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US Troops deployed

By Kayleen Holder and Catherine Richard
Did you know that the US has more than 200,000 air, ground, and naval personnel deployed overseas? Key areas of deployment include approximately 5,000 in Africa, approximately 100,000 in Europe, approximately 10-15,000 in Southwest Asia, and more than 80,000 in East Asia (2024), according to the CIA’s World Fact Book which can be accessed online.
The World Factbook defines “deployed” as a permanently stationed force or a temporary deployment of greater than six months. Paramilitaries, police, contractors, mercenaries, proxy forces, and deployments smaller than 100 personnel are not included in these figures. The numbers provided are estimates.
With the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 and the beginning of the War on Terror having just passed and with the approach of Veteran’s Day, Americans can take this time of remembrance and support the service members that are currently serving their country.
There are a few programs in place designed to bring encouragement to deployed service members. Some organizations offer letter-writing programs, where personal letters can be sent in care packages to service members. Other organizations take donations and send out packages to either specific individuals or to an unspecified unit that requests them. Listed below are a few of these organizations.
For the Troops offers a letter program along, where donated handwritten letters…

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Natalia National Night Out

Tuesday, Oct. 1st

Natalia has been hosting National Night Out since 1985. The annual event has grown with hundreds in attendance. Along with free food, goodie bags and prizes there will be games for kids with local businesses to get aquatinted with. Our Natalia Police and Fire Departments will be there joined by Medina County Sheriff’s Office. The goal of NNO is to heighten crime and drug Prevention Awareness. We continue to strengthen neighborhood and community partnerships. The event is held every year at the Natalia Police Department, the entire block of 300 3rd Street from 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Meet Misty …

Meet Misty, who is a kind and warmhearted 17-year-old teenager who likes to care for animals and others. She is very career driven, and would like to better her community, as she is looking into joining a law enforcement agency sometime in her future. But first she plans on attending college.
Academically, Misty works hard to her grades in the A- B zone. She is currently on the tennis team and thinks she would like to also try some additional extracurricular activities her school offers.
In her personal time, Misty develops her creative side, as she creates art with oils, pastels & paint … and in addition to being an artist… she loves to read adventure style novels.
Misty does not have any current animals of her own, although she volunteers at pet facility, where she helps out in various ways, and hopes her future family will have pets.

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Huajilla recognized leaders

Huajilla Retired Teachers Association’s first meeting of the year was held at the D’Hanis Community Center on September 24, 2024. Almost 60 members and guests attended. Seated in front of the group is TRTA District 20 President Melissa Ramos.

Next meeting Oct. 28th in Hondo

The Huajilla Chapter of Retired Teachers Association held its first meeting of the new year on September 23, 2024, at the D’Hanis Community Center with 55 members and guests present.
Huajilla President Earline Schlortt called the meeting to order, welcoming Special Guests TRTA District 20 President Melissa Ramos and her husband, Jesse Ramos, who also serves as Vice President of Texas Retired Teachers Foundation, along with new members Darlene Haby, Pam Syasak, Gail Gooley, Melissa Haby, and guests Irene Cox and Shirley Click.
Sam Dubberly led the Pledges to the US and Texas flags; Lewis Stroud offered the opening prayer, followed by singing of “America the Beautiful.”
Schlortt turned the meeting over to Melissa Ramos who formally installed the 2024-2026 executive officers: President Earline Schlortt; 1st Vice President Elaine Neuman; 2nd Vice President Betsy Polgue; Secretary Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly; Treasurer Maria Elizondo; and Parliamentarian Bertha Benedetti. Past President Marianne Garrett was unable to attend.
President Schlortt’s meeting focus continued with recognition and appreciation of those who…

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Lytle Police Report

Monday, September 16
4:45 AM – Laredo St. @ Elisa St. – Officer responded to a report of a male running with a large bag. Everything was okay
11:30 AM – Lytle PD – Officers spoke to a complainant regarding a Social Security scam.
11:35 AM – Lytle PD – Officers spoke to a complainant regarding a protection order.
12:44 PM t – Assist Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to assist in recovering a stolen ATV.
1:21 PM – 20200 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to a suspicious package on a trailer. Everything was okay.
1:48 PM – IH 35 NB @ MM 132 – Officer responded to assist a motorist who had run out of gas.
Tuesday, September 17
7:23 AM – N. Prairie St. @ Laredo St. – Officer responded to a stranded motorist and provided a courtesy ride to HEB.
9:09 AM – N. Somerset St. – Officer responded to the report of a female with purple hair following another female but was unable to locate her.
1:21 PM – 15000 Blk. Railroad St. – Officer observed a female matching the description of the female with purple hair. The homeless female denied she was following anyone.

