NETX Crossroads

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ROSSROADS

A journey, a miracle and a God thing

By KENNY MITCHELL, page 4

Into the record books

MAGAZINE

A stellar three enter Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame

By GORDON PYNES, page 20

By TONY BASSO, page 8

... and more!

About the Cover

NOVEMBER 2023

Four-year-old Amelia takes a spin on one of the rides offered at the Titus County Fair.

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S D A O R S S RO

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CONTENTS

Photo by Miranda Oglesby

E MAGAZIN

,a A journey nd a le mirac g in th d o aG

By KENN

Y MITCHE

LL, page

r A stella r te n e e thre Atlanta s Athletic Hall of Fame

4

Into the record books

By TONY

Bells are Ringing Again

ge 8

BASSO, pa

By GORD

ON PYNE

14

18

S, page 20

re! ... and mo

Looking to the future

28

Daingerfield celebrates 40th anniversary of ‘83 title team The future of CSNT

22

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ROSSROADS Published and distributed by

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Neil Abeles Tony Basso Quinten Boyd Sydni Goza Susan Lindsey Kenny Mitchell Gordon Pynes Matt Williams PHOTOGRAPHERS Tony Basso Susan Lindsey Matt Williams GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joni Guess

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NOVEMBER 2023 3

A journey, a miracle and a God thing Northeast Texas pastor given a life saving kidney from young man in his church

By KENNY MITCHELL

S

Orville Farren and Colt Freeman give everyone a thumbs up after the kidney transplant surgery was a complete success.

4 NOVEMBER 2023

ometimes in life you have to look around at where you are and what’s going on around you and say, “it’s a God thing.”

That is definitely the case when you consider the recent journey of Nash, Texas pastors Orville and Robbie Farren.

The Farrens serve as the pastors of Grace Church in Nash.

The two have been in the ministry full time for over 40 years and have been at Grace Church since its first days in 1988. They took a break from Grace in 2013 but came back in 2017 and still call it home today.

It was during their break from Grace that the journey they are on now first began. In 2014 they were on their way to Ohio to see about a job. A doctor visit showed that his kidney numbers were going up and the doctor wanted him to start on insulin. That was when they first knew the kidneys were in decline. They gradually got worse over the years.

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At the time of surgery, Orville was only at 7 percent kidney function. It was a miracle that he was not on dialysis. All through the journey God was in the midst.

After a bad experience with one specialist, Robbie says they believe it was all a part of God’s plan that they found Dr. Aponte, in Paris, Texas. Dr. Aponte gave them fresh options, and it was he that first suggested a kidney transplant as one of those options.

Last year, around March, they made their first public announcement that Orville had been put on the donor list and was looking for a donor. At that time, a lot of people tried, but for various reasons none were a good match.

This February brought another call for donors and a plea was made on social media. It was that social media post that

they believe caught the attention of a young man in their church, and that is when the miracle was born.

Colt Freeman had just started attending Grace Church. Soon after starting He gave his life to Jesus. In June, on his own, he started the process to be tested to see if he was a match, and he was. He then came to Orville and Robbie and told them.

Robbie says, “It was an incredible moment, because he had not even told us he had started the process. Others tried but were not a match, but God had brought us Colt, and he was the one. Being a young Christian, and to hear God’s voice, and then obey that voice was a big step. You don’t just offer to give someone your kidney on a whim. Colt heard God’s voice and he listened.”

Freeman is 22 years old and had never been in the hospital

Grace Church pastors Orville and Robbie Farren

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for anything. Despite that fact, the Farrens say not once did he doubt or back down. Even with the anxiety of going to a hospital, he did great. Robbie states, “There are no real words to say what he means to us. Thank you is so inadequate.

God sent him to us, for this.

Our church family has loved on him. God has a plan for Him.” Through it all, Freeman’s parents and other family members stood behind him and his decision to help his pastor. He even had a friend that came to Dallas in a helicopter to take him home and landed him in his yard.

Freeman says of his gift of life, “One day I was listening to him preach and I felt the urgency, basically I was told, God told me, you can do this…

I did get a little nervous, but then I heard it again…you can do this. I just feel overwhelmed

6 NOVEMBER 2023

with joy. God was doing the work, and working through me..I was glad that I was able to help someone and extend their life.”

In the midst of their miracle, came another.

The costs of staying in Dallas post-surgery were staggering.

Their daughter in law stepped up with a GoFundMe with a goal of $7,500 to pay for their post-surgical stay. Reaching that goal seemed slim until God intervened again.

The family believes that a second “God thing” brought in the needed money in a miraculous way.

Robbie was contacted by a complete stranger. The stranger, Mandy Elmore, was given Robbie’s name in a dream about a week prior to surgery.

When she awoke from that dream, she knew that she had to remember the name. Elmore

Orville Farren gives another thumbs up as his rehabilitation has him getting better every day.

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took to the internet and social media searching out the name Robbie Farren, and she found her. The spelling of her name, and the fact that it was not a common name, made Elmore know she had to find them.

A google search brought her to the GoFundMe page. She shared the GoFundMe on her own Facebook page, and even some of her friends shared it, and the goal of $7,500 was soon met.

Robbie says, “God gave my name to a total stranger just in the nick of time. I have always known God’s love me, but for Him to give someone my name, and for her to even spell it right, it just wrecked my world, in a good way. There was some ugly crying. Even more amazing is that Elmore lives in Dallas and has offered to help us while we are here.

