Yes, like many of you among my readership, I have been inundated with a wave of violent coughing that not only keeps me up at night (I’ll have you know, incidentally, that I am writing this column at 3:15 a.m.) but has also made a pulpy mess of my throat and left my lungs humming with unwanted activity.

I choose to forgo sleep because it is simply easier to breathe in an upright position.  I also know it can’t be easy for my husband to sleep next to a never-ending stream of hacking, so there’s another reason to leave the bed.  After all, he needs to awaken razor-sharp for work so he can treat the smaller, more fragile members of our community whose lungs need even more care than mine.

Plus, it’s just plain depressing to look at my side of the bedroom as it resembles a makeshift hospital room with inhalers, pill bottles, sprays, and tissues consuming my nightstand.  I guess I’m sick of being sick, even though I’m not technically “sick” with anything contagious.  That’s the most exciting part of this whole process – there’s still the chance it could develop into something even worse.  Yippee.

OK, enough of me feeling sorry for myself.  Think of this as your gift to me – that is, letting me rant and complain about something that roughly a quarter of you are probably suffering as well.  Well, at least misery loves company, right?

DOMINOES THIS

WEEKEND

Winchester Area Civic Association is having their annual Domino Tournament on Sunday, Feb. 19.  The entry fee is $10 per person and everyone should bring a partner.  Games will include “42” and “Straight.”

There is a fried chicken dinner available before the tournament for $8.  Lunch service begins at 11 a.m. Participants can start signing up at that time and need to signed up no later than 12:45 p.m. as the tournament will begin at 1 p.m..

Tea will be served with the meal, but anyone wanting an alternate beverage should bring it with them.  For more information, contact Billy or Bobbie Hajek at bbhajek@winchester.liveair.net.

BAND GARAGE SALE

The Smithville High School Tiger Band will hold its annual garage sale on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 7 a.m. to noon at the First Baptist Church parking lot. Participating band students will bring their items to sell and all proceeds go directly to those students to help fund their upcoming trip to Colorado.

The band will play at a festival in Winter Park, Col. and enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other activities in the snow from March 29 to April 2.

EMPTY BOWL BASTROP

On Saturday, Feb. 25, join the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry for their “Empty Bowl” Fundraiser at Bastrop High School Cafeteria (1614 Chambers) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.    Adult tickets are $20 each and kids under 12 eat for free. 

FREE CLASSES

Technology for All will be conducting free computer training sessions on Monday, Feb. 20 and Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the computer lab in the Smithville Recreation Center.

From 10-11:30 a.m., join them to learn “Email Basics”, and from 2-4 p.m., they will be leading a class on “Computer Proficiency.”  No fee to attend.

CHAMBER ACTIVITIES

Don’t forget to pick up your tickets for the Chamber Awards Banquet set for Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Smithville Recreation Center.  The mixer begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner and entertainment kick off just after 7 p.m.

Wear your beads because we’ll be celebrating Mardi Gras style!  Tickets are pre-sale only for $30 each or $300 per table of 10 (which includes sponsorship signage).  Pre-sale ends Feb. 21.  This is an excellent deal because John Chabot is catering (and he always does an excellent job) and adult beverages are included.

Remember, you don’t have to be a member of the chamber to attend.  In fact, if you’ve ever thought about joining the chamber, the banquet would be an ideal evening to meet many of the most active members of the chamber and hear about what their goals for the year are.

We will also be honoring the Business/Employer of the Year (Milton’s Fine Furniture) and the Organization of the Year (the fire recovery volunteers).  The best part of the evening is when the name of the Citizen of the Year is revealed.  When the introduction is being presented, people start speculating and looking around to try to read faces.  I love watching the expressions of the honorees as they realize they are being awarded this very prestigious award.

To reserve your tickets, call us at the chamber at 237-2313 or email chamber@smithvilletx.org.

But that’s not all the chamber has planned for that weekend.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Feb. 26 as the Smithville Music and Film Commission presents their first-ever Red Carpet Film Party, celebrating the Academy Awards nominations of “The Tree of Life.”

