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KEENE, TXPERMIT NO. 25ZIP CODE 76059

KEENE CHRONICLEVolume 01, Issue 4 Thursday, November 22, 2012www.KeeneChronicle.com

KC

A Tribute to the Armed Servicespage 2

Submitted by Robert L. RaelPhotos by Tobe Watts

Joshua Adventist Multi-grade School hosted it’s dedication and open house celebration on Friday evening, November 9th. Joshua Church Pastor Jeff Coleman opened the pro-

gram with a prayer, then gui-tar in hand, he led out in an inspi-

rational song service of hymns of praise. Carol Schneider who just this

year replaced retired JAMS Principal David Stair (who has

been principal at JAMS for the past eight years), followed pastor Jeff with welcoming remarks and a brief personal history. She disclosed that “I moved

to Keene just to be near my

folks, even before I knew there was a job. But here I am and I love it, I love the kids! I’m so excited about the students and for the decisions they are making and for the gift that you have given them to come to a place like this to pray and to have the oppor-tunity to say ‘I love Jesus!’ That is the value of a Christian education. We are grateful for the donations of your money and your time to provide all of this for our students.”Schneider further spoke to

the value of a Christian educa-tion with inspirational, per-sonal anecdotal testimonies.“Dedication” handouts were

then passed out to the at-tendees for group reading. Schneider led out in the group exercise with enthusiastic audience participation. The inspirational “Dedication” exercise reads as follows:Everyone: We, Your people,

come to dedicate ourselves and this facility, its new class-rooms and those already in use, to You for the education of young people for Your ser-

vice. We desire to fulfill Your will for our lives, our school and our community.Board Chair (George Parry):

We are thankful, O Lord, for this school—the building, the faculty, and the staff. We lift Joshua Adventist Multi-grade School up to You in prayer.Board Chair and Board

Members: We, the school board, dedicate ourselves to the task with which have been entrusted by the constituent churches of Joshua Adven-tist Multi-grade School: to provide vision for the future, to find the needed funds and use them wisely, to employ the finest teachers available, and to seek students who need a Christian education.Everyone: Thank You, O

Lord, for this school board team.Principal: And we are thank-

ful, O Lord, for the opportu-nity to lead young people to You. We lift Joshua Adventist Multi-grade School students up to You in prayer.Principal, Teachers and Staff:

We, the faculty and staff,

dedicate ourselves to provide an interesting and challeng-ing educational experience, preparing our young people to fulfill their God-given poten-tial both in this world and in the world to come, helping them to become true follow-ers of Jesus and teaching them how to lead others to know Him, too. Help us to see in ev-ery student a person for whom you have died.Everyone: Thank You, O

Lord, for this team of adminis-trators, faculty, and staff.Parents: We thank you, O

Lord, for the children you have given us. We will expect the best from them-- both encouraging them and hold-ing them to a high standard. Each day we will support our children and their teachers in conversation and in prayer. To this we dedicate ourselves.Students: Thank You, Lord,

for our parents’ love and care. Thank you for our teachers. Help us to grow to be wise, to be healthy, to be true friends, and to be more like You.Everyone: Again, Lord, we

dedicate this facility, this fac-ulty, this administration and all of our studentsand parents to You. We admit

that without You this school cannot accomplish the purpose for which it was intended—the salvation of young people in Your Kingdom. For this reason, we dedicate ourselves.Following this inspiring

group exercise Carol Bradley offered the school dedication prayer. She then person-ally expressed that “we have appreciated so much all that work that has been done with the school building. I am amazed with the Joshua

Church for their dedicated involvement and commitment in helping with the building project.”Schneider displayed a large

framed photograph of the JAMS school building which was taken by professional photographer Tobe Watts. It

will hang in the foyer area of the Joshua Seventh-day Adventist Church “as a thank you to all the church members who gave of themselves for this school,” added Schneider.

Sweets, pastries and re-freshments were served to all attended followed by an unstructured tour of the school facilities.

