THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The late Dr. Robert L. Smith and Ethelyn Hughes Smith, his bride, fell short in precious few areas of life, but when they did, it was never by intent. By a few weeks in each case, they missed a 70th wedding anniversary, he failed to attain age 90 and she was just short
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TH!NK GT CAMPThe camp for students assessed as Gifted and Talented is held each summer at Austin Elementary School and is a successor to Threshold, which previously was held at Hardin-Simmons University. The camp is directed by Mary Christopher. For more information, go to her website, http://www.christophergiftedleadership.com or to the ThinkGTCamp page on Facebook. By LORETTA FULTON With names like
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By Loretta Fulton Eighteen years later, Chris Howe still remembers the joke his priest made when Howe asked him to preside over his upcoming marriage. Howe asked if Msgr. Robert Bush, then pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, would marry him and his fiance, Sarah. Before Howe had time to realize the wording, the joke was out of Bush’s mouth.
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON One of the most notable disasters of the 1900s exists in the sinking of the HMS Titanic in April of 1912. The sinking claimed the lives of over 1,500 men, women, and children, rich and poor. Over the years, more than seventy movies, films, and documentaries have been created. One researcher found that more than five hundred
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By JIM NICHOLS I suspect I am not alone in being confused about some topics. Some are personal, but others are larger and, frankly, global. Perhaps if I wrestle with one of them in writing, some clarity may come. Maybe you can offer some aid. I suspect my naiveté on the problem will be obvious. Let me present my confusion
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Thomas Wolf, the author who insisted that we can’t go home again, got it wrong. One can indeed do so, but “home” may hardly be recognizable, and/or–truth to tell–noticeably improved.It’s a two-hour drive from our Metroplex home to Brownwood, our hometown, so our visits there have dwindled.Age has something to do with it.
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Operation Blue JeansWhat: Annual project to provide free back-to-school clothing and shoes for families in needWhen: Now through early SeptemberWhere: Christian Service Center, 3185 N. 10th St. 79603Appointments: Parents must call for an appointment, 673-7531; appointments are available 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments also availabe the first Saturday morning of each month. Contact: Jim Clark, Director.
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By NANCY PATRICK I dislike controversy and confrontation, but I face both daily as I grapple with our nation’s current status. Americans seem divided into two major camps based on their religious and political values. The viewpoint that proposes our need to “make America great again” implies that our country has lost its greatness. Does that mean that the past
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Jay Moore’s newest book, “Abilene Daily: Snapshots of Home,” contains one or morevignettes from Abilene’s history for each day of the year. Periodically, stories with some connection–however loose–to Abilene’s religious life will be featured in Spirit of Abilene. The book can be purchased at Texas Star Trading Co., 174 Cypress St. www.texasstartrading.com or call 325-672-9696. Books are $27.50. Following is an excerpt
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Spirit Of Abilene 