In regards to an article titled “Water violations for City of Devine cite ‘failure to test,’” we have learned new information. The violations applying to the LC Martin well have been “rejected” since the TECQ has learned the well has been offline since the last big snowstorm in Devine. The following is a response from TECQ after another inquiry: “As of July 10, 2023, and based on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Water Supply Division compliance data, the City is in compliance with the Revised Total Coliform Rule, Groundwater Rule, the Lead and Copper Rule, and all primary and secondary chemical drinking water standards. The City received two monitoring and reporting violations for failure to monitor nitrate and volatile organic compound samples at one entry point during calendar year 2022. “Upon further review, the applicable entry point was inactivated as the plant was offline and the associated monitoring and reporting violations were rejected. The City’s three other active entry points were monitored during calendar year 2022 and sample results were reported as required. “The City received a violation for failure to conduct triggered source monitoring under the Groundwater Rule during October 2022. This violation was rejected as the corresponding well, associated to the entry point in question, was not online. “Both the two monitoring and reporting violations and the triggered source monitoring violation were rejected by TCEQ and are no longer valid. The annual consumer confidence report (CCR) requires systems to only include valid violations for notification to customers. Rejected violations are not required to be included in the annual CCR.”
Lytle is home to 100-year-old earl Harbor survivor Gilbert Meyer.
Everyone is invited…Please join the Lytle Memorial VFW Post 12041 on July 19th at 4:00 PM at 1425 FM 2790, Lytle TX 78052 (the new location of the VFW Post). Help us celebrate and honor Mr. Gilbert Myer, of Lytle, on his 100th birthday and watch the famous Wonder World Parachute team powered by the All Veterans Group jump in his honor. Mr. Myer is a Pearl Harbor Survivor who served on the USS Utah when it was hit and sunk. He stayed at sea the remainder of the war on the USS Detroit until the signing of the peace treaty. Mr. Myer is a Lifetime Member of the Lytle VFW 12041. The All Veteran Parachute Team will be jumping from a helicopter as a way to honor Mr. Meyer as one of the last few survivors of Pearl Harbor. They will jump around 5:00 p.m. Sunnydale Hyde, Director of Operations for the All Veteran Group shares a little about the jump. “We travel all over the world doing over 100 shows a year. We have helped raise $7 million dollars annually to help veterand their families,” Hyde said. There will be 2-3 jumpers who will jump from about 1 mile up. The jump itself will last about 5-7 minutes and the crowd will see “cold smoke grenades” deploy as the parachuters come down. The Wonderworld Parachute team is powered by the All Veterans Group. To put things into perspective, this is the same team that jumped for President Bush, the Green Bay Packers and many others. In addition, the City of Lytle will be presenting a Proclamation to Mr. Gilbert Myer proclaiming July 19th as “Mr. Gilbert Myer Day” in Lytle. With the generosity of HEB, there will be hamburgers, hot dogs and chips served. You are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
The celebration will begin at 4 pm with hotdogs, hamburgers and more, and the jump will happen close to 5 pm. The Wonder World Parachute team powered by the All Veterans Group has been featured on national news including Good Morning America, CNN, ESPN, and many others across the world.
