The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 133, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 12, 2008 Page: 4 of 10
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4 Page
INION PAGE
The Albany News
www.thealbanynews.net
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Albany News
Since 1875
Oldest journalistic venture west of the Brazos
Publisher Donnie A. Lucas
Editor
Melinda L. Lucas
Advertising Manager
Qasim Abdullah
Office Manager
Sheryl Spore
Typesetter
Betty Viertel
Office Assistant
Jordan Lucas
Moran Correspondent
Duston Brooks
EDITORIAL
Flag Waving
Important
The U.S. flag is without a doubt the
one icon that Americans identify with
most when thinking of patriotism, as
well as the values and virtues this
country stands for.
"Old Glory" has stood as a symbol of
freedom and democracy for 230 years
and will celebrate another birthday on
June 14.
All Americans are asked to proudly
fly their flags this Saturday in celebra-
tion of Flag Day.
However, Albany folks don't see as
many flags flying along Main Street as
they used to.
For many years, the Albany Kiwan-
is Club took on the project of putting
out flags and taking them down on
holidays and other special times such
as during Fandangle.
After their set of flags became so
tattered and worn that Kiwnianians
felt that it would be disrepectful to fly
them, not to mention the fact that one
or two club members seemed to bear
the burden of always putting the flags
up and taking them down, that service
died a natural, if somewhat painful,
death. Since then, there haven't been
as many symbols of Old Glory flapping
in the breeze in downtown Albany on
major holidays.
Of course, Albany's patriotism
should not be solely dependent on the
Kiwanis Club. Local residents have
just as much responsibility to proudly
display their flags and not be depen-
dent on the efforts of a few citizens.
Hopefully, there will be a flurry of
red, white and blue along Main Street
and in other parts of town this week-
end on Flag Day.
It is important to remember the
freedom and privilege that the flag
represents. May we never take it for
granted.
POLICY
THE ALBANY NEWS
(USPS 012-400) is published weekly, except for one
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MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 278, Albany TX 76430
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 325/762-2201
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AFFILIATIONS
2008 MEMBER: Texas Press Association,
West Texas Presf Association.
So, what do think about that, Pilgrim?
This past week I took a vacation and drove to
Iowa to see my daughter Nicole and son in law.
They moved to Des Moines last January when
Jason accepted a position with Blank Children's
Hospital as a pediatrician in the emergency room.
You might check out his website, smartparent-
shealthykids.com. Lots of great information avail-
able for parents.
I love driving through coun-
try that I've never seen before.
In ten hours of driving, I was
| in and out of Texas, Oklahoma,
Kansas, Missouri and then
9 Iowa. What a beautiful country
we live in.
Each state is so different.
I have to be honest and say
that my least favorite state
was Oklahoma. First of all,
Bobbie Cauble
this is what happens when you cross the state line.
They want you to give them money to drive on their
highways and not only once - three or four times.
Now what's up with that? If the tolls are supposed
to pay for upkeep of their highways, I'm thinking
someone may have a large Swiss bank account.
Their highways are in bad shape. Let me make a
comparison - maybe like our own Gregg St., the one
that runs behind Allsups, all the way to my corner.
The good news -1 think it's being repaired as I
write this column.
I also noticed the casinos. I kept thinking, I hope
those people rat-holed some money to get them
back across that state line.
I loved Kansas and I also had to pay a toll when
crossing their state line, but it was worth it. Nice
highways and beautiful rolling green hills, lots of
cows and a higher speed limit. Kansas, home state
of the first president that I remember as a child,
Eisenhower. I always thought his wife had such a
friendly name, Mamie. Now that name just sounds
down home and friendly.
I didn't realize that I would be going through
Missouri. Guess I didn't look at my atlas that well.
Perhaps it was the detour I had to take because of
road construction. What
I did see of Missouri, it
was pretty.
I also noticed that it
was the home state of another president, Harry Tru-
man. Truman was the president the year I was born
- a very, very long time ago.
Iowa, what a beautiful state! It is so lush and
green. The view from the interstate was breathtak-
ing. Everywhere you look there are hills and mead-
ows, big farm houses with grand barns and every
kind of tree you can imagine - except mesquite.
Des Moines is such an up and coming city. They
are so proud of their historical homes and buildings
and are restoring so many of them. A lot of the older
homes are Victorian style with beautiful contrast-
ing colors and look like gingerbread houses. Almost
all of the houses are three stories with a basement.
The Dutch heritage definitely shows with all of the
flowers.
I love sightseeing and I had a few places on my
list.
One of my all time favorite movies is Bridges of
Madison County. Yes, I know it is about a married
You, me & everyday life
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woman (Meryl Streep) falling in love with a single
photographer (Clint Eastwood) while he's on assign-
ment taking pictures of the covered bridges, but it is
still a wonderful love story.
And yes, every time I watch it, I still want her to
pull up on the door handle, get out of the truck and
go with him. Sorry, what can I say? I'm a hopeless
romantic. When trying to persuade her to leave with
him, he delivers the best line in the movie. "Tins
kind of certainty comes only once in a lifetime."
