Issuu

409-296-BANK

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Volume 32, Issue 29

Chambers County ESD No1 Nearing Completion of Renovations to Fire Station

By Wade Thibodeaux The Chambers County Emergency Services District No1 Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 and approved a couple of change orders pertaining to the remodel of the upstairs living quarters of the Fire station. The change orders were for the updating of the outside lights of the station and also for new wired in smoke and CO2 detectors in the renovated rooms. The project is nearing completion with a finish date in the next two weeks. The rest of the meeting was mostly routine with the approval of the payment of the bills and a $1,124,047.68 balance of total cash assets.

The District did approve the rental of bunker gear for a member that was attending the fire academy as the intense training tends to be extremely hard on bunker gear and the board felt like it was better to pay the $450.00 rental fee than to damage the District's gear. The Fire Department reported 47 calls for assistance in June which brings the total for 2021 to 275 calls. The District's Administrator Wayne Wilber reported to the board that over 20 resumes had been received for the opening for an administrative assistant and that Michelle Hardy had been hired and she was introduced to the Commissioners at the beginning of the meeting.

By Wade Thibodeaux The Trinity Bay Conservation District Board of Directors met in regular session on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 1:00 pm. at their offices located at 2500 State Highway 124 in Stowell, Texas. During a report from staff members, the board was informed that Chambers County was making good on their commitment to assist the district in drainage projects. Chambers County has a large machine working on the East side of the County and they are coordinating the work with Trinity Bay to get the most out of the County machine while it is available. The rest of the meeting was mostly routine with the exception of The Hometown Press publisher Wade Thibodeaux asking for a clarification on the reason that the board went to executive session. The Board President Scott Kahla announced at 1:08 pm. that they would be retiring to executive session to discuss the job duties of the Accounting Manager that would need to be shifted due to an expected short term absence. When the board returned at 1:35 pm., the President announced that Les Hankamer would

be appointed to fill the position of the vacant board seat that was created when Tommy Gilbert resigned a couple of months ago. When questioned about any action taken for the reason that they went to executive, board members mumbled around and said that no action was being taken on that topic. State law is very clear that you must announce the reason for executive session and then must return to announce any action on each subject matter that is discussed in executive session. Director Greg Turner left the meeting after executive session leaving President Kahla, Director Mark Mitchell, and Director Jeffery Jenkins to finish the meeting. The financial report was approved with a total cash and CD's balance of $7,487,429.62 and a couple of budget workshops were discussed with dates to be determined after everybody was able to check their calendars. The next regular meeting of the Trinity Bay Conservation District Board of Directors will be Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 9:00 am. in their offices located at 2500 State Highway 124 in Stowell, Texas.

Chambers County and TBCD Working on Drainage

Let us

50 cents

CCSO Grieving Death of Detainee

Sheriff Brian Hawthorne reports that on July 14 at 11:00 a.m. Dontriel Javon Coates, 37, was booked into the Chambers County Jail for two Motions to Revoke Probation felony warrants. Mr. Coates was placed in a holding cell to await arraignment. At approximately 2:20 p.m.

he requested to speak to the Jail Administrator because he wanted an explanation of why he was not allowed bond. Mr. Coates was told that he was being held on a nobond warrant. He thanked the Jail Administrator for listening to him and was returned to the holding cell

without incident. Mr. Coates remained within sight and sound of Jail staff throughout the day. During a routine check that was performed at approximately 4:34 p.m. Mr. Coates showed no signs of distress; four minutes later, Jail staff noted Mr. Coates in an odd position

and sweating profusely and took immediate action by directing Jail medical staff and EMS to be notified. Mr. Coates was transported by ambulance to Bayside Community Hospital shortly after 5:00 p.m. where the Bayside emergency medical team performed lifesaving measures for over two hours, but sadly, Mr. Coates was pronounced dead at 7:19 p.m. Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Judge David Hatfield has ordered an inquest and as is standard for all in custody deaths, Sheriff Hawthorne contacted the Department of Public Safety’s Texas Rangers to conduct the investigation. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Dontriel Coates at this most difficult time”, said Sheriff Hawthorne.

Chambers County Gets Clean Audit Opinion

The Barbers Hill Baseball and Softball programs were recognized in Commissioners Court last Tuesday, July 13, 2021 for their accomplishments of winning State Championship titles in the same year. Pictured left to right is Commissioner Tommy Hammond, Judge Jimmy Sylvia, Head Baseball Coach David Denny, Commissioner Mark Tice, Commissioner Jimmy Gore, and Commissioner Billy Combs.

By Wade Thibodeaux The Chambers County Commissioners Court met in regular session last Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 9:30 am in the County Courtroom of the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. One of the first items discussed was the presentation of the annual audit by outside auditors Pattillo, Brown, & Hill, LLP. The auditor went over the report with the Court and advised them that in the auditor's opinion, Chambers County received an Unmodified Opinion, which is the best that can be achieved. The Court also presented a proclamation to the Barbers Hill Baseball and Softball programs for their accomplishment of

winning State Titles in both sports. This was the first time that this had been accomplished on a 5A level. In other action, the Commissioners approved the use of golf carts on a

roadway with a speed limit of 35 MPH or less and only golf carts and only in unincorporated areas of the County. The Court granted the request of the Texas Rice Festival for $25,000. in HOT(Hotel Occupancy

Tax) funds as well as approving a temporary park use agreement for the festival from September 7 until October 18, 2021. The Court also approved a change from turf infields to grass infields on the 16 new ball fields that will be constructed in the near future and this will save the County about $2 Million in construction cost. A group from Stowell had requested the ability to paint a mural on a County Building in the park and the Court first wanted to establish a policy on painting on County Buildings. During court last Tuesday, the Court reviewed a policy that had been created and approved the policy, basically clearing the (contd on page 8)

Members of the Chambers County Historical Commission were in court last Tuesday, July 13, 2021 to receive their award for Distinguished Service. Historical Commission members and Commissioner Tommy Hammond are on the front row and the remainder of the Court is on the back row.

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Opinion & Entertainment

Wednesday, July 21, 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’m going to try to lay this theory out here in the open and I’m going to try to do it in a manner that I hope that you don’t think that I have completely lost my mind. I’m probably not going to succeed because I’m sure that most of you already think that I’m half way off of my rocker anyway, but here goes. What do y’all think about doing away with public education?? See.....I told you that you were going to think that I have gone plum off the edge and there is no pulling me back. I had this concept before I attended a school board meeting and there was considerable discussion about how the grade point average was calculated with advanced placement courses and dual credit courses and then just the old regular courses. The supe was explaining to the school board how extremely competi-

tive it was amongst the top 10 percent of the students because the top 10 percent are automatically accepted into every State funded college in Texas with the exception of the university of Texas(purposefully used small type for university). Those folks in Austin have always thought that they were a cut above anyway and they had the Texas Legislature carve out an exception for them. Anyway, I digress, but after the meeting I changed my position on closing the schools to modifying the public education system. My original thought was that kids these days get everything that they need from google that is on the phone that is tethered to their hand. If they need to spell a word, they just ask google. Need to know how much money is in the bank......just ask google. What’s the Capital of Romania.....hey

google. What’s today’s news???......never mind, bad example, these kids nowadays don’t even care about the news, they just accept whatever is force fed to them on their phone. However, I have since modified my thought position that maybe we need to send them to school until they are about 12 years old and then we need to separate the wheat from the straw. That top 10 percent or so that’s going to go to college, let’s bring them in and give them some very intense education in a field of their choosing without the distraction of everything else that happens in the school setting. That way, those kids become our doctors and scientists and can go out and save the world. The other set of kids, say about 85 percent of them are allowed to choose a career path and they are given some intense training in whatever field they choose. Have you tried to find a plumber lately??? They are scarce and expensive when you do get a hold of one of them. Do electricians really need to know World History.....no, they need to know how to wire a house. I talk to employers regu-

larly and they are always commenting on the lack of knowledge in today’s young workforce. I realize that the school system tries to do something along these lines, but they have so many rules and regulations that it’s hard for them to accomplish their goals. I am not dunning our teachers and administrators. I think that the school systems in the areas that these papers cover are doing a great job, but they are hampered by all of the ancillary issues that occur in a school day. Discipline issues for example......by the time that you get to High School, if you can’t

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

behave yourself, just move on down the road, it’s not the school’s responsibility to raise you.....oh, but it is according to the law. Everytime that a teacher has to deal with a discipline issue, that’s time away from educating another student who wants to learn. We have all heard about how some of these kids are left to fend for themselves at home and how some of them don’t even have a home. This situation was reinforced to me the other day by a presentation from a football coach. He talked about feeding the kids when they were at Summer workouts because that

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way he knew that they at least had a meal for the day because some of them wouldn’t have one otherwise. He talked about how many of these kids needed some love because they weren’t getting any at home and how they looked at him like a father figure. On second thought........ maybe we don’t need to fix the school system. We need to fix the parent system, but that’s another topic for another column. Okay, I’ll get off of my soapbox and try to find something humorous for next week. Till next time, I’m.........Wade in the Shade.

