Paul and Nila Dowlearn-Owners of Wichita Valley Nursery. Paul’s recent books, “The Lazy Man’s Garden” and “Touch the Earth” are available at the Nursery, 5314 S.W. Pkwy, Wichita Fall, Texas.

The Sheriff’s Office received 116 calls for service this week. As this report is being written there were 19 inmates with seven being female in the Archer County Jail.

Quanah Parker became a respected leader of the Comanche Nation at the end of the Plains Indian Wars. He spent much of his life caught between two worlds. He was the son of a white settler and a Comanche chief. And he had to lead his tribe in the difficult transition from their ancient traditions to life on the reservation.

In early October I came across a headline of a Bloomberg news article that read “Christmas at risk as supply chain disaster only gets worse.” Initially, I chuckled to myself as I thought about how celebrating Jesus’s birthday is definitely not at risk. But, the headline also triggered appreciation for our little county and all that it provides. Archer County is filled with businesses that supply our hometowns with personalized services and products all through the year, not just during holidays. This Christmas season, I’m asking the citizens of our county to consider purchasing their gifts right here at home. Archer City, Windthorst, Scotland, Lakeside City, Holliday, and Megargel business owners deserve our continued support. Instead of buying your grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend another knick knack to collect dust on a shelf, surprise them with a useful gift certificate to one of the county’s many businesses. From feed stores to flower shops, from homemade goodies to gasoline, there isn’t much you could want that someone in our county couldn’t provide. Not only will you be gifting practical, usable, thoughtful goodies, but you will be supporting the very people that keep our county thriving and alive. Other in-county options include paying someone’s water bill, a subscription to the county newspaper, purchasing a bond from a local bank, giving to a non-profit in someone’s honor, or purchasing a unique gift at Archer City’s Christmas Festival. Can’t think of a place or idea? I have provided my best accumulation of the possibilities. There are lots of people that make/ sell custom products in our county! Every day usable items like makeup, hair/skin products, tumblers, shirts, caps, quilts, jewelry, candles, hot sauces, jellies, custom raised beef, fresh locally sourced milk and cheese, and so much more!

The above title is the last verse from 1st John. “Little children” is easy — that’s us.

Thank you to Donna Haile for her donation in memories of Dorothy Sue "Susie" Hinsley Brimager and Betsy Stewart Gibson. 1996 was the year that changed everything for Maggie Dawes.

A big thank you to the Windthorst Volunteer Fire Department for fighting and putting out a fire on our land. We really appreciate the time and commitment these individuals donate our community. We are blessed to live in such a great town.

Dr. Ken Bridges is a Texas native, writer, and history professor.

The Sheriff’s Office received 132 calls for service this week. As this report is being written there were 17 inmates with seven being female in the Archer County.

Paul and Nila Dowlearn-Owners of Wichita Valley Nursery. Paul’s recent books, “The Lazy Man’s Garden” and “Touch the Earth” are available at the Nursery, 5314 S.W. Pkwy, Wichita Fall, Texas.