Joshua Adventist Multi-grade School Hosts Dedication and Open House

CAROL SCHNEIDERBRIEF BIOGRAPHYCarol Schneider graduated from

Southwestern Adventist University with a degree in Biology and later from Andrews University with a Masters degree in Leadership. Carol says that “as a pastor’s kid, I grew up all over the country.” She recently moved to Keene from Erie, Colorado where

she was the principal at Vista Ridge Academy. She has experience working in grade school as well as on the high school level. She has been teaching for 17 years and has been principal for 13 of those years.Schneider assumed the role as principal of the Joshua Ad-

ventist Multi-grade School in July. Her first official day as principal was August 1, 2012. “We spent July working on the building and moving in,” says Schneider.Her parents are Don and Marti Schneider, currently living in

Denver, CO. They are the pastors of the Denver South SDA church. Her brother, Don Schneider, and his wife, Dorothy Hernandez are both doctors in Juneau, AK.

Newly elected councilman Donny Gore after taking oath of office admin-istered by city secretary Keesha Lay

Returning councilman Dale Janes after taking oath of office.

Mayor John Ackermann taking oath of office given by city secretary Keesha Lay

First time council lady Lorena Marin after taking oath of office. Now there are two females on council.

James Chapline, recently appointed by council to fill the unexpired term of Chad Aden who resigned on October 25, 2012, after taking oath of office.

City Council Swearing Ceremony

Nathan Casta-nia, native of Keene and James Duffy have had years of experience in the graph-ics business and are committed to serving the market-ing needs of the local entrepre-neur. Three years ago they estab-lished their 1st “Boom!Boom! Graphics” store at 7525 W. Camp Bowie in Fort Worth Texas. On Monday, Novem-ber 12 they opened their 2nd store in Keene, located at 316 South Old Betsy Road, adja-cent to Hopps Automotive, in the former auto parts building. Nathan Castania, 30, is a

single father of four elemen-tary school aged children who are all enrolled at the Joshua Adventist Multi-grade School. What he would like the public to know about him is that “I’ve lived here (Keene) all my life pretty much. I attended KAES and CTA and currently have my home in Keene. “Boom! Boom! Graphics” is a one-stop shop where you can come in and get your signs, business cards, shirts, hats, vehicle decals, marketing materials and just pretty much everything you need for your business as far

as that side goes!”“Boom!Boom! Graphics”

offers full color wide format printing. They will print any image to the following:1. Full color banners, single

and double sided2. Magnetic signs3. Perforated window film

(ve hicle and store front)4. Vinyl wall media – 5. Photo print on glossy

paper6. Photo print on canvas7. Vehicle lettering8. Window lettering9. Floor vinyl –10. Embroidery – T-Shirts,

caps bags11. Business cards12. Post cards13. Flyers14. Letterhead“Boom! Boom! Graphics”

business hours are: Mon., Tue. & Wed. 9:30 am – 6 pmThurs. 2 – 6 pmFri. 9:30 am – 5 pm(Closed Sat. & Sun.)817-556-2528 is their local

number or their Fort Worth number is 817-244-3310, fax: 817-887-5017. You can visit www.wantvinyl.com to view their products online.

New Business Opens in Keene

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Parts & Service

Dinner for a Cause with Musical Extravaganza in celebration of Veterans Day was held Sunday, Novem-ber 11, at the Keene Senior Center. It provided entertain-ment, great music, sumptuous food, door prizes and inspira-tional messages for a worthy and meritorious cause while paying tribute to members of the armed services, past and present.Robert Rael opened the

celebration with a stirring trumpet rendition of “il Silenzio” (version of “Taps”) followed by opening remarks by Myrna P. Castillo. This was followed by the “Entrance of Color Guards” by Buger Putnam who was dressed in full military uniform. Putnam

served from 1961-1963 as Specialist 4th Class in the U.S. Army. He was stationed and served as Medic at the 85th EVAC Hospital at Ft. Chafee, Arkansas. Dr. John Read then led the guests in the singing of the National Anthem and Putnam led out in the pledge of allegiance.Pastor Phil Robertson, Pas-

tor for Administration of the Keene Church of Seventh-day

Adventists gave an opening prayer and brief devotional. He reminded the guests that

“our remembering those who have fought for the advance-ment of our freedom and liberty and for the theme and cause of our great nation requires an on-going respon-sibility because, my friend, freedom isn’t free! We love in the land of the free only as long as we continue to be the home of the brave!”This was followed by the

“Acknowledgment of Guests and Dignitaries” by Robert Bischoff. Following this ac-knowledgment Myrna Castillo gave a profile of the Vibrant Life Founda-tion, Inc. and the Keene Pioneer Heritage Founda-tion. Mrs.

