TUNESdays
live music at historic downtown building in Devine

Over the years Claude Butch Morgan has shared the stage with greats such as Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr.

Local musician Claude Butch Morgan will be performing at Bon Cafe every Tuesday from 6-8 pm. It will bring back many old memories of times past, he said.
“The start of my musical history is right here in good old Devine. I wrote my first song in 1963 at my parent’s house at 601 Mockingbird Lane, I’ve written 1,000’s since that time,” Morgan said.
“I had several bands while in high school here, The Electras, The Illusions, The Shannon’s, and Chapter XVI. I don’t remember all the details. I was busy and not taking good notes.
“Somewhere around 1964/65 our band “The Illusions” opened a teen club in what was the Wooten Bakery, (now “the Bon Cafe.”) We called it, “The Illusions A Go-Go.”
“I think it was only on Saturday evenings and I’m not sure how long it lasted, but not long.
“Across the street was Schott’s Model Market. Out front of it there were two soda machines. We realized soon that teenagers wanted sodas. They would run across the street and buy them. So I had a brilliant idea. I started getting there early on Saturdays and buying up all of Mr. Schott’s sodas, paying full price, then I’d bring them across the street to The Illusions A Go-Go and sell them, adding another nickel to the price we paid and wah la, we made a little profit and it kept our fans at the Go-Go!
“We did that a few Saturdays until my mother got a phone call from Mr. Schott. He was not happy about us emptying his machine on Saturday night and told my mother just that. My mom was on our side of course and quickly said to him, “I thought selling sodas was the point of your machine.” He replied, “Yea but they’re taking them across the street to the Go-Go and selling them for a profit!” Mom said, “Well with all due respect, they paid for them and technically aren’t yours anymore right?”
“We never heard another thing about it.
“I tell you this because I am once again playing in this historic old building. Starting on Tuesday, Nov 29th from 6-8pm, I will be performing some of the songs I’ve written, as well as some old favorites you might recognize.
“We are calling this event The TUnESDAY Music club. Nothing would please us more than to have you make it your weekly hang. I promise good, wholesome music with uplifting lyrics and joyful attitude.
“I will do my very best to put a smile on your face and promise you won’t have to go across the street to get something to drink. The Bon Cafe has great non-alcoholic beverages and pastries for you to enjoy.
“Please consider this your personal invitation to join “The TuNESDAY Music Club.”

Drainage improvement may dominate proposed May city bond issue election

At the podium, Ralph Montgomery of Monticello Circle addresses the Devine City Council about flooding issues plaguing his property. The council discussed this and other flooding problems during its Nov. 13 meeting.

