Sweetwater woman reflects on leaving the family farm to become a plane mechanic during World War II A smile crosses the face of Jessie Lou McReynolds as she scans the cavernous museum full of vintage airplanes, displays, and other World War II memorabilia, reminding her of some of the happiest years of her life. McReynolds turned 98 on June 8 and still has vivid memories … [Read more...]
Stone Owl Academy
Scholarship program to teach history and civics to high school students. If you look up at the stone on the third floor of the 1923 Abilene High School on S. 1st Street, you’ll see a stone owl carved into the building. It faces forward, wings spread wide over an open book. This symbol of wisdom and learning is now the namesake of a new educational initiative for high school … [Read more...]
Christmas Morning Breakfast
Looking to start a new family tradition or want something new this year to fuel your present opening and holiday merriment? Try out one of these recipes for your cozy Christmas morning breakfast at home. BANANAS FOSTER UPSIDE DOWN CAKE Contributed by Lynn Dickey Adapted from a recipe originally published in Southern Living Magazine submitted by Louis Delaunay “My mom … [Read more...]
A Season of Serving Students in Need
The aroma of a turkey roasting in the oven for Thanksgiving and the sight of a pile of packages waiting to be ripped open on Christmas morning started filling the minds of many Americans the minute the Halloween decorations were packed away, maybe earlier. They are comforting imaginings, the stuff of a Norman Rockwell painting. But for some Americans, those imagined aromas … [Read more...]
A New Home for the Holidays: How Refugee Families Celebrate in Abilene
“Fireworks!” 12-year-old Bright Kabura says as he describes a holiday celebration. He’s not describing the 4th of July or New Year’s Eve – he’s describing Christmas in Zambia, where he and his family lived before coming to Abilene as refugees in December of 2016. Like many refugee families in America, the Kabura family has adopted some American traditions for the holidays … [Read more...]