The Eagle Lake Headlight — News for Southern Colorado County, Texas

First Sping Fling held Thursday, April 3,2003, Page 7

The Colorado County Arena Asso- ciation (CCAA) sponsored its first an- nual Spring Fling Playday Saturday, March 19, at the Colorado County Ag Complex.

Despite the very windy, cold wea- ther, approximately 60 participants in four different age groups competed during the day for prizes in five events.

Winners were: 8 and under

1, Korby Halla, belt buckle 2, McKenzie Parks, breast collar 3, Shelby Boch, headstall 4, Tanner Heard, saddle pad 5, Haley Benton, hay bag 6, Calder Lightfoot, rope halter

9-13 1, Sarah Heard, belt buckle

2, Tamara Stockton, breast collar 3, Tiffany Mitchell, headstall 4, Kayla James, saddle pad 5, Trey Benton, hay bag 6, Tori Maertz, rope halter

14-19 1, Amanda Jasek, belt buckle 2, Kristina Potter, breast collar 3, Jamie Billeck, headstall 4, Whitney Vincent, saddle pad 5, Stacey Jobe, hay bag 6, Chrissy Simpson, rope halter

20+ 1, Jerica Smidovec, belt buckle 2, Tracey Heard, breast collar 3, Melody Lighfoot, headstall 4, Jackie Billeck, saddle pad 5, James Koehl, hay bag 6, Travis Maertz, rope halter

This picture was taken while the awards/prizes were being awarded after the first Spring Fling in Columbus. Photo Courtesy of CCAA

County beef, pasture field day is April 11

Benard Mitchell, Colorado County Extension Agent - AGRI/NR The Colorado County Beef and

Pasture Field Day and Tour will be held Friday, April 11, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Larry Poenitzsch Farm.

To get to the farm, take County Road 101 off Hwy 71 (Country Camp Road) to County Road 104 and follow it to the dead end. We will have signs posted in each of the curves leading to the Field Day Site.

We will have three Texas Coopera- tive Extension Specialists conducting the Field Day and Tour.

Dr. David Bade, Professor and Ex- tension Forage Specialist, will cover topics on improved pastures production and management using some of the newer Bermuda grasses such as Jiggs and Tifton 85.

Dr. Joe Paschal, Professor and Ex- tension Livestock Specialist, will cover topics on beef production and manage- ment to increase profits, bull selection, heifer selection and insect pest man- agement.

Dr. Larry White, Professor and Ex- tension Range Specialist, will cover brush control using the "Brushbuster" method and the control of McCartney Rose Huisache and Mesquite.

The ranch has some excellent plant- ing of Bermuda grasses and is repre- sentative of the typical cow/calf opera- tion in Colorado County and surround- ing area.

Three continuing education units will be offered for licensed private pes- ticide applicators.

The time of the program should give beef producers who work the op- portunity to attend a quality program without losing work time.

So that we can prepare adequate hand-out materials for you, please call the County Extension Office at 979- 732-2082 if you know you're going to attend. For further information, feel free to call the Office.

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Cooperative Extension serve people of all ages regardless of socio-economic levels, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

We will seek to provide reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities for this meeting. We request you contact the Colorado County Ex- tension Office as soon as possible to advise us of the auxiliary aid or ser- vice you require.

Local farmers may be due a refund

Colorado County Farm Bureau President Charles Harbich said some local farmers may be due a refund on previous tax returns due to a recent change in the tax code.

The farm income averaging method was changed in 2000 to allow farmers to enter less than zero as their taxable income.

"Nearly 4,400 farmers will receive a letter from the IRS explaining the new rules and how farmers can take advantage of the changes," Harbich

said. "Because the new rules are retro- active, farmers are being encouraged to file amended returns if they wish to receive a refund."

The deadline for filing amended tax returns is three years from the date of the original return being filed or two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later.

Farmers can call the IRS toll free at 1-866-223-8210 with questions about the letter or farm income aver- aging.

Rice FFA update

Rice FFA Ag.Mech. Rice FFA Photos

The Rice FFA and Jr. FFA have been very busy the last two months par- ticipating in the major stock shows. Show date is just the climax of many prior hours of hard work, studying and perfecting their talents.

This all became worthwhile to the students when it came time for awards to be handed out! We would like to thank our ag teachers, Kenneth Benson, Christie Michalcik and Monte Williams, for all their support and guid- ance. Also, thanks to our parents for their support as well.

Now that the 2003 projects have been shown and sold, students are al- ready scouting out projects for 2004!

The next FFA meeting will be held Monday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. New FFA officers for 2003-04 will be announced.

Major show exhibitors for 2003 were:

Jr. Commercial Steer, San Anto- nio (SA): Jess Little, 14th place; Jacob Engstrom, 4th place, Jr. Rookie, Best Record Book; Andrew Varley, 8th; Tif- fany Varley, Chad Mahalitc, 9th; Dustin Krenek, Dane Krenek, 5th; Kaylyn Boenisch, Jamie Till, Camille Staff, 3rd.

