TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION 2012 AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER
Volume 120 - Number 46 November 14, 2012 Published Since 1893
Hometown Newspaper of Shirley Anderson
www.meridiantribune.com Email: news@meridiantribune.com
Making bacon in Gap bash First-ever Bacon Bash cookoff held at Horny Toad Bar & Grill By Simone Wichers-Voss Meridian Tribune
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Kent Wenzel working magic shakin’ the bacon.
CRANFILLS GAP - With “Bacon, it’s the main reason you’re not a vegetarian,” Cranfills Gap was the venue for the first Bosque County Bacon Bash last Saturday. Sixteen aspiring bacon top hogs cooked up bacony goodness in Pederson’s Natural Farms event, with sponsors Lone Star Brewery and Wenzel Lonestar Meat Company. The Gap’s own Horny Toad Bar and Grill provided the
venue. Top prize for the winning bacon-rich dish was $800. But best of all, the winning team’s photo, mini-bio, and winning recipe will be featured on 25,000 Pederson’s Natural Farms famous Uncured Apple Smoked Bacon packages distributed nationwide. That honor went to John Pierce and Lauren Tagliebue from Backdoor Catering out of Victoria with their Sweet & Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Diablo, a bacon-wrapped chicken Diablo on jalapeno cream-style corn accented with cilantro
sauce. Their presentation was sophisticatedly styled and very metropolitan, complete with a bamboo skewer. “Remember, it’s all about the bacon,” Judging Coordinator Kristy Kuykendall said to the judges before the judging commenced, so the taste must have been as good as the appearance. The only rule there for the cookers was that
see BASH, page 16
Be Strong, Aim High
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Bosque County election results displayed at courthouse.
Republicans sweep county Cruz, Williams head to D.C.; Day, Leach grab BC commissioners’ seats By Brett Voss Meridian Tribune
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
William Green demonstrates his strength by lifting Ashley Hooks, Lauren Tweedle during the Champions for Today.
Former NFL player Green motivates students to make right choices By Simone Wichers-Voss Meridian Tribune
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
William Green signs autographs after event.
Sporting his old Cleveland Browns jersey, Willam Green, shared his life experiences and motivated Meridian High School students on Nov. 7, to dream big, make good choices in their lives and to correct mistakes they might make along the way. Green is part of the Champions for Today prevention and intervention program from Bill Glass Ministries. The program uses former National
Football League players as motivational to cover topics like drug and alcohol abuse, relationships, depression, bullying and peer pressure and the importance of education. The program hopes to achieve that students make life-changing commitments toward academic excellence, renewed focus on positive goals and turning away from destructive behaviors. With slogans like “You don’t have
see CHAMPIONS, page 4
Republicans ruled in Bosque County and across the state of Texas during the 2012 General Election Nov. 6. But unfortunately for Mitt Romney, the trend did not extend nationwide. With unprecedented numbers turning out for early voting, Bosque County voters were eager to make their voices heard. And when the final ballots were counted on election night at the Bosque County Courthouse, the decision stood clear and decisive. While Republican challenger Mitt Romney fell short in his quest to deny incumbent President Barack Obama a second term, Republicans swept into office on the state and county levels. While the presidential race captured the national spot-
Man in white hat
In our minds, black cowboy hats remind us of the bad guy linked to sin and crime, while the man in the white hat represents everything we want to be with grace and virtue. Even in early TV Westerns and cowboy movies, the symbolism of white hats stood tall - clear and simple. Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Lone Ranger—these cinematic heroes wore white hats, and bad guys wore black. Tom Bratcher always stood out as
the man in a white cowboy hat. And as such while being an elected official in Bosque County for much of his life, Bratcher, 70, was honored on his passing with a special-flag lowering ceremony last Wednesday on the Courthouse Square. Representative Rob Orr solemnly lowered the Texas flag, and Bosque County Judge Cole Word lowered the United States flag, as a small group of family, friends and co-workers paid tribute to their son, their brother, their husband, the scholar, the Bosque
see BRATCHER, page 13
see ELECTIONS, page 9
HOT emergency system re-launch
Bratcher honored in courthouse ceremony By Brett Voss & Simone Wichers-Voss Meridian Tribune
light, several state and local elections grabbed the attention of Texas and Bosque County voters alike, drawing voters to the polls in record numbers. In fact, almost 36 percent of the total votes cast were done by early voting. “There was very much more early voting than usual,” Bosque County Clerk Betty Outlaw said. “We expected more, but nothing like this. We can only assume the na-
Local Report Meridian Tribune
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
State Rep. Rob Orr offers his support to Nancy Bratcher on her husband’s recent passing.
The Heart of Texas Council of Governments along with Bosque County Emergency Management announces the implementation and deployment of a new reverse emergency telephone notification system, called the Heart of Texas Emergency Notification System (HOTENS). The system currently uses landline phones from the regional 911 data-base. The HOTENS allows citizens to register their cell phones to receive the information wherever
see EMERGENCY, page 13
Community Meridian Tribune
Meridian Tribune
Community Calendar To submit non-profit events to the Meridian Community Calendar Email: news@meridiantribune.com SUBJECT: Community Calendar Request
NOVEMBER 14 •School Pantry Express program offered by the Tarrant Area Food Bank – fresh produce and breads for participating families, Meridian Elementary School, Yellowjacket Drive, 3-5 PM. For more information call Jill Hanson at 254-4352731. 15 •Bosque County Genealogical Society-Field Trip to Somervell County Heritage Center in Glen Rose, 1 PM. For more information, call Renda Carter, 254-694-8016 or email renda.carter@ rocketmail.com, or Abby Birdwell apb208@gmail. com. •Annual Library Meeting, refreshments provided, public is invited, Meridian Public Library, 118 N. Main Street, 5:15 PM. • Kopperl ISD School Board, School Cafeteria, 7 PM • Walnut Springs ISD School Board, School Library, 184 Avenue A, 7:30 PM, 254-797-2132 16 •Central Texas Food for Families food drive, North Bosque Helping Hands Food Pantry, 415 S. Hill Street, Meridian. 6AM-8PM.Please donate non-perishable food products. 17 • Film Tall in the Saddle, not rated, rated PG, Meridian Public Library, 118 N. Main Street, 1112;30 AM 19 • Meridian City Council, Meridian fire station, 110 Bateman Street. 6 PM • Meridian ISD board meeting, Admin. Building, 204 2nd Street Board Room, 6:30 PM. 254-435-2081 20 – 26 •Bosque County Recycle Center closed. 500 N Hwy 174, Meridian, tel. 254-435-2940 20 • Meridian Economic Development Corp., Fire Hall, 110 Bateman Street, noon. 254-3394046 • Bosque County Republican Club, memorial for Dr. Tom Bratcher, County Republican Chairman, Clifton Civic Center, 6:30 PM. Reservations are required. Call Ricky at 254675-6753. • Iredell ISD board meeting, School Library, 501 McLain St , 7:30 PM. 254-364-2411
22 • Morgan ISD School Board, 1306 Charles Street, Morgan, 6:30 PM. 254-635-2311 24 •Market on the Square, Bosque County Courthouse, 201 Main, 9 AM – 2 PM. 254-4352966 •German Sausage and Sauerkraut supper, Zion United Church of Christ, Womack. 245-675-3599. 26 • Bosque County Commissioner’s Court , Bosque County Courthouse, 201 Main, 9 AM. 254-435-2382 27 • Meridian Public Library board meeting, Library, 118 N. Main Street, 5:15 PM. 28 • Pick-up date lowcost spay/neuter clinic, Trading Post, HWY 174 between Blum and Kopperl. 4-6PM. For cat appointments call Wanda at 817-202-3772 or Jeri at 817-266-8793. For dog appointments call KCAAP at 972-4723500. 30 • Film The Little Polar Bear, rated G, Meridian Public Library, 118 N. Main Street, 4-5:20 PM. • Cork and Fork, Red Caboose Winery, bring your own food, County Road 1110, 5 miles outside of Meridian. Music starts at 7pm. For info 435-9911 DECEMBER 1 • Lutefisk fundraiser dinner, Cranfills Gap ISD cafeteria, Cranfills Gap. Seating times are 4, 4:45, 5:30, and 6:15 p.m. For more information, contact Ruth Taylor 254-597-2505. 3 • Masonic Lodge meal and meeting, 103 N. Erath Street, meal 6:30 PM, meeting 7 PM. 254-4352891 4 and 18 •Meridian Lion’s Club, Meridian Manor conference room, 1110 N. Main Street, noon. 254-339-4046 6, 13, 20 and 27 • Bosque County Rotary Club, VFW, 215 North Avenue D, Clifton, 12 PM 6 • Ministerial Alliance Meeting, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Main Street, Meridian. 8 PM. For info: Richerd Creech 254-5826354. 8 • Christmas on the Bosque Parade, Lights in the Park, Santa, Downtown Meridian and River Streer Park, 4-8 PM.
SUDOKU
November 14, 2012 • Page 2
Website: www.meridiantribune.com Email: news@meridiantribune.com M-F 9am-5pm ~ Ofc. 254-435-6333
On their pilgrimage MHS seniors make annual trek to Medieval Times By Simone Wichers-Voss Meridian Tribune
DALLAS - In preparation to studying Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales in their British Literature class, Meridian High School seniors went on a field trip to Medieval Times. Last Thursday, 36 MHS seniors transformed into Lords and Ladies, traveling to the Spanish Santiago de Compostela and the Kingdom of Navarra at the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, to be wowed and amazed by a falconer’s demonstration, horse dressage, knights competing at medieval sports including jousting. For some, the medieval meal – to be eaten without any cutlery - , served by wenches and squires in costume was already worth the trip. For others, it was the showmanship of the knight’s stunts. And then there were those who just enjoyed one of the last group activities they would be sharing with classmates they have known since first grade. “This is your chance to be silly again, like in first grade,” Senior English teacher Brett Voss said on the bus on the way to Dallas. “And if you’re not whoopin’ and hollerin’ and being silly, you’re missing it. And fun they had, cheering on their knights on the battle field, outdoing all other visitors with their enthusiastic whoops and shouts. In the end, Santiago’s black and white knight prevailed, much to their delight. In the four years that Voss has taken the seniors on this field trip along with fellow chaperones Randy Lee and Gay Allen, it was the second straight time MHS’s knight won. But this year marked the first time that the entire senior class signed up for the trip. The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written in Middle English at the end of the fourteenth century. MHS seniors study this work during senior English class. The tales are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of people on a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a long journey, often undertaken as a quest or for a votive purpose, usually a visit to a religious site. Chaucer’s group is travelling together on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The “nation” the students were designated to at the Medieval Times event center - Santiago de Compostela - was in its way symbolic. Since the ninth century to this day, pilgrims undertake foot-journeys taking them through southern France and northern Spain converging on the shrine of Saint James the Great in Santiago de Compostela. Like Chaucer’s pilgrims, each senior is on a pilgrimage; a quest to achieve their goals and dreams in life. Their paths will be much influenced by the choices they make and the people they meet after graduating from high school this year. “Because his tale is interlaced with several of the characters, my favorite in the Canterbury Tales is the Knight,” Voss explained. As a teacher and coach, Voss influenced each individual to some extent, entwining the students’ lives with the stories they studied in their pilgrimage to graduation.