My kids and I rented
the movie on Wednesday
night. I really thought it
would give us all a better
insight and also my son-in-law had never seen it.
The next morning we drove over to Madison County
to see the two bridges featured in the movie. Some
things that you see in movies and then in real life
are a disappointment. The Holliwell and the Rose-
man covered bridges built in the early 1800's were
not. We also had lunch in the Nortljside Cafe, on the
courthouse square, which was featured in the movie.
It was a wonderful day and on the return trip, I
decided, of all movies, this one should have had a
sequel. Robert Kincaid and Francesca should have
spent the rest of their lives together.
OK, for all you men reading this and saying,
"Enough already of the romantic stuff." You can
extend your chest, walk tall and be proud. I also
visited the birthplace of - The One - The Only - The
Duke - John Wayne. He was born in Winterset,
Iowa in Madison County.
So, what do you think about that, Pilgrim?
WHO DO
YOU CALL?
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
284 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510-4304
Phone: 202-224-5922
Website: hutchison.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-2934
Website: cornyn.senate.gov
U.S. Rep Randy Neugebauer
1026 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 888-763-1611
Website: randy.house.gov
State Sen. Craig Estes
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone:512-463-0130
Website: craigestes.com
State Rep. Jim Keffer
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Phone: 800-586-4515
Website: house.state.tx.us/members
Fandangle experience has profound influence
By Edward J. Tackett
Fandangle season is rapidly approaching and we in
Albany are celebrating the great show's 70th anniver-
sary. As I jot down my memories of that memorable
event, I stress that the information which follows has
been "washed" over a long period of time and may
deviate somewhat from what actually occurred. But
the facts are correct as I remember them and I have
been accused by certain associates of that era of having
a vivid memory. I have a great dislike for anything
autobiographical because it cannot be written without
the use of many personal pronouns. But one cannot
compose a paper of this sort with them, so here goes!
In September 1937,1, along with 51 other students,
entered into the senior class of Albany High School. I
was totally lacking in social graces, very inhibited and
from the least affluent family of any of the students in
the class. I say this because the events that occurred
during that school year had a profound influence on
the remainder of my life.
There was in the school at that time an English
teacher named Percival Holcomb. When out of his
hearing, he was referred to as "Percy" by the "skunk
hunting crowd," of which I was a prominent member.
For some reason which was never announced, Mr.
Holcomb resigned his position about a month after
school began. The "skunk hunting crowd" was quick
to take credit for his resignation. It was difficult to
find a qualified replacement with an education degree
at that point in a school year. But there was living in
Albany at that time a very personable young man who
had recently returned home to provide care for his
ailing mother. Although he did not have a degree in
education, he was very well prepared to assume Mr.
Holcomb's position. The School Board and Superinten-
dent C.B. Downing asked him to assume the position
vacated by Mr. Holcomb. He reluctantly agreed.
Mr. Robert E. Nail, affectionately called "Bobby" by
all those who knew him well, was a recent graduate of
Princeton University. While in college he distinguished
himself by writing and directing a play for his graduat-
ing class which earned wide acclaim - a play which is
still being presented on occasion by the drama depart-
ment at Princeton. His life was the theater. Upon
graduating from Princeton, he went to New York with
several of his classmates where they planned to make
a name for themselves on Broadway. Bobby was well
on his way to success when his mother became ill in
Albany. He felt compelled to return and provide her the
care she required. Anyone knowing him would have
expected him to do so. He was a giver, a man of service
to his family, hit community and his country.
Although his responsibilities did not include the
drama department, Bobby quickly became involved
in it And as his skiQi were readily apparent, be was
immediately accepted. He wrote and directed a play,
"Antic Spring," which won wide acclaim in what would
now be a part of the state's UIL program. Our own Bob
Green was a member of that oripnal cast. Albany used
the play in its recent UIL competition and it is still as
timely as it was in 1937.
Although "Antic Spring" did not make it to state,
organizers of the state competition asked Bobby to
prepare a special play to be presented there. The result
was "Dm Thousand Nights in the Theater," a play de-
picting the history of theater from ^he ancient Greeks
to the then present day with a short skit representing
each of the periods. The large cast was made up of high
school students. Jack Harris, a good friend, and I were
the "prop" persons. We, along with a lot of outside help,
built the props and took them to Austin on a borrowed
truck. The play was well received. As a result, Bobby's
skills became known and were highly applauded by
drama-oriented educators throughout the state.
Senior classes traditionally took a school-sponsored
trip just prior to the end of each school year, Tliey had
normally been day trips to
places like Lake Cisco or
Fort Worth. The class of'38
was determined to do some-
thing more exciting. A committee was appointed and
planning began. Its decision was a to take a two-night
trip to Carlsbad Caverns. When the idea was presented
to the superintendent, he reluctantly agreed, with the
proviso that funds be raised such that every student
would have an opportunity to go. The class approached
Bobby for ideas. He in his wisdom led them into making
the decision that he wanted - to present a "senior" play
to raise the funds. He had an inherent ability to lead
others into making a decision he wanted while having
them think it was their own idea. This is a rare and
valuable trait so often lacking in persons in leadership
positions.