By Anton Riecher
Flooding received the most attention during the Nov. 15 session of the Devine City Council with speculation about adding $4.8 million in drainage improvements to a possible bond issue election in May 2023.
Ralph D. Montgomery, owner of two houses at 406 Monticello Drive, addressed the council about “tremendous runoff” from Fox Run and Libold Drive affecting his property.
“I bought the property four years ago and I’ve had this problem ever since I bought the place,” Montgomery said. “It only happens during heavy, hard rain.”
Video coverage of the council session is posted at the Devine News’ YouTube channel.
Over the year the problem has grown worse with water backed up into the alley behind his home “coming in the back door” during the last major rain, he said. He blamed the new flooding on construction near his home.
Dealing with the problem at Montgomery’s address and throughout a large portion of District 4 would require a system of box culverts to reroute water from north of Mockingbird Lane, Mayor Cory Thompson said.
Thompson noted that the city staff has been unable to locate building permits on record for the construction at Montgomery’s address.
“Was there nothing in the seller’s disclosure when you bought the property because this isn’t a new problem?” Thompson asked.
Montgomery said no. He also told the council he took offense that the original construction at the site was for a business and not a home.
“It’s all been approved by the city,” Montgomery said. “How did it get built if it wasn’t approved?”
Thompson said a much less expensive alternative of building a wall to divert the runoff had been rejected as ineffective because openings must be permitted for driveways.
Montgomery complained that the city had previously built a wall from the alleyway behind a nearby home to Monticello Circle as a means to divert the water. However, that wall has seen no maintenance and is now overgrown with grass and weeds.
Thompson asked city engineer Raul H. Garcia to develop “a more realistic plan” for handling the drainage issue. District 2 council member Angela Pichardo told Montgomery the city would have to find a solution best for “the overall population.”
“If we do fix your situation it would fix quite a bit” of the District 4 flooding issues, she said.
The council also addressed drainage in the 400 block of W. Park Avenue near the intersection with Washington Drive.
“To permanently fix the problem will require a street reconstruction project of the adjacent streets that contribute to this area,” Garcia said.
As with Monticello Drive, the issues on West Park may require bond issue funding on the May ballot, Thompson said. However, since the flooding is attributable to the contours of the property anything major that would divert natural drainage would require federal approval.
On motion by District 5 council member Debbie Randall, seconded by District 3 council member David Espinosa, the council voted 4-0 to direct Garcia to come up with price estimates. District 4 council member Josh Ritchey was absent from the meeting.
In other action, the council passed a motion to correct action taken in April to award a contract for a water transmission line to Qro Mex Construction Company for the base bid of $146,818, plus $100,000 for the additional work contained in an alternate bid.
While the original motion still stands it “should have been worded slightly differently,” Thompson said.
On action of Pichardo, seconded by Espinosa, the council approved the purchase of available property adjoining Curcio Park for future expansion. City Attorney Thomas P. Cate explained that delinquent taxes owed on the property to various entities totaled about $12,500.
Peggy Lester, a resident of Warhorse Drive, asked the council to consider moving a propane tank at the city water tower. She said she was concerned that the tank could pose an explosion risk if struck by lightning.
City staff reported that the tank was placed on site to fuel an emergency generator during the winter storm of February 2021. The tank is already scheduled to be moved.
The council voted to approve the installation of a street light at 509 Howell Ave. after owner Mary Uhl agreed to cover installation costs in the neighborhood of $180.
Also approved was action to lease a portable building near the golf course clubhouse to Devine Golf Group for storage at a cost of $200 a month on a yearly lease.
Council members approved plans for the Devine Women’s Golf Association and the Devine Golf Group to conduct a golf cart parade at 7 p.m. Dec. 16. No street closure was required for the parade.
The council approved rescheduling its Dec. 20 regular session meeting to Dec. 13.

Invasion clause invoked by Abbott to combat illegal immigration at the border

The Texas Military Department plans to send M113s like this one to the Texas-Mexico border, according to a report by The Texas Tribune this week. Credit: Sgt. Matthew Lucibello/U.S. Army National Guard, 130th Public Affairs Detachment.

By Anton Riecher
In a letter to Texas county judges Gov. Greg Abbott explained his post-election executive order that invokes the so-called “invasion clause” of the U.S. and Texas constitutions to authorize stepped-up border enforcement to curtail illegal immigration.
Medina County Judge Chris Schuchart reported during the Nov. 17 meeting of the commissioners’ court on the letter sent to him. He also reported on letters sent to Department of Public Safety Director Steven C McCraw and Major General Thomas M. Suelzer of the Texas Military Department.
“All of these letters basically say that our governor is not happy with anything going on at the border,” he said. “Our president has failed us in trying to support the border.”
Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021 in a joint effort between the National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety to combat illegal immigration and crime at the border.
In his letter to the county judges, Abbott said that just two years ago the state had the fewest illegal crossings in decades.
“This past year under President Biden, an all-time record was set for the number of immigrants crossing the border illegally,” Abbott said.
In July, Abbott issued an executive order invoking the invasion clause found in the U.S. and Texas constitutions “to fully authorize Texas to take unprecedented measures to fight back against the invasion of our border.”
Use of the word “invasion” caused political friction in Medina County earlier this fall. More than 30 Texas counties approving “declarations of invasion” to push for federal help against increased border crossings, smuggling operations and drug trafficking.
However, Medina County approved a resolution supporting Abbott’s efforts at the border without the word “invasion.” At the root of the local impasse was the definition of the word as accepted by U.S. Courts, Schuchart said.
“The Supreme Court has never overruled three federal appellate courts who say an invasion is not illegal immigrants coming across,” he said. “We all agree we have a huge problem but it doesn’t fit the definition of an invasion.”
The letter to the county judges pledged to deploy the National Guard to safeguard the border and repel immigrants trying to cross illegally. It also pledged to deploy the DPS to arrest and return immigrants who crossed illegally.
In his letter, Abbott said he would build a border wall in multiple counties, deploy gun boats and designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
“Texas had devoted more than $4 billion of Texas taxpayer dollars toward these and other efforts to secure the border and enhance public safety,” Abbott wrote. The letter calls on Congress to reimburse Texas for the money spent on border protection.
Schuchart said he spoke to Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management that morning about the letters issued by Abbott.
“His biggest road block is still the fact that the federal government controls the border, and unless he wants to start a civil war with the federal government, we are still going to be stuck with the same problems,” he said. “Maybe he can deter some of them.”

Re-zoning in downtown Lytle proposed, storm water utility discussed, council asked to help fund “visitor’s center”

The Lytle City Council present a plaque to City Administrator Matthew Dear for 20 years of service as a police lieutenant and assistant fire marshal before taking the reins of city government. The council also voted to make Dear permanent city administrator, removing the word “interim” from his title in place since taking the job in May.

By ANTON RIECHER
Scheduling of public hearings on proposed zoning amendments restricting the use of recreational vehicles and modular buildings in downtown Lytle received a go-ahead from the city council during its regular session Monday.
Regarding modular buildings, the council voted in February 2020 to create a new zoning district along Main Street that restricted the placement of mobile homes to certain areas, City Administrator Matthew Dear explained. However, that ordinance did not include modular-type buildings.
Extending the ordinance to include that type of construction requires again notifying residents potentially affected and conducting a new set of public hearings on the issue, Dear said.
If re-zoned, any pre-existing modular structure would be classified as “non-comforming,” meaning it would be allowed to remain but could not be expanded or enlarged, city attorney Jessie Lopez explained. If replaced, the new structure would need to comply with the ordinance.
District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez asked that any new ordinance be exact in defining the difference between a modular structure and a pre-fabricated building that would be allowed. On a motion by Rodriguez, seconded by District 3 Alderman David Emery, the council approved allowing the legal work to move forward on the amendment.
District 1 Alderman Joseph Morrow was absent from the Nov. 14 meeting.
With respect to recreational vehicles, Dear explained that a 2019 amendment to the zoning ordinance prohibited the use of mobile homes in certain commercial areas along Main Street. But the amendment did not specifically prohibit the use of recreational vehicles in those same areas.
As with the modular building issue, a revision defining zones RVs can be used along Main Street would require notification of affected businesses and public hearings to discuss the proposed changes before the council could vote.
Again, on motion by Rodriguez, the council approved moving forward with the proposed changes.
The council also voted to proceed on developing an amendment to the Lytle zoning and subdivision codes to establish requirements for on-site parking and garage requirements. Dear said the action would be aimed at “bigger, masterplan communities.”
Subdivisions without requirements for garages and ample driveway parking for at least several vehicles tend to develop problems with parking that blocks sidewalks and forces pedestrians into the street, several council members remarked.
“Do we want to paint the picture of what we want our community to look like or do we just want them to come in and build whatever they think we need,” Dear said.
In other action, the council voted to approve updating the city’s building regulations to adopt the latest editions of various national and international codes governing electrical, plumbing and construction work.
The code update comes several months after the council voted to update the local fire code to agree with the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code, Dear said. The city had previously been using the 2006 edition of the code.
“The building code and all the other codes we use for construction here in the city were based on the 2008 editions,” Dear said. “That’s pretty outdated so we needed to bring that up to the 2021 model.”
In certain ways, the updated codes are more lenient than the codes that had been in place, Dear said.
“I can tell as to the fire code what I saw in certain things allowed in the 2021 code weren’t allowed in the old 2006 version,” Dear said. Improvements in technology allowed the changes, he said.
The old codes adversely affected the Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating which determines the cost of fire insurance for local homes and businesses, Dear said.
“Once we get these (updates) adopted we can contact ISO and they will bring our rate down,” he said.
On a motion by Emery, seconded by District 2 Alderman Sam Cortez, the council approved adopting the updated standards.
On a motion by Rodriguez, seconded by Emery, the council voted to award a $34,900 administrative services agreement with the grant management firm GrantWorks to obtain a Texas Community Development Block Grant.
The grant would be used for flood mitigation and drainage planning, Dear said.
The council also voted to authorize Dear to negotiate an engineering services agreement with San Antonio-based Kimley Horn for development of a drainage master plan for the Lake Shore Estates Subdivision.
Some council members questioned if it would be better to include the Lake Shore drainage plan under the overall city drainage plan under discussion.
“I do believe that if we fix drainage issues in Lake Shore it’s going to cause issues downstream,” Dear said.
However, Emery urged immediate action on the Lake Shore issue rather than wait an additional two years or more to complete the overall city plan.
“They have been waiting and suffering for this for years,” Emery said.
Dear was also authorized to negotiate with Kimley Horn for engineering services to establish a municipal storm water utility in Lytle. Added to the monthly utility bill of Lytle residents, the storm water utility is something common to most cities, Dear said.
“Once we get the utility established by ordinance everyone gets to pay into it monthly,” he said. “It’s an assessment on your property. Then we can use those funds to mitigate storm water and do drainage in the city.”
The Lytle Chamber of Commerce asked for the city’s annual participation of $35,000 in a proposed visitor center to offer information about lesser known offerings and events within the community. The presentation by Dear said the center would “offer a feedback mechanism from the community and visitor to help improve appeal.”
Total cost for the visitor center is estimated at $72,669 annually. Cost of one employee to staff the center is estimated at $52,525.
Dear said the city staff is frequently too busy to assist visitors seeking out tourist information. Funding the center would be on a year-by-year basis just as the city’s participation in Little League.
“Our staff is already busy doing other things such as processing bills and taking care of customers,” Dear said.
On a motion by Emery, the council approved participating in the project using monies from the hotel occupancy tax.
After a brief executive session to discuss pending litigation and purchase of property the council voted to allow the city administrator to acquire property discussed in closed session.