A new home for Lytle VFW post (Reprinted from March 2023) By Anton Riecher Many a war story is destined to be told inside Texas’ newest Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12041 once it is completed east of Lytle. But none will be as harrowing as that told by the man for whom the post is named – Pearl Harbor survivor Gilbert Meyer. On March 22 members of Post 12041 and many others from Lytle gathered at Meyer’s farm on FM2790 for the groundbreaking ceremony. Of the five-acre farm, Meyer donated four acres as the new home for the local VFW. “We would not be standing here today if it were not for the generosity of one local hero – Mr. Gilbert Meyer, who is in the house directly behind you, is a 99-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor,” said post commander Chris Clouser. “Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Mr. Meyers is not able to attend the ceremony.” Arrangements had been made for Meyer to view the groundbreaking by video from his sickbed. Next month Texas Senior Vice Commander Larry Sanders takes charge of the Texas VFW as state commander. But before those high ranking jobs Sanders was commander of Post 12041. As commander he had the pleasure of counting Meyers among the local members. “One day I was at the park getting ready for our fourth or fifth festival,” Sanders said. “I met this gentleman walking across the sidewalk over there. He had USS Utah on his cap. He was very proud of it. He said ‘Come over and sit down young man.’ We sat down and talked for about an hour about what he did. He was at Pearl Harbor.” Fortunately, Meyer committed his story to video as an oral history during a USS Utah reunion in Las Vegas in 2015. Born in 1923, he dropped out of high school in Goose Creek, TX, now Baytown, when he was 17. With his parents’ consent he joined the Navy. The USS Utah is often referred to as the forgotten ship sunk at Pearl Harbor. Commissioned as a battleship during World War I, the Utah had long since been converted into radio-controlled vessel used for aerial target practice. Meyer arrived in Pearl Harbor aboard the Utah in September 1941. Recently refitted, the Utah only made two voyages from Pearl before that fateful day on Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese pilots slammed two torpedoes into her side. “I was sleeping on the starboard side,” Meyer said. “I woke up when the first torpedo hit but I was so sleepy I went back to sleep for just a few seconds. Then, shortly after that, the second one hit. When it hit all the lights went out.” With the ship already listing, Meyer had to find his way topside in the dark wearing only his skivvies, i.e., his undershirt and underpants. He also grabbed a pair of shoes he had just bought. “I had shined them for about three days,” he said. “And I had my shoes and lost them somewhere along the way. I probably needed two hands to try and climb and get myself topside.” Debris made it impossible to lower himself into the water off the port side of the ship. The only thing to do was to follow the ship around as within 12 minutes it capsized. Then the Japanese pilots started strafing the survivors with machine gun fire, Meyer said. “The projectiles hit the bottom of the ship and made such a racket I knew I had to get the hell out of there,” he said. “So I started sliding down. I looked up behind me and there was this big old chief electrician who looked like he weighed 300 pounds crashing down. I had to swim like hell to get out of the way.” Meyer swam to nearby Ford Island and took cover in an open trench. Between bombings he and others would sneak between the buildings to see what was happening on Battleship Row. “We just watched the world war from there,” Meyer said. Fifty-eight of Meyer’s comrades did not survive to tell their tale. An incident later brought the magnitude of the disaster into focus. Meyer had caught some shrapnel in a finger and went looking for medical help. “The nurse ran me off,” Meyer said. “She said guys with their arms missing and all blackened from being burned and you were worried about one finger. Later I thought about it and she was right. I shouldn’t have been there for just a little bleeding finger.” Meyer’s next ship proved to be far luckier. For three years and nine months he served aboard the USS Detroit. At Pearl the Japanese torpedoes missed the Detroit and she never took a hit during the war after that. And, the Detroit was sitting in Tokyo Bay when, aboard the USS Missouri, General Douglas MacArthur signed the peace treaty ending World War II. “That was the best 18 seconds of my life,” Meyer said. During the groundbreaking, Clouser said the mission of the VFW is to “foster comradery among United States veterans of overseas conflicts and to serve our veterans in our communities and to advocate for all veterans.” Now that Lytle has its first ever VFW home the post will be able to “advance the ability to serve our veterans and our military in our community,” he said. “The members of the Lytle VFW are excited for the future and look forward to the ability to serve veterans by giving them a safe place to come for assistance,” Clouser said. The youngest servicemen in the 1941 attacks, who were 17 years old, would be turning 99 this year. It is unknown how many survivors are still here to share their stories with younger generations.
