Columns/Opinions

From the San Saba News & Star Archives

25 Years Ago June 18, 1992 (Front Page) - City Council awards bid to Superior Sanitation: The City Council discussed the City budget and contract waste disposal. Deryl Hoyt again expressed concern about the old water tower next to Pecan Valley Hardware. City Manager, Darrin Barker, said he would investigate steps to remove it. It will be less expensive to remove it than replace it.

- Roy Walston hired as County Agent: Roy Walston was introduced to the Commissioners' Court and then recommended to be hired. The Court approved the hiring of Walston by unanimous vote to begin duties July 1st.

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by Nancy Bannister

Reading Recommendations:

A John Graves Reader, University of Texas Press, Austin -

"I seem to have wound up as a 'regional' writer, whatever that may be. It was not what I had in mind at the outset, but I find that this doesn't bother me much these days. After a good bit of floundering and wandering when younger I found my principle vein of material in Texas and the Southwest where I had started out, and my concerns for the most part have not been momentously contemporary ones. So be it. I wrote what presented itself to be written, and the question of whence it derived does not loom very large to me at this point. The other question, the main one of whether it turned out well or badly is for readers present and future to decide."

Fermentation Experimentation

By Cathy Ledbetter

A few years ago I went to a reunion of my dad’s side of the family, the Joneses, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I was milling around talking to various cousins when I noticed there was a group of people with pens and paper tightly clustered around one of my elder female relatives. They were all listening to her intently and taking lots of notes. I went over to see what wisdom was being imparted but could make little sense of it having jumped in midstream. Later I asked my dad about it as he was one of the note-takers. He said she was telling them how to properly make and ferment sauerkraut. Apparently the making of sauerkraut can be very tricky and some people have the touch while others do not. If you listen to someone like my dad’s aunt, it sounds a lot like magic.

Dear Editor,

Re: The closure and Abandonment of 2 miles (7,000 ft) of a 100-year-old County Rd 416 to Mr. Rockafellow

My name is Stacy Oliver and THE OLIVER FAMILY STRONGLY OBJECT to the closing of the 2 miles (7000 ft.) of County Rd 416. We own 50 acres on County Rd 416. We are 5 generations of the same family of Olivers, we have owned this land since 1949. Our property is located on County Rd 416, Mr. Rockafellow purchased all the land around our property and now wants to close off the road.

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By Dr. Don Newbury

Ostensibly, my 104-year-old Uncle Mort phoned to seek my opinion on a subject about which I know little--no, strike that--about which I know nothing. He was at an active wear store, trying to decide on the color of gear he should wear when he opens his ‘goat yoga emporium,’ down in the thicket.

“This fad is so new, I can make a ‘killing’ before too many others get in the game,” he panted.

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I have been in love with the Hill Country since I was a kid. Growing up in the drier, treeless, hill-less High Plains, when my family took vacations and other trips to the Hill Country, it opened up a, literally, whole new world to me. And even thirty years of living outside of Texas didn’t dim that affection.

But the Hill Country has changed since I was a kid, and I have now lived here long enough (17 years) to have witnessed continuing changes. And most of the changes have not necessarily been for the better. I guess that explains why I have spent as much time as possible trying to preserve as much of our native habitat as possible.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is calling on Texans to remain vigilant regarding potential crime and terrorist activity in their communities, and to report suspicious behaviors to local authorities or the department’s iWATCH website at www.iwatchtx.org. The iWATCH program was created as a partnership between communities and law enforcement, and utilizes citizen-sourced tips related to criminal activity.

“In the wake of the cowardly attack in Manchester, UK, our condolences go out to the victims and their families, and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We want to remind Texans of the crucial role they play in helping law enforcement protect the public from groups and lone-wolf actors intent on harming others. We urge individuals to stay alert and report any illegal or suspicious activity they witness to iWATCH or to their local authorities.”

By Sue Ransom

By Jo Price

The rain did come Saturday with some wind and little bits of hail leaving anywhere from two and one half inch to a little less in some places. Some small branches from trees were broken off because of the wind, but no major damage and of course the electric went on and off, just enough to make you have to reset all your clocks. Sunday afternoon another one half inch fell without any wind The river got up some, but not bad at all just enough to flush it out good and possibly make the fishing better. Especially for catfish.

Congratulations go out to all the seniors in the county who are graduating this year. Some will have plans to go on to college and some will be making other plans for their future.

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By Jo Price

Still no rain . . . it either went to the north or the south of us each time----maybe this week will be different as they are predicting rain again for most of this week. Time will tell!

Hope everyone had a happy Mother’s Day this year. Some were taken out to eat others had someone else cook the meal. No clean up or dish washing for most mothers this year. I'm sure most received a nice card and some pretty flowers or pot plant, or some may have just received some work that was needed to be done around the home place. Just know it was all appreciated by mothers.