The Hometown Press 02-03-2021

409-296-BANK

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Volume 32, Issue 5

Crews Respond to Small Fire

Fire crews responded to a small barn fire last week in Stowell, Texas. Photo credit: Kathy Boone.

By Wade Thibodeaux aid from the Oak   Crews with the Island Double Bayou Chambers County Fire Department, the Emergency Services Hankamer Department, District No.1 and Wallisville VFD, and the Winnie Stowell the Anahuac VFD. The Volunteer Fire small barn was located Department responded extremely close to the to a small animal barn house and the Firemen that was on fire last were able to extinguish Thursday, January 28, the flames quickly 2021 in the 200 block before any major of East 4th Street in damage was sustained Stowell, Texas. These by the residence. crews received mutual

Hundreds Line Up for Vaccination in Chambers County

Many cars were lined up waiting for their occupants to have a chance to receive the Covid-19 vaccination last Thursday at the Chambers County sponsored event at White's Park. Photo credit Roxanne Chandler.

By Wade Thibodeaux  Chambers County conducted their second drive thru Covid-19 vaccination operation last Thursday, January 28, 2021 at White's Park in Hankamer, Texas. The County had pre registered about 1200 individuals, but some technical issues with internet service as well as many people showing up hours Veterans purchase their before their scheduled own piece of Texas time and causing and secure a better traffic issues caused financial future. There is no better place for Veterans than right here in Texas."

Specifically, the Board approved increasing the maximum home loan limit of $510,400 to $548,250, matching current Federal Housing Administration limits.

The rate locks will be effective on January 29, 2021.

The Board accepted land loan interest rate of 6.95 percent for Veterans, a reduction from 7.25 percent. The interest rate change By Wade Thibodeaux Brian applies to land loan  Sheriff reports applications made on Hawthorne January 29, 2021 and that, in the late night hours on January later.

Additionally, the Board 6th, 2021, Deputies approved a minimum with the Chambers bidding price reduction County Sheriff’s Office to DJ’s and offered no-down responded payment on four land Grocery, located at IH-10 and FM 61, in tracts. The reduction in reference to an armed minimum bid amounts robbery. Upon arrival, ranges from 4 to 59 it was reported that percent off the current multiple actors wearing asking price. masks, entered the

everyone scheduled in the afternoon to be cancelled. This has prompted a brand new plan that will see a static location of McCleod Park in Mt. Belvieu and it will be a walk up service instead of a drive thru. The number of scheduled persons will be reduced to around 600 per day and a phone line as well as computer registration will be set up for persons to register.

You must register before

being able to receive the vaccination and officials with the County are warning those registered to not show up until 15 minutes before your designated time or you will be turned away until your reservation time arrives. This is a large undertaking

by Chambers County and involves multiple departments for traffic control, scheduling, verification, and other behind the scenes

activities before the vaccine can be injected, not to mention the actual manpower needed to administer the shot. Once the procedural issues are worked out and all of the operations are flowing smoothly, Chambers County could be a model for other County's to follow. Continue to monitor social media as well as local media for the next event in Chambers County.

firearm and demanding money. An undisclosed amount of money was taken from the business and the actors fled the area in a vehicle that was parked nearby.

Approximately two weeks later, on January 19th, the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 8100 block of SH-146 in reference to a similar armed robbery. Shortly after this report, a business brandishing a second report of an

armed robbery was reported again at DJ’s Grocery. After reviewing security video footage, It became apparent to Detectives that the same individuals were most likely responsible for all three robberies. It has been determined that these individuals have been responsible for numerous other armed robberies from Baytown to Orange at various gas stations over the last month. Through joint

efforts from multiple law enforcement agencies along the IH-10 corridor in Southeast Texas, the robbery suspects were identified.

On January 28, 2021, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office Detective Paul Vest obtained arrest warrants for K’Leb Diamond, 17, Eddie Thomas, 17, and Moses Rhine, 20, as well as one juvenile male for Engaging in (contd on page 3)

VLB Board Approves Increase to Home Loan Limits, Reduce Land Loan Rates  The Veterans Land Board unanimously approved three critical changes for Texas Veterans benefits. With home prices on the rise, the VLB unanimously authorized an increase to the maximum home loan amount the VLB can approve for Veterans seeking homeownership. The VLB also unanimously approved a reduction in the price of several tracts of land available for sale to Texas Veterans, following new appraisal data.

The votes took place on January 28, 2021 during the first Board meeting of the year. “Veterans across Texas trust the VLB to make constant changes and updates that continue to make us an exceptional resource for their land, home, and home improvement loan needs," said VLB Chairman and Land Commissioner Bush.

"I am excited to kick off 2021 off with this news that helps

50 cents

Chambers County Sheriff's Office Arrests Robbers

Get Paid for Getting Your Morning Coffee

Earn cash back on everyday debit card purchases with Kasasa Cash BackÂŽ checking at Texas First Bank.

Apply Online: WWW.TEXASFIRST.BANK/KASASA

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Disclaimer: This column is the opinion of Publisher Wade A. Thibodeaux and may contain subject matter on a variety of topics, but usually contains humor of some description. An occasional serious thought may be thrown in to entice the reader to think.

Wade In the Shade

by Wade Thibodeaux I participate in a once a week lead group and it's really more like family than it is business because we look out for each other, take care of each other, care about each other , and oh yeah, we refer business to each other. This last Thursday I was sitting there listening to everybody talk about their business and the guy that was talking before it was my turn was saying that his storage units were full and business was really good and the thought occurred to me that it's possible that as Americans, collectively we just have too much stuff.

There are storage units all over town and I'm betting that most of them are full and they are still building new ones and I'm betting that those will fill up as well.

Most people can't get their cars into their garage because of stuff in the garage other than the car that the garage was supposedly built for in the first place and yet we continue to accumulate

stuff. I'd recommend taking all of our stuff to the landfill, but those are getting full and trash disposal is going to be a problem in the near future.

