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never should we forget the history that shaped the great nation we live in today. through sacrifice our freedoms were built upon the shoulders of young men who went off to serve - some by their own choosing and some by being told - and returned as men forever changed. Four men of Tiger Bravo shared a piece of that history with the Big Spring community; a moment to be captured not only in the history books, but in the hearts of all who crossed their paths.
08 For more than 70 years John Ferguson has been serving Howard County in law matters surrounding Oil and Gas, probate, and general practice. The history he has seen is all contained within the walls of his office, which has seen the beginning of his practice and partnership with his law partner Mr. Weaver.
11 Howard College Lady Hawks are under new leadership. Coach John Ishee is now at the helm of the ship, following the retirement of coach Earl Diddle. Sitting as the newest member of the team, Coach Ishee wasted no time and hit the court running. He is ready to take the Lady Hawks into the season.
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December House Call
As we journey through the winter months and flu season, Shannon Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Chris Barnett, M.D., offers a reminder to get the flu shot. The flu shot is an important preventative measure during a normal flu season, but as the nation continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, the flu shot is even more important this year. On the cover: Local resident Manny Negron shares a photo of the Spring at Comanche Trail Park last year during the holidays. The historic spring is decorated with a beautiful lighted Christmas tree.
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Background Check
Local artist Kay Smith offers advice this month on how to focus on the background. in this months article, ‘Background Check’, Smith discusses the many techniques that can be used to make the background of your art piece come to life and add to the painting itself. Smith advises you to put your background focus first and skip the anxiety of messing up the main image.
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By AMANDA DUFORAT Big Spring residents had a rare opportunity to share in a piece of history; an opportunity to come face to face with a piece of history that many may never get, a rare moment, but one that is worth the deepest gratitude; a piece of history that wasn’t draped in shiny lights or offered an alluring attraction, but an important piece of history that should not only be embraced, but extended sincere gratitude. Four members of Tiger Bravo - one of the companies who fought in the Vietnam War - gathered for a reunion and offered an opportunity for the Big Spring community to meet a piece of history. “I was truly honored to be able to get to know these four fine men,” said Michael Cole, attendee at the book signing and Navy Veteran, said. “My dad served in Vietnam, but never talked about his service.” Cole’s father was an Army Veteran, and obviously carried the scars of his service all his days Cole recounted. “Never really knowing the demons that plagued my dad,” Cole continued. “Being able to share in this reunion, and get a small glimpse into their war, was not just an honor for me, I truly believe it helped me become closer to my dad, even though he’s gone now.” Every two years between 12 and 16 members of Tiger Bravo, including the author and Commanding Officer of Tiger Bravo’s War, come together for a reunion to embark on new memories and relive old ones. While this year’s pandemic limited the number of attendees, it was a weekend that Tiger Bravo was not going to let pass.
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“Birddog (Mike Tarpley) and his wife had put so much effort into this project we couldn’t let it go by the wayside. Big Spring showed more heart than anyone could imagine,” Dan Bernard, Tiger Bravo soldier, said. “There is nothing I like more than bragging about the terrific bunch of guys that I served in combat with 52 years ago.” Tiger Bravo members Mike Tarpley of Big Spring, Chuck Limer, from Arlington, Texas and Steve Lyle from Hawkins, Texas - both former Dove Hunt honorees - and Dan Bernard from Florida first gathered for the book signing before heading into their reunion weekend activities. For two hours, the men shared their history while signing multiple copies of the book Tiger Bravo with members of the community who attended the event. Tiger Bravo was part of the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles), 2nd Battalion Airborne Infantry, also known as the Currahee’s. At the onset of WWII, units were created all over the country in preparation for the invasion of France (D-Day). The 506th Unit, which included Tiger Bravo, was sent to a selected site in northern Georgia by the name of Tacoa - and in that town was a mountain called Currahee, which in Cherokee means Stand Alone. As part of their daily paratrooper training the group would run three miles up and three miles down the Currahee on a daily basis. According to Bernard, while other units used battle cries like “Geranimo”, the 506th adopted the name ‘CURRAHEE’.
ily. Next we were off to Hanger 25 Air Museum. This museum is housed in a fully restored WWII era hangar, which was focused on displaying the proud heritage of a great city.” Bernard continued, “With all the great things happening, the mood changed to the somber matter of conducting our traditional memorial service to honor our Tiger Bravo members who were killed in action 52 years ago. We were now at the Big Spring Vietnam Memorial. The four of us stood abreast each other, while one of Mike’s friends (also a veteran) read the names of the departed. A hand salute was rendered, and the ceremony concluded.” In addition to taking in the hospitality of Big Spring and admiring the history contained in the town, the group gathered together at Tarpley’s home. The group shared in conversation regarding the serene scenery and the love that had been poured out making the house a home. “The evidence of many hours, days, months and years, was clearly visible. Their home was more than a home. There were items to talk about wherever you looked. Also the outside was laid out in such a manner, you might
The training endured at Currahee prepared Tiger Bravo for the Vietnam War as the 101st was once more pressed into action as a paratroop division of battle ready soldiers. These memories were relived during the Tiger Bravo reunion weekend in Big Spring. In a reunion follow up letter, Bernard described the reunion weekend as follows: “The only word I could use to describe our accommodation’s would be ‘unique’. We stayed at the Hotel Settles, a historic 1930s era hotel that had been beautifully restored to its original elegance. The craftsmanship and detail was beyond expectation. It was also the hotel’s 90th anniversary,” Bernard said in the letter. The weekend began with the four men setting up in one of the Hotel Settles meeting rooms, where the community gathered to have their books signed. “We must have signed at least 40 copies, and said hello to some of the most sincere people I’ve ever met,” Bernard said. “Additionally, we were presented with a Tiger Bravo 7 1/2 pound steel Screaming Eagle display, Screaming Eagle T-Shirts, Screaming Eagle masks, and a plaque, made by Mike with a great saying on it. Day two started with a terrific lunch provided by another family of Mike’s friends who owned Al’s BBQ. We were cordially greeted by the staff and sat in our prepared area to eat. 501 N. Birdwell Ln. • Big Spring • (432) 267-7781 The Texas BBQ meal was to die for, and was gratis on behalf of the famLiving Magazine
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separate ways once again, the memories they continued to build went with them. “The men were truly amazed at how Big Spring turned out,” Tarpley said. “Throughout the weekend we were able to make memories and the people in Big Spring were a big part of those memories.” Tarpley said, “While we were making new memories, we are thankful that we Find the perfect gifts for Secret Santa, had a group of people who were right Teachers & Stocking Stuffers there with us capturing those memories so they can be shared later with family, for less than $2! friends, loved ones and the younger • No Sugar Added Baking Essentials generation.” The veterans were honored with • No Sugar Added Chocolate Bars a customized metal art of the 101st • Keto/Diabetic Friendly Airborne Eagle underlined by the Tiger & Many More Stocking Stuffer Items! Bravo name from local metal artist Gerald King; a light blue Tiger Bravo New Lip Balms shirt from Mike and Matt Bagwell; and in Candy Cane, a customized, commemorative plaque Peppermint Buzz, Green and 101st Airborne mask by Mike TarTea & Aloe & More! pley. In addition to the souveniors from their reunion weekend, the group along with their wives were treated to lunch Mon.-Fri. 10-6 Sat. 10-2 by Al’s and Sons Bar-B-Q. 1305 Scurry St. (432) 267-6524 “I was surprised by the outpouring of support we received from Big Spring, the community truly turned out and Don’t Forget welcomed these men. The pride I had for Big Spring was amazing,” Tarpley We Have said. “I told these men we may not be Lip Balm & Candy Bar Gift Certificates, Too! Labels Free With Dallas or a larger city, but the heart Purchased Item! here is big.”
