SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD
If nothing else, computers teach us to have patience! This one has been on the blink since mid-December. It comes as no surprise, that the problem has been with the operator, not the equipment! I am thankful to have a bit better understanding of it, too. Having worked off-routine since mid-November, the absence of regular deadlines has been a challenge. New deadlines were the challenge. I have longed to get back to the regular routine. It seems likely to me that many of you feel the same.

To begin this first column for '08, though it appears in the second issue, here's a starting thought found in a fortune cookie New Year's Eve lunch hour: "Don't give up. The best is yet to come." (To explain, last week's column, the first of the new year, was written in the waning days of the old year! Understand? I hope so.) Bless all of you, dear friends, for allowing us to serve you so long and with the help of our Creator, we look forward to this new season of love, hope, joy, growth and economic development! Also, our wish for each one of you is, to be safe, be well, be happy. Let us strive to grow in all areas possible, until we come to 12 months hence--2009. The greeting card season brought quite a few notes from folks you will know. Being off schedule and without this computer, caused me to just let some things wait. Now the waiting is over. Ronny McElroy sent the great news of his son's return from Iraq. Lt. Brandon McElroy is back in the state of Washington. And I quickly add, this is not to say we should stop praying for him and all the young men and women in service. The war is not, not over! I can only imagine the joy in the hearts of Brandon's parents, his siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and a multitude of friends.

A heard from, former staff member, Sandy Fuller Allen and spouse Randy of Jacksonville remain in their home of a dozen years in Baytown. Sandy gave up the field of journalism, Randy gave up property improvement and both now teach. Their happiness comes from watching their children and now one G.C. grow up! Son Steve and spouse, Melissa, have a beautiful young daughter, Morgan, who will be two years old April 11. Middle son Scott is a computer consultant in Houston, and young daughter Karen has graduated from Baylor and gone on to Eerie, Pa. for Medical School. I will continue to look for the loose ends and send more words from others later.Coming events include the grand opening of a new business on U.S. Highway 69 located across from the former Ike's Feed Mill. I gave you the location this way, because who would recognize the new 911 number on Dickinson Drive? Anyway, A Book Cottage is the business venture of Joyce Caldwell, whose spouse is the minister at First United Methodist Church. The GO day is Jan. 23, the time is 2 p.m. for ribbon cutting and you will be invited to tour the facilities and enjoy refreshments! Those who know Michael appreciate his spiritual service. And like the Man he follows, we can all appreciate Michael's carpentry skills, too. They have given new life to a site that's on its way to becoming "historic." They hope to see you there for the official opening ceremonies.

Folks in charge of the annual membership banquet for the Rusk Chamber of Commerce are just too busy to talk about what it will include. Lots of buzzing, incomprehensible however. The date is Jan. 19 in the evening, at the Rusk Junior High Cafetorium. Without details, I can say that it will be an enjoyable evening, with an opportunity to count our blessings as we continue onward. One of our favorite radio personalities, and published author, Tumbleweed Smith, was in town last week. He said he had conducted more area interviews this visit than any other previous. After packing to leave, several more popped up for help with his popular radio program, "Sound of Texas." He promised to return as quickly as possible. In the meantime, tune him in at 7:25 a.m. Monday Friday on Rusk Radio, 1580 AM and 97.7 FM. As he raced to leave, he asked that I express his appreciation to all of you for sharing your knowledge of all things historical! Here is a parting chuckle, an event from life on Bonner Street, early morning Jan. 5. Picture me wearing bathrobe flying in the wind, trying not to spill a cup of coffee, nor scream, all at the same time! It was only a big, fat possum, curled up asleep in the middle of a favorite ivy plant in our house plant garden!. I survived, so did the possum...but only in Rusk could something like this happen! Isn't it a wonderful place to live and experience life? Keep smiling! herald@mediactr.com