September 3, 2010

Letters to the Editor

February 4, 2010 - Dear Editor:

Certain things happen in peoples lives that make them reflect on why they live where they do. It was just such an event that caused me to stop and appreciate Leonard, its people, and small town character. This past week, the fire department was paged out on a call for uncontrolled flow. This wasnt a fire, medical call, or a car accident.

My 96 year old grandmother walked into her bathroom and found the floor under water from a malfunctioning water inlet. She was very unsettled and did not know what to do, so she called the fire department. They were quick to arrive and members promptly turned off the water to stop the flow. This is normally where larger departments would call the job finished. However, numerous members continued to mop up as much water as they could.

A fireman went to the hardware store to purchase a new hose for the inlet line. This hose was installed by another responder on the scene. Other emergency personnel helped pull back carpet to dry and removed wet padding from the house. This degree of duty just isnt normally exhibited in non-life-threatening situations.

I just wanted to express my appreciation and to say how lucky we are as a community to have such considerate individualsserving in the Leonard Volunteer Fire Department. Many Thanks.

Scott Blackerby

Dear Editor,

After reading the article by Tumbleweed Smith about Miss Enid, it took me back to the 1960s when we lived in Nocona. I was fortunate to become friends with Miss Enid and her sister, Mrs. Mimi. Mrs. Mimis husband was the manager of the Nocona Boot Company for Miss Enid. Both ladies were pleasingly plump and very nice.

Miss Enids favorite color was pink. She lived in a large two-story brick home painted solid pink, and by that time she always drove a new pink Cadillac. Although very wealthy, she always wore, daily, her simple rayon or nylon house dress and a pair of lace up good walking shoes. One day as she and I were drinking coffee in the drug store, she told me about going to Ft. Worth one day to buy a new fur coat. In her simple daily clothes she walks into one of the finest furriers in Ft. Worth. The young salesman left her standing for 45 minutes as he waited on all the finely attired ladies before coming to her, she said, and I quote, I am Enid Justin of Nocona, and I came to buy me a broad tail, cash of course, but you have left me standing for 45 minutes. Now I would not buy a coat from you if you were the only store in town. She walked down the street and bought her coat. That was Miss Enid!

Now Mrs. Mimi had two married daughters living in Nocona at that time and she was not nearly as wealthy as Miss Enid, so when her husband bought them a new cabin cruiser, its name was Mimis Mink. I will always cherish my fond memories of those dear sweet ladies.

Sandra Gilbert

 

Dear Editor,

February 25, 2010 - I just wanted to write you a note and say how much I enjoyed the article on the 11th about Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Thorp. They were great people and very positive role models to all of us as young people in Leonard when I was growing up - and I can see from your article that they are still being exceptional examples for all of us now. I will always remember their beautiful matching horses in the parades, the fact that you hardly ever saw Mr. Thorp or Mrs. Thorp without the other, plus their quiet dignity in all settings - church, around town, or in a parade. I may have seen Mr. Thorp without a smile on his face at one time or another but I certainly do not remember it if I did. What great people and what a wonderful article. They certainly deserve being on the front page of the Graphic. Thank you so much for bringing back such good memories.

Mickey Trusty

Dear Editor,

December 17, 2009 - As the year 2009 is coming to a rapid close, I would like to say thank you to the community on behalf of myself and the Leonard Public Library.

The Holiday Home tour was a success thanks to the Chandlers, Fletchers, Renfros and Watsons for opening their homes.

I would like to thank all the friends of the Library and the Library Board members for the donations and support. I would like to say a special thank you to Kerry Craig, Ava Barlow and Echo Publishing for their continuing support.

I would also like to take this opportunity to let everyone know the Library is operated each year on a limited budget. The money for this comes from the generosity of the Friends, a grant from the state and the support of the City. It is to the benefit of all our patrons that we should be able to use our funds for new items and to upgrade current technology. Keeping this in mind, we cannot afford to keep replacing the materials that are borrowed but never returned. We must ask those who check the items out to please return them.

We know that someone has been borrowing items from the Library without going through the check out process. Please return the items. No questions will be asked!

If you have items checked out that are past due, we have been calling you. We have been e-mailing you and even tried to contact you through a note to you in the mail. Currently the library has over 30 patrons on the overdue list. Lets end our year with all the past due items returned to the Library. No questions asked. Just drop the items off at the desk or in our drop box, please.

Thank you

Rose Farhood, Library Director

 

December 3, 2009 - The Chamber would like to thank Judge Hale for constructing the lollipops, Jennifer Herod and the high school art class for decorating the lollipops, and Jeff Holm with Sign Werks for doing the letters for the business names. I would also like to thank all the businesses that ordered the lollipops. The fundraiser raised $750 for Toys for Tots, and the lollipops look WONDERFUL and will help decorate the square this year!!

Thank you very much,

Chamber officers and directors

 

October 1, 2009 - Bravo! To all the young women and men who participated in Leonard High Schoolís Powder Puff football games this past Friday. They provided quite an evening of entertainment.

