August 2021

Alpine ISD along with the Texas Department of State Health Services will be hosting a vaccination event on Aug. 12 from noon-3 p.m. at the Alpine Elementary School cafeteria for anyone 12 years and older. DSHS staff will provide the first dose of the Pfizer vaccination, as well as immunizations (MMR, Varicella, Dtap, Polio, Hepatitis B, A, etc.) to those students in need prior to school starting.

August 10, 1961 First bottle of Coca-Cola produced at Big Bend Coca-Cola Co.’s new Alpine plant is displayed by Buddy Dunagan, one of the owners of the company. The plant, located on U.S.

Dear Neil: Why would my roses die back, first turning yellow, then brown, then black before I have to cut them off? I’ve never had this problem in other states. I fear your plants might be infected with rose rosette virus, the fatal disease that has ruined roses in many parts of Texas.

This week we welcome Kara Gerbert as our new food columnist at the Alpine Avalanche. Kara is a local foodie who enjoys both sampling and preparing fine cuisine, right along with good old home-style cooking. We hope you will enjoy her recipes, restaurant reviews, stories, and photos as much as we do.

William “Billy” Earl Hawkins was born in Houston, Texas, on June 18, 1945, to Richard and Leona Hawkins. Billy passed away peacefully on July 11, 2021, at the age of 76.

Venita Ruth Childs Dempsey, a long time Marfa resident, was born on Dec. 22, 1930, in Limestone County, Texas, not far from Waco, Texas.

Walter H. Thomas, 81, of Alpine, Texas, passed away July 22, 2021, at UMC in El Paso, Texas. His ashes will be interred in the Old Runnels Cemetery in Ballinger, Texas, at a date to be determined. Walter was born the youngest of six siblings on Aug. 16, 1939, in Ballinger. His parents were the late Leon and Jewell Thomas. On July 2, 1964, he married Diana Martin in Midland, Texas. After graduation from Ballinger High School in 1957, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a heavy vehicle operator. Upon his discharge, he was employed by the Texas Department of Transportation. He later began a career in the freight business from which he retired. Walter enjoyed music and friends, bringing a smile to most people who knew him. He loved listening to the Alpine Cowboy’s games while sitting on his front porch. Walter is survived by his wife Diana Martin Thomas; his son Charles Wayne Thomas; two sisters, Dorothy Burke and Francis Shiller (Leroy); daughter-in-law Imelda Thomas; grandchildren Makenzie Bledsoe, Owen Thomas, and Mary Thomas; and great grandchild Graham Dyer, along with many nieces and nephews.

On July 28 Brewster County commissioners held their regular meeting, and discussed roads and budgets. Road and Bridge Superintendent Frenchie Causey voiced his concerns over a blocked road on Mosley Loop, and singled out the City of Alpine’s failure to obtain a required permit for a ditch being dug in the county roads, and lack of knowledge as to the location of a water pipeline.

Illegal dumping and a proposed noise ordinance topped the City of Alpine’s regularly scheduled council meeting on Aug. 3.

Folks kick it up Texas style at BBT’s July 30 customer appreciation barbecue on Murphy Street in Alpine. A big crowd enjoyed food, beverages, live music, and dancing at the annual event. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich