This edition of the Times will come out on turkey day, i.e. Thanksgiving Day. That also means that Christmas is not too far away either. So like most families, our family will be gathering to celebrate the holidays.
This past Sunday night our pastor shared with us that one of our members had asked him to keep her in his prayers during the holidays. You see this Thanksgiving would be her first without her husband who has past away. Our pastor encourgaged us to do two things. One, keep folks like this lady, and many others that have lost loved ones, in our prayers.
So often folks get so busy with the holidays, with all the cooking and running around, that it is easy to forget that there are many around us that are hurting during these times. When you turn on the TV, pick up the newspaper or turn on the radio you are bombarded with images, sounds and stories of folks gathering around their families, eating, laughing and having a good time.
But those of us that have lost close loved ones know that after that loss the holidays are never quite the same. The first holiday season after we’ve lost that loved one is downright dreadful. It brings back to the surface all the grief that we have tried to move past. After that first holiday season the next few are only a little better. The emotions are still pretty close to the surface. Hopefully as times goes by you no longer dread the holidays but can actually enjoy them with your remaining loved ones. But again, the holiday season will never quite be the same for you.
The second thing our pastor encouraged us to do during the holidays was make sure that we tell those folks about our loved one that is not with us anymore. In doing so, we can keep their memory alive and ease the pain just a little bit.
This will be the 28th holiday season without my father being present. It will be the 23rd holiday season without my brother in-law. Our families are well past the grieving phase so it’s not so much that it is painful or dreadful anymore. We can and do enjoy the holiday season. It’s just that each time we gather there remains a void that can never be filled.
Over the years, especially during the holidays, I have tried diligently to tell my kids about their grandfather and uncle, both of which they never knew. So I encourage everyone to follow our pastor’s advice for this holiday season. Simply Put, keep those folks that are hurting in your prayers and tell someone about your loved one (s) that have passed away.
From the front porch: Coach said change is difficult but often essential to survival.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
“It just Ain’t Right”
Last Saturday the Sneads Lady Pirates volleyball squad was ousted from the FHSAA Regional Finals for the second straight year by Maclay. After the match Sneads Head Coach Shelia Roberts voiced her frustration with public schools having to play private schools in the playoffs. (See related article on this page).
I’ve used this column previously to express my agreement with Coach Robert’s opinion. It is an opinion that is greatly shared by numerous public school coaches and administrators. My previous columns about this matter have laid out some of the advantages that private schools have over public schools so I won’t take up space repeating those advantages. Instead I’ll lay out some numbers that will demonstrate the stranglehold the private schools have on the lower classification playoffs (there are no large classification private schools) and how it directly impacts our Jackson County high schools.
For the 2009 volleyball playoffs in classes 1A, 2A & 3A Sneads was the only public school out of 24 teams in the Final 8 teams for all three respective classifications. The 2008 volleyball playoffs were exactly the same. All three State Champions for both years were from private schools. Think volleyball is unique? Wrong.
In the 2008 football playoffs for class 1B 15 out of all 16 teams making the playoffs were private schools. Graceville was the only public school. In classes 1A, 2B & 2A 7 out of 12 of the final four teams were private schools. All state champions for the four lower classifications were private schools.
In the 2008 boy’s basketball playoffs 10 out of final 12 teams in classes 1A, 2A, & 3A were private schools. Marianna was one of only two public schools to make it to Lakeland. All three state champs were from private schools. The numbers are exactly the same for the girls. Cottondale was only one of two public schools to make it to Lakeland and again all three state champs were from private schools.
Think baseball and softball are any better? Wrong again. Malone was the last remaining public school in the final 8 teams of the Class 1A 2008 baseball playoffs. Class 2A actually had two public schools make it to the final four but Class 3A was all private. All three state champs came from private schools. In softball Graceville was the last remaining public school team in the final 8 in Class 1A. In the lower three classes only 5 out of 24 teams were from public schools and the private schools claimed all three state championships.
So out of 19 2008 state championships in the above sports and classifications, there was not a single state champion that came from a public school. A check of the years prior to 2008 reveals very similar numbers. Like Coach Roberts said, Simply Put, that’s not right and it ought to be fixed.
From the front porch: Uncle Bob’s son in law said that if he just had some humility he’d be perfect.
I’ve used this column previously to express my agreement with Coach Robert’s opinion. It is an opinion that is greatly shared by numerous public school coaches and administrators. My previous columns about this matter have laid out some of the advantages that private schools have over public schools so I won’t take up space repeating those advantages. Instead I’ll lay out some numbers that will demonstrate the stranglehold the private schools have on the lower classification playoffs (there are no large classification private schools) and how it directly impacts our Jackson County high schools.
