KILGOROUND

OK, ALL YOU "We-need-rain" people: you were right, but after the last 24 hours, let's at least wait until the end of the week before we start the mantra again, please.

According to the National Weather Service, right around 9 a.m., Tyler Pounds Field had recorded 6.63 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Gregg County Airport recorded around 2 inches in that same period.

Hopefully, as you're reading this, the folks who do a fairly good job of predicting weather around here will be correct, and the wet weather will move into the Southeast, where they need it just as badly, if not more so.

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I HAVE WATCHED with interest the Olympics this year, and I'll admit that a big part of that is being fired up about Kenta Bell from Kilgore participating once again in the men's triple jump.

But the swimming has been just outstanding from the U.S. point of view, particularly Michael "Would-You-Pass- Me-Another-Gold-Medal, Please" Phelps, who is running through competitors like a hot knife through butter.

Phelps set a new world record and picked up his third gold medal last night, and has a shot at No. 4 tonight.

By the way, we've been doing at least one piece on Kenta each week, and you can write this down, because here's when he jumps in Central time. The men's triple jump preliminaries are Sunday night at 9 p.m., and the finals are Thursday, Aug. 21 between 7 and 7:30 a.m.

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WENT TO several footballrelated meetings in the last few days, including Kilgore High School's photo day on Saturday morning up here at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium, and I have realized more than ever that I am ready for football season.

We don't have to wait much longer. In fact, the Kilgore High School football boosters have their weekly meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Mitchell Field House, and are planning the annual watermelon feast for Friday night. The Bulldogs will host Tatum on Saturday night, beginning around 6 p.m., in a controlled scrimmage.

Coach J.J. Eckert and the Kilgore College Rangers are getting their practices under way, as well, and it will be here before you know it: KHS opens at home Aug. 29 against Carthage, and KC also opens here on Aug. 30 against Fort Scott (Kansas).

Come on, football!

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I TOOK MY oldest child, Teresa, up to Maude Laird Middle School yesterday afternoon to pick up her schedule for the school year and get her ID photo made, and she decided she's ready for school to begin.

I think I've mentioned this the last few Kilgorounds, but KISD's meet-the-teacher day for all the district's campuses is next Thursday, Aug. 21. Kilgore Heights (kindergarten) begins at noon; Chandler Elementary's is slated from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.; Kilgore Intermediate School's meet-theteacher session begins at 5 p.m., and Maude Laird Middle School's start time is 6 p.m. Sixth-grade students have orientation from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. that morning.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY to Jeff Bonner, Tom Waldo, Woody Hearn, Karen Alexander, Courtney Daniels, Ronald Eugene Iker, Jimmy A. Burton Sr., Virginia Adams, Karol Pruett, Annie J. Pack, Pam Atkinson, Glenn Allen, Joey Gunn, Matt Latham, Nelwyn McCollum, Ida Mae Wilson, Debbie Compton, Mike Conner, Louise Sibley, Charles Smith

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TODAY to Mr. and Mrs. Roland Ledet.