Students at Horace Mann

Kacyn Beard to cheer at Nationals

Gideon 1 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.

These are the boundaries around the people of Judah by their clans. 13 In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) 14 From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites— Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the sons of Anak. 15 From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). 16 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” 17 Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage.

Seventy-plus members of the Circus Fans Association of America were in Hugo over the weekend for their first-ever annual convention in “Circus City — USA!” Association President Tim Tegge issued rave reviews for the groups tours of the Endangered Ark Foundation where they were guests of Barbara and Traci Byrd, Kristin Parra and their staff. The group also toured the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve where owners Ryan and Elaine Easley said they were the largest adult group to ever attend their show of exotic Tigers. The Association’s attending members also were present for the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus season debut, under the direction of Trey and Simone Key. Also on their agenda was a guided tour of Showman’s Rest at Hugo’s famous Mount Olivet Cemetery. Attendees were from almost every state in the Union. President Tegee is also the Ring Master for the Royal Hanneford Circus. More information about the Circus Fans’ Association of America can be found at: www.circusfans. org.

In the past few years there has been a surge in gardening activity and a desire to be outdoors. And why not? Gardening and being out in nature can be so rewarding and has proven to be therapeutic. If you are considering gardening for the first time or just want to get better at it, here is some infor- mation that will help get you started.

Dr. Charles Elswick • No I do not think downtown is healthy and successful, too many empty buildings and too many dispensaries.