Walker County Press 11-05-2020

VOL 5 ¡ISSUE 1

WALKER COUNTY

PRESS

PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #60 WINNIE, TX

Veterans Museum Host H o r n e t s Tr a u m a t i z e d Trunk or Treat Event t h e Ti g e r s 2 7 - 7 Thursday November 5, 2020

Jaylon McClain(#9) sets the corner block for Kam Cole(#1).

By Wade Thibodeaux The Huntsville Hor-

nets hosted the A & M last Friday, October 30, Consolidated Tigers 2020 (contd on page 9)

Huntsville ISD Crowns Homecoming King and Queen

This little one was ready for some candy. last Saturday, October 31,

By Wade Thibodeaux The H.E.A.R.T.S. Veter- 2020 in the museum parkans Museum hosted an out- ing lot located next door to door Trunk or Treat event the Walker County Storm

Shelter. The event lasted from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. and lots of candy was distributed to children of all ages.

Hostage Standoff Ends Peacefully

By Wade Thibodeaux SWAT teams were called to a home in New Waverly Monday where a woman was shot in the shoulder with a shotgun and others were held hostage. It all (contd on page 11)

Homecoming King Jadarian White and Queen Alyssa Wheaton

By Wade Thibodeaux The Huntsville ISD crowned their 2020 Homecoming King and Queen during half-

time of the Hornets versus A & M Consolidated game last Friday, October 30, 2020. Homecoming Queen

is Alyssa Wheaton and the Homecoming King is Jadarian White.

Thursday November 5, 2020

THEME: CARTOON CHARACTERS ACROSS 1.. Brocadopa or Larodopa 6. They are often covert 9. Used for watering 13. Vexed

Community

37. Hammer or sickle 39. ____ firma 40. Lecherous look 41. Computer key 43. Lure for a dieter, on a package 44. Tropical smoothie flavor 46. Health club offering 47. Hourglass filler 48. Popular saint’s name 50. Pea ____, pl.

52. Limit, to some 53. Peace symbol 55. Like King George, 17601820 57. *Ill-tempered fourth-grader’s last name 61. *Beast Boy and Starfire 64. Rossini’s offering 65. Lobe locale 14. Took the bait 21. *Angelica, 67. Sure sign of 15. Spot for bou- Tommy and Dil fire tonniËre 23. Opposite of 69. Pretend, two 16. Old West pack yang words animal 24. Archipelago 70. Number 17. Big-headedunit ness 25. Solemn pledge cruncher, acr.

71. Lusitania de18. Render harm- 28. Depletes less 30. Works, as in a stroyer 72. Gave the boot 19. *Bammbakery Bamm’s dad 35. Kind of beige 73. Pivotal

Walker County Press-Page 2

74. Santa Maria’s companion DOWN 1. Party choice, abbr.

2. Clobber 3. Southern stew staple 4. *Stepbrothers’ bipedal platypus 5. Apollo Creed’s son 6. Toe the line 7. *Peppa’s or George’s last name 8. “The buck ____ here” 9. *King of the Hill 10. Milky-white gem 11. Dry as dust 12. Popular street-lining trees 15. Aglow 20. Related on mother’s side 22. Type 24. Carbon-12 or carbon-13 25. *The “brains” of Scooby-Doo’s group 26. Billy of ‘80s Billboard charts 27. Small songbirds 29. *Pinky Pie or Fluttershy

31. Unagi, pl.

32. A in A=ab, pl.

33. Did it to KoolAid 34. *Land mammal in Bikini Bottom 36. Give a pep talk 38. *Emmet Brickowski’s brick 42. Spokes of a wheel, e.g.

45. *Mr. Magoo or Mr. Burns, e.g.

49. Bygone bird of New Zealand 51. Opposite of ‘lies down’ 54. Sweater style 56. More than one iamb 57. Float liquid 58. Mt. Everest to Earth 59. Network of nerves 60. Walked on 61. Cafeteria carrier 62. High part of day 63. 3-handed card game 66. *Magilla Gorilla, e.g.

