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Editorial

No one is perfect

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If we have learned one thing in recent years, it is that no one is perfect, not even remotely close. Name someone highly respected, whose life was exemplary of great deeds and odds are that modern day critics will render them blasphemous.

It is a sure-fire way to re-write history, though it comes with the values of today taking precedence over the standards of prior ages. There are merits to be found in this process, but they will likely be undone every 50 or 100 years when truths and values change.

The modern lunch lady

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Meals served at America’s public schools drew great attention during the onset of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative in 2011 and again a year ago during the pandemic when students were often at home instead of school. Just how important is breakfast and lunch to education?

One-in-seven children experience hunger in the United States, which indicates there could be millions who are not receiving the sustenance their bodies require. That dynamic has a direct impact on how well students learn.

What we owe each other

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Most adults know what the Golden Rule is and we’re pretty sure what it means. Whether we practice it is another matter. We are likely to recognize it in its simplest of forms. The point of this editorial is an opportunity to display the Golden Rule that is overlooked to the point we will lie to keep from serving someone in need.

Hiring new Police Chief

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It was announced on Thursday, June 10, that Ennis has hired a new Chief of Police. The Ennis News, briefed a day early, has trumpeted the decision and published an edited version of the press release, which tops today’s front page.

Following several stories about the process in making the decision came a Meet & Greet last Friday. The semi-formal session was announced online and on social media, though not far enough in advance for this publication to spread the word. The turnout of 35’ish reflected the lack of advance promotion.

Things thought to be extinct

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It amazes me when scientists discover something still exists that they have long held to be extinct. Their eyeballs must get as large as the hubcaps on a ’46 Buick and as shocked as Gomer Pyle shouting “shazam.”

A few weeks ago, an incredibly rare 400-pound fish whose species was once near extinction, was hooked and reeled inshore at South Carolina. The massive Goliath Grouper, who has a mouth that rivals the kisser of Mick Jagger, was naturally being boasted on Tallboy Fishing Charters’ Facebook page. It reportedly took an hour to land.

Bardwell and high school mascots

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Normally a creative or perhaps even funny, high school mascots have been the subject of several columns by this writer. Texas is not exempt from the national list of eye-catching monikers, though in this walk-on-eggshell, more sensitive than a fidgety bomb-setter day and age, one can never be too careful.

Rumor has it that Bardwell, yes the Ennis southern ‘burb of 650 people, once had a high school. That much has been confirmed, but were you aware the little town once had a renown boys basketball team? It’s true.

Knowing the truth

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Knowing the truth is getting harder and harder.

The scriptural directive, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” indicates that truth is liberating and lies are enslaving. While the John 8:32 passage refers to Jesus as the truth, the way and the life, the underneath side of that verse is very impacting.

Pomp circumstance

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The commencement exercises at Lion Memorial Stadium were a near-perfect memory-maker for the Class of 2021.

Very well-planned by schemers, it went off almost without a hitch, save for the sound system going on-the-fritz for a few minutes. And then there were scary moments when everyone detected a light mist, which was followed by a few faint drops and then thoughts of an escape route should the clouds liberate more. The saying, “if it doesn’t rain, it sure looks like it wants to” came to mind.

Elevator doesn't go to the top floor

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I may not have graduated with honors, but I did know some of them personally. You don’t have to be blessed with cognitive skills to garner acceptance at Stanford, Yale or Rice, but horse sense comes in very handy in leadership.

A turning point in history

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As my cousin read aloud our Grandmother’s Brunswick Stew recipe, I enjoyed all the imagery it evoked, not to mention the aromatic recollection of that stew which was prepared with chicken, pork, tomatoes and corn in a turn-of-the-century kitchen that always smelled heavenly.

Interestingly enough, the recipe begins with, “Wring the chicken’s neck…”

That’s when I usually walk away from the memory and wonder if somebody—anybody—could make me some Brunswick Stew, or Camp Stew, as we usually called it…without the manual labor my grandmother invested.