Category: Events

Devine – This summer’s activities and entertainment kicks off Wednesday, June 3rd at 1:00 pm with the return of Bonzo Crunch and his magical show. Bonzo last visited the library in 2011 and we are so excited to have him bringing his clown antics and magical wonders back to us. This program is first come, first seat with a capacity of 200. As with all programs at the library admission is free and this show is open to all ages. Childcare facilities must call in advance to reserve space this allows us to ensure the general public space also.
Afternoon @ the Movies – this year we will travel back in time and all our features will be the original versions of popular animated movies. Summer schedule is Wednesdays: June 10th –Toy Story I (G-80 min); June 24th – Shrek I (PG-90 min); July 1st – Land Before Time (G-70 min); July 15th – Jumanji (PG-104 min); July 22nd – Anastasia (G-94 min). Doors open at 12:30 pm show time is 1:00 pm. Attendees are welcome to bring a blanket and pillow to enjoy the movie. All youth will be provided a snack and drink courtesy of HEB Helping Here. Capacity limit for movie events is 215.
We are excited to welcome Happy Tails Entertainment back to the library on Wednesday, June 17th at 1:00 pm. The show features 6 different exotic animals and attendees learn each animal’s lifestyle and habits. Do they make a good pet or not? At the close of the show a couple of the animals will be available for photo ops. Doors for this event will open at 12:30 pm and admittance is on a first come basis. There is…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!

June
10 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing How to Train Your Dragon at 10:30 a.m.
10 – Lytle Public Library Story Time from 10:30 – 11 a.m. | Ages 2-5
10 – Devine Driscoll Public Library Sit & Stitch Club from 6 – 7:30 p.m. | Ages 15+
11 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing How to Train Your Dragon at 10:30 a.m.
11 – Lytle Public Library Craft With Us from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
11 – Live Music at Cora’s 471 Grill featuring Eric Middleton from Midnight River Choir at 7 p.m.
12 – VBS Safari Adventure from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church
12 – Devine Driscoll Public Library Plant Swap from 2 -3 p.m. | No Reservations Required
12 – Wrestling Throwdown at 7 p.m. 15126 Main St Lytle, TX 78052 United States
12 – Pop-Up and Rummage Sale from 8am – 3pm at Lucky Clover Coffee Shop Lytle Tx
13 – Pop-Up and Rummage Sale from 8am – 3pm at Lucky Clover Coffee Shop Lytle Tx
13 – Live Music at Cora’s 471 Grill featuring Timber Wilde, Bo Bumble, and Garrett Mann at 7 p.m.
13 – City of Devine Flag Day Celebration at Briscoe City Park
15 – Summer Teen Club – Candy Sushi Making from 4 – 5:30 p.m. at Devine Driscoll Public Library | Ages 13-18 | Registration Required
16 – Devine Driscoll Public Library Hand Embroidery Club from 5:30 – 7 p.m.| Ages 14 & older | Registration Required
16 – Regular Devine City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. at Devine Community Center
17 – Lytle Public Library Story Time from 10:30 – 11 a.m. | Ages 2-5
17 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing Gabby’s Dollhouse at 10:30 a.m.
18 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing Gabby’s Dollhouse at 10:30 a.m.
18 – Live Music at Cora’s 471 Grill featuring Lonestar Gentry from the Pat Green Band at 7 p.m.
18 – Lytle Public Library Craft With Us from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
20 – Live Music at Cora’s 471 Grill featuring JP McCabe at 7 p.m.
20 – Devine Saturday Night Lights – College Street Market from 5 – 9 p.m. in downtown Devine
20 – Moon & Makers Market from 5 – 11 p.m. at Dahlgreen Food Truck Park in Somerset
20 – Comedy Night at Lytle Memorial VFW Post 12041 | Doors Open 6 p.m. | Show Starts 7 p.m.
22 – Lytle City Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
24 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing Dog Man at 10:30 a.m.
24 – Lytle Public Library Story Time from 10:30 – 11 a.m. | Ages 2-5
25 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing Dog Man at 10:30 a.m.
25 – Live Music at Cora’s 471 Grill featuring Damon Curtis & Mikele Buck at 7 p.m.
25 – Lytle Public Library Craft With Us from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
27 – Ritual & Restore Market from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Texicana Boutique | Lytle Tx
27 – Live Music at Cora’s 471 Grill featuring Kristin Foreman at 7 p.m.
If you want to add an event to this calendar, please email devinereporter@devinenews.com or call (830) 665 – 2211 and leave a message for Brianna.

