Walker County Press 05-12-2022 Auto

VOL 6 ·ISSUE 27

WALKER COUNTY

PRESS

PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #60 WINNIE, TX

Thursday May 12 , 2022

National Day of Prayer Celebrated Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration Held in Rather Park in Walker County

Walker County Judge Candidate Frank Olivares has a little fun during the annual Cinco de Mayo festival in Rather Park last Saturday.

By Wade Thibodeaux Saturday, May 7, 2022 in ship presentations, and The annual Cinco de Rather Park in Downtown more. The event was a free Mayo celebration spon- Huntsville. The event fea- event designed to help sored by LULAC and tured traditional dancing, promote Mexican culture WCU(Walker County games, activities, food and to bring awareness of Unidos) was held last trucks, vendors, scholar- (contd on page 11)

Go Texan Crawfish Boil a Huge Success

The Main Building of the Walker County Fair Association was packed with people last Saturday, May 7, 2022 for the annual Area Go Texan Crawfish Boil.

By Wade Thibodeaux The annual Area Go Texan Crawfish Boil and Fish Fry was back in full swing this past Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Walker County Fairgrounds with a full house and wall to wall fun and food. The Walker County Fairgrounds Main Building was packed with every square foot being utilized for folks eating crawfish, (contd on page 11)

Walker County Judge Candidate Colt Christian and the rest of the Northside Baptist Church cooking team provided lunch for everyone at the National Day of Prayer ceremony.

By Wade Thibodeaux life, denominations, and Walker County Fair (conPeople from all walks of churches gathered at the td on page 8)

45th Anniversary

The Senior Center hosted their 45th Anniversary celebration last week. Pictured are elected officials, volunteers, board members, staff , and friends of the center.

By Wade Thibodeaux The Senior Center of

Walker County celebrated their 45th anniversary last

Thursday, (contd on page 8)

Thursday May 12 , 2022

Community 57. *Mortarboard attachment 60. *”No more ____, no more books” 64. Fancy boat 65. Mozart’s “L’____ del Cairo” 67. Arm bones 68. Orderly arrangement 69. Granola grain 70. Gustatory sensation 71. Lord Byron’s composition 72. Dashboard unit 73. Weasel’s aquatic cousin DOWN 1. Herring’s cousin 2. “Frasier” actress Gilpin 3. Bulb holder 4. Coral reef island 5. Neck cavity 6. Pestilence pest 7. Even, to a poet 8. “Saturday Night Fever” music genre

Walker County Press-Page 2

9. Type of coffee maker 10. Gauche or Droite in Paris 11. Month of Purim 12. Styling product 15. For the time being, Latin (2 words) 20. Cave opening 22. Like Hemingway’s certain man on sea 24. Type of rummy 25. *One in “Pomp and Circumstance” series 26. Hello to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole 27. Ahead in years 29. *”You have brains in your head, you have ____ in your shoes” 31. Cleats to soccer player 32. China grass 33. Related on mother’s side 34. Olden days anes-

thetic 36. *School ____, which is about 180 days 38. No-win situation 42. Old-hat 45. Wilbur’s home 49. *Famous frat house 51. Adjective in sheet music 54. Low light 56. Enthusiastic approval 57. Tropical edible root 58. Land measure 59. A fake 60. Beaten by walkers 61. Research facil.

62. It’s better than never?

63. Tiresias in “Oedipus Rex” 64. Small dog’s bark 66. *Gown’s companion

Community Calendar

THEME: GRADUATION ACROSS singer 1. Like a bug on 23. An indigenous windshield noise person in Laos 6. G-man 24. 6-shooter 9. Type of race 25. Founder of Peo13. Late actor Ledger ple’s Republic of 14. Waikiki necklace China 15. Group of lions 28. Porous rock 16. Knight’s shiny 30. *MFA or BA garb 35. Comrade in arms 17. Ensign, for short 37. Be inclined 18. One to beat 39. Had in mind 19. *Graduation proof 40. Was a passenger 21. *”School’s Out” 41. Ventricular beater

Solution on page 15 43. Same as ayah 44. ____ Trick, rock band 46. Nicholas II, e.g.