Slight name change proposed for Medina County Appraisal District, board considers building new 4,000 sq ft office

Medina County Appraisal District board chairperson Tim Hardt, left, addresses chief appraiser Johnette Dixon, right, during the board session Tuesday night in Hondo.

By Anton Riecher
Could a minor name change help make clearer the distinct role of the appraisal district as a governmental entity separate from Medina County? Such a change is under consideration by the district’s board of directors.
Chief Appraiser Johnette Dixon recommended the directors change the Medina County Appraisal District’s name to Medina Central Appraisal District.
“The longer we are in existence the more people think we are part of the county,” Dixon said.
Video coverage of the entire meeting can be found on the Devine News YouTube channel at youtu.be/MqjSg6L1o_w.
In Texas, appraisal districts are responsible for appraising property for tax purposes for the various taxing units such as cities and school districts within the appraisal district’s jurisdiction. An appraisal district is established in each county and has the same boundaries as the county’s boundaries.
The county and the appraisal district remain separate governmental entities. An appraisal district is a political subdivision of the state governed by a board of directors appointed by the governmental taxing entities in its jurisdiction.
Historically, appraisal districts have had a hard time making that distinction clear to the public, Dixon said.
“Our (district) is probably the worst because we are housed right in the same building with the (county) tax office,” she said. “A lot of people think the tax office is the appraisal district and the appraisal district is the tax office.”
Since being formed in 1979 to standardize the administration of local property taxes, many appraisal districts sought to distinguish themselves from the county government by either dropping the word “county” from their names or adopting the word “central” as a substitute for “county,” Dixon said.
“When I first started working here that was what was on the door,” Dixon said. “It said ‘central appraisal office.’”
Board chairperson Tim Hardt said the same proposal was discussed by the board several years ago. However, that discussion never went forward.
He said he had no objection but wanted a legal opinion on the extent that a formal name change might impact district operations.
“If this were a legal corporation we would be changing all our corporate documents, our IRS number and a lot of things involved with the name,” Hardt said.
No formal motion was made on the proposed change in name.
Also concerning the appraisal district’s future, Dixon reported on her discussion with the city staff in Hondo about acquiring property to build a proposed 4,000-square-foot headquarters building for the appraisal district.
“It’s an item we’ve talked about for two years now,” Hardt said.
Dixon said she had been in touch with Hondo City Manager, Scott Albert, about city owned property zoned for governmental use available near the Southwest Texas Junior College. However, four acres is far more property that the appraisal district needs.
The district had hoped to find property along Castro Street, she said. But that area is zoned industrial and is not available.
Hardt said the district is proposing a metal building on a concrete slab with a brick veneer on the front. It would be built to suit what the district needs rather than “buy something that doesn’t fit,” he said.
What is available to rent is either “too big, too small or too expensive,” Hardt said.
“We don’t need a Taj Mahal like a bank building or something,” he said. “The research we did approximately two years ago (showed that) land cost in buying from the city of Hondo would be the least expensive commercial property we could find.”
Construction cost would be in the range of $100 a square foot for a total of about $450,000, Hardt said.
Nearly two years ago the district had entered into an agreement with the county to purchase the former Hondo office used by the 38th Judicial District of Texas district attorney. However, lengthy litigation over the ownership of the property led the district to reconsider and reject the purchase.
Plans call for the county tax collector’s office, presently housed in the county-owned building shared with the appraisal district, to move to one of two bank buildings in Hondo recently purchased by the county. Dixon said one possibility is to wait the two years until the tax collector moves and then acquire the building from the county.
Hardt restated his proposal to build a new center for appraisal district operations.
“The concept has always been it would be nice to control our own destiny, own our own building and not be tenants,” he said.
He asked the district staff to obtain one to three preliminary proposals from contractors on the costs involved in the estimated 4,000 square foot project.
In other action, the board approved a 10-year contract with Eagleview Pictometry, an aerial imaging company specializing in accurate property measurement data. The annual cost of the contract is roughly $75,000, Dixon told the board.
The company conducts an extensive aerial photography flight every other year. Then, using computer software, the appraisal district is able to determine changes affecting property value, Dixon said.
“We are able to use that to flag properties that we don’t have on the tax roll,” she said. “Because (sometimes) we can’t get on the big ranches. There is a program called Change Finder that compares the two flights … and will tag the account to have an inspection done.”
The previous Eagleview Pictometry contract covered only three years. The 10-year contract locks the company into current prices regardless of future inflation, Dixon said.
Another bi-annual contract agreement decided by the board involved the depository bid for a local bank. Despite soliciting bids from eight banks in Castroville, Devine and Hondo only Castroville State Bank sent a complete formal bid for the district’s account, Dixon said.
Hardt, who sits on the board of directors for the bank, said he would not take a position on the bid other than to chair the meeting. However, the board did reject an incomplete bid from another bank that only submitted a copy of their fee schedule.
“Since they didn’t follow the form that you all would expect them to do it’s made it a little more difficult to compare,” Hardt said.
The district currently holds a certificate of deposit for $260,000, a money market account for approximately $80,000 and funds of more than $300,000 to cover its operating budget, Dixon said.
In a financial report to the board, Dixon reported that all 24 taxing entities within Medina County have paid their portion toward the district’s operations.
“Everything is just sort of finishing up for the year,” Dixon said. “The appraisal review board went over which we knew because we had so many hearings this year. It think that’s the only thing that went over. Everything else is still under budget.”
The appraisal district conducted more than 800 appraisal review hearings this year, she said. Of the 4,600 tax appraisal protests scheduled, only about 40 percent actually appeared for the scheduled hearing, she said.
“That seems to be the state norm,” Dixon said.
As for the results for those who followed through Dixon said appraisal review board did not seem to favor either the district or the property owners unfairly.
“Most of them, if they had any evidence to show the board was sympathetic,” Dixon said. “A lot of them had repairs to be made that we didn’t see.”
Those present were Tim Hardy, chairman; Jody Jacobs, vice chairman; Cindy Segovia, member and Clay Bell, member. Absent were Mamie Navarro, secretary, and Melissa Lutz, tax assessor-collector.
The next appraisal board meeting is 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at the district office in Hondo.

