KILGOROUND

D o n ' t forget to come out to show support for a young Kilg oreite's music career during the Friday After 5 concert at the World's Richest Acre. The concert features rising country singer-songwriter Jarett McAlister, 18, who was born here and lived here for many years (though he had the "misfortune" of moving away after junior high).

The free concert, sponsored by the Main Street Program, begins at 6:30 p.m. Fallon Burns, Main Street manager, invites everyone out and reminds you to bring your own lawn chairs and refreshments in order to really enjoy the venue.

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I love how groups of Kilgoreites band together to get things done.

Take, for instance, "Guns and Hoses," aka the Kilgore Police Department and Fire Department. Employees are planning a softball game to raise funds for one of their own who is recuperating from a serious car wreck that occurred on July 17.

KPD Corporal Kevin

Stewart is home from Dallas following surgery and he's on the mend, but it's going to be a while before he's back on his feet.

Guns vs. Hoses will play ball Saturday, Aug. 22, beginning at 6 p.m. at Driller Park, but there will be other things going on at the same time that are designed to raise some cash for the Stewart family.

Det. Davis Merrill reports they will charge a small admission (they're still working on details) and they will sell BBQ plates cooked by firemen and policemen.

Fire trucks and the Fire Safety House, along with police patrol cars, will be at the park for the kids to tour. They are also thinking of some other games and fundraising ideas to raise money that evening. (If you have any money-making ideas, call Davis Merrill at KPD, 983-1559).

Davis reports Kevin has many months of physical therapy in his future due to a hip injury that required an intricate reconstructive surgery. Meanwhile, officers have set up a plan to help the Stewart family out with meals and lawn care.

Kevin and his wife Terri have two small children. He was a paramedic for many years and began volunteering as a reserve police officer in 1998. He became a full-time officer in 2003.

His coworkers established a bank account for donations, which can be made by mailing to: "The Kevin Stewart Benefit Fund," c/o Citizens Bank, P.O. Box 1700, Kilgore, Texas 75663; or dropping by the bank at 301 E. Main St. or any branch.

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Other Kilgoreites are banding together to make sure every student begins classes this month with the proper school supplies and new shoes.

Helping Hands, Kilgore Crisis Center, Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services and Kilgore Together are coordinating efforts to bring in donations of school supplies for needy students in grades pre-K through 12. The supplies will be distributed at St. Luke's Methodist Church on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 13-14.

For more information or to drop off donations, visit or call: Helping Hands, 411 E. Sabine, 903-984-1796; Kilgore Crisis Center, 905 Broadway, 903-984-3019; Kilgore Together, 401 E. Main, 903-984-5388; or Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services (First Presbyterian Church), 815 E. Main, 903-983-3069.

Volunteers are also needed to sort, bag and help distribute supplies.

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Celebrating birthdays in the coming days are Micah Thurston, Dana Wright, Donna Cooley, Kathy Barham, Ledell Carpenter, Ray Patterson, Della Coleman, Eric Jerome Ector, Jordan Anne Gabriel, Joseph P. Adams, Jason Luis, Laure Clark, Kyle Beale, Sharon Patterson, Jana Gae Walker, Gary Hales, James Dykes, Ann Patterson, Lovella Williams, Daniel Morris, Rhonda Pierce, Joyce Ann Dickey.

David Frankenhoff, Susie Stracener, Ruth Lomax, Virginia Belcher, Dallas Rodgers, Eric Smith, Brenda K. Ivy, Noma Horton, Larry Cain, Earl Petty, Jerry Bynum, Charles Howard, Nancy Williams, Joyce Ann Dickey, C.H. Tims, Kera Brown, Ricky Watson, Traci Lynn Portley, Chris Burkett, Robert Watson, Angela Morgan, Janet Clayton, Steve Brown, Ty Sharp, Debbie Reese, William Carl Bryant, Joe Suriano, Kyler Little.

Bonne Hart, Angela Hearne, Gregory Guinn, Kathryn Maxwell, Tamara Lynn Talley, Janette Jones, Jason Dean Henson, Samantha Rae Morrow, Martha Swaim, Donald Cox, Randy Hinton, Carol Stetson, Mike Anthony, Trey Copeland, W.E. "Gene" Whitworth, Billie VanMeter, Denise Croley.

Celebrating anninversariers in the coming days are Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bolt.

Donna and Ross McFarland, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Brantley, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. McDonald.