WEDNESDAY’S LIST . . . of beans ‘n greens ‘n other things: I’M NOT sure cold figures tell you just how good Bill Farrell was when it came to coaching football. He was an “artist,” especially when his teams were on offense.

Farrell, who passed away this past week after 84 good years, coached at Ohatchee, Piedmont, and Anniston.

I was part of a couple of his Ohatchee teams and it was there, in the late 1940s and early 50s, that he launched a high school career matched by few in our state. If he had a losing season once he got “his” system on track, I’m not aware of it.

I used the word “artist” advisably on offense. The man was a pure genius there, bringing the old Missouri Winged T to our area at Ohatchee. What that says is Farrell was “wide open” before “wide open” was cool. His teams threw the ball, ran the option, put points on the board.

I honestly believe the man could have been an offensive coordinator at ANY level of the game. Had he had as much “defense” in his genes, I believe he would have won three or four state championships along the way.

Farrell was a member of the Alabama High School Coaches Hall of Fame and the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame. He was more than deserving of both.

*** THE PASSING of Coach Farrell moves me to an e-mail I got recently from Joyce Reid. It is about grieving . . . which we all have done.

From Joyce, in part:

“It is important that people in the area suffering from the loss of a loved one know there is a place to meet with other people who are in the same situation.”

Such a group is the Grief Support Group, which meets every first and third Tuesday on the fourth floor of the Physicians Building at Regional Medical Center. RMC Chaplain Jim Wilson and Franklin McGee head the meetings, which start at 1 p.m.

If you are heavy of heart from loss, you might really find a comfort here. If you need to know more, the chaplain’s office is 256-225-0146. Better yet, just go . . .

*** BIRTHDAYS: May 3 – Vanessa Bonner and Sholanda Sanford; May 6 – Kinze McWhorter, S. D. Heard and Addis Lawler; May 7 – Ruth Sexton; May 8, Nellie Estes; May 10 – Otis Burton and Virginia Johns.

*** QUOTABLE: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller *** TOP TEEN: Say hello to Alex Svensen, a senior at The Donoho School where he carries a 4.5 GPA and his president of the Honor Council.

Alex, off the 4.5 GPA, is a member in high standing in the National Honor Society.

That is the starting line for this morning’s Top Teen.

Young Mr. Svensen is also a member of the Spanish National Honor Society, an Honor Roll student, Mu Alpha Theta (math honors), Scholar’s Bowl, Writer’s Bowl, Lure Staff, on the Knox Concert Service Committee, an Ala-bama Boys State Representative, and a Vacation Bible School Leader.

Around his academics, Alex has also found time to participate in football, basketball, and track and field at Donoho.

He heads for Auburn University in the fall.

“He exhibits fine morals and values,” says Donoho counselor Jacqueline Gaines. “Alex’s compassion for others, his positive attitude, and self-discipline make him a leader at the The Donoho School and in our community.”

Proud parents are Dr. Robert and Missy Svensen, Glenwood Terrace.

Take a bow, young man . . .

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George Smith may be reached at 256-239-5682 or e-mail: gsmith731@gmail.com