SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD herald@mediactr.com

"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."

As you know, Labor Day is the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

We hope you enjoyed the holiday Monday and took a day off from your "labors."

Be sure and mark Friday night on your calendar and make plans to attend the first Rusk High School home game. Former RHS graduate Jim Perkins will be honored when he is inducted onto the Wall of Honor. (We have more details on this award on the front page of this issue.)

Another RHS grad, Helene Courtney Steck of Bryan, sent a note and a clipping from a newspaper in her area. The Burleson County Tribune in Caldwell offers a column from their file copies entitled "Once Upon a Time in Burleson County" written by Dee Boedeker. And even though she wasn't there 110 years ago, Helene finds the information amazing. She goes on to ask if we've ever considered doing such a thing. Perhaps she saw last week's paper and enjoyed our look at 1951. Her parents were Walter and Cleo Courtney. She had attended a class reunion here last June and had such fun. She expressed good wishes for the TSR.

Another heard-from by mail is Peggy Todd Lee, formerly of Central High Community near Alto. She was a happy, smiling face at the Sears store in Rusk. Earlier staff members with her included Lou Goldsberry, Lynn Marie Banks and Margaret Beckworth, all now deceased, but loved and remembered.

Another note in the mail came from Emal Rogers, our favorite artist from Alto. Do any of you share my passion for her beautiful hand painted china? My favorite is the pansy work she did. I have about six different pieces. Daughter Terrie made a diligent effort to acquire as many of her roses paintings as possible. Emal was with us from the beginning in our celebration of Indian Summer Festival starting in the late 60s. Events were scheduled for public enjoyment throughout the County: from Alto, to Rusk, to Jacksonville. Each community specialized in its own area of interest. Miss Emal was a very welcomed artist in the Arts and Crafts Fair at the Armory Building on Euclid Street in Rusk. How quickly time flies.

One more call for help. Robert Hightower is curator of the Mobile Boy Scout Museum in Palestine. He is dedicated to preserving the history of scouting. He pleads for you to save your scouting memorabilia. "How long has it been since you or anyone else saw your old scouting mementos? Please don't let them be buried in storage or thrown away at your death. Let us display them in your name for all to enjoy." If you wish to help, call him at (903) 723-0418. After all, he wants to help you.

On the health scene this week is the hospitalization of our friend and neighbor, Ike Daniel. He is a patient at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. He had sustained a fall at home in recent days, from which recovery has been ongoing. Additional tests will help determine what course of action will be taken to put him back on his feet.

Another special friend is Charles Davis, band director for Lon Morris College and resident of Rusk. He and wife Joni reside here and she works for Birmingham Health Care Center. Charles recently received a liver transplant which has gone so far, so good. But last week and now again this week, he has made return trips to Dallas for tests and consultations.

There are others who continue to need prayers of support, but especially these named here. And don't forget little Hannah Collie of Alto who is adjusting to a new heart at Children's Medical Center in Dallas. She has just turned three.

From my special book about Angels, here's a closing thought: "Angels do not give us life, but they help us make the most of it. Angels do not love us most, but they help us learn to love." Be nice to your neighbor AND your guardian angel.

Citizens of Alto awakened to the devastating news of Verline Birdsong's sudden death Wednesday afternoon. The wife of Randall Birdsong and sister of Greg Duplichain expired at home. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, friend and favored school teacher at AISD. Her loss is tragic to all who knew her. Please keep these families in your prayers.

Until next week?