Corner Column

Posted 6/16/22

In short order, three gentlemen have moved on who have done amazing work in this community.

Not to put too much pressure on their replacements, but they have left some good-sized shoes to …

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Corner Column

Posted

In short order, three gentlemen have moved on who have done amazing work in this community.

Not to put too much pressure on their replacements, but they have left some good-sized shoes to fill.

The good news is that they have left their respective programs and businesses in such great shape that carrying on their traditions should not be all that difficult.

Coincidentally, two of the three are involved in music.

It’s well known that this area has some amazing history when it comes to the beauty of sounds made by instruments and voices, and outgoing Mineola High School band director Chris Brannan and Lake Country Symphonic Band director Mike Holbrook have left their respective marks.

Both have brought a passion to their work that has spread to their musicians, whether young, impressionable junior and senior high school students or adult volunteers, some of whom have continued to play those same instruments they first learned in school for many decades.

And in some cases, those worlds have overlapped, as Chris’s charges have been given the incredible opportunity to take part in the symphony, and the school district has assisted the symphony with practice space and percussion instruments.

Talk about a beautiful synergy.

I know that Mike is pleased with his replacement, composer in residence and member of the band Kelly Bennette.

The same can be said of the third subject of today’s musings, Richard Elston, who has held the job as manager of the local Pizza Hut for more than three decades and is passing the torch to his capable assistant, Tracey Allen.

Though I didn’t get to spend nearly as much time with Richard as I did in much lengthier interviews with the other two, it became apparent quickly that he has a special talent for business, but more importantly, for people.

And in another overlap, who knows how many local high school students have benefited by working for him over the decades – often their first job – and/or have consumed pizzas too numerous to count.

Indeed it was a pizza party paid for by one of the area’s most famous musicians, Kacey Musgraves, that helped the high school band to celebrate its latest state marching championship in the fall.

With the hiring of Jim Best, who spent four years in Chris’s program and remained nearby in Winnsboro, and since Kelly is also a longtime director, it’s almost assured that the beneficial partnership will also continue, to all of our great benefit.

We wish all of those who are moving on well and offer sincerest thanks for what they have given to all of us with their time, effort, energy and passion. And the same best wishes for those coming along to carry on the grand traditions that have been established. We can’t wait to see what comes next.

Makes me want to grab a pizza and go listen to some music. God speed.