Public sales for June 2024

The Nolan County Clerk has a substitute trustee sale scheduled for 908 Brookside, Sweetwater, June 4 at the Nolan County courthouse, 1 p.m.

Jones County has one foreclosure listed for 13234 CR 348, Anson, June 4, 1 p.m., at the Jones County courthouse.

Perdue Brandon has a long list of Mitchell County lots in Loraine and Colorado City up for auction on June 4 at 10 a.m. at the Mitchell County courthouse.

Scurry County has two foreclosures up for auction on June 4, being 2205 Tobosa and 2906 Ave Y, both located in Snyder, at 1 p.m., Scurry County courthouse. The Tobosa document has old dates on it, you might call on that one to check the information.

The Abilene Annual Book Sale will be held June 20-23 at the Abilene Convention Center (what we used to call the Civic Center). The sale is open to the public at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m on Sunday.

Coming up: quail and mud

Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch 100th Quail Appreciation Day will be held May 17, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. $30 fee, limit of 75 people for the event. Lunch is included. It will take place at the headquarters in Fisher County, about 15 miles west of Roby.

Fisher County Red Dirt Mud Bog LLC is kicking off the season this Saturday, May 18, 11:00 a.m. $10 to get in and $35 to enter a vehicle. There are usually concessions on site. The event will be held at the Rotan rodeo grounds, on the western outskirt of town.

A little twist

- Bluebonnet pods -

Did you know that bluebonnet seeds pop open? I only learned that this week, drying pods I had gathered from Hobbs Cemetery, where they are abundant after the flowers bloom.

I had them sitting in a bowl in a sunny window, where I kept hearing a tick now and then. I thought it was the sound of a dirt dobber nest falling or a cricket jumping, but then I realized it had to be the seeds. Fascinating!

As the pod dries, it twists to force the seed out.

I put another bowl on top to keep the seeds from ending up all over the floor. This seemed to make them pop more because of the enclosed heat.

I think I'll try stopping on a roadside that is full of pods and see if I can hear them popping. That'll be a new experience that has been not so quietly happening nearly in my own back yard all my life. I wonder what other things I haven't noticed? I have a feeling there's a lot to learn.

An update on my internet trial

- travlfi internet device -

This little travlfi Journey1 device is a game changer for rural internet.

On one side, it is a little expensive to purchase, start and maintain, but on the other, I am getting endless and consistent service.

I feel so modern, being able to stream without counting gigabytes! 

I sent one to a friend in rural Alabama to try out and she is having a good experience. She uses it for gaming as well as streaming videos and podcasts. She reports that it sometimes lags a little, but for the most part, she is very happy with its performance.

I'm holding on to my AT&T Netgear because I'm still getting the 100 gb for $55 deal. I also wanted to make sure this new hotspot worked before letting go of the old one. I toggle back and forth between using them.

Here's a breakdown of information for the new service:

• Travlfi is the name of the company, Journey1 is the name of the device
• Device cost is between $150-200
• Monthly cost is $129, first payment will include a $25 activation fee
• Not connected with any one carrier
• Easy to activate
  

There are seven different plans with different prices, ranging from $19-129. I chose the unlimited plan.

I recommend this device.

A change in the landscape

- Sweetwater High demolition -

It was a bit of a shock to drive by the Sweetwater High School this week and see that half of it was gone. 

It was also funny to see buildings that had not seen full sunshine in their lifetime brought to the forefront.

The old band hall and cafeteria courtyard had been eclipsed by the tennis courts, ag building and gym for decades. 

The gym was the last of the original Newman High School structure, I believe.

I remember occupying those spaces for four years, during my time of education on that campus.

I could be wistful, but after I felt shock, I remembered that I didn't like school very much.

It's time to welcome the new generation.

Small town economy growth

- Hardware store site -

It looks like it's really going to happen. 

A "Coming Soon" sign has been placed on the combined lots of the former  Family Dollar Store and White's Hardware.

In a small town like Rotan, this is very exciting. It's been a very long time since the community has gotten to break in a brand spanking new store.

Most businesses make do with old buildings, like both the demolished stores were.

This could be the start of a new trend. Next the town needs a department store. A place to buy water hoses, socks, underwear, pens, paper, curtain rods, bathroom rugs and what have you would be mightily appreciated.

Lots cleared and staked

- Former White's lot -

Two prominently damaged buildings in downtown Rotan have been demolished.

The Family Dollar Store and White's Hardware were both ruined in a severe storm last June.

The photo is a view looking west across the lot from Cleveland Ave/SH 70. The Lance Theater sign can be seen peeking over the tree tops on the left side of the picture and the bank and Landes Furniture can be seen on the right. The white wall straight ahead is the east side of the library (click on photo to zoom).

The local newspaper, The Double Mountain Chronicle, reported that plans are being made to build an Ace Hardware Store on the site.

Public sales for May 2024

GovDeals has 120 salvage road signs up for auction, bidding ends May 6, 11:59 p.m. The signs are located in Midland.

Perdue Brandon tax sales for Nolan and Mitchell Counties, as well as other Texas counties, will be May 7, 10 a.m. at the respective court houses.

Jones County has three foreclosure properties up for bid May 7, at varying times.

Coke County is selling a police responder vehicle, bidding ends May 10.

Rotan hospital changes hands

- Callan Hospital, built 1938 -

The Rotan City Council accepted a bid for the historic Callan Hospital.

The council voted to put the building up for auction during their March meeting.

The only bidder was David Mullins, who offered $760. Council members agreed to include minerals in that price.

Bidding ended Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Public sales for April 2024

Many properties will be available to bid on at the Perdue Brandon Nolan County Sheriff sale April 2, at the Nolan County courthouse, 2:00 p.m.

Also at that court house on April 2 are two trustee sales, one property is in Sweetwater: Reyes/Gwinn at 10 a.m., and one is in Roscoe: Borders at 2 p.m. 

The Whitley May Farm Sale in Loraine will be on April 6.

Bidding on the Callan Hospital in Rotan ends April 10 at 5 p.m. Contact city hall for more information.

The Rotan Farm Sale is on April 20, 9:30 a.m.