GeneralExcellence6

Heifer Sale

The annual Jr. Commercial

Heifer Sale will be held at the Fayette County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 27 beginning at 1 p.m. About 130 head of quality bred heifers will be auctioned. Lunch served at 11. Come out and support the youth of Fayette County and buy some nice replacement heifers. A resale option is available for people wanting to help out the exhibitors but not wanting to take possession of the heifer. For more information, call Lee Fritsch at (979) 966-7153.

St. Mary Bazaar

St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellinger will host their 72nd Annual Bazaar on Sunday, Aug. 28.Starting at 10:30 a.m. there will be a drive-thru meal at the Ellinger Chamber of Commerce Hall consisting of fried chicken, sausage and trimmings for $14 per plate. Deserts will be available. For anyone wishing to eat their meal in the hall, ice tea will be available. A prize drawing for a $5,000 gift card first prize, a $1,000 gift card second prize, thirteen $500 gift card prizes, and 18 additional prizes will be held in the afternoon. Tickets for the drawing are available from the St. John’s/St. Mary’s Parish Office, St. Mary parishioners or Fayetteville Bank. Beginning Aug. 19, an Online Auction will be open for bidding. Go to www. stmaryellinger.com to register as a bidder and view auction items. A portion of the profits from this event will be given to the Re-Building Fund for the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn.

LG Noon Lions

Craig Moreau, Chief of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will be speaking on Thursday September 1, from noon – 1 p.m. at Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club, La Grange. His topic will be “Active Shooter/Active Attacker Case Studies: How to survive and help others survive.”

There’s more For the Record on Page A2

WEATHER WATCH

This Week’s Forecast High Low

Friday: 94 74 Partly cloudy

Saturday: 91 74 30% chance of rain

Sunday: 93 76 30% chance of rain

Monday: 90 75 60% chance of rain

Burn Ban In Effect

INSIDE TODAY

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LCRA Pulls Plan to Relax Power Plant Pollution Monitoring Requirements

By ANDY BEHLEN The Fayette County Record

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has withdrawn its application to amend its wastewater permit for the Fayette Power Project near La Grange.

“LCRA has decided not to pursue amendments to the Fayette Power Project wastewater discharge permit,” said Tom Oney, LCRA executive vice president for Public and Regulatory Affairs, in a statement to the Record on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Earlier this year, LCRA asked the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality to relax its pollution monitoring requirements for runoff at the power plant. Specifically, LCRA wanted to remove sele-

Hot Wheels

nium limits for runoff from the power plant’s coal pile.

In addition, LCRA wanted TCEQ to ease pollution limits during heavy rainfall events. Under the current permit, the plant is allowed to exceed limits during a “10-year, 24-hour

Our annual look at local finer drinks, foods, etc. returns with our glossy magazine, the 2022 “Vine & Stein and everything fine.”

It’s included free in today’s newspaper. The cover features Paul and Brooke Michie of Round Top Brewing.

rainfall event.” LCRA wants to change that language to “10year, 24-hour rainfall event or longer durations (e.g. 30 day event) when cumulative precipitation exceeds a 10-year event.”

and everything fine and

Firm Outlines the LG City Manager Search Process

By ANDY BEHLEN

The Fayette County Record

Monday night the La Grange City Council heard from Bret Bauer of Government Professional Solutions, the firm hired by the Council to help them search for a new city manager. La Grange City Manager Shawn Raborn announced earlier this year that he would retire at the end of next month.

Bauer said he hopes to present a group of finalists for the Council to interview before Thanksgiving.

Bauer gave a survey to each of the Council members and asked them to submit written responses. Bauer said he would use their responses to develop an ideal candidate profile. The questions included “How would you describe the ideal candidate?”, “What do you not want in your next city manager?” and “What kind of management style do you see needing in this position?”

“This is the most important part of the process,” Bauer said. “The results of those questions will form the foundation of your entire recruitment. I take your

data to create an ideal candidate profile. When the applications come back to me, I will grade those applications based on your responses to those questions.”

Bauer said he will also use the Councimembers’ responses to write a job description. Bauer said he will submit the job description for their approval at the Sept. 12 City Council meeting. Once approved, Bauer said he will draft a recruitment brochure. Bauer said he will distribute the brochure and advertise for the position. He proposed an advertising period of 30 days. Bauer said the position will be advertised with professional organizations such as the Texas Municipal League and the International City/County Management Association Bauer said he will then grade the applications based on criteria set by the Council.

“Once we get to that point, we’ll schedule a meeting for us to sit down and go through the candidate pool,” Bauer said. “At that point in time, you will make the first decision about who will

New Teacher Features

Local Educators Return to Fayette County

By MAKENZIE GIVAN

The Fayette County Record

Next up in our continuing new teacher spotlight series is Caitlin Urban of Flatonia ISD.

This year, Caitlin Urban is a third grade reading and writing teacher at Flatonia Elementary.

Caitlin started out studentteaching in La Grange and, upon graduation from college with a bachelor’s degree in education, applied to a fifth grade reading and writing position at Giddings ISD. After five years, she decided that she wanted to expand her horizons by teaching at a younger grade level. When Urban began her search, she saw that a third grade reading and writing position had just opened up in Flatonia. So, she applied and got the job!

“I just really wanted a change; I still wanted to do reading and writing but I wanted to see the lower side of it, to see where they’re coming from before getting to fifth grade,” shared Urban.

Growing up a teacher’s kid in La Grange, Urban knew from a young age that she wanted to become a teacher; even going as far as to come up to school on the weekends with her mother just to help around.

Recently, after finishing up her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, she earned her leadership certification to potentially become a principal one day.

“I love getting to know the

Caitlin Urban kids, being their number one fans, and helping them grow not just as a reader and writer, but also as a person. I enjoy getting to be a part of their life for a year and helping them to become better in every aspect,” said Urban.

Now that she is in a new school environment, teaching a new grade level, Urban is excited for what’s to come.

So far, she has loved every second of her time on the Flatonia campus; her new coworkers have welcomed her with open arms and helping hands, and she’s looking forward to extending that same welcome to her students.

By MAKENZIE GIVAN The Fayette County Record

Another teacher starting her first year at a Fayette County school is Laura Robertson, a new second and third grade Enlish/Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Round TopCarmine Elementary.

Robertson is a Fayette County native, but before making her way back to Round Top, she taught at Giddings for 16 years. She has two kids who began attending RT-C ISD last school year, so when a position opened up for the 2022-2023 school year, Robertson applied. Though she has taught third grade reading and writing before, this is Robertson’s first year teaching second grade.

“I love reading. The last three years in Giddings, I was actually teaching writing, which I love too. So I would say reading, writing, and encouraging

Laura Robertson

the students to use their imaginations are definitely my favorite parts of teaching,” said Robertson.

Robertson was born and raised in Round Top, so com-

ing back to teach at the school where she was once a student naturally felt like the right thing to do. From a young age, she knew she wanted to be a teacher because of her passion to help others, as well as the positive impact her ELAR teachers had on her growing up. After graduating, she took that passion and inspiration to Blinn College, then Texas A&M where she earned her degree and teaching certificate. Now that Robertson is back, she’s looking forward to teaching the kids and getting to know her fellow teachers.

“My kids love it. It’s good people, it’s a good area; we live in the [RT-C] district but I just had my kids at Giddings with me for that little while that I was teaching there,” shared Robertson. “The parent involvement, behavior, really everything about RT-C makes it feel like family.”

Building Costs Skyrocketing LG Council Finds

By ANDY BEHLEN

The Fayette County Record

The La Grange City Council got a taste of the skyrocketing cost for construction at a meeting on Monday, Aug. 22.

At the meeting, the Council awarded a $496,882 contract to remodel the restrooms at the Fairgrounds Softball Field and build a maintenance building with restrooms at the City Cemetery. Gaeke Construction Com-

pany was the lowest of two bids for the project. The other bid from JB Locke Construction Company came in at $537,200.

The project involves remodeling the Fairground Softball restrooms and concession stand to resemble the new restrooms at the White Rock Park ball fields. Gaeke’s bid for that part of the project was $194,618.

The City built the new restrooms at White Rock Park in

2019 from the ground up for $282,100. The other part of the project involves building a new 800 sq. ft. maintenance building at the City Cemetery. It will include a break room and interior restroom for City workers. In addition, the cemetery building will include a public restroom accessible from the exterior. Gaeke bid $302,264 for the cemetery building, a cost of nearly $378 per sq. ft.

Paul and Brooke Michie open a local nanobrewery and taproom

Photo by Andy Behlen

Runoff from the plant en-

The Fayette Power Project coal plant outside La Grange. See LCRA, back page

Volunteer Informational Social

Are you passionate about preserving and sharing our local and state history? Then become a volunteer at Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites in La Grange. Site staff are recruiting volunteers of all ages, abilities, and interests for several exciting programs, events, and projects. Learn more during a come and go Volunteer Informational Social with ice cream at the sites’ visitors center on Sunday, Aug. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. For questions, call the visitors center at (979) 968-5658, email gavin.miculka@thc.texas. gov or visit the sites Facebook page.

Art After School Classes

Registration is open for art after school classes from Arts For Rural Texas (ARTS). The classes begin the week of Sept. 6. Programs will be available for students from grade 1 through 8 in Flatonia, Schulenburg, Weimar, La Grange, Fayetteville, Columbus, Giddings and Round Top. Visit artsforruraltexas.org for more information and to register. Class size is limited, so register early. You can also call (979) 378-2113.

The Great Gatsby Auditions

The Fayette County Community Theatre is holding auditions for The Great Gatsby on Sept. 11 and 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pavilion on the grounds of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (Round Up Hall). Come one, come all, actors, extras, dancers, set crew, lighting, sound, make-up, costuming, show day volunteers.

Fayetteville Schools Reunion

The annual Fayetteville Schools Reunion will be held on Sept. 17 following the rededication and tour of the Red Building at the Fayetteville ISD Campus at 3 p.m. Start time for the reunion is 4 p.m. at Joe’s Place on the square with a social, meeting, dinner and music by DJ Aaron from 6-10 p.m. A meal of chicken fried steak, grilled chicken breast, potatoes, green beans, salad and dessert will be served. The bar will be open to purchase drinks. The cost of the meal is $12 per person with advance payment only by Sept. 9. Mail checks to James Chovanec at 1705 Woodward Springs Rd., Brenham, Texas 77833. The classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 are hosting this year’s reunion. For additional information, contact James Chovanec at (979) 251-4767, Betty Fritsch at (979) 966-3910 or Noreen Dopslauf at (979) 966-3164.

New Veterans Crisis Hotline

The Veterans Administration announced veterans now have the option to Dial 988 then press 1 to connect with caring, qualified responders for 24/7 crisis assistance. “During a crisis, every second counts,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “This new, shorter number makes it easier for veterans and those who care about them to reach lifesaving support without having to be enrolled in VA benefits for health care.” While you can dial 988 then press 1 as a new option for contacting the Veterans Crisis Line, the original number, 1-800-2738255 and press 1, remains available and individuals can also make contact via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or by texting 838255.

LGISD Bag Policy

Starting the fall of 2022 at all campus and district events, La Grange ISD will enforce a clear bag expectation similar to most professional, collegiate, and performance venues. Clear plastic, vinyl, or mesh tote bags are allowable. Guests may also place personal items in a clear gallon storage bag. A small clutch bag (wallet,wristlet, pencil case, etc) may be inside the clear tote bag.

Volunteers Needed at Elementary Library

The La Grange Elementary Library is seeking volunteers for the 2022-2023 school year. Volunteers must fill out both an interest survey online at bit.ly/LESLIBapp and a volunteer application that can be picked up from the La Grange Elementary School office. If you have any questions, call LES at (979) 968-4100 and ask for Mrs. McCord, the librarian.

Muldoon Museum Meeting

The public is invited to attend the Muldoon Museum meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. in the museum building.

Annual Summit at Casino Hall

The City of La Grange will host the Central Texas I-10 Community Alliance’s 2022 Annual Summit on Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Historic Casino Hall. The Alliance has some unique speakers lined up for the annual summit. Speakers will be presenting on social media marketing trends, downtown revitalization, event planning, and more. Register to attend the Summit at https://i102022summit.eventbrite.com. Tourist attractions, visitor centers, and Chambers of Commerce are especially welcome. The Central Texas I-10 Community Alliance is a joint marketing effort between area cities, attractions, and businesses to inform tourists of all of the wonderful things to do and see in the I-10 Corridor Region. For questions, contact Hannah Garlick at (979) 968-3017 or hgarlick@cityoflg.com

La Grange Weather Report

Hunter Safety Certification Class Sept. 17

If you hunt in Texas, you may be required to obtain an official hunter education certificate. Any person born after Sept. 1, 1971 requires this certification card to hunt in Texas.

Friends of the Weimar Public Library will offer a Hunter Safety Certification Class on Saturday, Sept. 17. To enroll you must register by accessing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website: https://tpwd.elementlms.

La Grange Weather Report

com/course/hunter-educationclassroom-course-7730/

Hunters aged 9 and up can obtain their hunter safety certification card after completion of the official online or classroom course through a certified instructor. The course will be limited to 35 participants and will require a fee of $15 per person payable at the door by cash or check. The class will begin at 9 a.m.

with sign in at 8:45 a.m. at the Weimar High School Cafetorium 506 W. Main, Weimar. When registering at the above listed site, participants will be required to set up an account with a password. It is very important to save the password designated, as it will be needed in order to print the certificate at the completion of the class.

Please call or text (979) 7256608 if you have any questions.

Fayette County Deputies Arrest Driver After Pursuit

Sheriff Keith Korenek reports Tuesday morning around 7:46 a.m. Fayette County narcotics unit attempted a traffic stop on a 2016 red Chevrolet Cruze on FM 609 near Hwy. 71 business in La Grange for a traffic violation when a pursuit entailed. The driver failed to pull over for deputies on business 71 and con-

tinued to St. Hwy 71 traveling westbound towards Smithville. The driver turned off St. Hwy. 71 onto Lady Bird Loop and returned to St. Hwy. 71 through a ditch before blowing his front tire out. The driver continued on Hwy. 71 westbound, pulling over on the side of the highway as he attempted to bail out of his vehi-

Columbus Eye Associates

Welcomes Dr. Eric Hamill

Columbus Eye Associates and Columbus Optical Company is please to announce the addition of Dr. Eric Hamill to their ophthamology practice. Dr. Hamill will see patients at the Columbus clinic.

Dr. Eric Hamill is a fellowship-trained ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon focused on eyelid, eyebrow, lacrimal, and orbital surgery.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with Highest Honors. He completed both medical school and residency at Baylor College of Medicine. He then moved to Los Angeles, Calif., for a two-year, ASOPRS accredited Oculofacial Plastic Surgery fellowship at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Hamill is board certified

cle to run while holding a bag. The driver fell to the ground and it appeared the tire of his vehicle rolled over his ankle, he was placed in custody and Medic 1 responded to the scene and he was taken non-emergency to Smithville hospital

Several Fayette County Deputies assisted with the stop as Bastrop County deputies also were notified. The driver had over six ounces of Methamphetamines, and over an ounce of heroin in a package he attempted to run with. The driver was identified as 47-year-old Victor Rolon Veal of Bastrop. Charges are being filed and the subject will be jailed when released from the hospital.

Dr. Eric Hamill by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Baylor College of Medicine where he teaches residents and fellows at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

KJZT Family Life Society No. 31 Meets

On Aug. 15, the third quarterly meeting of Society No. 31 of La Grange, St. Frances of Rome, KJZT Family Life was held at 4 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church Narthex meeting room. President Elizabeth Kallus called the meeting to order and led opening prayers especially remembering two members who had passed away, Norma Ann Euton and Dorothy Janacek. The patroness of the Fraternal is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her feast day being Aug. 15, additional prayers for the Fraternal were prayed. Pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags were recited.

Secretary Marilyn Kothmann read the May 16 meeting minutes, Treasurer Barbara Eilert filed her report, a bill was approved for payment, and thankyou cards were read.

Kothmann read correspondence from the KJZT State Office that included a thank you to all Societies that donated to the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Fire Disaster, and with the State Office matching funds the KJZT Family Life will present a donation of $67,304.00 to the Hostyn Parish. Also State KJZT gave sixty-nine scholarships totaling $38,200.00 to members for Fall 2022.

KJZT Clerical Endowment Fund enrollments report sent by Vice President Joy Kovar showed two special birthdays and four sympathies by Society No. 31, and 21 enrollments by

individuals. Three cheer cards were sent. Kallus gave the publicity and KJZT Traveling Unity Rosary reports.

Unfinished business: Attending the District V annual social/meeting held in Holman on May 22 were Kallus, Kothmann, Eilert, Rose Recek and Barbara Brauner.

New business discussed: Society No. 31 donated $500.00 towards the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Fire Disaster. The Annual Social for Society No. 31 will be Monday, Nov. 14 beginning with a brief quarterly meeting at 4:30 p.m. followed by Dinner at Sealand in La Grange.

Discussed and approved were clergy Christmas presents for 2022, and People Helping People projects for 2023: Catholic Schools Week, Sacred Heart School Spring Festival, and a Thanksgiving Basket. Also meeting dates will be Feb. 20, May 15, Aug. 21, and Nov. 13.

District IV and V State Director Joy Kovar sent a message. She has set the date for the District V officer planning meeting for Sept. 24 at Robert’s Steakhouse in Flatonia. At the present time the rates for annuities are very good and to contact her for more information.

Attendance prize was won by Marilyn Kothmann and the meeting closed with the Memorare Prayer. Nov. 14 will be the next meeting and annual social.

SAME GREAT TEAM. SAME SMILING FACES. SAME GREAT DEALS!

Clarifications, Corrections to Story About Bluebonnet

By ANDY BEHLEN

The Fayette County Record

In Tuesday’s paper, we reported that Bluebonnet Trails Community Services plans to close its Schulenburg Enrichment Center, a day program for adults with intellectual disabilities, at the end of October. Bluebonnet Trails has offered the affected clients transportation to a different program in La Grange provided by Kenmar Residential Services.

