Paw Print Press Proudly Serving Itasca The Big Little Town since 1997

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1 Paw Print Press Proudly Serving Itasca The Big Little Town since 1997 Itasca, Texas Vol Issue #36 September 4, 2009 City Donates to PPP Scholarship Fund Reporters M. Goff & S. Ledwig Photo by Aren Barton HILCO s Operation Round Up Funding to Local Organizations Press Release Devin Corbitt accepted a check on behalf of the Itasca Booster Club and Science National Honor Society from HILCO Board Trustee Richard Turner At the July City Council Meeting the City Council voted to donate $500 to the Paw Print Press newspaper of Itasca. City Mayor Matt Fehnel, Council members and City Administrator Mark Gropp were all in agreement that this organization was certainly community service oriented and a large asset to the city. Gropp presented the check to seniors (left to right) Megan Goff and Mary Maddox. This year we decided to donate to the Paw Print Press because we d like to show our appreciation for all the work the young people do and help them out with this donation to their scholarship fund, Gropp said. The Paw Print Press was established in 1997 as a service for the community. It covers community and school events and does not charge anyone for ad space. It is published weekly and has a distribution number of 630 issues. In a survey it was established by an independent source that the paper reaches 75%+ of Itasca residents and the surrounding area. This is the paper s thirteenth year of publication and each year, scholarships have been awarded to the graduating seniors who have worked for Mrs. Barbara Petrash on the Paw Print Press staff. HB 55 in Effect Sept 1 Itasca PD will be strongly enforcing the 20 MPH school zone speed limit and the new HB #55 law that forbids the use of hand held cell phones in school zone areas. The fine for a violation can be as high as $200. Operation Round Up is a program in which residential members of HILCO Electric Cooperative, Inc. sign up to voluntarily have their electric bills rounded upward to the next dollar. Every month, the additional pennies, nickels and dimes are added to a special fund. The Operation Round Up Trust Board, comprised of representatives of the HILCO districts, meets once a quarter to review applications and to decide how the funds are to be allocated. At their July meeting, HILCO Electric s Trust Board voted to disburse $10, to fifteen organizations in the HILCO service area. These funds were donated during the second quarter of Continued on page 3. Chamber Cuts Ribbon on Flowers by Karen Itasca Chamber of Commerce members and numerous citizens joined Karen and Jerry Baker and their family in cutting the ribbon on their new business, Flowers by Karen located at 138 W. Main St. in downtown Itasca. The shop is opened Monday Friday 9 a.m. 5 p.m. and on Saturday 9 a.m. 12 noon.

2 Page 2 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press Churches of Itasca Bethlehem Missionary Baptist W. Spurgeon Central Baptist Church 401 E. Monroe Church of Christ 200 N. Aquilla First Baptist Church 107 S. Lamar First Presbyterian Church 106 N. Lamar First United Methodist Main & King St Loveview Baptist Church FM 2959 East of I-35 Second Baptist Church 120 W. Marrion Shiloh Community Church St. John Missionary Baptist 506 S. Weaver rd Day Worship Center 107 E. Adams Itasca Nursing Home Sunday - 10:00 a.m. Everyone Welcome Monday Evening 6:00 p.m. Itasca Ministerial Alliance September 12 9:00 p.m. St. John s Baptist Church Itasca Zoning Committee Meeting 2 nd Monday of Month 6:00 p.m N. Hill St. Itasca City Council Meeting Monday, September 21, :00 p.m. Itasca ISD School Board Meeting September 14 7:00 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Meeting Business Meeting September 28 5:30 p.m. Volunteer Fire Department Meetings 2 nd Monday of Month Business Meeting - 7:00 p.m. 3 rd Monday of Month Fire Training - 7:00 p.m. Central Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 Worship 10:50 a.m. R.A. s & G.A. s (1st-6th) - Youth (7th-12th) 5:00 p.m. Sunday Evening Worship 6:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday - Ladies Bible Study 10:45-12:15 p.m. Wednesday - Supper 6:00 p.m. ($2.00 ea. w/$10.00 max/family) Adult Bible Study and Prayer 7:00 p.m. - Youth (7th-12th) 7:00 Kids Choir 7:00 p.m. website - itascacbc.org First United Methodist Church Guaranteed no-nap Preaching, or double your doubt back. Where Worship Is Joyous Experience the energy of God s promise in a beautiful, historic sanctuary. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship 10:50 a.m. Itasca Church of Christ 200 N. Aquilla St. Are we taking a test without reading the book? That is exactly what many are doing when it comes to the Bible. They go by what they feel, think, or what others have told them, but have never read for themselves the complete book. This is the most important test you will ever take! Won't you join us at the Itasca church of Christ? Sunday mornings - 9:45 a.m. - Bible classes - 10:45 a.m. - Worship - 5:00 p.m. worship Wednesday 7 p.m. - Bible study All are welcome. First Presbyterian Church 9:15-9:45 Fellowship Time in Barton Hall 9:45-10:30 Sunday School all Ages 10:50-Worship Crossroads (Praise & Worship Band) - Sunday 6 p.m. KFC (Kids For Christ) - Sunday 6:30 Fellowship Hall Youth Fellowship grades 7-12 Sun. 6:30-3rd floor Exercise Classes - Sr. Citizens Tues./Thurs. 10 a.m. Ladies Bible Study - 2 nd Mon. a.m. & 3 rd Thurs. p.m. Angel Food Ministry Host Site First Baptist Church The Bible is not just a good book with good moral guidelines for living! The Bible is about a Living God who has foretold actual world events years before they occur! The Bible is not just a book, It s Alive! Coming September 8 - Understanding the Endtime LEVEL ONE Homestead Itasca Nursing Home 7 pm - 8:15 pm Sept. 8-Nov.10 *$20.00 per person Dru or Understanding the Endtime Level 1 is a ten lesson series by Irvin Baxter of Endtime Ministries; that relates Bible Prophesy to actual events in history. Come and be amazed at how accurate the Bible has prophesied certain world events that have come to pass and see where we are on God s timetable. Additional views will be supplied as well. *Cost covers study manual and DVD. Hill County Country Church Labor Day Event Monday, September 7 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Free food, music and fellowship Lawless Park Itasca (behind City Hall) For more information contact Pastor Ricky Villa Democrats of Hill County Meeting Monday, September 14 6 p.m. Bob Bullock Room Hill College Senior Night! Students & parents concerning financial aid, college & career prep. Tuesday, September p.m. Library. IISD Booster Club Meeting Tuesday, September 8 7 p.m. in the Library Christmas Cantata Practice Begins September 13 3:30 p.m. Central Baptist Church Everyone who loves to sing is welcome.

3 Page 3 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press HILCO Operation Round Up Richard Turner, Julie Oates and Rose Moyer accepted a check on behalf of Central Texas Senior Ministry dba Meals & Wheels The grant presentations were made on August 11, 12 and 13 in the Midlothian, Whitney and Itasca offices. The checks were presented to organization representatives by HILCO Board President Bill Allen and Operation Round Up Board Trustees Debbie Brooks and Richard Turner. The following organizations were recipients of the second quarter funds disbursements: ***2604 Volunteer Fire Department (Whitney)-$650 - safety vests ***Aquilla Scholarship Foundation (Aquilla)-$1,000-Funds for college scholarships ***Central Texas Senior Ministry dba Meals & Wheels (Waco)-$1,000- Meals for homebound elders in the Itasca area ***Common Ground Ministries (Waxahachie)-$1,000-Food/snacks for children's summer program ***Hill County CPS Board (Hillsboro)-$1,000-Clothing/supplies ***Hill County CPS Adopt-A-Caseworker (Hillsboro)-$ air conditioner and refrigerator for client ***Hospice of the Heart (Whitney)-$525-Bed/chair alarms and e-tank cylinder carts ***House Where Jesus Shines -$1,000-Commercial grade refrigerator ***Isaiah's Place, Inc. (Whitney)-$455-Materials/sleeping cots ***Itasca Booster Club Summer Track Program (Itasca)-$250- Summer Track Program Water and food for state track meet ***Itasca Booster Club Science National Honor Society (Itasca)-$500 - Science National Honor Society trip to Florida ***Lake Whitney Ministerial Alliance-Food Bank (Whitney)-$500- Replenish food bank supplies ***Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department (Whitney)-$ 1,377-Five Motorola Monitor V fire pagers ***St. Joseph Catholic School (Waxahachie)-$750-Assistance with purchase of laptop computers ***Waxahachie Care Services (Waxahachie)-$500-Food for the food pantry/food bank Since the Operation Round Up program began in 2001, over $402,017 has been returned to communities within the HILCO service area. This has been made possible from the generosity of residential members who have opted to participate monthly in the program. Members may have their names added to or removed from the program by calling HILCO at or The next deadline for Operation Round Up is September 30, Applications are available online at or can be picked up at one of the three HILCO offices located at 115 E. Main in Itasca, at 4581 FM 933 in Whitney or 300A Silken Crossing in Midlothian. Organizations can contact Jill Huggins, HILCO Executive Assistant, for more information at or , extension Card of Thanks Dear Supt. Glenn Pittman: On behalf of the members of the Itasca Ministerial Alliance, I want to thank you for inviting us to breakfast on August 17. We enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to meet the many new staff members of Itasca ISD and we certainly enjoyed the delicious breakfast! Our compliments to the kitchen staff! We pray for another successful school year for all staff and students. Blessings, Diane Barnes, Ministerial Alliance President In Memory Grover and Jemmie Kemp made a generous donation to the Paw Press Print Memorial Scholarship Fund in the memory of Herman Cockerham of Itasca and Bill Wiley of Edmond, Oklahoma. The staff of the Paw Print Press joins the Kemp family in extending our condolences to the Cockerham and Wiley families. Boomer Column Dedicated to everyone born between Elementary School One Boomer's memory of his elementary school years: "We lived in a neighborhood full of Boomers about my age. It seems like we were always together. On school days we met about 8 a.m. in the middle of the block, and prepared for our walk to the school, about 20 minutes away. "There might be seven or eight of us on busy days. This was a fun time, because everybody had some gossip to share about classes, teachers, friends, or family. We were very careful about crossing busy streets, and early-morning commuters drove slowly and paid attention to all those children heading for school. "And I especially remember neighborhood dogs along our path. Back then, there were no fences or leash laws, so there were lots of dogs to greet us as we walked." ***Rix Quinn s book Baby Boomers Speak! is now available at Amazon.com.

4 Page 4 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press Senior Spotlight Isaac Perez Reporters Aren Barton Caricaturist Martin Martinez For some guys, wearing pink may seem odd, but in Isaac Perez s case, it s an everyday statement of who he is. I m man enough to wear pink, he said with a smile. Isaac is the son of Steven and Bertha Perez. He has one brother, JJ Perez, who graduated in the Class of 2009 in Hillsboro. My dad inspires me every day. He works hard and he s funny. In his spare time, Perez enjoys listening to his favorite band, Los Lonely Boys, eating homemade tortillas, spending time with his family and striving to become the best in his favorite sport, basketball. Isaac pushes himself everyday to become better in basketball. Martin Martinez said. He is really dedicated to it. But basketball is not the only sport that Perez has a passion for playing. This year he is #14 on the varsity football team as a wide receiver and a defensive end. He also plays the trumpet in the Itasca High School band. I have played the trumpet ever since the 6th grade and really enjoy being a part of the band. Before coming to Itasca his freshman year, Isaac attended Hillsboro Middle School. I like Itasca a lot better than Hillsboro because here the teachers really care about the students, the band is a lot better here, and the students are nicer. Engraved on the back of his favorite necklace is the scripture that Isaac lives by, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 After graduating high school, Isaac plans to attend a junior college first to start on his