TOWN & COUNTRY
Sun City “Grandmas” 2020 — We're Back!
The 2018 Grandmas prepare to knock on doors in Sun City for the general election.
When we introduced readers
to Betty Schleder in 2014, she had just singlehandedly raised $120,000 to send a contingent of Sun City veterans on an Honor Flight. Schleder is an advocate for strong conservative values and, since 2010, she has annually rounded up a group of respected and well-liked friends in Sun City to help her spread the word about qualified candidates for office in Williamson County. “It all started with a knee injury,” Schleder says. “I went to see Dr. Charles Schwertner and he asked me for advice on getting the word out in Sun City about his run for the Texas House.”
Schleder got busy and scheduled a Meet & Greet for all 52 neighborhoods in a two-month period. “I just came up with an idea to give a young doctor a chance to talk to people.” Soon after, Dr. Marsha Farney called to see if the Grandmas could help with her Board of Education race, and the rest—as in, dozens of other races—is history. In 2020, Schleder is again leading a dozen of Sun City’s most well-liked, informed and respected women called “The Sun City Grandmas”. The ladies gather at her house to meet candidates personally to get a sense of their character, platforms and leader-
ship qualities. "We want people to know that we not only do our homework, but we make every effort to get to know our candidates personally, so you can trust that we really stand behind our endorsements." Rather than schedule multiple meet & greets, the Grandmas now have an even greater reach. In the past, they did their homework, researched all the candidates and stuffed and mailed 6,200 letters to Sun City residents with their recommendations at the polls. Now, and every year since 2014, they have personally walked the neighborhoods; rain, shine or snow, to hand-deliver their slate cards.
“It takes a lot to reach every door, but we try to connect with every person we can. It’s hard for anyone to know for sure about all the candidates on the ballot and we feel this is a valuable public service, not just for the voters but for the candidates we truly believe in.” The Grandmas even carry voter registration cards just in case. Not surprisingly, the personal touch has had a tremendous impact. It is statistically significant for any candidate to win the Sun City precincts if he or she is to win county-wide. “We are very proud of people like Judge Rick Kennon, who won his first race by .08 percent countywide, but carried Sun City by a nearly 20 percent average. Our insights served us well—he was our county’s highest rated judge four years in a row. I am always delighted when people tell me how many voters they've seen at the polls carrying one of our slate cards.” The Grandmas are also big advocates of lawn signs. “When people are out and they see someone they know and respect displaying a sign, it matters. I even have people drive by my yard and take notes. If we know a race is going to be contentious we
make the effort to do the homework and, literally, the footwork to get the word out.” Schleder is delighted to welcome new Grandmas to each campaign season. Right now they are building a campaign to support Josh Schroeder for Mayor of Georgetown, and they have already committed to walking all the miles necessary for the November General Election. “We embrace people from all parts and interests in Sun City. It helps us reach out to and engage the diverse interests and opinions we have here. And, be on the lookout for more progress in our group as the median age grows younger and more social media-savvy. We will take on any challenges and challengers like we always have.”
Above: Miss Betty introduces Judge Bill Gravell ahead of his 2018 County Judge election at a Grandma meeting. Left‑: Betty firing up the troops.
