CHITCHAT CORNER
Spring forward
LINDA K. BALLARD

First it was the wind blowing "ninety to nothing" on the first day of March, to follow with 70 plus degree weather to a blizzard on Friday. This is nothing new in the state of Texas. But, finally, it's here! Daylight Savings Time has arrived. I hope you remembered to turn your clocks ahead one-hour before retiring on Saturday evening. Spring and Easter are following close behind and it is my favorite time of the year, so beware, I'll be watching and helping pull some of the antics Spring fever always bring about…

Just like stepping into East Texas Lumber yard last Thursday to discover I wasn't the only one that stops in to enjoy a good bag of popcorn.

Standing in line to see Ronnie were two of the Meadowbrook Preschool ladies, Tonnie and Heather. Don't be alarmed, but these gals were there to discuss their First Annual Clay Shoot. The Clay shoot will be held at Prairie Creek Sporting Clay's in Liberty City and not at the preschool. "We're growing, and we're fixin' to add a new infant center to the Preschool," said Michelle Gregg. (By the slang used, we don't have to tell you she is a native Texan and she is 100% for proper care and education of the children.) At any rate, the parents' association has begun fundraising for the training of the new teachers needed for the infant center. We understand they will be able to provide for forty more infants once completed. For more information regarding the clay shoot and/or the facility call 903-984-0828.

While there, I also discovered Boo, Ronnie's Irish Wolfe Hound, along with Itsy, Pam De- Ceault's Miniature Wire-haired Dachshund, were among the stars filmed in Kilgore National Bank's new commercial to be aired on KETK soon. Of course, Larry Haire's grandchildren, Ashton and Fisher will also be seen in the commercial and according to him they are far better looking than the rest of the bunch…

Munching on the hot popcorn and taking it all in was Don Rone, owner of Rone Homes. Don and his team, design, build and remodel homes and have been in the Kilgore area for the last eight years. He has been busy with mass remodeling of Morrison Supply and invited me for a tour. You should see what this man can do with man-made stone and cedar - unbelievable. Morrison Supply is expanding their warehouse to create rooms, (kitchen, bathroom, den, etc.) to display various appliances and plumbing accessories to give the buyer a completed look. It will be completed by 2009, but don't wait until then to go by…

Thank you Ronnie, for allowing us to take over the lumber yard for a chit chat and a special thanks goes out to Josh Winters, Erin Chitwood, Adam Kiraly and David Martin for keeping us in such good, hot popcorn in between your other duties.

He's turning 40! Let's help him celebrate! Tim Capps of Gabriel Jordan will be celebrating his birthday this Tuesday, March 11. His wife, Angie is planning on having his party at the dealership. You're invited to stop by and join the fun.

On a sad note, donations are being accepted for the burial services of Robert Wilson. Kilgore Rader Funeral Home is handling the services and donations can be dropped off at the office.

Oh, I almost forgot, I received a call from one of the ladies that is part of the cast of the production of Boom! "You know what they say happens when a fat lady sings," she asked. "Well, for some reason 4 or 5 fire trucks arrived at the school and put a stop to our singing. It wasn't just me singing, though, it was all of us when the alarms went off," she said. "We, can't really say it was the singing that set the alarms off," said Captain Danny Downing at the Kilgore Fire Department. But, something caused one of the censors to go out in the alarm," he laughed. "Boom" is a musical about the East Texas Oil Field and performed at the high school on Saturday, March 8.

Aw, spring. I can already hear the hum of tractors crossing the pastures. Enjoy the daylight savings time and remember, I'll be watching! May His Love and Laughter Fill Your Hearts and Your Homes Throughout the Week. We may be reached at 903-984-2593 or by e-mail at chitchatlinda@aol.com.