Briana Adams Performs at Festival d’Equiblues in Saint Agreve, France

When Briana received the invitation to sing at the 24th Annual Festival d’Equiblues and Country Music in Saint Agreve, France, she thought it was a scam. However, after conferring with her booking agent she discovered it was a legitimate invitation. Briana, her mom and dad, Linda and Jon Adams, and her aunt, Kelly Franke, all of Winchester and a cousin, Angie Adams, packed their bags and flew to Paris.

After two train rides for over four hours they arrived in Valence, France, where they were picked up by a driver who drove them to their accommodations in Devesset. Briana, after practicing with the local band in a 400-year-old chateau, played for two sold out performances of approximately 600 people at Le Red Fox in Saint Agreve, France. The Festival d’Equiblues is a Rodeo and Music festival that has been held for 24 years for a crowd between 5,000-6,000 people.

Briana stated she was surprised at how much they like country music. “Shirts with Luckenbach and names of country music stars were everywhere, and the house band had done their homework and knew her music.” I asked Briana if she would like to go back to the festival and she said, “Most definitely,” although she would plan to spend more time in France. She stated, “the people were wonderful and very friendly.” Briana can be seen at various venues in Central Texas and will be appearing with Joe Nichols at a music festival on Sept. 21 in Magnolia, Texas.

4-H Spaghetti Dinner

The spaghetti dinner prepared by the Winchester Area Civic Association (WACA) to benefit the Winchester 4-H Club will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Zilss Hall. The dinner will begin at 11 a.m. and will be drive-thru or eat in. Nicolette Morrison, WACA President is requesting everyone who wishes to contribute money or ingredients for the meal, to contact Barb Schafer at (254) 644-0336 or email at richardbarbschafer@gmail. com. All proceeds will benefit the Winchester 4-H Club

Annual Deer Count

During the nights of Aug. 23 and 30, the Rabbs Creek Wildlife Management Association will be conducting the annual deer survey in the Winchester area. The surveys are conducted between sundown and midnight and will use spotlights to locate and count deer. The survey vehicle will use public roads and will be driving very slowly using two spotlights. Frequent stops will occur to distinguish the makeup of a herd. Survey Officials will not carry any firearms and will not enter any private property unless permission has been granted. The Survey Team in the Winchester area are Larry Herzog, Ron Kaiser, and Denby Morrison.

Round Table Book Club The Winchester Round Table Book Club’s September read is “The Ride of Her Life” the true story of a woman, her horse, and their last-chance journey across America by Elizabeth Letts. The next meeting will be on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in Zilss Hall.

St. Michael’s Fun Family St. Michael’s Lutheran Church will be holding a hamburger and hot dog meal for the entire community on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 4:30 p.m. The meal, with games and fellowship, will be at St. Michael’s Park. Mark your calendars and invite your friends and neighbors for a night of family fun. For more information contact Margie Clifton at the church office (979) 242-3444.

Recycling Trailer

The Winchester recycling trailer is located on the side of Zilss Hall on Memorial Hall Street.

Barn Board Quilt Trail

This summer is the perfect time to drive out to Winchester, pick up a map at Murphy’s or Zilss Hall, and enjoy viewing the sixty-five quilt blocks displayed in our area. The trail is self-driven, available at your convenience, and is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon viewing quilt blocks on fences, gates, barns, and houses that can be seen from the road. Winchester Barn Board Quilt Trail maps may be picked up at the Texas Quilt Museum, Casino Hall, the Wendish Museum, quilt stores, and other businesses in Giddings, Smithville, and La Grange.

Birthdays

Birthday wishes are extended to Linda Mertink and Annabelle Zoch-Aug. 23; Valerie Breeden, Charlene Franke, and Betty Richter-24; R. C. Franke -25; Katrina Miertschin, Heather Deters, and Nancy Buck-26; Samantha Appleman and Gladys Musgrove- 27; and Tom Juergen and Boyd Murphy-28.

Anniversaries

Wishing happy anniversary to Darline and Ron Kaiser Aug. 26 and Donna and Johnny Green-28.

Have News?

If anyone has news to share in the Winchester News column, contact Rhoda Gersch at (512) 237-0842 or email rmgersch@yahoo.com.