OPINION
A Section
w w w.b on i f ay now.c om
Page 4
Our VIEW
Florida’s failed law While Florida should work toward reducing or eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent offenders, many of whom are convicted of possessing or distributing relatively small amounts of drugs, legislators at the same time should be increasing the penalties for the lowliest of the low: sexual predators, especially those who victimize children. The state in 1999
passed the Jimmy Ryce law, named in honor of an 8-year-old who was kidnapped and murdered. It set up a threestep process designed to identify the worst sex offenders who might attack again — a screening by the Department of Children & Families, a psychological evaluation and a trial. Once
See OUR VIEW A5
Letter to the EDITOR Dear Editor, I attended the Holmes County Blue Devils VS Liberty County football game. Upon entering the stadium a few things stood out. The score board was only partially operative. The crowd was not as large as usual. Now the shocker. Above the press box was a new sign — Bonifay Blue Devils. I don’t recall anyone ever calling them that, unbelievable! If they are going to change the name then go with something more Rodeo oriented. Broncos, Cowboys or Bulls. I heard numerous negative comments. The ream is young and inexperienced. The past few years the core of the team was made up of players who had played together since
Bantams. They developed chemistry. I am not sure those programs even exist anymore. I know Bethlehem has a program but for these players to continue playing after 8th grade they have to transfer to Holmes County High School. Two of the three seniors on the current team did that. The other is from Ponce de Leon. Seems like there were more juniors last year that would have been seniors this year. In past years also, some seniors chose not to play. Doesn’t make sense. Let’s give the current team support. All teams start young and inexperienced — even college and pros.
Dick Basht Bonifay
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Letters to the editor and comments on Web versions of news stories are welcomed. Letters are edited only for grammar, spelling, clarity, space and consistency, but we ask that they be limited to 300 words where possible. Letter writers are asked to provide a home address and daytime telephone number (neither is printed) for verification purposes. Letters may be sent to 1364 N. Railroad Ave., Chipley, FL 32428 or emailed to news@chipleypaper. com. Please specify if the letter should be printed in the Washington County News or Holmes County Times-Advertiser. Questions? Call 638-0212.
TAimes dvertiser HOLMES COUNT Y
Nicole P. Barefield, Publisher Randal Seyler, Editor Cameron Everett, Production Supervisor The Times-Advertiser is published on Wednesdays by Halifax Media Group, 112 E. Virginia Ave., Bonifay, FL 32425. Periodicals postage paid at Bonifay, Florida. © Copyright 2013, Halifax Media Group. All Rights Reserved. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: The entire contents of the Holmes County Times-Advertiser are fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form for any purpose without the expressed permission of Halifax Media Group.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Holmes County Times-Advertiser P.O. Box 67, Bonifay, FL 32425 USPS 004-341
SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN COUNTY 13 weeks: $12.61; 26 weeks: $18.90; 52 weeks: $30.45 OUT OF COUNTY 13 weeks: $16.17; 26 weeks: $24.20; 52 weeks: $40.95
Home delivery subscribers may be charged a higher rate for holiday editions.
CONTACTUS PUBLISHER Nicole Barefield: nbarefield@chipleypaper.com NEWS, SPORTS OR OPINION news@bonifaynow.com CLASSIFIED & CIRCULATION Melissa Kabaci: mkabaci @chipleypaper.com 850-547-9414 Circulation Customer Service 1-800-345-8688
ADVERTISING Stephanie Smith: ssmith@ chipleypaper. com 850-638-0212
WANTMORE? Find us online at chipleypaper.com, friend us on Facebook, or tweet us @WCN_HCT.
