Nut Pies

Fruit Pies 1st Place - Shaden Dossey - Bacon & Bourbon Pecan 2nd Place - Haven White - Best Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie ***** GRAND PRIZE MARYLOU STRANGE - CINNAMON ROLL CHEESECAKE Pecan Pie

ulveda - Blueberry Sour Cream Pie 2nd Place - Logan Pierce - Nostalgic Carmel Pecan Apple Pie 3rd Place - Ruth Stewart Cherry Pineapple Pie

Custard Pies

1st Place - MaryLou Strange - Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake 2nd Prize - Pamela Hartzler - Bread Pudding Pie with Whiskey Cream 3rd Prize - Ava Boone -

Cream Pies

1st Place - Pamela Hartzler - Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with Maple Chantilly Cream 2nd Place - Haven White Pumpkin Cream 3rd Place Pamela Hartzler

Retell a Fairy Tale

Faith, Fiction, and Fairy Tales recently held a writing contest. To enter, you had to rewrite a fairy tale for today’s audience. I’m not one for Disney royalty. Who can keep Princess Ariel and Princess Aurora straight? Prince Florian and Prince Phillip?

So of course I was the perfect writer to enter the contest (not), but I did it anyway. This is what I learned: First, eschew the popular fairy tales.

They’ve been adapted and retold ad nauseum.

Seek old stories from faraway places.

Research the location in order to use authentic place names and character names, but keep character names on the familiar side so your readers don’t get confused. Instead of Asparuh and Nadejda, for example, use Stefan and Daria.

Retain historical fantasy elements because it is a fairy tale. (My story, based on the Bulgarian folktale “The Language of Animals,” has talking animals.) But modernize other elements, not necessarily with objects like cell phones and cars, but with ideas. Instead of your main character setting a goal to become the town’s tapestry weaver, have her yearn to study chemistry in college.

Lastly, fairy tales have omniscient narrators, but modern audiences are used to a deep thirdperson point of view.

Writing in a deep thirdperson point of view gets readers into the main character’s mind, letting readers see, hear, and feel what the character sees, hears, and feels.

A first-person point of view would also work for modern audiences.

The things I learned by entering the contest propelled me to a win, but the real value came in making me a more versatile writer.

Debbie Scott is a versatile writer Assembly of Yahweh, for sharing your of children’s stories, everything from fantasy dragon stories to modern adventures of a freckle-faced kid. She will be the guest speaker at Cisco Writers Club’s annual covereddish Thanksgiving celebration. Bring a side dish or dessert and join the fun. (Visitors are always welcome.) We’ll meet on November 5th, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, at Assembly of Yahweh in Rising Star. See you there! (Note the special time and venue for this event, and thank you, space!)

Priscilla Bettis is secretary of the Cisco Writers Club. She’s the author of Whispers of a Southern Moon.

A festive table complete with fall leaves and pumpkins greeted everyone. A delicious lunch of chicken spaghetti, tossed salad, garlic bread, and festively deocrated cupcakes was served.

Gail Norris, president of Retired Teachers welecomed everyone. Retired Teachers is an ardent defender of the Traditional Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and defined benefit plan. However, without funding from the Texas Legislature, long term health care for retired teachers is at risk. Therefore, membership in TRTA provides a vital voice to the Legislature.

Retired teachers and friends of teachers are invited to join TRTA and enjoy the fellowship, food, and informative messages provided by professionals such as Babshi. The next meeting will be at Myrtle Wilks Community Center, Big Dam Room, Monday, November 9, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.

Submitted by Betty Cooper

4-6 pm Businesses (trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses) and

6-8 pm Residential (in Cisco neighborhoods)

The Bazaar will feature Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations, handcrafted items, unique home décor and gift items, gift baskets, framed art, jewelry, collectibles, and lots of mouth-watering baked goods. Some of our handcrafted items include hand-carved holiday displays, quilts and quilted items, framed crossstitch, vintage tablecloths, crocheted scrubbies, dishrags, potholders, and afghans. Our male shoppers can browse through tools, hardware, vintage oilfield belt buckles, and hunting gear. Our children’s table will feature children’s books, games, handmade wooden vehicle toys, christening gowns, and handknit baby hat and booties from New Zealand. For baked goods, we will have pumpkin and pecan pies, pumpkin rolls, sourdough bread, cookies and cakes, candies, and fudge. You can enjoy these baked goodies right away or freeze them for the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. Homemade jams and jellies will also be available.

For our hungry morning shoppers, we will have breakfast burritos, along with muffins, cherry or apple danish, and other pastries to enjoy with a complimentary cup of coffee. Chili, frito pie, chopped brisket sandwiches, and pulled pork sandwiches – with chips and a drink – will be available for either dine-in or takeout lunch. Our thanks to our loyal supporters for shopping with us over the years. Your support has helped us maintain the sacristy and sanctuary in our 106-year-old Church in a manner befitting the glory of God and fund the Margaret Torres Higher Learning Scholarship.

Everyone is invited to join us in our Parish Hall for a fun-filled day of shopping, visiting, and feasting on home-cooking! Save the Date – Magi’s Bazaar on Saturday, November 7th!

Lunch provided. Eat 11:30-12:00 and Bingo at 12:00 Myrtle Wilks Community Center (Mountain Top Church) in Cisco.

On October 9 of this year, that Class of 1957 gathered as friends to celebrate the gift of time, memories, and the unshakable bond we have shared for 69 years! We have met every year for the last 5 or 6 years and plan to continue as long as possible. Our reunion is more than a milestone- it is a testament to the journeys we’ve taken, the stories and dreams we have lived, and the love that has kept us connected across the years.

Here’s to the classmates who are still living, and those who have gone on to their reward who remain in our hearts, and to the joy of coming “home” once again. Yes, the Class of 57 truly had its Dreams....song by the Statler Brothers.

The Friendship Meal will be this coming Tuesday, October 20th, 2026.

The menu for October…A spaghetti with meatball meal and dessert. Washed down with tea donated by Dairy Queen in Cisco and then our drawing for gift baskets put together by Wild Flower Florist in Cisco. .

Join us from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Holy Rosary Catholic Church Hall, on the corner of 11th & F.

The meal is a food ministry project, run by parishioners of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. It’s a home cooked meal and anyone from any community is invited for food and fellowship. We encourage families and individuals to attend. So, bring friends, strangers and of course, yourself. We know our guests come for the cooking, but they stay for socializing and drawing. The only requirement is an appetite.

Hey, if you just don’t feel like cooking or you want to meet up with friends for a meal, whatever the reason, come and join us.

Because of a kind donation from Cisco Strong, this coming year’s meals will be thanks to their generosity. Cisco Strong will also be having their Cisco TX Pie Fest starting off at 5 p.m. Friday with a chicken Pot Pie Dinner then Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the town will be vendors, music, food and of course PIE! This is their biggest fund raiser of the year.

Next month’s meal, the first Tuesday of November, the 3rd, we are at the First Baptist Church in Eastland at the corner of Lamar and Valley, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. November’s dinner, turkey of course.

If you have any questions, please call Pete Loftin at 254-5952303.

Q&A with Singer-Songwriter Cindy Morgan

by Priscilla Bettis Facebook@ PriscillaBettisAuthor

Cindy Morgan is a Nashville-based singer- songwriter with two Grammy nominees and fourteen Dove Awards. She’s also a novelist, and her latest book, The Dogwood Gospel (Tyndale Fiction) will be released in November. The main character, Charlotte (Charlie) is a teenager in 1954 Tennessee, and she River of Life Church invites you to Revival Worship Night on Sunday, October 18th at 6:00pm. Come join us as we fill the house with praise and honor to our Heavenly Father. Invite your family and friends for a powerful night of praise and worship, prayer, and fellowship. All are welcome.

Revival Worship Night at River of Life

runs away to join the circus. Cisco Writers Club scored a quick Q&A with Morgan.

Q: Your story combines a coming-of-age novel with a suspenseful, police-procedural story. What prompted such a plot?

A: I've always been a fan of books that combine good character development with a plot that keeps the story moving forward. Charlie's story has so many unanswered questions which need investigating. It didn't hurt that I lived next door to a police officer for ten years!

Q: Why the circus?

A: Charlie is adopted and knows nothing about her past. She feels like she doesn't belong anywhere. In the heyday of the traveling circus, the main attraction was often the outcasts of normal society, but among each other, these outcasts found a sense of be-longing. I knew Charlie would find a home there and hopefully get some answers about her past.

Q: Found family plays a powerful role in the book. What do you hope readers take away about belonging and the idea of "home"?

A: "Found family" is a term I love. Growing up in a close-knit Southern family, I think the blood family was held up, almost religiously, but as I have travelled and heard so many stories from people's lives, I've learned that many people find their only safe option is to escape their family. Home is where you are surrounded by a healthy family (blood or found) who understand you and love you for all that you are, good and bad.

Thank you, Cindy Morgan!

Priscilla Bettis is secretary of the Cisco Writers Club. She's the author of Whispers of a Southern Moon.

Designed and painted by Abilene artist Stephanie Prosser, the mural was developed through a collaborative process from initial concept to final installation. Frizzell provided the overarching framework and historical direction for the project, while Prosser shaped the visual narrative, color palette, and overall composition. Numerous mockups were created and refined throughout the process as the artwork evolved.

Completing the largescale installation required more than 130 hours of dedicated work. Prosser, working alongside her father, completed much of the painting during overnight sessions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to accommodate the scale and physical demands of the project.

The effort also became a true community project through designated paint days that invited students, faculty, staff, and local residents to pick up a brush and contribute directly to the mural.

Drawing inspiration from Cisco College historical archives and materials preserved in the campus time capsule, the finished artwork brings together academic programs, student life, regional traditions, and significant moments in the College’s history.

At the center of the mural are graduates wearing solar eclipse glasses, commemorating a memorable campus viewing event while also symbolizing bright futures and Cisco College students reaching beyond expectations.

Surrounding the graduates are detailed representations of the College’s academic and career pathways. A welder surrounded by sparks highlights skilled trades,

52

while a masked healthcare professional holding a flask recognizes health sciences. A cowboy on horseback represents agriculture and West Texas traditions, including the Lone Star regional rodeo. A trumpet player reflects Cisco College’s musical presence in Abilene-area parades, while a baseball player celebrates Wrangler athletics and the College’s connection with Abilene’s Flying Bisons.

The mural also incorporates several recognizable elements of the Abilene community. Dyess Air Force Base aircraft honor the important relationship between the military installation and the region. First Financial Bank’s headquarters recognizes a key community partner, while Winnie the Pooh provides a playful reference to the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council’s sculpture collection and Abilene’s designation as the Storybook Capital of America.

On the eastern side of the mural, viewers will also find a specially requested goat that became a favorite part of the project during production and has since taken on the role of an unofficial campus mascot.

The permanent installation was made possible through financial support and partnerships with the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, First Financial Wealth, and The Rea Charitable Trust. Their support helped transform a prominent exterior wall at the Abilene Educational Center into a visual landmark that celebrates Cisco College’s history, educational mission, and lasting relationship with the Abilene community.

The mural now stands as both a reflection of the College’s first 20 years of growth in Abilene and a symbol of the students, programs, partnerships, and possibilities that will shape its future.

Lunch provided. Eat 11:30-12:00 and Bingo at 12:00 Myrtle Wilks Community Center (Mountain Top Church) in Cisco.

As a guest of current President Dr. Thad Anglin, Mr. Smith was presented a gift recognizing his total 40 years of service to the college during a pregame ceremony.

Smith served as President of Cisco College from 2011 until his retirement in January 2016. ‘ During his time as president, he helped guide regional academic partnerships, facility expansions, and athletic achievements, such as the Cisco College baseball team's first appearance in the NJCAA World Series.

Mr. Smith and his wife, Beverly, have two grown children: Robert and Christy. They have 16 grandchildren, 7 great- grandchildren, and 2 on the way. His youngest grandchild, Margaret Smith, is a freshman at Cisco College.

(Submitted by Cisco College)

A Review of Local Author Shann Tajiah’s Latest Book

by Priscilla Bettis Facebook@PriscillaBettisAuthor

Echoes of Surrender (Ithirial Rising Press) is the brand new collection from local talent Shann Tajiah. Echoes of Surrender contains both poetry and lyrical short stories, and the pieces are inspired by actual events in Tajiah’s life: a difficult childhood, a loved one’s alcoholism, a miscarriage, and encounters with the Divine.

