October 8, 2009

The 6th Annual Pecan Classic was held on September 25th and 26th at The San Saba River Golf Course. This tournament is hosted each fall by Mr. Buddy Adams, and flawlessly coordinated by Pam Mann. What makes this tournament interesting is the quota format that gives players the ability to make-up, or lose alot of ground each day.

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is preparing to roll out preliminary plans for its new San Saba River Nature Park and is seeking feedback from the local community. LCRA will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 10th, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the new park’s grounds along State Highway 190 (across from Mill Pond Park) to present a conceptual design of the park and take public questions and comments.

On Saturday, October 3rd, at approximately 3:04 p.m. an airplane crash occurred in northern San Saba County. The crash happened about 10 miles east of San Saba near the Shaw Bend area. According to DPS Trooper Mark Owens, the pilot, 59 year-old Alan Richard Crawford, of Buchanan Dam, was enroute from Fort Worth to Llano when his plane began having engine trouble.

Photo of the Homecoming Court.

With great joy &love we welcome Kaci Jo Graf, born July 7, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. 8 lbs. 2 ounces and 19 1/2 inches. Blessed parents are Chris & Toni Graf of Brownwood. Grandparents are Rila & Brenda Roberds of Elm Grove and Alice Graf of Brownwood.

On Friday, October 2nd, the new officers of the Extension Education Council were installed by San Saba County Extension Agent Carolyn McDowell, FCS. The officers: Carol Littlefield, Chairman; Fran Hulgan, Vice-Chairman; Margie Osborn, Secretary; Mary Jane Dennis, Treasurer; Sherri Cradduck, Parliamentarian; and Lynn Blankenship, Reporter; will serve for two years.

Faithweavers Friends, the mid-week Bible Study at the Methodist Church, is growing almost as fast as the kids! Last week, 33 kids attended FWF and more than 110 children, parents and others came for the free hamburger dinner afterwards. Last Wednesday was truly a “Glory Hallelujah” moment. Everywhere you looked, there was joy, excitement and, most of all, love. It starts like this.

September 20, 2009 was the last Free Meal 3rd Sunday. Richland Springs Volunteer Fire Station hosted each Free Meal 3rd Sunday. The monthly event started March 15, 2009 and finished September 20, 2009. Many people "traveling through" and from different counties enjoyed the fellowship, food served, many desserts, and sharing.

The San Saba Garden Club will hold an Open House Saturday, October 10th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at their Mill Pond clubhouse. There will be a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. to honor the late Janet Red with a newly planted red oak tree, memorial bench and plaque.

Katie Fuller, a medical student enrolled at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Ft. Worth, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, is in the process of completing 320 hours of clinical training under the guidance of a preceptor, Dr. Craig Whiting, D.O., at the Hoerster Clinic. Ms. Fuller began the training on August 31, 2009 and will complete the training on October 23, 2009.

Recently, the Pecan Valley Son Riders donated $200 to the San Saba County Ministerial Alliance. The Ministerial Alliance is comprised of ministers from various churches and denominations throughout San Saba County that share the vision of coordinating the efforts of various community partners in providing necessary resources to meet the physical needs of many folks in the area that have encountered misfortune and have no other way to meet those needs.

One hundred seven years ago, Elizabeth McMahon Campbell was laid to rest in the McMillin Cemetery northeast of San Saba. Like a number of other graves in the little country cemetery, Mrs. Campbell's grave was marked with a single sandstone rock. The wife of George W. Campbell, a Texas Ranger, Elizabeth came to Texas as a young bride and settled, supposedly on homesteaded land, in the McMillin Community about 1868.

Bank customers should never give out their personal financial information in response to an unsolicited phone call, fax or e-mail—no matter how official it may seem—warns the Texas Bankers Association. Phishing is a crime in which literal nets are cast wide across the Internet in order to con unwitting consumers into divulging critical financial information.

