The annual Christmas Light Decorating Contest for Hank’s kids is underway. Register by December 12th, even if your lights aren’t up yet. Displays won’t be judged til Dec 16-17th.
Author: admin
Santa coming to town Saturday
The weather has been depressing, at least for me. I could never live in the Pacific Northwest that is for sure. Lytle PD stuff…. We handled 55 calls for service and conducted 61 traffic stops. Officers issued 44 citations and 17 warnings last week.
Officers made 2 arrests last week, both were for DWI. #1 – Intoxicated driver in the Pirate Express Drive-Thru. #2 – A traffic stop on Main St. Nothing too exciting here, but those are the kind of arrests that may have saved the life of the arrested person or an innocent person. Good job officers L. Diaz and S. Pena
Two reports of property crimes were taken. #1 – A complainant reported that household items were taken from her storage unit on FM 2790 E. There were no signs of forced entry. #2 – Criminal mischief was reported at John Lott Park, a trail sign was taken and damaged.
Good news! Both the NB entrance ramp to IH-35 and the NB exit ramp to Lytle are now open! There will still be construction in the area but at least the ramps are functioning.
Last Friday, we had our first employee Christmas dinner. In the past, we had a luncheon for the employees and elected officials, but this year immediate family members were invited as well, and we held it in the evening. It was nice to get to see the families of other employees and get to know them. I think it was a smashing success! I guess that is why office parties have been around for years, I just never have been to one. I am normally reserved and keep to myself, but the Italian food made me feel comfortable and let down my guard. I still think I may have done more eating than talking. Special thanks to Paola Rios, our City Secretary, for setting it up.
Congratulations are in order for Ofc. David D. Lopez. He is now Sergeant David D. Lopez. A promotion for him was approved on Dec. 1st. He will help fill the supervisor void left by Lt. Dear moving to City Administrator and Captain Frank Reyes’ retirement. David has been with us for almost 10 years and holds an Advanced Texas Peace Officer license. If my records are correct, this is the first promotion for a full-time officer in over 10 years. This is not something we just hand out on a regular basis.
I ended the week by opening my home and hosting a Christmas party for our church’s youth group. We had a good time; it would have been nice if the weather had been better, and we could have had some outside activities. Nobody got hurt, nobody got TASED, and nobody got pepper sprayed… I have learned my lesson. The last thing I need is to get kicked out of another church.
This Saturday, Dec. 10th, is the annual Christmas Hayride/Holiday Lighting event. Meet us at the Lytle Community Center on Priest Blvd. at 6 pm, I suggest you get there early. The admission cost to the hayride is $1 or one canned good per person. Now before all this inflation the “one canned good” was probably the better value. I am not so sure now! I also want to clarify that I have never gone through the canned goods, picked out the ravioli, and replaced it with a dollar. Those are rumors started by people to discredit my good name and highlight my love of ravioli.
2.3
The last two weeks were quite eventful…we got a little over 2.3 inches of rain out t’wards the Black Creek metroplex, bringing our total to 18.4 inches for the year…so far. Zackly what we had for 2020. We need more years like 2018 when we got 46.8 inches.
Did some contract renewals and vacating and re-platting of lots and such. Good reports from the Treasurer and Auditor are always good to get too. Debbie Southwell and Eduardo Lopez keep us on our toes when it comes to spending money…correctly.
We kept our usual contribution to the San Antonio Food Bank Distribution Program at the $12,000 mark. Was told that once we get the funding from Federal sources, the construction of the new Nutrition Center can begin.
Evidently, Mandi Wilcox is doing such a good job with the WIC Program that Atascosa County wants to join our group. This was tabled until the next meeting.
We did cancel the December 29th Commissioners Court meeting so, I only gotta go to one more meeting. We also cancelled the Burn Ban effective midnight today (Monday) so, burn it if you need to, but call the Sheriff’s Office and let them know.
We have gotten our trailer in the yard for old tires and will be accepting them from 8-4:30 Monday through Thursday. Call ahead (830-665-8015) and let us know when you are coming so we can have someone there to direct you to where they need to go. No tractor tires….
Thanksgiving is come and gone and it is now legal to put up Christmas decorations. After our Thanksgiving Day meal, I aint gotta eat until December 15th. Only leftover I look forward to is the ham…
Got a lot to look forward to come January…gonna finally get to trim ALL my trees, fix my tank so that I can go get wet whenever I wanna, and Willie Jo and I are planning a motorcycle ride to Michigan…and I aint gotta get up early no more. Woo Hoo!
