I am working as an intern with the Christian Chronicle. Here are links to the stories I have worked on so far.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Dutch woman cycling around the world passes through North Texas
Djoeke Bareuds, a native of the Netherlands, is passing through North Texas, but what makes her journey special is that she is making this trip primarily on a 15-year-old bicycle.
Bareuds began her journey when a close friend, Christa Polder sent her a text message, in January 2006, suggesting that they quit their jobs, hop on their bikes and see the world. They quickly made a plan and began their journey in July 2006.
Bareuds decided that she would sell her house in addition to quitting her job before she left for the trip. “I wanted to experience that freedom,” said Bareuds. She gave away most of her possession as well, keeping only the things with sentimental value.
The women would take 10,000 euros each, about $13,800, and travel on it as far as it would take them. They began their journey by traveling north to Denmark and then on to Sweden and Finland, which was one of their favorite places to travel because of Sweden’s laws on camping.
Sweden has enacted several laws that give travelers access to uncultivated land. The law allows travelers to pass through the land as well as camp on it without having to get permission from the owner. The only restriction on these laws is that the campers must be “out of the way” and “leave no trace.” Bareuds and Polder were able to take full advantage of these laws, even sleeping on a golf course one night.
“We couldn’t find anywhere else, all the land around was really rock,” said Bareuds. They spent the night on the course, next to the tee with the intention of waking up early in the morning and leaving the course before anyone else arrived. However, it was raining the next morning, so they had to stay in their tent. The rain continued throughout the morning.
As they rested in their tent, they could hear golfers outside the tent as well as course workers.
The rain stopped at 3 p.m. and Bareuds peeked out of the tent when she believed no one was around. She was surprised to find that there was a man outside the tent working on the course. The man greeted her with a smile saying, “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
The women then went on to Latvia and Russia where they traveled on the Trans-Siberian Railway, a 6,000 mile train route China from Moscow that takes an average of seven days. They took the railway to Beijing where they returned to their bikes.
When Bareuds and Polder arrived in China, they found a country that was much different from anything they had expected. They were able to see first hand what life in a communist country is like.
The land was polluted and dirty. The severe pollution forced the women to ride with bandanas over their noses and mouths. “We didn’t talk to each other for days, because we didn’t want to open our mouths. We didn’t even want to breathe,” said Bareuds.
Bareuds described the roads as the “industrial revolution.” Factories lined the road on both sides for miles. The people lived in small villages that were a part of the factories, which they worked in. China was Bareuds’ least favorite place, not because there were not beautiful places to see or because the culture was distasteful, but because of the pollution and poor living conditions the people suffered.
Despite these poor conditions, Bareuds said that the people were very kind and even quite positive. The people were also very curious about the women.
Whenever they stopped, they would quickly draw a crowd. The people would touch the women and go as far as to open their bags and look through them. This was not an attempt to steal anything, but rather something, that was culturally normal and done due to curiosity, Bareuds said.
After over a month of cycling through China, the women crossed the boarder into Vietnam where they were able to see an instant change in the countryside. After traveling through Vietnam, the women traveled to Cambodia and Thailand.
In Cambodia, the women faced the danger of landmines when they stepped off the road. Bareuds said it was very common to see people missing limbs. When they were here, they never got off the road unless it was on a path that they knew locals traveled often.
In Thailand they made their way to a national park where there were to be wild elephants roaming the area. They spent a week in the park each day trying to catch a glimpse of the animals and each day they were unsuccessful. They would ask the other visitors at the campsite if they had been able to see the elephants and each day they would get the same casual affirming answer.
After the week was up Bareuds and Polder decided that, it was time to continue. On their way out of the park, they were lucky enough to see an elephant next to the road. They stopped to take a picture of the elephant when it began flapping its ears in anger.
The women looked ahead for a way to escape, but saw that ahead of them was the herd of elephants crossing the road with their calves. They had no escape route, however as the herd finished crossing the road they jumped on the bicycles and began racing down the road with the elephant chasing them.
When they passed the herd they stopped to catch their breath and breathe a sigh of relief, but this turned out to be premature relief. The elephant was still chasing them. They again raced away on their bikes this time not stopping until they were sure they were safely away. “When we stopped, we just fell on the ground laughing, almost hysterically,” Bareuds said.
In April 2007, Bareuds and Polder reached Bangkok, Thailand where they parted ways. Polder decided that she was ready to go home while Bareuds went on to San Diego.
Bareuds then traveled to North Texas through a combination of cycling and trains. Bareuds plans to take a train to South Texas where she will follow the TransAmerican Bicycle Trail to Charleston, N.C.
From there Bareuds plans to catch a freight ship that will take her across the Atlantic Ocean to England. This is the only part of the entire journey that Bareuds planned because she had to purchase the ticket early.
Bareuds said she would bike around England for a while before returning home to the Netherlands. She was not sure what she would do once she made it home, but she plans to figure that out when she get there.
Bareuds began her journey when a close friend, Christa Polder sent her a text message, in January 2006, suggesting that they quit their jobs, hop on their bikes and see the world. They quickly made a plan and began their journey in July 2006.
Bareuds decided that she would sell her house in addition to quitting her job before she left for the trip. “I wanted to experience that freedom,” said Bareuds. She gave away most of her possession as well, keeping only the things with sentimental value.
The women would take 10,000 euros each, about $13,800, and travel on it as far as it would take them. They began their journey by traveling north to Denmark and then on to Sweden and Finland, which was one of their favorite places to travel because of Sweden’s laws on camping.
Sweden has enacted several laws that give travelers access to uncultivated land. The law allows travelers to pass through the land as well as camp on it without having to get permission from the owner. The only restriction on these laws is that the campers must be “out of the way” and “leave no trace.” Bareuds and Polder were able to take full advantage of these laws, even sleeping on a golf course one night.
“We couldn’t find anywhere else, all the land around was really rock,” said Bareuds. They spent the night on the course, next to the tee with the intention of waking up early in the morning and leaving the course before anyone else arrived. However, it was raining the next morning, so they had to stay in their tent. The rain continued throughout the morning.
As they rested in their tent, they could hear golfers outside the tent as well as course workers.
The rain stopped at 3 p.m. and Bareuds peeked out of the tent when she believed no one was around. She was surprised to find that there was a man outside the tent working on the course. The man greeted her with a smile saying, “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
The women then went on to Latvia and Russia where they traveled on the Trans-Siberian Railway, a 6,000 mile train route China from Moscow that takes an average of seven days. They took the railway to Beijing where they returned to their bikes.
When Bareuds and Polder arrived in China, they found a country that was much different from anything they had expected. They were able to see first hand what life in a communist country is like.
The land was polluted and dirty. The severe pollution forced the women to ride with bandanas over their noses and mouths. “We didn’t talk to each other for days, because we didn’t want to open our mouths. We didn’t even want to breathe,” said Bareuds.
Bareuds described the roads as the “industrial revolution.” Factories lined the road on both sides for miles. The people lived in small villages that were a part of the factories, which they worked in. China was Bareuds’ least favorite place, not because there were not beautiful places to see or because the culture was distasteful, but because of the pollution and poor living conditions the people suffered.
Despite these poor conditions, Bareuds said that the people were very kind and even quite positive. The people were also very curious about the women.
Whenever they stopped, they would quickly draw a crowd. The people would touch the women and go as far as to open their bags and look through them. This was not an attempt to steal anything, but rather something, that was culturally normal and done due to curiosity, Bareuds said.
After over a month of cycling through China, the women crossed the boarder into Vietnam where they were able to see an instant change in the countryside. After traveling through Vietnam, the women traveled to Cambodia and Thailand.
In Cambodia, the women faced the danger of landmines when they stepped off the road. Bareuds said it was very common to see people missing limbs. When they were here, they never got off the road unless it was on a path that they knew locals traveled often.
In Thailand they made their way to a national park where there were to be wild elephants roaming the area. They spent a week in the park each day trying to catch a glimpse of the animals and each day they were unsuccessful. They would ask the other visitors at the campsite if they had been able to see the elephants and each day they would get the same casual affirming answer.
After the week was up Bareuds and Polder decided that, it was time to continue. On their way out of the park, they were lucky enough to see an elephant next to the road. They stopped to take a picture of the elephant when it began flapping its ears in anger.
The women looked ahead for a way to escape, but saw that ahead of them was the herd of elephants crossing the road with their calves. They had no escape route, however as the herd finished crossing the road they jumped on the bicycles and began racing down the road with the elephant chasing them.
When they passed the herd they stopped to catch their breath and breathe a sigh of relief, but this turned out to be premature relief. The elephant was still chasing them. They again raced away on their bikes this time not stopping until they were sure they were safely away. “When we stopped, we just fell on the ground laughing, almost hysterically,” Bareuds said.
In April 2007, Bareuds and Polder reached Bangkok, Thailand where they parted ways. Polder decided that she was ready to go home while Bareuds went on to San Diego.
Bareuds then traveled to North Texas through a combination of cycling and trains. Bareuds plans to take a train to South Texas where she will follow the TransAmerican Bicycle Trail to Charleston, N.C.
From there Bareuds plans to catch a freight ship that will take her across the Atlantic Ocean to England. This is the only part of the entire journey that Bareuds planned because she had to purchase the ticket early.
Bareuds said she would bike around England for a while before returning home to the Netherlands. She was not sure what she would do once she made it home, but she plans to figure that out when she get there.
Whitesboro School Board discusses budget
The Whitesboro ISD Board of Trustees met Monday night for its regular meeting.
After the opening items and a minor correction to the previous meetings’ minutes, the board began by deciding on when they would attend the Legislative Update Training.
The training is a mandatory training for all statewide board members. It is conducted after every legislative session to inform board members of new laws so that they can stay in compliance with the restrictions.
The board then accepted a bid to sell one of the old school buses.
Finally, the focus of the meeting was the budget workshop. Danny Sluder, Whitesboro ISD business manager, presented the preliminary budget to the board. The budget will work to pay off old debt with tighter operating costs. This year’s budget will also include a “3 percent increase for all employees who would not receive increases otherwise,” Sluder said.
All the administrators were able to give their opinions on the budget. “The four principals got to sit down and say, ‘I don’t like that cut. I’d rather it be here,’” Sluder said. The athletic director was also given an opportunity to participate.
The board then discussed various ideas to increase revenue, which include increases lunch prices by 25 cents at the elementary, which would result in an estimated $22,000 increase in annual revenue. The board is also discussing a tax election to increase revenue.
The board will hold a special meeting on July 31, where they will have a public hearing to discuss the budget, food price increase and the possible tax election. Citizens will be given the opportunity to give their opinions on the issues. The board is encouraging everyone to attend this special meeting.
After the opening items and a minor correction to the previous meetings’ minutes, the board began by deciding on when they would attend the Legislative Update Training.
The training is a mandatory training for all statewide board members. It is conducted after every legislative session to inform board members of new laws so that they can stay in compliance with the restrictions.
The board then accepted a bid to sell one of the old school buses.
Finally, the focus of the meeting was the budget workshop. Danny Sluder, Whitesboro ISD business manager, presented the preliminary budget to the board. The budget will work to pay off old debt with tighter operating costs. This year’s budget will also include a “3 percent increase for all employees who would not receive increases otherwise,” Sluder said.
All the administrators were able to give their opinions on the budget. “The four principals got to sit down and say, ‘I don’t like that cut. I’d rather it be here,’” Sluder said. The athletic director was also given an opportunity to participate.
The board then discussed various ideas to increase revenue, which include increases lunch prices by 25 cents at the elementary, which would result in an estimated $22,000 increase in annual revenue. The board is also discussing a tax election to increase revenue.
The board will hold a special meeting on July 31, where they will have a public hearing to discuss the budget, food price increase and the possible tax election. Citizens will be given the opportunity to give their opinions on the issues. The board is encouraging everyone to attend this special meeting.
City Council meets Tuesday night
The Whitesboro City Council met Tuesday night to discuss a number of issues. All members were present except Alderman Mike Pack.
The Council began by hearing from department heads. Library director, Ginger Garvin said their summer program is coming to a close this week and they expect between 40 and 45 attendees at the slumber party Friday night.
Penny Renfroe, director of parks and recreation, said she was searching for a new administrative assistance. Scott Taylor, Whitesboro Police Chief also said that one of his officiers, Ryan Canady, had resigned.
The Council then heard recommendations from Janis Crawley, director of economic development for an appointment to fill an unexpired term on the economic development board. The Council appointed Amy Goedecke to fill the position.
The Council then voted unanimously to pass a 3.5 percent rate increase for solid waste disposal onto the citizens. The increase has already been passed by IESI and this decision only passes the increase onto the customers.
The Council passed an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation that would grant permission to close Highway 56 for the Peanut Festival. This agreement is for five years instead of the usual one year.
Finally, the Council voted to suspend the Atmos GRIP rate request. This is a request by Atmos energy to increase its rates. The council’s suspension of the request will give the council time to review the request and allow customers to enjoy another three months before a rate increase.
The Council began by hearing from department heads. Library director, Ginger Garvin said their summer program is coming to a close this week and they expect between 40 and 45 attendees at the slumber party Friday night.
Penny Renfroe, director of parks and recreation, said she was searching for a new administrative assistance. Scott Taylor, Whitesboro Police Chief also said that one of his officiers, Ryan Canady, had resigned.
The Council then heard recommendations from Janis Crawley, director of economic development for an appointment to fill an unexpired term on the economic development board. The Council appointed Amy Goedecke to fill the position.
The Council then voted unanimously to pass a 3.5 percent rate increase for solid waste disposal onto the citizens. The increase has already been passed by IESI and this decision only passes the increase onto the customers.
The Council passed an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation that would grant permission to close Highway 56 for the Peanut Festival. This agreement is for five years instead of the usual one year.
Finally, the Council voted to suspend the Atmos GRIP rate request. This is a request by Atmos energy to increase its rates. The council’s suspension of the request will give the council time to review the request and allow customers to enjoy another three months before a rate increase.
Firefighters busy with accidents
Local emergency workers were busy Friday with accidents in Sherwood Shores and Whitesboro.
At 4:40 p.m. Gordonville and Sherwood Shores fire departments were dispatched to the intersection of Highway 377 and F.M. 901. A red Ford Explorer had run off the road and rolled in the ditch.
As fire fighters responded to the accident, Ron Blackwell, Sherwood Shores Fire Chief reported that there was an accident at Liberty Road and Highway 377, which is two mile north of F.M. 901. Dispatch determined that this was the exact location of the reported accident. First responders were quickly re-routed.
The occupants of the vehicle were treated on-scene. They sustained no transportable injuries.
No cause has been officially determined at this time. However, on-scene rescuers said that it appeared to be a distracted driver. “The [driver] was eating a chocolate sundae. That appears to be a contributing factor,” said Blackwell.
Only a few hours later, at 7:23 p.m. Whitesboro Firefighters were dispatched a very short distance from their station to the intersection of Main Street and Union Street to respond to a two vehicle accident.
Gainesville resident, Michael Vaughn, was driving a black Dodge Ram 1500 north on Union Street through the intersection when Andrew Gargiulo in Green Chevrolet Metro struck him. Gargiulo was as in the opposite lane and turning left onto Main Street. The vehicles collided and then Vaughn was deflected into the brick wall on the northeast corner of the intersection.
Police determined Gargiulo to be at fault for “proceed[ing] to turn left without yielding the right of way,” according to the accident report. However, witness, Ben Munson said that Vaughn was traveling at an excessive speed.
No one was injured in the accident but it did cause significant damage to both vehicles as well as the brick retaining wall. It also forced officials to temporarily close both lanes of the downtown section of Main Street. This interrupted the flow of traffic from Whitesboro’s first Cruse Night, although no one involved in the accident was actually participating in the cruse at the time.
At 4:40 p.m. Gordonville and Sherwood Shores fire departments were dispatched to the intersection of Highway 377 and F.M. 901. A red Ford Explorer had run off the road and rolled in the ditch.
As fire fighters responded to the accident, Ron Blackwell, Sherwood Shores Fire Chief reported that there was an accident at Liberty Road and Highway 377, which is two mile north of F.M. 901. Dispatch determined that this was the exact location of the reported accident. First responders were quickly re-routed.
The occupants of the vehicle were treated on-scene. They sustained no transportable injuries.
No cause has been officially determined at this time. However, on-scene rescuers said that it appeared to be a distracted driver. “The [driver] was eating a chocolate sundae. That appears to be a contributing factor,” said Blackwell.
Only a few hours later, at 7:23 p.m. Whitesboro Firefighters were dispatched a very short distance from their station to the intersection of Main Street and Union Street to respond to a two vehicle accident.
Gainesville resident, Michael Vaughn, was driving a black Dodge Ram 1500 north on Union Street through the intersection when Andrew Gargiulo in Green Chevrolet Metro struck him. Gargiulo was as in the opposite lane and turning left onto Main Street. The vehicles collided and then Vaughn was deflected into the brick wall on the northeast corner of the intersection.