47. Initiation ceremony, e.g.

48. “Pollock” actor Ed 50. Foolish one 52. Ever, to a poet 53. “House of Gucci” star 55. Masters Tournament peg

Friday, May 13: -Story time from 10:45am-11:45am at the library -Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the library Saturday, May 14: -The Piney Woods Writers Group from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the library Monday, May 16: -Mother Goose Lapsit from 10:45am-11:45am at the library -Citizenship Preparation Course from 6:00pm8:30pm at the library Tuesday, May 17: -Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the

library -Story time from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the library Wednesday, May 18: -Story time from 10:45am-11:45am at the library Thursday, May 19: -Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the library -KidScape from 12:00pm-1:00pm at the library -Microsoft PowerPoint classes from 5:00pm6:00pm at the library Friday, May 20: -Story time from 10:45am-11:45am at the library

-Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the library Saturday, May 21: -The Piney Woods Writers Group from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the library Monday, May 23: -Mother Goose Lapsit from 10:45am-11:45am at the library -Citizenship Preparation Course from 6:00pm8:30pm at the library Tuesday, May 24: -Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the library -Story time from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the library

Walker County Press-Page 3

Business Directory

Thursday May 12 , 2022

2N D NOW OPEN L O C AT I O N 906 10th Street, Huntsville

Montessori Child Care 6 wks to 12 yrs. old

936-435-0303

Your Child Belongs HERE! 2817 Old Houston Rd. Huntsville Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 6:30 PM

906 10th Street Huntsville

Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday May 12, 2022

Arrest Report

Walker County Press-Page 4

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home -All Prearranged Services Honored -Prearranged Funeral Sales 1700 Normal Park Huntsville, TX 77340

936-291-7300

From the office of Walker County Sheriff

Clint McRae Fifty-Seven individuals were arrested and booked into the Walker County Jail between Monday, May 2 and Monday, May 9. 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 per-

haps was simply arrested in Walker County on outstanding warrant(s) while in Walker County.

In 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.

Walker County Press-Page 5

Arrest Report

Don’t let your competitors attract all the business!

Call 936-581-5161

Thursday May 12 , 2022

Don’t let your competitors attract all the business!

Call 936-581-5161

Thursday May 12 , 2022

Arrest Report

Walker County Press-Page 6

Local News

Thursday May 12 , 2022

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

Church Services

ville every Sunday bible study at 9:30am, worship at 8:30am, and 11:00am Catholic: -St. Thomas the Apostale Catholic Church Rosary

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

Walker County Press-Page 7

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

Fire Departments responded to assist along with Walker County Sheriff’s Deputies, Huntsville PD, and DPS. HFD set up a landing zone at FM 2296 and Hwy 75, coordinating the landings and takeoffs of three medevac helicopters. The most seriously injured were airlifted to trauma centers in The Woodlands and the Houston Medical Center. MCHD EMS transported two injured children to the hospital their mother had been flown to and a Walker County EMS unit transported another victim to the trauma center at Conroe Re-

gional Medical Center.

While witnesses reported a tire blew out causing the truck to veer into the oncoming lane, DPS Troopers are continuing their investigation. Tow Opera-

tors worked to clear the roadway and Hwy 75 was reopened to traffic around 7:30 pm. At the time of this report, none of the victim’s identities have been released.

Fatal Crash on Hwy 75

Fire and EMS crews free four trapped adults, transporting them along with three injured children.

Right around 3:45 Sunday afternoon, the first calls came into Walker County 911 reporting a serious collision on Hwy 75 just south of New Waverly Fire Station 75. Firefighter/ EMTs on duty at Station 75 were the first on scene, reporting several critically injured victims with four people trapped in two separate vehicles.

Additional crews from NWFD Station 71 soon arrived along with the

first of several EMS units from Walker County EMS. Working together, they quickly went to work treating the injured children and extricating the trapped adults. An NWFD District Chief assumed command of the incident scene while a Walker County EMS Supervisor directed the triage and treatment of the injured victims. One adult occupant was determined to be deceased at the scene, while four other adults and three children were seriously injured.

The crews on scene quickly determined that

more EMS resources were needed, summoning additional Walker County EMS units and two from the Montgomery County Hospital District. They also requested three PHI medical helicopters to transport the victims to the appropriate Hospitals based on their injuries.

911 Operators at the Walker County Public Safety Communications Center (WCPSCC) worked seamlessly with the units on scene to dispatch the needed emergency resources. Units from the Huntsville and Dodge

Thursday May 12 , 2022

Local News

National Day of Prayer (contd)

The Speakers at the National Day of Prayer posed for a group picture last Thursday, May 5, 2022.

Association Main Building last Thursday, May 5, 2022 to celebrate the National Day of Prayer. The annual event began with a light meal of sausage on a stick, rolls, chips, cookies, and soft drinks or waSubscribe Today Name:____________________ Address:__________________ City, State, Zip: ___________________ $25.00 Mail Check or Money Order to: Walker County Press

P.O Box 149 Huntsville, Tx 77342

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ter and then was followed by several speakers offering up prayers for various factions of the community. Dr. Jason Bay began with a prayer challenge and a short description of how the current form of

the Walker County National Day of Prayer was organized by Dr. Jones, followed by Rev. Jerry Phillips who prayed for the Government. Tyler Fordyce, who also provided background music,

prayed for our Military.

Robb Hipp and Annel Guadalupe prayed for the Media Arts and then John Sanders and Rusty Davis prayed for Business.

Dr. Scott Sheppard with Huntsville ISD prayed for education and Chaplain Billy

Walker County Press-Page 8

Holmes prayed for the Church. Rev. B.J. McMichael prayed for the Student Ministry and then Melanie Springer and Angela Valis prayed for our Families. Rev. Reagan Cooksey provided the concluding prayer. Each speaker gave a short introduc-

tion or told a little story to provide a lighter moment or a brief explanation of their intentions to the large crowd. After the concluding prayer, the crowd dispersed to continue with their day with everyone feeling a little better for having attended.

45th Anniversary (contd) May 5, 2022 with an ice cream social at the center.

A rousing game of Bingo had to be halted in order for the festivities and announcements to take place, but after the picture taking and ice cream eating was finished, the

game continued by picking up right where it left off. The Senior Center is a bustling place that caters to Seniors through a variety of activities that includes a robust Meals on Wheels program, fellowship, entertainment,

as well as many other services that Seniors may find themselves needing. More information about the Senior Center can be obtained by calling 936.295.6151 or seniorcenterwalkercounty. com.

Local News

Thursday May 12 , 2022

Walker County Press-Page 9

Kid Scoop is sponsored by Wischnewsky Dodge.

130 I-45, Huntsville, TX 77340 http://www.wischnewskydodge.com/ (936) 220-1745

© 2022 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 38, No. 23

You are surrounded by idiophones!

And anyone can play them!

Fill in the missing vowels to reveal the title of this book. Then, check it out at your local library!

Pencil or dowel

A sound box (you can use an empty coffee can, bucket or cardboard box) String or wire

A stick about twice the height of your sound box File a notch on one end of your stick.

The notch will help hold the stick in place on the rim of the can.

On the other end of the stick, have an adult drill a small hole. Feed the string through and tie to secure.

hat is an idiophone? Idio means self and phone means sound. Idiophones are instruments of solid materials that vibrate when hit, shaken, plucked, scraped, rubbed, stamped or crashed together. But who’s to say what’s an instrument?

Turn the coffee can upside down.

Have an adult punch a small hole in the bottom of the can. Feed the string through and tie a pencil or dowel on the end of it. Set the notch end of the stick on the rim of the can. Hold the gutbucket as shown here pulling the string taut.

Then, start plucking!

Stomping your foot on the floor turns the floor into an idiophone. Tapping a pencil on your desk uses the desk as an idiophone. Think of other things that could be idiophones.

Find the difference between the two pictures.

Standards Link: Performing Arts/Music: Students perform a varied repertoire of music on instruments.

During the 1700s, playing music on glasses was a popular pastime. The glasses were partially filled with water and the person playing the glasses would slightly wet a finger and rub it around the top of the glass.

The more water you put in the glass, the deeper the note it will play.

Fill some glasses with different amounts of water, and see what kinds of sounds you can create.

Try tapping the rim of each glass with a pencil or spoon for another kind of sound.

Partially fill empty plastic yogurt containers with different things: sand, seeds, marbles, uncooked beans, rice or pasta.

Cap and shake.

Notice the different sounds each makes.

Match the marbles.

1/2

1/8

3/4

3/4

2/3

1/4

1/3

1/2

1/2

1/8

Under each glass, circle the fraction that best describes how much of the glass is filled with water.

Standards Link: Math/Number Sense: Identify and use fractions.

his book gives directions for making and playing simple musical instruments.

Readers will see that letting out their inner musician is fun and easy!

Standards Link: Spelling: Spell grade-level appropriate words correctly.

by Christopher Payer

GUTBUCKET SINGING GLASSES PASTIME SOUND IDIOPHONE MARACAS SOLID VIBRATE BUZZ WIRE BEANS WET RICE RIM

T E K C U B T U G O S N R N T E W L N R

E O B I O M A E I M T H U A C S T M G A

A P Z N S E O I N R

R O Z E D P O T I A B I S E R I W S S C

I D I L O S E A I A

V I S N A E B P A S

Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

Onomatopoeia

This refers to a word that sounds just like what it means. For example, the word buzz sounds like the noise it describes. Look through the newspaper for five or more examples of onomatopoeia.

Standards Link: Vocabulary: Identify and use onomatopoeia.

Send your story to:

Your Country

Look through the newspaper for ten or more words that describe your country and how you feel about it. Put these words into alphabetical order.

Standards Link: Spelling: Arrange words in alphabetical order.

wade@walkercountypress.com

Send us your ideas.

Deadline: June 5 Published: Week of July 3 Please include your school and grade.

Community

Thursday May 12 , 2022

Obituaries

Elizabeth Olm Elizabeth Barrett Schofer Olm, known to her many friends as Bette, (with an E!) passed away with her family by her side on May 1, 2022 in Huntsville, Texas.

Elizabeth was born January 8, 1929 in Tonkawa, Oklahoma to Raymond D. and M. Josephine Schofer. She was the oldest of 3 children and spent most of her childhood in Moline, Illinois. She graduated from Moline High School in January, 1947 and Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Elizabeth taught high school English and Latin where she met her future husband, Lee Olm, in St. Johns, Michigan.

Elizabeth and Lee were married on February 6, 1954. She continued to teach while Lee completed his PhD at the University of Michigan. The couple moved to Huntsville, Texas in 1959 when Lee began teaching history at Sam Houston State Teachers’ College. Lee and Elizabeth welcomed their son, Anthony, in October 1960. Elizabeth and Lee enjoyed a beauti-

ful life together for 68 years. They enjoyed adventures of all kinds, which included trips to Coushatta, going out to eat at the Grand Buffet, visits with their son and grandson, and playing cards.

For many years, Elizabeth was an avid bridge player and bowler. She loved crossword puzzles and visiting with dear friends.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Josephine Schofer. She was deeply loved by her family: husband, Lee; son, Anthony; grandson, Reed; sister, Josephine “Rae” Tobias; brother, Richard Schofer.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Elizabeth’s memory to The Senior Center of Walker County Meals on Wheels at (936) 2956151.

Donna Wood Donna Wood, 73, passed away May 4, 2022 peacefully at her home in Leona, Texas after losing her battle with cancer. She was born in Houston, Texas on January 5, 1949, to

Dennis Jack Banks and Georgie Marie Banks.

Donna is survived by her partner of 31 years Francis Clark, her mother Georgie Banks, her sister Jeannine Pace and husband Ray, her Grand-Daughter Karissa Wilkie and husband Joe, Daughter Monica Escobedo and husband Jay, Grandchildren Josh Baldridge, Troy Baldridge and wife Megan, Angel Escobedo, Noah Wilkie, Nathaniel Escobedo, Jeremiah Escobedo and Roman Escobedo. Great-grandchildren Hannah and Sawyer Baldridge.

Many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nephews and Nieces. Donna is preceded in death by her Father Dennis Jack Banks, Sister Rosa Owens, Brother Dennis Banks, and Daughter Kala Iles.

Denise V. Reeves Denise Carol Vetuski Reeves, 64, of Trinity, TX was born Christmas Day, December 25, 1957 in Houston, TX. She attended Furr High School, graduating class of 1976, in Houston, TX. Denise maintained a ca-

reer in compensation in the oil field for over 40 years. From smoking cigarettes while playing cards in the lunchroom in the early years, to later enjoying quiet lunches out with coworkers, she developed lifelong friends who her children grew up calling Aunt.

She loved to travel with her family. Every year while her girls were growing up, the family would take two week road trips across the U.S. Experiences were important to her. In addition to traveling, she supported her daughters in years of dance lessons and performances.

Denise was an animal lover. She was never more devoted to, and loved in return than by her last dog, Toby. She was excited by any wildlife that she saw. If any came near her house she would refer to them as hers. Mark would feed “her deer” in the front yard. “Her ducks” came to visit out back. She referred to her daughters’ pets as her grandcats and granddog.

She loved living on the lake where she could get up every day and look out upon the peacefulness of the water.

Though Denise was a private person who preferred a quiet evening at home, she cared about the people in her life very deeply, sometimes unknowingly by others. Christmas was her favorite time of year.

Walker County Press-Page 10

Decorating, baking and opening presents wasn’t what she looked forward to the most, it was ensuring everyone who came to her home had the best, most joyous time they possibly could have.

Denise died fighting a three year battle with ovarian cancer. She did not want to give up, and she continued to have hope and fought until her last breath. She was comforted and cared for by her husband Mark, every step of the way.

Denise is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Mark; her daughters Amy Sides and Lisa; son-in-law Joe Sides; her brothers Walter and Paul Vetuski; her parents-in-law Armon and Delores Reeves; siblings-in-law Terry Reeves, Linda and Joe Garcia, Karen and Michael Rainwater. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emilia and Felix Woodrow Vetuski.

to her heavenly home on May 5, 2022.

Sandra attended North Texas State University where she graduated with a BA in Education and obtained a masters of education from Baylor in 1962 and went on to teach school for 7+ years.

She married Roy Casey on July 27, 1959 and they were married for 60 years, until he passed in 2019. She was a 38 yr. resident of Pasadena, Texas, where she was very active in the Pasadena Junior Forum. until she moved to Elkins Lake in Huntsville and resided there for 23 years. While in Huntsville she and Roy were very active in their Sunday school group at the 1st Methodist Church.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons, Keith Casey and wife Donna of Cypress, TX and Chris Casey and wife Nanette of Pasadena, TX. She is also survived by her grandchildren Claire Casey of Dallas, TX; Catherine Casey of Cypress, TX; Austin Smitley of Houston, TX and Ally Sandra Casey Smitley of Pasadena, Sandra Cecile Ca- TX. sey was born on July She is preceded in 8, 1938 to Raymond death by her parents and Helen Brod in and husband Roy CaRosebud, Texas. She sey. passed from this world

Walker County Press-Page 11

Community food, fellowship, and the great cause of the schol-

arships, the Fairgrounds was the place to be last

Thursday May 12 , 2022 Saturday.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration (contd)

These little ones are showing off their dancing skills at the annual Cinco De Mayo festival.

social services. The activities began at 10:00 am

and continued until 6:00 pm with a good crowd

streaming through the entire day.

Go Texan Crawfish Boil (contd)

Crawfish seemed to be the meal of choice last Saturday at the Area Go Texan Crawfish Boil.

fried fish, corn, potatoes, hush puppies, and french fries. All of that could be washed down with your favorite beverage that you were allowed to bring with you and all of those ingredients is a recipe for a great time. Throw in some silent auction items, some raffles, and a great band that provided after dinner dancing entertainment and the event provided a complete family fun outing. All of the proceeds would go to benefit scholarships for our local youth. Between all of the

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

Walker County Press-Page 12

Lifestyle

Sunday Observations by Christy

Interesting timing this past week with the Roe V Wade issue circling yet again, in the days leading to Mother’s Day. I have my thoughts, and beliefs in this issue. You have yours. That right there sums up what all of us have in common on this issue. Opinions. Being it’s a day to celebrate mothers, I’m not diving off into all that. What I will do, is share the insanity of my youth, and maybe just maybe….. open some minds.

My mom was a single mom before the term latchkey kid was even coined. I don’t believe in living in the past, I

do however believe in learning from it. Follow me if you will….

As a single parent in the 70’s, with two kids as polar opposite as they could be, my mom was a kid raising kids. She had my brother at 16 and me at 21. And our lives were not what the typical 70’s household had.

There was no topic off limits in our house. We ate dinner together every night, and debated a whole lot of things. Mom rarely gave the “because I said so” story because it did not fly with us. So she talked to us.

We discussed Watergate, Nixon, Vietnam,

Hostages, occults, Jonestown, Charles Manson, and yes…. We discussed abortion. You may think as a single female back then I had a women’s libber as a mom, and maybe in a way I did. She believed she should get equal pay for equal jobs, but that’s about where it ended.

We were never a pro abortion family. We were a “limit the governments control of as many aspects as possible “ family. Mom raised two kids to believe we could do all we set our minds on, that we best stay out of trouble, that the government was shady on a good day, and we needed to fight like hell if felt we were right.

She and I still discuss all of the happenings in the world. The news. The stupidity. The government overreach. The virus, vaccine, and polio, smallpox and the flu. We watch Kennedy movies together and she tells me what it was like to live in Fort Worth the day JFK was killed and how she cried.

And we discuss Roe V Wade.

Somewhere along the line society has lost the ability to discuss things.

My mom and I don’t always agree, as expected at 76 & 55. But somewhere along the path of my crazy youth, we figured out it’s not necessary. That it’s healthy to have different opinions.

That you can do so respectfully.

Happy Mother’s Day peeps. If I can tell you one thing, it’s to make a “no topic is off limits” policy with your kids.

Encourage them to talk to you, to let their minds grow, and allow them to be their own person. To make choices and fail.

To screw up. To disappoint you. To hurt you.

And always love them, and let them know they

Thursday May 12 , 2022 are loved regardless of what they do.

I’ve said I’m not a perfect parent many times.

I screwed up my fair share. But I hope my child, and any of you, know you can talk to me about anything without judgement.

Because in the 70’s I had a childhood that led to crazy conversations….. those conversations as

seemingly unimportant as one could think, formed me into who I am today.

God gave me a mother that tolerated my stupidity, my endless curiosity, and my wild teen years.

Thanks for not killing me mom. And thanks for all the talks over the years. Roe V Wade or the weather, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE

SEEING IS BELIEVING

By John Jefferson

I wonder how many readers ever experienced the glass bottom boats that toured San Marcos’ Aquarena Springs before it closed in 1994?

I’m sorry if you missed it. It was second only to the Alamo as Texas’ most popular destination. Being just off I-35, it was accessible to anyone going either direction on the Interstate, which runs more or less from the Canadian border to Mexico. Where else could you see beautiful, underwater mermaids, a swimming pig, or

Glurpo the Clown that smoked below the water’s surface?

My favorite attraction, however, was the glass bottom boat tours that took people upon the gin-clear San Marcos River. To an East Texas refugee who had only seen the heavily stained waters of his homeland, this was almost paradise. I got to see huge turtles, a few bass, and lots of perch and catfish in their aquatic wonderland. Then – as now – I was fascinated by seeing the fish and enthralled by the unearthly beauty of the clear, underwater habitat.

