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.
Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25.
Members will consider an anti-fraud policy and adding it to the personnel policy. The annual liability renewal with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Pool will be reviewed.
Montague County officials will be enrolling in the TAC 2025 certified cybersecurity course required by the state for all employees who use county computers.
Other topics for Monday will include the bond for the county treasurer, review an account application with Schad & Pulte Welding Supply, Inc and consider raising the road hand clothing allowance from $500 to $1,000.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It was family night for the City of Bowie Fire Department as members gathered for the annual pre-Thanksgiving awards dinner this week.
Firefighter of the Year awards, service awards and officers and firefighters were pinned with their new badges.
Fire Chief Doug Page opened the evening with a remembrance of a fallen firefighter, James Dunham who died 25 years ago on Nov. 18. This Saint Jo firefighter was responding to a car accident at Forestburg and after he arrived suffered a heart attack. Page noted his daughter is auxiliary member Renee Hart.
Chad Long, member of the department for one year and one month received the Firefighter of the Year Award. Kelly Tomlin, nine-year member, was selected by the volunteers to receive the Roy Gene Williams Award.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo- New lieutenants Michael Burrows and Chad Gerlach received the oath from Mayor Gaylynn Burris. (Photo by Barbara Green)
The new Montague County Animal Rescue, which will be helping with operation of the new county animal shelter, invite you to “Wine Like A Dog” on Dec. 3 at Kimber Creek Wine Bar and Gift Shop in downtown Bowie.
The evening will include wine and charcuterie from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., while raising funds for the rescue organization. Tickets are $50.
Melanie Gillespie of Montague County Animal Rescue said the new 501c3 has completed its agreement to work with Montague County operating the animal shelter.
“Your support enables us to launch the opening of the first county-run animal shelter. We invite you to join our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and finding loving homes for animals in need,” said Gillespie.
Limited tickets will be offered at the door based on availability. Those with questions may call Gillespie at 469-951-0215 or email [email protected].
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