degree in X-ray technology. I m not sure what college I want to attend after I receive my Associates degree, but I ve been thinking about Stephen F. Austen. Now I am just concentrating on finishing high school. As I leave, I don t want to be remembered as the best athlete or the best in the class, I just want to be remembered as a guy that you can talk to. Mr. Keith Hannah Middle School Principal Reporter Hannah Johnson With all of the changes that the school has in place this year, the new middle school principal Mr. Keith Hannah has a lot on his plate or desk. He may be IMS s new guy-in-charge, but this is not his first experience at the head desk. Before working here at Itasca, he worked as an Assistant Principal at Corsicana High School and Assistant Principal at Hillsboro Intermediate School for two years. Hannah is originally from Pennsylvania. He attended Clarion College to get his Bachelor s degree, Henderson State University to get his Master s, and Edinboro University to get his principal degree. His wife, Rachael, is an Athletic Trainer in Corsicana, and they have a son, Dean, who is two years-old. Hannah is excited about being principal at Itasca Middle School. He has a unique perspective on being a principal. I love having a bigger impact on kids with behavior problems. Hannah said. All kids like discipline as long as it s firm and consistent. Meet the Press Brittany Bourland Reporter Hannah Johnson Photo Devin Corbitt Joining the Paw Print Press staff is freshman Brittany Bourland. This is her first year as a writer for the newspaper. Brittany is the daughter of David and Sharon Bourland, and the younger sister of the famous or infamous (depending how you remember him) Cory Bourland a 2004 IHS graduate and ex PPP editor. My brother is my hero, Brittany said. Brittany plays French horn in the IHS marching band and is active in the First Baptist Church of Itasca. In her spare time, she loves to listen to Christian rock music. It s an honor to be a member of the staff, Brittany said. I m excited to be a part of the Paw Print Press family. OUR SCHOOL ***Special thank you to Citizens State Bank, HILCO and everyone involved in the Welcome Back to school Fair. Over 70 students were helped with supplies.

5 Page 5 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press Cats Remove Hornet s Stinger Sports Editor Ashley Durham & Reporter Ashley Spain Last Friday was the kickoff game for the 2009 football season for the Mighty Cats. They played host to the Holland Hornets. Itasca s Quarterback, Greg Mason, opened the game with a 61 yard run for the first touchdown of the game, but, Holland quickly answered with a touchdown and extra point putting them ahead 7-6. This would be the only time during the game that the Hornets led the Wampus Cats. Both the Cats and the Hornets quickly added another touchdown. Itasca soon found its path and they refused to allow Holland another score while they continued to rack up the points. The Cats begin to leave the hornets in the dust when Mason started mixing up his passes and runs. An awesome pass to #17 Tevin Mayberry put up another score. The Cats went into the locker room at half-time ahead 39 to 13. The second half was filled with many amazing plays by the Cats. Guy intercepted a Hornets pass to run it back for a 96 yard touchdown. During the fourth quarter Jonathan Fredrick had a nice run of 72 yards before being stopped by Holland. Another senior #21 Isaac Delgado backed up Mason and added to the Wampus Cats score. The Waco Tribune Herald named Desmond Guy with 13 carries for 243 yards (4 touchdowns) as one of its four Players of the Week, and Greg Mason with (1-for-2 (31 yards passing) and 10 carries for 204 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns to its Offensive Honor Roll. The Wampus Cats zapped the Hornets squashing them With one win under their belt, the Cats will face Rice this Friday at Rice High School IHS Wampus Cats Football Schedule Itasca Wampus Cats 67 Holland 13 September 4 Rice Away 7:30 p.m. 11 Dallas Gateway Away 7:30 p.m. 18 Meridian Away 7:30 p.m. 25 *Axtell Away 7:30 p.m. October 2 *Hubbard Home 7:30 p.m. 9 *Wortham Away 7:30 p.m. 16 *Dawson (HC) Home 7:30 p.m. 23 Open 30 *Frost Away 7:30 p.m. November 6 *Italy Home 7:30 