Texas Tales - Junction Eagle
Transcription
Texas Tales - Junction Eagle
Page 10 The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Texas Tales Edgar Stephens and Robert “Sunshine” Stubblefield spent most of their lives on the road traveling from town to town in Texas with the Bill Hames carnival. Back in 1913, Stephens hoped to make a living as a farmer near Pilot Point, a small community north of Denton. Barely getting by, he made a little extra cash cutting firewood for Hames, founder of the carnival that still bears his name. Hames liked the big man and his big smile and offered him a full-time job. Starting off as a “back yard boy” or general laborer, Stephens soon graduated to operator of the show’s steampowered merry-go-round, or “Jenny.” And that’s what he was still doing more than a half-century later when I interviewed him in March 1969 at the annual San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo. Of course, by then he ran a gasoline-powered carousel. As Stephens’ longevity demonstrated, the Hames show got a lot of mileage out of its regular employees. The same held true for its equipment and roll- by Mike Cox ing stock. The merry-go-round Stephens controlled had been part of the show since 1936, the year Hames finally junked the steam model. After accommodating countless thousands of youngsters and the young at heart, Stephens said the Depression-era carousel still ran just fine early into its fourth decade. Though working the clutch lever as a wooden platform goes around and around might seem like highly repetitive work, Stephens said his motivaton – beyond regular pay – renewed every time he saw how happy such a simple ride made the children. “I sure like little kids,” he beamed. Based in Fort Worth, the Hames carnival traveled from event to event all over Texas, at first by train and then by truck caravan. In the off-season Stephens lived in Brady. But after so many years on the road, he said, “In a way, it kind of feels like home to be with the carnival.” He tried to quit in October 1968, he said, “but they wanted me to go to Beaumont with them, and I did. They didn’t like it much when I quit.” So Stephens un-quit. Stubblefield, better known as “Sunshine,” joined the show in 1925. He and Stephens became good friends, but Sunshine didn’t operate any midway equipment. Through the last decades of Jim Crow America, he worked as a dancing minstrel, a black in blackface clowning for the amusement of whites. Sunshine grew up in Sulphur Springs. Like Stephens, he gave up farming for a carnie’s life. Seeing some of the carnival wagons on their way to the train, he followed them to the railroad siding, asked for a job and got hired on the spot as a “roughy,” or laborer. He ended up working all night long as the Hames crew took down the tents and rides after their Sulphur Springs run and loaded them for the next gig in McKinney. When he went home to get some sleep, he had his pay in his pocket – a quarter. The foreman who’d hired him said that to get on with the show full-time, he’d have to ride with them on the train to McKinney and sign up there. That’s what Stubblefield planned to do, but dead tired, he overslept and missed the train. “I walked darn near most of the way from Sulphur Springs to McKinney,” he recalled with a smile. “I had a pair of shoes that used to be called ‘gators’ and I wore a hole in ‘em.” At first, Sunshine did odd jobs around the carnival. But that changed one night after the show closed when he and some friends had gathered behind the tent for a bit of spiritous conviviality. “I was clowning around and dancing after a few drinks and somebody came up and said, ‘I’m gonna make a comedian out of you.’ By golly, he did.” For the next quarter-century, Sunshine performed as a sideshow minstrel. “I wore a red coat I called my monkey suit,” he laughed. “I used to be known as the fastest dancer what ever came through the country.” “He sure was,” Stephens chimed in. Hames’ carnival managed to stay in business through the Great Depression, and unlike millions of Americans, Stephens and Stubblefield kept their jobs. “Back… [then],” Sunshine said, “they didn’t even give us money. We got what they called ‘dukies,’ – brass coins we couldn’t spend anywhere but at the carnival. They gave us a dollar in real money for cigarettes, providing we spent Junction Ranch Real Estate Trey Sullivan Real Estate 1100-B Main Street Junction, Texas 76849 (325) 446-3811 www.junctionranchrealestate.com 1320 +/- Acres-2.5 miles of Hwy. frontage. Six water wells. Two dirt tanks. 3 metal barns. Minerals. Great hunting. 627 +/- Acres-Hwy. frontage. New 3Br/2Ba. home, new barn. Great hunting. 491.34 Acres-Hwy. frontage, new cabin, new well. Liveoak and mesquite country, very little cedar. Good network of roadsentire ranch is accessible by two-wheel drive vehicle. Great hunting for native game and axis deer. REDUCED TO $1650 p/a 393.70 Acres-County Rd. frontage. Older ranch house (recently remolded-inside) barns, pens, 2 water wells. Selective cedar clear ing. Great views from the hilltops. Superb hunting. 67.3 Acres-Eastern Kimble County. County road frontage. Great hunting for whitetail and exotics. $234,000 60 Acres-in gated game preserve. Stocked with exotics and native game. Water well, septic and electricity. $198,000. 51.6 Acres-County Rd. frontage, older mobile home, water well, perimeter fenced. Exotics and native game. $160,000 50 Acres-Part of a large ranch. Hwy. frontage. Great hunting, native game & exotics. 50 Acres-Menard Co.–easy access, small cabin, great hunting for exotics and native game. $99,750. 48 Acres-Located in a gated game preserve. The game preserve is stocked with elk, red stag, axis deer, fallow deer, and south Texas white-tail. Property owners are allowed to hunt. Typical hill country terrain. Blinds and feeders convey with property. $180,000. 46.67 Acres-Eastern Kimble Co., gorgeous 2-story rock home, two beauti ful decks, lots of rock work, 3 bedroom 3 1/2 bath, 3 fireplaces. Must see to appreciate. 30 Acres-Beautiful N. Llano River. Double wide. Many extras. Abundant wild life – Call FMI 6.26 Acres-Kimble Co. – County Rd. frontage, 4 bedroom, 3 bath main house, guest house, 2 huge barns and workshop plus many other amenities. $190,000. HOUSES 420 S. 16th - 3 BR/1BA, double carport, nice work shop. 301 S. LLANO–2BD/1B–Hardwood floors, fireplace, C/H&A, front & back porch. $79,500. 210 N. 19th - 3BR/2BA, double car garage. Mary Murr, Broker..................................325-446-3150 J-31-tfc L.R. Castleberry........................................325-475-2028 Find your dream home in one of our Realtors listings! Trey Sullivan, Broker 1802 Main St. – Junction, TX 325-446-3725 325-446-6060 WWW.TREYSULLIVAN.COM 3.094 Acres – Gorgeous home site with quality restrictions located 3.5 miles from Junction with beautiful views of the surrounding hills and creek. $47,500* 9.599 Acres – Main Llano River with large hole of water, underSOLD ground electricity and live oak and pecan trees. $210,000* 9.738 Acres – Main Llano River, scattered lg. live oak and pecan trees. $210,000.* SOLD 9.906 Acres – Main Llano River scattered liveoak and pecan trees.* 9.935 Acres – Main Llano River with pecan/live oak trees and underground electricity. $210,000* 28.113 Acres – Main Llano River. Great showplace with over 985 ft. of river with large grassy fields and scattered pecan and oak trees. A new water well, underground electricity, fencing and entrance. $545,000* 532 +/- Acres Kimble County – Great hunting property with remodSOLD eled home, workshop, small spring, recent cedar clearing. Price reduced-motivated seller. $1,170,400. Homes 205 West St. – 4BR/3BA home with large master, office, and bonus room. Large lot and workshop, $109,000. Price reduced to $76,000 Commercial 1802 Main St. – Office sites for sale. $25,000-$75,000* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Home: 325-446-8680 Email: trey@treysullivan.com * Owner/Broker 72 acres on the North Llano River. I-10 Frontage. Cedar hunting lodge, cabins, well, electricity, cultivated field. $625,000. Pictures and additional information can be viewed on our website at www.greene-realty.com Land Surveying Paul Bushong 830-367-7302 Ranches - Estates - Subdivisions 106 Glen Lakes Ct., Ingram, Texas 78025 Classifieds! Real Estate 224 Ac. N. of Junction on Hwy 83. Game fenced w/whitetail & exotics. 3/2 MF home, bunkhse./gameroom, deer cleaning facility, 2 wells. A great value! $695,000 LEHMBERG REALTY 1-800-880-8163 www.lehmbergrealty.com KIMBLE COUNTY REALTY 1909 N. Main Junction, Texas 76849 Daniel Henderson 2.5 Acres of Commercial Land on the corner of FM 2169 and I-10 waiting to be developed. Possible uses include restaurant, convenient store, professional office, etc. Call for pricing! 75 Acres in the 10,000 acre YO RANCHLANDS! Property boast a gorgeous pond, large metal barn w/living quarters, access to YO amenities, and some of the best wildlife the Hill Country has to offer. Turn Key! 180 Acres located 16.7 miles southwest of Junction. Hunting cabin, shared water well, partially fenced, nice oaks! Gorgeous and views. $1,795/ac. 205 Cenizo – 4 bed, 2 bath with CH/AC, fireplace, utility room, and large fenced backyard w/alley entrance. $89,900. 814 Hackberry – Charming 3 bd/1 1/2 ba. metal roof, CH/AC, landCONTRACT scaped, Large open kit., 2 living areas. Reduced to $59,000. 