Bluebonnet Trails said they made the decision due to rising costs, increasing regulations and dwindling numbers of clients utilizing the Schulenburg program.

The Schulenburg facility’s landlord, Fayette County Commission for Intellectual Disabilities (FCCID), raised con-

cerns that Kenmar may not take some clients who utilized the day program on a part-time basis. On Monday, CEO Ken Gray of Kenmar told the Record his facility would accept part-time clients.

“We will take them with open arms,” he said.

In addition, Gray said the group homes his organization operates in Schulenburg are licensed for 12 individuals, not 14 as reported in the story, and he said the homes are not currently full. FCCID had said individuals who live in the group homes had received services at the Schulenburg Enrichment Center in the past. Gray said the Schulenburg Enrichment Center had not served the group home residents since the COVID pandemic started.

LG Utility Rates to Rise

By ANDY BEHLEN

The Fayette County Record

The La Grange City Council voted to increase water, sewer and electric rates for customers.

The rates will go into effect with customers’ November bills. City Manager Shawn Raborn said the City typically increases rates each year according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of inflation.

The CPI stood at 8.5 percent according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation in some sectors rose even more. The energy sector, for example, skyrocketed to nearly 33 percent.

Due to the historic inflation levels, Raborn proposed a partial CPI adjustment of five percent this year.

The base residential water rate will go from $29.23 to $30.69 per month. The volumetric rate for water will increase by 12 cents per thousand gallons. He said the average customer using $5,000 gallons a month will see a water bill of $38.40. He said the average bill for customers in cities of a similar size is $41.73 per month.

The base residential sewer rate will go from $13.27 to $13.93 per month with a volumetric increase of 19 cents

per thousand gallons. Raborn said the average customer will see a bill of $22.09 per month, compared to a state average of $36.06 per month for cities of a similar size.

The base electric rate will increase from $14.50 to $15.50 per month. Raborn said the increase in electric rates will help the City pay for its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. The project will allow the City to read meters remotely from City Hall instead of sending workers to manually read each meter.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, the Council authorized Police Chief David Gilbreath to apply for a state grant that pays for bullet-resistant shields. Gilbreath said he will apply for enough money to purchase 10 shields. He doubted the state would fund all 10, but he expected to receive enough money to purchase some of them.

Gilbreath said his goal is to equip all patrol vehicles with a shield along with several to be placed at strategic locations within La Grange I.S.D. Police use of bullet-resistant shields has received a lot of attention since the Uvalde School Shooting in May.

Trails Facility

Gray said new regulations prohibit programs like the Schulenburg Enrichment Center from mixing group home residents with special needs adults who live in the community. He said rising costs and increasing regulations have made it tougher for organizations to operate day habilitation services for special needs adults.

“The state reimbursement for care workers is only $8.11 per hour,” Gray said. “We have to start our people at $10 an hour at least, because they can go work for Buccee’s and make more than that. The state is not willing to fund it. Texas is 49th in the nation when it comes to funding people with developmental disabilities.”

Weimar Memorial Post 5875 Auxiliary Receives Awards

Weimar Memorial Post 5875

Auxiliary recently received several Awards from State for Auxiliary year 2021-2022.

Jeanette Hoelscher, Chaplain of Auxiliary - Outstanding Auxiliary Chaplain - First Place in Division 1.

Other awards received were:

Youth Activities - Best Promotion of Illustrating America

Art Contest received First Place, Division 1.

Youth Activities - Most Outstanding Promotion of Patriotism Through Literacy received First Place Division 1.

Nursing Scholarship - Best Statewide Project, Nurses Survival Kit received First Place in Division 1.

Patriotic Instructor - Best Program for Teaching Youth the Pledge of Allegiance and Flag Respect - Jeanett Koenig received Second Place in Division 1.

Houston's newest musical ensemble, The Magnolia City Brass Band, will appear at Festival Hill on Saturday, August 27.

Houston's newest musical ensemble, The Magnolia City Brass at Festival Hill on Saturday, August 27.

Hospital - Best Overall Promotion of all 3 State Projects received Second Place in Division 1.

Scholarships - Best Statewide Project received Third Place in Division 1. Scholarships - Best Reporting received Third Place in Division 1

Youth Activities - Best projet including Youth in Statewide Project “ Support Our Heroes” received Third Place in Division 1.

Led by Houston Symphony trumpeter Robert Walp, this British-style brass band will perform a stirring program that includes Philip Wilby's Paganini Variations and Jean-François Michel's Eastwind, featuring the virtuoso duo of Houston Symphony Associate Principal Trumpet John Parker and the band's Principal Trombone, Ryan Rongone. This moving, accessible new work was one of the hits of the Magnolia City Brass Band's debut performance at Houston's Zilkha Hall. Bring your family to the wonderful acoustic (and stunning woodwork!) of Festival Concert Hall, a perfect place to hear this exciting new group.

The Magnolia City Brass Band · Robert Walp - Music Director The Magnolia City Brass Band is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Led by Houston Symphony trumpeter Robert Walp, this British-style will perform a stirring program that includes Philip Wilby's Paganini and Jean-François Michel's Eastwind, featuring the virtuoso duo Symphony Associate Principal Trumpet John Parker and the Trombone, Ryan Rongone. This moving, accessible new work of the Magnolia City Brass Band's debut performance at Houston's Bring your family to the wonderful acoustic (and stunning woodwork!) Festival Concert Hall, a perfect place to hear this exciting new

The Magnolia City Brass

Festival Hill August to April Series Begins Saturday

The 2022-2023 August-toApril Series begins Aug. 27. The Magnolia City Brass Band will kick the series off in the Festival Concert Hall with a 3 p.m. concert. Adult tickets are $30, students are $10. Buy tickets online or by calling (979) 249-3129. Lunch will be available prior to the concert by reservation only. Overnight accommodations are available on campus for the concert weekend. For additional information, visit festivalhill.org

Round Top Rifle Hall

The Round Top Rifle Hall Monday Night Hamburger Social is the first through third Monday of each month. The Hall opens at 5:30 p.m., and the order window is open from 6-8 p.m. All proceeds benefit the continued improvement of the RTRA. For more information about the Rifle Hall or to book it for upcoming events, visit roundtoprifle.com.

Local Events

The last Wednesday of each month, Blue Mule Winery hosts Red’s Terrific Trivia from 6:308:30 p.m. Come out to win prizes, trophies and make new friends. Teams welcome.

Les Cousins, Liz Tipps & Travis Burns, will be performing at Busted Oak Cellars on Round Top Road Friday, Aug. 26 from 6-9 p.m., Bill Pekar will perform Saturday from 3-6 p.m., and Jerry Moreno is playing Sunday from 2-5 p.m. The next Bingo Night is Sept. 2 from 6-8 p.m.

The Stone Cellar is currently closed for renovations, but the new owners expect to reopen around Labor Day weekend.

Blood Drive

Sunday, Aug. 28 there will be a blood drive at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. There is a great need for blood. Make your reservation today by

By KYLA GOEBEL Round Top News Correspondent

calling (832) 212-2799 or send an email to khardin@giveblood. org. Donors will receive a Blue Bell ice cream coupon and tshirt.

Round Top Family Library

Round Top Family Library is open Monday-Friday from 1:305:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Adult Yoga meets Mondays at 5 p.m. An adult exercise class will take place Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. Please bring a light set of hand weights and a mat.

The monthly Senior Citizen Gaming Party is Sunday, Aug. 28 from 2-4 p.m.

The Library’s annual fundraiser has sold out but a waiting list is available. Several underwriting opportunities are available. Don’t forget about the raffle – first prize is a fully butchered calf, and second prize is a $1,000 Mastercard. Only 300 tickets will be sold. Raffle tickets may be purchased on the library’s website.

For more information about any of the programs offered by the library, call (979) 249-2700, or visit ilovetoread.org

Round Top-Carmine ISD

Round Top – Carmine student’s first holiday of the school year is Monday, Sept. 5.

RTC

FFA will meet the first Thursday of each month during the school year at 6 p.m. The first meeting is set for Thursday, Sept. 1. All meetings are open to Junior FFA and FFA members

as well as parents. There is already quite a bit of sports news. Check out the Carmine News in Tuesday’s edition of the newspaper for updates.

Historical Society

The RTAHS museum has free admission every second Saturday of the month from 1-4 p.m. Take the opportunity to view three historical homes and a historical church. Private tours are welcome. For more information call (979) 249-5058 or visit https://roundtopareahistoricalsociety.weebly.com

Church News

St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Warrenton holds a monthly service at 8 a.m. for the intentions left on the altar. This month’s mass was held Tuesday, Aug. 2. View the bulletin online at stjohnfayetteville.com for more information.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church holds services with Pastor John David Nedbalek Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School is the first Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Ruth Circle is the first Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Sewing Circle is the second Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m.

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shelby holds Worship service at 8 a.m., followed by fellowship, coffee, and Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Game Day is held the first and third Wednesday of each month from 2-4 p.m. Bring a snack, board game, dominoes, etc. Quilting meets the third Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. Noisy Offering is the third Sunday of each month.

St. Cecilia’s Round Top Episcopal Church holds services with Father Bill Miller Sundays at 10:45 a.m. in the historic Haw Creek Chapel in Henkel Square. Music is provided by Joey McGee. For more information please visit the website at www.StCecilias.org

Round Top Christian Fellowship Church holds service at 10 a.m. For more information, please visit their website at www.roundtopchurch.org.

The City of Refuge Church on 237 in Round Top holds bible study on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. followed by church service at 11 a.m. For more information visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofrefugeHC.

Ruth Circle Meets Ruth Circle Bible Study met Thursday, August 4 to conclude the “Crafted in Christ” study. Sessions included choosing and following a, cutting and piecing, and assembling a quilt. Soles represent the vows a Pastor makes in ordination. Pastor

John David brought and shared the stories for his first ordination stoles made by a member of his church, another by his grandmother, and two more he purchased during his time in seminary while serving Hispanic communities. Today, his stoles match the paraments on the altar and symbolize his work.

The hostess was Jolene Wickel. The next bible study will be Sept. 1 at 9:30 a.m.

Birthdays

Happy birthday wishes go out to Brooke Schobel - Aug. 26; Wendy Beaver, Sophie Moore - 27; Bradley Smith, Cindy Weidemann - 28; Macie Boyd, Andrew Faske, Carl Schobel - 29; Junice Walther, Bradley Wunderlich - 30; Chad Tillman, Ed Gage - 31; Jeanette Schoenst, Gavin Sternadel, Terry Huebner - Sept. 1; Thomas Fricke - 2. Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Charles and Peggy MarburgerAug. 27.

Have News?

Send any news or notices you wish to have announced two weeks in advance to Kyla@ roundtoprealestate.com.

Columbus Eye Associates and Columbus Optical Company is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Eric Hamill to our Ophthamology practice. Dr. Hamill will see patients in our Columbus Clinic. Dr. Hamill is a fellowship-trained ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon focused on eyelid, eyebrow, lacrimal, and orbital surgery.

www.ColumbusEye.org

COLUMBUS

Charlene Muras, President, and Jeanette Hoelscher, Chaplain of VFW Auxiliary Post 5875.

City Manager: Final Decision to Be Made by LG Council

Continued from front

be identified and selected as a semi-finalist. That number could be 10 to 15, or whatever number you are comfortable with.”

Bauer said he and his partner will meet with each of the each of the candidates and record those meetings. He will submit the recordings to the Council for their review. Bauer said he will assist the Council in narrowing the pool of finalists to four to six candidates. The finalists will complete another questionnaire and undergo background checks. Council will then conduct in-person interviews with the finalists.

“To get from where we are today to in-person interviews, it will be somewhere in the middle part of November, hopefully before Thanksgiving,” Bauer said. “That’s my rough ballpark.”

Councilwoman Kathy Weishuhn asked Bauer whether

other cities he has worked with involve citizens in the selection process. She asked about possibly distributing the survey to citizens and other stakeholders in the community.

“We’ve had clients who include outside stakeholder groups, and other clients have said absolutely not,” Bauer said.

“I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong way to do that. It comes down to what you are comfortable with.”

Bauer suggested that each Council member seek feedback from constituents about what kind of city manager they would like to see.

“Regardless of how you might seek that feedback, now would be the time to do it if you’re going to do it,” Bauer said. “The time to do this is not a month from now. We will be well into the process at that point in time.”

Fayette County Fair Senior Citizens Day Information

The Fayette County Fair Senior Citizen’s Day will be held on Thursday, September 1.

It will take place in the VFW Hall. Anyone 55 or older may participate Times-Meal: Noon-1:30 p.m. Meal includes loaded baked potato, BBQ Pulled Pork, and dessert provided by Keri’s Kookies. The meal is sponsored by Koopmann’s Catering. Door Prizes and Music 1:003:30 Music will be provided by The Back Porch Boys.

Tickets-$5 pre-sale. Advance tickets are on sale at National Bank and Trust (La Grange), Sunflower Bank (La Grange), Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce, Flatonia Chamber of Commerce, and Round Top State

Fair Changes Worth Noting

We’ve

•

LCRA Withdraws Wastewater Discharge Permit Application

Continued from front

ters Cedar Creek and its various tributaries before eventually discharging into the Colorado River below La Grange.

Upon learning about the application in June, Fayette County Judge Joe Weber called for LCRA and TCEQ to hold a public hearing in La Grange about the proposed changes.

“If it’s safe and everything is legal, that’s fine, but someone needs to come down here and explain it to us,” Weber told the Record back in June. “We have this big power plant and all this coal ash. It’s like they’re saying, ‘Just trust us, everything is OK.’ I think they need to come down and talk about that – let us know they are serious about what goes into that river.”

Weber said LCRA informed him they were withdrawing the application last week.

“While the changes LCRA requested in its application to TCEQ protect human health and the environment and are fully authorized by TCEQ regulations, LCRA will evaluate other

“I think it’s a good idea to get ideas from other people,” said Councilwoman Patsy Zbranek. “But I don’t think we need to give them the survey. I think they leave it up to us when they elect us. But I think we need to get input from people and talk to them.”

“At the end of the day, you have the final decision,” Bauer told the Council. “You can ask me my opinion on a certain candidate, a semi-finalist or even a finalist, and I will be happy to share my opinion. But please understand, that’s just my opinion and you will have the final decision.”

It appears doubtful the Council will select Raborn’s replacement before the end of the year. The Council previously appointed Assistant City Manger Frank Menefee to serve as interim city manager after Raborn retired next months.

measures that provide operational flexibility while continuing to be good stewards of the environment,” Oney said. “We have spoken with county leaders and are committed to continued open dialogue regarding the measures LCRA may pursue in the future.”

The Record reported on the application and LCRA’s poor efforts to notify the public about it back in June. LCRA published a public notice about the application in the June 3 issue of the Record.

The notice said that the full application was available for viewing at City Hall in La Grange. When the Record went to view it, City Hall staff didn’t know anything about the application.

City staff later discovered that a person from LCRA came to City Hall about a week before and placed the documents on a table in the lobby without telling anyone. City staff said LCRA never told them about the public notice or that members of the public could view the documents.

Two From LG Arrested

streamline operations to become more

That has forced AMEN to rely more on monetary donations to purchase food for the pantry. Pictured are (from left) CVC Sales and Marketing Coordinator Ken Kasparek, Shellberg, and CVC Purchasing Assistant Megan Wells.

Photo by Andy Behlen

Friday Football Previews

Lady Aces Compete at World Series

La Grange vs. Bellville

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: La Grange

2021 Records: LG was 7-5. Bellville was 12-1.

Of Note: What a juicy season-opening matchup this is. La Grange is ranked No. 24 in the 4A preseason rankings and Bellville is No. 12. The Brahmas started last season with 12 consecutive victories before falling to West Orange-Stark 36-17 in the third round of the playoffs, but Bellville returns just 13 letterwinners from that team and graduated 28 seniors including Richard Reese (now at Baylor) who ran a whopping 2,261 yards and 35 TDs last year and Robert Briggs (now at Utah State), who ran for 1,381 yards and 22 TDs last year ... This year Bellville returns seven offensive and five defensive starters including QB Reid McCann, who started five games last year and running back Jakob Hranicky (who ran for 490 yards a year ago). Look for lots of misdirection running plays from the Brahmas Slot-T offense. Defensive lineman DJ Sanders is just a sophomore but is already 6-foot-3, 280 pounds and getting college offers ... The Leps return four offensive and eight defensive starters from last year, including running back/ defensive back Bravion Rogers (who has offers from nearly everyone in the country as a DB) and lineman Jaren Woods (a Baylor commit). Other explosive offensive returns for the Leps include running backs CJ Davis and Jakobe Wilkerson, and WR Jaxon Cooper. It gets no easier for the Leps next week as La Grange goes to state ranked 3A Columbus. Last meeting: These two teams were in the same district as recently as 2019. That season the Brahmas won 52-27.

Schulenburg vs. Randolf

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday Where: Schulenburg

2021 Records: Schulenburg was 6-7. Randolph was 6-5.

Of Note: The Shorthorns start the season with a tough challenge, facing a 3A Ro-Hawks team that made the playoffs last year. Randolph returns eight offensive and five defensive starters from last year’s team which lost to Lago Vista 36-13 in the first round of the postseason. Randolph’s Colton Howard is the preseason offensive MVP of their district after running for 1,358 yards last year. Dual threat QB Aaron Davis also returns. For the Shorthorns, they will rely on a younger team this year, with only six seniors and six juniors. Running back Rodney Walton returns as does explosive quarterback Tyler Ryba, so Schulenburg should be able to score more than they did a year ago when they have seven games in which they scored a touchdown or less.

Last meeting: These two teams met last year with Schulenburg winning 12-0 in Week 2.

Flatonia vs. Shiner St. Paul

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Shiner

2021 Records: Flatonia was 5-5.

Shiner St. Paul is 11-1.

Of Note: What a tough way to start the season for Flatonia, which opens against defending private school state champ St. Paul, which returns eight starters on each side of the ball from last year’s title team. But Flatonia can counter with some experience of its own as eight offensive and nine defensive starters return from last year’s team that went to the second round of the playoffs. Fidel Venegas, a hard-nosed quarterback leads a big group of Bulldogs seniors, who should be able to throw the football on anyone. This opener is part of a very tough non-district schedule for the Bulldogs, who also tangle with 3A power Hallettsville and defending state runner-up Falls City, which should prepare Flatonia well for life in a very tough new District 13-2A. Last Meeting : These two teams last played in 2017, when St. Paul beat Flatonia 35-8.

The Texas Lady

the 2022 FASA World Series in Branson, Missouri July 18-24. The Lady Aces took 2nd place. They finished the tournament with a 7-2-1 record. Pictured are (back, from left) Coach Danny Smith, Avery Marshall (La Grange), Leila Maddox (Bellville), Dyllan Chrismon (Shiner), Kayleigh Lehmann (La Grange), Taylor Smith (Weimar), Emma Eckelberg (Bellville) Paedon Vincik (Shiner)

LG Falls to East Bernard; Horns, Dogs, Lions Win

The La Grange volleyball team went on the road Tuesday and lost to East Bernard 13-25, 16-25, 22-25

East Bernard is ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 3A and improved to 12-1. La Grange fell to 11-8 overall with the loss.

Here’s the La Grange stats leaders from Tuesday’s match:

Kill Leaders: Hailey Hill - 7, Maddi Fritz - 6, Camille Gonza-

Volleyball

lez - 5

Dig Leaders: Jena Jobb15, Madison Fritz - 11

Ace Leaders: Hailey Hill - 4

Assist Leaders: Maddi Fritz - 8, Hailey Hill - 6

Block Leaders: Hill - 1

The La Grange JV lost to East Bernard 23-25, 18-25;

The First County State Champs: 1963 Rangers

Overall record 4-3

The La Grange Freshmen lost to East Bernard 22-35, 2519, 14-16; Overall record 5-2

The Varsity Lady Leps will next travel to Smithson Valley for the Texas Showdown August 25-27.

Schulenburg

The Schulenburg volleyball

team swept Burton Tuesday, winning 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 as the Lady Horns improved to 1010 overall.

The Lady Horns got eight kills each from Meredith Magliolo, Landry Zapalac and Jesslyn Gipson. Kieryn Adams had three aces, and 20 digs. Avery Helms had 10 digs. Tamara Otto had 23 assists.

Fayetteville

The Fayetteville volleyball team remained undefeated with a 25-13, 25-17, 25-20 win over Anderson-Shiro Tuesday.

The Lady Lions are now 17-0 overall.

Tuesday the Lady Lions were again led by senior Brooklyn Jaeger, who had 24 kills. See Volleyball, next page

Newcomer Kynley Hurst Fitting Right in With Undefeated Fayetteville Volleyball

Fayette Co. Record’s Athlete of the Week

A Weekly Feature by BRIAN PIERSON

Read about our Athletes of the Week in every Friday edition and then watch their interviews on the FCR’s facebook page.

Recent Players of the Week:

Aug. 12 – Kobe Burton, Flatonia Football & Track

Aug. 19 – Hailey Hill, La Grange volleyball

In Tuesday’s football season preview magazine in Tuesday’s newspaper we had a look back at the 1972 Schulenburg Shorthorn state champion football team, and we called them the first Fayette County football state champs. An alert reader called us to remind us that the Shorthorns were only the first public school state champs from here. The 1963 Bishop Forest Rangers won a private school state title back in 1963. Here’s some more information that team (pictured above) that we found in old editions of The Record from December, 1963.

“The Bishop Forest Rangers of Schulenburg, scoring the winning touchdown with but three minutes left to play, defeated Corpus Christi Academy 30-27, at Corpus Christi Friday night for the Texas Catholic Interscholastic League football championship.

The Rangers defeated St. Gerard of San Antonio 30-6 in the state Class AA semifinals the previous Friday.

Four members of the team were named all-district: Jimmy Kotrla, end; Leroy Stavinoha, tackle; Hugo Hollas and Donnie Christen, backs.

Honorable mention all-district selections from that team included: Frank Kocurek, Marvin Janda, Victor Vacek and Tommy Schobel.”

Reminder About LGISD Bag Policy

Starting the fall of 2022 at all campus and district events, La Grange ISD will enforce a clear bag expectation similar to most professional, collegiate, and performance venues. Clear plastic, vinyl, or mesh tote bags are allowable. Guests may also place personal items in a clear gallon storage bag. A small clutch bag (wallet,wristlet, pencil case, etc) may be inside the clear tote bag.

* This includes this Friday’s season opening football game at Leopard Stadium.

La Grange CC Starts Season

The La Grange High School Cross Country Team will run its first meet of the season Saturday in Caldwell.

Correction

In

Kynley Hurst

Fayetteville senior volleyball player Kynley Hurst has emerged as the new setter for the number one ranked Lady Lions in Class 1A. The team is also undefeated and Hurst recently served up six aces along with 33 assists in a 3-0 win vs Anderson-Shiro last Tuesday. “She plays with a lot of confidence out there,” said Fayetteville head volleyball coach Clint Jaeger. “Very poised. Nothing rattles her. Just been a good asset to the team. With her, we got some really good team chemistry.” Hurst came into Fayetteville with big shoes to fill and has done just that, which has earned her a selection for this edition’s Athlete of the Week.

Question: What’s it been like to have this kind of start

Aug. 26 – Kynley Hurst, Fayetteville volleyball to the season?

Answer: “It’s been amazing. The girls are so welcoming. Couldn’t have asked for a better team.”

Question: How would you describe your role as a setter?

Answer: “It’s a lot to learn. I wasn’t always a setter, just something you got to do to help your team out.”

Question: Who’s a volleyball player you look up to and why?

Answer: “Morgan Hentz. She played for Stanford and she never let the ball hit the ground.”

Question: What are your plans after high school?

Answer: “Hopefully go to college. I want to go to into Sam Houston and go into criminal justice.”

Question: Where’s a place you’ve never been that you would like to go to?

Answer: “Definitely Bali, because why not?”

Question: When did you begin playing volleyball?

Answer: “In sixth grade.

Then I joined club ball right after.”

Question: If you had to choose one, which would you choose, Oreos or Chips Ahoy and why?

Answer: “Definitely Chips Ahoy. I’m not too big on Oreos.”

Question: What’s your favorite movie and why?

Answer: “Honestly, it would be any scary movie. I just like the adrenaline rush, not knowing what’s gonna happen next.”

Question: How do you prepare for a match?

Answer: “I think my team can agree with me on this one, I listen to Cotton Eye Joe in the locker room to get hyped before the game.”

Question: What made you decide to go to Fayetteville?

Answer: “My dad moved here and it’s not really my choice. I’m glad I came.”

Hurst is a great addition to a Fayetteville team that is likely to make another state title run in 2022.

Aces Fastpitch softball team based out of Weimar, competed in

Coach Darrian Smith (Weimar) and Coach Will Maddox (Bellville); (front) Haylie Cooper (La Grange), Jo Caka (Shiner) Landry Hernandez (La Grange) and Haedyn Cooper (La Grange)

the roster for the La Grange JV Purple team in Tuesday’s football preview magazine, Grayson Bage’s name was incorrect. He is No. 56.

2022 Fayette County Volleyball Schedules/Results

Flatonia Lady Bulldogs

La Grange Lady Leps

Schulenburg Lady Horns

Round Top-Carmine Cubettes

Fayetteville Lady Lions

Volleyball: Match Recaps

Kayme Schley added 12. Kynley Hurst had six aces and 33 assists.

Jaeger had 13 digs, Schley had 12, Marissa Rohde 11 and Hurst eight.

Flatonia

Flatonia defeated Smithville in five sets, winning the fifth set 19-17.

RT-C

Weimar defeated Round Top-Carmine in three sets Tuesday 25-21, 26-24, 25-16.

Prior to that the Cubettes had a strong performance at the Schulenburg Tournament over the weekend going 4-4 even while playing all bigger schools. The Cubettes beat Rice on the opening day with a balanced

attack that included 15 assists from Mallory Krause. They also took a set off 3A No. 1-ranked Columbus before falling in three sets.

On the second day of the tournament the Cubettes swept Yoakum and Smithville. Tess Eilers led the team in kills both those matches.

On Saturday they beat Halettsville in the Bronze Bracket semifinals before falling to Burton in the title game of the bronze bracket.

Volleyball Poll

These Businesses Are Proud Supporters of Fayette County Volleyball Teams and Encourage You to Get Out to the Gym

What Causes the Smell of Rain

By ANDY BEHLEN The Fayette County Record

Who didn’t enjoy the smell of the rain that fell across much of Fayette County this week?

Did you know that smell has a name? Scientists call it “petrichlor.” And it doesn’t really come from the rain, at least not directly. The smell comes from bacteria in the soil called “actinomycetes” or actinobacteria. These bacteria are just one of the many microorganisms that break down organic matter into simple chemical compounds that plants use for food.

As rain falls and filters through the soil, these actinobacteria release several fragrant compounds that make up the petrichlor smell. One of these compounds is called “geosmin.”

Geosmin is actually a type of alcohol, which helps explain why our noses are so good at detecting it. Most people can smell alcohol from quite a long distance. The human nose can detect geosmin in concentrations of just 0.4 parts per billion. Some scientists think that camels find water in the desert by smelling for geosmin.

Actinobacteria slow down their decomposition rate when it hasn’t rained for a prolonged period of time. Just before it rains, the air becomes humid and kicks the actinobacteria into action. They speed up their decomposition process and begin releasing geosmin and the other compounds that make up the petrichlor smell. Drops of rain fall onto the soil. They splatter and mix with soil particles, ejecting the petrichlor compounds into the

The Local Chapter of League of Women Voters Celebrates Women’s Equality Day

The League of Women Voters of South Central Texas is new to Fayette County but has deep roots in the women’s suffrage movement that helped get women the right to vote over 100 years ago.

By ANDY BEHLEN The Fayette County Record

air. The scent travels downwinds and that’s why you can sometimes smell the rain even before it starts raining.

Healthy soils rich in microorganisms release more of the petrichlor smell when it rains. The smell may not be detectable when it rains on poor soils.

Geosmin possesses another curious property. Experiments have shown that geosmin actually inhibits seed germination. This fact seems counterintuitive, since seeds require moisture for germination. Researchers theorize that plants may have exploited this property as a way to ensure that their seeds don’t germinate until the soil is moist enough to sustain the young plant after germination.

Soils that have undergone prolonged dry periods seem to release more geosmin during a rain than soils that receive more periodic rainfall.

While almost everyone enjoys the smell caused by geosmin, most people don’t like the taste. Geosmin gives water a muddy taste, and public water utilities go through much effort to keep it out of water supplies.

Winemakers also try to keep it out of their products, as it gives wine an unpleasant off-taste.

Animal Shelter Update

As of Aug. 19, the total year-to-date intake is 886: 393 dogs and 493 cats at the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter.

There are 143 animals in care: 66 dogs and 77 cats. This number includes animals in the facility, in foster care for medical, waiting on available space, or awaiting transport to rescue partner. The shelter offers a dis-

count voucher program for spay/neuter for citizens of Fayette County. Call (979) 966-0021 for more information.

Statistics for the week of July 23 through Aug. 19 include:

Intake: 115

Adoptions: 67

Transferred to Rescue: 14

Return to Owner: 4 Humane Euthanasia: 4

“Our League, one of the newest in Texas, began in 2018 with five members meeting around my kitchen table,” said Janis Richardson, president of the League of Women Voters of South Central Texas.

When asked about why she helped start a League in our area, Richardson said that she first got to know the League in Memphis, TN, where she lived before returning to her family roots in Texas. “I saw how the League makes government more accessible to the people –providing nonpartisan information on candidates, voting and how things work in ways that make it easier for people to fully participate in the decisions that affect them,” said Richardson. “I believe that the League provides an important service to the community – helping to bridge the information gap between government and voters. When I saw that our rural Texas area did not have a League, I decided to try to get one started so that local citizens could have access to the services that Leagues provide.

The League of Women Vot-

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, the anniversary of the certification of the 19th amendment which guaranteed women the right to vote.

ers is a grassroots, nonpartisan group and one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations that have been fighting since 1920 to improve government and engage all voters in the decisions that impact their lives. Today that are 35 local Leagues in Texas and more than 800 nationwide – all working toward the shared vision of a democracy where a person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate. All Leagues commit to being nonpartisan, meaning that they never support or oppose candidates or political parties at any level of

government.

The South Central Texas chapter began in Lavaca County but now serves a five-county area that includes Lavaca, DeWitt, Gonzales, Fayette, and Colorado counties. “Our League just crossed an important milestone. We now have more than 50 members from four of our five counties, “said Richardson. “Each year has brought new possibilities and challenges, with great energy now that we have outgrown kitchen tables and are building teams in each county.”

The League is kicking off its Fall activities by celebrating

Women’s Equality Day on August 26. the day designated by Congress in 1971 to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote and reads: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

“I didn’t know about Women’s Equality Day until I became active in the League,” said Richardson. “I love sharing that

See League, Page C4

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

OLD WORLD ANTIEKS is currently seeking a Sales Team Member. Must be energetic, self-motivated, have strong people skills and computer literate. Prior sales experience a plus! Apply in person at 5414 W. State Hwy. 71, La Grange, TX 78945. (83-5c)

HELP WANTED – Texas Irrigation & Pipe LLC, Experienced Irrigation Tech - Licensed preferred but not required. Must have clean driving record with reliable transportation. Please apply in person at 1870 Frelsburg Rd. Cat Spring (Mentz) or Email resume to sandra@texasirrigation.com. (58-1tfc)

HOLLIE'S HOMEMAKING is now hiring a housekeeper. Must be trustworthy and a hard worker. $13/hr. & good environment. (979) 530-3174. (80-tfc)

HELP WANTED-Oilfield Roustabout/ Shop Hand - MUST PASS DRUG TEST & DRIVING CHECK - Call or email jennifer@mcguireindustries.com for application (979) 242-5349. (36-tfc)

FULL AND/or part time Ranch Hand needed. Please call (979) 224-9189 or (979) 224-9003. (55-tfc)

PART-TIME COULD become Full-Time - M-F 9-6, some weekends: Tour Guide/ Store Clerk needed in fun outdoor environment. Requires excellent people skills, work with animals, hard-working and reliable. The Jersey Barnyard (979) 249-3406. (83-tfc)

CAREGIVERS NEEDED - Must have experience. Must have valid Texas Drivers License. Please leave a voicemail message (979) 639-1648. (80-6)

NOW HIRING, full time experience painter and painter’s helper. Must have own transportation to and from job. Call (979) 249-7370.

FLORES TREE Experts LLC - (979)

716-1724 - florestreeexperts@gmail. com - Commercial and residential. Tree trimming, tree removal, fence clearing, brush chipping, stump grinding and much more. Over 25 years experience.

Locally Owned & Operated. INSURED, FREE ESTIMATES. (47-wc)

HOME REMODELING and Repairs: All types - carpentry, wooden decks, painting, roofing, plumbing, electric, sheetrock, flooring, siding, windows, doors, ceiling fans, lights, and gutters.

Thomas Faldyn (979) 702-1486. (73-wc)

SPARKLE CLEANING ServiceHouse, offices, windows, mowing and power wash. Call for estimate (979) 743-1597. (83-wc)

SCHOBEL MASONRY - Stone, brick, block, stucco - fireplace repair, patios, firepits, outdoor kitchens, new home construction - Repairs of all kinds - Call (979) 249-6164 cell. (85-4p)

STUCCO - NEW & Repair, Conventional & Synthetic. Local - 35 years experience. (850) 849-0081. (84-4p)

JULIO’S LANDSCAPING - Mow, lawn mtnce, flower bed clean up, mulch, tree trimming & removal. Call (979) 451-9162 or (979) 203-7382 - Julio Mendoza. (79-17p)

PURPLE CLEAN - Clean homes and apartments. Call us for an estimage! (979) 702-1121. (79-8c)

HOLLIE'S HOMEMAKING, let us help your home or business sparkle!

Including new construction & move out clean, carpet cleaning, windows, errand running, you name it. Licensed & Bonded - Voted Best of the Best in Fayette County. - Call (979) 530-3174 (72-tfc)

VEGA LANDSCAPE

• Fireplaces

• Patios & Walkways

• Chimney sweep

• Concrete services

• Tree work

• Landscape lights INSURED

Call (979) 595-7083

NICOLAS LANDSCAPING & Maintenance. I’ll take care of all your landscaping and maintenance needs.

(979) 702-0276.

(85-1c)

TOPSOIL, MUSHROOM compost, box blade & dump truck services. We build roads and house & barn pads.

Tommy Price Trucking (979) 242-5203 or (979) 966-8158 (cell).

(20-tfc)

ANTIQUE FURNITURE Restoration.

Saving family heirlooms since 1979.

Restore, Don't Replace. Free estimates. (361) 865-9326. (98-tfc)(17-tfc)

COMPUTER SERVICE - Round Top

- Anti-virus & Smart TVs - Call John,

(832) 660-3856 -www.roundtopcomputer.com (68-tfc)(38-tfc)

FREE CONSULTATION plus 30 minute

personal training session - Call (979)

250-1617 Madison Krenek. (28-tfnc)

G & C FENCES - Barbed Wire Fence

Work - All types of fence clearing.Brush work & brush clean up - (979)

249-6052. (90-49p)(35-52p)

WE CAN clean your flower beds, add mulch, trim trees, and much more. (979) 702-1972.

(43-tfnc)

CLEANING SERVICES - Let me help your home or business sparkle! General & deep cleaning available. Call (979) 702-1275. (85-1c)

FIXIN’ THINGS: Carpentry, painting, repairs, maintenance. Experienced, reliable, reasonable. (979) 247-4200. (73-tfc)(35-tfc)

Charles J. Vana Estate Claims Sought

NO. 12901 ESTATE OF CHARLES J. VANA, DECEASED IN THE COUNTY COURT OF FAYETTE COUNTY, TEXAS

NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF CHARLES J. VANA, DECEASED

LIVESTOCK/HAY

2-7/8", 4-1/2", & 5" pipe. Also sucker rods. (979) 966-3447. (11-tfc)

WANTED: GRASS Lease for cattle or grass to cut for hay. (979) 966-7085. (79-3wc)

WANTED – LAND to Lease for grazing and production. Call Zach Kalina (361)772-6666. (81-8wc)

979-505-2123

General Carpentry, Framing, Wood Fence, Porches, Trim, Siding, Leveling, Hardwood Flooring, Tile, Vinyl, Painting, Sheetrock and Concrete

Juan 979-702-8200 214-364-4743

• LAND CLEARING

• FORESTRY MULCHING

• SHREDDING

• DRIVEWAY REPAIR

• DEMOLITION & REMOVAL

BULLS FOR Sale - Black Angus, SimAngus, Black Brangus. Locally raisedGentle. Breeding Ages. Top bloodlines. Family owned/operated since 1975. Delivery available. Also Heifers. (979) 263-5829. (60-wc)(37-wc)

GARAGE SALE

GARAGE SALE - Saturday, Aug. 27, 8a-5p, 428 N. Washington, La Grange. Furniture, household items, toos, etc. (85-1p)

COUNTRY PEDDLER Antiques - 2844

E. St. Hwy. 159, Fayetteville. (979) 966-

ESTATE SALE

Fayette and surrounding counties since 1988.

(83-4wc)

MOBILE HOMES MOBILE HOMES MOBILE HOMES

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Charles J. Vana, Deceased were issued on August 23, 2022, in Cause No. 12901, pending in the County Court of Fayette County, Texas, to Judith Vana, as Independent Executor.

The address of such Independent Executor is as follows:

Judith Vana 12710 Maxim Drive Houston, Texas 77065

All persons having claims against this estate which is currently being administered are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

DATED the 23rd day of August, 2022.

S/S JUDITH VANA

JUDITH VANA, INDEPENDENT EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF CHARLES J. VANA, DECEASED (85-1c)

Round Top to Hold Public Meeting on Propsed Tax Rate

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Town of Round Top will hold a meeting at 6:00 p.m. on September 12, 2022 at 100 Main St., Round Top, Texas to consider adopting a proposed tax rate for tax year 2022. The proposed tax rate is .03437 per $100 of value.

S/S Sylvie Armstrong Sylvie Armstrong, Town Clerk August 23, 2022 (85-1c)

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Citation By Publication

CITATION BY PUBLICATION

Linda Svrcek District Clerk Fayette County, Texas 236 West Colorado Street La Grange, Texas 78945

Shannon M. Raabe-Barnes Schovajsa, Mayer & Klesel, LLP 151 N. Washington Street, Rm. 102 La Grange, Texas 78945

THE STATE OF TEXAS

Cause No. 2022v-180;

Travis O. Marshall and Shamieka Michelle Phylow Marshall, Plainitff vs. any person or entity that owns or claims any legal or equitable interest in and to that certain 6.84 acres, more or less, being out of the W.M. Eastland Labor, Abstract No. 172, Fayette County, Texas, Defendant. In the 155th Judicial District Court, Fayette County, Texas.

NOTICE TO DEFEND-

ANT: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 am on the Monday next following the expiration of forty-two (42) days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you.”

TO: Any person or entity that owns or claims any legal or equitable interest in and to that certain 6.84 acres, more or less, being out of the W.M. Eastland Labor, Abstract No. 172, Fayette County, Texas

You are hereby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s petition at or before 10:00 o’clock a.m. of the first Monday after the expiration of 42 days from the date of issuance of this citation, the same being Monday the 26th day of September, 2022, at or before 10:00 o’clock a.m., be-

fore the 155th District Court of Fayette County, at the Courthouse in La Grange, Texas. Said Plaintiff’s Petition was filed on the 12th day of August, 2022 in this case, numbered 2022v180 on the docket of said court, and styled: Travis O. Marshall and Shamieka Michelle Phylow Marshall, Plainitff vs. any person or entity that owns or claims any legal or equitable interest in and to that certain 6.84 acres, more or less, being out of the W.M. Eastland Labor, Abstract No. 172, Fayette County, Texas, Defendant.

A brief statement of the nature of the suit is as follows, to-wit: Declaratory Relief and for Quiet Title as is more fully shown by Plaintiff’s Petition on file in this suit.

ISSUED AND GIVEN UN-

DER MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF SAID COURT, at office in La Grange, Texas, on this the 16th day of August, 2022.

S/S Linda Svrcek Linda Svrcek Clerk of the District Court of Fayette County, Texas

By: S/S Katie Janda, Deputy Katie Janda (83-4wc)

Moerbe Estate Claims Sought

NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF CURTIS A. MOERBE DECEASED

Administration of the Estate of Curtis A. Moerbe, Deceased, has been commenced by the issuance of original Letters Testamentary to the undersigned on August 23, 2022, by the Probate Court of Fayette County, Texas in Cause No. 12890, in which court the matter is pending.

All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present in the care of my attorney, Richard T. Halpain, at P.O. Box 794, La Grange, Texas 78945, within the time required by law.

Dated this 23rd day of August, 2022.

S/S Alvina Moerbe ALVINA MOERBE P.O. BOX 106 WARDA, TEXAS 78960, Independent Executor of the Estate of Curtis A. Moerbe, Deceased (85-1c)

2 BEDROOMS/2 BATHS: Includes A/C Unit, Stove/Oven, Dishwasher, Garbage Disposal, Refrigerator, Garden Tub, Skirting,

Second Chance Donates to Young Life

Kreische Brewery And Monument Hill Hosting Volunteer Informational Social

Have you ever been curious about what happens behind the scenes at Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill? Are you passionate about preserving and sharing our local and state history? Then volunteer, Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill State Historic Sites are hosting a come and go Volunteer Informational Social with ice cream at the sites’ visitors center on Sunday, Aug. 28 from 1 to 4 pm.

Second Chance Emporium recently donated $2,000 to Young Life of La Grange. Young Life’s mission is to introduce adolescents to religion and help them grow in their faith. Pictured from left to right: Kevin Ulrich, Young Life committee member; Laurie Krupala, Young Life donor chair; Julia Thomas, Second Chance Emporium asst. store director; Gayle Schielack, Second Chance Emporium store director; Tim Scarborough, Young Life Committee chair and Annette Cooper, Young Life committee member.

Warda Farm Bureau Awards Scholarships

The Warda Farm Bureau awarded their 2022 Scholarships. Recipients are Annie Bounds, Amanda Urban and Lauren Huenefeld.

Support for Troop TX-0143

The Trail Life Troop TX0143 extends a big thank you to everyone who continues to bring their aluminum cans to the recycle bin at Holy Cross picnic grounds. Funds raised are used to help our trailmen pay for camps, uniforms, camping equipment and a variety of other things. They greatly appreciate your continued support.

Bible Study

A new Bible Study will begin Aug. 31 at Holy Cross Lutheran in Warda. This will cover the entire book of Joshua, providing details of what happened to Israel after their 40 years of wandering in the desert when God finally let them enter and take possession of the Promised Land. The Bible study will meet each Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending contact Cyndy Zoch at cyndy.zoch@gmail.com. There is no charge to attend, but registration is recommended to make sure there are enough materials for everyone.

Holy Cross Annual Picnic

Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda will have their annual picnic on Sunday, Sept. 4 at the church picnic grounds. Barbecue pork and chicken will be sold fresh off the pits starting at 9:30 a.m. The ladies will have sides of potato salad, beans, coleslaw and noodles and a bake sale, as well as the country store. Children’s activities and silent auction begins at 11 a.m. Hamburgers, nachos and French fries will be sold starting at 4 p.m. Live auction begins at 5:30 p.m. and there will be live music throughout the day. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the day. They are looking for quality items for their auction. Contact Chris Kovar at (318) 458-8558 or Brian Varner at (979) 9663761 if you have auction items you would like to donate. Sides can be pre-ordered by calling the church office at (979) 242-3333 or call Cyndy Zoch at (979) 9663166. The cost of the sides is $3.

Neighbors Night Out

Neighbors Night Out in Warda is planned for Sunday, Oct. 16 at the picnic grounds.

St. Paul Lutheran - Serbin

St. Paul Lutheran Church Adult Fellowship in Serbin is having their 25th annual fried chicken dinner on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m.-12 noon at the Serbin Picnic Grounds. Preorders are preferred, all plates are to-go and will be sold for $12.

If you would like to order plates contact Susan at (979) 540-0854

or Sharon at (979) 540-7154 by Sept. 5. All proceeds will be going toward future church/school projects.

GEMS Group Started

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League - Post Oak Zone is excited to be starting a GEMS group. GEMS stands for Girls Embracing Mission Service, and will focus on serving others and supporting mission work.

All girls in grades 5-12 are welcome to join. They will meet the final Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. in the Holy Cross Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. The next meeting is Aug. 28, they will be making baskets to take to nursing home residents. Moms are always welcome.

Condolences

Our sympathy to Lori Green and family as Steve Green was called to his heavenly home on Monday, Aug. 15. Services were held Aug. 23 at Holy Cross in Warda.

Birth Announcement

Wayne and Lisa Brugger announce the birth of a granddaughter, Draeklyn Elise Mitchell, born to Victoria and Brehnen Mitchell on Aug. 15. Proud great-grandparents are Paul and Jeanette Schramm.

Jackrabbits Win

The Serbin Jackrabbits won the Community League Baseball Championship by defeating Weimar 12-1. This is the second straight championship for the Jackrabbits, who also won the league title in 2019. (The 2020 and 2021 seasons were not played due to COVID).

Holy Cross Services

Sunday School promotion

Sunday is Aug. 28. Services at Holy Cross Lutheran are Sunday at 9 a.m. Bible Class and Sunday school follows the morning service. Sermon links/streaming videos

Site staff are recruiting volunteers of all ages, abilities, and interests for several exciting programs, events, and projects. No prior experience is required, and individuals of all comfort levels are welcome. During the informational social, potential volunteers can learn how to get involved in guided tours, living history programs, special events, community outreach, school programs, grounds maintenance, natural resource management, historic preservation, archival research, and more.

For questions, call the visitors center at (979) 968-5658, or email gavin.miculka@thc.texas. gov, or visit the sites’ Facebook page.

League of Women Voters Seeks New Members for Local Chapter

Continued from C1

of the three generations of women who worked for more than 70 years to secure the right to vote for women. I appreciate the thousands of determined women who got this done. I am sure that there were women right here in South Central Texas who were involved in this movement and am sorry that over time, their stories have been lost. Celebrating their work by calling attention to Women’s Equality Day is just one way we can thank them.

Today, Women’s Equality Day is a time to remember that history and to call attention to women’s continuing efforts to

achieve full equality. Richardson said that this year, the League is reminding people that the Equal Rights Amendment has not yet crossed the finish line and that the final step depends on a vote in the United States Senate.

In January 2020, the final state voted to ratify the ERA. Now Congress must act to remove its ratification timeline so it can pass once and for all.

In March of 2021, the House of Representatives voted to remove the ratification timeline, but the Senate has not yet acted on this issue.

Richardson says that those interested in the Equal Rights Amendment can contact their

Senators to encourage them to act on this issue.

The League of Women Voters of Central Texas invites men and women aged sixteen and older to join and also has many other volunteering opportunities throughout the year. From being a part of their Adopt-aHighway Cleanup Program, numerous presentations to other organizations, or handing out their informative printed Voters Guide which includes nonpartisan information on candidates on the ballot for the November 8, 2022, election. For more information or to join visit www.lwvsouthcentraltx.org.

Texas Ramp Project Completes Ramp

is on the website at: www.holycrosswarda.com.

Faith Lutheran High School

FLHS currently has 16 students registered for the 2022-23 school year. If you are interested in enrollment, contact the school at (979) 242-2889 to experience what FLHS is all about. You can also schedule a visit via their website at: www.flhstx.org.

Everyone is invited to join in the weekly Chapel Worship Service every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. FLHS will have their annual retreat to Camp Lone Star on Sept. 1-2.

Faith Lutheran High School will hold their annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 22. New this year will be “The Battle of The Brew,” a home brew competition. They will have their traditional German meal, domino tournament, cornhole tournament, music, kid’s games and lots of fun. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend this fun event.

Prayer Requests

Those on the prayer list include: Alvina Moerbe, Leslie Hobratschk, Jerrell Dunk, Jeanette Schramm, Lisa Brugger, Calvin Schimank, Whitney Swearingen, Zelda Richards, Robert Grimm, Loretta Brugger.

Anniversaries

Anniversary wishes are extended to the following couples: Terry and Marion LehmannAug. 26.

Birthdays

Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Hailey Bamsch-Aug. 30, Dylan Beck-31.

Have news to share?

If you have news items to share with readers of the Warda news including visits from your friends and family, contact Lisa Gay at (979) 218-6000 or War-

Donations Gathered For AMEN Food Pantry

Warda Farm Bureau scholarship recipients - Annie Bounds, Amanda Urban, and Lauren Huenefeld.

By LISA GAY Warda News Correspondent

Cyclops: A Old Rooster Finds Purpose

By JIM AUSTIN

Special to the Record

This is a true story and one that could only happen in a place like La Grange.

My neighbors, the Bradleys, keep chickens––yes, inside the city limits. Their dominant rooster was a big, white fellow who clearly ran the show. Being the alpha male, he felt he could get away with anything he wanted. He bossed around the younger rooster and even decided to punish a certain hen. He began to pluck the feathers from and even bloody her back.

His owners decided he needed to be isolated from the flock for a while; maybe he’d get over his menacing ways after being confined in a cage for a few days. So, they penned him up.

His absence emboldened the younger rooster; maybe Junior could take over now that the bully was temporarily incarcerated. And that’s what happened.

The younger, and apparently stronger, rooster attacked the old guy as soon as he was released. The result? The old guy lost an eye and was no longer able to rule the roost. Deborah and Railla Bradley nursed the old boy back to viability. But he was now handicapped; he could only perceive dangers from one side. Apparently, it takes two to reign as head bully. So, Cyclops––that’s what they started to call him for the obvious reason––left home. He couldn’t defend himself anymore. He came next door, to our yard to mope and look forlorn.

He’d lost his purpose in life. It was sad. Even my black Lab Zoey could sense his piteousness; she overruled her instinct and left the poor fowl alone.

Simultaneously, a little flock of feral chickens was frequenting my front and back yards, scratching up worms and bugs and scurrying around like ants at a picnic.

John Bradley had a bright idea for us: Why don’t we borrow their unused chicken coop and see if we can lure the pullets to it. Maybe someday they would lay eggs and we could raid the catch periodically. Any interest in free eggs there, Jimbo?

That’s what I did. I put the little coop in the front garden in the shade of the live oak and nestled in the elephant ears. I placed a bowl of water and some troughs of chicken feed around the entrance to the coop.

Sure ‘nuff, it worked. Several of the young chickens––two male and three female–– started poking around the coop area. I watched them often. For all I could tell, they just wouldn’t go in the enclosure that I had lined with shreds of the Record and shavings.

So, I asked my friend and chicken whisperer, Scott Baker, how to entice them into the coop. Simple, he said. Dangling piece of cabbage and they’ll go in to peck at it. They love to do things like that.

I rigged up a string, a nail, and a piece of cabbage with the core intact and went to the coop. When I opened the lid to attach the cabbage, I discovered six eggs in a neat, little cluster. At least one of the twenty-something week-old pullets was laying already. And she chose my setup to do it in!

Farmer’s Almanac Predicting a White Winter

But that’s not the best part. The following morning, I noticed Cyclops stationed at the door of the coop, as if standing guard. He didn’t move for the longest time.

In fact, he didn’t move until a black pullet emerged from deep in the coop, having laid the day’s egg. He had been protecting the chick while she was most vulnerable. Cyclops and the young chick walked off merrily––together.

The plan had worked. The food and water at the coop had attracted the young chickens and Cyclops lessening the time they spent in or crossing the busy street. The coop itself gave the young laying hen a safe place to lay. Most importantly, the setup allowed Cyclops to regain a purpose, a role in life as a protector.

Oh yeah, and Jimbo got his free eggs.

Note: The true story was supposed to end there, but it didn’t. The next morning, I noticed what I took to be a large, white bag lying by the curb in my front yard. It was no bag; it was Cyclops. He was killed either by a car hitting him on his blind side or by the two aggressive, feral roosters who claim the yard as their territory.

I don’t know whether to feel sad the old bird’s demise happened just as he was getting his stride back or happy his last days allowed him to feel useful, a protector of a young chick.

As Texas gets at least a temporary reprieve this week from the heat, with a nice round of rain blanketing much of the state, the Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting January will bring significant snowfall to the state.

The periodical, founded in 1818, develops its extended forecast “using a 204-year-old mathematical formula focused on sunspot activity, planet positions and tidal actions of the moon.” The almanac’s website claims its forecasts are 80% to 85% accurate.

By GARY BORDERS Texas Press Association

Since the secret formula was first developed by David Young, an astronomer and mathematician who was the almanac’s first editor, only seven people have been hired to develop the weather predictions.

A meteorologist for the National Weather Service interviewed by the Austin American-Statesman casts a skeptical eye on the almanac’s methods and predictions.

“There is little to no scientific evidence that sunspot activity and the position of planets have any impact on our weather and our climate,” Keith

White said. “A lot of the statements they use in terms of what they expect over the course of a season are very broad and can be applied kind of subjectively by people.”

Neither the Almanac nor the weather service are predicting another Winter Storm Uri, which resulted in the deaths of at least 246 people in Texas in February 2021.

New CEO Hired for ERCOT

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which drew scathing criticism for the massive power blackouts during Uri, has a new chief executive officer. The hiring of Pablo Vegas was approved by the Public Utility Commission, which oversees ERCOT.

Vegas currently serves as executive vice president of NiSource and group president, NiSource Utilities. He succeeds interim CEO Brad Jones on Oct. 1.

After Uri, most of ERCOT’s board resigned and its CEO was terminated. A number of reforms and protective measures have been implemented since Uri, though critics question whether the grid can withstand another storm of Uri’s magnitude.

By DAVID E. WILL Special to The Record

Drought and Prickly Pears

The first time I saw a pear burner was when I was a young lad during the drought of the 1950s. The burner consisted of a pump-up kerosene tank and a long hose. On the tip of the hose was a fan nozzle surrounded by a shroud of metal with holes. From the tip of the hose, a ball of fire exploded toward a patch of prickly pears.

The man operating this contraption was in his fifties, with a wrinkled, sunburned face. My uncle Walter told me he was a well-known rancher with a lifetime of experience. He wore blue jeans, cowboy boots, a worn leather belt and gloves, and a western-style, long-sleeved shirt. His straw hat looked older than he was.

His task this day was to feed his cattle. Drought had killed most of the grass on his ranch. His choices were to sell cattle, feed hay, or burn the needles off the prickly pear so the cattle could eat it. With little money to buy hay – or pay his ranch taxes – he knew that if he could keep his animals until the drought was over, he would reap the benefit of higher cattle prices. Prickly pears, at least those in the area around Gonzales, have two types of needles, big and small. Big needles are easy to see and can be broken off with a machete or machine. If you burn prickly pear, the needles are flattened with fire. It is the glochids, or small needles, that are troublesome. They are small and easily burned but missing even a few can swell a cow’s tongue. Prickly pear is extremely nourishing. Each pad contains a high amount of minerals, nutrients, and water. Since most ponds had dried up, ranchers with windmills pumped water daily. Cattle often had to travel more than a half mile to get a drink. Prickly pear cactus had enough water in each pad to satisfy the animals until they could return to the windmill trough.

That day, Uncle Walter had stopped to talk with the pearburning rancher. He was concerned about his friend. The

Newspaperman Writes Best-Seller in Spare Time

On Aug. 28, 1959 a book reviewer had nothing but the highest praise for a newspaperman’s first novel: “It may be a long time before a better one comes along.”

Allen Stuart Drury was born in Houston during the First World War and grew up in a small California town. After earning a degree in journalism from Stanford, the cub reporter’s first job was on a weekly paper, where in 1940 he won a national award for editorial writing.

Following military service in World War II, Drury moved to Washington, D.C. During the next decade, he covered Capitol Hill for United Press, Pathfinder Magazine and the Washington Evening Star before joining the Washington bureau of the New York Times in 1954.

For seven long years, Drury worked in secret on an epic tale. Then one day in 1958 he shoved a cardboard box containing the first draft into the hands of a fellow Times staffer with the modest announcement “I’ve written a novel.”

“I groaned silently,” Russell Baker remembered many years

later. “I took it home, ate, fixed a drink, sat down and with a heavy heart reached into this box for a fistful of manuscript. Good Lord! You couldn’t put the thing down!”

The newspaperman took readers on a 616-page magical mystery tour of Cold War Washington giving them a behind-thescenes look at politics in the raw. For his title he borrowed a phrase from a sentence in the Constitution: “The Senate shall advise and consent to the president’s nominations to the cabinet.”

Unlike other novels with a Washington setting written before and since, Advise and Consent was not a fictionalized version of actual events. Drury, who

took life and politics quite seriously, used a plausible plot and believable characters to explore issues with staying power and to put human nature under the microscope.

Here’s Advise and Consent in a nutshell: The president nominates Robert A. Leffingwell, a polished but arrogant liberal, as secretary of state much to the dismay of an old southern senator from the conservative wing of his own party. Convinced Leffingwell is soft on the Soviets, if not a subversive himself, Sen. Seabright Cooley moves heaven and earth to block his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

When Brigham Anderson, an idealistic young senator from Utah, makes up his mind to cast the decisive vote against Leffingwell, a columnist digs up a hidden homosexual encounter from his past. Anderson cannot live with the scandal and commits suicide.

Drury did not let his high opinion of the senate as an institution stand in the way of exposing cynicism in the cloakroom. In a revealing exchange that pulls back the curtain, the majority

leader tells the head of the opposition, “I’ll have to give the papers a statement charging an unprincipled, underhanded coalition against the people’s interests, you know.” “Go ahead,” the second senator says with a shrug. “We’ve all survived that one before.”

Like a man who still eats sausage after seeing it made, Drury loved Washington warts and all. “It is a city of temporaries, a city of just-arriveds and only-visitings, built on the shifting sands of politics, filled with people passing through. They go home...but hurry back to their lodestones and their star, their self-hypnotized, self-mesmerized, self-enamored, self-propelling, wonderful city they cannot live away from or live without.”

The phenomenal success of Advise and Consent was due in part to perfect timing because it happened to hit bookstores during the presidential campaign of 1960, which revived public interest in the political process. A priceless piece of free publicity was a photograph of candidates

Cyclops and his young chick.

Letters to the Editor

We All Have a Role to Play in Success of Animal Shelter Stop Fighting Trump

To The Editor: We live in times not seen for many years if ever before. The economy is unpredictable and people are uncertain about so many things. Here in Fayette County we are blessed to be, to a degree, insulated from the chaos of the larger cities. However, our businesses all feel the weight of the changes in the nation. Especially those that are on tight budgets with limited resources like the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter, our local animal shelter. As a volunteer at the animal shelter I have seen this, as have other volunteers, from a different perspective. Litters of puppies and kittens surrendered with the statements of “I don’t know how she got pregnant” (Really? You don’t know?) Animals surrendered because of moves. Death of an owner and the animal(s) left behind. And on, and on. It’s easy to say “Oh, the shelter will find them a home.” The answer is “maybe.” Across the nation adoptions are down and the number of animals needing homes continues to rise. Shelters by and large are filled to capacity and beyond. And the costs continue to rise. Food, veterinary bills, medicines, staffing, facility costs, and the countless other things that arise in the normal course of running a business.. And sometimes… some animals don’t make it out…and may they rest in peace. It is SO easy to say “Just be No Kill!” And there are some shelters that adopt that approach. Our local shelter, a 501c3 nonprofit corporation, is not a “No Kill” shelter, though in the last few years it has done a tremendous job of increasing live placements as a percentage of intakes. Over 90% of the animals that come in the door go out to new homes. However, without strong legislation to mandate and enforce spay and neuter regulations the stream of animals will continue to increase and the limited resources will be consumed even more quickly. It’s like having a hole in your boat and baling water out with a tin cup. If you don’t fix the hole it just gets larger and eventually the cup can’t keep up with the flow.

One key thing to assess in any business is what can take performance to the next level.

The old adage of “Doing the Same Things the Same Way and expecting Different Results is a Mark of Insanity” holds true here as in most places. If you can’t stop

the flow of animals at the source, and you don’t have a money tree to have unlimited funds, the key component remaining that you CAN work with is your people. You can’t just “throw a body” at a multifaceted position in animal care. Recruiting experienced personnel at all levels,(which means paying a wage and benefits package that reflects that experience), having comprehensive initial and ongoing professional training with tiered performance evaluations, having strong policies and procedures that are reviewed annually (or more often as needed), and other key management aspects are critical to succeed in today’s environment. Fayette County is a community. And a community supports its members. As individual community members reading this I challenge you to reflect on your own circumstances. Are your animals safe, secure (I helped corral two dogs that were out and about on the courthouse lawn the other afternoon), healthy, and not contributing to the ongoing flood of new puppies and kittens? Have you considered fostering an animal? Volunteering?

And, having been on the boards of 501c3 non-profits myself, I have a more detailed challenge to the Board of Directors of the shelter: Are you giving the direction needed in Today’s environment (i.e.: restricting intake to maintain a given percentage of occupancy so there are resources available in the event of an emergency)? Ensuring funding is directed to having the right people in the right places to accomplish the right things? Reviewing and approving policies from the “30,000 feet view” perspective? Allocating resources to help the shelter survive the flood of intakes now and position it for the future? Reviewing the Mission Statement to determine if it reflects Today’s mission and needs, and revising it to do so if it doesn’t? Asking the hard questions? Making the tough decisions?

Every animal that comes through the shelter’s doors deserves professional evaluations of their health and behavior, a written improvement plan tailored to their needs that is implemented, monitored, and refined as needed. They Deserve a chance at a loving home to live their best life. This community CAN make that happen.

Greg Smith West Point

To The Editor: I find it very sad that you Democrats spent all the years of President Trump’s presidency fighting against all the good he was doing for our country and only trying to impeach him.

And now that you are in power, you are still using all your energy through your corrupt appointees to fight against him to try to ensure that he won’t run against whomever represents your party in 2024.

Instead of trying to solve the real problems that all of us are facing (which you incidentally created), namely the soaring inflation rate and the high cost of living, you continue to throw all your time and energy and our tax dollars at defeating Trump before he even becomes

the nominee. Democrats, citizens are watching what you are doing with your time on your watch, and you are failing miserably.

The only relief I see in sight is the upcoming November election and the election in November 2024 to return common sense leadership back to our country. I don’t know that Donald Trump will be the Republican party nominee for President in 2024, but whoever it is, rest assured, that person will have the votes from the American people who are suffering from the problems that you the Democratic non-leadership has created.

David R. Noak Rutersville

Van Gogh’s Genius

Van Gogh spent the last years of his life struggling to make his perceptions of life speak from his canvases. Unlike so many others who sought to capture the essence of truth and beauty through the complexity of detail, Van Gogh found his answers in simple triggers to our mind’s perceptions. That a short flutter of brush stokes, could bring memories of morning crows over a wheat field, sounding their regal entrance for the day, is tribute to Van Gogh’s genius in finding simple ways to powerfully inspire.

I have memories of the day and the moment, stepping up towards a museum mezzanine in Amsterdam where serendipitously that painting — privately owned, and quite infrequently on public display — loomed before me. As my eyes rose from the step ahead, the suddeness of its impressive force stunned me. If you had asked me to tell how big it was, or the colors, or composition, those measures would have escaped me altogether. What I remember quite well, brought tears and a tremble of discomposure, both marvelous and immobilizing.

Whatever it may have been, the painting, its history or my perceptions, they came together like an unlocking combination, entering and resonating the realities of life. More often than not, an ugly, complex issue is tamed by something elegantly simple.

As we make sense of a government grown to gargan-

Will: Prickly Pears and Ranch Life

Continued from Page D1

rancher had little time to visit as he needed to burn pear. Burning early in the morning, before the heat of the day, made it possible. Temperatures that morning were already in the mid-nineties and climbing.

Uncle Walter told me that most ranchers had already sold a majority of their cattle. Cattle prices had dropped to rock bottom. Many ranchers took to shooting their animals rather than have them suffer. Most could not find hay to feed, much less pay for it with ranch earnings. He also told me that, after cattle prices crashed, the cattle supply would be low. When the rains returned, cattlemen would buy cattle to replenish their herds, and prices would rebound above the average market price. Holding on to as many head as possible would help pay the taxes on the land.

Many cattlemen took out a bank loan to buy a new herd, but a few who only had access to cash would be strapped to buy a quality animal at a reasonable price. A quality animal, in Uncle Walt’s definition, was one that still had some flesh on its bones and a calf by its side.

Pear burning not only involved burning the needles off the prickly pear, but also ran the rattlesnakes and copperhead’s

away from the pear pile. Rats and mice could hardly find a hiding place that wasn’t under a dried cow patty or in a hole under a mesquite tree, so they sought refuge under the pear. If not run off, the snakes could bite the cattle as they fed. The rancher ran off a snake from under a pile of pears and took the time to fry the critter before it slithered away.

When the cattle were turned into the pasture later in the day, they headed for the now “thornless” pears. Apparently not all of the needles were expertly removed from other pads eaten earlier, as many of the cows had sore mouths. Nonetheless, they ate pear as if it was the best meal of the day.

Many years later, I learned of a dairy in Mexico where milk cows were fed a ration of sweet grain, hay and prickly pear cactus. At first, they gave the animals a ration of 25% prickly pear. Then the ratio of pear to sweet feed jumped. With each jump of 5%, the milk production also grew. After the mixture passed 60% prickly pear, milk production stabilized. Now I’m not recommending pear burning in Fayette County in the summer of 2022. Fire danger is high, and there is a burn ban on. The pear-burning I saw in the 1950s took place in a pasture where the cattle had eaten the grass to bare earth, so it didn’t present a fire danger. It is

By DON CARPENTER

tuan proportions with ever more tragic consequences for all of us, shouldn’t we ask ourselves what are the simple truths? What makes sense at a time when very little else does? If government has the final control over the country’s commerce and economy, who is better able to serve its purpose — a rough edged, successful rancher, a proprietor of a large business, or a polished personality without experience promising to do a good job for the country and yet still planning to own several houses and live the good life? What product does a skillful politician have to sell that might be his path to wealth? Our country’s success has unfortunately earned us a government run by people of little practical experience wishing to somehow become wealthy. It seems we have become enamored of a political class drawn for the most part from folks once seen as being all hat and no cattle. Van Gogh would not be proud of us.

Carpenter lives in Schulenburg.

Back to reality and the life of luxury to which I have grown accustomed.

I learned several things about myself from my travels around Kenya some years ago: I am not a missionary, and small luxuries are mandatory.

still possible to cut pear, remove the thorns without burning and feed cattle. I was told the Native Americans used rocks to scrape off the large needles and fire to burn off the small needles. It just takes the will to do it.

These days it seems that cattlemen no longer feed prickly pear to animals unless they are desperate. Thornless pears - nopales, which translates as “no thorns” are available, but some cattle and many wildlife will eat them long before the drought becomes extreme. Nopales still have some glochids, but a pear burner makes quick work of them. Birds love the seeds of prickly pear tunas and spread them across pastures and fence lines.

Speaking of fence lines, I also saw prickly pear being used as a perimeter fence back in the 50s. Because most ranchers could only afford a three-wire barbwire fence, a prickly pear fence line helped cattlemen keep the herd in and the rustlers out. I see no reason not to have some prickly pear on ranch land, if not for disasters, then for the wildlife value. Good ranchers offer a diverse group of plants to give cattle and wildlife more from which to select.

David E. Will is a Schulenburg farmer, rancher, nurseryman, landscaper, and consultant. He can be reached at 830-6299876 or by email at dwill207@ satx.rr.com.

Hot water on demand, paved roads, and commodes to sit upon are not frills in my book, but rather they are basic necessities. I have gained a great deal of respect for those hardy souls who move to foreign countries and accept the hardships of limited electricity, limited toilet paper, and unlimited potholes!

MARGO JOHNSON

A friend once said his idea of “roughing it” was a room on the second floor of a Holiday Inn with black and white TV. I have grown to understand those sentiments.

I would not change a thing about my trip...well, maybe just one or two things revolving around cold showers and a mosquito netting. It was a marvelous adventure and certainly mind and soul broadening. The people of Kenya are beautiful, friendly, warm, accepting, and eager to greet you. The children wave indiscriminatingly. They do not have the fear or non-interest that we seem to see in American children. They want to shake your hand, hug you, touch you, and almost bathe in your smile. Here they are, living in the worst slum conditions imaginable and yet, they are glad to welcome and embrace you.

My heart swelled to see the enthusiasm the youngsters showed for school, for learning, and for performing in front of their peers and strangers.

Here they were, crammed into a two-story shack covered by a tin roof, with tin and chicken wire walls, five kids sharing a bench desk with one book between them, and I’m wondering where to find water that is safe to drink.

They play in the dirt paths with a ball that is covered with mud, dirt and sewage, and they laugh, giggle, run and kick with the gusto found in any playground. They are kids, after all, and they haven’t yet learned they will face major struggles and minor assistance ahead. Today, they are just doing what children throughout the world should be doing—playing.

When you look at the conditions facing millions of people, one wonders how to make a difference in these young lives. How can we extend the average age? How do we help provide water to every 9x9 “home” that houses up to 10 people? How do we provide sanitary conditions that will help to ensure longer and healthier lives?

I haven’t a clue as to how to tackle these problems, but I know that much needs to be done. Thank God good, dedicated, and clever people are working daily to improve lives across the world.

So, I will do my little bit from the comfort of my living room chair, and praise people and organizations that see solutions and give hope to the millions that don’t have a living room or a chair.

Texas History: Advise and Consent

Continued from Page D1

Kennedy and Nixon looking at a copy together.

Advise and Consent stayed on the “New York Times” bestseller list for a record 102 weeks and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. It was made into a Broadway play and a motion picture directed by Otto Preminger starring Henry Fonda as Leffingwell, Charles Laughton as Sen. Cooley and Don Murray as Sen. Anderson.

Drury quit “The Times” and never worked another day for a newspaper. He became political correspondent for Reader’s Digest, a high-profile position that provided a steady income, and went right to work on his next novel.

In 1964 Drury bought a house with a breathtaking view of San Francisco Bay. The early riser wrote in the mornings and spent

his afternoons researching and editing.

A bachelor who lived alone his entire life, Drury put a premium on privacy. According to a nephew, one of the few people ever to get close to him, “Quality time with Al meant you read your book while he read his.”

Allan Drury wrote 18 more novels as well five works of nonfiction on subjects as wide ranging as ancient Egypt and the Nixon White House. But none compared to his first book. In 1995, three years before the author died on his 80th birthday, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich included Advise and Consent on a must-read list for new Republican congressmen.

Bartee welcomes your comments and questions at barteehaile@gmail.com or P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393 and invites you to visit his web site barteehaile.com.

La Grange Police Report

La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath reports on the following incidents his department responded to during the week of Aug. 14- 21.

Accident

On Aug. 17, Officer Justin Koehne worked a two-vehicle accident in the 300 block of E. Travis.

Animal Complaint

On Aug. 19, Officer Thomas Keeney responded to the 300 block of Diers Ln. in response to an animal complaint.

On Aug. 19, Officer Mitchell Maxwell was dispatched to the 1400 block of W. State Hwy. 71 Business in regards to an animal complaint.

Alarm

On Aug. 15, Officer Kevin Currington was dispatched to the 600 block of S Jefferson for an alarm. It was a false alarm as workers were taking a delivery.

On Aug. 18, Maxwell was dispatched to the 100 block of W. Colorado in regards to an alarm.

Civil Matter

On Aug. 16, Currington was dispatched to the 300 block of N. Horton for a civil matter.

On Aug. 16, Currington was dispatched to the 1600 block of Jefferson for a civil matter.

On Aug. 16, Officer Brett Meinardus responded to the 300 block of N. Horton for a civil standby.

On Aug. 16, Keeney responded to the 300 block of N. Horton for a civil matter.

On Aug. 17, Officer John Wostarek spoke with a caller in regards to a civil matter.

On Aug. 17, Koehne spoke with a complainant about a civil matter in the 1000 block of E. Pearl. Disorderly Conduct

On Aug. 20, Keeney responded to the 200 block of S. Ellinger in response to loud screaming. Disturbance

On Aug. 14, Koehne responded to the 1800 block of W. State Hwy. 71 Business for a dispute with a customer, customer was gone upon officers arrival.

On Aug. 16, Currington was dispatched to the 1000 block of N. Madison in reference to a subject making noise. Officer spoke with the subject and advised him to stop making noise.

On Aug. 16, Currington was dispatched to the 400 block of Ellinger for a disturbance.

On Aug. 17, Maxwell was dispatched to the 400 block of E Travis in regards to a disturbance. Citations were issued to parties involved.

On Aug. 19, Meinardus responded to an open 911 line and heard yelling. Subjects were stopped in Giddings.

On Aug. 20, Currington was dispatched to the 100 block of E. Crockett for a disturbance. Officer took information for report but the subject was gone.

Illegal Burning

On Aug. 18, Maxwell was dispatched to the 1700 block of Old Plum Highway in regard to illegal burning. Warnings were issued.

Public Intoxication

On Aug. 17, Koehne arrested a subject for public intoxication in the 1900 block of W. State Hwy 71 Business.

Reckless Driving

On Aug. 14-Koehne spoke with complainant in the 200 block of Northwest Circle about

Police Report

By DAVID GILBREATH La Grange Police Chief

reckless driving.

Suspicious Person/Vehicle

On Aug. 14, Koehne spoke with complainant about a suspicious person in the 700 block of N. Washington.

On Aug. 15, Maxwell checked on two suspicious subjects in the 800 block of E. Roitsch.

On Aug. 17, Wostarek spoke with a caller in the 1900 block of State Hwy. 71 Business about a suspicious person.

On Aug. 17, Wostarek was dispatched to the 1900 block of State Hwy. 71 Business in regards to a suspicious person. Subject was issued a trespass warning for the location.

On Aug. 18, Maxwell was dispatched to the 500 block of E Walnut in regards to a suspicious person. Officer checked the area but was unable to locate anyone.

On Aug. 19, Currington was dispatched to the 2000 block of Hwy.71 Business for a suspicious vehicle. Subject had left the location.

On Aug. 20, Currington was dispatched to the 1400 block of Hwy.71 Business for a subject sleeping on the sidewalk. Officer had made location and subject had left.

Theft

On Aug. 16, Keeney spoke with complainant in the 1600 block of W. State Hwy. 71 Business for a possible auto theft.

On Aug. 17, Wostarek spoke with a caller in the 1800 block of W. State Hwy 71 Business about information on a theft.

On Aug. 18, Chief David Gilbreath was dispatched to Walmart in reference to a theft.

Terroristic Threat

On Aug. 14, Wostarek was dispatched to the 100 block of E. Crockett in regards to a terroristic threat. Officer took information.

Welfare Check

On Aug. 16, Currington was dispatched to the 1200 block of Hwy. 159 to check on a subject. Subject was fine just taking a rest.

On Aug. 16, Meinardus responded to the 200 block of E. Colorado to check the area for a vehicle for Triple A.

On Aug. 19, Koehne checked on a subject in the 1500 block of W. State Hwy. 71 Business.

Miscellaneous

On Aug. 14, Koehne located an open door on a vehicle in the 200 block of Rose Mayer. Owner had forgot to close it after getting items out.

On Aug. 15, Keeney responded to the 1900 block of W. State Hwy.71 Business in response to report of illegal soliciting.

On Aug. 17, Wostarek spoke with a caller in regards to a subject trespassing in the 600-block of E. Guadalupe.

On Aug. 20, Meinardus responded to the 700 block of Heintze for loud music.

Somerville ISD Superintendent Resigns

By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

Yoakum Herald-Times

The City of Yoakum’s water infrastructure system, continues to rely on three of four pumps while city crews and contractors search for the source of failure in Well No. 4.

Burleson County Tribune

Somerville ISD superintendent Karla Sparks has resigned and the district has named curriculum director Dr. Kristi Thaemlitz as acting superintendent.

Wharton Journal-Spectator

A man from Louse is suing Wharton County Elections administrator Cindy Richter and the commissioners court in an effort to stop the use of elec-

Marburger

Larnie Conrad Marburger, 87, of Round Top, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022.

He was born in Round Top on Sept. 13, 1934, the son of the late Norma (Schroeder) and Hubert Marburger.

Larnie joined the U.S. Army, serving his country proudly in the Army Infantry.

On Sept. 27, 1953, he married Rose Marie Meinen at St. John Lutheran Church in Warrenton. They raised four children together, one daughter and three sons. He was a devoted father.

He worked construction throughout his life as a heavy equipment operator, but he was also a skilled carpenter. Larnie enjoyed butchering hogs and was a member of the Butcher’s Club of Warrenton.

In his spare time, he also farmed and was a rancher. He was a long time member of the Farm Bureau. He loved working his cattle and listening to polka music as well as hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Round Top Rifle Hall and the Sons of Herman. Larnie enjoyed a trip to the casino now and then.

An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, he attended two World Series to watch his team win! He loved supporting his kids in their activities, whether he was coaching or cheering them on from the sidelines. Larnie coached Little League and the lady’s softball team.

Larnie was a long time member of St. John Lutheran Church in Warrenton.

He is survived by a daughter, Nina Marburger of Austin; sons: Charles Marburger and wife, Peggy of Round Top; Marvin Marburger and wife, Michelle and Edward E. Marburger and wife, Jennifer all of Fayetteville; grandchildren: Jason Marburger and wife, Shannon; Ashley Marburger, Cody Marburger and wife Bridget; Dillon Marburger; Carter Marburger; Breanna Leonhardt and husband, Zak; and Brock Marburger and wife, Elizabeth; great-grandchildren: Cru Marburger, Marlee Leonhardt and Aubrey Marburger; and his friend, Mae Scheu of Round Top.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 48 years, Rose Marie (Meinen) Marburger.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl, La Grange. A private burial service will be held, with military honors.

Pallbearers are Jason Marburger, Cody Marburger, Dillon Marburger, Brock Marburger, Carter Marburger and Zak Leonhardt. Honorary Pallbearers are Breanna Leonhardt and Ashley Marburger.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Brazos Valley, 1048 N. Jefferson, La Grange, Texas 78945 or www.hospicebrazosvalley.org.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

St., Round Top, Texas 78954 or First United Methodist Church, 1215 N. Von Minden St., La Grange, TX 78945.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.

Finke

Aliene M. (Ullrich) Finke of Round Top, 85, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 at Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin.

Aliene was born in Round Top on Sept. 5, 1936, the first daughter of the late Jacob, Sr. and Tonie Spies Ullrich. She married Fritz E. Finke on Oct. 10, 1954 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top and they were married for 57 years before his death on Feb. 22, 2012.

As a young woman, in the 60’s, Aliene played on a woman’s softball team. She was the pitcher! Fritz was her biggest fan, cheering her on, “Come on Babe!” She loved watching baseball on TV till the end of her days. She was also an avid gardener, suppling cucumbers to many happy customers that made pickles. She always had a green thumb and had a greenhouse full of plants that she raised and donated to various fund raisers. She not only grew her own vegetables, but filled her cupboards with delicious canned vegetables. She was very active on their farm and ranch and continued her Beefmaster cattle operation with a little help from family and friends. She named all her calves. But her passion was making handmade quilts. She made pieced, embroidered, and appliqued quilts and hand quilted them all with beautiful precision stitches. She made them for her family and friends, and she donated many to local volunteer fire departments, her church and other organizations. She was very active in the Hermann Sons with her husband, Fritz. She attended the First United Methodist Church. She is survived by four sisters: Katherine Wellmann and husband, Vernon of Brenham; Christine Buscha and husband, Edward of Giddings; Tonetta Schlemmer and husband, James of Cameron and Birdie Kristoff and husband James, of Rockdale; three brothers: Lynwood Ullrich and Betty, of Brenham; Jacob Ullrich and wife, June of Lewisville; Ernest Ullrich and wife, Martha of Lexington; numerous nieces, nephews, greatnieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fritz E. Finke; brother-in-law, John Praesel; niece, Deborah Brandt and great nieces Lauren Buscha and Genna Wacker.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug., 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home, 208 W. Pearl St., La Grange. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m.

Funeral Service was held on

Poncik

Emil Frank Poncik, Jr., born in La Grange on June 16, 1931 passed away peacefully on Aug. 22, 2022. His parents were Emil and Alma Lehzen Poncik. Emil is one of five siblings and was predeceased by John, Charlie, Glenn and Joe Poncik along with brothers-inlaw, James Kollaja and Walter Chernosky (wife Alice).

Emil was drafted into the Army on Dec. 3, 1952 where he served in the Korean Conflict. After he completed his service, he graduated from Houston Adult High School in August 1961 while raising the first of his three sons with Georgia Annie Kollaja. They were married for 14 years until her passing on Jan. 6, 1972.

Emil was married to Lillian Wagner Charba on Aug. 20, 1977. They spent 32 years together until her passing on May 28, 2009. They lived in Stafford where Emil spent most of his career at WKM. Emil has three sons, Bobby (wife Jana), Gene (daughter-in-law Debbie), and Allen (wife Kim).

Lillian brought to the family Beverly Filip, Linda Koudelka, Ken Charba, Kay Hunnicut and Melissa Charba.

He is survived by his grandchildren, Trebor (wife Talen), Taylor (wife Amber), Cassie (wife Emily), Zachary, Shelby and Shane. His surviving great-grandchildren are Trulee, Avery Mae, Teague, and Hank along numerous nephews and nieces. Emil is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Linda Poncik and Doris Poncik.

A visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 S. Kirkwood Road in Stafford, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 205 E. Bell Street in Fayetteville, where Father Steve Sauser, is to officiate.

The Rite of Committal will follow, via funeral procession to St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Fayetteville.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers during Saturday’s services are Emil’s six grand-

Hackemack

Marjorie Anne Hackemack, a longtime resident of La Grange, passed away Aug. 5, 2022 at the age of 79 in Fort Worth.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Hackemack and parents Glenton and Bernice Gaertner.

She is survived by her sons, John Seidel, wife Julie of Justin, and Michael Hackemack, wife Lane of Fort Worth; siblings, Glenn Gaertner, wife Beverly of La Grange, Johnny Gaertner, wife Connie of Knoxville, Tenn., Teresa Divin and husband James of La Grange; three grandchildren, Cody Seidel, Madeline and Levi Hackemack, all of Fort Worth, and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Marjorie was a graduate of La Grange High School and Blinn Junior College before starting a long career as an Administrative Assistant, and retired from St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Marjorie was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister, and she enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was loved by all and will be missed immensely.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 at 10 a.m.

Instead of flowers the family requests donations be made in Marjorie’s memory to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation at www.msfocus.org.

Mitschke

Funeral services for Clarence Mitschke, 81 of Austin, were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester with Rev. Nate Hill and Rev. Eric Borchers officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Clarence Walter Mitschke was born on Sept. 25, 1940 in Winchester to Martin and Magdalena (Reinhardt) Mitschke. On Aug. 26, 1967, he was united in marriage to Dianna Mittasch. He worked at BAE Systems for 51 years as a machinist.

Clarence passed away the morning of Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at St. David’s in Austin.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Dianna Mitschke of Austin; two children, Karen and Tracy Robbins of Winchester and Jason Mitschke of Austin; two grandchildren, Dylan Robbins and Kaitlyn Robbins both of Winchester; three sisters-inlaw, Helen Schneider of Sinton, Kathy Pfeiffer of Winchester, and Elenora Mitschke of Austin, and many extended family and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Gid-

tronic voting in the county. The lawsuit states that the electronic voting process opens up the voting to potential “manipulation.”

Brenham Banner-Press

The Matterhorn Express pipeline, transporting natural gas from the Permian Basin in West Texas to the Katy area will pass through southeast Washington County. Construction is set to begin in June of 2023.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.

Obituaries

The Fayette County Record appreciates the many families who entrust this newspaper with obituaries for their loved ones. For complete information on publishing obituaries, call the Record office at (979) 968-3155 or email john@fayettecountyrecord.com.

Adams, Dittman Married Sunday in Fayetteville

Wedding bliss filled the square last Sunday for our beloved Jennifer Adams and Christopher Dittman.

St. John Annual Feast

The celebrations continue with the St. John the Baptist Annual Feast on Sunday, Sept. 4. Mass with polka music starts at 10 a.m. Beef, pork and sausage barbecue plates are $15. Local parish musicians will be playing live during the meal. The country auction begins at 1:30 p.m. and bingo starts at 2 p.m. Remember that a portion of the proceeds from St. Mary’s bazaar and St. John’s feast will go to benefit Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Hostyn.

Ladies Meet

The ladies of KJZT, Society

No. 10 served up Orsak’s fried chicken, bingo, bundt cakes and more at their quarterly meeting last week.

Lickskillet

Our annual Lickskillet Days Festival is coming before you know it. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 15. It kicks off that night with some great food followed by the red hot rockabilly band, Two Tons of Steel. Listen to what they’ve got going on at https://www.twotons.com/ music

On Sunday, they’ll be more vittles after the parade highlighting our Lickskillet Queen and her court. All kinds of other actvities are taking place.

Volunteers are more than welcome to join in to help with any and all. Get involved by contacting Sandra Borne atsborne705@outlook.com or

FAYETTEVILLE

News

By CINDY STEPHENS Fayetteville News Correspondent

Mike Stroup at (713) 598-6331. Here’s a small snapshot of what took place last year: https:// www.twotons.com https://www. greaterfayettevillechamber.org/ annual-events

Celebrations

Happy Birthday wishes are extended to: Gail Marino and Kenny Wied-26, Eli Svrcek-27, Matt Taylor, Minnie Chovanec and Jake Hatfield-29, Rylie Jo Noska-30, Rick Sodek-31, Stephen Korenek, Ethan Keilers, Alyssa Svrcek-Sept. 1.

Happy anniversary wishes are extended to: Jerry and Shirley Chovanec-29, Jerry and Jeanette Brown (60th)-Sept. 1.

Have news?

The deadline for sending news for this weekly column is every Sunday morning. Feel free to share what’s going on or coming up in our small town. Lots of special events, family gatherings and celebrations, home projects, community, school, business and organization activities happen around here. If it’s special to you or someone you know in our community, feel free to text, call (713) 261-0786 or email newsinfayetteville@gmail.com.

Ellinger Youth Attend Cattle Show in Bryan

ELLINGER

By CAROLYN BARTOSH Ellinger News Correspondent

The Karisch Cattle Company team attended the Emmons Ranch JBBA Cattle Show in Bryan on Saturday, Aug. 20. Rilan Karisch pulled off his first Showmanship win. He won some cash for his efforts. He has really been busy working with his heifers and his bucket calf which he will show at the Fayette County Fair Labor Day Weekend. He placed fifth in a very large class of heifers with Duchess. Rheagan Karisch placed second, fifth, and sixth with her heifers and ended in the top 15 Overall group and brought home a buckle.

Fayette County Heifer Show

The Fayette County Heifer Show and Sale is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 26 and 27 respectively. There will be approximately 130 good quality bred heifers on exhibit and for sale. The Sale gets underway at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Fairgrounds. A free will hamburger lunch will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. The meal is sponsored by the Colorado Valley Independent Cattlemen’s Association and the Fayette County Beef Committee.

This would be a great opportunity to get some good heifers for your herd; sell the older cows and restock with these younger animals while helping the youth of our area. For more information you may call (979) 9667153.

St. Mary’s Annual Bazaar

St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellinger will host its 72nd Annual Bazaar on Sunday Aug. 28. Starting at 10:30 a.m. there will be a drive-thru meal at the Ellinger Chamber of Commerce Hall consisting of fried chicken, Sausage and trimmings for $14 per plate. The meal will also be available in the hall for anyone wanting to dining-in. A prize drawing for a $5,000 gift card first prize, a $1,000 gift card second prize, thirteen $500 gift card prizes, and 18 additional prizes will be held in the afternoon. Tickets for the drawing are available from the St. John’s/

Me

FAYETTE COUNTY ADOPTABLE

The shelter currently has a lot of adult cats. These cats usually stay in their kennels because of the high traffic, the noise, the smells, the kittens etc. We have two senior cats in our “Kitty City” that really need to get out of the shelter environment. Barry (black and white) is 8 years old and was brought to us because his person became ill. We assured her that she could trust us to find him a place to spend his forever. Whiskers was a stray who showed up to a family’s home 11 years ago. They are unable to take care of him any longer. Please reach out to the shelter if you have a place in your heart for a special case and a place in a window sill needing a cat.

TO ADOPT ANY OF THESE PETS, OR OTHERS:

• Call the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter at 966-0021

HOURS:

• Visit the shelter at 240 Svoboda Lane and adopt animals on Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shelter is closed on Monday. The animal shelter will not accept surrendered animals on Saturdays.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Check the web site at www.janssenanimalshelter.org

• Email: info@janssenanimalshelter.org

• Wendie Dillard, Tech - wendie@janssenanimalshelter.org

The animal shelter is in need of puppy chow, kitten chow, dog and cat food, paper towels, candles, Pine Sol, and Lysol. All animals for adoption can be viewed online at petango.com.

St. Mary’s Parish Office, St. Mary parishioners or Fayetteville Bank. Beginning Aug. 19, an online auction will be open for bidding. Go to www.stmaryellinger.com to register as a bidder and view auction items. A portion of the profits will be given to the Re-Building Fund for the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn.

Fall Blessings

The Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County, SLM, has scheduled a joint worshipFall Blessings- for Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinger. Nov. 6 St. Paul Lutheran in Fayetteville will host an All Saints’ Day joint worship. Additionally a joint worship on Christmas Day will be held at 9 a.m. in Warrenton.

Shared Lutheran Ministry

The Shared Lutheran Ministry announces that Pastor Jill Vivroux will be the Interim Pastor beginning Sept. 5. Pastor Vivroux is a trained Interim Pastor and has most recently served at Trinity-Frelsburg and St. John New Ulm.

AMEN Food Collection

The Rutersville WELCA is collecting items for the AMEN food pantry. All SLM congrega-

tions are invited to participate. Suggested items for August include heavy duty reusable bags, cereal, boxed or canned milk, canned fruit, juices, bath soap/ liquid, tooth paste, and laundry detergent. For more information you may contact Mary Lou Fritsch.

Ellinger VFD

The Ellinger Volunteer Fire Department will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the fire station. It will drill on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Ellinger Sewer and Water

The Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Corporation will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 12 ,at 7 p.m. at the Ellinger Fire Station Fayetteville Brethren Church Fayetteville Brethren Church has services the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of each month at 10 a.m. Other services are at Industry Brethren on the second, third and fourth Saturdays at 5 p.m., Wesley Brethren on Sundays at 9 a.m. and Nelsonville Brethren on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Rev. Mike Groseclose leads all the services.

ren’s Facebook page.

Birth Announcement Madisyn and Cole Neuman are proud to announce the birth of Carson William Neumann. Baby Neumann was born at the Columbus Community Hospital at 1:00 a.m. on August 17, 2022. Carson was nineteen inches long and weighed seven pounds. He was welcomed home by his sister Aubrey. Grandparents from Ellinger are JR and Ruth Horndt.

Birthdays

Birthday Wishes are extended to the following August celebrants Douglas Minar and Patsy Hess-27; Matt Karisch and Marcia Kifer-29; Bradley Klesel-30.

Birthday Wishes are extended to the following September celebrants: Patricia Brune and Joe Ripple-5; Nathan Hess-6; Clayton Weishuhn and Chris Brugger-8; Bridgett Hinton-10; Brad Koehl-13; Lisa Weishuhn-14; Karen Richter-17; Lacey Doninguez and Karl Johnson-19; Cullen Weishuhn, Lillian Kramr, Bradley Divin, Tucker Reed Koehl, and Jeremy Gaertner-20; Gary Dorsett-22; Kayla Hartman-23; Denise Kubena and Margie Stardig-27; EJ Koehl-29; and Jonathon Cook and Larry Bartosh-30. Have News?

If you have news for the correspondent you may email her at bartoshcarolyn@gmail. com or call (979) 966-3275. You may also drop off news at her residence; mailbox on the front porch. Please get her your information by noon on Mondays.

Rilan Karisch recently competed and placed in the Emmons Ranch JBBA Cattle Show.

Rheagan Karisch placed second, fifth, and sixth with her heifers at the Emmons Ranch JBBA Cattle Show recently.

Adams/Dittman wedding party and friends.

KJZT Board with guest and Fr. Sauser.

Paul and Brooke Michie open a local nanobrewery and taproom

SPECIAL SECTIONS STAFF

Photo by Lindsey Fojtik of Studio 94

OF ROUND TOP The Cheers

Paul and Brooke Michie open Round Top Brewing, a local nanobrewery and taproom

by Kirsten Cornell

Photo by Lindsey Fojtik

It is not often that our careers marry our favorite things in life. However, for Paul and Brooke Michie, their culinary adventure has done exactly that.

Pairing their passions for food, beer, and hospitality, the couple opened Round Top Brewing which has quickly become a destination for locals and travelers alike.

Culinary Roots

For Paul, an appreciation for good food started at an early age as he worked and cooked alongside his mother who was a caterer for decades. “Her creativity, passion, and drive were inherited and infectious,” he shares.

Paul carried those skills with him to college at the University of Texas – Austin where he worked as a line cook while studying Fine Arts. And where he would meet his bride, Brooke. After graduation, he continued working in the food and beverage industry, landing at Alamo Drafthouse. As the director of food and beverage as well as kitchen design, Paul was instrumental in creating what is now a vast beer program for the franchise.

During this time, he connected with the Craft Brewer’s convention and hosted a series of wildly popular events, building relationships with other brewers. “This community of brewers and craft beer folks is known for its collaborative nature, and I found myself understanding the appeal of brewing at a different scale, professionally,” he adds.

After a decade of restaurant kitchen experience, Paul earned a culinary degree and then followed it up with over a decade more experience at a restaurant group which proved to be a fruitful decision. Today, he is still making the food and bev decisions, only as a chef, owner, and brewer at Round Top Brewing.

Magic in Meals

While Brooke grew up the only daughter of two Psychology graduate students and teachers, it was her love for travel and culture that would bring the spice to their destined venture.

Traveling the world on frequent flier miles thanks to her dad’s sales calls, Brooke quickly fell in love with exploring. “When I was a child, I was particularly smitten with Austria and Germany,” she recalls. “I kept a journal and drawing notebook that recorded the places and sense memories I saw, heard, smelled, and tasted. I remember being blown away by the beauty of Bavaria.”

As they traveled through Austria and Italy, the hospitality left quite an impression on young Brooke, making her feel both welcomed and excited by life.

In later travels to France and the United Kingdom, she was of legal age to experience beer and wine culture in a way she had not yet understood back home. “The notion of pairing flavors from the same regions or seasons struck me as such a natural thing to do,” she says. “The magic of these meals forever colored my joyful wonder around food and drink and the way those experiences get shared by true and caring professionals.”

One particularly momentous trip was when Brooke and Paul took some time to explore Belgium and the Netherlands. From a true local, they were able to root into the beer

Deviled local farm eggs

Photo by Lindsey Fojtik

Round Top Brewing interior

Photo by Barry Fantich

Photo by Barry Fantich

and food of Belgium which they describe as elegant and approachable at the same time. “Ancient beer recipes and production methods are simply standard and enjoyed as a part of everyday life for all different types of people,” she says.

Those shared experiences and ignited passions would inform many of the decisions that led to what now stands as a nanobrewery and taproom.

On A Quest

After years of homebrewing and working in the food and beer business, Paul met and befriended many talented people. “I volunteer brewed over the years with friends at various places including Real Ale at their tiny first location, 512 Brewing, Family Business Brewing, NXNW, and have held many beer dinners and events with conventions, supper clubs, and restaurants I worked with,” he says. “At one such event, I was introduced to industry leaders and forged friendships that I value and connect with to this day.”

Paul took his love of beer to the level of “quest for understanding by doing” and was curious about what made beer taste and smell like it did. His family has an agricultural background and was always growing, fishing, hunting, cooking, and making useful things. “It was a natural inclination to do it yourself in our family,” he laughs.

Inspired by their own experiences with travel and with so many years in the hospitality and service industry, the Michies knew that this was what we wanted to do for others. “It is what led us to the next part of our long journey of learning, working, and sharing our love of food and beer,” Brooke shares.

“An Incredible Culinary Experience at a Comfortable Place...the food is above average and the environment is so comfortable. You can easily spend hours here with friends. Great Patio space. There’s corn hole, a fire pit, and lots of outdoor seating...”

- Carrina R.

Photo by Lindsey Fojtik

Brooke and Paul checking metrics on their brew.

Photo by Lindsey Fojtik

Guest Experience

The couple always knew food would be an important part of their brewery and wanted to showcase beer with food as a natural pairing. “It is such an important part of our lives that it would certainly be integral to our model,” Brooke says.

While they waited for the finishing touches on their nanobrewery, they were able to roll out the kitchen and guest beers, dialing in the menu and playing with seasons and specials—showing guests what they could expect from the new hot spot. Paul’s duck confit tacos are now a frequently requested item.

“We care deeply about our guests, their experience here with us, and the quality of food and drinks,” Brooke adds. “Our biggest care is how they feel when they are here, and we hope they remember their time fondly when they leave.”

Palate Pleasing

Creating new brews is part of the challenge, but also part of the fun. “We usually start with something we are excited to brew or drink,” Paul explains. “We really appreciate a simple approach to classic styles where the fine ingredients and careful techniques can speak for themselves.”

The Michies describe a good brew as one that begins with a clear direction of what you wish to create, a precise recipe, methodical production and record-keeping, and pristine sanitation. “Flavor is subjective, but metrics for certain

qualities are goals we try to achieve,” says Brooke. “At the end of the day, if it pleases the palate and helps someone enjoy their life at that moment, that is a good beer.”

While it may sound like a simple concept, the process takes time and well-balanced chemistry.

First, malted barley (and other grains depending on the brew), is heated creating a “mash.” The sugary liquid from this mash, called wort, gets transferred and heated again. “Hops are added at specific points in the process to achieve either flavor, aroma or bitterness depending on the timing of the addition and type of hop used,” Paul explains.

Once the liquid is cooled rapidly and transferred again, yeast is added to consume the sugars in the wort and begin fermentation, which produces alcohol. It will ferment for a period before the yeast is removed, and then it will sit (usually cold and temperaturecontrolled) to clarify, develop flavors, and mature to be a great brew.

Early fan favorites included a SMaSH pale ale, brown ale, and an old-world-style pilsner. Currently, they are excited to be working on a Kölsch-style recipe.

In the Moment

While this husband-and-wife team still considers themselves as “starting out,” they are excited to be doing something they love and seeing each other shine in the process. “Paul is hardworking and talented with more experience than

Round Top Brewing exterior

Photo by Lindsey Fojtik

he’d ever feel comfortable sharing,” Brooke shares with a smile. “He has everything it takes, and it is very gratifying to see him move forward in his passion and skill.”

They approach everything with unbridled curiosity and express that life still has much to teach them. “If it takes 10 years of doing something to be an expert, we are honored to be on that first leg of the decade, at least professionally speaking,” Paul adds.

This phase of their venture is ever-changing, exciting, and interesting with new experiences and full of massive physical output. It undoubtedly keeps them on their toes and in the moment. “We work in different areas of the business as well as alongside each other,” Brooke explains. “We love to cross-train and so I’m learning kitchen skills from the best and he’s learning customer service from a true pro, too.”

The couple enthusiastically invites everyone to visit the Cheers of Round Top. “Our crew is kindhearted and enthusiastic,” the couple shares. “We literally know your name and are always glad you came.”

Photo by Lindsey Fojtik

Photo by Barry Fantich

Our popular pulled pork sandwich paired with our Kölsch Hour beer

WITAJĆE K’NAM, Welcome to Wendish Fest, Y’all!

by Chelsea Beck, Texas Wendish Heritage Society Executive Director

Celebrating 50 years of TWHS because of these ladies who founded the society.

Where do homemade noodles, sauerkraut, a bird wedding, Christmas, Easter, stick horse races, greased flagpole climbing, beets and beer come together? Wendish Fest in Serbin, Texas, that’s where!

Wendish Fest is a special day of celebration dedicated to sharing the compelling history, culture, and heritage of the Wends, a slavic group, who came to Texas in 1854, eager to build their homes and preserve their faith and traditions. The Texas Wendish Heritage Society and Museum in Serbin, Texas will host the 34th Annual Wendish Fest on Sunday, September 25, 2022. The Texas Wendish Heritage Society (TWHS) is celebrating its 50th anniversary and all are invited to come and join in the festivities.

Wendish Fest begins at St. Paul Lutheran Church, one of the painted churches of Texas, with worship services in English & German . After that, everyone comes down to the picnic grounds for a noon meal of Wendish noodles, sausage, sauerkraut, beets, green beans, peaches, and homemade bread. Dessert is homemade coffee cake, a Lee & Fayette County delicacy. During Wendish Fest, the TWHS holds a coffee cake competition and auctions off the winning cakes to benefit their scholarship program. If you’re still hungry after all of that, at two in the afternoon, the snack booth opens selling sausage, sauerkraut, drumsticks, and noodles. We also serve iced tea, coffee, sodas, and, of course, iced cold beer. A few area schools raise money by selling popcorn and snow cones in the afternoon. If you’d like to take a taste of Wendish Fest home with you, we sell dry noodles, raw sausage, mustard and candy from Germany, pickles, sauerkraut and more.

The day is jam-packed with all sorts of activities for all ages. Don’t miss the Ptaci Kwas (the Bird Wedding) as students from St. Paul Lutheran School share a fun Wendish tradition on stage. The Shiner Hobo Band will take the stage from 1:30 to 4:00 following the live auction. Sprawled across the picnic grounds and museum complex, there will be many demonstrators including Wendish egg decorating, noodle-making, sausage stuffings, sauerkraut making, blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, looming, basket weaving, a Civil War living history booth, and much more! Some of these demonstrators offer small vendor booths with products like fresh ground cornmeal, homemade soap, wine, handmade bonnets, and other handmade items. There will also be German-style Christmas and Easter markets in the museum complex. Other activities including a washer pitching tournament, silent auction, and a cross cut sawing demonstration will take place throughout the day.

For the kids, there are a number of fun, classic activities to participate in. There is a Wendish coloring contest, a kid’s

Evelyn Buchhorn demonstrating cutting Wendish noodles by hand.

Photo by Joyce Hinze

Kids participating in the cross-cut saw demonstration

Photo by Joyce Hinze

The buffet line at Wendish Fest 2021

Photo by Joyce Hinze

coffee cake competition, face painting, a train ride and stick horse races for a full afternoon’s worth of fun. If your kids are brave enough, they can participate in “Kletternpfostern,” or greased pole climb and try their hand at climbing a flagpole, a long-standing tradition. Also, have the kids on the lookout for the Midday Lady, “Přezpołdnica”, dressed in white, the Braska, who leads the wedding party in a top hat, and, perhap others dressed to introduce the crowd to Wendish folklore and traditions.

If you enjoy history, the museum and church will be open for tours all day. In the museum complex, you can learn all about Wendish history, culture and heritage as well as life in Texas from the 1850’s on. If you are of Wendish descent and want to learn more about what it means to be a Wend, genealogy, and all things research related, please visit the main museum building to speak with our volunteers in the only Wendish genealogical research library outside of Germany. Our volunteers would love to share their knowledge and deep pride in all things Wendish with you and your family. We invite you to wear your bonnet or straw hat and join us for a fun-filled family day of all things Wendish - Food, folklore, folkways and fun!

A “UNIQUELY TEXAS” COUNTRY WINERY

We invite you to visit our quaint, Texas country winery and tasting room nestled at the edge of our 4 acre vineyard. We are located a little “o -the-beaten-path”, but once you arrive, we hope you’ll sit back, relax and enjoy the laid-back and fun atmosphere of our little piece of the

“Kletternpfostern,”

or greased pole climb

Photo by Joyce Hinze

No reservations or presale tickets for the meal, just come on over & buy your plate at the event or drive thru!

Scan here for Giddings

Lodging information!

When you’re ready for some authentic German cuisine, grab a seat on the Fayette County Courthouse Lawn.

Oktoberfest attendees come out dressed in the spirit!

Oktoberfest staff are sure to serve you with a smile!

Oktoberfest in La Grange

by Caleb Parks

Fayette County has deep German roots and the Rotary Club of La Grange’s Oktoberfest on the Square pays homage to those roots. This year, October 1st marks the welcome return of the best little Oktoberfest in Texas, right on the Fayette County Courthouse lawn. Going into its 7th year, the festival will feature more than 80 varieties of craft beer, wine tasting, authentic German cuisine, and live music.

The general admission ticket includes 12 samples of either beer or wine, entrance into the event tent with live music, and a commemorative pint glass. A commemorative t-shirt will also be available for purchase. Only 500 tickets are available for this year’s event which is designed for the entire family, including activities to entertain the kids provided by Pure Country 4-H. Many attendees dress in fraulein and lederhosen attire to get in the spirit of Oktoberfest at this family-friendly event.

The annual festival will feature live music from the Dujka Brothers and Michael Mach. And of course, Oktoberfest would not be complete without a meal of Pork Schnitzel and Sausage, complemented with sides of homemade sauerkraut and German noodles, topped off with a dessert of German Chocolate cake. If you don’t have room for it all, then you didn’t come prepared!

Oktoberfest on the Square benefits the fundraising efforts of the Rotary Club of La Grange. This local Rotary Club supports programs that annually provide $12,000 in local scholarships to graduating high school seniors as well as donations to many local charities throughout the year.

Organizers advise purchasing your tickets prior to the event. Once the schnitzel is gone, it’s gone until next year, of course, unless you have an “Oma.” General admission and meal tickets are available both online and at the Historic Casino Hall in La Grange. For more information on Oktoberfest on the Square, contact the La Grange Visitors Bureau at (979) 968-3017 or visit www.VisitLaGrangeTX.com.

SILVER

GOLD SPONSORS

LA GRANGE

Electric Motor Service

Chuck Mazac

Rotary Club of La Grange presents

TOURSBackroad County

by Brad Voelkel

Have you ever been somewhere or had a conversation with someone and it sparks an idea that you just can’t quit? That is what happened to Brad Voelkel one afternoon at a family gathering in March 2021 at the Shelby Store in Shelby, Tx. There was a lot of conversation about how fun it would be to charter a bus and go down all the backroads visiting little country stores in the area for drinks, food and shenanigans. It was at that moment that Brad said he wanted to try and organize a family field trip! The next day after much research on charter buses, he found that nothing like this existed in the Round Top or surrounding areas. He could only find this service in Houston, Austin or College Station.

It was at this point that the light bulb went off; Brad saw a need in the community for a bus tour offering shuttle service to the local country stores, bars, wineries, distilleries and breweries. What a better way to bounce between local watering holes without having to worry with who the designated driver would be.

Over the next few months, Brad put together a business plan and budget for a possible new venture and exit plan from the corporate world! He spent countless nights staying up late researching this new endeavor and the more research he did the more excited he became about the idea of becoming a business owner and living the American Dream. In April 2021, only one month later, he purchased his first bus in Houston. Over the

next couple of months, he worked on making minor repairs, updates and re-upholstering each of the 17 seats in the bus.

On July 4, 2021 Backroad Country Tours was born! What better way to kick it off than being part of one of the oldest Independence Day parades in Round Top, TX. The first guests on board, of course, were the family members that inspired him to start the business in the first place. It was a rainy day, but it didn’t stop everyone from having a good time celebrating America and Backroad Country Tours.

So, what does Backroad Country Tours do and where do they go? Backroad Country Tours provides front door pickup from local residential homes, bed & breakfasts and various assigned locations in the area. You can choose a 4-hour tour which visits 3 venues or a 6-hour tour which visits 5 venues in the Round Top/Fayetteville area. The 14-passenger bus has perimeter seating so everyone faces each other, which is great for conversation. If you have a large group and would like the bus to yourselves, chartering a private tour is also an option.

The tours rotate on a regular basis between 12 different venues in the Round Top area. You can find out more about what each has to offer by visiting their website at www.backroadcountrytours.com If you like wine, beer, whiskey or mixed drinks you can

always count on Backroad Country Tours to take you to the places that are fun! Many of the venues provide live music, games and food on the weekends.

Many of his guests say that being on his bus is like a party on wheels – and you can’t have a party without music! Brad gives you the option to take control by listening to your personal music or you can listen to the playlist that has been specifically tailored for his tours. There is rock, country, German polkas, drinking songs and the most favorite of them all are the sing-along songs! You can always hear them rolling down a backroad singing “Take Me Home Country Road” or “ Sweet Caroline…good times never seemed so good!”

Over the past year Backroad Country Tours has hosted many special events aboard their bus. Bachelorette parties, company Christmas parties, a veterans get-together and end of year teachers parties, just to name a few.

If there is a special occasion or you just want to get away and have a little fun without the worries of who will be driving after the party is over, then do yourself a favor and book a tour with Backroad Country Tours and let them do the driving, while you do the drinking. Come

Brad Voelkel greets you with a smile

ARTS ROSS GALLERY Offers the Finer Things

by Harley Good

Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS) provides fine art exhibitions for residents of and visitors to Fayette County. These exhibits are held in the Ross Gallery located at ARTS’ main campus in Fayetteville and feature artists of national recognition along with special events that highlight regional artists. In the gallery, visitors can find artwork that varies from paintings to fiber arts to sculpture to woodworking and more. Here, patrons can view world class art in a friendly and open environment.

In addition to presenting professional works, each August, the gallery is filled with artwork by students in grades 6 through 12, all participating in the annual Emerging Artists competition and vying for the $3500 in prize money. Then in December, the creatives from the region bring delightfully unique, original works to present in the Holiday Show when ARTS celebrates all the talented residents in the region. It’s a time to share and to celebrate.

ARTS’ Ross Gallery provides leading artists in quality, yet friendly, exhibitions. Leading the region in its display of artwork, the gallery welcomes everyone to visit and stay awhile. ARTS offers education and cultural experiences to the rural communities in south central Texas. The gallery also offers a space where performances, lectures and art talks are given. It is a gathering place, a place to learn, a place to enjoy, a place to share.

It is the organization’s desire to nurture artistic excellence and creative thinking while elevating the quality of life and economic development in all of the communities. Through the gallery exhibits, ARTS provides cultural experiences that are generally only found in the metropolitan areas. Quality artwork, exquisite performances, educational speakers all come together to provide exceptional opportunities to all that live in or visit the region.

The organization is currently approaching its twentieth year in service and has a mission to enrich lives through art education with an emphasis on programs for children. ARTS is guided by the belief that the children in rural communities must have art experiences as part of their basic education to develop skills in creativity, confidence, dedication, problem solving and accountability, traits that lead to success in work and life. Arts for Rural Texas not only encourages children to create with their hands and minds, they teach the children of today to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Skills gained through engaging in the creative process are applicable to all careers and lifestyles. Creativity is perhaps the greatest asset a community can possess and cultivate. It is essential that children in rural areas be offered these learning opportunities in order to better compete in the workplace with those growing up in urban communities.

In conjunction with the youth programs, ARTS has a bevy of activities for adults as well. Along with the gallery exhibits, the organization offers the Spectrum Lecture Series, an informative series from people of diverse and interesting backgrounds. Performances and art exhibitions are included along with adult workshops and classes. There is a diverse offering for all interests.

Because the arts contribute to the economic development and growth in communities, the organization brings an exceptional offering to the rural area it serves. At ARTS families can share time, play together, learn together, and grow together. ARTS offers visitors the opportunity to discover the quality of a small town, the deep roots of families, fun filled education, and accessibility to successful lives. Arts for Rural Texas – small town, big dreams.

The Tasting Room is set on a hill north of Fayetteville, just two miles from Warrenton. It's a farm for sure, so you'll see our 60+ free range chickens, 6 alpacas, 5 donkeys, and the vineyard. So, come to our tasting room, drink wine, listen to stories, make new friends (furry and feathered alike) and stay a while. There's a stool waiting for you!

Who’s on the Trail?

BLISSFUL FOLLY FARM

BLUE MULE WINERY

BUSTED OAK CELLARS

CAST IRON WINERY

MAJEK VINEYARD & WINERY

ROSEMARY’S VINEYARD

U BAR WINERY

WHISTLING DUCK WINERY

WINE TRAIL Texas Independence

Fayette County’s Wine Trail Guide

by Kara Koether

What exactly is a wine trail, and how long have they been around? Well, a wine trail is essentially a group of wineries that have formed an association, of sorts, and work together to bring visitors and customers to both their wineries and local regions. Initially, wine trails began forming in the northeastern United States before spreading to the Midwest and across the Atlantic to Europe. The wineries that make up a single wine trail continue to compete with one another, while also coming together to form an entirely new “brand.” For wine and mead enthusiasts in Fayette County and the surrounding area, the “brand” is the Texas Independence Wine Trail.

The Texas Independence Wine Trail is made up of eight wineries and meaderies: Blue Mule Wines in Fayetteville, Blissful Folly Farm (also known as Rohan Meadery) in La Grange, Rosemary’s Vineyard in La Grange, Cast Iron Winery in Sealy, Whistling Duck Winery in Weimar, Majek Vineyard & Winery in Schulenburg, U Bar Winery in Bellville and Busted Oak Cellars in Carmine.

What makes this wine trail unique is that all of the wineries involved are smaller wineries, sometimes called “boutique wineries.” This implies that when guests visit the winery, the owner and winemakers are typically there, which makes for a much more personal experience. It also enables guests to learn more about the wine they’re tasting.

Additionally, each winery has its own events held throughout the year, including live music, grape stomps, yarn festivals, and more. However, there are also certain seasonal events which are held throughout the year that all eight of the wineries participate in. This year they are doing a “Christmas Ornament Hunt” where participants will get a full tasting and Ornament from each of the wineries they go to. The event runs from Nov 1- Dec 31, 2021.

The Texas Independence Wine Trail is a self-guided tour that guests can traverse any time of the year. There’s no particular order necessary, which is nice for guests as it allows them to take their time and enjoy each experience at their own convenience.

A local favorite, Rohan Meadery’s Cranberry Artisanal Honeywine.

Busted Oak Cellars has a varied wine selection along with many items on their menu including a charcuterie board.

Maker of Premium Handcrafted Aged Rum. Locally Produced and Distilled in Hallettsville, TX.

Schützenfest Celebrating 150 Years

by Ronny Sacks

The year was 1873. The newly formed Round Top Schuetzen Verein was organized, and staged its first Schuetzenfest on the outskirts of Round Top somewhere along Boggy Branch. The German immigrants, by this time, had their farms, businesses and the Town of Round Top incorporated and up and running. The Civil War, and the ensuing aftermath of this major event was now behind them. It was time to re-awaken the time honored shooting festival, which had been so popular in their homeland. Eight short years after this formation, the Verein purchased 5 acres of land on the banks of Boggy Branch from the Graf family. The following year, the Verein purchased an additional 5.5 acres from the same family and erected a dance hall, a shooting stand, and a beer stand which was completed in time for the 4th of July Celebration in 1882. This shooting feast has been ongoing, without interruption during 2 World Wars, the Great Depression, and several other major wars and events. Many of the current members can trace their ancestry back to the gentlemen who formed the club in 1873.

This year marks the 150th Annual Schuetzenfest. A very special milestone for the club and community. Such an achievement deserves a party!! And the party has been planned. Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th, have been set aside for this once in a life time event. An entourage from Germany, inclusive of a 20 member Bavarian Band, are scheduled to help the Texans celebrate. The two day festival begins on Saturday at 4pm with musical performances by Texas Bavarian Band from Erkheim in Germany and the ever popular yodeling group, Enzian Buam from Frelsburg. Of course, on tap will be some very fine beers along with Wurst, Kartoffel (potatoes) and kohlsalat (coleslaw) for an evening meal.

The Bavarian Band will be presenting a Bavarian Evening complete with yodelers, singers, alphorns, beer drinking contest and a stein holding (Masskrugstemmen) contest. This special presentation will again be performed on Sunday, beginning at 3:00 PM.

On Sunday, the shooting competition will commence early in the morning and conclude once the new Schuetzenkoenig (Shooting King) has proven that he is the best marksman. This event is closed to the public due to liability concerns. The Schuetzenhalle (Rifle Hall) will open at 2:00 PM and the celebrated performance of the Texas Bavarian Band will commence at 3:00PM. At 5:PM the crowning of the new Schuetzenkoenig ceremony will begin. After leading the victor’s march, he will be hoisted high into the air 3 times to the strains of the shooter’s fanfare Hoch soll Er leben….. drei mal hoch (Hail to the King, 3 times Hail). The Koenig, as tradition has it, must tap the Ceremonial Keg and serve his subjects free beer. An evening meal of pork steak, sausage and all the trimmings will be available at a reasonable price. Meal to be catered by Gary Goebel and Crew. The evening culminates with dancing to the Gary Kunkel Band. All activities are free of charge.

Visit www.roundtoprifle.com for more information or visit them on facebook.

OktoBierFest

by Ronny Sacks

It’s hard to believe, but 10 years have passed since the first OktoBierFest was held at the Round Top Rifle Assn., aka Round Top Schuetzen Verein founded in 1873. The first one was all about “beer tasting” but quickly evolved into a full fledged Oktoberfest ie. Bavaria’s Munich’s salute to Bier and Bavarian folk culture. And for Texas, what better place than in Round Top, Texas which was known as “klein Deutschland” years ago due to the heavy influx of German immigration during the last half of the 19th century. Being sponsored by the Rifle Assn., the oldest German club in Fayette County seemed to have a nice fit. The members of the Assn., have been honing their skills for generations, not only marksmanship, but putting on a party that rivals the best!

Success has been achieved by having a beautiful setting known as “Schuetzen Park” developed in 1881 and 1882, some of the best German cooking this side of the Atlantic and true German musical entertainment, the best found anywhere in the States! But let’s not forget our middle name, Bier. Many varieties imported from Germany, such as Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner and many others, plus great state side brews such as Altstadt Biers from Fredericksburg. Most are on tap, straight out of the barrel!

This year’s Fest is scheduled for the 4th Saturday in Oktober on the 22nd beginning at 11AM, the tapping of the traditional ceremonial keg at 12, and continuing all day til closing at 8PM.

Entertainment scheduled include Auf Geht’s, a great Alpine/ Bavarian group excelling in yodeling/singing and master’s of their instruments, Enzian Buam, another excellent yodel/ singing ensemble from Frelsburg, Tx., and the Round Top Brass Band bringing that real taste of “Blasmusik” from the old country. Some fun Oktoberfest games such as Masskrugstemmen (Stein Holding contest) and the good old Saufmaschine (drinking machine) are on tap (pun intended). All in all, a great combination of food, drink and Musik, that is hard to beat. Come and have some Bratwurst & Pork Chops with us. You won’t be disappointed!

For more info please visit www.roundtoprifle.com and of course on Facebook. Schuetzen Park is located at 710 FM1457, Round Top, Tx. 78954

How to pair wine with DIFFERENT CUTS OF MEAT

Wine enthusiasts insist that nothing can make a meal more flavorful than a good wine. A great pairing of wine and food can make for a memorable meal that people can savor long after the last dish has made its way into the dishwasher.

It’s easy for novice wine drinkers to become intimidated when tasked with pairing wines. That’s especially the case when pairing wine with meat. No two cuts of meat are the same, which means a wine that pairs well with one cut may not pair as well with another.

The wine experts at Wine Folly (winefolly.com) note that leaner cuts of meat tend to pair well with lighter wines. For fans of richer, fattier cuts of meat, high tannin wines can cut through the fat and make for a flavorful pairing. If that isn’t specific enough to make pairing wine and meat less confusing, individuals can consider these pairing suggestions for popular cuts of meat.

Filet mignon

Filet mignon is among the most popular and expensive cuts of meat. The cost of filet mignon can make pairing it with wine even more intimidating. Wine Folly recommends pairing filet mignon with a Merlot or Merlot-based red blend, a Touriga Nacional or a Mencía. Each of these wines capably complements the subtle flavor of filet mignon and bring out its natural flavor.

New York strip steak

New York strip steak, sometimes referred to as shell steak or Kansas City strip, should come out tender when cooked correctly. The meat experts at Massachusetts-based Butcher Boy Market note that a Cabernet Sauvignon-New York strip pairing is a classic combination. Though red wines are often the recommended pairing with meat, Butcher Boy Market notes that white wine, and champagne in particular, pairs well with New York strip steak. Wine Folly also notes that reds like Blaufränkish, an Austrian red, and a blend of Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre (GSM) also pair very well with New York strips.

Rib-eye

An especially flavorful cut of steak, the rib-eye is favored by people who like a big cut of meat. Wine Folly notes that a Sonoma or Napa Valley Zinfandel pairs very well with grilled ribeyes. High tannin wines can cut through the fat of ribeyes, but Wine Folly also notes that wines such as an Amarone della Valpolicella or Valpolicella

Superiore Ripasso that have a strong fruit flavor can pair well because they contrast the natural flavor of the ribeye.

Sirloin

Sirloin is a leaner cut of meat that can still taste great when grilled. Wine Folly recommends a range of reds and cooks can choose one based on how they’re seasoning the meat or which sauce they’re using. For example, a French Syrah pairs well with butter sauces. Wine Folly also notes that Spanish Tempranillo or Montepulciano d’Abruzzo pair well with sirloin.

The right wine can make cuts of meat like filet mignon, ribeye and sirloin taste even better.

Oh! Mega 3 WEISE FARMS WANGUS

by Becky Weise

After one bite of Wagyu Beef we knew it was something we wanted to raise on Weise Farms. The flavor is rich and delicious, marbled and tender.

At the time, our herd was predominately Black Angus. And there is nothing wrong with a good Angus steak. But, since it was time to replace our Angus bull, buying a Wagyu replacement bull was on the the table.

In our research, we found that some Wagyu cattle carry a special mutation of a gene known as Stearoyl CA desaturase, or SCD, that changes fat into a rich Omega 3 healthy fat. This preferred fat has a low melting point, similar to coconut oil. Not all Wagyu cattle will have this gene, but we wanted ours to have it. And since we prefer grain-finished beef, this gene allows us to have a healthy fat, with melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that we all know and love.

Mission Accomplished. We bought a bull that had been DNA tested to have the preferred SCD AA gene while also scoring a 7 on the tenderness scale from 1-10. And even better, he had an ultrasound that gave a glimpse of a very nice long ribeye area.

We also decided to buy a couple of registered Wagyu cows. With the help of the American Wagyu Association, we located two cow-calf pairs, all with the same SCD AA, DNA tested low melting point, healthy fat gene, and tenderness scores of 6 and 7. The calves that came with the cows were heifers, and that gave us four purebred breeders and the bull.

Our goal was to have the best of both worlds. We wanted to raise pure Wagyu, but also raise the perfect cross with Angus. The result is deliciously marbled Wangus.

Angus and Wagyu are both known for low birth weights and ease of calving. A notable difference between the two is that Angus mothers produce more milk, allowing the calves to grow much faster than purebred Wagyu.

It takes approximately 3 years to raise a purebred Wagyu to the appropriate size for the freezer. And very soon, we will enjoy our first 100% Wagyu Beef. I can’t wait!

Raising delicious beef and offering it to the local community is something we feel passionate about. Our calves are weaned in the pastures of Weise Farms where they spend the first part of their life grazing in open fields. Our grain-finished calves are indeed healthy because of the genetics we have chosen.

We raise happy, healthy, pastured animals, and finish them on grain from locally owned feed mills who buy locally grown grain from local farmers. We process the meat locally at USDA and State certified processing plants to ensure quality.

Knowing where your food comes from is so important. Find a farmer you trust and buy local.

addition to beef, Weise Farms sells lamb, chicken, turkeys, eggs, and homemade noodles and pastas.