have thought Herman Trent had all of Tiger Bravo clearing brush, cactus, and whatever might have been in their way,” Bernard said. As the weekend concluded and the men went their
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Courtesy photos Four members of Tiger Bravo gathered for a weekend reunion in Big Spring. The weekend began with a book signing at Hotel Settles and ended with a tour of the Vietnam Memorial and Hangar 25. While at the Vietnam Memorial, the men paid tribute to their fallen brothers. In addition to the wealth of history contained within the experiences of these four veterans and the stories their lives contained, sitting in a little room inside the Hotel Settles was a great display of heroism, as between the four there were six purple hearts. “This was an opportunity for the community to see, to come face to face with those who lived through battle and see how they came out on the other side,” Mike Tarpley, local Big Spring Veteran and member of Tiger Bravo, said. “There is a stigma associated with those who served in the Vietnam War and this weekend Big Spring residents had the rare opportunity to see how we turned out and turned into productive citizens, even after all that we saw and living through the things we experienced.” Tarpley continued, “For those of us who didn’t get to make it this weekend due to the pandemic and the upheaval it has caused across our nation, they missed the best reunion we’ve had. Those who weren’t able to be here though will have an opportunity to see the journey we took this weekend through the pictures, the newspaper articles, and other souvenirs that we will be sending them.” These four men made the choice to share their story, along with so many others, in hopes that their
history would never be forgotten. Thank you for your service, Thank you for your sacrifice. Your fight mattered. Your impact and your story will not be forgotten.
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70 years and counting John Ferguson continues his law services for Big Spring and Howard County By IRIS RANGEL For 70 years, Weaver & Ferguson, P.C. has provided Big Spring and Howard County with laws of practice in Oil and Gas, Probate Law, and General Practice. The older building still stands in the middle of downtown Big Spring with decades of history within its walls. The highs and lows of Big Spring’s town history including the oil booms and busts, the many bigshot businessmen who have walked through, and all of the hustle and bustle the town once had, have all seen the inside of those walls. Even through the trials and tribulations over the many years, one attorney still works within those walls. Day after day, for so many years, he still continues to come in every morning, flip the lights on, and go to work. Long time partner John T. Ferguson was born in 1928, and attended school in the Rio Grande Valley area. Ferguson later moved on to the University of Texas for preparatory education, then Texas A&M University for his legal education, and back to the University of Texas to attend 8 Living Magazine
law school and later receive his bar license in 1950. While at the University of Texas, Ferguson was a part of the Phi Delta Phi fraternity where he would later receive the Chancellor’s Top Honor Society, one of his proudest achievements. Phi Delta Phi is an International Legal Honor Society dedicated to preparing pre-law students with academic excellence and scholar, dating back to 1869 when the organization was founded. Ferguson is also Board Certified and has extensive experience in Estate Planning and Probate Law, alongside a
Texas Board of Legal Specialization. “I would say my greatest accomplishment is my Chancellor’s Top Honor Society award. That, to me, means so much, and that’s why I still have it hanging now. I wasn’t the best student. I averaged Bs and Cs in class, but that award was able to show me that I can do it,” he said. Originally from the Rio Grande Valley area, Ferguson attended law school at the age of 19 and - while in the middle of law school - accomplished a year of military service to later re-attend law school. Ferguson attended the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas. The University of Texas School of Law teaches Texas Law students to become rigorous analytical thinkers and professionals. The UT School of Law is also ranked No. 1 for return on investment among the Top 15 law schools. Ferguson spent his time both at TAMU and UT-Austin in order to further his studies of law for many years, before being admitted into the Bar and receiving his Texas license in 1950. With his previous studies in law school, Ferguson was able to excel in areas of law including real estate law, estate and probate law, family law, oil and gas, and probate law. Each one of these practices require a certain skill set that takes an individual years to master. Real estate law encompasses the purchases and sales of real estate property concerning land and structures. Estate and probate law entail the legal process of wills and inheritance. Living in West Texas for several decades, Ferguson noted that his most expended upon practice is oil and gas and real estate law. Practicing oil and gas law for so many years, Ferguson has been able to delve into resolving legal issues of land-use management, extraction and production operations, working with landowners and royalty owners, and procuring and leasing mineral rights. After law school, Ferguson received ample experience in jobs all across Texas such as a County Attorney in Midland, a County Attorney in Stan-
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ton, and various other law firm positions before the start of Weaver & Ferguson, P.C. In his younger years, Ferguson moved to Midland in one of their very first oil booms, alongside other young law professionals in order to better his experience in what it means to work in the oil and gas industry as a whole. Being from South Texas, foliage and humidity were common for Ferguson. However, moving to West Texas’ hot and desert-like weather, the change for Ferguson was less than spectacular. In his memory of traveling and making the big move to Midland, Ferguson recalls seeing deserts full of dirt and cacti and thoughts of wonder on what to expect in this new city as a young professional. “I remember even my trip there was troubling. I had taken my car down to finally move there and it had broken down. I remember the heat sitting on the side of the road was so hot. I had to wait for the bus to take me down the rest of the way. It finally came and I made it to Midland; there were so many young people and buildings being built of these big oil companies,” he said. After years of hard work expanding his knowledge in oil and gas law, Ferguson eventually made his way towards Big Spring where he would inevitably plant deep roots with his late business partner R.H. Weaver. The move to Big Spring was during one of the oil booms where many practicing attorneys were needed in regards to oil and gas legal laws. Thus, Weaver & Ferguson, P.C. was created. Both Weaver and Ferguson took Big Spring by storm with their vast experience in real estate and oil and gas law. Although, the momentum was inevitably cut short with the West Texas oil bust in the late 70s. The effect on the economy was staggering. Business after business shut down and some to no return. However, Weaver & Ferguson P.C. made it through those rough and hard times and is still standing today in downtown Big Spring at West Fourth Street. In 1978, Ferguson received his Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law further continuing his law education. In order to receive this certification, attorneys must practice law full time for at least five years as an active member of the State Bar of Texas, have at least three years of Estate Planning and Probate Law experience with a yearly minimum 25% substantial involvement in Estate Planning and Probate Law, complete 60 hours of TBLS approved continuing legal education in Estate Planning and Probate Law, meet all TBLS standards for Attorney Certification, and pass a comprehensive six-hour examination. With this high accomplishment, Ferguson is one of only 683 Board Certified Estate Planning and Probate Law Lawyers in Texas. After years and years of furthering his career, Ferguson met his second wife in Big Spring with whom he would share two children. Those two children would then go off to attend top Texas universities and become attorneys themselves in their own industries. ‚“What would make a parent prouder than having your children follow in your footsteps? I can’t think of any-
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thing‚“ Ferguson said. “For your children to follow in your footsteps, find enough of an interest in what you’re doing, and want to do it themselves. It makes you proud and it means a lot to me.” Ferguson said the most rewarding aspect of his work is the sheer amount of time he’s been able to put into his career. The 70 years of hard work and determination have proven to pay off as his practice and the history he’s built still continues to stand in historic downtown Big Spring. So why not close up shop and retire to a life of relaxation? That option doesn’t seem as fulfilling to Ferguson. “Oil and gas is all I know. I’ve done it for so long, I’m not sure what else I would do. I don’t have hobbies. I’ve spent all my time learning law, practicing law, and doing what I know how to do. What else would I do? It’s all I know. If I retired, I would just sit and home and die of boredom and that isn’t what I want to do. So I continue to come up here and spend my days doing what I know how to do,” he said. No matter the outcome, that building on West Fourth Street will always hold a certain weight in the making and development of Big Spring. The individuals who have come in and out of it are a part of Big Spring history and their life stories have made up what it is today. Being able to continue doing anything for 70 years is a special type of life accomplishment. Those roots have grown deep into the heart of Big Spring and will always hold a special place in its history.