We had 1.7 inches of rain Sunday morning. Grace and Harold Hardman reported 2 inches. Our countryside is so pretty and green. We should have a lot of wildflowers in the spring thanks to all the good rain. The 42 tournament will be Saturday night in Elm Grove. The Busy Bee quilters will meet on the 13th and the gospel singing is on the 17th.

LUKE 2:6-8 "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. -For nation shall rise against nation: and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places.

Emergency management is simply dealing with the ‘what-ifs’! You try to figure out ‘what-if’ and then figure at least one way of handling it. It doesn’t matter how big or how small, there is always at least one way to handle any situation that you face. September 11th of 2001 dealt us all a huge blow but we immediately began to wonder – what can I do right now?

The birth of a child is one of the most joyous events in a couple’s life. For unmarried couples, that life-changing experience carries an added responsibility - establishing paternity for their child. Establishing paternity is one of the most important jobs the Attorney General’s Child Support Division performs, because it guarantees a legal relationship between a father and his child.

Reading and Young Children Young children love to sit on your lap and have you put your arms around them.They also enjoy listening to you read a book. Reading aloud to children is one of the most important activities for building a child’s academic success. Reading aloud is an easy way to turn children into lifelong learners.

No, I am not talking about chewing tobacco but cattle, sheep or goats chewing their cud. I do not think there is a prettier sight than seeing livestock laying down in green grass and peacefully and contentedly chewing their cud. Seeing them that way reminds me of something in the Bible.

Are you always aware of God’s presence? For some people God is present at a worship assembly. This is the time prayers of thanksgiving and petitions are offered up to Him. It is a time to give as we have prospered. We sing songs of praise and adoration to Him at this time.

25 Years Ago October 11, 1984 U.S. Representative Phil Gramm, the co-author of President Reagan's recovery program in Congress and now a candidate for U.S. Senate, has appointed Mrs. Louise Tharp, of Cherokee, to be his San Saba County Campaign Chairman. Gov. Mark White has proclaimed October 7-13 as Texas Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Week in a joint effort with the railroads of Texas, public officials, and Texas Safety Association to reduce deaths and injuries occurring at grade crossings ...

Reading Recommendations: Secret Keepers, a novel, Mindy Friddle At seventy two, Emma Hanley plans to escape small town Palmetto, South Carolina, and travel the globe. But when her fickle husband dies in undignified circumstances, Emma finds herself juggling the needs of her adult children. Her once free spirited daughter, Dora, turns to compulsive shopping and a controlling husband to forget her wayward past.

The Milky Way Triangle, also called the Summer Triangle, is currently high overhead in the early evening. Formed by three of the night sky’s bright stars — Vega, Altair, and Deneb — the triangle is easy to identify. Vega, the brightest overhead star, is a little to the northwest of the sky’s straight-up point, called the zenith.

If you are a parent, you want your children to grow into wise and understanding adults. That is, you want your children to properly understand the world around them so they will be happy and well adjusted. All parents want this. You are anxious for your children to excel in school.

The rain is here and looks like it is to stay all week. Who is complaining? This is what everyone has been praying for. Last week seven women from the Bend were on the road in two separate vehicles making their way to LaGrange. They spent the night at a bed and breakfast owned by Edna Machen and the next day shopped at the antique shops along the road from LaGrange to Round Top.

Many folks live 50 years or longer without exercising first amendment rights, but when “grandparenting” comes along, they catch up fast. If vocal chords had muscles, they’d be ripped, as they say, by the ongoing blather old-timers trumpet about their grandchildren. They do so without discrimination, typically yapping away to anyone who’ll listen to minute descriptions of intelligence, strength, agility, courage, and all-around comeliness embodied in specific grandchildren—theirs…. ...

Another wonderful week of cool evenings and refreshing rain! Can life be any better than this? I guess it could for some, but I just love this weather. I think we’ll just have to put up with spring being a little late this year. The grass is getting long so Russ is out there mowing so that my little car won’t get lost in the weeds.