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Kelby Lewis and Jacob Smith getting into the Medieval mood before the hands-only meal at Medieval Times last Thursday (top), Jessica Ramsey receives the knight’s honorary banner prior to the jousting tournament (middle), MHS seniors prepare to exit the bus for their adventure at Medieval Times.
online at www.meridiantribune.com
November 14, 2012 • Page 3
Meridian Tribune
community
Saluting a special soldier
Armed Forces award-winning broadcaster Galindo back home By Simone Wichers-Voss Meridian Tribune
Picture a female broadcast news anchor on location, presenting different news items in a show. Now, picture that news anchor in fatigues, helmet and bullet-proof jacket, in front of a palm tree in the war-torn Middle East. Even with that visual, it’s still hard to even imagine what Walnut Springs resident and Iraq veteran Laurell Galindo did during her eight years in the military. Galindo graduated from Meridian High School in 2003, but after a few months of studying psychology at Texas Lutheran College, an army recruiter called. “It was post 9/11, and I wanted to do my bit” Galindo said. “I was also interested in journalism. So, I gave them a condition. If they could get me an audition with the military broadcast program, I would enlist. “And I wanted to move forward as soon as possible, before I could change my mind.” First and foremost, Galindo had to get through boot camp at Fort Mead in Maryland. Being an athlete – she participated in cross country, track and tennis at school – Galindo had no problem with the physical aspects of boot camp. But the emotional “breaking down to build you up,” was difficult. “Yes, they [the drill sergeants] are as mean as they’re made out to be,” Galindo said. “I kept saying to myself – I can’t cry. I decided to suck it up and be the best soldier possible. I knew it was important to learn to trust the other soldiers in your platoon. You have to depend on them.” After surviving boot camp, a very intense period followed. Galindo studied journalism in Military Occupational Specialty Training, earning herself the title SPC – or “special.” “They basically cram a fouryear college degree into four months,” Galindo explained. “Classes were from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., but I was getting up at 4:30 as I had been recruited to run in the base’s marathon team.” Initially, Galindo was enlisted as a reservist. But in Feb. 2005, she got her first assignment to Japan as an American Forces Network Field Correspondent. Eight more missions across the world followed. Her longest deployment was in Iraq, where she was part of a 27-person electronic news gathering team of the American Forces Network called Iraq Freedom Journal. She mostly did television broadcasts, but was also part of the radio broadcast and special projects teams. “I am naturally competitive,” Galindo said. “I want to be the best and I won journalism awards during my time in the military.” Personally, she received the
Meridian Tribune
What’s Going On BC Republican Club honors Bratcher
At the next Bosque County Republican Club meeting the members will celebrate Dr. Thomas L. Bratcher’s life and political accomplishments. The BCRC Chairman Bratcher passed away November 3. On Nov. 9, the Bosque County Republican Party Executive Committee elected Janet Jackson as County Chairman in his place. Other items on the agenda are: Election and installation of new club officers and recognition of the newly elected Republican officials. The BCRC meeting is Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Clifton Civic Center, on 403 W 3rd Street in Clifton. Event – Special memorial recognition of Dr. Thomas L. Bratcher There is a port roast dinner available, catered by Wiethorns Dinner. Please contact Ricky Richards at 254-6756753 or rickyrichards@centurylink.net for reservations.
Annual Food for Families donation drive Nov. 16
File Photos
Spec. Laurell Galindo anchoring the American Forces Network News Program called “Freedom Journal Iraq”(top), As a civilian, Galindo works as office manager at the Agrilife Extension Office in Meridian (left), Galindo escorting and documenting former vice president Dick Cheney’s visit to Iraq.
Brumsfield Excellence in Journalism – 2005 Rising Star award, and the AFN Electronic News Team received first and second place in the 2005 Keith L. Ware Awards Competition for our Freedom Journal Iraq Newscast. “My unit called me ‘Kick-ass Barbie,’” Galindo said. “Sometimes, I would come back to base after days of not showering and wearing the same fatigues. I would shower, put on clean fatigues and wear my high heels. “During this time, I traveled to Istanbul, Turkey. There, I escorted and produced stories on five Iraqi children who received optical surgeries,” Galindo recounts of her special projects work. “The surgeries were necessary due to collateral damage injuries the children sustained. We traveled in a C-130, one of the first flights through the nofly zone.” While some missions put her in harms way, others put her among the country’s elite. In her time as AFN broadcaster, Galindo also interviewed and filmed many congressional delegates and high ranking officials. “Another project was escorting and documenting VicePresident Dick Cheney during a top-secret visit to Iraq.” During his visit under heavy security to Iraq, Cheney addressed the parliamentary elections, termed a major step toward withdrawing U.S. troops. She did a series on women
in the service and the different jobs they did, from helicopter pilot to mechanic. The common denominator Galindo found was that the women were all proud to serve and that through the military they got the opportunity to do jobs they would otherwise not be considered for. The unit’s news footage was also sent to the Pentagon, where the images were used to verify intelligence reports. But, with the spur-of-themoment mission orders and the length of time spent away from home, Galindo’s military missions was not compatible with family life and raising two young children. After definitely retiring from the military in March 2012, Galindo returned home to Walnut Springs, to the joy of her parents. “I do miss my time in the military and the work I did,” Galindo said. “I very much still see myself as a soldier, but being a mom and a soldier did not mix for me.” Not only did she document the rebuilding of Iraq, and transfers of authority, she also witnessed injury and suffering from soldiers and civilians. Sometimes she and her crew were in dangerous situations themselves. “On a mission, my camera was always rolling,” Gallindo said. “I documented everything; caught a lot of fighting, foot patrols.” Some images stuck; some smells and sounds were diffi-
cult to forget. And her anxiety grew. In spite of post-deployment training and stress testing, Galindo experienced what is named posttraumatic stress disorder. Like many returning veterans, Galindo struggled to get back into civilian life without the structure, mission and camaraderie of the military unit. She also struggled with less pleasant memories of her missions, dealing with anxiety and restlessness. “When you’re a soldier, you have to go on,” Galindo explained. “Everybody is going through the same experience. It is in civilian life when you have to deal with what you saw and experienced. And that’s when the anxiety starts.” “I am proud of my service,” Galindo said, explaining she does not regret one moment of the service to her country. “You are a product of your circumstances, and this person that I am is very fortunate. I had a great time. And my heart belongs to Uncle Sam. “My unit in Grand Prairie calls me often trying to get me to return, and I have an open door to return to the military. But somewhere down the line I would like to work with the Veterans Administration.” Presently, Galindo is on another special assignment, being a mother to her two children, and serving as the face and office manager of the Agrilife Extension Office in Meridian. Not so hard to imagine.
The 2012 Food For Families food drive will be held on Nov. 16 and the North Bosque Helping Hands food pantry on 415 S. Hill Street will be open for donations from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Citizens and organizations are urged to donate non- perishable food products people need most, like: canned meats and vegetables, cereals, baby food, peanut butter, dry beans and rice, flour and corn meal, sugar, pasta/sauces. The Junior High National Honor Society is organizing a big campaign at the school, complete with a boys versus girls competition on who collects the most. Food For Families is a coalition of food pantries across Central Texas who have banded together to collect nonperishable food in a one-day coordinated drive on the Friday before Thanksgiving, in aid of those less fortunate citizens, who struggle to get sufficient food on the table for their families.
50th Annual Sausage Supper tickets on sale
The community is invited to attend the 50th annual Zion United Church Sausage Supper on Nov. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. Committee members for the event, including chairmen Joe and Trish Coy, Jay Thiele, Carla Quinters, and Joe and Mary Sue Crawson, along with the rest of the congregation, have begun preparing for the annual feast. The meal includes homemade German sausage, sauerkraut, potato salad, beans, homemade bread, jellies, and butter. There will also be a wide variety of homemade cakes and pies to top it off. The annual event actually begins when members of the congregation, from the youngest to the most senior, will turnout on Wednesday, Nov. 21, to make the homemade German sausage that the event is known for. The sausage is then smoked until Saturday, before it is put on the grill at the church for the supper that evening. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 per person from church members, at Clifton Feed and Service Center, and at Trish Coy’s office at 815 West 5th. To-go plates are available, as will be dining in the fellowship hall. Quantities are limited. Raw sausage to go will also be available for $5 per pound, from 4 to 5 p.m., with a limit of two pounds per person. “Please come and join us for this blessed event,” said Pastor Michael Vaughn.
Social Security hours change Social Security offices will be open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, beginning Jan. 2, 2013, offices will close to the public at noon every Wednesday. While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face interviews and process claims work without incurring the cost of overtime. Most Social Security services do not require a visit to a local office. Many services, including applying for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits, signing up for direct deposit, replacing a Medicare card, obtaining a proof of income letter or informing us of a change of address or telephone number are conveniently available at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing our toll-free number, 1-800772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
November 14, 2012 • Page 4
online at www.meridiantribune.com
Meridian Tribune
Then & Now
community
Pest control, re-united, accidents & county infrastructure issues
At the end of 1962, the ongoing screw worm eradication program underwent two important changes. The area included in the program was extended to include 10,000 square miles in West Texas and the amount of sterile male flies per region was reassessed, depending on the screw worm reports from the different areas. Meridian’s senator-elect J.P. Word visited the screw worm eradication center near Mission, Tx, Nov. 10, 1962. A picture in the Meridian Tribune 1962, featured Word with C.G. Scruggs of the plant. Louis Popst of Meridian reunited with his sister Alzada Meyer after 50 years. “I saw the family resemblance as soon as he came through the door,” Alzada said. The children were separated when Alzada was one year old. Louis ran from home
File Photos
Sterile screw worm males were released from small aircraft over the target area (left); A motorcade leads the first cars along Interstate Highway 35 in Austin, 1962.
when he was 11, and ended up in San Francisco, where he sold newspapers and did odd jobs, putting himself through elementary and high school. In 1954, Louis bought a ranch near Meridian where he raised Angus cattle and Angora goats. He and his wife and three children lived there. Patrolman Wright investigated 6 rural traffic crashes in Bosque County in October 1962. The crashes amounted to $2,070 in property damag-
es. There were no deaths or injuries. For the first 10 months in 1962 Bosque County reported 104 rural traffic crashes with 3 deaths and 50 injured, with property damages amounting to $56,667. H.R. Routt, owner of the Mountain Top Ranch, Meridian, was killed instantly when he was broadsided by an approaching car, driving out of his driveway into the street, Highway 144. Mrs. Dagley, the driver of
that car, with her two children were carried to the Meridian Clinic - by Mrs. Louis Pobst , where they got first aid treatment. They were treated for cuts and bruises. Mrs. Dagley also had a fractured rib. Later that day Mrs. Dagley and one of the children were transported to the Clifton hospital for further treatment. J.B. and James David Word of Iredell were involved in a truck-car collision on the Hwy 144-67 intersection, just
east of Glen Rose. They were uninjured, but two women were killed. The bridge over the Brazos River at Brazos Point collapsed Nov. 23, 1962. No one was on the structure when it collapsed. A large picture of the destroyed bridge was featured on the front page of the Meridian Tribune. The bridge, built in 1914, saw some heavy traffic. County Judge J.P. Word and Commissioner Marshall Damron
went to visit the site. The Texas Highway Commission approved a $22,400 budget to improve the condition and safety of 10 miles of Highway 6 – mostly leveling and applying a seal coat. A $ 80,180 contract for construction – grading, structures, base and surfacing – on FM 2704 was awarded to a Belton firm, F.M. Sanderford. Resident engineer T.H. Ralph of Clifton was to oversee the project.
champions From page 1
Sarah Deborde / Meridian Tribune
MES fifth graders Hayden Hewitt, Lacey Brown, Dakota Cassidy, Libby Stauffer, Dylan Felan, Andi Barnett and Reese Errington at their voting booth Nov. 6.
MES hosts mock election By Simone Wichers-Voss Meridian Tribune
Like at the Meridian High School, the Meridian Elementary School fifth-graders used the recent general elections to lean about government and the election process. The fifth graders hosted a mock election on Nov. 6. Following the Texas trend, Gov. Mitt Romney received 186 votes versus Pres. Barack Obama’s 95 votes. Prior to the election the students made election posters. We had an election party afterwards with red, white and blue party foods.
