There are many benefits that come from being your own boss. If you work for yourself, as an independent contractor, or you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, you are generally considered to be self-employed.

Students at Santa Anna High School are busy preparing for Academic Competition in March. Fourteen Mountaineers traveled to Bangs on Saturday January 21^st to compete in the Dragon Academic Classic in the following events: Computer Applications, Accounting, Calculator Applications, Number Sense, Mathematics, Current Events, and Spelling. They came away with several ribbons and medals. Amber Musick placed 6^th in Accounting and 3^rd in Computer Applications, Jessica Smith earned 5^th place in Computer Applications. Calculator Applications earned 3^rd place team with Genia Jones placing 6^th. The Current Events team placed 3^rd with Shayne Jennings placing 6^th.

Students that participated are pictured L to R: Lauren Denis, Shayne Jennings, Jessica Smith, Dustin Walker-Palmour, Dylan Sellers, Nate Salazar, Heather Wetsel, Courtlyn Lishka, Hannah Hartman, Dakota Enriquez, Genia Jones, and Amber Musick. Not pictured are coaches Phyllis Morris, Betsy Jones, and Christina Rosenbusch

Our featured “Sweetheart” musicians for February are R.D. and Sharon Childers from Scranton, Texas. R.D. and Sharon have been sweethearts for many years.

R.D. grew up most of his life south of Cottonwood and the late teenage years just west of Cottonwood. Sharon grew up at Burkett. R.D.’s dad and brothers all played musical instruments in their home. Sharon started playing the piano at church in the 9th grade and continues to play for churches. R.D. plays the mandolin and fiddle while Sharon plays the piano, guitar, bass, and fiddle. Their favorite music to play is country. Carl Whitely influenced each of them most in their music. Sharon’s favorite artists are George Jones and Randy Travis.

The most memorable time and probably most rewarding R.D. and Sharon had on stage was when their granddaughter played the fiddle at Cisco. She played the tunes that R.D. and Sharon had taught her. Everyone enjoys the music that R.D. and Sharon play at the musicals. R.D. gets requests of old fiddle tunes. R.D.’s brother rarely misses a time to hear him play the fiddle.

Appreciation is expressed to R.D. and Sharon for sharing your talents with us at the Cottonwood Musical!

The Cottonwood Country Musical is scheduled for Friday night, February 3rd.

In keeping with the theme of Valentine’s Day in February, “Sweetheart Stew” will be for sale along with the usual sandwiches, desserts and drinks in the kitchen. You may find a “special” dessert or two as well.

Bring your ‘Sweetheart” and enjoy good food and great country music on Friday night, February 3rd at Cottonwood, Texas!!

In the late 1940’s and early 50’s, George Hughes, a gospel preacher from Blanket, Texas, brought many people to the Lofd during week-long gospel meetings held in area Churches of Christ.  On this 5th Sunday, January 29th, at the Cleveland Church of Christ, Joe Hughes, the son of Bro. George Hughes, will fill the pulpit.Bro. Joe Hughes has many of his father’s ways and is very fluent in the Bible.

The Cleveland Church of Christ is proud to have Bro. Hughes with us and welcome one and all to join us on Sunday, starting at 10:30 a.m. So if you enjoy good singing and preaching, join us at the Cleveland Church of Christ located approximately six miles south of Santa Anna on FM 1176 at the junction with CR 208.

The Coleman ISD Board met in regular session on Monday January 25 to consider matters of the school district. Becky Jackson, Elementary Principal, along with members of the board, recognized UIL winners from the District meet held in Coleman last fall. As a campus, 

Coleman Elementary finished in 3rd place out of 8 school districts. The elementary school has improved in this competition for the last several years. The Coleman District is made up of Bangs, Early, Hamilton, Hico, San Saba, Comanche, and Dublin. These students will be recognized again at the end of the year award ceremonies.

The CISD Technology plan for 2012 was presented to the board by Paul Martin, technology director. The plan shows what is planned and purchased throughout the school year. Most technology funds expended by the district are grant funds.

Administrators have been taking another look at the current year budget as well as looking toward the 2012-2013 budget to reduce expenditures to deal with shortfalls created by state cuts to public education. In doing so, the staff has cut $100,000 of proposed budgeted expenditures out of the current year. The school board approved these amendments to the budget and thanked the staff for looking at ways to address the shortfalls. Superintendent Young told the board that he was looking at reducing the personnel budget by about $300,000 for the 2012-2013 school year and was mainly doing this through the attrition of retiring staff.

Lorrie Payne, Curriculum Director, presented the complete Academic Excellence Indicator System(AEIS) to the school Board based on information from the TAKS scores in 2010-2011 school year. Overall, the students of the district as a whole scored at or above state averages. This is based on combining all tested grade levels in each tested area. The only area that shows some weakness as compared to state levels was in the area of writing and each campus has taken action to address this and all areas that need improvement. It is pointed out that new and more rigorous state tests will begin this spring.

The School Board agreed to attend required Level II Team Building Training to be held at Early High School in February.

Young asked the board if they had any interest in putting up the old Southward (TKO) Gym for bid to the general public. After discussing the pros and cons, the board decided not to do so at this time.

The last item on the agenda was to do the annual evaluation of Superintendent Young. After coming out of closed session, the board extended the contract of the Superintendent.