Been axed a lot about whether or not I am gonna keep writing columns….told them that is totally up to KK. She may be open to saving space for more pertinent information (I never mentioned Brandon even once). Told Ron Outlaw that if I’m cancelled, I’d write him a letter every two weeks and Jimmy Wilkinson will have to find another way to keep up on the Devine happenings.
Get ready –
Get set – Bake…
This, my first column of the last month of this year, is actually going to be in the paper on the 81st anniversary of one of the worst days of infamy our country has known, and like the day of airplanes being flown into the twin towers, it will never be forgotten. This day, of course is December 7, 1941, when Japanese bombers began strafing Pearl Harbor and destroying so many of our war ships and the base where these planes were stationed. It also took an almost uncountable number of lives. The battleship Arizona is one of the most awesome places that I have ever visited. When I went to Hawaii several years ago, each time we went off or onto the Island we passed that museum. We did a tour of it one afternoon and I still get chills when I think of the horror of what went on at that time.
It is time to start thinking about making cookies for Christmas. If you have the time, it is really fun to make cookies with your children and grandchildren! The simplest way to do that, I have found is to make up the dough one day and then have them over the next to cut out and bake cookies. Most of these recipes can be rolled into balls the size of unshelled walnuts before putting them on the cookie sheets; they then will come out pretty much all the same size. When I want to make cookies, I usually will make up three or four batches of dough on one evening and then bake cookies the next evening. This seems to work really well, at least for me. In fact, you can then bake as many or as few as you want, you don’t have to bake up the entire batch of each dough, and then, you have fresh baked cookies when you have company coming over for coffee!
My son and daughters remember very well when my grandmother would come over and “spend” with us a few days, especially at Christmas. She would help me make ‘anise’ cookies and we would always have a very good time!
Applesauce Spice Cookies
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
3½ cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup thick, unsweetened applesauce
1 or more cups of mixed candied fruit
¼ cup flour
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Cream shortening and sugar together. Beat egg, add to creamed mixture and blend well. Sift flour, cinnamon, cloves, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together and add alternately with the applesauce to creamed mixture, with flour being added first and last. Dredge the candied fruit in the ¼ cup flour and stir into the dough. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto well greased cookie sheets. Bake 375ºF for 12 to 15 minutes.
This recipe goes by many names, including Ranger Cookies and a couple of other ones as well. They are always delicious, and this recipe is from my Mother’s aunt. It is written out just as she had it in a small cookbook that a group put together for one of our family reunions.
Good Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups oatmeal
2 cups crisp rice cereal (i.e. Rice Crispies)
1 cup coconut
Preheat oven to325ºF. Cream shortening and sugar very well, add eggs, salt and vanilla. Beat well until blended. Add flour sifted with soda and baking powder. Fold in oatmeal Rice Crispies and coconut. Make a ball about the size of a large marble. Place on greased cookie sheet and flatten with glass dipped in sugar*. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. *Lightly spray glass with nonstick spray or rub a light coat of cooking oil on it, then dip in sugar, flatten a couple of cookies, dip in sugar, repeat until all cookies on baking sheet are flattened.
Delicious Oatmeal Cookies
¾ cup butter or margarine
½ cup granulated sugar
1½ cups brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2½ cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup pecans
1 cup coconut (optional)
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Cream butter and sugars thoroughly; add eggs and vanilla. Sift together the dry ingredients and stir in until well mixed. Add the oatmeal, pecans and coconut (if used). Drop dough by spoonfuls on lightly greased or sprayed baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool thoroughly, store in tightly covered container.
Snickerdoodles
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
Mix together and set aside
2 cups shortening (I use 1 cup shortening and 1 cup margarine)
.3 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
5½ cups flour
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Thoroughly cream together the shortening, sugar and eggs. Combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Mix into the shortening mixture. Mix well and chill dough overnight. Shape into walnut sized balls; roll each one in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350ºF until lightly browned, but still soft. They will puff up and then flatten out.
The following sugar cookie recipe is really great as it does not have to be refrigerated before cutting and baking. To decorate, use the cookie paint recipe and paint the cut out cookies before baking. If desired, sprinkle colored sugar to match the paint.