Medina County voters overwhelmingly support tax freeze for elderly residents

Medina County voters overwhelmingly support tax freeze for elderly residents
There was only one proposition on the ballot for Medina County voters this year–a property tax freeze for residents 65+. With property tax appraisals climbing by leaps and bounds in recent years, it has become a growing concern.
Over 93% of voters voted yes (11,897 residents), with just under 7% voting nay (825 residents).
County Commisioner Jerry Beck pushed for the freeze, which was discussed in Commisioners Court, and as a whole, they decided to give voters the choice to institute the freeze or not.

Nate De Leon to headline Dinner and Dance set for this Saturday, November 19th
for Heart of Mustang
in Devine

Singer/Songwriter and Country Music Artist Nate DeLeon grew up right here in Medina County. He has quickly gained traction in the music scene and recently released his debut album “Houston”, which is streaming on all platforms.

The 1st ever Heart of a Mustang Toy Drive and Scholarship program Dinner and Dance is set for Saturday, November 19th at the South Texas Events Center (Rics) in Devine. Come out and join Natalia’s own Nate De Leon, as he will headline the event that will take place to raise money for the big toy drive that is right around the corner.
Dinner
The event will kick-off at 7:00 p.m. with a dinner consisting of (tentative menu) Spaghetti, salad, bread, desert and tea.
Dance
At 8:00 p.m., the Dance will begin with Nate DeLeon and his full band as he will play all of the good Texas Country Hits, as well as some classic country and of course the new stuff as well.
About Nate
Nate De Leon is a 24 year old Independent Texas Singer Songwriter who has quickly gained traction in the local music scene. He went from singing in his room just a few years ago to playing bucket list venues. The future looks bright for this young singer songwriter. Raised in Natalia, Texas, Nate’s love for music has always been a part of his life. Brought up in a family of musicians, he quickly learned the guitar at a young age. It wasn’t until the summer of 2019 when he fell in love with the art of songwriting.
It was Songwriters Circle at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas where Nate began to write his own songs and pursue his music career. Since 2019, he has gone on to play notable venues such as Cheatham Street Warehouse, Floore’s Country Store, and Nutty Brown Amphitheater. De Leon’s musical influences range from various artists such as Parker McCollum, Glen Frey, Gary Allan, The Goo Goo Dolls and Dan Layus.
His debut release, “Houston”. Is out now an all streaming platforms and is starting to gain some traction and is a sure crowd favorite at the live shows. Be on the lookout for a show near you, you won’t want to miss it!
Silent Raffle
There will also be a Silent Raffle take place with a number of great things to bid on. (We still need silent auction raffle items).
None of this would be possible, without the following sponsors who have stepped up thus far to assist:
Title Sponsors: A6 Logistics (Mike Aguirre and Family ($750.00 donation), South Texas Heat Football ($500.00 donation), Bravo Country Homes ($500.00 donation), Chaparral Ford ($500.00 donation), MP Haulers (Martin and Brandy Perez- $500.00 donation), North Park Chevrolet Castroville ($500.00 donation), CD Tire Natalia ($500.00 donation), Hellas Construction ($500.00 donation), Mag’s Place, Devine ($500.00 donation), and Texas Family Wellness Clinic, Calallen ($500.00 donation). Silver Sponsors of $250.00 – Natalia Alumni Paul Noland, Mike & Brenda Fernandez and Family, US Congressman Tony Gonzales, Brad Boyd and Brush Country Realty, Security State Bank. If you would like to be a Title Sponsor, a Silver Sponsor or a “Heart Sponsor for $100.00”, please contact Eric Smith at 210-737-4786.
Tickets ARE ON SALE! Visit “Eventbrite” and search Heart of a Mustang in Devine Texas. A single ticket is available for $20.00 with a pair of tickets for a couple for $35.00. Tickets will also be available at the door for the same price or without a meal $15 each or two for $25. Doors will open at 6:30 pm.
ALL PROCEEDS will benefit the toy drive and the scholarship program! Your support would be a huge blessing to assure we can bless families that are less fortunate once again. We are halfway to our goal of $15,000, please come out to help make Christmas special for these young children.
All tickets purchased before Saturday at 9 pm will be entered into three cash drawings at the event.

