How the grinch(es) stole Halloween, carnival fun

Having been on this earth for 67 years and having observed many things, imagine my stunned amazement and total disbelief when I learned just this evening [Thursday] that today "someone" (anonymous, of course) had notified the Texas Lottery Commission that some of the games planned for the Class of 2008 Project Graduation Fall Carnival on Saturday were in violation of the state of Texas' so-called gambling laws!

One of the parents received a telephone call and follow up fax from the commission with the warning that Cow Patty Bingo, in particular, was in violation of the gambling laws of this state with possible third-degree felony charges. What? However, it appears the state doesn't really get involved in such carnivals, fundraisers, raffles, etc., unless someone complains, then they will file charges. I repeat, what?

Let me get this straight: Theoretically, every other community in Texas can legally have carnivals/fundraisers which include bingo or whatever other game is deemed to be illegal here simply because "someone" in Lampasas complained and the other Texas towns had no complaints. There is something extremely wrong with this picture.

The original idea for the '08 Project Graduation Fall Carnival evolved after the downtown merchants decided they were no longer going to sponsor the children's Halloween promenade around the square to show off their costumes. It was a true American family event. The Fall Carnival was intended to not only be a fund-raiser for the seniors but also to give the children and parents something fun and safe to do in lieu of the former downtown promenade. Everyone had particularly looked forward to the Cow Patty Bingo, including me. We will still have a lot of fun, but the grinch has certainly taken a lot of the wind out of everyone's sails. So much for his/her/their support, civic bent and hometown spirit.

Have I lived entirely too long? I do not like what is happening all over this beloved country of ours and have become totally disillusioned with this town in particular. Even when I was in high school, we worked for three long years as students, along with our parents, on various fund-raising events to earn money for our senior trip. When I became a parent and was involved as a Cub Scout den mother and a Brownie leader, Halloween Carnival chairman (back before the PC crowd took over and no longer allowed the word "Halloween" to be mentioned, along with numerous other traditional holidays such as that most vile word "Christmas"), etc., the traditional fund-raising events were continued and, believe it or not, it was a lot of innocent fun for everyone. Furthermore, I have lived in several cities and town in Texas where the same innocent, fun, traditional events have been held in each and every one. Not one soul ever complained or worked either overtly or covertly to destroy them.

So, as it now stands, the planned Cow Patty Bingo, cake walk and who knows what else will not be held as announced because of the threat by the Texas Lottery Commission/licensing commission of possible thirddegree felony charges.

I am the very proud mother of one of the parents involved in the '08 Project Graduation and the very proud grandmother of two of the sweetest seniors on the planet. All involved in this project have worked long and hard, and will continue to do so until the end of the year. God bless all the parents for being involved with their children, unlike the many parents who are not in this world of today and the wonderful kids who are also working hard to become the wonderful people who will one day run this country.

My husband and I bought tickets for the Cow Patty Bingo, but the seniors will still have the money since it has now been donated by us. I challenge each and every one to do the same to show that it takes more than a craven coward(s) to spoil the innocent fun for the rest of us. It will still be a fun day, in spite of the covert efforts of one or more persons in this town.

For shame! Shame, shame, shame upon whoever did this. Your cowardice is remarkable. I've stood up for my convictions (see signature below); how about you?

Patricia T. Champion