By Kayleen Holder Editor We got the chance to interview Mike Hanson, of Natalia, who has over 30 years experience in horse training and breeding, and he shared a few tips with us for you horse lovers. The Hansens have opened a new business, just 10 minutes from Devine with a top notch covered arena where he is offering lessons for beginners and clinics for more experienced riders. If you have your own horses, bring them, and if you don’t, that’s okay too. They offer lessons on their own horses or clinics on your horse. Hansen has taught everything from barrel racing to roping to basic riding skills. “I once trained horses for a Civil War reenactment near Houston. They were shooting off horses and fighting with swords. You can train a horse to do anything. If you have the money, I have the time,” Hansen said. The basic price for lessons and clinics is $60 an hour. He teaches local clinics on: -Basic Riding Lesson Skills (western) for ages 8 and up on our horses -Roping -Barrel Racing -Cow horse -Tack -Trailer loading “You can break most any bad habit of a horse within three days,” Hansen said including some of the most common issues like trailering, walking off while the rider gets on, biting when cinching up, or not staying tied. “Those are the most common problems I see–he won’t load, he won’t stand still to get on, he bites while being cinched up, or he won’t stay tied,” Hansen said. “A lot of people have a horse with one of those problems and go for years not realizing they can bring it to someone like me and get it fixed for about $180.” He estimates that any one of these common issues can be fixed with about 3 one-hour clinics, once a day. He offers to keep your horse on site for those three days for an additional $8 a day to cover feed. “Walking into a trailer with a horse who is uncomfortable is probably one of the most dangerous things people do,” Hansen said. “In three days, I can have most any horse loading with no problems. You are welcome and encouraged to stay and watch while we work with the horse too, because if you take him home and try to load the horse the same old way you did before, it’s not going to work,” Hansen said. Hansen has lot of knowledge in the field, and as a horse lover myself, I learned more and more as the interview went on. “A horse has seven facial expressions, and if you learn those it will make your life a lot easier. Horses can’t speak, so they feed off your expressions. Most people don’t know it, but a horse can hear your heart beat from four feet away. If you walk up with a racing heart, all nervous, that horse is going to be nervous too, right from the beginning. They are fight or flight animals, so they are going to be wondering, ‘What’s going on? What’s this person so nervous about?’”. Another thing people don’t always realize, he says, is how sensitive horses really are. “A horse can feel a tiny little fly land on the hair of their back,” Hansen said. “That’s why you’ll see them swishing their tail back and forth to swat flies. Think about that the next time you go to whip a horse.” When it comes to roping, he loves to teach beginners. “Like any sport, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. When you learn the correct technique, you’d be surprised how easy it really is,” Hansen said. Hansen has shown horses in AQHA and APHA and has raised both. He also managed cattle ranches for many years. When it comes to working cows, he has plenty of experience and tips to make your life easier. “A cow cannot see straight behind them. It’s all about your position to their eye. If you are by the eye, you are going to stop em. If you are in front of the eye you are going to turn them, and if you are behind the eye you are going to drive them. There are so many little details like that that. I’ll teach you how to read the cow,” Hansen said. He has the kind of knowledge that only comes with experience. “Trust me, there was a time long ago when I had more bad habits than I did good when it came to horses, but once you learn the right techniques, it makes you life a whole lot easier,” Hansen said. Hansen estimates he has started more than 500 colts over the years. “There are so many people out there who don’t feel safe when they ride their horse,” Hansen said. I can teach you and your horse the skills you need to get the job done and to feel safe whether you are doing competitive trail ride, playdays, rodeo, or just riding for recreation,” Hansen said. Hansen Horses is located between LaCoste and Natalia on FM 471, just 10 minutes from Devine. They have a nice covered arena for shade during lessons and clinics. They also offer a competitive trail riding course with lots of obstacles (water, bridge, etc). Schedule a private clinic or lesson by calling 830-261-1072.
Esteban Rodriguez qualified for the Golden Gloves Nationals in August but is needing some help with sponsorships to make the trip to Orlando, Florida. To qualify for Nationals he won the Golden Gloves Championship in Texas in February and won this trophy. The medal is Jr. Olympics Champ, and the belt is for being a USA Boxing Nationals Champs.
Esteban Rodriguez, 16 years old, of Natalia brought home his third championship this year in boxing as he won last week the USA Boxing Nationals Champion 138lb JR Division at the competition in Houston June 29-July 2. He dreams of going to the Golden Gloves National Championship in Orlando, Florida on August 6-9 and is seeking local sponsors to help make the trip a reality. Esteban’s record is 7-1 for 2023 and he has been racking up the hardware. In February he won his division at the Golden Gloves Texas competition in San Antonio, Texas and a trophy. Then in March he won his division at the Junior Olympics Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas and brought home a Olympic medal. Now in July he won a belt as the Champion at the USA Boxing Nationals. His coaches are Eric Rodriguez and G. Guerrero. Esteban has been boxing since he was 12 and got the inspiration to start boxing from his mother Sandra who used to wrestle when she was a teenager and loved it. His sister Senayda, 12 yrs old hopes to follow in his footstep someday soon. He is the son of Esteban and Sandra Lopez. If you would like to help Esteban get to the Golden Gloves Nationals by sponsoring him, please contact his father Esteban at 830-428-1340 or estebanlinan140@gmail.com.
