By Anton Riecher Devine Volunteer Fire and Rescue Engine 8120 has returned to duty after a $29,499 overhaul, Medina County Emergency Services District 2 board secretary Brenda Butler reports. The board was updated on the engine’s status during its March 21 monthly meeting. Engine 8120 is a 2008 Spartan pumper carrying 1,700 gallons of water and 50 gallons of Class A foam. It has the capacity to draft water from a static source such as a pond. The unit carries six personnel and is generally the first out of the station for structure fires. Devine Volunteer Fire & Rescue consists of nine apparatus and 30 personnel, of which 24 are line officers, active firefighters and cadets with 2,300 hours of training annually. The rest are active personnel in the fire auxiliary working behind the scenes. In February, the fire and rescue responded to 39 emergency calls in a 31 day period. In other matters, the board was told that 15 students in Hondo and 18 in Devine were ready to take their emergency medical technician (EMT) test. Preparation for testing by the group amounts to 300 hours of trainng. The board asked staff to research the cost to add a 1,000 gallon tank at the main fire station to fuel trucks and equipment.
At the February 6, 2023 Special Called Board Meeting the MVISD School Board voted to order a bond election on May 6, 2023 in the amount of $376 million with a tax increase of 2.8 cents. To see the additional cost to your existing tax bill, visit mvisd.com and plug in your home value into the calculator. Details of the bond as well as drawings of what the new high school and traffic improvement will look like are on the website also. Early voting is from April 24 to May 2, with the election day of May 6, 2023. The breakdown of the bond: High School #2 – $323M Safety & Security Enhancements – $5M Traffic Improvements – $4M Agricultural & Jr. ROTC Facility – $14M Land Purchases – $30M These bond projects were brought to the board for consideration based on extensive community input by a diverse group of citizens throughout the district. The MVISD Community Bond Advisory Committee, made up of 30+ community members, met regularly throughout the last few months, with the main goal of addressing the district’s fast-growth. Currently MVISD has an enrollment of 7,700 and is expected to double in size by 2032. Medina Valley ISD covers about 300 square miles and is located west of San Antonio. The proud students of MVISD come from Castroville, La Coste, Rio Medina, Dunlay, Mico, parts of San Antonio, and surrounding areas. The District has approximately 7,700 students with eight campuses: five elementary, two middle, and one high school. Over the past several years, Medina Valley has consistently seen growth in student enrollment with an increase of 7% – 10% new students every year. The District consistently outscores all State averages in accountability ratings and testing, producing well-rounded career-minded students. The school community is constantly evolving from year to year with new state-of-the-art facilities and building additions. The District excels in all academic and extracurricular activities and has a large fan base for all activities. Facts: MVISD has added more than 1,000 students over the last year. 2032-2033 Projected Enrollment is 15,628. There are currently 50+ active subdivisions and 10+ future subdivisions in MVISD. Projections show an additional 3,800 students over the next five years. Medina Valley ISD covers close to 300 square miles. There are 24,921 projected future homes in MVISD. Medina Valley ISD is an A Rated School District by TEA. Medina Valley ISD has earned the highest rating possible on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas for the past 20 consecutive years.
