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ALL BOOKED UP | Library gets read-y for unveiling of new section Saturday
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Feel free to judge the book by its cover Saturday – after all, the authors put a lot of thought into it. By all means, don’t stop there: Some of those same independent authors are going to
Local entrepreneurs egg-cited to host annual hunt April 4
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The community’s annual egg hunt is taking shape for the first weekend in April. Hosted this year by Gladewater Thrive & Connect, the free-for-all 2026 Gladewater Egg-Stravaganza is set
White Oak library committee shifts novel to back wall after challenge
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“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” will remain in the stacks at the White Oak School Community Library, but it will be ‘relocated’ following a challenge to its content. The
Library stacks up local, Texas authors for March 14 shindig
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Fourteen authors are set for the spotlight at Lee-Bardwell Library March 14, and one of the bunch made a swing through Gladewater last week. In addition to anthologies, Chris Miller has multiple
UNITY | ‘Together we are stronger than any challenge we face’
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Community gathers for annual MLK Day celebration | “We’ve got to learn how to work this together. We can’t continue to stay apart.” Unity, Gilgal Baptist Church’s
East Texas ‘Metal Detective’ reunites colonel’s dog tags with surviving family here
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Col. Dan Merritt’s dog tags are back in a place of honor thanks to another fortunate find by Steve Smith and his trusty metal detector. Gladewater’s long-since proved to be fruitful
2026 MLK Gospel Brunch set Jan. 19 at RV venue
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Christmas and New Year’s get all the focus at end-of-year, but more holidays are ahead, and the Gladewater MLK/Juneteenth Committee is spreading the word about their annual Martin Luther
A LIVING STORYBOOK | Gladewater Museum celebrates 20 years preserving the past
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By Adrienne Brown Special to the Mirror The Gladewater Museum sits facing historic red brick streets, looking out over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the town’s famous antique shops. A
Gladewater aims big in Parks & Rec plan, prepares broad grant outreach
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There are big dreams in the Gladewater Parks & Rec board’s master plan – a big effort is taking shape to find public money to cover the costs. “There’s a lot of grant
INCLINED TO HELP | Rotarians partner with ramp project for simple builds that change lives
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Imagine being trapped indoors by a drop of just a couple of feet. Imagine an injury, infirmity, illness that turns the front steps into a life-threatening obstacle. Imagine a loved one, a child
Library makes space for indie authors on local shelves
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“I would like for our library to have the largest collection of Texas indie authors around.” It’s a big goal for Lee-Bardwell Public Library, and it starts with some significant
Upcoming reunion brings Red Rock community members home July 25-26
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The 2025 Red Rock Community reunion is coming up Friday and Saturday, July 25-26, centered on the historic community as well as Gladewater High School. Registration is open now, and the
‘I COULD HAVE DIED’ | GPD trio rescues woman amid medical crisis
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Lost and confused, Margaret Schottstaedt was in dire straits. A brain bleed, her invisible assailant, drove the Gladewater resident into the heat and the bramble July 1. Fortunately, there were
A GOOD LAUGH NEVER GETS OLD | Veteran rodeo clown prizes Round-up traditions
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From his grandfather to his children, family’s front-and-center for longtime rodeo clown and barrelman John Harrison. Not just his own kin, either: the veteran arena entertainer wants
NEW CHAPTER BEGINS | Mayor-to-bookseller continues former owner’s labor of love
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Harold Wells chuckles at the question. No, he’s not much of a reader himself. He enjoys the people who enjoy books, though, and he’s really digging into being a bookseller. “I
John Berry takes stage of Jackson’s Cozy Theatre May 9
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“We all go through a lot of stuff. We all face a lot of things in this journey of life. Through it all, we don’t have to face it all alone.” That’s a key takeaway from spending time with John
Nat’l Day of Prayer ceremony set May 1
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The 74th annual National Day of Prayer is set for Thursday, May 1, and Gladewater Chamber of Commerce is putting together the local commemoration. The event is set for noon that day at the
Beautification board brings back Adopt-A-Spot outreach
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Gladewater’s Beautification Advisory Board is ready to resurrect it’s ‘Adopt-a-Spot’ program for 2025, giving locals a direct way to enhance their community. “If we
Gladewater Museum celebrates music, milestone year during annual soiree
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Night at the Museum 2025 put a new spin on ‘living history’ locally Saturday evening. Unlike the other legendary musicians in Gladewater Museum’s hall of fame, world-class fiddler David Varnado
First-tier fiddler bound for Gladewater Museum Saturday
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David Varnado’s played fiddle across the United States alongside top country stars, and he’s also performed for an extraplanetary audience in a live broadcast from Mission Control to the
‘Greetings from Gladewater’ | Picturesque postcard takes shape downtown
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Frigid weather makes outdoor painting pretty frustrating, but Hillie Shirley bundled up and kept on working this week, focused on bringing a new mural to life in the center of downtown
NO PANES, NO GAINS | East Texas window washer marks 53-year streak of clean glass
