OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILDWhen: National Collection Week Nov. 17-24Where: Local drop-off locations are Wylie Methodist Church. 3430 Antilley Road, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, and Trinity Baptist Church, 871 Woodlawn Drive. Drop-off locations also are available in several small towns within the Abilene Area. Click here for a drop-off locator map. Contact: Abilene Area coordinator is Naomi Wood. For
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The entire family is invited to enjoy a Lantern Parade and Lightness Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 15. The free event, sponsored by the Abilene Interfaith Council, will be held 4:30-6 p.m. at Cassy’s store, 141 Ruby St. Guests can park on Ruby Street and come through Cassy’s to the back meeting room. Or they can park on Morris Street, across
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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
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Spirit Of Abilene 