Come down to the Smithville Recreation Center (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) in your most glamorous attire, or just as you are!  Admission is free and food and drink will be available for purchase.  RSVP to 512-237-2313 or chamber@smithvilletx.org.

This is the first Smithville-filmed movie to be nominated for an Oscar and Tree has three nominations: Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Picture.  Help celebrate that achievement with the Chamber.

UNTI LNEXT WEEK

Happy 13th birthday on Friday, Feb. 17 to my handsome and intelligent son, Trent.

Empty Bowl Project is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger and was created by the Imagine Render Group. I don’t know how long it’s been going on but the basic premise is simple: Potters and other craftspeople, educators and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised is donated to an organization working to end hunger and food insecurity.

It is the collective genius of all the people involved that has made Empty Bowls what it has become. Events have now taken place across the United States and in at least a dozen other countries. Many millions of dollars have been raised and donated to hunger-fighting organizations.

The Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance, the Smithville Emergency Food Pantry, and the Smithville Community Gardens are once again joining forces to organize and sponsor Smithville’s second annual Empty Bowl Project on April 16. This project has become a popular and fun event to raise awareness and support for local food pantries all across the country.

Last year, SISD fifth grade and junior high students provided more than 200 hand painted bowls for the event. The high school art classes made about 100 by hand and on the potters’ wheel. Each one was a work of art. Local restaurants provided gourmet soups, breads and desserts. The event raised about $6,000, which was shared among the three organizations.

The kick off for the event is tonight, Feb. 16, and you are invited to participate. At 6 p.m., volunteers will be at the Mary Nichols Arts Center, 301 Burleson in Smithville to begin painting bowls. You do not need to be an artist nor do you need any experience with ceramics. If you can hold a paintbrush in your hand – or in your teeth – come on down and help us. We have a supply of pre-made and fired bowls. All you have to do is put some color on them. I promise that you’ll have fun and you’ll know that you’ve done something worthwhile for your community and your neighbors. Children are welcome with their parents.

In addition to collecting donations for soup, we also raise money with our silent auction. This is a call to all my fellow artists to contact me with a donation of a bowl or other work of art for the auction. You can contact me at (512) 577-5252 to make arrangements.  I know you won’t let me down.

Officials from Aqua, ACC and Elgin reached agreement after two days of mediation. Final documents and service-area maps are being prepared by attorneys and the settlement must be approved by the governing boards of the three entities.

Aqua supplies water to a large rural area comprising most of Bastrop County and parts of other counties. Elgin supplies water within its city limits and a small area outside its city limits. The conflict over water service arose on the western edge of the city, including land within Elgin city limits that is the 98-acre Austin Community College campus and a commercial development that will include a Walmart store. Other areas were also in dispute.

“Now, we can move forward with certainty,” said Elgin city manager Greg Vick.  “We know that the Austin Community College campus can continue to move toward its Fall 2013 opening date. We know that Walmart’s plan to develop a shopping center in Elgin will not be delayed or burdened by uncertainty. Both will have an urban level of service that includes firefighting capability.”

The settlement does not require any funds to be exchanged between Aqua and the city. Elgin does gain some service area and Aqua takes a water line that will no longer be needed by Elgin but is important for US Highway 290 development west of Texas 95 on the south side of the highway.

“The Elgin taxpayer and the ratepayer have been protected,” Vick said.

Aqua general manager William Loven said the negotiated agreement will replace informal agreements and draw clear lines between the service areas of Elgin and Aqua.

“We’re fixing in place the service-area boundaries between us to prevent similar problems in the future.  Citizens will know who will provide water for the future,” Loven said. “Resolving the lawsuit caps the current legal expense and removes the uncertainty that surrounds a drawn-out legal battle.”

By Eric Betts, Staff Writer

Recent rains are giving county farmers and ranchers hope that the coming year won’t be a repeat of 2011’s disastrous growing season.

“Last year was one of those years,” said Tommy Miertschin, executive director of the Bastrop County Farm Service Agency.