Police determined Gargiulo to be at fault for “proceed[ing] to turn left without yielding the right of way,” according to the accident report. However, witness, Ben Munson said that Vaughn was traveling at an excessive speed.
No one was injured in the accident but it did cause significant damage to both vehicles as well as the brick retaining wall. It also forced officials to temporarily close both lanes of the downtown section of Main Street. This interrupted the flow of traffic from Whitesboro’s first Cruse Night, although no one involved in the accident was actually participating in the cruse at the time.
Great Race and Cruise Night deemed success
The Cruise Night gave businesses the chance to gain exposure and participants the chance to show off their cars and win door prizes. “I think that is a good way to promote downtown or any of our businesses,” Anderson said.
The Chamber was also able to make a small, unexpected, profit from its food stand at Trollinger Park. “We didn't know that we would make any money off of it,” said Anderson. The independent booths said that they were able to make some profit as well.
Cruiser represented a wide range of cars, from a Dodge Durango, to classic cars of all types.
The cruise lasted from 7 to 10 p.m. The route took cars to Sonic, where they had a free meal voucher, and through downtown to visit various local businesses.
Cruisers were slowed by an accident at Main Street and Union Street, which temporarily closed the downtown section of Main Street. However, the vehicles involved in the accident were not cruise participants. “It slowed down the cruise a little bit but I don't think it affected us very much,” said Anderson.
The Chamber plans to make the Cruise Night an annual event and have already begun planning. “The next event, what I would say is, more door prizes and more stops,” said Blaylock. Even Great Race participants were enthusiastic about the car display and Cruise Night and encouraged organizers to continue it. The Chamber has already received requests from interested businesses.
At the end of stage 7 driver Louis and navigator Jim Feeney were in the lead with their 1936 Ford Fordor Deluxe, according the Great Race website (www.greatrace.com). However, the race is still very close. The Grand Champion will be decided on Saturday, July 14, in Anaheim, Calif. Daily results can be found the Great Race website.
The Chamber was also able to make a small, unexpected, profit from its food stand at Trollinger Park. “We didn't know that we would make any money off of it,” said Anderson. The independent booths said that they were able to make some profit as well.
Cruiser represented a wide range of cars, from a Dodge Durango, to classic cars of all types.
The cruise lasted from 7 to 10 p.m. The route took cars to Sonic, where they had a free meal voucher, and through downtown to visit various local businesses.
Cruisers were slowed by an accident at Main Street and Union Street, which temporarily closed the downtown section of Main Street. However, the vehicles involved in the accident were not cruise participants. “It slowed down the cruise a little bit but I don't think it affected us very much,” said Anderson.
The Chamber plans to make the Cruise Night an annual event and have already begun planning. “The next event, what I would say is, more door prizes and more stops,” said Blaylock. Even Great Race participants were enthusiastic about the car display and Cruise Night and encouraged organizers to continue it. The Chamber has already received requests from interested businesses.
At the end of stage 7 driver Louis and navigator Jim Feeney were in the lead with their 1936 Ford Fordor Deluxe, according the Great Race website (www.greatrace.com). However, the race is still very close. The Grand Champion will be decided on Saturday, July 14, in Anaheim, Calif. Daily results can be found the Great Race website.
Council makes preliminary budget decisions
The Whitesboro City Council has begun work on its annual budget. Among the items being discussed are the acquisition of land for the expansion of the cemetery and the extension of 4th Street to Highway 377.
Counsel members met Tuesday, June 26 for a special workshop meeting to discuss the items.
“We were just trying to rank our projects so the city administrator would know where to concentrate the budget. The immediate thing that came up is that we have a limited number of spaces in the current cemetery,” said W.D. Welch, Whitesboro Mayor.
Because the land would have to be developed, it would require a significant budgetary commitment. The land would require money to be surveyed and for roads and fences to be built, in addition to money for the actual purchase of the property.
The council decided to begin the acquisition process this year and begin developing it in sections later. “We will probably try to acquire some of the cemetery property this year and in some of the budget next year we will try to start developing,” Welch said.
The extension of 4th Street has also been discussed in detail. Welch said the city has already acquired the needed right of ways from property owners to begin the project, but will first have to relocate several facilities before beginning the construction.
“We are going to have to relocate two ball fields that are used extensively during the parks and recreation's season and the city yard,” Welch said. This project will require a lot of time and planning. Welch expected the city to begin relocating the facilities this year and begin the developing in stages next year.
“When we start talking about doing these big projects we have to have an anticipation of, where are going to put people. What are we going to do with the city yard? What are we going to do with the ball fields?” Welch said.
The council has also begun planning for special departmental needs such as new vehicles and machinery. “We came in there with a list of the thing that all the different department heads think that we need,” Welch said.
“What we were attempting to do is to do a little brainstorming and get our priorities in line so when the city administrator starts to put together a budget he can anticipate what we're looking at,” Welch said.
Counsel members will have some preliminary figures for the budget this week and they will hold special budgetary meetings on July 24 and 26 to finalize the budget, said Michael Marter, Whitesboro City Administrator.
Counsel members met Tuesday, June 26 for a special workshop meeting to discuss the items.
“We were just trying to rank our projects so the city administrator would know where to concentrate the budget. The immediate thing that came up is that we have a limited number of spaces in the current cemetery,” said W.D. Welch, Whitesboro Mayor.
Because the land would have to be developed, it would require a significant budgetary commitment. The land would require money to be surveyed and for roads and fences to be built, in addition to money for the actual purchase of the property.
The council decided to begin the acquisition process this year and begin developing it in sections later. “We will probably try to acquire some of the cemetery property this year and in some of the budget next year we will try to start developing,” Welch said.
The extension of 4th Street has also been discussed in detail. Welch said the city has already acquired the needed right of ways from property owners to begin the project, but will first have to relocate several facilities before beginning the construction.
“We are going to have to relocate two ball fields that are used extensively during the parks and recreation's season and the city yard,” Welch said. This project will require a lot of time and planning. Welch expected the city to begin relocating the facilities this year and begin the developing in stages next year.
“When we start talking about doing these big projects we have to have an anticipation of, where are going to put people. What are we going to do with the city yard? What are we going to do with the ball fields?” Welch said.
The council has also begun planning for special departmental needs such as new vehicles and machinery. “We came in there with a list of the thing that all the different department heads think that we need,” Welch said.
“What we were attempting to do is to do a little brainstorming and get our priorities in line so when the city administrator starts to put together a budget he can anticipate what we're looking at,” Welch said.
Counsel members will have some preliminary figures for the budget this week and they will hold special budgetary meetings on July 24 and 26 to finalize the budget, said Michael Marter, Whitesboro City Administrator.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Fourth of July Rodeo postponed due to unusually heavy rains
Fireworks are not the only thing that the unusually heavy rains are putting a damper on this year. The Whitesboro Riding Club has decided to postpone this year’s 4th of July weekend rodeo. The rodeo has been rescheduled for the August 24 and 25.
Organizer did not make the decision hastily. “It’s the first time in 49 years, that I know of, that its been postponed,” said Trent West, Whitesboro Riding Club spokesperson.
“It’s all due to the weather,” West said. Organizers are concerned that the area that is normally used for parking would be too wet and participant would be unable to bring in livestock because of the mud. Organizers also expressed concern for the safety of the livestock.
“The main reason is the safety and the inconvenience of pulling people in and pulling people out, damaging cars and hurting livestock,” West said. Organizers have also had difficulty organizing with the volunteers due to the flooding.
Even though the rodeo has been postponed organizers do not expect the later date to negatively effect the turn out. They are very optimistic. West said that he thought the turn out for the rodeo in August might be even better than if it were held at its regular time in July. “We think with our queen contest we’ll have a real good [turn out],” West said.
The later date might positively affect the number of rodeo participants as well. “It’s a possibility that we will have a lot of contestants to compete to go to the finals [in November] that are going to be trying to get their points,” West said.
Those who have bought tickets for the original date should hold onto them. Organizers will still honor them in August. They will also make new tickets for the later date.
Organizer did not make the decision hastily. “It’s the first time in 49 years, that I know of, that its been postponed,” said Trent West, Whitesboro Riding Club spokesperson.
“It’s all due to the weather,” West said. Organizers are concerned that the area that is normally used for parking would be too wet and participant would be unable to bring in livestock because of the mud. Organizers also expressed concern for the safety of the livestock.
“The main reason is the safety and the inconvenience of pulling people in and pulling people out, damaging cars and hurting livestock,” West said. Organizers have also had difficulty organizing with the volunteers due to the flooding.
Even though the rodeo has been postponed organizers do not expect the later date to negatively effect the turn out. They are very optimistic. West said that he thought the turn out for the rodeo in August might be even better than if it were held at its regular time in July. “We think with our queen contest we’ll have a real good [turn out],” West said.
The later date might positively affect the number of rodeo participants as well. “It’s a possibility that we will have a lot of contestants to compete to go to the finals [in November] that are going to be trying to get their points,” West said.
Those who have bought tickets for the original date should hold onto them. Organizers will still honor them in August. They will also make new tickets for the later date.
Great Race to make Whitesboro pit stop
On Friday, July 6, eighty cars will pull into Whitesboro and stop at Trollinger Park. The cars will begin arriving at 3:45 p.m. and the last car will leave at 5:45p.m. They are participants in the Great Race.
The Race is a 4,000-mile cross-country competition of time that tests the endurance of classic cars. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Great Race, which was originally, known as the “Interstate Batteries Great American Race” at its creation in 1983. It was renamed “The Interstate Batteries Great North American Race” when Ottawa, Canada and Mexico City were included in the route in 1995. Then in 1996, “American” was removed when it was discovered that Daytona 500 officials used the trademarked name.
In its history, the Race has stopped at more than 1,000 places in 44 states and 606 cities. Participants have visited 36 state capitals and crossed the country 24 times. Race drivers have driven over 9.6 million miles and the race has awarded $6,000,000 in prize money over the history of the race, according to Great Race press releases.
“When Norm Miller of Interstate Batteries and Tom McRae founded the race 25 years ago, I’m sure they couldn’t have imagined the race lasting this long. As we begin our next 25 years with many new and exciting endeavors, we felt in important to honor the race’s history by celebrating the spirit of adventure founded in 1983,” said Bill Ewing, CEO for Rally Partners, Inc., on the Great Race website (www.greatrace.com). Rally Partners, Inc. is the organizer for the Great Race.
However, the Race’s history goes back farther than 25 years. The Great Race commemorates the 1908 race in which six automotive teams from four counties set out to prove the reliability of automotive technology. The Perking to Paris race that occurred in 1907 inspired the “Greatest Auto Race” of 1908. The 1908 teams traveled from New York City to Paris.
Le Matin, a Swiss newspaper, and The New York Times organized the race. Both organizers wanted to design the toughest race they could. Many people at the time said that it was impossible, especially when automotive technology was still in its infancy.
On February 12, 1908, six of the most advanced automobiles of the time lined up in Time Square, New York City. The teams represented France, Germany, Italy and the United States. The 17 men were anxious to prove themselves and their machines. There were three different teams from France and one each from Germany, Italy and the United States.
As teams left New York, they entered a snowstorm. The weather was so severe that some of the teams were forced to drive on railroad tracks. Only four teams made it across the continent to San Francisco with the American team first.
The next leg of the race was a ship ride to Anchorage, Alaska where competitors were to drive across the Bering Straight, but deep snow in Alaska caused race officials to re-route the U.S. team to Seattle and then to Japan.
The race was very popular. Drivers found spectators all along the route cheering them on. The race was even as popular as the 1908 Olympic games, according the Great Race website.
After three continents, 22,000 miles and six months, the U.S., German and Italian teams finished the race in Paris, proving that even early automotive technology could withstand rigorous travel around the world.
The U.S. team was named winner even though it was the second car to arrive in Paris, thanks to a 15-day advantage for attempting to follow the original Alaska route and the German’s 15-day penalty for shipping their car by railcar.
Great Race officials will recreate the original 1908 race next year in honor of the 100th anniversary. The 100th anniversary Race will begin on May 30, 2008 in New York City and is scheduled to finish on August 2 at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The New York to Paris race participants will travel 21,931 miles, which includes 9,700 miles flying from North American to Asia. The rest of the race will be by car.
The 2008 race will be divided into three stages: North American, Asia and Europe. The race will bring participants through cities, which include Moscow; Beijing; Ottawa, Canada and New York City.
The Race is a 4,000-mile cross-country competition of time that tests the endurance of classic cars. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Great Race, which was originally, known as the “Interstate Batteries Great American Race” at its creation in 1983. It was renamed “The Interstate Batteries Great North American Race” when Ottawa, Canada and Mexico City were included in the route in 1995. Then in 1996, “American” was removed when it was discovered that Daytona 500 officials used the trademarked name.
In its history, the Race has stopped at more than 1,000 places in 44 states and 606 cities. Participants have visited 36 state capitals and crossed the country 24 times. Race drivers have driven over 9.6 million miles and the race has awarded $6,000,000 in prize money over the history of the race, according to Great Race press releases.
“When Norm Miller of Interstate Batteries and Tom McRae founded the race 25 years ago, I’m sure they couldn’t have imagined the race lasting this long. As we begin our next 25 years with many new and exciting endeavors, we felt in important to honor the race’s history by celebrating the spirit of adventure founded in 1983,” said Bill Ewing, CEO for Rally Partners, Inc., on the Great Race website (www.greatrace.com). Rally Partners, Inc. is the organizer for the Great Race.
However, the Race’s history goes back farther than 25 years. The Great Race commemorates the 1908 race in which six automotive teams from four counties set out to prove the reliability of automotive technology. The Perking to Paris race that occurred in 1907 inspired the “Greatest Auto Race” of 1908. The 1908 teams traveled from New York City to Paris.
Le Matin, a Swiss newspaper, and The New York Times organized the race. Both organizers wanted to design the toughest race they could. Many people at the time said that it was impossible, especially when automotive technology was still in its infancy.
On February 12, 1908, six of the most advanced automobiles of the time lined up in Time Square, New York City. The teams represented France, Germany, Italy and the United States. The 17 men were anxious to prove themselves and their machines. There were three different teams from France and one each from Germany, Italy and the United States.
As teams left New York, they entered a snowstorm. The weather was so severe that some of the teams were forced to drive on railroad tracks. Only four teams made it across the continent to San Francisco with the American team first.
The next leg of the race was a ship ride to Anchorage, Alaska where competitors were to drive across the Bering Straight, but deep snow in Alaska caused race officials to re-route the U.S. team to Seattle and then to Japan.
The race was very popular. Drivers found spectators all along the route cheering them on. The race was even as popular as the 1908 Olympic games, according the Great Race website.
After three continents, 22,000 miles and six months, the U.S., German and Italian teams finished the race in Paris, proving that even early automotive technology could withstand rigorous travel around the world.
The U.S. team was named winner even though it was the second car to arrive in Paris, thanks to a 15-day advantage for attempting to follow the original Alaska route and the German’s 15-day penalty for shipping their car by railcar.
Great Race officials will recreate the original 1908 race next year in honor of the 100th anniversary. The 100th anniversary Race will begin on May 30, 2008 in New York City and is scheduled to finish on August 2 at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The New York to Paris race participants will travel 21,931 miles, which includes 9,700 miles flying from North American to Asia. The rest of the race will be by car.
The 2008 race will be divided into three stages: North American, Asia and Europe. The race will bring participants through cities, which include Moscow; Beijing; Ottawa, Canada and New York City.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Sherman Care Center residents relocated to Whitesboro Health and Rehab Center
Last week’s flooding displaced hundreds of people from their homes in Grayson and Cooke counties. Among those people displaced were 19 men and women who were evacuated from Mission Oaks Care Center in Sherman. These residents were relocated to Whitesboro Health and Rehabilitation Center after a long and frightening day, weathering the storm.
Residents awoke to the sound of torrential rain, but continued about their day as usual. Many of the residents went to the dinning hall where they waited for breakfast. Some of the residents like Jerry Bailey were unable to sleep through the night because of the high winds and pelting rains. “That night I didn’t feel safe,” Bailey said.
The wind and water was so powerful that it broke the glass in the door at the end of the hall that ran parallel to the creek near the center. “It sounded like a shotgun,” Bailey said. At that point, water began to fill the lobby very quickly.
At about 8 a.m. a few residents, like Molly Blanton, were still sleeping when water began to fill the lower parts of the center. “I jumped up and put on my tennis shoes,” said Blanton. She stepped down onto the floor in ankle deep water. “It was horrible, we got up and everything was flooded,” said Jessie Ramsey, Mission Oaks resident.
Residents were moved to a slightly higher part of the facility, which was up a ramp where the sixth hall was located. Then they were left with nothing to do but wait for rescue workers. It was very frightening for the residents. “[E]verything got chaotic, there was no organization or anything,” Blanton said. “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through.”
Residents crowded into the hall awaiting rescue as the water continued to rise. It eventually began to reach their ankles even in the higher area of the center and was waist deep in the lobby area.
When rescue workers were able to begin evacuations of the facility they were forced to take the residents through the high water. “We had to go through the lobby it was full of water,” Bailey said.
“It was hard to wade through with a walker. There were chairs that had fallen down,” said Eva Estes another Mission Oaks resident.
“They had to pull me out underwater,” said Bailey. He and several other residents who use wheelchairs for mobility were actually submerged in the water as rescue workers pushed them out of the center. Workers gave them oxygen masks, which allowed them to breathe while they were underwater.
Workers evacuated all 105 residents from the facility safely and took them to Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman. “They were working as hard as they could to get us out,” Bailey said. Residents were then able to get into dry clothes and relax in a place where they felt safe. “I slept like a log when I got there,” said Charlie Vent, Mission Oaks resident.
On Tuesday morning, administrators from near-by senior care centers were asked to come and evaluate the evacuated residents in order to provide centers for them to relocate to. Administrators completed the appropriate paper work and called the families to get permission to relocate the residents.
Residents arrived with very little. “They came with just what they had on,” said Sue Allen, Whitesboro Health and Rehabilitation Center Administrator. “We've been able to give them some outfits of clothing from donations and we've also bought some things.”
The relocated residents are now comfortable in the Whitesboro center where they are overflowing with gratitude. “I didn’t have a pair of pants or a shirt or anything. These people helped me out. They really care,” Bailey said.
Mission Oaks administrators have set up an office at Wilson N. Jones for families and residents to call if they have any questions. They are working to return the salvageable clothing and electronics of the residents. “They've taken all the clothes that could be saved to be cleaned and the electronics have been taken to be tested,” said Linda King, Mission Oaks Director of Nursing.
Administrators are pushing to have Mission Oaks reopened in three months. However, the 19 residents at Whitesboro Health and Rehabilitation Center are not concerned with when Mission Oaks will reopen, many say they do not plan to return. They are happy passing their time playing bingo and exploring their new home, even if it is only temporary.
And residents can’t stop complementing and thanking its staff. “I'd just like to say that the people that are here are the greatest people,” Blanton said tearfully.
Residents awoke to the sound of torrential rain, but continued about their day as usual. Many of the residents went to the dinning hall where they waited for breakfast. Some of the residents like Jerry Bailey were unable to sleep through the night because of the high winds and pelting rains. “That night I didn’t feel safe,” Bailey said.
The wind and water was so powerful that it broke the glass in the door at the end of the hall that ran parallel to the creek near the center. “It sounded like a shotgun,” Bailey said. At that point, water began to fill the lobby very quickly.
At about 8 a.m. a few residents, like Molly Blanton, were still sleeping when water began to fill the lower parts of the center. “I jumped up and put on my tennis shoes,” said Blanton. She stepped down onto the floor in ankle deep water. “It was horrible, we got up and everything was flooded,” said Jessie Ramsey, Mission Oaks resident.
Residents were moved to a slightly higher part of the facility, which was up a ramp where the sixth hall was located. Then they were left with nothing to do but wait for rescue workers. It was very frightening for the residents. “[E]verything got chaotic, there was no organization or anything,” Blanton said. “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through.”
Residents crowded into the hall awaiting rescue as the water continued to rise. It eventually began to reach their ankles even in the higher area of the center and was waist deep in the lobby area.
When rescue workers were able to begin evacuations of the facility they were forced to take the residents through the high water. “We had to go through the lobby it was full of water,” Bailey said.
“It was hard to wade through with a walker. There were chairs that had fallen down,” said Eva Estes another Mission Oaks resident.
“They had to pull me out underwater,” said Bailey. He and several other residents who use wheelchairs for mobility were actually submerged in the water as rescue workers pushed them out of the center. Workers gave them oxygen masks, which allowed them to breathe while they were underwater.
Workers evacuated all 105 residents from the facility safely and took them to Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman. “They were working as hard as they could to get us out,” Bailey said. Residents were then able to get into dry clothes and relax in a place where they felt safe. “I slept like a log when I got there,” said Charlie Vent, Mission Oaks resident.
On Tuesday morning, administrators from near-by senior care centers were asked to come and evaluate the evacuated residents in order to provide centers for them to relocate to. Administrators completed the appropriate paper work and called the families to get permission to relocate the residents.
Residents arrived with very little. “They came with just what they had on,” said Sue Allen, Whitesboro Health and Rehabilitation Center Administrator. “We've been able to give them some outfits of clothing from donations and we've also bought some things.”
The relocated residents are now comfortable in the Whitesboro center where they are overflowing with gratitude. “I didn’t have a pair of pants or a shirt or anything. These people helped me out. They really care,” Bailey said.
Mission Oaks administrators have set up an office at Wilson N. Jones for families and residents to call if they have any questions. They are working to return the salvageable clothing and electronics of the residents. “They've taken all the clothes that could be saved to be cleaned and the electronics have been taken to be tested,” said Linda King, Mission Oaks Director of Nursing.
Administrators are pushing to have Mission Oaks reopened in three months. However, the 19 residents at Whitesboro Health and Rehabilitation Center are not concerned with when Mission Oaks will reopen, many say they do not plan to return. They are happy passing their time playing bingo and exploring their new home, even if it is only temporary.
And residents can’t stop complementing and thanking its staff. “I'd just like to say that the people that are here are the greatest people,” Blanton said tearfully.
Daytime burglar confesses
Grayson County authorities arrested Charles Edward Martin for a number of unsolved Grayson County burglaries over the past year. He confessed to the charges. “He was forthcoming on everything,” said Scott Taylor, Whitesboro Police Chief. Martin has been arraigned on 18 counts of burglary of a habitation in Grayson County and is being charged with eight more counts in Whitesboro.
The burglaries in Whitesboro began around June 2006 and occurred mostly during the day. The perpetrator was taking jewelry and targeting bedrooms. The Whitesboro police officials had limited leads at the time. “Daytime burglaries are hard to prevent unless you catch them kicking the door in,” Taylor said.
Whitesboro authorities then decided to use the media to caution citizens of the danger. Following the publishing of the department’s information, the burglaries subsided until March 2007 when another burglary occurred that fit the MO.
Authorities arrested Martin on July 15. He was able to take police to the homes that he burglarized and talk them through what he could remember. “He took me to the houses he broke into and described how he did things,” said Taylor. “He forced in the door[s] with his shoulder and went to the bedrooms.”
Taylor estimated that Martin had stolen more than $10,000 worth of jewelry in the Whitesboro burglaries alone. “[Martin] had some drug use, that was a contributing factor,” said Taylor. Martin was melting the gold and silver and then selling it in the Dallas area, said Taylor.
Martin also confessed to burglarizing the Whitesboro middle school where he took some computers and projectors. Authorities were able to recover at least one of the projectors, however.
“I’m just glad we got it solved,” Taylor said. “It was a thorn in our side; a lot of citizens felt unsafe.” Martin, 36, is a resident of the Gordonville area and is being held on $5,000 bail for each count of burglary.
The burglaries in Whitesboro began around June 2006 and occurred mostly during the day. The perpetrator was taking jewelry and targeting bedrooms. The Whitesboro police officials had limited leads at the time. “Daytime burglaries are hard to prevent unless you catch them kicking the door in,” Taylor said.
Whitesboro authorities then decided to use the media to caution citizens of the danger. Following the publishing of the department’s information, the burglaries subsided until March 2007 when another burglary occurred that fit the MO.
Authorities arrested Martin on July 15. He was able to take police to the homes that he burglarized and talk them through what he could remember. “He took me to the houses he broke into and described how he did things,” said Taylor. “He forced in the door[s] with his shoulder and went to the bedrooms.”
Taylor estimated that Martin had stolen more than $10,000 worth of jewelry in the Whitesboro burglaries alone. “[Martin] had some drug use, that was a contributing factor,” said Taylor. Martin was melting the gold and silver and then selling it in the Dallas area, said Taylor.
Martin also confessed to burglarizing the Whitesboro middle school where he took some computers and projectors. Authorities were able to recover at least one of the projectors, however.
“I’m just glad we got it solved,” Taylor said. “It was a thorn in our side; a lot of citizens felt unsafe.” Martin, 36, is a resident of the Gordonville area and is being held on $5,000 bail for each count of burglary.
Whitesboro will be pit stop for cross-country race
The 25th annual Great Race will make a pit stop in Whitesboro on July 6. The Race is a 4,000-mile cross-country competition of time that tests the endurance of classic cars. The official pit stop will be at Trollinger Park where all cars are required to stop for 30 minutes.
This is a great time for spectators to see the cars and even talk to the drivers. “If you're a car buff they love to talk about their vehicle,” said Janis Crawley, Economic Development Director and former president of the Whitesboro area Chamber of Commerce.
The Race commemorates the 1908 race in which six automotive teams from four counties set out to prove the reliability of automotive technology. The 1908 teams traveled from New York City to Paris, France. Today’s race will involve about 80 teams driving cars ranging from a 1910 Selden Raceabout to a 1969 Porsche 911T. “The Race is really about adventure on the open roads of American,” said Bill Ewing, CEO of Rally Partners Inc., in a Great Race press release. Rally Partners Inc. is the organizer of the competition.
The Great Race is not a race for the fastest time, but rather for the “perfect” time, which is determined by a computer before the race. Competitors strive to match this time.
Twenty minutes before the start of each day the teams are given instructions for the day’s course which include every start, stop, speed change and turn instruction, as many as 400 instructions. The instructions are highly detailed, but do not contain any street names or highway numbers. For example, “At stop sign, pause for 15 seconds, turn left, then proceed at 45 mph.”
The race teams consist of a driver and a navigator. The navigator is responsible for keeping the driver on-route with very limited tools at his or her disposal. The teams must rely on a pencil, paper, a state-of-the-art speedometer, stopwatch, time-of-day clock and their sense of direction to stay on course. Teams come are all ages, all income levels, and from all over the world. From a junior high student, last years winning navigator, to NASCAR team owner Jack Roush.
Race coordinators secretly locate checkpoints through out the course to check competitors’ speeds as they drive by the checkpoints. The competitors are penalized for every second they are early or late. Officials then multiply the total by a different number depending upon the age of the car. The competitors are awarded points based on each day’s finishing position and bonus points for zero scores throughout the race. The Grand Champion is the team that has the highest score at the end of the day.
This year’s race is special because not only is it the 25th year of the race, but it will also include alternative-fuel and hybrid powered vehicles to prove the technology in real world driving conditions. This new and special part of the race, the Innovation Cup, will have scoring that is a 50/50 ratio of fuel efficiency and the traditional precision driving.
“The Great Race was founded to celebrate people’s love affair with the automobile. The 25th Anniversary Great Race celebrates that love affair by including the next generation of automobile in a competition alongside historically significant classic automobile,” Ewing said.
The race will begin in Concord, N.C. on June 30 and end in Anaheim, Calif. on July 14. Competitors will stop in 45 different locations for pit stops, lunches and overnight stays with one day off in Irving, Texas. Participants are competing for a $350,000 prize.
The Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring a Cruise Night and other activities on July 6. “Since the great race is coming into town we decided to incorporate a Whitesboro cruise night into that,” said Dave Blaylock, Whitesboro area Chamber of Commerce Great Race committee member. “[T]his benefits the businesses that are open at the time.”
Activities, which include a car display, games, a live remote with KMAD and the cruise, will begin at 3:30 p.m. and last until 10:00 p.m. The Chamber hopes to make the Cruse Night an annual event.
The Great Race cars will begin arriving at 3:45 p.m. with the last car leaving at 5:45 p.m. “We're really excited because this is the first time for Whitesboro to do this. And it reaches a whole different group of people than the Peanut Festival,” said Lynda Anderson Chamber staff.
This is a great time for spectators to see the cars and even talk to the drivers. “If you're a car buff they love to talk about their vehicle,” said Janis Crawley, Economic Development Director and former president of the Whitesboro area Chamber of Commerce.
The Race commemorates the 1908 race in which six automotive teams from four counties set out to prove the reliability of automotive technology. The 1908 teams traveled from New York City to Paris, France. Today’s race will involve about 80 teams driving cars ranging from a 1910 Selden Raceabout to a 1969 Porsche 911T. “The Race is really about adventure on the open roads of American,” said Bill Ewing, CEO of Rally Partners Inc., in a Great Race press release. Rally Partners Inc. is the organizer of the competition.
The Great Race is not a race for the fastest time, but rather for the “perfect” time, which is determined by a computer before the race. Competitors strive to match this time.
Twenty minutes before the start of each day the teams are given instructions for the day’s course which include every start, stop, speed change and turn instruction, as many as 400 instructions. The instructions are highly detailed, but do not contain any street names or highway numbers. For example, “At stop sign, pause for 15 seconds, turn left, then proceed at 45 mph.”
The race teams consist of a driver and a navigator. The navigator is responsible for keeping the driver on-route with very limited tools at his or her disposal. The teams must rely on a pencil, paper, a state-of-the-art speedometer, stopwatch, time-of-day clock and their sense of direction to stay on course. Teams come are all ages, all income levels, and from all over the world. From a junior high student, last years winning navigator, to NASCAR team owner Jack Roush.
Race coordinators secretly locate checkpoints through out the course to check competitors’ speeds as they drive by the checkpoints. The competitors are penalized for every second they are early or late. Officials then multiply the total by a different number depending upon the age of the car. The competitors are awarded points based on each day’s finishing position and bonus points for zero scores throughout the race. The Grand Champion is the team that has the highest score at the end of the day.
This year’s race is special because not only is it the 25th year of the race, but it will also include alternative-fuel and hybrid powered vehicles to prove the technology in real world driving conditions. This new and special part of the race, the Innovation Cup, will have scoring that is a 50/50 ratio of fuel efficiency and the traditional precision driving.
“The Great Race was founded to celebrate people’s love affair with the automobile. The 25th Anniversary Great Race celebrates that love affair by including the next generation of automobile in a competition alongside historically significant classic automobile,” Ewing said.
The race will begin in Concord, N.C. on June 30 and end in Anaheim, Calif. on July 14. Competitors will stop in 45 different locations for pit stops, lunches and overnight stays with one day off in Irving, Texas. Participants are competing for a $350,000 prize.
The Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring a Cruise Night and other activities on July 6. “Since the great race is coming into town we decided to incorporate a Whitesboro cruise night into that,” said Dave Blaylock, Whitesboro area Chamber of Commerce Great Race committee member. “[T]his benefits the businesses that are open at the time.”
Activities, which include a car display, games, a live remote with KMAD and the cruise, will begin at 3:30 p.m. and last until 10:00 p.m. The Chamber hopes to make the Cruse Night an annual event.
The Great Race cars will begin arriving at 3:45 p.m. with the last car leaving at 5:45 p.m. “We're really excited because this is the first time for Whitesboro to do this. And it reaches a whole different group of people than the Peanut Festival,” said Lynda Anderson Chamber staff.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Flooding keeps Emergency Workers busy Monday
Firefighters, aided by TxDot and county workers were busy closing roads early Monday morning. The closed roads included Highway 377, Highway 82 and Highway 56.
Due to the large number of road closures Whitesboro actually became an “island” for a short time, during which residents were unable to leave the area.
Officials were also busy evacuating people from flooded homes to the community center. Along with all of these responsibilities, firefighters had a number of water rescues. In Southmayd on Spalding Road, north of Highway 82 was where one of these rescues occurred.
Five teen ages had decided to go down to the creek “to check out high water,” said Dennis Deckard, Collinsville Fire Department Assistant Chief. They waded out into the water, but when they got into the high water, it rose quickly and stranded them. They then called for help.
The teenagers were eventually rescued thanks to the help of local citizens who used their wave runners to ferry them to safety. No one was injured.
By early afternoon Fire Officials were able to reopen most closed roads however, some roads will remain closed awaiting repairs. The rushing water caused severe damage to a number of roads in the area.
Officials estimate that the Whitesboro area received about eight inches of rain.
Due to the large number of road closures Whitesboro actually became an “island” for a short time, during which residents were unable to leave the area.
Officials were also busy evacuating people from flooded homes to the community center. Along with all of these responsibilities, firefighters had a number of water rescues. In Southmayd on Spalding Road, north of Highway 82 was where one of these rescues occurred.
Five teen ages had decided to go down to the creek “to check out high water,” said Dennis Deckard, Collinsville Fire Department Assistant Chief. They waded out into the water, but when they got into the high water, it rose quickly and stranded them. They then called for help.
The teenagers were eventually rescued thanks to the help of local citizens who used their wave runners to ferry them to safety. No one was injured.
By early afternoon Fire Officials were able to reopen most closed roads however, some roads will remain closed awaiting repairs. The rushing water caused severe damage to a number of roads in the area.
Officials estimate that the Whitesboro area received about eight inches of rain.
Grayson Judge issues disaster declaration Monday evening
Grayson County Judge Drue Bynum issued a Disaster Declaration for Grayson County in a press conference on Monday evening. “It will help us to continue to get the assistance that we need,” said Bynum. The declaration will last no more than seven days. “It helps us recover a recoup costs,” Bynum said.
