Buckshots

       I graduated from Sherman High School in 1968 and passed the test for my First Class F.C.C. license, which permitted me to work at a radio station by myself.   That summer I joined KTXO-AM radio in the top of the Grayson Bank Building.   This was a lot of fun, a county western format and only 250 watts…sunrise to sunset.   I enrolled at Grayson County College and worked about 3-4 hours per day at the station.      That fall, our congressman, Ray Roberts, came down from Washington, D.C., and was making a tour of Sherman-Denison.  I was given the task of joining the congressman’s entourage while he made his stops for the following two days.  The plan was to be present when he addressed different groups, record some of his remarks and weave them into a news story.       Congressman Roberts was a very nice fellow, would emerge from his car, extend his hand to me and say, “Howdy son, I’m your congressman, Ray Roberts.”  I returned the greeting, explained I was with KTXO R

     The 1968 class of Sherman High School, Sherman, Texas, held our 50th graduation anniversary get together last month.   It was a well organized celebration and we enjoyed a good turnout.      Since Mizz Nancy and I live in California, I do not get to see my Texas friends as often as I would like.    One role model from my youth was fellow Sherman Bearcat, David Pedigo.  I got to briefly say hello to David and did the quick, “SO-WHAT-ARE-YOU-UP-TO-NOW?” rapid-fire conversation, because other people are waiting to speak to him or me and it just moves too fast.      I have always wanted to take a longer moment and tell David what an example of Christian kindness he has always been to me.  I met David when I was transferred in the 6th grade to Wakefield Elementary from Bryant Elementary in 1961.   I recall he seemed to wear black cowboy boots and white long sleeve shirts, every day.  I arrived, knowing very few people in my new school and he went out of his way to make me

      Part of growing up in the late ’50s-early ’60s in Sherman, Texas, was maintaining the responsibility for my two younger brothers.   Brother Bob was 2 1/2 years younger than me and was very independent.     He could not stand to have me lord over him and resisted in every possible way.   Brother Bill was more laid back, 5 years younger and worked to preserve peace wherever he could.      In the winter months the ponds in various neighbors’ yards would freeze over and Bob made a point of walking over them to terrorize Bill.  He danced and skated over them as Bill wept and begged him to get off, for fear of him crashing through the ice.  Bob tortured Bill by remaining on the ice and acting like he was about to go under at any second.  I happened to see what was going on, ran across the yard and jumped onto the ice to get Bob off.  The additional weight caused the ice to break and we both fell through.  Fortunately the pond was only a couple of feet deep.  We pulled ourselves o