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The eyes are the windows to the soul, but David Coleman puts his heart and soul into windows for the sake of everyone’s eyes. “I’m just trying to give people a brighter outlook,” he quips, “let
Evergreen wreaths ensure soldiers’ legacy endures
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“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen. To be forgotten is the worst.” Several dozen locals braved the rain Saturday morning to ensure
Kids can cash in on crafts at library
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Christmas is coming, and Lee-Bardwell Public Library is giving Gladewater’s littlest elves a workshop to sell their homemade stock. Candles, cookies, sugar scrubs, hand-carved crafts, woodburned
‘Absolutely Beautiful’ | Locals’ quilting hobby carries thread of friendship
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8“Oh my goodness, look at these quilts.” Becky Davis wasn’t the only guest stunned by the handiwork inside First Methodist Church’s sanctuary Nov. 23. The draping of almost three dozen quilts
‘A Silent Servant’ | Local volunteer keeps giving
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More food. More help. More guidance. For years, Dean Hanssen has focused on more – not for himself but for the children and families who rely on the Gladewater Backpack Program, for the men and
Angel Tree sign-ups are underway at the White Oak VFD
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It is time for the White Oak Fire Department’s Annual Angel Tree sign-ups. This year, the dates to sign up will be on Nov. 19 & 21 from 6 – 8:00 p.m. at the fire station, located at 301
Gladewater gets ready to celebrate veterans
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In May, Americans remember those members of the U.S. military who gave their lives for their country. Each November, the nation pauses to thank living veterans whose years of service then-and-now
Local ‘Angels’ effort brings more Christmas cheer to kids’ holidays
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Community contributors made Christmas even more special for more than 250 local children last year, and the Darla’s Angels effort is on track for another successful giving season in 2024. Darla
Find, Sealed, Delivered | Treasure-seeker uncovers piece of Gladewater’s past
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It was clearly metal. Heavy. About the size of a chess board’s king, albeit swollen in a clump of dirt. As Steve Smith rolled the obscure object over in his hand, bits of the compacted
ROOM TO GROW | Downtown developer’s endeavor creates sensory spaces for special needs students
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Each Roxy Room is a custom-made sensory sanctuary for children with special needs, especially those on the autism spectrum. The idea began with Jackson Foltyn’s daughter, and each room is
Local company loves ‘Misery’ | Seasonal stage show debuts Friday
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Some fans prefer their “Misery” on the page, in the (in)famous prose of Stephen King. For others, it’s the celluloid treatment that hammers it home. Jackson Foltyn’s not about serving up
Wade’s Wheels recruits auto aficionados Sept. 14
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An upcoming car and bike show is set to raise funds to cover medical expenses and other costs for 2-year-old Wade Schisler. Wade’s uncle, Roy Mullens, is spreading the word about the Sept.
With Christmas months away, downtown pines for new tree
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Labor Day’s coming soon, Halloween’s still ahead and Thanksgiving, too, so it’d be jumping the gun to kick-off the countdown to Christmas – that said, Lois Reed’s counting on early present to
Rodeo Roundup
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It’s a wrap … The 87th Gladewater Round-Up Rodeo is now in the record books following Saturday night’s action. And the numbers prove it was a great time for all – as 12,575 rodeo fans
Programs empower youths through performing arts, community service
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“I’m going to put you to the test.” Listen for the clues and cues, Sandy Redd told her young charges last week: Intro. Outro. Hook. Verse. Bridge. How do they feature in
Special needs fishing bonanza set for Saturday
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C.A.S.T. for Kids is ready to net some new anglers June 1 at Lake Gladewater. Tailored for children ages 6-18 with special needs, the ‘Catch A Special Thrill’ event aims to give the
Chex in the mail
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Letter carriers across the country are renewing their annual effort to route hunger, ready to collect locals’ grocery donations May 11. The National Association of Letter Carriers launched their
A Family Fare | Love’s the secret ingredient at new Italian eatery
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The namesake of Manni’s Italian Kitchen has a key vision for the restaurant – that it becomes a place for people to fall in love. Now, whether that’s with a blind date, a bowl of strawberry
Faith-based education outreach meets students ‘where they are’
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A new faith-based youth development center is at work on FM 1252 near Kilgore – Restoration of the Spectrum Ministries currently serves select students from Gladewater and White Oak along with a
Arts & Crafts Fair returns this weekend
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The 50th Annual Gladewater & Crafts Festival will be held Sept. 16-17 on the GISD Administration Building grounds, located at 200 Broadway Ave. The two-day event will feature arts and crafts,
Balcorta, Clinkscales competing for Miss Gregg County crown
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Gladewater High School’s Hadassah Balcorta and White Oak High School’s Addison Clinkscales will join five other Gregg County school contestants vying for the title of Miss Gregg County at the
Library readers make a splash with end-of-summer awards
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What happens when 4,000 water balloons meet a fire truck full of water? Well, kids at the Lee-Bardwell Public Library in Gladewater found out last Wednesday, August 9, as they celebrated