Tumbleweeds

THE HUSHPUPPY KING By Tumbleweed Smith

Leon Word of Gladewater had a 30-year career with Eastman Chemical. When he retired in 2004 he went to work doing what he likes to do most: make hushpuppies. His company makes a lot of them, sometimes a million and a half a week. “I think I’m a hushpuppy connoisseur,” Leon says. “I know what a good hushpuppy ought to taste like. When I started I actually used donutmanufacturing equipment to make them. It was a little hopper and you turned the crank and it spit out 3 hushpuppies into a tabletop fryer.” He experimented with a recipe one afternoon until he got it right, then started peddling his hushpuppies to stores, demonstrating them on the premises .”I kinda looked like Sanford and Son going down the interstate. I had a trailer on the back of a pickup that had 4 freezers running off a generator but that’s how I distributed my product: north of I-20 one day, south one day east to the Shreveport area one day, west one day then Sunday afternoons I’d be making dry mix for the next week.”

The demand for his product grew way beyond what he could make in his kitchen, so he decided to go with a food jobber. “I knew I had a good product. In 5 years we’ve grown from sitting on the front porch wondering if we would cook today to distributing a couple of 18-wheeler loads a week all over the country including Hawaii and Alaska, even Puerto Rico. “Our product goes exclusively to Wal-Mart under the Great Value label. You can find it next to the frozen shrimp. They’re crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside no matter how you cook them. The best way we’ve found is air frying. If you have an air fryer set the temperature at 350 degrees and go from freezer to air fryer 8 minutes and they’re perfect. “You can think of a hushpuppy as a cornbread substitute that you don’t have to mix up and cook in a pan. They’re great with chili and are a great accompaniment to any home cooking. I’ve had people just fix them as snacks.” Leon is one talented salesman.

It goes with believing in his product. At trade shows he would amaze people by showing up with just an air fryer. They were surprised that he didn’t have an oldfashioned hot oil frying apparatus with him. He says he could have sold a truckload of air fryers at those shows. He was extremely reluctant to give up his recipe, knowing it was a good one. He went through several food brokers before he decided on one he could trust. His product is made in Tennessee. Arkansas sells more hushpuppies than any other state. “I just want people to know we started from scratch and we know where we came from. The Lord has blessed us in ways that I couldn’t have ever imagined. We just want people to enjoy a good hushpuppy.” www.tumbleweesmith.com

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

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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: KIDS CLASSICS ACROSS 1. E-wallet content 6. Pen ____ 9. *Rubik’s ____ 13. Bryan Stevenson’s “Just ____” 14. *____-Wan Kenobi 15. Egyptian falcon-headed deity 16. Top of a steeple 17. *”____-I-Am” 18. Vernacular 19. *”Walking” spring toy 21. *Purple dinosaur 23. Foot the bill 24. Smidgen 25. *KIDZ ____ 28. Like a mattress? 30. Stay clear of 35. *Dumbo’s were huge 37. *Arnold Lobel’s “Frog and ____” 39. Emotional punishment 40. At the summit of 41. Young hooter 43. Shakespeare’s hometown river 44. Increase rpms (2 words) 46. *Pinocchio or Baron Munchausen, e.g. 47. Retired, shortened 48. Soft palate vibrations 50. Bob of the boxing world

52. Bovine hangout 53. Give the cold shoulder 55. Unagi on sushi menu 57. *Place called Sesame 60. *Place for Pong and PacMan 63. Semolina source 64. It would 66. Mourning fabric 68. Arterial blood vessel 69. Atlantic catch 70. Partner of pains 71. Emeralds and rubies 72. *One of “Little Women” 73. Haul something heavy DOWN 1. German river 2. Large edible mushroom, pl. 3. Seed covering 4. Substitute for tender 5. *Shenzi, Banzai and Ed in “Lion King” 6. *One in a pocketful 7. Lawyers’ league 8. Horizontal bar dance 9. It’s knee high by the Fourth of July? 10. Strong desire 11. Channel marker 12. Eastern Standard Time 15. What bullies do 20. City in Japan

