Fayette County Ranks Third in Texas Egg Production

In 1974, Fayette County was the third largest producer of eggs and hens and pullets of laying age in the state. The county’s total production was 10,375,000 dozen eggs and 525,000 hens and pullets. Texas was among the top 10 poultry and egg-producing states in the U.S.

After taking a long first look at the possible effects on local schools of the proposed power plant in eastern Fayette County, trustees of the La Grange Independent School District decided to prepare for major changes ahead. It was estimated that the school system could face an influx of 500 to 1,000 new students over a three-year period, doubling the 1974 enrollment of about 1,200. That increase would also double the cost of running the schools, putting a severe strain on the local school tax budget. To start preparing for the influx, Superintendent Lemmons instructed the trades classes to start renovating the old junior high school on Pearl Street.

Fayette County landowners filed a lawsuit against the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Austin to obtain evidence of the facts surrounding the proposed coal-fired electric generating plant. According to the paid statement running in The Record, the lawsuit had become necessary because of the continued and repeated refusal of LCRA and the City of Austin to discuss or disclose their plans and share relevant public documents. The landowners indicated they felt they had been treated in a high-handed manner.

Starting in July, average social security retirement payments were going from $161 to $181 per month. Average social security disability payments would increase from $184 to $206 per month, while average survivors’ payments to a widowed mother with two children in her care would rise from $418 to $435 per month.

The La Grange Jaycee Demons parlayed a grand-slam homer in the first game and a 10-run rally in the second into a doubleheader victory over the Austin Senators at Fair Park Sunday afternoon. The twin wins upped the Demons’ season record to 8-3. Catcher David Kotzebue poled the grand-slammer in the third inning of the opening game to erase a 1-1 tie and send the Demons on to a 6-3 victory. Kenny Hatfield opened the frame with a single to left, followed by a single by David Zatopek. Next, losing pitcher Jim Weatherford walked Bubba Riehs to load the sacks. Kotzebue then unloaded his shot over the left field fence. Zatopek scored the opening Demon run in the first inning when he singled, advanced on successive walks to Riehs and Kotzebue, and came home on Allen Garbs’s single up the middle. Charles Koether, who worked the first four innings, fanning four, was the winning pitcher. Hatfield pitched the last three, striking out seven.

A break-in occurred at the Winchester Post Office Saturday night or Sunday morning, but nothing was missing, according to sheriff’s deputies. Entry was made by smashing a front porch window.

About $10,000 remained to be allocated in 1973 and 1974 Rural Environmental Assistance Program (REAP) funds in Fayette County for practices approved by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service county committee. This included brush control, stock ponds, gully shaping and terraces. Around $120,000 of the $130,000 received had already been doled out.

Funeral services were held for: Willie C. Giese, 66, of La Grange; Mrs. Marie Lee, 75, of La Grange; Mrs. Martha Janssen, 79, of La Grange; and Mrs. Marie M. Mitschke, 89, of Winchester.

Charles R. Schwenke of Engle may have raised the largest squash ever grown in the county. He brought The Record a Pink Banana variety measuring 28 inches in length and 28 inches around that tipped the scales at 27½ pounds.

Gold ‘n Crisp, banging out 18 hits, defeated Fashion Dress Shop by 17-5 in the Ladies Softball League opener. Fashion Dress got five licks off Anita Dippel, winning pitcher. Mrs. Dippel also led the victors with three base hits. Mary Ann Kana and Dorothy Drab had two apiece for Fashion Dress.

Mr. and Mrs. Milton Schmidt of La Grange presented a 10-speed bicycle to the Rev. Ron Haseley for turning in the most money in the Miles-for-Camp Walkathon. The funds were earmarked to build a campsite in Georgetown and add cabins at Camp Lutherhill at La Grange.

The new officers of the Noon Lions Club were: Arno Ruether, ex-officio president; Jack Dyer, tail twister; John D. Marburger, one-year director; Lee Mueller, president; John Bouldin, third vice president; J.W. Roper, secretary-treasurer; and Larry Klein, Lion tamer.

The La Grange Girl Scouts Troop No. 50 held its Court of Awards ceremony at the Girl Scout Hut. Girls in Troop 50 were: Lisa Akers, Diane Kuehn, Bamba Bennetsen, Jennifer Cook, Brittna Simpson, Vicki Roper, Linda Cooper and Penny Ullrich. Leaders were: Mrs. Beverly Ullrich, Mrs. Nancy Cooper and Mrs. Carolyn Roper.

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