At this point in time, the community was becoming
very history oriented. Albany was about 75 years old. A
few of the old timers could still remember the frontier
era. The Tfexas Centennial, with its myriad of events,
had recently passed. The Chamber of Commerce, as it is
now, was interested in developing historic tourism. And
one of Albany's most prominent citizens, Mr. Thomas
Blanton, a Representative in Congress, had recently
sponsored successful legislation that would provide
funds to purchase land for and build a state park at Fort
Griffin. Bobby again led the class into making a decision
that the senior play should depict the history of the
county. In my humble opinion, it was at this time that
the embryo for the Fort Griffin Fandangle was planted.
Again Bobby wrote and directed the play. This was
his third nugor theatrical accomplishment while teach-
ing English and sponsoring the senior class. The play
depicted local history from the days of Spanish explora-
tion through the frontier era and into the then current
days of the ranching and oil industries. It was presented
in late March or early April to an overflow crowd in the
gymnasium of the old high school building. Seating in
the old gym was limited. Because the class was large
and everyone in the class was in the cast, attendees
were mostly parents and families of the senior students.
The play received wide acclaim and many persons in the
area were disappointed that they did not get a chance to
see it After due consideration, the play was presented a
second time about two weeks later. In this play, I did a
Spanish waltz with Jean Anderson, a beautiful girl who
now lives in Colorado Springs. I was also in an Indian
dance number. The fundraiser was successful. The
class went on its trip and the behavior of its members
was such that all school-sponsored senior trips were
subsequently cancelled.
The Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of
its manager, Ms. Olhe Clark, approached Bobby shortly
thereafter and asked him if he would write and direct
an enlarged outdoor version of the play for presentation
Fandangle notes
during the summer months. He agreed. And "Doctor
Shackelford's Paradise," the forerunner to the Fandan-
gle, was born. The show was performed on the west end
of the football field in late June. The stage was identi-
fied by a semi-circular "clothes line," against which
mesquite brush was propped to provide a backdrop.
Members of the class cut and hauled the brush from
surrounding pastures. Overlapping gaps were left in the
clothes line to provide entry and exit paths. Several of
the numbers that had been performed in the senior play
were included in the first
show, but new ones were
introduced and the old ones
were changed and enlarged
upon. The cast consisted of high school students, a few
grade school students and a goodly number of adults
from the community. It was successful, as is most aptly
demonstrated by its long "run."
In the show, I was an Indian brave and, along with
my great friend Glenn Reynolds, an Indian dancer.
Glenn's and my photograph, garbed in our Indian rega-
lia and performing a war dance, was used frequently in
Fandangle advertising for many years. An important
scene in the show was braves, riding bareback, circling
a covered wagon. I am not nor did I ever claim to be a
horseman! I never owned boots or a big hat because I
never wanted anyone to presume that I could ride. It
was with some reluctance, as you might guess, that I
agreed to participate in the scene.
During the first night's performance and directly in
front of the crowd, I fell from my horse. Clinging to its
mane, I tried several times to remount. I finally gave
up, hid my face behind the horse' head and meekly led
it to an exit. I was the laughing stock of the audience
that night and of the cast for the remainder of the "run."
I did manage, however, to remain on my horse for subse-
quent performances. I do not remember the number of
shows that were presented that first year. I know that
it was more than one, that the mesquite brush which
had been hauled in for the backdrop was dead and the
leaves had mostly dropped from the limbs by the last
performance. I do remember that all of those who had
been in any way associated with that first show were
justly proud, as have been all participants since.
Prior to the second show, I had enlisted in the new
CCC Camp at Fort Griffin, the purpose of whose mem-
bers was to build the state park. There was a rigid rule
that members did not leave the camp during the week
except in the performance of their duties. As time for the
show approached, Bobby asked the camp commander if
I might be allowed to practice with the cast and partici-
pate in the show. The commander, a Captain Wilfred A.
Kneupper from New Braunfels, Texas, agreed to allow
me to do so and gave me a ride into town each evening
and back to camp the next morning. I was thankful for
the opportunity, but it did not stand me in good stead
with my "buddies" at the base! I did, however, manage
to sweat it out and enjoyed a great second season. Prior
to the third show, I was off into the big world and never
had opportunity to participate again.
I can proudly say that my relationship with the
show and in particular with its founder, Bobby Nail,
have been mtyor highlights in my life. My life hap been
much richer because of my relationship with Bobby. The
greatest honors I have ever been accorded have been to
know and work with Bobby and now to live in his home.
I
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Lucas, Melinda L. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 133, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 12, 2008, newspaper, June 12, 2008; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth393297/m1/4/?q=Lamar+University: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.