Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 150, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 15, 1999 Page: 2 of 16
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Page 2A—CHEROKEEAN/HERALD of Rusk, Texas—Thursday, April 15,1999
Emmett H. Whitehead
nri ^ i itj i j
publisher
Cherokeean Herald
Marie Whitehead
wlf wl VAl.VwM.Jli/ M.M. w M. MAwi.
editor
April 15,1999
Texas' oldest continuously
published weekly newspaper.
Established as the Cherokee
Sentinel Feb. 27,1850
Jim Hogg State Historical
Park, Rusk
Caddoan Mounds State
Historical Site, Alto
Texas State Railroad State
Historical Park, Rusk
Scene in Passing
Marie Whitehead
editor @ mediactr.com
Once upon a time, no pun
intended, a friend
commented on the fact
that I tend to write a lot about
time. Well, time is the data
which keeps us in touch, on
schedule, a routine. It is great
that after the human finally
invented the sun dial for keep-
ing up with the hours of the day,
a clock was invented. You can
believe that on a rainy day, the
sun dial couldn't do its job very
well. Hurray for clocks.
With that said, perhaps you
will want to hear about a recent
"48 hours" for us. Wednesday we left for Austin
as well prepared as we could be. Is a trip ever
taken without leaving something behind or a task
undone? Of course not. The Better Half is
outstanding in both departments. But we arrived
in time to hug our child before she started her
evening health class at the clinic. Wish we could
have stayed. (For those who don't know, Wendee
is a chiropractor in Austin.) We finally got to our
lodgings. It is amazing how much more motel
guests can do for themselves these days. If you
shop for price, better know you tote your own bags
and use stairs when the elevator takes a break.
And don't expect breakfast, unless you want sweet
rolls and coffee. You may think my attitude tacky.
Not at all. You see, it is these minor irritations
that cause one to hurry up and return home. Yes.
On the serious side, we had a very rewarding
trip on behalf of several potential projects of
benefit to Rusk and Cherokee County. Wednesday
night was important. A meeting with a small
group, including State Rep. Todd Staples,
helped us to get our thinking/
planning organized. The next
morning a 7 o'clock break-
fast brought together
approximately 35 ^
persons, all in support ^
of the Texas Depart-
ment of Mental
Health/Mental
Retardation. A large
delegation of Rusk's leaders,
members of the MHMR board,
Commissioner Karen Hale and staff
members met with Rep. Staples and several key
members of the Legislature. It was a shining
moment for our own Jim Perkins, member of the
MHMR board, to have such good response from our
citizens in support of the state's MHMR service
delivery. It was obvious no doubt to some of the
guests, those who are elected officials, that Rusk
and Cherokee County have a vested interest in
every decision which made affects MHMR. Rusk
State Hospital is a very big heart-beat in the life
of this county.
Everyone visited, shared common interests, goals
and in general launched a lot of new friendships. A
better understanding resulted, also a finer appre-
ciation of what it is that each of us must do to
fulfill our mission of service to others.
This event concluded at 9 a.m. That cleared the
ole' sun dial for the remainder of the day to run
and play? Not hardly. We had cabbed over with
Judge Harry Tilley from our motel to the
breakfast meeting. So we put our feet to the
pavement and strolled over to the Capitol. Have
you ever seen a more beautiful structure? And at
any time on the sun dial? It was especially majes-
tic Thursday in the morning light. This was an
important, special day for the Better Half. It was
former House Members' Reunion Day. A time
to meet and greet friends of yesterday and to meet
and greet their successors. A select group remain,
however, who served with the Better Half from
1973-81. Quickly calculated, that is 26 years or
more for the Veterans of the Legislature . Some
moved on up to the Senate. Others have remained
in the House. That's right up there with living on a
flag pole for 26 years. Meaning, it ain't easy.
These seniors in service to state government are to
be admired, praised and held in high esteem. It
always make my heart sing when I witness the
comaraderie among those men and women who are
held together by one thing in common: "Service."
And so after a great visitation with former
members, spouses, and House Speaker Pete
Laney's wife, Nelda, our official hostess, we
entered the always breath-taking, House chamber.
' The visiting exes of the Legislature walked across
the podium one more time, offered identification
and greetings. The Better Half would have been up
the proverbial creek if it hadn't been for Lewie
Byers who kindly loaned him a tie. Yep, he did.
He forgot a tie. Fortunately, Lewie had an extra.
Saved his neck. But that's what I meant at the
outset about trips. Something is almost always,
always forgotten.
It was very convenient that our daughter,
Wendee, has an April 10 birthday. It was our
pleasure to share in the surprise party at her clinic
hosted by the BtafT. Carrot cake and cream cheese
icing are hard to refuse. There went another five
pounds. Getting to see our Child, as you might
God gives every bird
its food, but He does
not throw it into its
nest.
expect, was a trip highlight.
Getting to see some land she
would like to buy at
Pflugerville was another high
point. Great to go, yes. A
blessing to come home, yes.
In a brief visit with Karen
Vaught last week, she relates
good news from daughter
Crystal. She will graduate soon
from Southwest Texas State
University in San Marcos
with a major in mass communi-
cations. Crystal has also been
nominated for the honor of Outstanding Stu-
dent. Everyone wishes her the best, of course.
She hopes to enter the field of sports broadcasting,
preferably television.
A few notes about folks you know, rigjit after this
laundry room break. OK, the good news has finally
come to Adon and Montel Duncan. After a
several months stay in San Antonio, they are
home. They went to the Alamo City for reasons of
health and stayed with daughter Judy and spouse
Joe. Health problems continued to bubble and
they ended up staying longer than intended. They
were in their home church Sunday, First Pres-
byterian, and Montel gave a from-the-heart
witness to her belief in the power of prayer along
with their gratitude to friends for many remem-
brances during their time of distress.
Another couple, well known in Rusk, want to
hear from us. They are Mr. and Mrs. Ralph
Travis who are with their daughter Judy and
family. They would welcome hearing from friends
and you may write to 617 Michelle Way, Mesquite,
Texas 75149-2505. Now if you wish to call, the
phone number is 972-285-7273.
If you are old enough to
remember the Zero Food
Locker, you will
remember this fine
couple. It was owned
and operated by Mr.
Travis for many years.
Our thanks to
_ Lucille O'Neal for
■•«««•••• • • w getting their request to us.
A close friend to the Travises
is Flora Mae Jones. It is not good to
report that she is not feeling just a big bunch
better. But all those tests still have not given a
diagnosis. More tests to come. In the meantime put
this special lady on your special prayer list.
Our friend Voncille McVicker continues to
recuperate after a recent stroke. She is a person of
great determination and can be expected to bounce
back.
In the words heard department, we had a report
that Oneta Poole (Mrs. James) of Houston
has also suffered a stroke. It is hoped that she
stages a rally soon. (That's the term used around
our house when we need to see conditions im-
prove.)
Young Cole McStay, the two-year old grandson
of Don and Jane Browning Parsons, entered
the hospital Sunday, April 11. The plans call for
full body radiation treatments twice daily through
Wednesday, followed by six days of chemotherapy.
Then...doctors will begin to give back to him the
stem cells removed earlier and these will help his
body make new bone marrow.
These few words cover a very large scenerio for a
sweet, small child. This report is straight from
Jane Monday morning. She says he is doing
remarkably well so far. In small pain, in large
pain, suffering still abounds in the area with lots
of bugs. Not just the return of the Crud, though
that, too, but also other viruses, nausea and stuff.
Staff member Lana Eckerman thought she
had a "pox" upon her house. First she had a septic
tank problem, followed by a bathroom leak. Then
her mother was admitted to the hospital with
chest pains and her son developed chicken pox. On
Monday her mother was well, her son returned to
school and she was "knocking on wood."
Friend Inez Summers is struggling to rid
herself of the bug we call the Crud for want of a
better word. And better is what we hope all folks
under the weather feel soon.
Congratulations are due Mr. and Mrs. Larry
Sinclair as they welcome a new grandson. He is
Pavel Mikhailovich Goz. The First Baptist
Church newsletter says he arrived March 30 and
weighed nine pounds, one ounce. His parents are
Misha and Meredith. He has an older sister,
Alisa.
It was such a joy to have a chance visit with
Elmer Beckworth Saturday at the Post Office.
He was accompanied by daughters, Margaret and
Erin. The little girls are poster-child beautiful.
They visited the Capitol in Austin recently and
had happy words for that big, round house.
And finally, a light note from "The Lighter Side"
from the Falvey United Methodist Church
Messenger at Wells: "God givet every bird ita
food, but He doe not throw it into ita neat."
Keep smiling...costs nothing...and it's worth a
million.
GRASSROOTS
'-tí*-? >£it)
by Stan Ljmde
© 1999 Stan Lynde
Distributed by Cottonwood Publishing
www.okJmonlana.coni
TAX TIME IS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT
TAKES OUR MONEY SO IT CAN PROVIDE
PROGRAMS FOR US POOR FOLK..
WHO THERE WOULDN'T BE SO MANY
OF IF WE HADN'T SPENT ALL OUR
MONEY A-PAYIN' TAXES.
M
High Points From El Camino Real
Chris Davis
e-mail: elcaminoreal@inu.net
Tax Day is here again and
everyone is ready to meet
the friendlier IRS the
government has been promising
us for the last year. Folks
probably won't mind paying
taxes as much this year if they
think some of their money might
be used to help the war effort in
Kosovo. We Americans can be a
strange lot. We would rather
spend a million dollars on one
bomb than to spend five dollars
to feed one deadbeat. It's funny
how comforting bombs can be. ~
Enough about world affairs,
we've got enough affairs right here on El Camino
Real to keep us all busy for a while.
