SPORTS
STORM CENTER: ‘42’ truly a Texas game
Football isn’t the only game Texans take seriously.
Let me suggest you pay a visit to the Bowie Senior Citizens Center in Pelham Park some morning and watch elder statesmen and stateswomen of this fine community play a game called “42.”
The game of “42,” in my opinion, is one of those games that make living in the state of Texas unique, ranking right up there with Whataburger and driving on the shoulder to allow others to pass.
In August 1985, Fort Worth Star-Telegram writer Christopher Evans traced “42” back to its roots in the 1880s.
Reportedly in the town of Garner, today an unincorporated community northwest of Weatherford, two boys named Walter Earl and William A. Thomas invented “42.”
Earl, 14, and Thomas, 12, were the children of devout Baptists, and they were caught playing cards in the hayloft of a barn. In those days, it was considered sinful to play cards. The boys were disciplined for their mischievous activity.
That’s when the boys set out to find a way to play cards through a different medium, and dominoes became the vehicle for this derivation.
By the fall of 1887, the boys devised a four-player game using double-six dominoes that incorporated both the concepts of bidding and trumping.
Dominoes were “an acceptable activity,” and the boys began teaching others how to play. Their families later moved to Windom in Fannin County, and “42” was brought there as well.
Thomas recounted his story during a 1927 interview with the Dallas Journal, he died 19 years later, but the game is living quite well these days – including here in Bowie. Read more from this column in the weekend edition of The Bowie News.
(From left) Izella Boyd, Roe Daughrity, Billie Williams and Jean Hatch play a game of “42” on Wednesday morning at the Bowie Senior Center in Pelham Park. The women are regulars, and it’s one of the most popular games played at the facility according to center assistant director Lynda Medley. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
Nocona’s volleyball team headed to Bowie for a three-team scrimmage with the host team and Ponder Aug. 7.
Each team played the other two for 30 minutes in the Lady Rabbit gym. Lady Indian Coach Sandy Langford said she thought things went well for a first scrimmage.
“Just like any young team that is trying to find itself in a first scrimmage, We looked really good at times and at others not so much,” Langford said. “We’re forming a new team after losing a lot of seniors.”
Langford said the squad would have one thing go wrong and it would explode into several things. That will need to stop for a successful year in Langford’s mind.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Bowie’s tennis team is now 3-3 for the non-district campaign with a 1-2 week.
In the Rabbits’ home opener Aug. 5 against Graham, Bowie posted a 13-6 match win with the girls completing a 9-0 sweep.
Jessi Mayfield and Angeles Alvarez won 9-8 (7-4) while Payton Goodwin and Maddie Schwarz were 8-1 winners as were Avery DeWeber and Avery Bonham.
In girl’s singles Willow Seibert won 8-2 in No.1 1 singles. Goodwin and Mayfield were each 8-5 winners. Alvarez posted an 8-1 win. Schwarz won 9-8 (8-5) with Deweber taking an 8-2 decision.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Two major portions of Nocona’s 2023 bond issue are very close to being completed.
The new high school gym should be complete in time for the volleyball team to begin practice there Aug. 1, according to Superintendent Dr. David Waters. Ground on the 22,000 square foot facility was broken on Oct. 18, 2024.
Waters said a punch list meeting with the construction manager was scheduled for earlier this week with final touchups expected shortly afterwards. Fans should be able to enjoy the facility for the volleyball team’s season opener Aug. 11.
Fans will enjoy the new gym from entering the facility which has glass walls, enabling fans to watch the game from the foyer. Once inside the gym itself, there is stadium, chair back seating on the home side allowing for a much more comfortable experience.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS4 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death