IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Many lessons awaited a baby born in 1935 on a dry land farm in West Texas’ Tom Green County. Jimmie Royce Keeling calls all of them “blessings.” That’s how he has sized up life so far, and it’s hard to dispute him. He’s shown dogged determination to give a heap more back than he’s taken
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Several weeks ago, small flags appeared in our front yard. Our next-door neighbors were re-financing their house and one of the legal requirements was to identify the true boundaries between the properties. Boundaries are apparently important to all of us. In recent days, more flags have appeared, this time in our back yard. After asking my permission,
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury It is tempting–ever so tempting–to claim authorship of the headline introducing a column written a dozen years ago. To make such a claim, however, wouldn’t set well with my conscience, even if no libel charges took me to task. The account detailed travails of a then 15-year-old Alabama girl who lost a leg to
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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILDPhysical shoeboxes filled with gifts for children worldwide have been collected, but it’s not too late to pack a shoebox online. Deadline is Dec. 31. Just go to https://samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/buildonline/ and follow the instructions. More information: Operation Christmas Child is sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. For more information, contact Naomi Wood, area coordinator at 325-660-5633 or abileneareaocc@gmail.com. By LORETTA FULTON At
Read moreThe annual Christmas Lights Parade won’t be held this year, but not even COVID-19 can put a damper on all Christmas activities. As in the past, downtown Abilene will sparkle with seasonal lighting and events, beginning with Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28. That evening, Mayor Anthony Williams will flip a switch at 6 p.m. to light the 62-foot tall
Read moreACU NEWS RELEASEWendy KilmerDirector of Communications and Media Relations The Department of Marriage and Family Studies at Abilene Christian University is offering free counseling sessions for couples and families to address the stress experienced during the pandemic, thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Abilene. “We are concerned that rates of domestic violence, substance use, and mental health
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON On December 26, 2010, I spent an hour with my mother. She didn’t know me, but my wife, Kathy, my dad and I were there. The last thing I did was kiss her on the forehead and say, “I love you, mom.” That would be my last hour with her. On February 11, 2019, I spent an
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ACU SUMMIT—IT’S A WRAP* Theme for the 114th Summit was “Blessed are the Peacemakers: Bridging the Divides.” Thirteen interactive digital guidebooks were created to supplement each Pathway. Those guidebooks, with links to videos, can be used as a resource for church and Sunday School curriculum planners. The free guidebooks can be accessed at http://www.acusummit.org* Summit 2020 was in an all-virtual
Read moreWinter Lightfest, a partnership between United Way of Abilene and Christmas Décor by Lone Star Electric, will open Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, at a new location. The visual feast, sponsored by the Dian Graves Owen Foundation, is located at 2250 E.N. Tenth St. The parking lot will open at 5:30 p.m. each day of Lightfest and gates
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Spirit Of Abilene 