Cas-tillo, as Found-er/Chair-man of Vibrant Life Foundation, Inc., and President of the Keene Pio-neer Heritage Foundation ex-plained to the guests that the Vibrant Life Foundation, Inc., “is a non-profit and non-po-litical organization registered in the State of Texas which was organized primarily to spread the gospel of Christ through charitable, religious, educational, social services, disaster and relief, health and other ministry activities. It is a humanitarian undertaking,” states Castillo “which calls for the participation, support and advocacy of everyone who loves and enjoys the fullness of life.” The days event raised $1,775.00.The mission statement of

Vibrant Life Foundation, Inc. is as follows:“It is the mission of the

organization to minister to suffering humanity and be an instrument in God’shands of bringing the light

of truth before a perishing world. It is the mission of the foundation and its members to carry its enterprise and spirit with more strength, courage, force of character and audac-ity for the betterment of this world and in preparation for the world to come.”

The Vibrant Live, explains Castillo, “is awarded a tax exempt status from Federal Income Tax under section 501(C) (3) of the International Revenue Code. Contribu-tions to the organization are deductible under section 170 of the code. It is classified as a public charity agency.”Castillo told the guests that

“the charity is a self-support-ing organization and funding is also expected from con-cerned individuals, from pub-lic and private organizations of the community and society at large and even among mem-bers themselves. Some income generating projects are being considered so that it could be self-sufficient. Your support in any form is going to make the Vibrant Life Foundation move successfully to the purpose of its existence.”Some projects accomplished

by the Vibrant Life Founda-tion, Inc. from January to October 2012 include:1. Donated to KAES & CTA

students who need financial assistance and to the Com-munity Services for resi-dents in the community who cannot afford to pay their rent or utilities through the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church.2. Donated through South-

western Adventist University for international students who need financial assistance.3. Donation given to the New

Discovery Bible Schools.4. Donation given to Kanta

Singing Group of Keene Texas through Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church.5. Keene Camerata received

donation this year from Vi-brant Life Foundation.6. Foundation’s website re-

established.7. Membership established

with Keene Chamber of Com-merce.8. Sent door-to-door box of

clothing, books and other stuff for the members of the vibrant Life SDA Church in Philip-pines.9. Donated money to the

Vibrant Life SDA Church in Bacolod City, Philippines which covered the expenses (materials and labor) for the front swinging iron gate, eight wooden varnished pews, and two panel wooden front door of the church.10. Donated to Meals-on-

Wheels. 11. Additional donation to

the Church in Bacolod City, Philippines in the amount of

$300 to purchase additional 4 pews.12. Approved to co-sponsor

a major crusade at Legaspi City, Philippines, on April 2013 in the amount of $2,500. The funding will be chan-neled through Southern Luzon Mission in the Philippines. Half the amount will be given before the end of this year to help the layman Pastors as they do ground work and the other half will be given just before the crusade date.13. Sent $200 for church

building in Philippines to buy two wooden doors for the two side doors of the church.14. Vibrant Thrift Store

giving out free shoes, cloth-

ing and other stuff to home-less, battered women and fire victims.“Proceeds of the dinner will

go to the centerpiece projects of both organizations” Castillo informed the guests. “The Vibrant Life Foundation is sponsoring the completion of the on-going church building in Bacalod City, Philippines and a major evangelistic cru-sade in April of 2013, also in the Philippines. The church building is in

need of window installations, tile flooring and the addi-tion of a fellowship hall. It is comprised of 45 mostly newly baptized members. The church building is constructed to house 150 worshipers. The speaker for the evangelistic crusade will be Pastor Noel Frias who will pay his own travel, lodging and other re-lated expenses. The funds will also enable 3 laymen pastors to lay the groundwork prior to the crusade and will be assist-ing in the crusade itself. Other expenses include study ma-terials for the crusade, food, Bibles and related supplies.”For the Keene Pioneer Heri-

tage Foundation, funds are be-ing raised for the completion of the long-awaited project of the Pioneer Memorial Monument.