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MAYOR'S UPDATE • BY DALE ROSS
Enhanced Pedestrian Crossings Coming to Sun City
Construction is set to begin in
February for pedestrian safety improvements on the two main thoroughfares in Sun City. The project involves the addition of pedestrian crossing signs, button-activated flashing lights, and crosswalk striping at eight intersections on Del Webb Boulevard and Sun City Boulevard. These safety enhancements reflect the awareness that our transportation network serves pedestrians as well as vehicles. Dog walkers, runners, and others traveling on foot use the streets and paths in Sun City every day. Markers for pedestrian crossings on the two main routes will alert drivers to the presence of walkers on these busier roadways. Pedestrian crossings will be added to two intersections on Del
Webb Boulevard at Scissortail Trail and Texas Drive as well as six intersections on Sun City Boulevard: • Salt Creek Lane • Texas Drive (south intersection) • Whispering Wind • San Saba Drive • Texas Drive (north intersection) • At Sun City Park (softball fields, dog park, and community gardens) The upgraded crossings will include yellow signs with arrows on both sides of the streets. Each crossing will include solar-powered flashing lights with buttons that can be activated by pedestrians. The solar panels on the signs will be connected to batteries so the flashing lights can be activated at night as well as daylight hours. When pedestrians push a button
at a crosswalk, flashing lights on the sign will provide an additional alert to drivers that pedestrians are present. State law requires drivers to stop at a marked crosswalk when pedestrians are present. Vehicles must yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk, even when a flashing light is not present or activated. The project to enhance the crossings was the result of requests from residents as well as the involvement of Council Member Steve Fought and the Sun City Texas Community Association. A list of crossings to be enhanced with pedestrian safety improvements was compiled in 2018. Last year, the Community Association completed improvements to sidewalks for crossings at those locations. The City put the project out for bid last year, and in September, the City Council approved a bid of $632,132 by Choice Builders of Temple to build the project. Construction on the crossing signs, lights, and striping should start in February and be complete in April. To find out more about transportation and mobility projects in Georgetown, go to transportation. georgetown.org. TOP: Pedestrian crossing signs similar to this one on Austin Avenue at 10th Street will be added to eight intersections in Sun City. BOTTOM: Pedestrians can use a button to activate flashing lights to help alert drivers they are crossing the street.
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CITY INSIDER
NEWS FOR PAWS & CLAWS AND SNOUTS & HOOVES
by Dr. Nathan Carlton, DVM
Last week I was called to a farm for a
down doe. The resident farmer raises sheep, and the doe in question, a Barbado, was close to lambing but wasn’t able to stand. I drove out to his place and he showed me to the sheep. She was on the ground with her hind legs straight out behind her in a splits position. I palpated her to see if her cervix was dilated; it was not. During my exam I found her pelvis had somehow been broken. After discussing treatment options with the owner, the decision was made to euthanize the doe. I sedated her and performed a cesarean section to see if the lambs were viable; one was dead but one was alive! I pulled her out of her mother and laid her on the ground, then euthanized the doe in accordance with the owner's wishes. I went back to the little lamb to make sure she was alright. She had a strong heartbeat but wasn’t breathing on her own.
I cleaned the amniotic fluid from her nose and mouth, then swung her back and forth a bit to drain the fluid from her airway. I took of my sweater, wrapped the lamb inside, and rubbed vigorously. She popped up and started bleating. I placed her on her mother’s teat to try and get her some colostrum; i.e., first milk. The farmer explained that he was unable to care for a bottle baby, so I brought her home to raise. Baby lambs are like all young mammals, they require regular feeding, a clean environment, and shelter. Colostrum is the most important element of a baby's nutrition. It is full of antibodies and is key to providing immunity for the offspring. If you have a bottle baby, be sure the lamb received colostrum for the first 12 hours and then mix milk replacer with the colostrum for two days before transitioning to milk replacer. Be sure to follow label instructions on the bag of products you buy as some offer slightly different advice. Usually lambs can be offered creep at 3-7 days of age and restrict the hay to what they will eat in an hour for the first week or so. After your lamb is born, clean the umbilicus with dilute betadine solution so you avoid poll evil, a nasty infection of the umbilicus. Be careful with amniotic fluid from sheep as it can contain infectious agents that can infect people so wear gloves and wash hands with soap and water after handling any bodily fluids. Lambs can suffer from hypothermia so be sure to keep it warm, and dry it off well. Be sure to have a vet around that you trust to help get your new addition off to a good start. Our little lamb is now a week old and doing great!
