Remember When?

LCRA Approves Sale of Plant Bonds

April 23-30, 1976

The Lower Colorado River Authority’s board of directors approved the preparation of $60 million in bonds for sale to continue construction of the first unit of the Fayette Power Project.

A 26-year-old Houstonian was being held in the Fayette County Jail, charged with a felony of possession of marijuana. He was apprehended on Hwy. 71 east of La Grange on Friday morning after officers received a tip. The arrest was made by Sheriff T.J. Flournoy and Deputy Sheriff C.A. Prilop, who said the accused was carrying a bag containing the controlled substance.

Things had changed since the days when a voter could simply scratch out names, leaving only one, thereby indicating their choice of a candidate. In Saturday’s Texas primary election, the ballots also would contain names of persons voters might not recognize, each pledged to a specific presidential candidate or running uncommitted as delegates to the Democratic or Republican National Convention.

George Zapalac came by The Record’s office with his pickup’s bed full of fish. Among the large Colorado River catch was an 82-pound gar, and another gar weighing 72 pounds. Accompanying Mr. Zapalac on the rewarding fishing trip were Clemence Jecmenek, “Sonny” Anders and Billy Loehr of La Grange.

Two new members were installed and the board was reorganized when the La Grange School board of trustees met in regular session. The new board members were Mrs. Cecilia Ruckert and John D. Marburger. Elmo Minzenmeyer was elected board president, Dr. Jack Schwake, vice-president and Dr. John Hoffman, secretary.

Lee County could possibly be on the verge of the biggest oil and gas exploration boom in its history. Representatives of at least six oil companies had swamped the office of County Clerk Joyce Hamff, checking oil leases and land deeds. Some companies were paying as much as $5 per acre bonuses to landowners for the first-year lease, but were leasing the land for 5 and 10 years. Geologists were optimistic that there could be large amounts of oil and gas in the Austin Chalk formation.

Funeral services were held for: Mrs. Myrtle F. Tamp, 61, a native of Round Top; Mrs. Irma Louise Kruse, 48, of La Grange; Jane Gutierrez, 55, of Engle; and Mrs. Woodrow A. (Pauline) Siebel, 64, of La Grange.

Robert William Lange Jr. of Warda was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Serbin on April 1, along with Lori Krause and Carolyn Krause and Kervin Wenke.

Mrs. Minne Ruether was the guest of honor at an informal get-together to celebrate her 90th birthday at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Fritsch.

Schulenburg High School’s District 27A girls’ tennis winners were Cheryl Trlicek, Mary Lou Segura and Gay Hawkins. Bringing home track honors were: Jolene Walker, Lora Janacek, Dora Goppert, Susan Adamcik, Dollie Adams, Virginia Glass and Verlene Dittrich. In the winners’ circle for golf were: Nancy Brown, Sherrie Balcar, Cherise DeRuiter, Jolene Walker, and alternates Robin Clark and Tracy Bucek.

State Comptroller Bob Bullock’s office mailed the first 1976 sales tax rebate checks for January to three Fayette County towns. La Grange led the way with $5,382, followed by Schulenburg with $3,240 and Flatonia with $725. Fayetteville, Carmine and Round Top did not receive checks because their respective totals were under $500. The comptroller said sales tax collections were growing far faster than inflation.

La Grange’s JC Demons were preparing to open their 1976 league play when they faced Schulenburg’s Merchants on April 24. Ready for the Saturday tilt were: Manager Clint Bippert, Garry Dippel, Larry Bippert, Richard Cernoch, Allan Garbs, Tommy Knippel, Charles Koether, David Zatopek, Lloyd Kolbe and Bubba Riehs, along with the younger set, Ricky Dippel, Doug Bippert, Paul Mikula, Mike Miller, Curtis Ray, Pat Smith and Mike Roberts.

Mrs. MaryAnn Hruska, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gus L. Hruska of Ellinger, was preparing for her junior year piano recital on Sunday, May 2 at 4 p.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. She would be playing compositions from the baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary music periods. As a finale, Mary Ann and Ed. Lowers, the assistant band director of the La Grange Leopard Band, planned to play the original Rhapsody in Blue for two pianos by George Gershwin.

Entex, Inc., La Grange’s natural gas supplier, was granted adjustments in minimum monthly rates by the city council. The new per-month residential base rate was $4.25 and commercial, $4.75. The company had been negotiating with the City of La Grange for a rate hike for over a year.

If you’d like to reach Elaine, please email her at callacomm@ hotmail.com. You can also visit her website: www. elainethomaswriter.com.