Whether it’s strolling down the San Antonio River Walk, camping at Bastrop State Park, or exploring the Big Thicket, Texas offers summer fun for everyone. This year, as you’re enjoying the wide variety of getaways Texas has to offer, don’t forget one essential item - a good book.

Books can take us back in time or provide a window into the future. They give us an understanding of the past and present, and give our lives perspective, pleasure or escape.

Open the pages of a Texas history book and experience the drama as Colonel Travis and his troops battle Santa Anna at the Alamo; enjoy a bird’s eye view of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos, the last capital of the Republic of Texas; or revisit the devastating Galveston hurricane of 1900 that forever changed the shape of the Gulf Coast.

Biographies can be inspiring and motivational. In Lazy B, the story of Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, we are privy to her hardships on a drought-devastated western ranch during the Great Depression. Her personal story paints a vivid picture of the family values that have governed her life and continue to guide her as she makes life-altering decisions in the marble halls of the Supreme Court.

For an escape from the everyday, consider a classic tale of fiction. In the children’s story, The Wizard of Oz, readers are transported with Dorothy out of rural Kansas and into the magical world of a talking scarecrow, a heartless tin man, and a glittering emerald city. The enchanting fable teaches lessons of perseverance, teamwork and courage.

Books educate us, entertain us, enlighten us and even improve us. Child-rearing books can help parents find creative ways to tackle temper tantrums, teething and potty training. Books such as The Courthouses of Texas, Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening, and Best Bike Rides in Texas can enrich our lives and challenge us to try new things.

Books are especially important for children. Studies have shown that reading and storytelling increase a child’s vocabulary and stimulate their imagination. Favorites like Clifford, The Big Red Dog, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Dr. Seuss books teach critical life lessons early on and provide a love of reading to last a lifetime.

Older children can enjoy the practical lessons found in the adventures of Anne of Green Gables, the tales of a young orphan finding friends and facing growing pains. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, which has been made into blockbuster films, takes readers into a fantasy world of unforgettable characters and an epic battle between good and evil.

A visit to your local library is one of the best things you can do this summer. Most libraries offer books for all ages as well as games and special reading hours for children. They are the perfect place to rediscover classics like Charlotte’s Web and The Great Gatsby, or find the latest best seller by John Grisham or Robert Caro. The Internet is also a great resource for reviewing books online, finding summer reading guides and purchasing books.

Reading is the foundation for a lifetime of learning: it is never to early to get started-and never too late to revive one’s love of reading. As you enjoy the summer and the many sights the Lone Star state has to offer, don’t leave your roadmap to adventure behind. Before the long, hot days of summer are gone, take the time to lose yourself in a good book.

Julie Curtis-Win:

A Heart as Big as Texas

By Casie Vinall
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2003 - It was the first time Julie Curtis-Win and her father had done something together in a long time. Both avid gardeners, they signed up for Texas A&M’s Horticulture Master Gardener class.

What began in 1997 as family time turned into a volunteer commitment of Texas- sized proportions that would lead Curtis-Win to forge close ties with her local military community.

The gardening course required 50 hours of community service. Through the Adopt- a-School program, Curtis-Win partnered with the Army’s 62nd Engineer Battalion, 13th Corps Support Command, from Fort Hood, Texas.

Their initial project was a huge success. Volunteer civilians and service members set up an outdoor classroom for a local school with a science lab, pond, apple trees, greenhouse, and herb, vegetable and butterfly gardens.

Logging in at over 3,000 volunteer hours a year, Curtis-Win was just getting started.

"It was because of this partnership, I came to understand the military, the life of the soldiers and the struggles of some of their families," she said. "These soldiers taught our community that not only could they perform the tasks of being a soldier, carry guns, drive tanks and keep us safe, but they could plant flowers and build greenhouses and be a part of our community."

When the volunteer work ran late, Curtis-Win ensured the troops were fed. "It was not uncommon for my husband to come home from work and find soldiers on our porch eating pizza," she said, "because I knew that they had missed the mess hall meal, and we always felt that if they were helping us they would not go back to base with an empty stomach."

Curtis-Win watched the troops and the kids became even closer after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"After 9/11, it was comforting to our children to see the soldiers at the schools," Curtis-Win said. "Quite often, there would be a child that was having difficulty understanding 9/11 and soldiers would visit with them and tell them it was not their place to worry but the soldiers were there to make sure they were safe. It helped a lot of children sleep better at night."

The joint projects continued, and the volunteers built a greenhouse at Bonham Middle School in 2002. This time, 85 middle school students joined the team. Curtis-Win estimates 8,000 hours went into completing the building. After interacting with the school children during the project, she said, five soldiers decided they would like to become teachers.

The projects were in full swing when, in early January, Curtis-Win received a call notifying her that the 62nd Engineer Battalion would be deployed in a week.

"Well, needless to say, I really felt like I was losing 400-plus children," she recalled. "Most of the soldiers that I have worked with are my son’s age or younger."

Curtis-Win showed up at the unit’s pre-deployment site with more than 600 cookies. "It was the saddest event I have ever been part of," she said. "Watching all those soldiers and their families say goodbye is burned into my memory."

When Curtis-Win passed out food and other items to the soldiers, she recalls that they asked how much they needed to pay her for the products.

"It actually upset me to think that they thought they would have to pay for this little gesture of kindness," she said. "This is why the following week, I started soliciting my community to put together a meal for 2,000 soldiers that I knew would be leaving from 13th COSCOM."

In only four days, Curtis-Win collected all the necessary materials, with the exception of one crucial item. Texas A&M University Medical School’s Health Science Center donated the missing ingredient -- 2,000 bags of potato chips.

"That afternoon, when I returned home, I turned the corner and the Lay’s Potato Chip truck was in front of my house," she said. "Half my porch was covered with boxes of potato chips, and the Texas A&M University administrator was standing in the front yard counting potato chip boxes and holding a check for $1,480."

Curtis-Win continued attending the deployment ceremonies, sending off more than 20,000 soldiers. Before the soldiers left, she said she let them make last- minute phone calls on her cell phone, totaling 58 pages worth of phone bills.

During the deployments, members of what is now the Texas Military Family Foundation repeatedly contacted Curtis-Win to come on board. She declined because she was so busy with her volunteer projects. After learning more about the foundation, however, she decided to get involved.

Curtis-Win now serves as executive director of the Texas Military Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to making the lives of military members and their families easier. With a secretary by her side, Curtis-Win and the foundation’s only other paid employee "work 24 hours when it is required," she said. But they are not going it alone.

Volunteers from Austin, Dallas, Houston and the rest of the central Texas area help the foundation. Also, the foundation works in conjunction with other aid groups, such as the Red Cross, USO, and the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army and foundation recently teamed up to buy a custom chair for a deployed soldier’s family member with cerebral palsy.

Together with Bell County C.A.R.E., a faith-based initiative, the foundation provides free childcare to family members of deployed reserve members and National Guardsmen on Tuesdays. From its inception, the program "assist(s) anywhere from 3 to 4 up to 20 to 25 families a week," she said. "What a great opportunity for the churches to open their doors and their hearts."

During a particularly bad bout of storms in February 2003, reserve members activated at Fort Hood were stuck in transient billets for three days. Curtis- Win realized the troops needed something more on-site to occupy their time in the future, especially since some of these troops had already spent three months there.

"I understood that this was a place for reserve and guard to come and train which they had done but the waiting was really getting to them," she said. So, the foundation brought in pool, foosball, air hockey, and ping-pong tables, and installed phones and set up hair and laundry facilities.

"I have never seen a recreation center go up so fast," she stated. "This brought tears to the soldiers’ eyes."

The foundation has held barbecue dinners for troops, serving 125 apple pies in one night. Aided by Campfire Girls and Cub Scouts, the foundation also held Coke float night.

"The interaction between the soldiers and the children was wonderful. It was a little city overnight. Little did I know but there were over 4,000 soldiers out there," she recalled.

Curtis-Win said a 9-year-old girl from Troy, Texas, arranged personal care packages in sacks, each with a note she had written. The girl raised money to cover the shipping costs and sent four boxes with the help of the Red Cross.

Curtis-Win’s job continues even after the troops return safely. Since some of the returning reservists do not have jobs to come back to. She said the foundation arranged for the Texas Workforce Commission to come to the base. That way, the paperwork process can be started before the troops "are deactivated and leave the base," she said.

"Our association has grown out of our hearts into the lives of so many soldiers and their families," Curtis-Win said. "A happy soldier makes a happy home, and a happy home makes a happy soldier. To help improve or enhance systems already in place is just the right thing to do."

Julie Curtis-Win serves as Executive Director of the Texas Military Family Foundation. "Our association has grown out of our hearts into the lives of so many soldiers and their families," she said.

Baylor Searches For Neurodegenerative Disease Biomarkers

Houston - Baylor College of Medicine in Houston has signed a research agreement with Advanced Bio/Chem, Inc. to search for biomarkers for neurogenerative disease.

The principal investigator for the project is Dr. Stan Appel, chairman of the department of neurology at Baylor. Appel, a leader in neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disease research, will be working with Advanced Bio/Chem and Dr. Ira Goldknopf, chief scientific officer and the company’s lead investigator.

Appel is director of the MDA/ALS Center, the Jerry Lewis Neuromuscular Disease Research Center, and a National Institute of Aging Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Baylor. His research exploring the role of the immune system and inflammation in neurological disorders is helping to create a better understanding of ALS and other neurological diseases.

MHMR Services of Texoma

Gainesville: All aboard! The whistle blows, and the Amtrak train pulls away from the Gainesville station on its journey to Fort Worth. This was a special train ride for ten men who live in a Denison alternate living facility (ALF) operated by Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma.

Most of the men had never ridden a train and had anxiously awaited the trip for several weeks. Pat Belcher, a staff member of the residence, conceived the trip idea and made the arrangements. Belcher had never ridden a train either and decided it would be a great Saturday activity.

Belcher’s daughter from Arlington donated $200 towards the trip.

Sheila Hensley, long time ALF staff member, said, "We had planned many outings through the years, but this is the first one that all ten men have enjoyed. Each one of them had a great time. They were smiling during the entire trip. They came home tired and happy."

Belcher added, "They all rode in the train’s dome where they could see the countryside as we traveled to Fort Worth. They met people on the train from Oklahoma City and San Antonio and chatted with them during the trip. When we arrived, the men were so excited to be in a big city and wanted to walk to a Mexican restaurant to eat."

"With the rest of the donated money, they were able to buy souvenirs.

Since we all like to buy souvenirs, almost everyone bought a T-shirt or a hat. "

Mike Dixon, Dale Kay, Dennis Hightower, and Ricky Engle agreed it was the best trip they had ever taken. Dale Kay said, "I didn’t waste my money on a souvenir." Mike Dixon laughingly said, "We got to Gainesville early enough to go through the train museum at the depot. In Fort Worth, we were near Billy Bob’s nightclub, but we didn’t go. We saw Alliance Airport, and we went to the Farmers’ Market."

For Engle, whose father works for the railroad in Omaha, NE, the high point of the trip was riding the train. Engle said, " I have been dreaming of riding the train to Omaha to see my family."

As Belcher discussed the trip’s success, she said, "The men want to take another Amtrak trip in the early fall. Their sites are set on San Antonio, the Alamo, and the River Walk. We need donations to help purchase the train tickets, food, and lodging accommodations."

Any one wishing to make tax-deductible donation for the San Antonio trip, should make the check payable to the Volunteer Services Council and mail to Attention: Paula Cawthon, MHMR Services of Texoma, 5001 Airport Drive, Denison, TX 75020 or call 903-337-4865 for more information.

