By LORETTA FULTON Mohammed AL Samawi, a peace activist and author of “The Fox Hunt,” will bring a story of inspiration to Abilene Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 14-15. The public is invited to his Monday evening presentation, “Building Bridges: Interfaith Dialogue Across the Islamic, Jewish, and Christian Communities.” The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Mabee Room of
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By LORETTA FULTON Back in the day, Mack Eplen’s Driveateria on North First Street was the place to be and be seen on Friday nights. Many an Abilene teen spent hours–and gas–circling Mack’s. Today that location is the home of the United Methodist Service Center & Food Pantry. On Saturday, Oct. 12, Terri Eplen-Kleen, a great-niece of Mack Eplen, will
Read moreJim Ned High School student Dakota Chaloupka earned his Eagle Scout ranking and did a good deed all at the same time by building a prayer garden at Houses for Healing on North Hickory Street. Chaloupka got some help from friends and his dad, Daniel, in completing the impressive garden. Houses for Healing, started by Brian Massey, provides a free
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS A good part of my life I do not really feel like I know what I am doing. It is not that I am particularly brave, but I have had enough unexpected growth experiences from stepping out that I have found it rewarding; or, at least frequently rewarding enough to take some chances. However, taking chances means
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury We’ve longbeen led to believe that we “can’t know the players without a program.” However, it’s generally agreed that they are needed for sports purists who want to identify all of the players, from the “stars to the scrubs.” At the State Fair of Texas in Dallas–where they feature three football games annually
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK Norma Jean Crossed the railroad tracks Lookin’ for her daddy— Found him in the bar; “Come home, Daddy,” she said again. Car in the lane Who’s that lady in the car? Daddy yells at Momma. Momma cries again. Playin’ in the tree. Daddy’d said “don’t.” Fell out and cracked her arm. Daddy said, “damn” again. Daddy’s real
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By NANCY PATRICK This may sound crazy, but I love women. They amaze me, they astound me, they mystify me, they inspire me, and they sometimes confound me. Women exhibit strength, resilience, courage, intelligence, adaptability, and loyalty. The wide array of women’s qualities strikes me with awe. Traditionally, women have served auxiliary roles in society—roles such as homemaker, mother, teacher,
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Martyr /märder/ Noun: a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs. “saints, martyrs, and witnesses to the faith.” Nestled amid the Philippine Archipelago is the island of Panay. As you travel through the region of Capiz near Tapaz, you come to the mountains of Barrio Katipunan. It is in those mountains you find
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS A university or school system has good reason to understand that students need to eat sometime around lunchtime. From an operational standpoint, the university or school system has a basic decision to make. The decision is whether the university or school system itself will operate the cafeteria or whether that function should be outsourced. Similarly, a university
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Spirit Of Abilene 