Columns

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

*****After almost 18 months of waiting, “60 Minutes” aired a piece on the Bamberger Ranch on Sunday, January 29th. “60 Minutes” aired at 6 p.m. CST. They were part of a report on the Scimitar Horned Oryx and its recent changes with its endangered status that will make it more challenging and difficult to hunt this exotic animal on Texas ranches.

Our lovely Postmaster, Dorothy Beyer, had barely cleared her busy desk for the day, when a covey of enthusiastic Hyelanders blew through the door to surprise the birthday gal...parrrrtay! Ringleaders Caroline Walker Gibson and John Muraglia pulled it off without a hitch, no small feat in a small burg where news travels faster than the Pony Express.

We had our Third Friday luncheon on the 20th. The food was out of this world. Bingo was played after lunch and this was sponsored by Texas Home Health with Nancy Giesalhart doing the calling. We also have a tenant that donates her time and money to making an afghan every month.

*****Honolulu was the scene of the National Farm Bureau Convention, attended by Ann & Don Casey, Wendy & Glen Sultemeier & Christine & Adrian Schulze. They had 3 days of meetings with a visit to Pearl Harbor on one afternoon. Then they went to the big island of Hawaii for another 5 days at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.

I have wondered ‘why would they do that’ a lot recently and this time it’s because I have been seeing a new Hershey’s product being touted. They want us to buy this new product so badly that they are offering a regular Hershey’s Chocolate Bar free if you buy one of the new aerated ones.

Reminder…Reminder …Reminder …The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas was not here in January 2012, but they will return in February 2012 on the 24th from 11 am – 1 pm. They will be @ the H.O.M.E. Church parking lot @ 405 N US 281, Johnson City, Texas 78636. They will then be in Johnson City on the fourth Friday of every month from 11 am – 1 pm.

*****Twenty-three lovely ladies helped Gertrude Whittington & Pearl Hedlund celebrate their ???th birthdays. Everyone met at Silver K on January 10 to help these beautiful women celebrate their January birthdays.*****Get well wishes to Sherry Jenkins who had surgery on Friday. She should be well on the way to recovery by the time you read this.*****The Johnson City Christian Food Pantry is making an extra distribution this month.

Wake up to rain and that is God’s way of answering our prayers. What a beautiful sight and what a beautiful day. Put this day, Monday, January 9th, 2012, down as one of the best days ever. I have a heads up to everyone about the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” —Oprah Winfrey Never one to get bogged down in regret (coulda, shoulda, woulda’s), I have, for some years now, studiously avoided commitment to any form or fashion of New Year’s resolutions. But, like most “half-full glass” optimists, I must agree with Ms.