August 21, 2025
President Jake Lackey opened the meeting. In attendance were Jerry Blankenship, Jacqueline Carlson, Tom and Beth Griess, Pat Johnson, Shelia Meador, Dora Miller, Aleck Newby, Cydney Pearce, Amber Rodriguez, Marvin Whitt, and Marcus and Paula Wood.
Guests were Jacob Salazar, Shawn Okeefe, Asst.Governor for Rotary District 5840 Dick Baggett, and San Saba Garden Club members Trudy Hughes and Cindy Sloan.
Our Speaker, Jacob Salazar, is with the Central Texas Rural Transit District (CARR) , a non-profit public transportation system which serves 18 counties. Lampasas County will soon be added. These buses will assist citizens who have Medical appointments or simply need a ride. CARR serves those in need of any transportation such as grocery shopping or attending meetings for a minimal fee. Medicare and Medicaid recipients may ride with no payment, if they get prior approval. Please call CARR (1-800-710-2277) or www.cityandruralrides.com for more information.
Additional guest speakers were Cindy Sloan and Trudy Hughes from the San Saba Garden Club. They described the devastation from the July floods to the historic garden club center.
All of the contents of the center were demolished by the water that rose up to the eaves of the roof. The Garden Club Members wish to rebuild and are asking for help from the San Saba Community.
This historical building was erected in 1875 by John H. Shorty Brown, a founder of San Saba. It was used as a Grist Mill and Cotton Gin and was powered by water from San Saba Springs. Later, the City stored equipment in the building. In 1956, it fell into disrepair and was scheduled for demolition in 1957. Alma Ward Hamrick, President of the Garden Club which had 60 members, petitioned the City to allow the Garden Club to restore the building. The Mayor granted the request with a 99-year lease. The building was recently renovated again in 2017 by sweat equity from volunteers and a grant from LCRA.
In 2026 the Garden Club will celebrate its 90th anniversary. The San Saba Rotary Club is looking into what grants we can secure and has pledged our support for any fund raising activities.
Our next meeting is Thursday, August 28th, at Pepperbelly's beginning at noon. Guests are always welcome. Our speaker will be Cindy Prater on how she managed a family ranch buyout.