The County Line - December 2010, v3i43

Business & Community Journal --- December, 2010

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The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

2010

Monthly Edition

December , In This Issue:

vol.3 Issue 43

www.MyCounty-Line.com

THE FEDERALIST PAPERS

By Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay For the People of New York, 1787

The Federalist Papers:

by Alexander Hamilton, #84

Please Visit Our Website

by Mike W. Norris

“Certain General and Miscellaneous Objections to the Constitution Considered and Answered”

Texas Conservative

Why Was There No Bill of Rights?

Growing Up Small Town:

by Chuck Norris

@Ranger Library

by Diana McCullough

Good Neighbors

by Clint Coffee

Daily Devotional

by Wanda Lee Beck Skinner

Law of the Land

by Doug Jordan

Tumbleweed Smith

by Bob Lewis

Texas Hunter

by Jerry Tebay NEW FEATURE!

Love Lessons

by Vicki Stiefer

Treasure Hunters

by Jerry Eckhart

Reader Submissions

by various contributors

Life Planning Issues

by Jim Kennedy

Star Pride

by Ginger Tobin

Out of the Past

by Luther Gohlke

Out of the Box

by Joellen Hodge

EMH Volunteers

by Kelly Davidson

From the Backside

by Henry J. Clevicepin

Ruthie’s Page

by Mike & Ruth Norris

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N THE course of the foregoing review of the Constitution, I have taken notice of, and endeavored to answer most of the objections which have appeared against it. There, however, remain a few which either did not fall naturally under any particular head or were forgotten in their proper places. he most considerable of the remaining objections is that the plan of the convention contains no bill of rights. t has been several times truly remarked that bills of rights are, in their origin, stipulations between kings and their subjects, abridgements of prerogative in favor of privilege, reservations of rights not surrendered to the prince. Such was MAGNA CHARTA, obtained by the barons, sword in hand, from King John. Such were the subsequent confirmations of that charter by succeeding princes. Such was the PETITION OF RIGHT assented to by Charles I., in the beginning of his reign.

Such, also, was the Declaration of Right presented by the Lords and Commons to the Prince of Orange in 1688, and afterwards thrown into the form of an act of parliament called the Bill of Rights. t is evident, therefore, that, according to their primitive signification, they have no application to constitutions professedly founded upon the power of the people, and executed by their immediate representatives and servants. Here, in strictness, the people surrender nothing; and as they retain every thing they have no need of particular reservations. “WE, THE PEOPLE of the United States, to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ORDAIN and ESTABLISH this Constitution for the United States of America.” Here is a better recognition of popular rights, than volumes of those aphorisms which make the principal figure in several of our State bills of rights, and which would sound much better in a treatise of ethics than in a constitution of government. go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and to the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed Constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers not granted; and, on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do? Why, for instance, should it be said that the liberty of the press shall not be restrained, when no power is given by which restrictions may be imposed? here remains but one other view of this matter to conclude the point. The truth is, after all the declamations we have heard, that the Constitution is itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS. The several bills of rights in Great Britain form its Constitution, and conversely the constitution of each State is its bill of rights. And the proposed Constitution, if adopted, will be the bill of rights of the Union.

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The County Line Published by Wolverine Design Mike Norris - Owner

P.O. Box 1156 Eastland, Tx 76448 Phone: (254) 433-2693 mike@mycounty-line.com

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Mike &rris Ruth No

~ excerpts from Federalist #84, by Alexander Hamilton

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

3Growing Up Small Town ■

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Mike W. Norris

Memories of Christmas Past...

Wow! I don’t know about you, but I can’t hardly believe that this year is almost over! And not only has the time flown by, but the weather hasn’t quite caught up with the calendar yet either. I was running the airconditioner here in my home office just the other day -- after I had told myself not to turn it on all day long and had been wiping the sweat off my brow for some time. I finally gave in and cranked up the a/c.

I guess since the season has snuck up on me so quickly, I really haven’t had enough time to sit down and think about Christmas being just a few days around the corner.

Ummm...oops! I have to start thinking about doing Christmas shopping, don’t I? Well...let’s see...first things first. What do I want for Christmas? (*haha* You have to start somewhere, right?)

I’m easy to shop for. If it takes batteries, has lots of bells and whistles, and usually costs more than a week’s pay -- then I like it! This year I have my eye set on the new Samsung Galaxy Tab, and for the low-low introductory price of just $599, I could have one. Yea, right!

OK, that was easy...who’s next? Ruthie!

Ruthie just happend to mention to me about 45 minutes ago that she wants a new microwave oven for Christmas.

A red one! I looked at her like, “what’s wrong with this one?” That’s a loaded question, I know, so I didn’t even bother asking her. The microwave that we have is exactly 17 years and about 3 months old. I know that because the awesome group of folks I worked with out at EBAA Iron in Georgia went in together and bought it for us as a wedding gift, and since our 17th anniversary was in September, I figure that puts a pretty close age on the microwave. But the darn thing still works...I can’t help it that it sounds like it slung a bearing and a rod on the last lap of the Daytona 500 and coasted across the finish line with two flat tires and a flapping rear spoiler! It still says “Ding!” when my popcorn is ready and that’s good enough for me!

OK...so a new microwave for Ruthie,a RED one!

That’s going to be easy enough.

How about Sherrie? Well, she’s allot like me. If it uses batteries, has lots of bells and whistles, and usually costs more than a week’s pay...no wait...that IS me!

Ummm...OK...let’s downgrade her a bit. It has to cost less than a week’s pay. And we can leave off one or two whistles. I think she said the other day that she would love a new cellphone. Well...let’s see here...looking at the budget...alright. If I buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab for me, and the microwave for Ruthie, then Sherrie can have MY cellphone and I’ll go back to the one I used to have. BINGO!! All figured out!

OK, so maybe I’m just kidding. I wouldn’t do Sherrie like that...at least not twice in the same year. (I won’t go into details as to how Ruthie and I have new cellphones and Sherrie has an old one!)

But in reality, the little girl just turned sixteen and she would rather have a cellphone than a car. I can live with that!

So the last couple of days I’ve been counting my pennies and eyeing some of my Star Trek collectibles that are on my office shelf. I’m betting that if I caught eBay on a good day, I could gather up enough for that Galaxy Tab...as long as I find a way to get a new microwave and a new cellphone at the same time. Who knows, I might even get by with it, too.

I remember when I was a little kid and the hottest thing out was the Atari® 2600 “Home Entertainment System”...oh yea!

No, that was NOT a video game, kiddos, THAT was an entertainment system.

Yea, I remember it like it was yesterday.

Mom and dad and me and my sister went Christmas shopping at the Westgate Mall in Abilene (ask your parents where that was kiddos) and when we left there I had the feeling that there was an Atari®

system somewhere in the car. Low and behold, Christmas morning, sure enough!

There it was! I remember unwrapping it and I remember helping dad disconnect the Pong® game from the TV after I went and retrieved the flathead screwdriver from the kitchen drawer.

After getting everything hooked up, I remember enjoying the rest of the day sitting around the living room watching dad and my uncle play tank combat for like hours!!! I think my cousins and I got to play every once in a while...but mostly I just remember watching dad and them play.

They had to be sure that the games weren’t too tough for us kiddos and that the controlers were safe for us to chew on later. Just like today’s video games, they wanted to be sure that the pixel-on-pixel violence wasn’t going to be a shock to our little eyes!

That was a good Christmas. Not much has changed...except that dad looks a little bored when I’m playing Guitar Hero with the grandkids. Don’t worry dad, you taught me well.

Send Comments to: smalltown@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

4Texas Conservative ■

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Chuck Norris - The Man

A Leader We All Can Follow

William Bradford, governor of the Plymouth Colony, was a remarkable leader who endured much from Europe to the coastal regions of North America.

Born in 1590 in a small farming town in England, he was only 1 year old when his father died, 4 when his grandparents took over his guardianship, 6 when his grandfather died and 7 when his mother died.

In 1620, at 30 years old, William and his wife, Dorothy, sold their house and joined the Mayflower expedition and sailed for America. Tragically, after enduring the difficult crossing of the Atlantic and while the ship was anchored at Cape Cod and the men were exploring on land, Dorothy fell overboard and drowned.

If that wasn’t enough, William and the remaining Pilgrims had to face one of the harshest years of their lives, during which only half of them survived. Bradford himself got sick and wasn’t expected to live, but he recovered.

In 1621, William was elected to be the second governor of Plymouth, and he was re-elected nearly every year thereafter.

One thing that has made America great is its long lineage of valiant leaders in every generation. These are the type of men and women about whom our sixth president, John Quincy Adams, said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

One more extraordinary example of that type of leadership can be found in my friend and the new commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Amos.

In 2007, I visited our troops at 15 bases in Iraq with then-three-star Lt. Gen. Amos and four-star Gen. Bob Magnus.

After being recommended by Defense Secretary Robert Gates in June and endorsed by President Barack Obama in July, he was appointed on Oct. 22, which my wife, Gena, and I (among many others around the world) were thrilled to hear.

According to The Washington Post, military officials say Amos is an innovative thinker about future combat and a passionate advocate for finding additional resources to treat Marines diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. To boot, Amos is a man of great faith in God. And he’s now the first Marine commandant with a background as a naval aviator. (In choosing Amos, Gates passed over Gen. James N. Mattis, who is one of the military’s best minds regarding waging war on insurgents.)