BBQ, Silent Auction,
Golf Tourney, music…
7th Annual Gift of Hope this Saturday
Nov. 12 in Devine for Audrey Jane Capps

Join the fun this Saturday for a great cause, helping to raise money that will be needed for future treatments for the adorable and most sweet, Audrey Jane Capps, 4 years old.

The Divine Savior Lutheran Church is hosting its Seventh Annual Gift of Hope fundraiser Saturday, November 12.
Audrey Jane Capps, a precious, beautiful, brilliant four-and-a-half-year-old, has been given the Gift of Hope this year. Audrey has an incurable illness, and she suffers from A-T. The condition is a genetic disorder known as Ataxia Telangiectasia. A-T affects the nervous system and other body systems. Over time the affected children typically develop difficulty with walking, balance, hand coordination, involuntary jerking movements, muscle twitches, and disturbances in nerve function (neuropathy). Audrey is beginning to experience some of these symptoms. Children with A-T typically have average intelligence but slow motor and verbal response. This type of response is where lifelong therapy will be her forever journey.
There is no cure at this time for problems associated with A-T. Treatment is supportive but has to remain proactive. Physical Therapy, as well as verbal therapy, will remain a lifelong process for Audrey. She also goes to occupational therapy, and music therapy and participates in horse and water therapy. Besides those she is benefiting from massage therapy every two weeks, and melatonin therapy with Dr. Neel.
“We are doing everything we can to keep this sweet girl healthy and happy, but we are in a race against time to find a cure for Audrey Jane and we truly appreciate all of your support!” The Capps/Calame Families.
Audrey starts kindergarten next year and is very excited and can hardly wait.
“Audrey Jane Capps is four years old and a proud resident of Devine, Texas. Audrey Jane loves spending time with her family, friends, and animals. She loves to fish, ride her horse, play dress-up, have tea parties, swim, and dance! Audrey has a zeal for life like no other and sees the true beauty in everything around her!”, said her parents Josh and Brittany Capps.
“At age 3, Audrey was diagnosed with Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T). A-T is a rare neurodegenerative genetic disorder that impairs movement and coordination, weakens the immune system, and causes an increased risk for cancer. Kids with A-T typically start losing physical abilities step-by-step between ages 4 and 8. By the age of 10, most kids will be in a wheelchair.”
Audrey is the granddaughter of Ken and Debbie Capps and Tommy and KK Calame, all of Devine.
“Audrey Jane is so precious to our family. She is such a light and enjoys her life to the fullest with her very active imagination and spunky personality! There isn’t anything we wouldn’t do to help find a cute for her and all the A-T kiddos fighting this disease. Thank you so much for choosing to raise money for our girl. We are SO appreciative!” The Capps/Calame Families.
Brittany and Josh Capps are Audrey’s parents; they face their daughter’s challenges daily with faith, hope, and love. God created each one of us uniquely in his image. Disability might appear to mar that image like a reflection in a shattered mirror. Still, God is shining his light on the broken pieces to reveal more of Himself to us and the world. Parents, grandparents, and families with children with special needs go through a host of emotions every hour of every day. Divine Savior Lutheran Church prays that a “Gift of Hope” will shed a little light on Audrey’s forever journey.

