Weatherford’s running with the big boys

When I moved to Weatherford 19 years ago, the most exciting headline in the Democrat was maybe something along the lines of, “Senior Center will have drawing for two quilts instead of the usual one.” Or, “The Parker County Woodchippers are looking for more wood to chip.” Those were the good old days.

As Weatherford has grown, our problems have also grown. The headlines of the Democrat now read, “Man assaults officers during arrest;” and “Man charged with wife’s murder,” and, “Highway stop yields huge quantity of drugs from Mexico.”

Yes, we have finally reached the point where we can put our headlines and happenings along that of the big city papers. I guess this is what happens when you start growing rapidly. The drugs start moving in. The dealers want to make a fast buck, and what better place than Weatherford? Do you want to steal a car? Try Weatherford. The “scum bags,” as some people call them, are always looking for new opportunities and new places.

What these thieves don’t realize is Jerry Blaisdell and his guys are ready and waiting for you. If they don’t get you the first time around — they’ll get you the second time. They are relentless. Same way with the Sheriff and his deputies. Parker County is a big county but they will track you down.

These truckers that load up on drugs over the border in Mexico, then start up through Texas, right through Weatherford — well, a lot of them don’t make it thanks to our State Troopers. A few of them seem to have an uncanny way to sniff those trucks out that carry illegal cargo and detain them in the Parker County Jail.

My dad always used to say a crook is always looking for a way to make a quick buck and he’ll make it off of anyone he can.

I will never forget “a funny thing that happened on the way to jail.” Jim was in downtown Fort Worth with my dad when an unsavory character approached Dad and said he wanted to report that he knew who had possession of a big shipment of tires that had been stolen. Dad, who was a Fort Worth police detective, knew this guy from many previous arrests, so he asked him if he could swear to who had the tires. The man said yes. He and his buddies had stolen them first and hidden them, but then his friend had found them and stolen them from him and he wanted to turn him in. So you see, there is no honor among thieves. Dad got a double arrest on that deal plus a few laughs.

Criminals today aren’t funny. They are dangerous. I think we should put a sign at the Tarrant-Parker county line saying “Criminals — don’t let the sun set on you in Parker County.”

Jerry Blaisdell, in my opinion, is doing one heck of a job keeping big time crime out of Weatherford. It’s not an easy job either. A lot of things go on that aren’t written about and they rightfully shouldn’t be written about. Crooks don’t need to be given a “heads up” when it comes to how our task force operates.

I say, keep up the good work! We should salute and thank all the law enforcement officers in Parker County who work hard to keep it crime free. Thank you for your hard work.

How about some nut bars for your family this summer?



Nut bars

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup dry roasted peanuts

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons vanilla pudding mix

1/2 cup butter

1 (1 pound) box powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring

Combine chips and peanut butter in a 2-quart bowl. Microwave on 100 percent power for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes; stir until smooth. Line a 13- by 9- by 2-inch dish with wax paper. Spoon half of chocolate mixture into dish, spreading evenly; refrigerate until set. Stir peanuts into remaining chocolate mixture. Allow to stand at room temperature until chocolate is just about set. Combine milk, pudding mix and butter in 1 quart measuring cup. Cook on 100 percent power for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Stir in powdered sugar and flavoring. Spread over chocolate layer. Spoon remaining chocolate with peanuts on top, refrigerate until set. Lift out of pan, peel off paper and cut into squares. Store in refrigerator.



Baked ambrosia

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple

1 (18.5-ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 cup butter

1 cup coconut

12 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

2 tablespoons orange peel

Spread the pineapple in bottom of a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking dish. Sprinkle cake mix over pineapple, dot with butter. Sprinkle with coconut, nuts and orange peel. Bake in 350-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes.



I think we should let all criminals know that in Parker County, if you can’t stand the time — don’t do the crime. Our prosecutors do their jobs.



Janis may be reached at jks4417@aol.com. Columns submitted to The Weatherford Democrat by guest writers reflect the opinions of the writer and in no way reflect the beliefs or opinions of The Weatherford Democrat.