Before Amos was selected as head of the Marine Corps, however, he weathered a rather unique vetting period. Amos’ poise and leadership was vividly on display for the country and the world to see when he was grilled by members of the Senate Armed Services Committee for an hour in a hearing in which the questioning was almost exclusively about gays in the military.

Amos was again on the hot seat when he spoke recently with reporters during a Southern California visit to mark the Marines’ 235th birthday.

With American troops on the battlegrounds in Afghanistan and still

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deployed in Iraq, Amos said now is not the time to overturn the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy prohibiting gays from openly serving in the military.

Amos explained: “This is not a social thing. This is combat effectiveness. ... There’s risk involved. I’m trying to determine how to measure that risk. ... There is nothing more intimate than young men and young women -- and when you talk of infantry, we’re talking our young men -- laying out, sleeping alongside of one another and sharing death, fear and loss of brothers. I don’t know what the effect of that will be on cohesion.

I mean, that’s what we’re looking at. It’s unit cohesion; it’s combat effectiveness.”

I applaud Amos for caring more for the troops than for being politically correct. He deserves the accolades of military personnel and all citizens alike. Americans should feel proud and safer to have him serving as the commandant of the Marine Corps. If we had more leaders like him in this world, we wouldn’t be in half the hurt that we are. In fact, as an Air Force vet and honorary Marine, I say with millions of others, “Ooh-rah!”

I know you’ll join me in giving thanks this Thanksgiving for leaders like Amos and all the rest of our service members around the world. It is their service and sacrifice that allow us the freedom to enjoy the peace and prosperity of our festive turkey day.

Lastly, with gratefulness in our hearts, I encourage and challenge Americans everywhere to heed the call of William Bradford, who admonished: “Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience.

Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.”

(Please make sure to support our military personnel this holiday season by sending some form of encouragement to our troops, whether it be participating in a Christmas care package through Give2TheTroops.org -the deadline for which is Dec. 1 -- or a word of encouragement by sending a free Christmas card via LetsSayThanks.com. Mostly, please be careful as you travel during this busy holiday season. On Feb. 11, 2006, I was honored to meet a Marine by the name of Cpl. David Stidman, who did two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, only to return home and tragically be hit and killed by a drunken driver Aug. 2, 2010. Please join David’s father, Dwayne Stidman, in his quest to crack down on drunken drivers at http:// www.DavidStidman.com. Our troops are willing to sacrifice their lives on foreign territory; the least we can do when they come home is keep them safe on American soil.)

Send Comments to: chuck@mycounty-line.com

To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2010 CHUCK NORRIS - DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM - Reprinted under license by Mike Norris for The County Line.

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

5@The Ranger Library ■

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Diana McCullough

Fall Road Trip - 2010

What a day. By the time you read this, Thanksgiving 2010 will be history. Our blessings are numerous, and I felt inclined to write of “blessings”--a couple of weeks ago.

Today I’ve felt sadness. Despite all of my denials, I think my favorite optometrist in all the world, Dr. Cleveland, passed from this life unto the next. When my mom told me, I said, “No way! He couldn’t die.” Not today. Friends, we all have numbered days. We can feel sad or scared, and we don’t even need a headstone on our grave—but like it or not—THIS life is not eternal. Heartfelt condolences to the Cleveland family.

Last Saturday morning, life was good! Last year’s “Fall Road Trip” was such a success that my husband was DETERMINED to step it up a notch. Last year’s Fall Road Trip was MY idea, and I coaxed Jim along—quite well as it turned out! I packed a picnic lunch, and he and I visited some places that we’d never visited before—the Dr. Pepper Museum in Dublin, the Thurber Museum, and the bypassing sites around Palo Pinto County. We’ve toured a number of distant places, and we often eat at New York Hill—there in Thurber, but we had never toured the nearby Thurber Museum. I highly recommend it! Still. Lots of interesting and educational information and it pertains to US! OUR home territory.

This year, it was Jim’s idea to drive to Fredericksburg, Texas for another Fall Road Trip. Because of our Ranger Citizens Task Force “Rummage Sale”--LAST Saturday was booked and with Thanksgiving THIS week—our weekend was chosen nearly by the process of elimination, and it was a fine weekend indeed! Nearly perfect.

I should mention that our library has mysteries! Some mysteries are periodically solved, some mysteries prevail. The mystery of WHO should get credit for planning/planting/cultivating these BEAUTIFUL Bradford Pear Trees is current. (see cover photo) I LOVE these trees outside our library’s front doors! In fact, I have a small collection of colorful fall leaves on a shelf near my desk. Lovely, dark oranges and reds—I doubt if Boston could boast of more beautiful fall foliage than is evident at this library. (Ew! I don’t want to sound TOO proud. I know our beautiful leaf status is ONLY temporary!)

Jim and I talked of things we’ve seldom talked of—like adjectives.

Ooh, how would you describe THOSE clouds? It was funny, and I smile remembering.

Fredericksburg is a German community only three hours away, so we were there by 11 A.M. We stayed at the Inn on Barons Creek, with a creek side room, complete with a Jacuzzi—which was too hot, even for me! Only about two blocks from Main Street, our car stayed parked until the next day, everything we could possibly want was within walking distance. We walked into many shops and stores. The buildings seemed old, but well-maintained. Crossing their thresholds seemed to take us into another time in history. Even the smells were

unique. Mostly good. Jim did not venture into Bath Junkie, but he waited for me on the sidewalk. We did not spend a dime, except at Mamacita’s—a MEXICAN restaurant. There was nothing we needed or wanted, but it was great fun to LOOK. We sat outside Saturday night, watching the full moon, a “blue moon”, slowly drift upward through the branches of a tree.

We woke up bright and early on Sunday, and enjoyed our hotel’s complimentary breakfast and a leisurely-spent morning before attending the friendly Church of Christ where we were married many years ago.

It was a wonderful service, in many ways, and I even took notes of the sermon! Tommy Lefan has ministered in Fredericksburg for 15 years and his lesson was a good one, titled “Preacher’s Dozen”—13 things that he is thankful for, and he challenged us, his audience, to make a list of our own blessings this week. Some of his list would make our list, too.

Tommy Lefan is thankful for: 1) His birthplace—America (he could have been born ANYWHERE—Afghanistan--but he was so lucky to have woken up one morning in Dallas, Texas that he was “speechless” for nearly a year!); 2) His parents (good people, Christians); 3) His health (No future guarantees, but he is thankful for his measure); 4) His wife (and I wrote My Husband); 5) His children (and I wrote My Children); 6) His surroundings (He likes Fredericksburg, he says it’s better than Dallas!); 7) God; 8) Jesus; 9) Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit (you know--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control); 10) the Bible; 11) Church; 12) Privilege of Prayer (Amen, Brother); 13) (and lastly) our Promise of Heaven.

Sunday night’s lesson was titled, “Jury Duty,” but we were on our way back to Ranger by then.

Jim and I stimulated the Gillespie County economy before we left town. One stop was the Circle E Candle Factory—the kind of place he really doesn’t want to breathe! But he was a very good sport, I will admit!

He and I crossed a number of bridges, namely the Colorado, San Saba, Sabana, and Leon Rivers. It was fun, and I was lucky.

Along the way I noticed signage that I might have once taken for granted. Like banners across Main Streets (our Ranger Citizens Task Force is checking on prices!) and street signs. Goldthwaite has NICE black street signs with gold lettering—similar to Cisco’s. Impressive!

Useful.

Ironically, the most vibrant, colorful, fall foliage was CLOSEST to home.

I hope that you enjoyed a peaceful, pleasant Thanksgiving Holiday.

Holidays are stressful times, and may we ever strive to encourage one another. You do NOT have to travel far to appreciate the changing seasons! Please stay warm, take care, and as always…ENJOY READING!

Send Comments to: rangerlibrary@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

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7Good Neighbors ■

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Clint Coffee CLU ChFC State Farm Insurance® Agent

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

During the loan approval process, a question that customers often raise is, “What do they look for on my credit report?” and “What is a credit report, anyway?”

Credit reports are used by the majority of potential lenders to assess your credit worthiness and help determine whether or not to approve your loan. A credit report documents your financial history for the previous seven years and contains personal information such as your name, address and social security number, as well as information about your credit card use and payment history, mortgage payment history and installment loan payment history. The report also contains your employment information to give reviewers a sense of your ability to make future payments. There is one exception to the seven-year rule; if you declare bankruptcy, this will remain on your report for 10 years.

Your credit report may also contain your credit score – a number between 300 and 850 – that is used to predict whether you will repay a loan. Your credit score is based on your payment history, the total amount you owe, the length of your credit history, any newly acquired credit and the types of credit you are using. Many lenders use this number to determine whether or not to approve your loan. Oftentimes, this number also correlates with the interest rate on your loan; a higher credit score will often be granted a lower interest rate on the loan.

A lot of valuable information is contained on your credit report, and lenders rely heavily on this tool. As a customer, you, too, should give your credit report the attention it deserves – after all, it can affect your ability to build the life you desire.

All consumers in the United States are entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three major credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. For more information on ordering your free credit reports, visit www.annualcreditreport.com.

