KILGOROUND

There are many in this town who are appreciative of having storm evacuees with them.

"They are perfect guests," said Pat Monk, minister of education at Forest Home Baptist Church.

The church received approximately 40 people from Hurricane Ike but the number has now dwindled to around 25 still in their midst.

"They are very self-sufficient. They've cleaned and fixed everything they can get their hands on, and Sunday, while operating with power from generators due to loss of electricity, they cooked lunch for the congregation. One of the ladies owned a restaurant and she has been sharing her cooking tips with the rest of us. It's been wonderful. A few of them were with us through Hurricane Rita and although the circumstance is bad, it is good to see them again," he added.

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"Whatever happened to no rain, sleet or hail will prevent us from getting the mail through?' asked Houstonian Mary Wright, a longtime friend and reader of the Kilgore News Herald. "Can you believe it, I didn't get my mail, yesterday," she said emphatically.

On Tuesday morning, during this call, Mary was standing — yes, standing — outside her vehicle judging the long line of traffic waiting to get gasoline. The price of gasoline in that particular line was $3.79 per gallon, she volunteered. "There is no water, no ice and no FEMA," she said.

That let's us know the needs are still plentiful. However, she let out a shrill of glee when she saw a convoy of trucks from electric companies pass by.

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Mary Helen Craig, president of Helping Hands, has recently volunteered with Operation Appreciation to help send packages to the troops in the service. The organization plans to ready 250 packages to send in time for Christmas. Mary Helen has designed stationery kits for the servicemen to go in each box. Individual greeting cards signed by those within the community will also be added each box. Those cards can be found at a booth to be set up on Oct. 18 at the Fall Market held by St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

"It doesn't matter what goes in the box," said Margie Litterski, coordinator and founder of Operation Appreciation. "It's the words of encouragement through your letters that keep them alive."

Also on display at the booth will be a flag flown in Afghanistan and sent to Margie by Sergeant Brett Pierce.

"He mailed one to us (Operation Appreciation) and one to Whispering Pines Nursing Home in Longview, whose residents took the time to write letters to the troops. The flags have been framed and in appreciation of the communities and businesses that have helped make Operation Appreciation a success, we send our flag out to be placed on display for a week. Currently, the flag is with Neil McCoy's fan club. He has sent and continues to send an undetermined amount of his CD's to the servicemen," said Margie.

This is the fifth year for Operation Appreciation, which recognizes the troops during the Fourth of July, Girl Scout Cookie Month and Christmas. For further information regarding the care packages and the individual cards, contact Mary Helen Craig at 903-984-4965.

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Jason Johnigan wishes to welcome back the KHS Class of 1998 as they gather for their reunion during this week's KHS homecoming game against the Gilmer Buckeyes. Returning classmates will be seated together in the stands at the stadium on Friday night to root for their favorite team as in the days past. On Saturday afternoon they will have a family cookout, with dinner that night at Lake Cherokee.

Jason said he looks forward to seeing all of his former classmates.

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Blowing out the Birthday candles today are Mitzi Hartfiel, Ahmed Siddick, Lacy Toler, Laurie Nowak, Emerson Jones, Gladys Thompson, Kenny Swetnam, David Jamison, Michael Manos, Michael Paul Hill, Forrest Shields, Sylvia Jones, Dee Turner, Tom N. Campbell, Karen Custer, Joe Hatcher, Connie Cagle, Cal Sparks, Justin Kelly, Kelly Moore, Marian Richardon, Lyndsey Foster, Brenda Edney, Donna Reid, December Cole.

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Celerating another year together are Rev. and Mrs. Buddy Duggins, John and Nadine Adamson.