Pasture to Packer Contest: Boe- nisch, 18; Engstrom, 21st.

San Antonio Commercial Steers: Little, Grand Champion Carcass; C. Staff, reserve; T. Varley, 4th; Dane Krenek, 11th; and J. Till, 15th.

By Chad Mahalitc, FFA Reporter Halter Steers: Mahalitc, 6th; Kari

Beth Mahalitc, Jake Staff, Laura Engstrom, 12th.

Jr. Commercial Steers, Houston (HLS&R): A. Varley, finalist, 5th, 4th place meat judging; T. Varley; Camille Staff, Best Record Book; Little, 6th, 3rd place meat judging; Dustin Krenek.

Halter Steers Houston: Little, Dane Krenek, Chad Mahalitc, Jake Staff, Jordan Mahalitc, 6th; Kari Beth Mahalitc, 12th.

Market Broilers, San Antonio: Mandy Staff.

Lambs: B.J. Jurica, SA & HLS&R; Noel Jurica, HLS&R; Michael and Timothy Morales, HLS&R.

Goats: Kory Janow, SA. Hogs: Alyson Lanier, SA& HL&R;

James Ochoa, SA; Lauren Spanihel, SA & HLS&R; Carlos Gonzales, SA; Clifton Kazmir, SA; Kris Abdi, SA.

Poultry: Mandy Staff, SA. Ag Mech: Exhibitors participated

in both SA and HLS&R. Abdi, Garrett Flores and James Jurica built a 20 ft. lowboy gooseneck trailer, placed 4th in their division in SA and received a blue ribbon at the HLS&R.

Jeffrey Leopold and Matt Hentzel built a rear bumper; received a red rib- bon at S A and a blue ribbon at HLS&R.

Robert "Bubba" Woolard built a box blade and received a blue ribbon at SA and 4th in his division at the HLS&R.

Jr. Commercial Steer, Houston.

Remembering Our Soldiers

By Raider The Raider Review staff has started

an "Adopt A Soldier" program at Rice High School. The staff is collecting addresses and information on all Rice graduates who are currently in the mili- tary.

Each class and organization has been asked to adopt a soldier or sailor, whether they are stationed at home or abroad. The elementary schools have also been asked to participate. So far, the response has been great.

The purpose of the program is to promote awareness of the contributions that are being made to our country and the world by former Rice students who are servicemen and servicewomen. The clubs and organizations that adopt a soldier will send letters, cards or pack- ages to their adopted person to show their appreciation for them.

As information is collected on our men and women in the military, we will share it with the public through articles in the Eagle Lake Headlight.

Staff members have been busy con- tacting parents in the past few days. However, anyone with a family mem- ber from Rice High School in the mili- tary who has not been contacted is asked to submit information by call- ing or e-mailing Melody Grigar at 234- 3608 or mgrigar@ricecisd.org.

Here's news of a few graduates who are currently serving our country:

Ralph Gertson HI, Class of 1999. Ralph is in the Navy and serving aboard the USS Nassau. He is currently off the shore of Iraq, although he can- not reveal where. Ralph left last Sept. and has set foot on shore only three days since then. He has been at sea con- tinuously since the first of Nov. Origi- nally scheduled to return home in mid- March, his return has now been post- poned indefinitely. Ralph is the son of Ralph and Connie Gertson of Eagle Lake. He has been adopted by the Na- tional Honor Society.

Matt Gertson, Class of 1999. Matt was among the members of the 4th In- fantry at Ft. Hood that shipped out for Iraq last weekend. He is a front line medic and EMT and was due to be sta- tioned in Northern Iraq. Matt left be- hind his wife, who is expecting their first child. His parents are Gayle and

Review Staff Susan Gertson of Eagle Lake. Mrs. Dopslauf's 8th grade language arts stu- dents at Garwood Elementary School have adopted Matt.

Xavier Smith, Class of 1999. Xavier is a Corporal in the Marines and is currently stationed in Iraq. He is the son of Sandra Cotton of Eagle Lake. The Family Career and Community Leaders of America has adopted Xavier.

Next week, more profiles on sol- diers and sailors from RHS will appear in the Headlight.

Until then, the Raider Review staff asks that readers keep these soldiers and their families in their thoughts. Jr. Commercial Steer, San Antonio.

The Older Texan Fair will be held May 1 at the Columbus KC Hall.

Each year, an outstanding Older Texan man and woman are selected and recognized for their volunteer service and contributions to the community. Recipients must be 60 years of age or older.

Civic and church organizations throughout the county are encouraged to nominate an Older Texan for this award.

Nominations are due in the Colo- rado County Extension Office no later than Thursday, April 10.

Older Texans in Colorado County will also have the opportunity to ex- hibit afghans, tablecloths and bed- spreads, baked goods, canned goods, crafts, floriculture, fresh garden prod- ucts, hand stitchery, paintings/draw- ings, photography and quilts. Individu- als entering must be over the age of 60

and may enter as many items as they wish.

