June 2023

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Dear Neil: We have read your column for many years. Two years ago, we bought property near the Red River in southern Oklahoma. We love the oaks there, but we are concerned about some of them. We lost two large trees last year, and now some of the smaller ones near where the two trees were seem to be having problems. What could it be, and what should we do?

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June Volunteers Needed, The Museum of the Big Bend is seeking volunteers to help in the new Marilyn Ann Caldwell welcome center in the museum’s gift shop. Help is needed Tues. – Sat. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Rebekah Antrosio at 432-837-8145 or Rebekah.antrosio@ sulross.edu

on the What is one thing you wish Alpine had? .

The Alpine Police Department has added three new officers to their department. Officer Alexis Armendariz, Officer Chase Ikeda-Thiede, and Officer Preston Bolton will be hitting the streets of Alpine to protect and serve. Officer Ikeda-Thiede comes to us from Florida and recently graduated from the Sul Ross State University Law Enforcement Academy. A classmate of Ikeda-Thiede at the SRSU Academy and Alpine native is Alexis Armendariz. Armendariz is a U.S. Navy veteran and was the keynote speaker at this past year’s Veteran’s Day ceremony held at Buck stadium. Officer Bolton will be attending some trainings and indoctrination and will then join the rest of the Alpine PD to carry out their daily duties of protecting Alpine and it’s citizens.

The City of Alpine held its regular city council meeting on June 20. This approximately twohour meeting was one of the first to limit discussions, presentations, and city staff updates to six minutes for a trial period. Future meetings have the potential to be more streamlined, in the council’s effort to attract more participation and presence from the community.

The 58th season of Theatre of the Big Bend is set for July 7 at 8 p.m. This year’s summer production scheduled for the outdoor theatre is titled “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” by Rachel Sheinkin. The score for the production is by William Finn.

Members of the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club will be participating in the national amateur radio Field Day exercise, June 24 – 25 at the Double Diamond Pavilion, six miles south of Alpine on Hwy 118. Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.