PHOTO: Carolyn “Khaki” Toups and Ginger Dillard tune their flutes for a Tuesday night rehearsal of the Canton-area community band which draws its 60 members from all over Van Zandt and surrounding counties. Membership is open to anyone who’s out of high school and wants to play in a band. The Van Zandt Community Band meets every Tuesday at the Canton High School from 7-9 p.m. Call 903.567.6561 for more information.

AARP-Van Zandt County Chapter 1313. Meets the fourth Tuesday each month at 1:30 p.m. Edgewood Civic Center, downtown.Reading games, activities, and crafts for grades K-5. Read-aloud time with adult and teen reading buddies. Free. 3:30–5 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday. Story Room, Tyler Public Library, 201 S College. 903.593.READ, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.tylerlibrary.com.

American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive Van Zandt County cancer patients to nearby hospitals for treatments. Most of the patients in question need transportation to and from hospitals in Tyler and Mesquite. It’s anticipated that volunteers will only need to drive once or twice a month. 903.567.2766. Sunday of every month at 2PM. Ben Wheeler Firehouse Community Room. Ben Wheeler,Tx,75754. 903-833-5329,903-833-1059, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best Hearts for Bereaved Parents Support Group. Support group for parents who have lost children.7 p.m. twice a month at the American National Bank of Canton. 903.567.6618.

Canton Castillian Masonic Lodge. Meets for dinner at 6:30 p.m. and meeting at 7:30 p.m. every second Monday of the month. Lodge is at Hwy. 64 one mile north of Canton.

Canton Chapter 667 Order of the Eastern Star. Meets at 7:30 p.m. every third Thursday. Masonic Hall in Canton.

Canton High School Student/Parent Support Group. Meets at 7 p.m. every third Thursday in the Canton High School Library.

Canton Lions Club. Meets each Wednesday at noon. Van Zandt Country Club. 903.567.2826.

Canton Rotary Club. Meets noon every Thursday. Ranchero’s.

Canton Seniors Center. Persons age 60 and older and spouses are eligible to participate in all activities and services. Transportation around Canton (doctor, dentist, optometrist, senior center, grocery store, drug store, beautician, etc.) available for persons age 60 or above. Tues.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Voluntary contribution of $1.25 per day of ridership. Persons under 60 pay $4.25. Request ride at least 24 hours in advance. 903.567.6686.

Canton Trail Riders. 903.567.6581

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains people to act as advocates for children that have been removed from the home due to abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers are the child’s voice in court. CASA for Kids of East Texas is currently looking for volunteers in Van Zandt County. No special skills required, just a strong desire to help a child in need. If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, please contact the CASA office at 903.597.7725.

Cedar Creek Domino Club. Maybank. Meets every Wednesday 9 a.m. to Noon. FREE. Forty two tournament.  Senior Citizen Center, 405 W. Walnut. 903.887.1514.

Christian Motorcyclists Association: Resurrection Riders. Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7p.m. Come at 6 p.m. to eat and fellowship prior to meeting. Rancheros, I-20, Canton. For more information contact: Glenn Strutton, President. 903.873.2083.

The Coffee Club. Tyler. Informal gathering with Edward Jones Financial Advisor Chris C. Hazelip leads discussions on market investing and the economy. Breakfast is served. 7:30 a.m. The Diner, 7924 S. Broadway. 903.534.3900. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CLAW (Citzens League for Animal Welfare) is a not for profit organization powered by volunteers dedicated to finding loving homes for homeless and abandoned domestic animals in Van Zandt County. CLAW meets the second Tuesday of every month at     6:30 p.m. at the Justice Center on Hwy. 64 in Canton.

Colfax Community Men’s Group. Meets 7 a.m. every second Saturday of the month. Colfax Methodist Church.

Colfax Community Women’s Group. Colfax. Pot luck luncheon meeting every first Wednesday. Come enjoy lunch, programs and visit with neighbors. Members plan fundraisers and other projects to better the community. All are welcome. Noon. Colfax Methodist Church.

Cozby-Germany Hospital Auxiliary. Volunteers needed for positions in patient needs, visitor assistance, and office and support staff personnel for the only full service hospital in Van Zandt County. Call 903.962.4242 for information.

Depression Support Group. Meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. 903.829.2336.

