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The Texas Legislature has gone home, and Gov. Greg Abbott — who’ll be seeking reelection next year — has returned to the top concern of the state’s Republican voters: immigration and border security.

“Just like children imitate their parents, Jesus imitated His Father,” says Holly, 12. “We are the children of God. We can be loving, patient, caring and compassionate and have the love of God in our hearts.”

The 87th Legislative Session adjourned delivering major conservative victories despite the unprecedented challenges that were brought by the pandemic and winter storm Uri. Critical issues were addressed this session while passing meaningful legislation, including pro-life victories, expanding our 2nd Amendment rights, and fully funding public education.

The Senate approved legislation that would require weatherization of critical energy facilities and completely overhaul the management and oversight structure of the organization that oversees the state electric grid. In a session that looked to be dominated by other concerns, the February winter storm put the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) at the top of the agenda. “We thought it was going to be COVID, it was going to be a budget that didn’t have enough money in it, and all these things,” said Brenham Senator Lois Kolkhorst. “Unbeknownst to us, in the middle of February we found ourselves in one of the greatest crises, I believe, that our state has ever seen. A grid that almost had a meltdown that could’ve kept us in the dark for weeks and months.”

The following area students received degrees during the 2021 Spring semester at Sam Houston State University.

More than 10,500 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the spring semester 2021 Dean’s List. Students named to the Dean’s List must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded coursework.

Last Monday was Flag Day, and it’s a good time to be thinking about our national symbols. The Rotary Club placed flying American flags all over Forney; at Flower Basket we got the good old bunting out for a show; and our Lady Liberty, who welcomes travelers in from Dallas under our three flags, is soon to be joined by another “little sister” to The New Colossus of Ellis Island.

The theme of the Alpha Tau meeting was “Popping into Summer!” Members brought lists of their favorite movies, books, and television shows to share and discuss, encouraging each other to try out some of the new choices of entertainment for the summer. The hostess committee, Jerri Coates, Joan Moore, Suzy McCook, Bettye Penny, and Sondra Perry had the library meeting room looking like a movie theater, carrying out the theme. There were black curtains and concessions of popcorn, hotdogs, nachos, candy, and cola. Each table was adorned with a movie poster, and the Hostess Committee members were dressed as ushers in black and white with pill box hats! It was the perfect setting! President Vivian Themer stated, “It was the best meeting we have had all year! It was lots of fun!”

Southern Arkansas University has announced that 514 students earned a 3.5 GPA or higher for the spring 2021 semester and have been named to its’ Dean’s List.

I had not thought of one of my all-time favorite television shows for quite some time until I heard the sad news: “Clarence Williams III has died at age 81.”

If you’re a dad, you may be in line to get some nice gifts on Father’s Day. But your greatest gift may be your ability to help your children. One way of doing that is to get them started in the world of investing – and making a few investments on their behalf.

March, 1886: According to the Kaufman Sun, there were 71 school districts in the county besides those of Kaufman and Terrell, with 4,700 pupils inside the scholastic ages of 8-16. The County received $24,300 free school (note: Nothing is free according to my economics teachers!) money from the State every year. There were excellent high schools at Kaufman, Terrell, Forney, Kemp, Cedar Grove, and fair prospects for several more in the near future.

In 1974 I purchased Earl Sigler’s 1940s home on the lot at the corner of West Pacific and Miller’s Trailer Park private road and soon decided the wooden shingles that had been on it for more than 30 years needed to be “topped” with new modern white asphalt shingles. R. D. Davis, who had built the Paul and Marian Themer home at 605 Maple Street, said that I could not go wrong with putting hard-working and honest, Dee Bolding, in charge. The Boldings lived on Bois d’Arc, almost directly across the street and “one yard over” from Mom and Dad, so I went to see Mr. Bolding that evening when I was eating a “Mom Themer cooked” meal.