What the Abilene Reporter-News liked and disliked: What's in a name?
LIKES
Giving credit where it's due. Honoring the Farm Family of the Year was especially nice this year. Christopher Hart, who's well spoken, said farming takes hard work, commitment, perseverance and faith. An upside to an early start, he said, is that, "I truly see God's work every day." He credits his wife and three children for keeping the Hart train chugging - "I'm just the guy who takes care of things," he said. Like replacing bearings. The family received flags and certificates honoring them at the event. Best, though, was a standing ovation for being the new generation to step up to be successful doing things new ways but respectful of heritage.
How about them Wildcats? We've noted ACU basketball success this time of year lately, but last week, the kudos went to the baseball team. Playing on the home diamond of the Texas Rangers, ACU took down Oklahoma 4-3 in 10 innings. Earlier, ACU, swept Nevada. The 'Cats added to their list of big-name teams they've beaten in baseball. They even might have played better Wednesday than the Rangers at Globe Life Field ...
And them Cowgirls? Hardin-Simmons won all 18 conference basketball games this year, earning the right to host the ASC tournament. HSU did not advance to Saturday's championship game, but should be good to go for an NCAA Division III playoff berth. Congrats to coach Kendra Whitehead, who won her 100th game last week. We hope that total grows higher this season.
Up, down. Repeat. Watching the price of gas is like watching a tennis match. It goes one way, then the other way, then back, etc. Prices recently dropped to $2.79 a gallon, shot up to $2.99 a gallon and were back down at some pumps last week to $2.69. So, good news. there. It's almost a game trying to figure it out, much less budget for it.
DISLIKES
Windy before March. It has been pretty windy lately, though not enough to make music at the Singing Ringing Tree. The south door to the Taylor Telecom Arena was open a foot or so Tuesday, enough to send dirt flying into eyes and onto the shiny new farm equipment on display. It was even windier Wednesday. We've had four days this month with peak guests of 40 mph or higher. Tuesday's high of 89 was not a record; it was 92 on Feb. 21, 1996.
HMMM
Names, Part 1. Last weekend's women's basketball game pairing Hardin-Simmons and Mary Hardin-Baylor made one think of cousins. First, each school has a Hardin in its name (John and Mary Hardin were major financial contributors to both schools, who honored them by adding their names). Both are Baptist institutions. Both team colors are deep purple and yellowish gold. Both head coaches are named Kendra (Cowgirls' Whitehead and Cru's Kendra Foreman). And standout HSU inside player Natasha Blizzard is from Belton, home of UMHB. No wonder these rivals are so chummy.
Names, Part II. What better name for the general manager of the Four Sixes Ranch than Joe Leathers. He was the obvious choice over cowboy wannabes Pat Polyester and Larry Latex.
Names, Part III. Want a double dose of Old Testament? How about Cross Plains student-athletes Noah Moses and Asher Moses? The only thing better would be Noah Moses competing for Water Valley ...
Names, Part IV. And there are the Digby boys at Hermleigh - Stetson and Bubba. Another Digby on the basketball roster last week was Tyson. He should've been Wrangler or Justin ...
OK, one more ... Since Christopher Hart uses a laptop to manage his ag operation, would he be the farmer on the Dell?
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: What the Abilene Reporter-News liked and disliked: What's in a name?
