Enchilada Dinner Benefit for Vanessa Williams Today

Today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Rotan Elementary Faculty and Staff will be hosting an enchilada benefit dinner for Vanessa Williams, wife of Henry Williams. Vanessa recently had surgery and the proceeds will go toward medical bills. If you're in or near Rotan, please chip in on this most worthy cause and get a good meal in the process. The benefit is being held in the school cafeteria and carry-outs are available, 735-2456.

I saw this tumbleweed on 611 yesterday and thought "Now that's an honest to goodness Cowboy Christmas Tree". The cotton crop has been good and the wind was just right to help this weed decorate itself. It was wrapped around a stop sign and had a boll weevil trap sticking out of it, but by this morning, when I went back to photograph it, it had already blown across the road. A lesson for the photographer to always carry a camera.

Onto the latest Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record issue, November 29, 2007:

• Roby Parade Held Dec. 1st
• Rotan Band Conquering Region One
• Fisher County Foster Children Wish List
• Santa Letters Deadline Dec. 10th
• Rotan Parade to be Dec. 6th
• Roby Toy Drive
• Winter Wonderland of Snow (photos)
• Fisher County Gin Reports
• Obituaries for Don Allen Aldridge, John Ross Hale, Sr, Obie Gene Kelley, Jason Bennett VanLoon, Joe Luis Rivas, Herbert Kennedy, and Jessica & Kelli Uhl
• Fisher County Political Calendar
• True Holiday Spirit
• Fisher County Roundup by Joy Walker
• Texas Retired Teachers Foundation 2007-2008 Scholarship Guidelines
• Randy's Roundup by Congressman Randy Neugebauer
• Report Looks at Well Being of Children in Fisher County
• The Newspaper Office open house Dec. 6th during Rotan Downtown Parade
• Classified Ads
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Fisher County Hospital Board Meeting Minutes
• Fisher County Sheriff's Report
• Narconon Offers Help for Substance Abuse
• Fisher County Art Association holds meeting (photo)
• Roby CISD Honor Roll
• Gateway Family Services Staff Members Attend Conference (photo)
• Public Hearing Roby CISD
• Tumbleweed Smith
• Recipe Corner: Ham & Cheese Pie

That's all for today. I guess I better get started on the Christmas cards. I saw someone already mailing theirs last Tuesday. Danged overachievers! They sure set the bar high. Have a good week!

The Day of the Bird

Apparently, winter is here. I say that because there is white in the air and I believe that signifies a change in the season, although it was in the 80's two days ago.

There's a 22-pound turkey roasting in my oven, right now. I woke up late, so, of course, that will set lunch behind an hour, since I didn't get the bird in on time. I'm just afraid my dad will choke if he's eating during the Cowboys game.

I want to mention a couple of places around Sweetwater that I've heard people talking about. Two new places to eat are Blondie's on the north side of the square and a new restaurant in the establishment formerly known as Rick & Carolyn's on Broadway, I think it's called the Cattleman. The food is supposed to be good and inexpensive at both places.

I also want to mention the Hallmark store in the old J & J slot between Jack's Liquor and the Computer Shack on Hailey. They just recently got in a huge load of merchandise and you're sure to get a good welcome when you go in. It smells good, too, with all the Yankee Candle products. My favorite is the sage & citrus car fresheners.

The Health Food Store next to Brookshire's is another place you need to go into at least once. I shop for one of my clients there regularly and I always want to stay and pore over every item. You can also purchase fresh eggs there.

It's a special treat today, I have the past two weeks of headlines for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record. Let's get started!

November 15, 2007:

• Rotan ISD Honors Veterans (photo)
• Benefit for Gabriel Frausto
• Rotan Christmas Celebration & Parade
• Fisher County Gin Report
• Roby CISD Board Discusses New Athletic Complex, Agrees to Contact CADCO Engineers
• USDA Reminds Farmers to Sign Up for Livestock & Crop Disaster Programs
• Obituary for Mildred (Grubb) Boen
• Fisher County Commissioners Court Approves Resolution to Amend Fisher County Abatement Guidelines
• Fisher County Constitutional Amendment Election Results
• Rotan School Board Meeting Minutes
• Rotan ISD Honor Roll
  
• Fisher county Sheriff's Report
• Derwayne & Barbara Rasco Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary this Sunday (photo)
• Community Meeting in Sweetwater (photo)
• Classifieds 735-2562
• Rotan Yellowhammers Sports Review (photos)
• Roby Lions Sports Review (photos)
• Engagement Announcements for Mindy Ann Gaspar to Kasey Lee Murphy, Tasha Nicole Carrillo to John Michael Soto (photos)
• New Roby CISD Board Member (photo)
  
• Fisher County Schools Weekly Calendar
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Roundup
• Patricia Rebecca Daniel Chosen All USA Candidate
• Randy Neugebauer Newsletter
• Tax Planning by Rick Rodgers, CPA
• Highway Patrol Urges Thanksgiving Drivers to Obey Traffic laws
• Newsbriefs: Men's Breakfast
• The Newspaper Office Open House Dec. 6th During Parade, Hot Chocolate, Cookies & Door Prizes
• Cheryl Kelly Taking Appointments at the Clearfork Health Clinic
• Texas Municipal League Presents Representative Joe Heflin with a TML Distinguished Legislative Service Award
• FCHC Meeting Minutes

November 22, 2007 Issue:

• Commissioners Court Contracts Alan Carmichael to Negotiate with Airtricity
• Meek Blood Drive
• DAR Honors Good Citizens (photos)
• Letter to the Editor from Dale Stowe
• Roby City Manager Mickey Kelly Briefs Roby Council with Problems Concerning Meter Tampering
• Fisher County Political Calendar
• Notice of Public Meeting On Agency Plans
• Obituary for Avanelle Joy (Turnbow) Harmon
• Notice of Public Hearing by the Fisher County Commissioners Court
• Neugebauer Joins West Texas Colleagues to Introduce One Year Extension to 2002 Farm Bill
• New email for the Newspaper Office: radvance@rotanadvance.com
• Roby FFA Contest Results (photos)
• Fisher County Food Show (photo)
• Fisher County Roundup by Joy Walker
• Rotan School Library to Host Book Fair
• Legal Notice Burn Ban
• Classified Ads
• Fisher County Basketball Report (photos)
• How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey by Roby Kindergarten Class 2007 (funny!)
• New in Roby, One Way Student Ministries
• Fisher County FSA Reminds Voters of 2007 County Committee Election
• Fisher County Weekly Calendar
• Rotan City Council Still Waiting on Audit, Fields Reports from Rodney Denton
• Protect Against Diseases when Hunting or Enjoying Outdoor Activities
• Fisher County Foster Children Wish List
• USDA Seeks Public Comment on Emergency Conservation Program
• USDA to Report Market Gains on IRS Form 1099-G

TxDOT is on their way out to start treating roads here in Fisher County. It looks like we're in for a good one and snow is accumulating on bridges, so be careful and have a good holiday!

Williamson Tack & Saddle

Hey, I wanted to pitch for one of my neighbors. Glenn Ray has a saddle shop a couple of miles west of us, up towards Camp Springs. I made a web page to showcase a few of the items for sale up there on the hill. There's a pair of snazzy pink rhinestone spurs with matching headstall and reins that I would like for myself and he always has plenty of saddles. Look at the few items on the site, but for sure stop by and talk to Glenn if you're out this way.

Honoring Veterans

- Haskell Templeton -

I want to mention the veterans in my family whom I am grateful to for their military service.

SSG Fred Schmidt, US Army (retired), 1983 to 2004. He served as a Platoon Sergeant and a M1A1 Tank Mechanic, did two tours in Germany during the Cold War and was also a member of the Canadian Armor Trophy Team (CAT Team). He is a combat vet of Operation Desert Storm and was stationed at White Sands Missile Range for a Homeland Security Mission.

PFC Mickey Templeton, US Army, 10th Artillery, 1961 to 1963. His job was firing a 105 Holister cannon. He spent 18 months at Fort Benning, Georgia after basic training.

