A Scurry County accident results in a fatality

What the Abilene Reporter-News liked and disliked: COVID ups, downs

Our view
Abilene Reporter-News

LIKES

1. Mayor is doing "better." Mayor Anthony Williams, who recently announced a positive test for COVID-19, told us Thursday he did get sick and it was rough for a time but "I'm on on the other side now. Better ... it's been an adventure." He has been isolated but didn't have to turn over his duties to Mayor Pro Tem Weldon Hurt. 

2. They were ready for some football. The start of high school workouts at Abilene-area smaller schools normally is a big thing, because it means games are just around the corner. It was an even bigger thing Monday because we didn't know if that was going to happen this year. On a surprisingly pleasant day, athletes began workouts, bringing a sense of normalcy to our world. We hope everyone stays healthy and we can pull this off.

3. Festival fun. We are nowhere near over COVID-19 restrictions, but credit Mark Powell for putting on the Farm Raise Music Fest. Everyone was glad to be out and doing something, particularly the musicians. Outdoor activities seem to be the way to go right now. If you can stand the heat.

4. Celebrating anyway. Three Abilene couples that were wed in 1970 have celebrated their 50th anniversaries anyway. The couples are Paul and Molly Lenker (May wedding), K.O. and Marilyn Long (Aug. 1), and Eddie and Mary Anne Sides (October). Each had big plans, with the Lenkers going to Colorado, the Longs to Hawaii and the Sideses to Germany. COVID-19 has reduced the big year to a series of mini celebrations, Molly said. The Lenkers drove the Longs and Sideses around in Paul's 1941 Ford last weekend. "It has been more meaningful than we anticipated," Molly said, calling to thank the Reporter-News to thank us for the Parade magazine issue about songs of the 1970s - their era. Congrats to all who have managed to celebrate these difficult times.

Three Abilene couples have not been able to celebrate 50 years of marriage as planned but still have enjoyed their friendship going back to their days at McMurry College. From left are Eddie and Mary Anne Sides, K.O. and Marilyn Long, and Molly and Paul Lenker. Combined, they total 150 years of wedded bliss, seven children and 17 grandchildren. "Amazing what love and friendship can accomplish, celebrating even during a pandemic," Molly Lenker said.

5. Two happy retirements. Abilene police and fire departments said goodbye this past week to two longtime members. AFD's Jerry Medley retired July 31, ending 47 years of services. He is the longest tenured firefighter in Abilene history. His retirement day was proclaimed by the mayor to be Capt. Jerry Medley Day in the city. Retiring from APD was Sgt. Timothy Schmidt, who served for 32 years here. You still may see him in uniform as an officer with ACU's police department. That's 79 years of service. Well done, guys.

6. More grads. Finally, 2020 college graduates are getting their degrees in ceremonies this weekend. Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons and McMurry graduates, both spring and summer, are walking the walk, both indoors and outdoors. Congrats to all, especially those who can attend in person and celebrate with loved ones and friends.

DISLIKES

1. Baskin, you need to talk to Robbins. If you were looking forward to a single scoop of Baskin-Robbins ice cream for $1.70 on July 31, your plans melted on the Rocky Road. The longtime promotion for months with 31 days was canceled, with the person at the drive-up locally saying it due to COVID-19. What? Is there a cone shortage? Were they expecting to be overwhelmed with business? Did they want business? Some disappointed customers left to find snow cones. No Gold Medal Ribbon for them. Or us.

2. Big payday missed. ACU vs A&M. We were so looking forward to a road trip to Aggieland to see Abilene Christian open its football season against Texas A&M. That non-conference game has been canceled, a big disappointment for fans of both teams. And a big blow to ACU, which stood to make a $500,000 on the game. As things are tight for colleges all over, ACU certainly envisioned using that money as needed. 

HMMM

1. Voice dis-recognition. Recently, Abilene ISD parents received phone call from Gustavo Villanueva, the former Craig Middle principal who now is associate superintendent for leadership and student services. Those who didn't take the call and saw it in voice mail may have been startled on how the text appeared ... instead of being called "ASID parents," it was "nasty parents." Not Villanueva's fault, of course, but a good laugh. He was ID'd as Dr. Gusta "be on the web ..."

2. A what? An email this week from Billy Bob's Texas reported the iconic dancehall is seeking to reopen, not as a watering hole but as a restaurant. If approved, it would feature items from its Honky Tonk Kitchen and offer live music, beginning Aug. 14 with the Bellamy Brothers (limit 1,200 tickets to start). That would radically change thinking in Texas and the expression to "dance with the chicken-fried steak who brung ya."