Solution on page 3

22. Past tense of eat 24. Popular salad dressing 25. *Winnie and Paddington 26. Derived from oats 27. Utah city 29. Thanksgiving turkey, e.g. 31. Burn to a crisp 32. V·clav of Czechoslovakia 33. Be theatrical 34. *One of the Darling children 36. Horse prod 38. Letter opener 42. More true 45. Bygone Spanish money 49. “He said, ___ said” 51. Place that attracts visitors, pl. 54. Ancient city in Africa 56. Cooler clime conifer 57. *”One, two, buckle my ____” 58. Four years in the White House, e.g. 59. *”____ of NIMH” 60. *____ Walker, American Girl 61. *”Matilda” and “The Gremlins” author 62. *”The Three Musketeers” sword 63. Tail action 65. *Huck’s friend 67. Sixth sense

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 ■ August 21st. ECISD Bayside invites seniors, Education Foundation

7th Annual Buccaneer Gala. Social hour begins at 6pm. Dinner and Auction begins at 7pm For tickets or sponsor information contact Scott Jones at 409-781-0043.

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.

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THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Local News

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 PUNISHMENT RANGE

Thirty-Three individuals were arrested and booked into the Chambers County Jail between Sunday, July 11 and Saturday, July 17 . 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

the Southern border. Each year, that legislation was signed into law by President Donald Trump. Now, four years after the first funding was signed into law, President Biden has announced that he will simply no longer follow the law and illegally halted all construction to build the wall. This is wrong. This is illegal. And this will not hold up in court.” Under the direction of Commissioner Bush, the GLO formed the Texas Defense Task Force earlier this year to identify and fight back against federal overreach following the Biden Administration’s early and frequent use

Total Main Jail:

Commissioner Bush Launches Suit Against Biden Administration to Build the Wall

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced a lawsuit against the Biden Administration as a part of the Texas Defense Task Force. Filed in the Southern Texas District Federal Court, McAllen Division, the lawsuit

sues President Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas on grounds of illegally preventing the border wall from being constructed. During a press conference attended by Texas Border Patrol Agents and local

farmers affected by the recent increase of illegal immigration activity, Commissioner Bush made the following remarks: “Today, on behalf of the people of Texas, I am suing President Biden on grounds that he is

illegally preventing the border wall from being constructed. The issue here is simple—no man is above the law. And that includes President Biden. For four years, Congress allocated more than $5 billion to construct fencing and walls around

of executive actions that threatened the Texas economy and way of life. The GLO owns over 500,000 acres of land near the U.S.-Mexico border with an estimated 31 linear miles along the Rio Grande. The press conference today was held on a GLOowned 3,099-acre farm which produces revenue for the Permanent School Fund—an important source of money to educate school children. The farm is one of many along the Texas border that was intended to be used for a permanent border wall, however progress was halted under President Biden.

Religion & Lifestyle

Wednesday,July 21, 2021

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Sunday Observations from Christy

Tarnished Saints

Dana decided to clean her silverware. She uses a fluid that takes the tarnish off completely with a single wipe. She said, “It takes a long time to notice the discoloration, but if I wait too long, it can really cause damage.” “If we say we have no sin (tarnish), we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sin, the Lord is faithful and true to forgive us of our sin and wipe away the tarnish (sin) completely.” (1 John 1:8-9) Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain: Chambers County Sheriff’s Office & Fellowship of Christian Cowboys

This last week, a large group of Texas Democrats, hopped on airplanes and headed to DC. Their entire purpose was to strip the special session, ordered by the Governor, the ability to have a quorum, and therefore remove the ability of the voters rights fight to move anywhere. Not against it, not for it. It just sits. Festering. Before I go much further, let me say this is not about my personal feelings on voters rights….. it’s an observation of today’s

society. Anyway….. so this week, the work of the special legislature effectively came to a halt. Because some felt unheard, and therefore just packed up their stuff and left. Mind you, Republican members are not exactly compromising on this issue. It’s their way or no way. They have the majority. So they will force it. So the Dems feel the only way to fight for what they think is right, is to avoid it at all. Y’all….. what in blue blazes has happened to the art of debate? The finesse of adults sitting down and compromising. I know is it’s shocking but no one is 100% right, 100% of the time. Sometimes compromise is needed, where you give a little, take a little, for the betterment of all people. This isn’t a Democrat issue, or a Republican issue. This is a people

