It would be safe to say that most of the intros. to "Highlights" the past several weeks have probably been relating to aspects of the weather, being cold, wet, or both. This is by no means to be construed as carping or complaining, being that we all enjoy rains & the winters can be somewhat cold at times, even in Texas. Even the most dour of our complaining Citizens would have to admit that we’ve been extremely fortunate as to the welcome rains received in our Fair Valley of the Pecan this past season. Some stations around the County reported rainfall of 1-2" the latter part of last week, while we still got some pretty good showers over most of our area the earlier part of this week. Looking at the Rivers, creeks, and ponds, I’d say that everything is still fairly well floating. Richland Creek, Cherokee, Rough Creek, and Simpson are still running well and if you’ve been down Annex or crossed Onion Creek on Commerce, those springs are still purging. Visiting with the Cherokee Commissioner this past week even evidenced that the Buffalo still had some water in it early on. It goes into the gravel fairly soon, so when the Buffalo runs, it’s still darn wet. Josie reported that the County removed the tree that was blocking traffic on Rainey’s Crossing, so she doesn’t have to traverse all the pot holes coming in on China Creek Rd. Joe Miller has had a load of flex base ordered for his mud hole at the Turner gate, but the inclement weather has precluded delivery. Daddy has always allowed that wet, muddy weather usually allows for a good season for crushed base on entrance areas and driveways.

Tony Guidroz waved me down on the Square early in the week and was excited to show me a copy of a new tour-travel bulletin that they have just gotten printed touting all the aspects San Saba County possesses to entice visitors to our pretty place in the Hill Country. The brochure titled "San Saba Texas", notes us as the Pecan Capital of the World underlined with the date of establishment, 1854. The front page also depicts several sites and activities we have to offer in a pretty well chosen and classy lay-out. Some of those include a shot of the downtown area on E. Wallace from the signal light, Mill Pond falls, rodeo, biking, hunting, golfing, boating, and fishing with the centerpiece displaying what might probably be the best shot of a Pecan Pie ever seen. The top décor of Pecans on the pie looks like my configuration, but rest assured, the crust is certainly not of my making. Winnie Lou McCoury usually takes top honors in that department. The inside of the folder gives some historical background on the Town and County, as well as listing points of interest located in Town and around the County.

The back side gives some background on Harry’s, Regency Bridge, and Eddie’s grocery store. If you’ve ever lived away from San Saba, the most oft mentioned items of interest for our area might well be the 3 above mentioned sites, along with our Golf Course, the livestock Auction at Harkeyville, deer hunting, and Pecan places. I know a lot of folks that are happy to get back to their hometown, but I’d have to say that we might be a bit more lucky than the rest of the World. Anyhow, if you happen to get by the Visitor’s Center at the Chamber building, pick up a couple of the folders and send them to someone who would love to come pay us a visit.

Lady Z has already sent one to her Aunt Alma & Uncle Bob up in the Buckeye State. Looking back on folks that moved here to live & seemed extremely happy to be here, I’m reminded of H.L. Ghristy’s quote after moving here from Aransas Pass some fifty-odd years back: "I like San Saba because the people here have time for living." Those of you that remember Mr. Ghristy know that he was truly a very cheerful person.

I’d suppose that most of you guys & gals will be thinking of what to get your sweetheart for the up-coming Cupid’s Day. Whatever it may be, should be well appreciated. The Valentine of the year should go to Susie Harkey as she has been taking good care of Jimmie for nigh on to fifty years & odds are she’ll make her own cake. I made Lady Z’s Monday evening and she ate it all on Tuesday. Anyhow, I imagine that the Mayor & yrs. truly will be trying to do our best out around———Harkeyville!!!!!!!!!!!