FayetteCountyRecordGeneralExcellence2

La

INSIDE

Opening Night Local volleyball teams look sharp as season opens.

Texas

‘This Closes an Open Wound’

Drive-Thru Dinner

Relay for Life of La Grange is having a drive-thru dinner on Aug. 12 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Randolph Rec Center. Koopmann Catering will be making grilled pork steaks, twice baked potatoes, green beans, corn and peach cobbler. Plates are just $12. For tickets, contact Glenda Munsch at City Hall or call (979) 249-6884.

VFD Barbecue

The 42nd South Lee County VFD Annual Barbecue will be held Satuday, Aug. 13 at the Serbin Picnic Grounds on FM 2239. Beef and pork to go at the pit at 4:30 p.m. and plates will be served with all the trimmings from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Plates are $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Cornhole tournament at 2 p.m. and silent auction begins at 3 p.m. Enjoy barrel train rides for the kids and live auction begins at 6:30 p.m. The Lost Cause Band plays at 3:30 p.m. All proceeds go to updating fire equipment.

St. James BBQ

Family Members on Both Sides Console Each Other After Life Sentence Given to C.J. Lehmann Shooter

By ANDY BEHLEN The Fayette

County Record

An incredible thing happened in Bellville on Tuesday, Aug. 9.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy C.J. Lehmann, who was shot and blinded in the line of duty four years ago, hugged and cried with the family of a man who was just minutes before sentenced to life for pulling the trigger.

An Austin County jury convicted Shazizz Mateen of aggravated assault of a public servant for shooting and blinding Lehmann on Nov. 1, 2018. They sentenced Mateen to life in prison plus a $10,000 fine. It was the maximum punishment allowed by law.

“This closed an open wound,” Lehmann said in an interview with the Record after the trial. “It closes a chapter, not just for me, but everyone in Fayette County. I have a life sentence of blindness, and he’ll have a life sentence to think about what he did.”

“We appreciate the service and sacrifice that C.J. provided for the citizens of Fayette County, and we’re happy to see he got the

justice he deserves,” said prosecutor Joshua Somers of the Texas Office of the Attorney General.

Mateen, 53, could be eligible for parole after serving 30 years, according to the instructions to the jury from the presiding judge, District Judge Jeff Steinhauser of the 155th District Court.

The two-day trial began with opening arguments on Monday, Aug. 8. Plenty of folks in La Grange and Fayette County recall the events of Nov. 1, 2018 - that’s the reason the case was transferred to Austin County.

The trial provided the first opportunity for the public to see and hear what actually happened that day. The jury, along with everyone else in the courtroom, got to watch security camera video from the La Grange Dollar General and officer body camera video from the shooting at the Carter Motel.

Somers and fellow OAG attorney Andrew Rountree represented the State. Defense attorneys Calvin Garvie and Patrice Carrington represented Mateen.

The prosecution began by calling Sgt. Justin Koehne to the stand. Koehne testified that he arrived at the La Grange Dollar General around 5:21 p.m. to arrest Mateen for failure to register as a sex offender. Koehne said police knew Mateen lived at the Carter Motel. He said someone at the motel told police that

Mateen left to go shopping at the Dollar General. La Grange Police Officer David Mohr also went to the store.

Upon arrival, Koehne went inside. Koehne said he spotted Mateen and asked him for his ID.

“He reached back and to the side and started to pull out a large knife,” Koehne testified.

“What were you thinking,” Somers asked Koehne.

“This is not good,” Koehne said.

Koehne said there were other customers in the store, so he didn’t want to draw his pistol. Instead, Koehne tried using his taser on Mateen, but it had little effect. A scuffle ensued and Koehne said Mateen cut his left hand with the knife. Mateen ran out the door, knocking down Mohr in the process, and ran down the alleyway between Dollar General and the old Bealls store towards the Carter Motel. The prosecution played security video from Dollar General showing the altercation.

Mateen took the stand later in the trial and said the blade was a ritual knife called an “atherme” from the Wiccan belief system.

“I tried casting a spell with it,” Mateen said under oath.

It was one of many unorthodox beliefs that Mateen expressed during the trial.

The video from Dollar Gen-

There’s more For the Record on Page A2

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Summer Reading Program Concludes With a Big Party

Local Kids Read 7,082 Books This Summer

This year, nearly 400 children and adults participated in the summer reading program that the Fayette Public Library hosted from June through August. With a whopping 7,082 books read in total, the participants blew last year’s total, 3,772 books, out of the water. As school draws near, the reading program came to a close, with all the participants’ hard work culminating in an end of summer party hosted at the library park on Thursday, August 4. Booths and vendors at the party included Big Time Bubbles, Jimmy’s Roasted Corn, R&R Shaved Ice, Domino’s Pizza, Villa Farms Mobile Petting Zoo, Ms. Whitney’s Balloon Animals, Kat’s Caricatures, and a dunk tank from A-1 Party Rentals. Above: Children run around in a mountain of bubbles provided by Big Time Bubbles. Below: Kelly CederRyba, a staff member of the Fayette Public Library, is dunked into a tank of water after a child hits the target.

Photos by MaKenzie Givan

Mapping Arleas Upton Kea’s Inspiring Journey

One of Fayette County’s most successful daughters honed her high-profile career with lessons from growing up in Schulenburg

When Arleas Upton Kea joined the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in 1981, she didn’t expect to one day retire from the mammoth Washington, D.C., independent federal corporation. Continually stepping up to take on new roles of increasing responsibility and tackling the associated challenges tested her business acumen.

Arleas was happy at the FDIC because she was realizing her ambition in life: to make a difference.

“I love to tell people that I helped to ensure the safety and soundness of the nation’s banking system,” says Arleas, who was a newly-minted University of Texas lawyer 40 years ago when she was recruited by the FDIC.

In her steady rise through the ranks, Arleas aided the FDIC in its mission: to insure deposits; examine and supervise institutions’ financial safety, soundness, and consumer protection; make large and complex financial institutions resolvable; and manage receiverships.

Arleas was the first African American senior counsel, assistant general counsel, deputy general counsel and ombudsman in the FDIC’s legal division. She was also the first African

Armchair Chats

A Occasional Feature by ELAINE THOMAS

At Schulenburg High School, Arleas was a member of the National Honor Society for three years, serving as the club’s president for two terms. She was a four-year member of the Future Homemakers of America and Dramatics Club. Named an outstanding student in her junior year, Arleas served on the student council for two years and was a member of the annual staff for three years, as well as the International Thespian Society and Future Teachers of America. In her senior year, Arleas received the DAR Good Citizen Award, served on The Shorthorn newspaper staff and was a Quill and Scroll member. Arleas also was a three-year member of the drill team and lieutenant in her junior year.

American director of the operations division and deputy to the chairman and senior advisor to the FDIC chairman for external affairs. Most notably, Arleas was the FDIC’s first African American chief operating officer.

Fayette Co. Roots

A prominent Washington, D.C., career seems a world away from the family’s farm on the dusty Oakland Road southeast of Schulenburg where Arleas grew up. She attributes her suc-

Schulenburg-area native Arleas Upton Kea stands before the portrait honoring her as a Distinguished Alumna on the University of Texas campus in Austin. She was the first African American to hold the position of president of the UT Law School Alumni Association and is a member of the UT Law School Foundation Board of Trustees. Following a career with the FDIC in Washington, D.C., spanning 40 years, Arleas is now retired, but is still finding ways to help others.

cess to the solid foundation her parents, Henry and Lillie Mae Upton, provided. Arleas’ father cut yards and did landscaping, while her mother worked for well-liked Schulenburg ISD teachers I.E. and Lila Clark. Ar-

leas’ parents often were asked to work at special social events such as weddings and parties, too.

“I still marvel at my parents’ sophistication and vision.

See Arleas, Page A5

Defense attorney Calvin Garvey, right, comforts Dorothy Williams, the sister of the man who shot C.J. Lehmann, as Williams hugs Lehmann’s wife Sonya outside the Austin County Justice Center on Tuesday. At left, Lehmann speaks with his shooter’s daughter, Khadijah Bowers.

Photo by Andy Behlen

See Trial, Page A5

Shazizz

Mateen was sentenced to life Tuesday for shooting deputy C.J. Lehmann

Feed The Need

Feed the Need, a non-profit organization whose mission is to feed people physically and spiritually, will provide free burgers every Monday at 6:30 p.m. in La Grange at the south east corner of the courthouse square. Everyone is welcome.

Loss of a Child Support Group

A support and education group for a parent or grandparent who is grieving the loss of a child at any age or any stage of the grieving process will be held the fourth Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Hospice Brazos Valley located at 1048 N. Jefferson in La Grange. For more information contact, Cindy Fanning at (979) 968-6913. You must RSVP to keep groups small.

Chess Club Meets on Mondays

The Chess Club at the Randolph Recreation Center, located at 653 E. Pearl St. in La Grange, meets on Mondays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Free membership for ages 8 to adult. Free lessons provided by a scholastic chess coach (ret.) for grades 2-8. U.I.L. chess puzzles skills taught. For more information, email damccall314@gmail.com.

Harvest Fest in Weimar

St. Michael Catholic Church Harvest Fest will be held Sunday, Aug. 14 at Veteran’s Memorial Hall in Weimar. Mass begins at 10:30 a.m. with Father Flag and Lost Cause Band. Drive thru plates available beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Family Center of fried chicken and stew dinner for $12. Auction at 1 p.m. and bingo from 2-6 p.m. Cornhole tournament begins at 4 p.m. Free dancing and music from the Shiner Hobo Band and Lost Cause Band, and South Bound 955. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

Bingo for Seniors

Ledbetter Community Center will have bingo on Sunday, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11 from 2-4 p.m. Doors open at 1:15 p.m. Chips, snacks, and drinks are available for a free will donation. This is a non-profit community event. The bingo schedule for upcoming games is Oct. 16 Nov. 13, and Dec. 11

Hermann Sons Life Shelby

Hermann Sons Life Shelby will meet Sunday, Aug. 14 at Harmonie Hall in Shelby beginning at 5 p.m. Members attending are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. The lodge will furnish pizza.

Fayette Water Supply Meeting

Fayette Water Supply Corporation will be conducting a meeting of the Board of Directors on Monday, Aug. 15 at 5:15 p.m. at the FWSC office located at 200 Bordovsky Road in La Grange. All members are encouraged to attend.

St. Mary’s Praha Picnic

St. Mary’s Church Picnic will be held Monday, Aug. 15 with Mass at 10 a.m. A meal of famous Praha stew and fried chicken with all the trimmings begins at 11 a.m. Drive thru plates will be available for $12. Auction starts at 1 p.m. with bingo from 2-6 p.m. Enjoy a ring toss, toy box, country store, fishpond and cake walk. Bands include The Ennis Czech Boys, The Czechaholics, and The Blue Denim Band. For more information, visit www.stmaryspraha.org.

Ellinger Hermann Sons Life

The Ellinger Hermann Sons Life will be meeting at the Ellinger Fire Station on Monday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m.

VFW

5254, Auxiliary Social & Meetings

A light meal and monthly meetings will be held by the La Grange Fayette Memorial VFW Post 5254 and Auxiliary on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at the VFW Home in La Grange. The Auxiliary will meet at 5 p.m., the light meal will be served at 6 p.m., and the VFW Post will meet after the meal.

GriefShare at First Baptist Church

GriefShare support group for those who are grieving begins Aug. 17 on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at First Baptist Church in La Grange. For more information, visit http://fbclagrange.net/griefshare.

First Baptist Church Programs

The Hive begins Wednesday, Aug. 17 at First Baptist Church in La Grange for kids ages 4 through 6th grade. Visit fbclagrange.net/ thehive. Fuel for Jr. and Sr. High students begins the same night. Visit fbclagrange.net/fuel.

Vietnam Veterans Meeting

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 870 will meet on (Third Wednesday of the Month) Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Ammannsville KJT Hall located in Ammannsville. Food and refreshments will be available after the meeting. Members and prospective members are encouraged to attend.

Financial Peace University

Financial Peace University to learn how to better and biblically deal with finances begins Wednesday, Aug. 17 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at First Baptist Church in La Grange. For more information, visit http:// fbclagrange.net/class.

Chicken Fried Steak Drive Thru

The Colorado Valley Independent Cattlemen’s Association (CVICA) fundraiser will be held on Thursday, Aug. 18 at the La Grange KC Hall located at 190 S. Brown St. The meal consists of chicken fried steak with brown gravy, buttered noodles, green beans, corn and a roll. Drive thru plates to go will be served from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. Plates are $12. Proceeds will go towards awarding scholarships to graduating students in Fayette, Lee and Colorado counties. Call the KC Hall to reserve your plates at (979) 968-5117.

Republican Women Meeting

The Fayette County Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 18 at La Grange City Hall, 155 E. Colorado in La Grange. The speaker will be Brandon Walton with Texas Scorecard. If you are not familiar with this organization, check them out at https://texasscorecard.com. James Pressler, Houston Regional Director for Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General, will also speak. Social time starts at 6 p.m. Business meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the Fayette County Republican Women, visit www.fcrwtx.org

GriefShare in Giddings

Immanuel Lutheran Church of Giddings is sponsoring a grief recovery program called GriefShare for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. The 14 week series will begin Thursday, Aug. 18, 6-8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church. GriefShare is Christ-centered and non-denominational. Call Kathy Bartels at (512) 461-5442 or email monniebartels@gmail.com to register or for more information.

LHS Class of 1964 Reunion

The La Grange Class of 1964 will hold a class reunion on Saturday, Aug. 27 at Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club. For more information, contact Robert Penksa at (214) 334-9008 or Carol Janecka at (979) 968-6646.

CPR & AED Training

The Round Top Family Library will be offering CPR and AED training for adults 16 years and older. The instructor is Mark Woelfel. This takes place on Saturday, Aug. 27 beginning at 9 a.m. until noon. Limited class size is 10. The library is located at 208 W. Mill St. in Round Top. Call (979) 249-2700 to sign up.

St. Mark’s Earns CMS 4-Star Quality Rating

St. Mark’s Medical Center (SMMC) is proud to announce its 4-star quality rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS), above the 2022 national average.

CMS ratings provide consumers with indications of a hospital’s quality based on a 5-star scale, and annually compiles the ratings by assessing hospitals across the US in five sets of quality measures which also factors in performance measured against time:

1. Mortality

2. Safety of care

3. Readmission rates

4. Patients experience; and

5. Timeliness and effectiveness of care Hospitals report their own data and are eligible to receive a rating if they report at least three measures in each of three or more measure groups, including either mortality or safety of care.

More than 4,500 hospitals were eligible to receive star ratings. The star ratings reflect a hospital’s performance on those measures relative to other US hospitals in a “peer group,” which is based on the number of measure sets in which a hospital reports enough data to be scored. In 2022, the average rating is three stars.

“We continue to see the fruits of our labor and are extremely proud of the hard work that our team has dedicated to improve the health and safety of our patients,” said SMMC

President and CEO Mark Kimball. “We know we’re making improvements in care and in the information technology side and the 2022 CMS rating validates both.”

“We are extremely pleased to see the overall strides we’re making, including in our ability to capture data that reflects the safety of care and our patients’ experience,” said SMMC Chief Clinical Officer Tammy Hartfield. “The data provides us a more accurate picture of patient care and outcomes, and allows us to set measurable targets,” she added. “In health care today, data integration across a facility’s entire operation is a critical piece of the puzzle; it must be both accurate and accessible.”

A full list of hospitals registered with Medicare and their ratings can be found here: https://data.cms.gov/.

St. Mark’s Medical Center (SMMC), is one of the top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals in the United States as ranked by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, and in 2022, rated a 4-star hospital by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The 100,000 sq. ft. community hospital serves residents of Fayette County and surrounding communities with the latest medical technology and comprehensive health care from highly skilled physicians, nurses and professional staff. Services include cardiac, physical and occupational rehabilitation; wound care; orthopedic

care; inpatient and outpatient care; a 24-hour emergency department; outpatient/elective surgeries and procedures; as well as laboratory and imaging services.

To learn more about St. Mark’s Medical Center and our services or career opportunities, please visit smmctx.org.

979.542.0700

La Grange ISD Alumni, Brad Otto (Class of 1997) made a presentation to La Grange ISD staff last Thursday on mental and spiritual wellness as the staff gets ready for a new school year.

Mark Kimball, St. Mark’s Medical center President and CEO. Tammy Hartfield, St. Mark’s Medical Center Chief Clinical Officer.

Ladies Country Store Always A Hit at Holy Cross

Picnic

sixth academic year. The service will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran in Warda and be led by association Pastors. There will be a potluck dessert and punch reception following the service.

FLHS will have their annual retreat to Camp Lone Star on Sept. 1 and 2.

By LISA GAY

One of the things people look forward to at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church picnic in Warda, besides the obvious delicious BBQ chicken and pork, is the Ladies Country Store. Every year the ladies work hard to provide great items for your eating and shopping pleasure. Last year they quickly sold out of the home canned goods they had. This year, lots of home canning has been going on in Warda.

