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November 24, 2008

Johnson shocked by the sound of her own voice

By Darragh Doiron

The News staff writer

Goldie Johnson has been smiling and nodding her head for years.

Agreeable personality? Yes, but mostly she did it because she just couldn’t make out what people were saying. Gradual hearing loss made everything sound garbled.

A Port Arthur Sertoma Club’s donation enabled Trinity Hearing and Balance Center to fit Johnson with a hearing aid. Johnson said her life has opened up from the minute it was in her ear.

“It was a shock to hear my voice,” Johnson recalled. “I can hear the TV and understand the words.”

Johnson recently addressed the club and got a little tearful sharing her appreciation. Club members got just as misty hearing her story.

Carol Landry, Johnson’s daughter, said her mother has been more open and less restrained now that she can hear what people are telling her, instead of all that smiling and nodding.

“She has gotten her independence back. When she couldn’t hear, she was almost completely dependent on me,” Landry said. “She’s a very special person. She truly is. She’s very talented. She has the patience of Job.”

Johnson uses some of that talent to paint. The American flag is one of her beloved themes.

“So many people take our country and our freedoms for granted. They don’t know how to honor the flag. They push it aside,” Johnson said.

She doesn’t mind taking her time with her creations.

“One thing is, it’s relaxing. It’s like painting a puzzle. You do a little bit at a time and you go back and connect it,” she said.

Dr. Kelly McConnel and her husband, Robert, of Trinity Hearing set Johnson up with the hearing aid. He also called Johnson a special and delightful person.

She’s a member of Bethel Baptist Church and her daughter said she sews beautifully, makes dolls and teddy bears, stitches and makes a great gumbo.

“I don’t do much bragging, except on my mother,” she said.

ddoiron@panews.com

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The Central Middle School Band capped off a successful year by competing in the Solo and Ensemble Contest on May 5th. Forty-eight students brought home 66 medals.  Band members who won honors are: Danny Abdullah, Syrina Akbari, Abigail Albright, Max Barclay, Joel Bardwell, Jordan Bardwell, Brandon Baumgardner, Anthony Bennett, James Brindza, Cullen Cessna, Vanessa Daigle, Collin Elliott ,Dyan Emerson, Cyle Hubbard, Colin Jackson, Jennifer Jones, Jordan Jones, Jase Keel, Jessica Koons, Marissa Licatino, Todd Luke, Kade McCorvy, Jordan Mitchell, Kelby Myers, Mason Ouzts, Sara Pierce, Kayla Prestridge, Daniela Rodriguez, Noah Ross, Shae Sanders, Chandler Smith, Brian Speight, Erin Stilley, Arriana Torres and Tommy Truong Central's Band Directors are Joe Vargas and Michelle Melancon. On May 15th, the Band will hold its final performances of the year. They will play in Central's auditorium at 9 AM. Later that evening, they will be part of the Nederland ISD Band Pageant at the Performing Arts Center.  

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