For the 2009 volleyball playoffs in classes 1A, 2A & 3A Sneads was the only public school out of 24 teams in the Final 8 teams for all three respective classifications. The 2008 volleyball playoffs were exactly the same. All three State Champions for both years were from private schools. Think volleyball is unique? Wrong.
In the 2008 football playoffs for class 1B 15 out of all 16 teams making the playoffs were private schools. Graceville was the only public school. In classes 1A, 2B & 2A 7 out of 12 of the final four teams were private schools. All state champions for the four lower classifications were private schools.
In the 2008 boy’s basketball playoffs 10 out of final 12 teams in classes 1A, 2A, & 3A were private schools. Marianna was one of only two public schools to make it to Lakeland. All three state champs were from private schools. The numbers are exactly the same for the girls. Cottondale was only one of two public schools to make it to Lakeland and again all three state champs were from private schools.
Think baseball and softball are any better? Wrong again. Malone was the last remaining public school in the final 8 teams of the Class 1A 2008 baseball playoffs. Class 2A actually had two public schools make it to the final four but Class 3A was all private. All three state champs came from private schools. In softball Graceville was the last remaining public school team in the final 8 in Class 1A. In the lower three classes only 5 out of 24 teams were from public schools and the private schools claimed all three state championships.
So out of 19 2008 state championships in the above sports and classifications, there was not a single state champion that came from a public school. A check of the years prior to 2008 reveals very similar numbers. Like Coach Roberts said, Simply Put, that’s not right and it ought to be fixed.
From the front porch: Uncle Bob’s son in law said that if he just had some humility he’d be perfect.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
“Ole Roy Gets a FACELIFT”
Last Thursday night several hundred folks gathered in Malone for the ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of the renovations made to the Roy B. Beall Sr. Gymnasium. (See related article “ Malone Gym Undergoes Renovation” on page 3 of sports)
It’s no great secret that I am not from Malone but that I am from Marianna. Those two schools have been arch rivals on the basketball court since the two schools began playing in the 1920s. If the walls of the Roy B. Beall Sr. Gym could talk they could tell us some exciting tales about great games in Malone between the two schools.
Malone’s gym has been legendary in regards to being a tough place to play. Most Malone fans don’t care for the nickname given to the gym by other schools. But “The Cracker Box” is notorious for being a place to play that opposing teams dread. That has been even truer in the later years when the 3 point line came into effect. The opposing teams knew that if Malone got hot from the outside you could hang it up. And get hot they often did. No doubt that the Roy B. Beall Sr. Gym played a part in Malone’s tradition and winning 13 boys state championships (second most in the state) as well as the girls run to a state title and being state runner-up five times.
Malone’s current gym was built in 1949 and named after Mr. Beall in 1976. Many of the other county schools also had gyms built in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Over the years however those other schools in the county began to replace their gyms. First there was Graceville when they built a new school in the late 70’s. Next was Sneads who built a new gym after a fire at the school forced some major renovations. The next new gym came at Grand Ridge. About five years ago Marianna got a new ‘Dog House when the new school was built out on the Caverns Highway.
That left only Cottondale and Malone with the older gyms. Cottondale’s gym underwent renovations a couple of years ago similar to that of Malone’s recent renovations. In addition to cosmetic renovations, both gyms have now been brought into the 21st century with the installation of heating and cooling systems.
I know that some folks had hoped Cottondale and Malone would get new gyms. But I for one am glad to see the renovations rather than new buildings. The old gyms have so many memories and so much more character. I just hate to see the old gyms, like the old ‘Dog House, put out to pasture. And from all appearances last Thursday night the fans, former players and coaches all enjoyed seeing the facelift for the “house that Roy built.” Simply Put, I think Ole Roy would have been proud.
From the front porch: Coach said that he’s noticed a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
It’s no great secret that I am not from Malone but that I am from Marianna. Those two schools have been arch rivals on the basketball court since the two schools began playing in the 1920s. If the walls of the Roy B. Beall Sr. Gym could talk they could tell us some exciting tales about great games in Malone between the two schools.
Malone’s gym has been legendary in regards to being a tough place to play. Most Malone fans don’t care for the nickname given to the gym by other schools. But “The Cracker Box” is notorious for being a place to play that opposing teams dread. That has been even truer in the later years when the 3 point line came into effect. The opposing teams knew that if Malone got hot from the outside you could hang it up. And get hot they often did. No doubt that the Roy B. Beall Sr. Gym played a part in Malone’s tradition and winning 13 boys state championships (second most in the state) as well as the girls run to a state title and being state runner-up five times.
Malone’s current gym was built in 1949 and named after Mr. Beall in 1976. Many of the other county schools also had gyms built in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Over the years however those other schools in the county began to replace their gyms. First there was Graceville when they built a new school in the late 70’s. Next was Sneads who built a new gym after a fire at the school forced some major renovations. The next new gym came at Grand Ridge. About five years ago Marianna got a new ‘Dog House when the new school was built out on the Caverns Highway.
