By DANNY MINTON In 1775 the journey between the Pennsylvanian towns of Ephrata and Valley Forge was a distance of 51 miles. The journey is less than an hour’s drive by today’s standards. For Peter Miller of Ephrata, it would take a little longer since he would walk the distance. It was a journey he didn’t have to take, and

By DANNY MINTON The picture below appeared in post-war 1948 newspapers across the country. Although life resumed and the economy began its upswing, there were still places where despair and poverty thrived. Seated on the steps are Lana (6), Rae (5), Milton (4), and Sue Ellen (2). Their mother was expecting another child, David. The right circumstances have faded with

Editor’s Note: March is Women’s History Month. Throughout March, contributors to Spirit of Abilene will pay tribute to Women of Influence. By DANNY MINTON The pages of history are filled with the achievements of women whose lives influenced millions of people. Their names and works are cast in stone in the works of history. Ask anyone to name a few,

By DANNY MINTON On the morning of April 11, 1970, Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert sat in their command module, Odyssey, atop a Saturn V rocket. The Apollo 13 crew would be the third group of astronauts to step onto the face of the moon. At approximately 1:13 p.m. CST, the powerful rocket began its liftoff to send

By DANNY MINTON Some people in life go unappreciated. Sometimes it’s because of perceptions we make without knowing the person or all the facts. Have you ever sat in a meeting when someone was more assertive than you felt comfortable? Have you ever been around someone and couldn’t stand the attitude they presented? Have you ever been around people that

By DANNY MINTON I grew up in a segregated world. The images that divided my world existed all around. Everyone got along well, but segregation remained in many ways. The shop across the parking lot from A&P grocery, where I worked, showed a big sign in the window, “No Coloreds.” The first ten years of school were with all white

By DANNY MINTON “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Do you remember someone asking you that question? Maybe it was your parents, a teacher, or even someone you met for the first time. Asked during our elementary school years, we usually respond with something that has impressed us. I wanted to be a cowboy in the second grade. That developed later into the desire to

By DANNY MINTON The question sounds innocent and straightforward enough, right? Or maybe not! I went to Starbucks one morning around 8:00 and ordered: “a cup of coffee, please.”  “Would you like Frappuccino, Expresso, iced, or brewed? “Just a hot cup of regular ole’ coffee, please… “What flavor?” “Flavor?” “We have Cinnamon, cherry, dark cherry, peppermint, caramel, or chocolate?” “Do