What a glorious week! I think we’ve had it all; lightening, winds, beautiful sunny days and even a little rain. To top off a beautiful week my son is home! Thanks to the American Airlines mess, he was held up in Dallas, but made the last flight out. We were all biting our nails hoping he wouldn’t have to spend the night away from home! We are all overjoyed to have him home safe. If there is any mar to our shiny happiness, it’s that other families have to go through the same uncertainty and stress that we have just lived through. Our hearts and prayers go out to those families whose young men have just replaced my son’s unit. Scott will come to the school and speak with the kids about his experiences. Many of them wrote cards and letters and sent care packages to him while he was away in Kuwait and Iraq. I’m sure everyone will have a great time!

I have to tell you that the spring cleaning bug has hit town. My drive down Marion Street is much pleasanter these days. All the houses along that street have cleaned up their yards, they look really spiffy. Commerce Street still needs some help, but even it is looking better! Not all of our community members have taken the bug,” the cleaning bug”, but it’s getting there. The flowers are just starting to pop up, they won’t be as nice as last year, but they are just a joy to see. Flowers just seem to add happy sprinkles to a luxurious green sundae. Do you get the impression that I love spring? Spring gives your eyes a sparkle, your voice a song, and your heart a happy beat! There’s nothing like spring!

Hang on to your hats everyone; Monday is the start of the last six weeks of school. The last six weeks of school is like a ten bean salad, every day has a different flavor! Take your pick, you have the Banquet bean (it comes in several flavors); the TAKS bean; the I Don’t Want to Work bean; the Can I Stay Home? bean (we aren’t doing anything anyway); and the Don’t Forget To Get Things Signed bean. Don’t forget the Turn In Your Books bean,the Can I Do Extra Credit Work To Get My Grade Up? bean, and finally, the I Can’t Wait for Summer Vacation bean. It’s no small wonder we are all light headed!

Mrs. Gossett had a great turnout for her AR reward party. The students have done very well this year; our AR performance has increased at all levels. That brings up the next issue; we need an all out push for Box Tops before school lets out. Will you please search, cut, and send your tops so that we can buy more books for the library? We need your assistance.

The Four H Club met after school on Thursday and planted flowers in the school yard. The yard was a hive of busy little hands, all happily planting and cleaning. There is a very basic need that is met when you work with soil. It seems to satisfy some inner pool of contentment that isn’t visible on the surface. Congratulations, sponsors and members; you did a great job.

Bev Cohn tells me her grandkids, John Dominy, Tab, and Beverly Lloyd, entered a 125-mile bicycle race from Houston to Austin. Her granddaughter Beverly, fell behind, but was able to catch up when they stopped to gather everyone up to ride around the capital. The race was to raise funds for MS research. She was very proud of their endurance and determination to complete this difficult task. Congratulations everyone! Her grandson Russell Williamson is waiting for a report about his recent surgery. He had a mass in his abdomen which has turned out to be something in the lymph system. They are in prayer about his condition.

The 82nd Alumni Banquet for Richland Springs will be held on May 10, 2008. The doors will open at 6:00pm and the meal will be served at 7:00pm. The barbeque supper will be catered by Mac’s Barbeque. The class of 2008 will be honored as well as the classes 1918, 1928, 1938, 1948, 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988 and 1998. A short business meeting will follow to elect officers for the upcoming year. All past students, teachers and personnel of Richland Springs are encouraged to attend. Hope to see you there.

I went by the City Hall last Monday but did not see anyone attending a meeting. The regular council meeting is the 2nd Monday of the month. The School Board holds its regularly scheduled meetings pm the 3rd Monday of the month and next Monday the Preservation Society will hold theirmeeting. If you haven’t joined this group, now is a good time. Everyone is invited to attend. They are getting ready to fix the roof. Thanks to the many donations that came in from friends of the Society, this expense has been fully funded.

It is almost time to vote. Registration closed the 10th of April, early voting will begin April 28th and Election Day is May 10th. Wehave quite a few positions on the School Board and the City Council that are in contention. Rain or shine, please be sure to put it on your to do list for the 10th.

Jason Lewis is putting out a little one page newsletter called The Howler, if you want to put something in, send your information to www.thehowler@live.com.

A benefit was held for the Moreno family. They are raising money to pay for the treatments needed to cure Tracy’s cancer. Keep this family in your prayers. The doctors believe they can cure the cancer, but we all know the journey is a little rough for all involved.

The Wilton family held a grave side service for Susan Gossett’s mom Bernice. Please keep this family in your prayers. The Draper family is still praying for their grandson Ashton. He is two months old and suffering from trouble with his esophageal flap. Doctors hope this will cure itself as he matures.

Another busy week is about to start. I can truly say that my week will be a little lighter now that my son is home. I wish every one of you the joy that comes with the safe return of a loved one. Please continue to pray for our great country, our leaders, our government and our precious troops. I continue to pray that God will make a way to stop this menace and bring our troops home.