He is just so good to us.”

When Elmore was told that this story was to be published, she stated, “Just let them know that all the glory goes to God.” Robbie Farren said, “We literally have no words to describe what this means to us.

Colt is a special young man, healthy, and a kidney match…

God is good, and His timing is perfect! We have trusted Him this far and will continue to do so through this journey! God is not done with Orville, and we believe there are greater things ahead for us.”

The Farrens also extend a special thanks also to those of who also applied to be a donor but were unable to do so. She states, “It means so much that you were willing to be a donor.

So again, God is good, and He deserves all of the glory for this healing that is happening for Orville.”

Though this journey is not over, the road to health is looking much brighter.

The transplant surgery went off without a hitch on October 3. Two days later Orville’s creatinine level was down from 9.8 to 3.8 and he was moved from ICU to a regular room.

The next day creatinine was down again to 1.8 and then just one week later it was down to a normal range at 1.12. Now, weeks after surgery, it is still in the normal range.

Orville is now on the road to getting his strength back, feeling good, and has an appetite.

Robbie tells us, “A lot of times we think that miracles are something we see immediately happen, but sometimes God uses people, and takes us through a journey where he teaches us things. This has absolutely been a journey and God has been with us every

step of the way. He never left us. Three weeks after surgery, he may not be as strong as he would like to be, but he has come so far. More alert, his numbers are good, he’s eating better, going for walks. His eyes look better. I can see the brightness in his eyes again. It is just an incredible, amazing journey.”

Music has always been a huge part of the Farren’s life and ministry, so it is not a surprise that God used music to bring them comfort. A song on Christian radio titled “More than Able” has a bridge that says, “He’s not done with me yet.” The Farrens truly believe that they and Grace Church have so much more to do. She states, “I simply could not ask for better friends and a better church family.”

A journey, a miracle…a God thing.

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NOVEMBER 2023 7

Into the record books Hooks running back Keyshawn Walls breaks 5,000 yard rushing mark Story & photos by TONY BASSO

In 1974 Billy Ray Simms graduated from Hooks High School as the program’s alltime leading rusher and the only running back to reach 5,000 rushing yards. After a momentous high school career the eventual Heisman Trophy winner, first picked Detroit Lion, Rookie of the Year and three time All-NFL running back made his way to Norman, Oklahoma to join the Sooners.

8 NOVEMBER 2023

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Since Simms’ departure from Hooks, the Hornets have seen 50 years of running backs, none however, able to join the ranks of Simms. Then along came Keyshawn Walls.

This season, Walls became the first and only other running back to wear the Hornet blue and white to rush for over 5,000 yards. Walls has had an impressive tenure in the Hooks backfield and is determined to lead his team to that state championship game in his final season.

For Walls, football has always held its share of obstacles. “Football has never been easy for me, especially when I was just beginning to play”, said Walls. “I was overlooked a lot, and no one ever thought I had what it takes to run the ball.”

“I knew that I could do NETX CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

anything that I put my mind to”, said Walls. “That mindset has helped me a lot.”

“When I was younger, I was very overweight, but I had always wanted to run the ball”, said Walls. “My coach at the time, Coach Rick, helped me a lot and pushed me to get into better shape. I got on the track and ran and pushed myself through lots of hard work to get in shape.

I eventually lost the weight and began to get faster and stronger to where I could eventually run the ball, going into middle school.”

Walls quickly emerged as an athlete when he got to Hooks High School.

“Going into my ninth-grade year, my dream was to make it to the varsity level in ninth grade”, Walls explained. “I worked extremely hard that

summer and played hard every snap on junior varsity.

I eventually earned my spot as a starting linebacker that year and ended the season as “Defensive Newcomer of the Year”, with 95 tackles.”

It was not until Walls’ sophomore year that he would begin to see repetitions in the backfield. “The first time I was able to carry the ball was against Mount Vernon my second year on varsity”, said Walls. “Our starting back at the time got hurt early in the game and I was able to step up. I ended the night with 105 rushing yards. That was when I really knew that my dream would be a reality. Mount Vernon had an extremely talented team that year and I knew if I could successfully run against them I could run against anyone.”

Fast forward to Walls’ senior year, the 5,000-yard milestone was in his sights, along with the hopes of bringing Hooks its first state title.

“I always kept that mark in the back of my mind”, said Walls. “I knew I was going to have a good chance at breaking it, but I want the team to get to state more than I want to hit the record.”

“Earlier in the season after we beat Cooper, the coaches let me know that I was getting very close to 5,000”, said Walls.

Two weeks later, the Hornets were facing the Chisum Mustangs at home, Walls needing just over 100 yards to reach 5,000. The mark would be hit on a four-yard touchdown run up the middle, a gain that secured Walls’ spot as a Hornet great.

NOVEMBER 2023 9

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“After the play, I heard the announcer say that I had just become the second Hornet in history to reach 5,000 rushing yards”, said Walls.

“At first, I was so happy, it was like a dream come true.”

Walls goes on to say, “It feels great to accomplish this, but I could not have done it without my teammates, especially my offensive line. I also owe a lot of my success to Coach Todd Ledford; he has always pushed me to become the player that I am today. He always told me to believe in myself.”

