The Visitor » 2009 » July

HERE AND THERE
by Wes Price
I visited with Kevin Rhodes of World Bible School this past week and learned that the original plans for launching the WBS outreach for neighborhoods has been placed on hold. They are still working out the details about how to help congregations focus on local areas around their churches for an outreach effort. The present prediction for launching is now around the first of September.

This new approach will include a web-site for the use of computer users, but will also provide us means to get literature into the homes of citizens in our church area. I’m anxious to get it under way, so pray for the time to pass quickly so we can begin to use this new program in evangelism.

We are still mailing a number of foreign WBS lessons each week. As yet, none has indicated any return lesson from students. This will be a good time to take a few more names and extend your reach into those foreign lands. We still have plenty of names and materials to be mailed.
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It will be my privilege this week to be guest speaker at the Bridgewood church in Fort Worth on Wednesday evening, August 5. We will use this time here as our monthly singing so that we will not miss any of our lessons on the study of Hebrews.

I’m still hoping that others in JBCoC will take up the challenge and join us on a regular basis for both Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evenings for worship and Bible study.
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Sunday, August 9, a program announced earlier on In Search of the Lord’s Way which was displaced will be heard this next Sunday. The lesson is “Has The Church Lost Its Job?”
An American visiting some of the magnificent beautiful old cathedrals of Europe, once filled with worshipers, now very sparsely occupied, was told, “When a church has lost its mission, it becomes a museum.” It’s true!

Join Mack and Phil on Channel 27, KDFI-TV at 7:00 a.m. for this lesson. If this is not convenient for you, you might do what I do. I record the program on my DVR and play it at a later time. I find this to be an excellent way to close out a day, or a week.
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WHICH ARE YOU?
Are you an active member,the kind that would be missed, Or are you just contented that your name is on the list? Do you attend the meetings, and mingle with the flock, Or do you stay at home and criticize and knock? Do you take an active part to help the work along, Or are you satisfied to say you “just belong?” Do you ever go to visit a member who is sick, Or leave the work to just a few, and talk about the clique? Say, let’s be up and doing—now’s the time to start! Don’t be “just a member” but take an active part. Think this over, member. You know right from wrong! Are you an active member, or do you just belong? … Anonymous

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PRAYER LIST
Treva Traylor – UT Southwestern Medical Ctr – Room 353. She is dehydrated and is very sick with shingles along with her other serious ailments. Phone number to her room is 214-645-1353.
Teresa Bersano fell Tuesday and her knee is in a brace
David Calvert sprained his ankle Wednesday.
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Jo Morris, Rita Harrison, Arline & Vernon Swanson, Grady Theobalt, Marie Works, Evelyn Dillon, Faelyn Watson, Magdalena Gonzalez, Gloria Garcia, Nancy Spurgeon, Bill Hinton, Lois Rodriquez, Augustina Vasquez, Holly Lee, Urbanelle Cox, Ed Horn, Edna Faye Johnston, Mary Catherine Jayroe, Vertie Lee Stanley, Billie Morgan, Ruby Faas, Geraldine Hurley, Dr. “J” Coats, Nancy Ramsey – daughter of Jean LaPine; Ida Smith -sister of Jennie Wright.
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Vital Signs: July 26, 2009 Bible Study – 61 Morning Worship – 85
Afternoon Worship-54 Wed Evening 7/22 – 54

Offering $3,025.00 Budget $3,410.46
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Addie Bennett, former member of Jefferson Blvd. CoC will be moving to an Assisted Living in Waxahachie soon. The address and phone number will be in the bulletin when we receive it. We all pray Addie will do much better.
When calling Vertie Lee Stanley, please use the following number:
214-747-2501.
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“REFLECTIONS” by Jack Armstrong
We often take people and things for granted and such is the case when it’s our song leader and Elder Bro. Jacob Locke. Even with my deaf ear to music I can follow him, and that’s saying a lot. We’ve said before we are so very fortunate to have him here with us, and in case he had to be out for one reason or another we’ve got a wonderful backup in Bro. Royal Smith. Both of these men sing with such feeling and exuberance. I told Royal last Lord’s day that he has the best memory of any one I know or have known, with the exception of two. Bro. Ramsey Wright who could quote the Bible from front to back, and to me that is a wonder in itself. The only other man I knew who could do that was my Grandad Robb Mickle. Now it’s hard for me to memorize verses, much less the Bible itself.

We would like to say again how much we love and appreciate those folks who took our Indigo bunch into their homes after the terrible fire on the roof. That’s just another example of our church family at work, and what Christianity is all about . Thank the Lord, I heard that they moved back home on Monday, July 20th.