I drove down to Corpus Christi this week to
attend a school sponsored by the Justice Court
Training Center. JFs have to get twenty hours of
continuing education every year, so we can keep
up to date with changes in the law and learn new
ways to better serve our constituents. By the time
I drove into Corpus Christi, I thought I had
traveled to the end of the Earth. We don't realize
how big a state we live in until we start driving
across it. I was glad to get home. I don't know
how much smarter I am, but it's always an experi-
ence when you get 180 Jf 's trom across the state
together. JP's come from every walk of life and
every type of background. You have ranchers,
construction workers, farmers, lnawyers, and some
band members all trying to figure out how best to
serve justice in their home areas. Getting home to
Alto is still the best part of any trip I take.
April 10 and 11 was Birthday time for several
people in our area. Jimmy Lee Huggins
celebrated his 43rd birthday in Lufkin where he
now resides. I hope all that grey hair is getting
him the Senior Citizens discount at eating estab-
lishments in Lufkin like it did at the Golden
Corral in Jacksonville. Tom Ball celebrated his
birthday with a crawfish boil in Rusk. A good
crowd showed up at the Fireman's Inn to consume
large quantities of the deliciously prepared mud
bugs and help Tom celebrate his birthday. Poor
Gerald West celebrated his birthday working in
the yard getting ready for the wedding reception of
his middle son Josh. He will marry Lynn
Ramey of Rusk in May. Happy Birthday to all
these folks!
Alto lost one of its friendlier folks on Friday
with the passing of James "Hoot" Stewart .
Hoot and his family came here in 1977. tíoot and
his son-in-law Kim Bradshaw were working for
a company called Irby. They were building the
electrical high line through our area and upon
completion of the work in 1978 they stayed. Hoot's
trademark was his long white beard and calm
friendly personality. He will be sorely missed.
Please keep his wife and family in your prayers
this week.
M. C. Adams died Saturday at his home in
Linwood. Mr. Adams was 91 years old. He moved
from Atoy to Linwood in 1942 and had resided
there ever since. Please remember his family in
your prayers as they cope with his passing.
It's that time of year again when we have to
start thinking about cemetery homecomings.
Sometimes I don't think people realize how
important it is to join the
cemetery associations and pay
their annual dues. Dues for
most of the rural cemeteries in
our area run between $10 and
$20 a year. If you go walking
through one of these cemeteries
and begin counting friends and
family members that have gone
on before you are probably not
talking about paying much more
than fifty cents or a dollar per
loved one every year. The costs
of mowing and upkeep on rural
cemeteries grow every year.
This cost has to be paid by its
future customers, because the present customers
are in no position to pay. We have some beautiful
cemeteries in our area that need our help, so this
year be sure and do your part for those who went
on before us.
The donut shop sold its last donut on Satur-
day. Wayne and Sherry decided to go back on the
road pipelining for a while. For those of us with a
sweet tooth it sure hurts to see them go. I guess
it's back to store-bought honey buns for breakfast.
The absence of the donut shop is probably going to
make a lot of Alto residents look better in bathing
suits this summer. I hope we don't all get to
looking anorexic or something. Good Luck to
Wayne and Sherry on their new endeavor. Getting
up at three o'clock every morning to cook donuts
doesn't sound like a lifestyle I would enjoy either.
I'm afraid my neighbors the Schochlers are
about a half a bubble off from the normal range
most people operate in. Last week I told you about
the little squirrel that got ran over in front of
Virgil's house. Saturday I saw another one get hit
in the same place. I swear I saw a pecan go across
the road in front of that squirrel. I think Virgil is
rolling nuts across the road just before a car comes
and eating the little road tenderized squirrels for
dinner. His daughter Ginger who doesn't walk
very well has one of those Little Rascal scooters
like they advertise on TV. She spun gravel four
feet and left black marks for another three feet
going after that last squirrel that was hit. I don't
think it's legal to hunt squirrels with log trucks
and I may turn them in. Ginger said it was the
first wild meat they have had in the freezer in five
years. If anybody comes to visit me while they are
on their little rampage I'm going to say the
Schochlers are some of those refugees from over in
Yugoslavia and they don't know how to act just
yet.
Baseball season got underway in Alto and
tryouts were held on Saturday at the baseball
field. Boys and girls are beginning to practice
everywhere in anticipation of the upcoming
season. We started practice at our house Sunday
and the baby only got in the way of his brother's
bat once. It just grazed him a little up side the
head. He observed the game from a distance after
that. I hope everyone has a safe and winning
season, but most of all, I hope everyone has fun.
If there is a homecoming or gathering that folks
need to know about be sure and drop me a line. I
try and remember all the ones I can but I need all
the help I can get. I'll see ya next week! And
remember, Take care of your reputation.
It's your most valuable asset.
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Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 150, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 15, 1999, newspaper, April 15, 1999; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152420/m1/2/: accessed May 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.