March 24 Edition

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." --- Lamentations 3:22-23

Birthdays this week: D. L. Broughton - March 22, Lila Benson - March 25, and Major McClellan - March 28.

Welcome back, true believers.

D. L. Broughton celebrated his birthday Saturday surrounded by family and friends.

We're still hitting the back and forth weather so typical of this time of the year. Hopefully things will settle down by next month.

I was told this weekend that an old rumor has resurfaced... that being the Highway Department plans to widen the road running through town. This story popped up about three years ago with some residents upset that their property will be eaten up by an expanded right of way. Back then, I took the initiative to call the Highway Department and ask the man who is directly over planning for such improvements. His direct words were "New Edinburg has a large historical district, and it would literally take an act of Congress to widen that section, so... no, it will never happen." So fear not. This round was probably prompted by the marker stakes stretching from the park down to the county line. I don't directly know what those stakes are for, but I suspect the Highway department is planning to resurface the road with the new ashpalt/rubber mix they laid a few years ago from the park to Fordyce. Again, I don't know that, and your friendly County Judge could probably tell you whether or not that's the case.

Speaking of the road through town, this is from the Eagle Democrat in 1939: "Since State Highway No. 8 between Warren and Fordyce has been constructed those who motor that way are usually impressed with two things at New Edinburg - the old tree which stands in the middle of the road in front of Attwood’s Store, and the number of comfortable homes which are covered with corrugated tin roofing. We have a tendency to “cuss” the presence of the tree when the traffic is heavy, but when we think of those ten roofs topping those comfortable homes, there arises that boyish feeling, “Gee, wouldn’t it be great to go to sleep on an old fashioned feather bed while hearing the musical rain drops on that roof.”

For our purpose here, the tree and the tin-tops explain the character and sturdiness of the present New Edinburg.  While modern highways have led other rural villages to fold up and pass away, this unusually progressive community has kept pace with the present, and continually moves forward.  The tree represents a sentimental connection with a great ancestry, the tin-roofs, the permanency with which the place was built."

Remember: there are 7 billion people on the planet... don't allow any single one to ruin your day.

Please feel free to share with this column what you would like to see. Go Eagles.