Isn’t it wonderful to see all of our young folks here at the JBCoC. The best part is that the young men are helping out our fine coordinators in the worship services, and I know that’s a big help when trying to line men up to take care of all the work! When I see how young men like Rick Ramsey and Stan Brown have turned out to be strong workers for the Lord and fine leaders, it just makes me so proud to have known them and worked with them over at the old Mt. View congregation.

We had a bunch of birthdays and anniversaries in July and we want to wish them all many, many more. I had a thought about how much money we all spend on birthdays and anniversary cards each month. Wouldn’t it be great if we all decided to put that money in some part of a church fund like the Cherokee or Medina Childrens Home and send our folks little hand written notes? We were going to give it a try over at Mt. View but we broke up over there before it could be implemented. It’s just a thought.

It was so good to see David Gonzales there on July 19. We sure hated to see him have to move off! It was also good to see our wonderful McMillion ladies back. Muriel and Sylvia were a sight for sore eyes.

Folks, please keep Nancy Ramsey, daughter of Jean LaPine, in your prayers. She has taken a turn for the worse.
Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

HERE AND THERE
by Wes Price
We are so thankful that at the present time we have no one in the hospital. True, we have several in rest homes, rehab centers and nursing centers, but none needing hospitalization. I don’t know if it would be correct to say, “We deserve a break,” or not, so I won’t say it. I’ll just thank God that our folks are doing well at the present time.
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Work is moving ahead on our new pocket directory, so we hope in a few days we’ll be able to provide everyone a copy. We thank Ann Schoolfield, Alma Price and Rita Wood for their work on this very tedious process. They are trying to make sure we have up-to-date addresses and telephone numbers. Please do us a favor. If your address or telephone number has changed recently, let the church office know.
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I had a good visit with Grady Theobalt on Tuesday and he seems to be a lot stronger. His lovely daughter Val thinks he is doing better too. She is now his primary care giver at her home in Irving. I told him as soon as the weather gets cooler, we’ll make a trip out in the country to our favorite golf course and have lunch. No golf for either of us.
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I thank all of you for your continuous prayers for my well-being. I visited with my surgeon on Wednesday and got a release. He told me the bones have fully healed, but I’m not to do any strenuous work ever if I want to keep my back in good shape. Of course I asked him what “strenous work” included and all I’m prepared to say now is that he said, “no use of the vacuum cleaner.” And if you believe that, I’ve got some property that I’d like to sell you. Seriously, I’m so very thankful to all of you for your encouragement not only for my health’s sake, but for my ministry’s sake.

I received one of the loveliest notes I’ve ever received from Helen Jone’ granddaughter who lives in Edmond, Oklahoma this week and I can’t tell you how much it meant to me. It’ll keep me going for at least another decade.
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Sunday morning, August 2, the message on The Search will be “The Price of Saying “No” to God”. Join Mack and/or Phil Sanders for that message at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV.
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PRAYER LIST
None of our members are in the hospital at this time.
R.C. & Juanita Bell left Friday evening to go to Collinsville, IL.. to visit their grandson with some of their family. We pray they have a fun and safe trip.
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Jo Morris, Rita Harrison, Arline & Vernon Swanson, Grady Theobalt, Marie Works, Evelyn Dillon, Faelyn Watson, Magdalena Gonzalez, Gloria Garcia, Nancy Spurgeon, Bill Hinton, Lois Rodriquez, Augustina Vasquez, Holly Lee, Urbanelle Cox, Ed Horn, Edna Faye Johnston, Tommy & Treva Traylor, Mary Catherine Jayroe, Vertie Lee Stanley, Billie Morgan, Ruby Faas, Geraldine Hurley, Dr. “J” Coats, Nancy Ramsey – daughter of Jean LaPine; Ida Smith -sister of Jennie Wright.
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VITAL SIGNS: July 26, 2009
Bible Study 61 Offering $3,097.50
Morning Worship 96 Budget $3,410.46
Afternoon Worship 54 Wed. 7/15 43
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Lola Jo Bell is recuperating at her daughter’s home. The address will be in the bulletin when received.
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“REFLECTIONS”
by Jack Armstrong
This past week on July 11, 2009 we learned of the passing of our dear friend Carmen McMillion, whom we all loved dearly and will miss sorely! Her two daughters Muriel and Sylvia were at her side constantly throughout her illness. What wonderful loving daughters they are! Sylvia even took an early retirement to be there with Carmen.