There is no official estimate of the cost of the disaster available yet. “We’re steadily putting those numbers together, but I do know just from a road and bridge stand point you're probably looking at several hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
In addition to the monetary costs of this disaster, two people in Sherman lost their lives, many more were displaced from their homes and providing for them is the county’s first priority. “We've got to make sure they're taken care of,” Bynum said.
Bynum estimated that residents should be able to return to their homes in the next few days, but he said that some residences throughout the county might not be fit for occupying. He said that the fire departments are going to have to make those decisions.
Even though the efforts of the county have not been perfect officials seem satisfied with the performance of emergency personnel, the local government officials and citizens. “There are obviously a lot of lessons to be learned. When you have an emergency or disaster in a county the size of Grayson we're not going to do every thing right. But with that said, I feel like our team reacted very well,” Bynum said.
Practice for emergency situations seems to be at least part of the reason for the effective response. “We had started to practice a scenario very similar to this about a month a half ago,” Bynum said. “We practice every Thursday.”
In order to prevent further situations Bynum asked citizens to be careful when driving and not to play or swim in floodwater areas. “Caution still needs to be applied even as water continues to recede,” Bynum said.
Over the next few days, Grayson County Emergency Management will assess the damages of uninsured losses. Citizens are asked to report damages that should be included by calling 903-813-4248 or emailing flood@co.grayson.tx.us. For shelter information and other disaster assistance citizens can call 211.
People who would like to aid in the recovery process can make donation to the Grayson County United Way. The funds will be divided equally between the Texoma Area Chapter of the Red Cross and our local Salvation Army.
There is no official estimate of the cost of the disaster available yet. “We’re steadily putting those numbers together, but I do know just from a road and bridge stand point you're probably looking at several hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
In addition to the monetary costs of this disaster, two people in Sherman lost their lives, many more were displaced from their homes and providing for them is the county’s first priority. “We've got to make sure they're taken care of,” Bynum said.
Bynum estimated that residents should be able to return to their homes in the next few days, but he said that some residences throughout the county might not be fit for occupying. He said that the fire departments are going to have to make those decisions.
Even though the efforts of the county have not been perfect officials seem satisfied with the performance of emergency personnel, the local government officials and citizens. “There are obviously a lot of lessons to be learned. When you have an emergency or disaster in a county the size of Grayson we're not going to do every thing right. But with that said, I feel like our team reacted very well,” Bynum said.
Practice for emergency situations seems to be at least part of the reason for the effective response. “We had started to practice a scenario very similar to this about a month a half ago,” Bynum said. “We practice every Thursday.”
In order to prevent further situations Bynum asked citizens to be careful when driving and not to play or swim in floodwater areas. “Caution still needs to be applied even as water continues to recede,” Bynum said.
Over the next few days, Grayson County Emergency Management will assess the damages of uninsured losses. Citizens are asked to report damages that should be included by calling 903-813-4248 or emailing flood@co.grayson.tx.us. For shelter information and other disaster assistance citizens can call 211.
People who would like to aid in the recovery process can make donation to the Grayson County United Way. The funds will be divided equally between the Texoma Area Chapter of the Red Cross and our local Salvation Army.
Fire destroys home near Sherwood Shores; woman left homeless
Another fire destroyed a home near Sherwood Shores. The fire occurred near the intersection of Ham Bates Road and Dairy Lane a very short distance from the Cooke, Grayson County Line. There was no one injured in the fire, however the owner did lose several pets that were in the house at the time, said Ron Blackwell, Sherwood Shores Fire ChiefThe Sherwood Shores Fire Department received the call at about 3 p.m. from a member of the department who works in the area and saw the smoke. Sherwood Shores was joined by Gordonville, Whitesboro, Callisburg, and Oak Ridge fire departments.
When fire officials arrived the house was “well involved” and was a total loss. Due to the location of the home, firefighters struggled to keep water on scene. They were forced to send tanker trucks back and forth to Sherwood Shores to get more water. This caused some delay extinguishing the fire.
Officials are calling this a “suspicious fire” and have called the State Fire Marshalls office to investigate. This fire comes at a time when state fire officials are still investigating another fire in the area where arson is suspected.
The house, which was two stories over the garage, was owned by Jay Turner, but was rented by Angela Tetrick who not home at the time.
Mother and baby among victims rescued
A woman in her early 30s and her 4-month-old child were among the many victims rescued from high water throughout North Central Texas on Monday. The woman was attempting to cross the bridge near Range Creek Road on F.M. 902 about four miles east of Collinsville, said Captain Damon Stewart, Collinsville Fire Department.The woman’s Dodge Durango was incapable of forging the extremely high water caused by the severe weather Monday morning and the water swept it out into the creek. At 9:46 a.m. the Collinsville Fire Department received a call alerting them of the situation and arrived at 10 a.m. after making a high water crossing to reach the scene, Stewart said.
Firefighters were unable to make contact with the woman because their view was obstructed by trees and were, therefore, forced to use Lifestar to make visual contact. “We were having to use life star for visual support,” Stewart said.
Lifestar reported that the woman and her child were on top of the vehicle, which had been overturned by rushing water. At 11:10 a.m., fire officials made the decision to put men in the water on a line in an attempt to reach the woman, however, the attempt failed due to the swift currents.
Collinsville then called the Gordonville Fire Department to the scene with their wave runners. Gordonville arrived and launched their wave runners at 11:27a.m. However, this attempt was also unsuccessful. The wave runners were incapable of battling the current.
The Gunter Fire Department, which was stationed on the east side of the bridge, launched a private boat to attempt a rescue shortly after the wave runners failed. The boat was boarded by several firefighters and they began battling the current to reach the woman and her child.
The boat returned, shortly, with two additional passengers. Firefighters rushed the infant and woman to a waiting ambulance, which took the victims to a local hospital at 11:49 a.m. Neither victim was injured.
Through the combined efforts of Grayson county fire departments, EMS,
Lifestar, a private citizen and a number of unsuccessful attempts, firefighters were able to save the woman and her child. “We used all means that we had access to,” Stewart said.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Whitesboro City Council convenes Tuesday night
The Whitesboro City Council met Tuesday night to cover items on a long agenda. All council members were present excluding Mark Pike. The meeting began with the regular meeting items.
Then Mayor W.D. Welch and Alderman Jim Keller took oaths accepting the responsibility of their newly re-elected positions. The board then took the time to appoint council members to various positions and committees.
Alderman Harold Butts was elected treasurer. Butts and Alderman Mike Pack were elected to the Bill Screening Committee. Alderman Charles Whitecotton and Alderman Mark Pike were elected to the Utility Committee. Alderman Mark Pike was nominated for the Texoma Council of Government. Finally, Alderman Jim Keller was re-elected as Mayor Pro Tem. The board reappointed the current municipal judges and the court clerk. The board also agreed to continue with its current meeting time.
The board discussed action for a number of deteriorating properties throughout the city as well as extra property the city is considering selling. Specifically the board agreed to begin condemnation proceedings with the property at 806 East Main Street. The board will hold a public hearing at the next council meeting.
The board voted to award the bid, for about $286,000, for the construction of the “eastside outfall from Highway 377 to U.S. Highway 82.” The board declared the office of the City Secretary as “the official site for filing publications, agenda, notices, minutes and other official records of committees, boards and corporations affiliated with the city of Whitesboro.”
Finally, the board entered executive session where they deliberated on personnel matters and about “real property.” The board appointed a committee to begin working on the acquisition of property for the cemetery.
Then Mayor W.D. Welch and Alderman Jim Keller took oaths accepting the responsibility of their newly re-elected positions. The board then took the time to appoint council members to various positions and committees.
Alderman Harold Butts was elected treasurer. Butts and Alderman Mike Pack were elected to the Bill Screening Committee. Alderman Charles Whitecotton and Alderman Mark Pike were elected to the Utility Committee. Alderman Mark Pike was nominated for the Texoma Council of Government. Finally, Alderman Jim Keller was re-elected as Mayor Pro Tem. The board reappointed the current municipal judges and the court clerk. The board also agreed to continue with its current meeting time.
The board discussed action for a number of deteriorating properties throughout the city as well as extra property the city is considering selling. Specifically the board agreed to begin condemnation proceedings with the property at 806 East Main Street. The board will hold a public hearing at the next council meeting.
The board voted to award the bid, for about $286,000, for the construction of the “eastside outfall from Highway 377 to U.S. Highway 82.” The board declared the office of the City Secretary as “the official site for filing publications, agenda, notices, minutes and other official records of committees, boards and corporations affiliated with the city of Whitesboro.”
Finally, the board entered executive session where they deliberated on personnel matters and about “real property.” The board appointed a committee to begin working on the acquisition of property for the cemetery.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
City provides Youth Employment and Training Program for students
Every summer a few select high school students get the opportunity to earn a little spending money and gain invaluable experience. The city of Whitesboro provides both to the students through its Youth Employment and Training Program.
The program was started in 1994 as a way “to introduce local youth, ages 15 to 19, to the work force, provide some experience and job readiness training, and provide additional temporary labor for the city,” according to a 1996 press release.
The program won the 1996 Criminal Justice Award for Community Service and although the goals of the program are the same, it has evolved since 1996. The program now employees fewer students and the interview are performed by the individual departments instead of a committee of city employees.
However, these changes do not diminish the benefits of the program. Students still benefit from experiencing the job application process since all the students that apply are interviewed. “I like to visit with them [after the interview], because for most of them it’s their very first interview. I'll go over things like posture,” said Penny Renfroe, director of parks and recreation. “So then, it's a learning experience for them, whether they get a position or not, there is something to be gained.”
The department of parks and recreation employs two student workers and they are responsible for organizing, planning and implementing the day camps.
“They get some good organizational experience from that, because they plan it out. They get some good budgeting experience. And they get some good hands on experience to work with kids, to deal with discipline issues, and making sure everyone's on task. Their experience is very well rounded,” said Renfroe.
The program also allows students to gain experience in fields that they may have a career interest in. Until last year, Natalie Kirby worked part time at the library. She was employed or volunteered since she was 12-years-old. She is now continuing her education in college and has expressed interest in library science. She was able to explore her interests through the student work program, said Ginger Garvin, library director.
Not only is the program beneficial for the students, but it is also beneficial for the city. “They [the students] are invaluable,” Garvin said.
The library is employing five student workers this year, primarily to help with the summer reading program. “They help us get ready for the programs and they help coral the kids during the programs,” Garvin said.
Although the program no longer employs as many students, it is still effective in training students and providing valuable seasonal staff for the city. “It's been a lifesaver for us. It helps the community, and it helps the kids,” Garvin said.
The program was started in 1994 as a way “to introduce local youth, ages 15 to 19, to the work force, provide some experience and job readiness training, and provide additional temporary labor for the city,” according to a 1996 press release.
The program won the 1996 Criminal Justice Award for Community Service and although the goals of the program are the same, it has evolved since 1996. The program now employees fewer students and the interview are performed by the individual departments instead of a committee of city employees.
However, these changes do not diminish the benefits of the program. Students still benefit from experiencing the job application process since all the students that apply are interviewed. “I like to visit with them [after the interview], because for most of them it’s their very first interview. I'll go over things like posture,” said Penny Renfroe, director of parks and recreation. “So then, it's a learning experience for them, whether they get a position or not, there is something to be gained.”
The department of parks and recreation employs two student workers and they are responsible for organizing, planning and implementing the day camps.
“They get some good organizational experience from that, because they plan it out. They get some good budgeting experience. And they get some good hands on experience to work with kids, to deal with discipline issues, and making sure everyone's on task. Their experience is very well rounded,” said Renfroe.
The program also allows students to gain experience in fields that they may have a career interest in. Until last year, Natalie Kirby worked part time at the library. She was employed or volunteered since she was 12-years-old. She is now continuing her education in college and has expressed interest in library science. She was able to explore her interests through the student work program, said Ginger Garvin, library director.
Not only is the program beneficial for the students, but it is also beneficial for the city. “They [the students] are invaluable,” Garvin said.
The library is employing five student workers this year, primarily to help with the summer reading program. “They help us get ready for the programs and they help coral the kids during the programs,” Garvin said.
Although the program no longer employs as many students, it is still effective in training students and providing valuable seasonal staff for the city. “It's been a lifesaver for us. It helps the community, and it helps the kids,” Garvin said.
Whitesboro School Board Holds Monthly Meeting
The Whitesboro School Board met Monday night for their monthly meeting. After the regular business, the board elected new officers for the 2007-2008 year: Jim Thomas, President; Gregg Miles, Vice President; Gregg Hickman, Secretary; and David Bertino, Assistant Secretary.
The board then recognized several student groups, the middle school Battle of the Books winners, the state band solo and ensemble medalists, and state track participants.
Next, the new director of technology, Michael Peterson, updated the board on the technology department’s progress in improvements on the Whitesboro campuses as well as his plans and needs for the future. Peterson has installed 20 new computers, two new servers, and performed numerous other upgrades throughout the district.
Peterson went on to discuss the need for many different enhancements in the district’s network. He also expressed a need for some new software, which included upgrades to the Accelerated Reader and Math programs and Microsoft Office.
The board also heard a report from Vince Sharpe, director of intervention services. Sharpe said that as the intervention counselor he is seeing, on average, five students per day, which is far more than he expected. Sharpe proposed a new program called “Project Alert,” for use in the middle school and high school. The program is very affordable program and would spread out the lessons over two years to keep the drug and alcohol education on the minds of the students.
The next item on the agenda was a report on the Whitesboro ISD 2008 “Showcase.” Ray Lea, superintendent discussed a program that several board members went to see and was similar to what the board is planning for the spring of 2008. “It looks something like a science fair, but it will cover all subjects,” said Lea. The board expressed excitement about this program and is expecting a large community turnout in May when they have planned the program.
The following item on the agenda was a discussion about the 2007 Tax Election. The increased income from the election would makeup for lost income from the state’s new educational funding plan.
The board quickly finished with a few regular business items, which included approval and adoption of several different contracts. The board also approved several personnel decisions.
The board then recognized several student groups, the middle school Battle of the Books winners, the state band solo and ensemble medalists, and state track participants.
Next, the new director of technology, Michael Peterson, updated the board on the technology department’s progress in improvements on the Whitesboro campuses as well as his plans and needs for the future. Peterson has installed 20 new computers, two new servers, and performed numerous other upgrades throughout the district.
Peterson went on to discuss the need for many different enhancements in the district’s network. He also expressed a need for some new software, which included upgrades to the Accelerated Reader and Math programs and Microsoft Office.
The board also heard a report from Vince Sharpe, director of intervention services. Sharpe said that as the intervention counselor he is seeing, on average, five students per day, which is far more than he expected. Sharpe proposed a new program called “Project Alert,” for use in the middle school and high school. The program is very affordable program and would spread out the lessons over two years to keep the drug and alcohol education on the minds of the students.
The next item on the agenda was a report on the Whitesboro ISD 2008 “Showcase.” Ray Lea, superintendent discussed a program that several board members went to see and was similar to what the board is planning for the spring of 2008. “It looks something like a science fair, but it will cover all subjects,” said Lea. The board expressed excitement about this program and is expecting a large community turnout in May when they have planned the program.
The following item on the agenda was a discussion about the 2007 Tax Election. The increased income from the election would makeup for lost income from the state’s new educational funding plan.
The board quickly finished with a few regular business items, which included approval and adoption of several different contracts. The board also approved several personnel decisions.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Community is Path to Crime Prevention
Creating a tightly woven community is the way to reducing crime according to Whitesboro Police Chief Scott Taylor. “To have a stronger town we need to have a strong community,” said Taylor. Taylor, who has been police chief for a year and worked for the department for several years, advocates community as the way to reduce and prevent crime.
“I'd like to get some programs down the road set up -- some community awareness and crime prevention groups, things like that -- have some organization,” said Taylor. “[But] we can’t do it all – the police department or even the city.”
The process of developing a strong community will not be a short process, but it will be effective. “First we've got to start by informing, letting people know what's going on,” said Taylor. “If they're not aware, they can't do anything to prevent it, but if we make our community aware, we start to get information.”
There are many different ways to inform people. “I encourage anyone to ask me to talk to their groups,” said Taylor. Community awareness meetings are also an effective way of communicating to residents. For example, Texoma Promise, a drug awareness program, has been very effective.
Another very effective program is National Night Out. The police department hosts this program every year and it will be in October on a Saturday night this year. “It’s to have the citizens come out and meet the police. It’s just a community gathering where we can get together and meet each other,” said Taylor. “It’s a symbolic stand against crime.”
Community can definitely be an effective preventative measure to keep crime from increasing and even decreasing crime. “You've got 7 officers working versus [4,000 people] always watching to make sure someone doesn't step out of line,” said Taylor.
Crime can quickly become a serious problem without a strong community. “We've got Gainesville 15 miles away. They've got gangs, shootings, and they're trying to address them. But if we do what we're supposed to do here, we can keep them from coming,” said Taylor.
