Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 159, No. 41, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 3, 2008 Page: 3 of 16
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Cljei'okeeai} Herald ■ thecherokeean.com
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
3A
EDITORIAL BOARD
Whitehead Enterprises Inc.
publisher
MARIE WHITEHEAD
editor
TERRIE W. GONZALEZ
managing editor
w
VIEW I the top
Where does greatness come from?
here does great-
ness come from?
Why are some
people great,
while others drift in the
calm waters of mediocrity?
It has been said that
some are born to great-
ness while others have
greatness thrust upon
them. While environment
and situations in life can
help cultivate greatness,
true greatness comes from
within.
Hebrews 11: 2 says "By
(faith) the elders obtained a
good report.
Faith is the deep-rooted
trust or conviction of the
truth of anything. This
verse, while explaining
what set the Bible heroes
in Hebrews 11 apart from
the other men of their day,
demonstrates the true
source of greatness... faith.
A study of the great men
and women of history will
find those heroes were
guided by deep-rooted
convictions and the trust of
those convictions. Ronald
Reagan was guided by his
convictions, his faith, that
government should be
limited so that people could
be free to pursue happi-
ness as set forth in the U.S.
Constitution. Lyndon B.
Johnson was guided by his
convictions that a free and
prosperous nation should
contribute to the well-being
of I hose less fortunate.
Reagan's convictions
were shaped by watching
his country begin a dechne
LELAND ACKER
chreporter@mediactr.com
caused by an expanding
bureaucracy in the govern-
ment which was overtaxing
its citizens and causing eco-
nomic hardships. Johnson's
convictions were shaped
by his career as a teacher
in Southwest Texas. He
worked at a school where
the children could not
afford shoes and tooth-
brushes.
Reagan's deep-rooted
convictions propelled him
to greatness, when, as
President of the U.S., he
was allowed to introduce
pohcy that would lead to an
economic boom. Johnson's
convictions propelled him
to greatness as he intro-
duced "The Great Society''
and civil rights legislation.
These two men, different
in their behefs, approaches
and ideals, were both pro-
pelled to greatness as they
stuck to their convictions.
It was their faith that
thrust them into greatness,
not their births or situa-
tions. However, their great-
ness pales in comparison to
those who achieve great-
ness in God's sight.
The elder s in Hebrews
11:2 obtained a good report
from God. Their inclusion
in Hebrews 11 is God's way
of honoring them for their
greatness. Their greatness
was defined by their trust
in God, their conviction of
His existence and obedi-
ence to Him. As a result,
they accomplished great
things for God, and are
now immortalized in the
scriptures.
Abel refused to be bullied
by Cain and died for his
faith. Enoch walked with
God and had the reputation
of a man who pleased God.
Noah acted on God's warn-
ings of flooding, a situation
that had not yet occurred
on earth. The list goes on.
The same factors that
propelled these men to
greatness exist today. The
key component to greatness
is faith, a deep-rooted con-
viction of the existence of
God and a trust in Him. If
one believes God exists and
trusts Him, the foundation
for Godly greatness has
been laid. All that remains
is the opporlunily to act.
So, the question becomes,
"How do I build my faith?''
Romans 10:17 says, "Faith
cometh by hearing and
hearing by the word of
God." Those who study the
Bible will find their faith
increased.
So, go on, build your faith
and be propelled to great-
SCENE I in Passing
w
hat a beautiful
weekend to cele-
brate our national
hohday. Thanks-
giving. As we listen to the
imaginary gobble, gobble
fading in the distance, we
can also hear the imaginary
ho, ho, ho and jingle of bells.
So many memories are
packed into so brief a time.
It is great that we can stand
in one spot, dancing with
glee, while still anticipating
what is yet to be. By now
Rusk will have officially wel-
comed the "bearded one'' and now we can
say the season has begun.
Our parades are always spectacular to
launch Christmas. With you, we looked
forward to the lovely floats, precious
children, bands, fire trucks, horses and all
other entries.
If you haven't already heard, the candy
of past years was not thrown for the little
scramblers to pick up. That has been
ruled "not safe,'' and therefore other des-
ignated points around the square offered
the sweets.
Although the parade has passed it is
not too late to say again how beautiful our
downtown Rusk is, thanks to the many
volunteers who cooperated in the place-
ment of decorations.
Contributing a big chunk of the work
were members of the TDCJ community
work squad. Warden Todd Foxworth, their
supervisors and big support from mem-
bers of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce.
