People, Places & Events

Cedar Creek Lake Rotarians
discover Black Beauty Ranch
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–An animal per acre maybe wasn’t the goal, but it is currently the reality for the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch near Murchison.
Director of operations for the ranch Diane Miller said there are about 1,300 animals currently living on approximately 1,300 acres.
Miller was keynote speaker for the Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake’s weekly luncheon Friday.
She described the ranch’s purpose was to be a place where abused animals could live out the remainder of their lives in a peaceful and natural setting.
“The ranch was founded in 1979, beginning with 80 acres, and has now grown to 1,300 acres,” she said. “It is the largest sanctuary open to various species all living in the same area.”
Although the ranch is not “wide open to the public,” there are special visitation periods, Miller explained.
“There are two open house events scheduled in the fall. The first is set for Saturday, Oct. 3,” she said.
The other fall date and two dates in the spring will be announced at a later time.
The facility merged with the Humane Society of the U.S. in 2005.
The only animals the facility is not involved in rescuing are the domestic dogs and cats.
“We have animals from many species that often share a background of harm at the hands of people,” Miller said.
A slide show pictured animals of various species, such as lynx and other exotic cats, elephants and primate breeds.
About 84 horses recently rescued from starvation in Alliance, Neb., have been put with a trainer and farrier, and are almost ready to be adopted.
On-line adoption forms are available at www.equineonline.org at fees ranging from $250 to $500.
Burros, due to be shot and killed by the government as a solution to overgrazing, were lifted 5,000 feet by helicopter out of the Grand Canyon.
“The ranch currently has 15 full-time staff members plus the volunteers,” Miller said.
“Future plans include building our own veterinary clinic, and when it’s completed, we’ll be looking for a full-time vet,” she said.
For information or an appointment to see the horses before the adoption open house, call Rachel at (916) 865-8993.

Tom Schieffer stumps for Dem. nomination
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
MABANK–Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Tom Schieffer made a stop in Mabank Friday on his way to Tyler to talk about his ideas for better public education.
Members of the local Democratic Party met with him at the Tri-County Library.
After congratulating the Mabank school district for earning TEA’s highest rating, he said other areas of East Texas are not making the grade.
“We need an educational system that fits the kid, not the other way around,” he said. “We talk about the test, instead of the education we’re giving our kids.”
He believes that students best suited for physical skills be prepared to learn those skills that will make them successful taxpayers, such as airplane mechanics, electricians, wastewater treatment operators and the like.
“We can’t have kids dropping out of school. Give them the skills they need to compete,” he said.
Schieffer’s experience in Japan as the U.S. ambassador opened his eyes to the competition among the children of Asia.
He also believes public education should begin earlier – for preschoolers – and that after-school study programs should be made available, ones that give parents an opportunity to be involved.
As governor, he said he would put together a task force of community and business leaders, educators, parents and futurists to flesh out ideas to make Texas students more competitive in a globalized workforce.
“The military has figured out a way to educate their workforce, why can’t we?” he said. “Leaders create a culture where problems can be solved, instead of politicizing the issues, that’s the kind of governor I want to be.”
On funding education, “the state has to do more to fulfill its responsibility. Funding from property taxes is pretty close to exhausted,” he said.
A Fort Worth native, Schieffer said his experience as a lawyer, state legislator, college trustee, president of the Rangers Baseball Club (given the task of building the Ranger Stadium in Arlington) and his service as U.S. ambassador to Japan and Australia uniquely qualifies him to guide Texas into the future.
The important issues to Texans are public education, jobs, children’s health insurance, rising college tuition, energy, protecting the environment and transportation and are the areas of focus for him.
He believes he is the kind of Democrat who can work with moderates, independents and thoughtful Republicans.

Chamber and Mabank ISD host
6th annual New Teacher Luncheon
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
MABANK–Business leaders and citizens welcomed 43 new teachers to the Mabank Independent School District Aug. 13.
The MISD and the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the sixth annual New Teacher Luncheon, held in the commons area of Mabank High School.
Assistant superintendent Linda McKee presented the welcoming greeting, in which she thanked community leaders and businesses for their support.
The invocation was given by assistant superintendent of business management Scott Adams.
School board president Gary Sapp introduced the board of trustees – vice president Kenneth Odom, Michael Cathey, Dean Fannin, Todd Grimes, Tyson Johnson and Dr. Darrel Kinnard.
MISD administration personnel were introduced to the new teachers, ending with the notation, “these are the people you can go to when you have a problem.”
Sapp described the honor of Mabank ISD becoming an Exemplary district.
The district is a part of Region 10, which stretches from Mabank to Dallas, he explained.
Sapp presented statistics, pointing out there were no 5A school districts designated as Exemplary.
“There were only two 4A districts (named exemplary), Mabank and Highland Park,” Sapp said.
“Mabank High School is probably the only true Title One, Class 4A Exemplary district,” Sapp pointed out.


Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Approximately 43 new Mabank ISD teachers were introduced at the sixth annual New Teacher
Luncheon Aug. 13. Business and civic members from around the lake introduced teachers at the event.