STICKY DOORKNOBS

Fund raising committees say the darnedest things

Several years ago when I worked with the great people at Midland's Centers for Children and Families, I lobbied and lobbied and lobbied for us to contract with Art Linkletter to come in and be our guest presenter for one of the first "An Evening With ..." fundraisers, in 2003 (the same year Henry Winkler proved such a wonderful speaker).

My insistence was met with repeated cries from the committee of "No, Art's too risky. He's 90. He might die."

Today, sadly, they all turned out to be right. Seven years late. But right.

America lost one of its cultural institutions today. A wonderful man who with his program "Kids Say The Darnedest Things" made you smile and see that laughter in -- and brought by -- children is one of the most precious things on earth.

God Bless Art Linkletter.

Midland family glad to be home after Times Square scare

Donald and Janet Knipe and their 16-year-old son David didn't know what was going on for awhile. Like tens of thousands of others, they were enjoying the night life New York City offers on a Saturday night and were sightseeing before walking a few blocks to see "Phantom of the Opera." Suddenly, David said, the crowd that surrounded them kept pressing back in their direction until, "We were looking out at a completely empty Times Square."

   The Knipes were in town to hear older son, James, perform at Carnegie Hall with the Texas Tech choir. A second Midland family, Steve and Lana Henry, were also in town for the same performance -- son Drew also sings in the Tech choir -- but they were staying in another borough, away from the goings-on in Manhattan.

   The performance last weekend of the Tech choir coincided with the failed car bomb attempt that captured the world's attention last weekend. David cringes when he thinks what could have been.

   "I've been trying to wrap my mind around it; they said a car bomb like that could kill 300-500 people within an 800-foot radius. We were about 100-200 feet from it. I can't wrap my mind around it."

   The Knipes say they walked right by the Lion King theater where the would-be bomber left his SUV filled with gasoline and propane. They had no reason to notice whether the vehicle was there when they walked by. James was in a McDonalds in Time Square and had left the restaurant moments before New York City police sealed it off, preventing people from leaving.

   "As best I have been able to figure out," Janet Knipe said, "we were right at the car bomb site about 30 minutes before it was detected; it might not have even been parked there at that time. It was right in the middle of Times Square -- one block down from the half price theater ticket place (TKTS TKTS) and they have changed much of that area to a pedestrian walking mall.  When TV news shows the bomb site, there is a Swatch store in the background and we were there at 6 p.m., when I told David it was time to head back to the hotel -- being in a watch store you knew what time it was for sure."

   Mrs. Knipe said as they were about one block from their hotel, police began to set out barricades and telling everyone to turn around.

   David said the family knew nothing of what was going on, so he called a friend in Midland and asked him to check the Internet to see what was happening. Of course, the news was online almost immediately, and that's how the Knipes learned of the car bomb.

   "The more we heard that night and every day since, the more I realize just how God was with us every step of the way," Mrs. Knipe said. "I was concerned, but there was a calm and a peace, and police handled it very, very orderly. It could have been a real bad situation but the way NYPD handled it people were going to the theater and not even thinking about it."

   The next morning, David said, the Knipes counted at least 30 NYPD squad cars parked in Times Square (photo above).

   The Knipes ended up loving 'Phantom' and James' performance at Carnegie Hall -- "I cried," Mrs. Knipe said -- before returning home early this week.

   As if being in proximity to one huge news story wasn't enough for one family in two day's time, on the Knipe's return flight home, they landed in Nashville to refuel and could clearly see the devastation caused by the flooding of the Cumberland River this week.

   "We looked down and what we thought were car ports were entire houses under water," David said.

   Top photo: The Lion King Theatre, where a would-be terrorist parked an SUV with a failed car bomb about 30 minutes after the Knipe family of Midland walked by. Photos courtesy The Knipe Family.

David Hurta and Judge John Hyde: A double dose of good news

So often we sit and hope for good news only to be disappointed when the negative comes.

Today, though, is one of those rare days when the news is not only good, but good twice.

Monday came word that David Hurta, who'd been written about several weeks ago, was released from the hospital. Five weeks and five days since falling unconscious and suffering a massive heart attack while playing basketball at the First Baptist Church gym, then experiencing day after day of setback upon setback, David walked out of the hospital. He was given a 10 percent chance of survival. Doctors had once feared brain damage. But that all changed in late March, and last month, on a narrative written by his physician, his turnaround was described by his doctor as a "miracle." David himself was called a miracle by the same doctor.

Then came the following email this morning, from Judge John Hyde, who last Thanksgiving was told he had cancer in his lungs and lymph nodes. His prognosis, like David's was bleak at the time:

Today I received the results of last week’s medical tests and the news is good. The cancer has not spread to any other organs and the three known cancers, in my lung and two lymph nodes, have shrunk.  Thursday I will meet with the oncologist to learn his evaluation and prescribed treatment plan. I am indeed grateful to modern medicine but I am persuaded that the intercessory prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ have produced the good news we received today. Thanks so much for your thoughtful prayers.

If you don't believe in the power of prayer after these two stories, I don't know what to tell you.

40 and counting: Lee band continues remarkable streak

The last time the Midland Lee High School band did not complete the musical year with a Sweepstakes (first divisions in marching, contest and sightreading), Nixon was in the White House, John & Yoko hadn't even held their famous peace-in, Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Bad Moon Rising" was the No. 1 song and most of those who are parents of today's Lee band students were still in elementary school. Maybe.

It is a spectacular run that anyone involved in high school music instruction would love to have a piece of. Tuesday night at the Lee auditorium, the Lee honor band achieved that magical milestone -- and it now sets its sites on 50.  And think about this one: Were 50 to be achieved, it would be a safe bet that at least one or two of the current members of the program will be back and teaching or assisting in a band program locally.

A friend of mine with whom I went to high school is now the band director of a 5A school in South Texas. Yesterday, his band brought home a Sweepstakes for the first time since 1994. "Forty," he said, "is incredible."

Indeed it is, especially when the music is considered. The Lee band nailed its renditions of "Carmina Burana" and "Angels in the Architecture." I am not a music theory person, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say those pieces are not typical for 16 and 17 year old students. With what seems to be a high degree of difficulty, the two songs are at least pieces of music that strike awe and elicit emotional responses in even the most casual of music fans.

I'm told that after last night's performance, the three judges in the balcony rose for a standing ovation. If that is not unusual, I'd like to know. Congratulations are due to Randy Storie, Paul Meiste and all the assistant directors at Lee who help make it all happen.

It is also rewarding to see student musicians from other schools excel after so many months of dedication, discipline and hard work. Hats off to the Midland High, Odessa High, Odessa Permian and San Angelo Central band programs, all of whom were deservedly decorated with first divisions in concert and sightreading at Tuesday's contest.

Fine arts programs in public schools prove that there doesn't have to be just one winner at the end of a season. If you work hard enough, you simply get what you're working for.

High fives to all the bands in this year's UIL contest.

Holy Week. Wednesday. Miracles.

    Anyone who has never been in on an Easter Miracle will likely be somewhat skeptical when talk that one is actually occurring -- right now -- is introduced into the conversation. After all, miracles, although they occur everyday, are not always easy to see and maybe harder to comprehend.

   But if you are a friend or family member of David Hurta, you are no longer skeptical.

   A week ago today, David, a well-known and highly-respected Midland banker, was playing basketball at the First Baptist Church gym, as he often does. Suddenly, he collapsed. He was immediately attended to by a fellow player and friend, who administered CPR until paramedics arrived. Word is that David was in the emergency room 10 minutes after he hit the floor. That was a very good thing.

  But the next week seemed to bring with it nothing but the worst kind of news every day.  In the hours after what was described as a massive heart attack, David began aspirating. As a result, his doctors say about 90 percent of his lungs had been burned. Then came news of pneumonia. And an induced coma. A failing kidney would come next. Then a liver that was shutting down. And on Monday of this week, news began to spread among his circle of friends that doctors were now fearing brain damage.

  So it was somewhat of a surprise to walk into the waiting room at Midland Memorial Hospital Tuesday morning and see smiles on the faces of David's wife Melanie, his sister Lettie and daughter Ann. Big smiles. Smiles that could only be sourced from a miracle. Smiles so big they reminded you of, well, David.

   Seems sometime Tuesday morning -- about 3 a.m., to be as precise as anyone connected with this story can get -- David woke suddenly from a deep sleep. His son Will was standing over him. David not only recognized him, but also began responding to commands given by nurses.