Crime in Whitesboro is also showing an upward trend. “I can see a trend on things getting worse. Is it dramatically? No. Do we have drug problems? Yes. Do we have other problems? Yes. Do we have it to the extent of some of the other city? No. Can we? Yes,” said Taylor.
The main increase seems to be in juvenile crime. “A lot of kids now don't have any supervision,” said Taylor. A stronger community will help reduce this it will also help prevent it by encouraging constructive behavior. “If you don't accept negative behavior than you're promoting positive behavior,” said Taylor.
Children and teens are the place to start in proactive crime prevention. “[W]hat we want to try to prevent is our kids now from becoming problems,” said Taylor. “I would like to see a place where a kid can go and there is an adult there for the kids.” Taylor suggested that churches maybe the best-equipped organizations to start programs like this one.
Taylor also said parents need to be more involved in their children’s lives. “Something's going to have to happen, maybe we make the parents accountable,” said Taylor. And parent accountability may be something that the police department takes steps toward over the coming years.
The path to a safer community will likely be a long path, but it is a worthwhile one and it can only be traveled by a strong community. “I'm a big believer in crime prevention and that’s what this is. Making a community aware -- making a stronger community, that’s crime prevention,” said Taylor. “[Criminals] are not going to a city that won't tolerate [crime]. That’s what crime prevention is. You're not necessarily going to stop the criminal you're just going to stop him from victimizing you or your community.”
“I'd like to get some programs down the road set up -- some community awareness and crime prevention groups, things like that -- have some organization,” said Taylor. “[But] we can’t do it all – the police department or even the city.”
The process of developing a strong community will not be a short process, but it will be effective. “First we've got to start by informing, letting people know what's going on,” said Taylor. “If they're not aware, they can't do anything to prevent it, but if we make our community aware, we start to get information.”
There are many different ways to inform people. “I encourage anyone to ask me to talk to their groups,” said Taylor. Community awareness meetings are also an effective way of communicating to residents. For example, Texoma Promise, a drug awareness program, has been very effective.
Another very effective program is National Night Out. The police department hosts this program every year and it will be in October on a Saturday night this year. “It’s to have the citizens come out and meet the police. It’s just a community gathering where we can get together and meet each other,” said Taylor. “It’s a symbolic stand against crime.”
Community can definitely be an effective preventative measure to keep crime from increasing and even decreasing crime. “You've got 7 officers working versus [4,000 people] always watching to make sure someone doesn't step out of line,” said Taylor.
Crime can quickly become a serious problem without a strong community. “We've got Gainesville 15 miles away. They've got gangs, shootings, and they're trying to address them. But if we do what we're supposed to do here, we can keep them from coming,” said Taylor.
Crime in Whitesboro is also showing an upward trend. “I can see a trend on things getting worse. Is it dramatically? No. Do we have drug problems? Yes. Do we have other problems? Yes. Do we have it to the extent of some of the other city? No. Can we? Yes,” said Taylor.
The main increase seems to be in juvenile crime. “A lot of kids now don't have any supervision,” said Taylor. A stronger community will help reduce this it will also help prevent it by encouraging constructive behavior. “If you don't accept negative behavior than you're promoting positive behavior,” said Taylor.
Children and teens are the place to start in proactive crime prevention. “[W]hat we want to try to prevent is our kids now from becoming problems,” said Taylor. “I would like to see a place where a kid can go and there is an adult there for the kids.” Taylor suggested that churches maybe the best-equipped organizations to start programs like this one.
Taylor also said parents need to be more involved in their children’s lives. “Something's going to have to happen, maybe we make the parents accountable,” said Taylor. And parent accountability may be something that the police department takes steps toward over the coming years.
The path to a safer community will likely be a long path, but it is a worthwhile one and it can only be traveled by a strong community. “I'm a big believer in crime prevention and that’s what this is. Making a community aware -- making a stronger community, that’s crime prevention,” said Taylor. “[Criminals] are not going to a city that won't tolerate [crime]. That’s what crime prevention is. You're not necessarily going to stop the criminal you're just going to stop him from victimizing you or your community.”
Veteran Recounts POW Experience
After three and a half years of imprisonment as a Japanese prisoner of war, Charles E. Baum was released weighing only 80 pounds. Baum, a lifetime resident of Whitesboro is a veteran of World War II.
Baum volunteered for the Army Air Force on June 6, 1941. “I went over, volunteered and then came back and told my mother that I had joined.” He was shortly sent to Dallas and then on to California, where he waited for orders. New arrivals even had to wait several days before receiving uniforms Baum was attached to the 7th Material Squadron where he started out in charge of maintaining and looking after vehicles.
Baum was then sent to Clark Field, Philippines. “We weren’t told where we were going to go. We were given wool uniforms.” Baum was sent on a transport ship where the troops had nothing to do but wait. “We’d watch the blue.” When the troops arrived not much was there for them. “Just some grass huts with open walls.”
Fighting broke out in Bataan shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor when Japanese troops attacked. The fighting continued for three months until American and Filipino troops were forced to surrender because of extremely low rations and medical supplies. A very low percentage of troops were even considered combat effective. Many, including Baum, were suffering from Malaria and malnutrition.
The troops were given the order to surrender. “We threw our weapons into the ocean and surrendered.” When the Japanese captured the Allied troops, they were surprised at the number. They had expected fewer men and were ill-equipped to transport the men. The situation was worsened by the poor health of the captured troops.
The prisoners marched for four days over 19 miles. They were forced to march without food or water and were subjected to random beatings at the will of their captors. The only source of water was from the rice fields the prisoners were walking through. The prisoners would fall on their faces in the field and drink the water from the ground. Many who tried this were stabbed with bayonets.
Baum was lucky enough to avoid this fate. “When they tried to stab me, I ducked under it.” The prisoners were then put in box cars where there was only enough room to stand. “You couldn’t even get your hand up to your face to catch a sneeze. You had to slowly work it up to your face.”
Baum spent 2 and a half years imprisoned in the Philippines until he was transported to Japan on a “Hell Ship.” Baum was imprisoned in Japan for one year until the war ended where he saw similar treatment right up until a few days before the end of the war. “Two or Three days before the war was over they brought in these English speaking Japanese and they gave us food, drink, cigarettes, anything a soldier could want.”
After being released, Baum and the other soldiers started toward Tokyo in search of Allied troops. They spent several weeks in hospital ships as well as a camp where they were fed whatever they wanted 24-hours a day.
Baum was shipped home after several weeks where he spent his time on leave until he received his discharge. Baum has served as the Postmaster of Whitesboro on two different occasions as well as a teacher and coach in the Whitesboro School System.
Baum now spends his time with his daughters Susan Strange and Kay Moczgmba and his wife Waunema. Baum also enjoys the time he spends in the morning playing dominos to keep busy. “That’s the secret of life, stay busy.”
Baum volunteered for the Army Air Force on June 6, 1941. “I went over, volunteered and then came back and told my mother that I had joined.” He was shortly sent to Dallas and then on to California, where he waited for orders. New arrivals even had to wait several days before receiving uniforms Baum was attached to the 7th Material Squadron where he started out in charge of maintaining and looking after vehicles.
Baum was then sent to Clark Field, Philippines. “We weren’t told where we were going to go. We were given wool uniforms.” Baum was sent on a transport ship where the troops had nothing to do but wait. “We’d watch the blue.” When the troops arrived not much was there for them. “Just some grass huts with open walls.”
Fighting broke out in Bataan shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor when Japanese troops attacked. The fighting continued for three months until American and Filipino troops were forced to surrender because of extremely low rations and medical supplies. A very low percentage of troops were even considered combat effective. Many, including Baum, were suffering from Malaria and malnutrition.
The troops were given the order to surrender. “We threw our weapons into the ocean and surrendered.” When the Japanese captured the Allied troops, they were surprised at the number. They had expected fewer men and were ill-equipped to transport the men. The situation was worsened by the poor health of the captured troops.
The prisoners marched for four days over 19 miles. They were forced to march without food or water and were subjected to random beatings at the will of their captors. The only source of water was from the rice fields the prisoners were walking through. The prisoners would fall on their faces in the field and drink the water from the ground. Many who tried this were stabbed with bayonets.
Baum was lucky enough to avoid this fate. “When they tried to stab me, I ducked under it.” The prisoners were then put in box cars where there was only enough room to stand. “You couldn’t even get your hand up to your face to catch a sneeze. You had to slowly work it up to your face.”
Baum spent 2 and a half years imprisoned in the Philippines until he was transported to Japan on a “Hell Ship.” Baum was imprisoned in Japan for one year until the war ended where he saw similar treatment right up until a few days before the end of the war. “Two or Three days before the war was over they brought in these English speaking Japanese and they gave us food, drink, cigarettes, anything a soldier could want.”
After being released, Baum and the other soldiers started toward Tokyo in search of Allied troops. They spent several weeks in hospital ships as well as a camp where they were fed whatever they wanted 24-hours a day.
Baum was shipped home after several weeks where he spent his time on leave until he received his discharge. Baum has served as the Postmaster of Whitesboro on two different occasions as well as a teacher and coach in the Whitesboro School System.
Baum now spends his time with his daughters Susan Strange and Kay Moczgmba and his wife Waunema. Baum also enjoys the time he spends in the morning playing dominos to keep busy. “That’s the secret of life, stay busy.”
Abandoned Home Burned, Arson Suspected
Early Sunday morning the Sherwood Shores Volunteer Fire Department received a call from a Sherwood Shores resident on Oak Trail Road. An abandoned house was burning.
Cliff Hamilton, the neighbor who placed the call, said that the light reflecting into his bedroom awaked him and when he looked out his window, he saw flames and called 911.
The first units on scene reported that the house was already “well involved.” This prompted a mutual aid call to Whitesboro and Collinsville Fire Departments at 3:10 a.m. Gordonville had already been called. Units responded and were able to extinguish the blaze, however the house was a total loose with only a small bit of the front remaining, said Ron Blackwell, Sherwood Shores Fire Chief.
The residence was an U.S. Attorney General seizure that was in foreclosure. The abandoned house had no electricity or propane to the house and it appears that the fire burned very hot and rapidly, which would suggest that an accelerant feed the fire, Blackwell said.
Fire Officials contacted the State Fire Marshalls office and expect them to begin investigate in the next few days, Blackwell said. Officials would not comment publicly on the cause of the fire, but they did speculate that this was another incident in the recent series of arsons that have been occurring in Sherwood Shores.
Limited information was available about the pending investigation, however, if the cause is arson it would be the fifth incident in the past year. There is nothing that conclusively ties the cases together although it appears that their may be some connection. Officials are still investigating all the cases and have not made any arrest, although, they do have several suspects, Blackwell said.
The recent surge in arson is beginning to make local residents uneasy. “This kind of thing has been happening a lot around here. It’s really getting kind of scary.”
Cliff Hamilton, the neighbor who placed the call, said that the light reflecting into his bedroom awaked him and when he looked out his window, he saw flames and called 911.
The first units on scene reported that the house was already “well involved.” This prompted a mutual aid call to Whitesboro and Collinsville Fire Departments at 3:10 a.m. Gordonville had already been called. Units responded and were able to extinguish the blaze, however the house was a total loose with only a small bit of the front remaining, said Ron Blackwell, Sherwood Shores Fire Chief.
The residence was an U.S. Attorney General seizure that was in foreclosure. The abandoned house had no electricity or propane to the house and it appears that the fire burned very hot and rapidly, which would suggest that an accelerant feed the fire, Blackwell said.
Fire Officials contacted the State Fire Marshalls office and expect them to begin investigate in the next few days, Blackwell said. Officials would not comment publicly on the cause of the fire, but they did speculate that this was another incident in the recent series of arsons that have been occurring in Sherwood Shores.
Limited information was available about the pending investigation, however, if the cause is arson it would be the fifth incident in the past year. There is nothing that conclusively ties the cases together although it appears that their may be some connection. Officials are still investigating all the cases and have not made any arrest, although, they do have several suspects, Blackwell said.
The recent surge in arson is beginning to make local residents uneasy. “This kind of thing has been happening a lot around here. It’s really getting kind of scary.”
Parker Road Accident
On Tuesday, May 29, Emergency Officials closed Highway 377 to provide a landing zone for Life Star. Officials called Life Star to transport a victim involved in an accident.
The accident occurred on Parker Road, just South of Whitesboro, involving a Dodge truck with a trailer and a Black sedan. The sedan was traveling east and attempting to pass another vehicle when it struck the truck, which was traveling west head-on, said Donald Russell, responding Whitesboro Police Officer.
Each vehicle had two occupants. The passenger of the sedan was transported on Life Star to Dallas Presbyterian Hospital and the passenger of the truck, a pregnant female was transported to the hospital in an ambulance. The driver of the truck was also arrested for not having a valid driver license, said Russell.
The accident occurred on Parker Road, just South of Whitesboro, involving a Dodge truck with a trailer and a Black sedan. The sedan was traveling east and attempting to pass another vehicle when it struck the truck, which was traveling west head-on, said Donald Russell, responding Whitesboro Police Officer.
Each vehicle had two occupants. The passenger of the sedan was transported on Life Star to Dallas Presbyterian Hospital and the passenger of the truck, a pregnant female was transported to the hospital in an ambulance. The driver of the truck was also arrested for not having a valid driver license, said Russell.
Library Summer Program Begins
The library kicked off its Summer Reading Program with about 200 children on Tuesday, June 5. “It went perfect,” said Ginger Garvin, library director.
The program began at 1 p.m. where children would pick out a few books and sit somewhere inside the library and read for an hour. After the “reading club,” staff had planned an activity for the children, the “Bubble Experiment” and a water gun fight.
The program will also have a drawing every week. Children who have attended the sessions that they had signed up for will enter for a chance to win various prizes, said Garvin.
The program will continue on Thursday with Story Time followed by a movie. The program is staffed by both volunteers and paid staff and is funded, in part, by a literacy grant from the Verizon Foundation, said Garvin.
The program began at 1 p.m. where children would pick out a few books and sit somewhere inside the library and read for an hour. After the “reading club,” staff had planned an activity for the children, the “Bubble Experiment” and a water gun fight.
The program will also have a drawing every week. Children who have attended the sessions that they had signed up for will enter for a chance to win various prizes, said Garvin.
The program will continue on Thursday with Story Time followed by a movie. The program is staffed by both volunteers and paid staff and is funded, in part, by a literacy grant from the Verizon Foundation, said Garvin.
Younger-Sullivan House
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at about 1:45 p.m., Thursday. The caller reported that a 2-year-old girl, Jennifer Lane was missing.
Lane’s parents, Michael and Britney Lane last saw her in the playroom at their home on Highway 56 near the intersection of Highway 901 in Whitesboro. Mr. and Mrs. Lane laid down to take a nap at about 12:30 p.m.; they both work nights. Lane’s grandfather, Jeffrey Lane, was watching her, but had gone to the store. When her parents awoke at 1 p.m., they were unable to find her, according to the Grayson County police report.
After receiving, the 911 call Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chad Butler arrived on the scene three minutes later. Butler searched the house to ensure that Lane was not hiding somewhere or asleep. Other officers quickly arrived on the scene and began searching the area behind the home. Family members and neighbors joined police in the search, according to the report.
A relative of the family found Lane in a pond about 100 yards behind the house at about 2:12 p.m. Dispatch called an ambulance to the scene and EMTs immediately began CPR to try to resuscitate the toddler. Whitesboro EMS transported her to Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, according to the police statement.
Lane was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m. She was taken to the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy and the investigation is pending, awaiting the medical examiners findings.
Lane’s parents, Michael and Britney Lane last saw her in the playroom at their home on Highway 56 near the intersection of Highway 901 in Whitesboro. Mr. and Mrs. Lane laid down to take a nap at about 12:30 p.m.; they both work nights. Lane’s grandfather, Jeffrey Lane, was watching her, but had gone to the store. When her parents awoke at 1 p.m., they were unable to find her, according to the Grayson County police report.
After receiving, the 911 call Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chad Butler arrived on the scene three minutes later. Butler searched the house to ensure that Lane was not hiding somewhere or asleep. Other officers quickly arrived on the scene and began searching the area behind the home. Family members and neighbors joined police in the search, according to the report.
A relative of the family found Lane in a pond about 100 yards behind the house at about 2:12 p.m. Dispatch called an ambulance to the scene and EMTs immediately began CPR to try to resuscitate the toddler. Whitesboro EMS transported her to Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, according to the police statement.
Lane was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m. She was taken to the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy and the investigation is pending, awaiting the medical examiners findings.
Toddler Drowns in Pond
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at about 1:45 p.m., Thursday. The caller reported that a 2-year-old girl, Jennifer Lane was missing.
Lane’s parents, Michael and Britney Lane last saw her in the playroom at their home on Highway 56 near the intersection of Highway 901 in Whitesboro. Mr. and Mrs. Lane laid down to take a nap at about 12:30 p.m.; they both work nights. Lane’s grandfather, Jeffrey Lane, was watching her, but had gone to the store. When her parents awoke at 1 p.m., they were unable to find her, according to the Grayson County police report.
