By JIM NICHOLS As a professional biologist, I have lived most of my life in a world of data. One does an experiment and collects numbers that may or may not show trends. One designs experiments in such a way as to minimize the number of variables so that observations made might lead to a reasonable conclusion. The conclusions are
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Mohammed AL Samawi, a peace activist and author of “The Fox Hunt,” will bring a story of inspiration to Abilene Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 14-15. The public is invited to his Monday evening presentation, “Building Bridges: Interfaith Dialogue Across the Islamic, Jewish, and Christian Communities.” The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Mabee Room of
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By LORETTA FULTON Back in the day, Mack Eplen’s Driveateria on North First Street was the place to be and be seen on Friday nights. Many an Abilene teen spent hours–and gas–circling Mack’s. Today that location is the home of the United Methodist Service Center & Food Pantry. On Saturday, Oct. 12, Terri Eplen-Kleen, a great-niece of Mack Eplen, will
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By NANCY PATRICK This may sound crazy, but I love women. They amaze me, they astound me, they mystify me, they inspire me, and they sometimes confound me. Women exhibit strength, resilience, courage, intelligence, adaptability, and loyalty. The wide array of women’s qualities strikes me with awe. Traditionally, women have served auxiliary roles in society—roles such as homemaker, mother, teacher,
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By LORETTA FULTON Just three years after Sharon Densman discovered a connection to a half-brother she never knew, that connection is gone and so are her family ties. The impact of that reality hit hard after the July 22 funeral of James Weldon “Snuffy” Smith. “I had no idea I would feel the feeling I had,” Densman said, “the finality
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By LORETTA FULTON Sue Lucas went from being a skeptic about labyrinths to an evangelist and all it took was an open mind and the enthusiasm of those who understand the spiritual benefits. The conversion experience came during a workshop on labyrinths at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. Most of the people attending had walked labyrinths in various places all
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By LORETTA FULTON For its 20th anniversary celebration, Abilene Interfaith Council did what it does best–provided a venue for meaningful conversation, enlightened with excellent programming, and fed well. The council’s motto is, “Breaking Bread Together in Peace,” and on Sept. 19, members shared much more than bread. A table in Gerhart Hall at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest
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By NANCY PATRICK My husband Mike and I made a rather spontaneous plan to visit our granddaughter Hannah in Denver this summer. We decided to make a road trip of it so we could visit several places along the way. Our itinerary required that we spend three nights in hotels as we made our way to Denver. All our accommodations
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By LORETTA FULTON Growing up, Austin Channing Brown was curious about her first name. Her mother told her that “Austin” was her grandmother’s maiden name. Not satisfied, Brown pushed her mom, wanting to know why her mother chose the name, not just family history. Her mother’s answer hit with the force of a sledgehammer. The name was selected from a
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Spirit Of Abilene 