   When the sun came up Tuesday (and here's the rest of the miracle part), several people close to David reported -- some before hearing the news of his waking, some after -- that they too had woken in the middle of the night -- about 3 a.m. -- and had for some reason had had very strong thoughts about their sick loved one upon waking. It was 3:22 a.m. for me. Better late than never.

   Later that morning, a friend visited in the hospital and David was asked if he recognized the man. David nodded yes. "Do you want to shake his hand?" Melanie Hurta asked her husband. David shook his head no. And then he smiled and stuck out his arm slowly. David's enormous sense of humor had returned. And anyone who has ever seen him (and groaned) as he reads his news headlines at Rotary or watched (and laughed and rolled their eyes) as he performs his comedy show at the Lion's Club's annual Roar With Laughter event in October, that's both good news and bad news.

   Anyone who has ever met this remarkable Midlander -- a man a lot of people probably know simply from having seen him out and about and marveled at his constantly joyous spirit -- can't help but believe there is something greater at work here. Two days ago, doctors gave him a 10 percent chance at survival. Tuesday, Mrs. Hurta said two doctors told her what had happened to her husband was nothing less than a miracle.

  In these days before the holiest day of the year when Christians the world over will spend Sunday with family remembering their risen Christ, the event is especially meaningful this year for David's family and friends. Although there's a long road ahead, the smiles in the recovery room at Midland Memorial have replaced fears of the worst. And that is a special site to behold.

   Miracles.

   How could you not believe now?

Holy Week. Tuesday. Grace.

I took our son to a local food pantry Saturday. He's working on community service hours for confirmation. Well. That's the way it started. Now he just likes to go and help every week. Last Saturday, the pantry was fully staffed. Lots of helpers. Good, kind-hearted people. Young and old.

I stood and watched the people coming and going. Without fail, they are all gracious; gracious for just receiving a box of food for the week. Frozen hamburger meat, condensed milk, green beans, water, bread, a bag of hominy, coffee in an unmarked foil container, dry soup and day old pastries, sometimes two days old. It's the kind of food at which a lot of people would probably turn up their nose, but its manna to the people who come to the pantry every week. And they are as grateful as you or I would be to receive a free dinner at some local upscale restaurant.

It's humbling to watch their thankfulness. They say if you give you get. This is that.

As I stood by with my son last week, I watched a middle-aged man walk up to the pantry. Unshaven with well-worn clothes and eyeglasses drooping half down on his nose, he approached the doorway. His head he held down. He seemed maybe a bit embarrassed to be asking for a box of food.

When the man stepped inside, one of the veteran pantry workers reached out to him, grabbed both of his shoulders and said, "Hey! How ya doing?" The man gave an inaudible response.

"Do you still play baseball?" Again, the man's response was inaudible.

The pantry volunteer turned, looked at me and, with a big smile on his face, said, "I used to coach this guy in Little League. He could sure play some ball."

The worker looked back at the man and asked him again how he was doing. The two continued a brief, private conversation, and the man reached down and picked up his box of food. But now, his head was held up a little higher; his voice louder, clearer.

"Thank you," the man said as he looked at all the volunteers there. "Thank you all. God bless you."

And he turned and left.

The pantry worker had leveled the playing field. He had made a needy man an equal. With a touch, a smile and a memory.

Grace.

That's what it is.

David Hurta: Get well, my friend

If someone were to ask me what downtown Midland was like, my description would not be compete unless it came with this: "...and everyday, you'll see David Hurta walking down Wall St. with that big ol' smile of his."

David is a fixture of most any weekday foray through downtown Midland. He is a fixture at many non-profits in town. And I am proud to call him a friend. Two nights ago, David suffered a massive heart attack while playing basketball at First Baptist Church. My latest understanding is that, as of Thursday night, he was still very ill.

David is also a fixture at the annual Roar With Laughter event during which local amateur comedians help the Northside Lion's Club with its main fundraiser of the year by bearing their comedic souls to those in the audience. David is always a highlight with his hokey brand of throwback, Andy Griffith-style humor.

I'm not sure I've ever met a person who seems so utterly carefree and happy every single time I have spoken to him or seen him walking through downtown.

Get well, my friend. Midland's lost too many good people lately. It can ill afford to be without you.

