WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXVIII NUMBER 48 Section 1 8 pages
November 29, 2023 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Deaven Futral
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Montgomery, Texas 77356
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Texas Golden Needles Quilters Weekly Celebrate Veterans Gas Prices J r. Mb yC NR ucboennt r iBbou rt ijnags
Average gasoline prices in Texas have fallen 10.9 cents per gallon in the last week, a v e r a g i n g $ 2 . 6 6 / g t o d a y, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 30.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 16.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 5.2 cents in the last week and stands at $4.23 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.28/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.29/g, a difference of $2.01/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.28/g while the highest was $4.29/g, a difference of $2.01/g. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 5.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.21/g today. The national average is down 26.0 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 30.3 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: November 27, 2022: $2.83/g (U.S. Average: $3.52/g) November 27, 2021: $2.94/g (U.S. Average: $3.39/g) November 27, 2020: $1.80/g (U.S. Average: $2.12/g) November 27, 2019: $2.24/g (U.S. Average: $2.60/g) November 27, 2018: $2.22/g (U.S. Average: $2.52/g) November 27, 2017: $2.26/g (U.S. Average: $2.50/g) November 27, 2016: $1.89/g (U.S. Average: $2.12/g) November 27, 2015: $1.82/g (U.S. Average: $2.04/g) November 27, 2014: $2.56/g (U.S. Average: $2.79/g) November 27, 2013: $3.14/g (U.S. Average: $3.28/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $2.76/g, down 5.2 cents per gallon from last week's $2.81/g. San Antonio- $2.54/g, down 23.1 cents per gallon from last week's $2.77/g. Austin- $2.59/g, down 21.4 cents per gallon from last week's $2.81/g. "With the national average price of gasoline declining for the 10th straight week, motorists are enjoying the longest downward trend at the pump since the summer of 2022. The timing couldn't be better as Americans head into the holidays, leaving them with more in their wallets at a time of year many start to spend on gifts for loved ones," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "In addition, gasoline demand continues to be dragged lower as Americans stay inside more often, helping to put continued downward pressure on gasoline prices. However, we're carefully monitoring OPEC's delayed meeting, set to occur this week, for potential surprises that could eventually mean an end to lower gas prices should they make any surprise oil production cuts." SOURCE GasBuddy
writer Not all celebrations of Ve t e r a n s h a p p e n o n Veterans Day, but one s p e c i a l o rg a n i z a t i o n honors Veterans during Veterans Week, which can range from November 816, depending on if the big day falls on a weekend or not. The non-profit ‘Golden Needles Quilt Guild’ held their Veterans event on November 15th, prior to their meeting at the Willis Community Center. Seven Veterans of all branches were honored ranging in age from their late 80s to their mid-30s, with duty locations encompassing the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm-Iraq/Kuwait, Germany, Alaska and Greenland, and Iraq. “We ask that you take care of these quilts with love,” said Beverly Walling-Wood, Golden Needles Quilt Guild President, in her opening statement to the Veterans. “And we implore you to use these quilts. Our guild gives these quilts to you because we feel you need a nice warm hug each day.” Retired Command Master Chief, Patricia Roebuck, a 30 year Veteran of the U.S. Navy, was a special guest speaker, and master of ceremonies (who refused the use of the microphone with her resounding voice), in inviting the nominated Veterans to the
Veteran told their story of their Cold War and/or C o m b a t Z o n e experiences, which humbled the assembled audience. It brought a sense of appreciation to guild members that their Mission Statement ‘To Serve the Community’ is a worthy objective, and Veterans are but a small, but important part of their noble quest each year. “ We h a v e a l r e a d y begun quilts towards next y e a r ’s Ve t e r a n s celebration,” said Golden Needles Quilt Guild member, Margie Hall, “It’s a constant beehive
