Hays County Echo Summer 2020

HAYS COUNTY

ECHO SUMMER 2020

INSIDE

• MASK FASHION • DAD JOKES & GRAD QUOTES • FATHER’S DAY MEMORIES A product of Barton Publications | 1

ECHO HAYS COUNTY

INSIDE

is published quarterly by Barton Publications, Inc 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX Contents © February 2020.

Publisher Cyndy Slovak–Barton Editor Anita Miller Graphics Director David White Contributing Writers Moses Leos III Sarah Leos Chase Rogers David White Contributing Photographers Moses Leos III Distribution David White

Mask Fashion............................................................................................... 3 Wear your personal protection equipment with style

The family that sews together.................................................................... 4 Kyle family bonds over mask making venture

Love, Your Sarah........................................................................................... 6 Father’s Day memory by Sarah Leos

Dad Jokes.................................................................................................... 10 Cringe-worthy jokes for Father’s Day

Dad and I are in it ‘til the end................................................................... 11

Marketing Tracy Mack Jim Darby

Father’s Day memory by Moses Leos III

Office Manager Verna Wommack

For advertising information, please contact our sales department at 512–268–7862.

See the Hays County Echo online for free at www.HaysFreePress.com

Grad Quotes................................................................................................ 12 Inspirational quotes from people you probably heard of

Service Directory........................................................................................ 14 Find qualfied service people in your area

Things to keep in mind this Father’s Day................................................ 15 Life experiences are missed being away from family

Independence Day Crossword.................................................................. 15 Test your knowledge on early U.S. history

About the cover: Hays High senior Bianca Ramirez poses at the Kyle Gazebo with her homemade mask.

Photo by Moses Leos III

2 | Hays County Echo | Summer 2020

MASK FASHION

BY DAVID WHITE

L

earning to incorporate a face covering in one’s daily wardrobe has been a challenging and unsual transition for most – both psychologically and just getting used to the discomfort of wearing one.

The sight of people wearing surgical masks in public is an image that can weigh heavy on the soul. It’s a distopian image that reminds us we are in tough times. And the fact that it’s become politicized, pitting people into factions doesn’t help.

But the general consensus is to wear masks in public. So the healthy choice seems to embrace the idea and make the best of it and incorporate the mask as an everyday accessory. For that reason, I want to throw out my worn out aqua blue surgical masks for something with a little more style and comfort.

So I, like many other people, are on

the search for the perfect mask for the perfect occasion. In a sense, looking for more fashionable masks.

I have several masks at the moment.

Some I like more than others. The stretchy cotton mask that H-E-B sells is comfortable and form-fitting, but the air that’s expeled from the top fogs up my glasses. A couple of the others are little sweat factories especially now that the temps are reaching the 90s.

I’ve been reading articles on the best materials to use and browsing websites like Etsy for unique designs. I think I know what to get everybody for Christmas if we get a second wave.

One article directed toward runners and athletes recommended the buff.

I did not know about the buff, but it’s been around. It’s basically a sleeve that goes around your face and neck.

And even though cotton is touted as the best material to wear because it’s tightly knit and still breathable, you can get the buffers in cooler, more breathable material, like a hightech polyester with wicking action, chiffon or silk. The polyester doesn’t filter as much as the cotton, but while working out or doing manual labor, it will help you from spewing a little bit of moisture.

It’s an important reminder that if you wear a mask every day, you’ll need to sanitize it or wash it. For that reason, you may want a few masks on hand. And if you’re going to wear them, remember to wear them with style.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

GRADUATION GARB...

Graduation ceremonies are about to commence and the latest word is that graduates will be required to wear masks.

The masks will come with the cap and gown and will incorporate the school logo and colors.

Above is Lehman senior Steven O’Neal wearing a homemade mask.

Left, singer-songwriter Billie Eilish wears a mask sold by Bravado, a music merchant company that is selling music inspired masks. The proceeds of sales of the masks goes to a charity called MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund.

A product of Barton Publications | 3

The family that sews together...

Kyle family bonds over mask making venture

BY MOSES LEOS III

outbreak. Initially, Ramirez knew she Months ago, back needed to make a before Coronavirus mask for her husband, became a buzzword, Roger, who is a School Kyle resident Carolyn Resource Officer (SRO) Ramirez didn’t know with the Hays County what to do with an agSheriff’s Office, and had ing Singer to make sewing sure he had machine In late May, adequate collecting protection.

Ramirez dust in her She also home. agreed to passed The relic, make masks passed for a childalong down to hood friend Ramirez by and their 90 total her mother, colleagues hadn’t been who work masks to used in in the medithe Hays quite a long cal field. time.

Driving it County That all all were changed, discussions Sheriff’s however, Ramirez in March had with Office for when she her friends heeded the in the deputies call to craft medical to use. face masks field on the aimed at “shortage of In total, protecting everything” those who at the Ramirez serve on time and the front has made accessibility lines of the of personal COVID-19 protective 300 total battle. equipment masks.

While (PPE). that aged Working machine eventually in the medical field herbroke, what didn’t bust self as a nurse in Hays was Ramirez’ resolve to CISD, Ramirez underhelp others. Three-hun- stood the importance of dred masks later and PPE during the onset of more than a $1,000 the outbreak. invested in the ven“There was a lot of ture, Ramirez remains debate at the beginsteadfast in her volunning. Yes masks or no teerism, supported by masks. But for those her family who have all who feel the need to pitched in to help. wear a mask or it’s “It’s hard to explain. required for their job, I like doing things for I felt like it was someothers and being able thing I could offer to help others out,” them,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez said. “I was But there was a slight glad to be able to do snag – Ramirez didn’t so.” know the first thing Ramirez began her about sewing. pursuit soon after the Adding to initial start of the COVID-19 troubles was the mo4 | Hays County Echo | Summer 2020

Hard at work with her new Singer sewing machine is Kyle resident Carolyn Ramirez (bottom left) who with the help of her family crafted more than 300 masks for medical workers and law enforcement officials. Above left, Carolyn’s daughter Bianca cutting the fabric pieces. Right, Carolyn’s son Wesley irons the pieces.

ment she realized her mother’s old Singer didn’t work during one of Ramirez’ first mask-making sessions.

None of those tribulations, however, slowed Ramirez down.

Instead, Ramirez persevered and found ways to circumvent those issues.

YouTube became an instant way for Ramirez to learn how to sew. Online shopping allowed Ramirez to purchase a new machine that could handle the task.

Before long, Ramirez started churning out masks with regularity.

Backing up Ramirez was her daughter, Bianca, and son, Wesley, who pitched in and did their part to assist their mother.

Reminiscent of an early 20th century

assembly line, the Ramirez family pieced together each mask as a team. Bianca cut the fabric into a pattern, which then went to Carolyn for the primary stitching. Wesley capped it all off by edging the final product.

Even Roger helped out in the process, crafting metal nose pieces when similar products were sold out in stores.

Mask making ultimately became a way for the Ramirez family to bond, especially during a trying time.

The work was rather cathartic for Bianca, who is a Hays High senior and missed out on the final semester of high school.

“It’s given us something to do, especially for Bianca. There’re so many unknowns and so

much uncertainty, but this helped to take her mind off of the situation,” Carolyn said.

Meanwhile, first responders and medical workers who’ve received Ramirez’ masks have been more than appreciative. All of them have welcomed her assistance and her efforts to keep them safe.

In late May, Ramirez passed along 90 total masks to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office for deputies to use. In total, Ramirez has made 300 masks.

It was all a labor of love Ramirez was happy to undertake.

“It was quite the venture and it wasn’t a cheap one, but that’s okay, that’s not the reason I got into it,” Ramirez said. “I did it to help people out.”

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Father’s Day Memories

h a r a S r Love, you

Of all the memories I have of my Papa Bear, his ability to forgive, no matter the circumstance, is one I’ll always cherish.

T

BY SARAH LEOS

he ability to forgive in any situation can be a tough pill for any dad to swallow at any point of fatherhood. Especially when they discover their only daughter and newly minted teenage driver had an unexpected encounter with a mailbox.

It all began in March 2006 during a scenic afternoon drive home along a winding Appalachian road outside of Pedro, Ohio, tucked in the Wayne National Forest in the heart of coal country.

I was 16 years old at the time and had just received my driver’s license two days beforehand. I was cruising in a newly painted blue Chevy Camaro that had been passed down from my two older brothers to me.

All was going well until I

went around a curve along Ohio State Route 141. Before I knew it, I had accidentally totaled a mailbox along the side of the road ... like, left no trace of that thing.

Being 16 and a first-time driver, as well as driving on a narrow country road, I didn’t think of stopping to assess the damage. Instead, I drove on and put it out of mind.

That was until I got back home and immediately discovered the spot where my Camaro had smacked the post of the mailbox. Much to my dismay, some of that new paint underneath the front headlight was flaking off due to the collision.

