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Page 10B - Sunday, May 29, 2011 - Plainview Herald www.MyPlainview.com Jets’ DeVito using lockout to give his faith a workout By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Sports Writer RANDOLPH, N.J. — Mike DeVito cleared his throat a few times, took a couple of steps from behind the lectern and looked out at the dozens of people seated in front of him. This was no locker room speech or game huddle for the New York Jets defensive lineman. De- Vito was giving his fi rst sermon at a church fi lled with congregants looking for spiritual guidance from their special guest. “I was nervous, brother,” DeVito acknowledged a few moments after his passionate presentation last Sunday. “But I think it turned out OK.” No doubt about it. Just as he has for Rex Ryan’s defense the past few seasons, DeVito got the job done. “He seemed very comfortable engaging the crowd,” said Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who was there to support his teammate. “It seemed like he had done this before. To see him doing God’s work and be so excited, it’s just great.” A devout Christian who is considering a postfootball career as perhaps a youth minister or pastor, the 26-year-old De- Vito was part-teacher and part-preacher as he spoke about the meaning of faith for about 20 minutes at RCC — Relevant Christian Church — complete with a Power Point presentation. He also threw in a few jokes that drew a roomful of chuckles, and several of his points were met with an approving “Amen!” or “You’re right!” “I’m so proud of him,” DeVito’s wife, Jessie, said with a huge smile as several people hugged and thanked her husband a few feet away. While so much focus during the NFL’s strange offseason has been on the contentious lockout and how players are staying in shape while they wait to go back to work, DeVito has been using some of that extra time to strengthen his faith. DeVito has been working closely with Morning Star New York associate pastor Adam Burt, a former NHL defenseman who has served as the Jets’ chaplain for three years. DeVito regularly studies the Bible and pretty much anything else he can get his hands on that helps him learn more about living and teaching as a Christian. “When I saw Michael’s heart, he has a real passion in it,” said Burt, also the Chris Pedota/The Record/MCT The New York Jets’ Mike Devito (70) tackles the New England Patriots’ Danny Woodhead during the fi rst half of the Jets’ 28-21 win over the Patriots in the AFC divisional playoff s. During the lockout, Devito has used the time to strengthen his faith. itinerant pastor at RCC. “As much of a mountain of a man as he is, he loves people deeply. I had no idea that his heart would be like, ‘Hey, someday I might like to do this,’ but the closer I get to him, I can defi nitely see the call of God being on his life, and that’s exciting.” It all started a few years ago for DeVito, who grew up in a nonreligious Italian home in Massachusetts. He was hanging out in his apart- ment during his junior year at Maine when two Mormon missionaries showed up at his door. “When I fi rst saw them coming, I really don’t like to be mean to anybody, so when they asked to come in, I was like, ‘All right,’ ” he recalled. “Not because I wanted to hear about God, but it was more like I didn’t want to just turn these guys away.” Well, DeVito kept listen- ing and that visit turned into several more. For the fi rst time, he realized he had to make changes: no more drinking and partying; no more living with his thengirlfriend; no more scoffi ng at religion. “They had a good idea of who Jesus is, and that’s what I needed at the time,” he said. “I’m not a Mormon, but they knew Jesus and they gave me that foundation.” It was also during this time in 2006 when DeVito’s friend, Mark Stetson, was slain. DeVito called it “my eye-opening experience.” “When I got up to that coffi n and saw a 23-year-old man dead,” DeVito recalled, “it was like, ‘Whoa. Man, this isn’t guaranteed. I can’t think I can take care of this on my own time. It’s not about my time. It’s God’s time.’ “There was no turning back.” The defensive lineman confi ded in Mulligan, who was raised as a Christian, and the two moved in together and helped each other with their faith. When DeVito signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2007, teammates Kenyon Coleman and James Dearth served as spiritual mentors. DeVito and his best friend were reunited as teammates two years later when the Jets signed Mulligan as a free agent. “We’ve been able to do Bible study together, go to church together and look at different things and know what we believe in,” Mulligan said. “He’s a really good football player, but he’s got his priorities straight.” After some resistance at home because “I tried to force-feed it,” DeVito has even gotten several members of his family to share his beliefs. He knows religion isn’t always a popular topic, especially to some who roll their eyes at the mere mention by athletes of God, faith and the like. “At the end of the day, I have to do what I’m called to do, no matter what anyone else says,” DeVito said. “And, it just so happens some of your best Christians out there are some of your toughest players on the fi eld.” That includes DeVito, whom Rex Ryan has called