Grandparents As Parents “Again,” or GAPA, in Saint Jo.
“You can’t be a grandparent because you have to be a parent to them, and that robs us of being a grandparent,” said Carla, who is raising three grandchildren, including two, four-year-old twins and a nine-year-old.
The group began three years ago when members of the First United Methodist Church of Saint Jo were looking to fulfill a need of the community.
“We discovered there were really a lot of grandparents raising their grandchildren,” said Laurie Martin, one of the founders of GAPA. “We thought it would be a good thing to start a support group to help them. I served on the child welfare board and saw many grandparents in that situation, as well as through my job as a physical therapist in the school system.”
Read the full feature in you weekend Bowie News.
COUNTY LIFE
JBD Bass Tournament postponed

Due to high lake levels at Lake Amon G. Carter, the Jim Bowie Days Association organizers announced Friday the tournament has been postponed and a new date will be named soon.
COUNTY LIFE
AgriLife Extension hosting preserving the harvest workshop

Texas AgriLife Extension will host a July workshop on July 26, Preserving the Harvest, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church of Montague County, 300 W. Nelson.
This four-part series will teach and review the food preservation processes including water bathing, pickling, dehydrating and pressure canning. This program will have both education and hands-on activities with take-home practice.
Seating is limited so call the extension office to register at 894-4831.
COUNTY LIFE
Cantwell to lead Pioneer Court

The 2025 Pioneer Court will be led by Joan Cantwell as the pioneer queen, with Duchesses Bill Ann Jones and Sue Swint.
A coronation of the court will be at 2:30 p.m. on June 27 at the Bowie Community Center. The public is invited to attend the crowning followed by a reception hosted by the Amity Club of Bowie.
Meet the ladies of the Pioneer Court in the Thursday Bowie News. Coming next week the young ladies competing for Miss Jim Bowie Days and Little Miss.
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