p.m. HC Homecoming * - District Head Coach Craig Horn Assistants Bobby Campbell, Trey Bates, Keidrin Davis, Joe Rodriquez, Vance Estel, Nathan Morrill and Jeffery Mayberry ***************************************** 2009 JV Football Schedule September 3 Rice Home JV 5:30 p.m. 10 Dallas Gateway Away 7,8,JV 5, 6, 7 p.m. 17 Meridian Home 7,8,JV 5, 6, 7 p.m. 24 *Axtell Home 7,8,JV 5, 6, 7 p.m. October 1 *Hubbard Away 7,8,JV 5, 6, 7 p.m. 8 *Wortham Home 7,8,JV 5, 6, 7 p.m. 15 *Dawson (HC) Away 7,8,JV 5, 6, 7 p.m. 22 Open 29 *Frost Home 7,8,JV 5, 6, 7 p.m. November 5 *Italy Away 7,8,JV 5, 6, 7 p.m. HC Homecoming * - District ***Due to limited enrollment, many of our district opponents will be unable to field 3 sub varsity teams. We will find games as needed and let parents know as soon as possible. Due to potential travel and scheduling conflicts, all times and sites are subject to change. Check the Waco Tribune website High School Football page each week to see if any Wampus Cat made the Player of the Week poll or any honor roll. Vote for Itasca and Vote Often!

6 Page 6 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press Horseshoes, Washers, Dominoes Part of Go Texan/Fair This year s Go Texan/Cotton Pickin Fair is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, in downtown Hillsboro. The event will move to East Franklin Street east of Waco Street for The fair generates funds for local scholarships awarded to seniors in the county. Open washer and horseshoe tournaments are among the events to be included during the day s activities. The tournaments will be held in the 100 block of East Elm Street on the vacant lot across from Business Supply Center. Entry fee is $10 per team for each of the competitions. Washers will start at 10 a.m., followed by horseshoes at noon. A doubles domino tournament will get underway at 10 a.m. in Historic City Hall on East Franklin Street. The topplacing teams from Hill County in horseshoes, washers and dominoes will advance to compete in Houston in February. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Association will host the horseshoe, washer and domino tournaments and team penning at the Katy Equestrian Center. Other local activities will include a barbecue cook-off, special entertainment, antique farm equipment, arts and crafts, pet parade, motorcycle ride and Friday night street dance featuring Wayward Sons. In addition during the weekend, the Elm Street Rod Run will be held, featuring over 250 street rods, customs, bikes and classic cars. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and it will be show and shine from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Awards will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Being sanctioned as a Go Texan county automatically qualifies a Hill County senior for a $15,000 scholarship from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Association. Local scholarships, combined with awards made by the livestock show, have totaled over $185,000 during the past 18 years. This year s sponsors include Ag-Texas Credit, Brookshire s Food Store-Hillsboro and Whitney, Cole Ford Sales, Cheers, Hill County Farm Bureau, APEX Grain, Tipton International, HILCO, Fort Worth Gear and Axle, Wells Fargo, Gerik Ag Service, Warren Laboratories, Citizens State Bank-Itasca-Whitney-Hubbard, Oncor Electric Delivery, Texas Land Bank, CenTex Trailers, Hillsboro Sand and Gravel, Hubbard Livestock Auction, Carter Blood Care and American Ice. For more information, call the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce at or, toll free, HILLSBORO. Itasca Depot Heritage and Education Center 2009 Schedule September 10 11:00p.m.-11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. September 19 open 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. September 22 Picture Party 7:00p.m.-9:00 p.m. October 16 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. (Homecoming) October 17 10:00a.m. - 2:00 p.m.(homecoming) November 7 10:00a.m.-2: oo p.m. November 21 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. December 2 11:00a.m. -2:00p.m. December 12 10:00 a.m.-2:00p.m. For Sale Home 503 K Lane Owner finance K Lane Itasca Payments of $ per month Can pay out down payment Contact for more details.