302 W. Redbud – 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage with large off./gameroom. Entertain guest with your outdoor kit. & fireplace. Corner lot, lg. Pecan trees, sprinkler system, and much more! $159,900 Office: 325-446-9020 Toll Free: 877-446-9020 Cell: 325-446-6110 daniel@kimblecountyrealty.com K-52-tfnx London Area 20 acres 3/2 brick home w/patio, 2-car garage, pens, well, owner will divide. Reduced to $175,000 R.D. Kothmann Real Estate K-26-tfnc www.kothmannrealestate.com 325-446-3013 BIERSCHWALE LAND CO. P.O. Box 154 Junction, Texas 76849 325-446-2763 Or 432-631-0589 Paul Bierschwale, Broker® Scott Phillips® www.bierschwalelandco.com results! 2 ac. - Intersection of IH-10 & 2169. 3 ac. - I-10 frontage, 1/bd cabin, barn, water well & septic, sign & excellent business location. 7.6 ac. -Water well, near Morgan Shady Park. $55,000. 10 ac. - N. Llano River, over 1,000 ft. river frontage, nice water, fenced, water well, elec., septic. $199,777 20 ac. - London area, well, septic & electric. 40 ac. - Good water well, electric, dirt tank, off 1674. $120,000. 60.7 ac. - 3/2 module, hwy. frontage, 1/4 mile of beautiful Johnson Fork. REDUCED TO $750,000 87 ac. Segovia area. Very unique water feature. Tons SOLD of game. Beautiful home site. REDUCED TO $595,000 93 ac. - 2,000 ft. county road frontage, great views & hunting. Own your own mountain 6 miles from town. 140.12 ac. - Segovia area, big views, clean property, well, elec., fenced, 30x40 metal building. 143 ac. - Large spring, dam, deep water. Great building site near town. 265 ac. - Cleo area, county road frontage, well, elec. $2,150 per ac. 310 S. 9th - 4bd./1ba. $44,500 801 Elm St. - 4 bd. /2 ba., 2 living areas, fp, great out bldgs. Seller will accept any reasonable offer! Advertise in 1610 N. Llano - 3 bd/2ba., newly remodeled. Greene Realty 400 W Main St. Rocksprings TX 78880 (830)683-4203 G-2-tfnc Check out all the options on our Classified pages. Get The Junction Eagle 325-446-2610 C-52-tfnc Fort Worth-Dallas. By then, Sunshine was working out of the show’s main office, doing the “runnin’,” as he put it. Both men agreed that the carnival business just wasn’t what it used to be. For one thing, costs had gone way up. The merry-go-round used to cost a dime. A hobby horse ride was 25 cents in 1969. Sunshine lived up to his name. “I’ve just stayed happy,” he said. “My philosophy is, if I do, I do. If I don’t, I don’t. When they ask me why I laugh, I tell ‘em it’s to keep from crying.” L-12-tfnc Classifieds! Real Estate that at the carnival.” They may have had steady work, but money remained tight. Sometimes, he said, they had so little cash that he and his friends pooled what they had to get enough to buy the makings for a stew. “Even the boss used to eat with us sometimes,” he said. Sunshine continued in the carnival’s minstrel act until 1954, by which time he said he’d gotten “too old to jump.” Into the late 1960s, during the off-season, Sunshine still occasionally did some night club entertaining and bar tending in REDUCED TO $89,900 REDUCED TO $119,500 1606 N. Llano - 3bd/2ba., large garage, 3 lots. $72,500 Val Verde Co. - 893 ac. Big deer, 8 blinds & feeders, 5 water troughs, water well & electricity w/new 18x80 mobile. 4 bd/2 ba. North of Comstock. Asking $895,000. Member MLS-Gillespie County Board of REALTORS® Call for other properties not listed here. The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Page 11 Sheriff’s department’s sting nets two Debbie Kistler The Junction Eagle Last week, when a wildfire raced back and forth across 10,000 acres southwest of Junction, Kimble County Sheriff’s Department personnel had the daunting task of coordinating resources (fuel, water and food delivery, visiting volunteer firefighters, traffic control, security, information dissemination, manning the Command Post, etc.). The sleep-deprived, over-extended officers took no days off, and made time Thursday night to catch some bad guys. In an undercover sting oper- ation, two Mexican nationals were arrested and jailed after allegedly attempting to sell stolen merchandise to “buyer” Sheriff Hilario Cantu, who was wearing a “wire”. Concealed nearby and listening to the negotiations were Deputies Ralph Sramek, James Stewart, Kenny Waites and Matt Pittman, Game Warden Lee Morrison, Texas Ranger Dwayne Goll (Brady) and 198th District Special Investigator Mike Chapman. At a signal from Cantu, the officers moved in, stopping the two men from escaping. The sheriff’s department confiscated eight skid steers, nine trailers, a self-contained Braggin’ rights chipper and numerous attachments, stolen from various businesses and construction sites around Austin, and valued at about $250,000. Some of the merchandise has already been returned to the owners. Sheriff Cantu said that he is proud of his deputies, all of whom worked on their days off, and is appreciative of the assistance of the other agency personnel on both fronts. Whether working to put thieves behind bars, or supporting the fire fighters, he is grateful to the many hardworking, skilled, committed individuals and appreciative of the community’s support. l4-year-old Brooke Cawthon recently competed in the Louisiana State Women’s Gymnastics Championships in New Orleans. Brooke competed with over 70 other level 7 gymnasts from the state, scoring first place in all four of her apparatus events and winning gold all-around for her level. This strong state win earned Brooke a top spot on “Team Louisiana” and the privilege of representing Louisiana at the regional championship meet in Atlanta earlier this month. There, her “Arabian Nights” floor routine earned her a coveted silver medal. Brooke trains 20 hours a week and is a straight-A honors student at Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville, Louisiana. This is only her first year to compete in the USA Gymnastics system after returning from five years of living and competing in Asia. On holidays and during the summer, Brooke loves visiting her grandmother, Junction resident, Judy Deal, and while here, swimming in the Llano River and attending the Junction First United Methodist Church. Kimble County AgriLife Extension to host landowner workshop The Texas AgriLife Extension of Kimble County will host a Landowner Workshop on May 10, 2011, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Kimble County Courthouse (District Courtroom). On hand will be Dr. Jim Gallagher to discuss feral hog control methods and what happens to their populations if we don’t control them. Bob Lyons, Extension Range Specialist, will present talks on Brush Busters techniques and methods that will concentrate on prickly pear, mesquite, yucca, and other brush species. Dr. Rick Machen will also be on hand to talk a bit about types of livestock and typical stocking rates. All presenters will also offer ideas on how neighbors can improve relationships with neighbors in regard to fence lines, hunting, and property rights. The program is set to conclude around 8 p.m. The cost will be $10 at the door and each participant will receive one CEU (IPM) and two CEUs (General) for their private applicator license. Extension programs serve people of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service, or accommodation in order to participate in meetings are encouraged to contact the Extension Office at 325-4462620 seven days prior to an event for assistance. KIMBLE COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT Sheriff Hilario Cantu and staff are privileged to bring you this weekly report of happenings in Kimble County. The information is taken from call slips, which do not always contain the outcome of the calls. Due to the Oasis Fire, an accurate count of telephone calls and radio transmissions is not available. Kimble County Sheriff’s Deputies, EMS, Fire, and DPS were dispatched to 16 calls for service: 4/24-1. EMS responded to Kimble Hospital for a transfer to San Angelo. 2. EMS responded to the 2100 block of Main in reference to a report of a possible overdose. No transport. 3. Deputy Pittman responded to Kimble Hospital in reference to a report of a dog bite. 4. Deputy Pittman responded to I-10 mm 465 in reference to a report of a road hazard. 4/25-1. EMS responded to Kimble Hospital for a transfer to Fredericksburg. 4/26-1. EMS responded to U.S. Hwy. 377 north in reference to a female subject with back pain. Subject was transported to Kimble Hospital. 2. Deputy Brown responded to RR 385 in reference to a report of a road hazard. 3. JVFD, EMS, Sheriff’s Deputies and mutual aid from the surrounding counties responded to U.S. Hwy. 377 South in reference to a report of a grass fire. 4. Deputy Pittman responded to the Valero in reference to a report of an assault. 4/27-1. Deputy Stewart responded to KC 311 in reference to a report of a stolen skid steer recovery. 2. EMS, Sheriff Cantu, Deputy Hagler and J.P. Ragsdale responded to U.S. Hwy. 377 North in reference to a report of a death. 4/28-1. No calls reported on this date. 4/29-1. JVFD responded to Native American Seed in reference to a report of a structure fire. 2. Deputy Pittman responded to I-10 mm 456 in reference to a report of a subject that hit a deer. 4/30-1. EMS responded to Hill Country Care Center for a transfer to Kimble Hospital. 2. JVFD and EMS, Sheriff’s Deputies and Sheriff Cantu responded to Camino Real and Saragosa in reference to a report of a structure fire. Kimble County Jail Administrator Jeff Whitaker and staff processed two persons through the County Jail on the following charges: 4/29-Deputy Stewart arrested Nestor Suarez-Garcia, 26, of Round Rock for felony theft. 