SEALY NEWS THE
Lois Kolkhorst wins Senate seat PAGE 14
Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 • Home of Pat Chislett
Volume 127 Number 49
NEWSBITS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014
The Sealy High School choir will hold its Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 in the school auditorium.
Herman Sons Christmas party The Cat Spring Herman Sons Lodge No. 44 is having its annual Christmas party and awards presentation on Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall. The lodge is providing barbecue baked potatoes and members are asked to bring appetizers or desserts. The Humanitarian Award will be presented. Donations to the Gordon Library will be made in lieu of a gift exchange. For more information, call 979995-2719, or 979885-3695.
By JOE SOUTHERN editor@sealynews.com
The Sealy News photos/JOE SOUTHERN
Jahkai Gonzales, 7, gets ready to ride Gunther, a 14-year-old dromedary, during the Festival of Lights celebration Saturday at Levine Park in Sealy. Look for the photo gallery online at www.sealynews.com.
The last day to order a 2015 Sealy High School yearbook is Friday, Dec. 12. Order forms can be picked up at the Student Service Window or in the yearbook room, B133. Orders can also be placed online at www.balfour.com. Contact yearbook adviser Val Goad at 979-885-3515 for more information.
Song of Christmas St. John Lutheran Church in Cat Spring will host the musical “The Song of Christmas” on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. Members from several churches will perform and the entire public is invited to the free event. Refreshments will be served. The church is located at 408 Ross Street in Cat Spring. For more information, call 979-865-3842. ■ NEWS BITS, page 11
TODAY'SOBITUARIES ■ Delrose Kana Hattermann ■ Sue Vaughn Irvin Mize ■ Milburn Gerald Robison
Fantastic Fantasy Christmas celebration draws crowds Tour of Homes returns to Sealy
By JOE SOUTHERN editor@sealynews.com
- Page 6 The weather was cool but not too cold on Saturday, just enough to warm the hearts and spirits of the thousands of people who came out to celebrate the season with Sealy’s annual Fantasy of Lights. Levine Park and the surrounding downtown area was bustling with activity as families enjoyed a day of games, live entertainment, food and craft vendors, camel rides, sled rides on snow and so much more. Trains and pajamas were the order of the day as the event followed a Polar Express theme. “We’re really pleased
with the way things went,” said Melanie Willingham, president of the Sealy Community Foundation, the organization that puts on the festival each year. She said the crowds were probably bigger than they were two years ago. Last year it was cold and wet and attendance was down. “The biggest thing I’ve had people talking about is the snow. People love the snow,” she said. The snow was manmade and provided by Ice Express. A tractor trailer load of ice was crushed and blown into
A girl wipes out while sledding on the artificial snow Saturday during Sealy's Fantasy of Lights celebration. two mounds for sledding and a small field where numerous snowball fights broke out. Huge crowds lined Main Street for the popular parade of lights. “When they turn the lights on at the park just before the parade
Community celebrates as Liedertafel turns 100
I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Psalm 143:6
Thank a
Veteran and Serviceman everyday
■ FANTASY, page 13
By JOE SOUTHERN editor@sealynews.com
editor@sealynews.com
Liedertafel Hall is a place in time and on Saturday the residents of Sealy celebrated its first century milestone with plenty of brats, beer, sauerkraut and German chocolate birthday cake. The versatile octagonal building has been many things over the last 10 decades and today still stands as a centerpiece of social activity. The sounds of live music performed by Kovanda’s Czech Band help many relive the nostalgic dancehall
it’s like ‘here we go – Christmas season is here,’” Willingham said. One of the more popular attractions was the camel ride. Actually, the camel was a 14-year-old
The Austin County inmates being temporarily housed in the Fort Bend County Jail are home for the holidays – or at least as close as the jail in Bellville. Sheriff Jack Brandes reported that on Monday all but two of the 12 inmates housed in the neighboring county have been returned and that the Austin County Jail is completely open now that new staff have undergone training. The remaining two inmates are staying due to medical issues. “We’re a good three weeks ahead of schedule,” Brandes said. Brandes closed the newer and larger section of the jail for the second time this year in October due to staffing problems. It was first closed and inmates shipped to Fort Bend last summer after a string of resignations by jailers left the jail too short staffed to operate at full capacity. The October closing was to allow newly hired staff to undergo formal training. The sheriff said the jail now has 15 jailers with three more interviews scheduled for this week. Full staffing is 20 jailers. Brandes said having jailers properly trained is making a big difference. “The attitude (among jailers) is wonderful and everybody’s happy,” he said.