issue. I said the same when the capital was stormed in January! People are pitching glorified 2 year old fits, on the world stage, when something isn’t going their way. The person you wanted for President didn’t win…… the laws the opposing party wants to pass don’t align with your thoughts…… the principal makes a rule you don’t like….. whatever the situation, Americans current mind set is, “I did not get my way so I will sit down an pout…. Or riot….. or protest.” And it’s very disturbing. How we can sit and wonder about today’s youth being violent, about shootings, fighting, and general unrest….. then sit and watch the adult version of it unfold in our political arena, is beyond me. Our youth are following the lead of a bunch of

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spoiled brats. They are in every state capital and DC. They are not leading, they are paving the way for a generation of no compromise. That will lead to no growth, to no change, and to more violence. Happy Sunday peeps….. I hope when our next election rolls around you vote accordingly. You remember who stormed a capital, who packed up and left, who refused to work together for the betterment of all. Compromise is a thing. It’s a necessary thing. If you don’t think so, wait a bit….. life will show you quick that you simply won’t get your way. Every day. Every time. I just hope you figure it out before you are on a big stage with a lot of witnesses, who watch as you stomp your feet and pitch a fit. Get it together America! You really are better than this.

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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)

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

COME JOIN US!

SNACKS!

GOD'S GREAT LIGHT!

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

Methodist 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

Nondenominational

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

PAGE 5

Business Directory

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

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

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

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

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

(409) 296-2116

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

www.clarkfreight.com

“Trucks Move Your World”

$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

C & V WRECKER SERVICE

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

Craig Stowe Owner

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

409-296-9542

3 Ways to Protect Your Houseplants From Bugs

(StatePoint) If you have recently started or expanded a houseplant collection, congratulations! You’ve improved your indoor air quality and have added life and vibrancy to your home. At the same time however, your indoor garden may be attracting bugs that can harm your precious plants and annoy you. Unfortunately, not everyone notices an infestation right away. The average household, for example, won’t recognize a fly problem until they’re five flies deep, but even one fly can lead to a larger problem. Follow these three tips to protect your houseplants -- and household -- from bugs: 1. Water plants carefully: Standing water creates a breeding ground for flying insects such as fungus gnats, which are very small and usually appear in swarms. Because these insects grow in moist soil and their larvae feed on plant roots, you can manage such infestations by reducing the amount of water you give your plants and by improving soil drainage. 2. Take action fast: Did

you know that in just one week, flying insects can lay eggs that hatch and mature into more adults ready to breed? For this reason, it’s important to be vigilant and take action at the first sign of a bug problem. 3. Don’t let your guard down: Defend against fruit flies, gnats and flies 24/7 with a Zevo Flying Insect Trap. Just plug the trap into a regular outlet near your houseplants and wherever flying insects enter your home or gather. Rather than chemical insecticides, the traps use multi-spectrum light technology to lure flying bugs to their doom in a discreet glue sheet cartridge. When the cartridge is full, just replace it and toss the used one without ever having to touch a dead bug. To learn more, visit zevoinsect.com. Taking proper care of plants goes beyond watering them and giving them the right amount of sunlight. It also means safeguarding them from pests. The good news is that by making just a few tweaks, you can offer plants round-the-clock protection from insects.

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

Classifieds

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Free for individuals selling personal items

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

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

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

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 3 BR 1 1/2 bath $1100.00/ month and $1100.00 deposit. No utilities. Call Reenay 409-201-0399 For Rent 3BR House Kitchen Appliances, Central Heat/Air $1250.00/ mo 409-651-0578 1600 sq. ft. for rent. Window display, Highway frontage 409-781-0918 1000 sq. ft. office space for rent. 409-781-0918. FOR SALE

4x5 Round bales stored outside for cows. $35.00 each. Call 409-781-2236

.ARBO:RETUM o:F.WINNIE RE Due to our continued success, we are now taking applications for full time and part time positions. Great work environment and only 25 miles from Port Arthur or Beaumont.