68. Pilot’s announcement

Walker County Press-Page 3

Business Directory

Thursday November 5, 2020 2801 Old Houston Road 936-435-0303 www.tomorrowspromise.com email: tpms1@msn.com fax: 936-730-8278

TEXAS MEDIA CORP Huntsville

Wade Thibodeaux (936) 581-5161

P.O. Box 149

Huntsville, Tx 77342

wade@txmediacorp.com

Auto Home Commercial Life Health Office: 936-295-6000 Email: huntsvilleoffice@ rolloinsurance.com Steven R. Gregory - Agent www.rolloinsurance.com 1010 University Ave. Huntsville, TX 77320

Tomorrow’s Promise

Now Enrolling child care 6wks-12 yrs old 5am-6pm M-F!

Texas Tidbits From Historic Tours of Texas Did you know...?

The Civilian Conservation Corp was founded during the Great Depression in April of 1933 and lasted until 1942.

The rest of the answer can be found at historictoursoftexas.com

Thursday November 5, 2020

Arrest Report

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home -All Prearranged Services Honored -Prearranged Funeral Sales

Joetta’s

Women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories Home Decor and gifts Tyler Candles and Glamour Wash

office: 936-661-6125 www.joettas.com

Walker County Press-Page 4

1700 Normal Park Huntsville, TX 77340

Located in West Hill Mill

936-291-7300

From the office of Walker County Sheriff

Clint McRae Forty-Five individuals were arrested and booked into the Walker County Jail between Monday, October 26 and Monday, November 2. Con-

tinued indictments from last week are also as followed.

The individuals named 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 Walker County, but perhaps was simply ar-

rested in Walker County on outstanding warrant(s) while in Walker County.

In instances in which individuals were arrested on out-

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

Walker County Press-Page 5

Arrest Report

Thursday November 5, 2020

Personalizing Your Events...Since 1957 www.huntsvilleheartfieldflorist.com office: 936-295-5448

Corner of 16 and 24 Sam Houston Ave.

Walker County Press-Page 6

Baptist: -University Heights Baptist Church worship services every Sunday at 9:30am and 10:45am -First Baptist Church Hunts-

Arrest Report

ville every Sunday bible study at 9:30am, worship at 10:50, and 6:00pm Catholic: -St. Thomas the Apostale Catholic Church Rosary

Church Services

at 5:00pm and 5:30pm (English) every Saturday and every Sunday at 7:45am (English), 10:45am (English, and 12:30pm (Spanish)

GLO to Remove Derelict Vessels The Texas General Land Office (GLO) Oil Spill team began significant efforts to remove derelict vessels along our state’s coast.

Passed by the 86th Legislature in 2019, Senate Bill 500 allocated $2 million to the GLO Oil Spill Prevention and Response Program to remove vessels located within coun-

ties receiving a Disaster Declaration as a result of Hurricane Harvey. The appropriation is the first funding specifically allocated to the Oil Spill program for derelict vessel removal.

“The Texas General Land Office is committed to preserving our state’s coast and environment for generations to come,”

said Commissioner George P. Bush. “With the funding received through Senate Bill 500, our Oil Spill division can continue to fulfill our commitment to protecting our coastal communities. I look forward to seeing vessels removed and threats diminished as we continue this project.”

On Wednesday, November 11th, Texas Land Commissioner and Chairman of the Veterans Land Board George P. Bush will be hosting

a virtual Veterans Day ceremony to honor and recognize our nation’s heroes who dedicated their lives to fighting for our freedom.

The ceremony will feature keynote remarks by Retired Major General Albert Zapanta, remarks

by Veterans Land Board Chairman George P.

