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FIGHTIN’BUCKS BASKETBALL Nov. 30-Dec.

The Alpine Lady Bucks played a close game last Tuesday against the Marathon Mustangs in a nondistrict home game. Each team gained considerable ground in each quarter, with the Mustangs leading the first two, the teams tying for the third, and Alpine leading the fourth. The game had to go into overtime, with the Marathon team ultimately taking the win 46-50.

Recalling fond memories The picture in the Avalance last week of the troops assembled in Florence, Italy, really triggered my history. I had to wonder if my father was standing there somewhere.

From my days of working at Fort Davis when I was in college, I have been curious about the army chaplains who served the soldiers of the four African American regiments, the Buffalo Soldiers. As one of those topics I thought about but never pursued, it came to the fore when I started having weekly coffee with Ken Hurst, retired Lieutenant-Colonel and Chaplain of the Second Infantry Division. I am only sorry for the fact that Ken is no longer with us and available to critique my work. It turns out that religion in the Regular Army of the 19th Century was never a priority and was usually secondary to other policies and issues. To the young men who served in the ranks, religion was often of little concern. Private Eddie Matthews, a devout Protestant, wrote, “A Christian in the Regular Army, accepting a few chaplains, and they are even doubtful, would be as great a curiosity as one of Barnum’s Cannibals.” The chaplains, few as existed in the army, were universally known as “Holy Joes.”

Winners for the 2023 Shooting Alpine photo contest were announced last week. This 13th annual photo contest received a total of 344 photographic entries by 120 photographers.

A benefit concert will be held on Monday, December 1 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Granada Theatre for Alberto Calderon who suffered major injuries due to a vehicle accident. Proceeds from the concert will go towards medical expenses and recovery. Bands performing include The Swifts at 6 p.m., Damian Luna at 7 p.m., 7 Year Drought at 8:30, Smoke Show at 9 p.m., and DJ Funk Boi will close out the evening beginning at 10:30 p.m. There will be a $10 cover charge at the door and for those unable to attend they may donate via Venmo-@Alberto-Calderon-34 or CashApp$ominusprime87. A QR code is also available on flyers for donations via GoFundMe.

It’s that time of year again when downtown Marathon celebrates the Christmas season with carolers, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and more. The sidewalks lining U.S. Hwy 90 will be full of visitors and locals alike taking in the grandly decorated business fronts, food and beverage options, live music, and other community offerings.

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