Producers throughout the county were hit hard by a number of natural calamities: the extended drought, the September wildfires and, in some places, even last week’s floods. And while the county has a long way to go before its land and water resources are fully recovered from the drought’s effects, plenty of growers have gotten enough rainfall that they’re seeing something else that was in short supply last year: optimism.

“We’re very lucky to be where we’re at right now,” Miertschin said. “People are actually smiling again. Last year they were doom and gloom.”

“Everyone’s optimistic right now,” said Duke Ducharme, a rancher whose land is just north of Elgin. “A lot of the farmers are preparing their ground for a planting of corn and other row crop products.”

Miertschin said growers are seeing good progress on small grains, oats and wheat and rye grass patches. Stock tanks are filling up, cattle prices are high and most importantly, with just a little bit more rain in the next couple of months, there’s a good chance that they’ll be able to make a local cutting of hay.

“It’s a 360-degree turnaround,” Miertschin said. “Due to the rain and the last couple of weeks of warm weather, the winter pastures have done real well.”

“It makes you feel better mentally to see green out there rather than nothing,” said Rachel Bauer with the Texas Agrilife Extension.

For much of last year, the extended drought forced local ranchers to purchase hay from elsewhere in Texas or out of state. The cost of buying and hauling the hay put a strain on ranchers, and forced some to sell off part of their herds.

“That would be tremendous if we could get our first cutting,” Miertschin said. “There’s just none around.”

Miertschin says much of the county has already received enough rainfall to allow farmers to put a crop in the ground. That’s better than a lot of places are doing. Miertschin said there are counties west of I-35 and further south who are still way behind. Ducharme says that was supposed to be the county’s fate as well.

“I was concerned because all the indications from people that forecast weather were that we were going to see another drought very similar to 2011 in 2012,” he said.

That’s still a possibility, says Bauer. Despite the rain, forecasters are still predicting the long-term drought will extend into 2012. The La Niña effect that contributes to the drought in Texas is still present, and could lead to another dry period later in the year.

“We’re still not out of the woods as far as the drought goes,” Bauer said, “but people just feel so much better.”

On Friday night, the Tigers (17-10, 6-3 District 23-3A) got one step closer to closing the regular season with another district win.

Smithville defeated the Caldwell Hornets 66-38 at Tiger Gym.

The Tigers opened the game off scoring 19 points in the first quarter leaving Caldwell behind by 16 points to begin the second quarter.

“We started out the game feeling like we had something to prove because we didn’t play good the first game against Caldwell,” said head coach Cyril Adkins.

Adkins expressed that the team’s efforts really showed when they jumped out to a 40-11 lead by halftime.

Smithville continued to sink baskets throughout the second half, scoring 17 points in the third quarter alone. The Hornets stepped up in the final quarter, scoring 18 points to Smithville’s nine.

Despite their efforts, Caldwell could not close the 28 point gap and the Tigers prevailed.

“I wasn’t happy with the way we finished because I thought we lost focus,” Adkins said. “When you are preparing for a play-off run you can’t get complacent.”

But overall Adkins was pleased with the team’s effort and strong offense. “We are starting to play good team basketball,” he said.

Smithville’s Oscar Kenebrew had a team-high 17 points and five rebounds while Joe Crank followed with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Other scoring players for Smithville were Peter Marek (11), Khalil Mccathern (8), Michah Malina and Cearan Adkins (6), Kyle Stovall (2) and Logan Kubicek (1).

Marek had a great shooting night, Mccathern has worked his way back into game shape, Kenebrew went 3-for-3 from the behind the arc, and Adkins is starting to get more comfortable out on the court Adkins said.

LA GRANGE

The Tigers grabbed another district win on Feb. 7 over district rival La Grange 57-44 at Tiger Gym.

In their previous district meeting on Jan. 20, the Tigers devoured the Leopards 61-46 in La Grange.

Smithville continued with its strong offense and stole another win to put them at 6-3 overall in District 23-3A.

“The team really made a statement,” Adkins said. “We knew that this would secure a play-off spot.”

The Tigers took the lead in the first quarter by 14-6. At halftime Smithville was ahead by 12 points.

In the third quarter La Grange attempted a comeback with 14 points but could not match the Tigers offense.