All classes going to their Physical Education class, stopped by the voting booths to cast their vote for the president. In order to receive a ballot, students received a “voter registration card” will had to be filled out at the voting booths. The campaign organizers also distributed “I Voted” stickers, just like voters at the Bosque County voting stations. After the votes were counted, the fifthgraders enjoyed a red, white, and blue celebration. “Our Election party was decorated with a patriotic theme and had red white and blue treats for the kids to enjoy after their hard work on an important day in our nation’s history,” class teacher Sarah DeBorde said.
to be a world-class athlete, just a world-class person to succeed in life,””Readers really do become leaders,” “Build your relationships on the front seat of respect, not the back seat of disgrace,””Listen to the right voices, so you can make the right choices,””We’re all born choosers, not losers or winners,” the program hopes to leave a lasting impression on the audience. “We got lucky,” MHS principal Larry Mynarcik said. “Champions for Today called us, stating they were in the area and asked whether we would be interested in the presentation.” During a three-day tour Green visited over 25 Central Texas’ schools with his inspirational speeches. “No-one said life was easy or fair,” Green said.“But if you have enough faith and work hard enough to reach your goals, it’ll be okay.” Part of his routine is a display of physical strength, symbolic for facing adversity and overcoming difficulties in live: Green lifts students with a metal bar, which he then bends into a U-shape. “Losers are always looking at what they are going through,” Green said, illustrating that with looking down and drawing a small circle with his arm. “Winners are always looking where they are going,” Green said, pointing and looking up. “They have vision. Make sure you have a vision.” Green used volunteers from the student body to portray the different size dreams one can have in life, from small to super-size. He demonstrated his strength by doing push-ups with these “dreams” on his back. And “Big Dream” Jordan Felan posed no problem for the “pound for pound strongest” Cleve-
land Brown. Appealing to the young students was Green’s use of R&B music and lots of humor in his presentation. Green was born in Atlantic City, NJ in 1979. His parents died within a year of each other when he was in Junior High school, which led to depression much later in his life. During his depression, Green admitted to making some bad choices. But redirected, and corrected his path, making himself a prime example of the lessons he preached. “Life is like a football game,” Green said. “Never forget there is a second half in which you can turn things around and get on the right track.” Green attended Boston College, where he received All-American honors after which he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2002. “Success can only be earned, it can never be given,” Green said. “And education is important to success. NFL means ‘not for long,’ so I am grateful for the education I received. This is why my Boston College Championship jersey is the most important jersey to me.” Initiator of the Champions for Today program, Bill Glass, was an All-American football player at Baylor University and Cleveland Browns player. He retired in 1969 after 22 years in amateur and professional football without missing a work out or game. On retirement he devoted his time to different ministries. “I am a Champion. I believe I can achieve.” Green said at the end of his presentation, inviting the students to chant with him.“Aim high in your education and your relationships.”
Perspectives Meridian Tribune
November 14, 2012 • Page 5
Meridian Tribune
Avoid these sayings like the plague
Red, White & True Mysteries Paul Niemann neimann7@aol.com
I’ve always been intrigued by clichés: what they mean, how they originate, and whether or not they are true. Below are several that you’ve probably heard before, and the explanations that follow make them sound pretty credible. Most of these stories, though, go all the way back to Europe in the 1500’s, so their accuracy and origins are hard to verify. For example, when a family would take its annual bath, the man of the house went first, followed by the women, and then the children. The babies went last, which means that the water they bathed in was pretty dirty. Sometimes it was so dirty that you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.” It gets better. Houses had thatched roofs with thick straw piled high, and there was no wood underneath. The roof was the only place for animals to get warm and to stay warm, so the cats and other small animals lived in the roof. The rain made the roof slippery, and the animals would sometimes slip out and fall from the roof. This is supposedly where the saying “It’s raining cats and dogs” comes from. (I know it’s hard to believe, but the saying had to come from some-
Editorial Policy
where.) Unless you were wealthy, you probably had a dirt floor. This is where the saying, “dirt poor” comes from. On the other hand, the floors of the wealthy were made of slate. The wet slate would get slippery in the winter, so they spread straw – known as thresh – on the floor to keep from slipping. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh. When you opened the door, it would spill outside, so a piece of wood was placed in the entryway. This was known as the “thresh hold.” (I know these are hard to believe, but at least there are no more “raining cats and dogs” stories.) Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would occasionally knock a drunk out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait to see if they would wake up. This is where the custom of holding a “wake” originates. When local folks in England started running out of places to bury
see NIEMANN, page 13
Texas Tales Mike Cox mikecoxtex@austin.rr.com
The secret of a former slave’s longevity
Interviewing the supposedly 111-year-old former slave on the porch of the man’s grandson’s house in Eagle Pass, the much younger reporter in so many words asked a classic cliché question: To what do you attribute your ripe old age? Born in the Deep South and a Texan since before the Civil War, Tom Sullivan looked at the journalist and gave an answer as stereotypical as the question: Moderation in eating and drinking. Finally, the old man with snow white hair departed a bit from the norm when he admitted that moderation did not exclude the occasional consumption of distilled spirits, though it did help to stick with “good whiskey” in addition to “taking care of myself.” By that, he said he meant never consuming so much good whiskey as to get in trouble. “I wish I had a drink of good whiskey right now to celebrate my birthday,” he said as the journalist scribbled away on his note pad. In truth, Sullivan had found another secret to longevity he never publically admitted: Faking your date of birth. While Sullivan claimed to have been born on April 10, 1824 in Logan County, KY, he was actually at least 20 years younger. But no one ever challenged his claim until Austin researcher Sloan Rodgers ran across Sullivan’s story while digging into the life of former Texas Ranger Big Foot Wallace. Pouring over online census records, Rodgers found that Sullivan had not begun claiming his 1824 birth date until after 1920. Further, he was born in Mississippi, not the Blue Grass state. Why he chose to posture as a really old man when already a fairly old man can only be guessed at today. Maybe he liked the attention. Maybe he figured in might entitle him to some form of government assistance. Whatever the reason, judging from a couple of surviving newspaper interviews, Sullivan had an interesting life. Of course, if a fellow will lie about his birthday… Sullivan claimed his mother had been one of George Washington’s slaves. Eventually freed by the first president, Sullivan’s mother married a man named Sullivan and had several children. Though free, her children ended up being pressed back into slavery, literally “sold down the river” from Kentucky to Mississippi. In 1848 or 1849, as Sullivan told his story, he and several other slaves arrived in Galveston with William Redus, who along with his two brothers had purchased land in Medina County. Though slaves were not supposed to go around armed, Redus provided Sullivan with a pistol and shotgun. That raised eyebrows. “Sure, I armed him,” Sullivan said his master told others. “Do you think I want some damned Indian to kill him?” Working on a 20,000-acre ranch near Hondo, west of San Antonio, Sullivan said that on several occasions he joined settlers in the pur-
see COX, page 13
Dear Editor, Finally, the election is behind us. And as usual, no blood has been shed. And although my man has lost, he gave a concession speech that was humble and contrite.
A Community Vantage Point Willis Webb
wwebb@wildblue.net
Casual attire is good, but icons stick in my mind
Men’s wear has evolved to mostly casual dress these days and that’s okay with me. However, don’t ask me to name any well-dressed “casual guys” because most dressers who stand out in my vision choose other than my own favored “jeans and a button-down shirt” look. In addition to retirement allowing a more relaxed approach to my sartorial image, there has been a strong trend in at least the last 10-15 years toward casual dress at the office in most professions. Many businesses today allow the casual look, which means less necktie wear for men as well as being able to shuck a suit or sport coat. Today, in Texas community newspapers you will see all manner of clothing styles. Gone are the days of visors and elastic arm bands for long-sleeved dress shirts (arm bands were necessary in the first three or four decades of the 20th Century because shirts only came in one sleeve length, ordinarily too long for a majority of men). A great deal of that diversity of dress depends on what roles a community editor-publisher may play. Generally, it tends to favor a relaxed but still professional look, particularly if the publisher is involved in the news gathering and/or advertising sales segments of the newspaper. However, if the editor-publisher is heavily involved in the production process, you may see older, rumpled clothes stained with printer’s ink. I can’t come close to knowing
how many of my shirts and trousers and, yes, even occasionally shoes, have been ruined by the ink many say flows through our veins instead of the blood of ordinary mortals. Some of the young Turks in my field, go to the office in shorts and polo shirts. My mid-life fashion trends still tended to coats and ties in the 1970s-1980s. After all, our peers told us, even smalltown editor-publisher types needed to look “professional,” whatever that means and entails. And, in those days I tried to emulate those I saw who stood out and made a fashion statement for men. Yeah, despite disclaimers, macho types really do worry about whether they match up with others in their professional, work-world lives. The most bold, suave and debonair fashion statement I ever saw by a newspaper man came in 1972 at a South Texas Press Association convention in Kerrville. That statement was made by a man who had an iconic look, not only in the way he dressed, but in his general appearance and in his demeanor as well. Cap Henkel (I never knew his real first name) looked like the owner/captain of a luxury yacht. First, there was his white hair, mustache and beard. The first time I saw Cap, he was wearing a skipper blue double-breasted
see WEBB, page 13
Meridian Tribune
Letter To The Editor He even offered his support to the incumbent President, and asked all Americans to do likewise. The rest of the world can only stand in awe at this great country, and we can only
Website: www.meridiantribune.com Email: news@meridiantribune.com M-F 9am-5pm ~ 254-435-6333
thank God and our ancestors for the opportunity to live here. Patrick Roffino Garland
The Meridian Tribune opinion pages will publish staff produced editorials and columns, as well as letters to the editor from readers. We will welcome, read and consider all letters from readers for publication, and we salute those people willing to sign their names to their opinions. The letters chosen for publication must be a representative sampling of the opinions shared with us from citizens throughout Bosque County. We will publish selected letters in this publication and encourage readers to engage in a civil debate. But the Meridian Tribune asks readers to debate ideas and policies, not criticize one another personally. Letters political in nature will not be printed the week prior to an election. Two weeks must pass between subsequent letters by the same author. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number for verification. Unsigned letters will not be published. We reserve the right to refuse or edit all material submitted for publication due to space, language or legal requirements.
Rustic Ramblings Genie Ellis Zacharis
Life after Bambi
Early last week, in some cases well before the break of day, thousands of folks some sleepless with anticipation, breathed silent goodbyes to dozing loved ones. They stealthily crept from warm homes and disappeared into the icy dark. Well, OK, it wasn’t exactly icy here, but it was dark. Most of these men were headed into deeply wooded areas, dressed in camouflage and fatigues, armed with hot coffee, fortifying jerky and other treats or snacks, some alcoholic. All carried guns and knives. Some carried MANY guns. Yes, deer season began. (Of course, the bow hunters have been at it for a month already). I previously wondered what makes otherwise sane people participate in this annual ritual. Now that I’m back in Texas among many friends who are hunters, I understand it all a bit better. My uncle was a hunter, a great shot. On his way home from each hunting trip, he’d proudly show me the deer he’d killed. I was just a kid. I’d pretend this was wonderful, but it bothered me a lot. I couldn’t help it. I watched Walt Disney. But that was then and this is now. These hunting men (and more than a few women)
don’t see Bambi and Feline when they spot those animals in their scopes. They see dinner and sport, excitement, contests and camaraderie; maybe some bonding with the fellas, perhaps a day or so alone, away from the usual routine. It must a be very satisfying enterprise if they’re willing to invest in expensive feed, pay for feeders, deer leases and hunting guides, spray themselves with strange scents, occasionally sit in the rain for hours, make strange noises. There’s almost nothing that would make me do that. I suspect there’s something hard-wired into the brains of men that predisposes some of them to hunting. And I realize it’s hypocritical of me to eschew hunting, then send calves to market and buy meat at the supermarket. Let’s face it; I was a hunting wuss when I returned to Texas. Years ago when I lived in South Florida, I was amused by Sunday newspaper circular from a nationwide sporting goods firm with a few stores in the area. It was obvious from the ad that most of the stores were in northern climates.
see ZACHARIS, page 13
Meridian Tribune
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Publisher/Managing Editor Brett Voss News Editor Simone Wichers-Voss Advertising Manager Timmy Kleine Sales Representative Debbie Young Graphic Designer Nathan J. Penn Office Manager/Classifieds Sonia Alvizo Office Assistant Nikki Valentine Writers: Simone Wichers-Voss, Brett Voss, Carol Spicer, David Winkler, Genie Ellis Zacharis, Grant Ferguson, Mike Cox, Willis Webb, Paul Niemann Photographers: Simone Wichers-Voss, Carol Spicer, Renee Poston, Kelli Purcell Circulation: Charlie Gandy, Georgia Bell, Carole Smith, Clinton Kent & Kenda Watley NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: All editorial material copyrighted by the Meridian Tribune. Meridian Tribune is dedicated to serving the needs of the community and local advertisers. All correspondence for the Meridian Tribune should be sent to the mailing address above. The entire content of each issue of the Meridian Tribune is protected under the Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction of any portion of any issue of any issue will not be permitted without written permission from the Meridian Tribune. Any erroneous reflection cast upon the character, reputation or community standing of a person, firm or organization appearing in the columns of this newspaper will be duly corrected when brought to the attention of the editor in writing. Meridian Tribune assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements or copy but will publish without charge, a correction in the next issue, or republish any portion of the advertisement that is incorrect. All news items, meeting notices and civic activities are free of charge on a space available basis. Letters regarding political candidates and/or issues are considered political advertising and may be ran at current political advertising rates. General deadline for all copy, both news and advertising is 12:00 noon on Friday prior to publication. You cooperation in meeting these deadlines is appreciated. Meridian Tribune reserves the right to edit or refuse any copy, announcements or advertisements. The Meridian Tribune and meridiantribune.com, as well as any reasonable derivative of these names, are trademarks of Bosque County Publishing, LP and use of these trademarks without the express written consent of Bosque County Publishing, LP is strictly prohibited. The entire contents of each issue of The Meridian Tribune and www.meridiantribune.com are protected under the Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction of any portion of any issue will not be permitted without the express permission of Bosque County Publishing, LP. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Meridian Tribune, P.O. Box 343, Meridian, Texas 76665.