How much stuff do we really need??? I think back about 50 years when I was just a pup and realized how much my parents didn't have, yet they were perfectly happy with what they did have and didn't know just exactly what they were missing.

However, my Dad put the one family car in the garage every night to protect it and to allow my Mother to get in the car when it was raining without getting her hair wet.

Now, the three or four cars that we have are outside in the rain and the frost on the windshields during the cold times because we have too much stuff in the garage and we couldn't decide which two of the four would go in the garage anyway. Inside the house is not much different as we have tv's in every room, all kinds of

Opinion & Entertainment gadgets scattered around everywhere, and fully stocked kitchens with various machines to prepare almost any meal. Trust me when I tell you that my Mother was able to cook three meals a day for almost 70 years with just a few pots and utensils.

I'm not pointing a finger at anybody because I'm guilty of all of those counts.

My vehicles sleep outside, my house is full, I have a storage unit that is full, and I recently renovated the kitchen at my Huntsville house and added 30 linear feet of top and bottom cabinets and they are all full and I have things that I can't find a place for. That doesn't even start to address the two shops that I have that are full of stuff and that brings me to my original thought that I was going to write about this week. I have been trying to move some of my stuff around and make some room at my Winnie house and I have been hauling a small single axle utility trailer on my weekly trip between the two towns. I have actually thrown some of my stuff away, but for the most part I'm just relocating my stuff from one location to another. I guess that I could label myself as a hoarder because as I get to an item I look at it and try to find a reason to keep it as opposed

to a reason to get rid of it, but it's just so hard to throw stuff away.

Anyway, the other day on one of my trips, about half way between the two towns I felt the truck start bumping and burping and Wyatt and I were talking and I just checked my gauges on the truck and kept talking.

After a little while things kind of returned to normal travel and I thought to myself that it was just a rough spot in the road. As I was driving through Sour Lake, Texas, an ambulance pulled up besides me and started to roll down his window to say something to me and I

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

was starting to turn into the parking lot of a convenience store and he just followed me into the parking lot. I stopped and he pulled up beside me and asked me if I realized that I had lost a tire.

Somewhat surprised and pretty embarrassed, I said no and looked in my side mirror and sure enough there were only two small strips of rubber left on the rim. I suddenly realized what the bumping and burping was a few miles back and started looking for a tire shop. Sour Lake only has two tire shops and neither one of them had the right sized tire in a new or used tire, so I looked at

PAGE 2

Wyatt and said, "Well, I guess it made it this far, I guess it can make it another 15 or so miles to Winnie".

We took off and made it straight to the tire shop and put a new tire on the wheel.

Now, obviously I didn't have a spare, so I've rectified that problem by ordering a new rim and tire and I'll put the new one on the trailer and use the one with a little road rash(slightly bent rim) as a spare on my future trips. The moral of the story is to always check your tires when you are relocating your stuff. Till next time, I'm.......Wade in the Shade.

Tumbleweeds

THE TREE MAN OF CEDAR PARK

By Tumbleweed Smith

Raymond Herrington grew up at Pleasant Valley near Marble Falls. He had an active childhood.

“We hunted a lot,” says Raymond.

“We really did. We had lots of swimming places with the river and creeks right there.

We’d go squirrel hunting during the day and hunt coons at night. It was just fun growing up with my 5 brothers and one sister.”

He did some cedar chopping.

“I was raised around a bunch of cedar choppers.

The area around Marble Falls had some good red heart cedar, then a big bunch of choppers left Marble Falls and went to Medina, which had some good cedar, too.”

Raymond did some posthole digging for fences that are still standing. “Yeah I worked along Highway 71 when they were just cutting that highway through there.”

After graduating from Marble Falls High School in 1949, Raymond was doing survey work along the Rio Grande when he was drafted into the Army. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri he was sent by troop ship to the front lines in Korea. He had some serious

bouts with seasickness.

Raymond says it was so cold some soldiers experienced frostbite on their feet. “They really know how to make it cold over there. My legs froze some. I always kept socks underneath my arms or next to my body to keep them warm. Every once in a while I’d change socks because they’d get wet from all the snow and ice. Some of these old boys would take off their boots and I’ve seen them take their little toe that was frozen and black and twist that thing off and pitch it to the side, then put their boots back on.

There was very little blood, if any, when they took off their toe. Seeing that is something I will always remember. I never lost anything on my feet because I took care of them.”

Raymond is 90. He was with the Austin Fire Department 12 years and later had a career as an auditor with the highway department. “I went to just about every court house in Texas and made friends all over the state. I must have been a good listener because I heard lots of stuff. I feel they told me things they wouldn’t tell anybody else.”

Raymond keeps a garden

of flowers and vegetables and does gold leaf paintings from 15 karat gold he gets from Germany. He is known as the tree man because he creates decorative tree sculptures out of wire. He gives most of them away.

“They just set them on a dresser or shelf somewhere.

Some women hang their earrings on them. I can make them any size, usually 8 to 10 inches high. They’re mounted on polished wood.”

He learned how to twist wire from a good source.

“Jack White taught me how to do it. He lived next door.”

Jack White was a recognized master artist and was named the Official Artist of Texas in 1976.

His paintings hang in the Smithsonian.

Raymond lives in an assisted living facility in Cedar Park that has play stations for bowling, baseball and boxing.

“We’ve advanced from just bingo and dominoes.” www.tumbleweesmith.com

Tumbleweed Smith’s column in the Hometown Press is presented by

MARKET BASKET

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ East Chambers regular school board meetings are held on the second Monday beginning at 6pm in the 216 Champions Loop Winnie, TX 77665

THEME: U.S. PRESIDENTS ACROSS 1. Newton's first name 6. Part of smog 9. Hissy fit 13. Human trunk 14. Form of "to be" 15. Illegal booze 16. Editorial changes 17. Crematorium jar 18. #56 Down, alt. sp.

