SCENE in Passing
MARIE WHITEHEAD mwhitehead@mediactr.com
The highly successful 59th annual Cherokee County Junior Livestock

Show is now history and can be tucked away with our memories of those earlier ones.

It began without us in 1949. We arrived a year later. Whatever our memories, and they are many, one person stands out. It is to the credit of Adon Duncan, our ag teacher, that the first show was held in Rusk. It was just a local show. But everything has its beginning. Adon was a man of vision and having invested his career in the field of education for young people, he exposed them to the best in knowledge and value to be derived by humans' understanding of agriculture.

The term "agribusiness" had not been created. But we know about it now. The best in what is known was put on display at the Will A. Lewis Exposition Center on Loop 456 in Jacksonville last weekend.

Those early shows for Rusk only students were staged on Crockett Street--the site which doubled as the rodeo arena.

The late Adon and wife, the beautiful Montel Duncan, who moved to Rusk from Poteet, taught school there before transferring to Rusk.

At Poteet, Adon led friends and neighbors in the establishment of an event called the Poteet Strawberry Festival. He recalled great pride in being a part of this annual celebration.

This past week, a news announcement from those folks announced the 61st Annual Poteet Strawberry Festival will be held April 11-13 this year. It appears to have grown in scope, activities, entertainment and education for all attendees. I carefully scrutinized all of the copy sent to us for publication. Not one word did I see credited founding father Adon Duncan. And that's sad, because without him, they might not be having this event and without his friendship, I probably would not have read a word at all about the 61st Poteet Strawberry Festival.

This is not to suggest that Mr. Duncan was all by himself at the front of the band making things happen. Rather, he was in the middle of the crowd, bringing organization to their hopes and aspiration, leading toward a common goal.

Those young people who were blessed to be taught by these two great teachers at RISD could no doubt add their own words of praise and appreciation to mine.

Some have suggested that I spend a lot of time wandering around in the ashes of my memories. Hey. Why not? There's energy in memories. Those ashes grow new gratitude and appreciation with each passing year. And now I wonder, "Without Adon here, would we have had a stock show this year?" Thank you, friend Adon.

And my gratitude to a wonderful, dedicated, talented, hard-working staff for the magnificent coverage given our Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show in a magazine last week. It is an excellent work of combined abilities. If you wish to have extras, come by our office.

Recently Jim Harper, one of yesterday's children who grew up at Gallatin, came by the office to hand-deliver a copy of his newly published book of poetry, "Gallatin Chronicles."

The big red-headed boy has grown to a mature man of stately stature and hair the color of strawberries blended with whipped cream.

A welcoming smile surrounds eyes made wise by miles of compassionate living. He is a gentle soul. If you bump into him on the road of life, reach out to your new friend. And ask to buy a copy of his book.

It is an honor to have our family chosen to receive a copy of his first published book of poems. When they arrive, they will be offered for sale at our office.

Moving on to current time, we should note the beautiful spring blossoms. Just take a drive out any direction, any road, from Rusk.

And I wonder? Why doesn't the entire world of people live here? Obviously, they don't know about us or they would already be here. Who recently said, "Rusk is the best kept secret in the world?" (I think it was Roy Reynolds.)

Are you seeing all the clean-up that is going on, to make us more beautiful? Gratitude is expressed to city and county for support to individual citizens who are showing a spirit of civic pride.

I dare not mention names, but I invite you to take a tour of our community and note progress in some areas. Keep watching. Expect more. Help make it happen.

On our "get better" wish list is longtime friend, John Clairborne Williams. His health has been less than great for an extended period of time. It is hoped that this planned procedure will relieve some of his physical pain. Without the pain, he has just got to feel better. Right? He will be convalescing at Twin Oaks in Jacksonville. Everyone wishes and prays for him the best.

Be watching for more details on a special visit to Rusk in the near future. It's a secret but I can tell you...it's the Lone Ranger...I just don't know WHO is the Lone Ranger?

To all of you who struggle, and many do, one way or another, hang on to the possibility of finding truth in this: "This is the best day of the rest of your life." True or false?

Keep smiling. And hey. Keep reading. Thank you very much.