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Runnels County Historical Commission to Meet
2/22/2012
The Runnels County Historical Commission will meet in Abilene at Frontier Texas at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012. After visiting Frontier Texas, the group will convene to Logan’s Restaurant for lunch and a business meeting. All meetings of the RCHC are open to the public.

Winters Area Foundation
2/21/2012
Winters Area Foundation presented a $10,000 check on Monday, February 21, to the North Runnels Hospital Board. The money was collected through the Winters Area Foundation Project Fund administered by the Community Foundation of Abilene
A total of $35,580 has been raised by generous contributors in the area for the clinic improvement project which is soon to be underway.

 
Left to Right
George Mostad, Scotty Belew, Joe Guajardo, Jeanne Hilliard, Dewey Whitfield, Sidney Tucker, North Runnels Hospital Administrator; Marvin Jones, Winters Area Foundation President; Susan Conner, Gene Wheat and Freddie Grohman.
 

Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Clinics
2/20/2012
Flu Vaccine will be Available

Winters
Thursday, March 1st
1:30-5:30
Professional Building
110 South Main, Suite 108
For Your Convenience please use Rear Entrance (Grant Street)


Please bring child's immunization records
If Child has Medicaid or CHIP please bring card For more information call 325/754-4945
 

WISD Students of the Month
2/20/2012
From left to right: Board member Danny Martinez, Nikolas Kraatz, Randa Watson, Matt Jacob, Carla Hooper
 

WISD Employees of the Month
2/20/2012
From left to right: Sherry Kurtz, Beth Wortham, Board Member Danny Martinez

Winters Woman’s Club
2/12/2012
The Winters Woman’s Club met on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. at the home of Virginia Brown. This was unconventional to say the least. Several members were called on Friday and told to pick up various other members and invite them to the “come as you are” breakfast meeting. The variety of nightwear and casual wear was very interesting. Several members were awakened and did show up nearly “as they were.” A breakfast of sausage gravy with biscuits, cinnamon rolls, juice and coffee was served by hostesses Virginia Brown, Theresa Briley and Sylvia Wilson. Everyone enjoyed good conversation after the business meeting.
During committee reports, Joyce Broadstreet reminded the membership that Ladies Night Out is nearly upon us. It will be April 19 at Jones Fellowship Hall. The theme will be “A HoeDown.” Tickets will go on sale soon.
Other committee news: Marianne Ray reported that The Rock Hotel will hold a stew luncheon in February but she was unsure of the date.
New business: A new member was welcomed to the club. She is Peggy Belew. We are glad to have her!
In other new business, officers for the next two club years were presented. They are: Sylvia Wilson, President, Cheryl Bryan, Vice President, Jane Bourdo, Recording Secretary, Becky Hays, Corresponding Secretary, Kay Guy, Treasurer and Marianne Ray, Historian.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 13, 2012.
The Winters Woman’s Club normally meets on the second Tuesday of each month from September through May. Contact President, Marlene Smith for more information, 754-4961


 

Life of a Goldfish.
2-9-2012 -excerpt of "On The Level" by Charles Frerich
If you have been to visit us at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, you must have noticed our aquarium with 3 goldfish and a turtle. It sits right in front of my desk and I have the opportunity to observe them out of the corner of my eye. No, I do not sit and watch them constantly! As far as excitement goes they swim constantly in search of parcels of food that have escaped the morning feeding. It seems they are never satisfied and always looking for something to sustain them. The turtle does what turtles do best, lazily swims up and down, back and forth across the watery home. It seems to mostly try to avoid the pesky goldfish.

Find the rest of the article under the menu bar "Columns"

Mentor Program Winters Elementary
2/8/2012
     The Mentor program at Winters Elementary proceeds with the hope that it can empower at risk youth to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their potential by building relationships with individuals from the community. Winters Elementary Mentoring Program envisions a community in which these youth experience nurturing one-to-one relationships and community support, which in turn allows each of them to develop into their full potential, capable of making informed, responsible decisions as involved members of our community. The heart of the mentoring program is our volunteer mentors.
     On Monday the 30th of January the current mentors got together at Casa Cabana and had lunch together. The mentors present were Jan Sims, Monnie Davis, Kenneth Slimp, Carmen Villarreal, Jackie Ozbirn and Glenda McKneely. Also present were Elementary Principal Sammy Edwards and Elementary Counselor Charles Murphy. Not able to be attend were mentors Rene Woffenden, Rhonda Neal, Sandra Benson and Marietta Garner.
     Each mentor was asked to explain why they felt motivated to be a mentor. Monnie Davis said that she felt blessed with what she had been given and wanted to give some back. She also mentioned that she had been doing it long enough that she finally saw a student she mentored graduate recently. It was very gratifying. Jan Sims said that she had worked in the school system for 27 years and is a mentor because she saw a need for it and feels she has a lot to give. Kenneth Slimp said that throughout his career he had seen male students with problems with the law were often missing a strong male influence in their lives. He is doing what he can do to fill that void. Jackie Ozbirn said that she has had children in Winters ISD schools for the last 15 years and she wanted to give back what she could. Carmen Villarreal said that it reminds her of when she was in school. There were times when she just needed someone to talk to or maybe some help with some homework. Glenda McKneely said that she had always been around students and wanted to find a way to help them out. She currently has students she is working with in both JH and HS. Rhonda Neal contacted by email said that she was inspired after visiting with Mr. Kuempel and her work schedule has allowed her to commit to mentoring. She said she has learned more about dinosaurs that she ever knew.
     The common thread in all of these explanations is that they see a need and are stepping up to meet that need. Without a doubt there is a need in the lives of young people these days. A need that these unselfish people are meeting. We at Winters Elementary want to give a great big THANKYOU to them for their efforts.

From left to right in the picture are:
Kenneth Slimp, Monnie Davis, Jan Simms, Jackie Ozbirn and Carmen Villerreal.
 

Abilene Welcomes back Pro Baseball
2/3/2012
Abilene, Texas --- After a 12-year hiatus, professional baseball is returning to the city of Abilene.

The North American League announced Thursday that the Abilene Prairie Dogs will play in the 2012 season. The new Prairie Dogs franchise takes its name from the old Abilene pro team that played in the independent Texas-Louisiana League from 1995 through 1999.

"The Prairie Dogs were in Abilene during the 1990s, and were very successful," League President Byron Pierce said. "When their lease expired they moved to San Angelo and became the Colts, but Abilene has always been a good market. We can't wait to bring the Prairie Dogs back."

With the addition of the Prairie Dogs, there are now six teams in the North American League South Division. The Prairie Dogs join the San Angelo Colts, Fort Worth Cats, Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings, Edinburg Roadrunners and McAllen Thunder.

This year the Prairie Dogs will play their home games at Walt Driggers Field on the campus of McMurry University. A deal is in the works to construct a brand new ballpark in Abilene for the 2013 season.

The Prairie Dogs are scheduled to play 32 home games this year. Their home opener is set for 7:05 p.m. on Monday, May 28 against the Colts. Every team in the league will make at least one trip to Abilene.

"The North American League is very excited to welcome the Prairie Dogs," Executive General Manager Mike Babcock said. "I am happy to see pro baseball return to Abilene, and I look forward to watching this new franchise become part of the community and build upon the city's already long and proud baseball history."

Professional baseball in Abilene dates all the way back to 1939 with the Apaches of the old West Texas-New Mexico League. Halfway through the season the Apaches moved, and it was seven years before a new team arrived.

It was the Abilene Blue Sox who took the Apaches' place, emerging in the same league in 1946. The Blue Sox played from 1946 through 1957, and were affiliated first with the Brooklyn Dodgers and then the Kansas City Athletics.

"The city has welcomed this new franchise with open arms, and I am confident the fans will too," Babcock said.