There will be pickles, relishes, salsas and jams, just to name a few. In addition to the home canned items, the country store includes an incredible bake sale, wonderful selection of plants, they also sell Rada (made in the USA) cutlery, boxed cards of all varieties, and sides of noodles, beans, coleslaw and potato salad, to go with the BBQ you purchase directly off the pit and by the pound. In addtion to all this, they will have their cookbook for sale, which includes wonderful collections of recipes from Warda area residents.

The Country Store opens on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. You will be happy to know that you can pre-order the side dishes by calling the church office at (979) 242-3333 or call Cyndy Zoch at (979) 966-3166. The cost of the sides is $3 each.

You may wonder what the ladies do with the money they raise. Well, they give it away. Each year, the ladies hold a special meeting where they review organizations recommended by their members and vote on amounts to be given to these worthy causes. In the last 5 years over $10,000 has been given to organizations such as Immanuel Lutheran School, St. Paul Serbin PTLS, Faith Lutheran High School, Alaska Mission for Christ, Camp Tejas, KFUO, LCMS Disaster Fund, Lutheran Braille Workers, TX Partners in Mission as well as many others. The ladies would love to see you on picnic Sunday and send you home with lots of great items.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda will have their annual picnic on Sunday, Sept. 4 at the church picnic grounds. They are looking for quality items for their auction. Contact Chris Kovar at (318) 458-8558 or Brian

Varner at (979) 966-3761 if you have auction items you would like to donate.

42nd annual BBQ Fundraiser South Lee County VFD will have their 42nd annual BBQ Fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Serbin picnic grounds.

BBQ beef and pork, by the pound, will be available starting at 4:30 p.m. BBQ plates with all the trimmings will be available from 5-7:30 p.m. Plates will be $12 each and are also available to-go. Cornhole tournament is at 2 p.m. (sign up by 1 p.m.). There will be barrel train rides for the kids starting at 3 p.m. Music by the Lost Cause Band will be from 3:30-6 p.m. The live auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the evening. All proceeds go towards updating fire equipment.

Bible Study

A new Bible study will begin Aug. 24 at Holy Cross Lutheran in Warda. This will cover the entire book of Joshua, providing details of what happened to Israel after their 40 years of wandering in the desert when God finally let them enter and take possession of the Promised Land. The Bible study will meet each Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending contact Cyndy Zoch at cyndy.zoch@gmail.com There is no charge to attend, but registration is recommended to make sure there are enough materials for everyone.

Neighbors Night Out Neighbors Night Out in

Warda is planned for Sunday, Oct. 16 at the picnic grounds. More details coming soon.

Birth Announcement

Congratulations to Gary and Diane Becker on the birth of their first grandchild, Scarlett Kate Melcher, born to Abby and Chesston Melcher on July 31. Excited great-grandparents are Wally and Carol Lehmann.

Holy Cross Services

There will be a special “Blessing of the Backpacks” on Sunday, Aug. 14. Parents with school age children are invited to have their child bring their backpacks to church as a special prayer will be held to celebrate the start of the new school year.

Sunday School promotion Sunday is Aug. 28.

Services at Holy Cross Lutheran are Sunday at 9 a.m. Bible Class and Sunday school follows the morning service. Sermon links/streaming videos and additional information is on the website at: www.holycrosswarda.com

Faith Lutheran High School

New student registration for the 2022-2023 school year is underway. There are currently 15 students registered for the 202223 school year. The first day of school will be Wednesday, Aug. 17. If you are interested in enrollment, contact the school at (979) 242-2889 to experience what FLHS is all about. You can also schedule a visit via their website at: www.flhstx.org

There will be an opening service held on Sunday August 21 at 3 p.m. to officially open their

Traffic Stop Near Ellinger Leads to Cocaine Arrest

Faith Lutheran High School will hold their annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 22. New this year will be “The Battle of The Brew,” a home brew competition. They will have their traditional German meal, domino tournament, cornhole tournament, music, kid’s games and lots of fun. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend this fun event.

Prayer Requests

Frances Schumann.

Special prayers for those in the nursing home: Evelyn Kasper, Jimmy Zoch.

Special prayers of those in assisted living centers: Carol Jurk, Nancy M. Pietsch.

Special prayers for those shut-in at home: Jim and Betty Duke, Shirley Going, Larry Kasper, Mary Ann Pietsch.

Anniversaries

Anniversary wishes are extended to the following couples: Phillip and Mayra Wagner-Aug. 13, Jerrell and Oranell Dunk-14. Special Anniversary Wishes to J.C. and Wilma Kaiser who celebrate 71 years of marriage on Aug. 12.

Birthdays

Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Larry Moerbe-August 12, Elizabeth Faldyn, Wendy Wagner, Suzie Barrow-13, John Gay-15, Ralph Bamsch, Dennis Pietsch, Cyndy Zoch-16, Elijah Kueck-17, Janet Schramm, Amber Bass-18.

Have news to share?

If you have news items to share with readers of the Warda news including visits from your friends and family, contact Lisa Gay at (979) 218-6000 or Wardanews78960@gmail.com.

Record Visits Titanic Exhibit in Nova Scotia

Changes Ahead for This Year’s Fayette Co. Fair

Free Thursday Added; Plant House and Shuttle Busses Out

By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

We’re less than three weeks away from the start of The Fayette County Fair, and here are a few things of note that are new and/or changes for the event on Labor Day Weekend:

• Admission to the fair Thursday is going to be free and parking will also be free that night. Ticket prices thereafter are $10 for Friday, $30 for Sat-

urday and $20 for Sunday. Season tickets are $35. Kids 0-5 are free. Kids 6-15 are free until 6 p.m. every day.

• After Thursday, parking at the grounds will be $5 per night. There will not be shuttle busses running from downtown this year. Fair President Michael Zuhn said that in recent years there has not been enough ridership to justify the expense of shuttle busses, which cost the

fair about $40,000 last year and he said it would have cost the fair closer to $50,000 this year. Zuhn said there will be several six-passenger golf carts on the grounds to transport people to and from their cars in the parking lot of the fairgrounds to the front gate.

• There will not be a plant show at the fair this year. Zuhn said the fair struggled to find a new director for the program

Saturday, a ugu

S t 27, 2022

this year and the plant house has been converted to a first aid and first responder area.

• A Tejano band Inconfundibles Del Norte has been added to the musical lineup, headlining Friday night.

• The Senior Citizens event on opening day will return to a more traditional format, with a meal, music and prizes at the VFW Hall from Noon-3:30 p.m. Thursday.

More Details About Sunday’s Tanker Spill on Bluff

By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

The tanker that flipped and spilled oil-based drilling mud on the bluff Sunday was bad – but it could have been a whole lot worse.

In DPS trooper Louis Gabler’s incident report of the accident, he states that the driver of the truck “made a valiant effort to avoid hitting other vehicles” on the road when the left front tire of the 18-wheeler had a blow-out as the truck was coming down the bluff about 2:25 p.m. Sunday

The driver of that truck was Andrew Lee Lackey, 44 of Gonzales, who was driving for AJ’s Logistics Service LLC of Alice/ Kenedy, Texas.

The truck did not hit any other vehicles, and no citation was issued.

Lackey was uninjured in the wreck, but about 1,000 gallons of the drilling mud leaked from

the tanker he was hauling after it flipped on its side.

The mud spread across the roadway, and down the side of the Bluff about 30 feet into a dry creek bed on the Tiemann property, said La Grange Fire Chief Frank Menefee, who responded to the scene along with seven firefighters and three trucks. A small fire was sparked by the crash in the dry vegetation adjacent to the roadway but Menefee said the fire had burned itself out by the time fire fighters arrived.

Menefee said Dr. Tiemann’s son used some of the family’s heavy equipment to create a dam that stopped the leaking mud from spreading further across the property.

Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator Craig

Moreau said the quick action of those on the scene helped minimize damage to a larger area. Moreau said a Hazardous Material Team from Hays

Holy Cross Church Picnic

Holy Cross Lutheran Church will host their annual picnic on Sunday, Sept. 4, at the shaded church picnic grounds in Warda. Get barbecue pork by the pound and whole chickens from the pits starting at 9:30 a.m. Sides and desserts will be available from the Ladies Aid country store. Hamburgers will be available starting at 4 p.m. The annual live auction will start at 5:30 p.m. To pre-order sides noodles, cole slaw, potato salad, pinto beans call (979) 242-3333.

Fayetteville Schools Reunion

The annual Fayetteville Schools Reunion will be held on Sept. 17 following the rededication and tour of the Red Building at the Fayetteville ISD Campus at 3 p.m. Start time for the reunion is 4 p.m. at Joe’s Place on the square with a social, meeting, dinner and music by DJ Aaron from 6-10 p.m. A meal of chicken fried steak, grilled chicken breast, potatoes, green beans, salad and dessert will be served. The bar will be open to purchase drinks. The cost of the meal is $12 per person with advance payment only by Sept. 9. Mail checks to James Chovanec at 1705 Woodward Springs Rd., Brenham, Texas 77833. The classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 are hosting this year’s reunion. For additional information, contact James Chovanec at (979) 251-4767, Betty Fritsch at (979) 966-3910 or Noreen Dopslauf at (979) 966-3164.

LHS Class of 1972 Reunion

The LHS Class of 1972 50th reunion will be held at the VFW Hall in La Grange Saturday, Sept. 17. There will be a continental breakfast from 9-11 a.m. hosted by Billy Miller. Meet and greet from 3-5 p.m. At 5 p.m. there will be a catered meal by Koopmann Catering. Bring your favorite appetizer or dessert. There will be a silent auction with proceeds of the auction to be added to the next reunion. The theme is purple and gold. For any questions that you may have, contact any committee member. The dinner will be $25 a person and checks can be written to Class Reunion of 1972 and sent to Dennis Collins as stated on the invitation. For more information or questions, contact Greg Johnson at (512) 798- 2668, Dennis Collins at (512) 618-2615, Ron Boening at (979) 966-7785, Roger Brandt at (979) 702-0072, Nancy Pietsch at (979) 249-7406, or Alan Jecmenek at (832) 302-1728. Please RSVP by Aug. 17.

Reunion Cancelled

The Simmons, Lemons, and Adams annual family reunion has been canceled because of current conditions. Family is hoping and praying to resume on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Please note that the annual family reunion has been changed from August to September beginning 2023. Additionally, family is in the process of designing a website and should be finalized by the end of August. If you have any questions, contact Margie (Nell) Simmons at (512) 565-1218 or at bertmason58@gmail.com.

Antique Queens Fair Parade

Any past fair queen wanting to ride in the “Antique Queens” Fayette County Fair Parade Float, contact Potluck Trading at (979)2062030 or the La Grange Chamber at (979) 968-5756. Marine Corps League Meeting

Marine Corps League Detachment 1028 will meet for their regular monthly meeting the fourth Tuesday of the month at the La Grange VFW Hall at 7 p.m. Contact Bobby Bedient at bobbybedient@yahoo.com. For more information.

Widowed Spouses Support Group

Hospice Brazos Valley will host a Grief Support Group on the third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1l:30 a.m. for anyone who is grieving the loss of a spouse. Hospice Brazos Valley is located at 1048 N. Jefferson in La Grange. For more information, contact Cindy Fanning at (979) 968-6913. You must RSVP so the groups can be small.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support

Hospice Brazos Valley will host a Alzheimer’s or Dementia Support Group and will meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Hospice Brazos Valley is located at 1048 N. Jefferson in La Grange. Meet for support and education for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. For more information, contact Cindy Fanning at (979) 968-6913. Please RSVP.

County was contacted as well as a private clean-up company and the Lower Colorado River Authority. The river is adjacent to the Tiemann property, but none of the mud leaked as far as the river.

Moreau said the clean-up of the site included a vacuum truck to suck any excess oil-based mud and then the removal of any dirt that had come into contact with the mud. This type of oilbased mud is used in the drilling process of oil wells. Moreau said the material was not highly

The Ellinger Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Bingo on Saturday, Aug. 20. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and games start at 6 p.m. There will be fifteen regular games with a $100 prize for each game and two $500 jackpots. Refreshments and food will also be available.

Fair Catalogs Available

The Fayette County Fair is coming soon. Fair catalogs are available at the Carmine State Bank, The First State Bank in Columbus, Fayetteville Bank, Fayette Savings in Flatonia, World Travel in La Grange, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in La Grange, Round Top State Bank, Fayette Savings in Schulenburg, and Fayette Savings in Weimar. Get your copy soon to get your entries for the various contests in on time.

Fayette County Heifer Show

Additionally the Fayette County Heifer Show and Sale is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 26 and 27 respectively. The sale gets underway at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the fair grounds. This would be a great opportunity to get some good breed heifers for your herd; sell the older cows and restock with these younger animals while helping the youth of our area.

Fayette County 4 H Banquet

The 2022 Fayette County 4 H Banquet was held on Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Casino Hall in La Grange. The Outstanding Intermediates are members that are in the six, seventh, and eighth grades. They complete an application and go through an interview process. The following are the area winners from this group: Kandon Kaspar of the Fayetteville 4-H Club; Kynzee Swafford of the La Grange 4-H Club; Teagan Kallus of the 4-H Horse Club; and Rheagan Karisch of the Pure Country 4-H Club.

Ellinger Hermann Sons Life

The Ellinger Hermann Sons Life will be meeting on Monday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Ellinger Fire Station. For more information contact Diane Marusik.

St. Mary’s Annual Bazaar

St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellinger will host its 72nd Annual Bazaar on Sunday Aug. 28. Starting at 10:30 a.m. there will be a drive thru meal at the Ellinger Chamber of Commerce Hall consisting of fried chicken, sausage and trimmings for $14 per plate. The meal will also be available in the hall for anyone wanting to dine-in. A Prize Drawing for a $5,000 Gift Card first prize, a $1,000 Gift Card second prize, thirteen $500 Gift Card prizes, and 18 additional prizes will be held in the afternoon. Tickets for the drawing are available from the St. John’s/ St. Mary’s Parish Office, St. Mary parishioners or Fayetteville Bank. Beginning Aug. 19,

toxic but did contain hydrocarbons, so the spill did have to be taken very seriously.

Houston's newest musical ensemble, The Magnolia City Brass Band, will appear at Festival Hill on Saturday, August 27.

Houston's newest musical ensemble, The Magnolia City Brass at Festival Hill on Saturday, August 27.

The responsibility, financial and otherwise, for all aspects of the clean-up and aftermath of the spill falls back into the trucking company, Menefee said, and he has been in contact with them since the accident and they were taking all the proper steps, including contacting the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, which had representatives visiting the site Monday.

Led by Houston Symphony trumpeter Robert Walp, this British-style brass band will perform a stirring program that includes Philip Wilby's Paganini Variations and Jean-François Michel's Eastwind, featuring the virtuoso duo of Houston Symphony Associate Principal Trumpet John Parker and the band's Principal Trombone, Ryan Rongone. This moving, accessible new work was one of the hits of the Magnolia City Brass Band's debut performance at Houston's Zilkha Hall. Bring your family to the wonderful acoustic (and stunning woodwork!) of Festival Concert Hall, a perfect place to hear this exciting new group.

The Magnolia City Brass Band · Robert Walp - Music Director The Magnolia City Brass Band is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Led by Houston Symphony trumpeter Robert Walp, this British-style brass band will perform a stirring program that includes Philip Wilby’s Paganini Variations and Jean-François Michel’s Eastwind, featuring the virtuoso duo of Houston Symphony Associate Principal Trumpet John Parker and the band’s Principal Trombone, Ryan Rongone. This moving, accessible new work was one of the hits of the Magnolia City Brass Band’s debut performance at Houston’s Zilkha Hall.

Houston's newest musical ensemble, The at Festival Hill on Saturday, August 27.

Led by Houston Symphony trumpeter Robert Walp, this British-style will perform a stirring program that includes Philip Wilby's Paganini and Jean-François Michel's Eastwind, featuring the virtuoso duo Symphony Associate Principal Trumpet John Parker and the Trombone, Ryan Rongone. This moving, accessible new work of the Magnolia City Brass Band's debut performance at Houston's Bring your family to the wonderful acoustic (and stunning woodwork!) Festival Concert Hall, a perfect place to hear this exciting new

An educ Ation A l, non-profit public foundAtion (979) 249-3129 • festivalHill.org

The Magnolia City Brass Band · Robert Walp - Music Director

The Magnolia City Brass Band is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization MagnoliaCityBB.org

In Loving Memory

Ellinger Chamber to Host Bingo Aug. 20

ELLINGER News

Sodolak

By CAROLYN BARTOSH Ellinger News Correspondent

an online auction will be open for bidding. Go to www.stmaryellinger.com to register as a bidder and view auction items. A portion of the profits will be given to the Rebuilding Fund for the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn.

Fall Blessings

The Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County, SLM, has scheduled a joint worship and Fall Blessings for Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinger. Nov. 6 St. Paul Lutheran in Fayetteville will host an All Saints’ Day joint worship. Additionally a joint worship on Christmas Day will be held at 9 a.m. in Warrenton.

Collecting for AMEN

The Rutersville WELCA is collecting items for the AMEN food pantry. All SLM congregations are invited to participate. Suggested items for August include heavy duty reusable bags, cereal, boxed or canned milk, canned fruit, juices, bath soap/ liquid , tooth paste, and laundry detergent. For more information, contact Mary Lou Fritsch. Fayetteville Brethren Church

Fayetteville Brethren Church has services the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of each month at 10 a.m. Other services are at Industry Brethren on the second, third and fourth Saturdays at 5 p.m., Wesley Brethren on Sundays at 9 a.m. and Nelsonville Brethren on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Rev. Mike Groseclose leads all the services.

Ellinger VFD

The Ellinger Volunteer Fire was dispatched to mutual aid the La Grange VFD with a grass fire off of State Hwy 71 near Halstedt Road on Monday, Aug. 8 at 12:45 p.m.

Birthdays

Birthday Wishes are extended to the following August celebrants: Garrett Flores-13; Shannon Hemmitt-15; Mary Ann Hatfield-17; Clayton Fritsch-20; Ryan Polasek and Margaret Michalsky-22; Jack Kifer-23; Mike Braswell-24; Madison Krenek-25; Douglas Minar and Patsy Hess-27; Matt Karisch and Marcia Kifer-29; Bradley Klesel-30.

Have News?

If you have news with readers of the Ellinger News column, email bartoshcarolyn@gmail. com or call (979) 966-3275.

Arleas Upton Kea’s Amazing Road from Schulenburg to D.C.

My father had about a sixth grade education; my mother maybe went to seventh or eighth grade. I think my parents transferred a lot of survival skills to not just me, but my siblings, as well. They did so by their actions, not just with words,” Arleas adds. “They instilled in us a sense of value, a sense of worth.”

Arleas recalls as a youngster getting very excited when she saw a Schulenburg water fountain identified with a sign saying ‘colored.’ However, she was puzzled when water coming out of the spout was not multi-colored. Her mother gently explained what the sign meant.

“Then I remember her saying, ‘You know what? We’ve got water at home. Let’s go home.’ That was my first realization that I was colored.”

Arleas remembers the family’s Sunday drives through the countryside and small towns. Her mother would prepare a picnic lunch of fried chicken, corn and potato salad that she’d serve on a tablecloth spread on the ground on the side of the road. Before heading back to the farm, the Uptons would occasionally stop for ice cream as a treat.

“It was in the days when we had to go around the back and order ice cream from the kitchen. I made the mistake of going in the front door and, even though I had money, I came back crying. I told my dad, ‘They won’t let me buy ice cream.’

“He said something along the lines of, ‘If people ignore you that’s bad, but when they tell you ‘no’ they are engaging with you and you have their attention. Then you’re talking; you have a basis for discussion. Go back in there and politely ask again.’ I did and that time, I came back with the ice cream.”

On another occasion, Arleas remembers holding out the cash to pay for an item in a downtown store. The clerk told her, ‘Oh, no, don’t touch my hand. Put your money on the counter.’

“Some people have described me as unflappable,” Arleas says. “That doesn’t mean that things don’t bother me. It means I can muster up a lot of inner strength and courage.”

“My dad used to say, ‘Don’t get so far down that you miss the next blessing that God is trying to send you.’”

A deacon in St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Schulenburg where Arleas and her siblings were baptized, Mr. Upton prayed long prayers. Church services were sometimes all-day events.

“Everybody teases me because I do the same. I pray before everything that I do. Really, that’s one of my secrets to success,” admits Arleas. She has continued to make worship a priority for herself and her children, son Chase and daughter Arlyce Mallory.

When desegregation became a reality

In 1964, when Arleas entered first grade, she rode the bus to J.A. Greene School on St. John Road in Schulenburg. Though a small child, she’d overheard her elders discussing a monumental shift that would soon take place, making her uneasy.

On the morning of Sept. 7, 1965, a bus accompanied by several police cars pulled up in front of J.A. Greene to transport Arleas and the other African American students across town to Schulenburg’s white school.

“I still remember the butterflies in my stomach and not knowing what to expect or really knowing what it all meant,” Arleas recalls.

The desegregation of schools was prompted by the

landmark law Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that received federal funds or other federal financial assistance.

Schools not complying with the law were subject to the loss of funds for school bus transportation, lunchroom commodities and milk program, as well as educational programs such as the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) that provided funding to improve schools and promote postsecondary education.

Arleas hit her stride in her new surroundings, excelling in both sports and academics. Jennifer Farek Prihoda, another former Schulenburg student several years younger than Arleas, remembers her as a smart, lovely, elegant young lady with natural leadership abilities.

Arleas recalls that her mother’s employers, Schulenburg teachers I.E. and Lila Clark, provided local students with a perspective of opportunities beyond the city of approximately 2,300 people.

“Mr. and Mrs. Clark brought a certain glamor and aware-

ness of the arts and culture to Schulenburg. Mr. Clark was the director of the high school’s one-act plays. His students competed regularly at the state level in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and won many awards. When I played the witch in Hansel and Gretel in 1975, I was named an all-state actress. Mr. Clark also taught us journalism, good skills that I’ve used throughout my business career.

“In addition to teaching in the classroom, Mrs. Clark arranged for a school bus to take us places. One year it was San Antonio to see a hockey game. Another time, we rode the bus to see a play at Jones Hall in Houston. Those trips were something that not a lot of Schulenburg kids would have normally done. In later years, when I got to the University of Texas in Austin, that broader exposure to the world beyond Schulenburg helped me be successful,” Arleas explains.

At the commencement exercises for the Schulenburg High School Class of 1975, Arleas was selected by her fellow students to give the senior class address on Shorthorn Field. She

was the first African American student to do so.

Her future was full of possibilities!

Arleas was so enamored with acting that she briefly considered pursuing a career on the stage. Then she reconsidered and planned to be a teacher. However, her dreams beckoned her to reevaluate that plan, too.

“In the 11th or 12th grade, I participated in debate and persuasive speaking and went to the state UIL competition. It’s about that time that I started watching TV shows about lawyers. I began thinking that maybe that was a better, easier route to be able to make a difference and change society, to help people who needed help. So, by the time I graduated, I had declared myself pre-law,” Arleas recalls.

UT – Here she comes

After one year of college in San Marcos at what was then Southwest Texas State University, Arleas transferred to the University of Texas in Austin in 1976. She had found her niche.

“UT was rather a surreal experience because the university campus is not only bigger than Schulenburg; it has its own zip code. Having declared a major made it a little easier to find my way, though. I joined a sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, which helped me to be around girls all upward bound.”

“Some of the classes had 200 or 300 students, so I would always try to sit near the front, ask questions and go to see the professors after class. I also served as a resident assistant

in the athletic wing of Jester Dormitory when Darrell Royal was the coach and future football greats Earl Campbell and Raymond Clayborn were at UT. They were all very nice to me. They treated me like a little sister, but it was very demanding.”

Arleas was instrumental in starting a pre-law association in undergraduate school. As a student leader, she was instrumental in integrating organizations and was eager to provide feedback or participate in programs. Her major was government.

Arleas was invited to become a member of the Orange Jackets, the oldest women’s service organization on campus. She also was selected as a Good Fellow. In the Leon Green Society, she was honored to serve as a distinguished Community Fellow, representing both the legal profession and the community.

When Arleas was enrolled in UT’s Plan II Honors Program, she had the opportunity to design her own class, choose her own professor and select her student colleagues. She and her friend, Donna Blackshear, decided to approach the most famous person on the UT campus.

Barbara Jordan, who had recently retired from Capitol Hill and returned to teach in UT’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, was experiencing some health issues. When the eager young women were turned away by a secretary, they looked up Barbara Jordan’s course schedule and stationed themselves close to the doors that provided handicap access to faculty.

“Low and behold, about 45

minutes later, Barbara Jordan got out of her car and walked toward the door. We didn’t want to be too forward, but we greeted her and told her who we were and why we wanted to talk to her. She smiled and invited us up to her office for coffee. When Barbara Jordan introduced us to her secretary, we acted like we’d never seen her before.

“That’s how Donna and I started on such an incredible journey with Barbara Jordan. The course we set up was monitoring the Texas legislature. We reported to her once a week, and when we wrote our final papers, she gave us an A. My relationship with Barbara Jordan continued. It was she who recommended that I consider going to Washington, D.C., when I graduated.

“She said to me, ‘Don’t stay too long. Come back because Texas will need you.’ I haven’t made it back yet, but I’m still trying to benefit everything that I’ve done and go home often. Barbara Jordan taught me how to be a confident speaker, how to have a booming voice if I needed it. She just had such a presence. What a tremendous impact she had on me!”

During her Washington career, Arleas earned accolade after accolade. Although she appreciated the recognition, it wasn’t money or prestige that fueled her calling.

“I’m officially retired now, but I still continue to grow as a person. I’m constantly learning. I like interacting with young people because I can teach them while I’m learning from them, too. That makes life fun.”

Schulenburg classmate Glynis Tietjen Porter isn’t surprised by Arleas’ success.

“Arleas was an achiever back then and we all knew she would do well after high school; we just didn’t know how well!” Glynis says.

For more stories, please visit www.elainethomaswriter.com/ blog/ and sign up to receive new posts or call Elaine at 979-2635031.

Arleas was selected to teach financial literacy at Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa for three years.

Arleas grew up near Schulenburg with a large, supportive extended family nearby.

Arleas credits her parents for teaching her the importance of having a very strong moral compass. Lillie Mae and Henry Upton are pictured with their daughter, Arleas, at her 1975 Schulenburg High School graduation.

While living and working in the nation’s capital, Arleas has conducted business in the White House and met five U.S. presidents: Ronald Regan, Bill Clinton, George Bush Jr., Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Arleas is a member of Alpha Kappa Sorority along with Vice President Kamala Harris, whom she has visited with several times. Arleas is pictured with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Arleas (fourth from left) is pictured with her siblings: Gloria, Henry, Rita and Wallace. (Both Wallace and Henry are deceased.)

Arleas has passed along important life lessons she learned from her parents to her children, Chase and Arlyce.

Trial Concludes in Two Days; Families on Both Sides Comfort One Another

eral showed Koehne chasing Mateen out of the store at gunpoint. At one point during the chase, Koehne said Mateen briefly turned around and threatened him again with the knife. Somers asked Koehne why he didn’t shoot Mateen right there.

“I did not discharge my firearm because there were customers around,” Koehne said.

Later in the trial, Rountree praised Koehne for showing restraint in that moment. Koehne followed Mateen through the field to the Carter Motel. Koehne caught up with Mateen at the door to Room 18 at the Carter Motel, where Mateen lived.

“I commanded him to drop the knife, and he refused,” Koehne testified. “I tried knocking the knife out of his hand with my baton, but Mateen was able to get inside the room.”

At that point, Koehne called for backup. The prosecution next called Kristi Anguiano to the stand. Anguiano, administrative assistant for the La Grange Police Department, testified about the numerous attempts she made to contact Mateen when his registration came up for renewal.

Anguiano said she called Mateen several times and even drove to his apartment and left a business card on his door. Anguiano said Police obtained a warrant for Mateen’s arrest after he failed to respond.

Next to testify was Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy Ken Kretz. Kretz testified that he was at Kort’s Korner on the Bluff with several other deputies when Koehne’s call came over the radio. Kretz said he and the other deputies rushed to the Carter Motel. Kretz arrived at the motel along with deputies Lehmann, Marc Bennett, Colin Godmintz and several La Grange officers.

The Shooting

The prosecution played the video from Kretz’s body camera. In it, La Grange Police Officer Kenny Schmidt arrived at the door with a ring of keys he got from the motel manager. Officers stood around the door with weapons ready. Someone told Schmidt to back off since he wasn’t wearing a ballistic vest. Lehmann volunteered to open the door and took the keys from Schmidt. Near the door, to Lehmann’s left, stood Bennett with a non-lethal pepperball gun. Lehmann went to the door with his service pistol in one hand and the keys in the other. Lehmann stuck the keys in the lock and turned, but he realized that the door was unlocked and he just locked it. Lehmann turned the keys the other direction and unlocked the door. He opened the door. A second or two passed. Boom!

A spray of lead pellets – birdshot from a 12 gauge Winchester Defender 1300 – hit Lehmann in the face at close range. The impact blew the cap off Lehmann’s head, spun him around and knocked him to the ground. Lehmann screamed in pain. Shaken for a split second, deputies and officers fired back with dozens of shots.

Another lull in the gunfight passed, and then another blast from Mateen inside the doorway. The lawmen returned fire again.

Texas Ranger Brent Barina, who investigated the officer-involved shooting, testified that six officers fired a total of 60 rounds. Seven of them found their target, Mateen. Barina said he recovered seven spent shells from Mateen’s shotgun at the scene. Bennett gave gripping testimony about the shooting. Bennett spoke about serving as Lehmann’s field training officer early in the young deputy’s career and the rapport they had built together. Bennett stood right next to CJ at the door to Mateen’s room that day.

“He opened the door, and it was peace and quiet,” Bennett testified. “The next thing you know, a gunshot.”

The prosecution played Bennett’s body camera video.

“He’s reloading! I can hear him!” Bennett yelled in the video as Lehmann laid screaming on the ground.”

“We’ve got to pull him out from the line of fire,” someone yells. Under cross examination, Garvie asked Bennett whether

he could see Mateen through the doorway. Bennett said he could not see Mateen.

“So you didn’t know where he was at this time?” Garvie asked.

“No,” Bennett responded.

La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath told the Record that the rounds Mateen used were loaded with No. 9 birdshot, which have a very small pellet size. The point never came up during the trial, but if Mateen had loaded his gun with larger buckshot, Gilbreath said, Lehmann would not likely be alive today. Gilbreath said he believes Mateen chose No. 9 shot with the mistaken assumption that a higher number meant a larger or more powerful round. Larger, more lethal pellet sizes are indicated by lower numbers.

‘God Helmet’ & Shadow Government

The Texas Rangers routinely investigate officer-involved shootings. Ranger Barina interviewed Mateen four days after the shooting while the defendant was recovering at Dell Seton Hospital in Austin. The prosecution played the 30-minute interview during the trial.

In it, Barina asks Mateen why he shot at the officers.

“I’m a Moor,” Mateen said in the recording. “I’m a sovereign Moor. They broke down my door and I defended myself.

“They violated the sovereignty of my room,” he added. “I didn’t have any spells to protect myself, so I shot them.”

Barina asked Mateen if he pointed the gun at anyone in particular. In the interview, Mateen said he pointed it at the door.

“I fired it,” Mateen said.

“At a person?” Barina asked.

“I just blasted it,” Mateen said.

Barina went on to question Mateen about some unusual items found in his room at the Carter Motel. They included an altar, maps of Texas on the wall that Mateen described as “aboriginal territories,” a black uniform with a Texas Ranger badge on the chest, a tinfoil hat that Mateen described as a “God helmet,” and numerous journals with cryptic writing, some of them calling for the killing of government and police officials.

The prosecution presented several of the writings as exhibits. One of them stated the following: “Death to all my enemies, FBI, CIA, NSA, DARPA, and the likes of all sheriffs, deputies, constables and anyone working against me is my enemy.” Barina testified that some of Mateen’s writings expressed racial animosity toward people of Hispanic descent. In the hospital interview, Barina questioned Mateen about his religious and political beliefs. Mateen described himself as a Muslim and a Moorish sovereign citizen. Mateen claimed that the United States of America ended in the 1950s when “Roosevelt’’ signed a letter selling the country to Morocco. Mateen claimed that law enforcement are “bullies of the Pope” and did not have jurisdiction over him. However, Mateen told Barina he respected the Texas Rangers because they were formed before Texas entered the United States and because they fought against Mexicans during the Mexican-American War.

Mateen told Barina that he was “factually innocent” of his past conviction that led to his duty to register as a sex offender.

Later in the trial, Garvie called his client, Mateen, to the stand to testify in his own defense. Garvie asked Mateen about his original conviction.

“The state law books say Shazizz Mateen is not a sex offender,” Mateen testified. “I haven’t committed a crime, but

I’m still punished for it.”

Mateen was convicted in a Galveston County court of burglary with intent to committ sexual assault in 2003. In an interview with the Record after the trial, Garvie said Mateen’s accuser in the burglary with intent case later recanted her accusation in court. Garvie said she testified that she and Mateen had consensual sex. He said the woman was Mateen’s ex-common law wife.

“It really upset him that he had to register as a sex offender when she said in open court that it was consensual,” Garvie said.

“This man should not have had to register all those years,” Garvie added. “I think that’s what made him give up.”

Back on the stand, Mateen testified that he was trying to commit “suicide by cop” at the Carter Motel after failing to get help from the criminal justice system.

“Did you intend to hurt any officers?” Garvie asked Mateen.

“No, I shot at the door to draw their fire,” Mateen said.

Under cross examination from the State, Rountree asked Mateen whether he felt justified in shooting at police that day.

“I did not feel justified,” Mateen said. “I felt sad I had to defend myself.”

Lehmann testifies

The State called C.J. Lehmann to the stand on Monday. Somers asked him about the events that led up to the shooting at the Carter Motel. Lehmann said that just before Koehne’s call came out on the radio, he went to see his family at the Trick-orTreat event taking place on the courthouse square that day. He spoke about his blended family with wife Sonya Behlen Lehman and their five children ages eight to 18.

Lehmann said he was with his family for about a minute on the square when the call came over the radio. Lehmann said that was the last time he saw his family. Somers questioned him about his decision to take the keys from Officer Kenny Schmidt.

“Someone asked if he had a vest, and he said no,” Lehmann testified. “So I was like, ‘Give me the keys and get over there.’”

What prompted you to do that?” Somers asked. “He didn’t have a vest and I didn’t want to see anyone get hurt.”

Lehmann went on to describe accidentally locking the door and then unlocking it.

“I glanced at Bennett who was forward and to the left of me,” Lehmann said. “I looked back at the door and got shot. It spun me around and I fell face down.”

“What do you remember next?” Somers asked.

“A lot of gunfire,” Lehmann said. “I could tell it was hitting the building. Then a lull.”

“Could you see anything?” Somers asked.

“It was red, black but red,” Lehmann said.

“What was going through your mind?” Somers asked.

“I was worried about Bennett, because he was right there,” Lehmann said, Lehmann went on to describe officers pulling him away and getting him on his feet.

“I’m a big guy and they were having a hard time carrying me,” he said.

With the help of other officers, Lehmann walked to an ambulance waiting in the Bealls parking lot. His injuries required multiple surgeries. Doctors pulled hundreds of pellets from his face. The blast completely destroyed his left eye, which surgeons later removed. He has never regained sight in his right eye.

Lehmann said now he can only see when he dreams. He

called his dreams “a doubleedged sword.” Lehmann said when he wakes from his dreams, “everything fades to black.”

Lehmann spoke about the everyday problems of living with blindness.

“You set something down and forget where you put it, and you can never find it back again,” he said.

He spoke about his frustration with relying on others to care for him. During closing arguments, Garvie tried convincing the jury that Mateen was not trying to shoot officers but instead tried drawing their gunfire to end his life.

“(Mateen) may have said some odd things, but people who have a delusional belief system can still be held accountable for their actions,” Somers said during closing arguments.

“(C.J.) is the kind of man you want out there protecting us,” Somers added. “Now it’s your turn to protect him. Return a verdict of guilty.”

The Verdict

The jury deliberated for just 30 minutes on Tuesday morning before delivering the verdict of guilty. The prosecution called Lehmann back to the stand during punishment. Lehmann spoke about his love for fishing on the coast. He said he often took his boat to Matagorda to “unwind” by himself. Now he only gets to go when someone can take him.

He spoke about his service with the Sheriff’s Office.

“I look for the good in everybody,” Lehmann said. “No matter what the call was, I want everyone to be safe and happy. People call us in their darkest times. I tried to leave every call with someone smiling, whether it was cows in a yard or a couple fighting.” He spoke about once pulling over a vehicle speeding at over 100 miles per hour and letting the driver off with a warning.

“This was way different,” Lehmann said. “A deadly game was played. No matter how I look at this from the other side, this dangerous game can’t go again.”

Garvie called Mateen’s sister Dorothy Williams to the stand during punishment. Williams testified that Mateen served in the U.S. Army during the First Persian Gulf War. She said he was honorably discharged early from the military due to a back injury in 1991. He later married and attended college at Texas South-

ern University and Texas A&M Prairie View, she said. Williams testified that Mateed worked for the Texas Department of Crininal Justice and later as a teacher at Galveston College and Houston I.S.D.

Williams also testified about Mateen’s mental health decline after his divorce and subsequent common law marriage to the woman who would later accuse him of buglary with intent. Williams said Mateen lived with their mother after his legal troubles.

“Around 2016, he left from living with our mother and we found out he moved to La Grange,” she said. “We didn’t know where he was. We found him on the internet.”

Williams said she and Mateen’s two daughters from his first marriage tried visiting him at the Carter Motel in 2017.

“He wouldn’t let us in because he said we were reptiles,” Williams said.

Garvie also called Mateen’s two daughters to the stand, Khadijah Bowers, a U.S. Navy recruiter, and Tabrea Bowers, a critical care registered nurse.

“He wouldn’t open the door,” Khadijah said in emotional testimony. “He said our eyes were changing and someone took over us – the reptilian stuff. That was the last time I saw my dad until today. It’s not him who did all this. I wish he got the help he needed.”

Tabrea testified about the last time she saw her dad before he moved to La Grange.

“I went to my grandma’s house and he was there, but he wasn’t himself,” she said. “He’s usually loving on us, hugging us, but he wouldn’t do that at all. Then we went to La Grange and he wouldn’t come out to see us. I feel like he just got tired of fighting the system.”

Garvie also called an expert witness during punishment, psychologist Dr. Greg Hupp. Hupp testified that he examined Mateen along with numerous court records, military records, school records and other documents from Mateen’s life.

Hupp testified that he diagnosed Mateen with schizophrenia combined with depression. Hupp said Mateen’s mental health condition was “treatable but not curable.” Hupp said he believes Mateen would make a good candidate for rehabilitation.

“I give Mr. Mateen a lot of hope,” Hupp said. “He could be a success with the right treatment.”

Under cross examination from Rountree, Hupp conceded that the only way to ensure Mateen got the treatment he needed was in prison.

“While he has a mental illness, is he able to tell right from wrong,” Rountree asked Hupp.

“Yes,” Hupp responded.

The jury spent almost an hour and a half deliberating the punishment. They returned with the maximum sentence of life in prison plus a $10,000 fine.

Closure

Sonya and C.J. Lehmann gave victim impact statements after the trial. Sonya spoke first.

“I wanted to come up here and scream and yell about how much it hurts, but that won’t do anything,” said Sonya. “I see that it’s a loss on both sides. He’ll get the help he needs. I’m not a forgiving person. My grandma tells me I need to work on that. But now that it’s over, I can see I can do that. It might take some time. I’m trying not to focus on the anger. I’ll work on doing that. At least we’re not stuck in limbo. We’re not thinking about ‘what if’ anymore. I hope it brings peace to everyone else.”

C.J. Lehmann thanked the court and his fellow officers at the Sheriff’s Office for their support over the years.

“I think I can finally start healing and not stressing about what this day will bring,” he said. “I wish I could say I forgive you, but I can’t right now. You took my career. I loved helping people and you took that away from me. I loved serving the people of Fayette County. Not only did my family suffer, but your family did, too, and I feel sorry for them. I’m glad we can put this behind us. I think what has been done today is just. Maybe one day I can forgive you, but it’s not going to be today.”

The bailiffs placed Mateen in shackles and led him out of the courtroom. Members of the Sheriff’s Office hugged Lehmann and his family. Mateen’s legal team filed paperwork for an appeal. Then everyone walked out of the Austin County courtroom. Outside, the family of Mateen spoke with the Lehmanns. They shared hugs, tears, and even a few laughs. They chatted about their kids and what they wanted to do when they grow up.

“I know that after that day, Nov. 1, 2018, I know Deputy Lehmann’s life changed forever,” said Tabrea Bowers. “He’ll never get to see his children again. They have a beautiful family.

“For my dad, I hope the verdict will get him some help while he’s inside,” she added. “Life verdict is of course a long time. I may not ever see my dad on this side of the justice center. But I hope while he’s inside, he gets the help he needs. I still love my dad. I’ve never stopped loving him even after what happened. I just want him to get help.”

“They’re really good people,” Khadijah Bowers said about the Lehmann family. “We’re not bad people. We feel for them.”

“I hope today brought them some closure,” Tabrea said.

Garvie said the case illustrates the great need for mental health services in the criminal justice system.

“We need to make a commitment to mental health in this country,” said Garvie. “We really need to make that commitment so we don’t have individuals who need help, and years down the road, you see what happens.”

The family of convicted shooter Shazizz Mateen (left) pose for a photograph with C.J. Lehmann (center) and his family after the trial.

Photo by Andy Behlen

Opening Statements

Fayette County Varsities Went a Combined 6-2 on Opening Nights of High School Volleyball Season

The high school volleyball season has begun this week, with some impressive wins for local teams.

The La Grange Lady Leps struggled early in their season opener at home versus Weimar, losing the first set 16-25, but then really turned it on to win the next three sets 25-16, 25-21, 25-18.

Maddi Fritz led the way in kills with 14 for La Grange and Camille Gonzalez added 10.

Hailey Hill had a team-high 19 assists and Fritz had 16.

Gonzalez also had three aces and two blocks.

La Grange Varsity defeated Weimar 16-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-18

Overall record 1-0

Kill Leaders: Maddi Fritz - 14

Camille Gonzalez - 10

Dig Leaders: Jena Jobb - 16

Madison Fritz - 9

Ace Leaders: Camille Gonzalez - 3

Haylie Cooper - 2, Hailey Hill - 2

Assist Leaders: Maddi Fritz - 16

Hailey Hill - 19

Block Leaders: Camille Gonzalez - 2

Alicia Tisdell - 2

La Grange JV lost to Weimar 26-24, 15-25, 18-25; Overall record 3-2

Trey East Signs to Run Track For University of Houston

La Grange Freshmen defeated Weimar 25-18, 26-24; Overall record 1-0

Fayetteville Starts 2-0

The defending state champion Fayetteville volleyball team opened their 2022 season in strong fashion Monday, sweeping Tidehaven in three sets, 2510, 25-14, 25-17.

Brooklyn Jaeger led the way for the Lady Lions with 15 kills and six digs.

Kayme Schley had eight kills and seven digs.

Trey East is a former student at La Grange High School. He began his track career with the LC Express Track Club out of Giddings at age 11 competing across the nation in AAU Track & Field competitions on the district, regional, and national levels throughout his public-school years. He was an AAU National Junior Olympic qualifier each year he competed at this level. Trey was a 3-year varsity student athlete in football and track at LHS. His senior year he was a member of the 4x100 and 4x200 that placed 2nd at the UIL State Track & Field Meet posting a new school record in both events (40.91 in the 4x100 and 1:24 in the 4x200).

Upon graduating high school Trey went on to pursue his track career at Jackson Com-

Dobbins Practicing With Ravens Rogers Decommits From A&M

La Grange native J.K. Dobbins has been removed from the Baltimore Ravens’ injured list and went through practice with the team Monday – his first action in almost a year after suffering a season-ending knee injury in a 2021 preseason game.

He is now expected to be ready to play in Baltimore’s regular season opener.

“I thought he looked pretty good in individual ) workouts), first day back. He was out there in individual; you guys saw him moving around, running the ball-handling drill. That will be the first step. Maybe we add a little bit more everyday and kind of see how he handles it, and see how the knee responds. But, it seems like it’s so far so good,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

La Grange High School star cornerback Bravion Rogers (considered one of the top senior defensive backs in the nation) has decommited from Texas A&M, after verbally accepting a scholarship offer from the Aggies back in April. Now the recruiting of Rogers will again heat up (he’s been offered a scholarship by just about every bigtime football program in the nation).

“I want to thank Texas A&M and the coaching staff for the opportunity they have given me. Also thanks to all of the fans for the love and support. But after long talks with my family I have decided to decommit from Texas A&M University. Wish nothing but the best to Aggieland.” Rogers said via social media.

munity College, Tyler, Texas. In preparation for his new endeavor, he continued training with his summer league coaches. Trey’s indoor season exploded mid-way the season with a personal best time of 21.6 in the 200M; this time qualified him for the Junior College Indoor Championships. Outdoors he posted personal a best time of 10.42 in the 100M, 46.12 in the 400M, and 20.53 in the 200M. These times placed him in the top 3 junior college rankings.

Trey’s times drew attention from numerous power five colleges such as LSU, Baylor, Boston University, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and University of Houston to name of few. He chose the University of Houston to continue his student athlete journey and will be attending U of H this fall.

Not only will Trey be training with some of the most elite student athletes across the country at U of H, but he will be under the training of 10-time World Championship (8-Gold Medalist) and 9-time Olympic Gold Medalist former assistant and recently named Head Coach Carl Lewis. Trey aspires to compete in the 2023 Track & Field World Championships in Hungry and the 2024 Track & Field Olympic Games to be held in Paris.

“Trey has always displayed a tireless work ethic, been very goal oriented and shown perseverance. He understands the work it requires to attain ambitious goals. He gives a 110% of himself both on and off the track and we are extremely proud of him,” said Coach Tony Francis.

After State Track Meet Trip; Burton Now Hopes to Lead Flatonia Football

Fayette Co. Record’s Athlete of the Week

A Weekly Feature by BRIAN PIERSON

Question: What are you most looking forward to this upcoming football season?

vorite movie and why?

“It would probably have to be Friday. Funny show.”

Kobe Burton

Flatonia football player Kobe Burton has a first name that the sports world adores. He also has special talents in both track and football as he qualified for state track last year at University of Texas in shot put. The junior is locked and loaded for football season and should be a key contribution for the Bulldogs this year.

“First of all, he’s a great young man,” said Flatonia head football coach Chris Freytag. “Very humble, works extremely hard. I don’t think he missed a day of summer workouts for us. After COVID, he stayed home for a year, came back, and he’s really gotten himself in the best shape I’ve ever seen him. I expect him to dominate on offense and defense. He practices like he plays and he’s just what you want in a football player and a young man.”

Burton’s determination to be among the best has made him our selection for this edition’s Athlete of the Week.

“Looking forward just to winning district, and as a team, getting better straight down the line.”

Question: What’s your specialty in football?

“Probably building the team together. Can’t do it without the team. Just playing my role.”

Question: How was the atmosphere at state track?

“It was great. Everybody having fun. Just loose. A little jitters here and there, but it was a great experience.”

Question: Where do you see yourself after high school?

“Hopefully playing college football somewhere. Any school in Texas. Maybe track, too.”

Question: Who’s a person you look up to when it comes to sports?

“Probably my coaching staff because they just push me and help me build.”

Question: What’s your fa-

Question: Where’s your go-to place for a meal?

“My go-to place for a meal is chicken probably. Chicken Express.”

Question: What are the keys to being good at shot put?

“Just learning the techniques and different ways that coach teaches me. Just getting it down.”

Question: Being at state track, what was the best part about University of Texas’ campus?

“Just seeing the area, the scenery. It was great. The view.”

Question: How would you describe the culture of Flatonia football?

“It’s great, just great.”

Burton has his sights set on the next level and knows what he needs to do in order to get there. With him on board, look for Bulldogs football to make some real noise in 2022.

Sitting: Left to Right – Trey East, Sara Meismer (mother); Standing: Left to Right – Coach Curtis Truesdale, Coach Tony Francis, Sr.; Not pictured: Mike Meismer (grandfather), Coach Tony Francis, Jr.

J.K. Dobbins

Bravion Rogers

Members of the La Grange varsity volleyball team celebrate a point in Tuesday’s season opening victory over Weimar.

Photo by Jeff Wick

2022 Fayette County Volleyball Schedules/Results

Flatonia Lady Bulldogs La Grange Lady Leps

Round Top-Carmine Cubettes Schulenburg Lady Horns

Fayetteville Lady Lions

Volleyball Teams Start Strong

Continued from Page C1

Marissa Rohde had four aces and 10 assists. Rylie Dyer had five digs and 10 assists.

Then the Lady Lions swept Hempstead Tuesday 25-10, 2518, 25-15.

Jaeger had 42 kills in that match and Schley had 17. Jaeger had eight aces, Rohde had six and Peyton Jurecka had five.

Dyer had 33 assists and Rohde had 29.

Jaeger had 21 digs, Schley had 19 and Dyer had 10.

RT-C Wins in Five

The Round Top-Carmine volleyball team started its season with a five-set victory over Anderson-Shiro Tuesday.

The Cubettes won all the odd-numbered sets, and lost the even-numbered one, finally prevailing 15-13 in the last set.

Here are the stats for the Cubettes: Mallory Krause – 6 kills,

12 digs, 1 ace, 38 assists; Tess Eilers – 9 kills, 14 digs, 1 ace; Kennedy Flinn – 6 kills, 4 digs; Kaysie Ward – 15 kills, 1 dig; Jessica Rohde –3 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace; Jill Eilers – 7 kills, 19 digs, 2 aces, 6 assists; Maggie Salinas –25 digs, 2 aces, 2 assists; Kim Rohde – 1 kill, 7 digs, 4 aces, 1 assist.

Schulenburg 1-1

The Schulenburg volleyball team opened its season with a split of a pair of matches, sweeping Needville Tuesday 25-14, 25-17, 25-14 but falling to Goliad 25-12, 25-9, 25-13.

Flatonia Splits

The Flatonia volleyball team opened its season with a split Tuesday, sweeping Rice Consolidated 25-10, 25-19, 25-16 but falling to Sacred Heart Hallettsville 25-15, 25-19, 25-23.

These Businesses Are Proud Supporters of Fayette County Volleyball Teams and Encourage You to Get Out to the Gym to Cheer on These Local Athletes

Alicia Tisdell spikes the ball Tuesday.

La Grange’s Maddi Fritz sets the ball for Tori Harold.

Round Top Family Library Preparing for Annual Fundraiser

The Library’s annual fundraiser, “Books, Boots & BBQ” is set for Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Round Top Rifle Hall. This fundraiser benefits the RTFL and helps fund the programs throughout the year. Tickets have sold out but a waiting list is available. Several underwriting opportunities are available. Don’t forget about the raffle – first prize is a fully butchered calf, and second prize is a $1,000 Mastercard. Only 300 tickets will be sold. Raffle tickets may be purchased on the library’s website. For more information about any of the programs offered by the library, call (979) 249-2700, or visit ilovetoread.org.

Round Top Rifle Hall

The Round Top Rifle Hall

Monday Night Hamburger Social is the first through third Monday of each month. The Hall opens at 5:30 p.m., and the order window is open from 6-8 p.m. All proceeds benefit the continued improvement of the RTRA. For more information about the Rifle Hall or to book it for upcoming events, visit roundtoprifle.com

Live Events

The last Wednesday of each month, Blue Mule Winery hosts Red’s Terrific Trivia from 6:308:30 p.m. Come out to win prizes, trophies and make new friends. Teams welcome.

Guitarist, Nathan Hinojosa, will be performing at Busted Oak Cellars on Round Top Road Saturday, Aug. 13 from 4-7 p.m. Mitch Marcoulier will perform Sunday, Aug. 14 from 2-5 p.m.

By KYLA GOEBEL Round Top News Correspondent

Open Mic night is Friday, Aug. 19 from 6-9 p.m.

The Stone Cellar is currently closed for renovations, but the new owners expect to reopen around Labor Day weekend.

Round Top Family Library

Round Top Family Library is open

Monday-Friday from 1:305:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Adult Yoga meets Mondays at 5 p.m. An adult exercise class will take place Aug. 24 and 31 at 10 a.m. Bring a light set of hand weights and a mat.

FYI presents Gilbert Franke on Aug. 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. Franke is a retired Lutheran minister and now resides in Bellville. His talk will be “An

Example of Literary Culture

Among Early German Texans: Clara Jo Rummel” After his talk, the group will walk over and visit the Rummel House. This is a free event. CPR and AED training with instructor, Mark Woelfel, will be Saturday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m.12 p.m. This class is for adults 16 years and older and is limited to 10 individuals, so reserve your spot as soon as possible. Call (979) 249-2700 to register

for this free class.

Round Top-Carmine ISD

RT-C ISD is accepting transfer applications for the upcoming school year. Transfer packets can be printed from the district website, www.rtcisd.net or picked up at either school office. All transfer requests are reviewed by the transfer committee.

Elementary Meet the Teacher Night is Monday, Aug. 15 from 5-6 p.m, while High School Back to School Night is 5:30-6:30 p.m. The first day of classes is Wednesday, Aug. 17.

RTC FFA will meet the first Thursday of each month during the school year at 6 p.m. The first meeting is set for Thursday, Sept. 1. All meetings are open to Junior FFA and FFA members as well as parents.

The school supply list for elementary students is now available on the school’s website.

Historical Society

The RTAHS museum has free admission every second Saturday of the month from 1-4 p.m. Take the opportunity to view three historical homes and an historical church. Private tours are welcome. For more information call (979) 249-5058 or visit roundtopareahistoricalsociety.weebly.com.

Festival Hill

The 2022 - 2023 August-toApril Series begins Aug. 27. The Magnolia City Brass Band will kick the series off in the Festival Concert Hall with a 3 p.m. concert. Adult tickets are $30, students are $10. Buy tickets online or by calling (979) 249-3129. Lunch will be available prior to

the concert by reservation only. Overnight accommodations are available on campus for the concert weekend. For additional information, visit festivalhill.org

Church News

St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Warrenton holds a monthly service at 8 a.m. for the intentions left on the altar. This month’s mass was held Tuesday, Aug. 2. View the bulletin online at stjohnfayetteville.com for more information.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church holds services with Pastor John David Nedbalek Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School is the first Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Ruth Circle is the first Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Sewing Circle is the second Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m.

Ruth Circle Bible Study met Thursday, Aug. 4 to conclude the “Crafted in Christ” study. Sessions included choosing and following a, cutting and piecing, and assembling a quilt. Soles represent the vows a Pastor makes in ordination. Pastor John David brought and shared the stories for his first ordination stoles made by a member of his church, another by his grandmother, and two more he purchased during his time in seminary while serving Hispanic communities. Today, his stoles match the paraments on the altar and symbolize his work.

The hostess was Jolene Wickel. The next bible study will be Sept. 1 at 9:30 a.m.

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shelby holds Worship service at 8 a.m., followed by fellow-

ship, coffee, and Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Game Day is held the first and third Wednesday of each month from 2-4 p.m. Bring a snack, board game, dominoes, etc. Quilting meets the third Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. Noisy Offering is the third Sunday of each month.

St. Cecilia’s Round Top Episcopal Church holds services with Father Bill Miller Sundays at 10:45 a.m. in the historic Haw Creek Chapel in Henkel Square. Music is provided by Joey McGee. For more information please visit the website at www.StCecilias.org.

Round Top Christian Fellowship Church holds service at 10 a.m. For more information, please visit their website at www.roundtopchurch.org.

The City of Refuge Church on 237 in Round Top holds bible study on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. followed by church service at 11 a.m. For more information visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofrefugeHC.

Birthdays

Happy birthday wishes go out to Carolyn Hall, Alex Pieper - Aug. 12; Emile Sodolak - 14; Ladonna Neumann, Connie Peters - 15; Cindy Gregor, Andrew Cmajdalka - 17; Claire Mayer, Jacob Sealy - 18.

Anniversaries

Happy Anniversary to Blake and Christie Goehring on Aug. 12, and Kenneth and Lynn Levien on Aug. 18.

Have News?

Send any news or notices you wish to have announced to Kyla@roundtoprealestate.com.

Cooking Well With Diabetes Classes Return October 6

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 6 a healthy meal planning program called “Healthy Home Cooked Meals” will be offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office of Fayette County for three consecutive Thursdays ending on Oct. 20. The classes will be conducted from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Fayette County Agricultural Building, 255 Svoboda Lane, Room #104, La Grange.

Join us in the kitchen and create healthy, home cooked meals. Learn how to make ordinary meals extraordinary for a healthy lifestyle. A special focus on nutritional behavior changes for individuals with diabetes will also be offered during the series. Hands-on activities in the kitchen, recipes, handouts, and food tasting will be included in each class. The series will include educational information on understanding carbohydrates, reducing sodium in foods, ways to increase fiber in your diet and celebrating holidays sensibly.

The cost for the series is $30 per person but scholarships are available upon request. Pre-registration is required by Monday, Oct. 3.

For further information or to pre-register contact the Fayette County Extension Office at (979) 968-5831 or stop by the office at 255 Svoboda Ln., #134, La Grange.

Navidad Valley CattleWomen Ranch Run Results

Navidad Valley CattleWomen held their 9th Annual 5K Ranch Run on Aug. 6, in conjunction with the Schulenburg Festival, and once again exceeded the prior year’s efforts due to the generosity of sponsors along with successful run registration.

There were 118 runners and walkers in the general 5K, 24 junior high and high school cross country athletes in the 5K, and 20 1-mile Fun Run participants. None of this would be possible without the amazing volunteers which included members, family, friends along with past, current,

and future scholarship recipients.

The 5K kicked off bright and early at 7:30 a.m. at Wolter’s Park.

The fastest male in the open 5K was Justin Dodson of League city with a time of 21:31 and the fastest female was Taylor Limbaugh of Schulenburg with a time of 19:19.

In the Cross Country division there were two categories.

The fastest Junior High athletes were both from Hallettsville. Ben Meinkowsky was the fastest male (23:33) and Elizabeth Felcman (26:15) was the fastest female. In the High School division, Nathan

Sandelovic (18:14) was the fastest male and Olivia Etzler (21:46) was the fastest female. They too were both from Hallettsville.

Immediately after the 5K there was a 1-mile fun run. Hatley Heidrich (10:04) of Victoria was the fastest female 9U and Jackson Dromgoole (8:36) of Garwood was the fastest male. In the 10 plus division, Adam Schramek (9:00) was the fastest male and Sydney Pesek (18:01) was the fastest female, both of Schulenburg.

Back by popular demand were the family reunion themed

Tejas Health Car

prizes. All of these winners received beef gift baskets filled with goodies donated by the Texas Beef Council. The most “seasoned” athlete in the 5K was Lee Miksch, who was 86 years old and the youngest participant was Dean Brier, who was 5 years old. The largest family group with 12 participants was the Hollas crew who also received a $50 Beef Gift Certificate with their goodies. The athletes that travelled the furthest were the Passalacquas who were from Effingham, Ill. The funds raised due to the success of this event will be

awarded to graduating seniors from Fayette, Lavaca and Colorado counties with an interest in Agriculture next school year.

Navidad Valley CattleWomen have presented over $80,000 in scholarships since they first awarded scholarships in 2005.

The Navidad Valley CattleWomen, a local chapter of the Texas Cattlewomen, is a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes the beef industry. The Navidad Valley local works to support local youth with scholarships and provide quality information on the industry and how

to incorporate beef into a healthy diet. Additionally, they work to support the community with targeted outreach projects that include a beefy twist. Cattlewomen function collectively to inform consumers of the importance of the industry and of the contributions it makes to the health and economy of our nation.

For more information on Navidad Valley CattleWomen please follow them on Facebook @nvcw.org, visit www.nvcw.org or contact Tanya Schindler at (979) 743-1737.

Tejas Health Care

2022 Ranch Run Mile 10+ pictured from left: Sydney Pesek and Adam Schramek pictured with the Schulenburg Festival Royalty.

2022 Ranch Run Cross Country pictured from left: Nathan Sandelovic, Ben Meinkowsky, Olivia Etzler, and Hatley Heidrich pictured with the Schulenburg Festival Royalty.

2022 Ranch Run Family, the Hollas family pictured front from left: Justin Benvegnu, Luke Walsh, Adam McGee, Hannah McGee, Paige Walsh, Matthew McGee; back row: Cole Walsh, Richard “Rico” Hollas, David Hollas, Jamie Walsh, Jaycee Walsh, and Jennifer McGee with the Schulenburg Festival Royalty.

2022 Ranch Run 5K Fastest pictured from left: Justin Dodson, Taylor Limbaugh, and the Schulenburg Festival Royalty.

2022 Ranch Run Young Old: Lee Miksch and Dean Brier pictured with the Schulenburg Festival Royalty. 2022 Ranch Run Mile 9U: Jackson Dromgoole (left) and Hatley Heidrich (second from left) pictured with the Schulenburg Festival Royalty.

Positively Inspirational The Woman Behind ‘Southern Beasts’

By ANDREA SCHUTTER RIEBELING

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business leaders about what inspires them. This month’s spotlight is on Mary Lou Marks of Southern Beasts in Round Top.

1.) What is your business?

“Southern Beasts” Antiques, Art and Oddities

2.) How did you get started? Years ago, when I was decorating model homes, I had the opportunity to work with and combine beautiful fabrics for wall coverings and furniture. Later I saw some animals decorated using paper and it led me to the idea of trying my hand at doing this with some of the fantastic fabrics that I owned. It evolved from there as they began to be great sellers at shows in town and around the country. I knew I was on to something great when Dolly Parton bought some pieces at a show in Nashville!

3.) How long have you been in business?

Although many of my business ventures have overlapped at times, I have spent 30 years in the antique business and 25 years as an artist.

4.) Is this a family or Female business?

The business is familyowned. I am the artist who creates the animals and people. My daughter Kellye has recently joined in the fun. She was furloughed from her job as a travel agent during the beginning of Covid, and after a time

she and her husband decided to sell their home in Katy and move to Round Top. I began to teach her my process and she has found she has many talents! She has realized that she really loves working for herself. My husband Daniel does the heavy lifting. He’s a fantastic cook and takes good care of us. We all pitch in to make the business work.

5.) What kind of service do you provide?

My beasts have a sense of humor and I strive to make people smile! I also offer workshops from time to time teaching people to decorate one-of-a-kind hats.

6.) Tell me something unique about your business? Everything about my business is unique. Every piece we create is one of a kind. Our fabrics are vintage, some even going back to the 1800s.

7.) What is your background? I grew up in Houston and worked for the Debakey family as a bookkeeper. When I was 20 years old, I started a small antique business. I found items

at estate sales, antique malls and garage sales to resell at the Common Market in Houston. It was like a treasure hunt and so exciting! From there I opened a store in Meyerland Mall and then Rock a Bye Ranch Antiques where I sold Mexican, Cowboy, and furniture that I painted. I was then discovered by David Marsh Studios and painted furniture for him for ten years. He sold all over the country, mostly in tourist towns. Then it felt like the right time to move to Roundtop which had been my lifelong dream since doing so many of the shows over the years. I actually did the first show at the Rifle Hall 51 years ago. In 2000, we opened Lizzie Lou’s next to Royer’s Café in the old post office building. We were there for 15 years and it was during that time that I began creating the animals in 2012. Now I have a store in Henkel Square in Round Top.

8.) What do you suggest to others who want to venture out and take a leap of action in the future of their career?

This business is a little bit of a gamble. When you create items to sell, you don’t always know how they will be received. Some of my ideas over the years haven’t been as successful, but I never give up. I have reinvented my work life many times in my life, and it has always a leap of faith.

9.) Do you believe in college, trade school, or any training?

I believe everyone has their own path that works for them personally. My training did not come from art school, but simply from a lifelong love for antiques and textiles.

10.) How did you decide to make Round Top your home?

After spending years coming to do the antique show we fell in love with the scenery and the many characters that live in the area. We searched for a home for about four years and luckily found our weekend

Second Chance Stories

By BILL BISHOP Special

to the Record

Sometimes a girl just has to have a stuffed bear twice her size.

That was what Rebecca Balli discovered recently at Second Chance Emporium, the non-profit store and stuffed bear haven in La Grange. She found “Bear” on the toy aisle and it was love at first sight.

Second Chance has just about everything and it’s all donated by people and businesses in the area. You can buy clothes for the new baby or a rice cooker for the kitchen. Recently, scores of teachers have been prowling the aisles at Second Chance to buy books, dictionaries, pencils and other school supplies. (And, yes, these classroom heroes are using their own money to supply their students.) The store, on South Reynolds Street in La

Grange, is open Fridays and Saturdays and is operated by faithful volunteers from local churches and a hard-working paid staff.

All profits from the store are donated to local non-profit organizations. Second Chance makes regular donations to AMEN, the food pantry in La Grange; Tejas Health Care; the Schulenburg Area Food Pantry; the Fayette County Prescription Drug Program; Bluebonnet Trails Community Services; and Combined Community Action.

The store makes special grants, too. Most recently, Second Chance made these grants:

• $3,000 to the Fayette County Community Theatre, which produces plays featuring local children and adults.

• $3,500 to the La Grange Citizens On Patrol to buy shields for the police department.

• $19,687.40 to St. Mark’s

Medical Center to purchase two defibrillators, one for the Cardiovascular Imaging Center and the other for the Cardiovascular Rehab Center.

• $2,000 for the backpack program operated by Tejas Health Care.

• $2,000 to Young Life of La Grange, a member of the national organization that works with young people.

People come from all over to donate stuff to Second Chance. (Come by the shop weekdays to drop off your donations.) And they travel many miles to shop. For example, Rebecca lives in Brownsville, more than 300 miles from La Grange. She was in town to visit an aunt. And, it turns out, to find a bear friend she immediately named Bear. Bear is in Brownsville now, living in Rebecca’s bedroom.

Left to right – Daniel Marks (husband), Mary Lou Marks (artist), Kelley Kephart (daughter). Rebecca Balli, 15, lives in Brownsville, but was in La Grange to visit an aunt. They came to Second Chance Emporium to shop and Rebecca left with a rather large stuff animal named, appropriately, Bear.

Photo by Bill Bishop

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.”

Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-6699777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

Cano Tire Service LLC is looking to hire a PART/FULL-TIME TIRE

Requirements:

•

Tech - Licensed preferred but not required. Must have clean driving record with reliable transportation. Please apply in person at 1870 Frelsburg Rd. Cat Spring (Mentz) or Email resume to sandra@texasirrigation.com. (58-1tfc)

HOLLIE'S HOMEMAKING is now hiring a housekeeper. Must be trustworthy and a hard worker. $13/hr. & good environment. (979) 530-3174. (80-tfc)

HELP WANTED-Oilfield Roustabout/ Shop Hand - MUST PASS DRUG TEST & DRIVING CHECK - Call or email jennifer@mcguireindustries.com for application (979) 242-5349. (36-tfc)

HELP WANTED - Someone to help route driver/stocker helper. (979) 9683777 or (979) 224-9003. (55-tfc)

IMMEDIATE OPENING - Equipment Mechanic, Wilmar Equipment Rental, wilmar.equiprental@gmail.com, (979) 733-7112. Contact Willem Burger. (80-tfc)

•

• Salary based on experience. For more information, call Enrique Cano at (979) 968-3555.

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

FULL AND/or part time Ranch Hand needed. Please call (979) 224-9189 or (979) 224-9003.

(55-tfc)

JOB OPENING - Full or part-time position available. Looking for dependable male or female to help in and outdoors with honey bees, company paperwork, property maintenance, cleaning, sewing, etc. Call (979) 966-9260, Reference to #23.

(80-2p)

JOB'S - TENT and Table Co. looking for 8 people to put up and take down tents and tables for Warrenton, Texas from Aug. 15 to October or when tents are put away. Have lasting work for some. Call (979) 966-9260.

(80-2p)

CAREGIVERS NEEDED - Must have experience. Must have valid Texas Drivers License. Please leave a voicemail message (979) 639-1648.

(80-6)

NOW HIRING, full time experience painter and painter’s helper. Must have own transportation to and from job. Call (979) 249-7370.

(45-wc)

HELP WANTED: Full time Class “A” CDL truck driver with good driving record. Benefits include friendly work environment, overtime pay, holidays, sick days, vacation, health insurance and 401K. Apply in person at M-G Farm Service Center, 201 East Post Office Street, Weimar, or send resume to edwinl@m-ginc.com.

SERVICES

NOW HIRING

UTEX Industries, Inc.

ApplyHere

SERVICES SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES - Let me help your home or business sparkle! General & deep cleaning available. Call (979) 702-1275. (81-1c)(85-1c)

FLORES TREE Experts LLC - (979) 716-1724 - florestreeexperts@gmail. com - Commercial and residential. Tree trimming, tree removal, fence clearing, brush chipping, stump grinding and much more. Over 25 years experience. Locally Owned & Operated. INSURED, FREE ESTIMATES. (47-wc)

NICOLAS LANDSCAPING & Maintenance. I’ll take care of all your landscaping and maintenance needs. (979) 702-0276. (81-1p)

JULIO’S LANDSCAPING - Mow, lawn mtnce, flower bed clean up, mulch, tree trimming & removal. Call (979) 451-9162 or (979) 203-7382 - Julio Mendoza. (79-17p)

PURPLE CLEAN - Clean homes and apartments. Call us for an estimage! (979) 702-1121. (79-8c)

HOLLIE'S HOMEMAKING, let us help your home or business sparkle!

Including new construction & move out clean, carpet cleaning, windows, errand running, you name it. Licensed & Bonded - Voted Best of the Best in Fayette County. - Call (979) 530-3174 (72-tfc)

(87-wc)

WE CAN clean your flower beds, add mulch, trim trees, and much more. (979) 702-1972. (43-tfnc)

HOME RESTORATION

General Carpentry, Framing, Wood Fence, Porches, Trim, Siding, Leveling, Hardwood Flooring, Tile, Vinyl, Painting, Sheetrock and Concrete “Free Estimates”

Daniel and Juan 979-702-8200 214-364-4743

VEGA LANDSCAPE

• Fireplaces

• Patios & Walkways

• Chimney sweep

• Concrete services

• Tree work

• Landscape lights INSURED

Call (979) 595-7083

979-505-2123

TOPSOIL, MUSHROOM compost, box blade & dump truck services. We build roads and house & barn pads. Tommy Price Trucking (979) 242-5203 or (979) 966-8158 (cell). (20-tfc)

FIXIN’ THINGS: Carpentry, painting, repairs, maintenance. Experienced, reliable, reasonable. (979) 247-4200. (73-tfc)(35-tfc)

ANTIQUE FURNITURE Restoration. Saving family heirlooms since 1979.

Restore, Don't Replace. Free estimates. (361) 865-9326. (98-tfc)(17-tfc)

COMPUTER SERVICE - Round Top

- Anti-virus & Smart TVs - Call John, (832) 660-3856 -www.roundtopcomputer.com (68-tfc)(38-tfc)

FREE CONSULTATION plus 30 minute personal training session - Call (979)

250-1617 Madison Krenek. (28-tfnc)

G & C FENCES - Barbed Wire Fence Work - All types of fence clearing.Brush work & brush clean up - (979) 249-6052.

(90-49p)(35-52p)

HOME REMODELING and Repairs:

All types - carpentry, wooden decks, painting, roofing, plumbing, electric, sheetrock, flooring, siding, windows, doors, ceiling fans, lights, and gutters. Thomas Faldyn (979) 702-1486. (73-wc)

FOR SALE

AIR COMPRESSORS in stockIngersol-Rand. Also, Victor torches & Miller welders & supplies. See @ Electric Motor Service. 840 N. Jefferson, La Grange. (97-tfc)

GOOD WOOD Pallets for sale - $2 each. You pick them out. (979) 7021934. (57-tfnc)

USED VEHICLES

FOR SALE: 2000 GMC Z71

Extended cab with rear passenger seat, 287,000+ miles, one owner. Perfect for the deer lease or farm use. Call (979) 966-9032 for additional information.

LOST/FOUND

WE HAVE several sets of keys looking for their owners. You can come in to identify them at The Fayette County Record. (81-tfnc)

LIVESTOCK/HAY

FOR SALE - 2-3/8", 2-7/8", 4-1/2", & 5" pipe. Also sucker rods. (979) 966-3447. (11-tfc)

WANTED: GRASS Lease for cattle or grass to cut for hay. (979) 966-7085. (79-3wc)

WANTED – LAND to Lease for grazing and production. Call Zach Kalina (361)772-6666. (81-8c)

• LAND CLEARING

• FORESTRY MULCHING

• SHREDDING

• DRIVEWAY REPAIR

• DEMOLITION & REMOVAL

BULLS FOR Sale - Black Angus, SimAngus, Black Brangus. Locally raisedGentle. Breeding Ages. Top bloodlines. Family owned/operated since 1975. Delivery available. Also Heifers. (979) 263-5829. (60-wc)(37-wc)

ESTATE SALE

ESTATE SALE

ESTATE

WINKLER ESTATE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Francis DePaul Schindler, Deceased, were issued on July 15, 2022, in Cause No. 12858, pending in the County Court of Fayette County, Texas, to: Judd Edward Hollas and Shane Andrew Hollas.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

Estate of Francis DePaul Schindler, Deceased

c/o: JOHN D. PERCHES

Attorney at Law 101 West Burleson Street Wharton, Texas 77488

DATED the 9th day of August, 2022.

/s/John D. Perches/s/ JOHN D. PERCHES

Attorney for Judd Edward Hollas and Shane Andrew Hollas State Bar No.: 00791427 101 West Burleson Street Wharton, Texas 77488

Telephone: (979) 532-3871

E-mail: jperches@wphk-law.com (81-1c)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ NEED EXTRA CASH!!!??? I BUY RV S & MOBILE HOME

S

Public Hearing Aug. 22 for City of LG 2022-23 Proposed Budget

There

All interested parties are invited to attend. A copy of the proposed Budget is available for public inspection at the City Secretary’s office at 155 E. Colorado Street.

CITY OF LA GRANGE (81-1c)

Tourism Grant Funds Available Through the City of La Grange

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of La Grange will be accepting applications until September 1, 2022, from organizations and individuals for tourism grant funds which are to be used to enhance Histori-

cal Restoration, the Preservation of the Arts, and other activities which will increase tourism and Hotel/Motel usage in La Grange, Texas. Funding Request forms can be obtained from our website at www.cityoflg.com.

For any additional information,

please call La Grange City Hall at (979)968-5805.

CITY OF LA GRANGE Janet Bayer, City Secretary (81-1c)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE of property to satisfy landlord’s lien. Sale is 11:00 a.m., September 2, 2022 at 1534 East Hwy. 159, La Grange, Texas. Property will be sold to highest bidder for cash. Cleanup and removal deposit may be required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw property from the sale. Property includes contents of space of the following tenants: Carlos Anderson, misc. items. Contact Weeren Storage, 1534 East Hwy. 159, La Grange, TX 78945, 979-968-9450. (81-2c)

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of the City of Carmine, Texas, at the Carmine City Hall, 260 Luther Lane, Carmine, Texas, at a meeting to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 12, 2023 on the mat-

ter described below:

City of Carmine’s FY 2022 budget, which includes the general fund, the utility fund and the Carmine Economic Development Corporation fund.

The will hold a meeting at on at to consider adopting a proposed tax rate for tax year . The proposed tax rate is per $100 of value. (*Include this statement if the proposed tax rate exceeds the taxing unit’s no-new-revenue tax rate calculated under Tax Code Section 26.04.) The proposed tax rate would increase total taxes in by %.* City of Carmine, Texas 6:00 P.m. Monday, September 12, 2022 Carmine City Hall, 260 Luther Lane, Carmine, TX 78932 2022 .0021 0 Carmine, Texas PUBLIC HEARING City of La Grange Budget

ty taxes than last year’s budget. Anyone having questions regarding this hearing are encouraged to contact the City Secretary, Jacklyn Robbins, at Carmine@cityofcarmine.com or (979) 278-3272.

(Name of Taxing Unit) (Time) (Date) (Location) (Year) (Rate) (Name of Taxing Unit) (percentage by which the proposed tax rate exceeds the no-new-revenue tax rate) Form 50-757

Fayette County 4-H Banquet Held at Historic Casino Hall

The annual Fayette County 4-H Banquet was held on Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Historic Casino Hall. The 4-H Banquet is the ultimate highlight and culmination of the year’s activities for each member, as we see one year close and a new year beginning.

4-H awards were awarded to the following:

Fayette County 4-H Scholarship: Katelyn Bernsen.

4-H Opportunity Scholarships: $20,000, Laura James; $10,000, Karli Siptak; $4,500,

Brynn Mikulenka. Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association Scholarship: Brynn Mikulenka and Laura

James. Gideon Lincecum Master

Naturalist: Laura James. Emily Fritsch 4-H Scholarships: Katelyn Bernsen, Abigail Eindorf, and Brynn Mikulenka. Capital Farm Credit Video

Showcase-Laura James. Friend of 4-H: JoJo and Kaci

Carrales. 4-H Club Display BoothFayette 4-H Horse Project Club.

The outstanding member awards are selected on the basis of excellence in club, county, and district 4-H activities and growth and excellence within individual projects.

The Outstanding Juniors are members in the 3rd-5th grade. The Outstanding Intermediates are members in the 6th-8th grade. Both Intermediates and Juniors, complete an application and go through an interview process.

This year’s Outstanding Juniors are Cailee Daniel of the Fayetteville 4-H Club, Sawyer Mau of the Fayetteville 4-H Club, Adalyn Carrales of the Flatonia 4-H Club, and Candyn Janca of the Pure Country 4-H Club

This year’s Outstanding Intermediates are Kandon Kaspar of the Fayetteville 4-H Club, Teagan Kallus of the 4-H Horse Club, Kynzee Swafford of the La Grange 4-H Club, and Rheagan Karisch of the Pure Country 4-H Club.

The “I Dare You” Award is presented to youth who excel in Character, well balanced personal development and leadership. This year’s I Dare You Award winners are Harper Mau of the Fayetteville 4-H Club and Brynn Mikulenka of the La Grange 4-H Club.

The Silver Star Award is an award that is steppingstone up to the Gold Star Award. This award signifies excellence, hard work, and good communication skills. Silver Star winners are Cooper Mau of the Fayetteville 4-H Club and Kaylee Hensley of the Pure Country 4-H Club.

The Gold Star is the highest award that can be presented at the county level. This year’s Gold Star Winners are Mackenzie Poncik of the Fayetteville 4-H Club and Austin Nedbalek of the 4-H Shooting Sports Club Fayette County Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff presented the awards.

New Fayette County Council Officers for the 2022-2023 are: President-Austin Nedbalek, Vice President-Cooper Mau, Secretary-Mackenzie Poncik; Treasurer-Harper Mau; Reporter-Madeline Willrich; Parliamentarian-Kaylee Hensley.

New Fayette County Council Officers for 2022-2023 from left: Parliamentarian-Kaylee Hensley, Treasurer-Harper Mau, Vice President-Cooper Mau, President-Austin Nedbalek, Secretary-Mackenzie Poncik, and Reporter-Madeline Willrich.

Gold Star winners presented by Fayette County Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff: Mackenzie Poncik and Austin Nedbalek.

Outstanding Intermediates presented by Fayette County Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff from left: Kandon Kaspar, Kynzee Swafford, Teagan Kallus, and Rheagan Karisch.

Silver Star winners presented by Fayette County Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff: Kaylee Hensley and Cooper Mau.

Outstanding Juniors presented by Fayette County Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff: Sawyer Mau, Adalyn Carrales and Cailee Daniel. Not pictured: Candyn Janca.

Friend of 4-H award presented by Railey Nieto (left) and Kaisley Janecka (right) to JoJo and Kaci Carrales.

I Dare You awarded presented by presented by Fayette County Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff to: Harper Mau. Not Pictured: Brynn Mikulenka.

Bluebonnet Master Gardener, 4-H Opportunity Scholarship, and Gideon Lincecum Master Naturalist: Laura James. Not pictured: Brynn MikulenkaBluebonnet Master Gardener and 4-H Opportunity Scholarship; Karli Siptak-4-H Opportunity Scholarship.

Annual Promote 4-H Display Winner: Horse 4-H Club represnted by Teagan Kallus.

Koopmanns Raise $9,725 For Hostyn Church Rebuild

Connie and Allen Koopmann of Koopmann Catering held a drive-through lunch Sunday July 31, benefitting the Holy Rosary Church Building Fund to help rebuild the church after it was destroyed by an explosion June 9. Shown above are the Koopmanns donating the money raised from the dinner, $9,725, to Father Felix Twumasi. The Koopmanns served over 800 plates and said several people made additional donations above and beyond the cost of the plates. The donation was made on Father Felix’s Birthday, Aug. 4. “He said it was the best birthday present,” Connie said.

Hot Off the Presses – New Yearbooks

By ANDY BEHLEN The Fayette County Record

Gardening: Answering a Reader Question

This week I got a message from a reader with a question about chiltepin plants, which I wrote about last week.

The reader said she kept a bush alive through the winter. This year it grew to three feet tall. She sent me a picture of it and the plant looks great.

However, she said the plant had not produced any flowers or fruit this year. She asked what could be the problem.

As I wrote last week, I transplanted my chiltepins into pots from bushes I dug up at my great-grandmother’s farm in the spring. My plants began producing peppers several weeks ago.

I haven’t seen a wild chiltepin bush on my place in Cozy Corner in a few years. When I did have some growing wild, I recall them fruiting later in the year. I remember the bushes that grew on my great-grandma’s farm in Lavaca County always full with peppers at Thanksgiving.

Keeton

Our beloved Gary L. Keeton, 66 left this world on Aug. 5, 2022. He passed away peacefully at his home, Edger Alley, in Independence, Texas. His wife Sherry was by his side.

He was a special and beautiful soul. A man with many talents. He was a musician and singer, mechanic, great athlete and could build anything with his hands. Gary left his beautiful gifts all over Brenham and surrounding counties with the projects he completed for others. He left his music and melodies across Texas as well. He loved his family fiercely. He was so proud of his grandchildren. He also loved his Houston Astros.

Ryan

Audrey Elaine Ryan passed the evening of Saturday, July 9, 2022 at her home in Greens Creek.

Graveside services will be held at Giddings City Cemetery at 10 a.m., Aug. 15, 2022 with Tim Pitts officiating.

Audrey Elaine Ryan was born on Dec. 15, 1932, to Emmett “E.V.” and Aletha (Newlin) Graff in Galena Park.

La Grange High School journalism students handed out the new yearbooks to people who had purchased them during a special drive-through event at the high school Tuesday. Pre-purchased yearbooks can also be picked up at the school Open Houses next week, and a very limited number of extras will be for sale at school offices. The students pictured above holding the yearbooks are, left to right:

Houses Going Up in Westview

City Items

Just a reminder: If you pay for city water, you can pay your water bill online. Go to the city website (https://www.fayetteville.texas.gov). Click on City Services and then click on Water/Sewer Service & Billing.

Another option: You can have your payment automatically drafted via ACH. Complete a form at the city offices. Your payment will be debited every month. If you have any questions, call the city secretary, Beth Rushing at (979) 378-2559.

The next City Council meeting is Monday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m.

A few housing starts are happening at the Westview subdivision. The plan for shades to be placed on street lighting in the subdivision is still in the works.

Emergency Calls

Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department Fire and EMS Call Report for July:

July 11: Assist Medic 2 First responder call State Hwy. 159 at Columbus Hall Ln.

July 11: Mutual aid Columbus VFD large grass fire State Hwy. 71at County Rd. 103

July 12: Assist Ellinger VFD and Medic 2 at a two-vehicle accident FM 955 at Wecheta Rd.

July 17: Assist Medic 2 First responder on Church St. at E. Franklin St.

FAYETTEVILLE News

By CINDY STEPHENS Fayetteville News Correspondent

July 26: Assist Medic 2 First responder auto – train accident S. Rusk St. at S. Mechanic St.

July 27: Grass fire from lightning strike on Ross Prairie Church Rd. just past S. Mechanic St.

The chief has advised the burn ban is still in effect due to the extremely dry conditions.

FISD School to Start Fayetteville ISD students start back to school this coming Monday. Remember to watch your speed again and watch out for kids walking to school in places we don’t have sidewalks.

FISD is excited to announce three new members to the teaching staff: Amanda Hunger will be teaching Math and Science for grades four and five. Kelsey Craft will be the new Ag teacher and Jo Ann Morgensen is the new high school science teacher. And everyone is welcome to

the Open House to be held this Thursday, Aug. 11 from 6-8 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Picking Park

A group of bluegrass enthusiasts are pickin’ again this Saturday in the square. All levels of pickers are welcome to continue the tradition of live, acoustic bluegrass jamming. Play begins between 2-3 p.m. For more information on Fayetteville Picking Park, go to https://www.facebook.com/ groups/100734977031117

Celebrations

Happy Birthday wishes are extended to: Kolton Vasut and Kyler Vasut-12; Misty Dominey and Anita Pietsch-15; Shane Dominey and Brian Kubala-16.

Happy Anniversary wishes are extended to to: Marcus and Kim Sodek-18.

Have news?

The deadline for sending news for this weekly column is every Sunday morning. Feel free to share what’s going on or coming up in our small town. Lots of special events, family gatherings and celebrations, home projects, community, school, business and organization activities happen around here. If it’s special to you or someone you know in our community, feel free to text, call (713) 261-0786 or email newsinfayetteville@gmail.com.

The plants on my porch could be producing early due to their confined roots. Or perhaps the porch provides a microclimate that encouraged them to fruit early. Or perhaps this reader’s plant has some kind of nutrient deficiency.

Pepper plants can fail to flower if they don’t get enough phosphorus and potassium. I suggested she try foliar feeding with MicroLife “Maximum Blooms,” a 3-8-3 liquid organic fertilizer. Mix the fertilizer concentrate with water in a pumpup sprayer according to the product directions at 2-4 oz. per gallon of water. Then spray the mix on the leaves of the plant. Make sure to spray the undersides, too. I prefer foliar feeding in this manner during the early morning when dew covers the leaves. Try this product with any plant to encourage blooming, especially on ornamentals.

Pepper plants can also suffer from calcium deficiency. Peppers will still make flowers and set fruit with a lack of calcium. But the peppers will develop a soft, rotten-looking spot on their tips, similar to blossom-end rot in tomatoes. Finely ground egg shells provide an excellent source of organic calcium in the garden.

MicroLife fertilizer products are made from a wide variety or organic materials and contain almost every micronutrient that plants need, including calcium. You’ll probably never see a calcium deficiency problem using MicroLife or similar products.

Gary’s greatest treasure was his wife Sherry. He couldn’t do enough for her. Their love for each other was deep and special. Together side by side they were actively preserving Edger Alley, once the home of Texas’s first lady, Mrs. Sam Houston. He worked tirelessly on the property to preserve it for future generations.

He was a beautiful soul and his gentle smile will live in our hearts forever.

Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 12 from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. at Historic Independence Baptist Church, 10405 FM 50, Brenham.

Memories may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Brenham Memorial Chapel in Brenham.

Obituaries

The Fayette County Record appreciates the many families who entrust this newspaper with obituaries for their loved ones. For complete information on publishing obituaries, call the Record office at (979) 968-3155 or email john@fayettecountyrecord.com.

Audrey married her late husband of nineteen years, Theodore Ryan, at Ellington Air force Base in Houston in 1952. To this union, they were blessed with two children, Paul and Lisa. Audrey enjoyed listening to music, playing her numerous instruments, and operating her Ham Radio as AA5GL. She loved being outdoors, reading, fishing, painting, problemsolving, repainting things, and keeping up with current events. Audrey will be fondly remembered for her skill in hunting for bargains and treasures on sale.

Audrey is preceded in death by her parents, Emmett Graff, and Aletha Graff; her husband, Theodore Ryan; and her sister, Gwendolyn Mlcak.

Audrey is survived by her son, Paul Ryan of Giddings; and daughter, Lisa Spears of Arkansas.

Memorial may be given to Second Chance, P.O. Box 189, LaGrange, TX 78945.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings.

Memorials

The Fayette County Record appreciates the many families who entrust this newspaper with memorials for their loved ones. For complete information on publishing in memoriams, email john@fayettecountyrecord.com.

Project

Volunteer with The Texas Ramp

The Texas Ramp Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides free wheelchair ramps to lowincome older adults and people with disabilities identified by local health care providers. Ramps are built exclusively with volunteer labor, keeping costs to a minimum and are built without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, age, or gender. For more information, or to request a ramp, visit: www.texasramps.org. To donate or to volunteer, contact Frank Smith at (512) 762-4065.

Pickers at Fayetteville’s Picking Park.

Front row – Shiloh Brown, Isabela Ramirez; Back row: Abby Welker, Alivia Eindorf, Dulce Merlos, Abby Gonzalez and Charlee Wessels.

Photo by Jeff Wick

Even Holy Water Won’t Help!

In 1972 I had been married for seven years. I graduated high school in 1961. I helped Dad move houses since I was 12 years old. But after graduation I finally started getting paid for all of my work. Since then, I worked with him till he passed away in 1975.

I kept moving hundreds of buildings till I retired in 2000.

Miles of Memories

By BRENDA MILES

This story happened about 50 years ago. We were in Rosenberg, getting ready to relocate a house to a new location. My job was to clear around the house any trees or brush that was in the way for the move. If trees were in the way, I would cut them even with the ground. For the smaller ones, I would pull out roots and all by using our winch truck. I was the hook-up man, hooking the cable to each tree. When we got to this particular tree, I noticed the large green leaves and how the trunk was nice and straight. It was a shame to destroy it. This tree was about two inches in diameter and about four feet tall. Then I got this idea that I would save it and take it home with me. So I took off my sweat-soaked shirt and wrapped it around the trunk to keep it from getting bruised by the cable. The ground was sandy and moist so it came up roots and all. I then wrapped the roots in my shirt and poured water over it. I threw the tree onto the winch truck and forgot all about if for the rest of the day.

By FLORIAN KANA

In the evening we climbed onto our winch truck and headed home to come back the next day. In those days my dad never took a pickup truck to the work site. He took only three trucks: Our tool truck, the house pulling truck loaded with long beams and the Aframe truck used to unload the iron beams and dollies. So whenever we worked on a job that took more than one day, we would get in the winch truck and head home. The cab was only made for three people – my brother, George Jr. (always the driver), my Dad and my favorite uncle Jerry Kana. The rest of us work hands had to ride on the back. The truck was a flatbed with no side boards. There was a pipe headache rack over the winch so we just held onto it whenever there was a sharp curve coming up.

Now in those years the speed limit was 55 mph. The wind was whistling by pretty fierce and I noticed that my tree was starting to loose all of its leaves. As a matter of fact, there was not one leaf left on that tree. As I jumped off the truck at my driveway, I grabbed my wooden lunch box and started to walk towards my house that was about 200 feet away. All of a sudden I remembered my tree still on the truck. As George started to pull away, I hollered for him to stop. My uncle Jerry asked what I wanted and I told him I forgot my tree. As I got my leafless tree and started walking away, he asked me what I intended to do with that “piece of twig.” I told him I was going to replant it in my back yard.

Now, my Uncle Jerry happened to be my favorite uncle. He told me jokes. He laughed and found even the smallest things in life to have a fun side. So when I told him about planting this tree, I will never forget what he said to me: “Florian, when you get ready to plant that poor tree, you had better have plenty of holy water handy. I don’t think even holy water is going to help.”

But plant it I did. A few months later, lo and behold, it got a new set of leaves. Since then I have watched it grow taller and taller as the years went by. I have my “Snoopy Wind Vane” next to it and each morning from my bathroom window I can look out and check Snoopy to see how fast the wind is blowing and which direction and I’ll marvel at the beautiful cottonwood that outgrew my 35 foot tall Snoopy. It actually was about 15 feet higher but a bolt of lightening struck the top of it and knocked it off. But once again, it survived. These 50 years have passed by so quickly. They say you should stop and smell the roses every day. Maybe I didn’t do that but each day I looked out my window and watched that Cottonwood growing bigger –50 years, or 18,250 days!

Drivers Urged to Be Alert as School Begins

Millions of Texas children are heading back to school this month, as early as this week in some districts. The Texas Department of Transportation urges drivers to be especially alert and focused when driving in school zones and near bus stops.

Drivers are further reminded that a new Texas law requires drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, according to TxDOT. The Lisa Torry Smith Act is named after a young mother killed in Missouri City in a crosswalk as she walked her son to school. The driver received a $50 fine for failing to yield, according to numerous media reports. Now it’s a crime punishable with up to two years in prison.

Ex-Trucking Owner Charged With Fraud

The former co-owner of Bill Hall Jr. Trucking in Bexar County has been indicted in Travis County for fraud in an alleged scheme to get lower workers compensation insurance premiums by concealing payroll reports. A Texas Department

Rent-aMan

(I just found this piece I began in late 2019 and decided to finish it. And, no, I am not advertising for a gigolo!)

Since losing my husband I have had many moments that I not only miss him for obvious reasons, but I’ve also come to greatly appreciate and miss the small daily services he provided. I am writing this piece for other new widows who are not looking to marry again but wish they had a man they could magically call upon to help them with certain little tasks such as…

The first time I noticed the void, I was dressing for church. I had no one to tell me if I needed a breath mint or to check if my dark navy skirt clashed with my lighter navy shoes. Because of lack of confidence, I was uncomfortable during much of the church service that morning. I have two necklaces that I absolutely cannot fasten without looking at the clasps. I’ve tried turning them around to the front and using my mirror but the image is backwards and this throws me off. I end up fiddling with them for so long I see I am running late so I put the necklace away and choose another. Someone finally told me about the magnets one can order over the net. These work. But I had to ask my neighbor to attach them.

of Insurance news release said the plot allowed the company to avoid more than $9 million in premium payments.

Francis Hall, the former coowner along with her husband, was previously convicted of murder in 2016 for knocking her husband’s motorcycle off the road in 2013 with her Cadillac Escalade as she chased his lover, who was in another vehicle, on the same stretch of Loop 1604 in San Antonio. She claimed it was an accident, and the jury gave her the shortest possible sentence in that case. She was released two years later in 2018, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Fraud investigators with TDI claim that between 2009 and 2016, “Hall allegedly provided false payroll information to Texas Mutual Insurance Company and concealed payroll reports to get lower insurance premiums on their extensive gravel hauling business.”

If convicted, Hall could face life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. She is currently free on bond.

Folding bed linens from the dryer…I use king size sheets and these things are so voluminous they are nearly impossible to fold one-handed. I have tried draping them over the furniture but the ends still don’t properly meet and match. I often give up and throw the things on the living room floor and “walk” around the edges, while tugging the folds into place. This is not the most sanitary method.

While almost falling asleep on Wednesday nights, I need someone to check all the garbage, be sure it is in the POA can, and placed outside before 7 a.m. Thursday morning. I only have two dresses that have back zippers and they are two of my favorites. You should watch the crazy maneuvering I

Jackson Sends “Scamp” To Buy Back Texas

Col. Anthony Butler walked out of the White House on Aug. 13, 1829 with a seven-figure line of credit and secret lnstructions to make the Mexicans an offer they could not refuse.

Andrew Jackson considered the Rio Grande realm as “lost” territory, a legitimate part of the Louisiana Purchase that the Monroe Administration had seen fit to surrender to Spain. Five months into his presidency, he decided to buy Texas back and settled on five million dollars as a fair price.

While pondering possible pitchmen, Old Hickory remembered the cocky Carolinian who had expressed enthusiasm for the venture. Impressed by Anthony Butler’s firsthand knowledge of Texas and his can-do confidence, the president gave him the assignment. Jackson could not have made a worse choice. His new charge d’affaires in Mexico City was a diplomatic tenderfoot, whose ignorance of the country, culture and language was an embarrassment. On the personal side, according to a reputable historian, he was “a bully and swashbuckler openly scandalous in his conduct

and a national disgrace.”

The Mexicans had Butler’s number from the start. The government controlled press exposed his hidden agenda and scornfully dismissed as a national insult the pittance he was prepared to pay for the northernmost province.

Although Jackson later disavowed bribery as a diplomatic tool, his original orders sanctioned the practice. The president candidly confided to Butler that he “scarcely ever knew a Spaniard who was not the slave of avarice, and it is not improbable that this weakness may be worth a great deal to us.” The emissary concurred with his boss’ assessment calling the Mexicans “selfish, corrupt, utterly unprincipled”

and adding, “Any of them may be successfully appealed to through their cupidity.”

But for all his big talk, Butler had nothing to show in August 1833 for four years south of the border. Realizing his superior was a sucker for inflated promises, he swore, “I will succeed in uniting Texas to our country before I am done or will forfeit my head.”

Practically salivating at the prospect, Jackson replied, “If you succeed it will be a feather in your cap.”

When Old Hickory began to question the propriety of paying off foreign officials, the third-rate envoy delivered a condescending lecture. “How little you know of Mexican character! I can assure you, sir, that bribery is not only common and familiar in all ranks and classes but freely spoken of.”

Butler picked the wrong president to patronize and was promptly punished with a notice of recall. He not only ignored the summons but countered with a lame-brained scheme for the military seizure of the prize that had exceeded his grasp.

Jackson could not believe his eyes, when he read the preposter-

ous plan. “If you will withdraw me from this place and make the movement to possess that part of Texas which is ours placing me at the head of the country to be occupied, I will pledge my head that we will have all we desire in less than six months.”

“A. Butler: What a scamp!” the president scribbled in the margin of the incredible communication and reiterated his desire to have the loose cannon recalled “at once.”

For leading Texans the removal of Butler could not have come too soon. “Such men as he is would destroy a country,” snorted a disgusted Sam Houston, “but take my word for it, he will never gain one!”

“I have never known so bad and base a man,” complained Stephen F. Austin, whose twoyear Mexican detention was due in part to the diplomat’s petty refusal to intercede on his behalf. Butler did not lift a finger to free Austin because imprisonment was an effective way to silence the influential colonizer he considered his chief critic. Butler

The 50-year-old cottonwood tree.

Letters to the Editor

Wish I had Been in DC

To The Editor: Last Saturday night, I attended an event in Bellville where the main speaker was a convicted Federal felon, Dinesh D’Souza. During a political donation, D’Souza made a process mistake, leading to charges by Federal prosecutors in Manhattan. The Obama administration applied weighty and exceptional charges of a category normally reserved for defendants engaged organized crime.

I wonder if my visit to this meeting, joined by over 350 others from our own region of central Texas, will lead people in my county to be offended?

About a decade ago, during that same Obama administration, Americans of every affilation assembled into a grass-roots effort to collectively voice concerns about the directions taken by national leaders. My wife and attended a local tea-party gathering in Flatonia, and we were bouyed in hope that God had provided us a chance to join with our neighbors in thinking about a better future.

I wonder if my part in that outdoor event was noticed by those around here, and created offense? I admit that I was relieved that Lois Lerner, Obama’s IRS Director of Tax Exempt Organizations, did not persecute me for Tea Party donations as she did organizations the president wished to hamper by the threat of government force.

I have dear friends nearby whose judgment I trust implicitly. During the months immediately following Mr. Biden’s election, they, like many, many other Americans voiced deep concern about the integrity of the November 2000 election. As is well known, an outdoor rally was called on Jan. 6, 2021 for the area around the capitol building

Protect Right to Life

in Washington, DC, and these friends decided to attend that rally in Washington, much as we did with the Tea-Party event here in Flatonia. My friends were not alone; many others were present. Some of those at this event were people whose character has proven flawed, but

I know my friends, their character, their convictions and their personal history.

I do not now re-evaluate my friends’ decision to participate, rather I presume their motives were sound and only wish I had been able to join them, because I share that same deep concern about the soundness of the American voting system and the proper handling ballots within key, high-population urban precincts.

True the Vote conducted research on the November 2000 vote. True the Vote is an energetic and non-partisan group with one mission: ensuring America maintains a voting quality befitting our name as the harbor of freedom for the world. True the Vote was founded by a Texas lady who lives in Houston.

A documentary on this research, referred to on this editorial page, is called “2000 Mules,” for any citizen who wishes to be informed of True the Vote’s findings, it can be accessed, without charge, at https://node3.2000mules.com. Any person who carefully considers the facts outlined in “2000 Mules,” sees a fraction of the 4 million minutes of video and the voluminous geo-tracking (the same tool used by the FBI on the Jan. 6 crowd), will be motivated to take my concern seriously and perhaps join me in contributions to TruetheVote.org.

Scott Rodibaugh Praha

Religious Truth

To The Editor:

I started reading this Opinion section about a year ago. The sharp disagreements are a representation of the deep and dividing differences across our country.

One of the most profound questions I’ve ever been asked is “If what you believe is not true, would you want to know that?”

I can share my beliefs and opinions, but if what I believe and think is not actually true, I do want to know that. There is a truth about all things, including where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. There are as many personal beliefs and religions as there are people, but believing something does not make it true. If what I believe is not true, I definitely want to know that, and do not want to just have a belief that I am comfortable with, or that fits my personal thoughts and feelings, or that allows me to pursue my desires, or that helps me to blend well with others. If that is what I have, the chances that what I believe is true are about zero.

We live in a society that has evolved to a point that gives high priority to the big catch words “tolerance” and “inclusiveness”.