Virtual Veterans Day Ceremony

Thursday November 5, 2020

Methodist: -First United Methodist Church worship every Sunday at 8:30am, 9:45am and 11:00am

Presbyterian: -First Presbyterian Church Huntsville classes every Sunday at 9:15am and worship at 10:30am

Non-Denominational: -The Ark Church. 10:30 am service. Loman’s Student Center, 1717 Avenue J. Lead Pastor - Luke Cunningham. 936-463-8416

Bush, the national anthem performed by Operation Encore’s Shannon Book, and the Presentation of Colors by the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

Gen. Zapanta currently serves as the President of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, has previously held numerous Presidential appointments, and was awarded the Silver Star, 5 Bronze Stars for Valor, Purple Heart, and 30 other awards for his service during the Vietnam War. “Honor. Duty. Sacrifice.

No three words can be

more fitting of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces,” said Chairman George P. Bush. “As a military Veteran myself, I know firsthand what it’s like to wake up each morning, put on the uniform and report for duty. This service is not without great personal sacrifice. I invite Texans across the state to join us as we pay tribute to our military members who have served this great state and nation this Veterans Day.” Veterans Day is a day to reflect on the heroism of the brave men and

women who served in the United States Armed Forces. While we cannot have celebrations in person this year, we will continue the tradition of honoring these heroes and the sacrifices they made for their country and our freedom with a virtual ceremony on Veterans Day. The community is invited to join us on Facebook LIVE on Wednesday, November 11th at 12:00 p.m. CST to observe a ceremony dedicated to those who devoted their lives to our nation’s freedom.

Walker County Press-Page 7

Community

Thursday November 5, 2020

Community

Thursday November 5, 2020

Community Calendar

The Huntsville Public Library will reopen to the public on Monday, October 26, 2020, under the modified hours of 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mondays through Fridays, following the guidance of City officials.

The facility, located at 1219 13th Street, will only be able to accommodate 50 patrons inside the

building at one time.

Per Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order 28, all persons must wear a mask unless they are under the age of 10 or have a medical condition.

Citizens will also be able to take advantage of the library’s book sale which will be also reopened.

Computer access will be available on a first-come, firstserved basis with

limited use to social distance. In light of the safety of staff and citizens, personalized computer assistance will be offered on a limited basis.

Unfortunately, the ever-popular meeting rooms and study room reservations will not be available, and the library’s reading furniture will be inaccessible.

For more information, call 936-291-5472.

Obituaries

Mark Edward Hanley

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Mark Edward Hanley.

He was 61 years old. He said he would never grow old and in a way, never did.

He was born May 24, 1959 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur, TX. He attended Nederland High School and was a member of the graduating Class of 1977. He served in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 21 years and retired as Lieutenant of Correctional Officers. In the years following his retirement, he was a member of Northside

Baptist Church and a father to his two youngest daughters.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Annell Hanley, fatherin-law, James Kenneth Masters, brother, Michael Hanley (and wife Deborah Hanley), and sister-inlaw, Regina Masters.

Mark is survived by his loving wife, Ashley Hanley; his father, Carrel Frank Hanley; his mother-in-law, Carolyn Masters; his children, Mark “Jason” Hanley (and fiancé Kathleen), Ashley Melancon (and husband Kevin), Kodie Hanley, and Camryn Hanley; his sister, Mariann Curtice (and husband Britt) and his brother, Matt Hanley (and wife Dawn); his brothers-in-law, Chad Walker, Dustin Walker, Tanner Masters (and his wife Tori); his sisters-inlaw, Jamie Masters (and partner Michael)and Shea Masters Ali (and husband

Roddy); his grandchildren Lauren Melancon and Madison Melancon.

Barbara Nell Peal

Barbara Nell Woods Peal, born January 28, 1935, in Walker County Texas to Hollie E. Woods and Clara E. Cromeens Woods and passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 27, 2020 in Deer Park, Texas at the age of 85.

