April 2021

What are you especially looking forward to in your senior year? Since our senior year is coming to a close, I am looking forward to graduation and beginning the next stage of my life. What activities are you involved in during your senior year? I am not involved in any activities my senior year.

Fifty-five years ago on April 2, 1966, an American Airlines charter touched down at the Presidio County Airport. The pilot had been warned to watch for wildlife or livestock, and as he landed, antelope hurried from the scene. On board was the First Lady of the United States, Lady Bird Johnson, and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall on their way to Big Bend.

The Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University and the Big Bend Conservation Alliance have teamed up to spread the word about Lights Out Texas, a state-wide initiative that asks Texans to turn out or dim nonessential lights to support spring birds during their migration, when hundreds of millions of birds will be passing through the state.

I recently thawed out the final package of Fort Davis peaches from last year. I started out with five pounds of cleaned, cut, and vacuum-sealed fruit that stayed tasty and frozen throughout fall, winter and into spring. And now, they’re all gone.

Dear Neil: We found this damage to the trunk of our cedar elm tree after the great freeze. Can you tell us what happened? That’s very striking to say the least.

April 6, 1961 Fourteen of the 15 men who comprise the Brewster County rescue squad are pictured in their new uniforms. Standing are Capt.

Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 5096 members pause from their fish grilling duties outside the church patio on March 26 in Alpine. The Knights of Columbus held its annual fish fry fundraiser to benefit good works for the Knights of Columbus, along with the church’s needs. In the photo, back row, J.D. Lammons, George Cauble, Eli Rivas, Randy Angel, Bill Broyles, Tiburcio Garcia, Mark Padilla, Carlos Rodriguez, Jesse Villa, and Danny Flores; and in the front, Dan Bolner and Our Lady of Peace confirmation students Auden Ramirez and Jaylynn Celaya. The fish fry was a huge success, as the Knights served 487 meals, a record from previous years.

The Alpine Food Pantry will distribute food to north Brewster County residents on Saturday, April 3, from 9 a.m.-noon at 108 S. Neville Haynes in Alpine.

Alpine Humane Society Pet of the Week is Morris, a very calm sweet guy, about two years old. He was surrendered because his owner was advised to take him to a specialist for medical reasons, and they could not afford to do that. We went ahead and got his teeth cleaned, and he seems healthy cat right now, but he may need to have periodic steroid injections throughout his life. Time will tell.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Big Bend Soil and Water Conservation District of Brewster county seek public opinions on how to better serve local citizens through the agricultural bill’s conservation and technical assistance programs. To reduce the spread of COVID, USDA NRCS and Districts have organized their annual meeting for Monday, April 5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. following state guidelines. Interested parties are encouraged to drive through the parking lot at 1805 Highway 118 north in Alpine, and complete a survey for the conservation needs on private land in Brewster County.