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In observance of National Volunteer Month in April, the Young Marines named Heartland resident Jacqueline Bracey as Young Marines Adult Volunteer of the Year for Division 4. She is the Unit Commander for the Kaufman County East Young Marines who meet in Crandall. She will vie with five other division Adult Volunteers of the Year for the top national honor, Young Marines National Adult Volunteer of the Year, to be announced April 22, 2023, at the Young Marines Awards Banquet in Dale City, Virginia.

The way a shaft of Spring sunlight moves through the air is sometimes a surprise to the viewer. Light in the sky illuminates but a shaft of light is special unto itself. And when a student’s face lights up like a shaft of light, the teacher is rewarded with that source of illumination signifying comprehension. Many of the educational professionals in Forney ISD are masters at engaging with their students causing those shining moments to happen.

Last night was one for the ages. I was surprised. We were carded as soon as we walked in the door. It was a very exclusive place, too. They had to buzz you inside through a locked door. Very speakeasy. It was a packed house! So much activity everywhere. Lots to see. Of course, there was drama. There always is at these sorts of soirees. Something about late nights, too many people, and shots brings out the best and the worst in folks. The event staff was nice. There just weren’t enough of them. We spent too much time waiting on service. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was time to leave all the excitement behind and journey home. We both had splitting headaches, but my husband said he was fine to drive. I was glad. I had already gotten sick in the restroom. In fact, he almost had to pull over several times for me to puke on the side of the road. And, here we are now, at 10am, still in bed and reeling from the aftereffects of what we experienced. Were we at a fancy nightclub somewhere, drinking it up and dancing until the wee hours? Nope. We were just a couple of middle-aged grandparents who had extreme anxiety at the emergency vet until 1 am with a sick standard poodle. We still know how to rock.

And, since HISTORY usually involves “ old folks and events,” such as Harry Power and his good buddy, Don Themer, I will close with some “tidbits” he recently sent to me, since, as he too often says: “Themer, we are closing in on ‘old age’.”

“They didn’t recognize him because he was probably wearing raggedy clothes, and it didn’t look like Jesus,” says Cory, 9.

Will Grooms of Forney, Texas, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Grooms was initiated at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Grooms is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

U.S. Dermatology Partners, one of the leading dermatology groups in the country, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest office location in Forney, Texas. The new office is part of the organization’s Outreach Program serving rural communities and will offer convenient access to dermatology and skin cancer treatments to patients in the Kaufman County area. The new Forney office will provide treatment for conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and skin cancer for patients ranging in age from childhood to seniors. At this office, Certified Physician Assistant, Kelsey Bodell, will be the primary practitioner at the Forney office with oversight from Board-Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Brad Graham.

The most memorable road trips are often the byproduct of ample planning. Careful examinations of maps months before a trip begins can help vacationers find the best sights to see and uncover must-visit restaurants. In fact, many people find pretrip planning nearly as enjoyable as the trip itself.

Incorrectly referred to as mosquitoes, these large flies appear in droves in early spring

Be patient with peppers, watch temperatures for tomatoes

Growing older comes with many perks for those who are open to exploring the benefits. In addition to senior discounts on movies, meals and more, moving into one’s golden years could offer some breaks when it comes to taxes and finances.

My husband and I raised our kids in the land of hockey. This column is not about hockey.

Tips on how your tomato plants can find strength in numbers this spring