Certified Nurse Aide

We offer competitive pay with benefits. Come join our TEAM. Apply in person at 1215 HWY. 124, Winne, TX 409-296-8200

TexSCAN Week of July 18-24, 2021

FOR SALE Handyman needed for only Cub SI40 farm tractors a few hours work around the - 14’50’ mobile home house and yard. 409-296-6224 large dog house metal General Labor crew needed. Duties include: shoveling, weed- garden tiller - 3 drilling eating/mowing, pouring concrete, rigs want to buy disk laying pipes and clearing land. - brush hog - tractor w/ Background check and drug screen required. Tempto-hire - $12.00 front loader. 281-788-7838 per hour.

Call us at 835-5566.

Part time maintenance man needed. Apply at Winnie Square Apartments 218 W Magnolia Ave #33 Winnie TX 409-296-2100 FOR RENT House for rent in Winnie. 3 bed, 1.5 bath + game room, fenced backyard. Brick house in nice neighborhood. $1,200 month +deposit. 409-789-0289 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. 936-546-4401

7 1/4 acres furnished house lots of outside equipment. 409-284-5543

2005 Crown Vic Intercepter: Clean, dependable, new tires, brakes, great ac, etc., $3, 800.00. 281-414-6353

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 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 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

Canal City lot for sale by Garry Brattenowner on the middle canal Experienced Handyman. undeveloped Lot #302, No job too small or 1468 Van Sant Gilchrist 409-354-8280. TX call Alan 409-939- large. Horse hay 4x5 fertilized 3240 no texts $30,000 Jiggs Bermuda in barn $50.00/ 2004 40' Mountain Air roll. Call 409-781-2236 motorhome, made by sale: Bradford, Newmar. 250 Cummings For Brangus, and Hereford diesel, 6 speed Allison bulls. Call 713.875.5703 transmission $25000.00 Call or

409-277-0883 409-277-9872

Trailer axles $40 - 100 each Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

Part-time shop help needed for weekends and some weekdays. If interested please call 409-296-6980.

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

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

MAINTENANCE

Wade A. Thibodeaux

FREE WANT ADS POLICIES TWO KINDS OF WANT ADS

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.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 866-747-9983.

WANTED FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com..

Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 221 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services 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

MEDICAL

Life Alert. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with LEGAL ASSISTANCE GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL Paraquat – Parkinson’s Disease. If you were 844-831-1525. FREE Brochure. exposed to the herbicide Parquat and have been DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, you may be Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus proceentitled to compensation. Call 800-444-9112 for more dures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental information. Pulaski Kherkher, PLLC. Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-901-0467 INTERNET www.dental50plus.com/txpress #6258 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.

SERVICES

Metal Shelves $10 each 4 available Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. ACREAGE Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior Hunting/investment/recreational property. We & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-815-5722. have some of the best in Texas! From the Hill Country (Edwards, Menard, Coke, Val Verde County, free TRUCK DRIVERS ranging exotics) to South Texas (Kinney, Duval, Live Be Your Own Boss, Choose Your Own Routes! Oak County, whitetail, hogs). Large or small acreage. Looking for CDL drivers to deliver new trucks all 30-year fixed rate owner financing, only 5% down. over the country, starting in Laredo, TX. Experience Call toll-free or email for individual prices and terms, preferred. Must have DOT physical and be willing to keep logs. No DUIs in the last 10 years, clean www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720. MVR. Quality Drive-Away. Apply online at GENERATORS www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023. GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-855-704-8579.

FOR SALE

HELP WANTED

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

DRIVEN TO BE THE BEST

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.

Be Your Own Boss, Choose Your Own Routes!

______________________________________________________

Looking for CDL drivers to deliver new trucks all over the country, starting in Laredo, TX.

______________________________________________________

Experience preferred. Must have DOT physical and be willing to keep logs. No DUIs in last 10 years, clean MVR.

______________________________________________________

Apply Online at www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023

______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ MAIL TO:

PAGE 7

Culture/Lifestyle

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE

HANDLE WITH CARE By John Jefferson

Twenty years ago, I did something embarrassing. Several wildlife biologists were invited by Al Brothers, legendary whitetail biologist and manager of the H.B. Zachery Ranches, to hunt does on the ranch near the border to help control the ever-increasing doe population. Brothers and Murphey Ray’s landmark whitetail management book, “Producing Quality Whitetails,” heartily encourages removing does to keep the resident deer herd in line with the carrying ca-

Welcome Neighborhood Net Readers!

