1975: $2 Bills Making a Comeback

Nov. 11-14, 1975

The U. S. Treasury Department announced it would issue new $2 paper currency on April 13, 1976, Thomas Jefferson’s birthday anniversary. The front of the bill would feature a portrait of Jefferson painted in the early 1800s, while the back would depict the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

With superior line play that became more one-sided as the game wore on, the La Grange Leopards overcame some early ball-handling problems to pound out a methodical 38-0 victory over the Hays Consolidated Rebels at Kyle. That, along with Hallettsville’s 8-7 win over Smithville, handed the defending District 25AA champs the 1975 crown and a spot in the state playoffs.

The Shorthorn Band favorites were Susie Boehm, the daughter of Mrs. Evelyn Boehm, and Bryan Klesel, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Klesel.

Construction permits issued in La Grange in October totaled only $15,000, the lowest total for a single month in a long time. However, with the construction of two new homes and other projects in the works, the pace was likely to pick up in a few months.

For the third time in recent months, an out-of-control automobile smashed its way into the La Grange City cemetery. A local resident driving a 1973 Dodge went through the chain link fence at the west corner and hit two gravestones. The 23-year-old driver said he must have dozed off. Because of extensive damage, his car had to be towed away.

The second organizational meeting for a proposed Fayette County Savings and Loan was scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the La Grange State Bank Community Room. Members of the steering committee were: Elmo Minzenmeyer of Swiss Alp, Milton Koenning of Winchester, Jack Klesel of Schulenburg, W.T. Jones of Fayetteville, Dan Beck of Flatonia and Don Nagel of Round Top.

Funeral services were held for: Louis Brunkenhofer, 71, of Holman; Leslie D. Williams, former DA and district judge of the 21st Judicial District, 82, of Brenham; Dr. H. O. Halamicek, 78, a native of Fayette County; Mrs. Erna Bastaert, 73, of Muldoon; and Mrs. Carolina Wieting, 94, formerly of La Grange.

Fayette County 4-H club members won four of the top 10 awards at the first annual American Royal Dressed Broiler Show held in conjunction with the Kansas City Royal Livestock Exposition. Kenny Zapalac, Ellinger, who had been named Fayette County’s 1975 Gold Star Boy, was the top winner with four dressed broilers. He received $500 and a trophy, plus the proceeds from the auction. Brian Mozisek, La Grange, had the runner-up entry.

Fayette County Commissioners Court announced several Fayette County Ambulance Service policies. Each precinct would be allocated $2,000, plus service collections, for the remainder of 1975. For 1976, each precinct would be allocated $10,000, plus service collections, for upkeep and operating expenses. Service fees were $35 per call (emergency or transfer). In addition, 60¢ per mile would be assessed on transfers and emergencies outside of Fayette County, except for Weimar and Shiner.

The Schulenburg Shorthorns parlayed the passing of Mike Olle, the running of Willie Stevens and the defensive efforts of a whole host of players into a convincing 34-3 victory over their principal rival in District 27A, the Somerville Yeguas.

James Anton Recek, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton H. Recek of La Grange, was a candidate for a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Texas School of Architecture.

The Texas Society of Architects presented a citation to Mrs. George E. Kana of La Grange on behalf of her late husband. The award was given in recognition of Mr. Kana’s contribution to the preservation of Texas architectural heritage through his careful moving and relocation of many homes and buildings of historical significance. Attending the Fort Worth luncheon with Mrs. Kana were her sons, George Jr., John and Mr. and Mrs. Florian Kana.

On Jan. 1, 1976, Medicare’s hospital deductible would increase from $92 to $104. The Commissioner of Social Security said that figure was the equivalent of the cost of one day of hospital care. The average hospital stay under Medicare at that time was about 13.5 days at a cost of $1,400.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Schroeder were honored on their 50th wedding anniversary by their son, Wesley, and daughter-in-law, Thelma, of Pittsburgh, Pa., with an open house on Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Plum Hermann Sons Hall in Prairie Valley. Mr. Schroeder and Miss Nettie Nollkamper were married on Oct. 28, 1925, by the late Rev. R. Heise in his home in La Grange.

Mr. and Mrs. Chas. A. Lidiak of Weimar celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on October 5. The following afternoon, they were honored with a party given by their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy J. Lidiak, at Andel’s Guest House in Weimar. Mrs. Lidiak was the former Miss Mary Adamcik, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Adamcik of Hostyn and La Grange.

The La Grange High School senior class elected Katherine J. Holub, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Holub of West Point, as its American Revolution Good Citizen of the John Everett chapter.

Mr. and Mrs. Elo Munsch of Fayetteville celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 9. The day began with a Mass said for their intention at 9:30 a.m. in St. John’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville. The Rev. Ben Mazurkiewicz officiated at the Mass, where Mr. and Mrs. Munsch also renewed their marriage vows.

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