News

By Carey Kinsolving (Part 2 of 2)

I love a good euphemism. Before I launch into the matters at hand today, let’s dive into the legend of ‘ole Sam Hill and try and ascertain, as Cotton Eyed Joe would say, “Where did he come from? Where did he go?” Yes, I know the title reads Scam and not Sam. We’ll get there. It’s as clear as mud, right? In the center of downtown Prescott, AZ, there stands a building on Montezuma Street. These days, it’s a wedding venue, but back in the early to mid 1800s, it was a mercantile owned by….yep, Sam Hill. Oh, but the oddities Sam sold. The town folk were so enamored of Sam’s strange wares, he became an expression! See an animal you’ve never seen before? “What in the Sam Hill is that?” Get stuck waiting for your husband to pick you up from town in the horse and buggy? “Where in the Sam Hill have you been?” So, Sam Hill hails from the old west, then, as American as the OK Corral or a journey toward a gold rush. But, wait. Maybe the meaning is far more macabre. Essayist and journalist Henry Mencken swore the expression stemmed from the name Samiel, the character of the devil in a German opera, Der Freischutz, performed in NYC in 1825. The popularity of this opera had everyone and their momma proclaiming “What in the Samiel” on the streets of the big apple. See, back in 1825, one dared not use the term devil, for fear of an actual summoning. Samiel, probably once it hit Texas, land of adding all vowels to words whether they need them or not, turned into Sayom Heiiul. So, Sam was a demon. Here’s the real truth. Who knows? See, Sam Hill was also a legislator in colonial Connecticut from 1727 – 1752. Also, he was a famous Michigan surveyor AND a Pacific Northwest millionaire in the roaring twenties. What he wasn’t, however, so far as I can tell, was a guy with a fake office set up in his living room who called around and threatened folks for money. Let me tell you about my run in with a scam artist.

Texans are used to scorching summers, but this year’s record highs across much of the state have left many dove hunters wondering about the upcoming season opener.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) opened applications Wednesday for a successor to retiring executive director Carter Smith.

During the Forney City Council meeting on August 16, the Council unanimously voted to call a bond election for a proposed bond program that would address identified projects based on the 84+% growth the City has experienced over the past 12 years.

governmental officials

The beginning of a new hunting season is approaching and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds hunters and anglers to purchase their new licenses for 2022-23. Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except the Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package) for the current year expire at the end of August. The new licenses for the 2022-23 season went on sale Aug. 15.

Trinity Valley Community College President Jerry King, Ed.D recently announced his retirement from the college.

Opportunities are always there to do right by someone and lift them up. The Board Members of Forney Education Foundation know that it can be easy to seize an opportunity to visit with someone about what FEF does and how much it impacts the students and teachers in Forney ISD. And many times, the person finding out immediately looks inward to see how they can help with the mission of FEF.

Forney ISD Donates Land Near North Forney High School

Don Gatlin joins Kenny Rogers original band for a one-of-a-kind tribute to the country music giant live in concert at the Terrell ISD Jamie Foxx Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2022. This is the first performance in the 2022-2023 E! Terrell Entertainment Series of community concerts. Gatlin, longtime friend of Kenny Rogers, has joined Kenny’s original band to present a timeless song catalog while sharing background and untold stories from his illustrious career. Kenny Rogers was a GRAMMY Award-winning superstar that entertained fans for six decades. Selling over 120 million albums worldwide, he is one of the best-selling male vocalist of all-time.

The Pine Tree Flag and the “Divine Right of Kings” Among the landmarks of history that led up to the American Revolution and independence, there were some lesser-known events long before the ones we all know about and hold dear. One of those events that occurred almost two years before the Boston Tea Party was an event that occurred in New Hampshire called the “Pine Tree Riot”. But before I get into that, I want to lay the background.

Kaufman County Court At Law Judge Tracy Gray announced this week that Trenis Ramsey, who has served the county for more than 26 years, has been named Chief of the Juvenile Probation Department, replacing long-time Chief Laura Peace upon her retirement.