We were all so sorry to hear that Nadine Brown lost her sister and our deepest sympathy goes out to her and her family. Nadine & Charlie’s son, Stan presided over the service and we heard he did a marvelous job. I’m proud to say Stan and I used to work with our youth over at the ‘ol Mt. View congregation, and I knew way back then he was going to be a fine leader!

In the last 2 months or so we’ve been saddened by 12 funerals in our congregation, and folks we all knew and loved in other groups. I know our preacher has to be worn out, because of all the stress of saying farewell to all these friends and fellow Christians, though we know they have all gone on to their heavenly rewards.

We were all saddened to hear that our folks over at the Indigo Apartments had another fire and had to leave for who knows how long. But as usual some of our fine folks came forward and took them to their homes ’til they can go home! Those at Indigo we need to remember in our prayers are…. Bobbie Vivrett, Helen Jones, Estell Lee, and Ben Perkins. This proves once again how very important our church families are to us, and how they are always there for us when the need arises including our fine preacher who is first in line to be there for all of us!

It was good to see Faelyn Watson there on 7/2/09. She has health problems but is there when she is able.

We were talking about how sad that we’ve lost so many folks lately, and that we are going to leave what’s left to the Southwest Medical Center, if there will be enough left to do any good. We had a get together at Chubby’s last Sunday after the evening service and I think there were about 15 or so. We had a great time of flowship.

We had a fine day of worship on 7/12/09, Bro. Wes brought us a lesson from John 4:23-34 on the subject “Worship and the Heart”, and in the evening service he preached on “Hope” from Ephesians 2:12.

We want to thank our brother Jacob Locke on the fine, and exuberant way he leads our song service. We are so fortunate to have a man like him as not only one of our fine Elders, but a leader in so many other ways. He and Joyce and their family are truly assets to the JBCoC and we all love you dearly!!

We pray all of our sick and shut-ins are doing much better!
See ya’ll next time the Good Lord willing.
Remember our goal… “When Duty Becomes Desire”
Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

HERE AND THERE
by Wes Price
It is a wonderful thing to observe this church family coming together in times of need. We had a large turnout for Carmen McMillion’s memorial service this past week and I know that it was a sacrifice for some. But that’s what church family is all about. Expressing sorrow to those we love who need our support in times of grief.
As with our other families in recent times, we commend you to keep Sylvia and Muriel in your prayers as they readjust their lives in the absence of their beloved mother.
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We received a lovely thank you card from the children of Catherine Coronado: “The Coronado family wishes to thank you all for the beautiful flowers and meal”. ————–
Our auditorium air conditioner gave us a little trouble last Sunday, but hopefully today it will be nice and cool. Our professionals assure us that they will keep our equipment in good working order, but with the heat things will occasionally go wrong. Thanks for being patient and enduring.
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We are still mailing several WBS lessons each week, but there are still plenty of addresses available and lessons needing to be prepared for mailing. We have not heard from WBS about their new program that will be helpful in getting us involved in the local area. I’ll keep you posted.
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On Sunday, July 26, Phil Sanders will be presenting the lesson on IN SEARCH OF THE LORD’S WAY. It is entitled: “The Price of Saying “no” to God.”
He writes: “One of the first words a baby learns is “no!” Perhaps the reason is, it is one of the first words repeatedly said to it. Likewise, many adults have learned to say “no!” to God. They do not understand the price of saying “no!” to God.
Join him for his message at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV.

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Alma Faye and I had a lovely visit with Rita Harrison and had lunch with her in her new home. She sends her love to all.
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SYMPATHY
We want to offer our much love and sympathy to Charlie and Nadine Brown and family with the loss of Nadine’s sister, Norma Reed. She passed away Friday, July 11, 2009. The family of Norma Reed chose to have Stan Brown officiate the service and what a compliment to Nadine & Charlie & Stan Brown.
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We want to offer our love and sympathy to the family and friends of David Peeler. The funeral was Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Restland Funeral Home.

