COUNTY LIFE
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It’s a beautiful summer day in Texas. Kids are fishing, canoeing, making crafts and singing silly songs. It’s all part of a typical day at summer camp, but for the special needs campers at Charis Hills it’s a unique opportunity to just be a regular kid.
Charis Hills is nestled across 100 acres of beautiful wooded and rolling hills outside Sunset. Opened in 2009 by Rand and Colleen Southard, the couple had been in the camp business since 1983, and while they had been dealing with special needs children for years, they had a desire to provide a place for what they call the under served population of youngsters with autism.
They explain Charis is Greek for grace and acceptance, so the name Charis Hills seemed perfect for a place where everyone is accepted for who God made them.
Looking back
Rand Southard can look back to exactly when he knew helping children was going to be the passion of his life. At five years old he became an amputee after his left leg was removed just below the knee due to a birth defect. As a disabled child he knew first hand the pain of not being picked for the baseball team and not being included.
As a youngster Southard went to Texas Lions Camp, the world’s largest camp for children with disabilities that welcomes those with lost limbs, the deaf and blind. He recalls it being the first place where he saw children who looked like him.
Southard didn’t want to go at first, but little did he know it would become a life-changing experience. He attended the Kerrville camp for two summers and after graduation from high school he returned as a counselor for two summers. It was a time that decided his future.
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