Remember When?

Fayette County Judge Participates in Washington, D.C. Rally

Dec. 5, 1975

Judge Fritz Lobpries, along with County Coordinator Henry Paine Jr., represented Fayette County at a November rally organized by the National Association of Counties in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the event was to urge the swift passage of renewing the revenue sharing references in House Resolution 6558 and Senate Bill 1625. When addressing the Texas rally delegation, Senator Lloyd Bentsen pledged his vote in favor of renewal. Explaining what revenue sharing meant to Fayette County, Judge Lobpries said that from Jan. 1, 1973, to Sept. 1, 1975, a total of $561,285.38 was allocated locally. The largest slice of those funds went to fund ambulances and the second-largest to transportation expenditures in the four precincts.

Would-be burglars, who broke into the Falstaff Feed office on E. Colorado St. sometime Tuesday night, left emptyhanded. Sheriff’s officers said desk drawers were ransacked and the office left in disarray but nothing of value was missing. Entrance had been gained by smashing the glass in the front door and tripping the lock.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) formally adopted new regulations for determining food stamp allotments, and revisited coupon allocations, purchase requirements and maximum income eligibility standards, effective January 1. On New Year’s Day, the amount of coupons allotted for a four-person household would increase from $162 to $166 per month, with adjustments for other household sizes. The maximum income eligibility level for a family of four would increase from $540 to $553 per month.

Fayette County Sheriff T.J. Flournoy stated in his monthly report that his office had the usual run of drunks, hot checks and DWIs, but he was troubled by the number of home breakins in November. “I want to warn everyone again to be very careful of suspicious people and cars. Get the car numbers and call us at once. Also watch your neighbors’ property for something suspicious. At this time of year, the thieves are busy trying to steal for Christmas money.”

Fayette County’s hopes for a high school state football champion advanced handily on two fronts when the Schulenburg Shorthorns disposed of Brazos Consolidated, 25-7, and the La Grange Leopards eliminated Hondo, 35-19.

Only seven permits over $500 were issued by La Grange building inspector Ovie Roensch during November, but they, along with four under $500 for small repair jobs, totaled $93,550. Three of the permits were for new homes costing $39,000, $24,000 and $24,000.

Round Top voters returned all five city officials for another two-year term at Tuesday’s biennial election. Twenty-five votes were cast with Mayor Donald Nagel receiving 24. Aldermen Dennis Sacks, Wesley Albers, Curtis Quade and Milton Schlabach each got 25. Three men were write-ins for city marshal with Clinton Giese Jr. and David Jaster each polling 2 and Edwin Gau, 1. Mayor Nagel said a run-off election was unnecessary because none of the men wanted the job.

West Point native Ocy Leeroy Blakey Jr. was appointed the county’s new veterans service officer. He succeeded the late Frank J. Pratka.

A funeral service was held for Sidney Stavinoha, 52, a native of Hostyn.

La Grange Public School students and faculty paid tribute to the late Lyttie Moore, a 50-year local teacher, when the high school campus drinking fountain erected in her memory in 1954 was rededicated.Anew U.S. flag, a gift of Fayette Memorial Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, was raised on the rededicated flagpole erected by the 1973 senior class. The triple event marked the completion of the LGHS Library Club’s Bicentennial project.

Mrs. Bertha Wetjen of Muldoon celebrated her 87th birthday on Sunday afternoon at a gathering planned by her family and friends.

Elo Gaertner, who lived in the Gay Hill community of Fayette County, was proud of the 23 good-sized bananas growing on a tree in his yard. It was the first year the tree had produced a crop.

A week-by-week reduction in the number of laboratoryconfirmed screwworm cases in Texas animals was recorded during November, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture official.

Mr. and Mrs. Delwin Dippel celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Round Top American Legion Hall. Delwin Dippel and Lenora Schulze were married on Dec. 8, 1925, by the late Rev. Carl Bauer. Mr. and Mrs. Dippel were the parents of one son, Kirby. Kirby and his wife, Velorie, and granddaughters, Vanessa and Vincentia Dippel, cohosted the party.

Mr. and Mrs. V.G. Frenzel of the Walhalla community were honored with a family party on their 40th wedding anniversary on Saturday night, Nov. 9. The gathering was held at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Lee Mueller Jr. of Live Oak Farms near La Grange.

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