As worried as I was, I thought (or maybe hoped) no one would notice and went about my business.

If there’s one thing to know about my dad, he was a car

6 | Hays County Echo | Summer 2020

guy. Like a real car guy. He was obsessed with them, ranging from small scale models to the real deal. Intricate details about vehicles were his passion and he had a knack for realizing when something wasn’t right with one.

Sure enough, later that night I was approached by my dad who asked why the paint was messed up near that front headlamp.

Thinking quickly for a cover, I blurted out the first and most plausible thing that came to mind – “I hit a possum.”

“Must’ve been one hell of a possum,” said my dad in an awfully puzzled tone.

As skeptical as he might have been, my dad didn’t press the issue and ultimately let it go.

That all changed a few days later when I noticed a wild

rattling sound coming from the front of the Camaro. This problem was only occurring when the heater was turned on, which, in Ohio, is a necessity even in March, given how cold it can get.

The problem was persistent enough for me to ask my dad to diagnose the issue.

Upon popping the hood, we promptly identified the source of the problem – a massive piece of plywood 2x4 was lodged just next to the engine.

How my car managed to avoid total internal destruction remains a mystery to this day.

It was all a bit of a shock to my dad, who turned to me asked, “So, you hit a possum, right?”

“Yeah,” I replied.

“So, how did a big ol’ 2x4 get in there?”

LOVE, YOUR SARAH, 8

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LOVE, YOUR SARAH, from pg. 8

The Camaro itself? Kept on driving it until I got a new car my senior year of high school.

“I don’t know.”

It’s all part of a bond I will After a brief silence, dad exshare with him, my hero, fortricated the board and closed ever. the hood. It was never talked My dad passed away unexabout between us again. pectedly several years ago due Months, maybe even years, to a heart attack. I was away at later, I approached my two college at the time and didn’t older brothers about the inget the chance to say goodbye. cident and what my dad truly It still pains me to this day. thought. In my mind, I never But remembering these quite knew if he had bought stories, these moments, offers my version of the story.

Both of them agreed our dad comfort not only for my soul, but for my family’s as well. The knew the truth. All of us felt he never told me he knew, just good times, the funny stories, the moments that help us rebecause it probably was going to upset me. Truthfully, him ac- member who he was and why he was in our lives. cepting the truth and hearing Maybe, God willing, should I my alternate version of events have children in my life, I hope probably gave him a pretty I can learn from his example. good chuckle about it.

That even if my future child Thankfully, many parts of my story found a way to resolve smashes headlong into a mailbox along a treacherous mounthemselves. tain highway, I can find the That mailbox I pummeled? patience and understanding to Rebuilt several days after it just roll with the punches. happened, no harm, no foul.

Thank you, Papa Bear. I love The paint damage on the Cayou. I miss you. But I know maro? Covered up by a license we’ll see each other again plate my dad and I installed someday. when Ohio required them on Love, both ends of a car a year or so Your Sarah after the incident.

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When does a joke become a dad joke?

When it becomes apparent.

What’s Forrest Gump's Facebook password?

1forest1.

Wanna hear a joke about paper?

Never mind – it’s tearable.

What did one ocean say to the other ocean?

Nothing, they just waved.

I made a pencil with two erasers.

It was pointless.

Don’t trust atoms.

They make up everything!

I ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon.

I’ll let you know

Dad Jokes Nobody tells them like dad Did you hear about the circus fire?

It was in tents.

Can February March?

No, but April May! Why are elevator jokes so good?

They work on so many levels.

Why does Snoop Dogg always carry an umbrella?

Fo’ Drizzle.

What do you call a fake noodle?

An impasta.

DAD: I was just listening to the radio on my way in to town, apparently an actress just killed herself.

MOM: Oh my! Who!?

DAD: Uh, I can't remember...

I think her name was Reese something?

MOM: WITHERSPOON?!

DAD: No, it was with a knife...

What did the fisherman say to the magician?

Pick a cod, any cod.

I bought some shoes from a drug dealer. I don't know what he laced them with, but I was tripping all day!

What’s got four tires and flies?

A garbage truck.

10 | Hays County Echo | Summer 2020

In observance of Father’s Day, June 21, we’ve gathered some dad jokes that are so cringe-worthy they just may make you laugh.

My daughter screeched, “Daaaaaad, you haven’t listened to one word I’ve said, have you!?”

What a strange way to start a conversation with me...

Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?

Because the pee is silent.

