The Chamber, in coordination with the City of Lytle, will be hosting their first annual Lytle Music Fest on Friday and Saturday the 24 and 25 of March 2023. Friday, March 24 – There will be a BBQ cookoff with 3 categories: brisket, ribs, and chicken, as well as Cornhole tournaments, and two concerts in the evening. Kendi Jean Music kicks off the music at 6pm with an acoustic performance. Then Lytle based Texas country recording artist Chuck Wimer and his band take the stage at 8pm. There will also be Food Trucks. Saturday, March 25th- 6 Bands over 2 stages throughout the day, beer sales by the VFW, and around 40 vendors and food trucks. Brad Jenschke Country kicks off the day at 10am on the acoustic stage. Followed by Selestial Alcoser and then Chuck Wimer wrapping up the acoustic performances. Matthew Ryan Music takes the main stage at 4pm with his band, followed by Scotty Alexander and then our headliner- San Antonio based, award winning band Kin Faux. Get there early each day to shop, eat, and enjoy the live music. Remember, it all kicks off Friday the 24th at 6pm! You won’t want to miss it! Check out the featured section of our page for the schedule of performances. We expect more than 1000 people on the 25th.
It has always been interesting to me, and yet a bit confusing to listen to “new phrases” utilized by the younger folks in my life. Of course, as a Bona Fide Baby Boomer, there are several generations of them by this point of time. Our Grand Daughters, ages 8 and 6, use the phrase You Do You on occasion. I have come to understand that is NOT an expression associated with acknowledgment of their unique personalities. And be assured they ARE very different in some ways. It is more akin, in their language, to mean “Go Ahead and be Stupid”. I have learned that trying to wear a Black and White Shirt, AKA be The Referee, is NOT a wise approach, so I just sit back and observe. If there becomes some danger of bodily harm being inflicted, I will intervene, but mostly am amused that they go from Mortal Enemies to Best Buds in about 60 seconds on some days. But pondering on that term caused me to think back to “my younger days” of what that saying might have translated into. Let me quickly acknowledge such a consideration is ALWAYS dangerous for an old guy who sometimes is stuck with how to respond to the greeting of Good Morning. It strikes me that a common phrase back then was “Do Your Own Thing”. Free Speech, Flower Children, and several other labels were used to describe that period in our history as a nation. Far be it from me to appear to convey any skill or pretense as a Sociology Expert. I spend far more of my time looking for my keys or cell phone and checking for rain forecasts than pondering the implications and meanings of words associated with and to varying groups of people. But a thought did come through the foggy spot called my brain that there might be a better way to use the term. Now I want to acknowledge there is a fine line between Inspiration and Indigestion in my world these days, so this idea might be off course in the viewpoint for some of you fine readers. How about if we change the wording to: YOU DO THE BEST YOU. By focusing on developing into the best possible version of yourself, a person can contribute in a manner that brings some good to others as well as themselves. Seems to me that is a double win! I spent a whole lot of years observing very well-educated people in colleges and universities debating the “finer points” of many subjects. Many seemed, at least to me, quite insignificant in terms of the “bigger picture”. But in keeping with the above concepts, if the collection of these ramblings are way off base from your point of view, well all I can say is YOU DO YOU!
