After the ice storm that hit the Dallas area on December 6, 2013, residents are cleaning up downed branches and trees, repairing collapsed carports and patios, fixing plumbing problems, and repairing vehicles damaged in collisions.

The Sam Rayburn House Museum invites you to attend its annual Holiday Open House on two dates. On the evening of Thursday, December 12 from 4 – 6 p.m. enjoy refreshments and cheer at the Rayburn House, the Creative Arts Center (200 W. 5th St), the Fannin County Historical Commission and Museum (1 Main St.) and the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum (800 W. Sam Rayburn Dr.). The Rayburn House is hosting a second open house on Saturday, December 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The theme for this year’s event focuses onSam Rayburn at home for Christmas in 1945, just after the end of World War II.

Geese have been arriving over the past few weeks to spend the winter at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and the huge flock, estimated this week at 10,000, is a popular sight for visitors there. In addition a number of different duck species are wintering at the Refuge, including Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Buffleheads, Green-winged Teal and more. photo of northern shovelers by Carol Ann Sowell

Lance Davis, trustee from Bonham Independent School District, joined 33 other school board members from across Texas November 21-23 at the second session of the Leadership TASB class of 2014.

Occasionally my reminiscence columns stir up memories in the minds of readers who take the time to share them with me. The recent column on the great ice storm of 1949 led one of my elderwriters, Lucille Harris of Denison, to recall an experience that her father had. Her family then lived in the rural community of McCurley, west of Lewisville.

1923 - birth of Bob Barker. Robert William "Bob" Barker is a former American television game show host. He is best known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history, and for hosting Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1974.