Russ and I just returned from Dallas and a happy Easter dinner with the family. We went to the biggest cowboy church in Texas. I can well believe that. The cars were lined up for at least ½ mile waiting to get into the church parking lot. They had to wait for the early service to empty out before they would let the second service enter. It was a good service, and they followed it up with an egg hunt for the kids. I can tell you that I ate way too much food this weekend. I started it off on Friday with parties at school and just kept hogging my way through tons of sweets. I shall have to be very good this week, or I will have to go buy new clothes!

I hope the egg hunt at the First Baptist went well. I know when I left Carol was counting eggs to make sure there was enough to go around to the children who were coming.

This coming week is TAKS week. This is almost a whole week of testing chaos. Please make sure your students are getting plenty of sleep. They are allowed to bring healthy snacks and drinks for break times. I’m sure we will do well. I think my students will just be glad to get it out of the way. There were a few students who didn’t quite pass the reading test taken last month so they will have to do a retest in May. I believe part of the problem was the fact the first test was on a Monday. Whoever heard of an important test being given on Monday! In case I didn’t say it last week, Kathy Brockman’s push to get math facts memorized paid off big time. She had 80% of her students pass! I know Mr. Fowler is looking for our school to be recognized this year. We are all doing our best; the rest is totally up to the students. At any rate, please send them to bed early.

May is banquet and field trip month. The seniors have a luncheon coming up with the First Baptist Church as do the 8

I received my notice about the bond election in the mail. I love the picture on the front. That’s really what this bond is about, our children. I did a little research. I was surprised to find out that people with houses valued under $30,000 pay less than $100 in taxes. I intend to research that out a little more. I’m not writing that to devalue an opinion, I’m mentioning that because I didn’t know that fact. I know our economy is extremely rocky, and people are nervous about taking on more debt. I worry that the Social Security that Russ and I have paid into for decades will not be there for us when it comes time to collect the money we have given in trust. I worry that the worse the economy becomes the more people will turn to the government for bailouts. Our economic system needs taxpayers willing to work and pay for those who are unable to work. I also know that God is in control and I shouldn’t worry. So I can see both sides of this bond issue. Still, I have an issue with someone who is paying next to no taxes, not wanting the taxes to be raised so that our school kids can have a clean learning area. An area where you don‘t have to shout to be heard over the heating and AC unit. We need an area where the wind doesn’t blow in the windows even though they are caulked or stuffed with paper. We need an area with clean water fountains and restrooms that don’t clog up and shut down. No, I do not want to pay higher taxes, but yes, I want my students to have a better learning environment. Our school is not going to shut down. If that horrible event should occur, then, we would have to worry about the taxes being raised. We would have to help pay for the new buildings being built either in Rochelle or San Saba. That is not a choice I would like to face. We are not, repeat not, going to shut our school. It is the lifeblood of this town. The school keeps us from being another small Texas ghost town. Vote for or against, that choice is yours.

May 7

I forgot to write that Kendra Gibson received a special award for her business courses. Kendra is a product of Richland Springs and her education has served her well at college. Congratulations and good luck in the future. So if you see Kathy, and she has new clothes, it’s only because she popped all her buttons!

Also, don’t forget the blood drive being held in honor of Susan Luna will be Tuesday May 3

Susan Luna had a lovely week long visit from her mother-in-law Catalina Luna. Catalina is a long time friend of Annie Granados. They played catch up and Catalina was pleased to see Annie in such good spirits.

Please pray for our nation, our government, our President and our legislature. Please God protect our precious troops, send us some rain, and bless our land. Have a great week

th grade. Elementary has a strawberry picking field trip, the Lake Brownwood annual field trip, field day and all this as we make the final push to get our seniors graduated and our students home for the summer having successfully completed another school year. I can speak for students and teachers when I say this year has gone very quickly. We are all worn out and ready for a little vacation.th is a very busy day for Richland Springs. The Preservation Society is having a bake sale starting at 8:00 a.m. Their goal is to raise money for the continuing renovation of the old bank building. Thomas Lee tells me all donations to the society go towards the restoration of this beautiful building. I hope you have put the Alumni Banquet on your calendar. The event will be Saturday May 7th. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the meal will be served at 7:00 p.m. The class of 1951 will meet at the Church of Christ Family Center from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The classes of 1948 through 1956 are also invited to attend the Church of Christ gathering. The class of 1961 is going to meet at the First Baptist Church around 2:00 p.m. to celebrate their 50th anniversary year. All class members are encouraged to attend. I suspect other classes will be having reunions in homes around the area.rd from 2-6pm. The kids have been out gathering names for donations. There are still some slots open, so please give the gift of life if you can. Mrs. Gossett has this event organized to perfection. Let me tell you that lady can charm the blood out of a turnip!