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Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 6 No. 12
INSIDE
www.hillcountryherald.net
editor@hillcountryherald.net
LEAKEY’S HOMETOWN SON MAKES US PROUD Congratulations to Leakey’s own Airman Andrew Smith who graduated with honors from the 331st Wolf Pack, United States Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas on January 15, 2016. Smith came in 3rd of the honor graduates, which are the top 10% or less of BMT out of 68 honor graduates and over 800 Airman in his graduating group. He has received a number of ribbons, coins and certificates thus far in his career. These include his ceremony coin; a certificate, ribbon and coin for honor graduate; ribbon for National Security; ribbon and certificate for BMT graduate; coin for 331st Wolf Pack; certificate for physical training excellence; a Santa Shuffle coin for leading an entire flight of 50+ Airmen in a 5k run and finishing in 3rd place. Airman Smith is currently stationed at Vandenburg AFB, California, along with his wife Heather
Burk Feed Saturday March 26 from 9am to 1pm
Tennessee Jane
Learns About Surveying
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MONTELL COUNTRY CLUB/COMM. CENTER TO HOST ENCHILADA DINNER ............................ Page 7
School of the Victorian Lady
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INDEX Legals/Jail Register ...... Page 3 Community News ......... Page 4-6 Feature Story ................. Page 9 Obituaries ...................... Page 8 Classifieds ..................... Page 12
Today’s Weather
High: 84° Low: 48°
March 23, 2016
and two children Aubrey and Jacob. He is currently with the 532TRS attending Technical School studying to be a Missile Electronics Maintenance Technician on ICBM’s. He will graduate in July 2016, then will be rewarded the ranch of A1C, Airman First Class. Smith is the son of Amie Scott and step-father Robert Guidry, brother Addison, sister Alaila, grandparents Jesse and Darlene Scott, father David Smith and grandmother Edith Smith all of Leakey. Smith has made his family and his hometown very proud! Remember readers, the freedoms you have as a citizen of the United States of America are not free. All of the soldiers in military service are someone’s son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, brother, sister and parent. They give their lives to protect our country and our rights. We could not be prouder of one of our own than we are of Andrew Smith!
“DARK SKIES” COMES TO THE FRIO CANYON Barbara Baggett of Stars Over Utopia, a Keep Utopia Beautiful project,will present an educational program at the Utopia Senior Center on April 1, at noon. The program will last an hour. Feel free to bring a sack lunch. The program is a collaboration of the Hill Country Alliance and International and Texas Dark Skies Association. The issue: The ability to see the stars and Milky Way in the Texas Hill Country is part of our Hill Country Heritage. It helps us escape from the fast pace of our lives, and gives us a perspective of how we fit into the Universe. Historically the night sky has inspired achievements in science, religion, art and literature. Preservation of our Dark Night Sky upholds the values that local citizens hold deeply, as well as serving to bring tourists to our parks and natural areas. Not only are dark skies important for psychological reasons, improper outdoor night light greatly impacts the health and safety of humans and wildlife. Bright unshielded lights, especially those that have are in
the blue color spectrum, increase risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more. Plants and animals rely on a cycle of light and dark. Artificial light at night, especially in the ‘cool’ or blue range of the spectrum, negatively impacts our ecosystem. Preditor/prey relationsips, breeding rituals, navigation and foraging patterns are disrupted. Bright lights at night do not make us safer; they do not prevent crime. They may even aid criminals. As well, the glare from unshielded blue lights decreases our night vision. Plus, unshielded bright lights waste energy which wastes money by raising your electric bill. The solution: Use light only where it is needed. Walk around your property and ask yourself, why am I lighting up this area? Consider a motion detector and / or a dimmer switch. Shield all lights so the light is directed where you need it. The shield should fully cover the bulb, and also prevent light from escaping sideways
