Community & Opinion

The Marathon, Texas, Marathon

News Staff

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Body I’m always amazed at the talent I find in small towns. Marci Roberts of Marathon plays piano and does other things.“I’m an architect and interior designer. I had a business in Austin, worked in New York City five years working on big commercial projects.

Garlic planting time

Ellen Peffley

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Body October is garlic planting time. As a cool season vegetable garlic cloves size up in the cool spring and mature the following summer. Planting cloves in the warm autumn soils gives a headstart in establishing a strong root system before freezing temperatures set in.

Creepy Halloween ideas

Angelina L

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Body Remember those Halloween parties where guests are blindfolded, or the lights are out, and you were asked to stick your hand in a bowl of something identified as eyeballs or brains? Yuck!

Mower fun than bumper cars?

Hanaba Munn Welch

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Body Remember bumper cars? Do they still exist?I just loved the whole experience. Wham! It didn’t matter much who you hit as long as you hit somebody. Wham! Wham!

Not my truck, Lord

Sue Jane Sullivan

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Body Shed a Little LightThis month’s guest columnist is Kelly Gordon, a retired teacher who now works part-time as a UIL academic coordinator in Borden County. Kelly and her husband, a retired principal, met at Texas Tech when both were in the Goin’ Band from Raiderland.

Storyteller and broadcast personality Tumbleweed Smith to be inducted into radio Hall of Fame

Staff Reports

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Body Tumbleweed Smith, whose colorful commentary “The Sound of Texas” has been on the airwaves of the Lone Star State for more than 55 years, has been tapped for induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame on November 1, 2025.

TALES FROM SMITH

News Staff

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Body TUMBLEWEEDAs the creator and producer of “The Sound of Texas,” one of the longest running syndicated radio programs in Texas, Tumbleweed seeks fascinating people who embody the spirit of the Lone StarStateandbringsthemintothehomesandheartsofthousands.

Okie-centric hymn humor

Hanaba Munn Welch

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Body COMMENTARYAn Okie friend of mine with a divinity degree has long threatened to produce a redneck version of the Holy Bible. Occasionally he tests the waters by sharing sample verses on Facebook.Is Okie derogatory? Should I say Sooner? The nuances escape me.

Jerusalem artichokes in full bloom right now

Ellen Peffley

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Body CUISINE & CULTUREJerusalem artichokes are perennials that are in full bloom right now but tubers are not ready to be harvested. The common name, Jerusalem, was likely transliterated into English from the Italian word for sunflower, girasole.

In-state tuition guidance creating confusion

News Staff

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Body TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATIONAUSTIN— Advocates for undocumented college students claim some students have been told incorrectly they are no longer eligible for low in-state tuition rates, the Texas Tribune reports. They are asking for clear guidance on the issue.