July 2021

Alpine Humane Society Pet of the Week is Busy Bee. It’s hard to believe that this gorgeous girl is 16 years old. Please don’t let her age put you off. Busy Bee’s owner took sick, and surrendered her hoping that her cat would find a comfortable home to live out the rest of her life. She has extraordinary markings, and would love to grace your home with her presence. Let’s get this girl out of the shelter!

Jeff Davis County Judge Curtis Evans shows his unicycle skills in the Fort Davis Coolest Fourth parade on July 3. Daniel Garcia, 6, and Thea Garcia, 4, of Hereford have an exciting time cruising at the Marathon Fourth of July Dog and Pony Parade held on July 3.

New Alpine business Gumslinger’s Old Fashioned Candy & Soda Pop Shop celebrates its grand opening on July 2 with a ribbon cutting. Alpine Ambassadors joined in to welcome the new business to downtown Alpine on Fifth Street. In the photo, Sara Bow, Mark Young, Sheila Johnson, Gumslinger’s owners Ron and Janelle Howe, Cynthia Salas, Clara Mendias, and Debbie Jordan. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

Did you know Ruth Abel? Ruth Abel was born Ruth Knupfer in the town of Plauen in Germany on a beautiful June day in 1933. War had not yet found the country. She was her father’s favorite of the four children, trailing after him through errands in town, and through gardens on the weekend. Her life was joyful. She wanted to be a journalist. She loved school, and she was good at it.

Rogelio Luna Valenzuela, Sr., of Alpine, Texas, passed away on June 28, 2021. Rosary will be held on Friday, July 9, 2021, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine, followed by mass. Burial will follow at the Holy Angels Cemetery.

At its regular meeting on June 29, Alpine ISD Board of Trustees held a public hearing to discuss the proposed 2021-2022 budget and tax rate. New CFO Clay Braden presided over his first official board meeting, and presented the district’s budget that will determine the tax rate to be adopted.

U.S. Dist.

Riders from Fort Davis National Historic Site present the colors as they lead the parade through Fort Davis for the town’s annual Coolest Fourth celebration. A large crowd turned out to enjoy the parade, along with many booths and activities set up near the Jeff Davis County Courthouse. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

Terlingua’s sole veterinary care provider retired July 1. Veterinarian Samuel Bottenfield, known locally as Doc Sam, has been the only public facing medical provider for pets in South County since he began his practice in the Ghost Town in 2008.

This Fourth of July weekend, I’m taking time to pray for our country, and I hope you will, too. And I don’t know about you, but when I pray for our nation, I find that the language of my prayer oscillates between gratitude and lament.