Nell is survived by her sons, David & wife, Roxanne Peal, Russell & wife, Dezare Peal, brother, Willie Gene Woods, sister, Betty Jo Stephens, six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, countless friends and loved ones.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Benny Nelson Peal, son, Kenneth Mitchell Peal, her parents, brother, Kenneth Woods, and sister, Shirley McCaffety.

A couple of years after graduation from Huntsville high school she met her furture husband, Ben Peal and after his graduation from Sam Houston State University they married and relocated to Pasadena, Texas were they raised their three sons and resided for 61 years.

Nell always had a passion for floral work, so when the boys moved out she worked for several years in a local florist shop making floral arrangements.

Along with floral design she also volunteered countless hours helping children learn to read in one of the Pasadena ISD elementary schools. Her volunteerism carried on while a resident at San Jacinto Manor where she regularly read to fellow residents at the nursing facility including one’s who were no longer able.

As a self-described small town girl with big dreams, Nell was able to live out many of her dreams. She and Ben enjoyed many exciting trips to Europe, to Israel to see the Holy Land, to Alaska, and across the US. They spent 61 beautiful and loving years together before he passed in 2015.

Nell was a beautiful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who filled our lives with imagination, spirit, and wonder. She will be greatly missed.

Walker County Press-Page 8

Helen Garvis Reeves

Helen G. Reeves, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 28, 2020. She passed to Heaven at her home in Dodge, Texas. Helen was born on December 11, 1929 to parents Malinda Lee (Roberts) Wilson and Edgar Walter Wilson in Oakhurst, Texas.

Helen graduated from Huntsville High School in 1945 and attended Sam Houston State University (then Sam Houston State Teachers College). It was there that she met her future husband, Daniel H. Reeves, Jr. They were married on December 27, 1947 and remained together for 59 years until Dan’s death in 2006. Helen continued her education later in life by graduating from the first J.G. Davis/ Huntsville Memorial Hospital / Walker County LVN nursing school. She passed the state LVN certification test with the highest score ever achieved up to that time. Helen worked at Huntsville Memorial Hospital as a surgical nurse until her retirement in 1984.

Helen is predeceased by her husband Dan, her parents, her sisters Pauline and Norma, brother Prentis and grandson

Phillip. She is survived by her daughter Danna Beth Riley, sons Daniel Lee Reeves (Selena) and Walter Hebert Reeves (Annamarie). Also, Helen is survived by eight (8) grandchildren, eight (8) great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Helen made the most of her 90 years. She had a long and happy marriage, a successful career, got to see her children and grandchildren grow to adulthood, loved her church, especially singing in the choir, and going fishing with her favorite fishing buddy, her husband Dan. Helen was known for her caring and giving nature.

She supported her children and grandchildren with love and consideration. She will always be remembered for her fiery nature and never give up attitude that inspired her family even at the end of her life. Helen will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Nola Mae “Dolly” Edgar Nola Mae Edgar, better known as Dolly or Grammy, was born December 24, 1931 to Adele and Finley Neighbors in Cuero, Texas and joined her beloved in Heaven on October 31, 2020. She was taught at an early age to work hard, be indepen-

Local News

Thursday November 5, 2020 dent and to appreciate all her blessings. On June 11, 1949, she married the love of her life, Marvin Edgar. Together, they welcomed two lovely daughters, Brenda Gayle and Jo Ann. In 1966 they moved to Huntsville which she would call home for her remaining years. She was a homemaker until the untimely passing of her husband in 1972. She worked hard and was diligent at every task assigned to her, eventually retiring

as Department Manager of Wal-Mart. She made lifelong friends and had stories of her exploits that her family will cherish the rest of our days. Dolly was a strong woman with unwavering morals and taught her daughters and granddaughters the way of the world. She would be there to help when needed or with advice on a tough situation, with our best interests on the forefront.