pacity of the habitat. I had worked in the Wildlife Division of TPWD and was invited to hunt, too. Another wildlife journalist, the late Jim Cox, with TPW Magazine, was also along. After shooting two does, I drove to pick up Cox at the stand he hunted. He asked if I had shot one. I held up two fingers. He looked at my bare hand, and quizzically asked, “Then where’s the blood?” Bloody hands were almost a rite of passage among deer hunters. How else could you field dress a deer without getting your hands bloody? Actually, you can if shot placement is perfect. Mine hadn’t been. “I sorta cheated,” was the answer I gave. I had worn latex gloves to dress both does. And I felt a little like I was a sissy. Looking back, I’m glad I did that. Nowadays, a box of latex gloves rides in my truck during deer season. This week, I received a long message from another hunter, Aaron Hipp, telling of an infection that has caused him great misery. A fungal infection on his left thumb incapacitated him for considerable time. He saw several doctors and they had him check his cell phone pictures to see when it had started affecting him. That showed it began shortly after handling a strange looking coyote he had shot. The medics decided he

must have had a cut on his hand and got the infection from the sickly-looking coyote he had dragged with his left hand. Since my first use of latex gloves 20 years ago, most hunters I know now use some kind of gloves to handle game. I even double-gloved to skin a coyote near Laredo once. That hide now trims a deer skin vest my wife wears. Using gloves helps control your knife and makes it easier to handle the deer’s inner body parts. They also assist in skinning. The best gloves for this duty are kitchen gloves that are thicker and less apt to tear on sharp bones or when struck accidentally by your knife. Most kitchen gloves extend higher on your forearms and keep blood off your arms and clothing They are also more effective than latex or nitrile in handling game since most have better gripping surfaces. They also keep your hands warmer in cold weather, and even when butchering thawed meat from the freezer. Even latex helps there. Kitchen gloves cost more than latex but are easily washed for additional use on the next critter. But take it from Aaron Hipp and me – always wear some kind of hand protection when handling wildlife.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

This emaciated coyote was taken on a trip to New Mexico with Gary Roberson, owner of Burnham Bros. Game Calls. We named it the “Chupacabra Coyote” since none of us had ever seen a coyote that looked like this. There was very little hair on what is usually a bushy tail on a healthy coyote. We wisely refrained from touching it due to its unhealthy and sickly-looking condition. Not all disease-carrying wildlife exhibits a “Don’t Touch” appearance like this one and should only be handled with gloved hands. Photo by John Jefferson.

Community

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Chambers County Clean Audit (contd) way for the mural to be painted and providing a guideline for other groups to paint buildings in their parks. The Chambers County Historical Commission was presented the Distinguished Service Award for their work the

past year and Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne presented a legislative update of things that happened in Austin over the regular session of the Texas Legislature to the Commissioners. The next regular session

of Chambers County Commissioners Court will be Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 9:30 am in the County Courtroom of the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas.

July 15, 2021 – The initial stage of flood risk data collection efforts to support creation of the first-ever Regional Flood Plan for Texas’ Trinity River Basin will wrap up later this month. This critical effort is being undertaken by the Trinity Regional Flood Planning Group (Trinity RFPG), a group formed as part of the new regional flood planning process authorized by the Texas Legislature in 2019 in the wake of historic statewide flooding. The Planning Group recently requested a variety of technical, flood-related data from cities, counties and other entities across the region, in order to identify existing and future flood risks in local areas. Members of the public are also encouraged to participate in this important, new planning process, which is aimed at better managing flood risk to reduce loss of life and property from flooding. The detailed information being collected now will be used to develop strategies to reduce local flood risks. Ultimately, this planning effort is important and relevant to regional stakeholders because projects included in the 2023 Trinity Regional Flood Plan will have access to State funding. Current and future public participation opportunities include: Now through July 24, 2021, identification of floodprone areas on the interac-

tive map available via the button at the top of the Trinity RFPG website’s Public Comment page https://trinityrfpg.org/public-comment/ (or directly at https://trinity. halff.com) On the data collection microsite, go to the “Member of the Public?” area on the righthand side of the page, enter your information and click the “Take me to the map” link to access the map and add location pins to mark flooding issues or concerns Submission of public comments via the Trinity RFPG website, www.trinityrfpg. org Subscription to the Planning Group’s future e-updates through the “Subscribe” form on the website homepage Submission of comments or questions to the Trinity RFPG email address, info@ trinityrfpg.org Participation in Planning Group public meetings, for which information is available on the Trinity RFPG website The next meeting is currently scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2021, at a time and location to be announced soon “The first Regional Flood Plan, and any future plans at the regional or state level, will only be as good as the input provided,” said Glenn Clingenpeel, Chair of the Trinity RFPG and Executive Manager, Technical Services and Basin Planning, with the Trinity River Authority.