Businesses around the square always
participate with a contest for being judged
Best Decorated.
Congrats to the winners, even though
who they are was not available at press
deadline. Until then we can declare every
store a winner. One thing that we can be
sure of is. Rusk is beautiful.
One of the most appreciated blessings
of the season is rainfall last week. A small
measurement was noted Tuesday and
then a much larger amount of moisture
was recorded Friday. And we're still dry?
Of course. Ifs been a long dry spell.
It was so fun with all the feasting, fam-
ily, football and sunshine, too. Even more
fun was a visit with our good friend and
neighbor, Ike Daniel. He's around the
corner, down the street and around that
corner in our neighborhood. He was so
very happy to be home after an extended
Stay in the hospital followed by rehab. His
nephew brought his sister to visit with Ike
and Norma. He just bubbled. And then
he was excited about the upcoming visit
from his daughter Kim and family. Rim's
spouse, Craig, will present special music
for the Daniel's granddaughter's wedding
shortly after Christmas. He termed his
activities in December, a "double header.''
You would expect such a sport term from
such a sports fan. He couldn't say enough
in praise for the many who have been
considerate of him and his family during
his recent illness. Most importantly he
MARIE WHITEHEAD
mwhitehead@mediactr.com
wanted those who have
been faithful to pray to
know how appreciative he
and Norma are. Ike has
never been shy when it
comes to praising God for
all of His blessings.
A Thanksgiving holiday
highlight was the "soft
opening" of the Wallace
Thompson True Value store
next to Brookshire Bros,
on Main Street. A formal
grand opening is scheduled
next spring. Everybody is
boasting to have such a
fine facihty of service now open and by na-
tives. Jerry and Jimmy Thompson are the
sons of Gladstone and Jane Thompson.
They are fourth generation owners, and I
am privileged to have known all of them
except the first generation: Bud and his
wife, Ottie, Jane and Gladstone and now
their two fine sons. America is blessed,
indeed.
It has been heart wrenching to Watch
today's current news covering Mombai,
India, a city of approximately 18 million.
Since Wednesday before Thanksgiving, it
has become the new word in our vocabu-
lary — and not hkely to be forgotten. We
will get over it, but the world will never be
the same.
Tragedy has a way of bringing out the
best in people. We don't need to focus on
India to find truth in these words. I sit
here now, so grateful for others' goodness.
At the start of this writing, I knew we
had cattle out, per a call from the sheriff's
office. Long story short, our dedicated
young man, Mark Foster, hke Superman,
got right on it. And when others saw his
phght, they pitched right in. Only one
gave his name, Steve Halbert. Three oth-
ers joined in because they saw another's
phght and they just wanted to help. This
kind of neighborliness is enough to make
anyone very proud to call Rusk home.
There is a touch of irony in this. A few
minutes ago, as the bull chase unfolded,
a gentlemen called from north of here,
wanting to continue our talk about bulls.
He apologized for interrupting me. I
wanted to say, "Sir, you won't believe it,
but those bulls are all out, running all
over everywhere. Don't bring money, just a
trailer and help yourself,"
But I didn't of course. I will admit that
there have been times when I've wanted
to quit.
But friends and friends from all over
make the difference. Like Mark, Steve
and those un-named. How blessed I am.
I really love those white-faced bovines,
but they can be trying to my patience. Oh
yes, trying times try our souls and renew
our faith and strength. Trying times keep
us humble and grateful and less hkely
to brag. Maybe I did get something from
Sunday school this morning? Yes, indeed.
With you, let us remain grateful for as
long as we live and smile every chance we
get. Every day on Bonner Street begins
with giving thanks.
■^cx
"I'LL GIVE YOU NINETY-FIVE GLUMPS, BUT MOT A GLURG MORE."
Published weekly each
Wednesday by
WHITEHEAD
ENTERPRISES,
INC.
Texas' oldest continuously published
weekly newspaper, established as the
Cherokee Sentinel, Feb. 27,1850. Con-
solidation of The Cherokeean, The Alto
Herald and the Wells News & Views
ecaij
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general news
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HIGH POINTS \t~ El Camino Real
M
ost of the men
folks along El
Camino Real bare-
ly had time for
their turkey to digest before
their wives were prodding
them to get the Christmas
tree decorations out of the
attic. The real hen-pecked
ones only got a glimpse of
the big football games over
boxes as they trudged back
and forth with their holiday
burdens. I'm pretty well-
trained after 25 years of
marriage, and I started the job before she
ever Woke up. I knew I had to make some
free time over my holiday weekend to give
you your four bits' worth of news.
