Impact on Abilene
A few thoughts from the newsroom ...
We need Moore
Dee Moore certainly had the resume to be named the 2022 Outstanding Citizen of the Years on Thursday at the annual Abilene Chamber of Commerce banquet.
If you look at the list of past winners, there are easily recognizable names. Even from the more distant past, because parks, a nursing school, a planetarium and even a prison today bear their names.
Moore's name perhaps is not as widely known, but those with whom she has worked over many years in Abilene both know her and were thrilled that she was honored.
Chamber board president Laura Moore mentioned Frank Grimes, the longtime editor of the Reporter-News. Grimes in a 1955 editorial stated that cities don't grow like hothouse flowers but are built by men and women - not so much for personal gain, but because they love Abilene.
This is Dee Moore, who came to Abilene not knowing she would end her 47-year professional career here and keep on giving. She said as much after the event - if she didn't love Abilene, which had loved her all these years, she may not have been ready for her historic moment Thursday.
She is the first Black resident to be honored by the chamber, which honored its first Hispanic in 2019.
One woman had been honored from1946-84, when Amber Cree was the second selection. The pace has picked up since, and someone asked why. Well, it's because women in the 1980s began occupying the leadership roles and given the visible opportunities to be successful. They showed they could accomplish what the men had done for decades.
Moore told us Thursday that door similarly has opened for minorities in Abilene. As it should be for all, she added.
At some point, Anthony Williams will be honored, as Norm Archibald was after his reign as mayor ended. And we certainly would applaud overdue recognition of the Rev. Andrew Penns.
But the bottom line is that Dee Moore deserved the award, based on merit, hard work and personality.
Sept. 24 is 'Do Something in Abilene Day'
Abilene has its quirks, we all know. One of those is overscheduling certain days and weekends.
Saturday is going to be one of those days when those who say Abilene is lacking things to do - thankfully, that group is growing smaller - must be hard to please.
For you football fans, Hardin-Simmons takes on archrival Mary Hardin-Baylor at 6 p.m. at Shelton Stadium. No matter how good the Cowboys are each year, the measure of success comes down to beating the Cru. If HSU does not, the Cowboys, even ranked in the Top 10, may not make the playoffs. It happened last year.
ACU plays footbal Saturday night, too.
The Paramount Theatre winds up its fall production, "It's Only a Play."
It's the first Abilene Beer Summit in three years due to COVID-19. That starts at 2 p.m. at Frontier Texas! Perhaps not a bad place to tailgate before the games.
The first Pride parade begins downtown at 2 p.m.
As 4 p.m., the second Tamasha La Wa Africa begins at Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. There will be music, art, dance and food as former residents of that continent help us celebrate.
It's also the opening concert for the Abilene Philharmonic and new executive director Gerard Gibbs. Jason Vieaux is guest artist, playing the guitar. That's at 7:30 p.m.
At ACU, it's Freshman Follies, which is big deal on The Hill.
We're sure there's more to do, maybe go to the library to find bad books, but (taking a deep breath) what's officially scheduled is a start.
Heigh-ho, it's off to Abilene we go ...
Still considering local historian Jay Moore's comments Thursday comparing Abilene to Disneyland, but more specifically linking Peter Pan and Doug Peters, the chamber president.
Hat's off to Moore for not attempting to match Donna Albus and Albus Dumbledore.
Abilene's Outstanding Citizens
1946: Roscoe Blankenship
1947: Nib Shaw
1948: Ed Stewart Sr.
1949: D.H. Jeffries
1950: Malcolm Meek
1951: C.M. Caldwell
1952: W. P. Wright Sr.
1953: J C. Hunter Jr.
1954: Howard McMahon
1955: Ethel Fielder
1956: French Robertson
1957: Morgan Jones Jr.
1958: Walter Johnson
1959: Cal Young
1960: Oliver Howard
1961: Arch Batjer
1962: Gilbert Pechacek
1963: Bob Tiffany
1964: C. E. (Sonny) Bentley
1965: Bryan Bradbury
1966: Ralph Hooks
1967: John A. Wright
1968: A. B. (Stormy) Shelton
1969: Oscar Rose
1970: Mack Eplen
1971: Rolf Hardy
1972: Fred Lee Hughes
1973: Harold Crawford
1974: Ed Wishcamper
1975: Rupert Richardson
1976 : Grover Nelson
1977: Bill Terry
1978: Bob Springer
1979: Syd Niblo
1980: Elbert E. Hall
1981: John Stevens
1982: Robert Deegan
1983: Dick Bowen
1984: Amber Cree
1985: William P. Wright Jr.
1986: Thomas Kim
1987: James D. Tittle
1988: Harwell Barber
1990: H.C. Zachry
1991: Frank Puckett
1992: Michael C. Waters
1993: Billye Proctor-Shaw
1994: Peggy Beckham
1995: Grady Barr
1996: Dian Graves Owen
1997: Wayne Roy
1998: Joe Canon
1999: Gary McCaleb
2000: Julia Jones Matthews
2001: Dyess AFB Family
2002: Jesse Fletcher
2003: Kenneth T. Murphy
2004: Celia Davis
2005: Gail and Joe Russey
2006: Kathy and Jim Webster
2007: Royce Money
2008: Bill Senter
2009: F. Scott Dueser
2010: Tucker S. Bridwell
2011: Joe Crawford
2012: Kenneth L. Burgess Sr.
2013: Glenn A. Dromgoole
2014: Becky and Jack Rentz
2015: Dick Spalding
2016: Donna Albus
2017: Norm Archibald
2018: Tim Lancaster
2019: Mike Hernandez
2020: Larry and Mary Gill
2021: Lale and Dr. B.J. Estes
2022: Dee Moore
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Impact on Abilene
