Commentary

By Bill Luedecke & Martelle Luedecke

Our glorious rain this season has produced a mesmerizing array of wildflowers. Just think of all the seeds they will produce for future years! We are blessed to live in the center of a bouquet.

By Connie Swinney

One of my proudest moments involved watching my daughter go into a voting booth for the very first time at age 18.

Special to The Highlander

The early voting period ahead of the May 4 municipal and city elections began Monday, April 22 and ends Tuesday, April 30.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Marble Falls may be a city divided by water, but it needs to come together for a common purpose — to call for construction of a new bridge crossing over the Colorado River.

By Connie Swinney
I noticed U.S. flags lining the main roadway as I drove to work Monday morning.

When I realized the reason was Presidents Day, the images conjured memories of my childhood.

By Nathan Hendrix
Sports Editor

They say first impressions are the most lasting, and judging by the rst glimpse I have received of the character of Marble Falls, this community believes that to be true.

It’s been a little more than a week since I started my work as the sports editor for The Highlander, and I’ve already learned some things about the Marble Falls community. Everyone I’ve interacted with, from school administration and coaches to sports fans, has been welcoming, and I truly appreciate the warmth.

I’ve been watching and following sports since I was a child, and all of the things that I love about sports are represented in Marble Falls. I am thrilled by competition and a competitive spirit, and that was on full display at the boys’ basketball game against Pflugerville last week.

By Connie Swinney

Growing up in west Texas, I was privileged to view the world from a perspective which emphasized exceptionalism, self-sufficiency, hard work and faith.

By Richard Zowie

If Don Meredith were still alive and working on television, he'd probably have this to say about my career in journalism: “Turn out the lights, the party's over.”

All good things must end, and that includes what I like to jokingly call “my so-called career in journalism.” My final day with the Highlander is today, Friday, Dec. 28. I am “retiring” from news rooms to work in broadcasting and to pursue freelance writing, blogging, and my dream job: fiction writing.

I began working as a journalist, a mix of full-time, part-time and freelancing, in 2000, after I left the U.S. Army. It was a huge risk as it meant taking a major paycut from my military job.

By Connie Swinney

'Twas 12 days before Christmas and all through the town,

Not a creature was ready for what was to go down.

All I could see was a glazed look in their eyes.

Like a deer caught in headlights. No smile disguise;

“Are you ready for Christmas?” I say to be merry;

She turned with a jerk and a glare that was scary.

There's always a pause and a quizzical stare.

“Why no, Miss Connie!” How could I dare?

She gave me a nod as we shared nervous sighs;

Then on down the store aisle amidst toddler cries;

Wondering what drove us to wade through the crowds;

All the toys, electronics and clothing that we vowed.

The thoughts of the children all snug in their beds;

Stuffed animals and skateboards and new phones in their heads;

So with a cart full of items, to check out I go;

Whisking by carts that were moving too slow.

“Hey, I've got a rifle I want you to advertise!” the caller said.

“A rifle?” I asked.

“No, not a rifle. A rifle. For a Gator” he said.

“You have a rifle made for an alligator?” I asked, not sure I heard correctly.

“No, there is no rifle. It's a rifle. You know, where you sell tickets and the person with the winning ticket gets a prize?”

“Oh, a raffle!” I said. “I misunderstood you.”

“That's what I've been saying. A rifle. For a Gator.”

“You're giving away an alligator?”

“No, a Gator. You know, a Mule?”

“Well which is it, an alligator or a mule? Those are two very different animals, plus I'm not sure you can sell tickets to give away an alligator in the state of Texas.”

“It's not an animal. It's a fur-wheeler.”

“A fur-wheeler? But, alligators and mules don't have fur! Wheels don't either!”

“No, dummy, not fur like animal fur. I mean the number “fur!”