— By SHARRON HUDSON

MILLSAP – With signs of spring all about us, people are energized and out and about more. While students and school personnel are looking forward to Spring Break (March 11-15) there is much activity on all three of our campuses.

The high school is already abuzz with prom plans as the event will be May 11 at Clark Gardens. The theme chosen is “Masquerade.” There are also softball, baseball, track, and power lifting contests in action. The Middle School Beta Club recently enjoyed their convention at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, and members are working toward the 20 hours of community service that is required of them by the organization each school year.

Over at the elementary, second graders recently had the privilege of a visit from a dentist and his staff in conjunction with February being Dental Health Month. Dr. McLemore and his staff make it a yearly tradition to come and teach the children many aspects of dental health, with the highlight being a giant plastic tooth they bring for demonstration. With so much going on the students and staff need a vacation-hope they all have a great one!

With an update on the waterline project that Cool and North Rural Water Supply Corp. are working on, Cool City Secretary Belle Brownlee had much information. Included in this upgrade are residents of the Cool area, with it reaching all the way to folks who live two miles north of Millsap. The project is on schedule and there is two years allotted to finish it. It includes an 8-inch line and fire hydrants. The construction crew, Whitewater Construction, of Waco, has about a quarter of the line laid. The main thing the City of Cool does in the project is facilitate under Grant Works, Austin. All involved are doing a very good job, even notifying consumers on days the water must be off. The completion and all that goes with it are something for customers to look forward to.

Joy’s Shear Creations Salon and Boutique, located on Fairview Road behind the post office, will be celebrating its first anniversary on May 13. Owner Joy Pickett says it has been a fantastic year, and many additions have been made to the establishment. There is a facialist, nail tech and massage therapist on site, plus Joy is a true artist when it comes to hair styling. The place is always busy with all age groups coming in for grooming. The workers are planning a big anniversary celebration that they want to share with everyone, so as soon as plans are finalized we will let you know.

Checking in on the ever vigilant Millsap VFD the group is busy with their 2013 training calendar. They are considering possible upgrades in front of the station where the trucks pull in and out. The department is also making plans to re-purpose a unit for EMS and rehab. The members are looking toward TFS grants available for rescue and fire equipment. New members are coming in as Lee VanDyke’s application was accepted at a recent meeting. More members are always needed, so if interested meetings are the first Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at the fire station. This group is vital to our safety and we are thankful for all that they do on this front for the community and surrounding area.

Guess what? Lambert Switch Cafe and Store has reopened. Many from our area used to go in regularly as it just a stone’s throw from here, located at 6151 Mineral Wells Hwy (U.S. 180 East). The new owners are Mark Davis, who is a generational resident of that area, and his stepfather, Harry Southerland. They have a full menu including breakfast, with ribs and burgers among the most popular items. In the store part of the venture essential groceries and HBA are sold.

They want everyone to know that they serve good, fresh food and the barbecue is mesquite-cooked on site. Hours are: Mondays through Thursdays, 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturday, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sundays 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Many have hoped for this reopening for years, so welcome Mark and Harry and we wish you the best!

Since there is only a little over a month left for filing income taxes, I would like to again urge you to let the trained people at the Mineral Wells Senior Center or Weatherford Library do your taxes as a free service. One lady went to the Weatherford location and they found a deduction that she was not aware of that allowed her three years of back pay on it.

These volunteers are highly trained in this tax aide program in conjunction with the IRS and in cooperation with AARP. The Mineral Wells Senior Center (940-325-6470) offers the service on Thursdays, while Weatherford Library (817-598-4150) has the workers there Thursdays. 3-7 p.m.. and Fridays/Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. If you need the help these people will be glad to assist .

Daylight savings time begins today.

Thanks for reading!

Send Millsap community news to Sharron Hudson at millsapmatters@weatherforddemocrat.com.