John Mark Dempsey

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, named eight of the nine Academy Award nominees for "Best Picture" to her top 10 list of 2019.  The only miss was "Ford V. Ferrari," which Alice says she would have placed at no. 11.  Alice also briefly reviews "Doolittle" and "Bad Boys for Life."

Steve Killian, the superintendent of the Cooper Lake State Park, relates the many activities at the South Sulphur Unit this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend.  Events include archery instruction, a "talk and walk" on beavers; and family trout fishing on Saturday; a nature hike at 10 a.m. on Sunday; and the "Skins and Skulls" nature hike at 2 p.m.

Jack Neal, director of the Northeast Texas Trail, says activity remains high on the NETT, even in the winter.  Jack says he hopes the Trail will soon be making improvements using funds obtained from more than one million dollars in grants last year.

Kim Saenz, the director of the Hunt Regional Emergency Centers in Commerce and Quinlan, says the incidence of flu is very high in Hunt County, much greater than last year, but the peak of the season is expected within the next few days.  Also, Kim says the ER centers contact patients after they are released to see if they understood their instructions or need any further help.  She was reacting to a story about a Massachusetts emergency center that that started

Sharline Freeman, director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum in Commerce, says the museum is introducing Pickleball to the area.  Pickleball is similar to tennis, but played on a much smaller court with a ball similar to a wiffleball and with paddles similar to ping-pong paddles.  Instructional programs will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Januaryt 15 and 22, and a tournament is scheduled for Januaryt 27-31.

Belinda Sanchez of the Morris Recreation Center at A&M-Commerce says the MRC provides a wide array of facilities and programs to help you get in shape.  She says those who are not students of A&M-Commerce can participate in the MRC's programs by paying fees for its services.  Belinda says the biggest mistake people make in starting a fitness program is trying to do too much, too soon.

Texas A&M-Commerce Athletic Director Tim McMurray discusses recent moves toward allowing student athletes to receive payments for endorsements.  Tim says this would have a greater effect on NCAA Division 2 athletics (including A&M-Commerce) than many might think.  The subject will be discussed at the NCAA convention later this month.

Texas A&M-Commerce associate professor of counseling Dr. LaVelle Hendicks says he will conduct a John Horn Service Class in the fall semester in honor of the late Hunt County Judge.  Dr. Hendricks says students will perform 20 hours per week of community service, and hear from a series of distingushed guest lecturers.  Also, Dr.

Dr. Karri McCreary, veterinarian and co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, reflects on an article describing the benefits of pets for senior citizens at home and in senior-care facilities, and also in places of business.  Dr. McCreary says the Greenville Animal Hospital will pay the medical costs for any business adopting a rescue pet.

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, says "Have You Seen Luis Valdez?" by veteran novelist Catherine Ryan Hyde is a beautiful story of "two strangers who find that kindness is a powerful antidote to fear."  Sharon also reviews "The Silent Patient," by Alex Michaelides, a murder mystery.  Both books have recently been New York Times

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, ranks the World War I drama "1917" as her best movie of 2019.  The recently released film is receiving high marks for its realistic cinemaphotography.  Alice ranks another holiday-period film, "Little Women" as no. 8 on her list.

Derek Price, author of the nationally syndicated "Cargazing" column, muses on the prospects for air taxis, which some predict are about to become part of the U.S. transportation system.

Carol Taylor, the chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, is taking on a new project -- a biography of U.S. Sen. Morris Sheppard, who represented Texas in the Senate from 1913 to 1941.  Sheppard, for whom Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls is named, was the author of the 18th Amendment, which brought about Prohibition.  Also, Morris Sheppard Dam created Possum Kingdom Lake.

Autumn Johnson, the director of Campus Recreation at Texas A&M-Commerce, who comments on wellness for the Blacklands Cafe, discusses ways to take care of your well-being during the holidays.

Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlie Alderman says a group of retired teachers will serve as mentors for new teachers starting in the spring semester.  The mentors will meet at least once per week with new teachers.  Alderman says the group has more than 300 years of teaching experience collectively.  Also discussed in this conversation, UIL realignment, Commerce High School boys and girls basketball, and cheerleading.