Castillo then gave a pre-sentation on the history of the Memorial: “In 1972, The Alumni Association of Southwestern Union College now Southwestern Adventist University voted to erect a Memorial on the campus near Old Betsy Road. The said as-sociation sponsored a contest and several proposals were submitted for a college sign that would recognize these pioneers. The design chosen for the “Pioneer Memorial Entrance was submitted by Philip Payne, a senior theol-ogy major. Payne expanded the concept to include the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Philip himself created the beautiful mosaic mural on the monu-ment’s east wall. The Alumni Association and its president Lee Carter and the college president – Elder Leroy Leiske, along with Elder Ben Leach, chairman of the Board, cooperated fully in making the alumni Association’s gift a reality. The Pioneer Memo-rial Entrance Monument, then located on the west side of the campus was dedicated at the alumni homecoming in 1973 and a second time at gradua-tion. “The monument’s intricate

25 foot brilliant mosaic hand work (50,000 pieces) honors five founders of the Adven-tist Heritage; Hiram Edson, printer; James White, minis-ter; Ellen White, international author who with her husband led a wagon train over the Chisholm Trail to Colorado; Joseph Bates, sea captain and health advocate and John An-drews, first missionary. The Memorial’s marble

markers depict the great faith and work of the pioneers in the founding and development of Keene and most certainly is a noteworthy portion of Texas History. They were pioneers who established Keene in the late 1800’s. They were educa-tors, farmers, wives, lead-ers who established the first

public transportation between Keene and Cleburne, the broom industries, the first post office and many other items of historical significance. There are many other early Keene families honored on the Memorial.“In 2004, the SWAU Board

of Trustees, after due consid-eration and reconsideration, voted to remove the Pioneer Memorial Entrance Monu-ment, located on the west side of the campus. The principle reason was to replace the old sign with a new, contemporary sign along that border of the campus bearing the Univer-sity’s name.“In recognition of the fact

that there are those who are very much interested in preserving the monument intact and to save the labor of love and art that calls to memory the recognition owed to the Keene’s founding fathers whose vision saw far beyond the briars, the cacti, the mesquite and oak groves where Keene now stands, an ad hoc committee has met and voted to bring into being a new entity, the Keene Pioneer Heritage Foundation. The primary objective of

this Foundation is to relocate and fully restore this Memo-rial. Now that the monument finds its home at the Keene Cemetery, the Foundation has expanded its concept by choosing to also honor the military and civilian heroes who have SDA connections and veterans buried at the Keene Cemetery, by engrav-ing their names at the back of the monument and in the 18 inch granite wall bordering the monument. This project calls for a monumental amount to reach its reality and comple-tion. However, we’ll never reach this goal without the concerted effort of everyone and with strong determination and hard work.“As newly elected president

“Dinner for a Cause with Musical Extravaganza”A Tribute to the Armed Services, for a Worthy Cause

See Tribute Pg 3

CHAPLAIN PAYNE

BUGER PUTNAM

PASTOR PHIL

MYRNA CASTILLOVIBRANT LIFE THRIFT STORE

Ladon W. Homer, M.D., 77, passed away Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Funeral: 2 p.m. Monday at Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church. Entomb-ment: Greenwood Mauso-leum. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Greenwood Funeral Home. Ladon Winston Homer

was born May 10, 1935, in Mira, La., son of Pauline and Cecil Homer. Ladon attended Southwestern Junior College in Keene, and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Hoehn, in her hometown of Sanger (1956). Ladon received his bach-

elor’s degree from Southern College (1957), a master’s de-gree from Potomac University (1958), and his medical degree from Loma Linda University (1965). He completed his resi-dency in pathology at the Uni-versity of Arkansas at Little Rock (1969). Ladon began his career at the Arkansas Baptist Hospital. In 1971, Ladon

moved his family to Nashville, where he worked as a pa-thologist at Madison Hospital, served as department chair and chief of staff, and received the distinguished physician award. The family moved to Texas in 1978, settling on a ranch in Alvarado. Ladon was a founding

member of the board of Huguley Hospital and the hospital’s first pathologist. While at Huguley, he served as president of the medical staff (1980-’82), member of the Adventist Health System board (1995-2007), and was named physician of the year (1995). Ladon rose to the top levels of organized medicine, including president of Tar-rant County Medical Society (1992-93), president of the Texas Society of Pathologists (1992-93), chair of the Tar-rant County Medical Society Board of Trustees (1996-97), chair of the TMA board of trustees (2001-03), president

of the Texas Medical Association (2005-06), and delegate to the Ameri-can Medical Association (1996-2010). He received many honors and awards including the TSP Caldwell Award (2001) and the TMA Distinguished Service Award (2010). Ladon loved ranching, baseball, the mountains of Colorado and his family. Survivors: He is survived by

his wife, Mary Ann of Fort Worth; his children, Kevin and Liz Homer of Fort Worth, Greg and Holly Homer of Flower Mound, and Jana Stout of Newbury Park; and his grandchildren, Allison and Andrew Homer of Fort Worth, Andrea Stout of New-bury Park, and Ryan, Reid and Rhett Homer of Flower Mound.

