Friday's Internet Edition, July 04, 2008.
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| A big buck.... McCurdy Cardwell’s big 12 point buck. |
- The Trans-Pecos Big Buck Tournament is experiencing one of the slowest starts in history. Only 2 trophy bucks have been scored thus far. Hunting conditions have been tough due to weather conditions being hot days and cool nights. Hunters are seeing does and young bucks though. Bucks are still in bachelor groups and there is no sign of rut activity. Hunters are hiking and walking terrain to kick up deer.
However, the Typical Category does have a monster buck entered. McCurdy Cardwell Jr. of Austin, Texas is leading with a 12 pointer posting a gross score of 183 0/8 and a net score of 175 7/8! Outside spread is 24 4/8.
In the North I-10 category, Ray Hoffman Jr. of Windthorst, Texas is leading with a 11 pointer posting a gross score of 151 4/8! Outside spread of 23 1/8.
Cold weather conditions should help hunting coupled with shorter daylight hours. The public is encouraged to come by and visit the tourney with its trophy display, etc. Gary and Chanley would especially like to invite the Van Horn school kids to drop in and say hello. Tourney hours are from 9 am to 5 pm daily at the Convention Center.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
CHRISTMAS! Are you beginning to get into the spirit yet? With the colder weather expected tomorrow, the decorations showing up on homes and on Main Street (Thanks City guys!), and the shopping lists being made I think I’m feeling it just a little. I had just a tiny bit of ‘Scrooge’ trying to creep in on Monday, mainly because there is so much to be done in a short amount of time - and wanting this special time to linger for a long time but knowing it won’t because of the busy schedules. We just have to keep reminding ourselves of the true meaning of the season, and keep focused on the things that will make it the most meaningful.
With our secular-bent society that is trying so hard to make it a ‘winter holiday’ and fearing that the word ‘Christmas’ will offend someone, we, who are equally offended by those who would take the true meaning out of the holiday, must let merchants, etc. know that we want it to remain CHRISTMAS.
You know what? Being in the retail business for the past 30 years I can truthfully say that I have never had anyone come into our store looking for a certain ‘Holiday Gift’ or say, “I’m Holiday Shopping”. So could we just call it what it is? And if it bothers you, well, just try to get over it! Because, my friend, Jesus really is the reason for the season.
I got my Christmas Club check from the bank this morning so I’m excited to start my CHRISTMAS shopping! By the way, that’s such a great way to save up for Christmas. It’s so nice not to have to worry about all the extra large balances on your credit cards. Try it out next year!
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Don’t forget the run-off election scheduled for Dec. 12th. You can vote early starting Monday. Please don’t feel that it isn’t of utmost importance just because it is just for one office. That one office is for the person who represents us in Washington, D.C. Henry Bonilla has been our Congressman for years and knows how we think and what our priorities are. In the first few years that he held this office he was in our town numerous times and made many friends here. As he became more involved and well known in Washington, his schedule did not permit him to spend as much time in his district, but he stayed in touch.
Congressman Bonilla now needs our help in this run-off election. He has always carried Culberson County, and it is our hope that he will again. But to carry in the district he needs your vote.
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Still need a flu shot? Phyllis Taylor, health nurse at the Texas Department of State Health Services has let us know that they will be doing a Flu Shot Clinic at their office on Wednesday of next week. I guess I better do that myself.
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Football, football, and more football. I never knew there was so much football going on during the Thanksgiving holiday. I’ve fallen into that group that really enjoys watching college, as well as pro football, so we watched a lot of it. The A&M-Texas game was especially high-spirited for our family to watch - and the win for A&M was sweet! Since my three favorite pro teams are doing well (Ravens, Cowboys and Chiefs) the remainder of the season will be interesting and fun.
Locally, we have moved from football to basketball. Let’s support our Eagles and let them know we are behind them.
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Did you happen to see the story in the El Paso Times on Tuesday about the 978th Military Police Company returning from Iraq. What a wonderful success story, among so many negative stories coming from there. The 164 soldiers just returned from serving a year in Iraq’s Sunni Triangle (one of the most dangerous) without a single fatality. Their mission while there was to train some 12,000 Iraqi police. The training included everything from life-saving techniques to weapons and tactics, as well as certifying the Iraqi police stations.
But the story has a local slant. One of those 164 brave soldiers was Sgt. Aaron Lopez, who has two sets of grandparents living in Van Horn - Otis and Sue Hill and Mr. and Mrs. Cruz Lopez, Sr. Thanks so much for your service to our country Sgt. Lopez.
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Attention has again been on our county with the November 13th rocket launch by Blue Origin. And it looks like more attention may be headed our way. We got a phone call from a London (that’s England) newspaper yesterday asking us to take pictures out at Blue Origin for them. We told them you can’t get in unless you’re invited. To which the London paper said, “They have issued a FAA Notam for space launch activity for this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.” They want a picture even if it’s from Highway 54. Sounds like we may be about ready to make the news again! If you want to camp out on Highway 54, this may be the weekend!
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Have a great weekend hanging those “Christmas” decorations!
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
November 30th - The Van Horn Junior High basketball teams are slated to play in the Kermit tournament today. Members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department are slated to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the firehouse.
December 1st - The Van Horn Junior High basketball teams continue play in the Kermit Tournament today. The Van Horn High School JV teams play in the Valentine Tournament today.
December 2nd - The Van Horn Junior High girls basketball teams play in the Presidio Tournament today. The Junior High boys continue in Kermit. The Van Horn High School JV teams continue play in the Valentine Tournament today.
December 3rd - Attend the church of your choice.
December 4th - The Van Horn Rotary Club will meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant. The Van Horn Junioir High basketball teams play Balmorhea here today beginning at 5 p.m. The Van Horn Chapter of L.U.L.A.C. is scheduled to meet tonight at 8 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Nutrition Center.
December 5th - The Van Horn High School JV and varsity basketball teams play Marfa today in Marfa beginning at 5 p.m. The Van Horn City Council will meet this evening at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
December 6th - The Texas State Department of Health Services will hold a Flu Shot Clinic today. The Local Emergency Planning Committee is slated to meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Emergency Management office.