April 28, 2011 - Kelcie Simmons, age 11, from Leonard won the top award in the Open Your Heart Children's Art Contest sponsored by the Fannin County Children's Center. She received her first place ribbon and $100 gift card to WalMart at the Children's Center's open house. Children's Center board member Brandi Savage was excited to present the award to her student. Simmons is a student at Leonard Intermediate School where Savage is the Principal.

April 28, 2011 - The residents at Leonard Manor celebrated Easter with a party and by hosting the Pre-K classes at Leonard Elementary for an egg hunt. Lil Tuscana entertained the residents with songs during the party.

April 28, 2011 - Greg Grooms with Rose Marie's Painting was recently observed putting a fresh coat of paint on the buildings owned by the Leonard Historical Museum in downtown Leonard. - Ava Barlow staff photo

April 21, 2011 - Leonard resident Mauridell Bennett was ecstatic to return home last Friday after a nine-month stay at the hospital and rehab following a stroke in mid-2010. Many businesses joined in welcoming her back to downtown, organizing a mini-parade of sorts, complete with a police escort across the red bricks. Businesses and the art classes had welcome home posters on almost every downtown business and the employees of most of them, such as Leonard Pharmacy (pictured bottom right), came out to wave atn the woman of the hour. After passing by, her vehicle pulled in front of a place on the square to which Bennett has devoted much of her time - The Leonard Historical Museum. Friends and family gathered there - including Gayle Deel, Susie Deel, Nell Hollis and Patsy Grimes (pictured top right) - to hug her neck, shake her hand and say "Welcome home!" - Betsy Blevins staff photos