November 14, 2012 • Page 6
Meridian Tribune
Devotional Right place, right time By Will Share Meridian Tribune
If we look at what Jesus did for us, when He reconciled us to God, through His life, death and resurrection; and then overlay those actions as to how we are to interact with each other, then we may get a whole new perspective on how we are to relate to others. Just what did he do? Jesus set the ultimate example in the area of reconciliation! Christian Radio Station KLTY has a promotion called the “Drive-Thru Difference.” Here is how it works, if you were in front of me at a local drive-thru eatery you would pay for my order and leave a note promoting “the drive-thru difference” and the radio station. By doing so you would have paid my full price to the store that was holding my debt. This transaction took no effort on my part and I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. That is a neat concept; I did nothing but receive the full benefit of you or someone paying the price of my meal. A stranger reconciled my debt. I was in the right place at the right time. I wonder if you would have paid my debt if I was picking up a meal for a family costing $25.
What if it was a takeout order for an office meeting costing $70? What if it was for a family reunion costing $300? What would your price limit be? How much would you be willing to pay? Jesus voluntarily paid our debt even though we did not ask for His help. Christ knew we needed help and took the steps to reconcile our debt. In Romans 5:711. Paul says it this way: “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Christ set the perfect example. He reconciled us before we knew we were in
see SHARE, page 13
online at www.meridiantribune.com
Meridian Tribune
community
Meridian Tribune
Loved Ones Remembered Marie Moore
George W. Stokes
Marie Moore, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother departed this world for the garden of paradise, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at the Sunset Hope Center in Clifton. Services were held Monday, Oct. 30, 2012, at Moore Funeral Home in Arlington. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Marie was born Nov. 18, 1923 in Dyersburg, TN to Elvis and Clarice Jefferies. Marie was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband Marvin, her son John Salyards, her parents, a brother and sister. Marie was a life-long resident of Roswell, NM where she had numerous friends; and retired to Clifton. Marie loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed cooking, crafting, garage sales, and an occasional trip to the casino. Marie is survived by the following children: Jerry and Mary Salyards, Joe and Carolyn Salyards, Larry Salyards and Elaine Wills, Sharon and Rick Harlow, Rose and Wayne Cumby, Kathy and James Dill, Sandra and Danny Wallis and Wendy and Dale Shelton. She had numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren that she adored. The family would like to thank our extended family, her doctor, Dr. Kyle Phillips, the staff of the Sunset Home, Hospice and the nurses at the Goodall-Witcher Hospital for their dedication in providing care for our Mother.
George W Stokes Sr., age 58, of Chillicothe, Missouri, formerly of Valley Mills passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. Memorial services will be held 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12 at the Valley Mills First Baptist Church under the direction of Foss Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Memorials may be made to the Valley Mills Fire Department. George was born on June 24, 1954 to loving parents George and Dorothy Stokes in Mexia, Tx. He was a 1972 Spruce High School graduate. He along with his wife, Sue and son, Bo formerly owned and operated Stokes Automotive in Valley Mills. He was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy “Grannie” Stokes, and brothers C.T. Coe and Robert Stokes. He is survived by his father George “Papaw” Stokes; brother Ray Onstott and wife, Becky; sister Pat Simons and husband Archie; children: Bo Stokes Jr., Tracie Vaught and husband, Michael, Laurie Flournoy and husband, Joseph, Joe Nielsen and wife, Shannon, Becky Dillingham and husband, Matt; Sue Stokes, mother of Rebecca & Joseph; six grandsons, four granddaughters and several nieces and nephews. Please join us in remembering George by visiting our memorial at www.fossfuneralhome.com
Margaret Ida Hildegard Anz McDowell Funeral services for Margaret Ida Hildegard Anz McDowell, 100, were held Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at Clifton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Philip Burchett officiating. Burial was at Clifton Cemetery. Hildegard Anz was born Aug. 26, 1912, to Henry Anz Sr. and Annie Johanna Thiele. A resident of Goodall-Witcher Nursing Home, she passed away in the nursing home on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl McDowell; parents, Henry and Annie Anz; three brothers, Hugo, Arnold, and Henry; and four sisters, Ruth Edna, Marie, Regina, and Mildred. She is survived by sisters, Josephine Anz King and Christine Anz Chandler; one brother, Joseph Anz and wife, Mary; sisterin-law, Nellie McDowell; and many nieces, nephews, and greatnieces and great-nephews. Clifton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sports Meridian Tribune
November 14, 2012 • Page 7
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Bosque County puts 2 in postseason
Cranfills Gap goes back-to-back, Walnut Springs returns again By Brett Voss Meridian Tribune
After an unprecedented Texas high school football season for Bosque County schools in 2011, area teams fell on hard times this season. Five of eight county teams made the playoffs last year, but only two managed to reach the postseason in 2012. Although four-year run of district titles finally came to an end for the Walnut Springs Hornets, head coach Tim Trotter and his squad managed to secure their fifth straight trip to the Six-Man, Division I playoffs with their convincing 66-24
Smell The Grass
victory over Kopperl last Friday night. After losing the district title to Blum (7-3), the Hornets (6-4) will open the postseason in Ponder when they face undefeated Savoy (9-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. In Six-Man, Division II, the Cranfills Gap Lions clinched their second straight playoff appearance with a second place finish in District 15-6M, DII behind state-ranked Jonesboro. The Lions (4-6) qualifed for the playoffs for the first time in 20 years last season. Cranfills Gap will open the playoffs by playing undefeated Milford (10-0) at Moody on this Friday at 7:30 p.m.
In District 9-1A, Division II, the Meridian Yellowjackets still had a chance to make backto-back postseason appearance going into their season finale, but they needed help and didn’t get it. While losing to state-ranked and district champion Hubbard, the Jackets watched the scoreboard to see Wortham break open a close game in the second half and rolled to a convincing 49-12 victory over Dawson to wrap up the district’s third place playoff berth. In Class 2A, the Cllifton Cubs just missed the playoffs with a fourth place finish in District 122A, Division I.
Carol Spicer / Meridian Tribune
Cranfills Gap returns to the playoffs.
Home for the Holidays
By Brett Voss Sports Editor / Meridian Tribune
Texas A&M changes everything Alabama falls, Manziel rises
The Texas A&M Aggies have become adept at changing everything. Just ask everyone in the Big 12. And of course, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Apparently, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel matured from Johnny Football into Johnny Heisman to lead the 18th-ranked Aggies to a stunning 29-24 victory over top-ranked Alabama in a battle for the Southeastern Conference. And apparently, it took a Big 12 team to jump into the SEC to end the league’s amazing national championship run. But Texas A&M? Really? Apparently so. Manziel came up with a legendary performance to beat Alabama and jump head first into the Heisman Trophy chase. Not only did he complete 24-of-31 passes for 253 yards and two scores to go along with 92 rushing yards, but he did it with poise and panache on the national stage. Simply amazing. Don’t count out the Crimson Tide quite yet. Alabama only slipped to No. 4 in the BCS rankings. With Louisville losing its first game to Syracuse and Oregon State falling to Stanford, Florida State remains the only one-loss, nonSEC team with a prayer of moving up enough to be in the BCS championship debate. However, an FSU win over Florida in its regulars-season finale and an ACC title game victory wouldn’t boost the Seminoles above the Tide if Nick Saban’s club finishes 12-1 and prevails in the SEC Championship Game. But get a load of this. With the new BCS standings, we find Oregon ranked No. 1 and Kansas State No. 2. Really? Even more remarkable, for all intents and purposes, those two will play in the BCS title game if they win out. Notre Dame has to be ranked in the top two in either the Coaches or Harris poll to have any sort of a shot, but that’s not going to happen if the Ducks and Wildcats keep winning. But what has to happen for the Tide to get back in the big show? For Alabama, it’s not asking for too much for Notre Dame to lose at USC on Nov. 24, and it’s not crazy to think that Kansas State could lose to a suddenly resurgent Texas on Dec. 1. Oregon still has tough dates against Stanford Nov. 17 and at Oregon State Nov. 24 to go, not to mention a Pac12 Championship Game if everything goes according to plan. Even with this loss to A&M, Alabama will always be on top of the oneloss teams in the BCS pecking order. But still, there’s no doubt Texas A&M changed everything - in more ways than one.
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Meridian Yellowjacket junior Adrian Rapoz turns the corner with senior Johnny Lira leading the way against Hubbard last Friday.
Meridian drops finale at Hubbard
Wortham wins big to eliminate Jackets By Brett Voss Meridian Tribune
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Meridian senior RB Johnny Lira fight for yards.
HUBBARD - It all came down to the final week of the season. But unfortunately for the Meridian Yellowjackets, they did not have control of their own postseason destiny. The Jackets needed help, and they didn’t get any. In the meantime, Meridian took on eighthranked Hubbard in their regular season finale, and the District 9-1A, Division II champions proved to much for the Jackets in an overwhelming 58-0 decision last Friday night. Interestingly, the Jackets (1-3 in district, 2-8 overall) don’t even need to beat stateranked and district champion Hubbard (40, 8-2) to get into the playoffs. But Meridian did need Dawson to snap its 20-game losing streak and defeat Wortham to make back-
to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2000. It didn’t happen. Wortham (2-2, 4-6) broke up a close game in the second half and rolled to a convincing 49-12 victory over Dawson (0-4, 0-10) to wrap up the district’s third place playoff berth. Frost (3-1, 9-1) clinched a postseason berth by beating Meridian Nov. 2, and the Polar Bears enjoy an off week before the playoffs. “I’m proud of our kids and the effort that they put forth during the season,” said Meridian head coach Todd Doughty following his fourth season at the helm “It was challenging with all the injuries, and I am proud of our seniors for the leadership they showed to the underclassmen that played. Meridian suffered a rash of injuries this season, costing them players accounting for 10
see JACKETS, page 8
Fight to the finish Walnut Springs clinches 5th straight appearance with win over Kopperl By Brett Voss Meridian Tribune
WALNUT SPRINGS - Overcoming the disappointment of being dethroned after four straight district titles, the Walnut Springs Hornets rebounded to knock off the Kopperl Eagles, 66-24, last Friday night to claim second place in District 116M, Division I and earn their fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs. Dillon Rose scored six touchdowns while rushing for 164 yards to lead the
BOSQUE COUNTY ROUNDUP Hornets (2-1 in district, 6-4 overall) offensively, while Wayne Heartsill paced the defense with 20 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Carlos Ramirez rushed for two touchdowns and 90 yards while passing for 72 yards and another score. Walnut Springs will travel to Ponder to face Savoy at 7:30 p.m. this Friday night
see AREA, page 9
Carol Spicer / Meridian Tribune
Cranfills Gap’s Ryan Haley turns the corner for a gain.