19. *One of six Presidents named James 21. *First President previously divorced 23. Civil War's Johnny 24. Manage without help 25. Military procedures 28. Cone-shaped quarters 30. MLB bench 35. Cowboy's necktie 37. A whole lot 39. *Whig, e.g.

40. Resembling wings 41. Nightly necessity 43. Experience emotion 44. Large ray 46. Glacier's deposit 47. "Watch out!" on a golf course 48. Traditional sock pattern 50. Reduced Instruction Set Computer

52. Knight's title 53. Bypass 55. Foot digit 57. *President Chester ____ 60. *He signed legislation to create Medicare 64. Fauna, Merryweather and ____, fairy godmothers 65. Expert 67. Convex molding 68. Bumpkins 69. CafÈ alternative 70. Car ways 71. Trans-Siberian Railroad city 72. Piercing part 73. Slightly drunk DOWN 1. Any thing 2. *Trump had button on desk to order his favorite one 3. Desertlike 4. Up and about 5. Coddle 6. Half-man, half-goat 7. Legendary NHLer 8. Tragedy, or comedy, or satire 9. Cheap form of payment?

10. Before Scotia 11. Clickable picture 12. Olden day "your" 15. Be in charge, two words

Solution on page 3

20. Newspaper notices 22. What all of #70 Across do 24. Painting or poetry 25. *He beat McCain and Romney 26. Kind of cap 27. Colloquialisms 29. *First "dark horse" 31. Gamecock's spur 32. Dessert sandwiches 33. Wombs 34. *#29 Down predecessor 36. Creative 38. 18-wheeler 42. Green pasta sauce 45. Big Island greetings 49. Australian flightless bird 51. Group of people, often in research 54. Extremely angry 56. Concluding stanza in poetry 57. *G. W. Bush to Yale, e.g.

58. Schneider and Lowe, e.g.

59. Major bike maker 60. Audience's rejection 61. Sold in bars 62. Auto pioneer 63. Like a busybody 64. Back, to a pendulum 66. Latin dance three-step move, once

or any members, to join them for Chicken Foot on Thursdays at noon, and Bingo on Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

For more information, please call 267-3700.

■ The Wellness Center at ■ The Lily Bayside invites seniors, Valley Food

located at 1222 N. Main St. in Anahuac, distributes food to those in need on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Anyone wishing to donate canned goods, money or volunteer is of the encouraged to do so.

Pantry,

The Hometown Press The Hometown Press, ID#006414 is published weekly on Wednesday, except for the Wednesday immediately following Christmas, by Hometown Press, Inc., 2028 State Hwy 124 or P.O. Box 801, Winnie, TX 77665.

Annual instate subscription rate is $25.00 and out-of-state is $25.00. Second Class postage is paid at Winnie, TX Postmaster.

Change of address may be sent to Hometown Press, P.O. Box 801, Winnie, TX. 77665. Phone: 409296-9988, Fax: 409-296-9987, email: htpress99@gmail.com Periodical Class Permit #006414 Winnie, TX 77665 STAFF BOX Publisher: Wade Thibodeaux Advertising Deadline is noon Monday for Wednesday paper.

PAGE 3

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Local News

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 PUNISHMENT RANGE

Twenty-Five individuals were arrested and booked into the Chambers County Jail between Sunday, January 24 and Saturday, January 30. Warrants from last week are also as followed.

The individuals have been

magistrated and formally informed of the charges against them. However, just because these individuals were arrested and magistrated does not mean they are guilty of the crimes they are charged with committing. Also, not

everyone charged with a crime is alleged to have committed the crime in Chambers County, but perhaps was simply arrested in Chambers County on outstanding warrant(s) while in Chambers County.

Instances in which individuals

were arrested on outstanding warrants, their original conviction and the reason they are on probation or parole, if available, is included in parenthesis set.

• First degree felony: punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison and a $10,000 fine.

• Second degree felony: punishable by up to 20 years and a $10,000 fine.

• Third degree felony: punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

• State jail felony: punishable by up to two years in prison.

• Deferred adjudication probation: typically offered to the first time offenders. Defendants’ judgement is deferred until later, if ever. If they successfully complete the terms of their probation, they are not judge and thus have no criminal conviction in connection to the offense. However, if they accept deferred adjudication probation but fail to abide by the terms of their probation, they could be sentenced to the maximum time in prison allowable under the law without the benefit of a trail by jury.

• Class A misdemeanor: punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

• Class B misdemeanor: punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Patti Henry District Clerk Passports M-F 8 am-11 am & 1pm-4pm

Jimmy Gore Commissioner Pct 1

409-296-8250

409-267-2432

Jimmy Sylvia County Judge

409-267-2440

Total Main Jail:

25

Chambers County Sheriff's Office Arrests Robbers (contd)

Organized Crime (2 counts each) 1st Degree Felony. All four of the individuals reside in the Beaumont area and are currently in custody. Due to the large amount of robberies these individuals have committed along with

the violent nature of the crime, ATF and Federal Prosecutors are reviewing all the cases that have occurred throughout multiple jurisdictions and are considering pursuing federal prosecution.

“By having a close

working relationship with other law enforcement agencies, our Detectives with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office were able to do our part in making sure these violent offenders are off the street. We look

forward to a successful prosecution of these criminals and will continue to do our part to keep Chambers County a safe place to live” said Sheriff Hawthorne.

It was a clash of saddle bronc riding titans when Cole Elshere combined with Korkow Rodeo's Onion Ring to win the Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.) PRCA Xtreme Broncs Match with a 90-point ride, Jan. 30.

Competition was stiff at the X Broncs where a minimum of 86 points was needed to stay in the money.

"It's just a big blessing," said Elshere, 31. "I was just so thankful to make 90."

