Jimmy Helms is the old philosopher of New Dubina, Texas. He’s also his rustic little town’s sheriff, mayor, dentist, postmaster, banker, cobbler, bartender, preacher, teacher, etc. As the 84-year-old retired Houston dentist makes the rounds at his 1857-1900-era settlement, Jimmy offers thoughts along the way. Let’s join his tour.
on the west end by a bathhouse and on the east by a
hotel featuring an outside staircase (above) similar to the one
in the “Lonesome Dove” movie.
Jimmy’s thought about worrying: If you must worry, pick one hour in the day to worry as deeply as you can. Then put that worry out of your mind. That which you are worrying about probably will never happen.
plus sewing notions and amusements such as a
gramophone and stereoscopes.
Jimmy’s thought about human frailty: Mankind’s greatest weakness is the belief in something for nothing.
a vintage photo collage (above) honoring the Cernoch family
who sold their farm to Jimmy and his wife, Carol, in 1979.
Jimmy’s thought about humanity: Be on good terms with all people and be kind and gentle with yourself.
Jimmy’s thought about helping others: Giving of ourselves brings us happiness, freedom and peace of mind.
Jimmy’s thought about doing your best: It only takes 10% more effort to do a job correctly.
Jimmy’s thought about wealth: Money without effort is seldom a benefit.
Jimmy’s thought about Monday mornings: God give me the will to go on and the strength will follow.
Jimmy’s thought about personal achievement: We should each do our best realizing that there will always be someone better and someone worse.
Jimmy’s thought about careers or jobs: One likes what they are good at, so make yourself good at something and you will like it.
Several more of Jimmy’s thoughts:
Our most important mission in life is to keep love alive for future generations.
To be remembered as an honest person is the ultimate achievement in life.
One never feels they have done enough for those they love.
* * *
Thanks for the tour of New Dubina, Jimmy, plus your sage advice. By the way, have you thought of adding a newspaper office to complete your town? I noticed an empty lot next to the library that would be a perfect location for it.
Experience New Dubina from the viewpoint of a New York Times reporter:
- The Old Philosopher of New Dubina - March 10, 2023
- Farewell to the Farm - February 17, 2023
- Feeding Winston’s Cows in 1973 - January 20, 2023
Congratulations on another wonderful article, Elaine! We’ve heard about New Dubina over the years and wanted to visit along with our children and grandchildren. Is that possible?
Thanks for reading, Darlene! Although Jimmy doesn’t run his town as a tourist destination, he often makes it available as the site for memorable fundraisers and gatherings. I’ll follow up with him!
Your wonderfully written stories honor all the people and places you write about. Your respect of both the people and places are evident in all your work. Thank you working so hard to preserve these stories for all of us to treasure. Have you thought of making a book from these story treasures. Thank you…
Gesine, glad you enjoyed Jimmy’s story. I never tire of having the opportunity to tell a good story because there are lots of positive stories around us. I’m working on volume three of my series, Stories I’ve Been Told, which will be out this fall. I promised the people I interviewed starting in 2013 that I would save their stories in a book. Well, it has taken three books so far and volume 4 is on the back burner for 2024!
A wise man!
Yes, I think Jimmy is a wise man. He’s also a very kind person. I bet he was a great dentist!
Thank you, Elaine, I think I have used most of the stuff in the article. I remember when coffee cans had the key on the bottom. In fact, most such cans did.
No electric can openers back then was there? Our parents and grandparents kept things for a long, long time didn’t they? Thanks, David.
Jimmy is a treasure!!!
He is, indeed, Maureen!
SAGE advice, INDEED!!! We need many, many more wise souls like Jimmy in this world today. I’ve heard the term “multi-talented” before, but Jimmy is the epitome of the term!
I agree with you, Brenda! Thanks for wording your praise for Jimmy so well.
That Jimmy Helms is a one-of-a-kind character! A good man with a positive outlook in life. Great job as usual, Elaine.
Thanks, Denise! People like Jimmy make the world a better place.
Really enjoyed this one! Keep them coming.
Thanks, Marie! Jimmy is a jewel.