Sealy ISD pursuing motel properties
By JOE SOUTHERN
BIBLEQUOTE
18 pages, $1
Inmates return from Fort Bend lockup
SHS Christmas concert
Yearbook deadline
Dennis King retires as Pct. 4 judge PAGE 3
The Sealy News/JOE SOUTHERN
Carolyn Zapalac cuts the birthday cake Saturday during the 100-year celebration of Liedertafel Hall. days and the lively Fireman’s Frolics that kept the place hopping in its early years. Memories of the good old days were shared by Leroy Zapalac and Bill Ripple, who told stories of the Fireman’s Frolics and of the big name performers who have graced the hall.
“I still remember how it all worked,” Zapalac said. He said the Frolic was always held the last Thursday in July. All of the businesses in town closed at high noon. Zapalac said he and his buddies learned ■ 100, page 14
The Sealy Independent School District is in the process of acquiring several properties along Hwy. 90 by the football stadium. Some property owners are willing to sell and others may be forcing the district into condemnation proceedings. When the property acquisition is complete, the district will own all the land along Hwy. 90 from North Circle Drive on the east to the driveway just west of the Pueblo Motel near Allens Creek. Before that happens, the district must
first reach an agreement or settlement with the owner of the Pueblo Motel as well as another property near the stadium. In the meantime, the district has purchased an empty lot and is about to purchase the pink Best Budget Inn next door to the stadium. “We’ve signed a contract and we hope to close soon,” Supt. Sheryl Moore said in a recent interview. The district purchased the motel property for about $300,000. Moore said the money comes from the district’s fund balance. “We’ve got a very ■ PROPERTY, page 3
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, Texas 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
THIS
WEEK'S WEATHER According to The Weather Channel
Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
High: 66 Low: 52 Rain: 10%
High: 70 Low: 54 Rain: 10%
High: 71 Low: 57 Rain: 10%
High: 69 Low: 54 Rain: 80%
High: 63 Low: 44 Rain: 10%
High: 59 Low: 41 Rain: 0%
High: 60 Low: 49 Rain: 20%
This week's weather art is by Amellis Rodriguez, 5, a student at Selman Elementary School.
SEALY NEWS THE
Austin County Worship Guide INSIDE
Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 • Home of Tom Loehr
Volume 127 Number 16
NEWSBITS
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Eggstravaganza pictures PAGE 19 36 pages, $1
Bellville hospital proposes take over of EMS
AARP Sealy AARP Chapter 1505 will meet at 11 a.m. on April 17 at the Hill Community Center.
Fish Fry The Sealy KC Fish Fry will be every Friday, March 7 through April 18, serving from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - dine in and eat all you want or drive through. Menu consists of fish, beans, French fries, hushpuppies and coleslaw. Desserts will be available. Sealy KC Hall is at 1310 Highway 90 West.
We have invested more than $1 million in a new emergency department building. – Tim Ottinger, advocacy and community benefits officer for St. Joseph.
“
By JOE SOUTHERN reporter@sealynews.com
In case of emergency, who ya gonna call? That is the big question swirling around Austin County as Bellville St. Joseph Health Center has submitted a proposal to take over operation of Austin County Emergency Medical Service (ACEMS). Though the first public airing of the proposal was made
”
Monday morning at a meeting of the Austin County Commissioners Court, two city ordinances were delivered to commissioners in opposition to the plan and several citizens addressed the court, most opposing it.