Meridian Tribune
Page 8 • November 14, 2012
sports
online at www.meridiantribune.com
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Meridian freshman Jarett Carpenter fights for yards against district champion Hubbard last Friday night (top), Jacket senior Tyler Etheridge takes down a Jaguar runner.
jackets From page 7
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Jacket players share an emotional moment in prayer following their season finale in Hubbard.
starting positions. The final blow came when they lost junior starting quarterback Nick Prestwood last week to a concussion. Freshman Blaine Glass filled in admirably against the district champs, but the Jackets were outmanned in all facets of the game. “Blaine did a great job considering he hadn’t taken any snaps under center since ou second scrimmage against Baird,” Doughty said. “Certainly, it was not what we had hoped for, but I feel that they represented the district and the community with class.” Amazingly, if Dawson had managed to knock off Wortham, it will create a threeway tie for third place. And if Dawson had simply won the game by one point, Meridian would have been the district’s third place playoff qualifier based on the tie-breaker system, regardless of the outcome of the Hubbard game. “We still had a chance,” Doughty said. “Stranger things have happened. But we have not had many bounces go our way this season, and it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Meridian coach Brett Voss consoles senior Johnny Lira following the game. Both coach and player experienced their last high school football game as Voss retired following the season finale.
Meridian Tribune
online at www.meridiantribune.com
November 14, 2012 • Page 9
sports
Meridian Tribune
Bosque County Scoreboard AREA FOOTBALL STANDINGS District 12-2A, Div. I
x-GRANDVIEW Zebras y-GODLEY Wildcats z-PALMER Bulldogs CLIFTON Cubs WHITNEY Wildcats RO LIFE Mustangs MAYPEARL Panthers
W 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
L 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
W 8 8 6 4 2 2 1
L 2 2 4 6 8 8 9
Last Week’s Results
at Clifton Grandview at Palmer Red Oak Life open
41, Maypearl 28, at Godley 28, Whitney
W 4 3 2 1 0
L 0 1 2 3 4
W 8 9 4 2 0
L 2 1 6 8 10
Last Week’s Results
District 12-A, Div. I W 4 3 2 1 0
L 0 1 2 3 4
W 8 9 5 5 4
L 2 1 5 5 6
Last Week’s Results
Axtell Mart Jewett Leon open
District 11-6M, Div. I W 3 2 1 0
at Walnut Springs at Blum
L 0 1 2 3
W 7 6 5 1
L 3 4 5 9
66, Kopperl 70, Covington
Last Week’s Results
District 15-6M, Div. II
x-JONESBORO Eagles y-CRANFILLS GAP IREDELL Dragons MORGAN Eagles Jonesboro Iredell
PF 423 407 233 195 152
W 3 2 1 0
L 0 1 2 3
W 8 3 5 1
L 2 6 5 7
Last Week’s Results
PA 222 117 211 201 317 12 7
PF 477 460 366 210
PA 424 392 377 560 24 20
PF 618 384 482 242
68, at Cransfill Gap 100, at Morgan
PA 286 457 447 432 14 68
x-district title; y-runnerup playoff berth; z-third place
PLAYOFF PAIRINGS CLASS 2A DIVISION I Region I
Area
PA 105 152 274 234 476 0 12
47, at Valley Mills 36, at Bosqueville
x-BLUM Bobcats y-WALNUT SPRINGS KOPPERL Eagles COVINGTON Owls
PF 377 386 175 124 64
58, Meridian 49, Dawson
x-MART Panthers y-BOSQUEVILLE z-AXTELL Longhorns LEON Cougars VALLEY MILLS Eagles
Carol Spicer / Meridian Tribune
Cranfills Gap”s Keaton Smith looks for running room against Jonesboro last Friday night.
x-HUBBARD Jaguars y-FROST Polar Bears z-WORTHAM Bulldogs MERIDIAN Jackets DAWSON Bulldogs
PA 164 159 192 254 423 408 359
7 14 (OT) 26
District 9-A, Div. II
at Hubbard at Wortham Frost open
PF 450 285 305 292 161 135 69
Littlefield (8-2), bye Merkel (7-3) vs. Comfort (4-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Brownwood Wall (9-1), bye Brownfield (5-5) vs. Bushland (4-6), TBD Eastland (8-2), bye Muleshoe (8-2) vs. Denver City (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Lubbock Cooper HS Idalou (8-2), bye Bangs (7-3) vs. Breckenridge (4-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Abilene Wylie Region II Callisburg (9-1), bye Daingerfield (7-3) vs. Eustace (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bullard Brook Hill Winnsboro (7-3), bye Farmersville (6-4) vs. Boyd (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Little Elm Pottsboro (10-0), bye Malakoff (7-3) vs. Redwater (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Gladewater New Boston (10-0), bye Whitesboro (7-3) vs. Commerce (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Prosper Region III Tatum, bye Godley (8-2) vs. Trinity (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Temple Franklin (8-2), bye East Chambers (8-2) vs. Troup (9-1), 7 p.m. Thursday, Lufkin Newton (10-0), bye Teague (7-3) vs. Palmer (6-4), 7 p.m. Thursday, Corsicana Grandview (8-2), bye White Oak (8-2) vs. Anahuac (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Diboll Region IV Cameron Yoe (10-0), bye Aransas Pass (7-3) vs. Marion (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Beeville George West (8-2), bye Edna (7-3) vs. Lago Vista (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, New Braunfels Canyon HS Hallettsville (10-0), bye Luling (6-4) vs. Odem (6-4), 7 p.m. Saturday, Beeville San Diego (10-0), bye McGregor (9-1) vs. Hempstead (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Hutto CLASS 2A DIVISION II Region I Sanford-Fritch (5-4), bye Colorado City (7-3) vs. Crane (6-4), 7 p.m. Saturday, Midland’s Grande Stadium Alpine (9-1), bye Abernathy (8-2) vs. Spearman (7-3), 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Canyon’s Kimbrough Stadium Cisco (9-1), bye Canadian (8-2) vs. Tulia (6-4), 7 p.m. Thursday, Canyon’s Kimbrough Stadium Post (9-1), bye Sonora (7-3) vs. Ballinger (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, San Angelo Stadium Region II Nocona (10-0), bye Edgewood (9-1) vs. Tom Bean (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Princeton Gunter (8-1), bye Tolar (8-2) vs. Holliday (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Springtown Corsicana Mildred (9-1), bye Leonard (7-2-1) vs. Cooper (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Commerce HS Clarksville (6-3), bye Jacksboro (8-2) vs. Blooming Grove (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Burleson Region III Hughes Springs (10-0), bye New Waverly (8-2) vs. Hearne (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Iola Centerville (10-0), bye Garrison (7-3) vs. Omaha Pewitt (4-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Carthage Arp (8-2), bye Crawford (9-1) vs. Corrigan-Camden (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Buffalo Deweyville (8-2), bye Elysian Fields (7-3) vs. Winona (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Hallsville Region IV East Bernard (10-0), bye Banquete (9-1) vs. Dilley (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jourdanton Karnes City (9-1), bye Blanco (6-4) vs. Danbury (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday, A&M Consolidated HS Lexington (8-2), bye Taft (6-4) vs. Poth (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday, George West Refugio (10-0), bye Hitchcock (7-3) vs. Rogers (8-2), 2 p.m. Saturday, Brenham CLASS 1A DIVISION I Region I Stratford (9-1), bye Anson (9-1) vs. Windthorst (5-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Seymour
From page 7
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Meridian 7th grader TJ Malott scored a touchdown and two two-point conversions in the Jackets’ 22-18 victory over Hico last Thursday, The Jacket 8th graders fell to Hubbard, 22-8, in their season finale. Seymour (8-2), bye New Deal (6-4) vs. Panhandle (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dimmitt Stamford (9-1), bye Sunray (7-3) vs. Tahoka (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Plainview Sundown (7-2), bye Quanah (7-3) vs. Forsan (6-4), 7 p.m. Friday, Clyde Region II Goldthwaite (5-5), bye Wolfe City (5-5) vs. Collinsville (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Van Alsytne Lindsay (8-2), bye Cayuga (7-3) vs. San Saba (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Joshua Italy (6-4), bye Valley View (6-4) vs. Simms Bowie (4-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Pattonville Prairiland HS Honey Grove (9-0-1), bye Hico (7-3) vs. Kerens (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Waco Robinson Region III Joaquin (10-0), bye Bosqueville (9-1) vs. Colmesneil (5-5), 7 p.m. Thursday, Crockett Hull-Daisetta (7-3), bye Alto (8-2) vs. Harleton (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, New London West Rusk HS San Augustine (8-2), bye Iola (6-4) vs. Axtell (5-5), 7 p.m. Saturday, Groesbeck Mart (8-2), bye Timpson (9-1) vs. West Sabine (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Center Region IV Weimar (6-4), bye Ben Bolt (7-2) vs. Ganado (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Mathis Shiner (9-1), bye Ozona (8-2) vs. Holland (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Marble Falls Mason (10-0), bye Three Rivers (5-4) vs. Santa Maria (4-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Texas A&M-Kingsville La Villa (9-1), bye Thorndale (8-2) vs. Brackettville (7-3), TBD CLASS 1A DIVISION II Region I Wellington (10-0), bye Ralls (7-3) vs. Bovina (4-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Levelland Springlake-Earth (8-2), bye Claude (7-3) vs. Wheeler (3-7), 7 p.m. Thursday, Panhandle Seagraves (4-6), bye Booker (6-4) vs. Vega (3-7), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Amarillo River Road Gruver (8-2), bye Sudan (8-2) vs. Crosbyton (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Acuff Region II McCamey (7-3), bye Muenster (7-3) vs. Cross Plains (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, FW Brewer Albany (9-1), bye Bronte (7-3) vs. Iraan (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Big Spring Eldorado, bye Hamlin (7-3) vs. Electra (7-3), 7 p.m. Thursday, Graham Munday (10-0), bye Wink (6-4) vs. Miles (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Forsan Region III Hubbard (8-2), bye Bremond (7-3) vs. Evadale (3-7), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Groveton Tenaha (6-4), bye Overton (6-4) vs. Wortham (4-6), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Palestine Maud (5-5), bye Mount Enterprise (7-3) vs. Lovelady (3-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Rusk Chilton (5-5), bye Frost (9-1) vs. Detroit (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bullard Region IV Burton (9-1), bye La Pryor (5-5) vs. Rocksprings (5-5), TBD D’Hanis (10-0), bye Runge (8-2) vs. Granger (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Fischer Canyon Lake HS Falls City (8-2), bye Sabinal (8-2) vs. Charlotte (2-8), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Hondo Bruni (8-1), bye Bartlett (6-4) vs. Woodsboro (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, New Braunfels Canyon HS SIX-MAN DIVISION I Region I Miami (9-1) vs. Petersburg (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Amarillo River Road Ropesville Ropes (7-3) vs. Grady (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Ackerly Sands Borden County (8-2) vs. Meadow (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday, O’Donnell Turkey Valley (9-0) vs. Happy (5-4), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Silverton Region II Rankin (9-1) vs. Sterling City (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sterling City Ira (10-0) vs. Crowell (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Haskell Throckmorton (8-1) vs. Rotan (2-8), 7 p.m. Friday, Rotan Water Valley (10-0) vs. Garden City (3-7), 7 p.m. Thursday, Sterling City Region III Santa Anna (9-1) vs. Lingleville (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, May Blum vs. Saint Jo (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Lewisville’s Goldsmith Stadium Savoy (9-0) vs. Walnut Springs (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Ponder Gordon (7-3) vs. Zephyr (7-3), TBD Region IV Abbott (8-2) vs. Coolidge (6-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Hubbard Laird Hill Leverett’s Chapel (7-2) vs. Apple Springs (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cushing Ladonia Fannindel vs. Oakwood, TBD Buckholts (7-3) vs. Aquilla (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Penelope SIX-MAN DIVISION II Region I Follett vs. Groom, TBD Amherst (5-5) vs. Lorenzo (5-5), 6:30 p.m. Friday, Anton New Home (8-2) vs. Whitharral (5-5), 8:30 p.m. Friday, Anton Matador Motley County (9-1) vs. Lefors, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Turkey Valley HS Region II Welch Dawson (8-2) vs. Balmorhea (8-2), 8 p.m. Friday, Kermit Loraine (6-4) vs. Blackwell (5-5) 7 p.m. Friday, Hermleigh Robert Lee (9-1) vs. Trent (8-2), 7 p.m., Thursday, Blackwell Grandfalls-Royalty vs. Loop (7-3), 6 p.m. Friday, Kermit Region III Aspermont (10-0) vs. Vernon Northside (7-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Knox City Newcastle (6-4) vs. Sidney (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Strawn Strawn (9-1) vs. Woodson (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Bryson Chillicothe (5-5) vs. Jayton (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Rule Region IV Richland Springs (10-0) vs. Oglesby (3-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Evant Jonesboro (8-2) vs. Trinidad (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Penelope Milford (10-0) vs. Cranfills Gap (3-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Moody Cherokee (5-4) vs. Blanket (5-5), TBD
in a first round playoff game. JONESBORO 68 CRANFILLS GAP 14 CRANFILLS GAP - Although the Cranfills Gap Lions fell short of their dream of the District 15-6M, Division II title in their 68-14 loss to state-ranked Jonesboro last Friday night, it was hard for them to feel too disappointed. After all, the Lions had already qualified for backto-back playoff appearances after going 20 years without making it to the post-season. Cranfills Gap will open the playoffs by playing Milford at Moody on this Friday at 7:30 p.m. “The boys played hard against a good team,” Cranfills Gap head coach Kyle Doty said. “We did not back down and I am proud of the way they fought. We now get ready to play Milford this coming Friday night at Moody.” IREDELL 100 MORGAN 68 MORGAN - Christian Najera rushed for nine touchdowns and threw for another as the Iredell Dragons rolled to a 100-68 victory over the Morgan Eagles in the season finale for both teams last Friday night. Najera amassed 504 yards of total offense, rushing for 361 yards and passing for 143 more to lead the Dragons (1-2 in District 15-6M, Division II, 5-5 overall) in the high-scoring affair. “We finished our last game with a win,” Iredell head coach Luis Guereca said. “Both teams played hard with great sportsmanship. It was fun game to be apart of. We’re already looking forward for next season.” Certainly, the Morgan Eagles (0-3, 1-7) became a competitive force in six-man football once again this season after almost having it’s program cancelled before the 2011 season began. “Last year, it was all about getting to the next game...finishing the season,” Morgan head coach Doug Hennig said. “This year we came away with one win, but we were in more games than we weren’t. The kids played hard and never gave up. We say good-bye to four seniors that played a role in every game - David Her-
nandez, Gabriel Galaviz, Luke Johns and Cameron Frase. They will be missed.” CLIFTON 41 MAYPEARL 7 CLIFTON - Brandon Benfer rumbled for 152 rushing yards and a touchdown to lead the Clifton Cubs to a resounding season-ending 41-7 victory over the Maypearl Panthers last Friday night. Despite the win, Clifton (3-3 in District 122A, Div. I, 4-6 overall) failed to make the playoffs after being eliminated last week by district champion Grandview. The Cubs built a 350 lead by halftime, and had its running game clicking all night, amassing 369 yards on the ground. Offensively, Jaren Brooks, Dakota Thomas, Christian Stiff and Zack Thiele all rushed for touchdowns, while Christian Stiff also tossed a 21-yard scoring toss to Kyler Kleibrink. Winless Maypearl (0-10, 0-6) failed to get on the scoreboard until Nick Gonzales’ one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. AXTELL 47 VALLEY MILLS 12 VALLEY MILLS - With a playoff spot on the line, the Axtell Longhorns piled up 422 yards of offense to eliminate the Valley Mills Eagles convincingly, 47-12, last Friday night. With the victory, Axtell (2-2 in District 121A, Div. I, 5-5, overall) makes the ninth playoff appearance in school history. The Longhorns wrapped this one up by halftime, leading 28-6 at the intermission and never letting up. Valley Mills (0-4, 4-6) failed to win a district game after making back-to-back playoffs appearances and claiming the district title in 2011. Kaegen Dillard rushed for 96 yards to lead the Eagles in the losing effort. “I am really proud of them for the young men that they are and the men that they will become in the future,” Valley Mills head coach Dusty Robinson said. “It was a privilege to coach them this season. I know that the final outcome did not happen the way we wanted it to, but I promise you these young men gained so much more and will use this experience for many years down the road.”
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Bailiff Chris Talbert transports the area ballot boxes to the courthouse as they come in on election day; Tab Ferguson enters the final votes into a spreadsheet for those present.
election From page 1
tional interest in the presidential election is getting this many people out to vote.” Texas voters did not end up getting their choice in the presidential race. While Romney captured 81 percent of the Bosque County vote, the Republican challenger swept Texas’ 33 electoral votes with 57 percent of the Lone Star vote. But Obama won a second term as the nation’s leader with 51 percent of the vote nationwide compared to Romney’s 48 percent. And more importantly, Obama easily won the electoral vote battle, 332-206. But the presidential race did not stand out as the only one important to Bosque County voters when they headed to the polls. On the national level, Republican Ted Cruz, a former state solicitor general and Republican up-and-comer, won the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison by defeating Democrat Paul Sadler, 57-40 percent. In Bosque County, Cruz captured 79 percent of the vote. In the race for the Texas District 25 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican Roger Williams easily defeated Democrat Elaine M. Henderson, 58-37 percent, while
capturing 79 percent of the Bosque County vote. Of the 36 House races at the state level in Texas, 24 went to Republicans and 12 to Democrats. Republican Brian Birdwell defeated Libertarian Tom Kilbride for the state senator seat in District 22, while Republican Robb Orr ran unopposed for the District 58 state representative post. In local election, all but two races ran unopposed. But in the Precinct No. 1 County Commissioner’s race, Republican Douglas Day proved successful in his second attempt by handily defeating Democrat Gerald Gordon with 75.9 percent of the vote, drawing 1465 votes to 465. And in the Precinct No. 3 County Commissioner’s election, Republican Sammy Leach unseated Democrat incumbent Gary Arnold in a close race, winning 52.7 percent of the vote - 1075-823 votes. “A lot of people asked me to run again, and I knew I had good support,” said Day, who lost by 12 votes in 2008. “But I never expected to win by 1000 votes. I hope I can play a role in helping to get the county back on its feet.”
Page 10 • November 14, 2012
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Agriculture Meridian Tribune
November 14, 2012 • Page 11
Website: www.meridiantribune.com Email: news@meridiantribune.com M-F 9am-5pm ~ Ofc. 254-435-6333
Meridian FFA wins at Clifton show Robinson FFA Alumni hosts livestock judging By Dena Ramsey-Creppel Meridian Tribune
As a team, the Meridian Future Farmers of America brought home Reserve Champion Fine wool, one first place, two second places, and three third place ribbons from the Robinson FFA Alumni Livestock show held in Clifton Nov. 3. . Each member spent the week prior to the show preparing their lambs to look their best. It was a beautiful sunny morning as they walked their sheared and buffed lambs into the ring with hopes of receiving top honors. Showing his Fine wool lamb, Josh Ramsey started off the show day by placing second in his class and win-
ning Reserve Breed Champion. Darci Gann entered the ring, with her Medium wool lamb, to compete in Class three. Through hard work and excellent showmanship, Darci was awarded the first place ribbon and a spot to compete for breed champion later that day. Hannah Kelley, Jessica Ramsey and Katelyn Wallace found themselves competing against each other in a large and competitive Class six. All three girls placed in the top 10 with Jessica Ramsey earning a third place finish. Katelyn Wallace immediately returned to compete with her second Medium wool lamb, in Class seven, and exited with a third place
Dena Ramsey-Creppel / Meridian Tribune
Meridian FFA members Josh Ramsey, Hannah Kelley, Jessica Ramsey, Darci Gann and Katelyn Wallace show off their ribbons from the Robinson FFa Alumni Livestock show Nov. 3.
ribbon. The final class of the day, the heavy weights, found brother and sister, Josh and Jessica Ramsey, competing against each other for the
last opportunity to earn a spot in the quest for breed champion. At the end of the class, Jessica was awarded a second place finish, and a spot in the
breed champion drive, while her younger brother, Josh, placed third. Darci Gann and Jessica Ramsey had lambs eligible to compete for breed grand and
reserve champion. Although neither girl received the top honors for the day, Jessica’s lamb ended his show day as second behind the reserve grand champion.
Hunters for the Hungry counts on donations during hunting season Local Report Meridian Tribune
With regular deer hunting season open, hunters can help local communities by donating venison to the Texas Hunters for the Hungry program. Last year, hunters donated 152,962 pounds of venison, resulting in more than 600,000 servings. Of that, 2,653 pounds were donated in Bosque County alone. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one out of every five households in Texas struggles to afford food. Food assistance agencies such as food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters play an important role in helping families fill the nutrition gap. Obtaining adequate protein is often difficult for low income families and individuals. As a result, venison donations are a favorite with
both food assistance providers and the clients they serve as it is low in fat and high in protein. If you are a hunter, consider adding Hunters for the Hungry to your check list as you prepare for deer season. It is easy to participate: locate a participating meat processor; drop off your tagged, legally harvested whitetail or mule deer; and pay a nominal fee to cover basic processing costs. A receipt is issued for tax purposes. The meat processor grinds the venison into burger for pick-up by a local food assistance provider. As in previous seasons, Meridian Frozen Food Locker and Millsap Processing & Taxidermy in Meridian accept venison donations. Hunters for the Hungry is a program of the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc. (TACAA).
Ranch Tails
by Genie & Zack Zacharis
Carol Spicer / Meridian Tribune
David Hernandez, Jesse Higas, Cameron Frase, and Austin Stovall explain the building process and material used on the BBQ Pit to (second from left) Carr DuPuy, of Dupuy Oxygen, who donated the majority of the prizes for the contest.
Morgan FFA takes overall champion in Ag Mechanics Local Report Meridian Tribune
MORGAN – The Morgan FFA team won overall championship in the Ag Mechanics division, and the Showmanship award, at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo held recently in Waco. The four-man team showed a barbecue pit to
take both awards. The team, which included Austin Stovall, Cameron Frase, Jesse Higas, and David Hernandez, brought a lot of great tools and equipment back to the Morgan Ag Shop to be used in the building of future projects to be shown at San Angelo, the Central Texas Fair, and other shows across the state.
BRUMBALOW MOTORS
1012 E. Main St. Hamilton 254-386-5318
1-800-658-6506
Meridian Tribune
Page 12 • November 14, 2012
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Ag news & Notes David Winkler Agrilife Extension Agent / Meridian Tribune
Controlling cactus for livestock
Fall and winter are a good time to control cactus. The advantages are that when you are out doing individual plant treatment it is often not as tacking of temperatures as summer, and the moisture conditions are usually better for control. The only time it is not good to spray the cactus is when the temperatures are below freezing at application. Another drawback is that you have to protect your spray equipment when not in use from freeze damage. The Brush Buster recommendations are as follows: Prickly pear and other species of cacti may interfere with movement and handling of livestock and with forage utilization, cause serious livestock health problems, and compete with desirable forage plants. These plants are extremely tolerant of drought and harsh conditions and are protected from grazing animals to some extent by their spines. Prickly pear and other species of cacti thrive across the western half of Texas both in rural pastures and urban lots. They have the ability to grow and to increase in abundance very rapidly. The Brush Busters pad and stem spray method involves spraying a small but potent concentration of herbicide directly on the pads
or stems of individual plants. By following the simple three-step directions you’ll be able to selectively control the prickly pear and other cacti without damaging your desirable trees, shrubs, forbs or grasses. Remember that controlling prickly pear and cacti is not a one-time job. There are many viable seeds in the soil that may germinate in the future. Livestock and wildlife also spread the seeds and scatter the pads and joints over wide areas, so you’ll need to go over your land occasionally to get rid of unwanted seedlings. Also, remember that prickly pear may have value as a livestock feed during drought and as food and cover for wildlife, such as quail, deer, and javelina. Keep these points in mind when deciding whether to control your prickly pear, how much you should kill, and where to target your control efforts. The Brush Busters methods are selective, they allow you to get rid of the prickly pear you don’t want, and keep those you wish to keep. The Brush Busters methods are best suited for controlling relatively low densities of these spiny pests. Aerial broadcast herbicide applications, prescribed fire, or a combination of these
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Prickly pear and other species of cacti may interfere with movement and handling of livestock and can cause serious health problems.
two conventional control methods may be better suited for heavy infestations in areas where these methods are practical. The Brush Busters methods are ideally suited as follow-up treatments a few years after the conventional control methods have been used. Small pump-up garden sprayers, backpack sprayers, cattle sprayers, or sprayers mounted on 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles, (ATV’s) work well. Garden sprayers are best for small acreages. Backpack sprayers may be more efficient in dense stands or where there are dense stands of brush. ATV sprayers become more efficient on
large acreages or where the plants are far apart. Make sure your sprayer has a nozzle capable of delivering a coarse spray (large droplets). A fan-type nozzle may be more efficient for large prickly pear plants, but an adjustable cone nozzle (X6 to X8) will be more efficient for smaller plants. You can achieve 76 - 100 percent root kill of prickly pear and other cacti by spraying with the herbicide Surmount™. The ingredient in this product that kills prickly pear and other
see WINKLER, page 13
online at www.meridiantribune.com
Meridian Tribune
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Meridian Tribune
Bosque County Arrest & Jail Report Recent arrests made by various law enforcement agencies in Bosque County include (alphabetically) and made between 11/1/12 and 11/9/12.