Texas State University bought Aquarena for headquarters

of its Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and the park became history.

I’ve read that Texas State still operates the glass-bottomed boats but have no information on it that pertains to this column.

In late April, my wife and I attended a Rockport/Fulton Chamber of Commerce event that included a new happening – a nighttime, illuminated, kayak trek on Little Bay in Rockport.

We signed up for it, not knowing it began just after we finished peeling boiled shrimp, crawfish, and cracking crabs at the Boiling Pot restaurant. We had to hurry. We also didn’t

Walker County Press-Page 13

realize our jeans and hiking boots were the wrong attire. Wading a step or two into the water wouldn’t have worked. Old lake shoes would have been better. We went barefooted.

The kayaks, operated by “GlowRow” had large, glass floors and down-pointed light bars that lit up the bottom of the bay.

In clear water, we were told that marine life was highly visible. The typical spring winds along the coast that week stirred the bays con-

siderably, though, mucking up the view.

Vicky saw one school of baitfish and let out a squeal. I saw nothing but swirling water but stared at it for the hour-long paddle hoping to see something. The proprietor of GlowRow, Zack, an affable young man, explained kayak paddling for the inexperienced and described how the boats operated. He insisted we all wear PFDs (life preservers) but mentioned that in the unlikely event of a water landing that

Lifestyle we shouldn’t try to swim – just stand up and walk on the sandy bottom. Little Bay is very shallow.

Zach also told us that fish might try to jump into the boat. A nighttime video circulated a few years ago showing a motorboat on a small stream with fish jumping around it.

We didn’t see any on our trip. Maybe next time.

The trip charge is $49.00/person. We’ll do it again.

When the wind isn’t blowing.

Thursday May 12 , 2022

Never Stops

My wife and I call our 5-acre home place Little Biddy Ranch or LBR for short. We have our house, a barn, pasture, equipment, 2 cows, 2 calves, and a bull. You would think with such a small “ranch” it would be easy to stay caught on chores. Not so. As my neighbor, a cowboy named Raymond says about problems on any farm, “Never stops.”

A nighttime, lighted kayak tour of Rockport’s Little Bay is an intriguing new coastal attraction. Called “GlowRow,” lights on the two-person kayaks illuminate the water below the glass-bottomed boats. The company also operates other coastal sites. Copyrighted photo courtesy of GlowRow.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have lots of troubles, but be encouraged for I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33) Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain: Chambers County Sheriff’s Office & Fellowship of Christian Cowboys

Lifestyle

Thursday May 12 , 2022

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 just can’t seem to win sometimes. I received an email a little while back about one of our suppliers putting some Winter coats on clearance and I took a look and decided that a $126 coat that was on sale for $10 was a pretty good investment and I decided to buy one for me and the kids. Three coats was $30 and then I received the invoice for the freight......$48 for freight. Okay, $78 for three coats worth $378 was still a pretty good deal, so I let the order go through. I arrived at my office in Huntsville last Wednesday evening and there was a note on my door from UPS. The note said that they had tried to make a delivery, but nobody was home, they needed a signature for the delivery, and they would try again tomorrow. No problem, we would be home all day Thursday.

I looked up the tracking number and sure enough it was my $30 worth of coats. Thursday was the day that all of the bad weather came through and it pretty much rained all day and I never received a

knock on the door or another note from UPS. I figured with the bad weather that they had just skipped us and would try again Friday.

Friday rolls around and somebody is home all day until about 5:30 in the evening and we all have to leave to run up to Elkhart to check on cattle. I take the note that was left on Wednesday and sign it and leave a message on the note that here is my signature for these valuable $30 coats and to please leave the package as we would be back in a little while.

I get back from Elkhart and pull up to the house and look at the front door and the note is still exactly where I left it, there’s no new note, and there’s no package. Later on that evening I pulled up the tracking number and it said that three attempts were made to deliver the package and no answer on the door and the package was being returned to the sender. Now here’s my issue with UPS. Several months ago I ordered a pretty nice $800 computer from

Dell that came in a Dell box with a Dell address label on it and I pulled up to my house one evening after being at my Winnie office for a few days and there’s my computer laying on the ground next to the front door. But yet, my $30 worth of coats requires a signature??? I know it’s probably not UPS, but the sender of the package that specified the rules, but dang it, I kinda wanted my coats. Now, I’m going to have to contact the shipper and see how we are going to handle this situation. Am I going to get my coats, am I going to get my money back, and how much time and effort am I going to have to spend to sort all of this out, when I know dang good and well that the UPS driver never made the second or third attempt to deliver the package.

Just frustrating, I tell you, just frustrating.

Now on to another topic. A few weeks ago I told you that I had gone to a cattle sale to buy a bull and I bought a cow instead and I was working on figuring out this reproduction thing.

So here’s the rest of the story. I have never had enough money to be really big time in the cattle business and I have always found my niche to be in registered cattle where I can have a smaller herd, but some pretty dang good ones.

In the back of my mind, I knew this was a possibility that I would not be satisfied with a few crossbred cows, and so when a conversation about embryo transfer occurred at a couple of cattle sales, the light bulb finally went off in my head and I bought

Walker County Press-Page 14 a purebred cow. I plan on not breeding those commercial cows that I was looking for a bull for this Spring and instead hold them open until this Fall when the purebred cow has her calf and then I will put her into an embryo program and place the collected embryo’s into the commercial cows that will then become surrogate mothers to purebred calves. It’s a plan and that’s actually what I went to college to do and so after about 40 years, maybe I’ll put some of that education

to use, except that everything I learned in college can be thrown out the window because they do things completely different these days. They use ultrasound and petri dishes nowadays instead of hormones and microscopes like we did in the stone ages. Oh well, it’s something to keep me busy and thinking all of the time, and I’ll try to keep you guys informed of my progress......or, lack there of. Until next time, I’m............Wade in the Shade.

Want Ads

Walker County Press-Page 15

C O R N H O L E BOARDS, custom made, ACA standards, “no bag bounce”, high quality, unfinished, with folding legs or on wheels! $180.00$210.00 . Also custom drink stands $80 pair.

Call for details Gerald Barosh 936.524.0480 Huntsville, Texas

1712 Sq Ft by owner. 2 or 3 BR, 2 bath, .67 acre backs up to 1100 acre public park. $178K, text 936-6619221 for photos and more info

2001 Dodge Dually.

One owner, 174000 miles. Runs good, gets good mileage. $16,000.00. Motivated seller. 936-6626651 100 Year old upright For Sale: Bradford, PIANO. Some use the Brangus, and Here- decorative wood front ford bulls. Call 713- panels to make a large 875-5703 office desk. Call 936-

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662-7575 LARGE BURLS ON ELM TREE for wood carvers. Will discuss tree removal. Call 936-662-7575

Subscribe for just $25 a year Send Subscriptions to Walker County Press P.O Box 149 Huntsville, Tx 77342

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2008 F150 Pickup, super low miles, solid motor, almost new tires & battery, only serious inquiries.

Generac Home $9500. 936-200-9033 Standby generators with transfer switches 1 17kw, 1-15kw, 1-12kw pre-owned

Walker County Press owned by: Wade Thibodeaux (Publisher) Julie Gill (Editor) Mackensey Bailey (Reporter/ Photographer) Walker County Press P.O Box 149 Huntsville, Tx 77342 Contact Wade Thibodeaux at wade@ txmediacorp.com or 936.581. 5161 Subscriptions: $25 a year Letters Policy: The Walker County Press prints Letters to the Editor on a space-available basis.

All letters must be submitted with the name and hometown of hte author along with a phone number to be used for verification purpoes. The phone number will not be printed. Deadline for Letters to the Editor is Friday at 5 p.m. prior to each weeks edition.

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Contact us at wade@txmediacorp.com to put your ad in for free for individuals.

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Thursday May 12 , 2022

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Walker County Press-Page 16

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