CHITCHAT CORNER
What's a few calendar days?
LINDA K. BALLARD

There was a saying posted on the marquee outside the old drive-in theater every spring where I grew up. It said, "Spring Has Sprung and the Grass Has Riz, This is Where the Movies Is. We knew two things when we saw that phrase go up - the movies would be showing again and Spring had been declared it was here whether the calendar claimed it as such or not. On Friday, in East Texas, we claimed it Spring; perhaps a few calendar days early, but it is here…

With Spring comes other activities not necessarily associated with lawn care and for E'Beth Chappell that means Relay For Life and her work as Entertainment Chairperson. Anyone interested in volunteering his or her help with this endeavor, please give her a call at 903-984-559. She also needs a chairperson and volunteers for the volleyball. "I promise to check my messages frequently, if they will just call me," she said. (If she offers you a taste of her Aunt Gertie's cooking while helping out, jump at it.)

Not waiting for Spring was Margaret Robison. She grabbed three of her grandchildren Reno Whalen, Bree Anne Warren, Izabel Osteen and their friend Brittany and took them to the Longview Ballet Theatre last weekend as they presented Sleeping Beauty. "As a grandma," said Margaret; "I found it thrilling to be able to slip off with my grandchildren to see something so spectacular. They've always got sports, church and other things to spend time other than with grandma, "she said. So, it was the first time Reno had the opportunity to "dress for the occasion" and even wore pearls with her dress. The performance was thrilling. It was so professionally done that I think the dreams of every little girl wanting to be a ballet dancer unfolded on stage. I loved seeing the costumes and watching the Director Pat George Mitchell play the part of the witch. She is sixty-one and still making outstanding performances… the girls even got to throw flowers on stage afterwards which was a big deal to them. And when Izabelle told me, "You're the coolest grandma I've ever known," it made me feel so special. But, I guess all grandmothers can relate to that," she said. (Yes, Margaret, we certainly can.) Margaret has her own tax service located on Highway 135 and this time of year, to slip away is a wonderful treat, anyway.

They did Tim Capps in on his fortieth birthday held at Gabriel Jordan last week. His desk was encased with black streamers and balloons. Arrangements of dead flowers adorned his desk and black and white balloons were strewn throughout the office and building. He was provided a hearing enhancer (megaphone) for his elderly years. "Older than dirt" was written on his cake and a shovel was encased in the dirt (icing). Half of The Longfellows Quartet was there to wish him a happy birthday and couldn't quite believe the girls in the office actually gave him dead flowers. Joseph age 14 and Titus, 12, enjoyed the cake, but left at home were brothers Zacharias, age 10 and Gideon, eight years old. These young men have just release a CD which mom quickly claims as strictly gospel and children's songs.

Speaking of birthdays, Jimmie Faye Myers is celebrating her 70th birthday, Saturday (March 15) in the Richardson Building at Forest Home Baptist Church. There's another one who can be considered a spring chicken but the calendar says otherwise. Happy birthday, Jimmie Faye!

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