CATHY KRAFVE Change is sometimes hard to accept, but it can be good.

A change in the Bullard Banner News will begin Monday, Aug. 16. Don Treul, who has been editor since July 2009, will become editor of the Tri- County Leader in Whitehouse. Both newspapers are owned by Bluebonnet Publishing, LLC.

Cathy Krafve will take over the news desk at the Banner News. Krafve, who is instrumental in helping to organize Bullard’s annual Red, White and Blue Festival, was named Woman of the Year at the Bullard Chamber of Commerce banquet in January.

“I’m very pleased to know I am leaving the Banner News in good hands,” Treul said. “Cathy is an excellent writer and has published articles for years in several publications, including the Tyler Paper’s IN Magazine.”

Krafve, who has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas, Austin, has been a columnist and freelance writer since 2007.

“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to tell the stories that Bullard folks love. I know how family-oriented and full of faith people here are and those are the stories that I love, too,” Krafve said. “And to think, I will get paid to do what I love!”

Krafve is involved in community service in several capacities, including the 2010 Red, White and Blue Festival veteran sub-committee co-chair; Executive Committee, Publicity Chairman Bethesda Alliance; and 2010 TAS (Tyler AIDS Services) Committee member for Dancing with the Tyler Stars 2010 Gala Fund-Raiser.

“Cathy is already part of the Bullard community, so I think this will be a great fit for her, the Banner News and Bullard,” Treul said. “I will miss many of the great Bullard people I have had the opportunity to get to know and work with.”

In addition to her community service, Krafve has had experience as a home school educator in Tyler from 1997-2007; Poster Art Exhibits: “Los maestros mexicanos: una experiecia revolucianoria,” and “La ceramica maya: El idioma del arte” at Tyler Junior College in 2004 and 2005; Art Camps: “Art Culture Camp: Creativity through the Ages” and “Art Culture Camp II, Antiquities: The Search for Hidden Treasure” in Tyler in 1995 and 1996; Campus Crusade for Christ (mass media account representative) in San Bernadino, Calif., in 1981- 1983.

“Changes at the Banner? Oh, not right away. I kinda like it the way it is. Lots of local and easy on the eyes. Especially Doc’s pictures of the kiddoes doing great stuff.” Krafve said. “Well, one thing will change immediately. I’ll make sure Doc and I get better coffee!”

For a sample of Krafve’s writing pick up the latest issue of IN Magazine. But she brags that her most impressive accomplishment is the list of publications which have ignored her so far, including the Wall Street Journal, Texas Monthly, Southern Living and even Reader’s Digest.

“I will go to any extreme to call attention to East Texas, our home that we all love,” she said. “Even rejection from editors of major publications; it’s their loss when they miss a chance to cover ET! I’m pretty sure Texas Country Reporter Bob Phillips thinks I’m a stalker because I keep contacting him about Red, White, and Blue.”

Krafve’s writing skill include editing, features, press releases, letters, speeches, curriculum, policy and philosophy statements, by-laws and weekly columns, such as “Checklist Charlie,” which has been published in several newspapers, including the Banner News.

“Of course, news is news and it’s the paper’s responsibility to publish it, particularly public discussions, especially when they are controversial. But hopefully, Bullard will have lots of ‘slow news days.’ I’d like it a lot if we have very little bad news; then, thankfully, I’ll get to write the fun stuff.”

Married to her husband Dave for 27 years, Krafve grew up in East Texas and graduated from Robert E Lee High School in Tyler in 1977. She also is mother of three (and the mom-in-law to one exceptional son-inlaw).

“My favorite career was raising my kids, but writing comes in a close second. Don’t tell my children, but writing is a lot easier sometimes,” Krafve said. “Whenever I write features, my goal is to tell a person’s story so that when we are done, they want to clip it out and save it for their grandkids. I will enjoy doing features on the unsung heroes that make Bullard the great place it is. Maybe folks will stop by the office with suggestions for me.”

For news tips and to submit articles and photos, contact Krafve at news2@bullardnews.com or by phone at (903) 780-1088.

“I raised my kids and then they pushed me out of the nest three or four years ago. My first stop with a resume in my trembling hand was the Banner.”