COUNTY LIFE

Camera to canvas: 50 years in the visual arts celebrated by Nocona couple

Published

6 months ago

04/12/2023

By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Larry and Donna Lemons will mark 50 years in the visual arts with a special celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 15 at their gallery in Nocona at 300 Clay.
One of the highlights of the day will be the unveiling of a coffee table book, “A Brush With Faith.” It reflects on a career of “picture taking” and the path he and the love of his life, Donna Rose took, as they built their lives together, with faith often directing those decisions.
Larry’s art career began when he picked up a camera during his second semester at Cooke County Junior College after high school graduation.
Through that lens, he and Donna would create a successful photography studio working for 27 years before he picked up a paintbrush to spark a new avenue of creativity for himself that included writing books and teaching art.
Larry, now 70 and Donna, 68, were high school sweethearts. He and his future wife lived only three streets away from each other when his family moved to Nocona when he was a fourth grader. He graduated two years ahead of her and they were engaged.
He worked at The Nocona News doing everything from deliveries to addressing papers. It was during his second semester at Cooke County Junior College a friend, Gene Brown, talked him into taking a basic photography course.
“I told him I had no interest in this and didn’t know anything about it, but it still sounded intriguing. I didn’t want to go in with no information so I bought a few photography magazines and read through them looking at the pretty pictures. I read about F-stops, focal planes and shutter speeds.
“At first I thought it sounded too complicated, but I also really liked the pictures. I ordered a Minolta camera from a New York camera shop. When I started messing with it the stuff I read began to make sense,” recalls Larry.
As the class progressed and he learned how the camera worked, Larry loved it. Taking black and white photos, then seeing them come to life after processing them in the dark room was fascinating for a young man searching for his future.

Donna and Larry Lemons prepare to celebrate 50 years in the visual arts, as well as a 50th wedding anniversary in September. (Courtesy photos)

COUNTY LIFE

Fall heralds the C&B Heritage Festival

Published

3 days ago

09/30/2023

bowienews

The first weekend in October will be full of activities for everyone from Second Monday Trade Days at Pelham Park to Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival in downtown in Bowie.
The 28th year of the heritage festival welcomes more fun activities from the Championship Fiddler Competition to the Piston Heads Auto Club Show to the art exhibit downtown will come alive with celebration.
This year Bowie Community Development is adding a Chicken and Bread Days Bass Tournament on Oct. 8.
Sip & Stroll
The festival weekend begins with a Chicken scratch-themed Sip & Stroll with me event which opens the festival from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 6.
Downtown locations are encouraged to decorate with fall décor and add fun, unique white leghorn chickens to win the prestigious people’s choice awards. In addition, the evening will include a preview of talented fiddlers jamming together filling the air with cheer and there will be horse-drawn carriage rides available.
Sip and Stroll will feature 35 downtown participating locations. Guests may purchase an armband for $10 and receive a souvenir glass, which gets you a tasting at the location. You are welcome to use a previous glass, but you must have an armband.

The tradition of Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival is the start of our longstanding tradition of selling chicken and biscuit that would eventually evolve into Second Monday Trade Days.

Activities on Oct. 7 include the fiddle contest, fall games, kid’s activities, art show, car show and live music all in downtown, plus a new bass tournament on Oct. 8 at Lake Amon G. Carter.

See the full schedule and map of activities in your Saturday Bowie News.

COUNTY LIFE

Region 9 college fair set for Oct. 19

Published

3 days ago

09/30/2023

bowienews

Wichita Falls, Region 9 Education Service Center will host a College Fair on Oct. 19 from 6-7:30 p.m.
All ninth-12 grade students in school districts served by Region 9 ESC are encouraged to attend along with their parents. Region 9 ESC is located at 301 Loop 11, Wichita Falls. This includes all school districts in Montague County.
The college fair provides students the opportunity to visit with representatives from universities and colleges from Texas, Oklahoma and other states.
Representatives from military branches also will attend, along with community organizations such as Texas Workforce Commission, Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation, etc.
Representatives from Midwestern State University will present a session on avenues for financial aid. Region 9 ESC will have a representative to speak on careers in education. Region 9 ESC School Counseling Specialist, Lacy Murphey, will be available to answer questions from students, parents and high school counselors.
High school counselors also can provide registration and additional information. Students may pre-register at, falltacrao.swoogo.com/registration, but preregistration is not required to attend.

COUNTY LIFE

Panther kicker named homecoming queen

Published

6 days ago

09/27/2023

bowienews

Kyler Dunn was crowned homecoming queen for Saint Jo High School Friday night and was escorted by her father Charlie Dunn. She is senior class president and kicker on the football team, among other activities. (Photo by Jordan Neal)

(Cover photo) Homecoming Queen Kyler Dunn is surrounded by the other beautifully dressed ladies of the homecoming court. (Photo by Jordan Neal)