2. Deputy Stewart arrested Manuel Vasquez-Castaneda, 31, of Bastrop for felony theft. Who you need, what you need, when you need it, where you need it and why you need it. The Junction Eagle classifieds, page 8. JPD ACTIVITY REPORT The Junction Police Department submits the JPD offense/incident/arrest reports each week to keep citizens informed of calls and incidents occurring in the city. Traffic citations are not included. The release of the information is required by Texas under the provisions of the Open Records Act. Although Texas law allows the release of names and addresses included in these reports (with the exception of names of minors and victims of sexual assault), this newspaper has chosen to print only the names of those arrested. Those named in these incident reports should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Sunday, April 24 1. Sgt. House was dispatched to the 2100 block of Main in reference to an animal control matter. 2. Sgt. House was dispatched to the 2100 block of Main in reference to a suicidal subject. 3. Sgt. House was dispatched to the 300 block of Hickory in reference to a miscellaneous report. 4. Officer Maldonado was dispatched to the 2100 block of Main in reference to a miscellaneous report. Monday, April 25 1. Officer Maldonado was dispatched to the intersection of Sawyer and 16th in reference to loud music. 2. Officer Maldonado was dispatched to the 200 block of 12th in reference to an animal control matter. 3. Chief Ivy was dispatched to the 1700 block of College in reference to a burglary. Tuesday, April 26 1. Officer Morgan was dispatched to the South Llano Bridge in reference to an animal control matter. 2. Officer Noah was dispatched to the 200 block of Patricia in reference to a fire. 3. Officer Hernandez was dispatched to I-10 mm 447 in reference to an assist. Wednesday, April 27 1. Officer Noah was dispatched to the 2400 block of Main in reference to a traffic control matter. 2. Officer Noah was dispatched to the 1700 block of College in reference to a follow-up investigation. 3. Officer Hernandez was dispatched to the 400 block of Pecan in reference to an assist. Thursday, April 28 1. Sgt. House was dispatched to the 1700 block of College in reference to criminal mischief. 2. Sgt. House was contacted at the Junction Police Department in reference to recovered property. 3. Officer Maldonado was dispatched to the 900 block of Oak in reference to a disturbance. An arrest was made. Friday, April 29 1. Sgt. House was dispatched to the 100 block of Durango in reference to an alarm activation. 2. Sgt. House was contacted at the Junction Police Department in reference to an assault report. Saturday, April 30 1. Officer Noah was dispatched to the corner of Saragosa and Camino Rio in reference to traffic control. 2. Officer Noah was dispatched to the 100 block of Cedar in reference to a suspicious circumstance. 3. Officer Noah was contacted in reference to suspicious persons. 4. Officer Noah was dispatched to the 700 block of Main in reference to an assist. 5. Officer Maldonado was dispatched to the 900 block of 11th in reference to loud music. Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote Exercise your privilege to Vote Early voting is May 2 through May 10 and Election Day is May 14 JISD Board Place 3 Allen Castleberry (inc) Justin Bierschwale (op) Place 4 Cody Plumley (inc) Ken Wimberley (op) Place 5 Luke Levien (inc) Doreen Martinez (op) Kimble Hospital Board (Vote for 3) Bobby Chenault Daniel Henderson Dr. Joe King Claudette Primeaux Molly Robinson Courtesy of Leti Study Club Your cheap cellular rate plan just lost it’s signal and you’re not even 10 miles out of town. That’s just not right...Right Wireless, that is. Right Wireless has the best coverage in this part of the country. 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Main • Fred Burg Communications Goldthwaite: Central Texas Communications Kerrville: 1448 Junction Hwy. • 317 Sidney Baker • HEB • Audio Video Solutions • Advantage Communications Junction: Five Star Wireless Mason: Mason Gas Menard: B&N Artwear Mertzon: Made in the Shade Ozona: West Central Wireless Robert Lee: Rock Solid Communications Santa Anna: Double H San Saba: Central Texas Communications Sonora: West Central Wireless Stephenville: Giffords TV • Our Town Internet Services Winters: Milton’s Hardware Right Wireless www.rightwireless.net A member of the West Central Wireless family of companies. Page 12 The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Outdoors Outback by Kendal Hemphill Coming Home “He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year, coming home to a place he’d never been before.” ~ John Denver, ‘Rocky Mountain High’ 1972 The first time I heard ‘Rocky Mountain High’ by John Denver, I thought it sounded nice, but didn’t make much sense. How can you come home to a place you’ve never been? I thought it ranked up there with Neil Diamond’s ‘I am I said to no one there. And no one heard at all, not even the chair.’ And then, in 1998, my wife and I went to Rockport for the first time, and for the first time I realized what Denver meant. It really is possible to come home to a place you’ve never been. If you look up RockportFulton on the internet, you’ll find plenty of facts about the area, its history, its population and rainfall and location. You’ll learn about the many activities available there, such as fishing and birdwatching and duck hunting and antique shopping. You’ll find facts about Goose Island State Park, and the many kinds of fish you can catch along the coast. You might even find references to people like Franklin Roosevelt, who liked to go tarpon fishing down there during the 1930s. What you won’t find is how it feels to go to Rockport, and stand on the end of a pier at night with the breeze blowing, and the lights reflecting off the black water, listening to the small waves relentlessly slapping against the shoreline rocks. You won’t find, in some advertisement, what it’s like to wake up at the Crane House, and walk into the living room and find the horse standing with his head against the screen door, waiting for a handout. Or how it feels to watch the whooping cranes wading in the shallow marsh water, looking for breakfast. There’s no way to learn, from a blurb, how homey the Hoops House feels, or how fluffy the pillows are at the Lighthouse, or how comfortable the beds are at the Hampton. You won’t absorb, from words on a page, what it’s like to sit down at a table covered with butcher paper at the Boiling Pot, surrounded by friends, and dig into some of the best seafood you can find anywhere. An article on a computer screen won’t tell you what it feels like to climb the stairs at Charlotte Plummer’s restaurant before daylight, and eat breakfast while the sun begins to peek over the Gulf, streaming in through the picture windows and turning the dining room into a glowing, golden haven. No internet site can let you feel the beauty of the islands as you glide around them in a kayak, or float a channel while the reds speed along underneath you just below the surface, chasing the mullet in the shallows where the reeds grow thick along the banks. A computer can’t bring the thrill of seeing an alligator sliding through the water near her nest, letting you know you’re not welcome, because she’s got babies to protect. A story on a website can’t convey the excitement of stepping onto a flatboat, stowing your gear, and looking forward to a day on the water in one of the finest fisheries on the Gulf Coast. Or how the wind feels as it presses you against the seat, or the calmness of the bay when the captain cuts the engine and lets the boat drift, or the anticipation of watching your rod tip nodding with the swell while waiting for a big redfish to take your bait and run with it. And when he does, and you set the hook, and start trying to bring him to the boat, and try to avoid the other lines and keep him from getting tangled up in the motor and reel when you’re supposed to and keep the slack out and don’t fight him too hard and you’re thinking this must be the biggest fish I ever caught and man he can run, and then you finally get him to the boat and the guide nets him and has trouble lifting him over the gunwale and he’s huge and beautiful, well, try putting that feeling on a page. You might as well ask the sun to set in the east. But mostly a website can’t let you feel the friendliness of the people, the sense of welcome you get when you walk into a store or restaurant in Rockport. There’s an aura of belonging there, of being an old friend rather than a tourist, that you don’t find many places anymore. That’s something you won’t see among the facts and figures when you search for information about the area. But, for me, it’s the most important part of the entire Rockport experience. It’s a feeling of being among not just friends, but family. When we drive into Rockport, I always get the feeling I used to get after I went to college, and didn’t come home until Thanksgiving. It’s a feeling of being back where you belong, where you’re wanted and where the troubles of the world go away and leave you alone for a while. It’s a feeling of contentment. I guess John Denver knew what he was talking about. But if you want to find out how he felt when he was writing that song, you’ll have to visit Rockport yourself. Because welcome and contentment and tranquility can’t be put in a bottle, or on a website, or in a newspaper column. The only way to find those things is to go home . . . door humor columnist and public speaker who caught a 26 ½” redfish from Capt. Mike Caserta’s boat last weekend. Write to him at PO Box 1600, Mason, Tx 76856 or jeep@verizon.net To contact Capt. Mike Caserta, visit www.ReelFiddle.com or call 361.790.6374 METAL BUILDINGS ~ BARNS ~ CARPORTS ENTRANCES ~ GATES ~ CATTLEGUARDS FENCE BUILDING ~ CONCRETE SLABS Willard Crenwelge PIPE 325-446-4282 or 325-260-5647 for sale Crossword puzzle sponsored each week by: review Senate Bill 18 (SB 18) and compromise on an amended bill that both chambers agree upon. Following the conference committee’s review, the bill will return to the House and Senate floors for final approval. The revised and approved bill then will move to Governor Perry’s desk for final signature. Redistricting is another important legislative issue during the current session. In the early morning hours of April 28, the House approved a map that represents proposed state voting districts. The final redistricting map, once approved, will remain in effect through December 2021. The map approved by the House included amendments to a map introduced by Rep. Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton). Solomons’ original map would have pitted four incumbents against each other in two West Texas districts. According to the original lines, Rep. Jim Landtroop (R-Plainview) would run against Rep. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), and Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) would run against Rep. Rick Hardcastle (R-Vernon). The map also drew what many called a “ruler district”— a single, county-wide district that spanned from Wise County, just northwest of Fort Worth, to Terry County, near the TexasNew Mexico border. However, Rep. John Smithee (R-Amarillo) proposed an amendment to the map that corrected both situations. The amended map was realigned so that only one district would host two incumbents, Landtroop and Chisum, who has announced his intention to run for state railroad commissioner. The map also eliminated the “ruler district.” “This means we’re going to have fewer West Texas legislators challenging each other,” said Billy Howe, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) state legislative Equine Pastimes by Nancy Smith On April 16, the Junction Roping Club held a team roping, and Laura Wilson was kind enough to get me the results. Here they are. #5 Cap: 1st place with a time of (6.34) were Jimmy Don Wills and Charlie Wilson Avg: 1st, (27.02 on 3 head), Butch Lewis and Chantz Green; 2nd, (32.21 on 3), Casey Murr and Wilson; 3rd, (34.91), Steve Backor and Green #13 Slide: Avg:1st, (33.29 on 4 head), Noe Gonzales and Kingston Chang; 2nd, (37.48 on 4), Adrian Lucero and Dean Martin Round Robin: 1st, (31.34 on 3), Green and Martin Sounds like they had a lot of fun. I wish that Eric Phillips had been out there competing, and we are all praying for a quick and full recovery so he can be soon. Johnny didn’t get to go as he is now the official horse groomer and driver for Alyssa. We were at the Brady director, during an interview with the TFB Radio Network. “Also, it eliminated District 88, that ‘ruler district,’ where you would have had people who almost live at the New Mexico border, probably represented by someone in Fort Worth.” The amended map now will proceed to the Senate for their consideration. The grain indemnity bill, HB 1840, also is a legislative priority for TFB. As of press time, the bill is expected to be on the House Calendar for consideration the week of May 2, and then it will move to the Senate. “Farm Bureau members should contact their representatives and senators to encourage support,” said Ken Hodges, TFB associate legislative director. “The legislation still has a very good chance of passage, but it definitely would benefit from grassroots lobbying since there is limited time left in the session.” Wildfire grazing relief available Livestock producers can seek relief from damages resulting from the Texas drought and wildfires through two Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs. One program allows a producer, who has lost pasture and fences due to fire, a 30-day period to graze Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres. The second program provides for emergency grazing on available CRP acres in droughtstricken areas. Procedures require the local FSA office to petition the state office for inclusion in both emergency grazing programs. Producers should contact their local FSA office immediately to request their county be included. Program approval is on a county-by-county basis and is not guaranteed. For details, contact your county FSA office. Playday Series. Alyssa had a 1st place in Goat Tying, 2nd in Barrels, 2nd in Flags and a 3rd in Steer Dobbing in the 9-12 age group. She didn’t do well in Poles; I think her horse thought you got points for knocking over all the poles. Kinlee Ensley in the 8 and under age group had a 2nd in Barrels and a 4th in Poles. At the Bandera 4-H Horse Project Playday, Kinlee Ensely placed 2nd in Cloverleaf and Straight Barrels and 4th in Poles. Alyssa Smith placed 3rd in the Stakes race. Hope to see you all at the Twist-Off Rodeo. Adios! RIO 10 STADIUM CINEMA A name you can trust! Kimble Funeral Home 1401 BANDERA HWY 173 For movie info. please call 325-446-3076 Online advance tickets available 830-792-5170 KERRVILLE 1010 College Street, Junction, TX TFSC License Number 3809 www.kimblefuneralhometx.com E. Gene Allen ACROSS Kimble County Farm Bureau Texas drought brings driest March since 1895 The Texas drought is hitting farmers and ranchers hard, and some weather experts say last month was the driest March since 1895. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that current drought conditions are the worst seen in 45 years, according to a recent CattleNetwork article. An El Nino weather pattern in the first half of 2010 yielded average rainfall, but a subsequent La Nina pattern has dried out Texas and other southern states since late last summer. The early rain in 2010 fostered rangeland growth and now is fueling massive wildfires across the state. The CattleNetwork article notes that 1.5 million acres of Texas rangeland have burned since January. Crops across the Lone Star State have been affected by the severe drought conditions. Some cotton farmers have not been able to plant, and up to 10 percent of the wheat in West Texas will be grazed out or destroyed. Texas farmers and ranchers are looking for relief— and fast. Unfortunately, according to NOAA, the Texas drought is expected to continue through mid-summer. Property rights, redistricting top agenda in Austin The Texas Legislature is making one final push to reform property rights legislation that would protect Texas landowners throughout the eminent domain process. Conference committee members from both the House and Kendal Hemphill is an out- Senate have been named to W.W. CONSTRUCTION AND FENCING W-3-tfnc submitted by 1 Cowboy Tony Romo take down 5 horse originally bred in a desert climate 6 grass often found on TX putting greens 7 TX has 19 giant ____ theatres 8 actor Beatty in “Streets of Laredo” mini-series (‘95) 9 TXism: “playful __ _ ____ in clover” 16 OK town on 81 18 TX horse breed 21 M16 is U.S. military version of __-15 rifle 22 “L” of past TX conglomerate LTV 23 TXism for “girl” 24 TXism: “___ __ _ boardinghouse cat” (overweight) 30 TXism: “__ ____ __ her” (pretty woman) 34 former TX rodeo champ Mahan (init.) 35 Michael of TV film “Ruby and Oswald” 36 TX Red Steagall is a “cowboy ____” 37 TX-based electronics corp. “_____ Shack” 39 TX William ______ ______ was writer O. Henry 43 TX cowgirl singer & actress Dale 44 TX Hill Country is part of “Edwards ______” 45 TX Lyle Lovett tune: “__ Big Deal” (‘08) 46 “I smell _ ___” 47 ____ Ward, TX 48 past popular Ford car 50 actress Hart in film “King Creole” with TX Carolyn Jones 53 golf ball support 54 dir. from Abilene to Hico 55 Crowell newspaper: “_____ County News” 56 hollers at (2 wds.) 59 TX-born sprinter and pro RB, Matson 24 25 26 27 1 2 3 TEXAS CROSSWORD 4 5 6 by Charley & Guy Orbison 7 Copyright 2011 by Orbison Bros. 8 9 17 16 11 12 40 39 31 37 41 DOWN 48 42 1 Hemphill is seat of this county 2 TX Cindy Garner jokebook: “How ___ ___ Like Noodles?” (‘91) 3 Hemphill Co. seat 4 Bryan/College Station TV 9 Ozona h.s. class 10 WR in football, or Austin beauty salon (2 wds.) 11 pecan dessert, e.g. (2 wds.) 12 Dr. Pepper is sold in these 49 38 43 46 50 51 52 55 54 56 13 TX George W. narrowly beat him in 2000 election 14 Yo-__-Digo Creek 15 39-across wrote “A ___ in Santone” 17 students who quit before graduating 19 Carlos _______ de Gortari was Mexico president when NAFTA was signed 20 TX Ivory Joe Hunter song: “I ______ Lost My Mind” (‘50) 24 state where Emmitt was born (abbr.) 25 this Stilwell founded Port Arthur (init.) 20 34 33 45 53 15 19 32 44 60 TX CBS 47 news anchor, Rather 61 dir. from Baird to Denton 62 ___ Fresnos, TX 14 23 36 35 13 22 30 29 10 18 21 28 John D. Winstead 57 58 P-1009 59 60 61 62 26 short journeys 27 “live ___ ___ live” 28 John Cornyn is in the U.S. ______ 29 TXism: “the bigger they ___, ___ harder they fall” 31 “T ___ Texas” 32 TX Willie sang “___ It Be Me” in ‘82 33 Corsicana’s county 38 TX L.Q. Jones film: “Ten Who _____” 40 in Boerne: “__ Kendall Inn” 41 TXism: “compadres” 42 considerations in designing houses 49 Art ____ style 51 TX Freddy Fender hit: “You’ll ____ a Good Thing” (‘76) 52 horse morsel 57 old Oilers kicker: __ ___ Greco 58 county & town in the Hill Country BUY BEFORE YOU DRIVE! Or visit our website at www.rioentertainment.com KERRVILLE, TX P-32-tfnc The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Page 13 Performance @ 7:30 p.m. At the Hill Country Fairgrounds Junction, Texas Page 14 The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Welcome, Rodeo Fans! Enjoy Hill Country Hospitality Isaack’s Restaurant Benny & Jennifer Frasier JUNCTION WAREHOUSE COMPANY “FOR ALL YOUR FEED NEEDS!” TELEPHONE: 810 MAIN STREET (325) 446-2537 OR 446-2828 P.O. BOX 147 1606 Main Street 325-446-2629 FAX (325) 446-2815 JUNCTION, TX 76849 of Junction 1014 Main (325) 446-2162 Dairy Queen Bring this coupon in for 50¢ off any size Blizzard IH-10 & Hwy. 83 RITE-A-WAY AUTO SERVICE C.T. HOLEKAMP III LAURRIE ALLEN City Pharmacy Welcome Rodeo Fans Electronic Gifts * DVDs Expanded RadioShack so you don’t have to travel out of town! 1610 Main • 325 / 446-2511 1977 North Main 325-446-2739 4 a.m. till midnight 325-446-4524 2 p.m. till 10 p.m. Kenny Rooke LUTCF . Business, Auto, Home Life & Health (325) 446-4843 fax (325) 446-4844 rthi@cebridge.net 731 Main St. Junction, TX. 76849 (325) 446-3462 1922 N. Main Junction, TX 76849 Termites • Yards Roaches • Trees Robert Johnson Owner James M. Kistler Architectural and Construction Administration Services Residential, Commercial and Industrial 215 N. Sixth Street Junction, Texas 76849 325-446-2610 The Banking Brand in Kimble County 701 Main 446-2531 Member FDIC Junction Short Stop (325) 446-2121 Johnson’s Pest Control 1801 Main St. Major& (325) 446-8877 Minor Open Mon-Fri 8 am-6 pm Vehicle Sat 8 am-1 pm Repairs Oil & Filter changes in 15 Minutes elements on the Llano Texas Made Texas Proud Rodeo “Dirt” Shirts 2005 Main 325-446-3560 “Big Rig Friendly ” Junction/North Llano River KOA 210-485-4667 Reservations at ww.junctionkoa.com Exit IH-10 456 Late arrival parking for after hours. West Bear Creek For all your Boot Scootin’ needs. 