Walker County Press 09-24-2020

VOL 4 ·ISSUE 46

WALKER COUNTY

PRESS

Walker County Commissioners Court Updates

Mrs. Jenny Schwetman, Regent, for the Mary Martin Elmore Scott Chapter, of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, receives a proclamation for Constitution Week(September 17-23) from Judge Pierce.

By Wade Thibodeaux The Walker County Commissioners Court has held meetings on Monday, August 24, 2020(Regular session), Monday, August 31, 2020(Special session), and Monday, September 14, 2020(Regular session) and here are some of the highlights from those meetings. In the August 24, 2020 meeting, the Court reviewed the 90% plans for the widening of Fm 2821 for the new City of Huntsville facility and renewed (contd on page 9)

Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing

PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #60 WINNIE, TX

Thursday September 24, 2020

Hornets Take On Lufkin Panthers in Scrimmage

The Hornet defense doing what they do best......stopping the run.

By Wade Thibodeaux Stadium. The Hornets contest being a scrim The Huntsville Hor- were pretty much able mage, the numbers nets traveled to Lufkin to play with the larger would read fairly well last Friday, September school 5A Division 1 for the Hornets. Both 18, 2020 to take on opponents throughout teams were ready to the Panthers in a 6:30 the evening and even actually practice on pm. start time scrim- though no official stats other (contd on page mage at Abe Martin were kept due to the 9)

City Sells Golf Course, Adds Holidays

By Wade Thibodeaux The City Council of the City of Huntsville

By Wade Thibodeaux mission lost power and Huntsville Regional met in a Special ses A small Piper PA28- made an emergency Airport last Thursday, sion on Tuesday, Au140 on what appears landing inside TDCJ (contd on page 9) gust 25, 2020, Regular to be an instructional property across from session on Tuesday,

September 1, 2020, Special session on Monday, September 14, 2020, and Regular session on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 and following are

some of the highlights from those meetings.

In a short 12 minute meeting on August 25, 2020 that included an executive (contd on page 7)

Thursday September 24, 2020

THEME: OKTOBERFEST

ACROSS 1. Worry 6. Fleur-de-____ 9. One of Egyptian christians 13. Nary a soul 14. Dot-com address 15. Pretend, two

Community

words 16. Flogger’s tool 17. Romanian money 18. Dostoyevsky’s masterpiece, with The 19. *Royal Brewery in Munich, a.k.a. ____

30. Bivouac 35. Heroic poem 37. Taro or cocoyam, technically 39. Relish tastebuds’ sensation 40. Russian governmental agency 41. Musketeers’ weapons 43. Presidential “No!” 44. Make corrections 46. Kind of palm 47. A in B.A. 48. Indian Ocean’s saltwater inlet 50. Carvey or Plato 52. “Sesame Street” watcher 53. One-horse carriage 55. Sunday newspaper inM¸nchen serts 21. *Original Oktoberfest loca- 57. *Kind of Oktoberfest band tion 60. *Salty snack 23. Tree juice 64. Meltable 24. Cathedral abode part 25. Lysergic acid 65. Go wrong 67. Sore spot derivative, acr.

68. African prai28. Children’s rie author Roald

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69. “Wheel of Fortune” vowel request 70. All-season ones, on a car 71. Affirmatives 72. Beaver’s construction 73. Noise of contempt DOWN 1. Egyptian hieroglyph for “life” 2. “You’re not allowed!” to a baby 3. Mistake 4. Spurns 5. Between triad and pentad 6. Comic strip Moppet 7. Anger management issue 8. Economic crisis 9. Ghana monetary unit 10. Ear-related 11. Tubby little cubby 12. Ted Turner’s TV acronym 15. Bedding and towels 20. Lickety-split 22. Wear and tear 24. “So soon?”

25. *____hosen

26. Sea foam 27. Like United States Capitol 29. *Flower used in beer-making 31. Spanish sparkling wine 32. Deflect 33. *”O’zapft is!” or “It’s tapped!”

34. *Cheers!