East Texas Beekeepers. Discuss bees and how to best care for them. 6:45 p.m. first Thursday of each month. Regional Training and Development Center on Tyler’s West Loop 323. 903.581.6375.

East Texas Crisis Center. To bring help, hope and healing to victims of family violence, sexual assault and violent crime. Information and referral hub for Van Zandt County.

East Texas Writers Guild is a literary guild based in Tyler, Texas whose members include writers of a wide range of genres. ETWG meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Texas Store south of Tyler on Hwy 69 and also on the 2nd Monday of eachmonth for their Nuts & Bolts workshop at the Barnes & Noble on South Broadway. ETWG sponsors a multi-genre contest each year. More information can be obtained through founder K Sellers at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at their website. www.freewebs.com/etwg/index.htm

East Texas Diabetes Support Group.Every third Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. Dailey Medical Clinic, 1108 S. Buffalo St., Canton, 903.567.1910.

East Texas Women Prayer Connection. Meets each third Thursday of the month from 10-11 a.m. for coffee, sharing, and prayer. American National Bank Community room in Canton 903.567.6312.

East Texas Writers Association is a well-established literary guild based in Longview which has monthly programs and annual contests. More information can be obtained through their website. ETWA meets each 2nd Friday in Longview, Texas at Casa Ole on Spur 63. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM, but the group gathers around 6:30 PM to order a meal (each atendee pays for his own) and socialize.Our meetings consist of a program, business meeting, and readings from participants who choose to bring a small portion (a poem or two, a short story, an essay or article, or a chapter from a book) of their writing to share with the group. Guests are welcome! More information at their website! www.etwawriters.blogspot.com

Edgewood Lion’s Club. Meets first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. Edgewood Diner.

Edom Bulls, Bears, and Bunnies. Basic investing, educational analysis of buying and selling stock. Visitors welcome, $1 fee. Edom Community Center. 903.852.3975.

Edom Historical Society. Meets quarterly on second Monday. 7 p.m. Edom Community Center (old school house). 903.833.5597, 903.852.3990.

Friends of the Grand Saline Public Library. Volunteers needed for staffing, story telling and reading programs. 903.962.5516.

Friends of the Van Zandt County Library. Meets at 1:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month. Buchanan Room, Van Zandt County Library in Canton.

Gaining Health Naturally. Garden Valley. Meets the second Monday each month. 6 p.m.-healthy pot-luck dinner. 7 p.m. meeting. Garden Valley Baptist Church at the corner of 110 North & FM 1253

Ghostriders Equestrian Drill Team. Five-time championship teams. Youth National Champion 2003. Trains youth and adult riders to perform in rodeos and competitions. Practice in Canton and Myrtle Springs. To join, request info, sponsor, or make donation call 903.963.1833.

Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. It is their mission to provide skills training and vocational opportunities for people with barriers to employment. Also as a nonprofit organization, they offer recycling, secure document destruction, and industrial manpower. Main Office: 409 W. Locust, Tyler, 903-593-8438. Retail Store & Job Training: 24648 Hwy 64, Canton, 903-567-2950. www.goodwilleasttexas.com.

Grand Saline Community Nutrition Center. Serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. $2. 903.962.3773.

Grand Saline Lions Club. Noon. Every first and third Tuesday. Community Nutrition Center, Houston St. 903.962.3333 or 903.962.7247.

Grand Saline Rodeo Association. Meets at 7 p.m. second Tuesday of each month at the Grand Saline rodeo arena.

H.E.A.R.T. (Help End Abusive Relationship Tendencies).Canton. Support group for women who are or who have been in abusive relationships hosted by East Texas Crisis Center. Free. Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Van Zandt County Sheriff's Dept., 1220 W. Dallas. 903.368.1923.

Henderson County Senior Citizens Lunch & Dance. Athens. $3.50. 9:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. every Wednesday. Senior Citizen Bldg., 3344 E. Tyler Hwy. 903.675.8577.

Heritage Park & Museum in Edgewood needs volunteers to assist with school and individual tours. The park and museum also needs volunteers for grounds and building maintenance. Knowledge and experience in restoration and historical information is helpful. For information call 903.896.1940.

Heritage Quilt Guild of Van Zandt County. Meets the third Monday of every month at 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church in Canton. 903.963.7425.

