Sponsored by Weinstein Law/Weinstein Real Estate
By Delanda S. Johnson
The Bible says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise; Give thanks to Him and call upon His Name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His faithfulness endures from age to age.”
As we enter into the holiday season, we must also ask ourselves, “What does it mean to forgive and how can I get forgiveness?”
Sherrie Lynn Whisenhunt passed away at her home on November 24, 2018 in Gun Barrel City, Texas. She was born on April 21, 1954 in Dallas, Texas to Noel Thurston and Billie Lorene Thurston.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Tyler Nix; granddaughter, Taylor Nix; Nephews, Lenny Thorn, Danny Thorn, and Brandon Thurston.
By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator
Athens ISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Paul Essary on Monday announced his resignation, effective Dec. 31, 2018. Essary came to Athens in July 2009 from Deer Park ISD.
“I would like to thank you and Athens ISD for a very rewarding 10 years,” said Essary in his letter of resignation to Superintendent Blake Stiles. “I am proud of the success that the athletic program and football program have accomplished during my tenure.”
Continue reading “Winningest football coach in AISD history to step down”
(Listen to our podcast with Berta Winn and Cori Warren below)
By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
It’s toy drive time, friends.
The annual toy drive conducted by Kevin and Jeaneane Lilly’s McDonald’s starts next week and we are proud to say that Weinstein Law Henderson County Now is going to be a part of the process for a second straight year.
We will be working with the McDonald’s crew led by Berta Winn and Cori Warren at the Athens McDonald’s on Tuesday, Dec. 4, and Wednesday, Dec. 5. We will be there both days from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. taking photos, broadcasting live on Facebook, singing, dancing, joking and doing everything we can to collect money and toys for local children.
“We are going to set up just like we do every year on the drive thru side and rain or shine, we’re there,” said Berta.
Berta said the money and toys raised will not only stay in the county but will stay in the specific area.
“That we way we can touch more kids and we’re on two sides of the county,” she said.
Drive organizers are asking for money or unwrapped new toys.
There will be plenty of updates over the week as we get closer to our event days on Dec. 4 and 5, so please stay tuned to the McDonald’s Facebook page and Henderson County Now Facebook page.
But you don’t have to wait until next week to make a donation. You can drop off financial or toy donations at the Weinstein Law Office at 518 East Tyler Street in Athens, right next door to City Hall, or to the Lilly Enterprises Headquarters at 1001 E Tyler St, Athens.
By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
MINEOLA — The Malakoff Tigers ran through No. 7 Jefferson, 31-21, in area round playoff action Friday afternoon.
The Tigers controlled the clock with a power running game that kept Jefferson’s offense on the sidelines.
The win improves Malakoff’s record to 9-2. Next up for the Tigers is Gladewater with the time and location to be determined.
Here are my 10 observations from the day after Thanksgiving.
— Malakoff’s game plan was obvious to everyone in the stadium. The Tigers came in wanting to be physical, run between the tackles and impose their will on the Bulldogs and that is exactly what they did. It was a “four yards and a cloud of dust” stategy for which Jefferson had no answer.
— Keevie Rose was the focal point of Malakoff’s attack and the junior should have no trouble sleeping tonight. He carried 38 times for 127 yards and a touchdown, according to my unofficial stats. Rose ran down hill all game long, punishing the Bulldogs.
— Speaking of punishment, can we get a hand for the big guys up front. The Malakoff offensive line dominated this game. Kyler Dalrymple, Jamicah Gregg, Lincoln Rogers, Eric Littleton and Brenden McClintock along with tight ends Parker Busch and Colby Rush manhandled the Bulldogs.
— While Malakoff didn’t pass as much as normal, quarterback Darion Peace was able to throw for some key completions. He had 177 yards and a touchdown on nine completions.
— Andreas Garrett caught four of those passes for 127 yards, including a wide receiver screen he took 79 yards to the house.
— Are you wondering just how completely Malakoff controlled the ball and the clock? Well, not counting plays wiped out by penaties, kickoffs or extra points, Malakoff ran 67 plays to Jefferson’s 31. And even that isn’t a fair representation because 8 of Jefferson’s snaps came on its final drive. Jefferson had just five offensive plays in the first half.
— Malakoff had touchdown drives of 14 plays, 15 plays, and 16 plays.
— We haven’t said much about the Tiger defense and part of that is because it wasn’t on the field very much. But if you were going to pick a turning-point play of the game, you’d probably look at the defense stopping Jefferson on 4th down late in the third quarter. With Malakoff nursing a 3-point lead, Jefferson drove down to the Malakoff 19 where it faced a 4th and 2. The Tiger defense bowed up and dropped Jefferson’s ball carrier for a loss of one. Three plays later, Garrett took off on his 79-yard scoring romp and Jefferson never threatened again.
— Jefferson likes its trick plays. It ran a reverse flea flicker and a throw back to the quarterback in the same series.
— While playoff games are played on neutral fields, it sure felt like a Malakoff home game. Tiger fans travel well and the crowd was electric Friday afternoon and that energy was definitely felt on the sidelines.