Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville says the Reecy Davis Sr. Recreation Cente r in Greenville has recently enjoyed some facility improvements. The center, located at 4320 Lee Street west of downtown, offers senior citizens the opportunity for walking and other exercise activities. A game room is open daily and line-dancing classes are offered on Wednesday morning. Also, Pud reports that the AARP is offering tax-return help at the W. Walworth Harrison Public Library from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Emily Glass, vice president of the Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs and former mayor, says a recent report commissioned by the city of Sulphur Springs shows the land on the Thermo Mine property donated to the city is free of contamination. She says the city is considering industrial development on the property as well as use of the property as a recreation area.

Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park , says the South Sulphur Unit will host two wildlife-oriented programs this weekend: "Walk Your Dog in Wildlife," at 1 p.m. Saturday (February 22), and "Invaders from Earth," about invasive species found in the park, at 9 a.m. Sunday (February23). Steve also says, after a recent trout fishing event, hundreds of trout remain for fishing in the pond near the park headquarters.

Neil Clark, with the Delta Hope House , in Cooper says the organization holds its annual fund raising chili and stew supper at 4 p.m. Saturday (February 22) at the Community Center in downtown Cooper. A silent auction and live auction also are part of the event. The Delta Hope House provides food families in need in Cooper and Delta County.

Kim Saenz, director of the Hunt Regional Emergency Centers in Commerce and Quinlan, says the emergency centers have been prepared to handle situations that may arise related to the coronavirus. She says they have received numerous calls from concerned people in Hunt County, but unless someone has traveled to China recently, there is little reason to fear contracting the virus.

Wayne Bowman, Hunt County Master Gardener , provides advice on planting late winter/early spring gardens from seeds. Wayne says it may be awhile before the ground is dry enough for planting after the recent rains in Northeast Texas.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville recently completed a year-long exploration of books about Texas , fiction and non-fiction, starting with "God Save Texas" by Lawrence Wright and concluding with "A Strong West Wind" by Gail Caldwell.

Autumn Johnson, our wellness commentator and director of Campus Recreation at Texas A&M-Commerce, says February is American Heart Month , and relates some advice for good heart health.

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, reviews "Tarot Terrors" by Linda Pirtle , a North Texas author, who with her husband, fellow author Caleb Pirtle , is a member of the Silver Leos Writers Guild at Texas A&M-Commerce. "Tarot Terrors" won the 2019 "Best of Texas" award from the Texas Association of Authors.

Carol Taylor , Hunt County Historical Commission chairman, relates the story of the creation of Hopkins County , on March 25, 1846, and Hunt County, on April 11, 1846, about a year after Texas became one of the United States. Carol says the original Hopkins County seat was in the town of Tarrant, located a little north of today's county seat, Sulphur Springs.