Wednesday, April 1, 1998

Birding exploits

The Sunday article on birder Jay Packer shows us a prime example of Abilene's fine young people. He is the pride and joy of the Big Country Audubon Society. We have several other young people in our group of whom we are proud.

Jay is such a budding naturalist that I hope the area people will get behind him and support his efforts to attend the Great Texas Birding Classic, a contest which his group won last year. Jay works for some of his finances and makes up his schoolwork for time absent for this contest. Our friendly blue Jay has even presented programs to our group about his birding exploits, bird identification and a test on bird sounds.

The Audubon Society of Abilene meets monthly (except January, July and August) at the Abilene Public Library on the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. We welcome anyone interested, and one does not have to be a member to attend. Programs are of high quality and interest, even to children. Our subjects have ranged from the Antarctic to Big Bend (by Bill Wright) to minerals and gems (by John Chalmers). Our own "Miss Audubon," Lorie Black, presents many programs in the area on birds, butterflies and wildflowers. Our meeting this Thursday will have our president, Linda White, presenting bird ID.

Anyone interested in being part of a friendly group for fun-guided birding field trips, meetings, adopt-a-highway trash pickups (ours by the airport this Saturday) may join us.

CAROLYN WIGGINS

Abilene

'Cool' behind bars

Does the value of life even exist in our society today? After the slayings of those in Arkansas, I find discussion in the media of how the two "precious little boys" want to go home. Maybe they didn't think their plan through as well as they thought.

Again, all defense discussion is from those who didn't have children involved in the bloodbath. When children perform such acts with such planning, forget their age.

It seems today that any child who misbehaves more than usual gets medication instead of discipline. Do you feel that our children are playing some of us adults as puppets? Our society had better get a grip, or these incidents are going to mark the beginning of a very troubled society.

If kids think that it is "cool" to perform such acts as this, they need to see how "cool" it is to sit behind bars. If they think that they want to go home now, wait until the cell door slams shut.

We don't need to start blaming society. The boys pulled the triggers. That's a fact.

CINDY CORDOVA

Abilene

Essential efforts

As a participant of Make a Difference and volunteer coordinator for the past four years, I would like to thank all of the members in the Abilene community who made a difference setting an example at the national level.

I was involved in many cleanup projects, and I was touched seeing students, teachers and community leaders working together making a difference somehow, somewhere.

I think Make a Difference Day is not about awards or individual recognitions but a special day to help your fellow man.

I think collaborative efforts to keep the tradition in Abilene going is essential to the future success of Abilene working together as a community.

JOANNA BENS

Abilene