After receiving, the 911 call Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chad Butler arrived on the scene three minutes later. Butler searched the house to ensure that Lane was not hiding somewhere or asleep. Other officers quickly arrived on the scene and began searching the area behind the home. Family members and neighbors joined police in the search, according to the report.
A relative of the family found Lane in a pond about 100 yards behind the house at about 2:12 p.m. Dispatch called an ambulance to the scene and EMTs immediately began CPR to try to resuscitate the toddler. Whitesboro EMS transported her to Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, according to the police statement.
Lane was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m. She was taken to the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy and the investigation is pending, awaiting the medical examiners findings.
Lane’s parents, Michael and Britney Lane last saw her in the playroom at their home on Highway 56 near the intersection of Highway 901 in Whitesboro. Mr. and Mrs. Lane laid down to take a nap at about 12:30 p.m.; they both work nights. Lane’s grandfather, Jeffrey Lane, was watching her, but had gone to the store. When her parents awoke at 1 p.m., they were unable to find her, according to the Grayson County police report.
After receiving, the 911 call Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chad Butler arrived on the scene three minutes later. Butler searched the house to ensure that Lane was not hiding somewhere or asleep. Other officers quickly arrived on the scene and began searching the area behind the home. Family members and neighbors joined police in the search, according to the report.
A relative of the family found Lane in a pond about 100 yards behind the house at about 2:12 p.m. Dispatch called an ambulance to the scene and EMTs immediately began CPR to try to resuscitate the toddler. Whitesboro EMS transported her to Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, according to the police statement.
Lane was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m. She was taken to the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy and the investigation is pending, awaiting the medical examiners findings.
TNT Luncheon
Several Atmos Energy customers, in Whitesboro, were without natural gas service on Thursday and Friday. Atmos personnel worked to restore service Thursday evening and Friday causing a minor inconvenience for drivers on North Union Street.
Excessive rain over the past few days caused water to leak into the underground pipes of the low-pressure gas system, said Jackie Thomas, on-site operations supervisor. In-order to solve the problem Atmos replaced the damaged piping and ran individual lines to each house to replace the single pipe that served the three houses affected by the outage, said Terry Tombaugh, manager of public relations for Grayson county.
Atmos uses three different types of systems, low-pressure, intermediate-pressure, and high-pressure. The low-pressure system that was in use in this case allows water to leak into the system interrupting service if there is a leak, but this prevents unknown gas leakages, Tombaugh said.
Atmos customer service representatives went to the affected residents late Friday evening relighting pilots for customers and checking their service.
Excessive rain over the past few days caused water to leak into the underground pipes of the low-pressure gas system, said Jackie Thomas, on-site operations supervisor. In-order to solve the problem Atmos replaced the damaged piping and ran individual lines to each house to replace the single pipe that served the three houses affected by the outage, said Terry Tombaugh, manager of public relations for Grayson county.
Atmos uses three different types of systems, low-pressure, intermediate-pressure, and high-pressure. The low-pressure system that was in use in this case allows water to leak into the system interrupting service if there is a leak, but this prevents unknown gas leakages, Tombaugh said.
Atmos customer service representatives went to the affected residents late Friday evening relighting pilots for customers and checking their service.
Natural Gas Outage
Several Atmos Energy customers, in Whitesboro, were without natural gas iougservice on Thursday and Friday. Atmos personnel worked to restore service Thursday evening and Friday causing a minor inconvenience for drivers on North Union Street.
Excessive rain over the past few days caused water to leak into the underground pipes of the low-pressure gas system, said Jackie Thomas, on-site operations supervisor. In-order to solve the problem Atmos replaced the damaged piping and ran individual lines to each house to replace the single pipe that served the three houses affected by the outage, said Terry Tombaugh, manager of public relations for Grayson county.
Atmos uses three different types of systems, low-pressure, intermediate-pressure, and high-pressure. The low-pressure system that was in use in this case allows water to leak into the system interrupting service if there is a leak, but this prevents unknown gas leakages, Tombaugh said.
Atmos customer service representatives went to the affected residents late Friday evening relighting pilots for customers and checking their service.
Excessive rain over the past few days caused water to leak into the underground pipes of the low-pressure gas system, said Jackie Thomas, on-site operations supervisor. In-order to solve the problem Atmos replaced the damaged piping and ran individual lines to each house to replace the single pipe that served the three houses affected by the outage, said Terry Tombaugh, manager of public relations for Grayson county.
Atmos uses three different types of systems, low-pressure, intermediate-pressure, and high-pressure. The low-pressure system that was in use in this case allows water to leak into the system interrupting service if there is a leak, but this prevents unknown gas leakages, Tombaugh said.
Atmos customer service representatives went to the affected residents late Friday evening relighting pilots for customers and checking their service.
Grayson County Bond Election
On Saturday, May 12, 2007, Grayson county voters will go to the poles to vote on a proposed bond to benefit Grayson County College. According to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee literature, the $44.79 million bond will go to basic renovation, a new career and technology center, an improved student center, and an addition to the fine arts building. The bond will result in a $34.77 annual tax increase for taxpayers who own a $50,000 home and $139.02 annually for those who own a $200,000 home, according to Committee literature.
The Grayson County College Board of Trustees created a Citizen’s Advisory Committee consisting of 40 members from throughout the county to make recommendations and review the current college facilities. The committee recommended the bond after reaching a consensus and it was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, according to Committee literature. “It’s just time to upgrade the college,” said Horace Groff, chairperson to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee. “And the people are the owners of the college.”
“The college has been on a long-term facility renewal plan. It was using a strategy to raise taxes about 1 cent-per-year until construction costs skyrocketed,” said Shelle Cassell director of marketing and public relations at Grayson County College. Cassell also served as liaison between the college and the committee.
Four initiatives make up the bond, in the first bond election since the college’s construction. The largest initiative of $19 million provides for basic renovations of old facilities and infrastructure. It will benefit the instructional buildings of the main campus and will update the plumbing, electrical, and heating and air-conditioning systems of the original college buildings, according to Committee literature.
The next initiative of $13.2 million will go to construct a new career and technology center for vocational training, according to Committee literature. “[This building] is helpful to local school districts if they can’t afford a vocational program,” said Cassell. Cassell said local high schools would be able to send students to the vocational school where they can earn high school credit while learning technical skills.
The bond will fund an addition to the current Fine Arts building. This initiative will cost $9.4 million. The addition will include a 500-seat theater, a 150-seat black box theater, additional classrooms, and an art gallery for students. Cruse Start Auditorium will also receive renovations, according to Committee literature.
Finally, $2.9 million will go to renovate and expand the student center. According to Committee literature, this initiative will provide space for more bookstore products and modernize food services for students. “Students need a place to interact and eat and study. A place to feel at home when they’re away from home,” Cassell said.
If the bond passes, college officials estimate that construction will take three to four years, Cassell said. “The passage of this bond will help the present and future students,” said Helen Hayes, committee member and Whitesboro resident.
The bond seems to have received very little negative response. “As far as I know, everyone is looking forward to the future it will hold [for students],” said Ashlee Anderson, Grayson College Student Government President and student representative on the community. “Our kids will benefit from it.”
Voting will take place on May 12, 2007, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Whitesboro precincts 19, 22, 24 through 26, and 28; Collinsville precincts 26, 28, and 31; Tioga precincts 30 and 31; and Sadler precincts 19, 22, and 24 through 26 should go to Whitesboro City Hall, 111 West Main Street, Whitesboro, Texas, to vote.
The Grayson County College Board of Trustees created a Citizen’s Advisory Committee consisting of 40 members from throughout the county to make recommendations and review the current college facilities. The committee recommended the bond after reaching a consensus and it was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, according to Committee literature. “It’s just time to upgrade the college,” said Horace Groff, chairperson to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee. “And the people are the owners of the college.”
“The college has been on a long-term facility renewal plan. It was using a strategy to raise taxes about 1 cent-per-year until construction costs skyrocketed,” said Shelle Cassell director of marketing and public relations at Grayson County College. Cassell also served as liaison between the college and the committee.
Four initiatives make up the bond, in the first bond election since the college’s construction. The largest initiative of $19 million provides for basic renovations of old facilities and infrastructure. It will benefit the instructional buildings of the main campus and will update the plumbing, electrical, and heating and air-conditioning systems of the original college buildings, according to Committee literature.
The next initiative of $13.2 million will go to construct a new career and technology center for vocational training, according to Committee literature. “[This building] is helpful to local school districts if they can’t afford a vocational program,” said Cassell. Cassell said local high schools would be able to send students to the vocational school where they can earn high school credit while learning technical skills.
The bond will fund an addition to the current Fine Arts building. This initiative will cost $9.4 million. The addition will include a 500-seat theater, a 150-seat black box theater, additional classrooms, and an art gallery for students. Cruse Start Auditorium will also receive renovations, according to Committee literature.
Finally, $2.9 million will go to renovate and expand the student center. According to Committee literature, this initiative will provide space for more bookstore products and modernize food services for students. “Students need a place to interact and eat and study. A place to feel at home when they’re away from home,” Cassell said.
If the bond passes, college officials estimate that construction will take three to four years, Cassell said. “The passage of this bond will help the present and future students,” said Helen Hayes, committee member and Whitesboro resident.
The bond seems to have received very little negative response. “As far as I know, everyone is looking forward to the future it will hold [for students],” said Ashlee Anderson, Grayson College Student Government President and student representative on the community. “Our kids will benefit from it.”
Voting will take place on May 12, 2007, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Whitesboro precincts 19, 22, 24 through 26, and 28; Collinsville precincts 26, 28, and 31; Tioga precincts 30 and 31; and Sadler precincts 19, 22, and 24 through 26 should go to Whitesboro City Hall, 111 West Main Street, Whitesboro, Texas, to vote.
Long Time
So it's been awhile since I've posted anything. I've been working at the Whitesboro News Record so I'll try and catch up today.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
MSG - Explanatory Article
Our most recent assignment was to write an explanatory article on a topic of our choice. I chose monosodium glutamate (MSG). Here are the results.
“MSG Free” is a phase that is becoming more prevalent on the front of soup cans, chicken stock boxes, and many other products as consumers demand more natural and healthy foods. But what is MSG? Why do I not want it in my food? Is it bad for me?
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, is an additive used in food to enhance flavor, but experts do not know how MSG adds flavor to food, according to a FDA backgrounder in 1995 on MSG. They do know, however, that glutamate, an amino acid, occurs in our bodies as well as many foods and has the same effect, but MSG is not naturally occurring and producers synthesize MSG by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, or molasses. MSG is in most canned soups, beef and chicken stocks, flavored potato chips, frozen dinners, and almost all fast food.
In 1959, the FDA classified MSG as a “generally recognized as safe” additive. However, in 1969, Dr. John Olney published an article called “Brain Lesions, Obesity, and Other Disturbances in Mice Treated with Monosodium Glutamate.” The article brought the additive into the national spotlight. Olney pointed to a study in which newborn mice were given injections of MSG. The animals showed evidence of stunted skeletal development, obesity and female sterility as adults.
Since that time, many studies have tested the outcome of Olney’s experiments and results have not been conclusive. The FDA said, in their 1995 report, that MSG is safe for human consumption. Nevertheless, the FDA has recognized that an unknown number of the population are sensitive to the additive and can have minor adverse reactions. The effects include burning, numbness and tingling in the neck, forearms and chest; facial pressure; chest pain; headache; nausea; accelerated heartbeat; drowsiness and weakness. The report also stated that MSG could aggravate asthma. However, “[a]ny time you ingest too much sodium it can increase salt in your blood” which can cause these effects said Kris Miller, professor of biology at Oklahoma Christian University.
While the FDA has given the green light to MSG, it is still studied and there are questions about the 1995 report. A 2006 article published in the European Journal of Clinical Medicine drew a direct link between birth weight and oral ingestion of MSG in rats. It seems that MSG has the most significant effects on unborn fetuses and infants. The article further found that this would reduce the weight of the rats as adults.
The study also found that the rats fed the most MSG, 5 grams per day, doubled the amount of daily food intake and MSG has a greater effect on females. Some scientist dispute these results by saying that primates respond differently to the additive than rodents do. Miller also suggested that MSG like any other salt “releases hormones that make the brain think it’s hungrier.” He suggested that this would explain the obesity connection, saying that the additive itself did not cause obesity, but it does causes an increase in appetite, which leads to over eating.
The FDA requires that food containing MSG have “monosodium glutamate” listed in the ingredient list. They are also considering stricter restrictions on the use of the term “MSG Free” on labels and are continuing to study the additive’s effects.
“MSG Free” is a phase that is becoming more prevalent on the front of soup cans, chicken stock boxes, and many other products as consumers demand more natural and healthy foods. But what is MSG? Why do I not want it in my food? Is it bad for me?
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, is an additive used in food to enhance flavor, but experts do not know how MSG adds flavor to food, according to a FDA backgrounder in 1995 on MSG. They do know, however, that glutamate, an amino acid, occurs in our bodies as well as many foods and has the same effect, but MSG is not naturally occurring and producers synthesize MSG by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, or molasses. MSG is in most canned soups, beef and chicken stocks, flavored potato chips, frozen dinners, and almost all fast food.
In 1959, the FDA classified MSG as a “generally recognized as safe” additive. However, in 1969, Dr. John Olney published an article called “Brain Lesions, Obesity, and Other Disturbances in Mice Treated with Monosodium Glutamate.” The article brought the additive into the national spotlight. Olney pointed to a study in which newborn mice were given injections of MSG. The animals showed evidence of stunted skeletal development, obesity and female sterility as adults.
Since that time, many studies have tested the outcome of Olney’s experiments and results have not been conclusive. The FDA said, in their 1995 report, that MSG is safe for human consumption. Nevertheless, the FDA has recognized that an unknown number of the population are sensitive to the additive and can have minor adverse reactions. The effects include burning, numbness and tingling in the neck, forearms and chest; facial pressure; chest pain; headache; nausea; accelerated heartbeat; drowsiness and weakness. The report also stated that MSG could aggravate asthma. However, “[a]ny time you ingest too much sodium it can increase salt in your blood” which can cause these effects said Kris Miller, professor of biology at Oklahoma Christian University.
While the FDA has given the green light to MSG, it is still studied and there are questions about the 1995 report. A 2006 article published in the European Journal of Clinical Medicine drew a direct link between birth weight and oral ingestion of MSG in rats. It seems that MSG has the most significant effects on unborn fetuses and infants. The article further found that this would reduce the weight of the rats as adults.
The study also found that the rats fed the most MSG, 5 grams per day, doubled the amount of daily food intake and MSG has a greater effect on females. Some scientist dispute these results by saying that primates respond differently to the additive than rodents do. Miller also suggested that MSG like any other salt “releases hormones that make the brain think it’s hungrier.” He suggested that this would explain the obesity connection, saying that the additive itself did not cause obesity, but it does causes an increase in appetite, which leads to over eating.
The FDA requires that food containing MSG have “monosodium glutamate” listed in the ingredient list. They are also considering stricter restrictions on the use of the term “MSG Free” on labels and are continuing to study the additive’s effects.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Not So Far From Home
Here is an opinion article that I wrote on Monday after the Virginia Tech Shooting. It ran in The Talon opinions section on Friday.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Life Before Starbucks (Published)
Here is the final edit of "Life Before Starbucks" that ran in the Talon.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Still Here
I know that I haven't posted much lately, well until today, but I have been working on an article for the Christian Chronicle, a monthly newspaper for the Churches of Christ. It's office is on the campus of Oklahoma Christian, although it is not affiliated with the school. We are doing it for our feature writing class, but it will be published when we are done. It is in the editing stages now and I will post it when it's done. I co-authored this with Whitney McCormick, another student in my class.
Under the Banner of Heaven - Book Review
This is a book review I did over Under the Banner of Heaven for my feature writing class. It was pretty simple we read the book and then wrote the review.
Under the Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer, is a non-fiction novel which has received many high praises. The New York Times Book Review said, “Powerfully illuminating…Almost every section of the book is fascinating in its own right, and together the chapters make a rich picture…An arresting portrait of depravity.”
Krakauer begins by painting a detailed and sometimes graphic picture of the violent history of the Mormon faith. The book begins with the account of the aftermath immediately following the cold-blooded murder of Brenda Lafferty and her baby daughter Erica by two of her brothers-in-law. Dan and Ron Lafferty claimed that the murder was the fulfillment of a divine revelation.
Krakauer also spends a short amount of time discussing the abduction of Elizabeth Smart and explains why she was so susceptible to the influence of her abductor.
The story then continues on to describe how many fundamentalist colonies are taking advantage of the U.S. system of government and then flashes back to the founding of the Mormon Religion by Joseph Smith Jr. in the mid 1800s. He explains why and how Mormonism was able to so quickly take hold and survive in the midst of a religious revolution in the United States when so many other religions failed.
