COUNTY LIFE
South Korean teen enjoyed Texas experience in Nocona
By BARBARA GREEN
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The past year has been a cultural whirlwind for Taike Jang, a 16-year-old exchange student from South Korea who spent the last 10 months with three different families in Nocona.
Going from one country to another is a big enough change, but throw in a worldwide pandemic and things jump up to another level. Jang comes from Seocheon, a city on the west side of South Korea with about 50,000 in population. His father works in labor law and his mom is a college student considering a career in social work. He lives in an urban setting where there are not a lot of kids his age.
Jang’s consideration to become a Rotary International Exchange Student began earlier last year when his English teacher approached his parents about the program. Jang says his teacher encouraged his parents that it would be a good experience, but also help improve his English.
“It sounded fun, and I wanted to learn reallife English, that was the motivation,” he explained.
In Rotary Exchange the students pick their three countries, but then it’s random where they go. America was his top choice and Germany was second.
“When they told me I was coming to Texas I had no idea what was going to happen. I looked it up on Google maps, but I had no preconceived ideas. I was surprised when I saw cows and horses, and found out people ride them,” laughs Jang.
Read the full feature in the 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)
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