News

TAYLOR – A 70s era made-for-tv vampire production not only led Thomas Edwards to a decades- long career in journalism, but also to the fulfillment of his life-long mission to see his own horror novel published.

My mama always told me, “Elgin is a small town, there’s nothing you can do that I can’t find out about.” She proved her point when I was in junior high.

The country music singer Tim McGraw had a chart-topping song in 2004 called, “Live like You Were Dying”. The song is about a man who receives a diagnosis of a life-ending illness and his response to it. In the song, the man’s life-threatening illness leads to profound moral changes in him. Some elements of the man’s change are undoubtedly good and worthy of imitation: he begins speaking more kindly to others; loving more generously; being a better husband; reading the Bible; forgiving where previously he had withheld forgiveness. Other elements are rather trivial and even risky, perhaps even tempting God: skydiving, mountain climbing, bull riding. This has the air of “well I’m going to die soon anyway, so I might as well live dangerously.” In contrast with the better elements, this leaves the listener with a rather worldy message of carpe diem, “YOLO,” do what makes you happy.

SEPT. 4

BASTROP – The first Friday of every month continues to breathe life into historic downtown Bastrop with the city’s “art walk,” an exhibition of local talent and a platform for communal organizations.

SMITHVILLE – The mostly outdoor Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park is known for its high-quality haunted house/trails entertainment in the middle of the woods outside of Smithville. Check out its four themed haunted trails (with structures) and scream your night away at Scream Hollow, 149 Split Rail Lane. The venue is open from 7 to 11:59 p.m. For more information, call 512-7108267.

Property tax rate cut, revenue increases

Now a locally sourced, fresh option for low-income families

TAYLOR – A veteran advertising leader has joined Granite Media Partners Inc. as the new vice president of sales and marketing.

The Court Appointed Special Advocates organization of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee County has added four new members to its team, continuing to expand just three months after its last selection of local CASA volunteers.

Basketball, bingo and BBQ

(Continued from Sept. 6 edition of the Elgin Courier)