Smithville put up 32 points in the second half alone and knocked off the La Grange Leopards.

“Our kids really played with a lot of energy and heart,” Adkins said. “As a whole the team is really starting to gel.”

When asked what players contributed greatly to the game, Adkins replied that Peter Marek has found his shooting touch and Kyle Stovall gave the team some valuable minutes.

Crank led the team in scoring with 16 points and once again Marek had a great shooting night with 14 points.

Other scoring players for Smithville were Mccathern (10), Adkins (8), Stovall  (3), Coltyn Brown (3), Kenebrew (2) and Kubicek (1).

(This is a corrected version of a story that was posted on Feb. 18)

Emotions were high on Feb.7, when the Lady Tigers fell to the La Grange Leopards in their last district 23-3A game away from home.

Smithville (11-21, 5-5 District 23-3A), who had already secured its nineteenth consecutive playoff spot, lost to district rivals 37-29.

“It was very disappointing to come off of a big win over Navasota and then have no energy for this game,” said head coach Robin Ramsay. “But we have to leave that behind and prepare for the playoffs.”

Smithville started strong, leading the Leopards by three points going into the second half.

La Grange came back and dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Tigers 14-2 and taking a 20-29 lead into the final quarter.

Scoring in the final quarter was much closer with the Lady Tigers putting up nine points to La Grange’s eight, but that still left Smithville short at the final buzzer.

“We were as flat as I’ve ever seen,” Ramsey said after the loss.

Junior Taryn Leiferman had great production for the Lady Tigers with a team-high 18 points while grabbing six rebounds, which led the team.

Other Lady Tigers getting some net on the night were Cadie Jones (4), Valerie Harmon (4), Samantha Campos (2) and Macy Wilhelm (1).

• On Jan. 4, Officer Richard Eaves was dispatched to the 100 block of 1st Street in reference to shots being fired. It was discovered that Timmy Alan Brown had allegedly shot a 45 cal. pistol in the direction of his son, because he was reportedly angry at the way his son was working on a vehicle. The shot did not hit anyone or damage any property. A warrant was obtained for Brown and Brown turned himself in on the charge. Judge Ronald Jones set the bond amount at $20,000 and a condition of release was that Brown had to release all his firearms to the Smithville Police Department.

• On Jan. 5, Officer Richard Eaves detained and transported a juvenile male from the Smithville Junior High school to Bastrop juvenile services for allegedly telling several teachers that he was going to bring a gun to school and shoot people. The juvenile was issued a citation for disruption of class earlier the same day.

• On Jan. 6, Officer Greg Stewart was called to the Smithville Police Department in reference to Thomas Clayton Brillhart turning himself in for a City of Smithville warrant for failure to maintain financial responsibility. It was also discovered that Brillhart had an outstanding warrant issued by the City of College Station for sexual assault of a child. The College Station warrant had a preset bond of $20,000. Judge Ronald Jones set up Brillhart on a payment plan for the Smithville warrants and Brillhart was released to College Station PD.

• On Jan. 10, Officer Jadwin Hubbard observed Craig Ray Nealy in the 700 block of Walker Street and requested a warrant check. Hubbard was advised that Nealy did have a warrant issued out of Bastrop County for the offense of delivery of a controlled substance. Nealy was arrested for this warrant and Judge Ronald Jones set the bond amount at $25,000.

• On Jan. 13, Officer Jarrett Skelton conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of N.W. Loop 230 and discovered the driver, who was identified as Chad Everett Burns, had an invalid driver’s license. Burns was arrested and charged with this offense and this offense was enhanced due to Burns allegedly not having valid insurance. Judge Ronald Jones set the bond amount at $2,000.

• On Jan. 15, Officer Jadwin Hubbard was dispatched to the 400 block of Maple Street (Keilburg Park) for a suspicious vehicle. Hubbard found Thomas Jay Puckett at the park and also found him to be allegedly in possession of marijuana. Puckett was arrested and charged with this offense and Judge Ronald Jones set the bond amount at $2,000.