36. Without, ‡ Paris 38. Start of something big?

42. Echo sounder 45. Joseph Stalin was one 49. “Eureka!”

51. Experts 54. In the lead 56. *Beer garden mug 57. Curved molding 58. Paella pot 59. ‘60s British teenagers 60. “Hunger Games” sister 61. Goose egg 62. Second to last word in a fairytale 63. Just in case 64. Woody creeper 66. Biochemistry acr.

Walker County Press-Page 3

Business Directory

Thursday September 24, 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 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 Karankawa Indian tribe were the first to encounter Spanish explorers.

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

Thursday September 24, 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 Sixty-One individuals were arrested and booked into the Walker County Jail between Friday, September 14 and Monday, September 21. 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 September 24, 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

Arrest Report

Thursday September 24, 2020

Walker County Press-Page 7

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

Community

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)

City Sells Golf Course (contd) session, the Council approved selling their interest in the Raven’s Nest Golf Course to Sam Houston State University. The Council provided authority to the Mayor, the City Attorney, and acting City Manager Julie O’Connell to take all necessary actions to complete the transaction. In the September 15, 2020 meeting the Council adopted the no new revenue tax rate of $0.3062 per $100.00 of valuation as well as adopted the 2020-2021 budget.

Much discussion was held at that meeting from citizens who live

in Timberwilde pertaining to water rates.

The City of Huntsville had adopted a policy that citizens receiving city water services that live outside the City Limits would pay a factor of 1.75 for those services. This factor of 1.75 was a substantial increase from the previous factor of 1.25 and many citizens spoke to the Council about lowering those rates. After much discussion, the Council voted to reduce the factor to 1.5 on a split vote of 6-3.

On another split vote of 6-3, the Council approved adding June

19th as an official City Holiday and also giving Veterans a holiday on Veteran’s Day. After a lengthy executive session, the Council approved hiring an outside law firm to assist with matters pertaining to issues with the new Police Headquarters and Fire Administration Building.

Council also voted to not purchase some available land on Martin Luther King Drive.

The next regular meeting of the City of Huntsville City Council will be Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm. at City Hall.

Walker County Hospital District Cancels Election, Approves Budget

By Wade Thibodeaux

The Board of Managers for the Walker County Hospital District held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 6:00 pm. in their District Conference

Room. The meeting was the regular meeting for the month of August that had been postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Laura that was potentially arriving during the August meeting timeframe.

One of the items on

the agenda was the cancellation of the District’s elections as only three candidates signed up for the three available positions and therefore there was no need for the election. Therefore incumbents, Anne Woodard, Jerry

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

Thursday September 24, 2020

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

New Overpass is Now Open to Elkins Lake

By Wade Thibodeaux

The City of Huntsville, Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce and

TxDot recently cut the ribbon on the new Veteran’s Memorial Overpass and the new bridge opened at 1:00 pm. on Friday,

September 18, 2020.

This will allow easier access to Elkins Lake as well as important routes for emergency vehicles.

Larrison, and Dr. Curtis Montgomery were essentially reelected to their position on the board of managers.

In other action, the board approved a budget for the 2021 year by adopting a $5,723,250.00 expense budget with projected revenue of $5,579,200.00

which created an unbalanced budget of -$144,050.00 which would either come from reserves or future expenses would need to be trimmed in order to balance the budget.

After a public hearing, the Board of managers voted to reduce the level of availability of

indigent care to persons who are at or below 50% of the Federal Poverty level.

This reduction of indigent care services will work with new rules and regulations of Charity Care that is required of hospitals and staff and the managers felt like nobody that needed (contd on page 11)

Community

Thursday September 24, 2020

Suzanne Tooley, Billy Yeary, and Nancy Sapayment at the drivelinas all of Lampasas, through or overnight drop at 1212 Avenue Texas.

M. You may request a The family wishes to receipt by placing your thank Oasis Hospice email address on the and the ministering sisback of the envelope and ters from her church, we will email a receipt. who helped Liz in her We currently accept final days.

Community Calendar

The City of Huntsville will be closing all facilities to the public at 11:59 p.m.

Friday, March 20, in accordance with the order issued by the Governor’s office, to remain in effect until further notice.

This effort is being made to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

City Manager Aron Kulhavy stressed that limiting in-person contact according to CDC guidelines is of utmost importance. The public is encouraged to call or use the City’s website to conduct business. For more information, call

936-294-5700 or log on to www.HuntsvilleTX.gov.

The Library will remain closed to the public. All library loans can still be returned to the book drops, including the drivethrough at the rear of the building. The Library offers many digital options, from online books to databases to continue education efforts. Log on to MyHuntsvilleLibrary. com for more.

City Hall will no longer allow citizens to enter the building for their protection as well as the employees.

You may make your utility

money orders, check, and debit/credit cards.

Customers can also log on to HuntsvilleTX.gov/ PayBill. This service allows citizens to manage Utility Billing accounts, request new service or make changes to current service. For more information, call 936291-5431.

Obituaries

Elizabeth Jean Bailey Elizabeth “Liz” Jean Bailey passed away on September 13, 2020 in Huntsville, Texas at the home of her son, after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer. Liz was born in Bastrop, Texas, April 22, 1949 to Ed and Veylene Watson Gahan.

Her parents owned a store and a taxi company in Bastrop. Liz always said that some of her fondest childhood memories was to arrive at her friends’ birthday parties in a taxi. Her

mother and father had passed away by the time Liz was a freshman in high school. An aunt in El Campo became the legal guardian for Liz and her younger sister, Marilyn. Liz graduated from El Campo High School.

She attended Sam Houston State University and graduated with a degree in Library Science. Liz earned her Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas. She was a librarian with the Windham School District for more than twenty-five years, traveling to many of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Units throughout the state. She, also, helped in the beginning with the New Waverly Library.

Liz was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints serving in the past in Primary, Young Women, Relief Society and at the time of her passing as a Ward Temple and Family History consultant. She was a member of the Walker County Genealogical Society and attended when her health permitted. Liz was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, canning, family history research and helping others. Most of all she enjoyed the play day Fridays with her granddaughter.

Her parents and sister preceded her in death.

Liz is survived by her son, Wayne Hammond and wife, Janice and her beloved granddaughter, Abby, and her cousins,

Anna Laura Rainwater

Anna began her journey on August 25, 1942 in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Anna moved to Temple Texas in 1972 where she worked in Banking and Education for many years.

In 2006, she moved to Huntsville, Texas where she met the love of her life, Wayne Rainwater. She and Wayne were smitten from day one and were married later that year.

One of their favorite past times was watching The Virginian and other westerns.

Anna loved to spend

Walker County Press-Page 8

time with her family and friends. She loved playing games such as 42 and Hand and Foot. She is known for her sweet nature, but was surprisingly competitive when playing games. She is well known for her delicious sweet potatoes. It was always her job to make the sweet potatoes and dressing at Thanksgiving, because no one makes them quite like her. Anna was an avid reader and loved to lose herself in a good book. She enjoyed scuba-diving in her younger years and loved going square dancing. She even made all of her own square dancing dresses. Anna was generous beyond words and loved to buy gifts and presents for people.

She was as beautiful inside as she was out, but she never went anywhere without her lipstick. Anna was a devoted Christian, a member of the Huntsville Church of Christ, and was re-baptized in 2004. Anna had a heart for connecting

with others. She never met a stranger and loved others deeply.

Anna loved life and it loved her right back.

Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She showed bravery and strength while fighting her long battle with cancer. She never missed an opportunity to help others. Her courage, determination, and compassion were an inspiration for many.

Anna was preceded in death by her father James William Aldrich and mother Fannie Bell Aldrich.

She is survived by her husband Wayne Rainwater, daughter Laura Lee Green, son-in-law Glenn Green, granddaughter LeeAnn Michelle Green and her fiancé, Chris Garcia, along with one of her best buddies, Cooper.

Anna also is survived by a daughter by marriage, Dene Swearingen, son-in-law Ross Swearingen and granddaughter, Nikki Howry. Other loved ones include numerous cousins, family and friends.

Sam Houston Memorial

Funeral Home

1700 Normal Park Huntsville, TX 77340

936-291-7300

Thursday September 24, 2020

Local News

Hornets Take On Panthers (contd) personnel besides their own teammates and there were some rough spots and some shining moments during the variation format of a scrimmage. The

Hornets will have their home opener this Friday, September 25, 2020 at 7:30 pm. against the Nederland High School Bulldogs at Bowers Stadium.

