Mr. Bill Buckner, District 12 Representative for the Texas State Genealogical Society, Inc., will be the Installing Officer. Mr. Buckner is also the Manager of the Genealogical Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library, and has been a very popular guest speaker for HCGS. The incoming officers will be:

Joyce Reid (Woodbury), President

Cleo Davis (Hillsboro), Vice President/Program Chairman

Nancy Davis (Hillsboro), Recording Secretary

Anita Adler (Hillsboro), Corresponding Secretary

Mildred Lee (Cleburne), Treasurer

Juliann Lumpkin (Covington), Quarterly Editor

Dora Nolan and Peggy Fox (Both Hillsboro), Librarian/Researchers

Kathryn Atchison (Rio Vista), Webmaster.

Charter members and former members are invited to join the current members for this event. There will be some special presentations during the program. For those who do not wish to have dinner, the program should begin about 6:45 pm.

Membership runs from January thru December and is $18.00 per person or $25.00 for a family for one year. The HCGS publishes a quarterly, “Hill County Crossroads”, and maintains a Genealogy section in the Hillsboro City Library. The organization meets on the first Monday of every month usually in the meeting room in the Hill County Courthouse Annex located at 126 South Covington Street in Hillsboro.

The program will include

• Weekly lessons to help you manage weight
• A weekly weight check-in
• A weekly challenge to help you “stay the course”
• Dinner Tonight!  healthy recipes
• Incentives

Information for the class

• First class is Monday, January 9, 2012 (weekly for 12 weeks)
• Registration/Weigh-In begins at 5:15 pm
• Location-Hill County Annex, 126 S. Covington, Hillsboro
• Cost-$30 for the 12-week program
• Make checks payable to:  FCS Program Development Fund & send along with name, address and phone number to: Hill County Extension Office, P.O. Box 318, Hillsboro, TX 76645
• Sign up by Friday, January 6th!
• For more information, call Karen Jungman at 254-582-4022

There are many notable structures and historic sites within the city that date from the 1850’s through the second half of the twentieth century. Some have received recognition, but many have not. Most are not protected against modification or destruction. Many properties have been lost or altered. You may view an incomplete list of endangered historic sites here.

Everyone is urged to review this list, keeping in mind that there is tremendous financial value in historic and architectural preservation. Tourism is a large contributor to Hillsboro’s economy, and much of its success depends upon the appeal of the unique buildings and houses in the city. Property values remain high when communities take pride in well-preserved neighborhoods.

The Commission encourages everyone to protect history when dealing with property in Hillsboro. The historical or architectural significance may not always be evident, so when in doubt, please notify the Preservation Commission prior to taking any action regarding a building or site.

Plan to attend a meeting of the Commission during the noon hour on the first Thursday of each month. Seeking to spread the word about preservation, representatives of the Commission are available to give presentations to any organization. Additional information may be obtained through the City of Hillsboro’s Community Development Department, located in the City Administration building at 214 East Elm Street. Call 254-582-2119.

Sherri Knight is a sixth generation Texan with ties to Hill County through the Varnell family. Her last visit to HCGS was to discuss her book, “Tom P’s Fiddle”, in which she wrote about her relative and Hill County’s outlaw, Tom P. Varnell, who is buried in Hillsboro.

James Pylant is a 7th generation Texan and full-time professional genealogist with ties to Hill County through the Walling Family. Their collaboration has created a very interesting book on Waco’s Legal Red Light District, known as Six Shooter Junction in the nineteenth century. They will also have other books of historical interest for sale at this meeting. Both authors reside in Stephenville, Texas.

The Hill County Genealogical Society meets on the first Monday of the month at 6:00 PM. Since the first Monday of the new year in January is the 2nd, the HCGS will meet the 2nd Monday, January 9th, at 6:00 PM. Membership is $18 a year and runs from January thru December. The HCGS publishes a quarterly, Hill County Crossroads, which may be reviewed in the Hillsboro City Library Genealogical Department. We also assist with some research. Our librarians are Dora Nolan and Peggy Fox, who will arrange an appointment with those needing help. We are affiliated with the Texas State Genealogical Society. Refreshments and fellowship follow the program.

You may call Cleo Young Davis, VP/Program Chairman, at 254-582-3603 or email her at cleodavis@sbcglobal.net for further information.

The Musical Christian Celebration Show will include performers The French Court, The Dublin Doubles, Triskelion and Without a Net.  Each act will perform amidst recitations of Christmas poems.  Read more about this fun-filled holiday event in the Hillsboro Reporter newspaper or visit Middlefest online at www.middlefest.com.

This run is a celebratory holiday event, so participants are encouraged to dress in holiday apparel, tie  jingle bells to your shoelaces, and complete the five-kilometer run!  Read more about this community event in the Hillsboro Reporter.  For more information, visit www.bgchillcounty.org.

The production is manned by Abigail Wilson (lighting design),  Keshaun Boyd (sound) and stage manager Chris Johnson.  Choreographer is Judith Dibbern, and music director is Jacob Garcia.  Show times will be 7 p.m. Friday, December 9th, and Saturday, December 10th, and 2 p.m. Sunday, December 11th.  The box office opens on Friday, December 2nd.  Reservations are recommended, and may be made by calling 254-582-4100, extension 1101, or by emailing tickets@hillsboroisd.org.  Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.  Don’t miss this fun and exciting production of “Oliver!”

After the parade, enjoy free hot chocolate and popcorn at the chamber.  Don’t miss a chance to have your free photo taken with Santa, and get your free chamber bucks that can be redeemed at “Holiday on the Square” from noon until 4 p.m. on the courthouse square.  “Holiday on the Square” will benefit the Junior Chamber Ambassador Program.  Booth fees are $25 each, or $35 for a booth with electricity.  Please make booth reservations with the chamber.