Opinion

In February of 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation designating the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week, to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8. His message stated: “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” By 1986, 14 states had already designated March as Women’s History Month. In March of 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9 and declared the entire month of March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.

Due to the pandemic, the RF Riders were unable to have our in-person history awareness program and scholarship award during Black History Month. The Rosie Lee Jordan Memorial Scholarship Award is to assist a deserving Madisonville senior to obtain their educational goal. The winner is Karen Ibarra, who plans to attend Texas A&M University to pursue zoology. The Midway Community Service Award recipient this year is Mayor Brenda Ford of Midway for her contributions to the city.

Our recent winter storm was unlike any I have ever seen in my lifetime of living in our area. Temperatures in the single digits for extended periods and hard freezes, including a layer of ice over everything, for extended periods.

The Purple Martin is one of the most popular birds when it comes to homeowners wanting to attract and provide houses for. They are the largest of the swallow species found in the United States.