She is preceded in death

by her parents, her brothers, Finley Neighbors Jr. and Elroy Gawlick, her daughter and son in law, Jo Ann and Danny Wayne Lewis, and her son in law, Mike Utley.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Utley, granddaughters Lindsay Lewis and Cori Mooney (Josh), and great grandchildren, Delaney, Jolee and Brayden Stone and Jace and Jaxton Mooney.

Each team added a touchdown in the third quarter to make the score 21-7 going into the final period. The Hornets would not need any more points, but

Walker County Press-Page 9

added another touchdown in the final quarter and had the extra point attempt partially blocked to arrive at the final score of 27-7.

The Hornets will trav-

el to Rosenberg to take on Lamar Consolidated this Friday, November 6, 2020 before getting a week off due to a bye week the following Friday. Go Hornets!!!!!!!!!

Sam Houston Memorial

Funeral Home

1700 Normal Park Huntsville, TX 77340

936-291-7300

Jaylon McClain(#9) takes one up the sideline.

Space Center Houston Galaxy Lights

Hornets Traumatize Tigers (contd)

Who’s going to catch this one????

at Bowers Stadium and came away with a very impressive 27-7 victory over the Tigers. The Tigers were the number 3 team in 5A Division II football in the State and

the Hornets were number 10. Dave Campbell’s Football featured the game as game of the week and it did not disappoint. The Hornets and Tigers played to a

0-0 tie in the first quarter, but then the Hornets were able to cross the goal line twice in the second frame to take a 14-0 lead into the locker room at the break.

Guests will embark on a festive adventure and continue the Space City tradition this holiday season during Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant. It’s an immersive holiday lights tradition bringing guests the most interactive and technologically advanced light display in Texas nightly Nov. 14 through Jan. 3.

“Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights is a one-of-kind holiday ad-

venture bringing science and technology to life for people of all ages,” said William T. Harris, president and CEO, Space Center Houston. “See LED lights and interactive displays lighting up the center and some of the rarest space artifacts in the world.”

In partnership with Reliant, Space Center Houston is expanding Galaxy Lights this year to include exciting new wonders. Guests will ex-

perience two high-tech kinetic light shows, supported by JSC Federal Credit Union, including a new show, where dozens of suspended lights move in precise choreographed sequences to music above the Main Plaza.

In a new outdoor path, guests will walk through a 200-foot LED light tunnel made of more than 250,000 lights synchronized to festive holiday music. Explore the solar

Thursday November 5, 2020

Local News

Covid-19 Update by Darren Grant

Active Covid cases shot up this past week in Walker County. I think we are finally seeing the results of Fair on the Square from early October.

If you look at all surrounding counties, the total number of cases is growing at a constant rate. There are about the same number of new cases each day. And it’s a low number, too, which is great.

But there is a clear uptick in Walker County. You can see it in the community population and at the university. This past Monday, as this column went to press, active cases were at 111, the highest

number in weeks. They had been around half of that throughout much of October.

So what is the total effect of Fair on the Square?

Maybe an extra 50 confirmed cases right now, with more to follow as contagious individuals pass the disease on to other people. In a few weeks, I will try to go back and estimate how many cases resulted from Fair on the Square.

Holding the event was an unusual decision. I had a few people express surprise to me that they were doing so, especially since other festivals in the area were cancelled. It is only right to go back after the

fact and assess the consequences of that decision.

Compare that to the Walker County Elections Department, which did a good job keeping early voting safe. They lined you up outside, let in a few people at a time, the voting machines are spread out everywhere, lots of sanitizer and masks.

Most importantly, they held it at the Storm Shelter, which is just a huge building that minimizes the amount of indoor spread.

A bunch of my friends rushed out for the first day of early voting, when there was a huge line.

That made no sense to me. I waited until Friday afternoon of the second week and had the place to myself. No line, just a bunch of bored and helpful poll workers. That’s how I like it!

For Election Day, you can now vote anywhere in the county. My hope is people ended up gravitating to the safest places like the Fairgrounds and the Storm Shelter. If there is disease spread from voting, I think we’ll see it by the end of the month. But there might not be much, because of the good planning and good execution of the Elections Department.