one of the strongest of his players, if not the most underrated. DeVito has helped make up for the loss of the injured Kris Jenkins the last two years with little fanfare, including last season when he had a career-high 59 tackles. Messi’s Barcelona beats Man United 3-1 in Champions League fi nal WEMBLEY, England (AP) — The debate is over now. Barcelona is on the list of soccer’s all-time greatest teams. Led by another dominant performance from Lionel Messi, the Catalan club beat Manchester United 3-1 on Saturday to earn its third Champions League title in six seasons and No. 4 overall. “I feel privi- MESSI leged,” Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. “You always want to win, but the way we have won is what I am most proud of. This is the way we want to play football. “Lionel is the best player I have seen and probably the best I will ever see.” Messi was typically subdued in his celebration. “I’m very happy about the match,” Messi said. “We were the better team. We deserved to win.” Messi put Barcelona ahead to stay with his 53rd goal and helped create another score to give the Spanish league champion some breathing room. Barcelona dominated play at Wembley Stadium with its trademark one-touch passing, but it needed the Argentine striker to conjure a 54th-minute solo strike from the edge of the penalty area to take the lead for the second time. There seemed to be no space as Messi was tracked by fullback Patrice Evra. But the two-time world player of the year spotted a gap between the central defenders and hit a shot down the middle, beating goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Messi added a fake and run that led to David Villa taking possession on the edge of the area. From there, the Spain striker curled a shot into the top corner of the net. “They do mesmerize you with their passing and we never really did control Messi,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “But many people have said that. “In my time as manager, it’s the best team I’ve faced.” Soccer commentators had said before the game that Barcelona, which already had won a third straight Spanish league title, would be ranked among the sport’s truly great teams with a victory over United. Now, with four European titles, only Liverpool, AC Milan and Barcelona’s fi erce rival Real Madrid have won more. With Pedro Rodriguez scoring the opening goal midway through the fi rst half on an imaginative through ball from Xavi Hernandez, the win was as comprehensive as Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over United in the 2009 fi nal in Rome. “When Rome fi nished, I thought we had played a good game, but when I looked at it again I wasn’t that impressed,” Guardiola said. “But it has served its purpose. “I think we played much better than the game two years ago.” Guardiola now has won 10 titles — including two European Cups — in three years. Wayne Rooney’s goal in the 34th minute left it tied at 1 at halftime. Rooney carried the ball to the edge of the area, slipping it to Ryan Giggs. Giggs knocked it back, giving Rooney the perfect opportunity to curl a shot past goalkeeper Victor Valdes at the far post. Barcelona’s performance was so comfortable that Guardiola was able to bring on regular captain Carles Puyol for the last few moments, giving the oft-injured defender the chance to play a part in a memorable triumph. But in a gesture symbolizing Barcelona’s team ethic, Puyol handed the armband over to Eric Abidal. His place on the team had been in doubt after he had surgery this season to remove a liver tumor — and the France defender lifted the famous trophy. “Players are human beings,” Guardiola said. “Car- les has made a great gesture and it has made us stronger.” After a shaky opening, Barcelona simply outclassed the English champions. Xavi, standing in as captain for Puyol, orchestrated play from in front of Sergio Busquets, while Andres Iniesta and Messi hurt United with pinpoint passing. “This is the reason I came to Barcelona,” Villa said. “I’m very happy, very satisfi ed. We have a team with ambition, a team with the will to win.” United could do little to disrupt Barcelona, the prevailing force of European soccer. “They were the better team so we can’t really argue,” United’s Rio Ferdinand said. “They’re a great side with great players.”
www.MyPlainview.com Plainview Herald - Sunday, May 29, 2011 - Page 1C Herald LIFESTYLES NEITHER HERE NOR THERE NICKI BRUCE LOGAN Writing obituaries I’ve mentioned before that I took over the obit desk a couple of years ago. What that means is that I work with both funeral homes and families to put together obituaries, a task I didn’t look forward to but one that has turned out to be pretty rewarding. As former Herald obit writers Charlotte Thurman and the late Marie Harris often said, an obit may be the only time a person is featured in a newspaper, and it is up to us to make sure it is written in a professional and kind manner. In addition, an obit becomes a part of the history of our community. Before I started writing obituaries, I compiled a program I’ve given to study clubs, civic organizations and Sunday school classes. For want of another name, I call it my Death and Dying program. You can imagine that I’ve had lots of additions and thoughts since I started dealing with obits. First