"It’s a dream come true," has been said more than once recently at the Fannin County Children’s Center (CASA & Child Advocacy Center.) The local agency recently moved to a new location that is handicapped accessible and about twice as big as their previous location. In an effort to celebrate this important milestone, the community is invited to a grand opening celebration on Friday, August 1st at 112 West Fifth Street in Bonham. The center will be open for visitors to come and go between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to have a ribbon cutting at about 8:45 a.m. and a dedication and recognition ceremony will follow.

"We are absolutely thrilled with our new place," said Sandy Barber, Executive Director. "Since we moved in we have had many kids, families and other visitors to the center. We are pleased to be getting so many positive comments about how inviting, cheerful and comfortable the center is, which is, of course, what we have been striving for."

"We have also been overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring of support for this center and the kids and families we serve," said Barber. "Throughout the building there are reminders to us of all of the community members who have contributed their skills, time and resources to this effort of relocating the center."

Dugan Curtis has also become a hero in the eyes of everyone at the Children’s Center for his work as the volunteer general contractor of the refurbishing effort. "I can’t say enough nice things about Dugan," said Barber. "He has kept this refurbishing project within our budget and completed many improvements to the building that were not originally planned for. He is the one responsible for securing many of the in-kind donations, discounts and volunteer labor that went into this effort."

"We also are very grateful for the generosity of everyone who helped us raise about $153,000 for the capital campaign," said Barber. The Glaser Family Charitable Foundation kicked off the agency’s campaign last year with a generous gift of $50,000. Individuals, businesses, churches and other organizations from all over Fannin County collectively gave about $56,500 and the York Children’s Foundation contributed $1,500. At the end of March, the Meadows Foundation finished off the campaign with a generous gift of $45,000 for the project.

For more information, contact the Center at (903) 583-4339 or by email at info@fanninccc.org.

School Supply Drive Underway

Back to school time is fast approaching. Staff and volunteers at the Fannin County Children’s Center are gearing up for the agency’s seventh annual school supply drive for needy kids. The project serves school age children (K-8th) from every school district in Fannin County.

Donations of actual items can be brought to the center’s new location at 112 West Fifth Street in Bonham. Financial contributions can be mailed or brought to the center as well. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Last year 350 children received supplies from the Children’s Center. "This special project is funded entirely from community donations," said Sandy Barber, Executive Director of the Children’s Center. "Each year we have served more children and fortunately our donations have kept up with demand."

Items needed include: notebook paper, pens, pencils, three-ring notebooks, folders, spiral notebooks, rulers, scissors, markers, crayons, glue, tissues, erasers, backpacks, construction paper and other supplies from area lists.

"We ask that donors try to get their contributions to us by August 8th if at all possible. This will give us time to shop and prepare for the distribution of supplies," said Barber.

Sign-ups and distribution will take place at the agency’s new location at 112 West Fifth Street in Bonham on Thursday and Friday, August 14^th & 15^th from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 2:00-4:00 p.m. each day. Parents or other caregivers should bring the child’s social security card and some proof of need, such as Medicaid card, food stamps or paycheck stub.

The mission of the Fannin County Children’s Center is to protect and enhance the quality of life of the abused, neglected and needy children of Fannin County. The agency’s primary programs are CASA and the Children’s Advocacy Center. For more information, call (903) 583-4339 or info @fanninccc.org.

(Austin, Texas) - Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental organization, was awarded a one-year, $75,000 grant from the GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, to enhance and invigorate the Keep Texas Beautiful Environmental Education Program. The grant will support the purchase of Waste in Place curriculum and materials, provide Environmental Education Kits and statewide training opportunities to formal and informal educators, and to hire an environmental education coordinator at the organization. As a result of this grant, an estimated 6,000 Texas youth will receive environmental education.

Through a "train the trainer" education program, KTB will train volunteers in the Waste in Place curriculum which focuses on litter prevention and solid waste management. Keep Texas Beautiful Environmental Education Kits provide ready-made lesson plans and other resources for teachers and will be produced and used to train educators who will instruct thousands of students throughout the state.

The GE Foundation (www.gefoundation.com), the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, marks its 50th anniversary of philanthropic giving in 2003 and continues to support initiates that improve educational opportunity and strengthen community organizations in GE communities around the world. All told, GE, the GE Foundation and GE employees and retirees contributed over $120 million to community and educational institutions last year.

Keep Texas Beautiful, the statewide grassroots environmental organization and affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, strives to empower Texans through education to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment. KTB uses Keep America Beautiful’s Waste in Place, a hands-on environmental curriculum for grades K-8, and its own Environmental Education Kit to promote awareness about solid waste, litter, and beautification issues.

KTB works with volunteers, elected officials, businesses and state and federal agencies to ensure that every Texan has the opportunity to take individual responsibility for making Texas the cleanest, most beautiful state in the nation. For more information on programs and events, call

1-800-CLEAN-TX or visit www.ktb.org.

No More Forgotten Wars

By Jerry Patterson

Texas Land Commissioner

Fifty years ago this week, America agreed to an unsteady peace on the Korean peninsula after three years of bloody fighting. On July 27th, 1953 the United States, North Korea and China signed an armistice which stopped the war. Now, the 38th parallel divides North from South, and the intervening demilitarized zone is still a boundary between freedom and tyranny.

Some will say the war in Korea was a "police action" led by the United Nations. Others may say we failed to achieve a victory because three years of fighting ended in a stalemate, with Korea remaining a divided country to this day. The fact remains, however, were it not for U.S. military intervention, the entire Korean peninsula would have been overrun. The prosperous, democratic Republic of Korea that emerged after the war is one of our strongest economic and diplomatic partners in the area.

Over one hundred thousand Americans were wounded in Korea, and thirty-six thousand Americans, including more than 1,700 from Texas, were killed in action, yet popular culture has dubbed this conflict the "forgotten war."

Rest assured, thousands of Korean War veterans living today have not forgotten the war. They live with their memories of the war, and possibly their wounds. And they see a new generation of American men and women fighting on foreign soil to bring freedom to a threatened population.

