The community newspaper that keeps the areas around Bullard,
Flint, Troup, Whitehouse & South Tyler connected & informed.
Monarch butterflies are among the most recognizable and remarkable insects in North America. With their brilliant orange and black wings and an annual migration that spans thousands of miles between Canada, the United States, and Mexico, monarchs continue to captivate gardeners, naturalists, and nature lovers alike. Unfortunately, their populations have declined dramatically over the last […]
The Arp Garden Club has installed a U.S. Flag Retirement Disposal Box at the Veterans Memorial at the Four-Way, providing residents with a respectful way to retire worn or damaged American flags. Community members can place folded flags that are worn, torn, or tattered into the designated collection box. The Royal Rangers of Arp will […]
Greg Grant (6-21-26) Every June, when the days stretch long and the heat settles in for good, I start thinking about the plants that can truly take an East Texas summer. Not the pampered ones that wilt at the first hint of stress, but the sturdy, colorful, dependable performers that keep blooming long after the […]
Greg Grant (6-28-26) Dr. William C. Welch was one of those rare individuals whose influence continues to grow long after the person is gone. With his passing on June 8, 2026, those of us fortunate enough to know him lost a friend and a mentor, but his legacy lives on abundantly in the landscapes, libraries, […]
Greg Grant (6-14-26) East Texans who enjoy gardening and the wildlife that flit through their landscapes will have a chance to learn how to support both at the upcoming Earth-Kind Summer Garden Series program, Ecological Gardening, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Cotton Belt Building on West Front Street […]
Doodling Around Greg Grant (6-7-26) Every now and then a small, ordinary critter carries you straight back to childhood. For me, nothing does it faster than a doodlebug. Long before I knew the name “ant lion” or understood anything about entomology and insect life cycles, I knew the joy of crouching in the sand, piddling […]
The Frankston Garden Club is expressing its appreciation to everyone who helped make its annual garden tour a success. Club members thanked sponsors, donors, ticket purchasers, raffle participants, and community members who attended the event held on May 16. Organizers also offered special recognition to the homeowners who opened their gardens and yards for visitors […]
The Frankston Garden Club recently earned four awards while attending the District 3 Workshop and Meeting in Lufkin. Several club members represented Frankston at the event, where garden clubs from across the district gathered for educational sessions, networking opportunities, and recognition of outstanding achievements. Club members celebrated receiving four awards during the meeting, a reflection […]
The Arp Garden Club is inviting community members to help launch a new Community Herb Garden designed to bring residents together while promoting gardening, education, and healthy living. A planning meeting will be held on Thursday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Arp Community Center, 108 W. Longview Street. Residents of all ages are […]
Greg Grant (5-3-26) Each spring, East Texans look forward to one of the most enjoyable horticultural traditions in our region: the Smith County Master Gardener Home Garden Tour. This year’s tour, set for Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., promises a full day of beauty, creativity, and practical learning tucked inside five […]
