COUNTY LIFE
Bowie crisis center serves growing need in county
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
The national statistics are startling.
Every 107 seconds someone (female or male) is sexually assaulted in the United States.
Ninety-one percent of all rapes are never reported.
Four out of five sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.
One out of three females and one out of five males will be sexually assaulted at some point in their life.
April has been National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the local staff from Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center have been out in the community educating and informing people of the need and the services.
Large teal bows can be seen around town with information on the center, while a display of shoes from sexual assault victims at a local restaurant has made people stop and think, at least for a moment.
Ginger Johnson, community bilingual advocate
Johnson, who makes her home in Bowie, has worked with Wise Hope the past 12 and a half years. In March the Bowie office celebrated its one year anniversary. Tracy Mooningham also works as a bilingual advocate. They say the response has been tremendous from the community
as well as those who are in need.
For six years the center manned an office in Bowie at the Pregnancy Resource Center, but it was slow going with the limited time in town. The availability of a manned office five days a week has made a difference.
“We anticipated it would be slower, but we have had a lot of people coming in. Since I live here my friends have told others and we also have put up fliers and went out to talk to clubs and students. Child Protective Services also has referred a lot,” said Johnson.
Read the full feature in your weekend Bowie News.
It has been quite a busy few days at the Montague County Youth Fair with schedule changes, juggling of events and trying to cope with the unexpected snow storm. However, the youth fair always rolls on thanks to the dedicated volunteers, coordinators, parents and students.
Friday the rabbit how starts at 10 a.m., with heifer and steer show at 2 p.m. Ag. mech. check-in at 6 p.m. with that show at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Swine will move into the barn later today with its show at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Saturday the home economics silent auction will start at 6 p.m. and run to 9 p.m. in the show barn. Showmanship buckles will be presented at 6 p.m. in the barn followed by leadership day awards. The premium sale is at 6:30 p.m. Make plans to come out and support these hard working kids and families.
See all the winners in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – Poultry show photo taken by Rashonda Hobbs of Unfazed Creations, official photographer for the youth fair. Make sure and check out her photos.
When we were going through my grandmother’s house in Nocona after it sold, I found a few neat keepsakes, but the biggest treasure I thought I had found was her biscuit cutter. I was so excited to show my mother (her daughter) and just knew she would be happy it was found and would still be used after all this time.
My mother, however, had a different thought about my precious biscuit cutter. She said, “Suzanne, you know that biscuit cutter is just an old tomato paste can that has both ends cut out.”
I was still no less delighted with my cutter. I continue to use it today. My husband has bought me vintage, new and fancier cutters, but this cutter is something I go back to time and again.
My Memaw was recruited to be a lunch lady from 1952 to 1958 at Nocona Elementary, back when lunches were cooked, not “fixed.” Lenora Brown Burnett was an excellent cook and everyone knew it. She went on to work at the Nocona Major Clinic kitchen from 1958 to 1969.
You could only use shortcuts if you knew how to do it the long way. That is how I still approach cooking. You can only use a cake mix if you know how to make a cake with lots of ingredients, time and effort.
Read Suzanne’s Love & Luck column in the Thursday Bowie News on the On the Table page.
Top photo – Grandmother’s biscuit cutter and hand written recipes. (Photo by Suzanne Storey)
-
NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS1 year agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS1 year agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint