News

Prior to the Dec. 20 Mesquite City Council Meeting, Jeff Casper, Place 1 and Jennifer Vidler, Place 3, were installed as newly elected Councilmembers during a swearing-in ceremony and Mayor Daniel Alemán, Jr. as well as all City Councilmembers were presented their Certificates of Election.

At the close of each year, I always reflect upon all the great times I enjoyed in the outdoors and wonderful people I had the privilege of spending time with. Each year, one could almost ‘set his watch’ to the timing for a year in the outdoors. Beginning with late winter white bass and striper fishing during the spawn, then spring turkey season and when the water warms around April, fishing for most species begins to heat up. Then in Fall the hunting seasons once again kick in. Life in the outdoors for me has been a glorious merry go round of activities, each of which occur on a yearly basis at about the same time.

When you invest, you incur risk – there’s no avoiding it. But the concept of “risk” may be more expansive than you realized. And by understanding the different types of investment risk and how these risks can be addressed, you can improve your skills as an investor.

Once upon a time, pre-713 BC to be almost but not quite exact, there were 10 months and 304 days in a year, starting with March. And, we’re talking Roman calendars, by the way, lest you were thinking Julian calendars or Gregorian calendars or something along those lines. No one is entirely sure how we picked up January and February. I mean, yes, there’s a legend about a king named Numa Pompilius who added the extra months, but given that he’s basically a mythical person, who may or may not (based on whether he was even real or not) have been the successor of Romulus, that’s pretty much a huge question mark. Or, maybe you fall into the opposing camp of historians who credit the additional days to Decemvirs, a 10 man commission of Roman law writers, around 450 BC. Regardless, it does seem to have originated in the Northern Hemisphere, since January was first called a variety of things by a variety of people. The Saxons said Wulfmomath, or Wolf Month, since the January full moon is known as the Wolf Moon. The court of Charlemagne used the term Wintarmanoth – meaning cold month. The Finnish say tammikuu, or heart of winter. Since January (the actual word derives from Roman mythology’s Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions) is the coldest month of the year, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s safe to say all the names originated there. But, as necessity breeds invention, so was January born mainly from a war, the Lusitanian War of 153 BC, perhaps. See, Chief Punicus, of the Lusitanians, defeated some Roman governors and killed all their troops. The Romans demanded an investigation, as Romans do, and immediately sent the 153 BC version of the Red Cross to Hispania to deliver aid. Then, they decided to make some better rules, again, as Romans do. They needed them to go into effect immediately. But, it was 2.5 months before the day new rules went into place (cause, March). So, the Romans flipped the script on the calendar and added January and February. Presto, abracadabra, a la peanut butter sandwiches, and there were new months and new laws and a big Roman mulligan for Hispania.

Dear Aunt B Readers,

I always make my new year’s resolutions simple and short so when I break them it isn’t so much trouble. I guess there is a name for that which is called lazy or weak or many other names. I think the resolutions are like making a vow. In times past a vow was binding and serious. Many people tend to brush them off as a fad or a little game that is unimportant. Among many Christians that is not so. I think the resolutions we make help us grow and get more serious about what we do in our daily lives. GOD is always serious about what we do with our lives. Our lives really belong to Him and honesty is surely among the top things GOD is pleased with. If we could always be pure while we live in this world, it would not have been necessary for Jesus to come and pay for our sins. So what should our first resolution be? I think it should go something like this: I VOW TO SERVE GOD WHEREVER HE SENDS ME THIS YEAR. That might not sound like much but I think GOD will remind us of our vow each time we break it.

“Because you’re 6 years old,” says Jessica, 6.

Setting realistic goals and expectations and being emotionally ready to change are essential to keeping New Year’s resolutions, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

The City of Forney is bringing back the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Downtown Forney! On December 31st, help us ring in 2022 with a night full of fun festivities capped off by a ball drop. There will be live music, food, drinks, and plenty of fun. The event will start at 7 p.m. and will end after the clocks strike midnight.

McPherson College, a four-year private college located in central Kansas, recognizes its highest academic achievers in its fall 2021 Honor Roll and Honorable Mention.

The end of any year causes one to look back in reflection of the events that had occurred in the last twelve months. Forney Education Foundation experienced a wonderful 2021 due in large part to the amazing support of the teachers and community that believed in and understood the mission of FEF. The donors that gave so generously to the Foundation–regardless of the amount– also understood that the funds are very carefully spent to benefit the teachers and students in Forney ISD. Since the Grant Train has rolled through FISD for this school year, the teachers are looking forward to receiving their grants next semester and implementing them in their classroom.

The employees for the City of Mesquite continue to give back to the community they serve as they raised $50,000 for local charities as a part of their 2021 Real. Texas. Giving. Campaign. In the past five years City employees have donated nearly $200,000 through the campaign to local charitable organizations, programs and services that support the Mesquite community.

Traditions are the glue that hold many celebrations together. Individuals and families embrace many customs that serve as the script for commemorating yearend holidays.