Last week the area around the Bend received five inches or more of the rain. With all the rain now comes the mosquito. The mosquitoes can be endured because the rain was so badly needed. There is always a dark side to everything . . . just like there is also a bright side to everything.

With fresh water coming into the Colorado the fishing should be good. Bad Bob’s Bait Store reported that the blue cat, channel cat and yellow catfish are being caught using a variety of baits. Bob has the pictures to back up all of his fish stories, so it must be true.

The family of William Clark spent some time recently in Colorado enjoying the nice cool weather. Jamie, A.J. and Andrew Houdyshell; Boyd, Eli and Silas Clark; Doug, Kristi, Jordan and Jaylee Messer also enjoyed the trip to Colorado.

Jane Clark reported that J. R. Collins who is in Temple at the VA hospital is not doing well at all and needs to be kept on your prayer list.

The Brister reunion was held with a large number of relatives attending. Those attending came from Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Kansas, Oregon, Idaho, Oklahoma and from all over Texas. There were eight new babies that came this year. Sorry to relate that some of the family wasn’t able to come because of illness, but hopefully they will be at the reunion next year. The annual Cousin Retreat was held this past week at the Brister home place.

Bill Staggs and his family who used to live in Bend and owned the Bend Store 42 years ago was here for a weeks vacation and stayed at Barefoot Camp. Jackie & Charlene Brister had a fish fry party for he and his family and about 23 folks in Bend that lived in Bend when Bill did. You can just bet there was lots of visiting and catching up with all the news of the family.

Jackie & Charlene stop in Hobbs, New Mexico each year on their way elk hunting to visit Bill and have been inviting him to come to Bend for a long time, so he finally did.

LaFayne Porter reported that her ten-year-old great granddaughter Allison Hendrick of Bend appeared in the Colgate Country Showdown talent contest held at the W. M. Brook Park in Lampasas Tuesday night. Allison was one of ten chosen to perform. She sang two songs for the judges and walked away with first place. Allison is the daughter of Jason and Stacey Hendrick. Congratulations Allison.

Happy birthday goes out to Catherine Hicks who will celebrate her birthday July 17, to Brandon Preece and Bobbie Morris whose birthday is July 18, to Gene Brister and Lauren Brister will celebrate a birthday July 19, to Vera Dee Harmon whose birthday is July 20, to Everett Houdyshell whose birthday is July 21.

Congratulations go to Garrison and Brooke Stinnett who will celebrate their anniversary July 21.