Category: Events

Local Events in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties!

Pirate Band brings home awards, free performance this Friday

By Joshua Chessher-Lytle ISD Director of Bands
The Lytle Pirate Band proudly represented our community at the Hill Country Marching Festival in Fredericksburg on September 27, delivering an outstanding performance that earned them 4th place out of 14 highly competitive 3A bands. Alongside their impressive overall finish, the Pirates brought home 2nd place Drumline, 3rd place Front Ensemble, 4th place Drum Majors, and 5th place Color Guard—showcasing the depth of talent and dedication across the entire program.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the Lytle Pirate Band held their own against many of the very same programs they faced at the 2024 UIL State Marching Contest, once again proving that Lytle stands among the best in Texas. Their continued growth and excellence highlight the hard work of our student musicians, directors, and families, and we could not be more proud of the way they represent Lytle ISD.
If you haven’t had a chance to see the Pirate Band perform this year, we will be performing this Friday October 3 at Walter Joyce Stadium at 730pm, and admission is FREE! If you’d like to come see us at a Marching Contest, our next Contest is this Saturday, 10/04/25 at Heroes Stadium at 145pm.  The band students would love your support!

Community to Honor Veterans with Wreaths Across America Ceremony

Community to Honor Veterans with Wreaths Across America Ceremony
The Current Events Club is once again gearing up to participate in the Wreaths Across America program, a heartfelt initiative to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. This year, the club invites the community to join in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony for local veterans at Devine Evergreen and St. Joseph Cemeteries.
Remembering Our Heroes
The mission of Wreaths Across America is simple yet powerful: to remember, honor, and teach the next generation about the importance of freedom and the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military. Volunteers across the nation place fresh, balsam wreaths on the graves of veterans during the holiday season, ensuring that each soldier’s sacrifice is never forgotten.
Locally, the ceremony will recognize veterans who have passed and are laid to rest in Devine Evergreen and St. Joseph Cemeteries. The Current Events Club is asking families and community members to check the list of veterans buried in these cemeteries to ensure that all fallen heroes are included in this year’s wreath-laying event.
“We want to make sure that every veteran’s grave is honored,” said club president, Linda Kreinhop. “This list helps us ensure that no one is overlooked, and each individual who served our country is remembered with dignity and respect.”
The Ceremony
The Wreaths Across America Day ceremony will take place on:
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Devine Evergreen and St. Joseph Cemeteries
The event is open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend, whether to participate in placing wreaths, attend the ceremony, or simply take a moment of reflection at the gravesites.
How You Can Help
The Current Events Club also invites community members to sponsor a wreath. Each wreath costs $17, and donations go directly toward the wreath placement. The wreaths are a symbol of respect and gratitude for those who served and are a cherished part of the event.
If you have family members or know of veterans who are buried at either of the cemeteries, please take a moment to review the list of veterans provided by the club. If you notice any names missing, or if you want to ensure a loved one is included in this year’s wreath-laying, please contact Linda Kreinhop at 830-665-6377 or Martha Wall at 210-213-5620.
Why We Do This
“Wreaths Across America is more than just a ceremony; it’s a way for us to teach future generations the importance of remembering those who came before them,” said Kreinhop. “It’s a reminder of the sacrifices made, not just by soldiers, but by their families and communities. This holiday season, let’s come together to honor these heroes.”
Join Us
The Wreaths Across America ceremony provides a meaningful opportunity for reflection and community bonding, and the Current Events Club invites everyone to participate. Mark your calendars and make plans to join us in honoring our nation’s veterans and ensuring their legacy endures.

Devine Food Pantry Ministry – Friday Evening Sessions are Back!

Beginning on October 3, we will once again hold Friday evening food distribution sessions. Volunteers have stepped up in order for us to provide this valuable service.
Hours of Operation: 4:30pm – 7:00pm Process: At 4:30pm, all families in the parking lot will be asked to come in and will be given a number sheet to complete. Announcements and new applications, if needed, will be taken care of. Actual food distribution will begin when we have registered clients into the computer and volunteers are ready to go. We anticipate this will be around 5:00 pm. With the limited time and number of volunteers, we will only be able to serve 17 households on any given Friday.