Elshere is a fourtime National Finals Rodeo qualifier (201214, 2020) with a rich history of success in

Rapid City, starting with winning the Range Days Rodeo his rookie year in 2010, and tacking on titles in 2012 and 2013. He also won Rodeo Rapid City's bull riding in 2018.

"It's one of the closest ones to my house and has a hometown feel to it," Elshere said. "It's been a good rodeo to me, and my parents were here and so was my wife (Kyndra) and daughter (Everley, 4 months) and a bunch of cousins. I even got to ride with my cousin J.J. tonight, and that's always fun."

Onion Ring's reputation is as hot as the snack she's named after. Wyatt Casper won Round 5 of the 2020 Wrangler NFR with 90.5 points on Onion Ring and won the first round of The American in 2020 on her. As a bareback horse, Onion Ring also took Mason Clements to the winner's circle at the NFR in Round 5 in 2017 and helped two cowboys win the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo's final round – R.C. Landingham in 2017 and Tim O'Connell for a split win in 2018.

Elshere and Onion

Ring crossed paths at the Super Series Finish in Fort Worth, Texas, in May and won Bracket 5's third round with 86.5 points.

"She bucked harder and was a lot stronger this time," Elshere said.

"She got out and was after it right off the bat."

Elshere went on to finish 13th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings after a rough go at the Wrangler NFR where he covered one horse and was out of the money in every round. He finished 15th in the average and went home needing physical

therapy for his right (riding) arm.

"It was really important for the new season to get a good start and even more important because I had a rough Finals," Elshere said. "I was at home doing therapy on my shoulder, so to make a great ride is going to help my confidence going forward. I'm not sure what you'd classify it (the injury) as, but it was way deep in the rotator cuff and

I couldn't lift correctly.

We have a lady at home (in Faith, S.D.) who rubs all the microfibers of the muscles back together."

Elshere is back to feeling normal and was eager to get back in the saddle after drawing Onion Ring.

"Onion Ring is one of the best horses going down the road, and I was tickled to see my name next to hers," Elshere said.

LEGAL NOTICE

Cole Elshere Wins Rapid City X Broncs Aboard Onion Ring

TRINITY BAY CONSERVATION DISTRICT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR LEGAL SERVICES

Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for legal services will be received at Trinity Bay Conservation District office at P.O. Box 599, 2500 SH 124, Stowell, Texas 77661 until 2:00 p.m. on February 17, 2021, at which time they will be opened and then reviewed for award consideration.

The Board of Directors of the District will consider award of legal services agreement at a special board meeting February 24, 2021, or at any Board Meeting date thereafter.

Bidders shall be responsible for holding their RFP open for a period of sixty (60) days after February

17, 2021. RFPs shall be submitted in sealed envelopes on the form provided. Sealed envelopes shall be clearly marked in the lower left corner with the words “RFP for Legal Services”. RFPs received after the closing time stated will be returned unopened.

The District reserves the right to reject any and all RFPs and to waive informalities in such RFPs. In case of ambiguities or lack of clearness in stating pricing in any RFP, the District reserves the right to consider the most advantageous proposal thereof or to reject the pricing. The award will be made to the responsible proposer submitting the most advantageous proposal to the District and result in the best and most economical manning of District legal services.

Religion & Lifestyle

Wednesday,February 3, 2021

Sunday Observations from Christy

"God So Loved the World"

Grandson Luke: Love you, Pappy.

Pappy: Love you more.

Luke: Is that possible?

Pappy: Sure!

Luke: Not in my world!

“Behold what manner of love I have given to you, that you could be called my child.” (1 John 3:1) God: I love you most.

Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain for Fellowship of Christian Cowboys and Chambers County Sheriff’s Office

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO ALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN CHAMBERS COUNTY

Chambers County Appraisal District has mailed out Business Personal Property Rendition forms for the 2021 Appraisal Year. As per Senate Bill 340 all business owners are required to render their taxable business personal property. The law requires that you render either the actual book value information or “good faith estimate” of the property’s fair market value. The law provides penalties for failure to render and severe penalties for falsifying any information provided by the rendition. All property owners must comply with this law.

Who must file a rendition form? A person who owns tangible personal property used for the production of

Assemblies of God

Cornerstone Church 3810 Hwy. 124 • Stowell 409-296-2481 Sunday Worship Service.........10:00 am Wednesday Family Night......6:30 pm Cornerstone Church 1100 Oak Street • Anahuac 409-296-2481 Sunday Worship Service.....10:30 am

Baptist

First Baptist Church of Anahuac 405 South Magnolia • Anahuac 409-267-3262 Sunday School..............9:00 am SundayMorningWorship.....11:00 am Evening Worship..........6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting.....6:30 pm First Baptist of Fannett Highway 124 • Fannett Sunday School.................9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship...10:45 am Sunday Discipleship Training.......5:00 pm Sunday Evening Worship.............6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting......7:00 pm First Baptist Church of Hamshire Highway 124 • Hamshire 409-243-2163 Sunday School.................9:15 am Morning Worship.........10:30 am Evening Worship............6:00 pm Wednesday Discipleship....6:15 pm First Baptist Church of Stowell W. Main &VanOstrand • Stowell 409-296-4510 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Sunday Evening Worship........6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study............7:00 pm OutdoorsMen Church of Winnie Hwy 124 in Winnie Saturday.......6:00pm (covered dish meal at service)

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

income, or who manages or controls such property as an authorized agent, must file a rendition annually.

What are filing deadlines?

The rendition statement must be filed between January 1 and April 15 each tax year.

By written request, an automatic extension to May 15 may be obtained. The Chief Appraiser may further extend the deadline an additional 15 days if the property owner files a written request showing good cause for the additional extension. A property owner who fails to file a timely rendition statement may be assessed a penalty of 10% of the total taxes imposed on the property for the tax year.

If you have any questions or you are a business owner and don’t receive a rendition by February 15th please contact our office at 409-267-3795 and we will be happy to help.

First Baptist Church of Winnie Winnie 409-296-4072 Brian Johnson, Pastor Sunday School.................9:15 am Sunday Morning Worship..10:30 am SundayEvening Worship...........6:00 pm Wednesday: Kids for Christ.................4:00 pm Youth (Grades 7-12)........4:00 pm Adult Bible Study/Prayer Meeting.6:00 pm Sweet Home Baptist Church Hankamer 409-374-2208 Pastor: Ronald Smith Sunday School.................9:30 am SundayMorningWorship.........10:30am Wednesday Dinner......................6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study Adult, Youth and Children’s.....6:30 pm Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Campbell Rd &Ave G • Stowell 409-296-2938 Sunday School.........................8:00 am Sunday Morning Worship.........9:00 am Monday Mission & Teachers.......6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting & Choir St. Paul Baptist Church First Street • Stowell 409-296-2750 Sunday School.........................9:45 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am Monday Brotherhood............7:00 pm Tuesday Mission.....................6:30 pm WednesdayPrayerMeeting...........7:00pm

Having grown up with a mother who knew someone abducted and murdered, my daughter has been taught literally since birth, follow your gut.

About people. About situations. About jobs.

More so about your personal safety. Follow your gut. This week, she called me, ever so grateful that she was smart enough at 28, to follow her gut.

You see, she has been out of town this week for

work. Same hotel she spent 2 weeks at in December, as she was there for work then as well. She’s quite the social butterfly and became friends with the desk clerks. She’s also learned be nice to those who take care of you.

She had forgotten her phone charger at home, and being cheap like her momma, decided she wasn’t buying one she would just go to her car and charge it at night. So one night she was in her car, windows cracked, phone charging, minding her own business.

Empty spot next to her, and a truck backed in on the next spot. Man came out to that truck, asks what is she doing, and does she want a beer. No thank you she says, and rolls windows up. Completely weirded out but not wanting to look crazy she sat a while, then noticed he is sitting in his truck, looking over his

shoulder and just staring at her. All alarms say, NOPE. She calls the girls inside, moves to another side of hotel, and is brought in a side employee entrance and escorted to her room.

Hotel staff tells her who he is and that he is only there for one night. They won’t extend his stay, and she tells them, his truck has no tags on it. Flat bed wrecker..... no tags.

Fast forward, next day, she is called at work. Hotel staff has had to call police on him as he got ugly when told he could not extend his stay. He actually threatened to kill them.

All caught on camera, her story from the parking lot caught on camera, weird dude. Her gut told her, run.

Her gut told her avoid. Her gut told her, get help.

Ends up, he was checked in under a fake i.d.. The person whose identity he used, was actually at home

PAGE 4

in Kentucky. No clue who this guy really was.

Fortunately, whoever he is, he is now in jail.

Happy Sunday peeps..... but by the grace of God, my kiddo will be here today for lunch. I agree with her that without a doubt, danger was one parking spot away. Had she chosen to just walk in, as she was parked by the side door, this very well could have ended differently.

She listened to her gut. She did not care if she looked crazy to someone else. She followed every instinct she had, and she got help, she left, she also.... made it home safely. PLEASE tell your kids to listen to their gut. Please tell them looking crazy is far better than being dead. Please.

Literally, it could be the difference in them coming home..... or not.

Josh Frost Snares Rapid City PRCA Xtreme Bulls Title

The turn of the calendar to 2021 has resulted in good fortune for bull rider Josh Frost.

Frost won the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, Jan. 16, and was sitting atop the Jan. 28 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $12,807.

Frost remains in the No. 1 spot in the world standings after winning the Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.) PRCA Xtreme Bulls Division 2 event with a 91.5-point ride on Dakota Rodeo's D-Day, Jan. 29.

"I knew I had a good bull, and he had a really good day," said Frost, 25. "It kind of felt a little wild for the first and second jumps, and I just kept going at him and came out with a good score."

Frost earned $4,004 for

his eight seconds of work.

He edged Ky Hamilton, who finished second with a 90.5-point trip on New Frontier's Muley Madness. Reigning allaround and bull riding world champion Stetson Wright finished third with an 89-point ride on Dakota Rodeo's Dr Campbell.

"The year has been going good," Frost said. "I came up just short of making the NFR last year, but I was riding good at the end of the season and I've kept the ball rolling into this year."

Frost finished 18th in the 2020 world standings with $46,572. He made a late charge to try and qualify for the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo by capturing the title at the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale

in Nephi, Utah, Sept. 19.

Frost won the Finale with 174.5 points on two head and earned $13,113 but failed to make the NFR. "When it comes down to it, it's still just bull riding, and I've always done well at the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls, but this is actually the first Division 2 event I've won," Frost said. "I had never won a Division 2 event in my whole career, so it was pretty cool to win here. They're all tough bull ridings.

There were 40 guys and $10,000 added, and you have to have your day and draw the best bull, and that's what happened today. I was grateful to draw a good bull like that and capitalize on it."

There were 17 NFR qualifiers and four world champions entered

among the field of 40 in Rapid City.

"Stetson Wright came out in the first section and had an 89-point ride and started it off with a bang," Frost said. "You're not going to see a better group of bull riders anywhere in the world. You have to do your job. It was exciting to see all the top guys here. This is where I want to be. I want to win at the biggest rodeos against the top guys in the world."

Frost made his NFR debut in 2019, finishing 14th in the world with $129,561. The Randlett, Utah, cowboy is ready to make a return trip.

"We're going back and coming out on top," Frost said. "I'm in the top spot now and I'm going to have the pedal to the metal.”

