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COLEMAN COUNTY TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE ANNUAL MEETING

The 54th Annual Meeting of the members of Coleman County Telephone Cooperative will be held Friday, August 17th at the Civic Center (armory) in Santa Anna, located at 303 S. Houston Street.

Registration and voting will begin at 6:00 P.M., followed by the business meeting at 7:00 P.M. The agenda includes a report of officers, the presentation of three Tom Kingsbery Memorial scholarships, and the election of three directors. The nominees for the director positions are:

Burkett/Lake Coleman:
Rick Adams, incumbent
Ken Hunter

Mozelle:
Jerry Allen, incumbent
Mike Stephenson

Valera:
Glenda Gassiot, incumbent
Joyce Smith

Door prizes will be presented to all attending members and they may also register for a prize drawing to be held at the conclusion of the business meeting. There will also be a drawing for children's prizes.

You must be a member of the Cooperative, and be present at the meeting, in order to vote and be eligible for prizes.

Santa Anna Merchants Tax Free Weekend

Merchants throughout Santa Anna will be having sales Friday and Saturday in recognition of a tax-free shopping weekend.

Most stores will have sale items on display outside the shops and some with special attractions. Also Double H Family Dining will be celebrating its one year anniversary by giving away cotton candy and balloons to the kids and a drawing will be held for a steak dinner.

If You're Reading This...

You know sometimes it doesn't hit you until it is personal.

On my way home from work last Friday I was already an emotional wreck, when Tim McGraw's "If You're Reading This" came on my car's radio tuned into Carl on KOXE. I don't know if you have heard it yet or not but it is about a letter written by a soldier that did not make it home and the lyrics from the song are the contents of that letter.

Tim sang this song at the ACM awards earlier this year on CBS. Radio DJ's played recorded versions and it was such a hit that they added it to new presses of his already released CD Let It Go. Tim, who is one of the luckiest men in the world, and his wife Faith Hill, followed me to Anaheim California finishing their Soul2Soul 2007 tour there this past Saturday.

It moves me to share those lyrics with you which were written by Tim and the Warren Brothers... I guarantee that you can't listen and read the words without tears in your eyes.

If you're reading this
My momma is sitting there
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss
War was just a game we played when we were kids
Well I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up my boots
I'm up here with God
And we're both watching over you

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed where it would go.
If you're reading this I'm already home.

If you're reading this
Half way around the world
I won't be there to see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
Stand up for the innocent and the weak
I'm laying down my gun
Hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don't regret that id follow in his shoes

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul is where my momma always prayed where it would go
If you're reading this, I'm already home

If you're reading this, there is going to come a day
You move on and find someone else and that's okay
Just remember this
I'm in a better place
Soldiers live in peace and angels sing amazing grace

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul is where my momma prayed where that it would go
If you're reading this
If you're reading this
I'm already home

Listen to it on AllAboutCountry.com with Real Player: Tim McGraw - “If You’re Reading This”

Click on the play arrow to watch it on YouTube.com... you may have to let it load once and then replay it to see and hear it without buffering... worth the wait. At the end the lights come on the stage to show the children and families of some fallen heroes behind Tim and the musicians.

You know sometimes it doesn't hit you until it is personal.

Take a look at USA Today's Letters Home from Iraq and MSNBC's article which contains some letters and videos home from some others that didn't make it home but be warned they are sad and you will want plenty of time.

The numbers of those that don't make it home continue to grow as the number killed in Iraq is now 3699 according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count..

You know sometimes it doesn't hit you until it is personal.

Saturday I took Cindy out for her birthday and I let it slip to our waiter, Eric, that it was her birthday. I had to convince him not to sing to her since she would be mad at me and that she was paying. He was telling us that he had been married nine months and that his wife was in the Air Force and had been gone to Iraq for seven of them.

You know sometimes it doesn't hit you until it is personal.

Carl played that song again on my way home from work on Monday and it was all I could do to keep from pulling over.

