Volume 63, Number 7
Azle News
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
THE
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Victims say gimme ShelterBoxes Page 1B
Next school year holds several rules changes Page 9A
Gym dandy Construction begins on new high school facility
On July 29 on the north side of Azle High School, a machine chomps up hunks of cement, the beginning of construction for the new gym set to arrive in August 2015. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
by mark k. campbell The first cement was busted up July 29 on the Azle High School campus as construction began for a voter-approved competitive gym. The modern facility is expected to be ready for play in a year, August 2015. Last November, voters OK’d a bond for the gym along with funds to install sprinklers in the high school and to build a new career and technology center on the campus. The total tab approved was $20 million and $9 million of that will go to the construction of the competitive gym. The new facility will dwarf the current gym. Right now, there is no place on the AHS campus to gather all students in one area. That will be remedied next August – the new gym will hold 2,113 people. And that’s just in the seats; if the floor is utilized that number would expand. Virtually no expansion has occurred with the current gym since it was built in 1970; none of the 1997 $13.2 million spent upgrading the high school then – of the $31.8 million school bond –
went toward the gym. Back in 1970 and in ensuing years, the 1,000seat gym was sufficient to house all high school students. Not so now with an AHS population of 1,688, the number turned in to the University Interscholastic League last October for realignment purposes. The new facility being constructed will be horseshoe shaped with a recessed floor. Some home side seats will have backs. The entry will be from the north end of the campus where a lobby will greet visitors. Inside, volleyball and basketball athletes and coaches will have locker rooms. The exterior of the building will be eye-catching, too. Interchangeable banners will drape outside from the roof and will highlight sports, events, or individuals. The building is expected to be so impressive that the gym will be sought out as a neutral site for postseason volleyball and basketball games, creating revenue for the district.
Family makes quilt honoring son’s military service A local couple recently finished an stitched them onto the quilt, making the unusual but loving tribute to their son’s already tough uniform fabric even thicker in those places. military service. Jerry – “Pop” – then took on the chalChris and Jerry Biggerstaff, with some design help from their daughter, lenging task of quilting the piece, stitchSheri Duderstadt, designed, pieced and ing around all the patches (36 of them) assembled a quilt using uniforms, patch- and the pockets. “I recommended leaving the pockes and other memorabilia belonging to their son, Chief Warrant Officer Jerry P. ets open for two reasons,” Chris said. “First, because they were several layers “Jay” Biggerstaff. The younger Biggerstaff served with thick and secondly, because it would be the 176th Engineer Brigade, Texas a nice place for notes from Jay’s sons Army National Guard. He has served in and grandchildren.” Calling the project a labor of love, Texas, Iraq and Afghanistan. “Our son, Jay, asked us last year if we Chris said Jay mentioned that others would make him a quilt using his army might like to have a quilt made when uniforms to tell his “Soldier Story,” they see his. “I told him if I were to make any Chris said. “He had a design in mind with specific items he wanted in it, and more, they would be very expensive,” he was happy with our final layout. she said. With helpful suggestions from his Pop and sister, I think we created a really nice design.” Chris admitted she had no idea what using the uniforms entailed when she first started on the project. “I got up close and very friendly with Jack, the seam ripper,” Chris laughed. “Those uniforms are made from the toughest fabric I have ever encountered. So I ripped up seams, patches and Velcro from three different styles of jackets (two of each) and two pairs of pants. The thread was so strong it broke my favor- This quilt was made with love for Chief Warrant ite seam ripper Officer Jerry P. Biggerstaff by his mom, Chris as I was trying to Biggerstaff – with some layout suggestions from take buttons off.” sister Sheri Duderstadt – and quilted by his dad, Chris took Jerry Biggerstaff, Sr. It was created from his unithe Velcro off forms, honoring his service in Texas, Iraq, and Afthe patches and ghanistan.
Fans are still arriving at Central Park while Beatles cover band Me & My Monkey performs at the finale of the Music in the Park series July 25. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
Concert breaks event record Final Music in the Park band attracts 1,700 by mark k. campbell Yeah, yeah, yeah it was hot, but the crowds started gathering early for the final concert of the 2014 Music in the Park series. And, just like last year, Me & My Monkey, a Beatles cover band, shattered the attendance record when they began playing at the steamy Central Park amphitheater at 8 p.m. Friday, July 25. While event organizers hustled around with hand-held fans and wa-
M&MM not only turned out a solid version of “Hey Bulldog” off the Yellow Submarine album, but played almost the entire second side of Abbey Road, the famed medley that runs more than 16 minutes. Eventually, after an encore that got lots of folks up to twist and shout, the curtain came down on Music in the Park, capping another successful season. From the stage, organizer Martin Feminella said the program will return in 2015.
West Shangri La Drive Grass Fire
Firefighters from the Silver Creek VFD work to completely subdue a grass fire in the 200 block of West Shangri La Drive Monday afternoon July 28. Crews were able to put out the flames before any structures were damaged. Photo by Natalie Gentry
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This Week in In 1999, the shiny new athletic field house on the Azle Azle History High School campus was receiving its finishing touches. 15 Years Ago
ter, music lovers filled the cement seats, spilled into the grassy areas nearby, settled into the raised section of the library, and even gathered behind the stage. When a final count was attempted, it was estimated that at least 1,700 people were in the crowd. The good-natured band played plenty of the Fab Four’s favorites – and there were plenty of hits to choose from out of the Beatles extensive pop catalogue – and the group even dipped into some deeper album terrain.
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$1 Azle, Texas 76020