SCENE in Passing
MARIE WHITEHEAD
By your reading of these words, you will have tucked away

your memories of Easter 2008. It is our wish for you that they were special and good, worthy of keeping to comfort you throughout all time to come. It was our privilege to once again share in the observance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus in our services at First United Methodist Church. If it is not your blessing to be connected with a body of worshiping people, you are welcome to visit our gathering at FUMC where we truly practice "open hearts, open minds, open doors." We are anxious to share the Spirit we gain in this bonding experience. Come try us.

Our Good Friday service was the result of a member, LaRetta Britton. She brought together a dramatic interpretation of "Jesus Carries the Cross." Her cast included John Williams III, the talented accompanist on piano and organ, playing his own composition, "Bound for the Cross of Calvary." Mrs. Britton sang the musical highlight, "Via Dolorosa." Of course, our minister, the Rev. Michael Caldwell, delivered the sermon. Other cast members included Charles Hassell as Jesus; Larry Long as Peter; Birda Parker, Mary, Mother of Jesus; Justin Largent, the boy offering water to Jesus; Eddie Breen and Jim Britton, centurions. Other participants were Cliff Mantzel, sound technician; Jim Britton, built the cross; Cindy Blanchard created the programs and Kelvin Reed of Central Baptist Church helped with costumes. It was an emotional offering of worship. Several who attended admitted to shedding tears. It was good to stop and pretend, feel the pain and the joy of this Holy Day celebration.

During many Easters past, I have paused to remember a story told by an aunt. She loved people, especially children. As a teacher of the small ones in Sunday School, she may have put too much feeling in her dramatization of the death of Jesus, for their young minds. And as she poured her heart into the narrative, of Jesus' suffering and ultimate death, one little boy piped up with anger in his voice and said, "I sure wish Gene Autry had been there. He would have shot the sons of bitches."

Well, there is a good bit for pondering here. Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place and wished for a Gene Autry to come to the rescue?

I'm thinking. The present time might not be a bad time for somebody to come to Planet Earth's rescue. Of course, only we older folks remember Gene Autry of Hollywood fame back in the Big Depression. If you need help, ask your parents, or grandparents.

It is always wonderful to hear from friends of yesterday who have drifted away, but still stay in touch. One of them is Betty Pennington. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Potter lived here many years and operated for a while from the building recently serving as the location of other good friends, John and Bonnie Ellen Nickle, across from Brookshire's. How time flies. Betty writes.

"Just wanted to say I miss all of you. Guess memories are a real blessing as we enter the later years of our life."

Yep, we know that feeling. She wants you to know that she is still in service from the La-Z-Boy Gallery at 6000 S. Broadway in Tyler. She is a decorating consultant for them. More than your business, I think she is lonesome to see anybody from Rusk. She has a good case of homesick blues. She and her late husband, Jim, were such active participants in all things Rusk.

Just last week, I heard from former staff member Stan Nolley. One year ago, March 25, he began a downward spiral with health problems. It was a tumor and a quite serious one.

He wrote last week that he was doing very well and wanted to convey his gratitude to all of us in this neck of the woods who prayed for him. It was a difficult and extensive recovery for Stan. But he refused to accept the negative and kept his eye on the positive. For a while others drove him to work at New York Life Insurance Co. and brought him home.

His mom was a member of the RISD faculty for some years. Time passed and Stan left us for Tyler after an introduction to radio. He was one of our "personalities." He stayed in the field of radio/tv broadcast for a long time.

Sunday afternoon, as I began writing this column with an update from Stan, I learned that he passed away. Please pray for his family as they deal with this loss.

AND our best wishes for the success of next weekend's Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show. You can show your support by attending the event staged at the Will A. Lewis Livestock Show and Exposition Center, Loop 456 in Jacksonville. You can make new memories or re-live earlier events. Were you there? Watch for the full coverage of the stock show in our issue of April 9, in a special souvenir magazine

My gratitude to the person who recently sent two pages of the most delightful oneliners, for ending this column. Since space and time suggest I must bring this to an end, the following one line smile seems appropriate. "

A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking." And that point seems to take less and less time as time goes by. OK...keep smiling.