Bill Tucker, Fireman 1st Class, US Navy, 1948 to 1950. He was a metalsmith (welder) aboard the USS St. Paul, a heavy cruiser whose homeport was Long Beach, California.

Les Templeton, S2 USNRF, WWI.

Haskell Templeton, US Navy, WWII. He was a water tenant aboard a liberty ship. His photo is above.

I'm not very comfortable writing about military ranks and such, so please forgive me if they are out of order or misspelled. Thanks to all the veterans out there for your service and sacrifice.

I wanted to mention some things I've noticed around Hobbs this week. There's an oil rig platform across from the school on the backside of that cotton field to the north. There isn't a lease sign up, so I don't know who is drilling, but the Railroad Commission of Texas has a searchable drilling permit database that can be perused using many different parameters.

I noticed the Hobbs School put a new tin roof on the old building out front this summer and they've been tweaking it some this week.

Frank Cockrell's tombstone was engraved with the date of his death this past week.

On to headlines for the November 8, 2007 issue of the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record:

• Veterans Day Ceremony at Rotan ISD Nov. 12, 9 a.m.
• Lady Hammers Bi-District Champions (photo)
• Assistant District Attorney Ann Reed Announces for District Attorney, 32^nd Judicial District (photo)
• Letter from City of Sweetwater to Sweetwater Water Users
• Brown Bag Bible Study
• KTAB Teacher Tribute Award (photo)
• Filing for Local Offices Opens Dec. 3
• Obituaries for Elaine Ballard, Janet F. Jones, and Ruby Trim
• Fisher County 4-H Food Show Results
• Lucy Ragan Alls Bags Buck (photo)
• Veterans Day Tributes (photos)
• Veterans Day Ceremony 2007 at Dorothy Garrett Coliseum
• Classified Ads, Deadline Noon on Tuesday, 325-735-2562
• Rotan Yellowhammers Sports Review (photos)
• Roby Lions Sports Review (photos)
• Halloween Costume Photos
• Roby CISD & Rotan High School Weekly Calendar
• Joy Walker’s Fisher County Round-Up
• Fisher County Chamber Elects New Officers, Reviews Results of Hog Fest
• 2007 BBQ Cook-Off Results, Fisher County Hog Fest
• Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record has new email: radvance@rotanadvance.com
• Sheriff’s Report
• Roby Student Essay Published in National Newspaper (photo)
• Rotan Christmas Parade to be Held Dec. 6 @ 6:15 p.m.
• Randy’s Roundup
• YHQ After-School Program Registration
• Recipe Corner: Chicken Parmesan
• Rotan 8^th Grade Officers (photo)
• Monthly Climatological Summary for October 2007
• News Briefs: Lubbock Ballet to Host the Nutcracker Ballet; Ladies Conference

Enjoy your Sunday and be sure to remember a veteran.

The Elusive Hour Returns

One of the reasons fall is my favorite time of year is that I get my hour back. I can start getting to places on time, again. I feel better rested and more productive. I seemed so industrious this morning, making breakfast at 7 a.m., anticipating the returning hunters. Okay, it's probably all in my head, but it makes me a happier person, anyway.

I'm happy to announce that Hobbs School throws are now available for purchase. The throws belong to the Hobbs Exes and proceeds will be used to continue keeping Hobbs Homecoming as inexpensive as possible. You can contact Peggy Vernon or Mac Etheredge for more information. There are images of the old school, the primary building, the agriculture building, the home economics cottage, the Hobbs Gin, and the new school on the blanket, and also a large Hobbs Panthers logo in the center. It is blue and beige with a fringe all the way around. This would make a great keepsake or you could use it to keep the chill off when you're watching TV or reading. Very nice!

I'd like to give a big hello! to Joe Duncan of Norway. He was a teacher from 1965-1982 at Roscoe High School, and also a school bus driver who traversed the terrain of the 18 Ranch as part his route that ran from north of Roscoe to the Claytonville area. He sent me five documents regarding the Grady Cemetery, including a hand-drawn map that identifies those buried within. It's invaluable information and I appreciate it greatly.

