Money raised for lola VFD

A good sum of money was raised for Iola Volunteer Fire Department Friday and Saturday, March 11-12 during their annual fundraiser. On Friday crawfish was sold and Saturday they sold catfish with all the trimmings. There was also a live auction and barbecue cookoff. Thanks to all that helped make the event a success.

Area residents were sorry to learn about the death of Robert Dean “Bob” Cleveland. He was born Dec. 10, 1935 in Iola, the son of Robert Earley and Paralee Dean Cleveland, and passed away Feb. 15. Cleveland was a graduate of Iola High School. His funeral was held March 19 in Houston and his burial was held later at Zion Cemetery in Iola where his wife Kay Cleveland who passed away in 2019 and his parents are buried. Do remember his children and other family members in your prayers.

There were two estate sales in Iola during the week. I went to one of them and Gail Black gave me several books. They had lots of other good items for sale. Thanks Gail for the books.

The monthly meeting of Pyramid Masonic Lodge No 593 was held Tuesday, March 15, beginning with a covered dish meal that was enjoyed by all. During the meeting, Kenneth Ray Kelso was presented with an award from the Grand Lodge of Texas. The award enables him to teach Masonic work to Masons wherever for two years. God bless him for all the work he does at this lodge and other lodges as well.

I’m sure students from Iola and other schools enjoyed having the week off from school. They should be back in class by the time this column is published.

Keith Civic Club will have their monthly meeting Thursday, March 24 at the Keith Community Center. The meeting will begin with a covered dish meal at 6:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting. Come out and meet with your friends and family. Everyone is invited to attend.

Hopefully the really cold weather is over for now.

Iola North Zulch Order of the Eastern Star No 458 will host their monthly meeting Monday, March 28, at their lodge hall in North Zulch. All Eastern Star members are invited to attend. The meeting will begin with a covered dish meal at 6:30 p.m.

A tombstone was placed recently in Evergreen Cemetery by Connie Davis Francis for herself and her daughter Wendy Brown. Brown was born July 30, 1964 and died Nov. 30, 2021. She was the daughter of Connie and her first husband David Skaugstad. Brown’s two sons are Peyton Ray and Ethan Earl Brown. May her memory be forever blessed.

Happy birthday this week to: March 20 – Alma Esparza, Hank Alley, Wesley Dixo, Mischael Whirley, Rebecca Ann Howard; March 21 – Thomas Anthony Tad Davis; March 22 – Allen Sanford; March 23 – Richard Norman Dudley; March 24 – Payne Chaney, Hetaher Boblick, Leticia Rios, Savanna Rose Barnett; March 25 – Ellen Inez Cook Dyer; March 26 – Zane Calhoun. Do hope your special day was a happy one.

If you have any Keith news, call either my cell phone at 936- 870-6094 or my house number at 936-394-8273.