Bash on the Bend Celebration Cancelled

Due to the rise in the cases of the COVID-19 virus, Margaret and Tom Atkins have decided to cancel the “Bash on the Bend.” The Bash is a celebration of neighbors normally held on July 4. They are sorry, but they think it is more important for everyone to stay safe.

Winchester Area VFD

Are you new to the Winchester community or have you lived here all your life? Hopefully, whichever group you fit into, you know about the Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Fish Fry and Fund Fundraiser, to be held on July 28 in the St. Michael’s Park Pavilion.

This fundraiser pays the bills to keep the fire department running. When you dial 911, members of WAVFD are at your service to put out a fire, help you in case of an injury or rescue you from a flood. Our members are at your service— no paychecks are handed out for their response. This fundraiser is your opportunity to help the WAVFD as readily as these folks help you.

In addition to purchasing a delicious fish meal with dessert, you may bid on auction items and buy a chance to win a gun and other items in the raffle. In the past years, some of the items received for the auction have included an antique tractor, a sail boat, live chickens, a guided fishing trip, a weekend deer hunt, handmade quilts and an antique lawn. Anything of value is wonderful, and may be just what someone is looking to buy.

The department always need volunteers. Volunteers prepare and serve the meal and also help with the live auction. There are all sorts of jobs that need filling, maybe just for an hour or perhaps more. If you will give them a call, they will find a job for you. They greatly appreciate all the workers who help. Contact: Marceil Prestridge at (832) 567- 8636, Eddie Schneider (979) 242-5748 or Larry Herzog (979) 966-9131.

Reminders: First, if you have a combination lock of any type on the entrance to property or residence, you should register that combination with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. That will ensure that if first responders need to enter your property for an emergency, the sheriff can communicate that combination, enabling the first responders an easy and speedy entrance. Second, please call the Sheriff’s Office any time that you burn a brush pile; this communication will save many false reports of uncontrolled fires.

Round Table Book Club

The July meeting will be held on July 21 at 7 p.m. at Zilss Hall. The book “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole will be discussed. All are welcome.

Barn Board Quilt Trail

The quilt block trail in Winchester can now be seen at www. quiltblocktrail.com. Schedules of classes and class registration forms, pictures and the trail map are just some of the items available for viewing. A comment section is being developed. Quilt trail maps can be found at the Museum, Casino Hall, the Wendish Museum, quilt stores and other businesses in Giddings, Smithville and La Grange. The trail is self-drive, available at your convenience and is a great way to spend an afternoon during this COVID-19 social distancing. You will find the blocks on fences, gates, barns and houses that can be seen from the road.

Recycling Trailer

The Winchester recycling trailer is back. It is located on the Memorial Hall Street side of Zilss. Please place your recycling in the appropriate bins. We would appreciate that you make sure that you close the bins so that any trash will remain in the bins and not blow out.

Zilss Community Hall

Anyone wishing to rent Zilss Hall should contact (512) 434-0292. Rent is very reasonable.

The Little Free Library

The library is always open and has a variety of authors. Space is limited, so please, if you donate a book(s), look through the current selection and take as many as you leave. The Little Free Library is housed under the roof of the patio at Zilss Hall. There is also a bulletin board available on the patio. If you have an event you would like advertised, please post.

Birthdays

Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Lexi Anderson - July 1; Frank Jones - 2; Daniel Kilian - 3; Alexa Shed, Billy Hajek, Amanda Hart and Mindy Fryer - 4; and Jon Adams - 5.

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church has determined that they will be able to once again offer the regular adult bible study opportunities and children’s sunday school, but will continue with the drive-in format for sunday worship service.

First United Methodist

The Winchester First United Methodist Church has services on the first and third Sunday of the month at 8:30 a.m. Currently, the congregation is conducting church services through the Zoom app. Rev. Patricia Zaiontz-Newcomer is the pastor.

Shiloh Baptist Church

The Shiloh Baptist Church is located on FM 153 at North Raymond Road. For more information, please contact Rev. Paul Whitmill at (512) 629-1428.

In Our Prayers

Betsy Anderson, Don Buck, Steve Burton, Sherry Cook, Karen Derr, Marian Fritsche, Sam Gibbs, Hugh Hall, Evelyn Haschke, Stanley Herzog, Audra Koenning, Bea Kilian, Mary Lehmann, Rose Lehmann, Ramona Lopez, Jodi Miller and Thelma Zoch.

Remembering Our Shut-Ins

Charlene Franke, R. C. Franke, Evelyn Kasper, Marie Kilian, Lillian Pietsch, Adele Wilson and Thelma Kieschnick.

In the U.S. Armed Forces

US Navy: Christopher Brand, Great Lakes, Ill.; US Air Force: Jessica Lindner, Okinawa, Japan; Ryan Spray, San Antonio; US Army: Warren Evans, Ft. Benning, Ga.; Jake Hagood, Ft. Hood; Jared Michalec, Kuwait; Byron Taylor, South Korea; US Marines: Damien Hernandez, San Diego, Calif.

Have News?

If anyone has news to share and/or corrections to make, contact Rhoda Gersch at (979) 242- 3213 or rmgersch@yahoo.com.