SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD herald@mediactr.com
The Alto Yellow Jackets continue their winning ways, headed for semi-finals and just one game away from the state championship. The players, coaches, faculty members of AISD, parents, friends, fans are all to be congratulated for this outstanding team. It is this newspaper's privilege to support them with reports of each game. With all of you, we are proud.

And with all of you who love the Texas State Railroad we rejoice to believe we've "saved the train." Congratulations are due the new operator, Al Harper, and all personnel of American Heritage Railroads, Inc. for their perseverance in recent negotiations. Leaders in the cities of Rusk and Palestine, members of the authority and countless state officials should be congratulated, along with State Sen. Robert Nichols, state Rep. Chuck Hopson, state Rep. Byron Cook and state Rep./House Speaker Tom Craddick.

Santa made his official visit to Rusk at the annual Christmas parade Tuesday. The beauty of our historic community is never brighter than the month of December after the sun goes down. The lighting ceremony prior to the parade provided a setting to thrill the hearts. It is a scene worthy of painting. Aren't we lucky to have so many civic-minded volunteers who pour themselves into a multitude of tasks, which come together as a backdrop for our happy memories?

Lt. Jeff l Celestine of TDCJ Skyview/ Hodge Units (right) and his 17-year-old son Matt perform a tribal dance.

One of Rusk's former citizens is Jimmy Persons now in Arlington. His wife Sheri sent a note to share good and bad. She wrote, "Jimmy's dream finally came true (Nov. 10). The event was the formal dedication of a project which Jimmy had supported with all his heart - the dedication of a Veterans Park memorial to honor veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the U.S. The Park is located at Spanish Trail at Arkansas Lane in Arlington."

Jim had spoken of this during recent visits. His dad, the late Bob Persons, served this country. Sheri says cancer has returned and he is receiving some powerful chemo. With her sons, they were able to get him to the ceremony. She concluded, " Please keep him in your prayers."

Jimmy's mom, Helen Per- sons, is now deceased. His sister, Barbara, was receiving treatments at the same time that we were making those trips in 2001-02.

Here's a picture of father and son, Lt. Jeff Celestine of TDCJ Skyview/Hodge Units and his 17-year-old son Matt, a Rusk High School senior. We knew Lt. Celestine's family when we lived at Livingston before moving to Rusk. The school district had some outstanding basketball players who resided on the Alabama- Coushatta Indian Reservation. They were magnificent to watch in action, and they had a super coach. With no other sports to compete in, basketball became a yearround activity. Today, Jeff teaches his young son the dances he was taught his by elders. Matthew recently placed fourth in the Louisiana Pow-Wow competition in "fancy dance." The annual pow-wows at Livingston are held the first weekend in June.

Right now, first things, first. We must get moving right on down the track. Going forward in accordance with His plan for us, and hopefully with those of Speaker Craddick.

It's a great time to be alive. "Even if we don't win, it has been fun to play." Keep smiling.