• On Jan. 19, Reserve Officer Travis Lucas was attempting to locate a reckless driver on Highway 71 and located and stopped Florence Brown. Lucas arrested Brown and charged her with driving while intoxicated. Judge Ronald Jones set the bond amount at $5,000.

• On Jan. 19, Officer Luis Medrano was contacted by the Bastrop County Sheriff’s office and advised that they had Eugene Franklin Felix detained and that he had warrants issued from the City of Smithville. Medrano agreed to take custody of Felix for the Smithville warrants. The warrants were for no insurance, no driver’s license and failure to appear. The fine amount was $806. Judge Ronald Jones released Felix on a payment plan.

• On Jan. 27, Officer Jadwin Hubbard conducted a traffic stop on Jimmy Lee Arnold Jr. at the intersection of Highway 71 and FM 153 and found that he had warrants issued out of Travis County for bond forfeiture. Arnold was arrested and Judge Ronald Jones set the bond amount at $6.000.

• On Jan. 29, Officer Luis Medrano was dispatched to the 200 block of Hardeman for a disturbance and arrested Kristy Faye Jones for a charge of public intoxication. Judge Ronald Jones set the fine amount at $247.

• On Jan. 31, Reserve Officer Travis Lucas conducted a traffic stop on Wuilmer Gerardo Santos at the intersection of Highway 71 and Two Mile Road and found Santos to allegedly be in possession of marijuana. Santos was arrested and charged with that offense and Judge Ronald Jones set the bond amount at $5,000.

As the “Rockne Reporter,” I enjoy covering local events but even more so, I really love writing in-depth profiles of people in our community. This year, I have decided to feature as many influential Rockne citizens as possible, and I can think of no one better to start with than Milton Goertz, an iconic personality whom, sadly, we lost last month.

Milton was known for his kindness and his infectious positive attitude. In his eyes, everyone was a friend and gained his respect. He never complained, even as he struggled with his health during the last few years of his life. He battled pneumonia, a severe staff infection, hernia surgery, neuropathy and leukemia, but even during his final days, when asked if he was in pain, he would reply “I’m okay.”

Milton was also well-known for his favorite hobby, restoring and collecting Ford Mustangs and classic muscle cars. He owned countless cars over the years, most recently a 1972 Mustang, a 1973 Mustang and a 1970 Mercury. He was very proud of the 2012 Mustang Boss that he acquired just this last November. Combining his love for cars with his love for his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, the Mustang had personalized license plates reading “9 Boss” for Tony Romo’s number.

Anyone who rode with Milton knew he loved to drive fast and although he did get pulled over quite a few times, his wife Marian recalls that because of his respectful manners and friendliness, he hardly ever got speeding tickets, usually just warnings after a conversation with the officer  about his impressive sports car.

He was born in Rockne on Jan. 5, 1929 to Philip and Rosa Goertz. Milton grew up in Rockne and worked at Camp Swift before joining the U.S. Air Force on Jan. 28, 1947. He served in Korea and completed two tours in Vietnam, retiring with the rank of master sergeant in 1974.

Milton then settled in El Segundo, Calif. and worked at the officers club until he retired in 1993. While working there, he met the love of his life, Marian, who was working there as well. After retiring, he and Marian moved to Bastrop to be near family and friends. Shortly after their move, he became the commander of the VFW Post 2527 in Rockne. He served as commander for four years and always enjoyed spending time there. He could be found at the VFW most Saturday evenings after mass.

Besides his enthusiasm and joy for living, another constant in Milton’s life was his faith in God. He went to confession and mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Austin every first Friday of the month and never missed mass on the weekend. Even during his last days, as long as he was able to sit up on the side of the bed, he would make the sign of the cross and pray.

A Celebration of Mass was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne on Jan. 14, where Milton received full military honors and a flag was presented to Marian. As a special touch, his 2012 Mustang Boss was parked just outside the entrance to the cemetery.

Several friends and family members, among them his sons, David Goertz and Randy Goertz, and his stepsons, Randy Rolfsness and Roger Rolfsness, their spouses and Milton’s seven grandchildren, then gathered at Holtman Hall. Later, the family congregated at Leon’s to play cards, share memories and toast Milton with his signature Gallo Burgundy wine. It was a fitting and loving tribute to this beloved man who will be missed by many.

