AYA wins 5 of 6 Super Bowls Page 13A
Fire destroys Azle teacher’s home BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN John and Melody Myers of Azle were not at their home on High Ridge Drive southwest of Azle Wednesday, Nov. 27 – the day before Thanksgiving – when it caught fire. And although their home is a total loss, the Myers say they are still thankful. “It’s just numbing, and unless you’ve ever experienced something like this, you don’t realize – well, you just don’t know what to do,” Melody Myers said almost a week after the fire. She is a well-known teacher at Cross Timbers Elementary School in Azle. Myers said their insurance is providing a travel trailer for them to set up on their property while they rebuild, but if the mountain of paperwork required is any indication, rebuilding will be a long process. Still, Myers says she and her husband are blessed. “Our family and friends who have stepped up to help us are too many to name, and my co-workers – oh, my co-workers have just been amazing,” Myers said. “We just couldn’t let the Red Cross come in to help us, beFirefighters from Willow Park and Aledo, above, work to put out a blaze that destroyed the home of cause there are so many people who John and Melody Myers of Azle the day before Thanksgiving. The fire went to two alarms and the are worse off than we are. We have a home has been declared a total loss. Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman place to stay.” Myers also praised the firefighters
Gimme a B-U-R-R-R!
Granger visits THAZ
The parade After enjoying hot cider and homemade cookies provided by the Azle Optimist Club and the museum, floats and businesses vie for awards as they give their best to the yearly theme. Among the honors for floats: Most Christmas Spirit; Best Texas Christmas; Most Creative; and Best Overall. Businesses hope to earn a Best Light Display: Best Spirit; or Best Theme, among others. Bands and festive folk bring the season to a fever pitch. Then the real fun begins.
404 Main Street Once the parade ends, hundreds of revelers will pour inside the spacious area of 404 West Main Street. Inside, there will be hot chocolate, face painting, ornament and cookie painting, and stories from Mrs. Claus. And the jolly elf will once more listen and thrill children while photos can be taken. The Azle ISD Drama Club will perform and so will representatives from The G.E.M. It’s a one-of-a-kind celebration – and it’s completely free.
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(If poor weather arrives, the parade He’ll also listen to gift requests could be cancelled, but the indoor from boys and girls. Then Santa will mount his sled and events at 404 Main Street will continue.) become part of the parade.
Todd Rone, the grandson of former longtime Azle Mayor Cy Rone, repeated a longheld tradition Friday, Nov. 29, when he helped decorate the Optimist Club Christmas Tree in front of the Azle Historical Museum, starting site for the annual Christmas Parade Dec. 7. Rone works for a Christmas tree ornament company and decorates trees for sales catalog photos shoots. Here, Rone (on ladder) gets a hand from Joe Lieb, Optimist Club president and director of the Community Caring Center.
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PLEASE SEE TEACHER’S, PAGE 10A.
Christmas Parade and tree lighting is here Saturday
BY MARK K. CAMPBELL It’s a tradition for generations of Azleites – the annual Christmas paIt’s mighty tough to cheer your team on when the chill factor is below rade. This year’s event is set for Saturday, freezing and a cold rain is falling. But AYA cheerleaders rooted for Azle teams in Burleson and Azle Christian School girls cheered for Dec. 7. With a theme of “Christmas Around the Crusaders in Springtown Nov. 23. Photo by Mark K. Campbell the World,” the event begins with the tree lighting in front of the Azle Historical Museum, 124 West Main Street, at 5 p.m. Next, a parade moseys down Main Street to 404 where activities galore U.S. Rep. lauds Azle hospital for its successes await children and adults. BY MARK K. CAMPBELL to fruits and vegetables; the hospital’s The tree lighting U.S. House of Representatives Con- involvement in the community; the Originally, the annual tree used was gresswoman Kay Granger agrees with disease education and management a local cedar tree, lit up to the delight outreach; and the progressive pilot several national organizations – Texas of many. Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle programs ongoing. Today, the Azle Optimist Club seShe said she hoped that THAZ (THAZ) is one of the best in America. cures a 16-foot traditional tree from On Nov. 28, Granger was escorted could be a model for other American the Fort Worth club. That group’s around THAZ by the president of the communities. lot at 2800 West Lancaster near FarGranger added that she was hopehospital, Bob Ellzey and other staff rington Field in Cowtown is an annual ful that her Congressional colleagues and board members. fundraiser. could pull together and work in a biGranger said she came to Azle to Azle’s tree has come from there for congratulate everyone at THAZ for partisan manner on the challenges exmore than two decades now. perienced with the implementation of their recent spate of honors. In years past, the tree area was the She noted that this area was fortu- the Affordable Care Act. site where Santa Claus would greet Ellzey said of Granger’s visit, “It nate to have such a quality hospital so was an honor and privilege for us at children. More recently, jolly Saint close. Nick has been found in the weatherYet THAZ has a “warm and cozy” Texas Health Azle to host Congressfriendly venue of 404 West Main approach to its patients and their care. woman Granger and to be recognized Street. Granger noted that the patient/staff re- by her for our achievements.” But, for this holiday season, Santa He added, “She listened to the conlationship seemed particularly close. will return to the tree before the paThe Congresswoman also com- cerns and challenges we face in prorade begins to pose for pictures with viding care to a rapidly increasing unmented on THAZ’s external general the illuminated evergreen. well-being efforts like low-cost access insured population.”
Congresswoman Kay Granger (left) toured Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle Nov. 28 with Bob Ellzey, hospital president, and chief nursing officer Valarie Gilbert. Granger praised the facility’s innovations and outreach.
that worked so hard to try to save her home. “You know, I pulled up there with two grandbabies, and they were just devastated,” Myers said. “The firemen took those boys and showed them the fire engine and all the equipment. They didn’t have to do that, but it meant so much to me. I can never thank them enough. God bless them.” While they are thankful no lives were lost in the tragedy, Myers said little things will always haunt her. “It’s not the appliances, the TVs or the jewelry that we’ll miss,” she said. “It’s the original photos of my dad when he was in the military, and his flag that can never be replaced.” But the outpouring of support from friends and family – and even some former students – goes a long way in making up the difference. Parker County Fire Marshal Shawn Scott said Tuesday the fire appears to be a tragic accident. “The homeowners appear to be very conscientious about any hazards, but they did say they had cleaned out the fireplace that morning and placed the container full of ashes outside the back door of the home,” Scott said. “However, I also found evidence in the same location of damage to some electrical wiring.”
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Azle, Texas 76020