Here is your weekly dose of “What Lytle P.D. did last week and other stuff the Chief throws in”: Officers handled 60 calls for service and conducted 118 traffic stops. Of those 118 stops, 102 resulted in a citation and 16 resulted in warnings. Lytle P.D. arrested 5 people last week, and all were booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail. #1 & #2 – Ofc. Cortez and Ofc. Diaz – A disturbance at the Railhead Café resulted in a female being arrested for D.W.I. and a male being arrested for criminal mischief. The male broke out a glass door and the female drove him away, but they didn’t get far. An officer was able to stop the vehicle and made the arrests. #3 – Ofc. Cortez assisted by Ofc. Diaz – A disturbance at H.E.B. resulted in the arrest of a male who had active theft warrants out of Bexar Co. and Wilson Co. #4 – Ofc. Diaz – A traffic stop for running a red light resulted in the discovery that the driver had an active warrant out of Bexar Co. for failing to Report Highway Damage. #5 –Ofc. Pena assisted by Sgt. Hanson – initiated a traffic stop for running and red light and the driver then crashed into a drainage ditch. He was arrested for D.W.I. Property Crimes: We had a total of 5 property crimes reported last week: #1 – In the Railhead Café incident mentioned above, a glass door was broken out. #2 – A resident of the Pecan Grove Apts. (14900 Main St.) reported a window was broken out. #3 – A business on Adams St. reported that they took a $20 bill for payment and didn’t realize it was marked “play money”. #4 – Dollar General reported that they received a counterfeit $20 bill. #5 – On Sunday, a man reported that on Saturday he went to South Texas Hardware on Main St. to purchase and few items and accidentally left a Ziplock bag with $3,000 cash sitting on a stack of bottled water. Let’s be honest, haven’t we all done the same thing? I know a lot of people tell me about losing a wad of cash….but it is normally followed by “at the casino”. But this story has a good ending. Sgt. Lopez and Cpl. Robison were able to track down the person that “found” the money. They went to his house and recovered $2,759, still in the same Ziplock bag. Congratulations to Natalie Pacheco for placing 1st in the state for Powerlifting. We were able to escort the team out of town last Wednesday. I have to be careful; the school is turning out so many winners if I start trying to keep track of them in my weekly report I won’t have any room for my “police stuff”. Your wait is over! This weekend is the first annual Lytle Music Fest. The event will be held at John Lott Park on Friday (March 24) and Saturday (March 25). Friday is from 6P-10P and Saturday starts around 10A and runs to 10P. There will be live music, over 40 vendors, and 10 food trucks. The headliner is the group Kin Faux, there is no admission charge and I don’t think anyone is charging for parking either. If you can resist the vendors and food booths, you can get by without spending any money. As for me, I can resist the vendors most of the time and the food booths none of the time.
This past week has been a medium one for me. The Auxiliary is having their annual spring drawing, so, in addition to working a couple of afternoons in the gift shop, I also worked Friday afternoon helping sell tickets. We have some awesome prizes this year, including a Grand Prize of outdoor furniture and a fire pit, a 1st prize of a smaller fire pit with chairs, a 2nd prize of a $300.00 live oak tree, a “date night” gift certificate, and last but by no means least, a basket filled with cup towels, potholders, cooking utensils and an Auxiliary Cookbook. Our drawing date will coincide with the Annual Tom Tom festival the first week of June. The coming week will be a busy one, as I have a couple of appointments, in the middle of the week and the list just seems to keep growing. To start my week, my sister invited me over for lunch and we had a great time eating and visiting, and now it’s time to get to work! UGLI® Fruit is one that goes under several different names. Jamaican tangelo is only one of about half a dozen that were listed. Jamaican tangelo is a natural cross between an orange and a grapefruit. (One source had it being a hybridization between an orange and a tangerine). However, I’m basing this on the orange and grapefruit hybridization. The Jamaican tangelo first appeared nears Brown’s Town Jamaica and that is where it is mostly grown today. The UGLI® Fruit was first discovered growing in 1917, and after much budding, grafting, etc., was first exported to Canada and England in 1934, came to the United States in 1942. (The name UGLI® is a registered trademark of Cabel Hall Citrus Limited who distributes this fruit, and the word itself is a take-off of the word ugly). It refers to the fact that his citrus family fruit is not particularly appealing to look at. The rind is a rough surface, greenish yellow that peels easily, the ones I saw in the store was light yellow, but looked as if it had some type of dark stain rubbed on it, that made it look totally unappealing and dirty. I touched one to see and that was the actual color. The flesh is yellow/orange in color and is separated into segments, just as are oranges, tangerines, lemons and other citrus fruits. According to the information I found the taste is sweet, like that of the tangerine but with a hint of the bitterness of the grapefruit. Parts of this article are from Wikipedia; the free Encyclopedia and other parts are from typing UGLI fruit into my computers search program. The stories are interesting and vary greatly. There were no recipes in any of the articles, so, I just found a couple that can be made and set out for snacks at Easter. The first is “Puppy Chow”, I’ve never met a child and just a few grown-ups who don’t like it! The first time I tasted it, was at Bunco in Devine and I think Sherry Davis was the lady who was hostess that night. Puppy Chow (aka Kibbles & Bits) 1 cup butter or margarine 1½ cups peanut butter (crunchy or regular) 12-oz package chocolate or butterscotch chips 1 box Crispix cereal (or Rice Chex, Corn Chex or mixture of both) 1 box (1-lb) powdered sugar Melt butter or margarine, peanut butter and chocolate chips together. Place cereal in a large mixing bowl and pour melted ixture over it. Stir and toss to coat thoroughly. Let stand for 5 or 19 minutes, then place in a large plastic bag, add the powdered sugar and shake and mix until well coated. Almond Bark Cookies 24 oz almond bark 2 cups dry roasted, unsalted, peanuts 2 cups pretzels (short straight ones) 2 cups (peanut butter flavor, Capt’n Crunch Cereal 2 cups Rice Krispies 2 cups miniature marshmallows (optional, but very good) Place almond bark in a very large Pyrex bowl and microwave 2 or 3 minutes, stir and put back for 2 minutes longer. Have all other ingredients mixed together in a large container. When almond bark is melted, dump the other ingredients into it and stir until well coated and then drop by spoonfuls on to foil. You can substitute chocolate bark and use pecans instead of peanuts for another delicious cookie.
