Watch Thy Step!

Everyone is starting to trade rattler stories, a sure sign of the change of seasons. Of course, around here everyone's always got snake stories, because we've always got snakes. Where are those sign toting, soft-handed, liberal goody-two-shoes when you really want to show them something? (Otherwise referred to as animal activists at the Rattlesnake Round-Up). Really, I have no preference either way, but there are a lot of snakes moving around to get denned up for the winter. We found one in our front yard the other night, or rather, our dogs, Hank and Sue found one. We have 90,000 (translate to 7) cats around the house, so I was surprised that a snake would get that close. We do usually find one or so each year, though. One of the cats kept doing this spazzy trembling dance in front of the snake, which was coiled and rattling. I kept thinking the snake had bitten the cat, but I guess it was some instinctual thing the cat was doing. It was weird.

Anyway, on to other things. I heard that Rotan lost their homecoming game by one point Friday night. And how about that gubernatorial debate the other night? Kinky kept trying to do his bit and Carole was pathetic. Did you notice how Rick only addressed Chris Bell as his competition? I don't know whether to feel sorry for Kinky and Carole, or to think Rick and Chris are just slick-talking politicians, which they are, but does that make them more qualified to be governor?

Okay, on to the newspaper highlights. That's some information we can rely on.

Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record, September 28, 2006 Issue:

• Neugebauer to Attend Gospel Night 5 p.m. Oct. 12 at Airport
• Cockrell Building Opens @ 113 Sammy Baugh Ave.
• Cake & Pie Contest Rules 325-776-2809
• B Bar S Chuckwagon Participate in Hog Fest
• Immunization Clinic Oct. 18th 325-773-5681
• New Interim Healthcare Staff Article & Photo, D'Linda Benham, Mitch Whitefield and Ramona Williams
• FSA Redesigns Website www.fsa.usda.gov/tx
• Rotan City Council Meeting Minutes
• Eilene Cave Celebrates 89th Birthday, Photo of Eilene, Sue, Sara Jane and James
• Region 14 Education Service Center Receiving Applications for Certification of Special Education Teachers
• Bids Being Taken for TxDOT Fisher County Mowing Contract www.dot.state.tx.us
• Photos from Fun Friday in Mrs. Lucas' Class
• Gay Nell Cherry Named Outstanding Citizen by Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce
• Obituaries for J.L. Whitley, Jr. and Frank Verlon Beauchamp
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Round-Up
• A very long Sheriff's Report
• Roby and Rotan Football Reviews
• More Results from West Texas Fair & Rodeo, Koby Hood Photo
• USDA Extends Emergency Grazing
• Oct. 2 USDA to Begin Issue of Conservation Reserve Program Funds
• 51 Items to be Auctioned Oct. 12 for the Fisher Co. COC & Ag Auction
• DAR Meeting Minutes
• Random Photos of Rotan and Roby Athletics Events
• Letter to the Editor from James Ogle jamesogle40@juno.com and a fantastic family photo taken in 1940

I'm going to hang onto the October 6 issue until this week's paper comes out. Remember that the Hogfest is this Thursday and Saturday. For more info go to http://www.fishercountychamberofcommerce.com/.