Published: March 11, 2007 02:14 pm            

3/11/07 Letters to the editor

Thanks to many for what you do



Dear Editor:



I have put off writing this letter for at least 20 years. That’s not bad for a prognosticator like me. I want to get this guilt off my mind. This is not a letter to criticize anyone, but to praise and to thank people.

First of all I want to thank the city of Cleburne and Johnson County governments and the devoted departments under them. The police department, fire department, hospital, medical groups, the street department, sanitation department, water department, management, financial, our good mayor, city council and all the good people who work without pay to help the people in need in our community. You do a great job. God bless you all.

Now to a closer, more personal note. With the exception of about five years, I and my wife, Sue, have lived in Cleburne for 50 wonderful married years. We raised our children the best we could. We feel they turned out fine. Some may disagree. During this time we encouraged them in all their endeavors and in all sports.

We played together and loved together. They were outstanding in baseball and tennis. We had lot of help in tennis. Coaches Pete Perry, Terry Wade, Donna Cannon and the local tennis group did great. This included Wilson Welb, Ed Zimmerman, Don Hardin, Joe and Kathy Potts, Dallas Dill, John and Carol MacLean, Chris Bentley and the Cleburne Tennis Association, and many others I can’t recall.

Donna Cannon helped Steve win the high school boys state championship. Later, he went on to win the national NCAA II singles championship and become a Division I All-American. Donna, with the loving backing of her husband, Ben Turner, helped Angela go to the state championship semifinals her freshman and sophomore years. Thank you, Donna.

May I brag even more? One year, Angela, 14, Steve, 16, and David, 18, qualified for the state TAAF tennis championship. No one was allowed but two titles. Angela won the women’s open, and she and Steve won the open mixed doubles. Steve and David won the men’s open doubles, and David won the men’s open singles championship. Is it bad for parents to brag on their kids? I do it anyway.

Dave moved to the Kansas City area and took up bowling. One year in seven leagues he averaged over 233 per game. He was recognized as the Kansas City area player of the year. He’s had 15 300 games and three 800 series, all sanctioned. David and Steve moved back to Cleburne. David won the city golf championship in 2005, and Steve won it in 2006. Nancy, Teresa, Jack Jr., David, Steve and Angela have all married and all but Dave have children and live an active life. Dave enjoys the single life

Back on to our community. I would like to see the Times-Review to open a new column once a week or once a month. Let any of us who have a question about programs, policies, expenditures or whatever, to ask.

I know the Times-Review has the people to find the answers. We know we have meetings to voice our opinions and to ask questions, but I do good to talk to my wife, much less our city leaders. Thank you for listening.



Jack Riza Sr.

Cleburne





Thanks for help with benefit



Dear Editor:



What an exciting, fun-filled night March 2 and a lot of money raised to benefit the Brazos Point Fire Department. My mom, Ruby Mears Johnson, was born and raised in the community of Brazos Point. Jesse Mears was born there and I spent my teen years there.

Mom will celebrate her 89th birthday March 18. She was out working so hard for the benefit that she never expected the surprise of having an early birthday celebration the same night. But we pulled it off, giving her a dozen pink roses and the voice of the “King” and the audience joining in singing “Happy Birthday.”

Thanks to Jesse Mears, Kathy McVickers, Jacob and the rest of his crew. This group is always helping out and performing for the benefits. Jesse is Mom’s nephew and my cousin. He can really play the fiddle. Being the best he captured the state champion fiddler and we had the honor to attend the ceremony when Jesse was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He is one of many from the Mears family who was blessed with playing the fiddle and other Mears family members playing any and all kinds of musical instruments.

The King, an Elvis Presley impersonator, had all the fancy lights and sounds. He had the voice of the King and dressed in the popular white fancy outfit. He played the part so well and performed a thrilling and exciting show for the audience.

Lucky lady fans received scarves and kisses on the cheeks. Lots of screams and whistling sounded throughout the building. Thanks for a great show.

Thanks to the E.R. of the Elks, Jimmy Ned Wallace and his wonderful wife, Patricia Wallace. Also, thanks to the Elk members for their help and participation, as well as the people from Brazos Point.

Thanks to Eddie and Jeannie Walker from Alvarado for furnishing chopped barbecue and buns for sandwiches; Ned Galloway for the dill spears and potato chips; Curby Carlock and Angelita Salazar for sliced pickles; and to Michael Rich, Trevor and Tatum Stanley for all the plates, napkins, utensils, candles and decorations.

Thank to those who donated auction items: Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Cheek of Kopperl, several pieces of woodwork and flags; Jack and Bethany Moralez for the Orange County Chopper bicycle; Russell Williams for pictures; Gynell Humphries, oil painting and old Avon bottles; Delta Schad of Keene, coconut pie; Lavada Moore of Godley, cake; Carol Frelm of Goatneck, several Elvis aprons she made and for all of her help in decorating and everything she did to help me; the lady from Granbury for the pecan pie, sorry I failed to get her name; Ruby Johnson for donating several pairs of new boots, a breadmaker, sewing machine among other things; and Lela Ann Fleece, homemade baby quilt.

My husband, Michael, and I donated jewelry, watches, bling bling shoes, purses and a pair of gold diamond earrings.

I’m sorry I was unable to get the names of everyone who donated cakes, pies, pictures, porcelain dolls, radios, lamps, etc. But you know who you are and I’m sending a special thanks to all who participated.

Thanks to Cleburne businesses that donated items for the auction from the mall: This and That, Christi’s and Bealls. Also, Big Lots, Walgreen’s and Staples.

Thanks to all the people who came to the benefit and Mom’s surprise birthday party. We had people from Oklahoma, Stephenville, Brownwood, Granbury, Alvarado, Morgan, Meridian, Kopperl, Whitney, Godley, Grandview, Glen Rose, Rio Vista, Benbrook, Joshua, Burleson, Keene, Houston and Cleburne.

Being Family Night at the Elks Lodge, we had several children in attendance. Thanks to the parents and grandparents for letting the children come. And I will certainly say they were all so well mannered. They did not run around the building nor did they run in and out of the building. They stayed seated only to get up to go to the bathroom. They were a joy to have.

Again, thanks to everyone and if I left your name out you will know that I thank you, too.

May God bless all of you.



Glenna Rich

Cleburne

        

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