Remember to buy tickets online only and practice social distancing with face masks so that we can continue to play Hornet Football. Go Hornets.

Walker County Press-Page 9

Larry Wells as the Walker County local health authority. The Commissioners approved the renewal of agreements with the Boys and Girls club of Walker County as well as the YMCA Teen Center. The Court approved a proclamation that proclaimed Sep-

tember 17-23-2020 as Constitution Week and also approved another proclamation for September as Colonial Heritage Month. The Court also approved several requests for use of County property for parking during the annual Fair on the Square event that

will be happening the first Saturday in October. The next regular meeting of the Walker County Commissioners Court will be Monday, September 28, 2020 at 9:00 am. in the Walker County Courthouse in Huntsville, Texas.

September 18, 2020 about 5:00 pm. The plane is registered to James C May of Coldspring, Texas

and from FAA reports showed one pilot and one passenger of which neither had serious injuries. The

plane remained in the pasture for a couple of days before it was removed to be inspected for damage.

Plane Makes Emergency Landing (contd)

Getting a little kick off return practice.

A small plane rests inside TDCJ property after making an emergency landing last week

A mid season form over the shoulder basket catch.

Commissioners Court Updates (contd) an agreement with the Senior Center. The Commissioners approved a map to be utilized in the election on November 3, 2020 for the creation of the Walker Coun-

ty Assistance District No. 1 and approved no changes to the already approved fiscal 20202021 budget and set the tax rate at $0.4808 per $100.00 of valuation.

In the September 14, 2020 meeting, the Court left the County wide burn ban in place as some areas were just too dry to allow burning and they re-appointed Dr.

Thursday September 24, 2020

Local News

Covid-19 Update by Darren Grant

In past weeks, I predicted a “third wave” of coronavirus cases, the result of reopening schools and colleges. This week, we are finally starting to see that wave in the numbers, locally and across the nation.

Cases are up about 10% nationwide, while here in Walker County, we edged back over the 20 case per day mark, my rough dividing line between “bad” and “not as bad.”

Increasingly, I am hearing of people getting sick on campus.

The university took a big step forward last week when they announced that free testing would now be available to stu-

dents.

For weeks now, county residents could get tested for free over at the hospital, but for some reason students didn’t count. I never understood why— they live here too. And the university’s Health Center had been charging $70 per test. So the students were really stuck.

But now that has changed and testing is free at the Health Center. Huntsville Memorial Hospital is even coming to campus on Tuesdays to test any student who wants it.

This will make a real difference.

Back in the summer, a lot of careful planning was going on at the universi-

ty, but the lack of seriousness paid to testing was appalling. In late July, I wrote two health administrators about it, asking if they had estimated how many cases they would have at the university and whether they had enough tests for them. I got back arrogant responses that evaded my questions and downplayed the importance of testing.

Something has changed since then. My guess is that the disease has grown faster than they expected and they realized free testing would necessary to get this under control.

If so, I suspect there will be an uptick in reported cases in the next week or two, just because so many more students are getting tested.

Here in Walker County, we have had a steady rate of new cases in the community, as I noted, and four more deaths.

Meanwhile, the number of new cases in the prisons continues to be low.

There was an outbreak at the Ferguson Unit some weeks back but that is now in the past. As immunity builds up in the guards and the offenders who have had Covid, I hope that the number of new cases will drop in the system.

Walker County Press-Page 10

Boudreaux Campbell Claims F i r s t X t r e m e B u l l s To u r T i t l e This wasn’t the way Boudreaux Campbell wanted to finish the 2020 Xtreme Bulls Tour.

Campbell didn’t earn a check at the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale in Nephi, Utah, Sept. 19, after being bucked off in the long round on Diamond G Rodeo’s Tawa II. However, the Crockett, Texas, cowboy did enough during the season to capture his first Xtreme Bulls Tour championship.

“It feels good to be the Xtreme Bulls Tour champion,” said Campbell, 22. “I’m glad I’m able to get this off my bucket list. I just wish I could have finished a little better at the (Finale), but it was still nice to get the (year-end) title. It has been a goal of mine since I was a little kid that once I got to the ProRodeo level I wanted to win everything I could, and this was something at the ProRodeo level I needed to win. I’m glad I got it done.”

Campbell finished atop the Xtreme Bulls Tour standings with $44,286. His biggest Xtreme Bulls win came on Feb. 22 when he won the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Xtreme Bulls.

Campbell earned

$20,333 in San Antonio – $17,833 for his winning, 89-point ride on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Ferdinand.

That was his first Division 1 Xtreme Bulls victory.

Campbell added a second-place finish at the Spanish Fork (Utah) Fiesta Days Xtreme Bulls, July 20 and earned $9,297.

“Winning San Antonio was a big one for me, and Spanish Fork also really gave me a boost,” Campbell said.

Josh Frost won the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale in Nephi with 174.5 points on two head. Frost earned $13,113.

Frost clinched the victory with an 89-point ride on Diamond G Rodeo’s Three Days, which was the top ride in the 12-man short round.

Three Days had been ridden only one other time in 26 outs since 2018. That was an 83.5-point ride by Lucas Mooningham, Nov. 8, 2018, at the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo in Davie, Fla. In Nephi, 40 riders competed in the long round. The money won at the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale counted toward the world standings.

That boded well for Frost, who entered Nephi 27th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $31,288. With his performance at the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale, Frost moved up to 20th in the world standings.

Frost set the tone for his victory with an 85.5-point ride on Flying U Rodeo’s Johnny Sack in the first round, which tied him for seventh.

Six-time reigning world champion Sage Kimzey was unable to register a score in the long round. The reigning three-time defending Xtreme Bulls Tour champion saw his streak come to an end.

Kimzey entered Nephi 17th in the Xtreme Bulls standings with $12,280.

Campbell had a career-best season in 2019, finishing second in the world standings with $217,801.

With the PRCA regular season concluding Sept. 30, Campbell wants to finish strong.

Campbell is third in the world standings.

“I need to stay on next week (at the Gold Buckle Beer ProRodeo Tour Finale) in Rapid (City, S.D.) and in Stephenville, Texas, so I can finish as the season leader,” Campbell said.

Walker County Press-Page 11

Local News

Walker County Hospital District (contd)

care would be left out of the system.

The monthly bills for the organization were $27,430.11 for July and $109,072.00 for August with

a stipulation that $48,000.00 was allocated for Covid-19 testing in August.

The board retired to executive session at

7:25 pm. and when they returned they announced moderate pay increases for employees of the District.

Thursday September 24, 2020

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Walker County Press-Page 12

Lifestyle

Sunday Observations by Christy

Thursday September 24, 2020

of one another. To the realize..... you grew happiness. To the well up.

Maybe it’s due to being.

Happy Sunday peeps. experiencing so many Here’s to growing of life’s firsts with The upside of social up. Here’s to our them, maybe it’s the media is that you can roots. And here’s fondness, maybe it’s watch these things to a classmate, who the easier days you happen. When we would be laughing if long for as life gets comfort one another, he knew the complete tough. Whatever it pray for, check on, sadness felt of his is, those people are a laugh with, and cry loss...... but he would source of comfort. As for.... each other. You be touched to know you age, they become the ones that you can remember every single detail about. I probably won’t night following days How they laugh, score with a shotgun that emphasized my how handsome or like the late Gene inadequacies, but beautiful they were, Hill did. Nor may I generally speaking, I how smart, silly, or EVER even approach never earned a merit even ridiculous they his ability to make badge shooting a were.

Something you feel like you shotgun. about a solid 35 years, were there, following I do recall one day will make those the a dog, shooting birds when I was a rookie memories you seek on frosty mornings. getting a try-out with out when hurting.

But I wonder if he the major leaguers.

This roller coaster of savored the sport any I had been invited life keeps going. The bit more at all than to hunt doves near ups and downs, the I do. When It comes Mason, Texas with crazy times, the good to doves or quail or three law school times, the sad times. teal, I’ve done the classmates who were Having been out of time and banked the experienced hunters. school now for 35 memories.

I could tell that from years..... not sure how Mr. Hill probably our conversations at the hell that much felt disappointed the Texas Tea House, time has passed....the when he fell short a law students’ hang thing I have learned of breaking 25 clay out in the early ‘60s. about the reunions birds on the skeet I was excited about and the connection, is range. I still relish the getting invited to as you go to a few, the day I busted 17. I can hunt with them, but a genuine enjoyment of hold my own with a little intimidated. one another becomes pistol or a rifle, but at They dropped me off so evident.

