Sat, 08/08/2026 - 5:54am
Looking back is perfect vision, but looking ahead has a sense of adventure and anticipation. Here is a playbill of coming attractions on the stage at Ennis, Ferris, Palmer, Rice, Italy and Avalon.
News
Less than a month after being elevated to Deputy Superintendent with the Ennis Independent School District, Wade Bishop resigned. He has accepted an offer as assistant principal at nearby Ferris High School, where July 23 was his start date.
Ennis resident Sergio Hernandez comes from a family of construction workers and has helped them since he was 12. But he knew he wanted to do something different.
Lifting the Scandinavian colors, a red field with a dark blue Nordic cross outlined in white, are Ennis freshman Eli and his dad David Espedal, during a World Cup match in Dallas. Erling Haaland scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute as Norway edged Ivory Coast, 2-1. The 6’5 Viking wears No. 9 and is hugely popular.
Art lovers and collectors will have the opportunity to purchase original works from Ellis County artists during the Ellis County Art Association’s Sizzling Summer Art Show July 17-22 at the Beaudry Gallery in downtown Waxahachie. The exhibit will feature landscapes, portraits, wildlife, still life and other subjects in oil, watercolor, pastel, photography and three-dimensional art.
Palmer opened a new elementary school in 2015 for 397 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. The Janie Barron Campus features state-of-the-art library, classes and an underground storm shelter. This summer the 65,000 square-foot school has been forced to add six classrooms for the fall as enrollment surged over 500 in the most recent year.
Around Town
Seniors’ Prom to Benefit Ennis Golden Circle Attention Senior Citizens! Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to dance the evening away! On September 12, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Polyguard, located at 4101 S I-45, Ennis, TX, 75119, will host a Seniors’ Prom benefiting the Ennis Golden Circle Activity Center.
Audition for Theatre Rocks Ennis performing arts group, Theatre Rocks, will be hosting auditions for five parts in the upcoming adult comedy, The Cemetery Club. Director Bill Rhoten has openings for five parts – four women and one man, ranging in age from 50-70.
Sports
Senior Michael Alonzo has set the pace for the Ennis Cross Country team this summer and since they reported to camp on July 27. The varsity XC boys and girls teams will kickoff the 2026 season on Friday, August 14, with the Tigers Short-Course in Lancaster.
Looking back is perfect vision, but looking ahead has a sense of adventure and anticipation. Here is a playbill of coming attractions on the stage at Ennis, Ferris, Palmer, Rice, Italy and Avalon.
Bump, set and spikes are underway at the six schools in The Ennis News coverage area. Practices have begun, rosters are being finalized and this week five or them play their first scrimmage other than of the intra-squad variety.
Making his share of racket as a freshman player a year ago, Henry Mahone is leading the charge this week for Ennis Tennis. HC Keith Howard and the Lions play host to state-ranked Lindale at 9am on Monday, August 3 at the Ennis Tennis Center.
Ennis, picked to finish fourth in District 7-5A behind No. 12 ranked Heritage, No.
Opinions
There is something about being there. About experiencing the atmosphere, first-hand, and being able to say you were there.
It was worse than imagined. After the floodwaters swept away life at night. Looking at what was left of a vehicle totaled when an ice-covered road led to an abrupt halt by a tree. Or realizing that someone you trusted was sincerely wrong. Sometimes, it was worse than you remembered. Life throws curveballs when least expected – and both good and bad people are at bat. Covid-19 featured many unintended pitfalls and scores of decisions that proved unneeded and caused great harm. My rearview mirror recalls places travelled to, and directions received. Methinks the GPS navigator needed a better map and was too confident to pull over and admit it missed a turn.
Memories can be wonderful places to visit when they are pleasant and filled with peace and joy. On the other hand, not all of our experiences have been pleasant. Negative thoughts can be more like a haunted house on a dark and stormy night. We all have our own unique collections of thoughts and emotions, which leave us with the task of figuring out a way to deal with them. As most of us know, there are positive ways and negative ways to handle our past experiences, and we can look around and see that some have learned to control their feelings while others allow their dark thoughts to control them. Who can help? Jesus desires that we give Him our hearts and minds, allowing Him to guide and heal us.
Quit surfing the internet and get to work. Imagine the hours employers pay to staff who self-entertain rather than what they should be doing, all the while playing as if they are actually working. Ghostwork is anything but work. It comes natural for those who anonymously pretend to be someone they’re not online. Meanwhile, Tik Tokers and gamers are on the clock. Politicians excel at pretending, and it’s become an art. Joe Biden was a modern marvel at portraying a president, beginning with his campaign rallies. His crowds were near non-existent once the number of media was subtracted from the count. After months of primetime in his basement, he still drew a record 81 million voters, topping Donald Trump, who attracted packed stadiums and auditoriums nationwide, yet somehow lost.
For those of you who are not fashion-savvy, a skort is a cute word for a cute skirt that also has cute shorts underneath. Golfers, in particular, wear skorts.
Obituaries
Larry Blazek, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on July 30, 2026, after a courageous battle with epilepsy and dementia. He was 66 years old. Born on September 27, 1959, in Ennis, Texas, Larry was the son of Joe George and Janie L. Blazek, who preceded him in death.
Larry Blazek, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on July 30, 2026, after a courageous battle with epilepsy and dementia. He was 66 years old.
Albert F. Blazek, Jr., of Ennis, Texas, passed away peacefully at his son’s home on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Scurry, Texas at the age of 79.
Sam David Ventura, Jr., 86, of Ennis, Texas, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Born in Dallas, Texas, on February 1, 1940, to Sam David Ventura, Sr. and Frances Ventura, Sam lived a life marked by faith, hospitality, and love for his family. Sam graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School before attending the University of Houston and later Southern Methodist University. In 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Penfold, beginning a lifelong marriage that would span more than 65 years.
Cleatus Dale Fletcher, 73, of Kiester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born on July 1, 1952, in Dallas, Texas, where his life’s journey began and the values of faith, family, and kindness first took root.
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