Montgomery County News, October 11, 2023

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WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXVIII NUMBER 41 Section 1 10 pages

October 11, 2023 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Brice Crocker

Montgomery County’s Only Locally Owned Newspaper

Established 1995

Montgomery County News

Montgomery, Texas 77356

50 Weekly PBOX Magnolia, TX 77353

Texas Veterans Memorial Park Weekly Dedicates CAF/WWII Gas Prices B-17 Memorial

Average gasoline prices in Texas have fallen 14.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.17/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 17.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 7.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 4.0 cents in the last week and stands at $4.48 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.59/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.29/g, a difference of $1.70/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.59/g while the highest was $4.29/g, a difference of $1.70/g. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 10.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.67/g today. The national average is down 13.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 25.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country. Historical gasoline prices in Texas and the national average going back ten years: October 9, 2022: $3.24/g (U.S. Average: $3.92/g) October 9, 2021: $2.91/g (U.S. Average: $3.26/g) October 9, 2020: $1.87/g (U.S. Average: $2.18/g) October 9, 2019: $2.31/g (U.S. Average: $2.65/g) October 9, 2018: $2.67/g (U.S. Average: $2.91/g) October 9, 2017: $2.35/g (U.S. Average: $2.47/g) October 9, 2016: $2.00/g (U.S. Average: $2.25/g) October 9, 2015: $2.06/g (U.S. Average: $2.32/g) October 9, 2014: $3.08/g (U.S. Average: $3.24/g) October 9, 2013: $3.08/g (U.S. Average: $3.34/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $3.30/g, down 5.9 cents per gallon from last week's $3.36/g. San Antonio- $3.04/g, down 18.2 cents per gallon from last week's $3.22/g. Austin- $3.13/g, down 17.0 cents per gallon from last week's $3.30/g. "At long last, the decline in gas prices that we've been waiting to see has arrived, and the locomotive of falling prices has only recently started on a downhill, gaining momentum. However, some new caution signs have emerged with the recent attacks on Israel, potentially destabilizing a sensitive region. I'm hopeful the violence won't spread, limiting the impact to these falling gas prices. Even with oil prices rising as a reaction to the attacks, I remain optimistic the national average could decline another 25-45 cents by late November, with prices falling potentially nearly triple that in California," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "Even the price of diesel has seen downward pressure with oil prices plummeting last week on fears that the Fed will be forced to continue raising rates, eating into demand growth, leading a barrel of crude to drop into the mid-$80s, but we remain concerned about a potentially destabilized Middle East and the potential impact to oil prices should the region see violence escalate." SOURCE GasBuddy

by MCN contributing writer, Ruben Borjas Jr The mild weather couldn’t have been better, as citizens from Montgomery County and those from every direction afar, gathered this past Sunday at the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park (MCVMP) in Conroe. They were there to pay tribute to the six aircrew personnel of the B17 Texas Raiders and the P63 King Cobra, who all flew under the banner of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF); and tragically perished in a mid-air collision at an air show in Dallas last November. Judge Jimmie Edwards III, the Chairman of the Montgomery County Ve t e r a n s M e m o r i a l Commission (MCVMC), welcomed the families of the lost men, as well as members of the CAF, before the unveiling of a new memorial dedicated to the airmen. He also recognized Tony Gullo, Sr., and the Gullo Family for underwriting the B-17 Memorial Project, of which the MCVMC, and the people of Montgomery County, as well as those from the CAF are so grateful. The ceremony today centered around recognizing and remembering B-17 Raiders, Command Pilot Len Root, and Second in

Command, Terry Barker; both pilots were from K e l l e r, Te x a s . F l i g h t Engineer, Curt Rowe, from Hilliard, Ohio; Loadmaster Kevin Michels, from Austin; Loadmaster, Dan Ragan, from Dallas; and P63 Pilot, Curt Hutain, from Montgomery, Texas. MCVMC Board M e m b e r, D u k e C o o n , introduced CAF members Doug Derr, John Cotter, and Nancy Kwiecien. Derr, who is the lead pilot of the CAFs Tora, Tora, Tora, living history lesson exhibition, spoke about P63 pilot Craig Hutain, from Montgomery. “He was a long time Tora member, and a key member of our organization,” relayed D e r r. “ A s w e l l a s a dedicated pilot flying United 777s to all parts of The World.” Hutain flew over a dozen CAF events per year in all manners of WWII aircraft. He was the only member lost from Montgomery County, and flew planes out of Tomball and Conroe. “We are here today to dedicate this new monument,” said Wing Leader, John Cotter, of the CAFs Gulf Coast Wing. “But we are also here to remember our six crew members we lost last November.” Cotter noted his lost team members’ contribution and dedication to the CAF, as well as their influence, inspiration and