Also, here's a shout out to the Roscoe Boys Club. Hey, ya'll!

Now for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record headlines from the November 1, 2007 issue:

• Roby Volunteer Fire Dept. Turkey Shoot today!
• District Attorney Mark Edwards Not Seeking Re-election (very good article) (photo)
  
• Brooke's Cafe Now Open in Rotan (photo)
• Rhenda Ragan Named New Rotan Postmaster (photo)
• Immunization Clinic Set for Nov. 7
• Filing for Local Offices Opens Dec. 3
• Tuesday Nov. 6 Vote for Amendments
• Frank Conard, Sweetwater Attorney, Announces for District Attorney (photo)
• Obituaries for Clinton A. Edwards, Floy Lou (Headstream) Pursley, and Pauline (Elrod) Holleman
• 2007 Maberry Reunion Report
• Default Judgement on $50,780 Issued by 32nd Judicial District Court
• Letter to the Editor in reference to the Rotan ISD Board meeting where the issue of boys shirt-tails was discussed
  
• Fisher County Sheriff's Report
• Nowlin / Terry Engagement Announcement (photo)
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Roundup
• Legal Notice from the Fisher County Hospital District
• Storage Lien Sale at Rotan Motors
• News Briefs: Farm Bureau Member Appreciation Day; Fisher County Hog Fest Cookbooks available
• Recipe Corner: Chicken Frito Pie
• Shower Selections for Lindsey (Howard) May at the Newspaper Office, 735-2562
• Classified Ads
• Rotan Yellowhammers Sports Report (photos)
  
• Roby Lions Sports Report (photos)
• Recruiter of the Year (photo)
• Lucy Ragan Alls Cheerleading Competition Photo
• Roby Gamma Tau members Host Program On Reading Recovery (photo)
• Roby Lighted Christmas Parade to be Dec. 1
• Roby & Rotan Schools Weekly Calendar
• Big Country Pecan Show to be Held Nov. 16
• Mitchell County Livestock Auction now open Saturdays

That's all for today! Enjoy this beautiful day and weather. You know, when it's been dry this long, rain is just around the corner!

Sam Reeves dies at 73

I was saddened to read about the death of Sam Reeves as I was perusing newspapers this morning. He was one of my mom's & step-dad's cohorts when I was a kid. A very memorable and larger-than-life person. Good-bye, Sam.

Another Fall Festival, FCAA Meeting Monday

We attended Roby's Fall Festival and Haunted House last night. There was a large turnout. I was surprised that the biggest hit at the carnival was where you paid one ticket to go to jail (actually, just a cage, pictured to the right). The kids loved it and could hardly wait to get locked up. Hopefully, this is something that won't continue over into adulthood.

Before going through the haunted house, we analyzed how scary it could be. Surely we could not be traumatized or have bad dreams. Boy, were we wrong! Right after the gruesome guide shut the door and said "There's no turning back, now", we screamed until we stumbled out the back door. It was only me and my daughter, just in case you know my husband and son. I don't want you to think they were squealing like girly-girls. But Jess and I gave it all we had. We were thinking about going to the haunted house in Snyder next Wednesday, but we've decided we prefer the nicer side of Halloween, like neat costumes and cake and candy.

I've been working hard (kind of) to chart the Hobbs Cemetery, but I found this informative site called Find a Grave, where you can look up cemetery information. I noticed that it names Grady Cemetery, but doesn't have any of the interred listed. The site has a down-loadable document that you can use to add people to a graveyard, and also there are requests for photos. I like the cumulative information format. You know, everyone pitching in to make the picture whole.

I'm trying to find a good Halloween cake recipe to make a cake for the party that Jess's piano teacher, Ms. B, is throwing next Wednesday night. Some places I've looked is the Hershey's Kitchens, Martha Stewart, and Better Homes & Gardens. I haven't found exactly what I want yet, but I had fun looking at the sites.

