KILGOROUND

IF A PART of the money you give every year is to Helping Hands, your donations will reach hundreds of people in the Kilgore area.

JUST TAKE a look at the reciprocity: Helping Hands - plus hundreds of people who are looking for opportunities which offer better lives.

YOUR money is well spent if you donate to Helping Hands, a member of the Kilgore Ministerial Food Alliance. Food in addition to assistance for utilities, gasoline, and prescriptions have been provided for hundreds of families and individuals.

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A RECENT articles pertained to the shrinking lifespan of Americans. For two centuries life expectancy in the U.S. has increased steadily, thanks to clean water, improved nutrition, better sanitation and medical breakthroughs. But a new study finds that the explosion in obesity is threatening to slash two to five years from the average Ameri

can lifespan. This means that the average American lifespan could be reversed for the first time since the 1800s, and that today's children may live shorter lives than their parents.

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MEADOWBROOK Golf and Country Club revived this quote by baseball great Hank Aaron: "It took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course." ...And this one: "Go play golf. Go to the golf course. Hit the ball. Find the ball. Repeat until the ball is in the hole. Have fun. The end." It's signed by Chuck Hogan, no kin of Ben.

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KILGORE Chamber of Commerce is again hosting the Taste of Kilgore. It will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006. The event will be held downtown at the World's Richest Acre from 5:30-7:30. Tickets are $7 each and children 8 and under get in free. They have even planned for a rain out date on May 2, 2006.

+++ HERE'S to all members of the Kilgore Community Concert Association.

THE CONCERTS will include Hector Olivier, who is widely known for his big band orchestra on an organ; the Bay Street Brassworks, an outstanding brass band, and the Ink Spots, well known vocalists. Next will come the Bronn Journey, featuring beautiful harp music with a bonus of a beautiful soprano. The Great China Acrobats will be the next feature attraction enjoyed by children.

THE Coats, one of the most recognized and requested ensembles in the a capella vocal world, will be in Kilgore May 11, on the National Harmony Sweepstakes.

ALL attractions will appear in Dodson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAYS today to Elizabeth Chappell, Darrell Edwards, Karen Justin, Jonathan Michel, Roger Thompson Jr., June Terrell, Carrie Rozell, Pat Haynes, Jo Allbright, Alton Craig, L.G. Denmon, Bobbie Scott, Tita Harris, Frankie Johnson, Lanie Samford.

CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES are Kim and Ann Rowe, Ronnie and Elizabeth Chappell, Kelly and James Owens, John and Jennifer Dobbs. BLOWING OUT CANDLES

tomorrow are Joey Pippin, Esther Neel, Margaret Washington, Still Collum, Marnie Foster Kellie Moore, Paul Peterson, Agnes Thurmond, Nancy Lee Springer, H.D. Lee, Amanda Averett, Lester Hedges, G.W. Boyd, Ashley Fouse, Cole Manos, Margie Moore, Lollie Mager, Caleb White, Sarah Ann Williams, W.T. (Red) Kettleurell, Phyliss Schleier, Phillip Williams, Kayla Rosen, Daniel Martin, Susan Berden.

MARRIED ANOTHER YEAR tomorrow are Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bryant, Joe Cross and Angie Robinson Cross.