Sugar Cookies
1 1/3 cups shortening
2½ cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Thoroughly cream together shortening, sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla. Add combined dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Roll out 1/8 to ¼-inch thick on lightly floured* board and cut with cookie cutters into desired shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, sprinkle with granulated sugar (if you did not previously paint them,) and bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cookie Paint
Evaporated milk
Liquid or paste food coloring
Plastic egg carton
Small, inexpensive craft paint brushes
Decorative sugars, nonpareils, etc.
Pour about 1 to 1½ tablespoons of the milk into each of several of the cups in the egg carton. Add a few drops of coloring or paste to each on until desired color is reached. Paint unbaked cookies, decorate as desired and bake in preheated oven. Remove from sheets and cool thoroughly.
Molasses Crinkles
3/4 cups soft shortening or margarine (our grandmothers used lard for this recipe)
1 cups brown sugar
1 eggs
1/4 cup molasses (Grandma’s brand, Steens brand, unsulphured)
2¼ cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ to 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Cream together the shortening, sugar, eggs and molasses. Mix dry ingredients and stir into shortening mixture. Stir together until well mixed. Chill overnight. Shape into balls the size of small walnuts. Dip tops in sugar. Place sugared side up on lightly greased baking sheet. Dip your finger into some water and press down lightly on each cookie. Bake at 375ºF until cookies are just set. Remove from pan immediately. They will be puffed up and then will flatten out. The pressing down with the wet finger will give them a crinkled top.
The Shrink
My son’s discovered some old 90s flicks that he’s become obsessed with. Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Honey We Shrunk Ourselves, and Honey I Blew Up the Kids, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, repeat, repeat, repeat. If I didn’t know any better, I would think Tucker plans on shrinking us.
My sister always said he was like a “mad scientist” the way he explores. So who knows. He says if he was “shrunk” he would climb the Christmas tree. His main clever plan is to “shrink his sister though”, he says.
When we aren’t re-watching the “honey I shrunk” videos, we are playing with his beloved and very patient kitten which has been re-named many times. Currently he calls it “Butter the kitten”. It is certainly the loving and patient kind. Tucker is a tad bit hyper and rough for most kittens’ taste, but this one is awfully forgiving. Most cats don’t enjoy playing “hide and kitten go seek” as he calls it, but this one seems to tolerate it, for a while anyways.
The other night I found he had fallen fast asleep with the kitten in his lap, which was also asleep. It was the cutest sight.
We are enjoying having the Christmas tree up, and Tucker made the customary hand-print antlered reindeer ornament. Every year, it’s fun to see the dozens of handmade ornaments we’ve collected over the years and who made what. So far most of them are my daughters and a few surviving ornaments from my husband and my childhood. But I’m sure there will be many more from Tucker. No telling what kind of ornaments my little wild man will make.
Maybe he’ll shrink us and put us on the tree as an ornament!
Jeffrey Scott Wilson
Jeffrey Scott Wilson, age 59 of Lakehills, Texas entered eternal rest on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. He was born on June 26, 1963, to parents, James and Jean Wilson, in San Antonio, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Steve Wilson.
Jeffrey is survived by his wife and best friend, Liz Wilson; daughters, Amanda McNeely, Brandy Ates (Garrett), Bobbi Jean Wilson- Decker (McKrae); grandchildren, Colsten, Brianna, Adrian, Everly, Damen, Aven, Oliver; brother, Glenn Wilson (Sherry); sister, Debbie Woerner (Paul); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, 10:00 A.M. with service starting at 12:00 P.M. Hurley Funeral Home Chapel Devine, Texas with interment to follow at Longview Cemetery Bigfoot, Texas. Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.hurleyfuneralhome.com
Amado Pete Martinez
On Tuesday, November 22, 2022 one of Moore, Texas’ all time favorite sons, Amado Pete Martinez, better known as “Rojo”, born November 10, 1968, passed away unexpectedly. His sudden passing is not only an immense loss that will forever leave a void in his family but also to the many close friends he had. Rojo was the kind of guy that if you considered him a friend you always had a true friend. He was living in Lawrence, Kansas when he passed. He never forgot his boyhood roots that were firmly planted in the Moore Hollow area, and his final wish was to have his ashes spread amongst departed family at the Moore Catholic Cemetery and at the 4 Feathers Ranch in rural Frio County so he could be sure to come home one last time.
Rojo dearly loved his wife, kids and grandkids. Him and his wife loved dancing together and always stood out on the dance floor. He was a hands on type of dad always going to the their sporting events, taking them on adventurous vacations, ballgames, fishing and hunting. One particular proud dad hunting moment was last deer season, when he was by the side of his son and his son bagged his first whitetail buck ever – a trophy sized 10 pointer. He loved doting on his grandchildren taking them to the local ice cream parlor for a big ol’ cone of their favorite flavor. He was also over the moon at the recent news of a granddaughter on the way. He was a staunch supporter of his NFL team the Buffalo Bills.