The collection is divided into four parts. The first part speaks to childhood confusion of whom she was supposed to be able to trust versus whom she could truly trust. “A Daughter’s Resolve” is a particularly powerful poem in this part of the book.

In the second part of the book, a maturity of the speaker is emerging, and she takes a chance on love in “Gamble, No Masks.” There are also moments of justified rage, and readers, too, may get angry when Tajiah portrays how faith was used as a weapon in “Possible Futures.”

The third part includes the award-winning short story “The Scissor Keeper” in which readers are introduced to a precious, young character named Cici who is learning to sew. There’s another award-winning short story in the fourth part of the collection; “Love Carried on Butterfly Wings,” treats readers to a miraculous encounter between a character named Talia and someone she loves dearly. (You might cry!) This part of the collection also contains an uplifting poem, “No Forecast.” It’ll make you want to laugh with abandon along with the speaker.

Plainly put, Echoes of Surrender is a five-star read. It’s available on Amazon.

To learn more about Tajiah’s writing process and to participate in a free writing workshop jointly hosted by Shann Tajiah and Cisco Writers Club, come to the October meeting of Cisco Writers Club as Tajiah presents Using Fragments to Build an Emotional Journey. You will need something to write with, but you only have to share if you want to! If you can, bring one (short) piece that you’ve written. Be prepared to be inspired! Hope to see you there—7 p.m., October 1st, the Big Dam room inside the Myrtle Wilks Community Center in Cisco. Visitors are welcome.

Priscilla Bettis is secretary of the Cisco Writers Club. She’s currently working on a collection of poetry to be released later this year.

Echos of Surrender by Shann Tajiah

Assembling a Collection for Publication

So you want to publish a collection of your poems or short stories or essays. How do you decide what to include and what to leave for the next book?

Bethany Jarmul, the author of Take Me Home (Belle Point Press, 2024), a collection of memoir essays, suggests you start by listing all the pieces you have that are available for publication. Warning: Jarmul says this will take hours. Doing this exercise will help you locate where everything is. Add a brief note about each piece’s genre and topic to see which pieces go together.

I’ve done Jarmul’s exercise with my current poetry stash and learned that I have more poems about the Divine than anything else. As a result, my next collection, Words of a Whisperer (due out in December), will contain faith-based poems, and I’ll leave out my poems about blueberry pancakes and clothes dryers.

Cisco Writers Club member Shann Tajiah has a short-story- and-poetry collection, Echoes of Surrender (Ithirial Rising Press), coming out on September 28th. In Tajiah’s case, she used a story called “Moonflower” to narrow down what she would include in her collection. She then “realized that the collection needed to be arranged in movements, like in music, with ‘Moonflower’ being the touchstone. The most challenging part was creating the flow, and then making sure each piece built up to the finale.” Tajiah used “Moonflower Part One” to anchor the first part of her collection, “Moonflower Part Two” to anchor the second part … all the way to “Moonflower Part Four” and the collection’s purposeful conclusion.

To learn more about Tajiah’s writing process and to participate in a free writing workshop jointly hosted by Shann Tajiah and Cisco Writers Club, come to the October meeting of Cisco Writers Club as Tajiah presents Using Fragments to Build an Emotional Journey. You will need something to write with, but you only have to share if you want to! If you can, bring one (short) piece that you’ve written. Be prepared to be inspired! Hope to see you there—7 p.m., October 1st, the Big Dam room inside the Myrtle Wilks Community Center in Cisco.

Priscilla Bettis is secretary of the Cisco Writers Club. She’s currently working on a collection of poetry to be released later this year.

A native of Hamlin, Mayfield was an adjunct Art Professor at McMurry University for the past 10 years and previously was a teaching assistant at the University of Texas at Tyler for three years.

He has a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Tyler (2014) and a Bachelor of Arts from McMurry (2010). He is qualified to teach art history, design, basic drawing, 3-D design, multimedia, and painting, but his specialty is ceramics.

