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Melissa FreeManRobertson County News

It’s a celebration of Southern County living and Victorian elegance in a place where you see both on every street—historic Calvert. Calvert’s Fall Fest, October 18-20, fea-tures just about everything a big fall festival should have from barbeque to English tea in china cups, from kids’ games to BIG

HATS, from County and blues music to Renais-sance English chamber music. That’s a lot of va-riety.

The Fall Fest kicks off on Friday afternoon when the grillers pull in with their big pits for Cal-vert’s IBCA-sanctioned BBQ cook-off. Contes-tants—the Calvert Cham-ber of Commerce ex-pects as many as 40 this year—will settle in on

the Chamber grounds on Main Street and prepare to flavor the air by early Saturday morning. What’s more southern than grilled meats cooked outside?

At 9:30 Saturday morning, guests can drift away from the maddening smells to Calvert’s school campus or any of many points in between the campus and the Chamber grounds to watch the pa-rade. Conveyances from

100 years ago to today will start on Hictory Street on Calvert’s east side and parade to Main Street and the Chamber lot, taking either Barton or Burnitt, and sweeping around Vir-ginia Field Park. Expect to see antique and classic cars along with modern fire trucks and all sorts of interesting “characters.” Who knows who will be strolling or riding around the Park Saturday morn-

C A L V E R T

Fabulous Fun at the Calver t Fal l Fest

ing?Back at the Chamber lot,

vendors will offer unique items to buy, and, here’s the best part, parents can shop while the kids play games. Youth groups from area churches and school organi-zations are offering games and prizes for children small and large—those fall festival favor-ites involving fishing for things or shooting/throwing at things. When kids run through the fes-tival games, they can check the Carnival setting up in Calvert for the day.

But it’s not all fun and games, it’s also fun and artistic expres-sion with the Children’s Art con-test held for any youngster with the courage to pick up a brush—no experience required—judg-ing a prizes to follow.

The BBQ will be judged and prizes awarded from 2:00 to 3:00, and Jeff Munson’s Full House Blues Band will play from 2 to 6 pm. Admission is free. These talented local musicians play county, blues, and classic rock; they’ve got a long play list and decades of combined experi-ence.

Top off the day with Satur-day evening’s Harvest Ball in the CocoaModa chocolate fac-tory. Says organizer Jan Walston, “The Harvest Ball will be a cel-ebration of the bountiful harvest of fall with dancing, fabulous Southern cuisine, door prizes, a costume contest, and a fun auc-tion.” Expect Victorian period music and southern fiddling, and, if possible, come dressed in mid-to-late 1800s day or evening attire. For more information on the ball, call Jan at 713-252-9433 or email at capt1836@aol.com

Sunday caps off Calvert’s Fall Fest in Victorian/Edwardian fashion with a hayride through the Historical District at 10 am

and the 13th Annual Afternoon English Garden Tea at 2 pm. The tea, held “on the lawn of the fabulous Calvert Inn, the histor-ic Gibson-Hudson home,” will feature music from Calvert’s favorite chamber ensemble--the Renaissance Gypsies, tea with delicacies, the annual hat con-test, door prizes, and for the first

time in English Garden Tea his-tory, a royal visit. Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, will greet her subjects-for-a-day on the Calvert Inn lawn. If it rains, come any-way. The Calvert Inn has deep porches and a lovely gazebo. For more information, contact Sandy Hudson at 979-492-3302 or by email-- stay@calvertinn.

com.The Calvert Chamber of

Commerce invites guest to en-joy the day and vendors or youth groups with game ideas to visit the Calvert Chamber website at www.calverttx.com or contact Susan Shaw at 512-468-8317 or email at victoriancalvert@gmail.com.

