HIGH POINTS from El Camino Real
CHRIS DAVIS
The Ides of March have come and gone along El Camino Real, so

The MYF group l of A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church in Alto are presenting a theatrical production, "Jerusalem P.D.," patterned after the popular TV show "Dragnet." Cast members are raising money for a summer missionary trip.

we've made it over the hump and are heading downhill into April. The pollen has filled the air and March winds are doing their part to see that everyone gets an equal share of the stuff. I believe my eyes and my car have gotten way more of the pollen than I deserved. You deserve a good four bits' worth of news even if you have to read it through itchy red eyes.

We lost a special lady last week with the passing of Ms. Anita Bradford. Ms. Bradford had moved away a while back to be near her daughter. Ms. Bradford and her husband Doug sat in front of us at the A. Frank Smith Methodist Church for many years. Doug was our postmaster and later our mayor and Anita was always busy doing something in the community with the other ladies. Please keep her family in your prayers during this time of mourning.

Dick Low had a heart attack and is scheduled to have open heart surgery this week. Dick gets up early every morning and walks and didn't seem to be the least bit fat, but he had a heart attack anyway. This whole ordeal has turned me against exercising and trying to lose weight - it could be hazardous to my health. We are going to keep Dick in our prayers until he gets patched up and going again, and I wish that you would, too. Get well soon, Dick - we are pulling for you.

Debbie Grimes, the Alto ISD computer lady and one of the nicest people we know, is recovering from surgery in Dallas. We are hoping she will be home with a good report by the time you read this paper. Please keep Debbie in your prayers for a favorable report and a quick recovery.

My aunt Maybell Kellum was a busy lady last week. On March 12 she celebrated her 59th year of marriage to my uncle,

Thomas Kellum. Fiftynine years with Thomas ought to get her some kind of medal. On March 16 she celebrated a birthday. I'm not going to say how old she is but most all of us grew up with her working in Boyd's Pharmacy. Happy birthday, Aunt May and a happy anniversary to the both of you.

The Central High and Ponta Home Demonstration Clubs hosted the District Five TEEA Spring Conference in Alto March 11. East Bound Express, including members Reginald Wise and daughter Sarah, Maxie Wynn, Tom and Pauline Langley, Ken Ryan, John Latkey, and Odis Bryan, provided musical entertainment.

Members of the Central High and Ponta Home Demonstration Clubs want to thank everyone who helped make the Cherokee County District Five TEEA Spring Conference on March 11 a great success. They would also like to thank

Ron Rose and the members of the Alto Community Fellowship Church for the use of their building for the spring conference. A special thanks to the members of the East Bound Express, Reginald Wise and daughter Sarah, Maxie Wynn, Tom and Pauline Langley, Ken Ryan, John Latkey, and Odis Bryan for providing the excellent music and entertainment. They would also like to thank

Shannon Cobb for her superb singing. Members of the local chapter of the Red Hat Honeys, Mary Gluck, Sandy Russo, T.J. Anderson, and Marylyn Bennett did a great job of helping out with all the things that had to be and/or needed to be done, and for this great effort. TEEA members say, Thank you. Edie Jones catered the food and served a meal of catfish and chicken strips that everyone is still talking about around town. When I dropped by the event, I was impressed with the number of ladies who were present for the event. Our Cherokee County ladies showed off well and I'm proud of them. I just hate that I couldn't get back to Alto from Rusk for some of that catfish.

Easter is coming up this weekend and if you haven't already done it, you need to get those church clothes out of the moth balls and give them a good airing before you make your yearly pilgrimage to church. There is nothing like the smell of Easter lilies and moth balls to open the sinuses on Easter morning. We sure have lots of blessings to be thankful for and Easter is a great time to remember the greatest blessing we didn't deserve. Speaking of Easter blessings, the youth at the A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church performed a play and served a great supper on Saturday night called

"Jerusalem P.D.," and I was amazed at what a fantastic job they did. The play was a spoof on the old Dragnet TV series and the detectives were trying to figure out what happened to the body of Christ that Easter morning. It was really special to see some of the prettiest girls in town sporting beards for their parts in the play. Money raised at the dinner theater will be used for their mission trip this summer. Hopefully a date will be set in the near future for the group to perform their play again for those who missed it. Easter is a special time and I hope each of you will find a special blessing at your church or home this year.

Spring Break is here and I'm not having any fun. My boys have scattered my fishing and camping stuff across the county having a great time. I've been spending all of my free time on the weekends trying to get lawn mowers running and cleaning up around the place for Easter. The mother-in-law wanted some new flower beds by her porch and in a weak moment I even went and got those ready for her. Where is my spring break? I'll probably spend several more hours trying to gather my fishing and camping stuff back up. Then I'll have to try and figure out how much I've lost. The garden needs to be planted, but the wife is going to want to go somewhere for at least one day during spring break. Everyone is going to need something new for Easter. I don't know why. I can't even remember what I wore to church last Sunday much less last Easter. I wonder if my family ever realizes that I don't get a spring break where I work and all spring break is to me is working overtime to please them. I'm probably going to end up with a spring breakdown.

I guess I've rambled on enough for now. Please keep me posted on the goings on around your place. News gets mighty slim around Alto sometimes, and I don't want to have to resort to window peeping to get a story. I'll see ya next week!

And remember, A coincidence is a small miracle where God chose to remain anonymous. elcaminoreal@consolidated.net