“That is why we strongly encourage all interested parties, including not only cities and counties but also any individuals or groups potentially affected by flooding issues, to participate in this time-sensitive effort. It is vitally important that all communities throughout the Basin have an active voice in Texas’ new, bottom-up planning process, since much of the information we need is best known by local leaders and residents.” About the Trinity Regional Flood Planning Group and the Flood Planning Process Statewide The Trinity RFPG is among 15 regional flood planning groups designated in April 2020 by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), as a result of Senate Bill 8, 86th Texas Legislature, which established a groundbreaking, new regional and state flood planning process for the state. At the same time, the Texas Legislature also created a new flood financial assistance fund and charged the TWDB with administering the fund. The Flood Infrastructure Fund, approved by Texas voters in November 2019, will be used to finance flood-related projects. The Trinity RFPG is responsible for creating its first Regional Flood Plan by January 10, 2023. This plan will then become part of Texas’ first-ever State Flood Plan by September 1, 2024. After this first round of flood planning, each of the regional

Trinity River Basin Flood Planning Efforts Begin

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

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

PAGE 8

flood planning groups will update their plans every five years. The initial members of the Trinity RFPG were designated by the TWDB last year. The Planning Group’s membership includes at least one voting member from each of the following interest categories: the public, counties, municipalities, industry, agriculture, environment, small

business, electric-generating utilities, river authorities, water districts, water utilities and flood districts. In April 2021, the Trinity RFPG engaged a technical consultant team led by Halff Associates to support its planning effort. The Trinity RFPG’s planning region (Trinity River Basin, or Region 3) has an estimated population of almost 8 million and spans a

nearly 18,000-square-mile, 38-county region from Cooke County in the north to Chambers County on the Gulf Coast. For more information, visit the Trinity RFPG website at www.trinityrfpg.org, follow the group on Twitter https:// twitter.com/TrinityRFPG or email the group via info@ trinityrfpg.org.

Financial Travel Tips After a year without travel, who among us is not ready to hit the road again and take a much needed vacation? Before you board that plane, hit the beach or check in to your hotel, it’s important to make sure you keep your money safe while you’re away. In these post-pandemic days, security is an even greater concern, and planning ahead will give you not only greater security but also peace of mind. Here are a few tips for a smooth sailing on vacation. 1. Let us know before you go. We are always diligent in watching for suspicious activity, that’s part of our job. If you’re planning travel outside your normal spending and shopping area, call our customer service team to tell us where you are going and how long you’ll be there. Keeping us in the loop lets us know that there is nothing suspicious going on with your account. Just relax and enjoy your trip! 2. Be careful how you provide your financial information. Ser-

vices like Apple Pay, Venmo and PayPal have made paying with your phone as easy as a touch or a swipe, which is especially convenient when you’re traveling. However, you should know that these services store your financial data, so it is particularly important to keep watch on your bank account to make sure you recognize all the activity. If you should see something that does not look right on your account, give us a call right away. 3. Use your Mastercard® Debit Card and earn rewards with one of our Kasasa® checking accounts. Our Kasasa accounts earn cash back when you use your debit card so you can earn money as you travel. Plus, you can receive refunds on ATM fees nationwide. Ask us for full account details. 4. Report a lost or stolen debit card right away. If your debit card is lost or stolen, acting quickly limits your liability for any unauthorized charges. Call us as soon as you notice your card missing. I realize that for some

people, traveling after a year of the pandemic may seem like something to dread. But many of us are now taking to the sky and the open road to reward our families for enduring a year of lockdown. We have somewhat become accustomed to daily risk as we acknowledge there are always risks in life— health risks to our food, perils of living in tall buildings or even accidents on our daily drive to and from work. I say we all deserve a little relaxation, a pleasant change of pace and some beautiful scenery. Remember, just a year ago, we were afraid to even go to the grocery store, now we can begin to get back out at our own personal comfort level. Travel is liberating from the daily grind, and I highly recommend it. We are here to help keep your accounts safe as you travel so be sure to let us know how we can make your travel plans less hectic and more financially secure. We look forward to serving you at home or on vacation.

Moore For Your Money by Ken Moore