Editor’s Note: March is Women’s History Month. Marianne Wood writes about three women of influence from her childhood neighborhood. By MARIANNE WOOD Though life on the street I grew up on in the 1960s was far from perfect, the families living there had each other’s backs in many ways. Discipline was one of them. If you broke a rule at
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By LORETTA FULTON Imagine Jo Bright’s surprise when she got on her computer, clicked a few times, and landed at the right spot. “Cliff just jumped up right in front of me!” Bright exclaimed. “I was so happy to see him.” Cliff Stewart is pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church. Bright, 95, was so impressed and happy to see her
Read moreBy LARRY FINK Editor’s Note: Larry Fink, retired English professor at Hardin-Simmons University, offers the following explication or analysis of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem, “As Kingfishers Catch Fire,” with social distancing in mind, “to encourage folks to spend a little thoughtful time outdoors.” “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame; As tumbled
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By LORETTA FULTON Downtown Abilene was eerily quiet Sunday morning as parking lots at St. Paul United Methodist, First Central Presbyterian, and First Baptist churches were practically empty. That doesn’t mean nothing was happening inside. St. Paul and First Baptist broadcast services live as usual, although with no congregations, and First Central Presbyterian aired via Facebook. Sunday morning was challenging.
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury My Uncle Mort, who lives so far out in the country that nobody passes his house going to town, called the other day. “I’m going to shock you, nephew,” he said. “’Cause I’m planning a ‘give-away’ that folks won’t be able to refuse.” He had my attention. I felt flushness in the face–sure
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By LORETTA FULTON Everyone is learning to adapt on the fly to the coronavirus crisis, and local feeding ministries are no exception. By order of Gov. Greg Abbott, commercial restaurants are closed until at least April 3 except for drive-through pickup. Feeding ministries are moving to a version of that model. Breakfast on Beech Street (B.O.B.S), City Light Community Ministries,
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Ordinarily, a trip to the grocery store before the sun came up would be unthinkable for me; I am a breakfast eater and I have difficulty functioning well before orange juice and cereal. However, these are not ordinary times. So, when the local market installed a twice a week 6-9 a.m. period reserved for (as the announcement
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON The Pandemic of 2020 will be registered in our minds as something we will always remember. As time moves forward, some of the details will fade, but we will not forget that it took place. Most of us will never forget. People remember those events in life that have an impact on our future. Our “National Anthem”
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FROM THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO: Pope Francis has called for people around the world to join him in praying the Rosary today, Thursday, March 19, at 3 p.m. Central Time: Pope Francis said: “Every family, every member of the faithful, every religious community: All of us spiritually united tomorrow (Thursday) at 9 pm in praying the Rosary, the
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Spirit Of Abilene 