activity with our guild.” The goal of the Golden Needles is to get quilts to people in need. They work with Child Protective Services to wrap Montgomery County children in quilts as a way of brightening their lives, and to show that someone cares enough to give them such a precious gift which serves as a nightly hug. They also work with the Montgomery County Wo m e n ’s C e n t e r, i n getting quilts to victims of domestic violence and See Quilt, page 3
John Lehr is Honored as he Celebrates his 100th Birthday
Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721 Chapter, of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, President Jenny Lehr, along with her Sons of Confederate Veterans husband Jeff Lehr, celebrated the100th birthday of Jeff's Grandfather Veteran: John Lehr on November 21, 2023. John served in WWII and the Korean war. Three generations of retired military members of the Lehr family were there to celebrate with him. His son Dennis L e h r - U S A F, h i s Granddaughter Marie Community............2, 3, 4, 8 Lehr McMillan - Army, Commentary...............2, 3, 4, 5 and Grandson Forrest Lehr - Navy. There were Church Directory..............5 other numerous family Legals.............................6, 7 a n d f r i e n d s t h e r e t o
Index
Vietnam Veteran Richard Styla with his quilt he received from the Golden Needles Quilt Guild during their Celebration of Veterans ceremony on November 15th
podium. “With Veterans, it's not ’I only did 4 years, or I only did one tour’,“ said Roebuck. “Because that’s a lot more than 99% of the people out there.“ The air was thick with emotion as each Veteran told their stories and received their chosen quilts, which guild members studiously worked on during the year. One Vietnam Veteran was brought to tears, having finally received his “Welcome Home,” after his harrowing tours of duty over 50 years ago. Each
celebrate John and all of his accomplishments. He was overheard saying that his goal now is to make it to 103!! -THE REBEL JOAN OF ARC CHAPTER SALUTES VETERAN JOHN LEHR, AND ALL THE LEHR FAMILY FOR THEIR SERVICE AND CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OUR NATION! Submitted by RJOA Chairman of Publiuc Relations: Elaine C o l l i n g s , ehcollings@gmail.com and Jenny Lehr: TX Div Chairman of Public Relations. MAY GOD BLESS Seated Left to Right: Jeff Lehr, Veteran John Lehr celebrating his 100th Birthday. Standing Left to T H I S FA M I LY, A N D Right: Jenny Lehr, and Taylor Lehr. VETERAN JOHN LEHR.
Business Directory.............8
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BE MORE LIKE RUDOLPH By Cheryl Conley, Lake Creek Nature Preserve Board of Directors When Santa needs help guiding his sleigh, who does he turn to? Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, of course. How else would he get gifts to all the boys and girls all over the world? Without a doubt, Rudolph is the most famous reindeer of all but other than his nose, what do we really know about him? Rudolph was “born” in 1939. Robert May, a copywriter for Montgomery Ward, was asked to write a Christmas story in the form of a booklet to be given away to customers. Often taunted as a child himself, he decided to write about a reindeer ostracized by the other reindeer for a physical deformity, a glowing red nose. May struggled for a name for the reindeer and considered Rollo and Reginald before deciding on Rudolph. As he developed the story, he tested it out on his 4-yearold daughter. His boss, however, wasn't nearly as excited about the story as his daughter. Afterall, aren't red noses associated with people who drink a l o t ? T h a t w a s unacceptable. May stuck to his guns and to prove that a reindeer with a red nose would make a great story, he took his friend from the Montgomery Ward's art department, Denver Gillen, to the Lincoln Park Zoo to sketch some reindeer with red noses. May's boss finally approved the idea. That year, 2.4 million copies of the Rudolph booklet were distributed. By the end of 1946, that number increased to 6 million and would have been much higher had there not been a paper shortage due to the war. May's wife died from a terminal illness about the time he created Rudolph and he was deeply in debt with medical expenses. Even though May created Rudolph, he was an employee of Montgomery Ward and they held the copyright to Rudolph. May didn't make a penny on his creation. In January of 1947, May convinced S e w e l l Av e r y, t h e corporate president, to turn the copyright over to him and his financial security was no longer an issue. The Rudolph booklet was reprinted in 1947 and in 1948 it was shown in theaters as a 9-minute cartoon. It really took off when May's brother-inlaw, songwriter Johnny Marks, turned the Rudolph story into a song. Many in the music industry weren't interested in the song. In 1949 it was recorded by
See Rudolph, page 2