“I took a ceramics class as my art elective at Mc-Murry, and the rest is history,” he said. He focuses on ceramics and ceramic sculpture with alternative media included. He also has a drawing portfolio of botanicals that are used in fabric designs. His work has been shown in private and university collections across the U.S., Canada and South Korea.

Outside of teaching, he enjoys restoration projects. In 2014 he purchased the antique Drug Store with soda fountain in Hamlin that his family had ties to. “I’ve worked on restoring it ever since and open it for special town occasions.' He is also restoring and remodeling his 1920s bungalow house in Hamlin, a house he was brought home to as a baby. His other interests include traveling to places like London, France, Portugal, Spain and Morocco. “When I’m not working, you can find me gardening, fishing, or exploring resale or antique shops with friends.”

As a teacher, the main thing he encourages is creativity. “I have always tried to give my students creative support without inhibiting their own creative thoughts,” he said. “I try to guide students down a positive path without forcing my own creative hand.” Jodi Frizzell, Chair of the Fine Arts Division at Cisco College, said “Miles brings incredible momentum to the Art Department across both campuses. His expertise and fresh perspective will deeply enrich our creative community, both in and out of the classroom.”

Gail Morris, president of ECRT introduced the presenters. The program was twofold. Presenter Melanie Berry gave an update on the Texas Legislature as participating to retired teachers, and Shannon Boyd represented AMBA, explaining ways to make our homes safer as we age as well as offering amenities provided by AMBA. Many other interesting and informative programs will be offered throughout the year.

Texas Retired Teachers Association, which is state wide is the expert representative and pension defender in the Texas Legislature. The Texas Legislature is the protector of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) fund and controls distribution of the funds. Membership in the Teacher Retirement System provides a voice to the Texas Legislature.

Many are and know retired teachers. All retired teachers and friends are welcome to join “Retired Teacher’s Association.” The next meeting will be October 12, 2026, 11:30 at 303 East I-20, Cisco. Babshi Spiett of Babshi’s Healing Circle will be the presenter.

Submitted by Betty Cooper

1. 08/01/2026 Joseph M. Mallonee, 40, of Cisco Texas, arrested for Parole Violation.

2. 08/01/2026 Leopoldo S. Moreno, 40, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

3. 08/01/2026 Jose G. Guerrero, 38, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

4. 08/01/2026 Erlin L. Rios, 29, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

5. 08/01/2026 Jesus B. Galvan, 24, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

6. 08/01/2026 Gerardo S. Garcia, 25, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

7. 08/01/2026 Jose P. Mercado, 34, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

8. 08/02/2026 Vladimir Remteria, 19, of Dublin Texas, was arrested for POCS PG2 <1G.

9. 08/02/2026 Benjamin B. Brumbalow, 19, of Dublin Texas, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence by Minor.

10. 08/3/2026 Kevin Vazquez, 29, of Mesquite Texas, arrested for POSS MJ <2OZ.

11. 08/06/2026 Nina H. Wilks, 36, of Cisco Texas, arrested for Purchase Furnish Alcohol to a Minor.

12. 08/07/2026 Aaron J. Rusk, 24, of Cisco Texas, arrested for ABND/ENDANGER CHILD INDV INT/ KNOW/RECK/CRIM NEG. 13. 08/10/2026 Brock Borkman, 19, of Utah, arrested for Tamper Govt. Record and UCW 14. 08/10/2026 Richard S. Morgan, 79, of Cisco Texas, arrested for DWI 2ND.

15. 08/13/2026 Larry W. Briggs, 40, of Fort Worth Texas, arrested for DWI.

16. 08/14/2026 Troy L. Meeks, 29, of Deleon Texas, arrested for Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals.

17. 08/14/2026 Rodney L. Fought, 62, of Cisco Texas, arrested for Dog Running At Large.

18. 08/15/2026 Israel G. Busta, 21, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

19. 08/15/2026 Abel S. Contreras, 22, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

20. 08/18/2026 Luke A. Diefendorf, 30, of Brownwood Texas, arrested for Assault Family/Household Member W/ Previous and Evading Arrest or Detention. 21. 08/19/2026 Stacie G. Crutchfield, 41, of Abilene Texas, arrested for DWLS/ SR.