Send Comments to: neighbors@mycounty-line.com

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Call Patrick Mulvey Mortgages Since 1981 915-591-6868 or Cell 915-373-5831 NMLS # 280399 1790 Lee Trevino, Suite 613 El Paso, TX 79936 Phone 915-591-6868 Fax 915-591-6869 pkmulvey@sbcglobal.net The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

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8Daily Devotional ■

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Wanda Lee Beck Skinner

On behalf of The County Line family, I would like to wish Miss Wanda a speedy recovery and we hope to see her return to her healthy self as soon as possible.

Please send her your well wishes via her Facebook profile at the following web address (include the dashes)

http://www.facebook.com/people/Wanda-LeeBeck-Skinner/1353364374 Or reach her via eMail:

wanda.skinner@sbcglobal.net Below is Wanda’s New Year message from December of last year: Happy New Year 2010

Wanda Lee Beck Skinner© December 2009

Resolution time is close at hand. Maybe your relationships with others need to be on the list.

Or there is a need for you to take better care of your physical health.

Perhaps you haven’t spent enough time making your life-long dreams come true.

Then there is a much needed resolution for most of us: consider your spiritual health.

Sit and ponder your mental picture of God. He desires to be your loving father and intimate friend.

He wants to be a patient teacher and constant guide.

For a happy and successful New Year, make your spiritual health the top priority and all the other things will fall into their proper place.

Send Comments to: devotionals@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

Advertise with The County Line!

Call (254)433-2693

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

10The Law of the Land ■

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, by Doug Jordan

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Where There’s No Will, Here’s the Way: Texas Intestate Succession Law Part II -- The Basic Distribution Scheme

Note - This article is the second in a series explaining how Texas Intestate Succession Law operates. The information presented is a summary of the work of Professor Gerry W. Beyer (Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas), used with his permission and to whom I am most grateful.

Chapter II of the Texas Probate Code governs what happens when a person dies without a valid will or dies with a valid will which does not encompass the entire person’s probate estate. When this happens, the person’s probate property (i.e. property other than that to subject to a third party’s beneficial interest created in a contract, such as an IRA) which is not covered by a valid will is distributed through intestate succession. A person may die totally intestate, that is, intestate as to the person, if the person did not leave any type of valid will. A person may also die partially intestate, that is, intestate as to property, if the person’s valid will fails to dispose of all of the person’s probate estate.

Unmarried Individual Property Distribution

The distribution of the property of an unmarried intestate is governed

by Section 38(a) of the Probate Code. Real and personal property are treated the same.

1. Descendants Survive – If the unmarried intestate is survived by one or more descendants (e.g., children or grandchildren), then all of the intestate’s property passes to the descendants.

2. No Descendants Survive But at Least One Parent Survives – If both parents survive the intestate, each parent inherits one-half of the estate.

If only one parent survives and the intestate is also survived by at least one sibling or a descendant of a sibling (e.g., niece or nephew), then the surviving parent receives one-half of the estate with the remaining onehalf passing to the siblings and their descendants. If only one parent survives and there is no surviving sibling or a descendant of a sibling, then the surviving parent inherits the entire estate.

is survived by neither descendants nor parents, then the entire estate passes to siblings and their descendants.

4. No Surviving Descendants, Parents, Siblings or Their Descendants – If the unmarried intestate has no surviving descendants, parents, siblings or their descendants, the estate is divided into two halves (called moieties) with one half going to paternal grandparents, uncles, cousins, etc. and the other half to the maternal side. If one side of the family has completely died out, the entire estate will pass to the surviving side.

5. No Surviving Heir – If the unmarried intestate has no surviving heir, the property will escheat to the state of Texas as provided under Section 71.001 of the Texas Property Code.

Distribution of Community Property of Married Intestate

The distribution of the community property of an intestate who was married at the time of death is governed by Section 45 of the Probate Code. Real and personal property are treated the same.

1. If the married intestate has no surviving descendants, then all community property passes to the surviving spouse. The surviving spouse retains the one-half of the community property that the surviving spouse owned once the marriage was dissolved by death and inherits the deceased spouse’s one-half of the community property.

2. If the married intestate has surviving descendants, the distribution is determined as follows:

3. No Surviving Descendants or Parents – If the unmarried intestate

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11The Law of the Land ■

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, by Doug Jordan

a. If the intestate’s surviving descendants are also descendants of the surviving spouse, then the surviving spouse will own all the community property. Note - this law was changed as of September 1, 1993.

b. If any of the intestate’s surviving descendants are not also descendants of the surviving spouse, then the community property is divided. The surviving spouse retains one-half of the community property, that is, the one-half the surviving spouse already owned by virtue of it being community property. The descendants of the intestate inherit the deceased spouse’s one-half of the community property.

All of the intestate’s descendants are treated as a group regardless of whether the other parent is the surviving spouse.

Distribution of Separate Property of Married Intestate

Section 38(b) of the Probate Code provides for a distinction in the way distribution of real and personal property of an intestate is to be accomplished.

1. Surviving Descendants

a. Personal Property – The surviving spouse receives one-third of the intestate’s personal property with the remaining two-thirds passing to the children or their descendants.

b. Real Property – The surviving spouse receives a life estate in one-third of the intestate’s separate real property. The rest of the property, that is, the outright interest in two-thirds of the separate real property and the remainder interest following the surviving spouse’s life estate passes to the deceased spouse’s children or their descendants.

2. No Surviving Descendants

a. Personal Property - If there are no surviving descendants, all separate personal property passes to the surviving spouse.

b. Real Property – If there are no surviving descendants but there

are surviving parents, siblings, or descendants of siblings, the surviving spouse inherits one-half of the separate real property outright with the remaining one-half passing to the parents, siblings, and descendants of siblings as if the intestate died without a surviving spouse (that is, this one-half passes using the same scheme as for individual property).

If the intestate has no surviving descendants, parents, siblings, or descendants of siblings, the surviving spouse inherits all of the separate real property.

Types of Distributions

Whenever individuals such as children, grandchildren, siblings and their descendants, cousins, etc. are heirs, determining how to divide their shares among them is provided in Section 43 of the Probate Code.

1. Per Capita – If the heirs are all of the same degree of relationship to the intestate, then they take per capita, i.e., each heir takes the same amount. For example, if all takers are children, each receives an equal share. If all children are deceased, then each grandchild takes an equal share.

2. Per Capita by Representation (also called Per Stirpes) – If the heirs are of different degrees of relationship to the intestate, e.g., children and grandchildren, the younger generation takers share what the older generation taker would have received had that person survived. For example, assume that Grandfather had three children; two of whom predeceased Grandfather. One-third passes to the surviving child, with one-third passing to the children of each deceased child (grandchildren).

If each deceased child had a different number of grandchildren, the shares of the grandchildren will be different. For example, if one deceased child had two children, each gets one-sixth; if the other deceased child had three children, each would receive one-ninth.

NEXT: Treatment of Potential Heirs Send Comments to: landlaw@mycounty-line.com

Doug Jordan is a local Title Examiner and Attorney, Board Certified in Farm and Ranch Real Estate Law for Security Title Company.

Questions or comments regarding this article may be emailed to the author at: doug@securitytitleco.com The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

12Tumbleweed Smith ■

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Big Spring

Corsicana Cornucopia

The city of Corsicana, in Navarro County, has a rich history. It was the site of the first oil field in Texas, discovered in 1894. People used to take Sunday drives to see a gusher. Wolf Brand Chili began in Corsicana; so did the Collin Street Bakery, which sells tons of fruitcake every year. Texas Governor Buford Jester was born in Corsicana.

The Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court for a number of years, Robert Calvert, grew up in the Corsicana State Orphans Home. In the 1950’s Corsicana had a blind justice, Jim Sewell, who was county judge, later district judge.

Corsicana is also home to one of the strangest stories in Texas. It involves a circus elephant named Black Diamond, who went on a rampage during a circus parade in Corsicana in 1929 and seriously injured his former trainer and killed the trainer’s employer. Some say the elephant acted in a jealous rage because he was angry with the woman for taking the trainer away from the circus. Black Diamond was shot and his skull is in a Corsicana trophy room owned

by Carmack Watkins, a big game hunter and businessman who witnessed the incident when he was a child.

Dr. Tommy Stringer is Vice President of

Navarro College in Corsicana. He is a lover of history and has written and broadcast stories about Corsicana in books, magazines and on the local radio station KAND. “Corsicana dates back to the 1840’s,” says Dr. Stringer. “The county is named for Jose Antonio Navarro, the Texas patriot who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and served in the Republic of Texas congress. He was never here, by the way. When the county was organized in 1846, the legislature honored him for his contributions to the state. But he never visited his namesake county. Navarro also named the county seat. When the community was created specifically to be the county seat, Navarro was asked what he wanted to name the settlement.

He chose Corsicana for the island of Corsica, which was the birthplace of his father. Napoleon Bonaparte was also born on Corsica.”

Corsicana was headquarters for K. Wolens, a chain of department stores across Texas. The city once had a large Jewish population that worshipped in two synagogues. The buildings are now owned by the city. One is a community center. A man known only as Rope Walker paid a visit to Corsicana and stayed there.

“He came to town in the 1880’s. He was a seller of cook stoves and had a peg leg. So to draw a

crowd, he stretched a tight rope across Beacon Street, the main business street in town. He was going to walk across that thing. He strapped one of these cook stoves to his back. He got part way across and fell. His injuries were serious.

People went over to him and asked him if he wanted a priest or minister and he said, ‘no, I’m Jewish.’ So they got one of the Jewish laymen to say some prayers with him just before he died. They never found out who he was. There was no identification on him. He is buried in the Hebrew Cemetery. The marker at his grave simply carries the inscription Rope Walker.”

Send Comments to: tumbleweed@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

13Texas Hunter ■

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Jerry Tebay

Technology and the Hunter It is August 25th, 2009, 230pm and Mike, a coworker from Fort Worth, Texas, and I have just rolled into elk camp near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. There is not a town within twenty miles and the closest improved road is miles down the mountain. This is as back woods, do it yourself hunting as it gets. The smell of the pine and aspen permeate the air. This is my second year in camp with Mike and his gang. This type of hunt is by invitation only and I know I’m lucky to have been invited yet again. The thirteen hour drive has left me restless for the upcoming two weeks.

With hours of setting up camp ahead of us, we get straight to work. We finally finish camp around 630pm and then get some dinner before heading in to the rack.

We still have five days before elk season starts, but I am chomping at the bit to get started. We hunt in a part of the San Juan National Forest that is approximately 50,000 acres. Being a seasoned public land hunter, I knew I had my work cut out for me. There were twenty two people in camp but luckily only about fourteen are actually hunting.

With so many hunters in camp and in the area, I knew I would have to scout very aggressively.

Hopefully, I would locate a spot that is accessible, has fresh elk sign and is not pressured by other hunters. So, we promptly get up at 630am the next morning, and Mike and I leave camp to begin scouting.

Our first stop on the four wheelers is a place known as the bluff. From the bluff, you can see for miles. A lot of the hunters in camp come to the bluff morning and evening to watch the elk, mule deer and black bear before season begins. The bluff over looks a lot of the area that is accessible to us to hunt. While talking to Mike that morning, I learned that no one from our camp hunts in the area that the bluff over looks. That was good for me, because while glassing with my spotting scope, I watched a small herd of elk walk along a ridge above a drainage about three miles away. I watched as they fed and walked. I counted at least five cow elk and a good herd bull following behind them. I watched the herd in the same area that evening. I Give a Different Gift this Christmas

noticed a distinctive area that they passed through that morning and again that evening. The area was bare and looked like just a large dirt hill. Mike told me that they call that area the “mud slide”. For the next two days I watched that herd continually use the area around the “mud slide”. It was becoming obvious to me that I would make an attempt at finding a way to the mudslide and try my hunting there.

The next morning, after stopping by the bluff, we headed up to higher ground to set up Mike’s stand overlooking a wallow we had located while scouting. On the way back I tried to find the “mud slide”. It sounds easy until you get on the ground actually looking for it. Though easy to see from the bluff, we only had approximate distances to reference its location from the trailhead. I must have walked 10 miles that morning looking for the “mud slide”. I walked over several fingers and drainages in search of the “mud slide”. I know I got close but I never did find a way to it through the deadfall and dark timber. I knew I wanted to hunt the “mud slide” so I did not give up. I decided to return to camp and pull out the “high tech” equipment.

I remembered that one of the guys in camp had brought his laptop. I asked him if he would open up Google earth on the internet. He agreed. Luckily he had just enough signal for it to open up, though very slow. Using my Garmin CX60c GPS, I located our exact coordinates. I entered the coordinates into Google earth and viewed a satellite map of the camp area. From there, I used the mouse pad pointer to find the “mud slide” on Google Earth. As you move the pointer around it will move the map and give you the coordinates of exactly where the pointer is at all times. Once over the “mud slide”, I wrote down the coordinates the pointer indicated and entered them into my GPS marking it as the “mud slide”.

The next morning, I was excited to head out and locate the “mud slide”. With a GPS map in my hand, I felt a little more confident. I parked at the trailhead. I turned on the GPS and opened up the map. The map showed the “mud slide” just over one half mile southeast of the four wheeler. I set

Looking for a different kind of gift to give this Christmas? The Cisco Chamber of Commerce is selling holiday gift certificates for 3-ft Dynamite Red Crepe Myrtle plants. The plants will be available for pick-up at the Folk Life Festival in April or at Brandt’s Plants during the month of July.

Certificates are $10 and will be sold at the Chamber office during the months of November

the tracks feature on the GPS and headed out. I marked a trail as I went along with orange marking tape. Less than an hour later, I was standing in the middle of the “mud slide”. I could not believe how well it had worked. Even though the “mud slide” was only a half mile from the trailhead, I had to travel over two miles by foot to get to the “mud slide”. This shows just how rugged the terrain is in this area and why I had not been able to find it before.

On opening morning, I was sitting on the “mud slide” as the sun began to break. For the next two days I saw elk. On the evening of the third day, I finally got my shot. I had been hearing herd talk below me on the ridge. I called back with my Primo’s “hoochi momma” and “baby hoochi momma” calls. The cows were responding to my calls as was the bull. I called to the bull with my Primo’s pack bugle. It set him off in a rage. He began bugling and tearing up some poor tree below me on the ridge. It sounded like a bull dozer coming through the timber. I felt it was a matter of time before I had eight hundred pounds of horn and hide standing in front of me. My heart was pounding out of my chest. I lay off the calls, grabbed my bow and waited. Several minutes later I heard something behind me. I slowly turned and saw the herd of cows standing behind me at 20 yards. They were relaxed and feeding as they moved along.

They had no idea I was there. The wind was in my face so I knew I was about to be busted. I also knew that this may be my only chance to take an elk this year. If I were to have been busted by the cows, I knew both the cows and bull would quickly leave the area. Since I had an either sex tag, I decided to take the lead cow. I drew my bow and settled the twenty yard pin on her vitals and touched off the release. The arrow was true and she only ran 30 yards before going down.

It took the next 12 hours to skin, quarter and pack her out, but man what an experience. I know without a doubt that technology is directly responsible for my success on this hunt. Though I used to be resistant to technology on the hunt, in favor of tradition, I now embrace it and understand that just because technology might make some tasks easier, it in no way diminishes the experience of the hunt. I’m sure that if the back woods hunters of days past had the technology that we do now, they too would have embraced it and used it to their advantage.

Send Comments to: texashunter@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

14Love Lessons Learned So Far

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

■

, Vicki Stiefer

How to Spot the Good Man Under the Bad Habits

You’ve got a man, and you love him, but you don’t love the dirty clothes he leaves on the floor. Maybe he refuses to put his dishes in the dishwasher or fails to take out the trash, even if it is sitting on the porch. I was shocked the first time I watched my husband walk past a full trashcan.

Why didn’t he bag it up and put a new liner in there? Can’t he see it’s full? The truth is he CAN see that it’s full, but it’s not a priority to him at that moment. Men are simple creatures.

Full belly, roof over the head, etc…and they are pretty much happy. He’s not a dead beat when he walks past the over flowing trash can.

From one controlling wife to another, I had to learn that men work on their own timeline.

I know your timeline has gotten you through many a hard time and kept the exact number of clean underwear necessary in your dresser drawer at all times, but men don’t have a lot of choices in life.

Think about it. They can basically work or go to jail. Maybe they choose the American dream, but who pays for it? Yes, women work, but some still deal with the glass ceiling and that’s tough. My Mom only made about half what her male peers made doing the same job back in the 80’s. Women have a lot of choices. They can work or stay at home or do both whether they have kids or not. So a man stays primarily focused on bringing home the bacon. When he does get home, the first thing he’s not thinking about is the trash or any other chore you see needs to get done. I am by no means telling you to let your man come home and veg-out on the couch because he brought home the bacon today. There’s a difference between blatantly ignoring household chores and a difference of opinion.

So do that chore yourself or learn how to fit it in to his timeline. How about asking?

Patience is a must! It drove me bonkers to let the trash build up for even a day. I want that

mess taken out every single day, but not my man. He would rather take it out when the bag has reached maximum capacity. I would put that in quotes, but he would kill me for exposing his secret. Is it an excuse? Maybe, but so what if it is?

Life is too short to argue about the little things. Pick your battles and learn to let things go. I know I’m asking a lot. I struggle with this every single day. Men and women are so very beautiful together when things work out. They dance this amazing choreography together and they are the only two people in the world who hear the music. Have you ever noticed the older couple sitting down to a meal and they don’t really speak at all. If you watch them, though, they dance out the choreography. He passes her the salt shaker while she hands him a napkin. After that first bite she instinctively knows he needs the ketchup and he passes the creamer for her coffee because he knows she takes 3 instead of 4. It’s about being together and just knowing the other person.

Now that the Holidays are in full swing and you’re not going to miss a beat, take a minute and reflect on why you got married.

man and the only thing you can find wrong with him is his lack of organization and his uncanny ability to memorize sports stats but forget your birthday. He comes home to you every night and that says a lot about him. He’s faithful, loyal and isn’t that one of the main reasons you married him? Not to mention that he made you laugh and he liked the way you smiled?

You can admit it. I bet he still loves those things about you. So give your big strong man a break. He’s got his own timeline and it’s not wrong, it’s just different than yours. It’s worth sitting down to discover.

Remember what your knees are for and pray, love on your man, your family and friends because you only live once.