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, says fans of the original "Star Wars" series, dating back to 1977, will enjoy "Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker," even though fans of the tangential series of "Star Wars" movies are not all enamored of it.  Alice says the wait for the movie version of "Cats," out this week, was worth it, with excellent effects, music and dancing.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says the City Council this week approved the first two Neighborhood Empowerment Zone projects, in which home owners or builders are given incentives to renovate homes or build multi-family structures in targeted areas.  The projects are on Plum and Sycamore Streets.  The council also received the resignation of City Manager Darrek Ferrell, and will be searching for an interim replacement.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville shares information about the Greenville ISD teachers' supply closet, which receives donations of classroom supplies.  CC and Company, a retail  store in the Uptown Forum in downtown Greenville, is accepting donations of supplies and cash.  Also, Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH) is in need of volunteers to put toget

Derek Price, author of the nationally syndicated "Cargazing" column that appears in the Herald-Banner, shares his top vehicles of 2020, including the Kia Telluride SUV. Hislist also includes the sub-compact Kia Soul.

Veterinarian Dr. Karri McCreary, co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital, shares tips for keeping pets happy and healthy during the holidays.

Texas A&M-Commerce President Dr. Mark Rudin and Associate Professor Dr. LaVelle Hendricks explain the University's civility initative, in which the Dale Carnegie organization is providing training to University faculty and staff.  Dr.

Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park, says the Doctor's Creek Unit of the park will host a "Winter Wonderland" Christmas celebration from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights (December 13-14) this weekend, with holiday lights, live music, treats and a visit from Santa Claus.  Steve says campers who decorate their cabins or other camping sites will camp free.  Doctor's Creek is located at 1664 FM 1529 near Cooper.

Dr. Dale Funderburk, Texas A&M-Commerce economics professor, reflects on recent articles emphasizing the importance of the U.S. Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) on the Texas economy.  Reports this week say a bi-partisan agreement has been reached in Congress on the trade deal.

Hunt County Master Gardener Wayne Bowman discusses Christmas gift ideas for gardeners, including tools, gloves, knee protectors and books.

Emily Glass, Alliance Bank vice-president and former Sulphur Springs mayor, says the city council took no action after an executive session on a personnel matter concerning long-time city manager Marc Maxwell.  A large crowd of citizens attended the meeting and all who spoke supported Maxwell.  The council also set public hearings on Tuesday, January 7 and Thursday, January 9 on the annexation of the former Thermo mine property.

Herald-Banner movie critic Alice Reese says "The Aeronauts" is a story about ballooning in the 1860s, and offers beautiful aerial scenes but also a solid story about scientific study.  "The Two Popes" is based on the recent historical events involving the retirement of Pope Benedict and the selection of Pope Francis as his successor.

Paul Voss, Commerce Chamber of Commerce manager, relates plans for the annual "Bois D'Arc Christmas" this Saturday (December 7) in downtown Commerce.  The theme of the parade at 6 p.m. is "Jingle Bell Rock."  Other activities begin at 2 p.m.

Judy Rudoff and Amy Stark of the First United Methodist Church of Commerce relate plans for the Merry Marketplace, a sale and auction of Christmas gifts, many handmade, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (December 7) at the church, located on Highway 24 across from Texas A&M-Commerce.  The event raises money for the church's mission projects, and also includes a homemade stew lunch.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville says the annual Greenville Christmas Parade returns to its traditional date of the first Friday in December this year, starting at 6 p.m., Friday, December 6.  The parade route will be west on Washington Street from the Municipal Building and east on Lee Street.

Bert Cooper, director of Community Seeds of Lone Oak, says the faith-based organization has purchased a 30-acre ranch near Lake Tawakoni where it will operate a rehabilitation program for homeless men modeled after the Denton Freedom House.  Community Seeds hopes to open the facility early in 2020.  The organization holds its annual Christmas fund-raising dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday at the National Guard Armory on West Lee Street in Greenville.