Hyde continues to shrug off cancer, delivers history program on Texas Independence Day

It just seemed fitting that Judge John Hyde celebrated Texas Independence Day Tuesday by doing one of the things he does best: giving a presentation on the state's history to the Midland Women's Book Club during the lunch hour at Ranchland Hills Country Club.

Judge Hyde continues to inspire by simply showing up every day. He hasn't changed his routine despite the fact he's into his fourth month of living with the knowledge of a lung cancer diagnosis and is in the fourth week of radiation and the second month of a liquid diet.

"Last night for dinner I drank a chicken," Hyde joked with the Women's Club, and then praised his wife Sharon for being able "to liquify anything."

How Hyde is able to keep it up in the face of such a dreary diagnosis is admirable. He looks fit, sounds strong and as always provides an interesting and informative few minutes of history wherever he makes his presentations.

Hyde spoke of the heroic Emily Morgan and how she, umm, kept Santa Anna otherwise indisposed in his tent while the Texas Army gained a stronghold on the invading Mexicans during the Battle of the Alamo. Santa Anna's interest in Miss Morgan, at least according to legend, played a role in the Texas victory, and so it is fitting that a historic hotel bearing her name now towers over the Alamo.

Hyde recalled a Winston Churchill quote befitting of his own character -- "Think no small thoughts because they do not stir the soul" -- and opened his 20-minute program with his account of what makes Texas so unique:

"In the winter we can use our heater and air conditioner on the same day ... in July we learn to drive our car with two fingers and the best parking space is determined by shade not distance ... and in Texas, our annual rainfall can often come in just one day."

Thanks, Judge Hyde, for showing everyone how life should be lived.

UTEP Symphony treats small Midland crowd to big performance

Several years ago, for, as I recall, a short-lived time, the Midland Chamber adopted a tagline. Midland, our city's marketers said, was "In the Middle of Somewhere." I was never really sure what that meant exactly. But Tuesday night, it seemed to fit.

For the second time in six weeks I have witnessed an entertainment event in Midland that would be on a par with anything The Big City would have to offer. In December, it was the appearance of smooth jazz sax man Tom Braxton playing a Christmas Concert with the Midland Lee Orchestra. It was a fantastic night of music showcasing not only Braxton's great ability but also a bevy of local talent.

Tuesday night at the Lee auditorium as the finale of its annual mid-winter concert, Lee band director Randy Storie yielded the concert stage to the University of Texas-El Paso Wind Symphony. If you were fortunate enough to attend you know what a treat it was. To hear collegiate level symphony musicians is about as good as it gets. The UTEP Wind Symphony was on its way to San Antonio to play for the Texas Music Educator's Association annual convention but during its stopover in Midland shared its generous talent with, unfortunately, a less than capacity crowd at LHS.

Cornet player Nancy Taylor, a graduate-level occupational therapy student at UTEP, played an outstanding solo that drew a standing ovation for her technique and remarkable musicianship. Her work was followed by literally the world premiere of "Dauntless, Boldly Forth," described as an orchestra piece "emblematic of the determination to forge ahead and face all that life brings." The piece was composed by UTEP theory professor Dominic Dousa and Tuesday's performance was the first before an audience. The UTEP Wind Symphony, 66 strong and almost entirely made up of Latin American student musicians, closed with "Machu Picchu -- City in the Sky," a three-movement piece that melodically tells the story of the discovery, destruction and rediscovery of the famed city of Cuzco and its Sun Temple, the deity of the Incan civilization.

It is getting more and more difficult to argue a case for there being nothing to do in Midland. Thanks to the talented, internationally renowned collegiate symphony from El Paso for helping chip away at that barrier a little more this week.

Former CBS-7 'Cowboy Reporter' Sam Conn dies

Sam Conn, colorful former reporter for CBS 7 who created a character for himself through his "On The Trail" reports, died over the weekend following a lengthy illness. His obituary, forwarded by fellow co-worker Bill Warren, is featured in today's online edition of the Silver City (NM) Sun News.

Sam once did a story on our three-legged dog Rinnie. He was professional and knew exactly what had to be done to preserve that Cowboy reporter image. He was a character and at home on TV anywhere in Texas or in his beloved New Mexico.

Here's the Sun News story about Sam.