Words of gratitude

To the Editor: We the principal, staff and students of Corsicana Head Start/Texas Neighborhood Service are very thankful for the City of Corsicana public servant workers who gave up their time to enlighten and educate the school about their daily duties.

This is the third annual visit and we would like the public to know how much we appreciate the effort and smiles they brought upon the students, parents and staff.

A special thanks goes out to the care unit airport, emergency ambulance, police and fire departments, and Janet Jacobs, who came out and covered the event. We look forward to seeing many years with the Civil Service workers.

Thank you,

Cathy Douglas, team coordinator



To the Editor: On Saturday, June 6, the First Baptist Church youth had a car wash. I’ve never seen young people (as well as adults) work so hard! My white pickup was a mess. I’ve had three people comment on how clean it is now. I appreciate the fact they gave their first Saturday after school’s out to do this. Keep up the good attitude and work and you’ll go far in life. Anything worth having is worth working for.

A fan of the youth,

Margarett Parsons



Good folks care

To the Editor:

Dear People of Corsicana,

I want to share with you that there are caring, giving people that live in this city. I had a huge task that I was slowly trying to deal with because it was so overwhelming to myself and my daughter. Then one day an open-hearted person, generous with his time and labor, offered to help. He did more than help, he took care of the task. I am so grateful to live in a city where there are people like this person who reach out to help others. I truly believe he was God sent. Help us all to notice ways we can help each other, be it big or small. We never know the impact and encouragement a kind word or helpful gesture has on others.

Blessed and grateful,

Georgene Grounds



Tribute to a teacher

To the Editor: So often we read glowing tributes to wonderful people who have passed on. I want to publish a public tribute to a lady who is very much with us.

I retired five years ago this June from Corsicana Residential Treatment Center (Corsicana State Home) after 22 years there as a teacher. I knew my students were emotionally disturbed, had suffered untold abuse, and had really rough starts in life. Working there each day tested my patience, humanity, and dedication to the teaching profession. At long last I was assigned a volunteer to work with me once a week. I met a petite, gentle, soft-spoken little lady named Ellen Ford, and my first reaction was “My God, they’ll eat her alive.” During the first months of her volunteering I was terrified for her safety each time she entered the classroom. Many of my students could barely read and social niceties were not a priority on their lists. Mrs. Ford never showed any fear or hesitation. She plunged right in working with some of the most difficult, belligerent, academically needy youth in the state of Texas. She was always disciplined, kind, encouraging and most of all loving. In time I saw a change in what I termed these “demon children.” They would ask, “Is Mrs. Ford coming today?” or “Can I work with Mrs. Ford today?” Once a week became two, then three times a week. What a magnificent teacher Mrs. Ford is.

Countless students at CRTC and CISD can attest to that. But the person she taught the most to by example was a harried, over-worked, stressed-out teacher who struggled every day to not only teach, but make a real difference in the lives of Texas’ most disturbed youth. I am that teacher and I will be forever grateful for the blessing of Ellen Ford in my life and the lives of my students. She was my role model of what being a teacher means — disciplined, caring, compassionate, and loving. In my mind Ellen Ford equals teacher!

Very sincerely yours,

Ginger Mullenix



Questions spending

To the Editor: It absolutely amazes me that when people have money what they do with it — for instance spending $80,000 for a new logo for Corsicana. Come on, people. Did you ever think about asking taxpayers such as me what to do with that kind of money? I am a single taxpaying citizen that would have suggested maybe the one we already have is fine or do a contest and give a child an incentive to draw and come up with something fabulous. Both of my girls went to Navarro College and they have an art department that a student could have had part of his or her tuition paid if they won the contest. Think about it the next time something comes up like this again and take a poll and see what happens.

Paula Jordan



Parental advice

To the Editor: I try to do my grocery shopping late at night to avoid the crowds and the inevitable scores of young children that run and scream throughout the store while their parents ignore them. Last night as two small children were running in circles around the produce section and screaming at a decibel that would make dogs howl, I finally had enough and told the young boy to stop running and making noise. I was immediately confronted by the parents of the child who became irate; I was stunned that they tried to defend this unruly, loud, and inappropriate behavior by saying, “He’s just a little boy ...”

Our grocery stores are not daycare centers, public playgrounds or parks. Parents who insist on bringing young children with them to do their shopping, should be responsible for their behavior and should curtail the running, screaming, and unacceptable behavior while in the store (or movie theatre, restaurant, doctor’s office, etc.).

Catherine Johnson



Postal kudos

To the Editor: I am really enjoying the change in the delivery of the Corsicana Daily Sun.

The paper is smooth instead of rolled up tight and wrapped two or three times with a rubber band.

Thank you so much for the change.

Shirley Hargrove