March 24 12:19 PM – Complainant on Teel Dr advised phone lines down, hit by 18-wheeler. Officers moved lines out of roadway and AT&T and AEP were notified. Powerline down as well. 16:26 PM – Officer jailed male subject on Transportation Dr. for narcotics offense. Vehicle towed by Friendly Glenns. March 25 3:53 AM – Officer dispatched to Davis Ave for possible disturbance in area. Everything okay. 7:20 AM – Assisted MCSO with semi truck fire on IH 35 S with traffic control. 11:50 AM – Complainant on Teel Dr called in reference to Wells Fargo debit card located in Walmart parking lot. March 26 16:50 PM – Officer dispatched to Dilley Ave for theft that occurred on 3/16/23. Item stolen was a mountain bike taken by male wearing work boots, shorts and hoodie. March 27 7:17 AM – Complainant on Hondo Ave called in reference to suspicious male wearing a black jacket first seen outside then inside store hanging around. Watched subject finally seen by a transport van speaking to a female in a wheelchair. 11:39 AM – Complainant on Teel Dr called to make report on a theft of air post driver. Might possibly still have FSR stickers on it. 16:47 PM – Complainant on IH 35 S called in reference to suspicious male looking through vehicle windows wearing shorts, black shirt and black and white beanie. Unable to locate. 22:03 PM – Complainant on Webb Ave. called in reference to possible shots fired in area. Unable to locate. 22:48 PM – Complainant on Gutierrez Ave believed that somebody had knocked on window an hour earlier. March 28 4:56 AM – Assisted Border Patrol agents requesting unit to standby with vehicle until wrecker arrived. LoneStar took possession. 13:15 PM – Complainant on State Hwy 173 called regarding suspicious activity by cars in parking lot. Unable to locate. 20:17 PM – Officer dispatched to Breeze Dr for violation of protective order. 22:02 PM – Complainant on Tehama Ave. advised that male slapped her. Complainant was highly intoxicated, no visible injuries. Male left for the night. March 29 0:30 AM – Officer assisted deputies with vehicle failing to yield on IH 35 N. 5:50 AM – Officer dispatched to IH 35 access road for 18 wheeler stalled in roadway. Driver was able to get it started and moved. 11:05 AM – Complainant on Hondo Ave advised suspicious male taking clothes off by roadway. Made contact and subject was given courtesy ride to Moore. 22:12 PM – Complainant on Teel Dr called in reference to two subjects on location. Unable to locate. 23:50 PM – Officer dispatched to Dixon Dr. for loud noise coming from apartment. Officer check area, no loud music coming from apartment. March 30 5:00 AM – Officer dispatched to 5th St for warrant service – six municipal warrants. 5:42 AM – Officer dispatched to Breeze Dr for warrant service – 6 municipal warrants. 6:45 AM – Officer dispatched to CR 2755 for warrant service – 4 municipal warrants. 6:48 AM – Officer dispatched to Jack Nicklaus Dr for warrant service – 6 municipal warrants. 7:00 AM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 7 municipal warrants. 7:00 AM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 8 municipal warrants. 7:18 AM – Officer dispatched to CR 785 for warrant service – 6 municipal warrants. 8:03 AM – Officer dispatched to Warhorse Dr for warrant service – 2 municipal warrants. 8:58 AM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 4 municipal warrants. 9:08 AM – Officer dispatched to Walton for warrant service – 4 municipal warrants. 9:27 AM – Officer dispatched to Moore Ave for warrant service – 3 municipal warrants. 9:55 AM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 3 municipal warrants. 10:14 AM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 3 municipal warrants. 10:21 AM – Officer dispatched to Adams Ave for warrant service – 3 municipal warrants. 10:31 AM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 2 municipal warrants. 10:31 AM – Officer dispatched to Breeze Dr for warrant service – 4 municipal warrants. 10:32 AM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 6 municipal warrants. 11:12 AM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 5 municipal warrants. 11:33 AM – Complainant on Moore Ave called in reference to two suspicious male subjects in area. 12:57 PM – Officer dispatched to FM 4265 for warrant service – 3 municipal warrants. 13:04 PM – Officer dispatched to Teel Dr for warrant service – 3 municipal warrants. 19:12 PM – Officer dispatched to Colonial Pkwy for verbal between landlord and tenant. 19:14 PM – Officer dispatched to Moore Ave for verbal between husband and wife. Husband left location for the evening.
Elizabeth Annette Carter passed away on March 26, 2023 at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Carter; son-in-law, Jim Briscoe; grandson, Curt Briscoe; and brother, Carl Hogenson, Jr. Elizabeth is survived by her sons, Michael Carter (Patti), Larry Carter (Susan); daughter, Debra Briscoe; grandchildren, Casey Briscoe (Brittny), Carly Parson (Chad), Hayley Carter (Jonathan); 5 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild. She was a loving wife, mother and raised three children and worked for Lytle State Bank for 31 years until her retirement. Annette then worked for Lytle High School for 5 years as a substitute teacher after her retirement. In her spare time with her husband, they traveled all over Texas doing bird dog trials which they truly loved. A Visitation was be held from 11:30 am till 12:00 pm followed by a 12:00 pm chapel service on Monday, April 3, 2023, at Primrose Funeral Services in Lytle with interment that followed at Blackhill Cemetery. Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas, 78052.
