By DANNY MINTON Many bad things can happen in a sports arena. Most of the time, they are forgotten and, although they may affect the game’s outcome, have little impact past the game in which they happen. People get frustrated and angry, but it soon subsides. Very few times, what happens on the playing field provokes hatred and contempt from
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Sand lines have been drawn by many of us, indicating that we know as much as we care to about certain topics. Faced with repeated barrages, we either ignore them or strike back with unambiguous “we’ve-had-enough” gestures. Granted, such scenarios are played out largely by “geezers” and “geezerettes,” mostly because there’s so much “new
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By JIM NICHOLS We had a brief snap of winter weather recently—three days of ice, cold, even some snow. It was rather meager compared to other parts of the country, but, for those of us who like winter, it was fine. I was thankful for our good furnace in the house, lots of bed blankets, flannel lined jeans, and my
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Registration is now open for Summit, which will be held on the campus of Abilene Christian University March 31-April 1. Summit was scheduled to be held in fall 2021 but was postponed due to COVID. Early registration ($30) ends on Feb. 28, and regular registration ($50) ends on March 15. Reservations will not be accepted after March 15. Summit registration includes the following:
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON From September 1857 to June of 1858, Samuel “Mark Twain” Clemens served as a “cub pilot” on the sidewheel steamboat, “Pennsylvania.” Due to a stormy relationship with the pilot, William Brown, his service abruptly ended. However, before this happened, he secured a job for his younger brother, Henry, as a “mud clerk.” A “mud clerk” did odd
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK Have you ever had to eat your words? I certainly have. I learned pretty early in parenting that I should avoid saying, “My kid would never do that.” Mastery of that lesson takes time and discipline, but it helps parents avoid future embarrassment. I don’t think I said I would “never” regarding very many other issues, but
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By LORETTA FULTON McKinney to Abilene to Blackwell to Boston is quite journey, but it’s one that has paid off beautifully for Kenna Bartholomew. The McMurry University senior brought her talents from McKinney to Abilene to study religion at McMurry. She currently also serves as pastor of Blackwell United Methodist Church, which is located south of Sweetwater, about 50 miles
Read moreMcMurry University alumni and families will assist nonprofits in various communities as part of “McMurry Serves” initiatives during February. Among the Abilene projects are building a Habitat for Humanity house. assisting St. James and Aldersgate United Methodist Churches, and working at the Abilene Woman’s Club, Hendrick Bloodmobile, Food Bank of West Central Texas, and Curtis House Cultural Center. The Abilene
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury My aged Uncle Mort is bristling with disgust about the Dallas Cowboys. He cut his frustrations loose after the National Football League teams were trimmed to four, thus excluding Dallas. “If I have ulcers, they’re bleeding badly, but Maude thinks that whether or not I have ulcers, I’m doubtless a carrier,” he jokes. Anyways,
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Spirit Of Abilene 