SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD herald@mediactr.com
What weather we could have had Saturday - but we didn't. It was lovely for the Gallatin Gopher Fest. Obviously, these wonderful people have launched an event destined for designation as "annual." One of the best known names participating was the gentleman with all the Edsel collector cars. Mr. Shelley Cleaver admitted during an interview with KTLU/KWRW program host, Leland Acker who was reporting live, that he wasn't there so much for showing his old cars as he was to buy a gopher on a stick, which he hadn't had since last year. Lots and lots of good food, exhibitors, musical entertainment, a beauty pageant and a horse back ride, too.

With this writing, you see a handsome young man and a beautiful young girl. He is Allen Parrish, a former Rusk High School valedictorian. The couple has posted a note of their planned wedding Aug. 11. It says, "keep this date open." It is wonderful that so many of yesterday's children are still in touch with their hometown newspaper.

Recently I was privileged to meet a relatively new citizen, R. Wheeler Carter, who lives near Bulah. He is retired after 33 years in the newspaper publishing business. He began in 1970 with the Dallas Morning News and since then has pursued his career in Norfolk, Va., Fort Worth Star Telegram, Houston Post and Chronicle, San Francisco , San Jose Mercury, Hayward Daily Review, Wall Street Journal in Dallas, Sun-Sentinel at Fort Lauderdale. He didn't get here permanently until 2006. His wife is Cynthia Smith, an educator with Palestine ISD. Mr. Carter is also a published author and poet. He was born in Pasadena, Texas. Earlier family members were settlers in Shelby County. Now, I told you all this in order to say that Wheeler is having his own special showing of collector item, page one tear sheets, from well known publications, at The Museum of Printing History in Houston. The event runs through June 10. Among the better remembered headlines on display are these: "Men Walk on Moon," "Dewey Defeats Truman," "Elvis is Dead," and much more. From the 17th century to present, this exhibit reflects the lives and times of those who lived them. It is a wonderful story to all who share a love of newspapers and history. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to view a comprehensive narrative of the evolution of the printed word. We talked about many areas of common interest. He said that he would be happy to do service club programs for those who want to know more about his "romance with wrenches on a flat bed press." I can help with his phone number.

Monika Marroquin and Allen Parrish will wed Aug. 11 in Houston.

There are those who need to be remembered in our prayers like Sarah Summers. A great report, just "keep off the golf course for a few more days." Now for her, that's punishment. Stan Graham Nolley, one of our student interns on the radio, is recuperating from surgery to remove a tumor at the base of his brain. His parents are Frazier and Bobbie Nolley. He has a beautiful wife and two precious young girls. Kelly Garner wanted to report for instructor duties Monday. That's how quickly he bounced back from robotic heart surgery last Thursday. His better half Judy and the doctors managed to persuade him otherwise.

Another friend struggles with diabetes. He is J. W. (Dub) Isaacs. When it reaches the treatment level of surgery-for-relief, it is no fun at all. However, friend Wilburn Little was quite happy to learn that he had a diabetic problem when he thought it was a heart problem. Prayers have been requested for Debbie Struhall as she continues with treatments. Another still receiving treatments is Ronny Gates. Louise Nicholson continues to live right where her beloved husband, Bonnie, left her. She is knocking on the door of 100, but you would never know it. Be well, be safe, be happy, but not necessarily in that order... or, at the same time, unless you receive it by His Grace. It is His gift.