Minerva “Minnie” Muzquiz, age 99, of Moore, Texas, entered into eternal rest on March 30, 2023, in San Antonio, after a short illness. She was surrounded by her loving family in her final moments on earth, which came just two months shy of her 100th birthday. Minnie was born on June 1, 1923, in San Diego, Texas to Ernesto and Maria Garcia and spent her childhood years living in several rural communities within Frio County, Texas, including Bigfoot, Schattel and Moore. She graduated from Pearsall High School in 1940 at the age of 16 and moved to San Antonio to attend San Antonio Business College, graduating a year later. After college, she worked as a medical stenographer in the business office of Santa Rosa Hospital and later in the radiology department at Kelly Field. In 1946, Minnie left her job at Kelly Field and returned to Moore to marry her sweetheart, Frank Muzquiz, Jr., a resident of Moore, who had served overseas in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. As Minnie and Frank began to build their family of six children, Minnie forewent outside employment to raise the kids until the late ‘70s when their youngest child entered the eighth grade. She accepted a job as a field representative with the U.S. Census Bureau, driving thousands of miles each year throughout Texas and Louisiana to conduct housing, employment, economic and crime surveys in residents’ homes as assigned by the Dallas regional office. She loved her job and meeting people, and consistently earned stellar performance reviews until the day she retired in 2009 — at the age of 86. Minnie was a dedicated volunteer for her children’s schools, including serving as the PTA president at the Moore School where her three oldest children started their education. When Moore’s school closed and students transferred to Pearsall, she served as a room mother to coordinate class parties and volunteered with the Pearsall High School Band Boosters during the 20-year span in which her six children played in the band. She also marketed for the Devine Area Artists’ Concert Series, fundraised for the American Cancer Society, taught sewing to members of the Moore 4-H Club, served as a poll worker for local elections, and handled the bookkeeping and numerous other duties for St. Augustine Catholic Church in Moore for many years. In 2013, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller presented Minnie with the Lumen Gentium Award from the San Antonio Catholic Archdiocese for exemplary volunteer service to the church. When a hip injury in 2014 challenged her ability to continue living independently, Minnie relocated to San Antonio. In 2015 she became a resident of Brookdale Maltsberger Senior Living, an assisted living facility where she thrived and considered her home until her passing. Minnie’s husband Frank predeceased her, as did her parents, parents-in-law Francisco Sr. and Ramona Muzquiz, sister and brother-in-law Rose Marie and Nasario Alvarado, brother and sister-in-law David and Rita Garcia, brother Ralph Garcia, and brother-in-law Frank Garza. Minnie is survived by her six children: Ernest Muzquiz (Alice) of Syracuse, New York, Gloria Villarreal (Emilio) of San Antonio, Robert Muzquiz (Diana) of Mesquite, Roland Muzquiz (Sandy) of Plano, Ramona Teter of San Antonio, and Donald Muzquiz of Franklin, Tennessee; 16 grandchildren: Minerva “Little Minnie” Muzquiz, Michael Villarreal (Blanca), Andrea Kohnert (Chris), Belinda Villarreal, Carolyn Villarreal, Daniel Muzquiz, Aaron Muzquiz (Eric), Amanda Muzquiz, Gabriel Muzquiz (Racheal), Ramon Muzquiz (Sarah), Renee Muzquiz (Kelly), Rochelle Muzquiz, Ryan Teter, Adrienne Scharch (Tanner), Celeste Muzquiz and Brandon Muzquiz; 9 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister Martha Garza, brother and sister-in-law Ernest and Christine Garcia; sister-in-law Emma Garcia, and numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, from 5 – 9 p.m. at the Primrose Funeral Home in Devine, Texas, with a Rosary recitation to follow at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, April 12, at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, also in Devine. Burial will follow at the Moore Catholic Cemetery in Moore. The family offers sincerest thanks to the staff of Brookdale Maltsberger for providing Minnie with extraordinary care and friendships for the past seven years, as well as to San Antonio Wellness and Rehabilitation and Gentiva Hospice for their gentle care and support during her final days. Donations in Minnie’s memory may be made to her parish, St. Augustine Catholic Church, Moore, Texas, or the Moore Catholic Cemetery, c/o 108 S. Washington Dr., Devine, Texas, 78016. If you wish to offer a word of condolences to the family or share a memory you may do so by visiting www.primrosefuneralservices.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services in Devine, Texas.