PRAYER LIST
Lola Jo Bell – Methodist Rehab Hospital – 3020 W. Wheatland Rd, Room 124 Dallas, TX 75237
Rita Harrison – Juliet Fowler Homes, Inc. – 1240 Abrams Road, Room 176 Dallas, TX 75214 – Home’s Phone – 214-827-0813. (There is a correction to the mailing address –1230 Abrams Road.)
New Address for Grady Theobalt – 1520 Whispering Trail Irving, TX 75060 Phone: 972-438-7751.
Arline & Vernon Swanson – Temporary Address: Vernon & Arline Swanson % Larry Miller 4204 Lauren Way Flower Mound, TX 75028 Phone: 972-539-0084.
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Jo Morris, Marie Works, Evelyn Dillon, Faelyn Watson, Magdalena Gonzalez, Gloria Garcia, Nancy Spurgeon, Bill Hinton, Lois Rodriquez, Augustina Vasquez, Holly Lee, Urbanelle Cox, Ed Horn, Edna Faye Johnston, Tommy & Treva Traylor, Mary Catherine Jayroe, Vertie Lee Stanley, Billie Morgan, Ruby Faas, Geraldine Hurley, Dr. “J” Coats, Nancy Ramsey – daughter of Jean LaPine; Ida Smith -sister of Jennie Wright.
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VITAL SIGNS: July 12, 2009
Bible Study 55 Offering $3,783.00
Morning Worship 89 Budget $3,410.46
Afternoon Worship 46 Wed. 7/8 40

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SYMPATHY
We want to offer much love and sympathy to Muriel and Sylvia McMillion and family. Carmen McMillion, their dear loving Mom went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 11, 2009. Her funeral was Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at Laurel Land Funeral Home and burial at Laurel Land Cemetery. Carmen was such a pleasure to know and was loved by all that knew her and will be missed so very much. Carmen McMillion lead a wonderful Christian life. She lived to be 94.

REFLECTIONS” – by Jack Armstrong
This past Sunday after our evening service we had a watermelon fest in the fellowship room, and a great time was had by 50 or more thanks to our fine preacher and all those who helped prepare things for us. We also had two fine sermons on 7/05/09. At the morning service Wes brought a lesson on “The Lord’s Day” from Rev. 1:9-10 and at the afternoon service his sermon was taken from 2 Pet. 1:10-11 on the subject, “Diligence”. If you are missing on Sunday and Wednesday evenings you are missing a great time of study and fellowship. Of course we all know there are times when folks just can’t make it because of health or other valid reasons (as I’m guilty of myself) but if we don’t come because of just plain apathy then we need to “re-think our plans”! This past week when I went to the Veterans Medical Center for labs and tests (which all came out good) I sat and watched some of the old Vets around me, some missing legs or arms, some in wheel chairs and oxygen tanks and some with just blank stares from seeing too much horror, and it made me think how very blessed most of us are, because no matter how bad things seem, there are always those in worse conditions. It makes me ashamed to complain, and I thank the good Lord every day for all the good things he blesses us with daily!! We were all so happy to hear that our dear friends, Grady and Rita were able to make it to Wes’ 4th of July get-together. I never have heard either of them complain about anything. They are great examples for us all. Bro. Wes brought out in his column last week about our food committee and how Tom & Betty Conyers, Jo Morris and Louise Gerner made the family of our Catherine Coronado (who departed this life to be with the Lord) feel so welcome by providing a wonderful meal and expressing all our love to them in their great loss. Oleta and I had a visit last week with our dear friend Jean LaPine, at Crescent Point in Cedar Hill and she is plugging right along as is her daughter, Nancy Ramsey, who is fighting a tough ‘ol bout with cancer, but keeps on keeping on and taking her mom to church service every Sunday. If it were not for all of our valiant ladies in our lives, we would be in a heap of trouble as I’ve said many times.
Remember our goal…”When Duty Becomes Desire”
Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

HERE AND THERE
by Wes Price
A big round of applause for my Sunday morning Bible class. It did itself proud with a great turn-out for the 4th of July party. 53 were present to enjoy the picnic cuisine and a ton of watermelon. So much watermelon and deserts that we had enough to invite all who came to the Sunday afternoon service to join us for a second round.

My special thanks to all of you who helped get things ready, those who served and those who cleaned up. The great fellowship everyone enjoyed made it all worthwhile.

We had several visitors, but the special joy we had was seeing Grady Theobalt and Rita Harrison arrive. It was so good to have them with us. Let’s do it again next year.
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And speaking of Rita Harrison, she will be moving for a six week stay at the Juliette Fowler Homes, Inc. located at 1240 Abrams Road, 75214. Then she will be moving to live with Kim, her son in Midlothian

And, Grady will also be moving in the near future to live with his daughter Val and her husband, J.B. who live in Irving. We don’t have a current address, but we will share it with you when we get it. ————-

Don’t forget, there are still several copies of the memorial tribute to Clifton Rogers free for the taking. There are some located in the foyer on the tract racks and in the Community Room.
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On Sunday morning, July 19, IN SEARCH OF THE LORD’S WAY will present a message entitled, “HAS THE CHURCH LOST IT’S JOB?” a message by Mack Lyon.
He writes, “On May 28, 1995 we had a program with the above title. Has the situation changed? For Better? For Worse? What do you think? What would you say is the church’s job, business or mission? Can your grocery-man succeed if he doesn’t know what he is in business for?