ObituaryLadon W. Homer (1935 - 2012)

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Wait until night temperatures are consistently in the 60’s before setting out eggplant transplants. Even though the plants can recover from a few cold nights, they may become stunted or susceptible to dis-ease organisms.Be sure to provide good

drainage and a rich organic soil, and be sure to give egg-plants plenty of space-most varieties will need 18 to 24 inches between plants and two to three feet between rows. Black plastic mulch can help eggplants get off to a fast start in the spring when tempera-tures are marginal. Cover the plastic with light-colored straw mulch to reduce the build-up of heat in the sum-mer.Don’t be afraid to fertilize-

eggplants are heavy feeders. And water eggplants thor-oughly during dry spells. If you watch out for spider mites and harvest the fruits while the skins are still glossy, you will soon be considered the neigh-borhood eggplant expert.PLANT HISTORYThe eggplant, and its close

relative the tomato, were considered poisonous for many years. It is a member of the Solanaceae family that includes a number of toxic weeds like Deadly Night-shade. Eventually the adven-turous began to try eating eggplant and it even earned a reputation as an aphrodisiac. But, it’s only been in the last 100 years that eggplant has been widely accepted as a vegetable. The large-fruited varieties probably originated in India while the smaller eggplants are thought to have come from China.EGGPLANT SEEDS OR PLANTS?Eggplants can be started from

seed indoors 10 to 12 weeks before their ideal planting out date. However, nice healthy transplants might be a better way to go unless a very large harvest is desired. In northern gardens where the growing season is short, it is important to use early-ripening eggplant varieties and start with large transplants. Get the eggplants off to a fast start by protecting them with “Wall O’ Water” plant protectors to shelter the

tender plants from cold, dry northern winds that are preva-lent in the early spring and into the summer.CULTIVATIONStart by working lots of

compost into the soil, plus the Mittleider Preplant Mix and Weekly Feed. A good soil mix would be 3 parts Cotton Seed Hull Organic Compost to 1 part sand. Once the weather has

warmed up enough or mea-sures suggested to improve soil warmth have been ap-plied, set transplants 18 to 24 inches feet apart in a row with rows similarly spaced. ‘Blue Marble Hybrid’ and ‘Millionaire Hybrid’ are best for container gardening or for closer spacing. EGGPLANT GROWING TIPS Traditional eggplant varieties have a reputation for develop-ing a bitter flavor when grown under stressful conditions. Make sure your eggplants get lots of water and fertilizer to insure rapid growth and fruit maturity. Fortunately modern hybrid varieties are not likely to exhibit bitterness in spite of the weather. However, they will respond to good cultural practices with bushels of deli-cious fruit.INSECTS & DISEASES

Flea beetles and spider mites love eggplants even more than gardeners do. It is not always easy to catch flea beetles on eggplants. They’re quite mo-bile, but you will see evidence of their damage - shot holes throughout the leaves.Insecticidal sprays will often

be necessary although botani-cals like rotenone usually get the job done. Spider mites don’t chew holes in the leaves, but they suck the juices out of the plant leaving lots of small, dead specks in the leaves. They can become so numerous that the leaves begin to take on a grayish appearance and you may even see webs.Eventually the leaves turn

yellow and fall off. If you catch them before they become too numerous, high-pressure water sprays will often knock the population down enough for predators to finish them off. Otherwise spray the plants with wettable

sulfur being sure to cover the underside of the leaves as well as the top.EGGPLANT HARVEST TIPSThe primary criteria for

harvesting eggplants is to pick them while the skins are glossy. If the eggplant’s skin becomes dull, the seeds are beginning to mature and the potential for bitterness is increased.RECIPES & STORAGEEggplant is delicious battered

and fried. Mix an egg in a half cup of milk. Dip quarter-inch slices of eggplant in the milk then shake them in a plastic bag with Italian breadcrumbs. Fry in oil until crisp, then drain on paper towels and sprinkle with a bit of Creole Seasoning or salt. Even kids will eat eggplant fixed this way if you don’t tell them what they’re eating.Eggplant is also great in a

