SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD
Graduation news continues. The handsome young man in this space is Maxwell Lukenbach of Rusk. He was presented with one of T. K. Gorman High School's highest awards at graduation exercises in Tyler recently. Max's fellow peers voted him the recipient of the 2007 Christus Award, presented to the senior who excelled in the areas of leadership, scholarship, community service and religious faith. He and his family moved to Rusk in March, 2006 and live in the historic home of the late Eldredge and Helena Gregg. His grandparents live in the historic home of the late Jewel Bagley Coupland. Max will attend Texas A&M University in the fall.

With the celebration of Memorial Day weekend and the opening of the local swimming pool, we can look forward to a change of pace. Maybe a vacation for some? Karen Vaught has had hers, though. She took her mom overseas to visit their daughter/granddaughter, Crystal, for a Mother's Day gift. That was nice. I'm still waiting to see photos, and a travelogue. I can just hear the rejoicing when they teamed up. I can feel the sadness of tear-filled eyes at saying goodbye. But I am happy for all of them.

Maxwell Lukenbach

Another heard from Rusk ex is Terry Chapman Mann. She grew up across the street from us on Bonner. She is now residing in Flint and a happy computer user. To honor her cat, its name is incorporated into her e-mail address: ferociousrufus@ aol.com To appreciate the name, we need to know that the cat earns its name. She takes it for walks on a leash, to protect neighbors' cats and dogs. It likes women, but no kids or men. Terry and her family used to maintain a steady stream of bob-tailed cats, called Mannix I think? Memories.

Jim Persons popped in again last week on a quick business trip which finds him searching for boyhood memories. I made one of those trips to the land of my birth recently. At my age, it is difficult to find anyone who knew me, much less heard of me. Jim knows we remember him well and feel honored to have earned a place on his list of friends.

Do you remember last week's Blue Moon? Did you forget? Truthfully, I almost forgot, but I had a few hours left to ponder the "what is going to happen" feeling. And it did happen. Bob Stallings, admired by many for his determination and stamina, caught that Blue Moon for his next destination. You won't find his obit because that was not in his plans. His ashes will be interred at the final resting place of his late wife, Angel Mary, near Houston. Mary probably has a full time job making cookies for other angels. Bob, no doubt, has a space reserved for "fixing" telephones, though he could do radio and TV as well. After suffering polio in the 1950s, he learned to live with two helpless limbs. But he did and was able to keep people smiling from his last position of service, "ombudsman" for residents of area nursing homes. He was a kind of go between, serving as referee between nursing home residents and all those entities who serve as silent partners in providing their care.

Jonell Spedale has a special friend who reminded me that the Gallatin Whirlwind will celebrate her "real" birthday June 5. An early party was held for the family's convenience May 27. But her actual birthday is June 5. She will have done it all by your reading of this space. Day late, dollar short. It's the story of my life.

Has the Guv signed the train legislation? Boy, when he left town, he left town. Plum across the water. Left all that mess of papers on his desk, including the train. If that train had been on his back like some other folks, he would have grabbed a pen in hand before jumping track. But what do I know? It's hard enough for me to be an ordinary voter. What if I had to serve as governor? Let's don't go there. It is difficult enough for me to choose between being Olive or Pauline.

RHS grad Michael (Mike) Burks and wife Vicki were visitors at First United Methodist Sunday. He said his last time to attend services here was the year he was 19.

That might have been late 50s or early 60s. He was an outstanding student intern for us. Talk of retiring here got nowhere. He seems to be happy in his abode at Tyler. But he did promise to come back and visit.

It is impossible to write and not mention the weather.

We have been blessed with weather. That means rain and sunshine, just when and where and how much. Our Creator continues to take care of us. Hay got cut, moved and more fertilizer put out. Those still trying to run cows are glad they haven't given up yet. Last year was a struggle. This year presents a more promising picture.

Some folks are really under the weather. Please pray, okay? There are Dottie McClure Norton, Margaret Parrish with back problems, spouse Buz is improving, Debbie Struhall, Ronny Gates and Charles Davis, who awaits an organ transplant.

For pondering, this borrowed thought: "No matter how alone you feel, you'll find your journey is a shared one." Keep smiling.