He keeps on smiling

Well, he's new in town and he arrived to meet with the Kilgore Ministerial Alliance for the first time wearing his overalls and checked shirt. Reverend Brian Nutt couldn't let the opportunity slide and promptly went up to him before the meeting started and said, " I know you're from Houston and you think we are country, but looking at you, we aren't that country…" and so the warm hospitality extended to Reverend Darwood Galaway of St. Luke's United Methodist Church began. He was termed a "likeable feller" right off and we think it was because of those overalls and the fact that he had immersed himself in participating quickly in the community affairs including reading to the children in the church's annual pumpkin patch, which was exactly the reason for those overalls after all. It's a good thing Reverend Charlotte Austin had the bunch sing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" during the meeting as the camaraderie didn't end, we have been told. Brian called his office later that day and asked to speak to "Hee Haw." We think he has been broken in

well to the life (and trials) of Kilgore. (Keep those overalls handy.)

"He can't quit smiling, he kept telling me after I had taken a dozen pictures with my camera," said Donna Van- Meter. Donna and husband Steve bought their son, Nick, a hunting bow last Christmas and he shot his first deer with it last week. "You know how a mom is, I had to grab the camera, but, he walked around with that smile pasted across his face all day…"

We have listened to her for days. Quenna Olson is trying to await the birth of a new grandson. She has prayed heavily, watched the moon, read the horoscopes, spoken to the doctors and anything else that could help her know when this baby is going to be born. Thursday evening, she went for Chinese food and received a fortune cookie at the end of the meal. It read " A small package is on its way to you soon." A lot of help that was - no baby, yet.

Joshua L. Wood, son of Barbara Wood attends SMU on a presidential scholarship and attended a study abroad program at Oxford University in England for six weeks. (Wow, way to go Joshua.)

The contest is for plain yam pies only. The pie should have little or no spice, and no extra ingredients such as nuts, coconut, or raisins. The pie is judged on the taste of the potato and adults19 years of age and older need to enter their pies between 9 - 11 a.m. Friday, October 17. You guessed it ladies it is the 71st East Texas Yamboree held in Gilmer, TX. Now, for two years in a row, I have attended these wonderful events at the Yamboree and each time, they have ran out of pie before I got a piece. This year, perhaps we need to enter our own. For more information regarding the Yamboree call the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce at 903-843- 2413. The Yamboree starts October 15- 18. Save me a piece of pie!.

Twelve -year-old J.K. Hawkins from Sumner, Texas will be arriving next Saturday at Good Day Coffee & Books in Kilgore to autograph her first book in a series called "My Weird Family." She will be signing the book from 3-5 p.m.

May His Love and Laughter Fill Your Hearts and Your Homes Throughout the Week. In the meantime, I may be reached at 903-984-2593 or at chitchatlinda@aol.com