The wing shooting with at the edge of a freshly concern shifts, from a shotgun, I seem cut milo field and how much weight has to have a learning pointed me toward been gained or lost, or disability. Oh, I have a mesquite tree that what they wear, look had days afield the offered a smidgin like or other trivial memories of which of shade. I trudged things..... to the health comfort me late at across the field, not

he somehow, brought us all together. In prayer.

RIP my friend.... the world is dimmer without you, while the heavens shine brighter. As they say, our loss is heavens gain. I will miss you dancing at our reunions, with everyone.

Woods, Waters, and Wildlife

This week, my high school graduating class, had a loss.

We lost a classmate who was loved, who was witty, who was kind, and more than any of that..... who was respected. It’s caused the normal chatter back and forth between us, and the normal shock. We didn’t see this one coming.

The influx of social media has made staying in touch so much easier. Not all like it, some refuse to be on it, and all of that

is understandable.

But there are still old school ways to stay in touch. I urge you, find a way to stay in touch. Of course with your family, but more so, stay in touch with your roots.

You may travel, move off, explore a different life, or you may stay in that small hometown. Whatever you do, know this.

That hometown, those people you spent your youth with, they stay in your blood. No distance can change that.

realizing they were still watching me.

One yelled, “Above you, John!”

I looked up and saw a lone dove flying fast way above me.

I was shooting my grandfathers’ old Model 12 Winchester 16-gauge pump shotgun with a full choke. I threw the gun up to my shoulder and squeezed the trigger.

The dove collapsed in mid-flight and fell to the ground.

Someone yelled, “Nice shot!” Then, I heard somebody say, “I figured he was a good shot, but I didn’t expect THAT good a shot”.

But that was my last hooray of the day. I was the last one to get a limit of doves -and the limit was only twelve, back then.

I didn’t understand much about shotgun chokes and only

Walker County Press-Page 13

later realized that a full choke held the shot pattern too tightly for normal dove shooting. It was better suited for ducks and geese at longer ranges. It had helped me make the Hail Mary shot crossing the field earlier but was a hindrance the

rest of the afternoon.

A modified choke would have worked better.

Those hunting partners painfully outshot me. One even said he was afraid the doves were going to peck my eyes out as close as they flew to me. Gene Hill would

Lifestyle have sighed and looked the other way.

But I’ll guarantee ya, nobody has enjoyed it more.

Dove hunting is somewhat like love – experience helps, but you don’t have be an expert to enjoy it!

Thursday September 24, 2020

Gentle Gene”

Though he was the largest and scariest of the bison herd, our train guide said “Gene” was the friendliest of them all.

Based on his word, Dana leaned over at the door of the train and fed this 2000 pound giant from her hand.

The Winchester Model 12 shotgun in 16-gauge mentioned in the article was finally traded for the similar piece pictured, but one with a modified choke -- a much better choice for doves and quail.

I refinished the stock and think of my grandfather every time I hunt with it. And hunting with your best friend, also pictured, adds another dimension of memories. Photo by John Jefferson.

Ananias, being fearful of going to Saul, who became the Apostle Paul said, “Lord , I’ve heard many bad things of this man. The Lord said, ‘Go,’ and Ananias went.” (Acts 9:13,15,17) Based on His word, do not be afraid, go!

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

Lifestyle

Thursday September 24, 2020

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.

Okay, I’m going to back off a little this week after I got kinda crazy last week and went all thoughtful and serious on you guys.

I think that I actually saw smoke coming from some of your heads and I’m not sure whether y’all were fuming mad or you were actually thinking and all of that thought process was causing all of the smoke.

