The first shots of “A Love Song” are a signal for the rest of the film — stubborn flowers and shrubs pushing through dry, stony earth in southwest Colorado. They’re rough beauties, been through a lot, and yet are still captivating in their rawness.
LONDON (AP) — Best-selling American writers Karen Joy Fowler, Elizabeth Strout and Leila Mottley are among 13 authors in the running for the prestigious Booker Prize for fiction. Fowler’s novel about Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, “Booth,” Strout’s symphony of everyday lives “Oh William!” and Mottley’s Oakland-set debut “Nightcrawling” are among six books by Americans on the longlist for the 50,000 pound ($60,000) prize.
Descendants of Julius Allen and Nancy Ann Brice gathered for their 53rd annual reunion in Winters, TX on June 18-19, 2022 at the Winter Community Center. Julius and Nancy Brice were longtime residents of Wingate, TX. The first Reunion was held in the Ballinger Park in 1969. Everyone enjoyed an evening meal of fried fish and the fixings and then a Father’s Day Dinner brisket meal cooked by Smokin Horns Cooking Team led by Rocky Weidner. After the evening meal an auction was held to help generate funds to pay expenses. Part of the fun was seeing who would get the highest bid.
WINTERS - Tessa Knickerbocker and Jessica Jacob are former educators in Runnels County who recently opened a counseling business. Tessa was a teacher for 12 years and a counselor for 6 years at Ballinger High School. Jacob was a teacher for 12 years. The two licensed counselors opened Yellow House Therapy in Winters in mid-June.
We have all been through a period of time in which it seems that literally everything was difficult or changed, and all of us were worried. Most of us have had at least one experience of having contracted COVID, a disease that was entirely unknown three years ago and is in many respects unlike anything we have ever seen previously. Most of us also have lost friends and/or loved ones who have died with this disease. In addition, the responses of governments here and abroad have perhaps been well intentioned, but they appear to have been largely counterproductive. In addition to the massive dislocations attributable to COVID, there are other forces that have for some years been in the process of transforming American society in ways that are unhealthy. To chose just one example, life expectancy in the geographic US had been generally increasing since well before the birth of our nation, until 2014; it has been decreasing since that year. Whenever you read such things, it is natural to expect that the writer is about to suggest that something be done about all of this. These days it seems that we are forever hearing about one or another form of impending doom from which we will be saved if we simply support this or that cause or candidate, because they can surely rise to the implied challenge, “Don’t just stand there
This is the first of a new series of weekly columns called Medicine, Science and Culture. As I see it, these, are nested subjects, like Russian dolls; medicine is a part of science and that is a part of culture. When I first had the idea for a weekly column with this title I had expected to use the first week or two to define ‘science’ and ‘culture’ and also address how medicine relates to these in the modern world. However, the issue of abortion has evolved with such speed and ferocity that I think anyone who can say something which would potentially bring the opposing sides closer together should feel obligated to speak up now, as loudly and clearly as they can. That is my purpose today, so I will ask my readers to be patient as I proceed to use ‘medicine, science and culture’ without further clarification.
AUSTIN— As we enter the summer months, Texans are heading to Texas State Parks to enjoy time outdoors. Last year, 43 state parks reported 102 heat-related illnesses in humans and pets. Since January 1, 54 heat-related incidents have already been reported, compared to 34 reported by this time last year.
BALLINGER - There’s a New Trail Boss in Town! Trail Boss Burgers recently opened at their location on 111 S. 8th Street in Ballinger.
If you see signs of insect pests on garden plants you might be tempted to reach for a chemical pesticide. Don’t. It might eliminate your pest problems but also will threaten beneficial insects that pollinate plants and keep pests under control. AP gardening columnist Jessica Damiano recommends integrated pest management. First, be willing to tolerate a little leaf-munching and other signs of pest presence. It you need to escalate, choose the most benign method of control possible. Often a strong stream of hose water works. If not, take baby steps. Consider insecticidal soap, a nontoxic pesticide that’s safe for most plants if used properly. Read directions carefully. And as a rule, prevention is the best treatment. Space plants properly and watch them carefully.
RUNNELS COUNTY - Runnels County 4-H’ers have been busy learning and using their newly acquired sewing skills. Over Spring Break, experienced sewers who were getting ready for District 7 4-H Fashion Show made 14 walker bags and donated them to the Ballinger Health Care and Rehab Nursing Home. This past week, 4-H’ers new to the Clothing and Textile project learned basic sewing skills and skills to use in the Duds to Dazzle part of the project. The girls learned how to take an ordinary item and turn it into something new. They turned a pizza pan into a decorative door hanger, a picture frame into a tray, and a cutlery tray into a jewelry organizer using paint, rope, flowers, ribbons, beads, scrapbook paper, and lots of hot glue.