Comments, questions, ideas send them to ramblinritalouise@yahoo.com Send Comments to: lovelessons@mycounty-line.com

There’s more to marriage than nitpicky do this and do that. Things will get done eventually and they don’t have to be done the second you see that they need to be done. You are a lucky woman if you have a good

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

15Treasure Hunters ■

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Jerry Eckhart

Your Christmas Metal Detector

Christmas is coming and those who have been thinking about treasure hunting may have a vacant look in their eyes as they watch ads on TV or look through magazines. The unsuspecting spouse or parent may find the TV tuned to the Outdoor Channel or catalogs turned to a metal detector page.

Often, the hints will be even bolder, with highlighter generously applied to a certain model. Bold hints may be blurted out at the most unexpected times.

You might even be wishing someone would take all the hints you have dropped. I remember one Christmas season when a wife came by my shop, purchased a metal detector for her husband and swore me to secrecy. A few days later, he showed up with cash in hand to purchase the same one she had gotten for him. I had a terrible time convincing him he should wait until after Christmas.

Metal detecting is an excellent way to teach your children about coin collecting, history or simple to get them out of doors where they can get plenty of exercise. That is what is so great about the hobby. Many youngsters begin early and continue into adulthood. Lots of us adults start out for the exercise. In spite of all the suggestions by so-called experts, most doctors say that gentle, consistent exercise is the best way to stay in shape and even lose weight. Metal detecting does that for all of us.

There are drawbacks however, when you finally decide to buy your magic machine. Metal detectors come in many price ranges and models. We can get suckered in by the glitzy ads and beautiful photos, not to mention the prices. Some folks run out to their nearest electronics store or discount, grab one off the shelf and seldom think as to whether it is what you need or not. In reality, there are several leading brands that are no more expensive than the inferior models. Even if you spend more initially, in the long run, a major brand will save you money.

Editor’s note: To see more of Jerry’s treasure finds, visit his Facebook profile.

Just search Facebook for “Jerry Eckhart”

Before you charge out and buy the first one you see, decide how you plan to use it and what your wallet can stand. Do you want one for yourself, someone else or perhaps one to share with the entire family? Answers to those questions will help you decide which model to buy. Do you plan to search for coins, gold nuggets or relics? Although some metal detectors will do all three quite well, they are usually the more expensive ones.

Before you plunk down your money, have a general idea as to what you want to do with it. A good metal detector will pay for itself. A cheap one will sit in the closet.

Once you’ve decided to get a metal detector, what is the best way to buy one?

Mistakes can be minimized by following a few rules. Unless you are very knowledgeable about metal detectors, avoid pawn shops and garage sales. Few purchased in those locations will have instructions with them, and you have no idea how they have been treated or what condition they are in.

Avoid on line purchases. In most cases, you can buy a little cheaper on line however most on line dealers depend on volume sales of older model detectors. They may be new units, but will cost you in the long run. With on line purchases, you receive no service, no training other than a voice on the phone, and a long time getting the unit repaired should it fail.

Sporting goods stores, electronics houses and discount houses are very questionable locations from which to purchase.

The clerks usually have no idea hot use one. They may know guns, fishing gear or other electronic equipment, but when

it comes to metal detecting, they can’t help you.

Most discount metal detectors in discount houses come from fringe market manufacturers and are built of cheaper, inferior components. You can expect failures.

No matter where you live, I suggest that you make your metal detector purchase through a local metal detector dealer. It is there you will find service, training accessories and magazines. Most local dealers (and yes, I am one) help you when you need it. They can also put you in touch with other treasure hunters in the area and fill you in on where you can or cannot hunt.

It is possible you have no idea were to find a metal detector dealer so ask someone you know where they got theirs. Most manufacturers have 800 phone numbers and will quickly put you in touch with their local authorized dealer. Many metal detector dealers advertise in newspapers, local magazine type papers (such as this one) and shoppers publications.

Metal detecting is a lot of fun, and the coin finds you make will not only buy batteries for you magic macnine, but eventually will pay for it. One found ring can often pay for your detector. Miscellaneous coin finds often add up to the cost of your metal detector in less than a year. Now matter how much you find, the simple pleasure of getting out and searching for those elusive lost items is priceless.

Send Comments to: treasure@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

16Did You Know?

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43 , Submitted by Michael Hennech

BONNIE & CLYDE IN RANGER, TX

In the early morning hours of a cold February 20, 1934, the notorious Bonnie and Clyde gang snuck into Ranger, TX and proceeded to rob the Texas National Guard Armory located in the 200 block of South Rusk Street next to the Masonic Lodge. The armory, previously the Liberty Theater, suddenly became one of the most notorious, historic sites in Ranger, TX. Today all that remains of the famous building is the concrete slab and parts of two side brick walls. The remaining South wall is the wall for the Ranger Masonic Lodge, while the small portion of the remaining North wall is attached to what is currently left of an abandoned home. Records indicate the last owners of the property were the Gene Gourley family. Mr. Gourley used the old Armory as his plumbing shop (Ranger Plumbing) until the structure was struck by lightening and the roof caved in.

References indicate that Clyde Barrow and Raymond Hamilton were responsible for carting off 4 Browning Automatic Rifles, 13 Colt .45 handguns, and a large quantity of ammunition to use in future crimes until Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow’s tragic life’s came to an end in the famous ambush on May 25, 1934 in Arcadia, LA.

Annual Christmas Concert & Art Club Presentation

Raymond Hamilton had previously surrendered to police in Sherman, TX on April 25, 1934.

Like many former buildings in Ranger built during the massive oil boom, the Texas National Guard Amory served many purposes. Telephone books and City Directories record that the building was the Liberty Theater, vacant in 1925; the Sivalls Motor Company in 1928 and 29; Texas National Guard Armory in 1934 through at least 1936; Church of Christ in 1954, when the large cement baptismal that still remains was constructed on the slab; and Ranger Plumbing in 1960. Recently the site has changed owners due to the property being sold in a Sheriff’s sale in November of 2009. According to the new owners, there are no current plans for the site other than cleaning and marinating it.

The Eastland ISD Band Program and High School Art Club will be presenting the annual Christmas Concert and Art Display for the Community on Sunday, December 12th at 2:00pm at the Marshall Gym Complex. The concert will feature the Eastland Beginner Band on their very first concert and public performance.

Then the Eastland Middle School Band consisting of 7th and 8th grade students will perform some festive and fun music that includes some Classical Music overtones. After the Middle School Band, the Eastland High School Jazz Ensemble will perform. Sherrie Norris will be a feature soloist for the Jazz Ensemble. Then, the Eastland High School Symphonic Winds will close the Concert. Their performance will include Leroy Andersons’ popular Christmas medley titled “A Christmas Festival” which is performed by many Symphony Orchestras all over the world. Students of the EHS Art Club will be displaying their talents in the foyer to the gym for all to enjoy before and after the concert.

The Eastland Band Boosters will provide refreshments after the concert. The concert is free and open to the public and all are welcomed to attend.

In noted Texas Historian, Dr. T. Lindsay Baker’s soon to be published book, A GANGSTER TOUR OF TEXAS by Texas A & M Press, the site is referenced and driving directions are given to its location. At least in the immediate future, Ranger will have another historic tourist location to attract drivers off of Interstate 20.

Send “Did You Know” articles to: history@mycounty-line.com

Eastland Bagged Leaves Pickup:

Photo courtesy Michael Hennech

16

December 10, December 24 January 14, January 28 February 11, February 25 March 11, March 25

Persons wishing to have bagged leaves picked up by IESI MUST call City Hall: 629-8321 at least 24 hours before the scheduled collection date to be added to the route list.

IESI personnel will not pick up bags at addresses not on their lists.

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

17

17

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

CHRI$TMA$ BUCK$ 2010 The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to bring back CHRI$TMA$ BUCK$. The holidays are fast approaching and what better way to help out the community than by keeping the shopping right here in Eastland.

The following will explain how this program works: 1.Customers will take out a 0% loan at First Financial Bank. They can borrow up to $2,500 which they will receive in CHRI$TMA$ BUCK$.

2.The Chamber will develop a list of businesses where the buck$ can be used like money.

3.The First Financial Bank will stamp the back of the buck$. The customer will receive their buck$ and a list of participating merchants from the bank.

4.Customers will spend their CHRI$TMA$ BUCK$ at any of the participating merchants.

5.Both the merchant and the customer will sign each CHRI$TMA$ BUCK$ at the time of purchase.

6.Customers must spend the buck$ by Dec. 24.

7.Merchants must deliver their buck$ to the Chamber

by December 29; bucks can be brought in weekly.

8.The Chamber of Commerce will sign for each merchant’s CHRI$TMA$ BUCK$ and deliver them to the First Financial Bank.

9.The First Financial Bank will give the merchant a cashier’s check for the amount owed, less 3%.

10.Customers will repay their loans by October 31, 2011. Any CHRI$TMA$ BUCK$ not used will be applied to the repayment of the loan.

■ County

Line Schools, Submitted by Walter Williams

Eastland Key Club Supports Pennies for Patients

Key Club students at Eastland High School with the support of the local Kiwanis Chapter helped save lives by urging all students to participate in the Pennies for Patients campaign benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For three weeks, students brought their spare change to improve the quality of life of patients and their families touched by blood cancers, like Leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease. These diseases strike more children and young adults under the age of 20 than any other type of cancer.

“Being in this program makes me feel great because I know the money we raise goes to help children that have cancer. I am a part of improving the the quality of life for a sick child.” observed Allison Beaver..

