People helping out

Does everybody remember when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the media got all over our president for the slow response by the Federal Emergency Management Association?

Well, after May’s deadly tornado that struck Joplin, Mo., the residents there received a lot of help. The help mostly came from churches and organizations.

I think it’s great that all these people pitched in and helped others whose town was almost wiped out.

Some victims were asked how FEMA helped. Many said they hadn’t seen them there. I’m not sure to what extent FEMA helped, but the important thing is the sacrifices some people made to help their fellow citizens.

God bless them all.

Jerry Willett, Lorena

Mixing irony, salsa

One would think that the Arthritis Foundation would put on an event that is sensitive to those who have arthritis. I have arthritis and am very supportive of the Arthritis Foundation and their research that might help me in the future.

Every summer I want to go to the Margarita & Salsa Festival in Waco to hear the bands and support the foundation. But every year it puzzles me that the event organizers place the portable toilets far from the stage. Crippled people like me have to walk a mile uphill to go to the restroom.

My disease weakens my muscles, and I have had both hips and knees replaced. This climb is quite difficult for me.

I wish someone with some compassion for those of us with arthritis would arrange the stage and rest ooms so we can enjoy the show in future years.

Tim Martinez, China Spring

A real American

In response to a recent article about a superintendent of schools in California, I would like to applaud him for his giving spirit.

In an era when so many people are consumed with accumulating more money and possessions, it’s refreshing to find someone who has the good grace to say, “I have enough.”

By choosing to forgo his customary paycheck while still doing his job, he will serve his community for the good of others — rather than the good of his wallet.

When will the rest of us realize that being rich doesn’t require us to be wealthy?

Carolyn Griffin, Lorena

A Waco favorite

While in Ruidoso, N.M., recently, I visited the Spencer Theater and saw “A Ride With Bob.” The singers, dancers and jokesters performed the life of western swing and country singer Bob Wills.

They portrayed him from his early 1930 days, when he played with the Light Crust Doughboys on radio stations WACO in Waco, KFJZ in Fort Worth and KVOO in Tulsa.

One of the performers even acted the part of W. Lee “Pass the Biscuits, Pappy” O’Daniel, a manager who prevented the band from playing at dances. Wills later relocated to Waco and played fiddle for the band the Playboys.

This was a terrific stage production with plenty of Wills songs made famous right here in Waco.

Dwight Thomas, Marlin