For Walls, the work is far from over.

“My goal now is to win the next game”, said Walls.

“We have a few more district games then start the playoffs.

We want to keep winning

the next game all the way to Jerry’s World and play for a title.”

State title or not, Hornet football will soon be over for the blue and white standout.

As his senior year comes to an end, Walls weighed college offers from over half a dozen division one schools including Texas A&M - Commerce, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Louisianna - Monroe and Texas State University. He now has chosen to play at the next level for Texas A&M- Commerce.

“My goal is to get my degree and play football as long as I can”, said Walls. “My dream is the NFL but if that does not work out, I plan on staying around football and spending my career as a football coach.”

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NOVEMBER 2023 11

I Can do That New Boston’s Keonna Haney lives life to the fullest with a can do attitude

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Story & photos by SUSAN LINDSEY

ew Boston High School senior Keonna Haney doesn’t believe circumstances put a limit on her abilities.

“I have always believed that I can do anything I put my mind to,” the 18-year-old said.

Keonna was born with Poland syndrome, a condition in which a child is born with an underdeveloped chest muscle due to a lack of blood flow in the

womb. The condition has also left Keonna with an underdeveloped left arm.

She credits her go-getter attitude to her family, particularly her mom Kimberly.

“Ever since Keonna was younger, I have instilled in her that she can do anything anybody else can do, she just has to do it differently, and don’t let anybody stop her,” Kimberly said.

Keonna has proven that she didn’t need two fullsized arms to lead an active life.

“I would see other people doing something and I would just think to myself, ‘I can do that,’” Keonna said.

And ‘do that’ she has.

She is a member of the New Boston varsity cheerleading squad, volleyball team, track team and marching band.

And even played basketball for one season.

She said instead of limiting herself, she has found ways to adapt certain tasks to fit her.

12 NOVEMBER 2023

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On the volleyball court, she has perfected the art of a one-handed serve and assists her teammates with what appears to be an effortless defensive block.

Keonna has even found a way to play the baritone in a way that doesn’t require the use of any type of harness or device to help hold the instrument.

“I wanted her to be the type of young lady that everyone looks up to,” Kimberly said. “I’m the mom but I do look up to her. She’s an inspiration to me. I look out there and sometimes I forget everything because she does it so flawlessly.”

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All the while she keeps a smile on her face and a positive attitude.

“Her smile and attitude are infectious,” said Taylor Pommer, Keonna’s cheer coach.

Keonna has words of encouragement for anyone who may be differently abled than their peers.

“I believe anyone can do anything if they want it bad enough,” she said.

Following graduation, Keonna plans to attend Texarkana College and become an X-ray technician.

“She couldn’t have done any of it without God. God made her, he guides her,” Kimberly said.

NOVEMBER 2023 13

Bells are Ringing Again

The worship area of the Faith Community Nazarene Church in Atlanta gives an impression of elegance.

By NEIL ABELES

The Faith Community Nazarene Church is not only at the center of Atlanta, so are its new chimes audio system which ring in the hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“… and drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds” from “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” Thomas Gray The bells are tinkling from Faith Community Nazarene Church here in Atlanta. People are charmed.

They sound hourly. And the history of their doing so goes back to the founding of the Methodist Church at this spot in 1873.

At the time, this was Louise and Hiram Streets on the bank of Haw Creek. A bell was put in the first Methodist building here. Its purpose was simple.

To announce church time and invite the passer-by. Someone, perhaps a youth, pulled the bell rope to ring in this news.

14 NOVEMBER 2023

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The bells are now sounding again now from the hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Different from the original methods, they are electronic digital carillon chimes, and already set to a 10-year calendar. That is, at holidays and festivals they’ll play pre-chosen seasonal songs.

And even now at noon, they play a hymn after the hour is struck.

The distinguished building and its bells became the property of the Nazarene Church here in Atlanta in 2009 when the Methodist church moved to its present location on the east side of town. However, the bells were not working at the time.

Atlanta community members now are pleased to hear the chimes from the top of the red brick, white shuttered and steepled church at the center of town on North Louise and Main Streets. It was as many as

150 years ago the church bell rang out here, making “Welcome to Atlanta” a musical impression.

Church electronics guru Rick Cornett led in installing the latest system. He says he would like to know why the citizens of a while ago put up their bells. What was their compelling reason? A part of that history is knowing that the bells were included with the first Methodist building in 1873, then again for the second building from 1890 to 1917. The third Methodist church building was established in 1917 and had its bell until 1934 when chimes were given by I . W. Willis in memory of his wife Annie Green. In 1953, the current red brick building was constructed, and in 1982 electronic carillons replaced the bell and bell tower as donated by Dr. Blocker Joslin and family.

Electronics leader Rick Corbett and his son Jayden are holding open the door to the old and no longer working analog chimes machine at the Faith Community Nazarene church. The analog system has been replaced with a digital one.

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Present pastor Curtis Coombs has his view of the bells.

“They remind everyone to come to church … we’re open,” he said with a smile. Then, he added, with a bigger smile, “Really, the chimes are for the Lord.”

Ask almost any citizen today, and they will say they’ve heard the chimes, and it has been special to be surprised by their sounds.

“Brings me peace,” said Shawn Mendoza with the Atlanta ISD administration building which is just next door.