By Anton Riecher
Erection of Lytle’s long-delayed elevated water storage tank is expected by July 8 with completion, including painting and inspection, by mid-September, an engineering contractor reported to the city council Monday night.
Scott Horowitz of TRC Engineers said that the project is one to two weeks behind schedule, citing a revamped timeline provided by project contractor, Avon, IN-based Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors.
“The contractor explained that it’s partly due to the inclement weather that they’ve had in the past 30 days or so,” he said.
Painting will begin immediately after erection and take about 30 days. After painting and inspection, remaining work should take another 35 days.
Originally slated for construction in February, Phoenix Fabricators blamed labor shortages and massive increase in demand for tank construction for the initial delay. The company faces a substantial penalty on its final bill for the lengthy setbacks, city staff has previously said.
Once completed, bringing the new water tower online will require careful balancing of the entire city water system to avoid problems, especially for commercial users, Mayor Ruben Gonzalez said.
In other business, the council unanimously approved an engagement letter with Houston-based auditing firm BrooksWatson & Co. covering the city audit for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. This is the second consecutive audit by BrooksWatson performed for the city.
Action on engaging the firm had previously been tabled to allow staff to work with the firm on accountability measures such as moving the report deadline from March to February with BrooksWatson providing an update on the audit’s status in January.
Council members including District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez raised concerns that the draft did not include liquidated damages or monetary penalties for missed deadlines.
“If I’m not mistaken I saw nowhere in there where there were provisions for damages liquidation or damages for them not fulfilling their part,” Rodriguez said.
City Attorney Austin Beck with Davidson Troilio Ream and Garza reported that BrooksWatson was unwilling to agree to such monetary requirements. If the council insists, it would likely require finding another auditor with that requirement included in the RFQ (request for quote).
In separate…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 Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
From the pastures of Devine to the offices of the nation’s capital, 2023 Devine graduate Harper Parson recently began an internship in Washington D.C. through the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy (ANRP) Internship Program at Texas A&M University.
Son of Chad and Carly Parson, Harper, a Animal Science senior, is one of 17 students selected to spend the entire summer as an integral part of the House Committee on the Agriculture-Majority Office. He will be monitoring legislation, attending committee hearings and briefings and preparing reports for senior staff members.
Stephanie Webb, director of the ANRP internship program, explains that this internship is one of the few in the nation that specifically focused on “transforming today’s agricultural students into tomorrow’s leaders.”
“Through this opportunity, students use what they have learned in the classroom in a professional work setting,” Webb said. “Not only will the D.C. experience be attractive to future employers, but our students are also providing valuable assistance to the officers in which they intern.”
The program is in its 36th year and has had more than 1,300 Aggies participate. Each student receives course credit for their internship as well as a scholarship in the form of housing, which is partly supported by private donors and commodity organizations.
Growing up in Devine, Parson already had an affinity agriculture and livestock from raising show pigs with his family. During his tenure as a Texas Pork Junior Ambassador, he was able to lobby on the behalf of the national pork industry, catalyzing his passion for livestock production while protecting its interests on the federal level.
Parson is involved with numerous organizations at Texas A&M, but his proudest achievements is competing in the 2025 National Champion Intercollegiate Meat Judging Team, as well as winning the 2025 Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Conference. He also competed on the 2026 Meat Animal Evaluation Team and served as the Chairman of the Swine Committee, and serves as the Vice President of the Animal Science Ambassadors.
Congratulations to Parson on this incredible achievement!

The Devine Lions Club would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for making their 36th Annual Golf Tourney a success. Without their backing the Lions Club would not have the resources to fund their projects for the coming year. All the money generated in this tourney goes back into the town of Devine. An extra thanks goes to the Devine Golf Course and staff. Also, thanks to the Devine News for printing the tourney flyers and their publicity. A special thanks to HEB for providing water and Gatorade for all participants. Thanks to Kellen Nixon, Scott Herring, Jeff Wisenbaker, Bill Herring, and Ron Richards for all their extra help.
Prize money: 1st place of $750, Brown Chevrolet; 2nd place of $570, Chaparral Ford and 3rd place of $450, American Momentum Bank.
Hole Sponsors: $1000 Chris B. Christians, $1000 Jerry and Anne Dykowski, $500 617 Brown LC (Frank and Lynn Bain, George and Martha (Bain) Wall, Bill and Karen Bain), $500 Devine Chamber of Commerce, $200 Todd Summers, $500 Mark Kidd, $300 Herrera’s Income Tax Service LLC, $200 Marsha and Lewis Stroud, $200 Alma Horvath, $300 Martin and Debbie Bomba of Window World, $150 Lytle State Bank, $200 Ernie and Cindy Morales, $200 South Texas Refuse Disposal Inc. Freddie Cuellar & Blake Caesar, $150 Circle C Services, $250 George and Martha Wall, $200 Eric Smith, $500 North Park Chevrolet in Castroville, $250 Devine Education Foundation.
$100 Hole Sponsors: Bo and Wendy Maxwell, Alexander Insurance, Security State Bank, Devine Current Events Club, Tommy’s Tees and Embroidery LLC, Medina Glass, Jim and Betty Walter, Todd, Ashtyn, and Rynlee Grandjean, Knights of Columbus, VFW 3966, Jeff and Susan Wisenbaker, Scott and Sherry Herring, Bill and Linda Kreinhop, Devine Garden Club, Tommy Weisinger, Tommy Ramirez, Lee Davis, James Ornelas, Charlie’s Daughter, Linda McAnelly Consulting, Gary and Nancy Saathoff, Jerel Beaty, Steve Anderson, Franklin Wanjura and Tex and Judy Eaddy.

2nd place team in Lions Golf tournament were Kara Navarro, Todd Grandjean and Gary Schmidt (not pictured) with Lions Kellen Nixon and Lewis Stroud. Kara and Todd donated their money back to the Lions Club.

3rd place team in Lions Golf Tournament were Jay Dishman, Bryce Dishman and Jack Dishman pictured with Lions Kellen Nixon and Lewis Stroud.

Summer Entertainment 2026 @ the Driscoll Public Library

Devine – This summer’s activities and entertainment kicks off Wednesday, June 3rd at 1:00 pm with the return of Bonzo Crunch and his magical show. Bonzo last visited the library in 2011 and we are so excited to have him bringing his clown antics and magical wonders back to us. This program is first come, first seat with a capacity of 200. As with all programs at the library admission is free and this show is open to all ages. Childcare facilities must call in advance to reserve space this allows us to ensure the general public space also.
Afternoon @ the Movies – this year we will travel back in time and all our features will be the original versions of popular animated movies. Summer schedule is Wednesdays: June 10th –Toy Story I (G-80 min); June 24th – Shrek I (PG-90 min); July 1st – Land Before Time (G-70 min); July 15th – Jumanji (PG-104 min); July 22nd – Anastasia (G-94 min). Doors open at 12:30 pm show time is 1:00 pm. Attendees are welcome to bring a blanket and pillow to enjoy the movie. All youth will be provided a snack and drink courtesy of HEB Helping Here. Capacity limit for movie events is 215.
We are excited to welcome Happy Tails Entertainment back to the library on Wednesday, June 17th at 1:00 pm. The show features 6 different exotic animals and attendees learn each animal’s lifestyle and habits. Do they make a good pet or not? At the close of the show a couple of the animals will be available for photo ops. Doors for this event will open at 12:30 pm and admittance is on a first come basis. There is a capacity limit of 200 for this event. NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN SEATING ON A FIRST COME FIRST SEAT BASIS.
Driscoll Public Library will be host to The Dinosaur George Traveling Museum on Tuesday, June 30th from 10 am – 5:00 pm. This event is a “come and go event” meaning the items will be on display the entire day and guests are invited to attend at their leisure. Dinosaur George will in attendance to visit with everyone and will also have a fully stocked gift shop open at the event for purchase of souvenirs. Ms Debi is the proud owner of some dino-paws from the last visit. We do ask that if you plan to attend with a group larger than 10 that you call and let the library staff know the number attending so that we may better serve you. The number to the circulation desk is 830-663.2993. NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
On Tuesday, July 7th at 1:00pm straight from the Dallas/Fort Worth area Driscoll Public Library is excited to present Mr. Blue Shoes: Igniting Young Hearts with the Power of Music live in concert. Immerse your children in the vibrant world of music with Mr. Blue Shoes, a captivating program created by Michael Dyson, Grammy Award-winning producer, guitarist, and charismatic entertainer. With his trademark backwards baseball cap, iconic blue shoes, and comedic persona, Mr. Blue Shoes delivers a one-of-a-kind experience for young audiences. There is a capacity limit of 200 for this event. NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN SEATING ON A FIRST COME FIRST SEAT BASIS.
On Tuesday, July 28th at 1:00 pm join us as we welcome another visitor from North Texas – The Balloon-osaurus Show. It is a high-energy, 45-minute production that brings the wonders of paleontology to life, blending discovery and storytelling into a one-of-a-kind library event for kids and families. Experience incredible custom balloon sculptures, featuring a T-Rex that will be the talk of the summer, Archaeology Magic: a blend of prehistoric-themed magic with fascinating dinosaur facts that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish and Dino Puppetry: Interactive dinosaur puppets that join the fun, helping to “unearth” stories and bring a touch of humor and personality to the dig site. There is a capacity limit of 200 for this event. NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN SEATING ON A FIRST COME FIRST SEAT BASIS.
Returning for the third year is Ross Bolton’s Mini Golf @ the library. On Thursday, August 6th the Driscoll Public Library will be transformed into a mini golf course. The first 90 minutes (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm) of this event will be reserved for area childcare facilities and groups larger than 15 (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED). All others are invited to drop by to play a round of golf anytime between 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm. The course, which will be set up by a professional mini golf company and library volunteers, will wind through the stacks of the library. We hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to see the library in a new way as they play the course. Participants will receive a small prize after completing the course.
Saturday hours will continue through the summer. The library will be open the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Saturday of each month from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
The staff at the Driscoll Public Library is excited to be offering a full summer of programs and entertainment for our community again and are looking for to a successful year. All library programs are free.
For a calendar of all events taking place at the library stop at the circulation desk in the library. We are located at 202 E. Hondo Ave in Devine.