and foremost, I encourage everyone to have a good photo taken. It doesn’t have to be a professional photograph, just a clear, sharp likeness of the subject. And it’s OK if you have an older one that is your favorite. When I am giving my program, I ask people to pull out their driver license and look at that photo. Often, it is the only one survivors can fi nd when they are in a hurry and looking through papers and photos. Now, I don’t know about you, but I cringe every time I have to present my driver license when I give a check or the rare times I’ve been stopped by the highway patrol. I’ve been known to caution the cashier that if she does more than glance at the photo, I’ll have to do away with her. Of course, I didn’t tell the DPS guy that, suspecting he would arrest me for terroristic threats. Bottom line, I don’t want my DL picture in the paper under any circumstances, but often that is what we are sent to run with an obituary. I also encourage people to write their own obit while they can. You know better than anyone the pertinent dates in your life — birth, marriage, degrees, accomplishments and survivors and their locations. When most of us converse and communicate with our relatives via e-mail, Facebook, cell phone and text messages instead of addressing envelopes and mailing it to an actual address, often we don’t know the town where relatives live, just somewhere around Los Angeles or Dallas when they really live in Newbury Park or Keller. Research their locations and add them to your obit. It’s not unusual for obits to list a state as a residence instead of a town. I laugh when I tell people that if you put together your own obit, you have a chance to tell your side of the story, regardless of perceptions or even the truth. I plan to mention how beautiful and graceful I was, but suspect that my kids won’t let me get away with it. At least I’ll make them laugh. Don’t leave writing your obit to a spouse or child who, hopefully, is devastated by your death and can’t think clearly. The ultimate joke may be on you. I tell a true story about some of my relatives (by marriage) who insisted on writing their mother’s obit, yet listed as a survivor her brother who had been dead for a number of years. What made me think to write of death and dying in this week’s column? I saw where a friend’s daughter mentioned on Facebook that she saw a casket store in a mall in Kansas. Her NEITHER, Page 2C By TERESA YOUNG Wayland Baptist University For 50 years, the Plains Art Association has celebrated the work of local and area artists with their annual Spring Show and Sale. This year’s milestone show once again graces the walls of the Abraham Art Gallery at Wayland Baptist University, on display through June 26. A reception for the artists is planned from 1-3 p.m. that Sunday in the gallery and adjoining atrium in the Mabee Learning Resources Center on the Wayland campus. And while the reception will celebrate those winning artists from this 50th show, it also will commemorate a half-century of artistic expression in Plainview. The Plains Art Association itself has been around since 1958, and Daphne Hollingsworth was the charter president of the group. Early on, the group sponsored an art show for children but discontinued that effort when the Scholastic Art Exhibit became active in the area. Hardly any of the PAA members who were active when the Spring Art Show came into being are still alive, and none are living locally. But some longtime members shed light on their own appreciation for the long-standing tradition in the Plainview arts scene. Mary Montandon of Aiken was not part of the charter group but joined the PAA in the 1960s when she entered the fi rst of many shows the organization was already sponsoring. An avid artist since her childhood days of drawing her own paper dolls, Montandon stayed active in the art association for many years, entering work in nearly every show since she joined. “The fact that we have membership shows really encourages us to do our best work and show it,” she said of the annual event. “The judges give us good information on how to improve our artwork, too.” Montandon said her involvement waned a bit while her children were busy in school, but she kept up her painting, primarily working in oils and pastels while she also worked as the postmaster in Aiken. She later taught private art lessons in the area. Now, at age 87, she said she doesn’t paint as much as she used to but wants to get back to her art. She has enjoyed her long relationship with PAA and the annual show. “I enjoy visiting with other people who are doing artwork. There are a variety of artists — some work in watercolor, some in oil, and we’ve had some do other types of art,” said Montandon, who served as president from 1995- 97. “It’s interesting to get acquainted with people who are into art.” Marguerite Butler fi rst joined the PAA in 1976 after moving back to Plainview from the northeast. She recalls the group having at least 80 members in those years, and they met monthly in the A-frame building located on Joliet Street just off Fifth Street. “I’ve been involved with the show somehow every year since I joined,” said Butler, now 89, who served as president of the group in 1980-81 and 1991-92. “The friendships with people that have the same interest