Bridges Now Open in Muldoon

Just after writing the last column two of the bridges under construction opened up for traffic. The bridges on FM 154 and Old Smithville South are open to traffic with some construction still finishing up. This is great news for area residents. Especially to those who are on the bus routes.

The bridge on Old Smithville North is just in the beginning stages, so plan detours for the next few months to come. This means travel from FM 2237 to Smithville via Old Smithville North needs to find alternative routes. Old Smithville North at Boehnke Road to the north is open this is at the bridge closure.

This past summer was a summer of detours around the area. The good news of all these inconveniences is that the area now has some new bridge structures that will last for years to come and will be much safer than the old structures. School Starting

Summer is ending, even if the heat is not, and that means that school will be starting very soon and school buses will be running once again. This will mean paying more attention when traveling in the mornings and afternoons. The kids will be waiting for, getting on and getting off the buses. When the red lights are flashing you must stop for the loading and unloading of students.

As the buses run, there will be a definite change in the traffic patterns. Watch out for the new student drivers and the teachers that will be traveling back to school and just add in a little extra time and patience to your schedule for possible delays due to slower drivers and extra vehicles on the roadways. Out and About

Ron and Pam Knotts recently returned from a trip to Nashville to celebrate Ron’s 77th birthday. On the way they stopped in Conway, Arkansas, to have dinner with their granddaughter Keylee and husband Trey. Arriving in Nashville they headed to Music Row and had lunch at Ole Red, Blake Shelton’s Restaurant and Bar. They spent most of the first day walking and listening to local bands playing in the many establishments. The next day was devoted to history with a guided tour of Andrew Jackson’s plantation home, The Hermitage. Their guide was very knowledgeable and shared many personal stories of President Jackson’s life and presidency. The highlight of the Nashville trip came the next day with tickets to the Grand Ole Opry. The show featured six acts performing including a comedian, a new songwriter, and Pam Tillis. Special guests were Home Free and Scotty McCreary. On the way back home Ron and Pam stopped near Denton to see their 5-year-old grandson, Troy, who is starting kindergarten in a few days. Troy’s mom Anastasia also had big news to share as she is beginning a new job at University of North Texas directing a brand-new Biology lab where she will be doing research and next semester teach classes. Ron and Pam were able to tour the new facility and see the area where she is already outfitting the space with all new equipment specifically for her upcoming experiments. It was a great trip full of music, good food and family time.

Nancie Blair slipped away to Katy to celebrate her great grandson, Carson Blaha’s nineth birthday. It was a fun time at a trampoline park. Time is going fast for the great grandma. Nancie could not believe Carson was nine already. Have News?

If you have news for the columnist, you may email Joan Ivy at muldoonaggie@yahoo.com.