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of this paper or Halifax Media Group.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
County native Lenora Duggan remembered Lenora Wells Duggan, age 84 and Lucinda Speigner Wells, who my a Washington County Native, passed uncle was committed to taking care away in Lakeland on Sept. 4. of throughout her remaining years. She was born Feb. 13, 1929 to John He remained in the home and was Smith Wells and Willie Mae Bush the “bread winner” for his mother Wells. Lenora was the oldest child who also had three daughters and born to the above union after one other son who looked to John Wells’ first wife, Malzie her for a livelihood. Still Wells, died on Aug. 21, Uncle John helped 1926 and he married Willie provide for all the family Mae Bush on June 3, 1928. by farming and logging She joined the family with his friend and mentor, where five children from the James William (Willie first marriage still remained Brock), an uncle to his PERRY’S in the home. The oldest of second wife, Willie Mae. His those was Gladys, age 16 and determination to provide PRATTLE the youngest, and only boy, for “ma” did not allow for Perry Wells Daniel Earnest, age 4 In marriage until age 25, when between those two were Oddys, age he married Malzie Still. In her last 13, Hannah Mae, age 10, and Rencie, years, she and her second husband, age 7. affectionately called uncle Joe It is reported that Gladys assisted Leavins, lived in the next house to the new stepmother, Willie Mae, in uncle John’s family. washing a gigantic accumulation of Daniel Earnest Wells, Lenora’s clothing in the household the day half-brother and only five years her John Smith Wells and wife, Willie following the wedding. In today’s senior, died in 1932 at the age of 8, Mae Bush Wells, parents of Lenora language, it can be said that she must Lenora was age 3 at his death. In Wells Duggan. have “bonded” with all the children my early years, our family and the by that act of love and caring. She John Wells family, were in almost graduation from High School. After obviously enjoyed an excellent daily contact. I recall working retirement, he and his family joined lifetime relationship with all of her together, playing together and the family in Tampa. Charlie entered step-children. attending Brackin School with most law enforcement after his schooling Lenora’s three brothers to follow of the children. Bethel Church was and became Sheriff in Manatee were Johnny Wells, born Jan. 11, the worship center for both families. County where he recently retired 1932, William Walton Wells, born Oct. Singing together, on the school bus, after many years of service. He and 28, 1934 and Charles Brown (Charlie) is remembered by the younger his family still make Manatee County Wells, born Nov. 20, 1944. A second children. their home. girl, Angia Wynell Wells, date of birth The special chore of hog killing Lenora married Harry Miller and unknown, died at the age of one day was a “ must” for inviting uncle they had a son, Sonny and a daughter, month. John and aunt Willie Mae come Sandy, both reared in Tampa. After This family continued to live in for the mammoth day of work. In her marriage to Loren Duggan, she the family home located on what is addition to the hard manual labor, resided in Michigan until retirement presently known as Bethel Road, or with all of its inconveniences, I at which time they became residents Highway 173, where Brackin School believe my parents, along with all of of Lakeland. Many of the John and was in view and Bethel Primitive those who came to our “hog killing Willie Mae Wells offspring became Baptist Church was just down the day,” looked upon it as a social road. All the children from both event, rather than a day of drudgery members of El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Tampa.. families, with exception of Charlie, and hard work. The necessity of Surviving Lenora is her husband, attended Brackin School. All attended providing meat and lard for the long Loren, the children, Sonny and Bethel Church with most uniting with winter months was probably in their Sandy, three brothers named above the church along the way. John Smith thoughts also. and a several grandchildren and Wells served as a deacon in that body Gladys was first to marry and great grandchildren. Her funeral of believers. she and her husband, Joshua Smith, service was held Sunday, Sept. 8 at Lenora was the age of my moved to Tampa to work and rear 3 p.m. in El Bethel Primitive Baptist sister, Minnie Lee Wells Russ, and their three sons. Oddys married our Church with Elder Jerry Thomas graduated from Vernon High School school teacher at Brackin School, conducting the service. The Sunset with her in the class of 1948. Sister Burton Ferrell. They soon settled in Hazel was only year younger. Johnny Tampa and reared two daughters and Memory Garden Funeral Home and Wells was the age of our brother one son. Hannah Mae married Jonas Cemetery in Hillsborough County, Florida, was entrusted with all Clyde and the two of them graduated Hinson and Tampa became their funeral arrangements. at Vernon in 1950. Walton Wells was home later in life. Rencie became An era has slipped into history nearer brother Max’s age, graduating the wife of Joe Bush, a cousin to