News

Last week, local genealogist Bobbie Dlabaj began investigating the John Vickery story that was related by Dennis Bohanon in last Sunday’s installment of the Memories page. Here is what she has found:

Cordial and unflappable while the fears and questions surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic swirl in North Texas, Bob Honeycutt, CEO at Ennis Regional Medical Center sat outside at Minnie McDowal Park and fielded queries. He arrived, however, wearing a face mask before sitting on a park bench to talk. Yes, socially distant.

Keep Ennis Beautiful garnered a lofty place among the top 57 Gold Star affiliates within the statewide, grassroots environmental and community improvement non-profit organization with 300 other member cities. Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), recently awarded Ennis the Gold Star, the highest status any community affiliate can achieve.

Outdoor artist Jim Anderson, 72, who has designed, painted and constructed about 20 hay bales over the past 5-6 years, recently made an iconic Texan, complete with almond covered surgical gloves he made from material from Blackland Building Supply as well as a face mask made of freeze protector for his garden. As for the blues eyes, “they’re mine,” he said. “I painted them while gazing in a mirror.” This picture had 2,000 likes and then went viral on the first day. “I heard from people in Sweden who have seen it,” said Jim. “I did this one about the crisis that is bringing people back to their senses.” He is at work already on his next creation, which he described as a patriotic tribute to first responders. It is due over the next few months.

In the uncertain climate of COVID-19 and the inevitable governmental reaction of a national and local lockdown, hope for a brighter day fills the mind and heart of Sandra Wakefield, a woman of varied talents. From writing books to performing onewoman shows and lecturing, the local artist is continuing her work as a Sunday school teacher at Tabernacle Baptist Church as well as her own ministry despite the setbacks, restrictions and social distancing laws of today’s new world. She sees what has happened as the great trial it is but offers hope to those suffering emotionally and mentally from isolation and deprivation.

Thursday evening President Donald Trump unveiled new guidelines, some calling them common-sense measures meant to help states gradually loosen restrictions. His press conference targeted May 1 as the day to start the reopening of the country and he did so with direct consultation with Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, who spoke and answered questions.

Ennis-born Bob Banner (left) with Dinah Shore and George Montgomery at the 1956 Emmy Awards.

Not long ago, I was contacted by a Dennis Bohanon, a reader of the Ennis News’ “Memories” page, who had found some interesting information on a soda water bottling company here in Ennis founded in the late 19th century or the early 20th centuy. Research is ongoing but there’s enough information to share with other “Memories” page readers today. Here is what Dennis had to say about his discovery:

The Texas Department of Transportation (Tx-DOT) will host a virtual public meeting beginning Tuesday, April 21, 2020 as part of a feasibility study on proposed improvements to US 287 from State Highway 360 (SH 360) to West Lampasas Street.