Blue and red ribbons will be awarded to all items being judged. Rosettes will be awarded to the top items in each category.

Any organization, or individual age 60 and over, may set up booths to sell items at no cost for the booth. Individu- als under age 60 or businesses may re- serve booths for a $10 fee and a door prize donation. The deadline for re- serving a booth is April 23.

The Older Texan Fair will open at 9 a.m. for setting up exhibits and booths.

The judging of exhibits will begin at 10. The program will begin at 11 a.m. with the announcement of the winners followed by the Older Texan recogni- tion and awards.

Mary Southwick of the Better Busi- ness Bureau Education Foundation will

be this year's guest speaker. Following the awards a meal, con-

sisting of roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, green salad and homemade bread will be served. Meal tickets are $7 and must be purchased no later than April 23. They are avail- able at the Colorado County Extension office. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Older Texan nomination forms and guidelines for the exhibits and booths may be picked up at the County Ex- tension Office, 316 Spring St., Colum- bus. For more information, contact Sharon Grahmann at 979-732-2530.

We will seek to provide reasonable accommodations for all persbns with disabilities for this event. We request you contact Colorado County Exten- sion Office as soon as possible to ad- vise us of the auxiliary aid or service that you will require.

Tours offered to celebrate APC Festival

1935 Football team This picture and the names of the 1935 football team were provided by Paul Powers of Eagle Lake. In back, from left, are Coach Frank Cheatham, Murry Wilkerson, Hugh Sheridan, Leonard Braden, John

Westmoreland, Earl Braden, Paul Powers, Herbi Boggas, William Glaiser and Coach W.B. Hinton. In the center are Paul Balas, Ray Estlinbaum, J.C. Smith, James Lynn (?), Tiny Estlinbaum, Arthur Hodde,

Leon Woods, William Bates, Raymond Waddell and ? Hodde. In front, Herman Bergen Allen Glueck, John Beard, James Ray Thomas, Fred Frnka and Douglas Obenhaus. Our thanks to Paul for sending in this information. If anyone can fill in the blanks, we would appreciate it.

Personnel at the Attwater Prairie Chicken (APC) National Wildlife Ref- uge and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) volunteers will be conduct- ing special guided tours of the refuge during the 9th annual APC Festival, April 12 and 13.

The celebration was conceived in 1995 through cooperative efforts of the Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce, Houston Audubon Society, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and USFWS in an effort to enhance the awareness of this critically endangered bird.

The entrance to the refuge is on FM 3013, about 6.5 miles northeast of Eagle Lake and 10 miles southwest of Sealy.

The first van tour leaves promptly at 7 a.m. Additional tours begin at 8,9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. on both Saturday (April 12) and Sunday (April 13). Early morning tour participants have a fair chance of viewing Att- water's prairie chickens on their "booming" grounds, but there uic uo guarantees.

These tours will take visitors into an area normally closed to the public and will touch on such topics as: ref- uge management techniques, prairie chicken recovery efforts, and coastal prairie ecosystem issues. Radio telem-

etry techniques used for tracking the Attwater's prairie chickens will also be demonstrated during these excursions.

Tours are expected to last about an hour and forty-five minutes and will begin at the Refuge Visitor's Center.

The Refuge is hosting additional events as well. Bird watchers, either experienced or beginners, can enjoy a two-hour walking tour from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Immediately following the walk, hop on a van and tour the Re- fuge's Teal Marsh and Pintail Marsh from 10:30 to noon. These guided tours will be led by experienced birders Doris Laughlin on Saturday and Mari- lyn Crane on Sunday.

A special dragonfly walk, a new addition to the festival series, will be

led by Katy Prairie Conservancy Board member Bob Honing Saturday at noon.

For the native plant and wildflower enthusiasts, a special afternoon walk- ing tour from 2 to 3:30 p.m. will bring visitors "up close and personal" with many of the native prairie grasses and flowering plants. The Native Plant Society's Kathy Burris will lead this walk on Saturday and Sunday, giving those involved a greater appreciation of the coastal prairie ecosystem.

This year, exciting talks and dem- onstrations will be conducted both Sat- urday and Sunday.

Such notables as Mark Klym with the TPWD will conduct a talk on hum- mingbirds; Bruce Williams of Fossil

(See Festival, Page 8)

CPL raises rates Last month, significant increases in the price of natural gas led CPL Retail

Energy L.P. and WTU Retail Energy L.P. to file requests with the Public Utility Commission of Texcas (PUCT) to raise electricity prices in South and West Texas, respectively.

Recently, the PUCT approved the rate increases for CPL Retail Energy L.P. and WTU Retail Energy L.P. residential and small business customers.

The change will become effective immediately and will increase residential customers' bills by approximately $14-17 for usage of 1,000 kilowatt hours per month.

The increase follows other utilities' rate increases due to the dramatic surge in natural gas prices... more than 40% since May 1, 2002.

April 10 is nomination deadline for Outstanding Older Texan

By Sally Garrett, Colorado County Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences