Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 152, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 6, 2001 Page: 2 of 16
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Page 2 - CHEROKEEAN/HERALD of Rusk, Texas - Thursday, September 6, 2001
Emmett H. Whitehead
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publisher
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Marie Whitehead
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editor
Texas' oldest continuously
September 6, 2001
published weekly newspaper.
Established as the Cherokee
Sentinel Feb. 27, 1850
Jim Hogg
Historical Park,
Rusk
Caddoan Mounds
State Historical Site,
Alto
Texas State Railroad
State
Historical Park, Rusk
ITS OUR REBATE.,.
IT SAYS TO RELIEF
FOR AMERICA'S WORKERS
WHAT PiP W SET 9 K*
NH IfW
NOTICE
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Scene in Passing
High Points from El Camino Real
Marie Whitehead
editor@mediactr.com
This computer is gettin
near as full as my
brain. A fact about my
mind that I didn't understand
until I started to get more
birth days...and got a com-
puter. Actually the brain and
this equipment have a point
that is undeniably called
"overload." You can stop and
trash the machine's surplus,
but what do we do with the
brain's extra memories?
This kind of talk reminds
me of Park Watson. He has
an incredibly fine sense of humor, finds
laughter in the worst of life's moments,
admits to greatness than are greater than
great, yet can be more humble than even God
expects.. He seems to have lived forever, yet
manages to maintain a "forever 15" handle on
life,
No kidding. Park is quite exceptional. This
week struck me as a good time to say so. He
is, without question, the senior Mr. Radio
Personality in Cherokee County. Proba-
bly East Texas. Maybe Texas. He has been
here a long time, but he got started early,
up there in Michigan where he discovered
America. I would guess he got here around
1960-65. It suffices to say that I can't
imagine Cherokee County Radio without
Park Watson
Hé has been a 24 karat asset to our opera-
tion since 1981, except for a two year sabbati-
cal, Still, that's almost 20 years we've enjoyed
working together. One of our town wits (half-
wit.) said of Park not long ago, "My word, he
must be older than dirt.'' If that's true, then
does it mean Park is four or five billion years
old? I mean, dirt (from which we're made) has
been around a good while now.
This thing of age is presented because our
Mr. Radio Man is celebrating another natal
date Sept. 6. I know these things because he
has to tell me his birth date on important
papers. And no, I do not know for sure "how
many" He'll tell you on Talk Time, no doubt,
because he obviously feels honored by our
Creator to have made it thus far. Blessed
each step of the way. He has worn more
titles than most folks would dream of wear-
ing. Not only is he a happy productive person
in his professional field of service, but he
puts in extra hours as a member of Sheriff
James Campbell's Deputy Sheriff Reserve
Unit. And did I mention that he has enjoyed
all the titles of the typical family man? He
seems to be the inspi rat ion for many of his
descendants.
Well, what else can we say? Oh yes, here's
one more talent the good Lord gifted him
with...he is articulate in speaking as well as
writing. And he's compassionate and sympa-
thetic, too. He knows how stressed it gets
around here on holidays...so he offered to help
with my column week of July 4.1 saved it for
him to read, right here, this week. If you are
up there...in our generation...you may agree
with his comments.
AGE IS AN ADVANTAGE
"I was asked. "Like to go out and see the
fire works?" And I got to thinking about it. I'm
older now. I've seen fireworks you wouldn't
Park Watson is the
personification of
the term, "Golden
Oldies!" He not
only loves that
period of music,
but he has been
privileged to enjoy
a lifetime career in
the radio
business. He is
believed to be the
senior working
member of radio
in not only this
city, county, state
but perhaps the
nation! The "dean"
of radio will cel-
ebrate his 89th
birthday Sept. 6.
You may call Talk
Time that day and
wish him your
best!
believe. No. Thanks. But I
don't want to go and see the
fireworks.
Age is an advantage.
Now I can say once you've
seen fireworks of any kind
you've seen 'em all. I don't
like crowds any more. I'm
older now. So I can say, "1
don't hke crowds."
Age is an advantage.
I'm older now. I drive the
speed limit. I'm more apt to
look twice. I hke a comfort-
able car. And I don't care
if my hair is grey. When I meet the sons
and daughters of people I knew as sons
and daughters, I am not intimidated. Why?
Because I've been there and I know, in time,
they'll get there...where I am.
But they may be intimidated. Why?
Because they will have to conjure up memo-
ries of stuff that wasn't, maybe, too much fun.
Age is an advantage.
I like to think I've grown older "gracefully.''
And, because I am older "gracefully," means
what I want it to mean.
I'm older now, In just a short time Til be
looking 89 in the face. I'm not intimidated
because...I am at peaco with myself, my
family, my employer and the people I visit
each day.
Looking back...
I've done my job. I've paid my dues. So...I
can say "I don't want to see the fireworks,"
and I feel good about it,
Age is an advantage."
That's the word from one of God's special
children. He sets a high mark for all who
follow him. Let me add another element to
his litany. To have Park on our Media Team
is an Advantage and a Blessing. Age, time,
both are essential in the accumulation of that
which is worth knowing in this life. The rest
is called trash. There's a place for it on most
computers. When it comes to Park Watson,
move him to "save."
In the meantime, his birthday deserves
a laugh. We hope you all break out in a
laugh...or a grin will do.
"A blonde decides to try horseback riding,
even though she has had no lessons or
prior experience. She mounts the horse unas-
sisted and the horse immediately springs into
motion. It gallops along at a steady and
rhythmic pace, but the blonde begins to shp
from the saddle. In terror, she grabs for the
horse's mane, but cannot seem to get a firm
grip. She tries to throw her arms around the
horse's neck, but shdes down the side of the
horse anyway. The horse gallops along, seem-
ingly ignorant of its slipping rider. Finally,
giving up her frail grip, the blonde attempts
to leap away from the horse and throw her-
self to safety. Unfortunately, her foot becomes
entangled in the stirrup and she is now at
the mercy of the horse's pounding hooves.
She is mere moments from disaster when to
her great fortune^ Gene Brown, Brookshires
manager, sees her and unplugs the horse,
Thank God for heroes."
Thanks much to Blair Lovell who sent
this humor. And Happy, Happy Birthday to
Radio's Park Watson.
Chris Davis
elcaminoreal@inu.net
The rains of last week
have greened up things
along El Camino Real
and the smell of Fall is in the
air. The news had to be written
in a hurry this week, because
of the Labor Day Weekend, but
I think I managed to gather up
a quarter's worth. I usually
write my article on Sunday
night which means if you call
me Monday morning to put
something in it is too late for
that week. It is fine to call
me at home on Sunday if you have a bit of
news I can use. E-mail is also great and I
check it often.
I got a call from my good friend Elizabeth
Hea rne the other day and found out that she had
been under the weather. She has been in the
hospital real sick, but she is out now and plans
to go to Terrell and stay with her daughter
Carolyn until she recuperates, She wanted
me to be sure and thank all the wonderful
people who sent her flowers and kept her in
their prayers while she was in the hospital.
Elizabeth worked down at Little Bear Grocery
for years and I visited with her almost every
day. When she called, I had to ask her what
her last name was, she had always just been
Elizabeth to me, I guess Such is life in a small
town, sometimes first names and nicknames
are all we need. Get well soon, Elizabeth!
Sammie Few celebrated her 18 th Birthday
on August 14, James & Deann Blackmon
wanted to be sure and wish her the best on
her big step into adulthood. Happy Birthday
Sammie!
You never know what is going to happen
at the Hall of Justice next. Harvey Morrison
i f r'r.jB
-
Harvey Morrison shows off a large bass he
caught on a recent fishing trip.
came busting in the other day hollering for
me to get my camera because he had caught
a big fish. I didn't think my camera was in
the car, but after seeing the size of the bass he
caught, I decided I better hunt for it. Those
high dollar bass fishermen that you see on TV,
with thousands of dollars worth of equipment,
just can't hold a light to a good pole and
some worms or minnows. We didn't have
any scales to weigh the fish, but size doesn't
matter anyway its how you fry them that
counts. Congratulations to Harvey on his
big catch.
I have been hearing rave reviews about
the food being prepared for the Alto Schools
by our new cafeteria manager Judy McGee,
and her staff. When you have kids and
teachers bragging on school cafeteria food,
then somebody must be doing something right.
My kids have started turning their noses up
to ham sandwiches and the standard peanut
butter and jelly and started wanting lunch
money.; On pizza day a sack lunch is completely
out of the question. The only complaint I've
heard so far is that they won't let you buy
more than one slice, Thanks to Ms. McGee
and her staff for the great job they're doing
feeding our kids.
The Alto Homecoming Festival Committee
met on Monday night to begin making plans
for the annualfestival. Ninety
people were contacted about
the meeting andfifteen showed
up but, enthusiasm always
blossoms as we get closer
to show time. The event is
scheduled for October 20. This
year's theme of Alto Homecom-
ing Fever centers around music
and song. Special events
will include a "Name that
Tune Game," Alto High School
and Booker T. Washington
memorabilia will be on display,
a parade, Little Mr. and Miss Alto Contest,
and local talent show. Other fun activities
will include children's games, food, and arts
and crafts. Future articles will list people to
contact for various events. The Homecoming
festival always winds up being a great time
for all those involved. Don't be left out, make
sure you get involved this year.
I went out to J. C. Dover's house the other
day to inspect his fall garden and I was really
impressed. Virgil and I usually wind our
gardening up by mid July and don't do anything
but plant a few greens in the fall. J. C. has
a finer garden growing in this late summer
season than we grew back in the Spring. Of
course, J. C. has a well to water with and
Virgil and I have water bills to pay which
greatly limits our ability to have a late summer
garden. I didn't carry Virgil with me out to
J, G.'s because he has been acting so sorry
and staying in the house all the time, fending
to that bird and that cat. He has even been
putting ice cubes in the cat's water to keep it
cool. I never thought I'd see the day. J. C. had
some Fall tomato plants left and he wanted me
to carry Virgil some, so I did. I dropped Virgil's
by his house and out he came to inspect them.
I told him that we'd plant them later when I
got time. I left mine at home and went back to
work. Virgil's daughter Ginger called in about
an hour and told me that Virgil already had
his planted. He'll do anything to get ahead
of me, I feel hke the hare that had to race
that tortoise in the cartoons. It seems hke I'm
spending my whole hfe in some kind of mad
race with a ninety^ year old man.
I'll keep looking up and down El Camino Real
from my vantage point at the Hall of Justice,
waiting for you to stop by with some news.
Dove season opens this weekend and I have my
eye on three that are hanging around Virgil's
bird feeder. Biscuits & gravy with fried doves
is just about as good of eating as you'll find on
Earth. Good luck, be safe, and shoot Straight
if you go hunting. I'll see ya next week! And
remember. Bad habits start slowly and gradually
and before you know you have the habit, the
habit has you.
m \
sé 5* £?k
Service Manager Wayne Pegues provides
a much needed service to a baby deer that
wandered into Pearman Motor Company
last week.
Cljerokeeaij/Herald
USPS 102-520
P0STMASTER:Send address changes to: CHEROKEEAN/HERALD, P.O. BOX 475 •
RUSK, TEX. 75785 Periodicals Postage Paid at Rusk, Texas 75785
Texas' Oldest Continuously
Published Weekly Newspaper
Established as the Cherokee
Sentinel, Feb. 27,1850
Consolidation of The Cherokeean,
The Alto Herald and
the Wells News & Views
Published weekly on Thursday by
E.H. Whitehead Enterprises
618 N. Main • Rusk, Tex. • 75785
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ierald@meaiactr.com
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Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 152, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 6, 2001, newspaper, September 6, 2001; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152481/m1/2/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.