The Seventh Annual’ Gift of Hope” Golf Tournament, Saturday
Divine Savior Lutheran Church’s Seventh Annual golf tournament will coincide with a Bar-Q-Que plate lunch. This year the tournament returns to the Devine Golf Club’s golf course. The entry fee for the golf tournament is $75.00 per player, including a golf cart, a free meal after tournament play, and green costs. There are to be four-person teams with a shotgun start, and handicaps for women are 24 and for men 18. A door prize drawing is for the golf participants, and cash prizes with an entire field. Other competitive activities include a chipping contest at $20.00 per participant and a Tiger Drive at $40.00 per team. Please call the Devine Golf Pro Shop to sign up early at 830-665-9943.Hole sponsors are $100.00 each. Hole sponsors for the chipping green are $50 each.
Live Music and Dance Entertainment, 11-1
Our live music and dance entertainment are hosted by “DJ Bobby G.” of San Antonio, Texas. DJ Bobby G brings recorded music from the Top 40, Tejano, Cumbia, Oldies Dance, Hip-Hop, and ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.
Once again, Randy Brown has graciously volunteered his country band to perform from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Hermann Sons Dance class of Devine, Texas, will also perform on the church grounds. Special thanks go to these folks; we could not do it without you.
Silent Auction, 11-1
A silent Auction is to take place on Saturday, November 12, in the Divine Savior Lutheran Fellowship Hall from 11am-1pm. All donations can be delivered to the Fellowship Hall between 10 am-5pm, Wed.-Fri. before the weekend of the event. The cutoff date will be THURSDAY, NOV, 9th. Please call the church before delivering these items (830-663-3735). Your gift is sincerely appreciated.
Our special thanks to the Devine News; you have always been there for our continuing seven-year journey. We would not be able to help others without them. Also, thank you to all who have contributed with challenging work contributions and faith in the “Gift of Hope.”
We love You, Audrey Jane!
“A gift of hope is truly a ray of sunshine after a day of gloom”. In memory of Jessie Esch, Joyce Haass, Claudia Carberry, and Bryleigh Shullanberger. Your precious lives will always be remembered.
Come join in the fun this Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 at the Divine Savior Lutheran Church from 11-2, or at the Devine Golf Course for the tourney. For more information, contact Robert Cappella at 210-771-7484 or Marla Cappella at 210-363-2718.

Annual Veterans Day
Ceremony in Natalia this Friday, Nov. 11th

The Annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 11:00 am at the front of the Veterans Memorial Monument in Natalia, Texas.
As in years past, limited seating will be available. St Hwy 132 will be blocked off for the event.
We invite you to come to the Ceremony as it is our time to pay tribute to the men and women of our County who chose and continue to choose to protect and defend our Country.

Local Cancer Survivor gives back

Grant (left) with Steven Petry (right) of GTZ Powder Coating.

This Friday and Saturday, the Sky High for Kids will hold a banquet and shooting clay tournament to raise funds for Cancer research. One item up for auction at the banquet is a 300 Blackout rifle built and donated by local highschooler and two-time cancer survivor, senior Grant Wagoner. 

“I figured I could use my skills for good and try to raise some money for those kids in the hospital. I was really surprised when they came to me asking to build a gun for them, but I really enjoyed it and liked being able to give back.” 

This rifle, custom built by Wagoner, was originally gifted to him as a series of donated parts by veterans and gun enthusiasts to occupy Grant’s time in the hospital during his second time being treated for brain cancer, at only 7 years old. 

“I was stuck doing nothing in the hospital and I wanted to buy a gun to put together. My dad made a post on Facebook and everyone started sending me all these parts. That’s how I really got into building AR’s like this”

Grant isn’t the only one to contribute to this donation. San Antonio based GTZ Powder Coating, operated by veteran Steven Petry, gave the blackout a slick orange and blue paint job and laser engraving.

“We found GTZ on Facebook and reached out to see if they’d be interested in helping us, and they decided to do the engraving and coating for free. It turned out even better than I could have imagined.”

The Sky High Benefit Banquet and Shooting Clay Tournament will be held November 11th through the 12th at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and The National Shooting Complex, respectively.