Walker County Press-Page 10

Space Center Houston (contd)

system through massive models of each planet along the path, including an all-new up-lit, laser-etched acrylic silhouette sculpture.

“At Reliant, lighting up the holidays is what we do best, and Galaxy Lights is sure to bring the holiday cheer this year,” said Elizabeth Killinger, president, Reliant. “We hope the community enjoys this unique and safe holiday experience.”

Located at the Independence Plaza experience, supported by Texas Children’s Hospital, guests can hop onto a new interactive light pad, supported by BHP, made of 143 multicolor platforms under the wing of the historic shuttle carrier aircraft. Watch snowflakes falling on a massive projection wall and the occasional snowfall from a snow machine. Snap a selfie in the Earth photo station and the new snow globe photo station. Grab a bite and experience the holiday atmosphere at the s’more pits, sip hot cocoa and enjoy holiday food and beverages available for purchase.

This year’s Galaxy Lights celebrates the 20th anniversary of continuous human habitation aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with an all-new Lights Around the World display surrounding the new permanent outdoor exhibit, a flown SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. See six aluminum 20-foot trees representing Space Station partners including the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia and the European Space Agency surrounded by multicolor glowing stars among the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The trees are decorated culturally as a tribute to each partner nation.

At the tip of the Falcon 9, take a photo with a 15-foot wreath made of all the ISS partner flags. Walk underneath a massive 40-foot-tall, 100-foot-long sparkling shooting star set nearby the SpaceX Falcon 9 exhibit.

See a 20-foot twinkling tree with swirling and blinking multicolor lights and watch an interactive show, “Let There Be Light,” to learn about science behind starlight

as well as how lighting conditions aboard the International Space Station affects astronauts.

Watch an original film “Holidays in Space” that includes real footage of astronauts celebrating the holidays as well as interviews with retired astronauts about what it was like celebrating in space.

Don’t miss demonstrations of how batteries power lights and learn how LED lights work on a light wall. Stargaze at an indoor meteor shower before stepping out onto the Zero-G Diner patio to marvel at large 3-D holiday décor.

Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, is one of Space Center Houston’s many immersive, interactive experiences that inspires space enthusiasts of all ages. Galaxy Lights admission tickets are $19.95 for the public, $15.95 for members and ages three and younger get free admission.

For more information about activities and tickets during this unique holiday adventure, visit spacecenter.org/galaxylights.

Walker County Press-Page 11

Local News

Political Sign Vandalized

Thursday November 5, 2020

Please allow me to continue to personally help you with your collision repair needs at my new location

2011 Sycamore Ave, Huntsville, TX 773405322, United States Huntsville, TX 77340-5322 (936) 439-4545 www.nelsonamayascollision.com

By Wade Thibodeaux candidate or per- ly, political season

Political signs are notorious for being drawn on by placing a mustache over a person’s lip on a picture of the

haps a set of horns over their head, but this sign was pretty much completely obliterated by these vandals. Fortunate-

is pretty much over and these signs should be coming down and leaving these artists with no canvas.

All in

suran claim ce proce s ssed!

Hostage Situation (contd) started about 7:30 am on Pavey Circle and led to a day long standoff that finally ended peacefully about 5:00. Sheriff’s officials say Mark Mathison, 38, shot the grandmother of his stepsons in the shoulder, and then hit another woman with the butt of the gun, and also

pepper-sprayed the children and their mother. Mathison kept his estranged wife hostage inside the home for several hours, but the children were able to escape the situation a few hours after the standoff began. Authorities were able to retrieve the woman shot in the shoul-

der and transported her to the hospital where she is listed in stable condition.

Authorities say they had been looking for Mathison after he removed an ankle bracelet and he had an outstanding warrant for the continuous sexual assault of a child

Walker County Press-Page 12

Lifestyle

Sunday Observations by Christy

In conversation with my kiddo, we were discussing race relations, things that have changed, and the generations between.