Monday, June 26 5:00 AM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer spoke to a caller regarding a loose dog at the HEB. 12:37 PM – Assist San Antonio PD –19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to assist with contacting a female. Unable to locate the female. 9:44 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded and was unable to locate the vehicle. 10:26 PM – Wisdom Rd. @ Ball Rd. – Officer responded and removed a couch blocking the roadway. Tuesday, June 27 3:02 PM – 19900 Blk. FM 3175 – Officer spoke to a complainant regarding a check that was washed and cashed by another person outside the city limits of Lytle. 6:26 PM – Assist Atascosa EMS –19500 Blk. IH 35 – Officer responded to assist a patient having a medical emergency. 7:58 PM – Main St. @ Somerset St. – Officer provided a courtesy ride to a stranded motorist. 9:51 PM – 19300 Blk. IH 35 SB – Officer responded to an active alarm. The residence was secure. Wednesday, June 28 1:10 AM – 19200 Blk. N. Somerset St. – Report of a suspicious person, officers were unable to locate. 1:23 AM – 19200 Blk. N. Somerset St. – Officer responded to a report of a theft that occurred two days prior. The value of stolen ladder & tools was valued at $370.00. 6:33 AM – 15300 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to unlock a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. 8:35 AM – Diaz St. @ San Jose St. – Officer responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle going door to door. The male was taking a survey. 11:16 AM – Lytle PD – Officer spoke to a caller that provided information on a case. 12:14 PM – Assist DA Investigator – IH 35 NB @ MM 133 – Officer responded to assist with a traffic stop. 3:25 PM – Lytle PD – Officer spoke to a complainant via a telephone call regarding a stolen cell phone in San Antonio. 5:46 PM – Main St. @ FM 2790 – Officer responded and could not locate the pickup pulling a trailer. 7:30 PM – 15000 Blk. Main St. – Officers initiated a traffic stop for an expired vehicle registration which resulted in detaining the driver for violating the conditions of his bond. The driver was cited and released. 8:08 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to a report of shoplifting which resulted in the arrest of a 35 year old female for shoplifting merchandise valued at $130. Subject’s mother, a 53 year old female, received a citation for criminal mischief for removing the tags off the stolen merchandise. Thursday, June 29 7:55 AM – 19900 Blk. FM 3175 – Officer contacted Animal Control for loose goats at the Crisis Center. 10:49 AM – N. Pecan @ Adams St. – Officer responded to a suspicious vehicle sitting in the roadway on Adams St. 3:31 PM – 15200 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to a report of a stolen beverage which resulted in the arrest of a 34 year old female for an active Burglary of a Habitation warrant out of Medina County. Subject was booked into the Medina County Jail. 3:45 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to a suspicious object (penny) left on a vehicle door. The female was cautious due to all of the social media warnings. Everything was okay. 6:27 PM – Assist Atascosa EMS –19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer assisted a patient having a medical emergency. 8:30 PM – 19300 Blk. FM 2790 N. – Officers escorted the Lytle Little League girls to South Texas Hardware. 11:30 PM – 15000 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to a female running in the street. Friday, June 30 4:35 AM – 19300 Blk. IH 35 – Officer responded to an active alarm. The residence was secure. 11:15 AM – Lytle PD – Officers received a $100 donation from a grateful resident. 11:46 AM – Lytle PD – Officers spoke to a female regarding a service call that occurred on 6/29/2023 with an officer. 1:00 PM – Lytle PD – Officer spoke to a complainant regarding her estranged daughter opening a T-Mobile account in her name. 5:16 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to unlock a 2015 Mitsubishi. 9:31 PM – IH 35 SB MM 133 – Officer responded to a report of a male walking on the shoulder but could not find him. 10:55 PM – 14600 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded and provided a courtesy ride to Devine to a man. 11:45 PM – Assist Atascosa EMS – 15100 Blk. Norvell St. – Officer responded to assist a patient with a medical emergency. Saturday, July 1 1:25 AM – 19800 Blk. IH 35 – Officer responded to discover the two men were sleeping in their car. 5:18 AM – 14600 Blk, FM 2790 – Officer responded to an active alarm. The business was secure. 8:03 AM – 15300 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded and was unable to locate the person. 8:29 AM – 15300 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to a verbal disturbance resulting in the arrest of a 31 year old female on an active warrant out of Medina County for injury to a child/elderly/disabled w/intent bodily injury. Subject was booked into the Medina County jail. 10:07 AM – Lytle PD – Officer responded regarding a child custody matter. 11:33 AM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to a verbal disturbance. 4:36 PM – 15900 Blk. Lake Shore Dr. – Officer responded to an ice chest in the roadway. 4:59 PM – 19900 Blk. FM 2790 – Officers responded to a 20-year-old consumer that walked out of the center. The person was returned to the center, the staff later obtained an emergency detention warrant & our officers transported the person to a San Antonio area hospital. 5:11 PM – 15300 Blk. Oak St. – Officer responded to the death of a 65-year-old male. 11:42 PM – 18300 Blk. Wisdom Rd. – Officer responded to a female walking in the roadway. Sunday, July 2 7:34 AM – 15000 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to a suspicious parked vehicle. 10:14 AM – Lytle PD – Officer responded regarding a child custody matter. 2:35 PM – 18700 Blk. Wisdom Rd. – Officers responded, and everything was okay. 4:27 PM – 19500 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to a verbal disturbance, issuing a criminal trespass warning to an unsatisfied customer. 5:08 PM – 14800 Blk. Lytle-Somerset St. – Officer responded to unlock a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. 8:18 PM – 15100 Blk. Norvell – Officer responded to an active alarm. The residence was secure. 8:46 PM – 15300 Blk. Oak St. – Officer responded to the death of an 86-year-old male. 8:48 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to a report of a male walking out of the store shoplifting approx.—$ 120 worth of beer and unknown items an hour before contacting the police. 10:01 PM – 15000 Blk. Mesquite St. – Officer responded to a report of fireworks being pooped but could not locate them. 10:11 PM – 15200 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to a female that was reported stealing a soda. The female was issued a criminal trespass warning. 11: 27 PM – FM 3175 @ IH 35 – Officer responded to look for a black Jaguar vehicle but could not locate it.
06-26-2023 – code enforcement – Officer contacted the property owner to get the overgrown grass cut and improve the look of the city. 06-28-2023 – canine – other – Officer responded to a call for a loose dog I’m the neighborhood that had been caught in a trap placed by the officer; the dog was taken to the city kennel 06-28-2023 – assist other agency – Officer assisted MCSO on a crash 06-29-2023 – wanted person – Acting on information relayed to officers the wanted individual was located and taken into custody without incident 06-30-2023 – threats – Officer responded to a call for threats at a local business, report wax taken without incident 07-01-2023 – welfare concern – Officers responded to a call for a welfare concern, the individual turned out to be in good health and not in any danger. Officers issued multiple citations and warnings for various traffic violations.
June 23 0:35 AM – Officer assisted DPS on Teel Dr with securing subject inside vehicle. 3:21 AM – Complainant on Libold Dr reported male subject outside of residence. Officers made location; everything okay. Family member on location. 9:58 AM – Complainant on Mobile Parkway report female was seen on door bell camera ringing door bell and picking up cigarette butts in her yard and walking around in yard. Contact made with subject; all okay. 12:21 PM – Complainant on Davis Ave reported verbal disturbance between female and male. 16:33 PM – Complainant on Dove Ave report old Dodge pickup parked in front of residence for a couple of weeks. Tagged with 72 hour abandoned vehicle tag. 17:13 PM – Officer stopped vehicle on IH 35 N for speeding – no driver’s license or insurance. Vehicle towed by Friendly Glenns. June 24 14:43 PM – Complainant on SH 132 N reported vehicle broken down near road. Driver made location. Vehicle towed by Morales Towing. 22:34 PM – Complainant on Hondo Ave reported man screaming at woman and pulling her hair. Male subject arrested and jailed for Assault Causing Bodily Injury-Family Violence. June 25 4:15 AM – Complainant on Dilley Ave reported he was trying to leave female who came home drunk and causing a disturbance. Female and children released to responsible party. 21:15 PM – Complainant on IH 35 S reported Hispanic female attempted to take $955.61 of items. Items were recovered. Incident occurred at 1930 hrs. June 26 10:50 AM – Complainant on Transportation Dr reported suspicious vehicle – Maroon Chevy SUV parked under trees. Male walked across RR tracks and walking in field. Vehicle left before officer arrived. 11:06 AM – Complainant on Malone Ave believed that unknown person opened compartment to travel trailer they are staying in on property. Area searched; unable to locate. 15:34 PM – Complainant on Hondo Ave reported female on location refusing to leave. ID’s by police. Female left location. 19:20 PM – Officer dispatched to CR 5710 for disturbance between female and male. June 27 4:34 AM – Complainant on Teel Dr involved in verbal dispute with boyfriend. Complainant locked boyfriend out of apartment and he was attempting to get back in. 14:24 PM – Officer dispatched to Hondo Ave for minor accident. 16:45 PM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for female subject causing a disturbance and refusing to leave. Was seen driving older model Trailblazer. Subject left before officer arrived. June 28 4:50 AM – Complainant on Libold Dr advised that girlfriend won’t let him leave house to go to work. Upon officer arrival complainant advised he no longer needed assistance. 11:12 AM – Complainant on Breeze Dr reported 18 wheeler parked. Officer left orange sticker on driver’s side window as warning. 12:25 PM – Officer assisted County ACO with locating owner of cow. 13:40 PM – Complainant on Hondo Ave3 report stalled vehicle. Ran out of gas, vehicle moved out of roadway. June 29 15:24 PM – Complainant on McAnnely Ave report two males on bikes staying behind home in the bushes. 17:50 PM – Officer dispatched to IH 35 for major accident. One vehicle took out guard rail at MM 123. 18:34 PM – Complainant on Windy Knoll reported two groups of juveniles yelling at each other. Parties were separated.