7 Page 7 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press City Council July Meeting The Itasca City Council met in a regular session on Monday, July 20, 2009 in the Council Chambers, 136 N. Hill St., Itasca, Texas. Mayor Matthew Fehnel called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. All council members and city administrator was present. The city attorney was absent. The minutes of the June 3, 2009 and June 15, 2009 meetings were approved and the bills were approved for payment. Giving reports for the city departments were Randy Kline - Itasca Fire Department, Police Chief John Griscavage - Itasca Police Department, Wayne Upchurch - the Water and Sewer Operations (Bearing went out in the rotor at the Wastewater Treatment Plant) and Bettye Lewis for the Planning & Zoning Committee (1 permit application). The Council discussed passing an Ordinance that incorporated a fine for the enforcement of insuring that businesses are incompliance with having their tax identification numbers. The City Administrator informed the Council that the City Attorney requested using the new certificate of occupancy instead of an ordinance. The certificate includes an application charge and asks for the business identification numbers. The Council agreed to use the certificate of occupancy. Brian Payne, a representative of First Presbyterian Church, requested the 100 block of N. Lamar Street from the alleyway to Monroe Street between the church and city park be closed to host Christian Bands on September 12, Request approved. Tony Slider addressed the Council to consider a request regarding holding the 3 rd Annual Itasca Homecoming at the Mamie Crouch Park on August 1, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mr. Slider was instructed that everyone has to be out of the park by 9:00 p.m., tell vendors they need to remove all their stuff, clean-up and take bags of trash to dumpster behind fire hall. Request approved. There was a discussion regarding extending Antique Alley to Itasca. Council Member Susie Davis stated she is getting with Antique Alley Committee to get organized, shooting for the spring. The money would not go to the EDC and a committee board would need to be assembled. The Council tabled #1. considering creating new ordinances regarding city park hours and open burning within the city limits, #2. Consider changing the city Nuisance Ordinance and #3. Amending Section 28 Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy, Subchapter 28.4 Contents of Occupancy. The City Administrator gave an update on a grant for the sewer plant stating that the city has been awarded a $250,000 grant, which Gandolf Burrus and Latrice Hertzler are working together on. He also reported on a grant under consideration for Mamie Crouch Park. The City Administrator stated he has been talking with Grant Development Services regarding funding of a $150,000 grant to replenish the park, which is a 50% city match. He explained that wages paid to city employees for services that have to do with the grant for the park can be part of the city s match. The Council voted to execute an agreement with Grant Development Services to develop and submit an application for funding under the Outdoor Recreation Program through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Signatures on checks for financial accounts were discussed and the Council approved adding George Bolling as a signatory for the General, Water (Utility) and Payroll accounts and adding Mayor Pro-tem James Bouldin on all necessary accounts. The Mayor explained a contest called the Best of Texas Award which the City Administrator and Mayor have already been working on it. The meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m. House for Sale by Owner 3 bedroom, 2 bath Being Remodeled 300 Harris St. For more information or to see the property call Alumni & IHS Parents Show Your Support for your Favorite Wampus Cat, Your Graduating Class or the Wampus Cat Team (Now or past Years) with a Sports Banner displayed on the Patton Field Fence. Contact Laura Crouch at for more information.(3 ft. x 6 $100)

8 Page 8 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press Recent Deaths Matula, Marie Lydia Urbanovsky Ms. Marie Matula, 84, of Abbott passed away August 15, 2009, in Hillsboro. Survivors include: one daughter, LaVerne Hutcheson and husband, Sammy, of Itasca; one son, Charles Matula of Waco; two granddaughters, Kristi Burns and husband, Jeffery, of Cleburne and Lucinda (Cindy) Hauptman and husband, Eric, of Itasca; one brother, Alphons Urbanovsky of Aquilla; two sisters, Evelyn Freeburn of McCook, Nebraska and Helen Lenart of Abbott; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Rosary was recited and Mass of Christian burial celebrated August 18, 2009, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott with Rev. B. George as celebrant. Burial was at Fatima Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abbott Volunteer Fire Department, West EMS or choir