The Bain Foundation donated $500 to the Devine Lions Club golf tournament. Those making up this foundation are Frank and Lin Bain, Bill and Karen Bain, and George and Martha Bain Wall. Pictured above are Lions Kellen Nixon and Lewis Stroud with Karen and Bill Bain and Martha Bain Wall.

The 36th Annual Devine Lions Club Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 6 with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.
Chartered on April 22, 1952, the Lions Club can be found all over the United States and are the largest service organization in the world.
“We help in all different aspects of the community,” Devine Lions Club president Lewis Stroud said.
Stroud, who has been president for 26+ years, says that their annual golf tournament is the only fundraiser and all the funds accumulated go right back to Devine, which includes non-profits and scholarships.
“We help Devine Salvation Army, Mission Devine, and we give 2,000 dollar scholarships to two Devine ISD seniors,” Stroud said. “Anywhere there’s a need, there’s a lion.”
Devine Lions Club help other non-profits such as Medina County Livestock Show, Devine Little League, Devine Youth Sports Association, Devine EMS, Devine VFD, Friends of the Devine Library, Devine Food Pantry, Medina County Crime Stoppers, Devine PD Blue Santa, Medina County Sheriff’s Brown Santa, Devine Police Nightout, Gift of Hope, and so many more.
“Hole sponsors are also very important,” Stroud said. “Hole sponsors pay $100, which is a form of donation — all donations of any amount will gladly be accepted.”
There will be three member teams, Men and Women.
Individual entry fee will be $100, this includes the cart, green fees, and beverages and one mulligan will be $10.
First place team will win $750 — sponsored by Brown Chevrolet, second place team will win $570 — sponsored by Chaparral Ford, third place team will win $450 — sponsored by American Momentum Bank.
Entry deadline is Saturday, June 6 and mail entry fee, form and check(s) will go to Devine Golf Course, 116 Malone Drive, Devine, Texas 78016. Please include entry fee for each golfer listed. If fewer than three golfers are listed, Devine Lions Club will complete the threesome from individual entries. To reserve a cart, or for more information, please call the Devine Golf Course at 830-665-9943.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
As sales of “humanoid robots” to the general public are officially projected to begin by the end of next year, Pope Leo calls attention to social isssues on many of our minds, for Catholic and non-catholics alike.
Since 1740, just 300 encyclical letters to address major social, and moral issues have been released. On May 15, Pope Leo XIV released an encyclical letter titled “MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS… ON SAFEGUARDING THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE TIME OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE”.
The lengthy 245 paragraph document addresses many perspectives.
The following is just one chapter of the lengthy document addressing the moral dilemma of rapidly expanding artificial intelligence:
“The res novae of our time