Last year, more than 700 schools in the North Texas/Oklahoma area participated and raised $934, 822.

Eastland High School and Junior High School students raised a total of $894.09. The 8th grade class raised a total of $275.10, the largest total for any single class. The Freshmen

class won a pizza party by donating $232.43. Because the 7th and 8th grade class were very close in totals, a pizza party was shared by both classes.

Coach Mayes has helped lead the Freshmen class to yet another victory in High School, making the Freshmen winners four years in a row.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer research. The LLS mission; Cure leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Assistant Principal Doug Galyean stated, “We appreciate the efforts of the Key Club and the generosity of our student body in raising money for Pennies for Patients.

Service projects are important at Eastland High School and we are proud to contribute to such a worthy cause.”

To learn more, visit www.LLS.org Send school articles to: schools@mycounty-line.com

Stores Accepting Christmas Bucks: Bryans Coat’s Furniture Great Times Furniture Warehouse Eastland Office Supply C&H Monograms/The Polkadot Patch Hip Chick Boutique KATX Commerce Street Floral Local businesses, if you want to participate in this program or have questions, please contact the chamber at 254.629.2332 or ecofccr@txbusiness. com.

Keep Eastland Local!

Coach Mayes and members of the Freshmen class

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

18Life Planning Issues ■

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Jim Kennedy

Do You Know Your Retirement Risks?

We all know the traditional goal for retirement: to maintain the same standard of living as before retirement. However, retirement is evolving in so many different ways—not only the lifestyle of the retiree, but the age of the retiree, the economic environment for the retiree, public policy that affects the retiree… you get the point. It simply isn’t enough to say “I plan to retire next year” and then be able to retire and stay retired.

So, what are the risks you need to address in order to retire and stay retired? #1…Outliving your retirement resources.

This has always been a concern for retirees, but now more than ever. Individuals are retiring younger, living longer and getting bored, which means they’re spending more. Just think about it. Imagine you are retiring at 60 and this is the first day of the rest of your life. How long will that be? 30 years? 40 years? A first class stamp cost $0.15 in 1980. Today it is almost 2 times that amount. What will it be 30 years from now? What about a bag of groceries?

Healthcare?

What can you do about it? Know where your dollars are going today. The first step to retirement planning we request when working with any client who is planning to retire is creating and maintaining a budget. We can’t help them plan for a the future without knowing where they are today. #2…Retirement dissatisfaction. Believe it or not, the excitement and fun of relaxation and leisure during retirement can only go on

so long. A lifetime of work creates aspects of our day to day life that we’ve come to enjoy and begin to miss without even realizing it.

So many retirees end up frustrated, bored, unenthused and even depressed in retirement.

We always ask our clients, “What are you retiring to?”

What can you do about it? Reflect on the things that brought pleasure, engagement, or meaning before you retire and find replacements for when you retire. Visit our on-line learning center at www.kennedy-financial.com and view the article “Will You Flunk Retirement?” under Life and Retirement Planning. This article is filled with activities to help you avoid the retirement dissatisfaction pitfall. #3…Lack of a solid Medical Plan. At age 65 most retirees are eligible for Medicare, but there are still many costs that are not covered

by Medicare. In addition to the premiums, deductibles and co-insurance, eye care, hearing aids, some home health care and nursing home care for longer than 100 days are not covered

by Medicare. By the way—that last one could cost you most of your assets.

What can you do about it? Work with your Life Planner to implement and maintain a solid medical plan. #4…Neglecting silent risks. We are all aware of and watchful of stock market risk, but there are other types of risk that are often silent which can have a severe impact on your retirement. One example of this is inflation risk. Remember the cost of the 1st Class stamp 30 years ago? Or think about this: in 1970 the cost of a gallon of gas was 36¢. Just because

This article is for informational purposes only. It is intended to be accurate and authoritative in regard to the subject matter covered. It is presented with the understanding Kennedy Finanical Services is not engaged in rendering legal advice. Individuals should consult with their own legal concerning their own specific situation. Securities & Advisory Services offered through VSR Financial Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser and Member FINRA/SIPC. Kennedy Financial Services is independent of VSR Financial Services, Inc. VSR does not provide tax or legal advice.

YOU Missed a Spot!!!

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an investment is principle protected, it doesn’t always mean that it will be able to produce a positive return after you take out inflation and taxes.

What can you do about it? Talk with your investment advisor about your current situation, future and goals and risk tolerance.

Ask for ideas that can meet your objectives and still provide you the opportunity to outrun inflation and other silent risks.

For most families, you only get once chance to retire and retire successfully. What happens if you mess up? I strongly recommend working with a Life and Retirement Planner to help you identify the risks that are unique to your situation, as well as implement and monitor a plan to help you avoid the risks of retirement.

Securities & Advisory Services offered through VSR Financial Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser and Member FINRA/SIPC. Kennedy Financial Services is independent of VSR Financial Services, Inc. Send Comments to: planning@mycounty-line.com

David Cozart Sand & Gravel 25 Years Experience Carbon, Tx

Rock - Dirt - House Pads Drive Ways - Landscaping FREE ESTIMATES Home: 254-639-2424 Cell: 254-631-1745 Say “I saw it in The County Line!”

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

19

Happy and Blessed Holidays!

Angel Food Ministries Ordering Cut-Off Date Friday December 10th

Deadline for the Christmas Box is December 8th Go online to see our Holiday Specials: www.

angelfoodministries. com

Distribution Saturday December 18th

Call Ilene for more information (254)442-1969

The Antique Mall 105 N Main St Rising Star, Tx

The holidays are a special time that we all look forward to with great anticipation.

The Antique Mall vendors are especially grateful for your friendship and your patronage.

Be Thankful for old and new friends.

We hope you and yours have great holidays and fond memories.

Mike * Nancy * Ginger Don * Kenny Shelly * Lisa * Denise The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

21Star Pride ■

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Ginger Tobin

21

Rising Star Events Saturday Club marvels at beautiful quilts

After the flag pledges led by Maria Jones, one of two hostesses, the Saturday Club members had a short business meeting at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, November 3, 2010, at the Rising Star Library.

Eula Grisham, hostess, introduced her friend, Dee Sims, who gave a wonderful showing and review of her quilting hobby of 15 years.

Dee said that over the last 15 years, she has made and quilted over 100 quilts and said that it is “definitely addictive.”

Five beautiful and colorful quilts were shown. First, she showed the group the “Jewel Box” pattern, which is a kaleidoscope of vividly colored “boxes.”

Secondly, Dee showed the “Trip Round the World” which is a fascinating line of quilt pieces that literally go “round” the quilt.

“Repeating Crosses” was the next illustration of how varied quilt patterns can be. This quilt was a striking pattern of black crosses and white crosses.

Next was a lap quilt in the “Double Star” pattern. Interestingly enough, while Dee was showing this quilt, a Saturday Club member made a bid on it; and it was sold to Nancy Bostick during the program.

The final quilt in Dee’s show was “Doves in the Window”-this quilt had “dove” outlines stitched between other quilt pieces.

Dee explained that she began quilting to make Christmas gifts for others, but that she now sells quilts as well. Her full size quilts are approximately $100-$125 and a queen size will run about $150 each. Prices depend on fabric used and difficulty of the pattern.

Dees uses a sewing machine to put the pieces together; then uses a quilt rack and quilts by hand. A quilt usually takes her about one month to make. She says she has yet to try a king size quilt.

Nancy Bostick brought up the subject of a “crayon quilt” which she had done in the past. Nancy also invited Dee to exhibit her quilts at the Christmas open house at Nancy’s antique store in downtown Rising Star, which Dee thrillingly accepted.

Many wonderful and tasty treats were served after the meeting by hostesses Maria Jones and Eula Grisham.

Lighting Up Rising Star

After their 4:00 pm regularly scheduled meeting on November 9, 2010 at Rising Star Library, the Star Pride members began their seasonal campaign to make Rising Star “shine brightly” for the holiday season.

At their meeting, volunteers were solicited for installation of the many large Christmas ornaments purchased in the last two years by Star Pride.

Jim Walker volunteered to install a pole in front of the library for one of the “Rising Star” ornaments; the only remaining step to having that done is obtaining the pole. Anyone that has access to an approximately 20 foot X 2” sturdy pole, please contact either Jim Walker or Barbara Medley.

Another volunteer, Mike McGinn, began installations along the 100 block of North Main Street last week. Two large Star Pride ornaments and one EDC-owned “Rising Star” were strapped into place. Also, new LED lights were strung along the West side of North Main Street; these will be finished this week.

The LED lights are economical and have a long life; they use about 80% less electricity than the usual type and bulbs should last up to five years.

The group also discussed the Merchant Window Contest; approximately 16 Rising Star merchants have signed up to light up their windows/and building fronts. More businesses will be contacted this week. Star Pride is very optimistic about this project as all contacted have agreed to participate.

Fist prize is $50; second prize is $25.

The group agreed to participate again this year in Hometown Christmas and will be furnishing refreshments for that event.

Star Pride has asked the City of Rising Star to block out a few hours in their November schedule to hang the usual Christmas Trees on telephone poles as well as the Christmas themed “flags” bought last year by Star Pride.

The new street signs, recently purchased by Star Pride for the City, have not yet been installed; the group discussed the possibility of volunteers beginning work on this project soon.

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

22Star Pride ■

22

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

, Continued...

Lighting Up Rising Star: An Update...