casserole. Cut the eggplant into half-inch chunks and steam until tender. Use any of the Italian sauces readily available in jars at the grocery store (or spend all day mak-ing mama’s marinara sauce), but also cook up some fresh Italian sausage and add this to the sauce. In a casserole dish, layer the sauce, chunks of eggplant, fresh Romano and/or parmesan cheeses, Italian bread crumbs, mozzarella, more sauce etc., etc. Top it off with more breadcrumbs and bake at 350 degrees until bubbly. When eggplants are plentiful, make up a bunch of these casseroles in foil pans and freeze them.They taste even better when

the snow is blowing outside. Today’s eggplant hybrids are so sweet and flavorful that one of the best preparations is to simply place slices on the grill after brushing lightly with ol-ive oil. Go easy on the oil, as eggplant will absorb a lot of it. Cook just until the slices have nice grill marks on both sides.RECOMMENDED VARIETY Listada de Gandia A white

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A Tribute to the Armed Servicesof this organization, I’ll try my best with God’s help, to orchestrate the movement of this project towards its speedy completion, in preserving the community’s historic re-sources for the use in educa-tion, enjoyment and economic benefit of present and future generations,” Castillo said. As Ellen White expressed, “We have nothing to fear for the fu-ture, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teachings in our past history.”“I thank the officers of both

organizations for their coop-eration and involvement in making this event come to reality; to all the participants and to all of you who have bought tickets and/or have given extra donations for the cause. I express my profound appreciation. God bless you all!” Following this history of the

Pioneer Memorial Memorial by Castillo, Chaplain Philip Payne led out in the recogni-tion and special tribute to the veteran guests presenting them with a special token gift and certificate. He then introduced the guest speaker, the *Hon-orable Gene Blanton stating “Gene is not just a ‘speaker.’ Gene is a leader who speaks.

You will be able to tell the dif-ference!”Blanton gave an awe inspir-

ing and motivational tribute to all of those who are currently serving and to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we now so often take for granted in this great country. Among the other musi-

cal guests at Dinner for a Cause were: Betty Hud-

dleston, vocal, Dr. Josia d’Trinidad, keyboard, Hortencia Bryce, vo-cal, Austin L’oignon, Native American flute, and Elaine McDonald, vocal.Myrna Pallasa Castillo

is a retired registered

nurse and nursing home administrator. She is also the owner/manager of the Vibrant Life Thrift Store located in the Keene Shopping Center at 107 South Old Betsy Road. It’s phone number is listed as 817-202-8200. The store is kept well stocked through the generous donations of the people of the community of Keene. The proceeds, informs Castillo “go to church and other missionary and humani-tarian projects. Donations are pretty steady. The Lord has been good! I am looking into putting in a larger store here in Keene, Lord willing. But first I will need to hire at least one more person to help run the store.”*Gene Blanton is a retired

U.S. Marine Veteran. He is the founder and Chief Warf-ighting Office of the Semper Fidelis Leadership Institute. Blanton has also served as the Chief Entrepreneurial Of-ficer for a financial services firm which has helped obtain financing for over 4000 small businesses.At the age of 19 Blanton was

a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, having received four meritorious promotions for his leadership abilities. In September/October 2005 and then again in May/June 2007, Blanton traveled to western Al Anbar Province in Iraq, where he was embedded with the magnificent Marines of

the 2nd Marine Division. He had the privilege to accom-pany today’s heroes as they patrolled, convoyed and even bled fighting terrorism. His book, Semper Fidelis Leader-ship: From The Corps to the Corporation, documents how Marine Corps leadership ap-plied to the business world can produce extraordinary bottom-line results.At the age of 25, Blanton

was U.S. Systems Manager for LeBlanc & Royale Com-munications, responsible for the oversight for the instal-lation of the cellular systems in such cities as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Los Angeles.In 1986, at the age of 28,

Blanton founded Summit Communications, Inc. Blanton and his team built microwave, broadcast, cellular and fiber-optic systems for such clien-tele as AT&T, MCI, Sprint, and affiliates of ABC, NBC & CBS. After building Summit Communications, Inc. into a multi-million dollar firm, Gene sold his company and started his next entrepreneurial venture.In 1990, Blanton founded

Small Business Wall Street a firm which provides consult-ing in the areas of sales & marketing, operations and finance.Blanton is the former host

of the Entrepreneurial Spirit Radio Program and a much sought after speaker. He delights audiences world-wide with his message of principle-based entrepreneurship and ethical leadership.Blanton serves as the leader

of the Semper Fidelis Lead-ership Class at the 25,000 member Prestonwood Baptist Church. He and the love of his life, Shelia are on their third decade of marriage, reside in Dallas, Texas and have two married children and seven grandchildren.