The 1983-84 was the first cheer team asked to host cheer camp as part of the new Community Education Program 40 years ago during the summer of 1983. They are Cindy Langley Morales, Rhonda Edwards Korczynski, (left) Mascot Kirsten Schneider, (right) Charie Boyd Morse, Monica Trollinger Malone, Mikki McGinnis Taylor, (at top) Suzanne Crouch Putz, with Little Mascot Tiffany Schneider (at bottom).
By Autumn Copeland Monday, June 26 to Thursday, June 29, the Devine High School cheer team and sponsors hosted the 40th year of Mini Cheer Camp. At Mini Cheer and Dance Camp, young cheerleaders from the area attend a four day-long camp where they work with the high school cheerleaders to learn routines and dances, even getting to perform for their loved ones on their last day. The tradition started 40 years ago at Devine High School when several different summer camps were set up through the Devine Community Education Program by Dora Fernandez. The high school cheerleaders were asked to host a cheer camp, so they volunteered their time to teach younger kids all about the ins and outs of cheerleading. Cindy Morales was a cheerleader at the time the first mini cheer camp was held during the summer before her senior year of high school in 1983. Morales enjoyed cheer camp because she had the opportunity to work with the youth. “My favorite part was teaching traditional cheers that have carried on throughout the years,” said Morales. “Tradition is so important for schools.” The first cheer camp was held in the old high school gym just like it is now, but the camp lasted for five days and campers would pay $25. Now campers pay $45-$65, depending on their grade level. The money raised from cheer camp has to be stretched throughout the year since cheer is not a part of athletics at DHS. The money pays for things like pep rally decorations, tryout choreography, judges and an auditor for scoring. “This year’s money will go to much needed cheer equipment to make Friday night football a better experience for everyone,” said DHS cheer sponsor Alejandra Valdez. “The girls have to raise money for anything and everything they do.” Senior lieutenant cheerleader Yancey Parson says her dreams have come to life since becoming a cheerleader. She always looked up to the older girls during her days at cheer camp as a little girl and now she gets to be an inspiration for the younger campers. “One thing I’ve noticed is how much these little girls look up to you and want to be your friend and dance with you, or even watch them dance with their groups,” said Parson. “It reminds me of myself at their age.” For the older generations of cheerleaders and mini cheer campers, the hopes to continue teaching Devine pride through deep traditions remain high. “It gives my heart joy to see cheer camp continue 40 years later,” said Morales as she watched granddaughters Reese and Riley cheer at camp.
