Program and Activities for the SESQUICENTENNIAL Program
New London, TX
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1986
FLAG RAISING CEREMONY - 11:15A.M.
Master of Ceremonies - Dr. Will Watson
Invocation - Reverend David Moore, Assembly of God, New London
Welcome - Mayor Charlie McConnico
Raising of Flags:
Scouts: Justin Cagle, Jeffrey Merritt, Greg Guinn. Bill Mansfield, E.C. Williams, Jason Watson, David McFarland, Ty Jackson, Ashley Williamson, Dustin Voss, Rodney Merritt, Larry Thompson.
West Rusk Jr. High Band - Scott Rhame, Director
National Anthem and Texas Our Texas
Speaker - Judge M.K. Whitten, Rusk County
Recognition Dr. Wil Watson
Benediction - Reverend Harold Davis, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
APRIL 9 THROUGH 12, 1986
OPENING OF MUSEUM 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1986
TALENT SHOW - 6:30 p.m.
Ushers - Wendy Love Williamson and Jayson Sears
Welcome - Dr. Wil Watson
Acknowledgement - Mollie Ward - General Chairman
Sesquicentennial Poem - Gwen Sadler
Entertainment Chairman - Judy Williamson
Flag Ceremony - Cub Scouts
Skit - Cub Scouts, Den 3 - Chad Chenoweth, Cody Herron, Ty Jackson, Craig Martin, David McFarland, Rodney Merritt, Danny Mitchell, Randy Richardson, Jamie Thompson, Joel Underwood, Dustin Voss, Ashley Williamson
2nd and 3rd Grade Choir - Mrs. LaWanda Ferguson, Music Teacher,
Mrs. Hardwick’s Class: Nicole Parker, Jeremy Brown. Jason Helpenstell, Tanessa Saathoff, Ricky Hitt, Mike Morrison, Michelle Whitlock, Jaime Fields, Bobby Martin, Seth Chaney, Jamie Thompson.
Mrs. Stovall’s Class: Kelly Hughes, Alisha McNeel, Scott Ryan, Cherie Reddic, Christy Gillespie, Danny Matthew, Rodney Merritt, Destiny Tidwell, Cody Herron, Angela Garner, Riann Bauer.
Mrs. Maloney’s Class: Eli Eastwood, Justin Cagle, Dustin Vos, Rodney Hensley, Jennifer Berryhill, Chad Chenoweth, Becky White, Danny Bass, Randy Richardson, Craig Martin.
Mrs. Bradshaw’s Class: Ashley Williamson, Ty Jackson, David Dotson, Sarah Bandy, Joel Underwood, Jill Smith, Melissa Bass, Johnny Rousseau, Daniel Mitchell.
Twirling Routine - Jill Thompson
Duet 0 Mark and Melissa Bauer
Piano Duet - Misty Nelson and Andrea Harper
Twirling Routine - Cindy Gaut
Dance Routine - West Rusk Cheerleaders
East Texas Twirling Academy, Group I - Joan Bridges, Instructor
Wee Three - Crystal Pirtle, Bridgett Coon, Casie Coon
Piano Solo - Joel Underwood
East Texas Twirling Academy Group II - Joan Bridges, Instructor
Prose Reading - Tanya West
Piano Medley - David Berryhill
Gospel Singing - Berryhill Family
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1986
9:30 a.m. Parade
10:00 Kilgore Ranger Band Concert, Jerry Hale, Director
Rangerette Performance, Arnodean Bolton, Director
10:30 Fair time
Children’s Contest - Turtle Race - Kindergarten through 1st grade
11:30 Children’s Contest - 3-legged sack race - 2nd and 3rd grades
12:30 Sack Race - 4th 5th and 6th grades
12:30 Opening of Quilt Exhibit in Gym
1:00 Hankins Family - Gospel singing near football field
Quilting Demonstration - Alvin and Norma Rowell
1:30 Children’s Contest - 3 legged Sack Race - 7th and 8th grades
2:00 Silly Symphony - Kitchen Band from Gladewater
2:30 Youth and Adult Contest - Varieties of Events every 15 minutes
3:00 East Texas Twirling Academy - Joan Bridges, Instructor
4:00 Blue Grass Music - Johnny Simmons Band
5:00 Wee Three - Girl’s Trio
5:30 Presentation of Awards:
Parade Winners, Contest Winners, Historical Home over 100 years Old
Oldest Living Person: Mrs. Emma Strickland - 94 years old
Longest Married Couple: Mr. And Mrs. Ira Goodwin - 68 years (6-22-18)
And Mr. And Mrs. R.K. Carr - 67 years (6-3-1919)
6:00 Henderson Square Dancers - Red Rompers
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 1986 3 P.M.
SESQUICENTENNIAL WORSHIP SERVICE
WEST RUSK HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
OVERTON COMMUNITY CHOIR
SCOTT MEMORIAL GOSPEL CHOIR
PRAYER …………………………………………………… Pastor David Diller, New London United Methodist
Church
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN ………………… O God Our Help On Ages Past
WORDS OF GREETING ……………………… Charles McConnico, Mayor Of The City Of New London
BRASS ENSEMBLE ……………………………… West Rusk High School Group
COMBINED CHURCH CHOIRS ………… The Battle Hymn Of The Republic
SCRIPTURE READING ……………………… Pastor Robert C. Jones, Sr., London Baptist Church
COMBINED CHURCH CHOIRS ………… Awakening Chorus
GUEST SPEAKER ………………………………… Dr. Bill Tisdale, Pastor Of First Baptist Church,
Henderson
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN ………………… God Of Our Fathers
BENEDICTION ……………………………………… Pastor David Moore, First Assembly Of God
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING
Paul Berryhill - Sound System
Stovall Oldsmobile Cadillac - Big Texas Flag
Lo’rae’s Florist - Floral Decorations
LET FREEDOM RING!
We’ve gathered here to celebrate
One hundred and fifty years
Of freedom from oppression
Bought with other’s blood and tears
We don’t often take the time
To know just how they felt,
For we’ve never known oppression
Nor the agonies it’s dealt
It’s hard for us to realize
There ever was a time
That the gallant bell called freedom
Was not allowed to chime!
So let is take these moments
To honor the men who fought
For freedom we take for granted
In our every deed and thought.
Can you imagine that in 1836
Those brave freedom-seeking men
Had a dream that reached beyond
What even they could comprehend!
They couldn’t know that the freedom
For which they fought and died
Would encompass nearly 16 million people
Whose hearts now swell with pride.
And not only those freedom-fighters,
But also the one’s who would strive
For one hundred and fifty years
To keep those freedoms alive!
For all those who unselfishly gave
And even today who are giving,
We gather together here
To honor both the dead and the living.
For even as we honor the past,
So, too, can we honor ourselves today
For the part in Texas’ future
That we will surely play.
And fifty years from now,
When Texans congregate,
May they feel the pride we feel
As they too celebrate.
And let us each endeavor to see
That freedom’s bell long ring
To future generations ………
May loud its praises sing.
And may we ever be this proud
And never hesitate
To proudly wave our Texas flag
And FREEDOM celebrate!
Gwen Gee Sadler
Texas Sesquicentennial Celebration
New London, Texas