Coming this weekend

Reagan Park playground
As those of you who have driven past Reagan Park over the past week have undoubtedly noticed, the city's flagship park isn't looking quite the same. City workers removed most of the old playground equipment last week and prison work crews have been hard at work this week preparing the site for the installation Friday and Saturday of new equipment. This is the fruition of the Palestine Junior Service League's big fundraising efforts. The PJSL raised approximately $250,000 in donations to use to purchase new playground equipment, and around 150 volunteers are expected to turn out over the next two days to install it. Rather than toss away the old equipment, the city is planning to move it to a different park. No word yet on where it will wind up.

Classic Movies in the Park
Saturday marks the first Saturday of the month, which means it's Movie in the Park night. This month's feature is 1963's "Hud," which stars a young Paul Newman as a young man who's willing to cheat his way to whatever he wants, no matter who's in the way. The movie won three Oscars - one to Melvyn Douglas for Best Supporting Actor, one to Patricia O'Neal for Best Actress and one for Best Cinematography. Newman was nominated for Best Actor, Martin Ritt for Best Director, and the movie also earned nominations for Screenplay and Art Direction. The movies are free, but donations are taken for the Pleasant Hills Children's Home on U.S. 84 near Fairfield. If you go, take your own lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

Embrace the Arts
This Saturday is an "Embrace the Arts" Saturday. The Museum for East Texas Culture will be hosting an art exhibit entitled "Color Me Spring," featuring the work of local student artists. The "Embrace the Arts" reception will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; the exhibit runs through the end of March.