I will always regard the years I taught at Devine High School as the very best years of my 43-year teaching career. Those years are filled with memories of many wonderful students, coworkers and Devine community members. It was definitely a more casual, relaxed, fun filled environment than exists in many school districts today. There is no doubt in my mind that my time at DHS was a blessing to me. I would like to share a few of those special memories today. To this day we subscribe to the “Devine News”. It is fun to read the honor roll, check sports page and look for Lewis Stroud’s picture in the paper. First of all, I will always be grateful for the absolute best principal ever, Bob Bendele, and the best superintendent, Dr. Steele. I was also lucky enough to have many outstanding co-workers …. Nancy McGowan, Mary Rowell, Myra Waters, Richard Malone, Kay Schultz, Gordon Schultz, Susan Frazier, and Bill Lorraine, Beulah Anderson, Phil and Linda McAnelly, to name just a very few. Devine is certainly the most sports-loving town I have ever been in. Football games seem to rule in the fall. Spirit ribbons I think sold for a quarter. There were decorating contests during homecoming week. There was the weekly pep rally with spirit sticks awarded…. I think I still have mine. One time we even had won a pep rally sponsored by 92.9. The DJ’s name was Catfish something or other. It is a little late but I apologize for not arranging that ahead of time with the administration. I didn’t know I was going to win the contest. At the games, former players, some wearing their old letter jackets, were lined up by the fence. Band parents were selling popcorn, pickles, and frito pies in the concession stands. Cheerleaders were throwing little footballs into the stands. I was passing out Bozo Bucks. Ralph Reyes’ mother was ringing a cowbell in the stands. A good time was had by all. The excitement when Devine beat Hondo for the first time in a long time in ’86 was unbelievable! The Talent Show was a lot of fun. Gary English was on drums singing “You Have To Fight For Your Right To Party”. Mary Rowell had a group of teachers pantomime ”Leader of the Pack”. Mr. Hicks sang “Old Man Lucas had a lot of Mucus”. Lots of other “talent” was shown as well. It was a more relaxed time. There were pickups in the parking lot with guns in the gun rack and nobody felt threatened. I was able to send two of my aides to Dairy Queen to take lunch to my junior high kids. Garret Pye dashed over to the junior high to get one of his mother’s hubcaps to illustrate a property of circles during geometry class. Shannon Rackley brought her two-wheel bicycle for the same reason.
Quintessential DHS math teacher, Sandy Miller, then and now. And now.
Once there were several goats loose on the city street. The animal control officer was not available to catch them. The City Administrator (my husband Bob) came over to the high school and talked to Travis Byrom. Field trip! Travis and his class grabbed some rope, jumped into their pickups and took care of the situation. I think Travis may have given Matt Barber a lesson in roping that day. I only had 5 students, maybe 6, in my trig class one year. One day we all got in my car and I just drove us around town with maybe a stop at Dairy Queen. It was a great study break. UIL was a fun time. Brenda Gardner was an awesome coordinator for that. One time we were I think in Kerrville for a meet. I do not like to drive and was more than a little unnerved about driving back to Devine. I made 16 year-old Royd Graham drive us all back. Maybe he volunteered. I am not sure. I think he had a license…lol. I just know I didn’t drive. One of the reasons I really appreciated Bob Bendele is because he let me hang up a bunch, a whole bunch, of posters in my room. Neva Sessions, as a little girl, would come over in the summer and help me put up posters and words on the wall. I am guessing Jim was hanging out in the gym shooting baskets. I loved the fact that because of my teaching schedule, I could end up teaching some students three years in a row. One year TEA mandated a teacher evaluation form that had 75 components. One of the biggies on the list was Per Cent of Student Participation. I was due for an evaluation, and since I had a good relationship with this one particular class, I devised a way to get that item checked off. It was like a game to me and still makes me smile to remember it. I told my students that when I asked a question during the evaluation, that if they knew the right answer, then they should raise their right hand. If they did not know the right answer they should raise their left hand. Voila ! 100% participation. Unbeknownst to me, the kids had their own little plan. When I asked the first question, they all raised their left hand. I just said “Great, since you all know the answer we will just move on”. Everyone had a big smile, including me. I actually wanted to laugh out loud. Zero hour was a fun addition to the schedule. One time my daughter Margaret was not in class. I gave my car keys to Holly Graham and had her go to my house and wake up Margaret. Luckily, the Graham kids were good drivers. Robert Diaz was late to zero hour one time. His excuse was that he was delayed due to a bunch of chickens being on the road. I questioned that. He said that one was still attached to his vehicle. So, we all went downstairs to the parking lot and sure enough, there was a dead chicken wedged under the grill. Excuse accepted. Getting a computer lab was a big step forward. So then we had a Computer Club. It was a pretty active club, even if we didn’t spend time on computers. One of our first fun activities was a snipe hunt at President Maggie Whitaker’s ranch. I had never been on a snipe hunt, nor had our foreign exchange student, Hakon Rostad. Haven’t been on