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Melissa FreeManRobertson County News

Every October, Camp Hearne in-vites World War II re-enactors to come to America’s best-researched WWII POW Camp—Camp Hearne-- to re-

created a little bit of WWII history. This year on October 19, visitors can expect a truly mind-expanding event with American G.I.’s and German Pan-zer-Grenadiers on the ground and a US fighter, bomber, and transport in the air. Expect to hear and feel the rumble as

a B25 Mitchell mid-range bomber (the type that bombed Tokyo after Pearl Harbor), a C47 paratrooper plane, and a P51 Mustang fighter plane (the Ca-dillac of the Skies) roar off from the Hearne Airport and fly over the Camp. Rides are available for a fee, and, on at

H E A R N E

Camp Hearne’s “A Day in the L i fe”

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least one plane, available for free for military veterans.

World War II buffs, aviation buffs, and people who just “want to know” will find this event both fun and memorable—it’s hands-on, eyes-on learning of the best kind.

From 10 am to 4 pm, guests can do a lot of things—most of them for free! The gates will open at 9—admission is free. Soon after 10 am, all sorts of demonstrations will begin. Visi-tors can hold their ears while WWII G.I.’s from the Camp Mabry Company G re-enact-ment team demonstrates their weapons and WWII tactics. They will also let you tour their tents.

A few steps away, Brett Brown will “show and tell” and allow some hands-on of his ex-tensive collection of WWII sig-nal corps, communications and other equipment—Camp Lili, and in another nearby spot, Ger-man Panzer-Grenadiers will be demonstrating equipment used by the Axis powers. German re-enactors of Kampfgruppe Stein-er will portray the common Ger-man soldier’s life.

Returning to US territory, visitors can meet with the D-Company, 2nd battalion, 506 th Parachute Infantry Regiment, re-enactors honoring the men who parachuted into France as part of the Normandy invasion and held Bastogne during the Battle of the

Bulge. Remember “Easy” and “Fox” companies from “Band of Brothers” and “Saving Private Ryan”?

While strolling around, visi-tors may be surprised to meet an actual German POW—a man who was living in a Camp Hearne barrack when he wit-nessed the most brutal murder in US World War II POW camp history. Heino Erichsen is com-ing to talk about his time at Camp Hearne and what happened be-fore and after—the fascinating story of a “reluctant warrior.”

One new and unexpected dis-play at Camp Hearne this year is called “WWII Home Front—Ci-vilian Public Service,” the story in pictures of the valuable con-tributions conscientious objec-tors made to the Country while still opposing the War.

But that’s not all! Visitors can tour the barrack and Camp Hearne museum, travel on well-developed trails to camp ruins, or to the end of the Hearne Air-port to watch the Airborne Heri-tage Platoon jump from a WWII C47 transport plane. Two para-chute jumps are scheduled for what is designed to be a most memorable day.

While at the Hearne Air-port, visitors can tour the WWII warbirds on display or book a ride! Proceeds go to continue the preservation work on these planes that did so much to win the War.

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Kent BrunetteRobertson County News

On Saturday, October 19, 2013, some sixty years after the U.S. Air Force’s Hearne Field was formally dedicated as an auxiliary landing strip to the Bryan Air Force Base, Hearne Municipal (KLHB) will be celebrat-ing recent efforts to better serve the general aviation needs of Hearne, Robertson County, the Brazos Val-ley, and central Texas. For an air-field that hasn’t changed much since Cold War fighter pilots shot landings there from 1954 to 1961, the upcom-ing celebration is the culmination of a multi-year effort under which Hearne officials have been working hard to get millions of dollars for airport im-provements from numerous TxDOT Aviation grants, federal monies, and Hearne’s 4A Sales Tax Board.

“TxDOT Aviation is delighted to partner with Hearne as it steadfastly works to improve its airport,” com-mented David Fulton, Director of Tx-DOT Aviation. “I commend Hearne for its understanding and appreciation of the value of its airport and the city’s commitment to supporting its growth and development. Improved airports provide economic benefits to local communities and local areas.”