Rojo is preceded in death by his mother Josie Hill Martinez, father Ernesto H. Martinez, grandmother Juanita H. Martinez, aunt Lupe Hernandez.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years Norma Martinez, daughters Josie Martinez Bank (husband Chad), Callee Martinez Hinojosa (husband Ruben), son Aiden Martinez. Grandchildren Champ and King Bank, Davilyn and Evalynn Hinojosa, brother Ernest “Gugi” Martinez, and stepmom Carmen Tellez Roberts.
A memorial service will be held at The Core Church, 1910 Haskell, Lawrence, Kansas on December 9, 2022 at 7pm.
John W Allen
John William (Dub) Allen of Cotulla, Texas was born July 1, 1930, in Dallas, Texas. He went to be with the Lord at the age of 92 on December 2, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie Andre Allen, and Mary Hattie Silvey.
Dub is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mildred Center Allen, sons, John W. Jr. (Bill) (Frances) of Devine, Andrew C. (Andy) of Cotulla, Timothy W. (Tim) (Marlene) of Odessa, daughter Joyce L. (Cissy) of Cotulla; grandsons Mathew Q. of Desloge, Missouri, John W. III of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Thomas M. of Cotulla, T. Blayne of Odessa; and 7 great grandchildren.
Although he considered Cotulla home, he still had strong ties to Medina County, especially Black Creek as that was the home of his youth and at times, his early adult hood and many family members living in the area. He worked many jobs, but he was happiest on the back of a horse, looking at cattle.
In later life when sitting on a horse wasn’t feasible anymore, Dub could be found in the local coffee shops and restaurants regaling people with stories from years gone by. He will be missed by not only his family, but also many friends and community members who knew and cherished him.
Viewing and visitation will be held at Peters Funeral Home in Cotulla on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, from 4 pm to 9 pm. Services will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 10 am at the First Baptist Church in Cotulla followed by graveside at the Cotulla Southwest Cemetery.
Roy Edward Walters
ROY EDWARD WALTERS was born December 11, 1948. He passed away December 2, 2022 at the age of 73. Roy was a 1967 graduate of Sam Houston High School. He attended Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 142 trade school and worked as a pipefitter for 42 years. Roy married his high school sweetheart, Roberta, in 1969. They were married for 53 years and were blessed with four children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Roy was an avid outdoorsman. He looked forward to family vacations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where he enjoyed horseback riding in the mountains and fishing for rainbow trout. He also loved spending time with his family in Port Aransas. His excitement and dedication to saltwater fishing caused him to acquire the nickname Old Salty. Over the years, many of his catches caused a lot of commotion on the beach. Crowds would gather to see what he had landed from the surf.
Roy took great pride in supporting his children and grandchildren in their extracurricular activities. He was a diehard Lytle Pirate fan and was easily recognized by his loud cheering during events. This tradition continued with his grandchildren and he traded in his black and gold for a variety of school colors. Whether it was sports or band the kids knew he would be there cheering them on.
Roy was also a great storyteller. His tall tales were infamous and he was an expert at “pulling your leg.” His laughter was contagious and he was loved by many. From the first time you met Roy he made you feel like you were a lifelong friend. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Marie Walters, his son David Brian Walters and his brother Mark Walters. He is survived by his wife Mary Roberta, daughter-in-law Kelly Lindholm, son and daughter-in-law Corey and Chelsea Walters, son-in-law and daughter Lance and Jenni Hagdorn, son and daughter-in-law Rorey and Emily Walters, his brother and sister-in-law Les and Carroll Walters, his brother and sister-in-law Gary and Debbie Walters, 11 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Hurley Funeral Home – Lytle, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas 78052. Funeral Services will be celebrated on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Saint Matthias Episcopal Church – Devine 901 North Teel Drive, Devine, Texas 78016. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Devine.
For personal acknowledgments, please visit www.hurleyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements entrusted to Hurley Funeral Home – Lytle, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas 78052.
Louis Leon Ehlinger, Sr.
LOUIS LEON EHLINGER SR. of Devine, TX, passed to his Heavenly home at the age of 95 on November 30, 2022, in Lytle, Texas. He was born in Devine, on July 29, 1927, to Willie and Theresa Ehlinger as the 7th of 12 children. The Ehlingers were a very close-knit family and were faithful members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devine where Louis and his brothers served as altar boys. The church and their faith were central parts of their lives, which Louis continued with his own family.
Louis was a proud 1945 graduate of Devine High School where he was the quarterback and captain of the 1944 37-A Champion, Devine Warhorses! He turned 18 after graduation and enlisted in the U.S. Navy not knowing what he would be facing in his future, as WWII was still in full swing. But, on September 2, 1945, the war ended while he was still in boot camp. During those post-war months, Louis had the opportunity to play on a newly formed Naval Base baseball team, even though he had never played much baseball besides sandlot ball in Devine as a kid, using old, used tattered gloves and baseballs. The base teams were important for military morale, as well as entertainment to a nation that was coming out of a very difficult time. Louis played for 6-7 months in the Navy before being discharged and heading back home to Devine.
More baseball opportunities were ahead for Louis as he played semi-pro, minor-league baseball several years for the Vernon Dusters in Vernon, Texas, where he met his future wife, Betty Alley. They married in 1948 and had two sons before moving to Devine in 1961 when he started working at Medina Base in San Antonio, Tx. He had a dangerous job as part of the “Handling Crew” who moved bombs to and from huge concrete igloo bunkers. In November 1963, he and his crew escaped an explosion there that was covered nation-wide.
In 1966 Louis went to work in Devine for the Gayle Meat Company on Windy Knoll. After one year, Louis and first-cousin, Francis Schmidt, bought the company and renamed it the Devine Meat Company. Louis worked at the meat market and processed quality products for local and surrounding areas for 25 years! He said, “It was hard work, but you had to like it because of the good people around you!” He also served on the Devine ISD School Board, as did his father, and his son, plus served as Precinct 4 County Commissioner for 2 terms.
After living in Colonial Oaks for years, Louis and Betty built a home on family land that has now been in the family for 110 years. Lou & Betty loved helping others in need, be it family or friend and spending many fun times with their three granddaughters, who they adored. They had 67 years of a loving marriage with lots of fun and happiness until her passing in 2016.
Louis stayed busy on the farm with his cattle, going to church, visiting, and checking on his siblings when he became the “oldest of the last 6 kids”! He loved meeting up with his siblings and in-laws for birthday dinners and the monthly “Card Party” where he played “Pitch” with his brothers, brothers-in-law, and nephews, and on a good day might win up to a $1.45!
Louis was known for his hard work ethic, great sense of humor, friendship, and his love for his immediate and extended family. He was always ready with a smile and hearty handshake or hug for his family and many friends. Louis was a hard-working, honest, and fair businessman who took pride in what he did, the family he raised, and being a caring Christian.
But for all his accomplishments, Louis was first and foremost a humble family man who loved and respected his wife, and was very proud of his sons, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren. He was also a loving son, brother, and uncle. Louis said many times, “I have been so lucky!” “I have learned that if you treat people right, they treat you right!” That is the example he set for us and the legacy he leaves us. We will all miss him very much.
Louis was preceded in death by wife, Betty, in 2016, his parents; brothers: Bill, Herb, Alex, Ferd, and Arthur Ehlinger; sisters: Annie Marie Haass, Laura Mae McMillan, and Marian Tschirhart.
Louis is survived by: Sons: Louis L. Ehlinger Jr. and wife, Gail of Comfort, Tx, and Richard Ehlinger of Devine; Granddaughters: Keri (Ehlinger) and husband, Kurt Shell of Buda, Kelsey Ehlinger of Boerne, and Erin (Ehlinger) and husband, Brandon Dodd of Chattanooga, Tennessee; great-grandchildren: Hadley, Emery, and Beckett Shell, Alexis and Bryson Dodd; Sister: Alda Rose McAllister of Devine; Brothers: Marvin Ehlinger of Pearland, TX, and Melvin Ehlinger of McAllen; Brother-in-law Alex Tschirhart of Castroville, Sister-in-Law June Ehlinger of Devine; and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Services for Louis Ehlinger Sr., were held on Dec.6, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devine, Texas under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home in Devine.
A visitation was held from 2pm-9pm on Monday, December 5, 2022, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00pm at Hurley Funeral Home Chapel in Devine. A Mass service took place on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devine with interment to follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the guest book may do so at www.HurleyFuneralHome.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home – Devine. 303 W. College Ave, Devine, Texas 78016.