The parallels with today’s conflict in Iraq are subtle but important. Both conflicts were initiated by Presidential mandate under a U.N. resolution without an official declaration of war. In both conflicts, the definition of victory was debated. Both conflicts involved a multinational force, with the United States military clearly shouldering much of the burden and taking most of the casualties.

If the U.S. had not intervened, communist North Korea would have overrun the entire peninsula. North Korea is now threatening the world, yet imagine if they had been unchecked at the 38th parallel in 1953. Imagine the threat to the United States that would be posed today by unified Korea under the mad dictator Kim Chong-il.

Similarly, fifty years from now, hindsight may prove U.S. military intervention prevented an even larger threat to the world by ending Saddam Hussein’s reign in Iraq.

Regardless of political or diplomatic squabbling, the men and women of the United States military carried out their duties with honor and courage. In Korea, the amphibious landing at Inchon and subsequent liberation of Seoul in September 1950 was one of the most successful and ingenious American campaigns ever recorded. This year’s lightning-fast advance of U.S. and coalition forces into Iraq, and the liberation of Baghdad will be similarly remembered.

Yet, for half a century, men and women who served in Korea and lived to tell about it, have had to endure a perception that their service was of less importance than the veterans of World War II. Popular culture venerates actions at places like Normandy and Midway - and rightly so. But who remembers a hit movie about Osan, Inchon, or the Chosin Reservoir?

In fifty years, will Americans remember the courage of U.S. troops at Basrah, Umm Qasr, or An Nasiriyah?

In each battle, American troops died in the cause of freedom.

We have an obligation to do all we can not only for the veterans of "the greatest generation" but for every generation. Whether the veteran returned home 50 years ago, or comes home next month, they are all deserving of our respect and gratitude.

Perhaps more importantly, they have earned the rights to special privileges and benefits. Here in Texas, veterans can take advantage of a wide range of special programs, many of which are offered by a state agency I chair, the Texas Veterans Land Board. From low interest loans for land or home purchase to high-quality long-term care, the Veterans Land Board spends every day ensuring that Texas veterans receive the tangible benefits due to those who risk their lives on our behalf.

So as we remember a war that ended 50 years ago this week and took 36,570 American lives, we should look to the future. We must not let today’s battles become tomorrow’s forgotten war.

JERRY PATTERSON is Texas Land Commissioner and Chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Board. For more information on state veterans benefits in Texas, please visit www.texasveterans.com or call 1-800-252-VETS.

Surgery Speeds Healing For Colon Cancer Patients

HOUSTON--A new surgery to remove colon cancer speeds recovery time and allows patients with the disease to start chemotherapy sooner.

The experimental procedure, called a laparoscopic colectomy, removes cancerous growths in the colon through small incisions in the abdomen. Baylor College of Medicine in Houston is recruiting 120 subjects for its study of the procedure for colon cancer. The procedure has been used to remove benign colon tumors since the 1990s.

"The amount of pain the patients have and the rapidity with which they recover are advantages of this procedure over the traditional colectomy," said Dr. William Fisher, an assistant professor in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor who performs the surgery.

Using the traditional approach to removing cancerous growths in the colon, surgeons make an incision that extends from the bottom of the sternum to the pubic bone. Since an incision that large takes time to heal, patients take at least six weeks to recover. The larger the incision, the more painful the recovery.

Most patients who undergo a laparoscopic colectomy recover in about a week and can start chemotherapy.

"We don’t have to wait six weeks for the patient to heal and can start chemotherapy right away," Fisher said. "The best chance for chemotherapy to work is right after the tumor is removed, when the total number of cancer cells is reduced to the minimum."

Using the laparoscopic procedure, surgeons make small incisions in the abdomen and insert a thin, telescope-like instrument, called a laparoscope, through a small incision in the abdominal wall. The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera, smaller than a dime, which projects a view of the area of the operation onto video monitors located in the operating room.

The surgeon then makes four or five small incisions through which he or she inserts instruments to cut out the portion of the colon containing the tumor. Looking at the video monitors, the surgeon pinpoints the location of the tumor, places it in a small specimen bag and removes it from the abdomen through the incision.

"Even though we are working through an extremely small incision, we can still remove the same amount of tumor and surrounding tissue that we do in a traditional colectomy," said Dr. John Sweeny, who performs the surgery. Sweeny is principal investigator of the study and an associate professor of surgery and chief of minimally invasive surgery at Baylor.

The laparoscopic procedure allowed patient Ernie Yankee, who develops cancer drugs, to go back to work one week after he had it done.

"In our company we don’t have a lot of people and we have a lot of things going on and everybody matters," Yankee said. "So I was very pleased to come back to work so quickly and function basically as normal."

"SISTERS OF THE SILVER SAGE"

By Tina Jones

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting three amazing women with lots of talent of whom I would like to share with you.

I was working at the Fannin County Special when a call came in from the Sunset Grill advising that there were three ladies wishing to speak to a news reporter. Not knowing what to expect, I got to the restaurant and I met three sisters, Donna, Rhonda and Janet from Tennessee and their friend from Bonham, Candy Killion.

Donna, Rhonda and Janet are three of the six daughters of the late Smoky White, long-time member of the Grand Old Opry and fiddle-player for Archie (Grandpappy) Campbell of Hee Haw fame. Their father’s passion for the songs of the Sons of the Pioneers and Bob Wills’ Western Swing was passed down to his daughters and the close blend of their family harmony truly enhances this extraordinary music.

The "Sister’s" have recently signed a contract with Gila Monster Publishing in Nashville, and their new album "Sisters of the Silver Sage," reached the top five finalists for the Academy of Western Artist "Rising Star Award" and the "Western Music Song of the Year" with "He’s a Cowboy", written by Donna Guffey. "He’s a Cowboy" took top honors when D.J. , Joe Baker, "New Mexico’s Bear", announced the winner of the "Song of the Year" at the Will Rogers Award Ceremony at the Scott Theatre in Ft. Worth, Tuesday July 8, 2003. Donna proudly set her award out for me to see. It was truly a lovely sculpture of a cowboy inscribed with her name and the title "Song of the Year."