While this celebration will bring excitement to this venerable field, the Hearne AvGas price will drop to the cheapest in the area in the days sur-rounding the event. Area pilots are encouraged to fill-up their tanks.

A brief ribbon-cutting with pub-

lic officials will be held at high noon on the nineteenth. That’s also when a skydiver jump is scheduled. Promis-ing 10 to 4 fun for the whole family, this special celebration is being held in conjunction with the Hearne WWII POW Camp’s annual living history event which is bringing the “Yellow Rose” vintage WWII B-25J Mitchell Bomber, the “Bluebonnet Belle” vin-tage WWII Skytrain Transport, and other war birds to Hearne. Informa-tion about buying once-in-a-lifetime rides on these planes is available at www.hearnetexas.info or www.camp-hearne.com. While a ride on a WWII plane will cost you a couple of hun-dred bucks, it doesn’t cost anything to look at them since there is no general admission charge. Food and drinks are available free of charge to AvGAS purchasers with receipts and for mod-est donations from other pilots, pas-sengers, and the general public.

Years ago, Hearne commissioned the Texas Engineering Extension Ser-vice (TEEX) on Texas A&M’s Riv-erside campus to analyze and recom-mend areas for improvement at the Hearne Airport. Just like a pilot going through a pre-flight checklist, Hearne officials have been following TEEX’s recommendations and systematically removing impediments to growth at the Hearne Airport.

From 1996 - 2012, this airport re-ceived a total of $1,603,015 in fund-ing for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and $76,886 in Routine Airport Maintenance (RAMP) grant fund-ing. Over this period, Texas contrib-

H E A R N E

“Wi ld B lue Yonder” a i rpor t celebrat ion

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uted $697,458 in state funds; the FAA kicked in $736,834 in federal funds; the City of Hearne contributed $168,723 as its match. Both the city and state have split the cost of RAMP projects at $38,443 apiece.

Local funding did not come from the city’s budget. Local airport im-provement cost shares are allowable sales tax board expenditures. Since Hearne Municipal is the only general aviation airport in the county, Robert-son County also provided some limited assistance.

“Oil, gas, power plant, coal mine, and other companies doing business in the county use the Hearne Airport,” commented Robertson County Judge Jan Roe. “The county would very much like to see this airport reach its fullest possible potential.”

“The Hearne Airport gets pilots and students from central Texas flight schools, air travelers on cross-country trips, those who visit local folks, crop-dusters, and weekend pleasure pilots,” says Hearne Mayor Ruben Gomez.

Completed improvements include: AWOS weather system; French drains with culverts along existing t-hangars; renovated pilots’ lounge; new airport lay-out plan; new wastewater run-off plan; new emergency spill containment plan; new FAA GPS navigational ap-proach; several re-surfacings and re-stripings of runway and taxiways.

An estimated $836,070 in addition-al CIP is slated for Hearne in 2013. The state will likely fund $714,053 with the city matching $122,017. Projects include the new self-service fuel farm (which will continue to offer some of the lowest-priced AvGAS in the area) plus the soon-to-be-constructed game fence.

In 2015, $492,998 in CIP is pro-grammed for Hearne for additional runway, taxiway, apron, crossover, and striping improvements, with the fed-eral government assuming $443,699 and the City of Hearne’s match totaling $49,299.

A private investor has built and is currently leasing four, two-plane han-

gars. Hearne is requesting another grant to build ten t-hangars in future years.

This National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) airport has 4,000 feet of lighted, improved runway and a total length of 7,200 feet with over-runs. Over the years, many a pilot has learned to fly using Hearne’s long run-way. With 80% of the Texas population living within 200 miles of Hearne, this conveniently located airport can easily host air cargo, pharmaceutical manu-facturer, emergency medical provider, fresh or frozen food distributor, and other companies that need on-premise access to air. The Hearne Airport and its adjacent industrial park have hun-dreds of acres ready for utilization for aviation-related purposes.

