SCENE IN PASSING
We're back on what feels like the normal routine and I'm plumb pleased. Optimists ask, "if winter comes, can spring be far behind?" Some of those signals include the early start of narcissus blooms. They started in our late neighbors' yard, Jake and Polly Conway, Dec. 22. It has been cold. A little sleet, few flakes of snow, much needed rainfall and temps below the freeze line some of the time. Well, at least it was a change from the drought and heat. With Texas weather, life is anything but dull.

MARIE WHITEHEAD editor@mediactr.com

This month is the traditional celebration of our Rusk Chamber of Commerce. Their recent annual membership meeting was marked by decent weather. And the date change to Saturday night didn't seem to affect anybody's attendance. Great crowd. Great entertainment. Food, fun and fellowship. Congrats go to all who were instrumental in the planning and presentation. Our superintendent of Rusk State Hospital, Ted Debbs, was roundly applauded for his selection to receive the Citizen of the Year honor. It really was fun. If you are new to our area, it is easy to get involved in life. Visit or call the chamber office and get your membership going in a world that promises to keep you busy, busy. Bob Goldsberry, executive director, and Connie Brown, secretary, can never have too much assistance. And it is a way to learn more about your new home.

While we have watched the weather, some of our friends and neighbors have watched the arrival and treatment of body aches and pains. Also pain of the heart. We have noted the increased number of deaths. It has been suggested that season changes are somehow connected with the passing of life. Condolences are extended to Marie and William May in the sudden death of their daughter. Many of us continue to mourn the loss of a great humorist, Frank Gillespie. His spouse Katie struggles with the vastness of her empty home. Those who know Hank Watson continue to pray for his pending surgery. He has cancer and a lung is to be removed. A very serious procedure, but it is do-able. His wife Jimmye needs prayers, too. Her vision is a challenge. They say that when one of our faculties is diminished, the others are strengthened. We hope that this is true for her. Our friend Jeannie Stewart had surgery last fall for a shoulder bone problem followed by surgery Jan. 17. But it is believed by the patient and her doctor that the recent operation is going to fix the problem.

One of the best known names in our town's history is Dr. Jim Swink. He has been an inspiration to many young athletes. He and spouse Jeannie are now happily at home in our community. Playing football, he achieved publicity for his home town when the press billed him, "The Rusk Rambler." Coming back to his native environment is just what the doctor should have ordered for himself. It is a wonderful place for his body to heal after a serious stroke, surgery and rehab. The couple hope to be a part of all that is Rusk when he is more fully recovered. Welcome home, Jim, and to your delightful wife, Jeannie, a special welcome. Two more of our special people are Joe and Margie Williamson. They are retired, yes, but Joe doesn't know it. They have a hard time with life's commitments and they admit to doing a little grunting and groaning. They are blessed with a sense of humor. Those who know Jim and Joyce Turner continue to pray with him for his progress in health recovery. He had a several week stay in the hospital and rehab following an accident when he was already a convalescing patient. Life is truly a challenge. Good friend Dominique Taborilli has resumed treatments after a nice period of remission. He and spouse Bobbie are wished the best. Another young man in our community has had recent surgery to help in treatment for cancer. He is Ronnie Gates, son of our former staff member, Aleta, and Kenneth Gates. His pretty wife is the daughter of R. S. and Esther Dyess.

As we pray for those we know, right in our circle of family and friends who are sometimes under the weather in body, remember those we may not know too well, but who nonetheless, need prayers. These are the young men and women who serve in the military. It must be difficult and trying to do what they've been sent to do, in the face of recent publicity. Each day is filled with new challenge, it seems.

On the home front, a challenge continues to save the TSR and all of Texas' parks. The longer I live, the more I appreciate "teamship." Without it, it is just another fight. With it, it's a picnic in the park. (We can hope it's a state park.)

It has been a pleasure to spend another January with you. Enjoying our recent wonderland of winter reminded me of another snow-white January. It was 1948. We (the Better Half and I) took the big step forward and pledged our lives to each other. It was a fast trip after that. There were a couple of stumbling blocks which "almost" prevented us from moving to Rusk. Thoughts of them help me to echo, "with God all things are possible." And with that thought, here's an additional bit of wisdom to expand on: "Through the eyes of faith we see the company we keep." Keep smiling.