While not on my favorite list of species to pursue in La Brasada, we are in Turkey Season right now. We manage to have some on our acres due to the creek bottom part that is full of oak trees adjoining some fertile red sand farmland. But in my well over 6 decades of hunting, I have not ever felt the need to harvest one. That does not mean they have not caused me many moments of joy through the years. Watching the “strutting around” of the males trying to impress the ladies each Spring is simply a slightly different tune of the behavior exhibited by rutting bucks in December. Or likely most Saturday nights at multiple “human watering holes” scattered all over. I go out of my way to observe that first two examples above but have avoided the last one for a long spell. Our daughter, in her very young years, labeled them Gobble Gobbles and the term has stuck. Her children often will ask if we are going to see any Gobble Gobbles when driving down to our place. They all firmly believe that the spreading of corn at the various feeding locations must have “designated spots” for the deer, hogs, and turkeys. I simply watch in amusement as the United Nations level of negotiations occur in terms of how locations are allocated to which species. In my backwoods way of figuring out things NO purpose is served pointing out that NONE of the wild animals care about such Human Boundaries and simply adapt to opportunities presented for safety, food, and producing another round of offspring. I imagine at some point in time that the 5th generation of our family will figure out that fact of nature. But for now I am perfectly content to let those young ones create their own approach to the care and support of ALL those magnificent species the Good Lord has allowed us to interact with while out in our part of His Creation that has been entrusted to us. And that includes taking some care of the Gobble Gobbles!
My trip to Devine last week was great. For the first time, I got to meet my newest great-grandson, who is a whole two months old, of course, he is totally precious, and I held him to my heart’s content. He’s a good baby, the only time I heard him cry was when he was hungry! This coming Sunday is Easter. It is a little later than usual, being in April rather than sometime in mid-March. I will be part of the holiday in Devine and part here at home as I have a few family members coming in. Saturday, I got out the boxes of Easter decorations and placed some here and there in the house. My dining room table is cute, not as decorated as in the past when I had an “Easter Tree” in the middle of the table with flowers and lots of plastic eggs hanging from it, but for a “do it now” job, it looks good! Spring is really here, not only according to the wildflowers blooming along the roadsides, but also according to the calendar! The bluebonnets have appeared in all of their glory and in various places they are really thick and beautiful. The roadsides around this area are absolutely gorgeous, and the flowers are really profuse. Unfortunately, I do not have any in my own field, as that portion was always cultivated, so I just have coastal mixed with a few weeds, a few wine cups and a patch of buttercups! On my trip to Devine last week, I noticed that there weren’t very many bluebonnets, mostly white prickly poppy, along with the beautiful magenta ones here and there, wild mustard and lots of yellow rapeseed, and purple mallow, that is also called winecup, (which I just learned from my Victoria paper). One thing that I have noticed this year, maybe more than some others is the yucca is blooming profusely. In traveling back and forth from Yoakum to Cuero and Victoria, as well as a couple of towns in the opposite direction, I have noticed several yuccas that are out in open fields, and some have as many as four and five ‘branches’ all bearing flowers that are creamy white to ivory in color. The yucca plant is pollinated only by a moth called simply ‘yucca moth’. The yucca is basically a desert tree that grows primarily in the southwestern United States, and it is related to the Joshua tree. It is called by many names, including Yucca, Spanish Dagger, Spanish Bayonet, Dagger Plant and Candlestick Plant. According to a map of the United States that accompanied the article concerning yucca, yucca will grow in the western parts of Washington, Oregon, all of California, parts of Nevada and New Mexico, all of Texas except the panhandle area and on through the southern part of Oklahoma, through all of the southern United States from Louisiana through Florida and up into Virginia and the Carolinas and beyond up the eastern coast line states, including Delaware and southern New Jersey. The yucca, (which is what I am going to call it for this article for simplicity), has sharp pointed dark green leaves, that are generally 2½ feet long and sometimes more and about two to 2½-inches wide at the centermost area. Some varieties have smooth edges on the leaves and others have very rough, edges. If you use them for landscaping, they should never be placed anywhere near a walkway because of these leaves with their sharp points. Even though the plant is considered a shrub, it can grow from six feet to sixteen feet tall. The ones in the wild seem to be about ten feet tall. The yucca belongs to the Agave family and yucca is actually the genus name and there are over 50 varieties of this plant. Historical use has it that the Native Americans used the soapy leaves and roots for numerous conditions, including boiling the roots or leaves and making poultices and baths for skin conditions. Sprains, joint inflammation and bleeding were also believed to be helped when treated with a poultice or washing with a bath made of yucca. We only have the rest of this week to need meatless dishes, but here are a couple of shrimp recipes to help you get through it. Cajun Style Shrimp Skewers ¾ cup cooking oil 1 finely chopped medium sweet onion 2 Tbs. Cajun seasoning 6 minced garlic cloves 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely minced 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely minced 2 pounds, large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Place the shrimp in a resealable plastic bag, add one-half of the marinade, seal bag, turn to coat shrimp and place in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. (Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade to be used later for basting). Drain and discard marinade, thread shrimp onto eight (8) metal or wooden skewers that you have soaked. (If you use 2 skewers to thread the shrimp on, they will be easy to turn on the grill or in the oven*). Grill over medium heat for 2 to 4 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink. Baste once while cooking, *I would have to bake these in the oven or under the broiler until they just turn pink. My thought would be 350º to 375º. Shrimp Tostadas 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined (you can use the ready-to-eat shrimp now available) 1 can (14 ½ ounces) diced tomatoes, drained well 1 cup diced sweet onion 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles (whatever heat you prefer) ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro 3 Tbs. cooking oil 3 Tbs. lime juice 1 can (16-ounces) refried beans, warmed 10 tostada shells 2½ cups shredded lettuce Combine shrimp, tomatoes, onions, chiles, cilantro, cooking oil and lime juice in a medium bowl; mix together to combine, cover and set aside. Spread about 2 tablespoons of refried beans on each tostada shell, top with ¼ cup lettuce and ½ cup of the shrimp mixture. Makes 10 single servings. Now, here’s the dessert I will be making for Easter. I don’t think there are any of the men in my family that don’t like Carrot Cake. It is frequently requested for birthdays! Carrot Cake 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1½ teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1½ teaspoons salt 1½ cup sugar 1½ oil 4 eggs 2 cups finely shredded carrots (a food processor works great) 1 can (8½-oz) crushed pineapple, in juice, drained ½ cup chopped nuts 1 can (3½-oz) flaked coconut Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add oil and eggs to this mixture and mix well. Add carrots, pineapple, coconut and nuts. Pour into 10×12 pan or a Bundt pan and bake at 350ºF for 35 to 40 minutes or until done. A Bundt pan will need about 45 to 50 minutes baking time. Remove from oven and cool either in the pan or remove from pan and place on a cake rack to cool completely. For Bundt pan, cool about 5 minutes in the pan and then remove. Cool completely and frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Cream Cheese Frosting ½ cup butter or margarine 1 block (8-oz) cream cheese 2 cups sifted powdered sugar Using electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese together until fluffy and light, gradually add sugar, beating just until creamy. If it is too stiff, add a few drops of milk until of spreading consistency.
Lytle Police news from last week …… Officers managed 52 calls for service and conducted 128 traffic stops. The result of those stops was 113 drivers received citations and 15 received either a written or verbal warning. Officers took reports of 3 property crimes: #1 – The male restroom at John Lott Park was graffitied. #2 – A 2008 Ford Expedition had the catalytic converter cut from it; the vehicle was in the 15100 blk. of Main St. #3 – An attempted burglary of a vehicle at the H. E.B. Plus resulted in damage to a door lock on a 2005 Chevy P/U. The crooks did not gain entry. Officers made 5 arrests: #1 – A traffic stop on a speeding vehicle in the 17900 blk. of Wisdom resulted in the recovery of a stolen vehicle. A 2005 F250, reported stolen out of Devine) was recovered. The female driver was arrested, she said she just bought the vehicle a few days ago but could not remember who sold it to her. #2 – A traffic stop for speeding on N. Prairie St. resulted in the arrest of a female driver for D.W.I. Arrest #3 – A traffic stop for speeding (38 in a 30) at 1:30 AM on Main St. resulted in an arrest for human smuggling. The driver, a Honduran citizen (who lives in Houston), had 12 other Hondurans packed into his Chevy Equinox. Ofc. John Cortez (who did a great job!) was the only officer on so I was called out to help. Fortunately, an Atascosa Co. Sheriff’s Deputy was in the area and helped as well. The group ranged in age from 18-59 and included one married couple. I mostly just stood around and waited for the U.S. Border Patrol to do their thing. I speak very little Spanish and zero Honduran, so I was not much help. I can only imagine, coming all the way from Honduras and your trip ending in downtown Lytle, Texas because the driver was going 8 miles over the speed limit. Arrests #4 and #5 were cited and released for class C misdemeanors. An adult male on Wisdom Rd. was cited for discharging a firearm in the city limits (ordinance violation). An adult male was cited for public intoxication and released. He was on a golf cart near the intersection of FM 3175 and the IH-35 access road. The golf cart was impounded. TXDOT Update: The NB access road in front of Best Western is now open to two-way traffic! The NB access road just south of the city will be down to one lane for a few weeks. There will be a temporary traffic control signal, so expect delays. This weekend is our annual Easter Egg-Travaganza at John Lott Park. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 8. Registration opens at 1:00 PM and the egg hunt starts at 2:00 PM. The registration fee is 1 canned good or $1.00 per child. I think that has been the cost for about 20 years so this is one place where inflation hasn’t paid a visit, heck it might be the only place. The Easter egg hunt is for children ages 1 thru 8. Last Thursday I was over in the Jourdanton/Pleasanton area all day. I had three stops to conduct background investigations on police applicants. I also attended a meeting at the courthouse that the new County Judge hosted, a lot of high-powered criminal justice professionals like me were in attendance. It was nice (even though there were no refreshments) to see and hear from some folks I seldom see. I even visited Charlotte Texas for the first time! I have been listening to police and ambulance calls on the radio down there for 30 years, but I had never been there. It was a lot nicer of a place in person than it sounded on the police radio. I saw that the Pleasanton Police Chief is retiring, I am sure some people thought I was down there scoping the job out. I want to stop that rumor; I have no intention of applying for that position. I am happy where I am, and they probably have high standards and want somebody that can wear a tie. Furthermore, there are way too many good places to eat over there. To take that job the city would have to agree to pay me by the pound and increase my salary as my weight went up.
I did some mowing with the good old fashioned push mower this weekend. It’s quite the workout when there’s overgrown grass, let me tell ya. I hope I lost some weight or something! I tried to teach my teenager how to use the little electric weed whacker, but it broke about five minutes into it of course. I lost the battery, so I had to order a replacement. Then I couldn’t find the string, so I had to order a replacement. And now a little tiny piece broke off inside the thing that holds the spools of string. Some projects are just like that. I thought I was gonna teach my teenager another great “life skill” but it just wasn’t meant to be that day. At one point, I told her if she didn’t whack all of the weeds in a certain area, I would make her pull them out by hand one at a time. As hard headed as she is, she said she would rather do it that way. Long story short, after the weed whacker broke, she got to pull a lot by hand after all! Of course, she still insisted it was easier. My achy lower back says otherwise. I have a feeling she will soon change her mind about how easy it is to pull weeds versus whack them!
I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who came out for this year’s Bluebonnet festival! From the Bluebonnet committee, the city staff, the NMDD staff, Natalia Fire Department, and Sheriff Randy Brown and his deputies for their aid with traffic control, and to all of the parade entries. I would like to give a special thanks to Mr. Rene Garcia, for the loan of his trailer (again) for a band stand, and to Mr. Josh Edge for the loan of the Portable Structure, which housed all the bands while they played. I owe a special thank you to the sponsors! Without them, none of this would be possible without their support! But most of all, a huge thank you to all who showed up to first watch the parade, to those who purchased from the vendors. We are already looking forward to next year’s Bluebonnet festival, as it will be a three day event. It will begin Saturday April 6, 2024, with the parade, and culminate on Monday April 8th, with completion of the “Total Solar Eclipse”! There will be more information to follow on both. Chip Bluemel Mayor City of Natalia
