Ask Billie

We have all been hearing, seeing and working to make Wharton Freedom Fest 2008 the best ever. You remember the date is this weekend, Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28.

For a fun family time check out the Friday evening activities in Riverfront Park. There will be music, vendors and of course all the Barbecue Cook-off teams getting ready for Saturday judging. You will not want to miss the Car and Motorcycle Show on Saturday, again in Riverfront Park.

All activities will be leading up to the Veteran's Salute at 6 p.m. Saturday evening at the Wharton County Veteran's Memorial. All veterans and first responders are invited to congregate at the Wharton Fire Department at 5:30 p.m. Those who cannot make the walk are asked to join the group at the Memorial.

Veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are given a special invitation and we understand there are several from Wharton County who have returned home. After the ceremony, which will last approximately 30 minutes, there will be a reception for the veterans and their families at the Wharton County Courthouse. Of course, everyone is invited to visit with the veterans.

Someone remarked that it is really hot for a Freedom Fest and I do agree, this is the way it is every summer. On second thought, wars to protect our freedoms have never been climate controlled. History tells us there were hundreds who froze to death at Valley Forge and temperatures are easily over 110 degrees in Iraq, and then add the heavy armor and hot sands. That makes a short evening in Wharton sound very easy. Let's have a record crowd.

Oh yes, there will be music and fireworks so grab the lawn chairs and relax.

We Will Miss Benjamin

It is with mixed emotions that we say good-bye to Benjamin Sharp as a staff member of the Wharton Journal-Spectator. It has been a delight to work with Benjamin for the past 12 years.

This writer has been a professional in every sense of the word. He is fair, accurate and understanding of the issues. He is gentle by nature but never timid with important news that affects the citizens of Wharton County.

When I said mixed emotions, it is exciting to tell you Benjamin is following his long time dream to be a full-time photographer. He will soon open his studio on Armstrong Street and we will hear more about that in the near future.

I have known Benjamin since he joined the Journal Spectator and it was fun telling him I watched carefully preacher's kids. The real insight came when he spent a year as a participant in Leadership Wharton County. Now his leadership skills, and he has many, can be put to use as a Wharton citizen and businessman. Best wishes to the Sharp Family in this new venture.

United Methodist Army

Last Saturday morning 87 young people and adult helpers packed up and left for their individual homes and churches. They had completed 25 projects consisting of wheel chair ramps, repaired and painted houses, and many other odd jobs in Wharton and Boling. They left with smiles, new friends and a good feeling that comes from helping others.

Next Sunday afternoon a group of Wharton young people and adults will travel to Conroe and join other members of U MArmy for a week of work in that area. They will be spreading the same kind of joy and hard work that was left in Wharton. These are our leaders of tomorrow and I believe we will be in good hands.