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