Playing Santa Claus can be serious business
It was two years ago at a private function. Like 40-plus similar occasions during the busy holiday season, George Jones was decked out in red and white. As usual, he was the star of the show....
Author: David Berkowitz
Aspiring young artist determined to follow his dream
While his older brother and cousins were outside playing football, Zach Zellars sat in the house drawing and watching cartoons on TV. Later, he would learn to love the sport that helped him earn a college...
Anxiety issues improve after college experiment
“I went to Texas State University for three years. But I wasn’t really decisive on what I was going to do, what major to stick with. I was in business, changed to psychology, and then I...
Nobody said that being a mother was easy
“He’s a good kid, but he can be pretty hardheaded. He just likes to do what he wants to do sometimes. “He will come to our bed in the middle of the night. I used to...
Painter’s mission in life is to honor fallen soldiers
Any time an 81-year-old takes a nasty fall, visions of broken hips dance in your head. While Ken Pridgeon managed to dodge that bullet during a recent tumble, his right hand didn’t fare so well. And...
Foreign exchange student from Brazil growing up fast
Several times a month I walk the campus of Lee College in search of students to interview. That’s the fun part. The not-so-fun part is finding a place to park. On this particular morning I opted for...
Role model track coach inspires student
“I want to be a high school track coach. I’m really inspired by my high school coach. I had her four years, since I was a freshman. “She was great. She was like a mom to...
He gets his ‘jollies and kicks’ from Baytown history
“I was born and raised in Baytown. When I look back on my teenage years, I think about Texas Avenue. The movies I saw. Hanging out with my buddies. Checking out the pretty girls driving by....
Life experiences help make her a better counselor
“I don’t think you can be a counselor and not draw on your own life experiences. At least, I couldn’t. “I grew up in a dysfunctional home in a military family. I’ve had a daughter who...
Chemistry experiment lands him a wife for life
“My dad was a chemist, and I was always fascinated with that sort of thing. I did all kinds of experiments as a kid. I invented things. “When I was a junior in college I came...