“From businesses downtown, along our highways, to our airport, Hearne is improving to serve local and regional needs,” added Mayor Gomez. “The city encourages aviation-related businesses to consider opening at the improved Hearne Airport. While many small towns have general aviation air-ports, Hearne offers an impressive for-mer U.S. Air Force facility to potential businesses.”

Highways leading to the airport have been improved. A new traffic sig-nal now operates at US79, TX6, and FM485. TxDOT recently resurfaced FM485 and installed a dedicated turn lane into the airport. Another new turn lane will soon be installed nearby at US79 and FM1644 (Valley Junction). In coming years, the FM485 Little Bra-zos bridge will be replaced.

Hearne is hoping that modern-day pilots, their passengers, and the general public will help the town celebrate its unique WWII and Cold War heritage on Saturday, October 19. Ground trav-elers can reach Hearne Municipal Air-port and the Hearne WWII POW Camp by going west from the Love’s Travel Center at the US79, TX6, and FM485 interchange north of town. Hearne Air Field and the Hearne POW Camp are a couple of miles down FM485 towards Cameron and the Little Brazos River.

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Melissa FreeManRobertson County News

Put on your sunbonnet, hitch up your wagon (or gas up the vehicle), put a few dollars in your wallet, and pack up the kids! It’s Wheelock’s Pioneer Days—a trip back to days gone by in Robertson County’s oldest city, Wheelock. One day each year, the Community Cen-ter grounds become the Robertson playground—loads of fun for ev-eryone.

If you can’t find something en-tertaining at Pioneer Days, check

your pulse. Activities begin at 9:00 am at Wheelock’s Bloodworth Com-munity Center with an open Car Show (anyone who has a car worth showing off is invited to be a part) and end at 5:00 pm.

Bringing the kiddos? No prob-lem. The Kids Zone is open with bounce houses, a train ride, face painting, games, and all kinds of fun stuff.

Both kids and adults will prob-ably catch their breath in the Frank-lin Safari section. Expect to see all kinds of exotic animals from Africa, South America and Asia and—who

W H E E L O C K

Wheel over to Wheelock for some Old West fun

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knows? You may even get to ride a camel.

If you suddenly hear an-gry threats and hostile shouts, don’t worry. It just means an old west gun fight is about to begin. It is Pioneer Days, after all. Three or four times during the day, expect some gunfight-ers to square off and duel it out.

If shopping is your thing, you will have lots of opportu-nities to find neat and unique items at the County Store or from one of several vendors—organizer Wayne Verret is ex-pecting about 40—offering items you won’t find at Wal-Mart.

Want to see your favorite county official get a pie in the face? Come to the CPS Board booth and put some money in the jar of the official you want to see covered with whipped cream. At 11 am, the money

will be counted and the lucky guy or gal will catch it in the kisser.

One perennial favorite, the Aggie Wranglers dance team will go on stage at 11:15. If you have never seen these dancers perform, you are in for a treat. “So you think you can dance?” Yes, they can, in flaw-less and athletic Western style.

At 1 pm, the live auction begins, and at 3 pm, the draw-ing for 4 BIG prizes – 46 “ flat screen TV, Ipad, and two $300 gift certificates—happens. You don’t have to be present to win.

And let’s not forget the food. Wayne says the only word for it is “fabulous.” Games, smok-ing guns, exotic animals, great cars and shopping, dancing, and fabulous food—a BIG day of fun from 9 am to 5 pm and a good day to be a pioneer.

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suezan HosKinsRobertson County News

The Franklin Unit-ed Methodist will be having their annual pumpkin patch open on October 12 at 6:00 p.m. There will be hayrides and live mu-sic.

They will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Every Saturday in October there will be live mu-

sic and hayrides.PreSchools, Day-

cares, and Elementary Schools are welcome to come for a field trip. There will be a story, pumpkin crafts, and snacks for $1.00 a child.

Pumpkins will be sold until november 5.