• Tammy Denise Clark, DOB 12/22/69, of Meridian, charged with forgery financial instrument, arrested Nov. 7. • Christopher Ray Davis, DOB 3/28/72, of Blum, charged with public intoxication, arrested Nov. 2. • Russell Edward Fris, DOB 11/28/52, of Temple, charged with theft of property over $20, under $500, by check, arrested Nov. 6. • Eric Anthony Guerrero, DOB 12/6/90, of Me-
ridian, charged with driving while license invalid with previous conviction, suspension, without financial responsibility, arrested Nov. 6. • Roland Jones III, DOB 5/18/54, of Clifton, charged with terroristic threat of family/household member, arrested Nov. 8. • Jack Landrum, Jr., DOB 6/3/85, of Waco, charged with criminal nonsupport, arrested Nov. 6. • Cassandra Michelle Lira, DOB 11/12/89, of Meridian, charged with no driver’s license, arrested Nov. 2. • Richard Bryce Maibauer, DOB 10/12/89, of Clifton, charged with evading
arrest / conviction, arrested Nov. 1. • Jimmy Arnold Patterson, Jr., DOB 1/11/68, of Valley Mills, charged with criminal mischief over $50, under $500; bond forfeiture, arrested Nov. 1. • Lorenzo Perez-Salazar, DOB 4/16/87, of Meridian, charged with no driver’s license, arrested Nov. 1. • Isreal Leander Rabago, DOB 12/4/92, of Clifton, charged with failure to comply with duty to give information, arrested Nov. 6. • Russell Allen Trotter, DOB 2/19/79, of Iredell, charged with non-reportable offense, arrested Nov. 3.
ZACHARIS From page 5
I had to laugh when I saw battery powered foot-warming socks. The winter temperature in South Florida rarely drops below 65 degrees and was often closer to 80. Some of the other items seemed bizarrely funny to me as well. There was a device to strap a hunter into a tree, should he fall asleep. There were other items that seemed, at the time, just too hysterical for words. You must understand I was reading this brochure eight blocks from the beach. Hunting seemed alien. Humorist Dave Barry was a Miami Herald columnists back then. For all of you, he was syndicated, but for me, he was the neighbor of a college friend who swore that Dave was as funny in person as in print. I sent Dave a copy of the hunting ad with my sarcastic comments. He replied, “I am absolutely not making this up: I own one of the strange full-piece camouflage suits you noted. I
was asked to write a column once about hunting and given several useful items to test for myself ”. I wish I could remember the rest, because, in typical Dave Barry style, it was absolutely hysterical. He’s probably killed about as much game as I have. And that would be. . .ah. . . none. I hope all you hunters stay safe this season. I’ve become much more understanding of hunting since I returned to Texas. I’ve even accompanied Zack a few times over the years; have learned to cook venison so it’s often edible. I am absolutely not making this up. Genie Ellis Zacharis, Ed.D. is a Bosque County resident who returned to the family farm after years of living in New Orleans, New York and Florida. She’s an artist who holds a doctoral degree from New York University and is writing a book about the minor catastrophes of life.
cox
From page 5
suit of Indian raiders, once using his sharp knife to successfully cut an arrow out of a man’s back. Freed at the end of the Civil War, Sullivan took up cotton farming in Frio County. He also traded in cattle and horses and after moving to Frio County, secured a contract to carry mail from Pleasanton to Frio Town. While living in Frio County, he claimed to have met and become well-acquainted with two notable Texas characters, the flamboyant outlaw-turned-lawman King Fisher and the even more famous Big Foot Wallace, Texas Ranger, Indian fighter and stagecoach operator. In truth, if Sullivan came to Texas when he said he did, he would have only been a young child. It is clear that he did spend time in Medina and Frio counties, and likely some of his tales were true. If Sullivan had any notion of making money off his colorful if-somewhat-fictionalized story,
it didn’t happen. When Sullivan died in a San Antonio hospital on March 3, 1936, no one in his family had enough money to pay for his funeral. For nearly a week, an Alamo City funeral home held his body while his daughter tried to raise the $166 needed to get him buried next to his wife near Pearsall. The problem came to the attention of the San Antonio Express, which ran a story headlined, “Body of Aged Negro Who Fought Indians in Medina County Awaits Burial for Lack of Funds to Pay,” but if they family managed to come up with the money, the newspaper ran no follow-up. Rodgers can find no record showing where the former slave ended up, speculating he may lie near his daughter Edna’s grave in San Antonio’s San Fernando City Cemetery No. 3. Likely, the family never could afford putting up a tombstone.
webb
From page 5
blazer with brass buttons, white trousers, white shoes, a white shirt and a bright red ascot/scarf neatly wrapped and folded in the open neck of the shirt. He punctuated that look with a curved meerschaum pipe, packed with a pungent tobacco blend. Cap looked like someone you’d call “commodore” or, at the very least, “captain” (which, of course, we did). He was distinctive in the way he dressed and distinguished in the manner in which he carried himself. I can remember every detail of how Cap was dressed, but I can’t remember if he was still publishing in Refugio or had already retired and moved to Rockport. Retirement may
have been premature, because Cap continued to write a column for Refugio, then the Rockport Pilot and eventually for the Port Aransas South Jetty, once his daughter, Mary, and her life mate Murray Judson purchased it. However, Cap was already a successful newspaper icon and a leader in Texas publishing, someone that upstart young publishers, such as I was then, looked up to. Obviously, many community newspaper publishers are great dressers but few so distinctive as my early newspaper hero, Cap, who published newspapers that matched his fashion splendor. I think I’ll dig in our old clothes closet and see if I still have a navy blazer.
NIEMANN would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would sit out in the graveyard all night (working the “graveyard shift”) to listen for the bell. As a result, someone could be “saved by the bell” or considered to be “a dead
Grant Ferguson
A man walking along a storm-swept beach noticed a young girl repeatedly picking up and casting something into the sea. Drawing closer he watched her carefully lift a small starfish and gently toss it back into the life-giving water. Observing there were thousands of the creatures still stranded on the shore he felt compelled to ask, “You can’t possible save them all, so why are you wasting your time?” Showing him the tiny starfish cupped in her hand she replied, “For this little guy,” she paused to make the gentle toss before continuing, “I’m making a difference.” By your decisions and actions, you increase the potential for making a difference during your lifetime and beyond. With financial matters, this is especially true. And, those decisions and actions often start with important details. For example you should know certain details about managing your assets, such as documenting where your assets are located, calculating whether the assets will generate a comfortable and secure retirement, evaluating how appropriate those assets are for your age and risk tolerance, and consulting a professional to see if those assets are still considered tax-efficient. For estate planning, other details consist of making sure your will is current, knowing how much you’ll owe in estate taxes, funding your
Making a difference during your lifetime
estate liability, determining whether you’ll provide for charitable giving, and preparing other legal documents, such as a power of attorney and a living will. Additional details to explore include reviewing all of your insurance policies to see if you are adequately covered for medical, disability, long-term care, family security, and general liabilities, such as business, homes and vehicles. Considering this rather long list of details to address, you might be thinking that you can’t possibly take care of all these issues. Instead of being overwhelmed by the task, consider seeking the advice of professionals. Your CPA, attorney, and financial advisor can assist with tackling even the most complex issues, which will help you focus on making a difference during your lifetime and beyond. Wells Fargo Advisors / Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is not a legal or tax advisor. This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Grant Preston Ferguson CRPC® Financial Advisor in Arlington at 817-462-1829. Investments in securities and insurance products are: not FDIC-insured/not bank-guaranteed/may lose value. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate nonbank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
Bratcher From page 1
County Republican Chair, their neighbor. Prior to the ceremony, as Word led in prayer, Bratcher’s wife, Nancy held Word’s comforting hand with both hers. Many paid their respects and had special words of comfort for her, and Bratcher’s mother Laura Bratcher. Always a very active participant in numerous Bosque County causes including the Arts Council, Bratcher became the Bosque County Republican Chairperson in 2009 . As a staunch supporter in county, state and U.S. politics, Bratcher helped many congressman, senators and county officials be elected to office. And in the meantime, Bratcher served as a Professor of Statistical Science at Baylor University specializing in Bayesian Methods since 1979. At Baylor, Bratcher became a primary organizer of the Conference of Texas Statisticians now in its 32nd year and formed the Ph.D. program in statistics he directed for the past 20 years. And certainly, the man in the white hat was not without a sense of humor. “After an exciting high school experience in Fort Worth, physics sounded interesting to me but I kept taking these easy math courses instead at UT Arlington,” Bratcher said. “Since no one offered me a job after graduation - well I never asked for one - I thought about graduate studies in mathematics. “However, they offered more money to study statistics at SMU, so why not. Upon completing an MS degree, I went to Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque with a Q clearance an “if I tell you, I would have to kill you” type of deal. “There, these Ph.D.s kept
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
State Rep. Rob Orr, Bosque County judge Cole Word lower the flags in honor of Tom Bratcher as Sheriff Anthony Malott looks on.
telling me what to do so I decided to get one of those Ph.D. my own self and did. When offered a position with the Raging Cajuns of the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, the Crawfish Capitol of the World, how could I refuse? “We started a Ph.D. Program in Statistics and a new Louisiana Chapter of the American Statistical Association. Not wanting to be buried in the swamps, I returned to Central Texas and Baylor. Now his white-hat soul dwells the hills of Bosque County, roaming the open spaces with his goats, donkeys, cattle and coyotes. Bratcher passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at Hillcrest Hospital in the afternoon on Nov. 3. After experienc-
ing chest pain early that morning, he arrived at the Emergency Room about 9:30 a.m.. At the time, the cardiologist determined that he was probably having anginal pain, but not having a heart attack. As they were preparing to move him to the cardiac floor, Bratcher sat up in bed, and then collapsed. The cardiologist and staff began CPR. “An hour later, it was clear that Tom was long past saving,” Bratcher’s wife Nancy explained in a touching statement. “The autopsy showed that, unknown to anyone, Tom had an aneurysm of his aorta. It ruptured suddenly, and there was nothing that could be done. “We take comfort in knowing that he did not suffer long and never knew he was in danger. He was spared the agony of old age or debilitating illness, which he feared more than death. What a bittersweet blessing. “He never met a stranger, adored his family, loved his neighbor and left us all better for having known him. He is missed – far more than words could ever express. But his legacy – in all its many expressions of love, courage, integrity, principle and unbridled passion for all he did is with us always. “He was funny - in his own unique way, LOL - caring, giving and found something to love about everyone he met. I feel the pain and loss that each of you are experiencing. Your prayers and expressions of loss and sympathy bind us together in our grief. I am thankful for all of you – you are proof of Tom’s remarkable life.” Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be af raid. John 14:27
From page 1
ringer.” At the beginning of this story, I told you that these explanations make the stories sound pretty credible, but that their accuracy and origins are hard to verify. You still might have your doubts, but at least you’ve had an entertaining ride back through history.
winkler
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cacti is picloram. To prepare the spray mix, add 1 percent concentration of Surmount™ to water. To ensure a thorough coating of the waxy pads or stems, add either a non-ionic surfactant or liquid dishwashing detergent to the spray mix. It will be helpful to add a spray marking dye, such as Hi-Lite™ Blue Dye, to mark plants that have been sprayed and to tell if you are getting an adequate amount of spray on the green pads or stems. The spray can be applied year round, except during extremely cold weather. The HiLite™ Blue Dye will be most effective when the grasses growing within the cacti are dormant due to dry or cold weather.
need. I challenge you to reconcile with your brothers and sisters in Christ. I know at times it seems almost impossible to reconcile with one another but the process is well worth the effort. Remember with Christ you are always at the right place and it is always the right time to receive the reconciliation of Christ.