Krakauer describes in great well researched detail various violent events of Mormon history. Many of which were sanction by Latter-day Saint officials. The book tells the story of the journey of the Mormon Church during its early history to eventually settle in Utah after being forced out of New York, Missouri, and Illinois.
He is able to clearly lay out the evolution of the Mormon faith into the religion that it is today as well as explain the deviation of the fundamentalists from the modern Mormon faith.
Under the Banner of Heaven does an excellent job of exploring the tenants of the Mormon faith and how many of the more controversial ones, including plural marriage came to be. It also contains so incite into how these tents, specifically divine revelation have shaped the faith.
Krakauer explains the dramatic and harmful effects that plural marriage has on the young girls that are affected by it. He gives an insightful look into their lives. There are many different first-hand accounts of incest and rape by polygamist.
The story ends with a detailed account of the murders and the drama that unfolded in the court room and prison involving Dan and Ron including Ron’s attempted murder of his brother Dan while in prison which he claims was also divinely reveled.
The story jumps back and forth between the history of the founding of the Mormon faith and it’s violent past and the modern event of several individuals acting on their fundamentalist Mormon beliefs. Even though this method can become slightly confusing at times it is highly effective.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in world religions. It will greatly advance the readers knowledge and understanding of the Mormon and Fundamentalist Mormon beliefs. It is written in an unbiased manner that flows easily. It is evident that Krakauer spent a large amount of time reading historical documents of the Mormon Church and interviewing everyone from religious experts to Dan and Ron Lafferty themselves. The book is well researched and well written.
Krakauer is a non-fiction author and outdoorsman. He grew up in Oregon and was the third child of five. He was surrounded by members of the church and fascinated with the faith. He has worked as a magazine journalist for Outside. His writing has also appeared in Smithsonian, National Geographic Magazine and Rolling Stone.
Krakauer is also the author of a number of other non-fiction works, including best-seller Into the Wild which is being adapted into a film directed by Sean Penn and is set to be release this year. Krakauer also wrote New York Times best-seller Into Thin Air.
Another book on the subject includes The Mormon Conspiracy by Charles L. Woods which looks at the “the political ambitions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how they have become successful in this goal unnoticed by the majority of Americans.”
Krakauer begins by painting a detailed and sometimes graphic picture of the violent history of the Mormon faith. The book begins with the account of the aftermath immediately following the cold-blooded murder of Brenda Lafferty and her baby daughter Erica by two of her brothers-in-law. Dan and Ron Lafferty claimed that the murder was the fulfillment of a divine revelation.
Krakauer also spends a short amount of time discussing the abduction of Elizabeth Smart and explains why she was so susceptible to the influence of her abductor.
The story then continues on to describe how many fundamentalist colonies are taking advantage of the U.S. system of government and then flashes back to the founding of the Mormon Religion by Joseph Smith Jr. in the mid 1800s. He explains why and how Mormonism was able to so quickly take hold and survive in the midst of a religious revolution in the United States when so many other religions failed.
Krakauer describes in great well researched detail various violent events of Mormon history. Many of which were sanction by Latter-day Saint officials. The book tells the story of the journey of the Mormon Church during its early history to eventually settle in Utah after being forced out of New York, Missouri, and Illinois.
He is able to clearly lay out the evolution of the Mormon faith into the religion that it is today as well as explain the deviation of the fundamentalists from the modern Mormon faith.
Under the Banner of Heaven does an excellent job of exploring the tenants of the Mormon faith and how many of the more controversial ones, including plural marriage came to be. It also contains so incite into how these tents, specifically divine revelation have shaped the faith.
Krakauer explains the dramatic and harmful effects that plural marriage has on the young girls that are affected by it. He gives an insightful look into their lives. There are many different first-hand accounts of incest and rape by polygamist.
The story ends with a detailed account of the murders and the drama that unfolded in the court room and prison involving Dan and Ron including Ron’s attempted murder of his brother Dan while in prison which he claims was also divinely reveled.
The story jumps back and forth between the history of the founding of the Mormon faith and it’s violent past and the modern event of several individuals acting on their fundamentalist Mormon beliefs. Even though this method can become slightly confusing at times it is highly effective.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in world religions. It will greatly advance the readers knowledge and understanding of the Mormon and Fundamentalist Mormon beliefs. It is written in an unbiased manner that flows easily. It is evident that Krakauer spent a large amount of time reading historical documents of the Mormon Church and interviewing everyone from religious experts to Dan and Ron Lafferty themselves. The book is well researched and well written.
Krakauer is a non-fiction author and outdoorsman. He grew up in Oregon and was the third child of five. He was surrounded by members of the church and fascinated with the faith. He has worked as a magazine journalist for Outside. His writing has also appeared in Smithsonian, National Geographic Magazine and Rolling Stone.
Krakauer is also the author of a number of other non-fiction works, including best-seller Into the Wild which is being adapted into a film directed by Sean Penn and is set to be release this year. Krakauer also wrote New York Times best-seller Into Thin Air.
Another book on the subject includes The Mormon Conspiracy by Charles L. Woods which looks at the “the political ambitions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how they have become successful in this goal unnoticed by the majority of Americans.”
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Starbucks Life
This is an opinion article that I wrote for Feature Writing. We were allowed to choose anything we wanted. I had a lot of trouble with this one, but I still want to see what people think of it.
Feb. 27, 2007 - “Venti Spiced Chai Latte, soy,” says the broker in a power suit on his Bluetooth wireless headset. A minute later the overpriced paper cup is on the bar. Is this a coffee house? What has happened to the coffee house atmosphere?
Why can’t you find a coffee house where everything isn’t to-go? All the coffee now comes in cups with lids; a coffee house doesn’t even smell like coffee anymore. Is this even a problem? I think so. So people would say that they just want to get there coffee and go. They don’t want to have to pay the extra for a “coffee house” atmosphere.
But why not slow down your life a little bit and sit down to a nice cup of coffee? Some people enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a quite coffee house. And the price is just an empty argument. You can get the spiced chai latte in a real cup at your neighbor coffee house for around $2.00.
And why all the clutter? Does anyone really buy CDs on the “like what you’re hearing rack” and coffee flavored mints from Starbucks? When I go to get a coffee that is exactly what I want. I want a cup of coffee where the guy behind the counter does more to make it than pressing a button while the machine whirls and spits out a cappuccino or an espresso or any other number of hundreds of automated drinks.
Now I’ve waded through all the mess, what next? Where to sit? There is a total of ten places to sit in this restaurant that sells more coffee than other chain in America. And of those ten seats they are all full, because everyone struggles with the same thing. And even if you do luck out and get one of those ten seats it is not for long. After about 45 minutes you start to get some dirty looks, “Why are you still sitting there? You’ve finished your coffee, now go.”
So what do we do about the coffee house that fells more like a doctor’s office with fewer chairs? My suggestion is to go somewhere else. Find somewhere where there are chairs to sit in, coffee is still an art, and the guy behind the counter will talk to you if you want.
I encourage everyone to find a local coffee house one day when you have a bit of time. Take a friend or take a book and enjoy the atmosphere. It will be quite enough for you to read or carry on a conversation and they won’t try and sell you a mug with their name on it. You might enjoy it. And who knows, maybe they’ll even have real mugs.
Feb. 27, 2007 - “Venti Spiced Chai Latte, soy,” says the broker in a power suit on his Bluetooth wireless headset. A minute later the overpriced paper cup is on the bar. Is this a coffee house? What has happened to the coffee house atmosphere?
Why can’t you find a coffee house where everything isn’t to-go? All the coffee now comes in cups with lids; a coffee house doesn’t even smell like coffee anymore. Is this even a problem? I think so. So people would say that they just want to get there coffee and go. They don’t want to have to pay the extra for a “coffee house” atmosphere.
But why not slow down your life a little bit and sit down to a nice cup of coffee? Some people enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a quite coffee house. And the price is just an empty argument. You can get the spiced chai latte in a real cup at your neighbor coffee house for around $2.00.
And why all the clutter? Does anyone really buy CDs on the “like what you’re hearing rack” and coffee flavored mints from Starbucks? When I go to get a coffee that is exactly what I want. I want a cup of coffee where the guy behind the counter does more to make it than pressing a button while the machine whirls and spits out a cappuccino or an espresso or any other number of hundreds of automated drinks.
Now I’ve waded through all the mess, what next? Where to sit? There is a total of ten places to sit in this restaurant that sells more coffee than other chain in America. And of those ten seats they are all full, because everyone struggles with the same thing. And even if you do luck out and get one of those ten seats it is not for long. After about 45 minutes you start to get some dirty looks, “Why are you still sitting there? You’ve finished your coffee, now go.”
So what do we do about the coffee house that fells more like a doctor’s office with fewer chairs? My suggestion is to go somewhere else. Find somewhere where there are chairs to sit in, coffee is still an art, and the guy behind the counter will talk to you if you want.
I encourage everyone to find a local coffee house one day when you have a bit of time. Take a friend or take a book and enjoy the atmosphere. It will be quite enough for you to read or carry on a conversation and they won’t try and sell you a mug with their name on it. You might enjoy it. And who knows, maybe they’ll even have real mugs.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Job 3:1
I had an hour and a half for this one and here were the instructions:
What do you do when life goes bad? You begin to ask questions, “Why me God? Why did You let this happen to me?” We aren’t the first ones to do this and we won’t be the last. “At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth.” It seems this is a bit of an extreme example; Job had lost everything, but is it OK to be angry with God?
Yes it is. Sometimes life sucks, actually most of the time it does. But does that mean that God has abandoned us? No it does not. God never promised that we would be perfectly happy or that life would be prefect, or even close. The only thing that God promised is that He would never give us more than we could handle. In Romans 5:3, Paul tells us we are to “rejoice in our sufferings.”
This idea has been discussed for a long time and as much as it is pounded into our heads we can’t seem to remember it. We hear it in everything from the poem, “Footprints in the Sand,” to the song, “Held” by Natalie Grant. But we still want to be happy and we feel that it is God’s responsibility to be our “genie in a bottle.” All we should have to do is say “I wish” and it will happen.
We want to hide from all the pain and suffering of the world, live in our suburban homes, and go to church in our nice buildings and when something goes wrong our faith shakes. “Why isn’t God taking care of me?” We ask. But God is taking care of us He is always there to “carry us.”
I know that I am guilty of this in my personal life, just like everyone else is and I haven’t even been put through hell like Job was. A few weeks ago I had one of the worst weeks I’ve had in a while. My grandmother was getting nauseous on a daily basis and the doctors couldn’t figure out why. My grandfather was in the hospital, again. My dad couldn’t find a job and if he didn’t get one soon he was going to have to go to New Orleans to work. And my girlfriend and I were struggling through issues of trust.
And what did I do through all this; I struggled with my faith. Was God really there? Did He care? Of course he did. My grandmother has another doctor’s appointment in a week and the medicine is helping. My grandfather is out of the hospital and at home. My dad got the job and loves it. And my relationship with my girlfriend is stronger than ever. God carried me through, so why didn’t I trust him?
I’m not saying that it’s not OK to ask God why. God blesses Job even after he spends days asking God why. Job 42:12 says that “the last part of Job’s life [was blessed] even more than the first part.” Therefore, it is clear that God expects us to question him. But God isn’t there to fill your amazon.com wish list. He is your father and he is there to do what is best for you. We just have to trust Him and let Him have control.
Find any verse in the Bible that has a 3:1 designation (Gen 3:1, Psalms 3:1, Heb. 3:1, etc.), then find a Bible translation of the verse and then write an essay about what that verse means, including the paragraph it sits in if you need the context. A good resource for the selection would be www.biblegateway.com to see the verses available to you and the different versions of them.
I will place a high premium on "story." Think of a story or illustration for the passage from your own life, from experience, etc. If it helps the essay, use the verse in context. In every case, the verse stater a new chapter and presumable a new paragraph, so make some logical assumptions about what constitutes the context and go from there.
You must e-mail me the assignment, between 300 and 600 words by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
I am grading your ability to be spontaneous and creative under deadline here. Enjoy the assignment and we'll go over them in class next week.
What do you do when life goes bad? You begin to ask questions, “Why me God? Why did You let this happen to me?” We aren’t the first ones to do this and we won’t be the last. “At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth.” It seems this is a bit of an extreme example; Job had lost everything, but is it OK to be angry with God?
Yes it is. Sometimes life sucks, actually most of the time it does. But does that mean that God has abandoned us? No it does not. God never promised that we would be perfectly happy or that life would be prefect, or even close. The only thing that God promised is that He would never give us more than we could handle. In Romans 5:3, Paul tells us we are to “rejoice in our sufferings.”
This idea has been discussed for a long time and as much as it is pounded into our heads we can’t seem to remember it. We hear it in everything from the poem, “Footprints in the Sand,” to the song, “Held” by Natalie Grant. But we still want to be happy and we feel that it is God’s responsibility to be our “genie in a bottle.” All we should have to do is say “I wish” and it will happen.
We want to hide from all the pain and suffering of the world, live in our suburban homes, and go to church in our nice buildings and when something goes wrong our faith shakes. “Why isn’t God taking care of me?” We ask. But God is taking care of us He is always there to “carry us.”
I know that I am guilty of this in my personal life, just like everyone else is and I haven’t even been put through hell like Job was. A few weeks ago I had one of the worst weeks I’ve had in a while. My grandmother was getting nauseous on a daily basis and the doctors couldn’t figure out why. My grandfather was in the hospital, again. My dad couldn’t find a job and if he didn’t get one soon he was going to have to go to New Orleans to work. And my girlfriend and I were struggling through issues of trust.
And what did I do through all this; I struggled with my faith. Was God really there? Did He care? Of course he did. My grandmother has another doctor’s appointment in a week and the medicine is helping. My grandfather is out of the hospital and at home. My dad got the job and loves it. And my relationship with my girlfriend is stronger than ever. God carried me through, so why didn’t I trust him?
I’m not saying that it’s not OK to ask God why. God blesses Job even after he spends days asking God why. Job 42:12 says that “the last part of Job’s life [was blessed] even more than the first part.” Therefore, it is clear that God expects us to question him. But God isn’t there to fill your amazon.com wish list. He is your father and he is there to do what is best for you. We just have to trust Him and let Him have control.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Alex's Short Journey
WARNING: This post contains a graphic description of partial birth abortion. Read at your own risk.
I wrote this as a persuasive essay in the summer between my Junior and Senior years of high school for a English Writing class at the junior college.
Tim and Jill are at a party. It is Friday night, June 13. They have had a little too much to drink. They go into a back room to "talk" and one thing leads to another. In a moment of passion have they made a mistake that can't be undone, or is it something a simple doctor's visit can fix?
It is not June 16 and there is a tiny ball, Alex, in Jill's uterus. Next on June 19 there is an amniotic sac that appears around the ball to protect it. On July 3 Alex begins to become a more recognizable shape. Also, the heart begins to beat. It is now July 4, Alex's first Independence Day. Alex begins to develop arms, grooves for eyes, and a small mouth opening. But outside Alex's world, Jill isn't celebrating. She is torn about what to do. Should she terminate the pregnancy? She knows she isn't ready to be a mom. She doesn't know what to do.
It is July 8 now. Alex's head begins to grow quickly, and there is a tongue and mouth. On July 14, one month into the pregnancy, Alex develops hands. Then on the 17th elbows, wrists, and fingers appear. Then the legs begin to appear; first the thigh then the knee, and finally the foot. Next on the 24th the bones start forming. Also the nose and eyelids appear. Finally on the 30th the arms and legs become well defined. Jill is still struggling outside. She has talked to Tim, and they have decided to try and keep the baby. They have begun to make preparations for the newcomer.
It is now August 5 and Alex's torso begins to lengthen. On August 12 Alex is now called a fetus. All of the major systems are formed, but they must develop. On September 2 Alex grows his first hairs. And Jill and Tim are now able to see that it is a boy. Alex's movement is now noticeable. He can blink and hear Jill and Tim's voices. His strength begins to increase, and he can make sucking motions. Things are going great for Alex, but not for Jill and Tim. They are still very young, in their early twenties. They have very little money, and the medical bill are beginning to stack up. They begin to fight
On October 14 Alex begins to sleep and wake regularly. His brain wave patterns show that he is processing what he hears and sees. At this point, the stress of finances, as well as responsibility, has ended Jill and Tim's relationship. On October 23 Alex and Jill go to the doctor. But this time it is a different doctor. The doctor talks about something called D&X (Dilation and Extraction) or partial-birth abortion and tells Jill to come back on November 4 for the procedure.
On November 4 Alex's eyes open. It is also the day of the procedure. Jill arrives and is put in a room. As Alex is dosing off to sleep something unusual happens, he sees a lot of light. The doctor, using forceps, turns Alex around and pulls him out feet first. He delivers all of Alex except his head. As Alex is being pulled out his hands and legs move. He is very much alive. Next Alex feels a sharp pain in his neck as the doctor stabs the scissors into Alex's neck at the bottom of his skull. Then the doctor spreads the scissors open ripping the hole wide open. Next he uses a suction catheter and sucks Alex's brains out causing his skull to collapse. He dies now after only twenty-six weeks. As his skull collapses he is slides out now, completely delivered. He was killed before even given a chance to live and make a difference.