Man it sure can go from hot to cold in a hurry around here. Had to put up the old shorts and pull out the old jacket. I enjoyed writing this week’s feature story about the Davis family who is raising genuine, pure Texas Longhorns. One of the pictures they sent me looks just like an old Longhorn cow that was one of my daddy’s first cows, or at least the most memorable. I hated that Longhorn because she would turn and chase after us when I rode by on my horse if we were anywhere in the vicinity of her calf. She was quite protective of her babies and it was pretty terrifying to see those horns coming toward you. I doubt she ever got too terribly close. It was “appeared closer than she was” in all my young terror, I’m sure. But now, ten years later, I miss that old beautiful Longhorn cow. They are so iconic. This weekend started off kind of interesting. I had my niece Audrey over at my house and we go to talking about her big “party” aka fundraiser that’s coming up April 15th to support research to find a cure for Audrey and other kids battling A-T. Anyway, some craaazy people (you know you who are) created the Princess and Protector challenge, where you are supposed to dress up like a princess or superhero and make a funny (aka embarrassing) video so other people will share it and help promote Audrey’s event. I had no intention of becoming a singing princess, but let’s just say, I guess Audrey can talk me into anything. She is such a darling child. I have long hair so they often call me Rapunzel. I mentioned the idea of ordering some really, really long 4 foot real Rapunzel wig hair and Audrey got really excited really fast. Before I knew it, I was asking what Rapunzel sings anyway, and she immediately burst out into a song called “I have a dream.” I have to admit, it is the perfect song for this challenge and it’s quite catchy. So we pulled it up on Google, and I started humming along and before we knew it we were singing a little parody about Audrey’s event, which she even helped me write, so then I had to sing it….. “I have a dream, I have a dream, to find a cure for A-T. And with every passing hour, I’m so glad I left my tower. Come to Devine Acres Farm for Audrey April 15.” Long story short, the Rapunzel wig was atrocious, so I won’t be wearing that, but you can soon indeed look forward to the release of the musical renditions of a not-so-good singer called Rapunzel, who really, really, really loves a little girl named Audrey (who is also featured in the video and now calls herself Rapunzel’s helper). Don’t laugh too hard…you might be challenged next…. Aunt Debbie!
City of Devine- Vote at City Hall Vote For or Against Bond Election- $18 Million for drainage and flood control Everyone can vote in the Bond election Everyone can vote in mayoral race. Mayor- Cory Thompson (i) and Butch Cook District 2 and 4 get to vote in their races as well Council Dist.2- Angela Pichardo (i) and Michael Hernandez Dist 4 – Debbie Randall
Devine ISD- Vote at County Building Vote For or Against Proposition A- 31.5 Million for Safety and Renovations of Schools, Band Hall Proposition B- 1.5 Million – for 4 New Tennis Courts
Medina County- Vote at County Building (across from Tractor Supply) Medina County ESD 2 (Devine Fire area)- add 1.25 % to sales tax Medina County ESD 5- (Natalia Fire area) add 1.25% to sales tax Medina County ESD 4- (EMS Devine/Natalia areas – add .50% to sales tax ESD4 overlaps both fire districts (2&5), since EMS can bill for services they are asking for only .25 from each district, so .25+.25= .5% sales tax *Note: 8.25% is the maximum any city or county in Texas can charge for sales tax. Medina County is at 6.75% currently, so that leaves 1.5% open.
Lyle ISD- cancelled election, no contested races City of Lytle- cancelled election- no contested races Natalia City/Schools- no elections LaCoste City- no elections
Thursday, March 16–The Medina County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement to us this evening, Thursday, March 16 in response to concerns and to inform residents about the best way to respond if you do encounter a mountain lion.
Stock photo Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
There have been some concerns of a mountain lion in our county, Sheriff Randy Brown has released this in reference to it:
“If you are found to be face-to-face or in close proximity to mountain lions/big cat, hold your ground or back away slowly. Continue facing the mountain lion and maintain eye contact. Speak in a loud voice, do all you can to appear larger; Stand upright, raise your arms, raise your walking stick, open your jacket. If you have small children or pets with you, try to pick them up without turning away or bending over. If the mountain lion/big cat appears to be hurt or wounded do not approach, call Medina County Sheriff’s Office.”