Join Mack for this lesson on Channel 27, KDFI-TV at 7:00 a.m.
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PRAYER LIST
Jacob Locke’s sister, Marie Holley is better and is now at her daughter’s home.
Carmen McMillion – Grace Presbyterian Village – Room 1022B.
Lola Jo Bell – Methodist Rehab Hospital – 3020 W. Wheatland Rd, Room 124 Dallas, TX 75237
Rita Harrison – Juliet Fowler Homes, Inc. – 1240 Abrams Road, Room 176 Dallas, TX 75214 – Home’s Phone – 214-827-0813.
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Jo Morris, Marie Works, Eugenia Ratcliff-sister of Ann Taylor; Norma Reed, sister of Nadine Brown; Grady Theobalt, Evelyn Dillon, Faelyn Watson, Evelyn Shannon, Magdalena Gonzalez, Gloria Garcia, Nancy Spurgeon, Bill Hinton, Lois Rodriquez, Augustina Vasquez, Holly Lee, Urbanelle Cox, Ed Horn, Edna Faye Johnston, Tommy & Treva Traylor, Mary Catherine Jayroe, Vertie Lee Stanley, Billie Morgan, Ruby Faas, Geraldine Hurley, Dr. “J” Coats, Nancy Ramsey -daughter of Jean LaPine; Lucille Reid’s sister, Ida Smith -sister of Jennie Wright; Betty Flood (sister of Madelyn Hinton), Mary Chandler
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VITAL SIGNS: July 5, 2009
Bible Study 68 Offering $3,730.00
Morning Worship 85 Budget $3,410.46
Afternoon Worship 54 Wed. 7/1 40
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Vernon & Arline Swanson is at their daughter and son-in-law’s home. Address: % Larry Miller 4202 Lauren Way Flower Mound, TX 75028 – Phone 972-539-0084
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REFLECTIONS” – by Jack Armstrong

This past week I had already written my column for 7/12/09, when all the unbelievable hoopla started over the supposed “King of Pop”, as a certain entertainer was called, and one who didn’t actually represent anything but a very degrading lifestyle. How so many folks, young and old could be hoodwinked, so to speak by such a one as this, I just can’t imagine! To hold a religious service for one of his ilk is the epitome of being sacreligious and ungodly!

Now to speak of one just the opposite, who was a true saint; I’m talking about Bro. Paul Lawrence who shared the same barber as I do here in Duncanville for several years. Now everytime it’s time for a haircut, I think of our dear ‘ol friend. When I told our barber, Frank Solomne about Paul’s passing I saw tears well up in his eyes. He is truly missed by all who knew him, and to have known him was to love and respect him!!

Bro. Paul, Wes, Jacob, James and I spent lots of time in elder’s meetings, and he was always helpful and had such good input to our meetings, since he was full of many years of knowledge plus a true loving spirit and love the the Lord and for his work. I know the members of his auditorium class miss him and his wonderful way ot teaching God’s Word and since he left us I notice in my count that we are having fewer folks show up for our combined classes. We all miss Bro. Paul, but if you were attending classes, and are not now, please come back because we miss you and he would want it that way!

I heard Richard Perkins tell Bro. Wes what a great lesson he brought us last Sunday evening on 6/28/09, and I have to agree with him, but we were having trouble with the mike and had to turn off the row of lights over Wes. It was kinda scary having him stand up there and hear him pouring it on and not being able to see him clearly!

We want to tell all of you who are having hard times health wise, we keep you in our prayers daily and hope you are back with us soon! We were so happy to hear that Lola Jo Bell is doing better, and hope that Arline Swanson is also doing better at their daughter & son-in-laws, as well as Carmen McMcMillion and Grady Theobalt. It was so good to see Faelyn Watson there Sunday, and we also pray Mary Chandler is doing better.

We sure hope all who attended our 4th of July party Saturday had a great time. Thanks to Wes and Alma Faye and others who made it possible!

I learned this past week that the “Today” newspaper closed it’s doors, which means I will no longer be writing my column each week after all these years it is really a sad occasion for me, since the Publisher Kim Petty grew up with my daughter Angie, and I used to take them back & forth to Tyler St. Christian Academy where our ‘ol friend, Dennis Jeter of Jeter Funeral Home was the head man.

We’ll see you later, the Good Lord willing.
Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)