“Even if I know it’s 10 a.m., I’m still glad to be reminded,” said Rhonda Surratt with Edward Jones Investments which is across the street.

As for the poem’s description of the bell sounds — “drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds” — the bells are heard across a

wide area. Business employees inside offices two to three blocks away say they hear the chimes. On a clear day, the sound may go for five blocks.

Cornett and his son, Atlanta High School sophomore Jayden Cornett, put up the four speakers that are each some 26 inches wide. Church member Shorty Elders helped and is credited with bringing the idea of installing a new chime system to the church board’s attention.

An interesting point is that members of the community pitched to help fund the new chime system. It was not just the church.

“The community and individuals provided half the funds and our church budgeted the other half,” Pastor Coombs said.

So, let it be said that Atlanta is a bell tower town, with just one correction for the impres-

Everyone’s happy the community is enjoying the chimes coming from the Faith Community Nazarene Church in Atlanta. From left, Rick Corbett, pastor Curtis Coombs and Jayden Corbett are telling each other good job. sion given, however. The chime sound is not coming from the belfry of the white steeple at the church’s front but rather from the back of the church at the edge of the education building. The speakers are too large for the room available in the steeple. The sound just seems

to be coming from the steeple.

Also, the new speakers haven’t been installed permanently. The church is awaiting roofing work before firmly installing the speakers. However, the sound is all that’s needed when memory, imagination and appreciation are involved.

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NOVEMBER 2023 17

Daingerfield celebrates 40th anniversary of ‘83 title team

Daingerfield High School recognized the 40th anniversary of the 1983 3A state champions during the Oct. 20 game against Queen City. The 1983 Tigers shut out 14 of their 16 opponents and allowed just eight points for the season and no points in the playoffs.

By QUINTEN BOYD

D Members and family members of the 1983 state champion Daingerfield Tigers were honored prior to the start of the Oct. 20 game and served as honorary captains for the coin toss. The 1983 Tigers are considered one of the most dominant teams in Texas high school football history, pitching 14 shutouts in 16 games, including every playoff game on the road to the state championship.

18 NOVEMBER 2023

aingerfield High School recognized the greatest team in school history as well as one of the most dominant high school teams in Texas high school history Oct. 20 as the school recognized the 40th anniversary of the 1983 state champion Tigers during the game against Queen City at Mickey Mayne Stadium.

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The 1983 Tigers are considered one of the best teams, if not the best, in Texas high school football history.

The team won the 3A state championship and finished with 14 shutouts in 16 games, giving up just eight points in those 16 games. Kilgore got a safety on a bad snap and Carthage scored a touchdown against the 83 Tigers.

Carthage went on to advance to the state semifinals that season.

The 83 Tigers outscored their playoff opponents 246-0 and scored 631 points on the season. Of those 631 points, 76 of those points were scored by the Tiger defense.

The defense gave up 66 yards per game – an average of one foot per play, forced 63 turnovers and finished the year with 43 sacks. Only one other team in state history – Abilene in 1923 – won a state championship without allowing a point in the playoffs.

One other East Texas team -- the 1980 Pittsburg Pirates -- came close to matching the playoff shutout streak, allowing just two points in the playoffs on their way to a state title.

The Tigers won their 16 games over Kilgore (35-2), Gilmer (14-0), Carthage (10-6), Linden-Kildare (27-0),

Queen City (76-0), DeKalb (48-0), New Boston (56-0), Pewitt (42-0), Hughes Springs (32-0), Hooks (45-0), Clarksville (43-0), Waco Robinson (22-0), Kaufman (46-0), Gladewater (51-0), Post (420) and Sweeny (42-0).

Team members were James Jimmerson, Haze Littlefield, Wendell Welch, Tony Phillips, Randy Helton, Danny Mitchell, Johnnie Hundon, Jeff Allen, Mark Austin, Rodney Mims, Gene Rowe, Ronnie Nelson, Ed Hurndon, Vic Edmond, Ladd Freeman, Mike McCurdy, John Settle, Vince Malone, Gary Mars, Randy Woods, Tony Evans, David Whitmore, Robert Smith, Willie Everett, Doug Pittman, Herman West, Tim Lipham, Jeff Morris, Carlton Walker, Mike Stone, Guy Searcy, Mark Rowe, Johnnie Hendrix and Eric Everett. The team’s head coach was Dennis Alexander.

Vic Edmond, Eric Everett, Willie Everett, Ladd Freeman, Johnny Hendrix and Guy Searcy were all named first team all-state. Both Everetts played college football with Eric Everett playing five years in the NFL. The 1983 title was the second of Daingerfield’s six titles, a number the team hopes to add on to this season.

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A stellar three enter Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame

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very year Atlanta honors those significant people who truly did something special in their sport. Friday night was no different at Rabbit Stadium as Atlanta honored three notables in Atlanta sports history for the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame (HOF).

This year’s HOF Class of 2023 honored Coulter “Mule” Kennamer, former Lady Rabbs’ Coach, Donna Walker and longtime Rabbit Athletic Director/ Head Football Coach, Ben Scharnberg.

In lieu of the big day a reception for families, friends and former players was held in the Atlanta High School cafeteria prior to the game.

Former players for Coaches Walker and Scharnberg gathered behind them down on the field to celebrate the big day.