The streets and windows of downtown are really something to see, as more and more merchants participate in Star Pride’s Window and Building Front decorating contest. It is amazing at night to drive down Main Street and just be in awe of how wonderful the lights look! Yes, I personally do this EVERY night and sometimes twice!

About a dozen merchants have definitely signed up to decorate with lights and more are expected soon. Barbara Medley and friend have been pounding the pavement, contacting business owners and encouraging them to be in on the fun.

Business owners who need light strings to decorate with can contact Barbara, who seems to have an infinite supply of lights, tree decorations, trees, poinsettias, etc. that have been donated to Star Pride. Any citizen who has supplies to donate, please do so; they will be used.

Door wreaths and red bows have been installed on business fronts, especially those that are vacant or not open. The owners have been very gracious in giving Star Pride permission to do this.

Main Street business owners who have decorated, to date, are: Butch’s Antiques, The Rising Star Foundation (Higginbotham’s); Steel’s Tire; Pastimes Antiques, The Antique Mall, Kenny & Gale Rutledge, and Starlite Café.

Many others are in the process, so stayed tuned and keep your eyes open.

be surprised, right?

On the other side of the street, two smaller windows are just waiting, waiting, waiting for their turn at “a season of beauty”; the windows in the building next to “Family Fun” will be decorated, according to Hardwick’s Nursery owners, this coming Thanksgiving weekend. Jim Walker has installed that much needed pole at the Rising Star Library, so one of the “Rising Star” ornaments can be strapped to the pole. Your effort was not overlooked, Jim, thanks very much.

So, you can see, we plan to have a bright, cheery and illuminated Christmas season in Rising Star this year, thanks to the efforts of so many citizens. Your work and enthusiasm is so much appreciated.

Send Comments to: risingstar@mycounty-line.com

Thanks to Senior Citizens The Rising Star Senior Citizens group, who meet on Thursday for lunch, at the Higginbotham Building, have made a wonderful $200 donation to Star Pride. This is so gratefully accepted and will go a long way to aiding our efforts to make Rising Star a beautiful place and a town we are proud to call “HOME.” Thank you so much.

More In The Works The City of Rising Star is in the process of finding a way to install the city-owned Christmas trees on light poles and also the Christmas “flags” soon. It is a challenge to find just the right equipment for this work which cannot be accomplished with just ladders; it takes a “lift” machine of one type or another. So, please be patient, they are working on this!

It is rumored also that at least three downtown windows (maybe four) will be decorated soon in a manner you will really enjoy.

The Higginbotham Building windows are going to be transformed by several local citizens…no more details now, you DO want to The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

23

24Out of the Past ■

24

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43 , Luther & Pat Gohlke

Water Well Surprise

It was a cold 34 degree morning in January 2009, but the sun was shining and there was little or no wind.

It was the day I had chosen to pull the old tubing and submersion pump from an old water well on our place south of Ranger.

The property in mind was an old farm, poorly cared for and grown up in brush and mesquite trees. The pump house and electric wiring had crumbled to the ground several years back and was in a state of rot. A good summer time haven for copperheads and/or rattlers. But this is January and a very cold day. Snakes hopefully are fast asleep in hibernation. I had already cut all the brush from the site along with the rotting lumber and pump house debris. It was neatly stacked in a large pile ready to be burned when the burn ban was lifted. Not only was it cold, but very dry.

The water well at one time according to the previous owner, was a good one. The water was drinkable and abundant. Now, all that is left is a concrete slab, about 5X5 foot enclosing a 6” PVC casing, an old pressure tank with outgoing galvanized lines headed for a nearby barn and remains of an old house. From the pressure tank, a 3/4” galvanized line along with inactive electric wires went into the well itself. There was a metal plate over the casing through which the pipe and wires entered. It was designed to keep out bugs and varmints.

With crescent and stilson wrenches my helper and I rapidly disconnected the connectors to the pressure tank and got it out of the way. Then we began to manually lift the submersion pump and attached 3/4” galvanized line out of the well itself. This rapidly became a struggle because the pipe and pump were heavy and water inside the pipe didn’t help. After nearly getting this hardware out of the well, we finally got a little smart and tied onto the pipe with a large bumper jack.

We lifted, held on and finally jacked the rest of it out.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Neither could my helper. There was about a 25’-30’ of pipe wobbling precariously above, but with jack in place and secure we continued. A few feet later, my helper says, “There’s the pump!” “But what is that on top of it?” I anxiously asked.

“It’s a snake! Get back!” I yelled. What a joke! We both had hold of that wobbly pipe, which was even worse now. We were very fearful one of two things would happen. Number one the whole thing would fall over or number two, the whole thing would fall back into the well casing. No time to worry about all that. The snake which we readily identified as a 3 1/2’ bull snake had come to life - cold or not. He was uncoiling himself from top of the pump pipe and wires and was striking at us. With me kicking him on one side of the casing and my helper on the other side we were in a predicament. Cold, holding on to and trying to lift pump and pipe, fighting a snake and getting wet from old

well water, holding on to a heavy jack, and kicking and dancing a jig around that pipe. I finally grabbed that snake at its mid part and threw him about 10’ away from us. I thought we had wounded him plus that it was so cold he just laid there on the ground.

Well, we got it all secure and stable with pump in the hole and pipe in the air. A hacksaw, solved part of the problem, after cutting through the pipe and pushing 90% of it onto the ground. The pump was easily removed after that. My helper looked up and yelled “Hey, Doc, that snake is crawling off! I tried to get him, but he beat me as he crawled into thick leaves and brush.”

The old pump was in mud by 8” to 10” with about 2’ of water above that. Apparently the well had suffered a cave in at one time. The snake was safely above the water wrapped about the pipe and electric wire and on top of the pump. How did he get in there? How long had he been in there? The hole in the iron plate was too small for him to crawl through. I have no answer for this situation. I do know one thing we were glad it was all over. Thank God neither one of us was hurt.

What promised to be a good water well turned out to be a dud.

Lessons learned: #1 Don’t jack around with old water wells. #2 Snakes hibernate in odd places - old water wells, beneath hay rolls, wood piles, rocks. #3 Snakes can crawl even if it is cold and they will defend themselves in cold weather. #4 Always thank the Lord for help in time of trouble. He will always be there for you.

Send Comments to: outofthepast@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

25Out of the Box ■

25

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43 , Joellen Hodge

Rawffles riff Raggy and Rooby Dooby Do!

On occasion, I find myself looking for new recipes.

The Internet is a very obvious place to score just about any written food combo. From sushi rolls to microwave fudge; you can be sure you will find something to create in the kitchen.

Just last week, the craving for waffles became unbearable! The idea of those crispy wafers the size of a whole plate covered in butter and syrup was just too much for me. I woke from a sound sleep determined to go straight into the kitchen and whip up the most mouth watering waffles known to civilization!

Slipping on my robe and house shoes, I rushed from the room straight to the kitchen cupboards. Throwing them open, the search for that familiar happy face of Aunt Jemima behind the oatmeal and peanut butter began! Like Stanley, the waffle mix had become my Dr. Livingston, hidden in a jungle of canned and boxed food items. Cutting through the mass of thorny bags of flax seed flour and imported rice vinegars, I was horrified to discover…THERE WAS NO WAFFLE MIX IN THE HOUSE! Even worse, not even a lowly box of Bisquick or one of those Jiffy packages of buttermilk pancakes was anywhere to be found. I was as grounded and alone as Robinson Caruso.

Now, I had to make some kind of decision. Get dressed and head to the truck stop…or in keeping with my self-suffiency promise of late, I could find a recipe. Never mind that I have no license or actual training for this adventure…I MUST HAVE A WAFFLE! Taking a break only for a simple double cappuccino espresso with soymilk and unrefined sugar, I sat down at the computer and began to look for the perfect waffle mix. From “Cooks.com” to “Recipes.net,” my eyeballs burned as I read the ingredients and reviews of all the waffle recipes I could uncover. Finally…I found it…the perfect balance of ingredients…(read this as, what I actually had in the house), and reviews from perfect strangers proclaiming it as the waffle mixture most likely to bring peace to the Middle East.

It was then that I found a review written by “TreeLoverChick,” and I almost bogged down and shied away from capturing the

prize of my quest. She rated the recipe with four stars…based on her many changes of the recipe. Not wanting to miss out on any possible improvements of my perfect waffle, I leaned into the screen and began to read.

“This is a great recipe’, wrote TreeLoverChick, “But I made some changes to make it more healthy. Instead of oil, I used homemade applesauce with no preservatives. I also removed the flour and added dirt instead, to increase the fiber content of our waffles…since we do not eat any animal protein; glue from tree sap was substituted. Finally, because we live in the middle of field under the sky, my little family ate the waffles without cooking them…just as nature intended.”

Skipping these changes, and pulling on my apron, I began to wonder why TreeLoverChick was looking at waffle recipes.

Waffles are supposed to be covered in syrup and butter and cooked on a grill…with bacon on the side! You want healthy breakfast food…eat wheat toast and egg whites. Leave the waffles to those of us who still love what they represent…cold mornings with a craving for something your Mama made on Saturday mornings.

With the television blasting Scooby Doo in the background and your chin covered in sticky goodness, your best friend sitting next to you because she got to spend the night, nothing was finer or more safe.

