Stories from Friday, November 13, 2009

You'll have to excuse me this week if I am not at my usual crotchety best, but I have a good excuse. Just before 4 a.m. Sunday morning, Harlyn Virginia Williams - the newest member of our family - decided to make her grand entrance to this world. She and her mother Paige are doing fine, but her daddy is a little woozy after witnessing the miracle of birth...

There's a vast difference between the sexes. If there is ever strong evidence that something's been working behind the scenes creating mankind you'd only have to glance at a male and female to know there's something unique occurring. ...

When I was growing up, I felt like I had ugly teeth and a big booty. Oh and for years, I was always taller than the guys in my class. I felt different. Where I felt like these were "terrible curses", others tried to assure me that they were blessings in disguise or "stages" that I would outgrow in time. I have been told that beauty is only skin-deep or beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...

I'm having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. Normally, I'm chomping at the bits to put up my tree and decorate the house as soon as the trick-or-treaters leave. And, I almost always have a lot of my Christmas shopping done by this time every year. ...

The Trumann Wildcats continued their late-season surge with a 35-21 victory over Newport in the regular-season finale for both teams on Friday night. Trumann quarterback Blaike Jones rushed for 167 yards on 26 carries and added 161 yards passing and two touchdowns through the air to give the Wildcats (4-6, 4-3 4A-3) three wins in their past four games...

EPC (4-5, 3-5) finished their season on an up note Thursday night when they went to Newark and defeated Cedar Ridge (2-8, 1-7) 42-22. Also finishing the season with a bang was Byron Ford who passed the 1000 yard mark with 204 yards rushing on the night. ...

Marked Tree High School ended the season with a win over the Rector Cougars 34-8 Friday night and despite ending their season with a 3-7 record, Coach Waylon Dunn observed a lot the Indians can take and build on for next season...

Harrisburg traveled to Hoxie last Thursday night knowing a win would keep them in a tie for the conference championship. As a result, the Hornets played like they had all year, in workman like fashion, making few mistakes and taking advantage of the Mustangs (4-6, 3-4) errors for a 39-12 win...

Congressman Marion Berry was one of two from the Arkansas delegation to vote Saturday night for House Bill 3962, a sweeping piece of national health care reform legislation. Berry joined Vic Snyder of the Second District in voting for the measure, while Fourth District Congressman John Boozman and the Third District's Mike Ross cast negative votes...

After several months, the Trumann Museum will have a 20th anniversary grand re-opening from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Librarian Janie Teague said during the last several months, they have put new paneling on the walls. Additionally, they have re-arranged the placement of items in the museum as well as add new pictures to displays...

There is nothing stronger than the mutual pride between father and son, both of whom chose a life of service. Such is the case of a father and son duo Sergeant First Class Charlie Lee and Sergeant Timothy Lee of Lepanto. The two men share not only the bond of blood, but also that of devotion to their country...

It was a perfect, sunny day Saturday for a bike ride. Riders from all over Arkansas took advantage of the beautiful weather and participated in the first annual Tour de Sunken Land bike ride Saturday...