If you’re an American when you go into the bathroom, and you’re an American when you come out of the bathroom, what are you when you’re in the bathroom?

European!

And the most classic of all...

Pull my finger!

Father’s Day Memories

Dad and I are in it ‘til the end Such dedication was instilled in my dad well before I came along. He and his father were regulars at Texas sporting events and always stayed from the first play to the last, no matter cold nor wind nor length of game.

M SPADDEN’S C

BY MOSES LEOS III

Boston College, spar over 25 slated to host a first-round meal, opting instead for ball thrilling innings in what was playoff regional. Because of park nachos and sodas as a ew meals have tasted as the longest game played in the game’s significance, my filler for the time being. divine as the Whataburg- NCAA baseball history. But dad knew he had to grab our “We’d thought the game ers my dad and I scarfed for my dad and me, each bite tickets before they sold out, would end at a reasonable down May 31, 2009. of that burger was a moment which was common. hour, so we thought to have That special feeling in our to savor, all part of a bond Once we had tickets in dinner after the ball game,” souls had nothing to do with forged by viewing amazing hand, we began to game plan my dad said recently. the mouth-watering, wellfeats in University of Texas at our day at the ball park. At Boy, were we mistaken. cooked patty topped with Austin sports. the time, our seats, located Five innings turned to nine fresh fixings, grilled jalapenos Viewing the game in-peron the first base side near innings which then morphed and toasted buns. son almost didn’t happen. the outfield, were first-come, into 15 and 20 with no clearInstead, it centered on the Texas baseball, which first-served and required Fullended service automotive repairus cut winner. Dad and I both 7-plus hour ordeal we had up playing in the College to arrive early. knew we were in for a long and maintenance just experienced with nearly World Series that season, Two hours before first pitch night.

7,000 of our closest friends. had just been named as a top early. Hey, we were dedicated.

It was difficult, however, AllNCAA makes and After all, it’s not often you national seed in the As amodels result, both of us witness two teams, Texas and baseball tournament and wasthe skipped anyarea substantive IN IT ‘TIL THE END, 13 Serving Austin since 1999

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Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.

–Michelle Obama, former First Lady

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

–Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister

The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.

–Tony Robbins, author/speaker

Grad Quotes Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success. You’ve got to take risks.

–Denzel Washington, actor

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

–Arthur Ashe, former tennis player

It’s wisdom that will put all the inevitable failures and rejections and disappointments and heartbreaks into perspective.

–Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post

If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.

–Thomas Jefferson, past president

There may be days when you’ll say to yourself, ‘I can’t. I literally can’t even.’ But you can! You can even!

–Katie Couric, journalist

Don’t be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it challenges you, it makes you stronger; and when you run away from fear, you also run away from the opportunity to be your best possible self.

–Ed Helms, actor

I hope you will judge yourselves not on your professional accomplishments alone, but also on how well you have addressed the world’s deepest inequities … on how well you treated people a world away who have nothing in common with you but their humanity.

–Bill Gates, Microsoft founder

And then things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew.

Just go right along.

You’ll start happening too.

–Dr. Seuss, author

12 | Hays County Echo | Summer 2020

Don’t ever rob a bank. Enjoy life.

Have fun. Choose to be happy now; don’t wait until you’re ‘successful.’

–Peter Farrelly, filmmaker

Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules.

Leave the world more interesting for you being here. Make good art.

–Neil Gaiman, author

Inspirational quotes from people you may have heard of

If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.

–Vincent Van Gogh, artist

“Here is what I’ve learned: We may live in an age of instant messaging, instant gratification, and Instagram, but there is no way to short circuit the path to success.

It takes hard work, tenacity and patience.”

–Tory Burch, fashion designer

The unfortunate, yet truly exciting thing about your life, is that there is no core curriculum. The entire place is an elective.

–Jon Stewart, comedian/activist

The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.

–Will Rogers, writer/humorist

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

–Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder

IN IT ‘TIL THE END, from pg. 11

combined $120, which was the most we had ever paid at that time. to pull ourselves away from Damned if we were going the game. While others might to give up our seats then. have grown bored and left, Damned if we were going both of us were in it for the long haul. Even if that meant to leave that baseball game early. watching Texas and Boston “It just kept going and College tally 18 scoreless going, but we didn’t want to innings over the course of leave,” said my dad. five-plus hours.