Winters Ministerial Alliance
1/12/012
Winters Ministerial Alliance met Monday, January 9 for officer and director elections. Newly elected officers are President, Travis Akins, Vice-President, Alsen Wenzel. Returning officers are Secretary Tamara Grohman and Treasurer Susan Conner. Board Directors elected for a two-year term were Bobby Staggs, Sam Nix, Heath Powers, Alsen Wenzel and Don Kuempel. Continuing directors are Danny Martinez, Jayme Palady, Travis Akins, Enrique Martinez and Noleta Rice.
A report given by Barbara Jones, director of the Samaritan’s House, indicated that, during the year, 202 families (542 individuals) were furnished food through the food pantry and 95 families benefited from the relief fund of the Samaritan’s House. There were 71 volunteers who assisted the programs administered through the Alliance.
The fund-raising drive conducted in November and December was very successful as over 40 different families contributed to the monies necessary for the work of the Samaritan’s House. The Ministerial Alliance expressed their appreciation for the donations and they feel truly blessed by the support of the community. Contributions are taken throughout the year through local churches and at the Samaritan’s House.
The Alliance also reviewed their yearly events: World Day of Prayer, Holy Week, Sunrise Service, WHS Baccalaureate, Back to School Blessing, Fall Fundraiser, Thanksgiving Service and meal, Holiday Food Baskets and Angel Tree Gifts.

 

Winters Area Foundation
1/23/2012
Winters Area Foundation Board of Directors met to elect officers on January 13, 2012. Newly elected president is Marvin Jones. Other officers are Mike Bedford, Vice-President and Susan Conner, Secretary. Directors re-elected were Mike Bedford, Gene Wheat and Armando Tamez. Also continuing as directors are Hilda Woffenden, Nancy Spill, George Mostad, Charles Bahlman, Marvin Jones and Susan Conner.
The Foundation scholarship fund had received a large donation from the class of 1961 given in memory of Freddie Gardner, much-loved long-time WHS coach and teacher. The Winters Area Foundation scholarship given this year will given as the Freddie Gardner scholarship.
The board began making plans for the annual dinner to be held in late April. Local associations, organizations and projects are encouraged to apply for some of the grants given each year to area causes. Application consists of a letter written to the foundation stating the need and plans for the grant money. Letters should be sent to Winters Area Foundation, Box 211, Winters, Texas 79567.

Runnels County Stock Show Results
1/17/2012
The Runnels County Stock Show was held this past weekend. Click here for the full results.

EQIP ranking period ends soon
1/16/2012
TEMPLE, TEXAS, Jan. 10, 2012- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist Kathy Saunders reminds agriculture producers that the ranking period cut-off date for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is February 3, 2012. Producers interested in EQIP should submit applications to the Runnels County NRCS office by the deadline so their applications can be considered during the first ranking period of 2012.
EQIP — one of the largest programs in the Farm Bill — is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state and federal regulations.
"EQIP is a valuable tool to help Runnels County’s agricultural producers implement conservation practices that provide environmental benefits to help sustain agricultural operations," says Saunders.
EQIP is a continuous sign-up program that allows landowners or operators to apply for financial and technical assistance for the application of specific conservation practices; but the deadline for the first 2012 funding is February 3, 2012. Contracts are offered periodically depending on budgetary allocations. Applications made after the deadline will be considered in the next funding cycle. Higher priority will be given to those applications that address national, state and local priorities and provide higher cost efficiency.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, call the USDA Service Center office in Ballinger at (325) 365-3415 x3. Service center locations and program information can be found on the Texas NRCS Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.
 

Winters ISD Employee of the Month
1/12/2012
CHARLES MURPHY- EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR ELEM
TRACY CATES- EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR JR HIGH
DOUG WHEAT- SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT

 

Winters ISD Student of the Week
1/12/2012
HAILEY RENFRO- STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR ELEM
MACI OLIVER- STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR JR HIGH
DOUG WHEAT- SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT

WINDBREAK TREE ORDER DEADLINE-JANUARY 25
1/10/2012
Seedlings to create windbreaks, produced by the Texas Forest Service West Texas Nursery in Idalou, are now available for order through the Runnels Soil and Water Conservation District. Stock is limited and landowners are encouraged to order trees as soon as possible.
Deadline to order trees is Wednesday, January 25. Please call the Natural Resources Conservation Service office at 325-365-3415 ext. 3 or come by 2000 Hutchings Avenue in Ballinger.