That left only Cottondale and Malone with the older gyms. Cottondale’s gym underwent renovations a couple of years ago similar to that of Malone’s recent renovations. In addition to cosmetic renovations, both gyms have now been brought into the 21st century with the installation of heating and cooling systems.
I know that some folks had hoped Cottondale and Malone would get new gyms. But I for one am glad to see the renovations rather than new buildings. The old gyms have so many memories and so much more character. I just hate to see the old gyms, like the old ‘Dog House, put out to pasture. And from all appearances last Thursday night the fans, former players and coaches all enjoyed seeing the facelift for the “house that Roy built.” Simply Put, I think Ole Roy would have been proud.
From the front porch: Coach said that he’s noticed a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
“Fascination ”
“ This past Saturday evening I took in a couple of the festivals put on by two local churches as alternatives to traditional Halloween festivities. Both festivals were well attended and once again reminded me that the volunteer spirit is alive and well in our local community. These events don’t just accidently happen. A ton of planning and preparation goes into putting on a successful event.
For all the enjoyment that everyone seemed to derive from these events, two moments stood out in my mind. At First Baptist Church’s Hallow Him Festival a big crowd was on hand and enjoyed entertainment, numerous activities, boiled peanuts, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy. Also there was a life flight helicopter from Sacred Heart Hospital. Visitors were invited to see the helicopter up close and learn more about the mission of the life flight helicopters.
The main attraction seemed to have occurred though when the helicopter made its departure. Most of the other activities came to a stop and hundreds of folks gathered to watch the helicopter take off. It began with the slow revving up of the chopper blades. As the blades gradually increased in speed, the wind likewise began to pick up. It culminated when the pilots went to full throttle for lift off. Folks had to hang on to their hats and everything else to keep them from blowing away. As the helicopter lifted off the ground it made a full rotation so that all could get a glimpse of the pilots in action. The crowd, young and old a like, gave a round of applause to express their delight. And then the chopper went up, up and away, kind of like Superman.
After leaving First Baptist I journeyed to Citizen’s Lodge Park where Evangel Worship Center was hosting a Halleluiah Festival. A large crowd was on hand for this festival as well, and likewise were treated to a host of activities, food, fun and entertainment. The evening culminated with a fireworks show over the pond at the park.
Like the helicopter’s departure, the fireworks show had young and old alike watching with delight. Folks gazed into the cool clear fall evening to watch round after round of fireworks light up the sky. And as usual there was a thundering finale that had the crowd cheering. And when the last firework was gone, the crowd gave a round of applause to express their enjoyment.
This certainly was not the first time I had watched a helicopter take off or watch a fireworks show. But as I watched the crowds that evening it struck me that no matter our age, most of us are still fascinated by flight and by fireworks. Fascination is one of the little pleasures in life and Simply Put, I hope we never lose that fascination.
From the front porch: Uncle Bob said it is a fine line between being warmed up and worn out.
For all the enjoyment that everyone seemed to derive from these events, two moments stood out in my mind. At First Baptist Church’s Hallow Him Festival a big crowd was on hand and enjoyed entertainment, numerous activities, boiled peanuts, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy. Also there was a life flight helicopter from Sacred Heart Hospital. Visitors were invited to see the helicopter up close and learn more about the mission of the life flight helicopters.
The main attraction seemed to have occurred though when the helicopter made its departure. Most of the other activities came to a stop and hundreds of folks gathered to watch the helicopter take off. It began with the slow revving up of the chopper blades. As the blades gradually increased in speed, the wind likewise began to pick up. It culminated when the pilots went to full throttle for lift off. Folks had to hang on to their hats and everything else to keep them from blowing away. As the helicopter lifted off the ground it made a full rotation so that all could get a glimpse of the pilots in action. The crowd, young and old a like, gave a round of applause to express their delight. And then the chopper went up, up and away, kind of like Superman.
After leaving First Baptist I journeyed to Citizen’s Lodge Park where Evangel Worship Center was hosting a Halleluiah Festival. A large crowd was on hand for this festival as well, and likewise were treated to a host of activities, food, fun and entertainment. The evening culminated with a fireworks show over the pond at the park.
Like the helicopter’s departure, the fireworks show had young and old alike watching with delight. Folks gazed into the cool clear fall evening to watch round after round of fireworks light up the sky. And as usual there was a thundering finale that had the crowd cheering. And when the last firework was gone, the crowd gave a round of applause to express their enjoyment.
This certainly was not the first time I had watched a helicopter take off or watch a fireworks show. But as I watched the crowds that evening it struck me that no matter our age, most of us are still fascinated by flight and by fireworks. Fascination is one of the little pleasures in life and Simply Put, I hope we never lose that fascination.
From the front porch: Uncle Bob said it is a fine line between being warmed up and worn out.
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