MCVMC Board Turner, presents to Tony Gullo Sr, and his family, a special recognition, for his part in underwriting the B-17 Memorial project. impact. He spoke of the group's leadership capabilities, selfless efforts, and the devotion to duty in their time with the CAF. Cotter and Kwiecien, took turns introducing the bomber crew on the fateful flight. Len Root, was a commercial pilot and member of the CAF since 1993, with over 50 years of flying experience. He had been flying B-17s since 1996. Terry Barker, an Army helicopter pilot, was also a career commercial

airline pilot, He was an accomplished mechanic, who served as a maintenance officer for the CAF. Kevin Michaels, a 13-year veteran of the CAF, besides his loadmaster duties, he was a videographer and historian of the B-17 in war service; as well as its time in service w i t h t h e C A F. A n d loadmaster, David Ragan, 88, joined the CAF 5 years ago, when he reunited with See Memorial, page 2

Slice of Amish Celebrates First Anniversary The little cheese shop that could in Historic Montgomery, recently celebrated its First Anniversary on First Saturday. Slice of Amish, the largest seller of ‘cheese curds’ in Montgomery County, is located at the intersection of College and McCown streets in Old Town. The store held a

wonderful evening of food, fun, and entertainment for local cheese aficionados who wanted to celebrate with the owners and staff, who were all so welcoming, and made customers feel at home when visiting the store. Slice of Amish is owned by local entrepreneurs Rollis and

Barbara Johnson, but General Manager Angie Miller, is the real key to the success of the enterprise. Her electric personality puts smiles on customers faces, as she provides samples of great Wisconsin cheeses to entertain the p a l e t e s o f h e r connoisseuring customers. “It was more than I expected,” said Miller, speaking on the success of the event. “I couldn’t have asked for more.” The alley courtyard next to the store served as the perfect backdrop for customers, old and new, to get to know each other, and sing along with Kevin Pieper, who entertained the crowd all evening with music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Customers could Community..........2, 3, 4, 10 order a grilled cheese, or Commentary...............2, 3, 4, 5 Slice of Amish customers, Stevie Platt, of The bratwurst combo to satisfy Woodlands, left, and Tommi Hamilton, of Montgomery, Church Directory..............5 right, pose with event hostess April Gibson, during the their hunger, served with complimentary flights of Legals.........................6, 7, 8 stores open house to celebrate its First Anniversary wine, and an occasional

Index

Slice of Amish General Manager, Angie Miller, poses with the rich cheese selections that the store maintains champagne toast or two. Besides great cheeses, Slice of Amish sells a wide range of products that will tickle the taste buds of pickled egg fans. Of course they have smoked meats, specialty butter, Amish candy, oodles of Amish noodles, brats, jared

See Amish, page 2

Business Directory...........10

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PRE-SRT POSTAGE PD #80 MONTG. TX

Texas Historical Commission Opens Submissions for 2023 Undertold Marker Program AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Historical Commission is currently accepting applications for its undertold historical marker program, intended to address historical gaps, promote diversity of topics, and proactively document s i g n i f i c a n t underrepresented subjects or untold stories. From October 1 to November 15, the THC will accept nominations for this year’s undertold round. The criteria for evaluating applications include: ability of the topic to address gaps in the THC historical marker program; value of the topic as an undertold or untold aspect of Texas history; endangerment level of property, site or topic, and the contribution of a marker toward its preservation; historical or architectural significance; historical or architectural integrity; relevance to the statewide preservation plan and other THC programs; potential CHC assistance and availability of existing documentation; and diversity among the group of candidates. An undertold marker application requires less initial information than a regular application. Applicants must submit at least 250 words about the topic, a few suggested sources for research, and a proposed location where the marker would be placed. Any individual or group can submit an undertold topic, and there is no application fee. If selected, a topic will receive a free historical marker. The undertold marker w e b p a g e a t thc.texas.gov/undertold has an interactive map and a list with dozens of undertold marker topics. Visitors to the site will find significant individuals, buildings, communities and sites that tell important stories in the arts, civil rights, education, engineering, immigration, medicine, military topics, sports and more. Application forms and submission guidelines can b e f o u n d a t thc.texas.gov/undertold.

Dedicated to Educating Children “Teaching Texas History Today” During the recent meeting of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Judge Nathaniel Hart Davis Chapter, held at the historic Heritage See Educate, page 2


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