A Basketball Journey: John Ishee's path to becoming Head Coach of the Howard Lady Hawks By SHAWN MORAN Lady Hawks, Ishee is looking forward to leading the turnaround of the red and black. “We have a great group of kids here right now,” Ishee said. “(Assistant Coach) Meesha Wade has done a good job of keeping everything together. I think that we have a really great group of kids and they've been very receptive to me. I told them, they didn't pick me, but I picked
John Ishee has been here before. No, not as Head Coach of the Howard Lady Hawks basketball team – the job he took over last week following the retirement of longtime coach Earl Diddle earlier this year. Rather, he has been at the forefront of a program needing a breath of fresh air several times throughout his 32-year coaching career. Ishee sits in his new office at the Dorothy Garrett Coliseum and it is obvious that he has already begun transforming the space into his own. He is surrounded by pictures of past teams and players that he has coached, motivational phrases that mean a lot to him, and his Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year Award on the desk behind him that pokes out from just behind his left shoulder. He describes his coaching style as hard-nosed and his philosophy as simply as, “just trying to figure out how to win.” Following a down 7-22 finish to the season last year for the
them. Most of the kids at the community college level are here for books and basketball, and they want an opportunity to play at a higher level. We have some talent and we're just going to work at getting better every day.” Ishee arrives to Howard after three seasons leading Pratt Community College in Kansas back to relevance. In his first year there, the Lady Bea-
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said. Ishee applied for the position earlier this year and had not heard anything for months. The country was in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and no one seemed in any rush to hire a new coach without even knowing if a season was going to happen. Then, he spoke with Athletic Director Mike Yeater over a Zoom interview and became the Howard Lady Hawks' new basketball coach soon thereafter. The longtime coach does have some history with Howard College from when he was an assistant coach at Ole Miss. At the time, the Lady Hawks were ranked first in the nation and had two very strong players that Ishee tried to recruit to the Rebels. He ended up signing one of the players, Latasha Moore, but whiffed on the other. He has also been close friends with past coaches that have
vers won only three games. Fast-forward to his second year at Pratt, and the Lady Beavers were a 20-win team that won a team record 12 conference games. He has shown a knack for getting his players to the next level and is proven to be a great nationwide recruiter. ANNOUNCING INCREASED SALARIES “I had eight Texas kids on my team,” LVN up to $4072.01 per month DOE Ishee said. “So part of my thinking is, RN’s up to $5755 per month DOE if I can get kids from Texas to go to Pratt, Kansas, then I can get them to PNA’s starting at $2312.85 per month come to Big Spring, Texas.” PART TIME POSITIONS NOW AVAILABLE The coach that got his start as a For more information on jobs and salaries: Graduate Assistant for Southern Miss CALL Paula at (432) 268-7674 or after constantly pestering the coaches Submit a resume to to hire him is now moving onto his jennifer.patton@hhsc.state.tx.us sixth head coaching position at the for initial screening; application process will be initiated at a later time. collegiate level. While they may not Or visit us at: have all been the most prestigious of Big Spring State Hospital positions – Ishee's first head coach1901 N. Hwy. 87 Big Spring, TX 79720 ing position was at Life University, a school that defunded the basketball GMS/Medical Clinic program for most of the 21st cenLaboratory Tech 1/GMS Runner tury – the coach has always made an Flexible Daytime Working Hours impact wherever his coaching journey In GMS Laboratory has taken him. Salary Range: $2,075.83 - $3,047.58 “There's so much more to being a According to Experience head coach than just coaching on the Contact our Job Center court. I've had to learn how to deal 432-268-7341 or 432-268-7298 with the media, how to deal with the Or community, how to manage people, Complete an application online at and the entire peripheral of things that https://accesshr.hhsc.state.tx.us a head coach has to deal with,” Ishee
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worked at Howard and has learned about the school and program through them. Now that he is the leader of the program, he is ready to bring his philosophy to the Howard hardwood and make the Lady Hawks into conference contenders. Ishee grew up in the Mississippi Delta and learned to play basketball from his mother and father. His father played junior college basketball at East Mississippi Community College and his mother was the rover on her high school basketball squad. In coaching, Ishee credits the late M.K. Turk for being his main influence and the coach that shaped his own philosophy. He first knew that he wanted to be a basketball coach when he was still a junior in high school. Ishee's mother wanted him to attend law school but the young athlete had different ideas. Ishee had always looked at sports as something that helped keep him out of trouble and gave him something to belong to. His father was a truck driver that was not home often, and therefore the coaches that Ishee had while growing up were his main influences and are the ones that formed his sense of being apart of something that is greater than yourself. After diving in as an assistant coach fresh out of college, Ishee never
