SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD herald@mediactr.com
March is slipping away as we approach the weekend for the annual Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show. A new queen will be crowned, exhibits will be judged and many of them sold. A big barbecue always highlights the final day. You may have a tradition of participating in the show; if not, make this the first time. It is an educational event for our young people and also for adults, too.

Right on the heels of this project is another annual event, Easter. There will be many special services of remembrance for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. These will begin with Palm Sunday and continue through Easter, arriving this year on April 8.

Over recent days and weeks, the Rusk Chamber of Commerce feverishly put together a first Bridal Show. It was staged in the former Mathews-Miller, also Baskins Building, on the west side of the square. Sponsors were delighted with the participation of those who are engaged in the planning and preparation for weddings. And they were equally pleased with attendance. This may not seem like a big economic growth and development activity, but it is. Think about it. A wedding marks the beginning of a new unit of social structure. We call it family. And families are the basis for life as we know it.

Gene Kelley wades in the surf off the coast of Montego Bay. Gene recently returned from a seven-day cruise with his family.

This also marks the season for ballgames. Young athletes are finding new excitement in participation. Cherokee County has some outstanding clubs which may advance to unexpected levels of competition. They are wished the best. And the City of Rusk is looking at plans for summer's favorite activity, swimming. They are working to secure the successful operation of the local swimming pool. Last year saw some major accomplishments in maintenance. Hopefully, this year's work will build on last year's.

In between then and now, we will have another season for the commencement of graduates. The other significant season for our area is the one called "legislative." It should wrap up by the end of May, but that is not necessarily so. Should the 181 agree on particular bills of interest, there is the possibility of seeing some of them vetoed once they hit the desk of the governor. We have some interesting, beneficial legislation under consideration. We also have some that are definitely not beneficial. For instance, we continue to focus on saving of the train, the Texas State Railroad. But tangled up with this issue is the one to transfer more than 20 historic sites, now under the operation of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, to the Texas Historical Commission. The THC now has only one, legitimate such site. While they claim the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, this facility is actually directed by a foundation... which in essence, privatizes it. Further, there is nothing in the THC record to support their plans with regard to staff, operation and funding. Numerous committees and organizations have found that TPWD is the logical vehicle for continued operation of historic sites. They already have a track record for successful management of these locations, except of course, adequate funding. But whichever agency ends up with oversight will still need the same things, people and money. The most recent explanation for "why" this is being done suggests THC board chairman, John Nau, is a very close supporter of House Speaker Tom Craddick, a major contributor to the speaker's campaign fund. Even that explanation is inadequate. One has to ask, "why." In our area we have to live with hope that TPWD will succeed in its struggle to survive. Our train is tied to its fate. What will the legislative decision be? This is all very frustrating. We only want to keep our historic facility in operation. We can do this with the help of the state, or, we can privatize. But we can't just park it.

Going forward, Ogreta Huttash sent word of her most recent accomplishment in preserving history. She has presented a copy of her latest book, "District Court Minutes of Cherokee County," to the Stella Hill Library in Alto. This work was done for the Genealogical Records Committee of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, as part of their project to preserve older records. She also donated to the library a copy of "Probate Records of Cherokee County, Texas," "Minute Book A 1870-1881" and "Docket A and Docket B 1867-1887." The third book given is "Some of the Descendants of Mathew Gaston, 1748-1799." Mrs. Huttash explains, "He (Mathew Gaston) was the immigrant ancestor of Mathew Alexander Gaston who came to the Weeping Mary community of Alto with his then father-inlaw, William Ware. He was an early doctor who rose through the ranks to major during the Civil War and then served two terms in the legislature. He is buried in Shiloh Cemetery.

She adds, "Three libraries have all 23 of my books: the DAR Library in Washington, D.C., Family History Center in Salt Lake City and Stella Hill Memorial Library in Alto." I wanted to tell you of my great grandpa Gaston, whose marker in the State Cemetery at Austin is by that of your late husband."

At such times, we smile and think, "Small world."

Our Jacksonville friend has earned the right to be known as the leading historian of Cherokee County. I do not remember the first time we met. But I can't remember life without her. We who love roaming around in all things historical share a common bond. Some day, I will wish that I had spent more time at her feet, learning some of what she knows. No, not some day. I already wish that.

Well, it's time to seek new tasks like enjoying the beauty of East Texas. It's beginning to look a lot like Easter with a lot of dogwood, pear and wild onion. Neighbor Sara Nell Williams was right on target with her expectations last week. Bridal wreath blossoms are just around the corner. Isn't it a beautiful world in which we live? Why can't it be as peaceful as it is beautiful, I wonder. In the meantime, here's another lofty thought when you're feeling down: "There isn't a valley low enough that an angel can't carry you through it."

And angels have been merciful to these special folks of recent date: Mike Crysup, Dottie and Ronnie Norton and Mary Goff.

Keep smiling.