The Texas Department of Agriculture is on a mission. We want to let everyone know agriculture has no boundaries. Even if you don’t live on a farm or ranch, Agriculture is your Culture! When asked, “What is agriculture?” the response may likely include the words cows, plows and sows. While agriculture is all of those things, it encompasses so much more.

Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Washington, D.C. - One of the first provisions of the new federal law regulating tobacco products will take effect as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces a ban on candy, fruit and other flavored cigarettes. The ban on candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes is a critical step to end one of the most insidious tactics the tobacco industry has used to target and addict children.

Most folks that we have visited with lately have generally agreed that the green pastures, good rains, and cooler weather are all very welcome. You’ll have to exercise some patience & bear with me the next several editions of the “Paper,”, as I continually comment on the facts of Fall that are so enjoyable to the folks fortunate enough to get to live in the Hill Country of Texas.

My very first black bear hunt led me to Patten, Maine September 13, 2009. My flight from DFW to Bangor, Maine was a story in itself. Rain delayed my flight from Dallas to Philadelphia 2 1/2 hours and my flight from Philadelphia to Bangor, Maine an hour. The monitor at the airport failed to reflect a gate change therefore I missed my plane.

Receipts totaled 5718 head for the week. The market was a little more uneven with the lighter stocker steers and heifers selling steady to $2-$3 higher as the wheat field grazers begin to get into the market. The feeder steers sold $3-$5 lower and feeder heifers sold $2 lower as they continue to get pressure from the lower fat cattle market and the loss of equity over the last two years for the feedlots.

Raising wild animals in a domestic environment may not be in their best interest. There is perhaps one moment in almost everyone’s life when they come across a baby raccoon, squirrel, or even deer fawn, which seems to be helpless and alone. We tend to think that the only way these cute little animals will survive is with our tender loving care.

San Saba FFA Plant ID Team traveled to Blanco Saturday, September 26th where they received 4th place in the contest. Pictured above are: Tyler McIntosh, Cory Rixse, Tanner Weyerts, Tanner Hawkins. (Submitted by Shaina Hyatt)

Christine Parks, 94, died peacefully in Brady, Texas on Sunday October 4. She was born in 1915 to Alex and Ozella Casbeer and was a longtime resident of San Saba, Texas. She taught elementary school in the San Saba School District for more than 20 years. She also taught elementary grades in schools including Azle and Lampasas, Texas and in Whittier, California.

Frances Botello, 86, of San Saba, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Brownwood Regional Hospital in Brownwood TX. She was born November 22, 1922 in Big Valley Texas, the daughter of Ygnacio Campos and Porferia Perez Campos. Frances Campos and T.D. Botello were married in San Saba on June 19, 1949.

The Dillos played a Lighting filled game at home Thursday night, and lost to a tough Dragons team. During the game there was a delay due to lightning that made both teams enter the locker rooms for 30 minutes. After that the Dillos played some hard nosed football for 3 Quarters.

In many ways, the game last Friday night between San Saba and Bangs was one for the books. Homecoming 2009 will be remembered as the game when San Saba broke a 12-game losing streak to the Dragons, the second overtime game in school history and first at Rogan Field, the first time since 2003 that San Saba won 2 district games in a season, the first time since 2001 that the Dillos have a 3 game winning streak and the first time since 2000 that San Saba has 5 wins in a season, matching the 5-1 s ...

Homecoming week is underway and a festive mood has engulfed the students. Grades 9-12 have nominated their respective class sweethearts for homecoming queen honors. Miss Remy Wood is the freshman class nominee, Miss Ashley Ferguson is the sophomore class nominee, Miss Taylor Jones is the junior class nominee, and Miss Callie Teel is the senior class nominee.

The Cherokee Indians took on the #15 ranked, 4-0, Mullin Bulldogs last Friday night and gave the Bulldogs all they could handle. The Indians and Bulldogs battled back and forth during the 1st quarter. The Indians scored first in less than one minute into the game on a 26 yard pass from Tucker Corsi to Nieves Solis.

