News

The term “good news” is often used by Christians in reference to their faith. Good news is at the heart of Christianity, and it has both symbolic and literal meaning in reference to the New Testament.

Easter takes place on a different Sunday each year. In western Christianity, Easter follows the Gregorian calendar and is thus considered a “movable feast” that is always celebrated between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Orthodox Christianity adheres to the Julian calendar, so Easter will fall on a Sunday between April 4 and May 8 each year. In 2022, the western Christian Easter celebration occurs on April 17 and the Eastern Orthodox Easter is observed on April 24.

Explaining Easter to children can be a delicate matter, especially for very young children who may not fully understand the tenets of the Christian faith. Although Easter ends with Jesus Christ emerging from his tomb, prior to this glorious miracle there are subjects of betrayal, suffering and death. These religious messages can confound when commingled with the imagery of bunnies delivering chocolates, chicks and pastel-hued eggs. How do well-meaning parents relay the message of Easter without scaring or confusing children?

Movie-goers may not associate Easter with Hollywood blockbusters. However, there’s an entire cache of films that align well with Easter. When spending time with family and friends for the Easter holiday, consider these movies.

Cardinal Cheer has added a 13th national championship.

The Forney High School and Warren Middle School Indoor Drumlines recently competed at the North Texas Colorguard Association’s (NTCA) competition held at Centennial High School in Burleson, Texas and had strong final performances.

More than 100 children have died in Texas since 2020 while in the state’s child welfare system, including two who died from COVID-19 complications, according to a Texas Department of Family and Protective Services report provided to lawmakers Friday.

The Forney High School Color Guard wrapped up their winter guard season with a trip to the North Texas Colorguard Association (NTCA) Championships in Coppell, Texas, last Sunday. On April 3, the Guard performed their winter guard show, The Raven, competing against top 31 schools in the National A division for the preliminary competition, and received third place. That bronze medal also gained them an invitation to perform their award winning routine at the event’s Grand Championship showcase that evening.

Yesterday, I coordinated a wedding. Sounds relatively simple, yes? But, the reality is far more saturated than that basic description. It’s almost noon. I don’t intend to change out of my pajamas. I may or may not get back in the bed soon. My blisters have blisters. My lower back is speaking a language mostly comprised of ampersands, asterisks, and at signs. Yesterday was a fourteen-hour day and the day before was similar. The last time I ate a complete meal was probably 3 days ago. I spent most of yesterday in an alternate world, one where I was constantly in motion and barraged by questions. At one point, I looked up and saw an actual line of people, probably only 3 or 4, but my brain saw a Woodstock sized gathering. Each person had some random object in their hand. They were the helpers, the ones who say, “What can I do,” but don’t really seem to understand what it is you need. One by one, they shouted, “Where does this go,” as they held up their _____ (insert: saltshaker, doily, wood slice, burlap runner, something that looked like a twig, a pebble, a handful of dirt). It gets to the point where you cannot form words any longer. I have learned to just smile, hold out my hand, and take the object. If I’m still coherent and someone has made sure I take occasional water sips, I will exclaim, “Oh, I’ve been looking for this,” in order to make them feel victorious. Wedding coordination, the making, the styling, the set up, and the takedown, is one of those things easiest done solo, in my opinion. Then, there’s the added angst of being the person who makes sure everyone walks at the proper time. The flower girls mustn’t cry for mommy. The horse in the pasture behind the macramé altar mustn’t nibble on the macramé. The photographer promised to have the pictures done in 30, but you know it will take hours unless you reign them carefully. The father of the bride is always going to wander off right before the dance with his daughter. And, on and on we go. I am reminded why I don’t do weddings anymore. My almost 55-year-old body can’t run on adrenaline as long as it once could. The old gray mare just ain’t what she used to be.

I truly believe planning and making preparations for an upcoming outdoor outing is almost as much fun as the event itself! After many years kicking around the outdoors, enjoying everything from hunting big game to dunking a minnow in a farm pond for crappie, I’ve pared my gear down for each endeavor. Just recently, I packed my bag for upcoming spring turkey hunts and checked it twice. I can’t afford to be way back in the woods on a turkey hunt and discover I’ve forgotten a vital piece of equipment!

To achieve most goals in life, you need some type of strategy. And that’s certainly true for your financial goals. Since you likely have multiple financial goals, you may need to pursue several different strategies – but they all should follow a similar process.

The 4th annual Casino Night is now a memory of a great evening thanks in no small part to all of the sponsors. The presenting sponsors were Gallagher Construction and Huckabee with title sponsors of Walsh Gallegos and Cantu Harden LLP. Other sponsors included at the Gold Level- Intex, Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott,LLP, Tracon Construction. At the Silver level- American National Bank, Live Oak Public Finance, Edward Jones- Greg Pharris, Advisor. The Bronze level included- George and Marsha Brown, Scott Lawton, Warren Instructional Network and Professional Development, PBK. The Benefactor level was filled by City Bank, EMS Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., North Texas Mechanical, LLC, Southwestern Land & Title, Steve Silver Company, and McDonald Realty Team. And the Teacher of the Year sponsors were: Amanda and Mike Lewis, Forney Legacy Project, KB Cattle Company, Lewis Elementary PTO, Murrey Paschall & Caperton PC, Walsh Gallegos, Warren Middle PTO, Bradford Law Firm, Smoothie King, Flower Basket, Criswell PTO, and Oncor.