Methodist

Nondenominational

Church Services

St. Mary Baptist Church Hwy 61 &Albritton •Hankamer 409-374-2182 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Morning Worship..................11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study.........7:00 pm SunlightMissionaryBaptistChurch Spikes Rd • Hankamer Sunday School.........................9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Wednesday Evening..................7:00 pm LaBelle Baptist Church 9400 Hwy 365 • LaBelle 409-796-1240 Sunday School.......................10:00 am Sunday Adult Worship............11:00 am Sunday Children’s Church......11:00 am Sunday Evening......................6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study.............7:00 pm First Baptist Church High Island Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship....................10:30 am Sunday Evening Worship..........6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible......7:00 pm

Catholic St. Louis Catholic Church 315 W Buccaneer Dr • Winnie 409-296-4200 Weekday Mass Wednesday..................8:30 am Spanish Friday....9:45 am English at Arboretum Saturday...Reconciliation 3:00-3:45 pm Mass in English...............4:00 pm Sunday Mass in English.....7 am & 10:30 am Spanish Mass........................noon Holy days......8:30 am & 6:30 pm Our Lady of Light Catholic Church S. Main St • Anahuac 409-267-3158 Confession:Saturday...............5:00 pm English: Sunday.......................8:30 am Spanish: Saturday...................6:00 pm Thursday...................................6:00 pm

St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hwy. 365 & IH-10 • Fannett 794-2548 Saturday Mass.........................5:00 pm Sunday Mass............7:00 & 11:00 am St. Martin DePorres Mission Boyt & Kidd • Cheek 409-794-2548 Sunday Mass............................9:00 am

Church of Christ Winnie Church of Christ 2559 Hwy 124 • Stowell 409-899-1737 • 409-363-9898 Sunday Bible Class.................9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship.......10:45 am Sunday Evening Worship......5:00 pm Wednesday Service................7:00 pm Church of Christ Oak Street • Anahuac 267-6445 Sunday Bible Class.................9:30 am SundayWorship Service......10:30 am SundayEvening Worship.......6:00 pm Wednesday Service................6:00 pm

Episcopal Trinity Episcopal Church Washington & Light St • Anahuac 409-267-6582 Sunday Holy Communion.......9:00 am

Latter Day Saints

Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints Menely Road • Winnie Sunday Morning.....................9:00 am Wednesday Youth Activities.....7:00 pm

Lutheran

Hope Lutheran Church 9th & LeBlanc - Winnie 409-296-2377 Sunday Worship............9:30 am Sunday School............10:45 am

First United Methodist 204 Trinity St • Anahuac 409-267-3242 Sunday School.......................10:45 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am St. James Methodist Ed Hopkins @ Texas St • Anahuac Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship 1st & 4th Sunday.....................................11:00 am Wednesday Bible Studies......6:00 pm Faith United Methodist Highway 365 • Fannett 409-794-1121 Sunday School......................10:00 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am UMYF 2nd and 4th Sunday.....5:00 pm Middleton Memorial Methodist Wallisville Rd • Wallisville 409-389-2218 Sunday Worship......................9:00 am St.PaulUnitedMethodistDoubleBayou www.stpauldoublebayou.com Sunday School........................10:45am Sunday Worship .................... 9:00 am Wednesday Bible Studies.........6:30 pm St. Mathew’s United Methodist 1312 Weeks Ave • High Island Sunday School.........................9:00 am Sunday Worship Service.........10:00 am UMYF.............................................3:00 pm First United Methodist Highway 124 @ Freeman • Winnie 296-4382 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship....................10:45 am UMYF.......................................6:00 pm Sunday Worship......................9:30 am Sunday School.......................10:45 am

SmithPoint Community Church Smith Point Sunday School.......................10:00 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Trinity Church 1324 Hwy. 124 • Winnie Sunday Happy Hour...............9:00 am Morning Worship.................10:00 am WednesdayEveningWorship....7:30pm House of Prayer Fannett Elementary School 409-794-9470 Sunday Services.............2:00-5:00 pm HankamerCommunity Fellowship FM 1663 @ FM 1724 • Hankamer Sunday School.....................10:00 am Sunday Praise & Worship..11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study........7:00 pm Lighthouse of Hope Church 507 6th St. Winnie, Texas (at the corner of 6th St. and Oak St.) 409-782-5354 Sunday Worship....................10:00 am Wednesday Worship..............6:30 pm Word of Life Church Please call (351) 999-4923 to participate in our phone church services: Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Church services 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 pm

Pentecostal

Calvary Tabernacle 1210 FM 1406 • Winnie 296-2020 Sunday School........................2:00 pm Sunday Worship.....................2:45 pm Thursday Evening...................7:00 pm (Children’s Church, Youth Service & Bible Study) - Pastor Carl A. Vickery Calvary Tabernacle UPC 11185 Mahon Rd, Fannet Pastor Steve Adams 409-201-8033 Sunday 1pm, Thursday 7pm First UnitedPentecostal Church 1352 Walter Street • High Island 286-5444 Sunday Worship....................10:00 am Tuesday.....................................7:30 pm

ight Line Bus Pg Ad:May 21 ad 11/29/17 11:39 AM Page 1

PAGE 5

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Business Directory

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Clark Freight Lines, Inc. Pasadena, TX 281-487-3160 Beaumont, TX • W. Memphis, AR Birmingham, AL • Nashville, TN

Bus Pg Ad:May 21 ad 6/28/17 1:11 PM Page 1

www.clarkfreight.com

“Trucks Move Your World”

Winnie Dairy Queen Hwy 124 South P.O. Box 981 Winnie, TX 77665

(409) 296-2116

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988 $10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

McCall BS pg:May 21 ad 6/28/17 1:10 PM Page 1

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988 $10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988 C & V WRECKER SERVICE Craig Stowe Owner

PO Box 1376 2425 Hwy 124 S. Winnie, TX 77665

409-296-9542

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 2969988

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 2969988

Mr. John

Automatic Transmission 550-3137

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 2969988

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 2969988

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

Classifieds

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Free for individuals selling personal items

Call (409)296-9988 • Fax (409)296-9987 htpress99@gmail.com

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

PAGE 6

Let our readers know about your garage sales, help wanted, services....