She and I discuss all kinds of stuff, openly, because we respect each other’s opinions.

Note I didn’t say we always agree.

But I was explaining that the world my grandparents lived in was so different. The one my parents grew up in was. How they witnessed the civil rights movement, how they had witnessed

the changing of this country. The desegregation of schools. The world I grew up in where forced desegregation was happening when I was in elementary at Galena Park Elementary.

I said, “kiddo we were living the entire civil rights movement”..... and she responded, “and my generation is living a race war”.

Y’all..... that was a gut kick. This isn’t what I want for my kid. We have to do better. To love one another. To

lift one another. To stop being so angry with one another. She has a valid point.

What are each of us doing to heal the wounds of our country? While I don’t think anything can be done to change the past, lots can be done to change the future.

Do you discuss the civil rights movement with your children, with an open mind?

Or do you skew the movement to your personal view, regardless of which side? Do you have open dialogue with your kids? Where any topic is safe? Because folks, if they don’t talk to you about the easy stuff, they sure won’t on the hard stuff.

I remember as a kid, my mom, brother and I discussing abortion at the dinner table.

My new step dad was silent, and shocked.

But appreciative of the open dialogue we had. That we all bounced our thoughts back and forth. That mom allowed such a taboo topic in 1981.

I have done the same with my daughter.

Life is hard people, this year has been

brutal, but we can not impose our personal beliefs on others.

Even your children are entitled to thoughts.... their thoughts.

Their beliefs. Their freedoms. Freedom isn’t only about your thoughts..... it’s about the respect of others thoughts, as well. Their world is different than what we grew up in.... therefore their beliefs may be as well.

Thursday November 5, 2020

Happy Sunday peeps.... as we finish out the election season, of which results we will not know for several days no doubt, I beg of you to be a kinder gentler nation. Have an open conversation with your young adult children, and listen to their concerns.

While socialism and government dependency are not the answer (she

agrees) neither is the violence and total disrespect for one another that our children are growing up in. Just as every generation prior, our youth are growing up in a world we can’t fathom. And it’s a sad day when the ultimate wish I have for my 28 year old, is that she have a day that she sees a true positive change in her world.

Woods, Waters, and Wildlife

By John Jefferson Quail Season Opens Meekly Quail season opened October 31 and runs until February 28. But good luck on finding birds, according to TPWD’s annual quail forecast issued in late October.

Texas quail populations vary from bumper to bust from one year to the next, often remaining hard to hunt following a terribly dry year of meagre hatches. How can that happen?

It’s really pretty simple. Nature has to add water! And if the countryside fails to receive enough, the usually hot, dry, Texas summer will decimate the quail population.

By “water”, I mean rainwater. You can’t just take a garden hose and spray water on quail habitat like you would your tomato patch. They don’t make hoses long enough to douse all the potential quail country in Texas’ 254 counties, and there isn’t a faucet attached to enough water to do the job.

Every few years, enough rain falls to produce a bumper crop. The first year I lived in South Texas, we had a killing drought. Quail were rare. Rats and mice came into town to grab a drink anywhere they could. Parks and Wildlife considered extending the deer

season to allow hunters to remove more deer to help the remaining ones survive. I trapped and shot more mice in our garage than I’d ever seen before. I awoke one night to find a mouse eight inches from my face.

We worried about our baby daughter.

Then, it started raining. A hurricane brought so much rain that a new lake rose up out of the sand south of Falfurrias. The quail population exploded!

Driving from Rachel to Rio Grande City, we hit so many bobs that I told my boss I could have gotten a limit by sticking a crab net out the window as we sped alongside the

Walker County Press-Page 13

McGill Ranch. That’s not just a “Texas Brag”; we hit dozens.

During that season, I had to be treated for a knot on my arm from excessive shotgun shooting!

Then the rain subsided.

