Members of the St. Barnabas’s Anglican Church of Bellville gathered at a restaurant in Brenham on the evening of Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 21, (as has become the custom) for pancakes. The next day the parish began its observation of a Holy Lent, the period of forty days (not counting Sundays) of penitence, starting on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, in spiritual preparation for the celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, commonly known as Easter.

While the church is considered the bedrock of the African American community, fraternal organizations played a large role in shaping its evolution in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These organizations were voluntary, providing mutual aid to members. Part of their culture was to enact group rituals as well as engage in community service, support education, maintain halls or lodges that could be used by other groups, and on occasion, become involved in legislative or policy campaigns.

C There were 71 entries in the Bob Springer Memorial Sweetheart Classic Car Show on Feb. 11.

The Schulenburg/Weimar Parents as Teachers (PAT) held a successful fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Swiss Alp Hall & Chalet.

F Two Fayetteville High School Alumni made the Dean’s List: Emily Polasek, daughter of Ronnie and Pam Polasek of Willow Springs made the list at Texas State. Emily is a senior majoring in Communication Design and a graduate of Blinn College.

OP News Local Events This year’s Spring Show is just one month away. Mark your calendars for opening day, Thursday, March 16.

W St. Paul Lutheran Parents and Teachers in Lutheran Schools Chili Supper and Live Auction is scheduled for Sunday, March 5 at the Serbin Picnic Grounds.

A four-way race for mayor has taken shape in Schulenburg. Incumbent mayor Elaine Kocian and former mayor Connie Koopmann both filed to run for election this week along with Robert “Armen” Herzik. They join local cattleman Jake Berger, who filed for a spot on the ballot earlier this month. Kocian has been mayor since 2018. She succeeded her husband Otto Kocian, who died in office in March of that year. The Council appointed her mayor after her husband’s passing. Koopmann previously served as an alderman and later as Mayor of Schulenburg from 1997 to 2001.

In addition to the crowning of the King and Queen at Jefferson Place Assisted Living Facility Tuesday (on Page 1A), there were lost more festivities at the Valentine’s Day Prom there. Above, The Band “Monkey Business” played for the residents during their Valentine’s Day Prom. Below, right, Ruben Maas was the winner of the Valentine’s Day candy guessing game He was presented his prize by Jefferson Place Administrator Jennifer Mojica. Below, left, Delores Hennig, right, dances with Mojica. Photos by Jeff Wick

A new exhibit has been unveiled at the Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center in La Grange. The exhibit titled “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is on display in the Museum and features farm equipment from the early part of 1900 that was shared locally between various farms. Not all farms owned all the equipment needed, making it necessary to join with neighbors on larger jobs. One farm would have a large corn grinder and engine/tractor for power, one farm would have the molasses press, one would have the thresher, baler, binder, and so on and so on.