her with the death of cousin Lenora from school in 1954, one year before stepmother, and Tampa was their Wells Duggan. We have been in Max. Charlie came along with our home where one son was reared. contact with family members and I younger sisters, Muriel and Gail. In the late 1950s, the children anticipate our family will remain as John Wells was my great prevailed on the aging parents to close as humanly possible in future uncle. He was the brother of my move near them in South Florida, years. Our love and condolences to grandfather, James Thomas Wells. where the younger children, Lenora each survivor of the Lenora Wells This man was only 12 years old when and Walton were already making Family. his father, John Coleman Wells, died their home. Johnny Wells entered See you all next week. at a young age. He left a widow, the United States Air Force upon
Making a fourteen layer chocolate cake not so routine I suppose my family’s favorite sugar before beginning to add the cake is the fourteen layer eggs. After making the batter I chocolate cake which I only make measure it into the prepared pans for Christmas and other special and place in the 350 degree oven occasions. Granddaughter Hilary for about 15 minutes. Then the fun requested one for her begins. The well prepared wedding dinner coming up pans must have been notin October. Since son Glen so-well prepared as they had an August Birthday, I were sticking to the sides decided to make the family of the layers and causing favorite for his birthday and them to tear. Thin as they get in a little practice for the are, there’s no room for up-coming big date. error. But I continue the At Christmas time last HAPPY CORNER process using the back side year I found Mrs. Eunice Hazel Wells Tison of the greased paper. Worse Kent’s recipe in the First results the next round of Baptist Church cook book layers. Should have cut new which we published as a Relay paper rounds or used parchment. For Life project about 1998 (Out of While the layers are baking, I print). Previously I had used either mix the ingredients for the icing. a pound cake recipe or two yellow Opps! My luck, Mrs. Kent’s recipe cake mixes and Mrs. Hutto, Alan calls for 2 squares of dark chocolate Riley’s grandmother’s recipe, but and I only have cocoa. I calculate last year with Mrs. Kent’s recipe, how much cocoa it takes to make my cake turned out perfect. an ounce and use that instead. In So, here I am, perfectly addition, Mrs. Hutto’s recipe calls organized. My counter top on the for two tablespoons of flour or island is cleared of all stuff. An old cornstarch. So I include that. As table cloth is spread on which to it boils, I begin to put together the lay out my thin layers. All seven of ragged layers while keeping an eye my 9 inch pans are greased and 7 on those in the oven. They don’t waxed paper rounds are scissored come out any better than the first out. The butter is softening. And batches. I only had to discard one I am thinking, I really need to complete layer. make a recipe booklet for these In dealing with paper sticking granddaughters of mine. (We to the edges of subsequent layers, have six.) perhaps I’ll do that for pouring hot icing over stacked Christmas. layers, trying to patch up the I press the waxed paper into edges of torn layers, I wound up the greased pans, turn them with sugared icing on the finished over making sure both sides are product.( and on the floor, on my greased, expecting to reuse them face, under my fingernails, on the on subsequent bakings. I mix the cabinet fronts,) My pet peeve, batter using my practiced skills and sugared icing! I don’t like my icing secret techniques such as blending nor my fudge to get sugary, though a little flour into the butter and the family doesn’t seem to mind.
(Opps! I left out the Karo syrup.) Now with confectionary icing, you can cover your mistakes pretty well, but with boiled icing it is what it is. So we had a somewhat ragged 13 layer cake for Glen’s birthday dinner. No one complained, but I will not take any shortcuts when I make the one to be transported to Haines City for the upcoming wedding. I’ll make sure that the pans are WELL greased and I’ll only attempt 12 layers. I’ll also have on hand chocolate squares, not powdered cocoa. I’ll also remember the Karo syrup. Hopefully it will make the six hour trip with no mishaps. I can’t help but wonder why they didn’t allow me to make the wedding cake. Mrs. Eunice is the oldest living member of our church. (First Baptist, Bonifay) and no longer makes her delicious cakes, but son Mike who lives with her is carrying on the tradition. I can’t remember if I published Mrs. Kent’s recipe last December, but here it is again. Layer Cake: 3 sticks butter (1&1/2 cups), 3 cups sugar, 6 eggs, 4&1/2 cups flour, 4&1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1& ½ cups milk, 1tsp vanilla. Cream butter and sugar; add eggs 2 at a time; add dry ingredients alternately with milk & vanilla. Bake at 350 until done. One Minute Chocolate Frosting: 1 stick butter, 2 squares unsweetened chocolate, 2 cups sugar, ½ cup evaporated milk, 1 TBS corn syrup, 1 tsp vanilla. Place all ingredients in sauce pan and bring to boil. Boil one minute. Remove from heat and spread over cake. I doubled the icing recipe for the 12 layer cake.