Hanging a shrimp trawl out the window after that might have caught nothing but “love bugs”.

And that’s where we are in most of Texas, today. Bobwhites are scarce. South Texas and Rolling Plains ecoregions host the

highest populations.

In West Texas, scaled (blue) quail numbers fell from last year --14.1 per sighting compared to 25.5 in 2019.

Quail hunting is a truer “hunting sport” than some others. But it can be dangerous. A respected lawyer was hunting on a friend’s ranch in South Texas and stepped out from behind the brush and was shot by another hunter who was shooting a bird in flight. Another man I

Lifestyle know was shot in the face by his hunting companion. Neither man was critically wounded. Both were fortunate. It happens with bird shooting.

But shouldn’t!

Enjoy it, but know your hunting companions and keep a safe distance. Wear blaze orange and be willing to pass up shots that might be dangerous. No bird is worth shooting another human. Or someone’s hunting dog.

Thursday November 5, 2020

“Attractions”

When Nana picked up her granddaughter from school, she asked young Kelsey if she had any homework.

Nana laughed so hard at her response. Instead of subtractions, Kelsey said, “I have one page of attractions to do.”

“The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other.

They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you know you should.” (Galatians 5:17) Any attractions that we need the Spirit to subtract?

As the sudden, unexpected, explosive, whirr of a bobwhite’s wings ignite the action of hunter and dog, the hunter hesitates just long enough to let the bird get past the retriever before shooting. Photo by John Jefferson

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

Lifestyle

Thursday November 5, 2020

and some conventions, holidays, playoffs, and just the everyday grind of the newspaper business and I really don’t know when I’ll get around to cleaning out the attic. I’m startof course six years ing to think that mayfor the Senate race. be I’m a procrastinaThe one thing that tor, but I’ll delay that remains a constant is that regardless of who wins, we all have to live together in this world and we should be nice to one another. Enough about politics and let’s talk about something else.

You remember that attic that I was going to clean out last Spring or maybe it was last Winter, but regardless I was going to do it before it got too hot to be up in the attic. Well, it may come as a surprise to some of you, but I still haven’t cleaned that thing out and now it’s rolling around to Winter time and better weather for climbing around in the top of the house. The only problem with that is that deer season opens in a week and there goes all of my not so much free time. Couple deer season with Friday night football

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.

I’m writing this column on the Sunday evening before the election on Tuesday and I’m going to make some predictions. Pretty brave of me.....don’t you think????. Here’s my predictions, some will win and some will lose. Those that get more votes will be declared the winners and those that get less votes will not be successful in their endeavors. For my Winnie readers, there are a few contested races and a few of those have generated quite a bit of discussion on Facebook in some of the maybe not so fair and balanced pages.

For my Huntsville readers, things have been relatively quiet as far as I could tell, but maybe I’m not privy to the Facebook chatter in the Huntsville area. On the State level, the Senate race has generated a lot of revenue for the

media outlets as both sides have dogged the other and it seems like neither candidate is fit for office. The race for President seems to be the usual hotly contested race with probably Billions of dollars spent for a position that at most pays $2.4 Million. Well, I guess that’s not exactly true as that is the salary for eight years, but the pay continues for life if you are elected and there is that “Most powerful person in the world” thing that goes along with the office, but really, would you want all of the headaches that come with that office. The sun will rise on Wednesday morning and the votes will have been counted and all that will be left to do is pick up the political signs.

Then in two years, we get to do it all over again for some races and then in four years for most contests and

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decision about that diagnosis until a later date. Anyway, it’s all about priorities...... deer season, football, newspaper business, then everything else.

I’ll get to that attic before it gets too hot...... some year......probably not this one, but some year in the fu-

ture. If you have read this far, you probably have figured out that it’s a slow week in the column business and I really don’t have much to write about so I’ll just end it right here and regroup for next week. Till next time, I’m...........Wade in the Shade.

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Walker County Press-Page 15

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