Sheryl Gribble

September 24, 2009 - We would like to sincerely thank all our customers who braved the rainy weather and joined us at our ìCustomer Appreciation Dayî market. Those of us there enjoyed ourselves even though the events were cut short by a heavy shower after only a couple of hours.

To all the people who support us, we say a big THANK YOU!!

Special thanks go to David and Jeannie Johnson and all the staff at Bear Creek Country Store who have helped and supported us in so many ways from our first idea of starting a local Farmer's Market.

Also appreciated is the interest and support received from Ava Barlow, Carlisle Mott, Eddie and others.

Once again, we thank you.

Come and join us at the market Tuesdays at 4:30 and Saturdays at 8 a.m.

Bobbie DeFoor and all the vendors

Leonard Community Farmers Market

September 17, 2009 - In the spirit of "fair and balanced", I feel theneed to offer a conservative response to Shelly Darling's letter to the editor in the Sept. 10 Graphic.

I agree that people should not take other people's word for what's in HR3200 (the only health care bill that's available to us so far). Read it for yourself. You decide. While there is no "death panel", there is starting on page 424 of HR3200 SEC. 1233 Advance Care Planning Consultation. Try to read for yourself this bureaucratic directive.

I'm 60; with my Medicare days fast approaching (if it's still there), I don't want the inept heavy hand of government in MY decision process when MY health deteriorates to the point where THEY decide I need advance care consultation.

As for FoxNews, they are the only news channel that offers a conservative view. They have plenty of liberals on there. They report-again, you decide.

Margaret Friz

This is in response to Shelley Darling's "Letter to the Editor" of September 10, 2009.

I am constantly astounded by liberals' interpretation of what is the truth and what is not in the media. For this reason, I found your letter to me, a fellow Leonard-ite, rather inflammatory. You appear to suggest that FOX NEWS and conservative blogs are all lies and that the media and network news are the truth. To be fair, you should ask yourself why FOX reports all the corruption and Constitution trashing that is on-going in Washington, D.C., and the mostly liberal media does not.

I have recently retired from the West Coast and my wife and I moved to Texas to be around "normal", good folks whose core values of decency, morals and faith matched ours. I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican but have voted on a candidate's platform in almost every election for over forty years and, as you, am most concerned on what is happening to our country.

From the changes to our country in the last sixteen and one-half years, we as Americans have developed a basic distrust of all politicians. Some of your fellow Leonard-ite seniors have lived and suffered through more politically-induced hard times than you know. They pass their experience and wisdom down to their children, and so on. Although times change, politics, it appears, do not. However, I respect my neighbors', and your, beliefs and would never refer to them, or you, as uninformed or try to influence my views, whether they be liberal or conservative, on them. Common sense has taught me to LISTEN and NEVER JUDGE. Consequently, I have learned a great deal from them - that's a real education.

Leonard is not too small for "big city politics". However, controversial letters to the editor, suggesting a "They" and "Us" will only pit neighbor against neighbor. The fine folks of Leonard need not to be embroiled in political in-fighting. So please, please, open your ears and mind to ALL news media outlets including FOX NEWS. This is the only way to be truly politically informed - to not do so, will subject you to biased political indoctrination. Phil Luther

September 10, 2009 - Hi Leonard-ites!

As a long time Leonard area resident recently returned, I felt the need towrite a bit to my fellow citizens.

Like many people I've been watching the news, reading the paper, browsing the internet, and, like many people, I'm concerned with what I see happening to our country.

I'm 41 years old. Have proudly been a registered voter my whole adult life. I'm not a political scholar by any means but I have learned to call it when I see it.

Please please people, stop following the bunk and the over zealous wanna-be politicos. I have HAD it with people hearing a blurb on television and taking it as gospel.Fox News and right slanted news blogs are NOT where you should get your only news. Now, before you who know me start calling me, let me remind you of this..I try to learn as much as I can about an issue. I really do. I tend to be liberal, that's true, but I do try to fish out fact and fiction.

Trust me on this: "They" are not going to burst in your house and steal away with your grandmother to some death house ala Soylent Green. I know most of you know this but I meet people every day who REALLY believe this type of nonsense. I met a man today who actually thinks with President Obama's school broadcast comes a REQUIRED federally mandated learning program. Really? I mean really? Come on now.

I know times are scary and sometimes we get irrational..but please keep in mind that you should discover the truth the best way you can and stop letting these fanatics who just want others to be afraid and ignorant with them to lead you astray. Rally, voice yourself even if your voice shakes, but please don't fall in with the lies.

Shelley Darling

Dear Editor,

August 20, 2009 - Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas will be holding Registrations for the 2009-2010 year.

Trenton:Meet the Teacher Night at the Cafeteria on August 20th from 5:30-7.

Leonard:Meet the Teacher Night at the Elementary on August 27th from 5:30-6:30.

Girl Scouts will be at both locations to register girls for the 2009-2010 year.Girl Scouts always needs volunteers/Leaders/Co-Leaders/Mentors, etc. so parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles are encouraged to join with their girls.

Boy Scouts will also be registering for the 2009-2010 year at Meet the Teacher Night in Leonard on August 27th.

