Saturday January 25^th was a special day in Linden as crowds gathered to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his important contributions to the civil rights movement in America.

Warm weather welcomed observers as parade participants paid public tribute to Dr. King’s vision of love, peace, and justice for all.

Following the parade, all adjourned to the Courtroom of the historic Cass County Courthouse for the Annual Membership Meeting of the Linden Heritage Foundation.

President Joe B. Lovelace called the meeting to order.

Members present unanimously accepted the recommendation of the Linden Heritage Foundation (“LHF”) Nominating Committee to elect for three (3) year terms to the LHF Board of Directors:  Jana C. Bounds, Mary Dowd, Sam Higdon, John Knapp, and Sandra Skoog.

Jana C. Bounds, LHF Chief Financial Officer, presented 2019 financials – income, expenses, and distributions.  The Foundation began 2019 with a fund balance of $40,756.00.  At the end of 2019, the fund balance was $35,839.08.

In the Summer of 2019, LHF in partnership with Linden’s Main Street, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, and Lions Club, publicly set a goal – “Let Linden Shine” – to raise private funds to illuminate the historic 1934 Linden Water Tower with a color kinetic lighting system (unlike anything else in Northeast Texas).

Through the generous contributions of numerous individuals, businesses, and organizations, the Linden community achieved its fundraising goal in two months.  Ms. Bounds reported that total donations received for “Let Linden Shine” was $41,006.01.  After payment for lighting and installation, “Let Linden Shine” donated $9,590.00 to the City of Linden for the maintenance of the lighting system.

Malthus Northcutt, a Linden native, then presented an interactive history of the civil rights movement in the United States and the contributions of Dr. King that changed the world.

Mr. Northcutt, a Vietnam veteran, served 38 years in high-ranking positions in Federal agencies including the Department of Defense, U. S. Office of Personnel Management, and Internal Revenue Service.

Multiple choice questions challenged the audience to give thought to U. S. Supreme Court decisions, such as the doctrine of “separate but equal” and events important to the civil rights movement – Rosa Park’s arrest, Birmingham sit-in protests, the Selma-to-Montgomery march, and the assassination of Dr. King – to understand how far we’ve come but yet have to go.

Mr. Northcutt concluded by giving attendees a pocket edition of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America.

A reception with refreshments followed, hosted by the Foundation.

Afterward, the LHF Board of Directors met to elect Officers for 2020.

The 2020 LHF Board includes:

• President – Jo Anna Duncan
• Vice President for Preservation and Education – Gail Dorgan
• Vice President for Marketing and Development – Sandra Westbrook Skoog
• Vice President for Information Technologies –John Knapp
• Chief Financial Officer – Pat Rountree
• Secretary – Mary Dowd
• Director – Wanda Burns
• Director – Jana C. Bounds
• Director – Barbara Teachey
• Director – Lanita Williams
• Director – Becky Wilbanks
• Director – Brenda Deming
• Director – Sam  Higdon
• Immediate Past President – Joe B. Lovelace

 

On Saturday, January 25^th, 2020 at noon a parade and community celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held in Linden on the Square. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Planning Committee invite all to participate in “Honoring the Dream”.  For parade information contact Vonzear Mitchell 903.738.9778.

Following the parade, the Linden Heritage Foundation invite all to its Annual Membership Meeting at 1pm in the Courtroom of the historic Cass County Courthouse.

The Agenda for the Membership Meeting includes the election of Linden Heritage Foundation Directors.

During the meeting a special presentation and discussion – “The Civil Rights Struggle in the Time of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Vision That Changed the World” – will be led by Malthus Northcutt of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Planning Committee.

A reception with refreshments will follow.

The “Let Linden Shine” Steering Committee announced today that through the generous contributions of numerous individuals, businesses, and organizations, the Linden community has achieved its goal of raising $32,000 to install a color kinetic lighting system on the 1934 Linden Water Tower.

Donations are still being accepted with the understanding that the amount exceeding the cost will be donated to the City of Linden for maintenance and operation of the lights.

Now, let’s celebrate this unified effort by attending the “Let Linden Shine” Gala on Saturday, August 24^th @ 7 pm – Music City Theater, Linden.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Linden City Hall.

 

Linden Heritage Foundation makes a contribution of $10,000 to “Let Linden Shine” account at Texana Bank toward the goal of lighting the 1934 Linden Water Tower.

Spearheaded by the Linden Heritage Foundation and in partnership with Main Street, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and Lions Club, “Let Linden Shine” is a mission and a movement to illuminate the historic 1934 Linden Water Tower with a color kinetic lighting system (unlike anything in Northeast Texas) which we believe would:

• Unify the city and its citizens around a shared landmark
• Brand the city in a unique fashion
• Invite and welcome visitors
• Encourage new business and growth

This will be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for you to show your love and support for Linden as well as possibly memorialize or honor a family member or loved one.

The goal is to raise $32,000 by August 29 to contract with Longview Lights (www.longviewlights.com) to light up the Old Linden Water Tower.

For more information on how to donate go here http://lindenheritage.org/donations-2/