of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Abbott. Willis, Kathryn W., M.D. Kathryn Willis, M.D., age 87, died peacefully at 5:30 Wednesday morning, August 19, 2009 at St. Paul's University Hospital in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by family, friends, and incredibly caring doctors and nurses. Dr. Willis was born November 26, 1921 in Haslet, Texas, to Ella Long Willis and Joseph Clifton Willis. The family moved to Arlington, Texas, in 1935 and Kathryn graduated from Arlington High School in In 1941 she graduated from North Texas Agricultural College (NTAC), now University of Texas at Arlington. She entered the school of medical technology at Baylor Hospital in Dallas in 1943 and stayed to become chief medical technologist. While at Baylor, Kathryn worked with Drs. Sol Haberman and Ruth Guy on early studies in Rh immunology. At their coaxing, she attended the University of Texas in Austin and subsequently Southwestern Medical College in Dallas earning an M.D degree in When Dr. Tinsley R. Harrison, then Professor and Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine and editor of Principles of Internal Medicine textbook, returned to the University of Alabama, Kathryn followed and became an straight medicine intern. While in Birmingham, she studied under the direction of Dr. Richard Bing, "Father" of cardiac catheterization. Longing to return to family and Texas, she came back to Dallas and completed a Pediatric Residency and a Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Children's Medical Center (CMC) and Parkland Memorial Hospital (PMH). The team of Drs. Gladys Fashena, Alvis Johnson, Jr., and Kathryn Willis were pioneers in the evaluation of infants and children with congenital heart disease. Kathryn designed the first pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory in the city at the old CMC at Maple and Welborn. This three-member department of pediatric cardiology faculty were "trailblazers" in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with congenital heart disease. In 1971, Dr. Willis received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the UTA Alumni Association. She was a life member of the UT Ex Students Association, and life long supporter of the Democrat Party. She was a member of the UT Southwestern Medical School Alumni Association, the University of Alabama Medical School Alumni Association, the Dallas County Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association. She spent her entire career in Dallas caring for children and teaching medical students and house staff as a member of the pediatric faculty, attaining the rank of Associate Professor. After 30 years she retired to the family farm near Itasca, Texas, and became an avid gardener and consummate cook. Dr. Willis was a quiet, confident, caring physician and a master clinician. Throughout her life, she treated everyone--patients, their parents, students, colleagues, friends, and her family--with kindness and respect. She was an outstanding teacher with a keen, albeit dry, sense of humor. She was an excellent educator. At the time of her final hospital admission, she had significant physical findings that she shared with all the staff for their education. One young physician remarked, "She was still teaching us as she was dying." There are so many who will miss her greatly and remember her frequently. She is survived by her partner of almost 50 years, Dr. Joan Windmiller of Itasca, Texas; Bobby (deceased) and Carmelina Holloway of Decatur, Texas; Jean Anglin of Chattanooga, TN; Bill and Gayle Crouch of Alvarado, TX; Mike Crouch of Winnsboro, TX; Joe and Monica Crouch of Sulphur Springs, TX; Suzzi and Bill Marquis of Tustin, CA; and Tom and Sally Crouch of Itasca, TX. She is also survived by many adoring and totally precious great nieces and nephews. There will be no formal funeral services. Memorials may be made to Southwestern Medical Foundation, 2305 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 150 Dallas, Texas

9 Page 9 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press Do You Remember...? The Orphan Trains Columnist Carl Sweeney - Typist/Editor Brittany Reid Picture from OTHSA website Our story today is not about immigration, but it did play a major role in the number of orphans and abandoned and indigent children. In 1853 our country began building railroads in earnest. Flyers and posters were sent to Europe telling of the virtues of America, and free land. As a result we were inundated with immigrants from Europe. Between 1841 and 1860 there were over four million people who came to America. They came not only because of our invitation, but because of famine, poor harvests, political unrest and revolutions in their homelands and for many other reasons, including for religious freedom. In 1882 Congress passed the first immigration statute. Some states passed such legislation as early as In 1872 the Supreme Court ruled that those state laws violate the Constitution. Ellis Island closed in 