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
Read more
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,
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON The Grace Museum decked out in elegance, a marquee style CONGRATS sign topped with black and silver balloons, a professional photographer snapping party pics–it all added up to gala occasion. “Mary Cooksey Day in Abilene, Texas” was certainly that. A proclamation from the mayor’s office–read by the mayor himself–made it official. Jan 27, 2022, was designated as
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS I first met my future mother-in-law when I was in high school. She thought I was funny and clever, and I thought the same about her. As I hung around the house for years pursuing her daughter, we developed two questions/statements we would make to each other. Each elicited a predictable response. My statement to her was
Read more
CURTIS HOUSE CULTURAL CENTERThe center houses photos, newspaper and magazine articles, and other documents and memorabilia depicting the contributions of Black residents to Abilene’s history. Contact Andrew Penns to schedule a group tour during Black History Month630 Washington St.Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Admission is by donation325-518-4604 By LORETTA FULTON Andrew Penns is used to hearing the words, “I didn’t know that,” but
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 