Deadline: Monday before publication at 12 noon

FOR RENT Palms RV Park 721 9th Street, Winnie. Showers, laundry room, wifi, propane bottle exhange, privacy fence, security cameras. 409.673.5927 For Lease 4 BR 2 bath 1 car garage. 936 Van Ostrand, Winnie. $1550.00/ month. Call 409-363-4570

FOR RENT

3 bd rm/ 1 bath/storage Handyman needed for shed. $130,000.00 washer only a few hours work and dryer connections. Owner financing 713-875-5703 around the house and

House for rent: brick house, 3 bed 2.5 bath, inside has washer, dryer & refrigerator. very nice house. one month $1,200. One year contract please call 832-298-8159

House for rent in Winnie.

3/2/2 with Central Air & Heat, fresh paint, new frig and stove, on almost 1 acre of property. House sits high and dry - never flooded. $900 per month 713-829-3791

House for Rent 3 BR 1 1/2 bath $1100.00/month and $1100.00 deposit. No utilities.

Call Reenay 409-201-0399

SMALL HOUSES 2BR, 1 Bath, built-ins in kitchen, washer-dryer hookups, Franzen Rd, great location, 725/m0.

409-679-9773

FOR SALE 4x5 Round bales stored outside for cows. $35.00 each. Call 409-781-2236 Butcher calves for sale, grass and fed. $1.65 on the hoof 713-875-5703

FOR RENT 1600 sq. ft. for rent.

Window display, Highway frontage 409-781-0918

The Arboretum of Winnie is accepting applications for full time LVN night shift positions.

Please apply online at www. winnienr.com

TexSCAN Week of January 31, 2021

HELP WANTED

yard.

409-296-6224

General Labor crew needed. Duties include: shoveling, weed-eating/ mowing, pouring concrete, laying pipes and clearing land.

Background check and drug screen required.

Tempto-hire - $12.00 per hour. Call us at 835-5566.

FOR RENT 1000 sq. ft. office space for rent. 409-781-0918.

House for rent in Winnie.

3 bed, 1.5 bath + game room, fenced backyard. Brick house in nice neighborhood. $1,200 month +deposit.

4 0 9 - 7 8 9 - 0 2 8 9 One BR apartment $600.00/per month, $600.00 deposit. No utilities Call Reenay 409-201-0399

FOR LEASE Horse and cow pasture for lease. One mile from Winnie. 20 acres and 2 barns. $100/month.

4 0 9 - 4 6 6 - 6 4 1 7 , 4 0 9 - 2 9 6 - 9 2 6 7 Cat 3406, new rods &main bearings, marine gear includes PTO & hydraulic pump. Shaft is 2 1/2" x 12'3" w/4 blade prom 3 drum winch & stainless cables.

Engine on stand to hear run in Oak Island.

9 3 6 - 5 4 6 - 4 4 0 1

FOR SALE Cub SI40 farm tractors - 14’50’ mobile home large dog house metal garden tiller - 3 drilling rigs want to buy disk - brush hog - tractor w/ front loader. 281-788-7838 Trailer axles $40.00 - $100.00 each, PVC pipe 1 1/2 to 4" $50.00, Call 409-457-5204 Commercial gas tank for sale $700. refrigerator for sale $80. please call 832-298-8159 2 Iron Bar stools with wood swivel seat. $40.00 Call 409-277-0064

2012 Jeep Compass runs good. A/C works but does not cool well.

Work vehicle $5000.00 Call 409-277-1065 Queen size bedroom set, includes dresser with mirrors and one nightstand. $300.00. Call 409-291-1288 Lot. $3500. (409)771-1419 4x5 Round bales Horse quality in barn $50.00 Call 409-781-2236 2000 Ford gas tractor parts.

Call for prices Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Window air conditioner $50 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 4 tires size 33x12.50 R18LT $100 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Metal Shelves $10 each 4 available Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Set of metal steps. $40 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Disk and scoop for tractor $25 each Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

FOR SALE

SERVICES

Canal City lot for sale by owner on the middle canal undeveloped Lot #302, 1468 Van Sant Gilchrist TX call Alan 409-9393240 no texts $30,000

Garry BrattenExperienced Handyman.

No job too small or large.

409-354-8280.

2004 40' Mountain Air motorhome, made by Newmar. 250 Cummings diesel, 6 speed Allison transmission $25000.00 Call 409-277-0883 or 409-277-9872 Trailer axles $40 - 100 each Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

Horse hay 4x5 fertilized Jiggs Bermuda in barn $50.00/roll.

Call 409-781-2236 Heifers and bulls for sale. Sharolias cross. Four butcher calves for sale $1.50/lb on hoof plus $.79 to out and wrap.

7 1 3 - 8 7 5 - 5 7 0 3

Name:_________________________ Address:________________________________ City, State, Zip:__________________________

$25.00 Mail Check or Money Order to: The Hometown Press PO Box 801, Winnie, TX 77665 409-296-9988 We Accept Most Major Credit Cards

MAINTENANCE

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection.

Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Hunting/investment/recreational property. We and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior have some of the best in Texas! From the Hill Country & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-815-5722.

(Edwards, Menard, Coke, Val Verde County, free ranging exotics) to South Texas (Kinney, Duval, Live MEDICAL Oak County, whitetail, hogs). Large or small acreage.

30-year fixed rate owner financing, only 5% down. Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Call toll-free or email for individual prices and terms, Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720. compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 866-747-9983.

GENERATORS

ACREAGE

GENERAC Standby Generators. The weather is increasingly unpredictable. Be prepared for power outages. FREE 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Schedule your FREE in-home assessment today. Call 1-855-704-8579. Special financing for qualified customers.

AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. Includes 1 TB of data per month. Get More For Your High-Speed Internet Thing. Ask us how to bundle and SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. Call us today 1-855-439-5457.

