Columns & Editorials

Lance Corporal William “Billy” Hutson said he knew he needed a change in life. That realization is what led him to eight years of service in the United States Marine Corps. From 1999 to 2007, Hutson lived and breathed the Marine life, until an unfortunate training injury in 2007 prior to going overseas caused him to be medically discharged.

“Once a Jackrabbit, Always a Jackrabbit.” In a year unlike any other, the Forney High School Jackrabbits were eager to have something closely resembling normal to celebrate. Homecoming week is historically full of themed days for the students leading up to the weekend’s festivities, and this year did not disappoint. Although we did miss out on some things like our traditional Homecoming Parade, students still participated in dress-up days at school, had the hallways decorated with their HOCO themes, and sported their Texassized mums and garters on Friday.

On a trip back to rural Red River County where I grew up, I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman at a local café where a buddy and I were having breakfast.

I was interested as soon as I saw this little red car and a rather petite woman and two passengers pull up to the Post Office, and then I was really intrigued as I saw her trying to exit the vehicle as two giant dogs tried to get out the same door as she was using! And, next I saw the license plate—FRAU! I was “hooked” and waited for the driver to exit the post office and climb back into the car with two excited “puppies,” excited to see her and wanting to get out and run. I hurried over, a least as fast as legs with 1,000,000 miles on them could stride, and told her I would like to write about her car and her if she would consent. Before we were finished talking, I felt as if “I had made a FRIEND.”

Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to Texas! They plan to film episodes of the hit series American Pickers throughout the area in November.

The return to instruction has not been easy and teachers and school faculty have done a commendable job creating virtual and face-to-face learning environments for students. The goal is to ensure instruction moves forward as students prepare for state testing in the Spring. Passing the test is usually the primary indicator of success in public schools. However, given the current circumstances, perhaps success needs to be redefined.

While many people are content with a pet dog or cat, others may seek less traditional animal friends. For those looking for more exotic pets, chickens can offer not only companionship, but also benefits such as egg production, soil fertilization, and educational opportunities to help forge the connection between farm and table.

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GOD is in control of America, He is also in control of every other country in the world. That has been true since the world was created. GOD’S plan was made before anything was created. That plan is still in motion and will be carried out exactly like it was planned. Adam was made the steward of the earth and that responsibility is passed on to us. Adam was created to have fellowship with GOD and was told to subdue the earth and all beings in it. He was told to “till” the Garden of Eden. That means his body was created to work and not lay around with his mouth open for GOD to feed him.

Dear Aunt B,

I try and stay away from labels at all cost. I understand. Our tiny, human brain capacity, or mine, at least, forces us to compartmentalize and dissect and store information based on categories of perceived commonalities. Music artists lament about this incessantly. Taylor Swift doesn’t want to be country, nor does she want her music filed away in the pop section. All artists have faced this dilemma. If I’m a brilliant sculptor (I am not, FYI), but I manage to publish some gorgeous poetry, the world won’t know quite what to do with me. See, I can’t be both. I must be one thing or the other thing, but never lots o’things. I say this so you won’t flinch when I tell you that one of my best online friends I never met, someone who passed in a tragic traffic accident last year, was a proclaimed witch per her own voice on her own YouTube channel. She was also a brilliant herbalist, and incredible motivational speaker, and an expert on both Northern Pacific and Gulf Coastal woodland species identification. She was my go-to for “what is this large weed in my backyard” and how to make a killer peppermint tincture. We never met, Delores and I. Still, I’m glad I kept an open mind. I’m glad I made the tincture and read the books she recommended. Let people give you their gifts. Take what you need. Let the rest go. That brings me to this week’s story. Gather your supplies first. You’ll need: your open mind, your lack of judgement, and coffee. Coffee never hurts.

Today, (Monday) I was at 7 11 on FM 548 filling up cans with diesel for my tractor when I noticed a beautiful sight. To the north across the field and above the trees along Mustang Creek, I saw a beautiful sight. It was the steeple of the First Baptist Church of Forney. It occurred to me that the sight of that lone steeple silhouetted against a blue sky on a cool Autumn morning serves as a metaphor for what is good about Forney. Of course, from another vantage point you might see one of the many Churches in Forney and they are an important part of the Forney Skyline.

The City of Mesquite is excited to announce a call for art submissions for their new Front Street Station project in Downtown Mesquite. Artists have until Oct. 24 to submit their artwork for consideration for the public art opportunity. The artists whose work is selected will each receive honoraria of $500. Learn more at www.cityofmesquite.com/ CallforArtists.