Why I Like Where I Live

Here are three more essays from readers about why they like where they live. Send in your thoughts on the subject to me at P.O. Box 30, Abilene 79604. I'll run some more in a couple of weeks.

Helen Shirley Mellor

Abilene

I was born and raised in a state north of Texas, have lived there twice since I left the state after my marriage. Being an Air Force wife, we have lived in states in the Northeast United States and one state on the West Coast, as well as a three-year stay in a European country.

I have a lot of experiences to compare, but Abilene, Texas, is our preferred choice.

Sitting through two red lights in one intersection is the biggest traffic jam I care to put up with. The city is culturally alive, plenty of sporting events, college activities, horse shows, etc. There are plenty of churches of my choice and denomination.

Our city is big enough for lots of shopping choices, big enough to be big, yet small enough to get out of one's home and, no matter where you go, run into someone you know.

Abilene has friendly people, lots of charity organizations to help many people, and volunteers who help by spending their time productively helping their fellow man.

Lastly, it feels like home, after living here twice - five years in the '60s and now since October 1994. I also love what has been done to the downtown area - it gives me a lift, pride and dignity for the city I chose to live in.

The small towns in the area have a lot going for them, which extends my feelings beyond the city limits to the whole area.

Aline Parks

Snyder

West Texas people are the best, and the people in Snyder are especially "the best."

For example, consider the amount of volunteer time given to children's activities ranging from sports to Scouts and youth programs at churches. Senior citizens benefit from the Senior Center where they can meet for recreation and a nutritious noon meal and many hours of volunteer time keep it humming. Snyder Neighbors Sharing relies on volunteer labor and donations to repair homes of the elderly and handicapped each year.

I find Snyder business people friendly and interested in helping customers beyond the call of duty. If I don't find the item I am looking for in one store, the employees are willing to suggest where it might be found.

Snyder hosted the Western Swing Festival for the first time in June 1996, and the friendliness of the business people - as well as local residents who attended the programs - definitely impressed the visitors. Personnel in the Scurry County Museum helped them learn something of the area's history to help them understand how Scurry County folks came to be so friendly.

Both my children attended Snyder schools, and I found the teachers and administrators doing their jobs well. Now my granddaughter is enrolled at Central Elementary School, and she looks forward to each class day. Western Texas College gives adults of varying ages the opportunity to prepare for advanced college courses or for employment.

I truly am glad I live in Snyder - "Just the right size to be friendly," as a Snyder bank used to boast in its advertising. I think that fits the community to a T.

Iva Young

Abilene

Not just Abilene, although I do love Abilene, but also the house where I live. It's big and comfortable and pretty, and the people in it are congenial. I enjoy the view of Lake Lytle from almost every window in the house. And it's free. I'm a freeloader. I'm retired and it's good not to have to work for a living anymore. It is also good to feel accepted in your children's home rather than to feel like a burden to them (although deep down you know you're a burden).

I'm a newcomer to Abilene. I've been here only four years. It seems everybody else has been here a long time, and these good people have made me feel welcome here, especially the church people and the college people and those who work in River Oaks Village. I love to visit over there. I like the doctors and their office help.

I've lived in Texas all my life, but the people here are more outgoing than anywhere I've ever lived. For these people to make room for me in their lives is very generous - people of my age have their own circle of friends and are set in their patterns of living. It is kind of them to take in a newcomer.

Like the editor, I love the sunsets - and the ducks on Lake Lytle.