Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 151, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 1, 2000 Page: 2 of 14
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Page 2—CHEROKEEAN/HERALD of Rusk, Texas—Thursday, June 1,2000
,
Emmett H. Whitehead
nri_ , i /TT 1J
publisher
Cherokeean Herald
Marie Whitehead
Wlf W JL W MAf 1 M.M. w M. M. %i.
editor
June 1,2000
Texaa' oldest continuously
published weekly newspaper.
Established as the Cherokee
Sentinel Feb. 27,1850
GRASS ROOTS
by Stan Lynde
Jim Hogg State Historical
Park, Rusk
Caddoan Mounds State
Historical Site, Alto
¡rrwi
Texas State Railroad State
Historical Park, Rusk
Scene in Passing
i
Marie Whitehead
editor@ mediactr.com
i*|€
Happiness is...memories
of Rusk's first Fair on
the Square...for this
century...and the fragrance of
magnolia blossoms in the house.
My, how lucky can we get? The
fair had been wrapped up just a
few hours when the heavenly
rumble accompanied by strong
winds, lightning and rain
arrived. The Street Dance got
wet, you bet, but folks are so
conscious of the need for water
that it was an acceptable
cancellation. As time
passes,we'll hear more about the
damage from Saturday night's weather, but the
first was a huge, Sand Jack Oak tree, believed to
be 150 years old, at the home of T. J. Hunter. It is
the former home place of Roland Rawls' parents
on the Lone Oak Road.
One of my Fair memories is the smiling face of
Mary Holcomb who was savoring a
hamburger in one hand and
holding a huge cotton candy
cone in the other. She has-
tened to point out her grand-
daughter Amy nearby explain-
ing, "This is Amy's." Meaning
the cottton candy. It was the
traditional funfest...food,
fellowship, family and friends.
Our special friend from Austin,
Dwight Christopher, Jackson-
ville native and now a pillar of
support in the office of Comptrol-
ler Carole Keeton Rylander,
came for the Fair and brought wife
'Barbara. He had his own ex-
hibit—information on the TEXAS
TOMORROW FUND—whose
deadline is June 5. He was pleased
with local response.
Saturday followed one of the
busiest Fridays since the end of
football season. Graduation through-
out Cherokee County generated lots of
family visitation as kinspeople gath-
ered to pay tribute to our deserving
young grads. Speeches to be reprinted later,
offered by honor graduates, reveal the real quality
of today's generation. On the whole, they seem to
be the "good news generation," next in line.
Neighbor Opal Fitts graduated two grand Boys.
Justin Spies at Wylie Friday night and
Johnathan Harris Saturday night in Houston.
She really had to put 10 cents worth of hurry on
her time.
Visitation around town actually got underway
before the weekend arrived. Thursday during the
lunch hour we managed to "howdy" with folks who
live here, are special, but not seen very often. For
instance Mary Ann Patterson, whose menfolk
had escaped leaving her to keep the home fires
burning. Hot as it is, she indicated the setting
would be "low, very low." Janet Gates was a busy
banking customer, bubbling with joy to be back at
work in the District Clerk's office. She says with a
beautiful smile that the treatments are difficult
(cancer surgery recently). "I have about four rough
days and then three good ones." We discussed the
role of faith and prayer in the healing process. Her
Mom at age 37 had lost the battle to cancer. Dr.
Jim Swink was a happy lunch chooser at the
Courthouse Cafeteria, getting all kinds of good
words from well wishers. Everyone is so pleased
that he has been saluted in the Cotton Bowl Hall
of Fame. He honors all of Rusk with this distinc-
tion. It took the Better Half to point out, "You're
the first from Rusk High School to earn such an
honor." Another long time, no see face, was that of
Jim Summers in the company of his Mom,
Sarah. His local family includes his uncle, Judge
J. W. and Inez Summers.
Getting to town for the weekend was Billie
Ruth Isgate Ezell and spouse, also here to enjoy
their Maydelle farm. She has a few historical
photos she has promised to share with all of you,
via this publication. Pics of downtown Rusk before
the streets were paved.
Last week was not just our 50th year date with
the Cherokeean/Herald, but it was the fifth
year anniversary for Walter and Maxine Ses-
sions with their monthly tabloid, The Cherokee
County Informer. In the latest issue Maxine
shares memories of their beginning and the way it
is now.
Another key event in the evolution of the printed
word recently occurred. Gary James' new book,
"The Texas Guide," was received last week lie
covers Texas between the book's covers like "the
dvw rovers Dixie." (That's a line borrowed from the
Better Half and some how, I think he borrowed it,
to i. i Gary has. literally, covered Texas during ¡¿f>
years' travels, lie developed stories for his award-
winning, syndicated TV show, "Eye* of Texas."
