Heritage Center has memberships
BY KEVIN STINGLEY

The Heritage Center of Cherokee County experienced a wonderful year in 2007. Although the year started off on a "wet" note due to several roof leaks, local roofer Tony George generously offered to fix our problem.

The museum hosted several groups during the year such as the Jacksonville Chamber Leadership group, Box Creek Garden Club, Rusk Garden Club, Rusk Cub Scouts, Methodist Men's group and several Rusk school groups. The museum also hosted several out-of-town visitors for the Dr. Jim Swink exhibit.

Several new exhibits are planned for the Heritage Center in the coming spring. Also, new photo display cases will arrive shortly and new display cases will be built to house our expanding collection of artifacts.

As of Dec.15 the museum has had 815 visitors since our reopening in September 2006. Our busiest months were May and October with more than 100 visitors in each of those months. The Heritage Center is currently holding its annual membership drive to raise funds to keep the doors open in 2008. A membership form can be printed from our website at www.hccc-museum.org or by calling (903) 683-5643 and leaving your name and address and one will be mailed to you. Donations can be sent to the Heritage Center of Cherokee County, PO Box 974, Rusk 75785. The heritage center is located at 208 Henderson St., one-half block south of the courthouse square. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is currently closed for the holidays but will re-open Jan. 5, 2008.

KEVIN STINGLEY

Board members are Kevin Stingley, Jim Cromwell, Stephanie Caveness, Glenn Miller, Sarah Summers, Kenneth Welch, Don Woodard, Ruther McIntosh, Rachel Loden, Marvin Troublefield, Dan West, Mike Murray and Inez Conley.

Kevin Stingley is president of the Heritage Center of Cherokee County.