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The City of Linden and the Cass County Citizens Journal Sun will be co-sponsoring a Journalism workshop at the historical Music City Theater on September 29. Texas Center for Community Journalism regularly hosts free workshops throughout the year typically at the Tarleton State University campus in Stephenville, TX. However recently (though not the first time) they are “bringing the show on the road” with the Traveling Newswriting Workshop planned around the state. Former publisher/group manager of the Atlanta Citizens Journal Austin Lewter, M.A., now the Director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism has reached out to the Journal-Sun about hosting the event. After being asked, City Manager Lee Elliot quickly reached out to Music City Theater who graciously agreed to host the event, and the rest is history. There are still opportunities to attend the event, but registration closes soon. “We are thrilled to partner with fellow journalism schools across the state to bring the FREE TCCJ training to your hometown,” says Lewter. “Are you a beginner news writer seeking to do well in your new position? Or are you a seasoned pro who could benefit from fresh ideas? Or are you working in another department at your newspaper but think news writing sounds fun? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these, this is the workshop for you. Our TRAVELING NEWS WRITING WORKSHOPS are designed to give you practical skills to improve your writing immediately.” This is a great opportunity for journalism students at area schools to learn from college-level/professional-level professionals who may have never had this opportunity before. “Along with a back-to-basics approach to lead writing and the inverted pyramid; we’ll also touch on libel and legal issues, health care reporting, integrating open data sources into your reporting, interview techniques and much more,” says Lewter. Registration is now open for these workshops: In Fort Worth on Friday, Sept. 22. We will be at Tarleton’s Fort Worth Campus. In Linden on Friday, Sept. 29. We will be at a venue in historic downtown Linden. If you are interested in attending email shawn@casscountynow.com for a link to get registered. These workshops will be one-day events. They will start at 8:30 a.m. and will have you on the road home by 4 p.m. The workshops are absolutely FREE. Your tuition, your materials and your meals will be FREE- thanks to a grant from the Texas Newspaper Foundation.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND HARRIET HALL Benjamin Franklin Hall, eighth child of John Cunningham and Mary Moore Hall, was born May 16, 1829 in Green County, Georgia. In 1830 the family moved to Troupe County, Georgia where they remained for several years. John C’s occupation was farming. Texas was a new State and there was a movement toward Texas at this time, James, and W. H. (Bee), two of the older boys had come to Texas and in correspondence with the family had recommended Cass County.

The Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Moonlight Madness Event on Sunday,September 3,2023,from 7:00 – 10:00 PM in Downtown Atlanta.The event highlighted downtown retail stores and restaurants, with late-night hours, sales, giveaways, and more! The event also included a karaoke party at Plaza on Main, live music with Nicci McCarty in front of the Atlanta Public Library, over 40 vendors, and a large food truck court. Pictured above is the Moonlight Madness identifying sign.