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Devine Police Report

September 13
9:11AM – Complainant on Libold Dr called to report someone in a white GMC Acadia ran over his mailbox.
September 14
1:35AM – Officer dispatched to IH 35 N for a one vehicle accident.
September 16
1:32AM – Officer dispatched to SH 132 to assisted Natalia who was in pursuit at 132 mm southbound. Vehicle stopped and passengers were detained prior to arrival.
7:14AM – Complainant on Briscoe Ave called in reference to Hispanic male in silver F150 stopped at location and was acting strange, then kept passing business.
7:42AM – Complainant on Windy Knoll called in reference to a male subject wearing a shirt and possibly carrying a knife in back pocket. Officer located subject, all okay.

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Homemade Ranch Dressing

Best on Earth!

 “I don’t believe in bottled salad dressing…why should you have it bottled?  It’s so easy to make.  And they never use very good oil.”

Julia Child

 Ranch dressing is uniquely American.  In a 2017 poll to determine our favorite salad dressing (sponsored by the Association for Dressing and Sauces) it received 40% of the vote nationwide (followed by Italian in second place with just 10%).  Since 1992 ranch dressing has been the best-selling salad dressing in the United States.  Ranch is good stuff.  And if you enjoy ranch dressing as much as I do, then this column is for you.
 In search of healthy salad dressing options, hoping to avoid unhealthy seed oils, I recently fell down the rabbit hole of online food tutorials.  What I discovered is thrilling – healthy homemade ranch dressing that is unbelievably good!  This may be the best ranch dressing on planet Earth!
 Ranch dressing has an interesting history.  In Texas, recipes for buttermilk dressing date back to the 1930s.  It is believed that since buttermilk was more available than vegetable oils out on ranches, it became a popular base and ranch dressing was born.  However, a cowboy from Nebraska named Steve Henson is credited with creating ranch dressing in 1949.
 While working as a contract plumber in Alaska and cooking for his coworkers, Mr. Henson perfected his buttermilk dressing recipe.  In 1954 he and his wife bought a ranch near Santa Barbara, California.  They called their new home Hidden Valley Ranch and began serving their buttermilk dressing to guests.  Their dressing was so popular they were soon selling it to ranch visitors and local supermarkets.  In 1972 the couple sold their name and recipe to Clorox (yes, the bleach people) for $8 million and retired.  Today ranch dressing is popular not only for salads, but it is a favorite for dipping everything from French fries to pizza and more.  As Americans, we love ranch dressing.
 For the health conscious, the only problem with commercial ranch dressing is that it is made using harmful seed oils.  Ranch dressing that you buy in the store is made with Soybean and/ or Canola oil (both are toxic seed oils linked to cancer, heart disease, and more – do your own research on this).  Along with seed oils, store-bought ranch is full of chemical preservatives.  The good news is that you can easily and quickly make your own homemade ranch dressing that is free from bad seed oils and harmful preservatives.  Your family will love this stuff.
 Health concerns aside, perhaps the best reason for making your own homemade ranch dressing is because of the amazing taste difference.  Your homemade dressing will taste a hundred times better than anything you buy.  The primary reason for this I believe is simply that you can make it fresh.  Like freshly baked bread, fresh roasted coffee, or garden tomatoes fresh out of the sun, fresh tastes better.  Your freshly made dressing will delight and amaze your family and friends.  Here is the recipe that I have been using.  Note – you can add to or alter this recipe in any way.  Consider this a basic recipe and adjust as you like.