GUEST SPEAKER GENE BLANTON

AUSTIN L’OINGNON

JOSIA d’TRINIDAD

4 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012 • WWW.KEENECHRONICLE.COM

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Keene Truck WashMonday- Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pmSaturday: 9:00am to 3:00pm

We are located at 219 Stoner Way in Keene, Texas 76059, right off Texas SH 67. Turn at the light South on Spur 102 (Stoner Way) off of SH 67 and follow the road about 500 yards to the wash bay on your left.

Farm & Ranch • Heavy EquipmentWash Outs • Trailers • Power UnitsPersonal and Recreational Vehicles

22 years experience!Big trucks, little trucks,

red trucks & purple trucks!

Mobile services available for sidewalks, driveways,

horse trailers and farm equipment.

$60.00 Saturdays Truck and Trailer

WashSaturdays only from

9am to 3pm.

Many Keene residents turned out on the evening of No-vember 11, at the Cleburne First Baptist Church to enjoy a program of patriotic music in honor our country’s mili-tary veterans. Maestro David Anavitarte directed the Brazos Chamber Orchestra. Our own Buger Putnam (“Putnam Service”) assisted in the color guard ceremony. Putnam served from 1961-1963 as Specialist 4th Class in the U.S. Army. He was stationed and served as Medic at the 85th EVAC Hospital at Ft. Chafee, Arkansas. The concertmaster of the

orchestra is Dr. Kurt Sprenger, conductor of the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra; Kurt’s heart-felt playing was featured on the beautiful “Ashokan Farewell” written for the TV mini-series “The Civil War.” Other pieces on the program included music by John Wil-liams from the motion picture “The Patriot,” music from “Band of Brothers,” several medleys of Americana mu-sic spanning the centuries, “American Salute” based on “When Johnny Comes March-ing Home,” everyones favorite march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa and the popular Lee Green-wood tune, “God Bless the USA.” A special feature was “The Armed Forces Salute” in which veterans of the various service branches were recog-nized.The Brazos Chamber Or-

chestra is a semi-professional group of players, many of whom are teachers of their in-struments and music teachers

in area schools. the “Veteran’s Day Celebration” Concert pre-sented by the Brazos Chamber Orchestra.The Brazos Chamber Or-

chestra is in its 15th year of making music for the people of the Brazos Valley Region. Their home base is in John-son County, but they draw musicians from all across the metroplex.What makes the Brazos

Chamber Orchestra unique is that all concerts are free to the community, because of the generosity of the musical arts donors and sponsors. The Bra-zos Chamber Orchestra thanks you for your support.

Keenites Show Appreciation for Patriotic Music

This is what we hope will be a series of memories from growing up in the town of Keene.I was moved to Keene at 3

months of age around Christ-mas, 1945. I’ve lived in, or around Keene ever since with the exception of about 5 years in the late 60s, so I think I’m qualified to pen this column. To play a game, let’s see how many old timers can guess who’s penning this. My family moved here between 1906 (my father was born in Brown Co., TX that year) and 1909 (his sister was born here in 1909) The “Lest We Forget” memory book about Keene lists my father, and 2 of his sisters as graduates of SWJC’s Academy during the 1920s. My great Grandparents and my Grandparents are buried in the Keene cemetery along with my father, and several aunts, and uncles.Keene was a vastly differ-

ent place in 1950 than what you see today. Everybody knew everybody, as a boy, you couldn’t get away with any-thing, someone would see you, and, of course, they knew you by sight. The story of what you had done would beat you home. What is now College Dr. was the only paved street in town. There were two small “business centers”, one across the street from the Mizpah

gate consisting of three small stores, and the Post Office. The other was two stores, and a service station at the corner of College Dr., and highway # 67. There was a large broom, and mop supply owned by a J.W. Ward located here, too. Before I was school age,

I’d walk up to the Post Office with my grandfather every morning. Once in a while, he’d lead his Jersey cow up to the west end of the campus to graze on the prolific Johnson grass that grew between the street, and the College mill, and chenille located there. There were sure to be a group of old men sitting around W.O. Belz store, outside in summer, inside in winter (W.O.’s old pot bellied stove was saved, and is in the Hopps museum if you want to look) telling stories as old men do. I wish today I’d have listened more closely to those stories, (I’m sure a few folks are glad I didn’t. You know who you are) but I was a lot more interested in the cookies in the big glass jar, or the soft drinks resting in ice in the cooler.As you can tell from the