Below is a pretty good waffle recipe. It may not make you feel healthy or safe….but don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to watch Scooby Doo cartoons…

HOMEMADE WAFFLES

1 3/4 c. flour 1 tsp. baking soda 2 c. milk 1 tsp.vanilla 1/3 c. salad oil 2 eggs

Preheat waffle iron. In large bowl with slotted spoon mix first 4 ingredients; add remaining ingredients and beat until well blended. Pour about 1/3 cup batter into center of waffle iron. Close…waffles are done when they quit steaming. Yield 4 cups (5 waffles).

Yall’ go be nice to each other…

If you have an idea about an article, e-mail me: johodge@bboxlady.com

Send Comments to: bboxlady@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

26Eastland Memorial Hospital Volunteers

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43

■

, Kelly Davidson

The EMH Volunteers are pleased to welcome back BOOKS ARE FUN. This fundraiser will take place in the new boardroom, downstairs by the SunShine Gift Shoppe. The dates and times are as follows: Thursday, December 9th from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm and again on Friday, December 10th from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The Volunteers are raffling off two items on December 14, 2010. The first is a super sized bear. This fantastic bear is from the Burton and Burton Company. The bear has lovingly been nicknamed ‘Lee Roy’ by one of our volunteers, Mary Ann Jernigan.

The second raffle item is a Texas star mirror. The mirror is from the Rainbow Trading Company.

Each of these raffle items can be seen at the hospital. The bear is located in the Main lobby and the Texas star mirror is in the lobby of the Rehab and Wellness Center. The tickets are $1.00 each or 6 tickets for $5.00. As always, all money raised by the volunteers goes to purchase equipment to help support and benefit our hospital.

The SunShine Gift Shoppe is located downstairs by the Rehab and Wellness Center. It is open Monday- Friday from 9:30 am - 5:00 pm.

The SunShine Gift Shoppe is run solely by our wonderful volunteers. We are offering something new and exciting in the Gift Shoppe. We have recently included a ‘Fresh Flower Box’. You can now purchase fresh flowers to brighten up your friend’s or family member’s hospital room. If you like beautiful, fun and affordable jewelry, purses and knickknacks then you must stop by and look around. We have excellent pieces at very reasonable prices. Come in and pick up a bargain. Christmas is on its way!

The Shades Of Hope section of the Gift Shoppe is turning green for December. This is to focus awareness on Christmas Safe Toys & Gifts Month.

Send Comments to: emh@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

26

27From The Backside ■

27

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ December, 2010 v3.43 , Henry J. Clevicepin

Merry CHRISTmas from Buzzard’s Roost!!!!!

By Henry J. Clevicepin Collaborated by Nellie Frecklebelly and Agnes & Ophilia Fudpucker

Well, Christmas is gonna be here in Buzzard’s Roost fore you know it. The Buzzard’s Roost gang wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas…..that’s right Merry CHRISTmas with Christ in it…not Happy Holidays or some goofball thing that leaves Christ out of it. Why don’t people get it, that we are celebrating Jesus Christ’s birthday and not some big sale down at Wally World !!!!. I hope them sapsuckers that want to take Christ out of it, get a lump of mule manure in their stocking for Christmas.

This ol economy ain’t any better this year than it was last year. Santa even said he still had 10% unemployment with his elves. Ol Estee K. Bibbles, my mulebarn partner & beer drinking buddy, said people are so broke if somebody was selling $100 bills for $1, all the people could do is run up and down the street and holler “what a deal !!!!!”. An ol man told us the other day that when he was a kid, his momma would send him down to the corner store with a dollar and he would bring back 5 bags of potatoes, 2 loaves of bread, 3 bottles of milk, a hunk of cheese, a box of tea and a dozen eggs, but you can’t do that now, cause there are just too many darned security cameras !!!!!

We got that little election over with and the Democrats got them a little butt kickin. But I still don’t think they got the message, that us poor regular tea party folks are tired of them spending all of our money and even spendin more than what the government has comin in.

Obama’s bunch of hoodlems been in there less than two years and already have the largest budget and the largest deficit spending ( for you liberal idiots, that means spending money we ain’t got) in the history of the United States.

Now ain’t that CHANGE we can believe in ??????? I doubt the election is going to change much up there. We still have the same From the Backside Sponsor

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Democratic leaders and the same Republican leaders as before and they are going to set the new bunch down and say “here is the way we do things in Washington”. They have already told them they were going to have to vote to raise the debt limit……looks like the same crap… different day !!!!! They should be ashamed of themselves. Ol Estee K. was telling me about a little kid in his grandson’s class at school.

The teacher asks the kids to get up and tell what their fathers did for a living. She got all the typical answers like firemen, policeman, businessmen and so on. When she came to this one little boy he got up and told them his dad was an exotic dancer in a gay cabaret and took most of his clothes off and danced while people put money in his underwear. The teacher, all shook up, put the other kids to work and took the little boy outside and ask, “is that true about your father?”. “No”, said the kid, “he actually works for the Democratic National Committee and helps Democrats get elected, but I was too embarrassed to say that in front of the other kids!!!!!”

And nearly two years later they are still blaming Bush for everything. Ol Bush & Obama ended up in the same barber shop the other day getting a haircut & a shave. The barbers were afraid to say anything from fear it would turn to politics. After they finished Obama’s barber ask if he would like some aftershave. He said “no, my wife Michelle will smell it and think I have been in a house of ill repute.” The other barber ask Bush if he would like some and Bush replied, “ sure, go ahead, my wife doesn’t know what that smells like !!!”

Now, these people that fly all of the time have their panties in a pretty good wad over this new airport security screening where they either have to go thru a booth and get their From the Backside Sponsor

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body x-rayed or go thru a pretty severe friskin by a security guard. Ol Estee K. said he had the answer. He said they need to build a bomb proof booth and when you get in it they push a button and if you have any explosives on you it sets it off. Poof….no more terrorist bomber on the plane….in fact he said the next thing you would hear is “there is a seat now available on flight 549 !!!!”. And for those who don’t want to go thru the booth then they can have some ol gals like Nellie Frecklebelly and the Fudpucker sisters frisk them. Now these are some big ol ugly gals and you ain’t gonna like that friskin they give you. That should pretty well stop the terrorist getting on planes. They’ll go back to ridin camels !!!!!

Well, me and ol Estee K. are gonna go let Ol Nellie and the gals practice friskin us !!!!.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM HENRY J. : If you can read, thank a teacher…if you can read in English, thank a soldier !!!!!

You can email Henry J at : henryjclevicepin@aol.com Send Comments to: backside@mycounty-line.com

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

What’s the Latest Word for Ruthie?

Over the past month, not much has changed.

We are still waiting for the telephone call from Ruthie’s transplant coordinator informing us that it is time to drop everything we are doing and head to Dallas. The thought of that phone call has been pretty daunting at times.

Ruthie received her first false alarm just last week. She received a phone call the other day on her cellphone while at work. The number was unrecognized and when she answered, the woman on the line asked, “Is this Mrs. Norris?”

Ruthie said that she thought to herself, “Oh my God! This is the call!”

But it wasn’t. It was one of the Eastland Highschool administration staff and they were calling about our daughter, Sherrie.

Ruthie said “My heart skipped a beat...and I didn’t know what to say. When I said yes, this is Mrs. Norris, the woman told me she was with the school.”

Ruthie and I laughed about it that night, but in all honesty, we can only assume that’s pretty much how the phone call will start off. And the thought of that hit Ruthie pretty hard.

I have noticed that for me, as the unwitting husband, I don’t think too much about getting that phone call during the day. I am generally occupied with working on the paper, or surfing the Internet looking for news and special interest topics. If the phone rings, I assume it’s either Ruthie or my mother.

But I still have the habit of staying up pretty late at night, usually well after 1-o’clock in the morning, and after I’ve shut off the computer and walked through the house killing the lights, it dawns on me that just as I lay down in bed -- that phone could ring. I usually shake my head and chastise myself for staying up so late and not taking advantage of a few hours sleep earlier in the evening. But...what are

you suppose to do? You really can’t turn your whole life inside out because the phone could ring at any minute -- you have to go on and do your thing.

So that’s where we are right now. Ruthie is packed and ready to go; I’m not. But that’s where we are.

offering several patriotic items through The County Line website that will help raise extra money for Ruthie’s recovery after surgery.

And we have some other ideas that are also in the works. So please stay tuned!

Thanks,

The Handcarved Stone Cross The stone cross shown below was given away by silent auction on November 19th.

The winning bidder drove in from out of town and picked up the cross and gave Ruthie a check. Louise’s Cafe also gave Ruthie a cash donation which had been collected by the cafe’s patrons.

We can’t thank all of you enough for thinking about Ruthie at this time. We are very blessed.

Upcoming Fundraisers We have enough sponsors now for the t-shirts that C&H Monograms/ Polka-dot Patch are going to help provide. As soon as Miss Garlan and Miss Mindy are able to get a design together, we’ll be able to start selling the t-shirts.

In January, we will start

s Mike & Ruth Norri

Stone Cross donated by StoneArtOnline.com Robert Moore

Donations may be made to:

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Follow Ruthie’s Progress online:

www.facebook.com/sherriesmom To learn more about organ transplants and donors please visit:

www.donatelifetexas.org

-or-

www.dneph.com

Ruth Norris Benefit Fund 930 East Main Eastland, TX 76448 (254) 629-3282