What to expect in the weekly Hood County News

Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.

Last week was a particularly busy one for me, highlighted by a couple of community activities.

I attended a reception for the Bridge Street History Center hosted at the residence of my lovely friend Dominique Inge. Bridge Street History is an organization I am proud to belong to as they work very hard to preserve the history of Granbury while at the same time presenting opportunities for citizens to learn about the history of the place they have chosen to live. It was a beautiful evening for a gathering though I must note being at the Inge homestead suggested memories of Dominique’s departed husband, Charles.

Charles Inge passed away some time ago, and I will always regret I did not know him longer or better. He was such a talented and worldly man, yet he had the ability to engage with another and make them feel like their talents and skills were superior to his own. His humility and graciousness were his trademarks. He had the rare gift of being able to make everyone with whom he connected feel good about themselves. He was a remarkable man who did many wonderful things for Granbury and is missed by those who knew him. I would like to think I am a better man because I knew Charles.

As I visited with friends at the event, the topic of the newspaper going to a once-a-week publication was on many people’s minds. It was comforting to know that most people were excited about the change and understood the benefits of being a bigger newspaper with broader coverage. They recognize and accept how a local newspaper has a huge role in a community and they were excited when I spoke of our extended coverage being “hyper local.”

Folks seemed genuinely excited to imagine the issue of the HCN being as large or larger than the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. They kept commenting to me on how much the paper had improved and grown over the past few years, and they seemed genuinely excited to see what the future newspaper would bring. I thank all those folks for their kind words of support. I speak for all our staff in saying we are committed to being the best community newspaper around, and we will not let you down.

STROLL THROUGH TEXAS HISTORY A SUCCESS

I got to participate in the Texas Heroes Foundation’s “Stroll through Texas History.” Students from both Lipan and Acton Middle School attended and were able to get up close and personal to individuals dressed in period costumes, while they presented important Texas history lessons. “Jim Bowie,” “Sam Houston,” and “David Crockett” all spoke, and those young people could see and experience firsthand a chuck wagon, a Native American teepee, and other items of historical significance. If you did not stop by you missed a truly wonderful opportunity to see Texas history come to life. Thanks so much to the Texas Heroes Foundation for making the event possible. Your efforts give our young people a richer, fuller life and instill in them a sense of pride in their history and their Texas. In my book, that will always be a good thing.

Thought for the day: Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, which is why they call it the present.

Until next time …. I will keep ridin’ the storm out.

sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260