“cow” story, things were entirely different. My grand-parents literally lived out of two large gardens, the milk from his cow, and the eggs, and chickens that were my grandmother’s specialty. (she

was a fanatic in her hatred of snakes. She carried a short handled hoe with her that was nearly sharp enough to shave with. She didn’t care what color a snake was, or where it was, if she saw it, it was soon three, or four little short snakes) She canned nearly every day during the spring/ early summer. Late in the fifties, my Aunts got together, and bought them a freezer, but other than “roasting ears”, she still preferred canning. I guess old habits die hard, I know they did in her case. She churned butter every third or fourth day. Till I was a teen-ager, I didn’t know there was any such thing as pasteurized, homogenized milk. I thought everybody had to shake/stir their milk up to mix the cream in. She would put something she called “rennet” in the leftover milk, and in just a few seconds, we had a big curd ly-ing in whey (today, you know it, after processing, as “Cot-tage cheese”, we simply called it “clabber”, and I would hap-pily attack it with a spoon, and salt shaker. Pretty good eating along with a couple of her but-tered biscuits. Old Betsy. As a child, evi-

dence of that railroad was still lying everywhere in the form of discarded spikes, and plates from when they dismantled the abandoned track. A kid

could pick them up anywhere. There have been many things written erroneously about the ownership of that short lived piece of trackage. Let me put that to rest, once, and for all time. The railroad came to life in 1903/1905, and was called the Dallas, Cleburne, and Southwestern. They never owned a piece of rolling stock the whole time. They contract-ed the day to day operation to the MKT, with whom they exchanged cars in Egan. All the engines, cars, and employ-ees were “Katy”, hence the confusion. In the late 60s, I wrote the MKT asking about this, and their answer was that they never owned it, merely operated it under contract till after the 1920 rail strike, when Dallas, Cleburne, and South-western declared bankruptcy. Katy then LEASED the line, and continued trying to run it till declining revenue forced them to quit in 1927, when the owners of the line filed for abandonment. I’ll continue describing

Keene as I remember it. Tell-ing you where things were then, as opposed to today. As you have already glimpsed, Keene was a microcosm of small town America A prize for guessing my iden-

tity, you ask?? I wouldn’t bet on it. See you next week.

As seen by Keene Kurmugeon

Monday, Nov. 193:00 PM Assembly, Grades 6-8, KJH Gym5:00 PM Basketball Games: Girls - RV, Boys – Keene6:00 PM Keene ISD School Board Meeting

Tuesday, Nov. 20Thanksgiving Food Box Dis-tribution – requesting volun-teers to fill and distribute food boxes

Wednesday, Nov. 21 - Friday, Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Break

Friday, Nov. 23 Kettle Season begins – re-questing volunteer bell ringersMonday, Nov. 263:00 PM Assembly, Grades 6-8, KJH Gym5:00 PM Basketball Games: Girls - Keene, Boys - Godley

Tuesday, November 278:00 AM “Cross-Timbers” Abstinence Program

Wednesday, Nov. 288:00 AM “Cross-Timbers” Abstinence Program

Keene Independent School DistrictCalendar

Friday, Nov. 16, 2012Early Dismissal

Monday-Friday, Nov. 19-23, 2012Thanksgiving Break (Classes resume Monday, November 26)

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 201210:00 AM – 12:00 PM College Fair at CTA Gymnasium

CTA Blazers Schedule Tuesday, Nov. 27, 20124:00 PM JV Girls @ Ovilla5:00 PM JV Boys @ Ovilla6:00 PM Varsity Girls @ Ovilla7:30 PM Varsity Boys @ Ovilla

Thursday, Nov. 29, 20124:00 PM JV Girls Dallas Christian @ CTA5:00 PM JV Boys Dallas Christian @ CTA6:00 PM Varsity Girls Weatherford Christian @ CTA7:30 PM Varsity Boys Weatherford Christian @ CTA

Chisholm Trail Academy Calendar

Monday-Friday, Nov. 19-23 Thanksgiving Break (Multi-Day Event)

Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Evensong

Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM Instruc-tion Resumes

Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Assembly

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Faculty Recital: Wall, Griffith, BoydAn inspiring and variety-filled musical experience by the music department faculty.

Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Friday Night Worship

Southwestern Adventist University Calendar