A dear lady from the Lynches Chapel
Community passed away last week. Olin-
dra Bice Hefhn passed away at the age
of 94, She was a lot of fun to be around,
and she and I would always have a good
laugh when we ran into each other in
town. Keep her family and friends in
your prayers this week as they mourn her
passing.
Glenn Postma was killed on Friday
night in a car accident on Highway 294.
I think Glenn was around 40 years old.
Glenn was a concrete finisher and a very
hkeable guy. He was from up around Can-
ada, but he had been hving in Alto a long
time. Please keep Darlene and his family
in your prayers as they mourn his passing
The Alto Yellowjackets lost their play-
off football game Saturday to the Mart
Panthers, ending hopes for a three-peat
state championship. We have had some
outstanding young athletes come through
our school in the last few years. These
young men have worked hard to put Alto
near the top of the list for any discussion
of high school football in Texas. The guys
worked hard this year and did a great
job, but nobody stays on top forever. Our
seniors will be graduating with a state
championship ring on each hand, and that
is two more than any other graduates in
Cherokee County will be sporting this
year. The bar has been Set high for the
young boys who are starting to play ball in
junior high and on the junior varsity. The
goal in the end is a state championship,
and the young men who have played for
the Yellowjackets for the past few years
have shown that the goal is obtainable
with a lot of hard work and dedication.
Congratulations to the Alto Yellowjackets
on another great season and for keeping
the tradition of great football in Alto alive.
Now that I've told you about the Alto
Yellowjackets' last playoff game of the
season, I need to tell you about my experi-
ence. The boys, the wife and I piled in our
car about 4 p.m. Saturday and headed to
Corsicana. We wanted to leave early so
we wouldn't miss any of the game. We
got to Corsicana about G p.m. and went
to a Mexican food restaurant on the main
drag The place has been there since 1941,
and the food is good. We had plenty of
CHRIS DAVIS
elcaminoreal@consolidated.net
time and when we finished
eating, we headed to the
Stadium. We unloaded all
of our game stuff and were
trudging in with seats and
blankets. We found a place
in the middle of everything
with our friends and started
to settle in for a great
football game. Just as I sit
down, Creager, our young-
est looks at his mother and
says, "I don't feel good.'' He
then proceeds to throw up
all over himself. We wrap
him in one of our blankets and gather up
our stuff and head back to the car. We
were pulling out of the stadium during the
kick off. We were home before 10 p.m. He
(lid not get sick again, and the mother-
in-law said that he was probably car sick
from the way I drive. She says that I
sling her all over the car every time we go
somewhere. I love my mother-in-law and
sick kids.
Every time we get a big north wind like
we had on Sunday we end up with a yard
full of limbs. Hurricane Ike bent all the
limbs over and killed them and the strag-
glers have been steadily falling ever since.
I don't think we'll ever get everything
cleaned up after that storm.
Tin just glad that I won the battle years
ago against putting up outside hghts —
contrary to my wife's wishes. My oldest
son took over the outside hght job, and I
think he has quit, too. I'm not a Scrooge
but hanging precariously from a ladder
while attempting to hang lights that won't
burn is just not my thing. However I do
appreciate all of the hen-pecked, beaten-
down husbands who don't mind doing this
httle chore for their wives that makes
the rest of us spend our holidays hearing
about all your hard work.
When I was a kid we always went out
and cut a big cedar tree off of a fence row
in the country. Then folks started growing
Christmas trees and you could go and cut
one out of a field of trees. I always swore
that we would never have an artificial
tree in our house. Then the boys were
sick every Christmas and we couldn't
figure out why. It turns out that the real
trees pollinate when you bring them in
the warm house. My kids were allergic to
the trees and everybody got sick. We are
now on our third artificial tree. I miss the
evergreen smell at Christmas time, but I
don't miss the snotty noSes. I could never
find a real tree to please the wife anyway.
It seems funny that God couldn't grow her
a perfect Christmas tree, but some China-
man over in China that doesn't even know
what a Christmas tree is can make her
one that suits her just fine.
I better wind this thing up before my
Christmas spirit lands me in the dog-
house. Keep me posted on all your holiday
goings on and I'll spread the holiday cheer.
I'll see ya next week! And remember,
Faith makes all things possible and
love makes them easy.
K
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Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 159, No. 41, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 3, 2008, newspaper, December 3, 2008; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152863/m1/3/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.