FREE WANT ADS POLICIES TWO KINDS OF WANT ADS

Life Alert. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL 844-831-1525. FREE Brochure.

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE coverage for 350 procedures. Call 1-855-901-0467 Have you been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s for details. www.dental50plus.com/txpress. 6118-0219 Lymphoma? If you have been diagnosed with the serious medical condition, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, WANTED after exposure to Roundup herbicide, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Toll Free: 800-940-8469. FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders The Law Offices of Foster & Houston PLLC, Principal and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114.Convenient.

Office: Austin, TX; Co-counsel may be associated. Certified Professionals. Call (312) 291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com.

INTERNET

Wade A. Thibodeaux

Need Extra Cash – I Buy RVs & Mobile Homes – Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels, Goosenecks, Bumper Pulls.

In Any Area, Any Condition – Old/New, Dirty or Clean!

I PAY CA$H. No Title – No Problem, we can apply for one. ANR Enterprises, 956-466-7001

Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 273 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or servics advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.

Publisher wade@txmediacorp.com 409.656.5677

PO Box 801 • Winnie, TX 77665 (409) 296-9988

PAID/BUSINESS WANT ADS

FREE WANT ADS

for NON-BUSINESS PURPOSES:

Individuals & Non-Profits (furniture, clothes, garage sales, etc) Ads are inserted on a space-available basis with no guarantee of insertion.

The Arboretum of Winnie is accepting applications for full time LVN day shift positions.

Please apply online at www. winnienr.com. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ NEED EXTRA CASH !!! ???

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I BUY RVS & $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ MOBILE HOMES $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Travel Trailers 5th Wheels Goosenecks Bumper Pulls $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ In Any Area!!! Any Condition!!!

Old/New !!! Dirty or Clean !!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I PAY CA$H 956-466-7001 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ No Title – No Problem – We Can Apply For One ANR Enterprises $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ l

l

All business want-ads, Including small & home businesses (babysitting, yard services, house cleaning etc.)

1 time - $10; 4 times - $32; 12 times - $72 • Include payment w/ ad • Online: thehometownpress.com • Cash, check, money order or credit cards accepted.

TO PLACE WANT ADS: www.thehometownpress.com Drop Box: Market Basket,Winnie Mail: P.O Box 801 Winnie, Tx 77665

DEADLINE is Noon Monday for the current week’s issue. Free ads run space permitting. Must resubmit to re-run. Limit of 25 words per ad.

Ads will be run on a space available basis.

Include phone number(s) and limit your ad to 25 words or less. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ MAIL TO: PO Box 801 • Winnie, TX 77665

PAGE 7

Culture/Lifestyle

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE

JUST AN OLD CABIN

to Brandon’s. Last Century, a Texas game warden’s house was torched in retaliation, and the “flamer” was convicted.

I’m told the perpetrator that

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

burned Brandon’s cabin has been arrested. From his 17year rap sheet and previous time served, leniency may not be an option. At least, I hope

not.

Regardless, he’ll someday be judged by a higher authority.

“Vengeance is mine,” saith the Lord.

By John Jefferson

I’ve never met Brandon Butler – at least, not that I recall.

But we’ve travelled some of the same trails, including Missouri’s Current River. We’re brothers in a bond that comes from treasuring the outdoors and the precious memories of time spent there with family and friends. Or alone.

Butler is a fellow outdoor writer with a wall full of awards.

Or, at least HAD a wall full.

He co-hosts a weekly podcast called “Driftwood Outdoors”.

Check it out.

He started sending it to me recently. It’s primarily about the wonderful Missouri hills, woods, streams, and wildlife, but the spirit with which he writes is understood and appreciated by anyone who has – as Johnny Cash once wrote into a song—breathed “air that ain’t

Welcome Neighborhood Net Readers!

been breathed before.”

He bought a small, remote acreage and built a cabin. I imagine upon entering, it smelled like Roy Bedichek wrote of J. Frank Dobie’s cabin on Barton Creek –wonderfully reeking of woodsmoke from long-past fireplace fires.

One night, sitting on the porch, he and friends saw headlights in the pasture. Then heard gunshots. They investigated and gave law enforcement a license plate number. Some time later, his cabin was set afire. The sheriff ruled it arson. Butler saw it as revenge.

I’m reminded of a quote from a man who “carried”: “I don’t carry a weapon to do evil; I carry one because there is evil in the world.” The man who lit the match destroyed part of Brandon Butler’s life just as if he had stuck a knife in him.

And it was evil.

The cabin contained memories of past hunts, of family, of good friends. In it were irreplaceable relics, --even the chair his fa-

ther sat in to eat supper. Now, they’re gone.

Friends and strangers rallied and helped clean up the ashes.

Many shared his grief. I did, too.

Like someone saying, “It was just a dog,” when a beloved pet passes, someone might have said, “it was just an old cabin; nobody got hurt.” That’s true.

But Brandon was hurt. Still is.

Probably always will be. Deeply.

I lived in a wonderful, decrepit old cabin on Lake Travis until I moved across the cove to better digs. One October night, I heard a crackling sound and looked across the lake. The old cabin was ablaze. Nothing of mine remained there… except a lot of memories. Yet it stung me deeply to see it in flames.

At least the occupants got out safely.

Thinking back on countless hunting cabins I’ve stayed in, all were places where memories were made. It’s unthinkable that someone could do that

Hunting cabins come in many forms, from the primitive to the palatial. The one thing they have in common is that each is rich in memories of wild tales told and even pranks pulled on fellow hunters. Camaraderie exists in limitless forms. Many hunting cabins are steeped in the tradition of one generation of hunters passing the heritage to the next ones. Photo by John Jefferson

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Community

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

PAGE 8

We Have Your Covid Testing Supplies and Equipment. Quick results!

Let us help you with your testing needs.

To order, contact Wade Thibodeaux at (936) 581-5161 Texas Media Corp