A public hearing to allow the hospital to make its proposal and to allow for commissioners and the public to respond was held in a basement meeting room to accommodate the standing room only crowd. The bulk of the presentation
was made by Tim Ottinger, the advocacy and community benefits officer for St. Joseph. Ottinger outlined how the Bryan-based hospital took over Bellville General Hospital last year and kept the facility from having to close. “We knew we would need to strengthen the emergency department at Bellville General,” he said. “We have
City OKs police cameras
Dance Club The Wallis American Legion Dance Club will hold its monthly dance on Saturday, April 19, with music by Fabulous Four, playing good country western and mixed music for your pleasure from 8 to 11:30 p.m. So come out and enjoy. There will be lots of door prizes and free coffee. For more information, call Steve Muzny (979) 4782494 or Charley Janik (979) 478-6226.
Communication an ongoing issue between city and police By AMBER GONZALES editor@sealynews.com
Texas Independence, and Republic of Texas eras. Plenty of black powder was expended during battle reenactments and other demonstrations across the three days. “Our goal is to host an event that gives people an opportunity to learn about Texas history and Sealy’s early history,” Naron said. “We try to do this in a way that allows people to learn and have fun at the same time. We want people to not only see and hear about activities from the past but to par-
After almost an hour of discussion with the Sealy City Council approved purchasing new cameras and software for officers’ vehicles for about $34,700 at its last meeting April 8. The approval means the Sealy Police Department will order seven new cameras for patrol vehicles equipped with software and support from COPsync, with a two year warranty. But it wasn’t easy. The original agenda item called for the council to waive the city’s procurement policy and to pay the total cost of $34,695 up front, which is uncommon for the city. The council ultimately paid about $27,000 up front and found it didn’t need to waive the policy. Sealy Chief of Police John Tollett had to fight for the equipment and software that included hardware for seven in-
■ PICNIC, page 9
■ CAMERAS, page 13
Easter Service San Felipe United Methodist Church is holds its 74th Easter Sunrise Service April 20 at 7 a.m. at the San Felipe de Austin State Historical Site on FM 1458. Everyone is encouraged to join and enjoy and guests are also invited to stay for the 10 a.m. worship service at the church.
City-wide garage sale The 11th Annual City-wide Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 26 – rain or shine. There is no charge to participate and register your garage sale. Please register your garage sale by Tuesday, April ■ NEWSBITS, page 13
TODAY'SOBITUARY ■ Carole Juergens
BIBLEQUOTE "I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:1-2
Thank a
Veteran and Serviceman everyday
■ EMS, page 11
The Sealy News/JOE SOUTHERN
Above, Michael Kubricht rides down Main Street in a road grader he restored as part of the Spring Picnic celebration Saturday, April 19. It was the first time this particular road grader was pulled through Sealy with oxen in about 100 years. Below, a member of the Great Promise for American Indians group performs a traditional Native American Dance. See more photos from the Picnic on page 20.
History rolls through Sealy By JOE SOUTHERN reporter@sealynews.com
The fourth annual Sealy Spring Picnic brought history to life as the community celebrated a slower, more traditional way of life last weekend at the Santa Fe Museum. Sponsored by the Sealy Historical Society, the Spring Picnic was spread over three days and included vintage baseball games, encampments representative of 1800s Texas, Civil War reenactments, old-fashioned children’s games, vendor booths, marionettes, and much more. “Everyone had a good
time and we had a good turnout,” said coordinator Nancy Naron. “The weather was perfect.”
Several reenactment groups game together for the event and represented the Civil War,
Tigers qualify for debate nationals Two Sealy High School (SHS) debaters, Felicia Perrien and Trenton Beckendorff, will represent Sealy at the National Forensic League national tournament in Overland Park, Kan., in June. The Sealy debate team was one of 16 schools from the Gulf Coast area to participate in events at the National Forensic The Sealy News/COURTESY PHOTO League’s (NFL) Gulf Coast Pictured from the left are Holly Nemec (professional communications and culinary arts District Tournament in teacher), Trenton Beckendorff, Felicia Perrien, Manford Williams and Jamie Young. Victoria.
Established in 1925, the National Forensic League is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization in the United States, encompassing 110 districts across the nation. To attend the national tournament, students must place among the top competitors at one of the district tournaments. Qualifiers for the national tournament have the ■ DEBATE, page 9
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, Texas 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
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