one since. One of the Computer Club activities was the annual trip to A&M. One time Brenda Weinstrom did not make it back to the bus. Hmm. Don’t think her brother Bruce was too concerned. Maybe he thought it was typical. I believe Kenny Saucedo was the hero of the day when he found her wandering around campus somewhere. Those were fun trips, even if someone did have motion sickness and threw up on the bus. The details escape me, but somehow we managed to hose down the floor. Onward! One of the final grades in my geometry class each year was Hat Day. Students needed to construct a hat using as many different geometric shapes as possible. It was a relatively easy grade and a chance to boost your grade to passing if you needed it. One student, who shall remained nameless, did not pass geometry the first time. I remember the second year when I discussed Hat Day with the class, he turned around and said “She will fail you if you don’t do it, trust me” and then did not do it. He did pass the third year. During our annual awards ceremony, each teacher gave an award to the most outstanding student and to the most improved student. I decided the above unnamed young man would definitely be my most improved (maybe of all time). When I called his name during the assembly, I was told that he was in the Ag barn working on a project there so that he would pass that class. I liked that as a teacher, we would be a sponsor to the same class for all of their four years in high school. There was a lot of fundraising involved during that time. Page Pye showed her business skills early on. I heard her sometimes going down the hall reminding others about paying dues, or working at a fund raiser, etc. One time Andy Zapata, Dawn Hoog and I were in Andy’s truck late at night moving chairs from a fundraiser. We were stopped by the police who were wondering why we were out riding around that late, I guess. It was a little awkward to me to admit that my husband was their boss. All was well though. My son Chris told me an interesting story that I had not heard before. He called it The Lawyer’s First Loss. In one of his classes they had a mock trial. Chris and Greg Estes were on one side. Paul Noak (lawyer’s son and future lawyer) and Chris Navarro were on another side. David Yarbro was the judge. Apparently Paul and Chris N. really had the better case; but David ruled in favor of Chris and Greg. It seems there had been a bit of bribery involved. One of my best memories from our time in Devine was when we moved from our rent house to our new house. Instead of hiring a moving company, a bunch of my students came over and moved us. It was a trail of pickup trucks all day Saturday. When I went to school on Monday, I had to ask each class if anyone knew where my coffee pot was. I have tried my best but some of these facts may be a little off. I just know I loved my time in Devine. I will always miss it. It was such a great pleasure to meet some many wonderful people. I have loved seeing those “kids” grow up and have kids and grandkids of their own (thank you FaceBook). I have thought of many other former students and associates as well. I would love to hear from you. I am on FaceBook under Sandy Miller .
Saturday night was good to a lotta folks in our area. Phil MacAnelly got over a couple inches of rain out in Yancey and Frank Runnells got bout the same in Biry. We, the Black Creek folk, were on the edge and I only found 2 tenths of an inch in my rain gauge. Aint heard from Mawmaw or Billy Grote in Moore. We lost a good man last week. Dale Stehle finished his tenure on this side and went on. Didn’t see him much after he moved to Leakey but, talked once in a while. Got a quick Dale Stehle story explaining how he and I got into law enforcement. Dale and I were workin for HEB Construction Co. in the summer of 1974 up at the HEB on Fredericksburg Rd at West Ave. It was bout as hot then as it is now. Round lunchtime one day, Dale and I were eating our sammidges out on the sidewalk in the shade cause they wouldn’t let us eat inside in the air conditioning and we were trying to drink our Big Reds before they got hot. We looked out on West Ave. and saw a San Antonio Police car drive by. The policeman had the windows rolled up, his right arm draped across the seat just enjoying the drive in an air conditioned car. I looked at Dale and said “I could do that”. He said “I think I could too”. After work that day, we went down to the SAPD Headquarters and picked up an application. Dale went a step further and went down on New Braunfels and got an application for DPS. Guess DPS called him first cause, as we all know, he went with them. Both of us got into Law Enforcement at the same time and both were blessed to retire from our respective agencies. There are a number of other Dale Stehle stories out there that I am sure will surface in the near future. I got a few more, just ain’t enough space here to get them all in. Bottom line, Dale was one of the good guys. Always happy to see you and even happier to talk your leg off. If you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how to build a watch. I see where our Supreme Court came out with a couple of decisions with which our current Administration did not agree. Now our President and others close to his way of thinking are saying that the Court does not understand our Constitution. Sounds like some of them are gonna throw a temper tantrum cause they didn’t get their way. Next Election, our country better wake up. Still waitin on my notice to appear for my Protest Hearing at the Tax Appraisal Office and, speaking of taxes, I was glad to see the Devine City Council act to freeze City taxes for folks 65 and over. Now if the State would get off their keesters and act along the same lines… Keep praying for rain. Medina Lake aint full yet.