looked back and is now coaching at his 14th school of his career. “I've never been married. I've basically been married to coaching basketball for most of my life. In coaching, there is not one right way to do it, and you go where opportunities present themselves,” Ishee said. Ishee's newest opportunity has brought him to Big Spring and the humble coach is ready to take on his newest turnaround project. The Lady Hawks were once a national powerhouse that junior colleges around Texas and the country feared to face. Howard College is hoping that the hiring of Ishee will help them get back to that prestigious level, and the longtime coach is already hard at work preparing his team for the upcoming season. “The best thing about Howard that I've been told my entire life is the people,” Ishee said. “The program has great tradition and has been to five national tournaments. We have good facilities, we have a good town, we have a great league, and we have good scholarships. We're just going to see where this first year leads us and continue to upgrade the talent.”
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December House Call Column
Flu Shots are more important than ever this year Flu season is here. And since it seems likely that COVID-19 will still spreading through this fall, there’s a risk we could have two pandemics at the same time. That’s a dangerous possibility we want to avoid so we can maintain adequate healthcare resources for all patients. It’s why it is vital for you and your family to get your flu shots this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu shots for everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions. Flu shots are especially important this year for: • Essential workers. This includes health care workers and others who offer needed services to the public during the pandemic. • People at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. This includes older adults and people with certain underlying conditions. • People at increased risk for flu complications. This includes infants and young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and people with chronic conditions. While the flu and COVID-19 share some symptoms, they are caused by different viruses. So a flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19. Still, it can help protect you from the flu—or from serious illness if you do get the flu. Is it too late to get a flu shot? While it’s ideal to get your flu shot in September or October, before the flu starts spreading, it’s not too late to get it now. Flu activity typically peaks between December and February, but it can last through May. So you may still get some protection if you get a
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shot now. Should I get a flu shot if I have COVID-19? No. You should wait to get your flu shot until you feel better and your doctor says it’s safe to go out. Where can I get my flu shot? You can make an appointment with your primary care provider to receive your flu shot. Shannon Pharmacy is also offering flu shots to the public; for more information, you can call them at 325-655-8191.
Chris Barnett, MD, Chief Medical Officer – Shannon Medical Center
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BACKGROUND CHECK By KAY SMITH
W
ith still life subjects that are complex, sometimes the background can be the resting place for the viewer’s eye. Many painters struggle with selecting the proper colors and values for it and say how challenging it is. Some including myself simply leave that area untouched or white and most all of us leave painting it until the subject is finished. Simple backgrounds are my choice as my subjects are usually full of detail. Planning strong background make up and technique enables you to achieve realistic effects. A background based on your palette colors used to develop the main subject will tie them both together. Commonly called neutrals, or palette “soup” or “mud”, the mixed colors create depth behind the subject. Opaque backgrounds help move the subject or center of interest forward. If using reference photos testing background hues is necessary as photo backgrounds often strongly influence our color choices. Ask yourself how the background color will add interest to the painting. In the old days artists would cut out colored paper scraps from various sources and lay them across the area to see what clicked. I didn’t do that but do use a clear acetate sheet on top of the artwork and paint on the sheet then wash it off. An easier faster method is to view on a computer program such as Adobe Photoshop where you can add color hues for comparison. Painting backgrounds may not seem exciting. So many are tempted to proceed with doing the subject first then attempting the back area later. In the long run though you can avoid background It’s easy to read the news on the go with our newly renovated anxiety and achieve a far more integrated look if you take the time to plan website. Simply go to www.bigspringherald.com to see the its values and colors.
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