Celebrate King's legacy year round

This year, as we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day a new meaning was shined upon us all.

In the words of Coretta Scott King, "The holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. "

In keeping with that message, the Deep East Texas Foundation sought youth volunteers to work in yards and clean up neighborhoods in the Jasper area.

This week's cold winter snap, curtailed those plans, at least for a day or so.

"Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only for celebration and remembrance, education and tribute, but above all a day of service. All across America on the holiday, his followers perform service in hospitals and shelters and prisons and wherever people need some help," Coretta King stated.

We would hope that the legacy and memory of MLK would live on this coming year. Not only through our youth, but also through all of us as we racially heal the East Texas region.

This year many celebrated the holiday as a "day on and a not a day off."

The Jasper area is known for its spirit of caring as witnessed through last year's Hurricane Rita. When trouble times hit this area, the caring side of Jasper is there to be seen.

Let us take the meaning of this holiday a step forward. Let us celebrate the spirit of helping each other for not just a day but for a lifetime on.

Roses go to….

t East Texas Region Art Center. The group is hosting its annual open membership art show this week and shining a spotlight on some of the area's budding artists.

t Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The 6th annual Trout Derby was held Saturday, Jan. 13 at Jasper's city park pond and again deemed a strong success despite the lack of appetite from the 1,800 rainbow trout stocked into the lake.

Thorns go to….

t Rainbow trout in Jasper's city pond. The 1,800 rainbow trout stocked into the pond failed to bite during Saturday's Trout Derby.

tAKirbyville businessman who allegedly buried more than 100 cylinders on his property that was excavated this past week by the Environmental Protection Agency, and the EPA for failing to notify local authorities of their investigation until they had served its warrant and started digging.