Images show what a lion track looks like in comparison to a dog or coyote in the (Source: Field Guide to Mountain Lions by Texas Department of Wildlife)
Malakai Castro defends the goal at the State Tournament. The Pirates fell to Childress in the State Semi Finals. Photo by Vori B
Jerel Beaty Staff Writer Lytle came within three points of playing in the Alamodome this past weekend at the State Tournament as their season ended in the Regional Final game against Columbus 62-59. Lytle won their Regional Semifinal against Rio Hondo 69-48. Lytle finished its season at 27-11. “Behind the great support we had in Seguin, we scored 31 points in transition and had 19 steals against Rio Hondo! Our defense was too much for the Valley-team to handle. We were up 35-17 at the half and never looked back. Fizz Hutton picked up 500 steals for her career here in Lytle she got the name ‘Pick a Pocket Fizz’!” The Lady Pirates made it back to the Regional Final, or the “Elite 8” as Coach Wilson likes to refer to it. “This time we knew we had a chance to advance to the dome if everything worked out. We knew we were facing a good Columbus team, but we felt our defense could get us past them.” Lytle was down by three after the first quarter, 14-11, but Calyssa Sevier hit a big three-pointer that helped her team to a 29-25 halftime lead. That momentum quickly faded as Columbus went on a 22-10 third-quarter scoring-spree to take a 47-39 lead into what would become the last eight minutes of the quarter for the Lady Pirates. “We had a rough 3rd quarter,” was Wilson’s statement regarding that ill-fated eight-minute stretch. Lytle was not going to give up the ship, however, and fought back to outscore Columbus 20-15 in the final frame. “We took the lead with 1:40 left in the game, but we were in foul trouble. The first one to go was Katara then after we took the lead by one.” Sevier fouled out moments later, followed by Cadee Martinez. “Calyssa got the hot hand that brought us back, but she got called for a tick-tack foul and had to leave the game with 5 fouls. We are still up at that point, though, but then Caddie got called for a tick-tack foul as well. Now, three of our five starters are not on the floor. The remaining two starters and reserves who were ready for the moment almost brought Lytle a Regional Championship. “We still have a chance to tie the game, only down by three points. Fizz tried for a three, but it was short and time ran out.” It was quite the season for the Lady Pirates. A season that saw them play a rigorous schedule in hopes that it would propel them to the Final Four in the Alamodome. The team came up just short of that goal, but created so many good memories for themselves, their coaches, and for the community of Lytle. “All year long if you have watched these girls, we play hard defense and never have never had three starters fouled out of any game. To get some of the calls we got in a Regional Final game was heartbreaking. If you were in the gym you felt the heartbreak and saw the tears. This will be one of those games that will be talked about for years to come!” The support that Lytle generated throughout the season was simply amazing. “What I loved about this season is the support from the community. People always say Lytle has no spirit, well, we sure proved them wrong. I had alumni from all years calling and texting how proud they were of the team and that is what it is all about. To represent your community with pride and to see their excitement and having them feel good about our little town is amazing. This season may have come to an end but the memories will last a lifetime.” Lytle returns seven players from this team for the 2023-2024 season, and Wilson is high on her 8th grade group that will be freshmen next year. Even so, saying goodbye to seniors is never an easy thing, especially to a senior group that has put Lytle’s name on the map in girls basketball. “I feel for seniors Cadee Martinez, Fizz Hutton, Mac Sessom, and Rose Scotello. For the last three years, they (Cadee and Fizz) have been part of a team that combined for more than 60 plus wins, 3 District Titles, back-to-back Regional Final Appearances, and 10 golden balls in all. I have to say that is an incredible resume. They gave everything they had and they will be remembered forever as the Lytle basketball team that made history!” Big Thanks! “I want to thank everyone that followed us all season, and for all the support. I will not personally thank anyone because I know I would leave someone off, but we know who you are! It was a great ride, but everything great has to end sometime…I just wish we would have had one more week.” Combined stats Calyssa Sevier had an incredible showing in the Regional Tournament this girl is the real deal 65 points 13 rebounds 5 assists 12 deflections 16 steals 2 charges; Fizz Hutton 26 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 22 deflections, 12 steals, 1 charge; Cadee Martinez 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 deflections; Katara Whitfield 14 points, 18 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist, 5 deflections, 1 steal; Amelia Martinez 2 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 deflections, 4 steals; Mac Sessom 3 points, 4 rebounds, 4 deflections, 2 steals; Arianna Garcia 2 points, 1 rebound.