The Rev. Dr. Bill Pederson, Pastor
9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Sunday Worship Children’s chapel & nursery offered during worship 5404 Williams Drive | Georgetown | 512-868-0902 | www.sgpcgeorgetown.org
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NEED A RIDE? Call (512) 966-0971 Dr. Max Johnson, Pastor
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CITY INSIDER
FEBRUARY 2020
Loyce J. Graham MD, PLLC 181 Town Center Blvd. Suite 400 � Jarrell � 512.746.2690 Office Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 8 am - 5 pm | Tues. 8 am - Noon
Preserving History at City Hall and Across Georgetown
Mural Artists Norma Clark and Devon Clarkson Inset: Mayor Ross at the October painting party
The public is invited to
About Mary Bailey
celebrate the completed "Preserving History" mural, Saturday, February 15 at 2pm at the Georgetown City Hall and the African American Shotgun House. The program includes a welcome from Mayor Dale Ross, followed by statements from mural artists Norma Clark and Devon Clarkson and Georgetown Cultural Citizen Memorial Association (GCCMA); the program will conclude inside City Hall with refreshments and a viewing of the mural video and slideshow. The new mural is a beautification project that finished the screens at the
back of City Hall and is also the backdrop of the Shotgun House. The GCCMA chose local artists, Norma Clark and
Devon Clarkson, because they are Georgetown residents with strong ties to our community and the surrounding neighborhoods.
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Mary Smith Bailey was chosen as the subject of the “Preserving History” mural because she was an important local figure who helped steward many children in Georgetown through a period of historic growth and change. In 1953, Mary Bailey founded The West Side Kindergarten, the first preschool in the area to offer educational preschool services to non-white children. She believed “preschool children benefit most from an educational environment that helps them develop self-confidence, the ability to get along with and help
others, and the desire to learn." Today, hundreds of students and many changes later, the Mary Bailey [Head Start] Center continues to teach Georgetown children of all races the importance of learning. Devon Clarkson painted the image of Mary Smith Bailey as the focal point of the mural. Devon’s experience includes local art exhibitions, as well as being the selected poster artist for the 20th Anniversary Red Poppy poster. Norma Clark, a local artist and graduate from Southwestern University, created a montage of inspired abstract images that can be recognized
as children and students participating in athletic and educational activities. The collaboration of these two artists represents the integration of different artist styles to create something innovative and new while honoring and preserving culture and history. At left, on October 24th, the Arts and Culture Board hosted a community painting party for community members to come out and help paint portions of the mural. It was a huge success in engaging the community to tell an important Georgetown story.
FEBRUARY 2020
CITY INSIDER slippery pile of clay. Salt can de-ice a sidewalk, but it definitely will kill plants, so be precise, and don't use too much of either. I carry a baggie of sand in my bag and keep a small bucket for the steps. It's not perfect, but it works." ~ T. in Pennsylvania
• Before removing a splinter, ice the area. There will be less fussing, and a wooden splinter might absorb some liquid, causing it to swell enough to pop out a bit more. • I used the mileage counter in my car to come up with several 2-mile routes for walking. Now I can vary my routine and be assured that I've walked 2 miles, which is my goal. I just drive from my house until I hit a mile on the trip odometer, and then I walk to that spot and back. ~ I.L. in Nevada • Use a tea infuser ball for aromatherapy. Apply several drops of essential oils to a cotton ball and place it inside the infuser basket. Then simply hang it to distribute the scent.
You can hang it from a light bulb or even in front of the air handler for your air conditioning or heating intake. • "If you're looking to give yourself a bit of traction on icy sidewalks, be careful what you use. While kitty litter is a much-recommended solution, when it melts, you're left with a
• "The knob came off my pot lid because it cracked. I grabbed a wine cork and threaded it on the screw. It stays in place and is never hot when I need to remove the top. Plus it looks cute." ~ E.T. in Alabama • To extend the shelf life of your bunch of bananas, try wrapping the stem tightly with a piece of plastic wrap. They also can be kept in the refrig-
erator if you don't mind cold bananas, like when you are slicing them into cereal or using them in a smoothie. The skins may brown, but the inside will not over-ripen to match. • "If you have extra books hanging around, why not contact your local nursing homes to see if anyone would like some new reading material?" ~ T. in South Carolina • H.W. in Massachusetts writes: I use a bathroom chair in my tub and always wash the exterior. One day, a tip came off one of the legs and when I turned it over to replace it, I was horrified to see black mold underneath. I sprayed it with cleaner and it cleaned up perfectly. Please offer this tip to my fellow senior citizens. Mold is really bad. • Energy saving tip for the kitchen: Use pots and pans that are the correct size for the burner. There's no sense in using the big burner for a small pot, and a small burner will have to work twice as long to heat up a large pot of water. Also make sure your pots are flat (not warped) and clean, so heat can
transfer more efficiently. • It's tax season and that means paper season. If you don't happen to have a rubber finger cover to help you leaf through papers quickly, you can always wrap a rubber band around your fingertip to offer a bit of resistance. It's better than licking your finger! ~R. in Indiana • If you enjoy puzzles and board games but like to keep them in their original cardboard boxes, be sure to reinforce corners with strong clear tape BEFORE they start to crack and fall apart. Use hook and loop tape to secure bags inside the box cover so that game pieces will stay with the game. There's nothing worse than pulling out a game to find that some pieces have slipped out. • This might not be revolutionary, but if you put a tennis ball into a long sock and knot the sock, your dog will really like it. If they play with it outside, you can even put it right into the wash. ~ K.R. in Alabama • Remove the neck end of a soda bottle to create a
disposable funnel. Use a 2-liter bottle for a large funnel and individual drink size for smaller ones. Rinse and recycle both parts when you are finished. • Baking soda can be used as a mild abrasive to clean, but it also can help clean your teeth. Sprinkle a little bit of baking soda on your toothbrush weekly to give your pearly whites a polish between professional cleanings. • Tuck fabric softener sheets in your luggage. You can use them to combat static cling or freshen the air by placing one over the air conditioner vent. It will keep your suitcase fresh-smelling between uses, too. • Have houseplants with dusty leaves? Grab a banana and eat it and keep the skin. Use the skin to clean the leaves. The dust will stick right to it, and the juice is healthy for the plants. • Keep your plastic wrap in the fridge. A lot of people find it much more cooperative and easier to use when it is cold.
150 Years of Defining Food Traditions (StatePoint) Think back on some of your favorite family meals over the years and it’s likely that Campbell Soup Company played a role during those important moments around the table. An American icon, Campbell recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. From tomato soup and grilled cheese on a cold day to green bean casserole, generations of home cooks have made Campbell food, snacks and recipes part Workers label and pack cans for distribution, c. 1905 of their daily and holiday food traditions. 1955, was served at 20 million dinners Here are some of the most interesting this past Thanksgiving. During the holifacts about Campbell’s place in American day season, Green Bean Casserole recipes culture: were viewed more than 6 million times • Campbell Soup Company was founded on the Campbell’s Kitchen website. four years after the Civil War ended in • Campbell’s tomato growers harvest over 1869 by a fruit merchant and an icebox 1.5 billion pounds of tomatoes per year. manufacturer. By the turn of the century, Eighty percent of Campbell’s tomato the company flourished as a result of growers and their families have worked several innovations -- including Dr. John with the company for more than two T. Dorrance’s invention of condensed decades. soup, which made nutritious soup more • Over the years, the company has grown affordable to millions of Americans at to include numerous other brands that are just 10 cents per can. staples in American households, among • Campbell food was served during WWI them Pepperidge Farm cookies, Goldfish and WWII, and during the Apollo crackers, Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, missions, offering troops and astronauts Lance sandwich crackers, V8 beverages comfort and a taste of home. and Swanson broths. Today, 95 percent of • Campbell’s influence can be seen in U.S. homes have Campbell products in its American pop culture throughout the cupboards and fridges. years, from Andy Warhol’s iconic For more information, as well as recipes, paintings of Campbell’s Soup cans to the visit CampbellSoupCompany.com. enduring “M’m! M’m! Good!” jingle to Campbell’s history and American history other cultural icons like the Campbell go hand-in-hand. A part of American kitchKids and President Ronald Reagan’s V8 ens and culture for generations, its foods ad. reflect the trends and tastes of the country. • The Green Bean Casserole, invented by Campbell employee Dorcas Reilly in
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