Building Character

That's the optimistic way of saying "I'm miserable and it's too cold!" Another way to say it, "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!" I am really enjoying this cold weather, though. I like it when the air is crisp and clean, and cooler weather is more motivating than hot weather. But if you have joint pain, I'm sure the cold is just something to endure.

Here are the updates on the Rotan Advance / Roby Star issues for Feb. 8 & 1.

February 8, 2007:

• Filing for Local Offices Opens Feb. 12
• Rotan Elementary Awarded as Title 1 Distinguished School
• Local Seniors Participate in All-Star Classic (photo)
• Roby Lady Lions Win District (photo)
• DPS Does NOT Solicit Donations
• Fisher County Students Participate in Fort Worth Stock Show
• Georgia Ashton Celebrates 93rd Birthday
• Lone Star Land Bank Changes Name to Lone Star Agricultural Credit Association
• Obituaries for Nora Gruben, Nealy Don "Rusty" Browning, Guadalupe Moreno, and Linda Mae Almanza Villagran
• Sheriff's Sale March 6, 10 am
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Monthly Climatological Summary for January 2007

February 1, 2007:

• School Purchases Rotan Centennial Commemorative Plaque (photo)
• House Fire in Rotan (photos)
• Will Martin Makes All-State Football Selection, 5 Others Receive Honors
• Wind Turbines in Fisher County, 776-3259 for More Info
• Kendall Prall & Russell Riggan Announce Engagement
• Lindsey Cave Makes TSU Dean's List
• David Stevens Elected President of TETA (photos)
• Obituaries for Martha Frances Branch Bullock, Martha Jane Green, Betty Jo Park White, and Mary Earline Elrod
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Dorothy LaVrne Starnes Rotan Memories Article (photos)

I noticed in the paper that the museum out at Western Texas College had a chocolate fest last weekend. I'm sorry to have missed that. Go to the Scurry County Museum website to see what will be on display next. They have hosted Fisher County artists, such as Robin Roberts.

When Will Spring Be Here?

In it's own sweet time, I'm sure! George Maule, God rest his soul, told me last year that the best time to cut fence posts is in February, before the sap rises. He said to chop off the bark with a hatchet and they'll last a long time. He had some posts that had been up for 50 years and still looked good.

I was sorry to read of the death of Leila Vera Morrow. Virgil Weems, her son-in-law, is a distant cousin of the Templetons, and we wish his family comfort.

Rotan Advance / Roby Star Highlights for January 25, 2007:

• Rotan Celebrates Centennial (Photos)
• Rotan School Board Meeting, Early's Contract Extended
• Big Country Electric Sponsors 2007 Youth Tour
• Sunny Helms Makes South Plains College Honors List
• Hope Matthies & Garrett Dowell Make All-Region Band
• All-Region Band to Perform in Lubbock
• Obituary Announcements for Michael Glenn Gruben, Dorothy Louise
  Plemmons, Cranston Wayne Terry
• Fisher County Basketball
• DAR Guest of Delta Kappa Gamma
• Rotan Jr. High Honor Roll

Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record for January 18, 2007:

• Fisher County Livestock Show Results (Photos in Back Section)
• Rotan to Celebrate Centennial (special articles throughout)
• Post Office Offers Cancellation Commemorative Centennial Stamp
• Old Photo of Rotan Trades Day
• Old Photo of VFW BBQ, Circa 1940
• Lacy Family Reunion Roster
• Roby City Council Meeting, Baseball Field Clean-Up Nears Completion
• Shana Feagan and Jack Brown Shower Announcement
• Rides to the Doctor Available through Faith in Action: 735-2929
• Annual Rotan Farm Equipment Consignment Auction March 10
• Rotan City Council Meeting, Approves Strickland Request to Close
  Streets and Alleys, Loose Dogs a Big Problem, Next Meeting Feb. 13
• Rotan Honor Rolls
• Obituaries for Ricardo G. Velez, Thelma Valentine Sorrells, Dr.
  Wellborn Kiefer Willingham, Earl Junior Kiker, Lelia Vera Morrow
• Fisher County Basketball
• Fisher County Hospital Board Meeting, Investment Report

Ya'll keep warm out there. We're really having winter this year!

Tax Time, Don't Put It Off

Here's a quote from the IRS list of "Dirty Dozen" Tax Scams for 2006: "And remember, no matter who prepares the return, the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for its accuracy".

I'm not a tax expert in any way, but I find the first step to lessen the stress at tax time is to keep papers organized throughout the year. This can be as simple as buying a package of large brown envelopes, labeling them January through December, and putting receipts, bills, etc. from each month in the corresponding envelope. Just doing this will help prevent a major panic attack when you have to take your paperwork to your CPA, or start on the taxes yourself.

Another thing that helps is to stay in the know. Around October or November, start looking at the IRS website and read a little article here or there. It will help you to keep from feeling utterly lost and you will be on top of new deductions or new items that have to be included as income.

One deduction that can be taken this year is the Telephone Excise Tax Refund. As an individual you can claim a $30 to $60 refund. And, as we all know, every little bit helps.

The IRS site is user friendly and has a lot of interesting information, even for those not preparing taxes.

West Texas Rehab Telethon Tonight @ 7 p.m.

Be sure to tune in to the West Texas Rehab Telethon tonight at 7 p.m. on ktab, channel 32 for the Hobbs area. Brad Maule, who grew up right out here at Camp Springs, is slated as part of the entertainment line-up, as well as Jamie O'Neal, Charlie Chase, Red Steagall and The Boys in the Bunkhouse, Bill and Susan Hayes, and Anacani. They're hoping to raise more than $1 million dollars this year.

Along with the telethon there is also an on-line auction , with at least 19 categories to choose from. This auctions is for services as well as items. There is such variety that you could surely find something that tickles your fancy. The auction ends at midnight tonight, so hurry on over there and get your bids in.

You can click on the blue high-lighted words above to go directly to the websites.

Friday Waiting for Snow

- Miss Kitty -

Well, this is actually a photo from when all this weather began a few weeks ago, but, apparently, this is what we're expecting this weekend. The National Weather Service is calling for 2 to 4 inches of snow for tonight, 1 to 3 inches for tomorrow. But we all know how that goes, we'll believe it when we see it.

Here's your latest update for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record for the January 11, 2007 issue:

• ATMOS Energy Line Rupture Leaves Roby Without Gas, Repairs Made to Pressure Leak (photo)
• Rotan Centennial Committee Celebrated Rotan's Beginnings
• Roby School Board Minutes, Supt. David Hale's Contract Extended
• 3 Vehicle Accidents in 16 Hours (photos)
• Ginning Season Nearly Over, 8000 Bales for 2007; 2005 saw 62,017 Bales
• Billy Polk Commends John Morgan in Letter to the Editor
• Roby CISD Honor Roll
• Kelsea Kent Receives $1,000 Faskin Foundation Scholarship (photo)
• Fisher County Commissioners Court Minutes, Financial Report Given from Depts.
• Sophia Scott Makes West All Area Band
• Emily Zinsitz Marches in Rose Bowl Parade
• Debit Cards & Online Banking Coming to Rotan 1st National
• Western Texas Honor Roll
• Rotan Farm Consignment Sale Saturday March 10, 2007
• Steve Estes, County Agent, Presents Animal Emergency Management Plan (photo)
• Two Jobs in the Help Wanted Section!
• Fisher County Hospital District Meeting Set for Jan. 23, 2007 @10 & 11 a.m.
• Rabbit Showmanship Clinic Held in Roby (photo)
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Round-Up
• Subscription Renewals Due for Rotan Newspaper
• Kent County Livestock Show, Jan. 19-20
• Fisher County Basketball
• Birth Announcement for Emma Nicole Gregg
• Sardis Cemetery Association Meeting Minutes, Curbs Not to Exceed Two Inches
  
• Haskell Livestock Auction Results, 940-864-2624
  
• Form to Pay Sales Tax on Purchase of Vehicle to the Buyers County
  
• Stay at WindWord Inn in Rotan, 325-735-3391
  

Keep warm out there and make sure you care for your outside pets and varmints. Hot chocolate all around!

Hobbs De-Ices

- icy cacti -

The sun finally revealed it's lovely face today, lighting up the ice-enthroned foliage like a crystal palace. I was up at the Maule place when the sun came over the ridge. It was so beautiful, I wished there was someone there to see it with me. I told Charlotte this when I talked to her later, and she told me that years ago they watched as everybody, one by one, got their yard lights. Wouldn't that be something to see, "Oh, there's the Caves new light! There's the Hobbs School new lights!" It would enable you to know your community intimately. They've got quite a view up there on the hill.

Here is the update for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star January 4, 2007 issue:

• Dept. of State Health Services to Drop 3.2 Million Rabies Vaccine Baits for Coyotes & Gray Foxes
• Fisher County Livestock Show Held Jan. 11 - 13
• Tyler C. Zalman & Luis Romero, Jr. Graduate Basic Training from Ft. Jackson in South Carolina
• Faith in Action Offers Transportation for Medical Appointments, 735-2929
• Fisher County Officials Take Oath of Office (photo)
• Oversize Load Blocks SH70 @ Fisher-Nolan County Line
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Require Off Highway Decal for Trail Vehicles
• Patricia Rebecca Daniels Qualifies for Merit List @ Western Texas College
• Shana Feagan & Jack Brown Exchange Wedding Vows
• Billie Lois & Parker Wetsel Celebrate 60th Anniversary
• Obituary for Calixto Mijares
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Monthly Climatological Summary for Dec. 2006
• Form for Sales Tax from Purchase of Vehicle to be Paid to Purchaser's County of Residence

Stay warm out there, because it looks like it's not over yet. I'm just looking forward to getting a garden started, and I know that it will be time to do that soon, regardless of how cold it is now. Keep the cows in hay and blankets on the bed for now!

Texas Insurance Info

Looking on-line at different insurance companies, I came across a price comparison list on the Texas Department of Insurance website. You can click on your region and find a list of insurance companies and their histories. Some very in-depth information there, starting from the conception of each business. Listed are penalties the company has paid, what the business is worth, owners, etc. If you go back to the TDI home page, you can find more information on all types of insurance in Texas, including what is really required for basic automobile insurance.

Newspaper Update Dec. 28, 2006 Issue

Here's the update for that other paper I had to re-purchase:

• Fisher County Jr. Livestock Show Set For January 11 - 13
• Results for Rotan Jr. Livestock Show
• Fisher Co. Firefighters Respond to 2 Structure Fires (photos)
• Subscription Renewals Due for Yellow Marked Labels
• Obituary for Salome "Sam" Yanez
• WTC Spring Registration January 11, 2007
• Birth Announcement for Kennedy Elayne Keys
• Recipe Corner: Crunch Munchy Popcorn Mix
• Haskell Livestock Auction Prices & Info 940-864-2624
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Round-Up
• Fisher County Basketball Photos

For more information about subscribing to the Rotan Advance / Roby Star, call The Newspaper Office @ 325-735-2562.

Hot ebay find..Rotan Currency

I just came across this auction on ebay. The description says that it is "A very scarce note from Fisher County." I thought it was pretty neat. Just click on "ebay" to see the sellers offer.

Haven't Seen You Since Last Year...

- Hereford bull -

It's always a surprise when it turns out that winter is really here, although it comes every year. Just like we're always surprised by baseball sized hail every summer.

Hope everyone had good holidays. Here's the update on two Rotan Advance Roby Star Record issues:

December 21, 2006:

• Rotan City Council Meeting Minutes, Request Made to Close Streets and Drive Ways
• Shelby Spikes Wins 2nd Place at District FFA Banquet for Singing (photo)
• Israel Ramon Convicted of Being a Pervert and Child Molester
• Newspaper Subscription Renewals Due
• Rotan Community Stock Show (photo)
• Bradey Murphree Accepts TPTA Midwest District Award (photo)
• Birth Announcement for Daniel Benito (photo)
• Chamber Christmas Benefit, photo of Amy Garland and Peggy Rivers
• Haskell Livestock Auction Prices
• Rotan UIL Results (photos)
• Obituary for Royce Doyle Rasco
• Recipe Corner: Cranberry Salad
• Fisher County Hospital Board Meeting, Judy Niell P.A. and Donald Wheat DPM Approved as Staff
• Western Texas College Registration January 11
• Roby CSD Financial Statement
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Abilene Rehab & Rotan Stock Show Photos
• H.A. "Tince" Kiker Celebrates 100th Birthday

Rotan sales tax rebates for December 2006 were $10,766.61 (Dec. 2005 $9,547.51), year to date $155,189.19 (2005 $144,198.99).

Roby sales tax rebates for December 2006 were $4,400.05 (Dec. 2005 $1,390.25), year to date $29,644.65 (2005 $22,134.31).

December 14, 2006:

• Winners Named in Rotan Christmas Parade (photos)
• Sophia Scott Makes All Region Band (photo)
• Judy Niell PA to Join Clearfork Health Center Staff (photo)
• Rotan Junior Livestock Show Dec. 16th
• Ginning Season Ends, Low Totals
• December 8th Vehicle Accident (photo)
• Roby School Board Minutes, Steady Attendance of 289
• Rotan ISD Meeting Minutes, Steady Enrollment of 363
• Julie Henderson & Mark McCall Engagement Announcement
• Marcia C. Mota e Silva & Carlton W. Robertson Marriage Announcement (photo)
• Lizzie Young Celebrates 97th Birthday (photo)
• Fisher County Commissioners Court Minutes, Steve Estes Reported Animal Id Program Dropped by USDA, Rodney Tankersley Expresses Courthouse Maintenance Issues
• Obituaries for Oliver Earl Cooper, Mrs. Willie Sivilla (Bill) Sumerlin, Juanita Williamson and Carl Thomas Hitt
• Results for Nolan/Fisher County Pecan Show, Jimmy Laurie, Aiken Ranch and Jimmy Price Winners
• Recipe Corner: Sugar Free No Bake Cookies
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Colin Hicks Shoots First Deer (photo)
• FCHC Meeting Minutes, Next Meeting First Tuesday in Feb. 2007
• Roby City Council Minutes, BFI "Forgets" to Give Good Customer Service

Someone ran off with the last issue for 2006, so I need to pop down to Thriftway and get it before the new one comes out. Happy New Year, all, and a prosperous one at that.