Devine Varsity Arabian #1 Natalie Valle hits a double and called safe at second.
Last Tuesday, March 7th, the Devine Arabian softball team traveled to Uvalde to play their third district game of the season. Strong pitching and limited error in the field won the match for the Arabians 3-0. The win puts the girls at a district record of 2-1, two losses; one win. Pitcher Hilary Barnett threw a shutout, lasting seven innings, allowing five hits and zero runs while striking out 11 and walking zero. In the batter’s box the Arabians tallied seven hits. Denise Contreras and Natalie Valle led the team with two hits each. Stats for the match are as follows: Batting: Singles: Natalie Valle-2, Angelina Rios-1, Maddie Brown-1, Denise Contreras-2. Triples: Yaya Rodriguez-1. Runs: Valle-2, Rodriguez-1. Fielding: Assists: Valle-1. Outs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Kynedie Cruz- 1, Kate Featherly-2, Barnett-2, Allie Dugosh-1, Rodriguez-11, Skylar Blanton-2. Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Strikeouts-11. Friday, March 10th, the Arabians hosted a match against Carrizo Springs. The Arabians trampled Carrizo a whopping 13-3. A threat on the mound and the batter’ box, Hilary Barnett tallied 4 hits; a single, two doubles, and a home run. On the mound, Barnett surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out ten and walking one. Varsity Arabians Kate Featherly and Angelina Rios were threats in the batter’s box as well with a home run each. As a team the Arabians totaled 15 hits. Yaya Rodriguez, Denise Contreras, and Hilary Barnett each collected multiple hits, and Natalie Valle, Kynedie Cruz, Kate Featherly, and Allie Dugosh each made contact with one. The win settled the girls at a district record of 2-2. Batting: Singles: Rodriguez-2, Cruz-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1. Doubles: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-1, Barnett-2, Contreras-1. Triples: Contreras-1. Home Runs: Rios-1, Featherly-1, Barnett-1. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, M Rivera-2, Featherly-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2. Fielding: Outs: Valle-1, Rodriguez-10, Featherly-2, Contreras-2. Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Walks-1, Strikeouts- 10.
Varsity Natalia Mustang #5 Skylene Gallegos makes contact with the ball. By MB.
Last Tuesday, March 7th, the Natalia Lady Mustangs defeated Luling 10-0! The Natalia Lady Mustangs racked up eight hits for the day. Threats in the batter’s box for the match include Isabel Laque,Kody Blanquiz, Kira Jimenez, and Marina Billalobos. Leading the Mustangs in hits were Jimenez with 3, and Blanquiz with 2. Blanquiz and Billalobos worked together to pitch a shut-out. Blanquiz lasted four and two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits and zero runs while striking out four and walking one. Billalobos lasted one-third of an inning, allowing zero hits and zero runs while walking zero. Stats for the match are as follows: Batting: Singles: Blanquiz-2, Vera-1, Jimenez-1, Gallegos-1, Laque-1. Doubles: Jimenez-2. Runs: Blanquiz-2, Vera-1, Ramirez-2, Figueroa-2, Segovia-1, Billalobos-2. Fielding: Assists: Segovia-1. Outs: Blanquiz-3, Jimenez-4, Skylene Gallegos-1, Syrene Gallegos-2, Abigail Figueroa-1, Segovia-3, Laque-1. Pitching: Blanquiz: Hits Allowed-7, Walks-1, Strikeouts-4. Billalobos: Hits Allowed-0, Walks-0, Strikeouts-0. Friday, March 10th, the Mustangs took on the Poteet Aggies. The Lady Mustangs were down 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Billalobos brought in three runs with a home run, winning the match 5-3! Billalobos pitched all seven innings as well. The Mustang surrendered three runs on eight hits over seven innings, striking out eight and walking one. Threats in the batter’s box were Billalobos with 3 hits , Gallegos with 1, Saenz with 1, and Laque with 1. Stats for the match are as follows: Batting: Singles: Skylene Gallegos-1, Valerie Saenz-1, Marina Billalobos-1. Doubles: Billalobos-1, Isabel Laque-1. Home Runs: Billalobos-1. Runs: Kira Jimenez-2, Gallegos-1, Araceley Segovia-1, Billalobos-1. Fielding: Outs: Jimenez-8, Skylene Gallegos-1, Saenz-2, Syrene Gallegos-1, Abigail Figueroa-3, Segovia-2, Billalobos-2, Laque-2. Pitching: Billalobos: Hits Allowed- 8, Walks- 1, Strikeouts- 8.