House of Plenty. Furnishes temporary housing and clothing to families in need. 17897 FM 1255, Canton. 903.829.2097.

Knits for Kicks. Tyler. Local knitters meet in the café to chat and knit. 10 a.m. every Friday. Barnes & Noble, 4916 S. Broadway. 903.534.3996.

Longview Dance/ETBDA. Longview. A non-profit organization focusing on dance classes, competitions, performance opportunities, and instruction. They sponsor free weekly and monthly dance lessons and free community ballroom opportunities. First Christian Church, 720 N. Sixth St. & Maude Cobb, 903-806-8282.

Longview Museum of Fine Arts. Longview. Yoga classes. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Free to members; $5 nonmembers. Noon-1 p.m. Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 215 E. Tyler. 903.753.8103, www.lmfa.org.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, Northeast Region is seeking volunteers to make wishes come true for children in the Van Zandt County area. By volunteering from home for a few hours a week by your own schedule, you will give local children the courage, hope, and strength to keep fighting a very grown-up battle. 903.597.9474.

Matching Donors. A nonprofit organization that is trying to find living altruistic organ donors for patients needing transplants. 1-800-385-0422, www.matchingdonors.com.

Mathea Guild. Meets at 10 a.m. every second Thurs. American National Bank in Canton.

Mineola League of the Arts. Mineola. Beginning Line Dance lessons. First lesson free, additional lessons$3 plus membership. Mineola League of the Arts, 200 W. Blair. 903.569.8877.

Nicotine Anonymous. Tyler. Uses the 12-step approach that has helped people overcome addictions worldwide. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using tobacco products. The program is free and is not connected with any other organization. Meets Mondays 7-8 p.m. Trinity Mother Francis -Tyler Cancer Center, North Park Medical Plaza - 910 E. Houston, First Floor - Room 100. Free Parking. 903.894.7808 or 903.534.8257.

Northeast Texas Fine Art Alliance. Meets at 7 p.m. every second Thursday. Furlough Middle School in Terrell. 903.560.1672.

Parents with Special Needs Children Support Group. 903.873.4513 or 903.873.3640.

Pea Pickers Square and Round Dance. Athens. Every second and fourth Thursday. Senior Citizen Bldg., 3344 E. Tyler Hwy. 903.675.1665.

Poets Of East Texas (POETS). Come read or listen to poetry and stories. Every 3^rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm. 1903 Goodnight Blvd, Wills Point,Tx,75754. 903-560-7110, 903-873-2367.

Poetry Society of Texas (www.poetrysocietyoftexas.org) is one of the oldest literary groups in Texas. With members all around the state, the PST sponsors monthly contests, a book prize and their annual contests with 100 cash prizes for poems of many genres and subjects. The PST is a member of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, www.nfsps.org  which hosts its own contests for manuscripts and individual poems. See www.poetrysocietyoftexas.org.

Rainbow Room needs volunteers to assist in signing up organizations and clubs to donate new items for children 9-18, and to help periodically with inventory duties. Call 903.469.3696 for information.

Read-To-Me-Club. Kaufman. Preschool children listen to stories and make crafts. Free. 11 a.m. every Wednesday. Kaufman County Library, 3790 S. Houston. 972.932.6222, www.kaufmancountylibrary.org.

Republican Club of Van Zandt County. Meet monthly at 7 p.m. third Monday each month. Community Room in American National Bank in Canton. 903.873.6632. www.vzrepublicans.com

ROSE GARDEN POETRY SOCIETY is the Tyler chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas <http://www.poetrysocietyoftexas.org/> . Formed just five years ago, the RGPS meets eachmonth for fellowship and readings. The group is a co-sponsor of the Rusk County Poetry Society's Fall Festival of Poetry in October of each year.