4. While Leo XIII spoke in his time of “new things” ( rerum novarum), today we cannot limit ourselves simply to repeating his insightful teachings. Instead, we must ask God for the wisdom to interpret the great trends of our time, particularly technological advances. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident how rapidly and profoundly digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming our world. Technology should not be considered, in itself, as a force antagonistic to humanity. On the contrary, it has formed part of our history since the beginning as “a profoundly human reality, linked to the autonomy and freedom of man.” [5] Over the centuries, technological development has significantly improved the living conditions of humanity. At the same time, each phase of progress has also revealed the ambiguity of tools that can cause harm when not oriented toward the good. Today, however, we find ourselves facing a new situation. The power and prevalence of emerging technologies are interwoven into the fabric of daily life, shaping decision-making processes and deeply affecting the collective imagination: “Never has humanity had such power over itself.” [6] New technologies open up a horizon extending in directions that are imaginable but not yet fully predictable. This complicates the assessment of their potential impact and the long-term effects they may have on both the dignity of individuals and the common good.

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“TODAY WE HONOR THEM”

“Freedom carries a cost that is paid by real people with real families, real dreams, and real futures that were never fully realized.”

“It is a solemn occasion set aside by a grateful nation to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to this country.”

Today we honored them – a few by name, but most grouped together as “the fallen” who gave All in fighting for freedoms in service of their country in wars and conflicts in places all over the world. We honored the ones who lost their lives in service and who never came home. But even if we did not know them personally, they all had names, all had families, and all continue to deserve our respect, honor, and appreciation for their sacrifices in the line of duty to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. “There is no passage of time that fully heals the loss of someone taken in service to this country.”
Retired veteran, Master Sergeant U.S. Air Force David Jordan introduced us today to one of the heroic fallen American soldiers who we honored today – Staff Sgt. John T. Self.
Staff Sgt. John T. Self lost his life on May 14, 2007 while on his 79th combat patrol as a fire team leader assisting Iraqis taking back the streets of Baghdad. An improvised explosive device tore through his vehicle killing him and wounding three fellow Airmen on the patrol. The Airmen were part of a police transition team belonging to Det. 3 of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. (Air Force news article, May 21, 2007, Balad Air Base, Iraq)
“Our mission was not simple.” “Our Airmen and Soldiers moved daily through neighborhoods filled with ambushes, roadside bombs, and uncertainty. We trained local police officers while attempting to bring stability to communities overwhelmed by violence. Every patrol carried risk. Every street corner held the possibility of attack.” “He died a HERO while serving others.” “He died believing his mission mattered.”
“What continues to resonate about Sergeant Self is not only the way he died, but the clarity with which he understood service before he deployed. He understood Service before Self!”
When discussing the dangers of Iraq, he wrote words that deserve to be remembered: “Every time a military member comes to the desert, they’re in the heat of danger… It is my job to serve my country to the best of my ability and die for it if I must.”
“Most Americans will never be asked to make peace with the possibility of sacrificing their life for strangers thousands of miles from home; yet generation after generation, our military has been filled with individuals who willingly accepted that burden.” “Sergeant Self was one of them.”
“The people we lose never completely leave us.” “That is why ceremonies like this matter.”
Local Veterans, their families, community leaders and citizens assembled today by the large patriotic flag mural at the Devine VFW Post 3966 to honor the memory of these soldiers, like Sgt. Self, with prayer, speeches, a flag retirement ceremony, and the Missing Man Table ceremony. This day served as a powerful point of remembrance, symbolizing that the absent comrades are with us in spirit and never forgotten. “Nations survive not only because of military strength, but because they choose to remember sacrifice with honesty and dignity.” “May we never allow their sacrifices to fade into history unnoticed:” MAY WE NEVER FORGET!
*The Devine VFW Post 3966 would like to thank the many veterans, community leaders, and citizens who attended and participated in the annual Memorial Davy ceremony. Special thanks to Medina County Judge Keith Lutz & City of Devine Administrator David Jordan for their heartfelt speeches honoring our fallen veterans; to Boy Scout Troop 72 leader Chris Morris and Scout Gus, and Devine Fire & Rescue team for helping with the flag retirement ceremony; to Devine Current Events Club for providing ice cream; and to its Post officers and members who made the whole event possible. Thank you.

Lewis Stroud & Dennis Ortega prepare the table for the Missing Man Table ceremony for Memorial Day, with Gary Saathoff announcing.

VFW Post 3966 member Dennis Ortega at Memorial Day Ceremony.