If “right” and “wrong” are just relative terms, and each person is free to determine for themselves what is right and what is wrong, then I can see why those words would get top priority. But if there are absolutes that we can turn to in determining what is actually right or wrong, then regardless of how we feel about it, we should use that to determine what is right to tolerate or include, and what is wrong to tolerate or include. Example: A kleptomaniac has an insatiable “natural” desire and urge to steal. While we should include them as a person, and tolerate the fact that they have flaws, just as we do, we should not include and tolerate their acts of stealing as though there was nothing wrong with it. Nothing is more important than searching for and finding

To The Editor:

Regarding the Rollins proposed amendment to support women’s rights; (detailed in a letter last week) anyone tempted to support this amendment needs to read it very carefully. It contains the typically benign wording such as “women’s health care” and “reproductive rights.” How very carefully it avoids any refer-

ence to the unborn child.

Women need to exercise their rights before they conceive a child. If you vote for this proposal, you are voting for women’s legal right to end the life of her child. Let’s protect the child’s right to life.

Ruth Fabian Schulenburg

Believe Facts, Not Opinions

To The Editor:

When something someone states as fact sounds unlikely to be true, it never hurts to do a little research. In Tuesday’s paper, a letter to the editor made two claims that made me feel I should do just that.

The first concerned an executive order issued by the president, which this letter claimed meant the government was “federalizing elections.” Here’s a video that lays out this argument: Hemingway: Biden’s Takeover Of Elections Is Unconstitutional And Chaotic (thefederalist.com)

The order, however, contains no language calling for federal agencies to “administer elections.” The actual text can be read on whitehouse.gov in an article called “Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting - The White House.” It directs federal agencies to create and implement stronger programs for voter outreach to communities that are often marginalized, including members of the armed forces, when it comes to voter registration and information. Here’s a short quote from the General Provisions section at the end of the executive order:

“This order shall be implemented consistent with applica-

ble law and subject to the availability of appropriations.”

Elections are not being “federalized.” The order is a set of instructions that changes no laws and, as far as I can tell, appropriates no extra monies.

The second concerned President Biden’s actions regarding oil drilling. While it is true that the executive branch has put a temporary freeze on drilling leases on public lands, the vast majority of leases issued are for drilling on private lands, and a good many of those are apparently sitting unused. There is no shortage of drilling to be done. This I learned from an article in Newsweek magazine, “Have Biden Administration Policies Reduced U.S. Oil Production?”

Don’t take my word for it –check it out for yourself.

Amanda Rudack La Grange

It’s been a thought-provoking week, filled with political and legal pronouncements and revelations, some hopeful and some frightening. But for most of us, that’s all they are: pronouncements and revelations, but nothing to alter our lives and our day to day activities, at least in the foreseeable future.

By MARGO JOHNSON

Unless we are the parents of a child killed by a senseless attack, or need a medical procedure prohibited by law, we’re safe from having to think or be concerned about most of the rhetoric flowing through the airways and internet ethers.

We can blissfully glide through our mundane tasks untouched by the tragedies of those suffering around us.

However, none of us are really immune to the heart wrenching stories we read about or watch detailed in the news. Human abuse can’t help but affect us emotionally, physically, and/or spiritually in different ways, but we do connect on some level with those suffering.

Here in Mexico, the poverty is evident, not hidden behind locked fences or guarded neighborhoods. It is alive on the streets, in full view of residents and tourists alike. Women holding out their hands for a few pesos; men selling goods and services they hope will attract someone’s interest; children sitting quietly with baskets of nuts and candies optimistically expecting a stranger’s generosity; a musician playing his clarinet beside his daughter who holds a basket for a possible handout.

None of us are far from these scenes that play out before our eyes daily, tapping a place within us that cries for people who need assistance. Of course, there are hidden needs also, not in full display, and that adds to the burden of how to help, where to give.

Generosity is in evidence. People stopping, giving, and greeting these unknown and pain-filled souls.

Yes, we may walk past those in need, shaking our heads against their pleading eyes, but we find ways to assist, perhaps volunteering at the local children’s library, or over tipping the bus driver.

Politics and legal shenanigans may flow around us not registering, but human suffering is never ignored. Or, that is my belief.

And because of that belief I am optimistic the world will right itself, maybe not in my lifetime, but sometime, when reality finally awakens our souls to the truth that we are all connected and equal.

Miles: When You Need a Little Help

Continued from Page D1

I know she’s tired from cleaning her own driveway. But she will attempt to do it every time.

the actual truth about right and wrong, the purpose of life, and eternity ahead. As a matter of fact, nothing else even comes close. What is the truth? There is one God who created all things and His word, the Bible, is where we turn to determine right and wrong, and good and evil. It either tells us directly or through principles.

God chose to create us with a free will to accept or reject Him and His word. There is either God, the superior being, or there is not. If you choose to believe there is not, then what do you believe, and what is that belief based on? If your belief is based on your personal thoughts, feelings, logic, desires, and experiences, then ask yourself what the odds are that what you believe is true, as there are billions of other people that can have their own personal belief just like you.

There are basically three kinds of people in the world –true believers and followers of Jesus Christ, professed believers that are not actually followers, and non-believers that choose to reject Him for some other belief.

Some of the big dividing issues in our country are things like abortion, homosexuality, and trans-gender. The sharp differences in these issues are between the true believers and the professed and non-believers. The true believers look to, and trust God’s word, the Bible, for the answers to these issues, while the others look to whatever they choose to believe. Because of this, arguments between these groups are futile because the basis of values, beliefs, and morals are as different as night and day. One is in the light, and one is in the dark. The scriptures I will quote in this article will be music to the ears of true believers who are the children of God, also called the “Church”. They will be foolishness to others, as the Bible tells us…

Rising Prices Really Hurt

To The Editor:

My name isn’t Eddie Chiles, but I am mad as _ _ _ _ too. I just got home from the grocery store and my total purchases are now at $200 weekly. Some regular items increased close to 100% in a week or less. I won’t mention putting a little gas (very little) in the truck or the price of toilet paper made from recycled paper. This is just wrong. Why are we as a nation so complacent about this situation?

Having just read the Record article about Albina Huebel, made me think of when our whole country “worked hard, cleaned our plates, and said thank you (NOT “no worries,” but a sincere thank you). I went to work in retail at 14. My meager earnings went straight into equally meager family funds. Those funds were all earned the old-fashioned way by hard work. I also worked hard to pay for my education.

As a retired teacher, I worked hard to supplement our income on a teacher’s salary and now I am working hard to survive on inadequate retirement funds. This is just wrong. I don’t know the answer. I write and call my senators and congressmen to no avail. The pure evil which has been wrought against these United States is massive and I am on my knees daily.

Dawn Jamail West Point

make in trying to get those things up the last five inches to the top. Thankfully, one is a sheath dress, so I just put it on backwards, zip it up to the top then turn it to the back and wiggle my arms through the sleeves. Widowhood calls for ingenuity at times.

Whenever a violent thunderstorm blows over from Oklahoma and thunder, lightning and high winds are raging, I try to do what the weatherman advises— go immediately to my safe place. Mine is on the downstairs level and I want someone to gather flashlight and other necessities, accompany me downstairs and comfort me until the storm passes.

After the storm is over, I find debris covering my very long, uphill driveway. As you know, yard men do not come at a moment’s notice. Also, I do not want my friend and neighbor, Ruthie, to take pity on me and come over to do mine when

One of my biggest needs appears anytime an appliance goes out or I have computer and/ or printer problems. It took me three days to learn to clean the “needles “ on my Keurig coffee machine and longer than that to install the new Whirlpool water filter on my refrigerator.

Then, there is April 15 approaching and I am bumfuzzled about the different documents I need to take to the CPA. The first frost of winter approaches and I need help transporting the outside plants inside to keep them from freezing. This is after I have gone outside, shivering, and protected eight faucets. When I become hungry after a long day of writing and I am too tired to cook I want to ask someone to go outside the gate and bring home take-out. The first chore I had to re-learn was pumping gasoline. I did it years ago but the pumps have changed

the directions. I end up twisting the hose around backwards and dripping gas on my shoes. These are only a few tasks that we new widows dread doing alone. I’m sure other ladies can add her personal fears to the list. These fears and needs only add to our mourning. Yet, we don’t want to admit our helplessness by calling on others for assistance. We are too proud, I guess. And I hate the thought of inconveniencing others regardless how close the friend happens to be. I do not want another husband. I only need assistance at times. So if I could just turn to the yellow pages and find a reputable company such as “ACME RENT A-MAN”, I would have many of my problems solved. I could simply make a call, verify his qualifications and integrity, have him come right out without delay, perform the job, and promptly leave. Anyone out there interested in starting such a business? I assure you there IS a need.

Texas History: Anthony Butler Died Trying to Save Others

Continued from Page D1

finally returned to Washington in June 1835 but not with his tail between his legs. To prove that money truly did talk in Mexico, he brought a letter from Father Ignacio Hernandez, a member of Santa Anna’s inner circle. For half a million dollars, the priest promised to pull the strings that would make Texas the property of the United States.

“Plausible denial” may have

been what the president had in mind, when he recorded his opposition to the arrangement right on the Hernandez document. If Jackson wanted no part of the shady deal, why did he let Butler keep his job?

Even after the Texas Revolution was well underway, Butler refused to give up on his pipe dream. He kept stalling for time until the very day of his replacement in January 1836 and hung

around Mexico City until the month after the Battle of San Jacinto.

Butler settled in the new Republic and actually persuaded a sufficient number of voters to grant him a seat in the Third Congress. His constituents must have seen through his smokeand-mirrors routine because they denied him a second term.

On the one occasion Anthony Butler put the interests

of others above his own, he got himself killed. In 1849 he died a hero on the Mississippi River trying to save passengers from a fire aboard a blazing steamboat.

“Unforgettable Texans” brings to life the once famous people no one remembers today. Order your copy for $24 (tax and shipping included) by mailing a check to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.

Gardiner: Look For The Truth Found in Scripture

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

The Bible refers to society as “the world” and this world is very sick. The vast majority of what we see in TV, the internet, music, social media, and news media are things of the world, not of God. Satan is having an absolute heyday in using these tools to destroy the mindsets, attitudes, and values of humans. The constant and relentless bombardment of gossip, slander, filth, and vulgarity that takes place every day has seared the consciences of people. There is so much saturation of this that we have been almost completely desensitized to evil. Things that go directly against what the Bible teaches are no longer considered bad, but the exact opposite

– as totally normal and acceptable. The only “bad” that now exists are those that call out this evil and do not accept it as normal. Christians have become the “bad.” They are “intolerant” and not “inclusive.”

The Bible warns… “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20

Those who choose to conform to the world reject God’s word, and the Bible tells us why they reject it…

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He

was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me...Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.’” John 8:42-47

And as God spoke through the prophet Isaiah…

“…when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.” Isaiah 66:4

The apostle Paul warned…

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through prayer and Bible study). Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Being a Christian does not mean that I am not a sinner like everyone else. It does mean that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior, and have been saved from my sins through His goodness and grace. Being born again means His Holy Spirit now resides in me and opens my eyes to all sin and gives me a deep desire to rid my life of it. Reading, studying, and meditating on God’s word gives me the ability to discern between right and wrong, and good and evil. It gives me the knowledge to determine if an opinion is based on the solid rock foundation of His word or just a product of this sick society. Those who embrace the Bible know that…

“…the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

If you are paying attention to all that is going on in the world right now, we are seeing end times Bible prophesy unfolding. Major life storms are coming and the “mark of the beast” is likely not far off (Revelation 13: 16-18). Only those with a solid foundation in God’s word will reject that mark. The Gospel tells us who will have that foundation…

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain

fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew

7:24-27

For those that reject Gods word, the day is coming when…

“…every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:11 Yes, the truth will set you free, but it has to be actual truth, based on the never-changing word of God, not relative truth based on an ever-changing world. What is your opinion based on?

Questions? Highly recommended website: Gotquestions. org

I thank the Fayette County Record for always printing the section titled “Features from the Bible” and especially the subtitle “Truth in Scripture.”

Randy Gardiner La Grange

Fayette County Narcotics K-9 Unit Seizes 13 Kilos of Fentanyl

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that on Tuesday Aug. 09, at approximately 9:33 a.m. the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Canine Unit, Sgt. Randy Thumann and K9 partner Kolt, stopped a Chevy Silverado on IH-10 at the 661 mile-marker for a traffic violation.

After speaking to the driver, Sgt.Thumann observed indicators of deceptive behavior and became suspicious that the occupant was smuggling illegal narcotics. Sgt. Thumann was given consent to search the vehicle. Thumann searched the vehicle and located 12 bricks of raw Fentanyl in the rear seat back and in a speaker box located behind the rear seat. The driver, Severo Rodriguez (30) of San Juan, was arrested for Felony drug possession and taken to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center. Fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than morphine. 13 Kilograms of Fentanyl can be used to manufacture 13 million pills with a street value of approximately $260 million dollars.

K9 Kolt was donated to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office by k9s4cops.

KJT Society No. 46 Donates to Food Pantry

Build Your Own Birdhouse at Kreische Brewery And Monument Hill State Historic Sites Saturday

Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites will host a birdhouse building workshop this Saturday, Aug. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more about the types of birds in the area while creating a backyard home for your winged neighbors.

“The history of our sites is not complete without looking at the natural life and beauty on the Bluff,” says Jenny Townzen, sites educator. “We’re choosing to highlight birds and their habitats this Saturday as part of our broader initiatives to host regular educational nature activities throughout the year.”

The program will include two options for friends and family to enjoy: a complimentary hanging birdhouse feeder or a $5 cedar birdhouse kit for purchase. Sites staff and volunteers will help with the assembly of these kits and participants have the option to paint these houses to fit their backyard style.

Regular sites’ admission fees apply. For more information and updates, check the sites’ social media or call (979) 968-5658.

Fayette Fire Calls

The Fayette County Firefighter’s Association reports the following calls for the week of July 31 through Aug. 6: Accidents - 3

Adopt Me

Pat is an 8-year-old domestic short haired (black) cat. His elderly owner is terminally ill and has surrendered him to our shelter. He has always been an indoor cat and likes to stay to himself but does get along with other cats. He is scared and not doing well in the shelter environment.

Whiskers is an 11-year-old domestic short haired cat (orange tabby) who was recently surrendered to our care. Hie has been an indoor/outdoor cat for his entire life and would make a very good friendly barn cat.

Please stop by the shelter to visit with either of these cats and see if you may be able to find room at your home and in your heart for these neutered and vaccinated boys!

TO ADOPT ANY OF THESE PETS, OR OTHERS:

• Call the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter at 966-0021

HOURS:

• Visit the shelter at 240 Svoboda Lane and adopt animals on Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shelter is closed on Monday. The animal shelter will not accept surrendered animals on Saturdays.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Check the web site at www.janssenanimalshelter.org

• Email: info@janssenanimalshelter.org

• Wendie Dillard, Tech - wendie@janssenanimalshelter.org

KJT Society No. 46, La Grange, held a Food Drive for the AMEN Food Pantry of La Grange in July. The society collected 450 lbs. of food along with also receiving monetary donations. The La Grange Society appreciates the continued support from members and the community with helping provide food to our neighbors. The Society received expense reimbursement funds from the KJT Home Office under the statewide Project H Program. The society appreciates Fayette Savings Bank, Round Top State Bank, the KJT Home Office and Sacred Heart Catholic Church for being drop off locations. Without their participation and help, the drive would not have seen our achieved success. Pictured from left is: society members Gary Janda, Desi Perez, Society Treasurer Gailynne Zapalac, Society President Mike Kaspar, AMEN representative Garry Schellberg, and society members Shirley Antosh and Marilyn Kothmann.

Help From One Flooded Town to Another

By SUSANNAH MIKULIN Fayette Community Foundation

Five years ago, rains from Hurricane Harvey raised the Colorado River more than 50 feet, flooding La Grange and destroying hundreds of homes.

People around the country saw the devastation in Fayette County and they responded. They sent truckloads of water, boxes of new clothes and pallets of building materials. Most importantly, they sent money, and that money was turned first into relief and then renewal.

We received so much five years ago. And it made such a difference. Now it is time to give back.

Communities throughout the mountains of Eastern Kentucky have been destroyed by floods. These are towns much like ours – rural communities with long histories and strong families, far from any city center. Floodwaters have smashed homes, inundated downtowns, wrecked water and sewage systems, ruined roads and bridges. And the rampaging waters have killed at least 37 people.

These communities need our help.

Through an anonymous local donor, the Fayette Community Foundation has established a special designated fund to raise money for flooded Eastern Kentucky counties. The money will go to the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), which has deep ties to these Kentucky mountain communities.

Fayette Countians will remember that the MDS was one of the first groups to arrive here after the flood – leaving only after the Hope Hill subdivision opened, years after the hurricane.

The Mennonite Disaster Service did heroic work here and, with our help, will do the same in Eastern Kentucky.

The animal shelter is in need of puppy chow, kitten chow, dog and cat food, paper towels, candles, Pine Sol, and Lysol. All animals for adoption can be viewed online at petango.com.

send

www.faycofoundation.com/donors

a check directly to Fayette Community Foundation at P.O. Box 664, La Grange, TX, 78945. If you have questions, call the Fayette Community Foundation at (512) 791-7096.

FAYETTE COUNTY ADOPTABLE

Grange residents console each other during the 2017 flooding from Hurricane Harvey.

Sgt. Randy Thumann and K9 partner Kolt pictured with the 13 kilos of Fentanyl discovered after a traffic stop in I-10.