406 Main Street 325-446-2514 DOZER / GR ADER / B ACKHOE / DUMP TR UCK R OAD C ONSTR UC TION - POND C ONS T. & LINING R IGHT-OF-W AY C LEAR ING - PAD S ITES HAULING - B AS E MATER IAL - TOP S OIL - G RANITE - C LAY WEEK EN D SERVICE AVAILABL E 830-928-3531 K ENN ETH HO F F MAN – Junction, TX hoffmanservices@hotmail.com Trey Sullivan Real Estate WWW.TREYSULLIVAN.COM FARM & RANCH RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL 1802 Main St. 325-446-3725 ~ 325-446-6060 The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Page 15 to the Hill Country Fair Association’s 2011 Spring “Twist-Of f” Rodeo! Cherokee Bridge and Road, LTD. Concrete Sales Div. ny’s hn HRS JoSTORE 5 a.m. - 12 midnight 1014 Main 446-3099 Wood Turnings•Bars•Carvings Custom Cabinets•Tambour•Mantels Classic Furniture Reproductions Fine Furniture•Displays STORE HRS SHELL 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. 201 Moreles 446-2158 P.O. Box 193 Junction, Texas 76849 (325) 446-4409 446-8989 Pay for what you pour. Volumetric Mixers, Mixed and Metered on-site. No minimum on in-town orders. Schedule after 5 pm & Saturdays. Road Work, Base, Paving and Dams. Office: 325-446-3710 FINE CRAFTED FURNITURE AND CABINETS EXXON We have a big variety of breakfast and lunch items. Hours 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mobile: 210-827-4286 FIRST STATE BANK Kimble County Chamber of Commerce & Junction Tourism The Friendly Bank 2002 Main (325)446-3391 402 Main www.fsbjunction.com (325) 446-3190 www.junctiontexas.net junctiontx@cebridge.net Kneese Land Management, Ltd. Petroleum Land Service Located on the beautiful South Llano River Offering academic programs for colleges and public schools Facilities for seminars, conferences and workshops 325-446-2301 631 Main, Junction, Texas 325-446-8737 2200 N. Main St. Junction, TX 76849 325-446-9300 Welcome rodeo participants & fans www.junction.ttu.edu P.O. Box 186, 254 Red Raider Lane, Junction, TX 76849 Welcome to the 2011 Spring Twist-Off Rodeo Junction Automotive Affordable Air & Heat 815 Main (325) 446-2501 Serving Junction & Surrounding Areas 446-8999 310 Main affordableair@ctesc.net 325-446-3394 Call Scott Burton for all of your heating or cooling needs! Segovia Truck Stop Restaurant and Motel HILL COUNTRY WELL SERVICE Marvin and Laura Wilson, Owners Lic.# 41911 & 6735 OPEN 24 HOURS For all your windmill and pump services, call 446-3456 or 446-7506 Gould-Grundfos Pumps Wind Generators Sprinkler Systems Sales & Service Solar Pumps & Products GENE COLE JR TACL #A006061C TECL 23409 COLE MECHANICAL, INC. HEATING * AIR CONDITIONING ELECTRICAL Diesel all grades of gasoline Boarding * Grooming * Training Veterinary Clinic Gregory D. Bogard, DVM 325-446-2939 Reasonable Truck Stop: (325) 446-3193 Rates Restaurant: (325) 446-3693 Clean Room welcome rodeo fans and visitors!! King-Care Pet Center Good Food • Tire Service Vehicle Inspection Mechanic on Duty MOTEL Harold’s Food Mart & Joy’s Tire & Lube 1112 Main/PO Box 173 * Junction, TX 76849 (325) 446-4471 * Fax (325) 446-3361 * colemech@ ktc.com kingcarepetcenter.com SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT TACLB012854C Roosevelt * 446-2604 Luke Tillman Land Improvement “Over 20,000 acres cleared and still pushing!” With a variety of equipment, we are able to complete your job efficiently! • Cedar Clearing (by ac./hr.) • Mesquite Clearing • Firelanes • Handcutting Fully Insured • Roads/Driveways • Crushed Limestone • Red Granite Gravel • Pads Many References 210-216-9304 (Luke) Junction Publishing Company Publisher of The Junction Eagle Office Supplies Available 215 North 6th Street 325-446-2610 - FAX: 446-4025 editor@junctioneagle.com www.junctioneagle.com Page 16 The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Letters to the Editor Dear Debbie, A shot has been fired across the bow of Kimble County, and I pray we are smart enough to heed its warning. The wildfires in west and north Texas were distant admonitions that we hoped would not affect us as we helplessly watched our fellow Texans endure the wrath of nature. This past week, that threat moved in south of our town. I cannot go any further without expressing my gratitude to all the volunteers who have risked their lives and well being in service to Kimble County. A very special thanks is due our local volunteers who served in the other huge Texas wildfires as well. The Texas Forest Service and many, many other fire departments from counties near and far fought these wildfires tirelessly day after day to protect our lives and property. There are not enough words to properly thank them for all they have done. As I watched a vicious wildfire approach Junction from the south, I feared for all those in the Bluebonnet Subdivision. With a cedar choked hill to their backs, there was no way to protect them had the fire progressed that far. As I went out to try to assist with the suppression effort, I was confronted with the daunting task facing the trained firefighters. The land had been neglected and solid cedar breaks impeded the progress of those men charged with attempting to stop a fire. Please understand that grassfires are difficult and brushfires are almost impossible to stop, especially when humidity is low and wind speeds are as high as they have been in the past few days. Our volunteers faced grave danger by attempting to save us. You cannot imagine the frustration of standing next to a thousand acres of solid cedar knowing there is absolutely no way to stop a fire in there. Backfires must be used to stop this type of fire, but with no landowners present and uncertainty about property and structures, we place our firefighters in dangerous time-consuming dilemmas. So what can be done to help prevent this danger in the future? I think there are several things property owners must do to avoid this situation and assist with it should it happen again. First, absentee landowners need a local contact who can advise the volunteers about structures and give permission to ignite backfires that could potentially save thousands of acres and millions in property. Secondly, property owners need to remove all cedar and underbrush within 600’ of all structures. Embers from a brush fire can travel in excess of that distance in wind speeds of less than 20 mph. Attempting to protect structures consumes time and resources firefighters desperately need to stop the progress of a wildfire. Finally, a 200’-600’ lane cleared of juniper and underbrush around the property boundaries can allow firefighters quick movement and the ability to stop a moving fire. This step can be costly and requires continual maintenance. Prescribed burning can be used on large properties to reduce wildfire fuels but must be undertaken with caution by persons with training, equipment and experience. Fortunately, Kimble County has one of the most experienced burn associations in the state. I would encourage all property owners to join that group and learn from them. With property ownership comes the responsibility to actively manage the land for your own well-being and for those your property could affect. Failure to do so is reckless and dangerous to many innocent people. I would ask all property owners to meet with our local fire chief to develop a plan in the unfortunate event this potentially devastating situation returns to Kimble County. Sincerely, Sam Jetton ****** This past week has given us in Kimble County the chance to see wildfire in all of its rage and fury. A “perfect storm” of conditions (dry weather, low humidity, high temperatures, and an unceasing and confounding wind) brought many of our citizens and even the city of Junction to a level of fear and concern rarely seen. As I write this letter on Sunday evening, the fire has taken a pause. There is at least a chance tonight for a shower and that could be the one thing which might stop this destructive monster as it has moved from near Telegraph to near Junction. For three days, from Tuesday through Thursday, the fire ebbed and flowed back and forth from north to south. I had been, along with my partner Preston Wright and my family, moving livestock and trying to protect hay barns and dwellings in anticipation of the fire reaching the Bob Blackburn ranch on Joy Creek, where we ranch. At midday on Friday, our fears were realized and the fire moved through the eastern part of the Blackburn. No dwellings were destroyed. No livestock was lost, and nobody was hurt. We thank God for these blessings. Fences can be rebuilt and downed trees can be cleaned up and pasturelands will come back one day when it rains again. My heart aches for our neighbors who were not as fortunate. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I need to say the following things because the past week has been at times terrifying, at times frustrating, at times wondrous. My thoughts are these: • I am always amazed at the willingness (make that eager- ness) of people to help other people in times of need. I know it was evident at our place, and I am sure that it was the same all along the fire, and we were bowled over at the tremendous turnout of volunteers to help fight the fire. At one time or another during the past three days, volunteer firemen from Junction, London, Ft. McKavett, Menard, Sonora, San Saba, Center Point, Divide, Mountain Home, Paint Rock, Harper, Elm Grove, Hunt, as well as employees of the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Forestry Service and many concerned friends and neighbors and family members all pitched in and fought the fire on our place. I am humbled at their dedication and am so grateful for our community for working to feed and care for the literally hundreds of visitors who came to help us in our time of need. I have seen how tired these folks have been and many of them took time off from their lives to come to this county and help. Their selflessness is a testament to “doing unto others as we would have done to us”. • I know that coordinating a tremendous crisis such as this is difficult, and I am sure that there have been times during the last week when the right hand didn’t know exactly what the left one was doing. However, this particular fire in this particular terrain has been exceedingly difficult to defend against and many various groups, from local ranchers volunteering, to all of the aforementioned workers, were all trying to do their best to help. With all that acknowledged, I was impressed at the coordination of the Kimble County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Transportation, Pedernales Electric, the Forest Service and all of the other entities which had a role to play. All of their dedication is commendable. • Often we forget one group of people who, as much or more than any, have a great deal to do with ultimately putting out a fire and that is the heavy equipment operators (the dozer men). Many of these men are local ranchers and businessmen who put their own equipment in very real jeopardy in clearing fire lanes, removing downed trees, building roads for firefighters and many other dangerous tasks. I am not going to try and name them all because I would invariably leave someone out, but many of you know someone who has been working this week (and at many other fires as well). Please take the time to thank them. They have been diligently building a fire lane around Junction itself and many have worked around the clock for days. • I cannot tell you one of the names of the helicopter pilots and airplane pilots who spot and drop water and retardant on these fires, but there was a time Friday when they were the best friends I had in the world. Without these people and the work they have done so far (because I know that it might not be over) I believe, and I think that many of the firefighters will agree with me, that the fire would be burning free at this time and could be five times as large as it has been. Indeed, it is not too much of a stretch to say that they may well have saved Junction. Their skill level is amazing, and the technology is state of the art. The next time that I am inclined to complain about waste of taxpayer dollars, I will remember watching those helicopters flying in like bumblebees dropping their payloads very accurately on hotspots and infernos. We are forever in their debt, and I know that the past week has run up some tremendous costs. The federal government will be paying much of those costs, though I suspect that we will have quite a bit of local cost as well. Until it is your home, your property, your life that is in jeopardy, you really cannot quite grasp the feeling of seeing this help descend from the sky. This evening, I am humbled by the magnitude of the collective sense of sacrifice in people. As bad as things get on the news, as depressed as current events make us, as hopeless as things sometimes seem, I am nevertheless lifted up tonight at the example of “all for one and one for all” which I have just witnessed firsthand. To all of you who called to check on us, who offered your help, who came and fought, who helped us haul our livestock, who continue to be there for us through thick and thin, Jennifer, Jay, Preston and I are eternally grateful. Sincerely, Charles Hagood ****** Thank you for your coverage on the fire. We live in Louisiana but have property on KC 130 that we love. Your web site, as well as others, has given us information on our neighbors as well as the status of the fire and weather. Looking forward to receiving our copy of The Junction Eagle. Robert Kennedy ****** Dear Editor: As a caring grandparent, it sickens me to know how cruel people really are. My granddaughter, Kinlee Ensley’s beloved dog Josie was shot in the head and left to die in the middle of the Rocksprings highway across from her home. Josie was a sweet loving dog who would have never hurt anyone. She was scared and confused trying to find her family who had been evacuated due to the fire being close to their property. Kinlee and her family had been in town when the evacuation had started and were not able to get home to get Josie. So, I hope whoever did this is feeling all powerful and oh so proud of themselves. What a coward you are- no one is above the law. God is watching you! Becky Hart Happy Mother’s Day Gibson’s celebrates our 43rd year of locally owned and operated business with a huge grand opening of our new 5400 square feet expanded sporting goods department. With over 600 square feet of archery, long bows, crossbows, recurve, compound bows and accessories featuring Barnett, Horton, P.S.E., Hoyt, Diamond, Easter, Muggy, Bemon, just to name a few. Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, it’s all on sale! Fishing, bows, targets, broadheads, and all accessories 20% off. All 2010 and earlier model boys market at dealer COST, all 2011 models in stock or ordered, get factory M.A.P. pricing. 40% off any bow case with the purchase of any bow! Walso cut and fletch arrows, restring and restore bows, buy any part on string and the labor is always FREE! Not an archer? How about Darts or Billiards, Boards, flights, Bristle or elective board, steel or soft tip darts, beautiful stylish cabinets, billiard balls, racks, cue sticks, stick racks, tips, chalk, brushes and more. All 20% off. Outdoor games and athletic supplies, baseball, football, basketball, soccer, racquetball, tennis, Lacrosse, volleyball, badminton, tetherball, lasso and Frisbee golf, regular and custom pitching washers, horse shoes, croquet and more. All 20% off. For the fishermen we have a full line of sea choice boating supplies, trailer lights and ports, fuel tanks and line, pumps, cleaners, covers, eats, pedestals, skis, kneeboards, life and ski vest to trolling motors. All 20% off. All fishing tackles, lures, live bait, tackle boxes, nets, waders, over 300 rods, reels, and combos, Carrot Stix, Ugly Stick, Eagle Claw, Quantum, Zebco, Okuma, Shakespeare, Roddy, Pinacle, Sea Striker, Diawa, Catalna, Rhine, Penn, U.S. Reel, Pflunger and more. All 20% off. Canoes, Kayaks, fish finders and game cameras 10% off. Going camping? All camping supplies stoves, lanterns, propane, fuel, tents, canopies, cots, sleeping bags, air mattress, coolers, backpacks to survival gear. 20% off. All air soft and paintball guns, tanks and acc. 20% off. Hunting, pocket, and collector in knives, 20% off. If it’s hunting supplies; we have that too. Rifles, shotguns and pistols, 10%; ammo and reloading supplies, 10% off. Buy any rifle, shotgun, or pistol and get 20% off any sling, gun case or scope with free mounting and bore sight. While you’re here, visit our R.V. department with a full line of coast R.V. parts, cleaners and more along with a huge selection of BBQ grills, charcoal and acc, all at 20% off. How about our new 40 foot run of Forney Welding supplies? Now 20% off. All lawn and garden care products, garden tools to water hoses and timers, weed killers to bug killers and outdoor plants, cement, fountains, yard art, cooler to lawn chairs, 20% off. Look great with 20% off entire clothing department, Justin, Georgia, Laredo, John Deere, McRae, Rocky, Wranglers, Dickies, Nocona, Mossy Oak, Same Guard, Hats, caps, belts, shirts shorts, pants, boots, shoes to scrubs. All 20% off! The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 More Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, The events of the past week have made me so proud to call Junction my home. I watched a community pull together and take care of the needs of our whole town. On Tuesday, when the fire started out on County Road 130, Cecil Conner immediately started calling for help. He knew that this was the “Big One” we all had been dreading and hoping wouldn’t happen in our county. Well, he was right on target. Mutual aid started arriving within the hour from our surrounding counties. Brush trucks, tankers and man power started coming to assist. A command center came from Menard and got communications up and running. Then the townsfolk got the word that we needed supplies for the firemen and women. Wow is all I can say! The EMS and Lisa Lombrana, wife of a firefighter had brought out an ample supply of water and Gatorade. Usually this would be all we would need. But we soon realized this