Columns/Opinions

by Nancy Bannister

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Carol Felsenthal - She knew personally every president from Benjamin Harrison to Richard Nixon and was such an important and long-lived presence in the nation's capitol that she became known as the "other Washington monument."

For more than 90 years, she moved through the corridors and bedrooms of power as the youthful "Princess Alice." She attracted adoring crowds wherever she went. As the wife of the Speaker of the House, Alice blossomed into the quintessential Washington hostess; as a dowager, she earned a reputation as the most brilliant and outspoken wit in Washington.

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By Cathy Ledbetter

After spending most of seven years with a hundred and sixty five mile round-trip commute to and from work, I am not one who is prone to jump in the car and go somewhere at the drop of a hat. In fact, my car will sit out in the driveway for week-long stretches without ever being moved. But I do enjoy a good, old-fashioned road trip every now and then if I have a traveling companion.

A couple of weekends ago, my best friend (my husband) and I took a whirlwind road trip to Northern Alabama. Our son was competing in a shooting match near Talladega (which is pronounced by locals as Talladeega, not Talladayga—when in Rome and all), and we have some God-family relatives who live not far from Talladega.

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By Jim Stanley, Texas Master Naturalist

I have written before in these columns that in the future we will have to learn to consume less and conserve more. And this statement is just based on the facts that the amounts of some natural resources are fixed, like water and fossil fuels, or are becoming more difficult or costly to obtain, and the increasing population, and thus the increasing demand for natural resources.

I know some people hold out hope that new technology will solve some of these problems, and that may indeed be the case. But, for instance, the only way to actually make more fresh water is to remove the salt from seawater or brines, and that involves a lot of additional energy—thus helping to alleviate a water shortage but by using more of another precious resource.

By Rhonda Wyatt

Five of our VERY talented Elm Grove/Bowser actors, Jeremy and Jared Martin and Chase, Jacey, and Jordan Gossett, performed in Kyle, Texas on Thursday and then again for the community in Richland Springs on Sunday. Marta Martin, Assistant Director, also attended and supported these kids. There was a great turnout for the Sunday performance. Thank you to the entire community from RSISD One Act Play! OAP travels to Bangs for district competition on March 9th. Break a leg!

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By Sue Ransom

We have had a busy week, and I anticipate that next week will be just as hectic. Thank heaven spring break is right around the corner. We teachers have been spiffing up our rooms so that parents and community members will be awed by our wonderful new classrooms and creative work areas. I have been a little jealous of the elementary rooms that are works of art. My class rooms are quite a bit plainer. I think I have some Scandinavian blood in me. I am attempting a reading corner for the first time in my teaching career.

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By Jim Stanley, Texas Master Naturalist

The lead article in this month’s Texas Wildlife magazine is “Ecology and the Land Steward” by Steve Nelle. Steve is a retired NRCS agent and a friend of mine and someone I consider one of the most knowledgeable when it comes to managing native habitats. Nelle begins the article by writing, “All landowners are practicing ecologists, whether they realize it or not.”, and that “Ecology is a science—not an emotional endeavor.” He goes on to write that, “Ecology… involves the understanding and application of ecological principles, ecological processes and ecological practices.”

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A Hendersonville, Tenn. man was charged with 18 counts of theft after scamming multiple victims in Blanco, Texas and across the United States by selling electronic cattle ear tags and not delivering the product to the victims.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Mike Barr led the investigation. TSCRA Special Ranger Wayne Goodman and Hendersonville, Tenn. Sheriff’s Department Det. Sgt. Jim Vaughn assisted.

According to Barr, the suspect, Timothy Michael Evans, 50, made up a company called “Cattle Traxx” and used a website and social media to fraudulently sell electronic ear tags to a victim in Blanco, Texas. The victim said he never received the ear tags he purchased and Evans continuously made excuses for the delay in delivering the product.

Dear Editor:

I was hoping you would allow me to share some interesting facts about some events that happened in 1836 in the State of Texas. Are you aware that the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed on March 2nd of 1836? March 2nd also happens to be San Houston's birthday.

The Declaration of November 7, 1835, passed by the Consultation announced that the Texan war against Mexico principally intended to restore the Mexican Constitution of 1824, violate actions of President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and to achieve separate Mexican statehood for Texas. The members of the Consultation had hoped to attract popular support for the Texan cause from the other Mexican states.

by The Richland Springs Report 

I’ve decided that I am not very good at the waiting game. I’m sure there are many who can identify with that sentiment.

I keep thinking that patience will come with age, but it just isn’t happening. My friend Jessica is waiting for test results that should have been in over a week ago, but she is doomed to wait until someone has a mercy on her and delivers the good news. My granddaughter went to a UIL art competition on Saturday. It was an all-day event that went well for her. She was the highest in her division, but then she was told that the judges would decide which works of art would go to state. The decision could come as early as Saturday evening, but at the latest Monday. So now she is doomed to wait impatiently for the verdict. I am not patient with that, even though I understand judgments need to be taken carefully. It is just not one of my strengths.

By Dr. Don Newbury 

Education at a Gallop… 

They’re mere “blips” on the screen of educational innovation, now in a handful of major cities. Their name sounds like a house number, and youngsters therein are challenged to “dig deep” as a core of teachers--largely volunteers--help children 6-18 express themselves through--of all things--writing.

These store front centers (for want of a better word) are attention-grabbers, front to back. “826,” after all, isn’t a usual name. The first was San Francisco’s 826 Valencia St. It opened in 2002. If passers-by aren’t “grabbed” by the numbers, small letters on the sign help. It reads: “independent pirate supply store.”

After all, there aren’t many such Yellow Page listings there, or any place else….