Black granite plaques were placed on the stadium entryway left wall which gives a short story of each honoree. An on-field ceremony prior to kickoff had framed replica plaques presented to each new HOF member.

Coulter “Mule” Kennamer was a Rabbit star running back in the 1944-46 seasons. He led Atlanta to two district championships as a powerful and bruising runner who in the 1946 season 20 NOVEMBER 2023

By GORDON PYNES

Donna Walker scored 107 points. Area sportswriters lauded him as one of the best running backs in East Texas history.

Another writer was of the opinion that Mule could only be stopped by locking the gates and keeping him out of the stadium.

One legendary story claims Mule took a kickoff at old Bivins-Trice Stadium and ran through the opposing team and then slowed to pet a dog that had run on the field beside him. Mule then ran on for a touch-

down.

Mule was team captain, played basketball and was named Best Athlete at Atlanta High in 1947.

Highly recruited by several Southwest Conference schools, Mule chose the Arkansas Razorbacks. He suffered a severe knee injury in his freshman year that ruined his college career. Mule spent most of his adult life working at Lone Star Steel and passed away in 1997.

Coach Donna Walker

came to Atlanta High School in 1986 and would coach almost all girls’ sports over the next 20 years.

She was the Lady Rabbs’ basketball coach and compiled a stellar record producing 331 total wins with 12 playoff appearances and a trip to the Regional Finals.

Walker also headed the boys’ and girls’ tennis program and twice had boys’ doubles teams at the state tourney. Several of her basketball players went on to earn scholarships at major schools.

One, Ravon Justice is now head women’s basketball coach at Sam Houston State and credits Walker for much of her success. Donna went on from Atlanta to coach basketball at Rockwall Heath and head the tennis program at Alief Hastings.

She recently retired from coaching but is very active in pickleball and spends the summers hiking and canoeing within Montana’s Glacier National Park.

Ben Scharnberg was hired in 1988 to revive the Atlanta football program.

He quickly went about that but added a boost all across the sports competitions. During his 18 years as the head of Atlanta ISD Athletics, Ben built the Rabbits and Lady Rabbs into an East Texas and statewide power.

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Ben Scharnberg

Mule Kennamer His achievements included a State Football Championship (2003), five boys’ state track titles and a baseball crown. Prior to his hiring, the Rabbits had never won a state championship in any sport.

His football teams made him the winningest grid coach in Atlanta history.

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The 1994 State finalist team rolled up the most wins ever in a Rabbit season with 13.

During the 2003-2004 school year Atlanta earned the Lone Star Cup which compiled top sports and academic performance in a statewide competition.

Retiring as Athletic Director

in 2006, Ben and wife Jana still reside in Atlanta.

Ben was active in the original formation of the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 to carry on Atlanta Pride and the Rabbits winning traditions.

This program requires tax-free donations each year to keep on. The beauti-

fully etched black granite plaques and several smaller expenses require about $3,000 each year. Your donations are greatly appreciated by the HOF Committee.

Checks to Atlanta Athletics HOF can be mailed to P.O. Box 637 in Atlanta, Tx 75551 or made online via our Facebook site.

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A magazine about people, places, and happenings in Northeast Texas.

NOVEMBER 2023 21

Looking to the

future

Mount Pleasant senior accepted to multiple prestigious programs

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or many students, the summer before senior year is full of fun in the sun, family vacations, hanging out with friends, and maybe a summer job.

But for Mount Pleasant High School senior, Angelina Hernandez, the summer of 2023 was all about preparing for what is coming after high school.

Hernandez has been chosen for three prestigious college preparation programs including the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars, the Young Leaders Summit, and the University of Pennsylvania’s PEEP program.

In April, Hernandez learned that she was selected as a National QuestBridge College Prep Scholar. The program had over 20,000 applicants with about a 20 percent acceptance rate, or about 4000 students. The program afforded her the opportunity to travel to Emory University in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, June 11 to attend the National College Admissions Conference, hosted

by QuestBridge Staff and college partner admissions officers.

The conference offered indepth admissions and financial aid sessions including strategies for preparing strong applications, engaging with admissions officers in small group settings, attending a

22 NOVEMBER 2023

college fair to get to know all of QuestBridge’s college partners, and learning about the opportunities available through the National College Match and the QuestBridge Scholars Network.

On Aug. 2-6, Hernandez attended the Young Leaders Summit (YLS) at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

From a pool of 1,942 applicants, only 200 rising high school seniors were selected representing forty-four states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The program began with a virtual portion in June that taught participants about the college application process, applying for scholarships, and completing the FASFA and CSS profile.

While at USC in August, participants attended workshops regarding financial aid, FAFSA, scholarships, the college admission process, admission case studies, letters of recommendation, personal statements, college interviews, credit, career services, and university organizations.

Finally, Hernandez learned at the end of the summer that she was selected to be a part of the Penn Early Exploration Program (PEEP) through the University of Pennsylvania.

Angelina Hernandez presents a personal reflection on all she gained at the Young Leaders Summit.

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PEEP includes weekly 2-hour live virtual workshops with admissions staff, faculty, and current students from Aug. 9 to Sept. 6. The sessions provide an overview of the University of Pennsylvania, workshops on the application components such as essay writing, supplemental questions and presenting your activities, information about financial aid, and time to connect with current students and admissions staff.

“All the programs had one common goal which was to encourage recipients that college should not be scary and unknown, rather a realm where we deserve to feel comfortable,” said Hernandez. “This summer taught me that there is opportunity in each person’s circumstance, and it is up to us what we do with the seed we were given. The community I gained from these programs is invalu-

able and one I will continue to refer to as I grow into my career. Most importantly, they gave me the confidence that I can afford and attend rigorous and/or out-of-state universities as a first-generation and lowincome student.”

Hernandez is President of the National Honor Society (NHS), President of the Student Council (StuCo), Co-President of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Captain of the Debate team, and a member of the UIL Spelling team. She has already been named an AP Scholar, a National Rural and Small Town and a National Hispanic Recognition award winner this year. She is interested in possibly majoring in Finance and is working on applications while keeping all her college options open for now. She is the daughter of Erick and Enid Hernandez.

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Quail Forecast TPWD’s annual roadside surveys show modest gains in some regions, spurring cautious optimism for the future Bobwhite quail are dapper little game birds known for their signature trills, huddling in tight groups (called coveys) amid thick cover, then flushing in explosive bursts that can shock you. (Photo by Matt Williams)

By MATT WILLIAMS

I

t’s been a while since Texas quail hunters have had much to crow about. Barring a few modest upticks, quail populations have pretty much been in the dumps for years.

Experts point to everything from habitat loss/fragmentation, prolonged drought, predation and parasites as the causes for the puzzling decline, and millions of dollars raised by special interest groups like the Quail Coalition out of Dallas have been spent on research projects aimed in hopes of finding solutions to help reverse it.

Texas has four species of quail — northern bobwhites, scaled quail, Gambel’s quail

24 NOVEMBER 2023

and Montezuma quail. Bobwhites are the most common, but way less abundant now than they once were.

Quail are dapper little dudes that are resilient in nature. The ground-nesting birds have a long history of boom and bust cycles.

Numbers are prone to jump in years with timely rainfall to spur adequate cover for spring and summer nesting that ultimately leads to good chick survival. Noticeable spikes may follow when banner nesting conditions result in significant hatches for consecutive years.

Conversely, the road to recovery on the heels of a wide-

spread crash can be a long one.

It could take years.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently released its quail forecast ahead of the 2023-24 hunting season, which runs October 28 through February 25. The annual outlook is certainly nothing to write home about, but it does indicate some bright spots that are reason for quail junkies to be cautiously optimistic about the future.

That’s the word from John McLaughlin, TPWD’s upland game bird program leader.

Based in Lubbock, McLaughlin says the forecast is based largely on the results of roadside

surveys that are conducted in designated ecological regions each August. Ecological regions included are the Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies, High Plains, Rolling Plains and South Texas Plains.

TPWD staff carry out surveys by driving 20-mile survey lines and counting quail they see along the way. Biologists record the number of singles, pairs, coveys, and number of quail within coveys for each quail species by one-mile increments. The surveys allow for comparisons between current year data and the 15-year average recorded for each ecological region.

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Not surprisingly, conducting the annual survey is a time-consuming task. It involves dozens of wildlife biologists and technicians driving more 3,300 road miles over a two-week period.

This year’s survey indicates the most significant gains occurred in South Texas and the Gulf Coast Prairies, where early spring rains resulted in good nesting conditions before a nasty, summer-long drought set in.

South Texas is expected to be the hottest spot for Texas quail hunters for the second consecutive season. The average number of bobwhites seen per route was 9.59 compared to 5.26 in 2022, up from the 15-year average of 9.21. (TPWD Photo, Jason Hardin)

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TPWD has been carrying out annual roadside surveys to monitor statewide quail populations since 1978. This graphic illustrates how the numbers of bobwhite quail counted per travel route in six ecological region route have fluctuated over the last 15 years. (TPWD Graphic)

“South Texas stands out for sure,” McLaughlin said. “The region had good carry over of birds from last year. Our numbers indicate there are were incremental gains across most of the other ecological regions, but they were just that — incremental. They weren’t a big jump, but I still feel pretty good about it. I think we would have seen bigger gains if it hadn’t turned off so dry, but for the conditions and the cover we grew I’m optimistic that we put some birds on the ground this year. We haven’t seen that in quite a few years.”

Here’s a synopsis the TPWD’S 2023-24 bobwhite quail season forecast by ecological region: Cross Timbers * The Numbers: The average number of bobwhites tallied per route was 0.20 compared to 0.23 in 2022. The count was below the 15-year average of 1.38 and a continuation of recent trends. * Regional Outlook: Habitat 26 NOVEMBER 2023

conditions were good to excellent in spring but diminished in quality in summer, limiting late season nesting activity. Biologists reported good forb production and insect populations as well as an increase in native warm season grasses. Summer heat combined with fewer hens available fodampened reproductive output. Bobwhites are present in most counties, but populations persist at low densities making birds difficult to find. McLaughlin says long term habitat improvements bode well for birds, but quality hunting opportunities are likely to be limited to small, isolated pockets this season. * Hunting Outlook: Poor to below average.