You know sometimes it doesn't hit you until it is personal.

I think it's time to bring them all home.

Thanks

The families of Cynthia Garrett Philpot would like to thank everyone for their prayers, visits, phone calls, cards, gifts, flowers, plants, monetary gifts and overall support during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Wayne, Cassie and Rylie Philpot, Bill and Geneva Garrett and Doug and Charlotte Tucker.

Philpot Family Benefit

The BarBQ benefit held at Double H Sunday afternoon for the Philpot family was a success as over $3300 dollars was taken in.

Cindy tells me that the Loadcraft family has also come together once again in support of their own as they passed the welding helmets in Brownwood and Brady.

I got to witness first hand at the Loadcraft company picnic a few weeks ago how much the McIvers have built up Loadcraft with a foundation of faith and how much they strengthened it with their family.

Wayne is also a leader of the Loadcraft family and always such a source of spirit.

Just Beautiful

I received a couple of notes from Deborah and here are some parts:

"James, what you wrote about Cynthia and the services was so beautiful. I can tell you felt many of the same things others felt this past weekend. She would be so honored, as well as in awe, of your writings much less the happenings of the weekend."

"I know there were so many of you who couldn't attend for one reason or another. It was the most difficult weekend I've ever been through, much less those closest to Cynthia. Now is when the family needs you most. Prayers, of course, calls, letters, cards, perhaps even a visit in the near future. Whatever you feel in your heart."

"Thank you."
Deborah Bodine Stanton

Thanks for your kind words Deborah.

Sometimes I don't know what to say and try hard not to write something that would hurt someone's feelings or upset someone.

Cindy said I made her cry and I must say that I have too as I think of those girls and Wayne.

The only resolve I have is that I know Cynthia is watching over them.

Thanks too for keeping us all in touch.

Sympathy

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Cynthia Philpot's family. The number of people at the visitation and the funeral is a wonderful testament of what a truly wonderful person that she was and how many life's that she had touched.

I just wanted the family to know how much we loved her and will miss her. She was truly a little piece of Heaven on earth; always a kind word and smile! Only God knows the answers to why He would take such a wonderful person and we just have to trust Him.

God Bless!

Alys Ellis

Booster Club Meeting

Submitted by Janice Fellers

The Santa Anna Booster Club will have a meeting Thursday, August 16 at 7:00 PM at the School Library. All people who are interested in supporting the students of Santa Anna High School are urged to attend. The Booster Club needs new leaders to carry on as the old ones are stepping down.

Gouldbusk Rodeo Association

Submitted by Sarah Beal

The Gouldbusk Rodeo Association held a reorganization meeting on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 7:00 PM at the rodeo arena. David and Tonya Avants served hamburgers to the 24 people that were present. Kathleen Avants, Virginia Jamison and Sarah Beal provided ice cream and cake for dessert.

Sarah Beal led the re organizational meeting by thanking those that came and showed interest. A brief history of the organization was given. A financial statement was announced. Nominations were taken from the floor for a new board of directors. New directors are: Aaron Loyd, David Avants, Sarah Beal, Donny Allen, Candace Beal, Marty Robbins, and Rick Beal. New officers are: Aaron Loyd-President, David Avants-Vice- President, and Sarah Beal-Secretary-Treasurer. Aaron Loyd took the lead of the meeting by opening a discussion on events that the membership was interested in holding such as team ropings, play days, ranch rodeos and all age rodeos. Facility improvements were discussed such as painting, cleaning up and building new restrooms. The group decided to try to hold a combination playday and county ranch rodeo on the last weekend of October. At least 6 county ranch rodeo teams are needed for a Coleman County Ranch Rodeo. All team members need to work for a Coleman County Ranch or live in Coleman County. Early entries will be taken to determine if there are enough teams. After August 29th, if there are not at least 6 teams, then the ranch rodeo will open up to out of county teams. The entry fees will be $500 for 4 to 5 events per team.