The JV Dillos lost a hard fought contest to the Bangs JV on Thursday night. The final score was San Saba 12 and Bangs 26. The Dillos scored first on a Luke Cox 55 yard interception return for a touchdown. The extra point attempt failed. Bangs scored and made their conversion making the game 8 to 6 at halftime.

The San Saba Ladies Golf Association met October 1, 2009 for the monthly business meeting with the following members present: Sandee Hartley, Jo Ann Snow, Dorothy Sterner, Hattie Rogers, Becky Hardin, Jo Anne Hardy, Janet Hoyt, Bobbie Churchill, and Anita Miles. The meeting was called to order by the President, Anita Miles, and the meeting was opened with prayer by Hattie Rogers.

San Saba Area Christian Home Educators wrapped up their Pennies for Peace campaign. Coins were collected with the help of Everett’s Furniture, Super S Foods, Cherokee Grocery, Dairy Mart, Bend Methodist Church, New Hope Presbyterian Church, Rylander Library and especially City National Bank who with the gracious help from Billy Jean Amthor counted coins.

Richland Springs' junior Stephen Fowler #3 and junior Tommy Hollon #33 along with the rest of the Coyote defense swarmed all over The Buckholtz Badgers. The Coyotes were in total control in a lopsided 70-6 victory. The Coyotes improved to 4-1 for the season. This Friday’s district opener brings the Eden Bulldogs to Coyote Stadium.

After a 2 hour lightening delay, the San Saba 8th Grade Dillos lost to a good Bangs Dragon team by a score of 28-20 at Rogan Field last Thursday night. The Dillos had a bad case of fumbleitis as they fumbled five times loosing 4 of them. San Saba kicked to Bangs to start the game.

On a very warm day in Lometa on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, the San Saba Cross Country teams competed well with some success. The Varsity Girls came in second behind Class 4A Marble Falls. In Girls Jr. High, San Saba had only two 8th graders on the team, but still came in third behind Marble Falls 8th & Goldthwaite 8th.

Now begins another busy year for parents across the area, picking up children, lugging around balls of all shapes and sizes and transporting all of this stuff to practices and games. I agree children should be exposed to all varieties of sports and physical education, but I also wish to see their minds and imaginations used in the process. I would like to offer another, and possibly the best option for boys across the area and that is Cub Scouting.

The San Saba Annual Alumni Golf Tournament for 2009 was held October 3, 2009 with thirty players. This is an annual tournament that is held in conjunction with the alumni events. In the past it has been during the summer but there were complications and the tournament was scheduled for this year with Homecoming and the Homecoming Events.

San Saba Elementary Oct. 12-16 Monday Breakfast: Cereal/Toast, Cereal Bars, Fruit, Juice, Milk Lunch: Crispy Chicken Salad, Beef & Bean Burrito, Celery/Carrot Sticks, Seasoned Corn, Tossed Salad, Mixed Fruit, Choice of Milk Tuesday Breakfast: Cereal/Toast, Pancake Pup, Fruit, Juice, Milk Lunch: Ham Chef Salad, Steak Fingers, Whipped Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Fresh Oranges, Choice of Milk Wednesday Breakfast: Cereal/Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Fruit, Juice, Milk Lunch: Taco Salad, Nach ...

The Jr. High won their game at Mullin last Thursday, 12-0. Baylor Jordan and Corbin Davis scored a touchdown each. Andy Dozier had an interception. The Indians lost a wild game to the #15 ranked Mullin Bulldogs last Friday, 42-50. The Student Council is sponsoring Student of the Week and Athlete of the Week.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s a BROADBAND WIRELESS POLE! Thursday, October 1 was quite interesting if you were driving up and down Wallace Street near the SSISD Central Office. Our phones did not quit buzzing until we finally had to leave for the day. The first questions I need to address are the two that were most asked: “How much did that pole set us back, and is the tax election going to pay for that pole”.