The "Sisters" opened for George Jones at the Country Tonight Theatre in Pigeon Forge, TN on July 25th, and are suppose to open again at Knoxville Film Festival in TN on August 22 and 23.

Candy and Rhonda have been long time friends for over 30 years. While sitting and talking, Rhonda mentioned she has in her possession a folder full of thirty years personal poems of Candy’s, to be made in to songs, are for their new CD they’re working on. This has been a life long dream of Rhonda and Candy, because they are personal experiences of Candy’s life, they knew the project must be done very delicately at the right time.

I wish these ladies a lot of luck and hope only the best for them. Before we parted at the restaurant, I was honored by hearing them sing "He’s a Cowboy". I also got to hear the first part of the first song to be on Candys CD. These songs are very sentimental and a little bit country that a lot of women can relate to. Boy are they good!

To find out more about these three special ladies, visit their web-site: http://www.sistersofthesilversage.com, and be sure to sign the guest book.

DPS Needs More Recruits To Offset Retirements

Deadline Only Two Weeks Away

With a fast-approaching application deadline of August 4, the DPS is stepping up efforts to attract trooper applicants to an October recruit school.

"The deadline is just around the corner, and we have an urgent need for trooper-trainees to offset retirements and to fill trooper openings associated with NAFTA," said DPS Director Col. Thomas Davis Jr. "We need an immediate influx of applicants to ensure a quality, diversified applicant pool to fill our next recruit school."

The six-month training academy will start October 13 in Austin. Application packets can be picked up at the nearest DPS office and extensive information is accessible on the DPS Web site, www.txdps.state.tx.us <http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/>. Information also is available by calling a toll-free number, 1-866-TXTROOP (898-7667), that rings directly into the recruiting office at DPS Headquarters in Austin.

Graduates are initially assigned as uniformed officers in one of several services. After gaining experience, troopers can compete for a variety of assignments in the Traffic Law Enforcement, Criminal Law Enforcement, Driver License, Administration and Texas Ranger divisions.

An applicant must be a U.S. citizen, at least 20 years of age by the time they are accepted as trooper-trainees and have completed 90 hours of college credit. Law enforcement, jailer or military experience may be used toward fulfilling the college requirement.

An applicant’s background will be carefully scrutinized, including prior criminal history. DPS is an equal opportunity employer.

"Golden Gospel Jubilee"

The annual Golden Gospel Jubilee will be this Friday night, August 1, at 7:30 pm at the popular Lake Bonham Hoe-Down, 1/2 mile from Lake Bonham recreation area east of the spillway on CR 2610, Bonham, TX. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. The show will be hosted by Joan Kelton and the talented Bluegrass Gospeleers. Featuring: Randy Keister, Don Sharp, Glen Clark, George Kirby, Jim Clark, and Mike Stroud, plus our singing sound man, Gary Monroe. Our scheduled special guest will be recording artist Peggy Whitesell from Rowlett, TX and area known and popular "Cox Family," from Savoy, TX. All of our guests have been here before, and we are always happy to welcome them back. We are looking forward to seeing them again, here at the Jubilee. Everyone is invited and welcome to an evening of fun and inspiration. Admission is free. Donations are accepted and most appreciated. Thanks to all for your support. May God bless you. For information call: 903-583-4731 or 903-583-5710.

Bonham Snap Center

Hamburgers, Mexicali Corn, Lettuce/Tomatoes, Onions/Pickles, Buns, Plum Cobbler, Milk

Meatloaf, Whipped Potatoes, English Peas, Bread, Scalloped Apples, Milk

Ladies Auxiliary To The Veterans Of Foreign Wars

Bonham, James E. Bragg Post # 4852 Veterans of Foreign Wars will host the District I quarterly meeting August 2 and 3.

The Ladies Auxiliary President, Peggy McGowen, will make her official visit to tour Bonham VA facilities on Friday, August 1^st at 10 am.

Peggy McGowen was elected and installed as State President for the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States on June 21, 2003, at the 77^th annual convention, held at Corpus Christi Omni Hotel. She has been a member of Great Southwest Memorial Auxiliary 8561 since 1982, and a Life member since 1983. Her eligibility is through her husband F.L. (Mac) McGowen, a Vietnam Veteran, who served with the United States Army.

Peggy has held various Offices and Chairmanships on the Auxiliary and District levels. She has served as State CA&R , Americanism, Publicity, and Membership Chairman, and has held the State offices of Guard, Conductress, Chaplain, Jr. and Sr. Vice President.

Peggy has worked for Hanson Aggregates, in Irving, TX for 16 years. Mac is a Sergeant with the Tarrant County College Police Department, in Ft. Worth. Her family includes her two daughters, Paula and Pam, who reside in the Ft. Worth area. Step-children Lisa, Michael, and Patrick also reside in the Ft. Worth area. Her 3 daughters are also members of the Ladies Auxiliary. Peggy and Mac have 9 grandchildren.

Peggy has chosen for her theme, "Honoring Veterans Who Proudly Served". Peggy’s symbol is the owl. The National President, Evelyn McCune of Blairstown, Mo, has chosen "Peace, Hope, and Love" for her theme, and the Dove as her symbol.

Peggy’s goal for 2003-2004 is to achieve 100% in Membership. She believes that our Communities, through the Unity of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ladies Auxiliary, will benefit greatly from the service we provide to them.

Current members of the James E. Bragg Post # 4852, please pay your yearly dues as soon as possible.

If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars or Ladies Auxiliary, please contact Sonny Bingham at 903-583-5733 ot Wynell McClure at 903-583-4712.

Edward Jones Ranks High As Advocate For Customers

Edward Jones is among the best advocates for its customers, according to a recently released national research study of U.S. financial-services firms.

