September 2021

Melleta Bell, senior archivist for Archives of the Big Bend, pauses for a photo with family and friends at a retirement reception held in her honor on Aug. 29 at the Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library on the campus of Sul Ross State University in Alpine. Standing here are family and friends joining in the special recognition and celebration, including son Max Rogers, brother Shawn Rogers, niece Lauren Rogers, and family friend Loraine Reynolds, all of Alpine.

What are you especially looking forward to in your senior year? I am definitely looking forward toward my last year playing high school basketball. What activities are you involved in during your senior year? I am currently involved in varsity basketball, football, track, golf, and National Honor Society.

From time to time I have been known to feed local cowboys during their cattle works. I have served everything from burritos to spaghetti, but none has been as big a hit as chile verde. This savory stew can be eaten out of a bowl or, as those of us here in the Last Frontier prefer it, in a soft, fluffy, flour tortilla.

September 14, 1961 These Alpine High School majorettes will lead the Buck Band in between halves ceremonies at football games this year. From left are Judith Smith, head majorette, Linda Reed, Bonnie Uranga, and Donna Mueller.

Dear Neil: We have seven Chinese pistachio trees that have been in our landscape for five or six years. One of them seems to have been hurt badly by last February’s cold. It has less than 25 percent of its normal leaves. It has round bumps on its trunk, but nothing has happened this year. Should I take it out or wait until spring to see if it recovers?

Klementyna Bryte passed from this life on Aug. 8, 2021, after a brief illness. Klemie was born in Baltimore, Md., on March 27, 1947, to Philomena Bryte. She was adopted by Wayne Bryte when Philomena remarried. Klemie grew up in Essex and Westminster, Md. She graduated from St. John’s High School in Westminster, then attended the University of Maryland, College Park, graduating with a degree in English. She married her college sweetheart, Larry Dawson, in 1972. They divorced in 1982.

Duane Noble Smith, 85, passed away on Aug. 24, 2021, at home in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Kindergartner Eliana Chavez and fourth grader Adryan Chavez head back to classes at Alpine Elementary School on Aug. 23.