By Danny Minton The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security
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Abilene Ballet Theatre’s 39th anniversary production of The Nutcracker will usher in the holiday season with four productions beginning Friday, Nov. 21, at the Paramount Theater. The performance schedule follows:Friday, Nov. 21–8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22–2:30 and 8 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 23–2:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $45, $35, and $30 for adults. Tickets are $20 for seniors, military, students, and children.
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By Mark Waters I am an avid supporter of the First Amendment including the separation of church and state. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….” A state sponsored church would be an example of “an establishment of religion” as would the implementation of theocratic governmental policies. These examples also constitute
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By Jim Nichols As a university professor, I have written hundreds of letters of reference. Most of them have been for students applying to a professional school or for a scholarship or job. Occasionally, I have composed a letter for a colleague applying for a promotion or exciting growth opportunity. A recent recommendation request, however, was unique; it was from
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Their numbers are dwindling, but folks figuring there’s nothing new under the sun are spending too much time in the shade and/or staring too much at the fiery object that planets circle with precision–at least so far. Assuredly this is not the opinion of a robot, spy or AI (“artificial intelligence” for people asleep
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By Loretta Fulton The long wait was worth it for members of First Baptist Church when a new pastor and his family moved to Abilene, bringing the energy that only a family with four young children can provide. Ray Miller was named pastor on June 15 following a vote by the congregation and preached his first sermon in August. The
Read moreMichelle Ramirez, acquisitions assistant at McMurry University, was awarded the 2025 Ricki Brown Award for Outstanding Library Service in the Abilene Library Consortium and AISD Library. Michelle is the first McMurry recipient of this prestigious award and the first non-librarian ever to receive it. She is also a first-generation college student and TRIO member, set to graduate from McMurry in
Read moreHardin-Simmons University has announced the Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipients for 2026! They will be honored at a banquet on campus Feb. 27. Honorees are Kayla (Willis) Dillman ’14/’16, Dr. Juvenal Havyarimana ’11, and Pastor Geoffrey Turner ’08. Click here to read more about each recipient.
Read moreThe Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest will have a service on Thanksgiving Eve, and the Christian Science Church will have a Thanksgiving Day service. The public is invited to both. The Thanksgiving Eve service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St.. The service will include hymns, prayers, and the Holy Eucharist. On
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Spirit Of Abilene 