Anyway, just a little light humor this week from me is all that you are going to get, so if you are wanting another thought provoking column, you can just skip this one and go to another one in the paper. I’m writing this column around 10:00 pm. on a Saturday evening after I’ve already shut two establishments down for the night. I’m telling you.......I’m the picture of fun lately..... just saying. I had decided that I wanted a cooked for me steak, as opposed to a cook it myself steak and so I asked a friend of mine if she would join me for dinner. Fortunately, she said yes and we agreed to meet at one of our favorite steak places in Huntsville at 6:00 pm. We were finishing our meal and sitting around just chatting when the owner of the place came over and turned out the “Open” sign that was in the window next to our table. I looked at my phone and it was 7:38 pm. and I kind of grinned and said “Well, I guess it’s closing time”. We

wrapped things up and left a little after 8:00 pm. and were out in the parking lot when I looked across the freeway and realized that a restaurant that I thought had closed for good was actually open. I asked her if she wanted to go and get an adult beverage and she said “sure”.

We made our way across the freeway and walked into the bar area of the restaurant and noticed a sign that said that their hours were only until 9:00 pm. on Friday and Saturday. What the heck???? It’s a good thing that Governor Abbott opened things up to 75% because these restaurants aren’t exactly full and they are having to adjust hours and are still having problems trying to get staff back in to work the place.

We had our one adult beverage and visited with the bartender a little and then headed home. We were the last people to leave both places. I closed down two establishments and was still home in time to catch the 10:00 pm. news. I must be getting old.......instead of partying all night, I’m actually coming home and working.......What’s wrong with me????

Okay.......here’s a Sonic story for you. The other day I was in Sonic and I looked over and saw about four full grown chickens in the flower beds around the parking area at Sonic.

As I was getting my drink

through the drive thru window, I commented about the chickens and the young lady said that she didn’t know where they came from, but they were sure making a mess. I agreed with her. Those chickens had taken about a half cubic yard of dirt and were scratching and scattering that dirt across the entire parking areas and driveways of the place. A few days later, I had forgotten about the chickens and I pulled into Sonic and there were a couple of cop cars in the parking lot. In addition to getting my usual 44 ounces of sweet nectar Diet Coke with Cherry, I was thinking that maybe I could get a “HOT” story about something that happened at Sonic. You know......a grab and run on a hotdog....or maybe a cup of coffee that was just too hot.....something as it was a slow week in the news.

After I had retrieved my 44 ounces of nectar.....first things first....... I was going to pull up and visit with the officers and they started to walk away and head towards their patrol cars.

I rolled my window down and asked one of the officers that I knew just exactly what was going on....... burglary, kidnapping, heist???? He just laughed and said........”Just chasing down some stray chickens”. Now folks, I’ve done some really strange and crazy articles in my career,

but I don’t think that I have ever covered loose chickens.......and I don’t really care how slow the news is this week, I’m not about to start covering chickens.

Alright.......one more stunt that I pulled this week and then I’ll let you guys loose from this captivating and thrilling adventure story of mine. I had picked up a check from a client and I was going to the bank to deposit the check. I had filled out the deposit slip and paperclipped the check and deposit slip together and placed it on the dash of my truck. As I was heading towards the bank, I looked up and realized that several emergency vehicles were in the roadway ahead of me. I looked over into a field where everybody was looking and a small plane was in the middle of the pasture, nose down. Now, after the chicken incident,

Walker County Press-Page 14 finally some real news. I pulled over onto the grassy area between the interstate and the feeder road and jumped out of the truck, left my driver door open and grabbed my camera from the back seat. I got several pictures and put my camera away and vacated the location so that the first responders could do their job. As I pulled into the drive thru at the bank and reached up to the dash for the check......I realized that it was not there. I pulled through the drive thru and parked and began looking for the check under the seat and everywhere else in the truck. Slowly, I replayed the scenario in my head and began to realize that when I left my driver door open on the side of the interstate, I had lost the check when a vehicle came by and the wind sucked the check out of my truck. I

doubled back and parked in what I thought was the same place and walked along the grass and side of the road looking for the check. No luck. I was getting late for a meeting and just admitted to myself that I had screwed up and would have to call the client and explain. The next day, I decided to go back one more time before I faced the music with the client and this time I parked way back and started walking towards the area where I was parked the day before. Miraculously, I looked down and there nestled in the grass was the paperclipped check and deposit slip. I picked it up and headed straight to the bank. I’ve always said that it’s better to be lucky than good. Till next time, I’m...........Wade in the Shade.

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Walker County Press-Page 15

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