Everyone woke up Monday to some very cool morning temperatures, in the lower 40’s, but much needed rain also came in with the front. Nearly 2 inches was reported from different ones around the Bend. There were also some reports of hail, not in Bend but some places in the county had enough that it was stacked up in places.

This is the time of year for birthdays and birthday parties. This past Saturday a surprise birthday party was held at the Bend community center for Sylvia Stinnett. It is not often that people get to celebrate two birthdays in one year. She enjoyed the company of her relatives, friends from the Bend and many from Burnet who made the trip to enjoy hamburgers and to wish her a belated happy birthday.

A big 80th birthday party was held for Jolene Lively this past Saturday in Leander at the home of her grandson and his wife, Donnie and Rachel Eckhoff. Friends and relatives came from Bend, Red Bluff, Chappel, Coppers Cove, Austin, Santa Fe, and Waco. Elizabeth Dear, Donnie's mother-in-law, was present; she's from around the Houston area.

Patsy Henniger just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where she spent a week with members of her church. She reported that everything was wonderful. The first day it rained, but after that no problems. She and husband R.J. was in Lampasas Monday to help a grandson celebrate his birthday.

Bill and Jo Price attended the 56-year celebration of the Midland Community Federal Credit Union held Friday, April 25th, at the Midland County Horseshoe. The world famous Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang prepared the bar-b-q beef and chicken. It is something to see how many people they can serve in a short time.

The annual LeMaster fish fry was held this past weekend in Delta Acres. Mickey LeMaster reported that around 154 people attended the affair. They came from all over to attend. The one who came the farthest was Mark Blinn and his wife Dennita. They are both in the Air Force; Mark came from Iraq and Dennita is stationed in Alaska. Other visitors came from Mexico, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida, Houston and other parts of the country. They all enjoyed the fish and all the trimmings and the usual games of Horse Shoes and Dominoes. Millie Cook and Dale Rogers won first place in the dominoes, Boyd Ellison and Jerry Patton won second place and third place winners were Winston Leach and Joshua Cook. In the horse shoes Dean LeMaster and Ed Cook won first place, second place went to Ewing and Mike LeMaster, Jr, with Michael LeMaster Sr., and Robert Munoz winning third place. Everyone had a good time and had their fill of fish and other good things to eat.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Milly “Mickey” LeMaster who will celebrate a birthday May 1, to Mark McCoury and Dalon Wayne Smith who will be celebrating a birthday May 3, Blain Adams and Shari Bryant will celebrate a birth May 4, Kathy Lee and Jackie Brister will celebrate a birthday May 5 and Tyler Grant and Bobby Clark will celebrate a birthday May 7.

There are 31 days in the Month of May and on the birthday calendar of the Bend community there are 31 birthdays listed. There may be other birthdays for people around the Bend, but unless you call and let Jo Price know about a birthday or anniversary, it won’t make the Bend News. Call 628-3561 to get your news in or email joretta@centex.net.