Author: admin

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Jim and Kathy Lawler, affectionately known as “ma and pa” by many in the community of Devine, met on a blind date in Vail, Iowa. This February 15, they will celebrate 57 years of marriage. When it comes to how love and marriage works, I noticed that they nearly always spoke in a way that finished each other’s sentences.
“Our first date was to the big city celebration which was the Pony Show and carnival,” Kathy said.
It wasn’t long before Jim gave her a black pearl promise ring, and about a year and a half after they met, they were engaged to be wed.
“We got engaged on New Year’s Eve,” Jim said. “We were on our way to a party in our 1967 Oldsmobile Cutless.”
Kathy chimed in to explain, “He stopped at a stop sign and he said ‘Hey reach in the glove compartment and get something for me…..I don’t remember what it was that he said he needed. But all that was in there was a ring box.”
“I wanted to surprise her,” Jim said with a smile.
“I was shocked!” Kathy replied. “I think I said something like ‘You’re crazy, but yes!”
“So it was a good New Year’s Eve,” Jim said.
That was December 31, 1969.
Kathy came from a “large Irish family of 14 children,” Jim noted, joking “I got #5 of the litter!…I loved her from the beginning but the more I dated her–it just cemented my opinion.”
The Lawlers said they loved to go dancing, bowling, playing cards and hanging out with family. And they soon started a large family of their own, having six children.
But life hasn’t…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Opening of Goodwill last Thursday, February 12 amongst a large crowd of excited shoppers, local leaders, and Goodwill team members.
President and CEO Carlos Contreras was there to address the audience as well as board chair Eddy Salas and Mayor Gonzalez. The idea for a new location in Lytle was presented to the board about 4 months ago, they said.
“Goodwill exists for a mission, and that mission is to change lives through the power of work,” Contreras said. “Goodwill is much more than a store….we are delighted to be part of the Lytle community. This is the epicenter of everything south of Bexar County, and we are excited to be part of it.”
He noted that “every cent spent” will go towards that mission of helping people facing barriers to find work.
“Together we can create a ripple effect of positive change that will go throughout Lytle and beyond,” he said. In an interview after the event he added, “All of the Goodwills exist to help people gain employment. Many people struggle to find work due to a barrier of some kind,” and Goodwills workforce training is here to help.
Mayor Ruben Gonzalez also took…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

By Anton Riecher
In another setback in placing an ambulance substation in Natalia, the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners voted at its Feb. 11 meeting not to proceed with the purchase of a second proposed site after a negative report on a concrete foundation already at the location.
The decision means the sacrifice of $1,200 in earnest money pledged to reserve the site of a former vegetable cannery at the intersection of State Highway 132 and FM 471.
Board president Steve Smith said that…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

ching is in his blood! Little TG Crain, 6, stole the hearts of the crowd at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo this past Valentine’s Day, February 14. Crain set an all-time arena record with his 98 point ride in the Mutton Busting event, riding a sheep named Lamborghini!
Mom and dad, Seth and Kelly Crain, were both raised in the agriculture industry, and little TG is a fifth generation cowboy and rancher. TG is named after his grandfathers Terry Fosbery of Kalispell, Montana and Glen “Butter” Crain of Devine who both helped instill his love for the cowboy life. He’s been riding horses before he could…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!