Edwards Plateau * The Numbers: The average number of bobwhites per route was 1.00 compared to 0.11 in 2022, but still less than the 15year average of 2.78. * Regional Outlook: Spring rainfall produced abundant

cover for rearing broods along with a flush of insects, but the favorable habitat conditions slowly diminished with the arrival of summer. McLauglin says reduced population numbers in past years have resulted in fewer hens being available for nesting, which naturally reduces reproductive output. The region has capacity to produce good quail numbers, but populations have been depressed for several years. While the survey indicates an increase, McLaughlin believes the numbers were heavily influenced by a single route in Kinney County.

Hunters can expect scattered pockets of good hunting for bobwhites. * Hunting Outlook: Below average to fair.

Gulf Coast Prairies * The Numbers: The average number of bobwhites per route was 9.60 compared to 2.50 in 2022, topping the 15-year mean of 7.81. * Regional Outlook: Cool,

moist conditions in spring brought a flush of beneficial nesting cover to coastal counties. Early concerns of too much moisture for nesting quail were erased as conditions dried out in the early summer months and left the habitat in near optimal shape. That’s when the heat wave set in and drought conditions took hold.

McLaughlin says bobwhite numbers exceeded expectations despite the summer heat, resulting in the best survey results since 2015. Birds were abundant and widely distributed across Calhoun, Matagorda, Victoria and Wharton counties, indicating that the wet-dry cycle was beneficial along the coast. Young broods were observed into September.

While bobwhite populations are not robust, and drought threatens progress in the shortterm, McLaughlin says hunters can expect fair to good hunting opportunities this season. * Hunting Outlook: Fair, locally above average.

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High Plains * The Numbers: The average number of bobwhites per route was 3.44 compared to 0.78 in 2022, well below the 15-year average of 6.29. * Regional Outlook: McLaughlin says spring rainfall north and south of I-40 resulted in quality ground cover before drying out over the summer. Residual cover was still available in many counties entering fall. Bird pairs were observed early and often, but brood sightings were few throughout summer. McLaughlin is certain the region produced birds, but believes it was only a modest bump. He added that the increased survey numbers were heavily weighted by a single route in Bailey County. * Hunting Outlook: Below average to fair.

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Rolling Plains * The Numbers: Average number of bobwhites was 3.43 per route compared to 0.86 in 2022 and well below the 15-year average of 11.09. * Regional Outlook: Springtime habitat conditions were good to excellent, but diminished in quality with the summer heat. McLaughlin says areas along the Canadian River watershed and core counties benefited from good spring rainfall from May through June, spurring good ground cover for nesting birds. Biologists noted early nesting activity in Fisher County, but it was slow to pick up elsewhere. Despite fewer hens being available for nesting, survey numbers and field reports reflected a bump

in many counties. Hunters can expect scattered pockets of good hunting, especially in the northern and western portions. * Hunting Outlook: Below average to fair.

South Texas * The Numbers: The average number of bobwhites seen per route was 9.59 compared to 5.26 in 2022, up from the 15-year average of 9.21. The results mark the continuation of a positive trend. * Regional Outlook: Excellent spring rainfall set the stage for a banner nesting season east and west of I-35, but habitat conditions diminished in quality with the summer drought. McLaughlin says the region made significant gains early on that were buoyed by August

rain showers. Nesting and brood reports were steady throughout summer in Atascosa, Bee, Jim Hogg and McMullen Counties, with plenty of chicks spotted into July and August in Kenedy and Kleberg counties. Brood sightings continued into September, suggesting an extended nesting season.

South Texas had a residual bird numbers from last year that provided a solid foundation to build on, McLauglin said. The biologist is expecting an uptick this year with a bounty of hunting opportunities across the region.

Hunting Outlook: Fair to above average.

Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches.

He can be reached by email, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.

NOVEMBER 2023 27

Morehead excited about the future of CSNT

By SYDNI GOZA

W

hat if I told you that there was an agency in your community that might be able to help you pay bills like utilities, rent, meals, and prescriptions when you are in need? There is just that place… CSNT. There are thousands of Community Action Agencies across the nation, and forty of those agencies reside in Texas. Community Services of Northeast Texas (CSNT) is just one of those Community Action Agencies that aims to help Northeast Texas families to lead improved, empowered, and self-reliant lives. CSNT is located in Linden and spearheaded

by Michelle Morehead, who took over for the former Executive Director, Dan Boyd.

CSNT services Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Rains, Red River and Titus counties in Northeast Texas, with three outreach offices in Bowie, Cass, and Titus counties.

Morehead has been involved in Community Action for almost twenty years, initially working with Head Start as a Teacher’s Assistant. She worked with Head Start for eight years before she became a Case Manager for the same agency which Head Start was under. “I [wanted] to be a Case Manager because my Head Start 28 NOVEMBER 2023

Michelle Morehead from CSNT and new Cass County Veterans Services Officer Sean Johnson receive 300k each for their respective organization.

parents weren’t receiving the assistance that I thought they should be receiving, that I thought they needed from the Case Management Department,” said Morehead. Morehead was hired on to the Case Management Department where she learned from her supervisor everything from Case Management all the way up to Executive Director. “They realized it was hard to keep me busy, and even though I had almost 80 people on my case load in Case Management, I worked really, really fast. He

wanted to keep me busy, so he just kept giving me stuff to do. I was enjoying every moment of learning everything,” she said.

When presented with the opportunity to take over as the Deputy Executive Director of CSNT, Morehead wasted no time in applying for it. “I was amazed, and I knew God had sent that opportunity,” said Morehead.

