Columns see more »

It’s hard to believe Easter is upon us and we are in the last grading period of school. Seniors having been counting days for a while but now the rest of the kids are experiencing spring fever. I’m sure no one has any cobwebs left in their minds because the winds have been so strong lately they should all be blown away.

Go take a walk to blow the cobwebs out just doesn’t work too well sometimes. You come back empty-headed! I guess that’s okay in a way. I think everyone is a little stressed because of the uncertainty of our economy. Mind you, when you wake up to a beautiful day in the country it’s hard to stay down for long.

The tennis team, or what was available to play, went to Brownwood Friday to play in the Brownwood invitational.

Mark Davis and his coaching staff are very gracious folks and made us feel welcome. We only had five kids to take but I think they did a great job. Teams from Rising Star, Brownwood, Christway Academy in Abilene, and one other team besides Richland were entered in the tournament. Andrew Fowler placed 4th in Men’s Singles, his doubles partner Nigel was out of town as was our singles player Abe.

Brooke Bennett and Emily Smith placed 4th in Women’s Doubles and Stephen Fowler and Elbert Thomas placed 3rd in Men’s Doubles. Stephen set Elbert for some good net play and Elbert put it away. Those medals looked awesome hanging around their necks! Play started at 4:30 p.m. and ended around 9:30 p.m. for us. Thanks again Brownwood for a wonderful event. Thank you Mr. Fowler, for providing the water for the match.

We’re still waiting for TAKS results from the early test taking in March. We have Math this week and the Science in a few weeks. Teachers are hard at work trying to make sure their kids understand and remember all the “stuff” we are pumping into their little sponges. Things get a little hectic at this time of the year. We’ll be heading out to the symphony the third week of April. I think I’ll take several of my classes to the Buffalo Days event in Brownwood, and 6th Grade is trying to earn money to go to one of the big zoos in either, Dallas, Fort Worth or San Antonio. Mr. Fowler will tell you in his Coyote Pride article how busy these kids get at this time of the year!

Richland Springs had quite a bit of coverage last week. Mr. Winn, Mr. Fowler and Dell Jolly all wrote to express their views on different subjects. So did I. I hope those articles cleared up some issues for our community. Obviously I have not expressed myself well with regards to our school issue so perhaps things are clearer now.The list of sick is frighteningly long. There will be a benefit for Sputnik Bush next week. He is facing tremendous expenses in his journey to healing.

Casey Hibler Jr. had his colon removed on Friday. He is still extremely ill. His sister, Maxine Robbins has requested prayer for his healing.

Beatrice Soto’s mom is having a tumor removed from her stomach. Jerry Benton needs our prayers in his battle with cancer. Mary Cummings is also valiantly fighting cancer. The list is heart wrenching.

On a happier note, Vesta Willborn had her 90th birthday this week.

Jim Ralston had his gallbladder removed and the doctor gave him a glimmer of hope for his eyesight. George Hill is doing much better since the pain implant in his back.

Katy Cordle will be married Saturday to Aaron McCoury. The service will be at the First Baptist Church at 2:00pm. Friends and family are cordially invited to attend this happy event.

Please pray for our beautiful country, the land of the brave and the free, our President and the world leaders at the G20 Summit, our most precious troops and their families and our neat little town.

Katy Bates and her husband will be leaving for Afghanistan shortly. My son is scheduled for later on in the year.

Richard Sliger is already there I believe. James Muncy, Jacob Gibson, Patrick Wayne Bush, Dale McNett Jr., Donald Colin, Casey Colin, Patrick Nelson Smith, Cody Gardner, Robert Nieto, and Brett Sealy are all local young people in the military. The new troop assignments will most likely send them to Afghanistan. They and their families have our deep gratitude and sincere prayers for their safe return.

I hope everyone attends the town hall meeting on the 9th. It is time we cleared the air and made a plan. Leave the rhetoric and name calling at home, and bring some honest discussion, pro or con, to this most important meeting. I’ve been asked about salaries, coaches, teachers and stadiums; don’t ask me, bring the questions to the meeting and get some answers. They need to know why there is such distrust over this issue, but we can’t dwell on the past for too long. Make a list of what you think should be done, and let this administration know how you feel. That’s what makes this country so wonderful. We the people, for the people rings through the land of the free, let’s ring that bell.