For more information, please contact:

Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts

Robin Bryant, Adrianna Burgess

972-754-5620, 214-597-4233

July 23, 2009 - Dear Editor, The Leonard Preservation League would like to thank all the cooks, organizers of the Cake and Pie Auction, museum workers and those who worked so hard the last two weeks cleaning and organizing articles for the new section of the museum. Folks really enjoyed the museum this year and the fire truck was a big hit with the light and siren having been attached and in working order. The LPL made $7,100 during the 2009 Leonard Picnic and really appreciate all those who contributed either by purchasing something at the auction, making a donation, or buying a Leonard History Book II. The framed picture of the two-story Leonard High School was sold by silent bid and Roby and Sue Watson are now the proud owners.

Thanks again for everything.

Mauridell Bennett and the Leonard Preservation League

July 23, 2009 - Dear Editor, The 2009 Leonard Picnic Committee would like to thank the following individuals, organizations, and businesses for making the 130th Annual Leonard Picnic a huge success.First of all, we would like to thank the Leonard Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the Picnic. Thank you to the City of Leonard for the use of the park and the square for all the activities. Thank you to the city crew for all their hard work before, during, and after the picnic. Thank you to Fate Hackler, Ricky Hayes, John McDonald, Sr. and John McDonald, Jr. for all the hard work putting stripes around the square. Thank you to the Leonard Graphic for helping us advertise all the activities. Thank you to Vicki McAngus and staff for designing this years Picnic t-shirts and caps. Thank you to Fannin County CERT team and the Leonard Police Department for keeping everyone safe during the picnic. Thank you to the following for making Gospel Night with Weston Hinton and By Faith a big success: First United Methodist, First Baptist of Leonard, First Assembly of God, Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ, and Valley Creek Baptist churches. Thank you to the following people for making Kids Night a big success again this year:Leonard ISD for the use of their gym mat, Bear Creek Country Store for the use of their feed sacks, First Baptist Church of Leonard for the use of their PA system, and First National Bank of Trenton employees Kelly Parker and Kathy Lance for running the events and Amy Slagle, Jodi Amlin, and Virginia Moore for judging the art contest. Also to First Baptist Church of Leonard for providing the Grand Ole Opry show and music and Tom Hackney and the Indian Creek Band on Thursday night.Thank you to the following for helping with the first ever Hot Dog Eating Contest: Sonic for the donation of the hot dogs and cooking them, Kwik Chek for donating bottled water, Fannin County Habitat for Humanity and Childrenís Crisis Center for setting up and judging the event. Thank you to all the little and big fishermen who participated in the first ever Leonard Picnic Fishing Tournament. Thank you to Fakie and Sabineís for providing the Friday night music. Thank you to Joe T. Sudderth for organizing the Domino Tournament, including making the trophies and providing hats for the top three winners. Thank you to Sabineís Rocking CafÈ for kicking off Saturdayís events by providing breakfast on the square. Thank you to Scott Blackerby, Diane Smith and Mary-k Wilson for judging the Homemade Ice Cream Contest and Lisa and Taylor English for serving the ice cream. Thank you to the following people who made this yearís Picnic Parade a success: Congressman Ralph Hall for being our Grand Marshall, Judge Laurie Blake, District Attorney Richard Glaser, County Clerk Nancy Young, Justice of the Peace Alan Hale, Scott Blackerby, Mark Blackerby, Sheri Watson, Dana Griffis, Tammie Bates, Randy Watterson, Jennifer Mendez, Sheryl Stanley, Kim Scott, Sarah Congleton, Zanne Christman for judging, registering, and helping to set up and organize the parade. Thank you to Bill Watson, B. K. Steib, Elaine Peebles, Belinda Horton and Connie Hodge for chairing the All-School Reunion and Becky Jones and Nancy Longino for creating the CD ìThen and Now. Also a big thanks to the All-School Reunion committee for sharing the cost of mailing out the flyers and Mrs. Hendersonís class for folding them. Also Pam McCarley, Belinda DeVincentis, Tyler McCarley and Jerome Edwards for helping set up sound and other miscellaneous things at LHS for the reunion. Thank you to Marty Page and the Backseat Drivers for entertaining the crowd on Saturday night under the pavilion. Last, but certainly not least, a HUGE thank you to B&B Food Store for sponsoring the Fireworks Extravaganza, put on by Pyrotech,in celebration of their 50th anniversary.It was a fitting end to the wonderful four day event!!

We apologize if we have left anyone off, as there were many people that made this yearís Picnic possible. Next time you stop at one of these businesses or see one of these individuals, please take the time to tell them thank you for making the 130th Annual Leonard Picnic an outstanding success.

Sincerely,

The 2009 Leonard Picnic Committee

Butch Henderson, Penny Edwards, Elaine Peebles, Ava Barlow, Angela Sadler, Chuck Vibbert and Elizabeth Christman.

 

Letters to the Editor policy

The Leonard Graphic welcomes letters to the editor. The editor reserves the right to edit for content, length and language. Letters to the editor should be concise, to the point and original. Form letters will not be accepted. Length is subject to editorial judgement. The Leonard Graphic reserves the right to not use letters  that may be obscene or discriminatory. All letters to the editor must be signed and have the full name printed as well as address and telephone number