He was very generous with Kusk and Cherokee
County, including a good number of show seg-
ments based on local people or historical events
and projects It was your writer's honor to work
V
1
with him in several of these. He
was a special source to promote
all good and worthwhile news
back when we were getting the
train steamed up, dedicated and
running. Strange how life is, but
after Tumbleweed Smith
rolled into our lives, with his
radio program, "Sound of
Texas," we learned that they
were special, great friends. A lot
of what I'm telling you here, you
can read in his book. It can be
obtained from Fulcrum Publish-
ing in Golden, Co. via the web:
www.fulcrum.books.com Reading
it will be the best, and cheapest, vacation you ever
had. Or, if you insist on taking the trip, don't leave
without "The Texas Guide."
And then a sweet note from a sweet friend;
"Heading the Rusk paper goes back a long ways in
the Moore family. I enjoy the paper
very much. Thank you, Ada." And
we enjoy words like these very
much.
Now, for our Health Report.
Leahmon Hassell is improv-
ing, day by day, from open
heart surgery, three bypass. As
he improves, so does spouse
Mary. Hopefully, home within
the week. Polly Maness
home from carotid artery
work; blessed with the
presence of daughter Tesa
for this ordeal. Aren't
daughters wonderful, asks
Polly. Ed Campbell
continues to convalesce,
having good days and bad
days. Lessie Maness is
having some good days
now, also Thelma
Smith. And Leroy
Ballard will get new
legs in a few more days.
He is looking forward to
them because they are comfortable and
he believes he will be able to walk around just fine.
Lem Derrington is reported to have had surgery
and is recuperating. Spouse Linda is the daughter
of Doris Norton and the late J. D. Doris, we
hear, has good days and bad days, too. Others
whose names have been given me include Lynn
Ann King, ill with cancer; also Jeff and Debra
Burns whose infant child was determined to have
the RK blood factor which creates kidney prob-
lems. That brings up Finniegene Norwood who
was to get a new knee around mid-May. However,
the staph infection did not heal as quickly as
hoped according to spouse Hemby. She is at
FTMC having treatments now in preparation for
surgery again, hopefully June 6 if all goes well. All
of these including Fred and Bessie Lunsford,
Kenneth Melvin, Jr. and Henry Tice, are in
need of our prayers. Also this week, condolences to
Pat Peters and all of her relatives in the death of
her father, Mr. Orval Ray Johnston of the
Oakland Community.
To wrap this up and get it started toward the
press, let me mention one more thing. A lot of good
people have done a good thing in creating a
structure for visiting families at the TDCJ.
Obviously, all family and friends cannot go in.
Those who must wait outside now have the benefit
of waiting inside. The dedication for the Family
Visitors Center is set for 2 p.m. next Sunday. You
are invited.
Now, a closing thought: "The best way to cheer
yourself up, is to cheer up somebody else." See
you later?
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHIN'
WORSE THAN BEIN' A
CRIMINAL- BEHINP THOSE
STONE WALLS, SHAG.
THEY'S OA/fc
I'HING WORSE,
BfLLY..r3ElM'THE
CRi/VMKlAL'S
VICTIM.
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High Points From El Camino Real
i
School is out along El
Camino Real and all the
little darlings are back
home with their parents and
teachers are getting a much
needed rest. With all the award
ceremonies and graduations
going on last week this little
town was plenty busy and many
parents found it difficult to be in
all the places they needed to be
at one time. I don't know what I
would have done without my
wife telling me where I needed
to go, but then again it seems
that somebody is always telling
me where I can go. I managed to gather a
quarter's worth out of the chaos and I hope you
enjoy it.
I don't have many of the details but Orell
Grammer came in the Hall of Justice last week
telling me that the donut shop across the street
from her house had reopened. She didn't bother to
bring me a sample, but she said they were reajly
good. I'll try and get more information by next' Í
week, but go by and taste a few dbnuts just to be
sure and don't take my word for it.
Whisker's Fish Market has reopened under
new management and people who have been
hungry for fish and too lazy to catch them have
been real happy. My aunt Joan Felder has
visited the place just about every weekend since it
opened, but I haven't been invited for a fish fry.
The place is located across the street from B & B
Grocery. Just look for the sign. They have a
variety of items besides fish and something should
fit your taste buds, so go by and check them out.
Eva Mae Parson told me about some good work
her grandson Brett Parson and five other boys
did at the Edith Hendrick Pavilion in Lynches
Chapel weekend before last. Brett is working on
his Eagle Scout badge and needed to do a worth-
while project. His love for and fond memories of
attending the Lynches Chapel Church with his
grandparents made it the choice of his project. His
dad, Larry Parson along with Scoutmaster of
Troop 136 Brad Busier, brought Brandon
McGallian, Josh Parker, David Weick, Kevin
Williams and Mike Sheddan from Lufkin on the
project. The boys sanded and varnished all the
tables used for the Lynches Chapel Homecoming.
