COUNTY LIFE
South Korean teen enjoyed Texas experience in Nocona
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
The past year has been a cultural whirlwind for Taike Jang, a 16-year-old exchange student from South Korea who spent the last 10 months with three different families in Nocona.
Going from one country to another is a big enough change, but throw in a worldwide pandemic and things jump up to another level. Jang comes from Seocheon, a city on the west side of South Korea with about 50,000 in population. His father works in labor law and his mom is a college student considering a career in social work. He lives in an urban setting where there are not a lot of kids his age.
Jang’s consideration to become a Rotary International Exchange Student began earlier last year when his English teacher approached his parents about the program. Jang says his teacher encouraged his parents that it would be a good experience, but also help improve his English.
“It sounded fun, and I wanted to learn reallife English, that was the motivation,” he explained.
In Rotary Exchange the students pick their three countries, but then it’s random where they go. America was his top choice and Germany was second.
“When they told me I was coming to Texas I had no idea what was going to happen. I looked it up on Google maps, but I had no preconceived ideas. I was surprised when I saw cows and horses, and found out people ride them,” laughs Jang.
Read the full feature in the weekend Bowie News.
Bowie will begin dressing up downtown during the annual Hanging of the Greens starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 16.
On Saturday morning volunteers will gather to hang lighted garland and wreaths on the nearly 100 lamp posts throughout downtown Bowie. These sparkling decorations will light up the area for the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Festival the weekend of Dec. 7, as well as throughout the holiday season.
Any citizen, family, student, civic group or club is invited to take part. Those with questions may call the BCDB office at 872-6246. Volunteers will meet at city hall across from the BCDB office at Pecan and Mason to receive their supplies. Please bring along a step ladder.
It’s going to be a “Candy Cane Christmas” in Bowie this year during the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Festival on Dec. 7.
Event host, the Bowie Community Development Board is planning a full weekend of activities to help launch the holiday season in Bowie.
The lighted parade is one of the weekend’s highlights and those wishing to enter should remember the deadline is Nov. 16.
Dec. 6
Festival weekend begins with Sip & Stroll With Me from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 6.
Throughout downtown participating merchants invite strollers to enjoy wine or other drinks, and other holiday munchies as they shop stores and meet retailers. There will be live music, a holiday photo booth, carriage rides and of course lots of shopping.
Wristbands may be purchased at any of the participating merchants for $15. Strollers will receive a wine glass with their wristband, but they also are welcome to use a previous glass. Proceeds go toward downtown beautification projects.
Dec. 7
Saturday offers a full array of family-fun activities to enjoy from pancakes to floats.
The City of Bowie Fire Department welcomes families to enjoy free Pancakes with Santa from 7 to 10 a.m. at the fire hall, 203 Walnut. Toy drive donations will be accepted and there will be photos with the Big Guy.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Montague County celebrated its veterans Monday during a program at the courthouse annex in Montague.
The young men of the Trail Life Troop 1309 of Bowie posted the colors offering the American and Texas flags, followed by the American Heritage Girls Troop 1031 also from Bowie who gave the pledge of allegiance. Thad Murphy gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
Jerry “Doc” Cody, Forestburg, was the guest speaker sharing a bit of his experience as a U.S. Army veteran. Cody is an active volunteer with the county veteran services office, which hosted Monday’s program.
After being drafted, he was inducted into the Army on June 13, 1967. After completing basic combat training, Cody went to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio where he trained as a combat medic.
After a 12-day leave he was sent to Vietnam where he served in the Central Highlands assigned to the 2/17th field artillery.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Top photo – speaker Jerry Cody.
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