All interested teams need to contact Sarah Beal by August 29th at ssbeal@web-access.net or 325-785-4291.

The End

SantaAnnaNews.com reached a goal for me as it went over 100,000 hits last Friday.

August 12, 2004 was when it all started as it shared a birthday with my wife Cindy. Three years doesn't seem like long but in some ways it feels like forever.

I am not sure where it will all end but it will most certainly change as it goes from here.

I have made a decision to sell or possibly even gift or loan the News to the right person as I no longer feel like I can take care of it like I want to. My work has required me to work more and more this past year and I have had so much other stuff going on that I just feel like now is the time. If you are interested I know that you will let me know.

The hardest part for me has been working out of town and not having the time to devote to chasing stories. The biggest frustration has been the lack of contributions, especially from those that I know that seem to be able to send it to other sites or the newspaper but not to me.

It has been a difficult decision to make but I will continue to maintain it until I can find someone else. There will be some changes as I try to add more dynamic content. I will also still post just about whatever you send to me.

I especially want to thank some of you who without your support I could not have done this. First there is my wife, Cindy, who has shared me with you. To my daughters, Chrystal, Jennifer, and especially Jessica, one of the reasons I started the News, to my Mom and Tex for their never ending support and encouragement, to Jean Findley and Rob Cheaney for their words of encouragement, along with Janice Fellers, Billie Gay Abernathy, and Katrina Guerrero, and to Mike, Eddie, and Mary Ann Hartman for their support, to Tom, Aaron, Montie, and Sandra Guthrie for keeping me in line, to Connie Culpepper Massey, Charlotte Garrett Tucker, Deborah Bodine Stanton, Terry Thompson, and Pat Smith, and a special thanks to Coleman County Extension Agent Debbie Hailey, Sarah Beal, and my Uncle Robert Coder for their contributions and my little buddy Clay Stewardson for protecting our country along with all the others.

There are so many of you that have encouraged me that I want to thank you all for stopping by SantaAnnaNews.com.

The Funeral

This past week has really been a difficult one for me to do the News.

As my heart hurts for the Philpot and Garrett families, I can't even imagine and hope I never have to face the pain that Cynthia had to go through.

As Cindy and I arrived at Stevens Funeral Home Friday, the line to visit with the families was out the front door and to the street with several already coming out. The family was lined up inside greeting each of us as we entered. I felt and saw a peace on their faces that I don't recall seeing ever before under their circumstances. I later realized that their peace was coming from their's and Cynthia's faith.

As we stepped out of the packed funeral home I was amazed that the line had grown all the way to the corner in the street and was growing with each minute. I visited with Brother John Stanislaw, while he stood by the door like he was letting out church. He said to one that this funeral was going to be one of the hardest he had ever done. He told me too that he enjoyed reading the News. He will always be special to me. He is largely responsible for me being a Christian and married Cindy and I, and also Baptized us both.

We were greeted by many that we knew and shook hands, exchanged hugs, and traded "how ya beens" with old friends as we headed for the car.

Saturday we arrived at First Baptist in Coleman thinking we would be early enough, thirty minutes before the Funeral started. As we stood waiting to get in the church we realized that it was filling up fast. It was already standing room only and we headed upstairs to the already filled balcony and settled into a corner to stand. The church was filled with beautiful flowers wrapping around all the way to the back of the church.

Brother John gave a really good sermon and made us all feel better for having known Cynthia. She was a very special person and I know that she will be looking over her family from Heaven.

I have always thought that it was important for us to make this world a better place and I think there are not too many that will out do Cynthia. She truly made this world a better place and we are going to miss her.

Please continue to remember the family of Cynthia in your prayers as they will need them even more now.

Cynthia Garrett Philpot, gone but not forgotten... see you in Heaven.

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Also continue to pray for those that are hurt or hurting from the tragic I-35 bridge collapse in Minnesota, the trapped miners and their families, and the families of the three killed by a gunmen in church in Missouri.

And the survey says...