The challenge was trying to Such dedication was instilled in my dad well before I ignore our grumbling bellies, came along. He and his father which clamored for something more than stadium fare. were regulars at Texas sporting events and always stayed The closure of concessions in from the first play to the last, the seventh frame made it all the more difficult. no matter cold nor wind nor Thirsty, tired and hungry, length of game. our wish for a successful finA similar bond was shared ish came when Travis Tucker between us during my formative years. In 2004, my dad drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 25th frame, and I chose to stay and see if giving Texas a 3-2 win for the Texas football was going to overcome a double-digit half- ages at nearly 2 a.m. the next morning. time deficit during a home As we went home happy, conference game against our minds tossed around Oklahoma State. places where we might want Spoiler alert: They did and posted a 56-35 win by notch- to grab a late night snack.

“Where should we go? ing the largest comeback in There aren’t many places program history. open at this hour,” I rememMaybe it was because we ber my dad saying to me. are die-hard Texas sports “Whataburger sounds great fans. Maybe it was because to me,” I said. those football tickets cost a

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A product of Barton Publications | 13

Hays County Echo Service Directory AIR CONDITIONING

FINANCIAL PLANNING

A&E Air Conditioning & Heating, LLC Free furnace special, $500 off complete system or 15% off any repair by mentioning you saw us here. 512-312-9535 www.ae4cool.com

NEMEC Heating and Air Proudly serving Central Texas.

Residential, commercial and after hours available. chris@ nemecheatingandair.com 512–312–9081 or 512–789–5132

699 Painting and More

Financial planning, investment planning and insurance planning.

Zach Barton, 512-686-7589 107 S. Main St, Ste A, Kyle, Texas

Interior and exterior painting. Siding & rotten wood replacement. Sheet rock repairs. Wallpaper removal & wall texture. Pressure washing.

Insured & References available, 512-699-0441.

FLOORING Custom Tile Services Interior/exterior installation and repair. We work with every budget without compromising workmanship. Free estimates.

512-999-8633

LANDSCAPING Daniel Stone & Landscaping Supplies

Want help selecting the best value? Office systems not maintained? Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless? mike@haystech.com

We deliver. Grass: St. Augustine, Buffalo, Bermuda, Tifway. Chopped rock, patio rock, flagstone, drystack, gravel, river rock, mulch, sand and loam. 12015 Hwy 290 W, Cedar Valley, Austin. 512-288-8488.

CONSTRUCTION Reliable Handyman

Who Does Your Lawn?

Painting, remodel & home repair, flooring & tile, carpentry, decks & fences, pressure washing, gutters, cleaning & repair, RV repair. Get your honey-do list done right.

512-618-0482, DHall45@yahoo.com

Call Jesse Reyna at 512-7882180 or email apa6207@ sbcglobal.net. Offering competitive pricing and superior service in the Manchaca, Buda, and Kyle area since 2010. Taking care of all lawn needs so you can play. Mowing, trimming, edging, debris removal, flower bed maintenance

DIRT

SEPTIC SERVICES

Barton Financial Group

COMPUTER SERVICES Hays Technical Services

PAINTING

PLUMBING Prince Plumbing Company Residential repair, remodeling, water heaters, sewer maintenance, slab & gas leak repair. 20 years experience, family owned and operated.

512–312–0710

POOL SERVICE G&S Pool and Spa Service Serving South Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994. 512–326–4695. www.gspoolspa.com

High Tide Pool Service Over 10 years cleaning and maintaining pools. Drain & clean, pressure washing, full service repairs, replastering.

Free estimates, call Keith Miller at 512 965-3465.

REMODELING Wild West Remodeling

Rick-Rob Trucking

No job too small or too big!

Kitchen/bath remodels, painting, tile, siding, decks, trim, door & window replacements, drywall repair, electrical and plumbing.

Curtis Dorsett, 512–402–4704

Loam, topsoil, sand, gravel, roadbase, asphalt millings, granite, compost mix.

Tractor work available. Specializing in country driveways. 512-858-7952. robinnds@aol.com, www.rick-rob.com

Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm 251 N. FM 1626 #2C, Buda, TX 78610 Office: (512) 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 dvthames@austin.rr.com

Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated 14 | Hays County Echo | Summer 2020

Septic problems... Let us help!

Locally serving our community since 1982. Septic repair and installation specialist, septic tank pumping and servicing, aerobic system servicing and more.

Commercial and residential. www. allsepticcheck.com, 512–282–3889.

Sellman Enterprises, Inc. Septic plumbing, cleaning, repairs.

Commercial & Residential. Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.

512–312–0002 www.SellmanSepticServices.com

SHOE REPAIR Austin Shoe Hospital Quality boot & shoe repair as well as purse and luggage repair. Ten locations in Central Texas including: Ben White & Manchaca, 512-4408788; Hwy 290 & Nutty Brown Rd., 512-827-3398; and Hwy 290 in Oak Hill, 512-288-6386.

TREE SERVICES Lees Trees Firewood, pruning, tree removal, chipping, planting, cedar posts, bulk mulch. Free assessments & estimates. Affordable oak wilt treatment. Schedule ball moss treatment for June. Call Marcus Lees at (512) 858-4018, leestrees@vownet.net

• 5 & 3 Gal. Bottles • Coolers • .5 Liter Bottles • R/O Filtration • Private Label Available • Drinking • Spring Water • Purified Water • Hot & Cold • Room Temp & Cold

Debbie Thames Insurance Agency AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BOAT • HEALTH

All American Wastewater Solutions, LLC

4 FREE Bottles & First Month Cooler Rental FREE!

Every Drop of Hill Country Springs water comes from a protected Spring Source, NOT filtered municipal Water!

Family Owned and Operated.

Friendly Hometown Service, Serving Texans!

CALL NOW FOR YOUR HOME AND OFFICE DELIVERY NEEDS

(Present this ad to your routeman for special.)

866-691-2369

Father’s Day Memories

Things to keep in mind this Father’s Day

BY CHASE ROGERS

that often, as I was cramming, working or sleeping for most ather’s Day means a lot of the last three years. Having of different things to a gone back recently, I noticed lot of people. Cherished something unfortunate – I by some and reviled by some, had missed a lot of things back it is a day no-doubt filled home. Things that I wish I with outdoor barbeques, could go back and be there for. cold beers and coveted “dad In three years, my childjokes.” But how will this year’s hood dog died, my dad got Father’s Day be different? a promotion, my brother Well, it, like most other moved out to an apartment in things in the year of 2020, will town and my mom relocated include talk of COVID-19, for work. The passing of time upcoming elections, and most brought with it what it always recently, the riots in Minnedoes – change. These are apolis – discussion that can moments, except for the first be divisive and even corroone, went completely under sive. While being informed my radar and I missed having is important, especially as not been there. we are constantly reminded My aim this year is to of COVID-19’s impact and catch up on these things, near-everlasting control of the small and large. I challenge year’s narrative, it is important you to engross yourself in the to ensure that families fight family you don’t see every through this reality and enjoy day, whether is it your dad or each other’s company. other family members. Sweat The day of June 21 should the details and really catch be reserved for good feelings, up. It is always worth it. nice conversations and good An unfortunate reality that ol’ family time. Let it be an the progressing pandemic escape from the current year and events leading to the riots and the unfortunate circum- in Minneapolis have made stances that have plagued it. clear is that life is fleeting and Let me share my hopes for finite. We do not know how Father’s Day with my father. long we have here, and we I recently graduated from have to make the best of it Texas State University with a with the ones we love while degree in journalism, a degree they are here. As a young guy, that I worked hard for. I was I wish I had known this earlier fortunate to maintain a fulland invested more time, as I time job at H-E-B for the time am sure most are.

I was in school and was able So, make the best of it. to pay for a majority of my tu- Enjoy each other’s company ition out of pocket. While this and make the most of the sounds nice, it often was very cards this year has dealt us. tiring and stressful, as I was a The only thing that will get us full-time employee, full-time through is each other. student and working at my student paper at Texas State.

Chase Rogers is a graduAn unfortunate symptom of ating senior at Texas State this is that I was unable to call University and a reporter for home and speak to my parents the Hays Free Press.

F

Independence Day Crossword Puzzle

Across 1. Third American president 3. What we fight for 7. Sixth capital of the United States 11. Most popular pie on this day 12. Food favorite for the holiday 13. Second capital of the United States 15. Begins with “We the people…”

16. A real blast on this holiday 18. Composer of American marches 20. Populous holiday daytime activity 21. First capital of the United States 22. First signer of the Constitution Down 2. American __________ began in 1765 4. American colonists who formed militia 5. First American president 6. First permanent English settlement in the Americas 8. A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives 9. Stylishly signed declaration of Independence 10. Battle of _______ which took place on the morning of December 26, 1776 12. Broadway musical about revolutionary figure 14. Made first American flag 17. Identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests 19. Ninth American president A product of Barton Publications | 15

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16 | Hays County Echo | Summer 2020