22. 08/19/2026 Pattirose M. Mccloskey, 29, of Cisco Texas, arrested for City Ordinance- No Rabie W/ Tag.

23. 08/21/2026 Emerson I. Hernandez, 19, of Dallas Texas, arrested for Immigration Violation. 24. 08/22/2026 Jose M. Escamilla, 33, of Mexico, arrested for Evading Arrest/ Detention W/Veh and Ice Detainer.

25. 08/22/2026 Manuel L. Ramirez, 32, unknown residence, arrested for Immigration Violation.

26. 08/22/2026 Ramiro C. Hernandez, 29, unknown residence, arrested for Immigration Violation., 27. 08/22/2026 Reynaldo Loredo, 26, of Mesquite Texas, arrested for POSS MARIJ <2OZ.

28. 08/22/2026 Gregorio Campos, 24, of Irving Texas, arrested, for POSS MARIJ <2OZ.

29. 08/22/2026 Mario A. Escamilla, 32, of Plano Texas, arrested for Evading Arrest/Detention and Immigration Detainer.

30. 08/23/2026 Juan S. Galvan, 23, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

31. 08/23/2026 Daivily A. Perez, 22, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

32. 08/23/2026 Franyelis M. Infante, 25, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

33. 08/23/2026 Francisco C. Nieto, 33, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

34. 08/23/2026 Freddie D. Peacock, 45, of Desdemona Texas, arrested for DWI.

35. 08/24/2026 Kirsten K. Dorsey, 47, of Louisiana, arrested for Agg Assault W/ Deadly Weapon.

36. 08/24/2026 Ramiro C. Hernandez, 29, unknown residence, arrested for Immigration Violation.

37. 08/24/2026 Angel A. Silva, 38, unknown residence, arrested for Immigration Violation.

38. 08/24/2026 Luis J. Montes, 28, unknown residence, arrested for Immigration Violation.

39. 8/24/2026 Jesus A. Castillo, 43, unknown residence, arrested for Immigration Violation.

40. 08/26/2026 Jesus C. Guevara, 41, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

41. 08/26/2026 Jose E. Martinez, 24, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

42. 08/26/2026 Ronald J. Villalobos, 33, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

43. 08/26/2026 Royer J. Villalobos, 35, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

44. 08/26/2026 Josue E. Salinas, 26, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

45. 08/26/2026 Hanger E. Mendez, 24, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

46. 08/28/2026 Florence Muhorakeye, 25, of Abilene Texas, arrested for DWLI W/ Prev Conv and Criminal Trespass.

47. 08/28/2026 Angel G. Mendez, 19, unknown residence, arrested for Immigration Violation.

48. 08/30/2026 Chavez R. Alezander, 34, unknown residence, arrested for Federal Immigration Detainer.

Ignoring Writing Advice

Popular writing advice tells writers to get rid of filter words. Instead of writing, “John felt the punch land on his ribs,” write, “The punch landed on his ribs.” It has more immediacy and brings the reader into the action. Writers are also advised to avoid passive voice. The sentence I just wrote is in passive voice. It doesn’t reveal who is doing the advising. In active voice, the sentence might read, “Writing experts tell authors to avoid passive voice.” A third popular writing rule tells writers to cut weasel words. Instead of typing, “Sandra held a kind of hatred for her sister,” a more impactful, concise sentence that fleshes out Sandra’s character would read, “Sandra hated her sister.”

I recently read Stoner by John Williams. Stoner is a classic novel, and classic novels are already more wordy than contemporary novels, so you can expect the verbosity of weasel words. But Williams’ prose shuns all the popular writing advice, and copiously. I noted one page in which virtually every sentence had filter words. "Stoner felt … He saw … Grace watched … She heard …" There are scenes full of passive voice. There are paragraphs stuffed with weasel words. “She seemed to be … It was almost as if … He was nearly taken aback …" But in Stoner, it all works.

The protagonist, William Stoner, spends much of the novel floating about like a waterweed hoping for a shallow part of the lake in which to take root. Instead of Stoner doing the acting (he basically reacts), he is acted upon by plot currents that flow through the book, and his passive condition is emphasized via the passive voice.