Four phone interviews, a written interview, and a panel interview of about 20 people later, Morehead was chosen for the position.

With Morehead at the helm of CSNT, she’s excited to bring in new programs and enrich the lives of Northeast Texas families by helping them to become self-sufficient and empowered. One of these programs coming to CSNT is the Transitional Housing Program which will provide housing for the homeless on a sliding scale fee. For instance, if they don’t have income, the fee will be $0 and if they do have income, the fee will be minimal, and it will be paid monthly.

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“One of the things about it is that half the fee will go into a bank account to fix the house and stuff and the other half goes into a bank account to save for them while they’re in transitional housing and whenever they graduate from transitional housing, that money that we saved for them will be their incentive for what they do next,” Morehead explains.

Qualifications for transitional housing include being homeless, but also, as Morehead attests, they must want to change that. If they are disabled and unable to work, CSNT will help them apply for Social Security.

Morehead also explains that these programs aren’t just giving handouts. “Our main goal is to help people become self-sufficient; to be

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able to rely on themselves.

Our job is to empower people.”

The Transitional Housing Program isn’t the only thing Morehead is looking forward to, however. She is excited for the future of CSNT and what it can do for the community. One goal for her is to improve the reputation of the agency. “I want people to hear Community Services of Northeast Texas and it make them happy. I want them to know that we help people,” she said.

Back in 2019, SWEPCO awarded CSNT with a $50,000 grant for a Youth Empowerment Program.

The program was initially on hold due to the outbreak of COVID-19, but Morehead is excited to get things going again with the

program. “We’re partnering with a local school district.

We’re also partnering with Hype Boxing Club to bring something really new to this community for the youth.

Of course, I want it to be known that it’s going to be a safe program. We’re not going to have children boxing each other.”

Morehead is also excited about a new building in Linden for Veterans to come and relax, but that isn’t all that’s in store for them.

CSNT was awarded $300,000 from the Texas Veterans Commission to help Veterans in Northeast Texas with financial assistance. “Things like rent, utilities, mortgage, dental, transportation. If their car breaks down, we help them with that. If they need a bus ticket, we can

pay for that. And we’re also able to help with childcare expenses if they have a child that’s going to childcare, or if they need adult care expenses, we’ll help with that too,” she explained.

The future of CSNT looks bright as there are many programs and opportunities for the community to look forward to. At the end of the day, for Morehead it is all about helping those who need it. “We empower people to help themselves.

We help them become selfsufficient and the people that are unable to become self-sufficient, because maybe they’re on a fixed income, we help them too. We’re able to help people every day.” If you are interested in knowing more, visit their website at wwww.csntexas.org.

NOVEMBER 2023 29

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STRAIGHT TALK with Chris Spencer PROSECUTION OR PERSECUTION?

I

remember a time when most Americans believed FBI Agents were the best of the best who always got their man and acted beyond reproach. FBI officials and Department of Justice prosecutors were seen as defending our nation from serious threats both foreign and domestic. They were deserving of our respect and admiration. Sadly, because of the actions of top officials at the FBI and the Department of Justice, including U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray, that’s no longer the case. It’s why, I believe, the political weaponization of our American justice system is one of the greatest threats we face as a nation and a people.

We are a nation of laws. The cornerstone of our American jurisprudence system has always been that no man is above the law and no man is below it. I believe that still, but what happens when those charged with investigating and prosecuting crimes put their own selfish political interests ahead of the rule of law? What happens when these law enforcement officials use their vast power and taxpayer-funded resources to subvert the rule of law and concoct crimes that never were because they don’t like a particular candidate?

That is exactly what is happening now!

Regardless of your opinion of Donald Trump, you ought to be highly concerned about the actions taken by the FBI and DOJ in using their vast resources and highly-trained agents and prosecutors to interfere with an American Presidential Election. They did so in 2016 with the non-existent “Russia Collusion” hoax. And, they are doing so again, indicting former President, and current candidate, Donald Trump ninety-one times.

The list of recent FBI/DOJ abuses is long and includes: an improper meeting between White House and DOJ Staff with the Special Prosecutor prosecuting Trump in Washington, D.C., the FBI and DOJ refusing any prosecution of Joe Biden for improperly storing classified

materials from when he was Vice President next to his Corvette in his Delaware garage, even while indicting Trump on the same charge, offering Hunter a sweetheart deal and waiting to prosecute him until after many of the statutes of limitations had expired (thankfully the federal judge intervened and said no) and the list goes on and on.

Many of the actions taken by Trump—which were used to indict him—were also done by Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and others in 2016, when they argued Trump had not legitimately been elected President. Where were the federal and state indictments for those folks? Where was the indictment for Hillary’s deleted emails, and where are the investigations into Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, for their questionable dealings with China and Ukraine, and the cocaine in the White House? The hypocrisy is deafening.

We can’t have one set of rules for conservatives and another for liberals. We can’t have one set of rules for Republicans and another for Democrats, and we cannot have one set of rules at the FBI and DOJ for Presidential candidates those agency officials like and another for those they don’t. It’s dangerous and is far more insidious than outside collusion because it’s occurring within the highest levels of our government.

It is time for the American people to demand that these, once-respected law enforcement agencies focus on fairly, equitably, and constitutionally enforcing the law and leave the politics to the American people.

We deserve nothing less!

chris@chrisspencer.com

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