Testing of Outdoor Warning Sirens on Friday, Oct 3

The Medina County Office of Emergency Management & Fire Marshal’s Office will be conducting testing of the outdoor warning sirens on Friday, October 3rd, at noon. This is a monthly operational test ONLY.
Outdoor warning sirens are designed to only be heard outdoors and within close proximity, roughly a half mile depending on terrain and structures, of the outdoor siren. If you are not near one of the sirens and outside at the time of the testing, you will not hear it. Sirens are meant to advise people who are outside to go inside, turn on the news or check weather conditions, and seek safety.

VFW upcoming Fall Events

VFW Post 3966 has several events coming up this Fall. The most notable event coming up will be the haunted house in partnership with Sinister Harvest. The haunted house will be open through November 2, 2025.
On Friday, October 3, 2025, Sinister Harvest will host a blood drive at the VFW. All donors will receive one FREE ticket to the Sinister Harvest Haunted House. Additional information can be found on Facebook at Sinister Harvest Haunted Attraction.
On October 7, 2025 Post 3966 will provide a Color Guard for the opening ceremony for National Night Out.
November 8 will be the VFW Golf Tournament at the Devine Golf Course. Contact Gary Saathoff at 210-289-6204.
December 6, 2025, Post 3966 will be hosting a Christmas Market from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Booths will be available in the Hall and outdoors in the Courtyard and parking lot. Contact James Dossey at 210-882-7689

Annual Art Show Coming up… Featuring local Artists, Students, and Distinguished Art Judge

Friendship Art Club presents area artists and art students in its annual show on Saturday, September 27, 9 am to 3 pm at the Lytle Community Center, with artwork honors awarded by distinguished judge Vie Dunn-Harr and the voting public in attendance.
Viie Dunn-Harr is a well-known area artist who throughout her 50-year career has shared her own contemporary realist artwork and teaching expertise with many people across the United States and Europe. She currently teaches classes and workshops in the San Antonio area, but her world-wide career has included many exhibitions, numerous classes and creative workshops each year, and publication of several art books along with featured resources for other publications.
The art show has for many years featured artisans exhibiting in booths, a competition identifying Best of Show and other awards, student artwork from participating area secondary schools, and a People’s Choice Award. A drawing of varied prizes benefits art education opportunities sponsored by the art club. The public is invited to the show, which is free, and has the opportunity to visit with the artists and purchase many arts and crafts on display.

Devine HS HOMECOMING –THIS WEEKEND-

This Warhorse in battle regalia was on the cover of the Devine High School 1975 yearbook. This spirited revision was created by DHS Senior Julian Hernandez ’75.

Homecoming is a special weekend each year when Devine Ex-Students & Teachers gather to catch up on old friendships and reminisce about their schooldays in Devine.
People will come from far away, and right next door, to “Cheer, Cheer for Ole’ Devine High”, at the Friday night football game!
Come early to stop by the Ex-Students/Teachers table by the home stands to check in with your DExSTA board members to get name tags. There will be an area for Exes in the south end of the home stands, by the ramp. It will be a good place to gather and sit with former classmates and teachers. Watching the 7:00pm kick-off of the Warhorse football team with DHS Cheerleaders & Band and seeing the Homecoming mums & court should bring back some fun memories of Friday nights in the Fall at DHS.
At halftime, the DHS Class of 1975 will be recognized and honored for their 50th Reunion! Classmates will gather on the track in front of the home stands and will be introduced to the fans.
Also, this year former Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squads will be there to be introduced in the stands, as will the Class of 1955 for their 70th reunion, the Class of 1965 for their 60th reunion, and the Class of 2010 for their 15th reunion, all being held on Saturday!
On Saturday, will be another opportunity to gather and visit with former classmates & teachers and meet other Devine Exes at the Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Association annual Homecoming Celebration! It starts at 1:00pm at the Old Green Alamo, now the Devine VFW Post 3966 on College Ave. All Devine alumni, from all school years, are invited to attend and have a good time socializing with their classmates and friends. The Class of 1975 and other reunion classes will be honored, along with former Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squads.
Other highlights of the day include an on-going slide show presentation with many, many pictures of students and teachers from past days at Devine schools, class posters, uniforms, football and band jackets, and other memorabilia will be displayed. *If you have pictures or copies of pictures, or other school memorabilia that you would like to include in the displays, please bring them with you.
2025 Homecoming Court Representatives are as follows:
Freshmen- Jade Garcia & Chase Teetsel
Sophomores- Emma Kate Caballero & Enoch Hall
Junior- Ava Rangel & Cole Reyes
Senior Candidates:
Girls: Hailey Eads, Bella Flores, Brianna Chavez, Darilynn Garcia
Boys: Aiden Harper, Mason Beaver, Riley Gutierrez, TJ Buvinghausen

All about homecoming:


Calling all Arabians and Warhorses, if you bleed maroon and gold–get ready for the big homecoming game and festivities this Friday and Saturday.
Please see below for the schedule of events for Devine High School’s 2025 Homecoming which kicks off on Wednesday with the big bonfire, game and ceremony on Friday, the class of ‘75 50th reunion, as well as the big gathering for all ex students and teachers on Saturday:
Homecoming Bonfire
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
7:30 PM – Rally Begins
7:45 PM –Bonfire will be lit
Homecoming Game & Ceremony
Friday, September 26, 2025
4:00 PM – Community Tailgate
at Warhorse Stadium Parking Lot
Tailgating area marked off near the tennis courts
Open to the community – first come, first serve
No registration or fee required
Each spot is responsible for its own set-up and clean-up
6:45 PM – “Wake Up Call” featuring the Devine High School Band and Cheerleaders before heading into the stadium
7:30 PM – Kickoff
Halftime – Homecoming Ceremony
The ceremony will begin promptly after the San Antonio Christian Band exits the field.
“We invite the community to join us as we celebrate Homecoming 2025 and support our Warhorses and Arabians,” said DHS Principal Michael Gomez.
Tickets are sold at the gate or online devineisd.org
All Devine Exes – look for the check-in tables and the DHS seating section in the stands
1975 Honor Class recognition at half-time on the track in front of the press box. Wave as your name is called out! Class photo on the track
Other reunion classes of ’65, ’55, 2015, Cheerleaders, Mascots, Pep Squads will be announced and recognized while in the stands, before halftime. Please stand and/or wave from your seat when your group is called.
Devine Ex Students ( DxSTA)
Saturday,Sept 27th @ Devine VFW 211 College
(old Green Alamo)
All former and current students and staff are welcome to join a homecoming celebration with the Devine Ex Students and Teachers Association. Registration Begins at 1:00pm and the Program Begins at 2:00pm, followed by Social time until 5:00pm. Here’s what to expect:
Registration & Name Tags
Admission to Celebration included in Membership
Non-Membership to pay $5.00 at the door
Not set up for Credit Card transactions, Cash only
Meet and Greet/Refreshments/Slide Show
Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Assoc. Meeting
Social Time to visit with old friends
1975 Honor Class, Cheerleader, Mascot, & Pep Squad photo, plus other reunion classes

Haunted House opening in Devine September 27th in “old haunted schoolhouse”

You might have seen some info about the “Sinister Harvest” Haunted House that will open it’s doors in Devine this September Saturday the 27 th.
But it’s bigger and spookier than it might appear on first glance….the new structure being built on the outside of the Devine VFW is just the entrance!
The spooky tour will take you deep into the hallways of the old 1920s school and classrooms.
“It’ll be about 1,800 sq ft in all,” said Gary Saathoff with the Devine VFW. “You’ll go in and out of the old classrooms, through an old doctor’s office, and end up in the hallway with a chainsaws chasing you! It should be pretty good!”
Brandon Harris, who is heading up the haunted house said he is thrilled to be able to do it in such a spooky location full of history.
“We have been told that there has been paranormal readings here,” Harris said. “The building is so authentic…the orginal floors, the walls, even the way it smells.
“It’s definitely the kind of place where you hear doors opening and closing by themselves and footsteps down the hallway” Harris claims.
There will be over a dozen scenes inside the haunted house including everything scary–from chainsaws to clowns!
“It’s about a 15-minute walk-thru,” Harris said. “Parts of it are pitch black, so you and your group will have to find your way out!”
SCHEDULE
Sinister Harvest will be open:
Every Friday & Saturday, 8:00 pm – 12:00 am, from September 26 – November 1.
Sunday, October 26 and November 2, from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
GRAND OPENING SPECIAL: $5 off tickets September 26 & 27
HALLOWEEN NIGHT SPECIAL: $5 off tickets October 31
They encourage visitors to buy tickets on their website, but will also take cash at the gate.
25% of profits will go back to the Devine VFW. More info at:
SinisterHarvestHaunt.com