1954 and became part of the Statue of Liberty National monument in The move to America was a boom for some and a disaster for others. There was work for most, but not all. There was no welfare then. They had to make it on their own. Conditions were bad and crowded, sometimes ten people to a room. These conditions caused the spread of diseases. This life expectancy was low. Many people died from work related causes also. These deaths of adults resulted in many orphaned and abandoned children. By 1850 it was estimated that there were 30,000 of these children in New York alone. Something had to be done. In 1853 Charles Loring Brace and a group of business men formed an organization to help care for those children. They called the organization The Children s Aid Society. By the time that organization ended around 1930, 200,000 children had been placed in homes or with families. They came up with the idea of placing the children with families that would accept them. They chose towns wherever the railroads went because that would be the method for transporting the children to their new home. That was how they became known as the Orphan Train Riders. The program worked as follows; the children were taken in small groups, ten to forty. They were supervised by a western agent, travelling with the children on the train to selected stops along the way to the families that accepted them, simply an early form of foster care. They planned the route, sent flyers to towns where the children might get foster families. There was a screening committee usually made up of doctors, lawyers, teacher, clergymen and others. They helped select parents, and approved or disapproved when they children arrived. When taken by a family a contract was executed between the adopting family and the Children s Aid Society. The very first group of children went to Dowagiac, Michigan in 1854 and the last official train was to Texas in That period has come to be recognized as the beginning of documented foster care in America. Just imagine a young child leaving his familiar place to a place he has never heard of and to live with total strangers, and in many cases leaving their siblings, never to see them again. This had to be extremely traumatic. There was another organization that worked with the movement. It was called The New York Foundling Hospital. This group had priests that went to towns to solicit families for foster care. They tried to give families a choice of race, eye and hair color to be compatible with the family background. They thought a child who fit in would be better served. There were many requests to the Children s Aid Society and the New York Foundling Hospital, asking that their child be taken because it had become impossible to take care of them. The following is a typical letter that was received by the New York Founding Hospital. Necessity compels me to part with my darling boy. I leave him with you hoping that you will take good care of him. Perhaps you can find a kind hearted lady to adopt him and love him as her own. He will never know that she is not his own mother. It would break my heart to see him grow up without a mother s love. God only knows the bitter anguish in my heart in parting with my beloved child. The Orphan Trains declined in the 1920 s. There were many factors that contributed to the decline. Over 4,000 children were brought to Texas from the late 1800 s to 1929, from the streets of New York City. In August a group of people met in Granbury, Texas for the purpose of organizing a Texas Chapter of the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America. This meeting followed the meeting in 1994 of the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America which had met in Waxahachie, Texas. There are over 100 members of the Texas Chapter, most of who were descendants of the Orphan Train Children who were brought to Texas. ***We would love to have your feedback on this or any other article. PPP, 123 N College, Itasca, TX

10 Page 10 September 4, 2009 Paw Print Press Paw Print Press 123 N. College Itasca, Texas The Offensive Line Reporters A. Durham & A. Spain Special of the Week Attention Cat fans! This beauty only has 24,000 miles. It is a great buy at $12,985! 2007 Jeep Liberty Loaded, V6, Automatic The offensive line is a big part of any football team. They will make or break a team and a quarterback. It is their job to make sure that the play goes as planned and allow the quarterback time to make his play. This year s offensive line is coached by Coach Keidrin Davis, Vance Estel and Nathan Morrill. Along with center, Aaron Rodriguez, the line is made up mainly of new comers to the varsity team. The only two returning varsity athletes are senior Chad Rutherford and junior BJ Jackson. Despite having so many newcomers, the line is very strong and the players are not afraid to hit hard or get dirty. They runt and grunt in the dirt, Coach Davis said. They are hogs. 24K Miles!!! Only $12,985 Lloyd Ford Proud Supporter of the Wampus Cats