Articles

Before John the Baptist was born, his father Zechariah, who had been filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied of John, “You, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways” (Luke 1:76). In other words, John would be the forerunner of Jesus, both life and in death. Like Jesus, John was born to die a martyr, which St. Mark records for us in Mark 6:14-29.

MCDADE – The Mc-Dade Watermelon Festival held its 75th annual Queens Revue this past week, naming the celebration’s three new representatives for the upcoming year.

BASTROP – Renée Beck has been named Director of Finance for Bastrop Independent School District. Most recently, she served as the purchasing director for the Klein Independent School District. Her new role will involve the supervision of accounting, procurement, auditing, compliance with state and federal requirements, and assisting with the district’s budget.

BASTROP – The Bastrop Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the 2023-24 budget at its June 20 regular meeting. The budget includes a 5% pay raise for teachers, librarians, nurses and paraprofessionals. Administrators and other professional staff will see a 3% increase. The approved compensation package also includes a starting salary for new teachers of $56,000 (up from $53,000). Bus driver pay will increase to $23 per hour, and substitute pay will see a boost to $105 for non-degreed, $115 for degreed, and $125 for certified.

Western Days

The yard of Albert and Sylvia Ramirez at 501 South Ave. has been selected for the Elgin Garden Club Yard of the Month award.

COLLEGE STATION – As hot and dry conditions persist, extremely dry vegetation will continue to support wildfire activity across much of the state, even as surface moisture increases in some areas.

BASTROP – Championship Hearts Foundation is coming to Bastrop High School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15 to offer free heart screenings for all athletes, band members, spirit groups and students ages 14-18. People from the Bastrop County area are also encouraged to volunteer to help with the next heart screenings.

On Monday, June 26, in the Fellowship Hall of St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, the Coupland Civic Organization will experience a rare treat. Hollywood cameraman Cal Roberts, who has retired to Georgetown’s Sun City, will present information about his career to the CCO, and he will display material that he has collected over the years. Attendees will hear about the behind-the-scenes workings of filmmaking.

SMITHVILLE – Smithville’s Fourth of July celebration includes live music, food, fireworks and fun. Riverbend Park festivities begin at noon. Booths will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

BASTROP – Horton Foote’s moving play, Trip to Bountiful, tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman, who longs to escape the cramped Houston apartment where she lives with her protective son, Ludie, and her authoritarian daughter-inlaw, Jessie Mae. The play begins at 7:30 p.m. at 711 Spring St. in Bastrop.

BASTROP – By popular demand, LPAC’s resident instructor Tobin Bortner is offering an Intermediate Level drawing workshop over three days for teens at the Lost Pines Art Center in Bastrop. The workshop is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dig deeper into the techniques and applications to step up your drawing skills. Some basic knowledge in drawing is required. Ages 13 and older are welcome. All supplies are provided for class.