By SHARRON HUDSON

With signs of Spring all about us, people are energized and out and about more. While students and school personnel are looking forward to spring break March 11-15, there is much activity on all three of our campuses.

The high school is already abuzz with prom plans as the event will be May 11 at Clark Gardens. The theme chosen is “Masquerade.” There are also softball, baseball, track and power lifting contests in action. The middle school Beta Club recently enjoyed their convention at the Gaylord Texan, in Grapevine, Texas, and members are working toward the 20 hours of community service that is required of them by the organization each school year.

Over at the elementary, second graders recently had the privilege of a visit from a dentist and his staff in conjunction with February being Dental Health Month. Dr. McLemore and his staff make it a yearly tradition to come and teach the children many aspects of dental health, with the highlight being a giant plastic tooth they bring for demonstration.

With so much going on, the students and staff need a vacation. Hope they all have a great one!

With an update on the waterline project that Cool and North Rural Water Supply Corporation are working on, Cool City Secretary Belle Brownlee had much information. Included in this upgrade are residents of the Cool area, with it reaching all the way to folks who live two miles north of Millsap.

The project is on schedule and there are two years allotted to finish it. It includes an eight inch line and fire hydrants. The construction crew, which is Whitewater Construction, from Waco, has about a quarter of the line laid.

The main thing the city of Cool does in the project is facilitate under GrantWorks, from Austin.

All involved are doing a very good job, even notifying consumers on days the water must be off. The completion and all that goes with it are something for customers to look forward to.

Joy’s Shear Creations Salon and Boutique, located on Fairview Road, behind the Post Office, will be celebrating its first anniversary on May 13. Owner Joy Pickett says it has been a fantastic year and many additions have been made to the establishment. There is a facialist, nail tech and massage therapist on site, plus Joy is a true artist when it comes to hair styling. The place is always busy with all age groups in for grooming. The workers are planning a big anniversary celebration that they want to share with everyone. As soon as plans are finalized we will let you know.

Checking in on the ever-vigilant Millsap Volunteer Fire Department – the group is busy with their 2013 training calendar. They are considering possible upgrades in front of the station where the trucks pull in and out.

The department is also making plans to re-purpose a unit for emergency medical services and rehab. The members are looking toward Texas A&M Forest Service grants, available for rescue and fire equipment.

New members are coming in, as Lee VanDyke’s application was accepted at a recent meeting. More members are always needed; if interested, meetings are the first Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at the Millsap Fire Station.

This group is vital to our safety and we are thankful for all that they do on this front for the community and surrounding area.

Guess what? Lambert Switch Cafe and Store has reopened. Many from our area used to go in regularly as it is just a stone’s throw from here, located at 6151 Mineral Wells Highway, also known as U.S. Highway 180 East.

The new owners are Mark Davis, who is a generational resident of the area, and his step-father, Harry Southerland. They have a full menu including breakfast. Ribs and burgers are among the most popular items. The store part of the venture includes essential groceries and health and beauty supplies are sold.

They want everyone to know that they serve good, fresh food and the barbeque is mesquite cooked, on site. Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Many have hoped for this reopening for years, so welcome Mark and Harry and we wish you the best!

Since there is only a little over a month left for filing Income Tax, I would like to again urge you to let the trained people at the Mineral Wells Senior Center or Weatherford Library do your taxes as a free service. One lady went to the Weatherford location and they found a deduction that she was not aware of that allowed her three years of back pay on it. These volunteers are highly trained in this Tax Aid program, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and in cooperation with AARP.

The Mineral Wells Senior Center – (940) 325-6470 – offers the service on Thursdays, while Weatherford Library – (817) 598-4150 – has the workers there Thursday, 3-7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

If you need the help these people will be glad to assist .

On Sunday, Daylight-Savings Time begins.

Thanks for reading!