The filter verbs have the same effect. It's rarely Stoner throwing a punch, and he rarely sees the punch coming. He simply feels it after it has occurred.

All this makes Stoner sound like an unassertive, uninteresting victim within the story, but we hear his virtuous, logical thoughts, so we root for him as the underdog character. Does he stay the underdog? I’m not telling (no spoilers here).

As for the weasel words, they support Stoner's character. Since he's a really great guy, for example, he wouldn’t believe his colleague Franklin could be cruel. It’s almost as if Franklin were trying to be cruel, Stoner might think, but that would be ridiculous. Then later on in the novel there is a sentence with-out the weasel words. I see what Franklin is up to! The reader notes the growth in Stoner's character as the weasel words drop away. (There isn't a colleague named Franklin. Again, no spoilers here.)

Two things I learned from reading Williams’ book: There are times when it’s useful to ignore common writing advice, and Stoner is a fantastic novel.

What's also fantastic is poet Shann Tajiah’s upcoming collection, Echoes of Surrender (Ithirial Rising Press).

I’ve had a peek at the manuscript, and it's brilliant and beautiful. Tajiah will be the speaker at the Cisco Writers Club's October 1st meeting. Join us at 7 p.m. in the Big Dam room inside the Myrtle Wilks Community Center. Visitors are welcome!

Priscilla Bettis is secretary of the Cisco Writers Club. She’s currently working on her own collection of poetry to be released later this year.

First, second, and third place in the Adventures in Writing category for writers 15 years and younger went to Johanna Huit, “Snorkeling in Paradise,” Ellie Armstrong, “The Little Blue Jay,” and Noor Wind, “The Twinkle Stories,” respectively.

In the Articles category, Robert Robeson Not Forget’ on This

Memorial Day.” San dy Haney won second with “Courage.” Shann Tajiah won third with “I AM Yours,” and Michael Payton won honorable mention with “Miss Jackson.” Sherri Chandler took top spot in the Books category with On the Row. Michael Payton won second with Warwon third with The Bright and Cold Edge of Heaven, and Robert Workman took home honorable mention with Christmas Colt .45.

In the Poetry category, Priscilla Bettis’s “Subtle Light Flows” and “Spring Ghazal” place, respectively. Jim bris” won third, and Cady Pena’s “Milkmaid

won first and second Wilson’s “Holiday De Diaries” won honorable

From Page 1... Cisco Writers Club Winners

mention.

first place in the Publi Cady Pena earned cation Briefs category for “Letter to Self” followed by Linda Gordon with a second place Air.” Third place went to Robert Robeson for “All Things Are Possible,” and Priscilla Bettis finish for “Rarified

snagged honorable mention for “Brother Thomas.”

First place went to Shann Tajiah’s “Love Wings” in the short stories category. Robert Workman won second and third for “Seven-Mackie and Me,” respectively. Honorable mention was a tie between Robert Workman’s “Linda’s Classic” and Shann Tajiah’s “The

ty Degrees” and “Bob

Scissor Keeper.”

The David Autry

Sweepstakes award goes to the writer with number of points garnered. First place earns four points, second earns three, third earns two, and honorable mention earns one. The vid Autry Sweepstakes award is Priscilla Bettis.

Congratulations, writers!

winner of the 2026 Da

Her career at the Cisco campus began and ended at the Manor Memorial Library, but in between, she spent more than 18 years as the Bookstore manager, a job she loved because of the general merchandise she created, such as T-shirts designed with the school logo.

That job ended five years ago when the college outsourced the bookstore to an outside company, after which she was transferred back to the library.

Known for her “Bambi” eyes and bold fashion, most people would be surprised to know that Terri Gayle once earned a cosmetology instructor’s license. She never used it though; “I didn’t want to be married to it.”

Terri Gayle has been extremely popular with students. She kept an eye out for students who needed encouragement.

“My office has always been, even in the bookstore, a revolving door. Kids that are homesick, kids that have had a break-up or somebody who just wants to talk. They knew they could trust me. And sometimes they just needed a big hug.”

During buy-back season at the bookstore, when all the students were leaving, “I would literally be sore from those big old football players just squeezing me in half,” she said. “I still keep in contact with several of them.’