I wrote this as a persuasive essay in the summer between my Junior and Senior years of high school for a English Writing class at the junior college.
Tim and Jill are at a party. It is Friday night, June 13. They have had a little too much to drink. They go into a back room to "talk" and one thing leads to another. In a moment of passion have they made a mistake that can't be undone, or is it something a simple doctor's visit can fix?
It is not June 16 and there is a tiny ball, Alex, in Jill's uterus. Next on June 19 there is an amniotic sac that appears around the ball to protect it. On July 3 Alex begins to become a more recognizable shape. Also, the heart begins to beat. It is now July 4, Alex's first Independence Day. Alex begins to develop arms, grooves for eyes, and a small mouth opening. But outside Alex's world, Jill isn't celebrating. She is torn about what to do. Should she terminate the pregnancy? She knows she isn't ready to be a mom. She doesn't know what to do.
It is July 8 now. Alex's head begins to grow quickly, and there is a tongue and mouth. On July 14, one month into the pregnancy, Alex develops hands. Then on the 17th elbows, wrists, and fingers appear. Then the legs begin to appear; first the thigh then the knee, and finally the foot. Next on the 24th the bones start forming. Also the nose and eyelids appear. Finally on the 30th the arms and legs become well defined. Jill is still struggling outside. She has talked to Tim, and they have decided to try and keep the baby. They have begun to make preparations for the newcomer.
It is now August 5 and Alex's torso begins to lengthen. On August 12 Alex is now called a fetus. All of the major systems are formed, but they must develop. On September 2 Alex grows his first hairs. And Jill and Tim are now able to see that it is a boy. Alex's movement is now noticeable. He can blink and hear Jill and Tim's voices. His strength begins to increase, and he can make sucking motions. Things are going great for Alex, but not for Jill and Tim. They are still very young, in their early twenties. They have very little money, and the medical bill are beginning to stack up. They begin to fight
On October 14 Alex begins to sleep and wake regularly. His brain wave patterns show that he is processing what he hears and sees. At this point, the stress of finances, as well as responsibility, has ended Jill and Tim's relationship. On October 23 Alex and Jill go to the doctor. But this time it is a different doctor. The doctor talks about something called D&X (Dilation and Extraction) or partial-birth abortion and tells Jill to come back on November 4 for the procedure.
On November 4 Alex's eyes open. It is also the day of the procedure. Jill arrives and is put in a room. As Alex is dosing off to sleep something unusual happens, he sees a lot of light. The doctor, using forceps, turns Alex around and pulls him out feet first. He delivers all of Alex except his head. As Alex is being pulled out his hands and legs move. He is very much alive. Next Alex feels a sharp pain in his neck as the doctor stabs the scissors into Alex's neck at the bottom of his skull. Then the doctor spreads the scissors open ripping the hole wide open. Next he uses a suction catheter and sucks Alex's brains out causing his skull to collapse. He dies now after only twenty-six weeks. As his skull collapses he is slides out now, completely delivered. He was killed before even given a chance to live and make a difference.
A Tale of Two Churches
This is just a little personal rant into one of my pet peeves.
On Friday in our Group Communications class we had a guest speaker who I believe was from Quail Springs church of Christ. He was there to talk about small group communication and what creates the communication gaps. These gaps, he said are caused by cultural differences.
He illustrated his point with an excerpt about two "churches" from The Shaping of Things to Come by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. The stories both took place in countries of "Western culture" but there are still cultural differences between that of the U.S. and the rest of the "West." Here are the excerpts:
The speaker went on to ask us which approach we were more comfortable with, to which most of the class answered the first one. Then he asked us which one we thought would be more successful. It was unanimous, the second one would be.
We need to be more willing to get outside of our comfort zones and "go into all the world" (Matt. 28:19) to reach people. Recreation centers and "Christian hangouts" are great, but they don't reach people. We have to go to where the people are and bring them to Christ. Very rarely is someone saved because they wonder into a church building during a Sunday morning service.
Jesus lived this principle and we should follow his example. He walked with sinners. He ate with sinners. He died with sinners.
On Friday in our Group Communications class we had a guest speaker who I believe was from Quail Springs church of Christ. He was there to talk about small group communication and what creates the communication gaps. These gaps, he said are caused by cultural differences.
He illustrated his point with an excerpt about two "churches" from The Shaping of Things to Come by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. The stories both took place in countries of "Western culture" but there are still cultural differences between that of the U.S. and the rest of the "West." Here are the excerpts:
Recently it was reported that a congregation in a small ural town in Australia had taken an innovative step towards approaching its community. A Melbourne newspaper announce, 'Patrons of the Hamilton Hotel will soon be offered a spirit of a different kind. In an unusual conversion, the town's Baptist congregation--who are teetotalers--have taken over one of the six pubs.' The Hamilton community watched in amazement as the pub, located on the main street opposite the post office, was bought by the Baptists and renovated into a church and conference center. Its front bar was turned into a recreation area for young people and its dance area was rebuilt into a chapel and meeting room. The bar was transformed into a coffee bar, the old pub now becoming and alcohol-free building.
On the other side of the planet, in the English town of Bradford, another pub has been transformed by Christians. The Cock & Bottle is a yellow, two-story English pub at the the bottom of the street on the corner of Bradford's inner ring road. Two years ago it was rented by the Bradford Christian Pub Consortium. Bradford is a hardscrabble working-class town. It has been noted in recent times for its racial conflict and street violence. But the Cock & Bottle represents a place of sanctuary and solace. Malcolm Willis has been employed by the consortium to manage the pub and he and his wife live upstairs above the bar... The Willises and their staff (all Christians) have set about creating a loving, welcoming environment, where locals are cared for, listened to, and ministered to, says Willis. "Initially, many won't accept talking about Jesus. Maybe after you've listened to them ten or twenty times--which can be exhausting--they might say, 'Can you pray for me?' And then see things happen."
The speaker went on to ask us which approach we were more comfortable with, to which most of the class answered the first one. Then he asked us which one we thought would be more successful. It was unanimous, the second one would be.
We need to be more willing to get outside of our comfort zones and "go into all the world" (Matt. 28:19) to reach people. Recreation centers and "Christian hangouts" are great, but they don't reach people. We have to go to where the people are and bring them to Christ. Very rarely is someone saved because they wonder into a church building during a Sunday morning service.
Jesus lived this principle and we should follow his example. He walked with sinners. He ate with sinners. He died with sinners.
Friday, February 9, 2007
The Greatest Movie of all Times
This is an assignment for my Introduction to Mass Communication class. It was a quick write that I did in about an hour. The assignment was to write a story about what we thought the greatest movie of all times was. I chose to write about "Life is Beautiful".
I think the best movie of all times is Life is Beautiful which is exactly what this movie is, beautiful. The movie is a story of how one man gives everything in order to hold his family together during the Holocaust and bringing them through a concentration camp. The movie has many different aspects that make it a great movie.
The first thing that makes this movie a great movie is its main topic, which is the Holocaust. However the story of the Holocaust is told from the perspective of one family. This angle gives the story a more humanized feeling. It also makes it more impactful and makes the audience more able to relate to the events of the Holocaust.
Even though the topic of the movie is a very serious one the director, Roberto Benigni who also co-wrote and played the lead role in the movie, manages to work in some comic relief in the movie. In fact, the first half of the movie is spent setting up the family of the Orefices. During this half Guido meets and makes Dora fall in love with him.
However during this half there are clear anti-Semitic tensions. There are acts of vandalism towards Jews and even one scene where Guido pretends to be an anti-Semitic representative of the ministry of education. Although this scene is a very comedic it is still an indication of the events to come.
Even though the main theme of the movie is the events of the Holocaust there is also a sub-plot about how Guido works to take care of his family while in the concentration camp during the second half of the movie. This again makes the movie very relateable to viewers.
Another thing that makes this movie great is its structure. The movie has a five year flash forward in the middle and is narrated by Giosué Orefice as an adult. There is also a large amount of irony that makes the story interesting.
These elements that humanize the story make the events of the Holocaust more real to the viewer. Although the story is not actually a true story all the events in the movie are very believable and could have happened and might have.
The balance of this movie is what I believe makes it so great and powerful. This movie will make you cry and cry from laughing.
I think the best movie of all times is Life is Beautiful which is exactly what this movie is, beautiful. The movie is a story of how one man gives everything in order to hold his family together during the Holocaust and bringing them through a concentration camp. The movie has many different aspects that make it a great movie.
The first thing that makes this movie a great movie is its main topic, which is the Holocaust. However the story of the Holocaust is told from the perspective of one family. This angle gives the story a more humanized feeling. It also makes it more impactful and makes the audience more able to relate to the events of the Holocaust.
Even though the topic of the movie is a very serious one the director, Roberto Benigni who also co-wrote and played the lead role in the movie, manages to work in some comic relief in the movie. In fact, the first half of the movie is spent setting up the family of the Orefices. During this half Guido meets and makes Dora fall in love with him.
However during this half there are clear anti-Semitic tensions. There are acts of vandalism towards Jews and even one scene where Guido pretends to be an anti-Semitic representative of the ministry of education. Although this scene is a very comedic it is still an indication of the events to come.
Even though the main theme of the movie is the events of the Holocaust there is also a sub-plot about how Guido works to take care of his family while in the concentration camp during the second half of the movie. This again makes the movie very relateable to viewers.
Another thing that makes this movie great is its structure. The movie has a five year flash forward in the middle and is narrated by Giosué Orefice as an adult. There is also a large amount of irony that makes the story interesting.
These elements that humanize the story make the events of the Holocaust more real to the viewer. Although the story is not actually a true story all the events in the movie are very believable and could have happened and might have.
The balance of this movie is what I believe makes it so great and powerful. This movie will make you cry and cry from laughing.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
The Forming of a Family
This is another assignment for my feature writing class. This time we were assigned a micro-history, which is basically a look into a small event in an ordinary person's life. We were assigned "Mrs. Kelly's Monster," by Jon Franklin, to get a better idea of what the assignment is. This story has not been graded so it has not been corrected yet.
To write the story I interviewed one of our professors of education about the adoption of his bi-racial children.
Feb. 7, 2007 - Dr. Darin Martin and his wife Jill prayed, “‘Lord, if it's your will, let it happen. We're just going to let it go. And if it's not your will, it won't happen.’” They had a new concern with the adoption that they were attempting. The baby was bi-racial.
The Martins had found out that they were subfurtle, along with about 27 million other couples in the United States. So, during late winter of 1997, they decided that adoption would be the best solution for them.
The Martins contacted Christian Services in Edmond to begin the adoption process. They went through an orientation where they talked to a birth mother, went through home studies, interviews, background checks, and filled out paper work until they were finally ready.
Two months later, a college friend in Atlanta, Lance Boyd, called and left an exciting message on their answering machine. Boyd was a minister at a church and he had overheard a message from an adoption agency saying that they had a bi-racial baby who was due in a couple of months and the mother wanted to put it up for adoption.
The baby was of African-American and Caucasian descent.
“We were just very prayerful about it. 'Do we want to bring a bi-racial baby into our home? Is that going to be OK?’” said Martin.
Over the next few months the Martins worked their way to the top of the list. And one week before the due date they headed to Georgia in a blue Nissan Centra.
On Nov. 18, 1997, the Martins received a call from the doctor at around 5 p.m. saying that the baby had been born, but they would have to wait a day to see the baby for some legal proceedings to take place.
The Martins drove to the hospital on the 20th to pick up their new little girl, Amelia Ann Martin.
“She was the only baby in the nursery, at the time, that we saw. She was getting a bath and just screaming like crazy, hating that. It was just such a special moment because you know you're leaving the hospital with a baby that day,” said Martin. “The nurse even gave us a few tips on how to give her a bath while she still had part of her umbilical cord attached.”
Then, in another unexpected turn of events, Jill became pregnant and had a baby one year and two months later.
“That was the biggest surprise of all this stuff,” said Martin. “I was just awestruck. I could not believe it because we already had a baby now. Here we are going to have two babies.”
The Martins named the new arrival Hallie Margret.
About five years later in August 2003, the Martins found themselves in Montgomery, Ala. waiting in the social worker’s office to meet Quinton Scott, this time with two excited girls looking on anxiously.
A few days earlier, Dr. Martin had received a fax while at work. The fax explained that a baby had been born in Tuscaloosa, Ala on July 30, 2003. It was healthy. Jill, Amelia, and Hallie were in Chicago at the time visiting some friends.
“I called Jill in Chicago and I think my words were, 'Jill, I've found the perfect baby for us,’” said Martin.
But there was one problem; the Martins didn’t know from where the money was going to come.
The Martins prayed, “‘Lord, if it is your will for us to adopt, we just ask that you find a way for it to happen.’”
God provided for them through a great aunt who had bought a bond for them which had matured to around $10,000, just the right amount for an adoption.
So, Martin and his mother made the drive to Birmingham, Ala where they picked up the girls from the airport and traveled on to Montgomery. The family only had to stay there a night or two before they got to meet the new boy.
On Aug. 18 the social worker carried Quin out to them. He was born six weeks premature and even though he was already a little over a week old he was only about five or six pounds.
Two months earlier, the Martins had again begun the process of adoption, this time requesting a bi-racial baby.
Now Quin is 3-years-old and is looked out for by his 8 and 9-year-old sisters and of course his parents.
Martin said, “We pray for wisdom and guidance in raising them.”
To write the story I interviewed one of our professors of education about the adoption of his bi-racial children.
Feb. 7, 2007 - Dr. Darin Martin and his wife Jill prayed, “‘Lord, if it's your will, let it happen. We're just going to let it go. And if it's not your will, it won't happen.’” They had a new concern with the adoption that they were attempting. The baby was bi-racial.
The Martins had found out that they were subfurtle, along with about 27 million other couples in the United States. So, during late winter of 1997, they decided that adoption would be the best solution for them.
The Martins contacted Christian Services in Edmond to begin the adoption process. They went through an orientation where they talked to a birth mother, went through home studies, interviews, background checks, and filled out paper work until they were finally ready.
Two months later, a college friend in Atlanta, Lance Boyd, called and left an exciting message on their answering machine. Boyd was a minister at a church and he had overheard a message from an adoption agency saying that they had a bi-racial baby who was due in a couple of months and the mother wanted to put it up for adoption.
The baby was of African-American and Caucasian descent.
“We were just very prayerful about it. 'Do we want to bring a bi-racial baby into our home? Is that going to be OK?’” said Martin.
Over the next few months the Martins worked their way to the top of the list. And one week before the due date they headed to Georgia in a blue Nissan Centra.
On Nov. 18, 1997, the Martins received a call from the doctor at around 5 p.m. saying that the baby had been born, but they would have to wait a day to see the baby for some legal proceedings to take place.
The Martins drove to the hospital on the 20th to pick up their new little girl, Amelia Ann Martin.
“She was the only baby in the nursery, at the time, that we saw. She was getting a bath and just screaming like crazy, hating that. It was just such a special moment because you know you're leaving the hospital with a baby that day,” said Martin. “The nurse even gave us a few tips on how to give her a bath while she still had part of her umbilical cord attached.”
Then, in another unexpected turn of events, Jill became pregnant and had a baby one year and two months later.
“That was the biggest surprise of all this stuff,” said Martin. “I was just awestruck. I could not believe it because we already had a baby now. Here we are going to have two babies.”
The Martins named the new arrival Hallie Margret.
About five years later in August 2003, the Martins found themselves in Montgomery, Ala. waiting in the social worker’s office to meet Quinton Scott, this time with two excited girls looking on anxiously.
A few days earlier, Dr. Martin had received a fax while at work. The fax explained that a baby had been born in Tuscaloosa, Ala on July 30, 2003. It was healthy. Jill, Amelia, and Hallie were in Chicago at the time visiting some friends.
“I called Jill in Chicago and I think my words were, 'Jill, I've found the perfect baby for us,’” said Martin.
But there was one problem; the Martins didn’t know from where the money was going to come.
The Martins prayed, “‘Lord, if it is your will for us to adopt, we just ask that you find a way for it to happen.’”
God provided for them through a great aunt who had bought a bond for them which had matured to around $10,000, just the right amount for an adoption.
So, Martin and his mother made the drive to Birmingham, Ala where they picked up the girls from the airport and traveled on to Montgomery. The family only had to stay there a night or two before they got to meet the new boy.
On Aug. 18 the social worker carried Quin out to them. He was born six weeks premature and even though he was already a little over a week old he was only about five or six pounds.
Two months earlier, the Martins had again begun the process of adoption, this time requesting a bi-racial baby.
Now Quin is 3-years-old and is looked out for by his 8 and 9-year-old sisters and of course his parents.
Martin said, “We pray for wisdom and guidance in raising them.”
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