have kept me around. I love the artwork and the competitions, too, and being able to see what other clubs are doing.” Butler said not much has changed about the Plains art show during her tenure, though various presidents sometimes bring new ideas or concepts. Still, the basic premise has stayed the same: The show features work by local and area artists as a way to promote the arts in Plainview and show off the talent of area creative types. An artist herself since the early days of her marriage, Butler has been part of that feature group. She works primarily in pastels, though she’s dabbled in acrylics and watercolors as well. And while she doesn’t turn out the volume of work she did in her younger years, Butler said she makes it a goal to submit at least one piece to the PAA show every year, even if it means staying up late the week of the submission deadline. Otherwise, Butler’s main role with the show has been to collect donations from the purchase award donors and other contributors that help fund the show each year. She was co-chair this year with Joe Provence, a relatively new member of the PAA, and she likes to stay involved at whatever level she can. • • • This year’s exhibit features 120 works by regional artists, according to Plains Art Association president Dr. Candace Keller, also serving as this year’s show chairman. The Best of Show Award, in memory of Faye Marlin Curry and given by Ramona and J.B Roberts and family, was awarded to Cynthia Pinnell for a porcelain piece titled “Butterfl y Tile.” The Dr. Eldon C. Nicholl Memorial Award for Best Concept of Color and Light, given by Lil H. Nicholl and family, was awarded to Carlos Jordon for an oil painting titled “El Rosario.” The winners by category are as follows: Oils — First place: “A Special Niche” by Mary Tom Tooley; Second place: “Hurd Country” by Dyan Newton; Third place: “God’s Glory” by Carolyn Warrick; Honorable Mention: “The Courtship” by Iva Salinas; “War Memorial for Jeremy Burris – Killed in Iraq” by Joe Garnett; “Floydada Fall” by Jo Goen; “City View” by Ruth Rector-Wright. Acrylics — First place: “Nanny” by Grant Crabtree; Second place: “Mean Man” by Bettye Hammer Givens; Third place: “NIU” by Sally Gubser; Honorable Mention: “Red Chair” and “Green House and Barrel” by Grant Crabtree; “Telephone” and “Strawberries” by David Mancilla. Watercolor — First place: “Sea Dreams” by Candace Keller; Second place: “Rancher’s Bunkhouse” by Dyan Newton; Third place: “Bears of the Fruzier River” by Ray Freeman; Honorable Mention: “Windy Day” Page 1C Sunday, May 29, 2011 MyPlainview.com/lifestyles Best of Show: Cynthia Pinnell, Butterfl y Tile Plains Art Association’s milestone 50th spring show exhibited in Abraham Gallery Best Concept of Color and Light: Carlos Jordon, ‘El Rosario’ by Ruth Rector-Wright; “Duckling” by Ray Freeman; “Backyard Fence” by Marguerite Butler. Pastels/Drawings — First place: “Building to Him” by Gary Ward; Second place: “A Good Pair” by Gary Ward; Third place: “Greener Grazin’ ” by Lucia McBeth; Honorable Mention: “Cherry Jubilee” by Marguerite Butler; “Three Fingers” by Gary Ward. Photography — First place: “St. Francis” by Tom Higley; Second place: “Angel” by Alisa Lackey; Third place: “Ozark Dreamscape” by Harriet Feagin; Honorable Mention: “Harbor Light” and “Mission Cactus,” both by Harriet Feagin; “Pearly Gates” by Les Joe Provence will receive Silver Star Award Richard Porter/Plainview Herald Plainview Cultural Arts Council will present the 2011 Silver Star Award to Joe Provence during a reception from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abraham Art Gallery and Atrium on the Wayland Baptist University campus. By NICKI BRUCE LOGAN Herald Lifestyles Editor When it comes to stars, none shines brighter in the arts community than Joe Provence, who was selected to receive the 2011 Silver Star Award given by the Plainview Cultural Arts Council. “Besides being an artist, PROVENCE Joe has been a constant supporter of the cultural groups and programs in our community,” says Linda Milner Shipp, director of Runningwater Draw RSVP, who nominated Provence for the award. “His enthusiasm and expertise is an important part of keeping the arts alive in Plainview.” A reception will be held in Provence’s honor from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abraham Art Gallery and Atrium on the Wayland Baptist University campus. The public is invited. ART, Page 2C Previous Silver Star recipients are Lisa Arnold, Faye Curry, Bobbie Lee Farmer, Lil Nicholl, Ethel Lee Ramsower, Daphne Hollingsworth, Bill Deardorf, Mary Jane King, Bettye Givens, Earl Miller, Jeannine Greene, Dr. Nick Kramer, Mary Frank Owen, Vera Wofford, O.T. Ryan, Dr. Candace Keller, Nicki Logan and Mark Anthony Pair. Provence, who is retired, holds the title of WBU emeritus director of alumni services after serving as director of alumni services at Wayland for more than 30 years. He fi rst came to Plainview and Wayland in 1957 as a student after graduating from Arlington High School. Two years later, he left Wayland due to the serious illness of his brother, Sammy, then returned seven years later to work as news director and complete his degree. In the meantime, he married his Wayland classmate, Freda PROVENCE, Page 2C
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