At a retirement party at the Hilton Civic Center on Aug. 29, her husband of 25 years, Jim Widener, read a heartfelt letter from a former student, Joy Tosu. The student told of being abandoned in her dorm during a weather crisis. Alone and frightened, she heard a car honk outside her window. It was Terri Gayle who had come to pick Joy up and take her to the Widener home for the weekend. That student is now a medical doctor at UCLA. She is just one of many students that Terri Gayle has helped over the years. .

As one former professor told Terri Gayle at the party, “‘People do not know what all you have done for the students, in their lives and for them.’ And I just looked at him, and I said, ‘Shh. They're not supposed to know.’” She was born in Ranger but has lived her whole life in Cisco except for 6 years when she lived in Longview. Her ancestors, the Bint family, were ranchers near Cisco and had a big sawmill during the Depression. Her sister, Sharon Curtis, now lives on the family ranch. Their parents were Perla and James Agnew.

Terri Gayle has two living children. Krystal lives in Abilene with her husband Steve; they have two children, Tessa Gayle and Tara Michelle. Tessa and her husband Caleb are prelaw students at Texas A&M, and Tara attends ACU.

Son Rocky Joe Thompson lives in Cisco and has a son, Brayden, a student at Eastland High, who has recently signed with the Army. Father Rocky Joe’s injury during wartime in 2005 led to him receiving a Purple Heart. This sparked Terri Gayle's deep interest in veterans who live in the Cisco area. Every year she has planned and hosted a big luncheon for veterans at the college library. She also created a huge accordion room divider with veterans' portraits and histories that lined a library wall for several years. That display has now been moved to the Eastland County Courthouse, and plans are to eventually move it to the VFW in Eastland. Terri Gayle's other son, Rowdy, was killed in a traffic incident in Abilene in 2020, but his wife Stacy Stone was at the retirement party last week with Terri Gayle's grandchildren Tucker Ray and Kendall. Now that she is retired, Terri Gayle plans to do much more cooking, a hobby she loves. "I don't have any other plans," she said. "Probably driving my husband crazy." The couple lives in a house in Cisco that she dreamed about living in when she was a child because "it looks like a castle." It will be interesting to see what Terri Gayle accomplishes next in her life. She is a great friend to many, including this writer.

The Life Event Gala is The Open Door's signature annual fundraising event, drawing supporters from across the region to celebrate the organization's mission to 'Save and Transform Lives.' Proceeds from the evening help fund the pregnancy and family services the center provides to the community.

Tickets and sponsorships for the gala are available now. Those interested can purchase online by scanning the QR code included on the event's save-thedate mailer, or mail in a check using the enclosed reply card and envelope. For more information about The Open Door Pregnancy & Family Resource Center, or to learn how to attend or sponsor this year's Life Event Gala, contact the organization directly. Event Details:

• What: 19th Annual Life Event Gala — 'The Gift of Life: Because Every Birthday Matters'

•Featured Speaker: Kirk Walden, co-author of Saving Samaria

•When: October 20, 2026

•Where: Cisco, Texas

•Host: The Open Door Pregnancy & Family Resource Center

The menu for September…Chicken Pot Pie, yams, roll, vegetable & dessert, washed down with tea donated by Dairy Queen in Cisco, and then our drawing for gift baskets put together by Wild Flower Florist in Cisco. Join us from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Holy Rosary Catholic Church Hall, on the corner of 11th & F.

Cisco Strong has again come through for us with a kind donation for the coming year's meals. If you'd like to thank them, come participate in the Cisco TX Pie Fest on October 16th & 17th, that will be plenty of thanks for their generosity. The meal is a food ministry project, run by parishioners of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. It's a home-cooked meal. Anyone from any community is invited for food and fellowship. We encourage families and individuals to attend. So, bring friends, strangers, and of course, yourself. We know our guests come for the cooking, but they stay for socializing and drawing. The only requirement is an appetite. Hey, if you don't feel like cooking or you want to meet up with friends for a meal, whatever the reason, come and join us. Next month's meal is the first Tuesday of October, the 6th, spaghetti? We will be at the First Baptist Church in Eastland at the corner of Lamar and Valley, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please call or text Pete Loftin at 254-5952303.