Rusk County Poetry Society (www.easttexaspoetry.org/RCPS) is an East Texas chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas based in Henderson. With over forty years of literary history, the RCPS has members from a seven county area. The group hosts two major events each year: the Fall Festival of Poetry www.easttexaspoetry.org/FallFestival.html in October each year with nearly fifty cash prize contests for adults and the springtime Poetry in Schools contests for students in Grades 1-12. As part of the Poetry in Schools www.easttexaspoetry.org/PoetryinSchools.html, the Mary Craig Memorial Scholarship and the Adelyn Grimes Memorial Scholarship are given to the top two 12th grade poets. The awards ceremony for the Poetry in Schools winners is held in April to celebrate National Poetry Month. The RCPS meets on the third Thursday of each month at 2 pm at the South Main Church of Christ for readings, a lesson, refreshments and poetry critique. Poets and poetry lovers are welcome!  See www.easttexaspoetry.org/RCPS.html

Salvation Army office on premise. 205 W. Tyler, Canton, 903.567.6426.

Seniors Gathering. Van. Potluck supper and games. 5 p.m. every Tuesday. Van Community Center, 310 Chestnut. 903.963-8892.

Story Time. Van. Children will have a story read to them, followed by crafts and snacks. Free. 10 a.m. every Thursday. Van Community Library, 310 Chestnut. 903.963.7942.

Texas Democratic Women & Democratic Party of Van Zandt County. Meets 7 p.m. every third Tuesday. American National Bank. 903.896.4412.

Texas Future Farmers of America Alumni Association. Promotes and support agriculture, agriculture education and the FFA. Meet first Tues. each month. Canton High School Ag Building. 903.567.6561.

Texas Wildfire Express Equestrian Drill Team. Performs at rodeos, visits nursing homes, helps with handicapped children’s events, always looking for new experienced riders and good horses. Sponsored by Cowboy Magic and Rio Vista. Call Angela Ramirez, president at (903) 498-8994 or Shawn Perrin, captain at (972) 962-5357; or Katherine Venom, founding member and ambassador at (903) 887-1510.

United Daughters of the Confederacy. Meets at 10:30 a.m. every third Mon. at Dairy Palace.

Van Area Crime Watch Committee. Meets 5:30 p.m. Third Monday of every month. Van Community Center.

Van Family Al-Anon Group. Meets at 7:30 each Tuesday at the Van Church of Christ, 199 Cherry Lane, 903.752.3684.

Van Kiwanis. Luncheon meeting at noon every Thursday. Van Community Center.

Van Zandt County Genealogical Society. Meets 2 p.m. fourth Saturday. Buchanan Room, Van Zandt County library, 317 First Monday Lane, Canton. 903.567.5012.

Van Zandt County Humane Society. Advocacy group against overbreeding of domestic animals, primarily cats and dogs through public education and sterilization programs. Provide education to children and adults primarily to develop humane attitudes inside and outside the classroom. Adoption Clinics each Saturday, and a General Meeting every third Thursday of the month. Donations can be made sent to Van Zandt County Humane Society, P.O. Box 4, Grand Saline, TX 75140. 903.962.5700.

Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Posse. Meets the third Thursday of each month at 7:00pm. For more information on location and membership contact Kathy James, 903.963.7627.

Van Zandt Crime Stoppers. Canton. 7 p.m. first Monday of each Month except on Holidays. Van Zandt County Criminal Justice Center (Sheriff's Dept). www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org

Van Zandt Optimist Club. Lunch meeting Noon every Tuesday. Dairy Palace, Canton. 903.848.1021.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers in Probations is a program to assist Van Zandt County Juvenile Probation Dept. in rehabilitating offenders on probation Volunteers are needed for mentoring, clerical services like typing, filing, telephone answering, foster care and special group projects including camping trips, field trips, arts and crafts and many other structured groups. Call Van Zandt County Juvenile Probation Department at 903.962.6292.

Whitton Quilting. Meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday. Whitton Community Center.

Wills Point American Legion. Meets 7:30 p.m. third Tuesday. 1100 Pecan.

Wills Point Historical Society. Meets 5 p.m. every second Monday of the month. Heckman Investments, 142 N. 4th St. 873.4449.

Wills Point Kiwanis Club. Service organization geared to helping young people. Sponsor of key clubs, leadership and service clubs. Help with scholarships, fundraisers and yard flags. Meets noon every Wednesday. Wills Point Community Center. 903.873-4066.

Wills Point Rotary Club. Noon Fridays. Wills Point Chamber of Commerce Building.

Young Readers. Tyler. Begins with a story, concludes with an arts & crafts workshop for school-age kids. 10 a.m. every Saturday. Barnes & Noble, 4916 S. Broadway. 903.534.3996.