If there are any questions feel free to contact the church office at (979) 828-3355.

F R A N K L I N

Frank l in Uni ted Methodis t Pumpkin Patch

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October5 • The Wheelock Pioneer Days will be at the facilities across from the Wheelock Volunteer Fire Depart-ment.• BBQ chicken plates and yard sale church fundraiser at Pentecostal Christian Church. The yard sale will last from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and food will be served from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. 6 • St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hearne would like to invite you to attend their Fall Festival.

9 • Food Pantry opens from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Rev. Craw-ford’s Progressive Baptist church in Hearne for regular food.

10 • River of Life will host a free din-ner at 5 p.m. the church is located at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.

12 • The Compassionate Friends of Robertson County walk to remem-ber and balloon release will have registration at 9:00 a.m. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. A $10 fee in-cludes t-shirt and bib. It will begin in the Franklin High School parking lot. For more information contact Elaine (979) 229-7587.• The Hearne High School 70’s Re-union will be at St. Mary’s Parrish hall at 4:00 p.m. There will be time for social, food, and dancing.• Boys and Girls Club of Robertson County will hold a Golf Tournament

17 • River of Life will host a free din-ner at 5 p.m. the church is located at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.

19 • Robertson County Relay for Life 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at the Franklin Ranch Community Park.• Living history event at the Hearne Airport and Camp Hearne Historic Site from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.• Calvert Trade Days from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce lot behind Mud Creek Pottery. More info at www.calverttx.com/tradedays.html.• “Turning Texas Blue” Democrat Banquet and silent auction will be-gin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m.

20 • St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bremond would like to invite you to attend their Fall Festival.

26 • River of Life will host a free din-ner at 5 p.m. the church is located at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.• There will be a bake sale at the Franklin Supermarket from 8:30 a.m. until everything is sold.

November7 • River of Life will host a free din-ner at 5 p.m. the church is located at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Tex-as.• Food Pantry opens at 10:30a.m. at Garrett Grove Baptist Church

8 • Robertson County Sheriff’s of-

fice would like to invite you out to their car seat fitting. Call Angie Bates at 979-828-3299 to sched-ule your appointment. For more in-formation call Passenger safety at 979-862-4658.

9 • The Franklin Chamber of Com-merce will host the Mistletoe Mar-ket from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Pridgeon Center on 351 Cooks Lane in Franklin.

13 • Food Pantry opens from 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. at Rev. Craw-ford’s Progressive Baptist church in Hearne for regular food.

14 • River of Life will host a free dinner at 5 p.m. the church is locat-ed at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.

16 • Calvert Trade Days from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce lot behind Mud Creek Pottery. More info at www.calverttx.com/tradedays.html.

21 • • River of Life will host a free dinner at 5 p.m. the church is locat-ed at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.• Food Pantry opens at 10:30a.m. at Garrett Grove Baptist Church

28 • River of Life will host a free dinner at 5 p.m. the church is locat-ed at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.

December5 • River of Life will host a free dinner at 5 p.m. the church is located at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.

11 • Food Pantry opens from 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. at Rev. Crawford’s Progressive Baptist church in Hearne for regular food.

12 • River of Life will host a free dinner at 5 p.m. the church is located at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.• Food Pantry opens at 10:30a.m. at Garrett Grove Baptist Church

13 • Food Pantry opens at 10:30a.m. at Rev. Carter’s Pro-gressive Baptist church in Calvert.• Robertson County Sheriff’s of-fice would like to invite you out to their car seat fitting. Call Angie Bates at 979-828-3299 to sched-ule your appointment. For more information call Passenger safety at 979-862-4658.

19 • River of Life will host a free dinner at 5 p.m. the church is located at 601 E. 2nd street in Hearne Texas.

21 • Calvert Trade Days from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Cham-ber of Commerce lot behind Mud Creek Pottery. More info at www.calverttx.com/tradedays.html.

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