Oh, and if you want to have your child take piano or guitar lessons, you can e-mail Ms. B for specifics. I think she also teaches cello and some other instruments, but you would have to ask her. That's in Sweetwater. She is a talented teacher.

I also wanted to let everyone know that the Frank Cockrell Art Association will be holding a meeting October 29, 6 p.m. at Larry Williamson's office, just south of the courthouse in Roby. Ricky Niell will be doing a Terragen demonstration and a Microsoft Picture It! image editing demonstration. You do not have to be a member to attend.

That's all, and more than enough, for one session. Enjoy the last week of October!

Frost and Halloween, Fall is Here, Almost, Soon...

It's right around the corner, anyway! We had light frost on the windshield this morning, and it's a fact that Halloween is next week, so I know that Autumn has to be around here somewhere.

We have many things that probably need to be dealt with around here, but we just leave alone, and one of those things is that we have bats. A few creeped out from under the roof tin the other day to hang around. We also have a couple of black cats (not to mention a bunch of other color of cats) and some pumpkins, so we're set for the holiday.

We ordered a costume from Moon Costumes. I think it's too late, though, and we won't get it until after Halloween.

If you're in the mood to shop for creepy things, go on over to ebay's metaphysical auctions, where you can buy haunted items. There's a lot of other weird stuff on there, too.

I got that tip from the Kovel's newsletter about antiques and collectibles. I don't collect, but they are entertaining and have pictures of interesting and unusual things that you don't usually see, or haven't seen in a long time.



On to the headlines for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record October 25, 2007 issue:

• Amendment Election Nov. 6
• Local Student Accepted Into UTPB Music Program (photo)
• Friends of Faith to meet Nov. 3
  
• Rotan Receives Award (photos)
• Chamber Steak Dinner Photo
• Roby & Rotan Lions Clubs Collecting Used Eye Wear for Sight Night
• Obituaries for Frank Odell Cockrell, Ermando Barrera, and Jerry Boone
• Storage Lien Car for Sale
• Rotan ISD School Board Vote to Uphold Level II Hearing
• State Bid Legal Notices
• County Auditor's Annual Financial Report
• Ag Day Article
• Roby CISD Honor Roll
• Recipe Corner: Low-Fat Sugar Free Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
• Winners of Pie & Cake Contest Announced (photo)
• Classified Ads (735-2562 to place yours)
• Yellowhammers Sports Review (photos)
• Lions Sports Review (photos)
• Fisher County Financial Report
• Fisher County Weekly School Calendar
• Comptroller Seeks Owners of Forgotten Funds
• 4-H'ers Host Fall Festival & Haunted House
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Round-Up
• Fisher County Hospital Board Meeting Minutes
• Sheriff's Report
• Public Notice of Atmos Raising Rates
• Co-op Formed to Offer More Access for Health Insurance
• TX Dept. of Agriculture Market Recap
• Hog Fest Photos
• Neugebauer Announces Mobile Office Hours for Nov.
• Haskell Livestock Auction Report

Keep your eye on the sparrow! Better get that firewood cut, 'cause cold will be here 'fore you know it. TTFN!

Frank Odell Cockrell Dies at 79

Rotan's beloved Frank Cockrell died yesterday at the age of 79. Visitation is going on now at the Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home until 8 p.m. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Hobbs Cemetery.

Some Items of Mention

Here are a few things that have been floating around in my head that I wanted to mention.

There's a good & simple taco place in Sweetwater that's purt' near heavenly. It is La Casita on Lamar Street, close to the Alabama intersection. Oh, man, homemade tortillas and expertly prepared fillings will have you saying "mmmm"!

I found Cactus Creek Web Design on line by accident. They have links to the businesses they design for, check them out.

See if you have Unclaimed Property in Texas. You can search by name, business or town. I found a substantial amount for my dad. Maybe you can make someones day (or your own) by finding them some funds. I'm getting a steak dinner out of the deal.

You can get a free credit report annually. This is a handy link. I recently found that someone was using our PO Box address for inquiries on credit, and I wanted to make sure they weren't using our names or private info, so I just pulled a report. Very useful.

That's all for now, have a good week!