was bad, and we would need more than what we had. The word was out for water and Gatorade. It seemed like only a matter of minutes and we had truckloads of water arriving. Then a truckload full of Gatorade arrived. I was amazed at how quickly the necessary resources arrived! As the day went on, more and more fire agencies arrived and began their fight on the fire. I saw towns I had never heard of until that day. We all realized we were in for a long night so the word went out for food and other supplies. When I saw the London ladies coming in with a truckload of food, I wasn’t surprised. These ladies have always helped us when we needed them. Lisa Lombrana came back with a whole surburban full of food. They set up tables at the staging area to feed the firemen and women as they came in to rest and rehab. The Red Cross arrived later that evening with some pizza and chicken, coffee and tea. We literally had enough food to feed an army, which is what we did. Many local restaurants sent out hamburgers and fries and sandwiches were brought in by locals. I saw lots of people bringing things, but was busy so I don’t know all the names. Thank you to all who made the trips out with food and supplies! Thank you! The wind was blowing 35-40 MPH, and we were in a middle of a field, and the dust was bad. The word went out for eye drops, chap stick and baby wipes. Again, Junction’s response was overwhelming! We received a large amount of these items and put them to good use. There were so many people bringing supplies out to us that I didn’t see everyone because we were busy taking care of our firefighters in the ambulance. We were so lucky and blessed to only have to treat minor burns. We had to wash out their eyes because the amount of debris in the air was so bad. We had a few firemen get so dehydrated they required IV fluids. They were drinking 6-8 bottles of water and Gatorade an hour and still couldn’t keep hydrated. That’s how hot this fire was. I want to thank every employer in Kimble County for allowing your employees to respond to the fire. We couldn’t have made it without them. I also want to thank the employers of my EMS personnel who allowed them to come out to staging and allowed them to be on call for town. I simply could not have kept a crew out there without their assistance. Thank you to Amy Alvarez, Mikayla Beam, Janice Johnson, Jim Barker, Kasey Keller, Glenn Ervin and Stacy Harris, RN. These guys pulled call for days on end and helped with rehab at the staging areas for 4 days straight. To the firemen and women, who fought this fire all week, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We are so thankful that no one was seriously injured, and no lives were lost! Most of these men and women were out at the fire for days on end with little rest. When they were told to go home and rest, they didn’t want to leave their fellow firefighters. They are our heroes! If you see any of our firemen, please take a moment to shake their hands and tell them how much they mean to you. They will probably just tell you, well that’s my job, but let them know how much we appreciate all they do. Most of all, I want to thank our Lord and Savior for helping our firemen get out of the fire storm intact and for watching over them during this time and keeping them out of harms’ way. Thank you for the rain, Lord, and please bless us with plenty more! Junction, once again you have made me proud to say that this is my home! Sincerely, Angela Ervin, Kimble County EMS ****** Dear Editor, I am writing to express my feelings regarding the price of groceries in Junction. I grew up in Kimble County, and I remember the Barker’s and Sudoku puzzle Liverman’s Grocery stores with great fondness. I understood that a small town will have to pay higher prices than a larger town, but they were kept in check by competition with each other. When the competition was gone, the prices skyrocketed. I was happy to hear that Super S had been sold because I was hopeful we would get some relief from the ridiculously high prices forced on us by Super S for so long. So far this is not proving to be true. It appears that Lowe’s Foods is going to continue the pricing abuse and even possibly be worse. The price of a 12 pack of sodas went up .70 cents overnight and a pound of butter is now $5.29. Those are just two quick examples. I had been told in the store that milk prices would be much lower because Lowe’s has it’s own dairy, but milk prices have increased by at least .40 cents a gallon. How much worse is it going to get? We can hear excuses about why the prices are so high all day long, but excuses won’t help us feed our families. We all know we have to expect that with gas prices rising, other prices will rise, and but I feel these increases are excessive to the point of price gouging. Those of us that can are being forced to shop elsewhere, but many people of Kimble County can’t easily go out of town to shop. I am fortunate that I work in Kerrville and can shop while I am there, but I still would prefer to shop in Junction. I just can’t afford to. Even with the higher gas prices, it is still cheaper to drive out of town to shop. I want to say that I know my feelings are very common among locals. Many of my friends and others I’ve spoken to at the store complain about the prices. I’ve even heard several people say that the store should be boycotted for a couple of days to show how serious we are in our unhappiness with the prices. That is something to think about. Please understand my complaints are not directed toward any of the employees at the store. This is not their fault. They take care of us well. Lowe’s still has a chance to be fair to the people of Kimble County, and I hope they hear my complaints and take them seriously. I believe the people of Kimble County would like to welcome them to our community. I believe we would all like to do business at home, and support our local economy. Thank you for allowing me to vent, and maybe if others speak up also, Lowe’s Foods will hear us and price their goods reasonably. Katy Meador Chenault Continued from Page 1 “Chenaults Gulf and Sporting Goods”. Upon graduating JHS, I immediately went to work for Texas Highway Dept. cutting brush lines and tailing a survey chain for Grady Rogers and Evers Schmidt. Thanks to great mentors, I worked my way up through the ranks of construction inspection to my current position of overseeing all construction projects and inspectors for Area Engineer Lewis Nowlin ---32 years and counting. In 1981, I married a young lady from London, Texas---Becky Palmer; her parents owned the gas station/grocery store there: “Palmers”. We were able to buy our first home and set up housekeeping near downtown London. Driving to Junction to work became a problem, so we moved to a rent house in Junction until we could remodel the old St Clair house (my great-grandfather) on the North Llano River. Now, 30 years later, we have raised and married off 3 6 7 8 3 9 2 8 5 7 8 1 4 2 9 4 1 5 2 St. Theresa Catholic Church will hold a garage sale on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall. For sale will be clothes, shoes, household items, furniture and plants. This fundraiser will be sponsored by the women of St. Theresa, and everyone is welcome! Community Calendar Al-Anon: 5:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall City Council: 6 p.m., City Meeting Room Alcoholics Anonymous: 7 p.m., Kimble County Library Tuesday, May 10 Commissioner’s Court: 9 a.m., County Courtroom Story Hour: 10 a.m., Kimble County Library Ladies’ Alcoholics Anonymous: noon-1 p.m., Kimble County Library Lions Club: noon, Isaack’s Restaurant Lapsit Storytime: 5-6 p.m., Kimble County Library 3 4 1 5 6 2 Catholic church to hold garage sale Teachers and school dis- good work being done in our Staff Appreciation Week trict staff have the important schools. Our staff and teachers celebrated May 2-6 A great staff makes a great responsibility of preparing our are there for our children. youth to meet the challenges public school We are considered to be of tomorrow. Each day these among the best educated citiTeacher Appreciation Week men and women work together zens in the world. And for that, - the first full week in May - is to offer Junction students a we have our teachers and staff to honor those dedicated indi- top-quality education. They are to thank. Let’s contribute to viduals in educational settings involved in a mission like no the efforts of improving our that are involved in the educa- other. Our staff works endless community; let’s recognize our hours to plan lessons, develop staff and teachers for their sigtion of our children. Our students are instructed special activities, and organize nificant role they play in our in math, science, and language, countless programs for all our lives and in the well-being of but more than that, a caring students. We recognize that all our nation. Let’s take time to and nurturing environment can of us know of exceptional staff say “thanks”. give our children the will to and that there is a great deal of continue learning for the rest of their lives. The gift of neverending education is one for Thursday, May 5 which we cannot show enough gratitude - but we can try. The Rotary: noon, Isaack’s Restaurant monumental responsibility of National Day of Prayer Meeting: noon, City Hall Parking Lot teachers, paraprofessionals, Alcoholics Anonymous: 8 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church and staff should be met with an equally awe-inspiring show of appreciation. Friday, May 6 Every young mind needs a Softball vs. Jim Ned: 7 p.m., Texas Bank Sports Complex in spark to light the way to a San Angelo brighter future through learnHCFA Twist-Off Pro Rodeo: 7 p.m., HCFA Fairgrounds ing. Since 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association has encouraged all citizens to show Saturday, May 7 their appreciation to educators. State Band Competion Each May, Staff Appreciation Week offers the opportunity City Wide Garage Sale: 8 a.m, Chamber of Commerce for citizens to reaffirm their ACTHA Trail Ride: Viejo Springs Ranch commitment to communityHCFA Twist-Off Pro Rodeo: 7 p.m., HCFA Fairgrounds school partnerships. Junction ISD will join thouSunday, May 8 sands of others throughout the week of May 2-6 in celebrating Men’s Bible Class: 9 a.m., broadcast on KMBL 1450 AM & National Staff Appreciation KOOK 93.5 FM Week. I want to focus attenCelebrate Recovery: 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church tion on the outstanding contribution JISD teachers and staff make to us individually and as Monday, May 9 a community. by Ace Reid 7 IN SHORT by Dr.Reneé Schulze 2101 Main Street, Junction (325) #2129-M 446-3321 Sudoku Puzzle 2 that thought in mind, I ran and was elected. I found out there was a huge learning curve that came with it. To make up the curve, I strive to attend training conferences yearly----you make great contacts, and you learn so much about hospital business. My desire as a board member is to continue to bring a listening ear, a tax payer’s thoughtfulness, a working man’s common sense and 8 years of Hospital District Board experience to this position. by Dr. Reneé Schulze Kimble Hospital 1 two children---they now bring grandchildren (3) to visit. I have spent my life inspecting highway and bridge construction from Leakey, Campwood and Rocksprings all the way up to OH Ivie Reservoir and Tom Green County. I worked part time for 10 years bending sheet metal trim for Mickey Cavaness and then Metco. Kimble County is where my roots are; I am kinfolk to many and a friend to most. As with many of you, I serve this county where my interests are—I have been Junction Eagle Booster Club president, and HCFA president. I spent many years with the Easter Pageant cast; currently I am Sunday School Director at First Baptist Church and I also drive the church bus to pick up folks and help with ministry duties at the Hill Country Care Center. I became interested in the Kimble Hospital Board in 2003; they were having a hard time getting people to run for the office. Brother Sam Coffey (my pastor) was a past member and a champion for helping those in need---- with JISD NEWS COW POKES Sponsored each week by: Page 17 Wednesday, May 11 Ladies’ Alcoholics Anonymous: noon-1 p.m., Kimble County Library 5 1 8 House of Faith: 3-5 p.m., Rotary/Girl Scout House JISD If you would like to have an event placed on the Community Calendar, call 446-2610 before 5 p.m. on Monday or email to editor@junctioneagle.com. UPCOMING EVENTS May 18 Cowpokes is sponsored each week by J u n c t i on N at i on al b ank 6 The Brand Name in Kimble County Banking www.junctionnational.com Member FDIC School Board June 3 Creative Moves Dance Recital June 10-11 ANGel Classic Page 18 The Junction Eagle, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 At last Thursday’s Rotary meeting, Gerald Loeffler receives his fifty-year pin from wife, Avis, for his years of serving in the Junction Rotary Club. On hand to congratulate Loeffler were his family, friends and fellow Rotarians. Finding time to “stop traffic” in the car barn while still Enjoying family and making new friends at the Annual Bluebonnet CASA Crawfish Boil held at Granite Ranch are, on helping with the Annual Bluebonnet CASA Crawfish Boil is left, Ron Rains, Jr., Lee Morrison and Cindy Deal. On right, eating crawfish, is Ronnie Rains, along with Jan Ash and Lynissa Deal smile at the camera. Leon Deal, left, foreman of the Granite Ranch. Deputy Bobby Colston, left, enjoys a hot plate of barbecue with all the trimmings along with Todd D’Spain (center) and Allen Castleberry during the Customer Appreciation held at Junction Automotive last Friday. Shortly, thereafter, Colston received the news that a mandatory evacuation of several areas was in effect. Some of the Junction volunteer firemen answered a call on Saturday, April 30, at about 2:15 p.m. At the corner of Saragosa and Camino Rio, this residence was fully engulfed by flame. The fire was extinguished in about 30 minutes but had damaged two outbuildings and a roof on a mobile home on Perez Street. The cause of the fire is still undetermined. Meanwhile other firefighteres continued to battle the Oasis Pipeline fire. Citizens of Ramsgate, England, visit Junction by Sarah Harrison The Junction Eagle Paul and Helen Crittenden had a dream and decided to live it before age and illness took their toll. They reside in the town of Ramsgate in the county of Kent in southeast England, where Helen works for Social Services in Child Protection/Fostering and also writes for the Land Rover Monthly, and Paul is a Leadership Consultant, especially helping small companies. In 2005, through information from Paul’s older brother, this couple became involved with the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation in Mongolia, a home for displaced children. So, in the beginning, the Crittendens thought they would just travel through Mongolia. However, they begin researching travels, and in 2007, they decided to circumnavigate the world while raising money and awareness for three different world problems: displaced children in Mongolia, rain forest concerns and water aid in Africa. Since they kept using the term “circumnavigate”, this reporter had to ask for an explanation of the term. It seems that the rules of circumnavigation are that the traveler finds a starting point on one side of the globe, simulates sticking a long needle through the center of the globe and finds a point of land on the opposite side. That site will be the point for the traveler to cross through on his/her trip around the world. The Crittendens started their trek in a Land Rover from Mongolia, and their point of circumnavigation is Southern Chili. At times, they have to ship their vehicle by cargo ship and fly to meet it on the other side of bodies of water. Arriving in the U.S., they landed in Seattle, Washington, and while waiting for their vehicle to arrive, they flew to Anchorage, Alaska, where they became snowed in, with no airplanes flying back to Seattle. However, they came across a military family that needed a vehicle driven to Florida, which the Crittendens were pleased to do. Helen laughingly called it a “side trip” from Anchorage to Seattle. Paul could not say enough about the hospitality of American people. A specific example was an incident where they had car trouble, and it was going to take weeks for parts to come. The mechanic opened his home, and they were welcomed to live there for about a month, and the car was fixed for free. They were traveling through the U.S. by coming down along the west coast headed to Mexico as Paul has some short-term free-lance contract work in Mexico City. They had not intended to come to Texas at all, but instead wanted to cross over into Mexico from California. They were warned not to go into Mexico there, but to go to Laredo, Texas, hire a security guard and go across the border there. So, they headed to Texas. Later on, they needed a package delivered to them on the road so they looked in the KOA book for a place on the way to Laredo. That brought them to Junction, where the KOA people gladly accepted the package and held it for them until they arrived. They are avoiding the cities and are thoroughly enjoying the American small town atmos- pheres, and Paul stated that small towns are an important place to meet local people. They had intended to stay in the U.S. for only three months, but had been here for six. In fact, their six-month visa ran out on Monday, April 25, which was when they were to cross over the Mexico The Passover seder (banquet) held at First Baptist Church on Tuesday, April 26, was a wonderful success. Although many who planned to attend were kept away by the fire, 95 people from sevTeaching about the biblical meaning of Passover, from left, eral local churches enjoyed are Pastor Steve Fieldcamp, Pam Fieldcamp, Pastor Ken a great food, fellowship and Bolton, Galen Bolton, Rabbi Karl Jones, Rabbi Roi Garcia teaching about the biblical meaning of the Passover. and Father Jim Sproat. The Crittendens have a website where they can be contacted, will answer questions, and they can be tracked: www.goingoverland.com. Thank you, Dusty Sullivan at KOA, for alerting the Eagle office as to this opportunity for an especially interesting interview. Paul and Helen Crittenden stop for a respite at Junction KOA on their way to circumnavigating the world. They expressed how amazed they were at the hospitality of Americans. First Baptist Church banquet successful Submitted border. They plan on traveling at least another twelve months before they arrive back at their original point of departure in Mongolia. Paul said that his goal was to learn about other cultures, and to “disprove the notion that the world is a dangerous place”. Rabbi Carl Jones, with assistance from Rabbi Roi Garcia, did a good job of showing the New Testament relevance of this Old Testament feast, showing Christ as our perfect Passover Lamb. Orgainizers Charlie and Sara Ringling are grateful to all who worked hard, to those who participated and to the Pictured are some of the 95 people that attended the First Lord whose blessing was gen- Baptist Church Seder (banquet) that was held on Tuesday, erously besotwed. April 26, in the church’s dining hall.
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