From page 12
Spotlight on Finance
emergency
From page 5
people, they would dig up coffins and take the bones to a bone-house, then re-use the grave. When reopening these coffins, approximately one out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside, meaning that they had been burying people alive. So they
November 14, 2012 • Page 13
From page 6
they are. Citizens may also register their Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone numbers and e-mail addresses in the system as well. The citizens may register by going to www.hotready. com and clicking the “Emergency Notifications” tab. If you do not have internet access you may call the Heart of Texas Council of Governments at 254-292-1800 and ask to register. This service is free to the citizens and there is no cost to register. All information provided will only be used for the HOTENS and will not be released to others. “Citizens wanting emergency notifications on internet phones (for example Magic Jack), cell phones, via text message, via e-mail, VOIP, or all options other than land lines, are urged to register those options,” Bosque County Emergency Management Coordinator Dewey Ratliff said. “People can register one, or all options if they wish. If they need help registering these options, they can also call the EMC at 254-435-2807.” “Due to the change in systems, if you were registered in our previous system for more options than just landlines, you must resubmit your information in the new data-base,” HOTCOG Emergency Preparedness Planner Tim
Jeske said. Like its predecessor, the Heart of Texas Emergency Notification System is an emergency warning tool that will be used to provide crucial information to the public, quickly and effectively should a need arise. Some examples of when the system may be used include natural disasters; such as fires, floods, severe weather; man-made disasters; bomb threats, hazardous material incidents, terrorism threats; evacuation notices and criminal threats; public health threats such as, boil water notices, health alerts. This system may be used by local fire, police and emergency management when they feel information needs to reach the public quickly. It is important to understand that this system will only be used to promote emergency information and does not change or replace the existing 911 system for emergency assistance. Even though the HOTENS is a way to disseminate information quickly, HOTCOG and its partners want to remind everyone that no single tool can provide enough warning to all people in all situations. During emergencies, people should always seek out information from as many reliable sources as possible.
Meridian Tribune
Page 14 • November 14, 2012
FOR SALE
online at www.meridiantribune.com
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EMPLOYMENT
GARAGE SALE- 714 N. Avenue O, Clifton. Friday & Sat., Nov. 16 & 17. Lots of misc. GARAGE SALE- Sat., Nov. 17. FM 1991 & Hwy. 22, Meridian. Big chalk boards, desks, glassware, chairs, bulletin boards, and more.
PLUMBING, PAINTING, handyman work, and “honey do” needs. No job too big or too small. Will take care of all your household needs. 254366-4171. DO YOU NEED HELP WITH HOUSECLEANING ? If so, give me a call. 254-622-4079. HOUSE & PET SITTING Call 254-749-7067. Have references.
PUBLIC NOTICE
RANCH HAND ASST. needed for Turnersville area ranch. Some experience preferred, strong work ethic required. Call or text 817-304-0541. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Clifton needs a Pianist/ Organist. Requires rehearsals Wednesday nights and other times when needed and Sunday morning worship service. Call 254-6753984 or 817-996-5354. Email: dparrish06@embarkmail.com.
Direct Care Staff/PNA I Waco Center for Youth accessHR.hhsc.state. tx.us 254-745-5390 or 254-745-5148.
MISCELLANEOUS
online at www.meridiantribune.com
FOR RENT
FOR RENT
attention
Meridian Tribune
classifieds
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
November 14, 2012 • Page 15
REAL ESTATE
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FOR RENT – 314 W. 5th Street in Clifton, next door to The Clifton Record. Approximately 900 square feet with reception area, private office, and bathroom. New paint and will install new flooring with input from renter. One year lease, $400 / month. Includes water bill. $350 refundable deposit. Call 675.3336 for Brett Voss.
Completely remodeled, 2/1, Walnut Springs, stove, refrigerator, AC/heaters, furnished, $550/mo & $400 deposit, 131 N. Second. 254897-7468. TWO & THREE BEDROOM HOMES - $450/ mo.& up. Walnut Springs Mobile Home Park. 254978-2161. FOR LEASE@ edge of Clifton on 3 acres. - 3 BR/2 BA, CH/A, recently remodeled. $850/mo, $750/dep. 254-6756796.
Country Farm houseFOR RENT, 45 miles from Clifton. No pets, water fur-nished. $650/ mo. 254-675-4291. Large two story house for Rent in the country between Clifton & Gatesville on 182, Huge front yard & back. For more information Call 254-640-9277. MERIDIAN -Five miles from town; 1BR/1 BA on one acre. Completely fenced. $350/mo (includes water). 713-4804146. House for Rent-Meridian, 2 bdrm/2bath, very clean, 307 River St. $550 deposit & $550 Rent, Call Jeff Young 254-435-6021
HOME ON 1 ACRE Two minutes from Clifton. 4-6 bdrm (2 masters), 4 bath, 2,600 sq ft., pool, hot tub, large covered patio, outdoor game room. $215,000. 254-749-0717. THREE LOTS 4+ acres, (with water meter), Whispering Ridge Subdivision. $35,000. Contact Martin @ 405-0136. Pretty 13 acres, South of Glen Rose, oaks, part open,$5,985/acre, $2,000 down, discount for cash; 817-723-7342.
PETS-LOST & FOUND
Meridian Tribune
Page 16 • November 14, 2012
the back page
online at www.meridiantribune.com
Kopperl remembers vets West hopes to honor vets of Vietnam By Simone Wichers-Voss Meridian Tribune
Sharla Collins / Meridian Tribune
Gale Edwards with her Employee of the Year award.
Local nurse honored By Simone Wichers-Voss Meridian Tribune
Meridian resident and nurse Gale Edwards received the Glen Rose Medical Center 2012 Employee of the Year Award at a reception Oct.25. Edwards works as a nurse in the medical center’s nursing home. She started her employment there in July of 2003. Edwards was unaware she had been nominated and ultimately had earned the award, which was presented by CRMC’s CEO, Ray Reynolds. The Medical Center board had suggested nominees for Employee of the year, based on evaluations, performance and customer service enquiries. Edwards was chosen out of the nominees by a panel of her peers and co-workers at the center.
KOPPERL - Kopperl Independent School District will possibly become a commemorative partner for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration. The Kopperl school district took the first step Nov. 2, and applied to become a partner in the Department of Defense program. The Commemorative Partner Program is designed for federal, state and local communities, veterans’ organizations and other nongovernmental organizations to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring Vietnam Veterans and their families. Kopperl Kindergaten teacher and devoted Vietnam War Veterans supporter Martha West, has been selected by the school to chair the s cho ol ’s Commemorative Committee. “It is one of the greatest honors of my life to be able to help others join in efforts to thank our beloved Veterans of Viet-
Linda Cagle / Meridian Tribune
Two-and-a-half year old Savannah Cagle accompanies her grandmother Dorothy Fisher in the Kopperl Homecoming parade Sept. 21. Together with Martha West and Kopperl Vietnam Veterans they commemorated the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War.
nam and their families,� West said. Commemorative Partners are encouraged to participate in the Commemoration of the Vietnam War by planning and conducting events and activities that will recognize the Vietnam Veterans and their families’ service, valor, and sacrifice. Once an application is submitted, the approval process should take no longer than 30
days. Once approved as a Commemorative Partner, the Commemoration program will provide organizations with a starter kit composed of materials for developing and implementing their programs. Commemorative Partners must commit to conduct 2 events each year from 2015-2017. The Department of Defense offers guidelines on the type of events, but most would focus
on the following: thanking and honoring veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice; highlighting the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and supporting agencies of the Armed Forces.; and paying tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States.
bash
From page 1
the end product had bacon in it. There were no rules regarding the recipe, preparation or presentation. “It is like comparing apples to oranges,� Kuykendall said, acknowledging the judges’ epic task. But then again, the judging panel was nearly over-qualified, including a Choppedcontender cook, a food and wine journalist, a Sysco Foods Meat and Food Safety specialist, a research chef, the BBQ Snob of Texas, a private chef, a Justice of the Peace, a R&D chef and the co-owner of Austin’s Bacon restaurant – where they process 80 - 120 pounds of bacon a day for their customers. For the public, the event was a great opportunity to party with both bacon and beer in hand, but it also was a charity event. All proceeds are intended for Niki Covers The Cold, a charity born of the kindness and compassion of Niki Carlson shortly after her unexpected death in March 2010. Niki dreamed of collecting and keeping blankets in her car to hand them out to folks in need. This dream became reality as the seed Niki planted in her family began to grow. Especially her mother, Sandi Carlson, is an ardent advocate for her cause. At the event entrance piggy-pink T-shirts with Niki’s life slogan “Havin’ Fun is Fun!� were being sold. And anyone bringing a blanket or coat, got a chance to win a Kent Wenzel “Bite My Butt� Box which includes Bite My Butt BBQ sauce in both spicy and original, Bite My Butt Rubb, a koozie, an apron, a cap, and two Bite My Butt wrist bands. Wenzel, a.k.a. “the Master of Flavor� and owner of the Research and Development
center for Pederson’s, is quite the character, shaking the bacon in different spice mixes like a cocktail barkeeper; wise-cracks and one-liners included. Only 150 tickets were available, keeping this maiden bacon battle exclusive and manageable. Ticket costs included admission, a swag bag full of goodies including a reusable commemorative cup, five vouchers to fill that cup with bacon, beer, or both, access to sample 10 of the bacon creations prepared by the teams/chefs, and entry into the bacon eating contest if so desired. The Stud Muffin and the Baconettes a motley crew from all-over the state presented the sampling public with bacon muffins. They even had some bacon baksheesh going on; if you wanted to taste the bacon-flavored vodka they had on display, you had to promise to enter your ticket in their “People’s Choice� box. “I mix the bacon-vodka with Baileys Irish Cream,� lead-Baconette Diana Freeman from Hamilton said. “It’s a take on bacon and eggs.� Pederson’s was present with a test-kitchen, offering samples of smoked pectorial pieces, hoping from some feedback from the passers-by. “We like to try new cuts for our products,� Pederson’s Luke Thedford said. “Pectorial beef is the meat behind the brisket, and is usually thrown away. We’re trying to develop it.� Local Cranfills Gap resident Phyllis Rieser’s Babes of Bacon won third place with their bacon French Toast. Her daughter Nikkolina who attends Houston Arts Institute’s culinary division supplied the rec-
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ipe. Meridianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gary Howard and his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cracklinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? crew were wrapping bacon around cheese sticks filled with bell pepper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or jalapeno for the brave â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and frying them for texture. Howard attends barbecue cookoffs with his buddy Chris Gosdin as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smokinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Jokinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? team. J5 Cookinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from Hico went traditional chuck wagon style with their potato squealers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; potato wrapped in bacon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and robust green beans, potato, onion and bacon dish. Lonestar used the event to promote their new Lonestar Bock beer with a Shish Kebock â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a surf and turf skewer with bock beer gravy. Another pairing of savory bacon with a sweet batter were Dale and Brandon Sommerfeld. They wrapped bacon around a skewer, dipped it in funnel cake batter with bacon bits, fried it, and topped it off with a sweet cream cheese icing. Niki was their cousin, which is how they knew about this event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From what I can tell, Bacon Bash was a huge success,â&#x20AC;? event organizer and marketer Stacy Dudley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, the folks from out of town (Dallas, Austin, Houston) just loved the entire â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gapâ&#x20AC;? community. I had judges tell me that the location was part of what they found so interesting. It makes a great home for Bacon Bash Texas for sure!!â&#x20AC;? Dudley intends to grow the event in the years to come, bringing in more visitors and lowering ticket prices. The photo-op sign provided by the Baconettes captured the essence of the hearty eventâ&#x20AC;? Bacon, you greasy, fatty, deceptively delicious, meaty bastard. I love you.â&#x20AC;?
Simone Wichers-Voss / Meridian Tribune
Pedersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Natural Farmsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Luke Thedford dishing out samples at the Bacon Bash in Cranfills Gap last Saturday.