Got News?

Contact me with any events and news from the Rockne area at Rocknenews@gmail.com.

The Paige VFD responded to one false alarm, two landing zones, three controlled burns, two accidents and two accidents with extrication in January.

The department raised $4,000 from the Drive by Chili Benefit.

Chief Troy wants to thank everyone  for the  support they show our fire department.

A reminder from Chief Troy: Sherwood Forest Faire has started up and will add extra traffic to our area, so please drive carefully.

Congratulations

Kenneth ‘Papa C’ Cowan’s  great-grandson, Kayden Bennett,  6 months old, won Mr. Stars and Stripes at the Memorial Day Pageant yesterday. He also won most photogenic, best dressed, and most handsome. Cowan’s granddaughter, Terri Cowan, 18,  won first runner up and Miss Congeniality. She also won the essay contest and won a trophy for that and a water proof camera. Way to go, Cowens.

Birthdays

Birthday parties are all over Paige this week-end. Joan Conley had friends from Conroe and a surprise visit from family members from Houston. They and other local friends enjoyed Saturday night with a special Italian birthday dinner at the home of Julie Cotton.

Carla Webb had a barbecue and camp out at Grassyville, which included a turkey shoot on Sunday.

It was an “I love Carla” birthday weekend.

Thought

Spend time with your children and tell them that you love them every day. They will remember that more than an expensive toy you bought them.

Right after the New Years, I hit an 8-point buck in my husband’s truck on FM 535! Luckily the truck was built in the early 90s and is made of metal and not plastic. My husband had the repairs done within a few days.

Last week, my husband hit two deer on Hwy 304 at the same time. The damage from the two deer he hit totaled his truck!

Thank God for our wonderful insurance company who came out and wrote us a check on the spot. Neither my husband nor I have a hunting license this year, but within a month or so, we’ve killed three deer and with no deer meat to show for it. Be careful out there on the roads, I think the hunters didn’t shoot enough deer this year.

Memorial Day Pageant

The first annual Memorial Day Pageant to raise money to help build the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Smithville was a success. We had a few snags but it was our first year! We now have nine young people who are representatives of the community. I would like to thank Aaron’s in La Grange, Sherri Mott Photography and Zapco, as well as all the volunteers who helped to decorate the stage and get everything ready for the pageant. I would also like to say congratulations to all the kings and queens and a thank you to their parents.

Rosanky Community Center

The Rosanky Community Center members would like to thank ESD president David Gahagan, commissioner Clovis Boatright and 3N1 fire chief Glen Boatright for their very informational presentations last week at the String Prairie Community Center. Also, many thanks to SPCC members for a delicious spaghetti dinner. The Rosanky Community Center’s next meeting will be March 12 at 7 p.m.

Recipe of the week

Breakfast Egg Muffins: My girls love eating breakfast for dinner and here’s an easy recipe to do that.

9 eggs

½ cup chopped fresh spinach

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup flour,

¼ cup 2% grated cheddar cheese

1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

1 small tomato, chopped

½ tsp sea salt

½ tsp cracked black pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk. Add the rest of your ingredients and mix it all together. Add spoonfuls of the mixture to a nonstick muffin tin or a tin sprayed with nonstick coating. You can use a 1/4 C measuring cup to fill the tin. Pop them in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until done.

Kids Korner

If your children are wanting to give you something for Valentine’s Day, help them make you a homemade picture frame. All you need is several puzzle pieces, red, white and pink craft paint, a paint brush, four tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks, glue, a black marker and of course a photo.

Paint your puzzle pieces red, white and/or pink and let dry. Glue together your tongue depressors to form a frame. Glue the puzzle pieces to the frame you just formed (they do not have to fit together.) Now you can write a special message on the bottom of the frame with your marker, maybe something like “I love you to pieces.” Now just add your photo. For a backing, you can add a piece of cardboard behind your photo just for a little more support.

Got News?

If you have any news, announcements and/or photos, please email me at rosankynews@live.com.