at a angle more than 45 degrees from the fixture. Fully shielded lights directed down will allow you to choose a bulb with less lumens. Quality outdoor lighting could cut energy use by 60 – 70 %. Choose ‘warm’ color, in the red/yellow range of the spectrum Photo by Todd Abbott Winters, Photograph location was in Hunt TX, his photographs can be seen at LED’s to further his gallery in Ingram, TX. increase energy directed where you need it, having a efficiency. Many people are rushing to color temperature of 2700K, will elimipurchase energy efficient LED’s, it is nate the need to have a bright, energy extremely important that you choose the wasteful bulb. You will save money, do correct ‘color’ of LED. It should opti- your part to preserve Texas Hill Country mally have a Kelvin color temperature Night Skies for generations, and protect of 2700K, and not more than 3000K. your health and the health of our wildCheck the packaging of bulbs before life. It’s that easy! Contact Barbara at: you buy. A fully shielded outdoor light, barbaggett@yahoo.com
FRIO CANYON PARKS ASSOCIATION BEGINS NEW YEAR The Frio Canyon enjoys one of the nicest parks in the Tri-canyon area. However, Leakey. If each group will take ONE Month out of the year to make sure that the that park doesn’t just appear, nor is the work to keep it nice done by little elves at Park is in good working order for families to safely enjoy. We are truly blessed to night! So, here is your team leaders for 2016. Rudy Gonzalez-President, 830-591- have such a great location and need your help in maintaining its beauty. You will 3189, Crystal Downum-V- President 760-277-7571 crystaljo123@yahoo.com, be responsible for scheduling your organizations work days and possibly having to Brenda Gonzalez-Secretary, 830-275-3148 bjgonz70@yahoo.com, Mike Formanbring your own tools, lawn mowers, ect..Trash bags will be provided by the park. Treasurer , 830-232-4439, agaritaville@hctc.net. Scheduled weekly events at the They do have lawn mowers if necessary. Target groups are any and all local church Park: ZUMBA – Meets every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 to 11: organizations, school organizations, non-profit groups in the local area and pos30 am, contact Beth Lawless - 432-664-4266. PILATES-Meets every Monday, sibly any one needing to work off some community service hours. Please contact Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:45 to 8:45 am, Faye Caldwell contact 830-232Brenda Gonzalez to schedule your month of service! The only way to preserve our 6742. Fees to Rent the Park Facility: Contact Brenda Gonzalez 830-275-3148 local treasure.....is US!! Small building Rental - $50 a day with a $75 deposit Pavilion area is free on a first come first serve basisContact Brenda if you have any questions Concession Stand Area- $50 plus 25% of all the net profit earned. Bring your own supplies. Dues are $5 per person, $10 per family per year and/or $100 for a lifetime membership. For DONATIONS please contact Mike Forman 830-232-4439 Make all donations payable to the FRIO CANYON PARKS ASSOCIATION. Mail to: PO Box 361, Leakey, TX 78873 The Park Association is trying to raise funds to re-do the walking trail, so for everyone that likes to walk, remember it takes donations to make it happen. FYI One trip around the park in the figure 8 is 1/2 of a mile!! Not to mention the play area for the kids, the ball park, concession and rest rooms! It’s a great PARK! Let’s keep it that way! Please sign up to volunteer your time, service and skills at the Frio Canyon Park north of LtoR: Brenda Gonzalez, Crystal Downum, Rudy Gonzalez and Mike Forman
BOOK SIGNING FOR AUTHOR BILLY KRING The Camp Wood library will host an book signing for Billy Kring on March 31.2016 at 6 pm, everyone is welcome. Billy Kring is a writer and actor. He grew up in Sabinal, Texas, then left for college in San Marcos. After college, he began a career in law enforcement with the U.S. Border Patrol. Billy has also worked as a consultant and subject matter expert on antiterrorism and international border issues in such countries as Mexico, South America, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pan Pacific. There will be an opportunity to meet Billy and enjoy refreshments. You can check out his website www.billykring.com . For more information Call 597-3208 during regular business hours.