Edward Jones, the highest-ranking brokerage named on the list, placed second in the customer advocacy ranking released July 9 by Forrester Research, an independent research company that identifies and analyzes trends in technology and their impact on business.

The "Winning the Changing Financial Consumer" study found that "customer advocacy (was) touted as (the) primary attribute in driving retention and satisfaction of financial consumers." In the report, customer advocacy is defined as offering products and services "that are best for the customer, not just for the firm’s bottom line."

"Doing what’s right for the customer is our guiding principle," said John W. Bachmann, managing partner of Edward Jones, "We, deliver one-on-one service to serious, long-term, individual investors to help them achieve their financial goals."

Edward Jones does not offer aggressive investment products like options, commodities or penny stocks, nor does the firm sell its own line of proprietary products. The report praises Edward Jones for imposing "strict discipline on transactions like margin and options trading."

Forrester Research since 1997 surveyed nearly 1 million U.S. consumers to identify their primary provider of investment products and then asked a variety of questions to assess how well they trusted their firm.

Three factors distinguish the financial-services firms that fall into the leader category, according to the report. "A cohesive company culture plays an important role in how a firm is graded on the customer advocacy scale. Firms that have grown organically, rather than through acquisitions, are better able to maintain a unified culture and are thus seen as more effective customer advocates."

Tracing its roots to 1871, Edward Jones is a private partnership owned by its associates. Its more than 9,000 investment representatives in the U.S., and through its affiliates in Canada and the United Kingdom, provide face-to-face personal service by discussing their clients, individual investment needs on a one-on-one basis. The firm’s strong culture and values of putting the client first, respecting history, values and culture and working in partnership to achieve results, enable its associates to focus clearly on its objective of serving the individual investor.

"Secondly, firms that do business with many consumers directly, receive higher marks for customer advocacy," the report continues. "Those firms that rely on brokers and agents should invest heavily in training, so that customers are offered products and guidance that serves their best interests."

Firms that rely on technology to serve their clients, best interests score high on the customer advocacy scale as well, the report said.

Recognized by Training Magazine for its extensive training program, Edward Jones spends 3 percent of its payroll on associate training. "Edward Jones, for example, spends more on training its investment reps than any other firm in the industry," the Forrester report said. The firm invests between $75,000 and $100,000 in training its new investment representatives. Additionally, Computer World magazine for the last two years identified Edward Jones as one of the Best Places to Work for Information Technology professionals. And for the second consecutive year, Edward Jones received the No. 1 ranking by FORTUNE magazine in its annual listing of the 11100 Best Companies to Work For" in America.

The Bonham Edward Jones investment representatives are Jim Cook and Brent Speck.

2003 Fannin American All-Stars

The 2003 Fannin American All-Stars competed in the Dixie District All-Star tournament in Sulpher Springs, TX over the July 4^th weekend. The players were selected from the Trenton and Leonard age 9-10 baseball teams.

The first game was a nail-biter in which Fannin American held the lead through the first 4 innings but ultimately lost to the Delta County All-Stars 12 – 6.

The second game was equally exciting. After Fannin American "spotted" the Terrell All-Stars a 6 run lead by the 2^nd inning, Fannin American settled down and played good baseball… losing by the score of 8 – 3.

The players were extremely dedicated, completing ten 2.5 hour practices in 12 days leading up to the tournament. The player’s parents were also all very dedicated and supportive.

Please take a moment to congratulate the following players for their accomplishments on the baseball field.

Front Row (right to left): Cody Donihoo, Collin Clark, Chad Evans, Elias Somers, Randy Tripp, James Allen.

Back Row (right to left): Alexis Somers, Seth Henry, Dillon Wooten, Dalton Mitchell, Dustin Eitel Stuart Doughty, Jarrett Doughty.

Coaches: Paul and Christy Clark, Randy Tripp.

Baylor, AstraZeneca Team Up On Translational Breast Cancer Research

HOUSTON - Breast cancer research at the Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital in Houston will get a boost from collaboration with AstraZeneca pledging up to $1 million annually to further research projects.

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals will partner with Baylor to investigate cellular and biochemical mechanisms that lead to the development of breast cancer and that cause some breast cancers to become resistant to current treatments.

"This alliance will allow us to examine some new areas of breast cancer research that we might not have been able to investigate otherwise," said Dr. C. Kent Osborne, director of the Breast Center at Baylor and Methodist. "Also, the access to scientists at AstraZeneca will further our research efforts."

New genetic approaches to predict which patients are at risk for metastases and for the development of resistance to treatment also will be investigated. Other projects include new approaches to breast cancer prevention and new in vivo models for the study of precancerous conditions.

The collaboration continues a relationship between Baylor and AstraZeneca that has been in place for the past decade. In that alliance, the pharmaceutical company provided support for a variety of research at the college. AstraZeneca now is focusing its efforts with Baylor on the college’s prominent breast cancer research program.

"We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Baylor, now focused on disease progression, mechanisms of resistance, and testing of new agents in breast cancer," said Dr. Jeffery Hanke, vice president, Cancer Discovery, AstraZeneca. "Through this alliance, we hope to build even stronger connections between clinicians and scientists at the two institutions."

In the alliance, projects proposed by either Baylor faculty or AstraZeneca scientists will be reviewed by a scientific review group comprised of representatives from both organizations. Selected projects will be funded for two years.

Each project will be led by investigators from Baylor and AstraZeneca, and the preliminary results will be reviewed twice each year by the scientific review group.

AstraZeneca has committed to funding the new alliance for three years, with the option to continue.

The Breast Center at Baylor and Methodist includes both the research program, and patient care, which is provided by the Breast Care Center at Baylor and Methodist.

Champion Bull Rider

Tuff Hedeman

Tuff Hedeman, world champion bull rider, came to Bonham Wednesday the 23rd for a special autograph signing event at S&E Western Wear located on Hwy 121.

A line of fans that extended from inside the store and down past three adjoining stores, waited in the afternoon heat to meet the rodeo legend.

Tuff was scheduled to stay till 4, but stilled till 6:00 pm signing autographs. This was a nice way to begin the week for the Kueckelhan Rodeo.

With Cuts Go Hopes Of Health For Mentally Ill

By Andrea Ball

Heidi Carabine can’t imagine life without help for her little boy.

The 7-year-old is bright, sweet and loving, she says. He likes peanut butter. He loves computers.

But Collin Carabine lives in a state of chaos. He suffers from pervasive development disorder, a problem that affects his motor skills, speech development and social behavior. He’s easily distracted and has trouble learning. Simple tasks — such as bathing and dressing — require supervision.

He obsesses. He fixates. Sometimes, he throws things.

"If he drops a crayon in art class, and it rolls away so he can’t reach it, he may start throwing scissors," Carabine said.

Managing that chaos takes time, energy and money. State and local programs provide the Austin boy therapy, case management and after-school care. Now, as budget cuts passed during the 78th Legislature take their toll on health and human services, Collin risks losing that help.

"They are leaving these children with no chance," Carabine said. "I am so angry and appalled at the government right now."

On Sept. 1, more than 500,000 children with coverage statewide — including 13,397 in Travis County — will lose most of their mental health coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

And the Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center lost $3.5 million, or 9.4 percent of its annual budget, for 2004. The center estimates that 32 mentally ill adults will, in turn, lose in-home services such as rental assistance and dental care. Another 68 people with mental retardation likely will lose home-based help with respite care, job training and wheelchair ramps.

The center will discontinue its counseling and information hot line, which receives more than 48,000 calls a year. It will also cut 25 employees who work with people with mental retardation, said David Evans, executive director of the center. In a 1999 "Lehrer NewsHour" interview, former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, who issued a 1999 report on mental illness, identified untreated mental illness as the root of much criminal behavior and homelessness.

Local officials say they’re trying to save the imperiled services, but there are no guarantees, board member Donald Dumas said.

"Lord, it’s just a nightmare," said Dumas, whose daughter has mental retardation. "The Legislature isn’t saving money. It’s going to cost us money when these people end up in emergency rooms or the juvenile justice system."

Human services advocates knew money would be tight.

This spring, as officials struggled to plug a $10 billion hole in the state’s $117 billion state budget, legislators warned people that programs could be cut. The advocates lobbied, testified before committees and rallied consumers to write their representatives. In the end, the cuts were even worse than expected, said Lila Carl, executive director of Any Baby Can, which works with needy children.

"Every day, it was a new blow," she said.

Politicians cut approximately $55 million from mental health centers across the state, including $5 million for psychiatric drugs. They eliminated mental health services for adult Medicaid recipients. They cut programs for people with mental retardation and mental illnesses — the kind that help people get jobs and keep them out of more expensive hospitals and rehabilitation centers, said Susan Eason, executive director of ARC of the Capital Area.

"They cut the most cost-effective programs, and they’re the ones that work," she said.

They also cut most mental health benefits from CHIP, a state and federal insurance program for children who don’t qualify for Medicaid and can’t afford private insurance.

In fiscal year 2003, the state paid approximately $6.5 million to buy mental health insurance for the roughly 500,000 CHIP participants in Texas. The federal government paid for most of the program with about $16.6 million.

That coverage, which has been used by approximately 57,000 children statewide, provided children with 60 outpatient visits and 45 days of hospitalization. About 525 Travis County children use those mental health benefits.

The state’s Health and Human Services Commission plans to ask the federal government to reimburse Texas for the CHIP-eligible children who will now likely turn to the state mental health system for help. There’s no guarantee that it will agree.

"We’re in that state where we’re dealing with the rubble the Legislature left behind and figuring out how it will affect the community," Evans said.

The center can’t do anything about the CHIP program. But to find money for its services, the center plans to refinance 12 properties and is researching more community partnerships. Staff members also are working with county and city leaders to soften additional cuts.

But Carabine says she knows she’ll lose out. The single mom estimates she’s received more than $10,000 a year in aid from the center. She’s expecting $2,500 next year.

Now Carabine will have to come up with money for the attendant who cares for Collin and medical expenses not covered by insurance, both provided now by the Travis County mental health system. She knows she’ll have to choose between her son’s attendant, therapy and medical care because she can’t afford all three.

"If these children are not helped, they’ll end up in prisons or institutions," she said. "That’s where our tax money is going to go, and they’re going to be dependent on it for the rest of their lives."

Kennedy Named As Baylor Vice President For Development

HOUSTON – Lisa Kennedy has been appointed as vice president for development at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Kennedy has been assistant vice president for development at Baylor and acting head of that department since October 2002.

"Lisa has a impressive background and proven expertise in development as well as close ties with the Houston community. She has managed the development office extremely well despite transitions in department and College leadership," said Dr. Peter G. Traber, Baylor’s president and CEO. "Lisa has excellent vision for development and a campaign for Baylor College of Medicine that will enable us to reach our mission goals. She has been active in strategic planning for the College, has done a great job of helping me to meet the Houston community, and I consider her to be a highly valued member of my executive team."

Kennedy joined Baylor in 1996 as senior director of development. In that position, she played a key role in the successful completion of the College’s $521 million Investment in Discovery Campaign by working closely with members of the Baylor Board of Trustees, and community volunteers to garner major contributions for the College.

"Despite the unprecedented success of the last campaign, the College continues to have financial needs that our office can help meet through the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations," said Kennedy. "My fundraising philosophy might best be described as donor-driven philanthropy. Houston is a very philanthropic city, and I believe people want to do something meaningful with their resources. Therefore, we have opportunities to match their interests with needs in the community that the College fulfills, which can ultimately make a significant impact on the health of future generations."

Prior to joining Baylor, Kennedy spent four years as the director of corporate and foundation relations at Rice University, and two years as the director of corporate relations at Southern Methodist University. She also has more than 14 years experience in sales, marketing and management.

