Looming Large
This month, Chet takes readers to the world’s largest pecan, in Seguin. Other attractions in Texas lay claim to being the world’s largest because, you know, everything’s bigger … . These include the world’s largest:
Patio chair, in Dallas
Roadrunner, Fort Stockton
Rattlesnake, Freer
Caterpillar, Italy
Watermelon, Luling
Muleshoe, Muleshoe
Jackrabbit, Ralls
Worth Repeating
“Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young.”
—Betty White
Texas Talent
Houston native Debbie Allen has had a prolific career in show business, including six Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and five NAACP Image Awards. The actress, dancer, choreographer and director starred in the TV series Fame and boasts a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Since 2001 she also has run the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Allen turns 75 on January 16.
Groundbreaking Architect
John Saunders Chase made history in Texas—first in 1950 when he became the first African American student admitted to a graduate program at a major university in the South—the University of Texas—and then in 1952, when he became the state’s first Black licensed architect. Chase was born 100 years ago this month, January 23, 1925, in Maryland.
Historic Justice
In an odd and unprecedented twist, discrimination led to Texas’ only all-women Supreme Court 100 years ago this month. A case involving the Woodmen of the World reached the court, and all three male justices were members of the organization and recused themselves.
Since most of the judges in the state were also Woodmen, and women weren’t allowed to join the organization, Gov. Pat Neff placed three women—all attorneys—on the high court on New Year’s Day 1925.