Self-Therapy for the Stutterer
1/8/2012
Self-Therapy for the Stutterer is the classic self-help guide by the founder of The Stuttering Foundation. It is written to and for the many adults and teens who stutter. The book is available at most public libraries. If you stutter, you do not need to surrender to your speech difficulty because you can change the way you talk. You can learn to communicate with ease rather than with effort. There is no quick and easy way to tackle the problem, but with the right approach, self-therapy can be effective.

This book outlines a self-therapy program which describes what the person who stutters can do to work towards better communication. It is often used as a supplement to speech therapy. A timely feature on page 164 is information about King George VI and how inspirational his speeches were during WWII as depicted in the movie, The King’s Speech.

Writes Charles Van Riper, Ph.D., about this book: “There are always some who stutter who are unable to get professional help and others who do not seem to be able to profit from it. There are some who prefer to be their own therapist. In this book, Malcolm Fraser has provided guidance for those who must help themselves. Knowing well from his own experience as a stutterer the difficulties of self-therapy, he outlines a series of objectives and challenges that should serve as a map for the person who is lost in the dismal swamp of stuttering and wants to find a way out.”

The book is available free to all public libraries. If your library doesn’t have it, ask them to contact the Stuttering Foundation toll-free at 800-992-9392 for a copy.

Runnels County Stock Show Schedule
1/5/2012
Please be aware that the Runnels County Junior Livestock Show schedule has changed this year. It is outlined below.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Arrival of ALL LIVESTOCK 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Weigh-in of ALL LIVESTOCK 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, January 13, 2012
8:00 a.m. Swine Show - Breeding, Market followed by Showmanship
Rabbit Show-Fryers and Breeding
Turkey Show - Hens and Toms
Meat Goat Show followed by Showmanship

Saturday, January 14, 2012
8:00 a.m. Sheep Show-Lambs and Breeding followed by Showmanship
Cattle Show - Heifer, Steers followed by Showmanship
After Steer Show RELEASE of ALL Livestock not in Premium Sale
2:00 p.m. Premium Sale

Remember: NO livestock will be released from the show until after the conclusion of the steer show.
Violation of this rule will result in forfeiture of premium sale proceeds.
LOCAL SHOW SCHEDULES
The Ballinger, Miles and Winters Local Shows are scheduled for January 7. As far as we know, the schedules
are the same as in the past.

Click here for full "Runnels Roundup" January Information Flyer
Also, Check the Runnels County 4H/FFA page on the menu bar above under the Community Heading.

Runnels County Historical Commission to Meet
1/5/2012
The Runnels County Historical Commission will hold their first scheduled meeting of 2012 on January 14. Ruth Cooper, Chairman, will preside over the meeting at 209 10th Street in Ballinger at 10 a.m.

First Annual Runnels County Stock Show Shopping Extravaganza
1/4/2011
When: January 13 & 14
During the Runnels County Stock Show
Where: Ballinger Community Center
Booths featuring handbags, fashion clothing, home décor and more!
Plus a silent auction benefiting the Runnels Co. Livestock Assoc.

For more information about having a booth at the shopping extravaganza or to make a donation to the silent auction - call DeeDee Peterson at 718-8428 or Lynna Rollwitz at 212-8007.

Click here for printable Flyer.

“What if I”… A New Year
1/3/2012 -by Charles Frerich, excerpt of "On the Level"
A new year is a time of new beginnings, reflections on what happened the previous year and of course the New Year’s resolutions. I was listening to a speaker the other day and he made a comment that really struck me as a thought provoker. He said three words, “What if I”. If you think about these words your mind should go in one of two directions, What if I had and what if I do. “Had” referring to if I would have done something and “do”, referring to if I will do something.

Read the rest of the column by following the link to "On the Level" under Columns on the Menu Bar above.