Kennedy earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and her master’s degree from Southern Methodist University. In her position, she will report to Traber.

Revised Child Care Minimum Standards to Go Into Effect

Austin, TX--The end of summer is almost upon us, marking the start of the season when Texas parents look for child care. As children begin this new school year, Texas child-care providers will begin a new era as new child-care minimum standards go into effect on Sept. 1, 2003.

The standards, established by the Child Care Licensing division of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS), ensure that each licensed or registered child-care provider meet certain minimum criteria in areas such as child development, early childhood education, fire safety, health, and sanitation. There are more than 23,000 child-care providers in Texas, all of who are being trained across the state about the new standards this summer. Information about the standards can be found at www.txchildcaresearch.org under "Child Care Standards and Regulations, Child Care Standards."

The new standards were adopted following an extensive public review period from July to November 2002. More than 4,000 people, including child-care providers, parents, elected officials, business groups, professional organizations, and governmental entities submitted more than 15,000 comments to agency staff and board members. The PRS Board adopted the revised minimum standards for Texas child-care homes and centers earlier this year.

The standards consolidate six sets of rules into two sets, one for home-based care and one for center-based care. The standards have also been rewritten into an easy to understand question-and-answer format designed to improve compliance and reduce mistakes. The Texas Legislature requires PRS to periodically review, revise, and consolidate the agency’s rules and regulations. The last major standards revision for center-based care was in 1995 and the last major revision for home-based care was in 1990.

"This is a new year for children and a new era for day care in Texas," said Judy Lutz, director of the PRS Child Care Licensing division. "We believe consolidating and rewriting the standards in this manner will help PRS and providers better focus on meeting the needs of children in care. In addition, by updating the standards based on current knowledge of health, safety, and well being, we hope to reduce the risk of harm to children in child-care settings. We are also grateful to have received such an outpouring of comments and suggestions."

Evelyn Moore, president of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, said she was pleased with the new standards. "We want to thank PRS board members and staff for working so hard on behalf of Texas children and families," said Moore "We are pleased that the new standards require activity plans, as well as several health and safety safeguards."

Martha Cephus, president-elect for the Texas Professional Home Child Care Association, said her organization appreciated the revision. "After attending the class on our new minimum standards, the paramount fact was that the ultimate safety of the children in our care is both the provider’s and the regulator’s goal," said Cephus. "We, providers, appreciate that they are written in a manner that is easy to understand. Our motto is ‘TPHCCA - Working together to promote quality child care in order to best serve the children, parents, and providers in Texas.’ The new minimum standards coupled with a personal desire to excel in our businesses will aide us in fulfilling this goal."

Highlights of Minimum Standards Revision: Significant revised rules that apply to Child-Care Centers (facility-based child care)

Surfacing and outdoor equipment

In order to prevent serious injury from occurring as a result of a fall, child-care centers with swings, slides, and playground equipment used for climbing, rocking, rotating, bouncing, and moving must now have resilient surfacing. The surfacing materials may be loose-fill such as gravel, wood chips, or sand, or unitary, such as rubber tiles or mats, and the depth or thickness depends on the height of the equipment. Centers that do not currently have such materials will be given five years to comply, dated from Sept. 1, 2003, and must submit a written plan specifying how they will come into compliance.

Fencing around swimming pools

All child-care centers that have swimming pools must have fencing or a wall that is at least six feet high surrounding the pool. Current operators who do not currently have a fence or wall will have one year to comply.

Planned activities

Caregivers must provide planned activities designed to meet the individual needs and developmental level of each child.

Significant revised rules that apply to Child-Care Homes (home-based child care)

Change to names of home-based child care

There will now be two types of regulated home-based child care. Registered child-care homes may provide care for not more than six children ages birth to 13 years old, as well as after-school care for not more than an additional six elementary school age children. Licensed child-care homes may provide care for children ages birth to 13 years old. Both types of providers must provide care in their homes and the number of children they care for cannot exceed 12 including their own children.

Fencing of outdoor areas

Home-based child-care providers must now enclose their outdoor activity spaces with fencing that is at least four feet high, unless the only children using the area are 5 years old and older. In addition, all homes that have swimming pools must have a barrier that is at least four feet high surrounding the pool to prevent unsupervised access. All homes that were registered or licensed for child care prior to Sept. 1, 2003 that do not already have either type of fencing will have until Sept. 1, 2004 to comply.

Copies of policies

Parents must now be provided with copies of a child-care home’s operational policies before a child is admitted. In addition, providers must keep a signed copy acknowledging parents have read and understood the policies.

IN MEMORY OF BRYCE MCINTYRE

By Tina Jones

Several people turned out for the Dedication Ceremony at the Veterans Administration (VA) on July 22, in memory of Bryce McIntyre.

Josh Fulmer, a scout in troop 260, received funds from the Kiwanis to construct a Gazebo for his Eagle scout project, and the VA approved a location to build it in the park on the east side.

The Kiwanis also received permission to dedicate the Gazebo in McIntyres name, along with a plaque.

The ceremony took place with his family present, Kiwanis members, and people who knew him. Many had words and memories they shared about Bryce.

Bryce McIntyre was an employee for many years at Bonham State Bank and was well known in our community.

Last Wednesday the Bonham Rotary Club had as their special guest and speaker District Governor Mark Healy from Dallas. The Bonham Club is in District 5810 which comprises geographically of eight counties: Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, and Rockwall, in an area roughly seventy miles wide and one hundred forty miles long. It is the smallest of the nine districts in Texas geographically, but it is tied with several districts for the number of clubs. District 5810 has 57 clubs.

Dist. Gov. Healy spoke about the needs of service and financial support throughout the county, state, and world. The Bonham Club supports several international projects as well as projects here at home. He commended the Bonham Club for their involvement in R.Y.L.A. (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), and presented Past President Dr. Dana Sisk with the President’s Citation that he earned last year.