Some rotten boards on the restrooms were also
repaired. The Edith Hendrick Pavilion sign was
taken down and a new one is going up before
homecoming time this weekend. Omie Jones'
granddaughter, Kathy Ferguson, who has
recently moved back to the community is doing the
lettering. A special thanks to all these fine people
for their hard work, and good luck to Brett Parson
as he continues his work for an Eagle Scout badge.
I talked to Ray and Geraldine Jones last week
and they told me about their first great-grandchild
being born. Jared Alexander Ranniger was
born May 12 and weighed a whopping 9 lbs. 12 1/2
ounces. His parents are Chris and Michelle
Ranniger. His grandmother here in Alto is
Debbie Ranniger. Reba Jones who lives across
the street from me is the great great grandmother.
I told Virgil about Reba being a great-great
grandmother which put her one great ahead of him
and I could tell he was jealous and thought she
was showing out with all of those greats in front of
her name. I tried to convince him that it wasn't
her fault and that her great grandkids did it, but
he wouldn't listen. I hope he doesn't start worry-
ing his great grandkids about having kids just so
he can get another title. Welcome to your new
world Jared, it's n dandy!
I normally don't get into the business of Rusk too
much in my column but the other day I came
across something that I thought needed discussing.
I know Rusk people were having a big laugh when
.v • •
21 v-r ¿. .. n
•gy-i
Chris Davis
e-mail: elcaminoreal@inu.net
our town dog "Fredonia" was
running amuck on our city
streets. The chuckles continued
when the wild hogs came to
town, followed by a few emus
later on. A few weeks back
Jerry Rix stopped by the Hall of
Justice and when Debra
Beamer, the court clerk, came
in from Rusk she told him that a
flock of buzzards were tearing up
his garbage in front of his house.
I thought this to be pretty
strange, but it got me to watch-
ing for buzzards when I venture
down Fourth Street in Rusk.
Over the past few weeks I have seen "The Buz-
zards of Fourth Street" just about everywhere.
They will be walking around in peoples' front
yards or snacking on a little garbage on trash day.
Sometimes the unsightly creatures will be circling
in the air looking for little morsels such as slow
squirrels that didn't make it across the road. I
shudder to think what out-of-towners jnust think
when théyíjMül ItfW?lomeone's drive and have'td
szope off the buzzards in order to get to the dt^fr (,
Go ahead and laugh at our occasional stray dog,
wild hog or loose emu. 1 figure you Rusk folks are
already working up some sort of deal to tie the
buzzards into tourism dollars, but don't expect a
lot of Alto dollars to come pouring in for Boxcars,
Barbecue, the Bridge, and the Buzzards.
I was the Justice of the Peace on call for the
Memorial Day weekend which means that I had to
go up to the jail each morning and arraign prison-
ers who were brought in each night. On Sunday
morning while I was dressing my two-year-old,
Creager came in and asked me where I was going.
I told him that I was going up to the jail to see
some people, that had been bad. He wanted to
know if t,hey had their horses too. I knew he was
thinking about old west bad guys and cowboys. I
tpld him that these people weren't cowboys that
they were just people who acted ugly. He said,
"Oh! Are you going to carry your fly swatter?" I
told him no that I couldn't whip those people with
a fly swatter. I went on to Rusk and performed my
duties, but as I was walking out the door, I
couldn't help but think how well the fly swatter
might have worked on some of those people.
Virgil went up to Rusk last week to Dr.
Rudasill's office and ordered some new glasses. I
don't know what he is so interested in looking at
that would make him spend money, but I'm
anxious to find out. Regina Moore,who works for
Dr. Rudasill, said she thought Virgil was real
sweet. I think maybe she needs some new glasses,
too. The rains have been coming right on time to
keep mine and Virgil's partnership garden looking
good. I asked Virgil how many bushels of peas*he
was going to pick me and he said," He wasn't
going to pick me one #*~* pea." I told him it was
a partnership garden and the paying for the stuff
and picking it was his part and that my part was
tilling and eating. He wanted to know who came
up with that deal. I told him I did and it sounded
good to me. I'll unleash my kids on that garden
come picking-time and after a little bit of their
help he'll be glad to pick me some stuff just to keep
them out of the garden.
I guess that just about winds up everything 1
came across this week. I do want to congratulate
all young men and women who graduated and
wish them the best of luck as they continue on
with their lives. News can get slow in the summer,
so don't forget to keep me posted on all the goings
on. A special thanks to Verna Lee Arnold for'
bringing me a whole new list of" And Remem-
bers". I'll see ya next week! And remember!
People are to be loved, things are to be used-
and never the reverse.
Whitehead Enterprises' student Intern Shane
Tullos is honored with an office party to celebrate
his birthday and graduation last week.
Cfyerokeeaif/Herald
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Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 151, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 1, 2000, newspaper, June 1, 2000; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth168646/m1/2/?q=%22~1~1~1%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.