Ingredients needed:
*1 cup mayonnaise (I use mayo made with avocado oil – Primal Kitchen brand is best tasting and has no bad seed oils – regular mayo is made with soybean or canola oil – read labels).
*1/2 cup buttermilk (amount may vary – add this last and make dressing as thick or thin as you like).
*1/2 cup sour cream (I like the Daisy brand – pure and natural with no additives).
*2 tsp. lemon juice (fresh)
*2 tsp. dried parsley
*1 tsp. dried chives
*1 tsp. dried dill
*1/2 tsp. garlic powder
*1/2 tsp. onion powder
*1/2 tsp. sea salt
*1/4 tsp. black pepper
*optional – Worcestershire sauce

(few dashes – try with/without)

 Whisk all ingredients in a large bowl.  As I mentioned before, it is best to add buttermilk last to make dressing as thick or thin as you like.  Dressing can be used immediately, or chill in fridge for 3-4 hours (keep refrigerated).
 Now enjoy your homemade ranch dressing.  Bon Appétit!

James B. Harshman

James B. Harshman, of Lytle, TX, born December 17, 1966, passed away in the early hours of September 15, 2024 following a two and half year battle with ALS. He is survived by his wife, Rohani Harshman, daughter Eva Burley, her husband Rich Burley, his sons Adam and his wife Milandri Harshman, Johann Harshman and his fiancé Taylor Bineau and his grandchildren Easton and Chase Burley. He is preceded in death by his parents Patricia and Bill Harshman and his brother, Bryan Harshman. He was a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation from his grandmother’s side and retains extended families in Oklahoma and Singapore.
James was originally born in Ardmore, Oklahoma then attended Garden County High School in Lisco, Nebraska. After graduation he played football at the University of Wyoming. He later graduated from the University of Northeastern Oklahoma and later earned his MBA from Oklahoma City University.
James lived in many places throughout his life and in all these places made friends whom he cherished for life – Larry Allen from Wyoming, Mitch Daum from the University of Wyoming, Randall and Steve Jobman from Nebraska, his high school coaches Coach Leopold, Coach Sutton, Coach Klempke and Coach Hattendorf all of whom remained close to James throughout his life. His lifelong friends also included Ben Shelton from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and Robert Flores from Lytle, TX. The depth and length of these friendships are truly remarkable and serve as a testament to James’ loyalty and the unique impact he had on those around him.

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Adelina Olivares Billalobos

Adelina Olivares Billalobos, 98, was born in Devine, Texas on February 2, 1926, and entered heaven on September 18, 2024. She was a loving, precious mother and wife. Adelina was a lady of immense faith who believed in our Lord. She prayed for all of our family on a daily basis and believed that the prayers of a mother were the first ones heard by our Lord.
She is preceded in death by her husband Ramon Billalobos, her mother and father, Bernandino and San Juana Olivares, her beloved son Joe David Billalobos, grandsons Patrick Billalobos and Gilbert Billalobos, Jr., son-in-law Homer Chapa. She is also preceded in death by her sisters, Aurelia Navarro, Petra Costilla, and Susana Adame, and her brothers Simon Olivares, Juan Sanchez, Jose Maria Olivares, Jesus “Chuy” Olivares, and Santiago Olivares.
She is survived by her children Marta Rosenthal (John), Gloria Velasquez, Ramon Billalobos, Jr. (Connie), Mary Jane Flores (Julian), Gilbert Billalobos, Robert Billalobos, and Rebecca Chapa. Later in life, Adelina and Ramon helped raise their grandson Gilbert Hilburn, Jr.

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Romelia Dehoyos Del Toro

Romelia Dehoyos Del Toro was born on October 2nd, 1943, in Crystal City, Texas, and passed away on September 14th, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
Romelia was the daughter of Santiago Dehoyos and Antonia Garcia however, due to unfortunate circumstances, she was raised by her Grandparents, Manuel Garcia and Amelia Garcia. She is one of only two children. She lived in Natalia, Texas.
She was an amazing woman, wife, mother, and mother figure to many.
She’s survived by her husband, Juan (Johnny) Del Toro Jr., her sons Gilbert (Gibby) Del Toro and Rene Del Toro, her daughters, Ida Fernandez, Mary Helen Bowman, Stella Garcia, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. with doors open to the public starting at 9:00 A.M. at Primrose Funeral Services Chapel located at 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas, 78052. Services will conclude at the funeral home.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so by visiting www.primrosefuneralservices.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas 78052, (830) 709-0698.