News

St. John Altar Society of Fayetteville is planning their annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 27 with a bake sale, country store, hot dogs and a raffle featuring a hand quilted quilt.

William Shakespeare would have turned 460 on Tuesday. To honor the occasion, La Grange 6th grade English teacher Emily Ayres took her students outside for a celebration of “Sonnets and Scenes.” Ayres talked with the students about the play “The Taming of the Shrew” and had students do cold readings of an Act Two scene between sisters Bianca and Katherine. Emily Ayres, seated left, is in her first year at LGISD. She is the daughter of Shakespeare at Winedale founder James “Doc” Ayres.

This week brought news of the death of three of Fayette County’s most interesting pioneers. David Ramjohn, left, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, died April 22. He was the CEO of La Grange’s AlgEternal Technologies, which was a national leader in the use of algae for everything from agriculture to health and beauty. His visitation will be Saturday April 27 from 5-7 p.m. at Koenig-Belville Funeral Home. Fayetteville’s C.H. Harvey, center, created the Fayette County Panthers six-man football team, which played from 2015 through 2019 and he also created the Texas Six-Man Independent Bowl Series, which teams around the state participated in. Harvey was a Vietnam Vet and passionate advocate of honoring local Vietnam Vets. Harvey’s obituary appears on page D3 today. Also on D3 today is the full obituary of Myrtle Crosby, right, beloved local LGISD teacher who also taught generations of students to play the piano.

Contractors working for Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) uncovered a piece of La Grange history while working on improvements to the intersection at US 77 and SH 71 Business. The contractors were drilling a hole for a new traffic light pole in the parking lot at Pharmhouse Drug when they struck some old underground fuel tanks. That corner of the intersection used to be the location of Erwin Petzold’s Gulf Station, which opened in 1924. The tanks were full of water when the contractors uncovered them. The contractors excavated the tanks and pumped them out on Tuesday.

A Fayette County Jury sentenced Charles Lee Tillman Jr. to life in prison for the 2021 murder of David Harrison Jr.

The Fayette County Junior Livestock Show (FCJLS) wants to invite exhibitors from Schulenburg and Flatonia to their show next spring. Schulenburg and Flatonia have held separate livestock shows for many decades.

An argument during a video game turned into a “swatting” call for local law enforcement. Chief Deputy Randy Noviskie of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident happened around 6 p.m.

As of April 19, total intake for the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter is 452: 240 dogs and 212 cats in need. As of April 19, the shelter has 103 animals in care: 67 dogs/36 cats. This number includes animals in the facility, in foster care for medical, waiting on available space, or awaiting transport to rescue partner.

Second Chance Emporium (SCE) recently donated $4,500 to the Texas Quilt Museum. Monies donated will be used to purchase sewing machines, sewing tables, irons and ironing boards, starter packs of fabric, threads, etc. Funds will also be used for quilt camps for kids and for quilt classes for beginners. The organization’s mission is to educate and raise awareness of the importance of women’s contribution to history, art and culture through antique and contemporary quilts; and to usher in a new legacy of quilt artists through educational programs for all ages. Pictured from left to right: Gayle Schielack, SCE Store Director; Marlene Schnell, SCE Asst. Store Director; Darlene Strahan, SCE Asst. Store Director and Deborah Blanchette Bradley, Texas Quilt Museum Managing Director.

At the recent District 11 Texas Extension Education Association (TEEA) Spring Conference held in Aransas Pass, a member of the Fayette County Walhalla EEA Club was honored. Marilyn Petrich, a 73-yearmember, was honored with the 2024 District 11 Texas Treasure Award. Through the years Marilyn has served in many officer positions. Her daughters, Donna Burton and Jesse Kokemor, as young children attended many Club events and as babies played in a laundry basket while their mom served food during the Fayette County Fair. Later they also joined the Walhalla Club as Active Members. At the age of 96 Marilyn is still an Active Member and still serves on the County EEA Scholarship Committee. Also attending the Spring Conference were Janice Alexander, Fayette County EEA Council Treasurer and Sally Garrett, County Extension Agent-Family & Community Health.