Former La Grange Astronaut to Head Nuclear Commission

U.S. President Gerald R. Ford named a new Federal Energy Administration team that included a former La Grange man. Ex-astronaut William A. (Bill) Anders, 41, a member of the Atomic Energy Commission and former NASA official, was named chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Anders attended schools in La Grange, and was the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. E.F. (Smiles) Anders. In December 1968, onboard Apollo VIII, Anders, Frank Borman and James Lovell became the first astronauts to orbit the moon.

Three young men, who robbed two other men at gunpoint on I-10 a few miles east of Columbus, apparently made a successful get-away despite a police radio alert broadcast that was issued not more than 15 minutes after the incident. The trio, brandishing .38 caliber pistols at the two victims whose car was stalled, got away with $158 in a 1972 or 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Fayette County’s commissioners decided the county would no longer provide driveway culverts. However, the county would install those purchased by landowners. Any other culvert would have to be purchased and transported to the site of the individual landholder. The only exception was if a new road was being constructed and the landowner gave the county 10 or more feet of land.

Bluff Haven, the subdivision overlooking the Bluff in La Grange, was the site of Ash, Inc.’s home show open house. The company said the five new homes under construction were the best and biggest it had constructed. Because the builder could take advantage of a decline in lumber prices, the homes were priced at attractive preinflation prices. Open house refreshments were being furnished by Royal Crown Bottling Company of La Grange.

The La Grange Leopards took advantage of the Hallettsville Brahmas’ misfortunes to subdue the Lavaca County team 14-0 in a District 25-AA thriller at Hallettsville. Another dazzling serial fireworks display by the Leps carried them to the triumph.

The fundraising executive committee was named to build a new library-museum complex to be completed by May 1976 at a cost of approximate-ly $200,000. The Rev. Harry Mazurkiewicz and Clarence W. Schulze were named project co-chairmen. Mrs. Mary Voss was chosen to head the organization drive and Charlie Jungmichel would chair the special gifts segments, while Mike Klesel was to lead the business and professional phase. John D. Marburger was in charge of seeking grants and other assistance and Mrs. Ola D. Koeppel agreed to oversee the out-of-town drives, while Glen Smith headed up the youth campaign. The public campaign was entrusted to Mrs. Sharon Satterwhite.

Edwin E. Zapalac, executive vice president of Flatonia State Bank, was elected president of the South Central Texas Bankers Association at a meeting held at Frank’s Restaurant in Schulenburg.

At the Brenham Young Farmers’ second annual tractor pull, Martin Brandt of La Grange placed first in the 5,000-lb. category with a 530 Case tractor. Roger Brandt of La Grange placed sixth in the 5,000-lb. stock class with a Case tractor named Mule and ninth in the 7,000-lb. class with his 530 Case.

Funeral services were held for: Mrs. Erwin F. (Gladys) Birkelbach, 63, a native of Shelby; Mrs. Ann Wassermann, 52, of La Grange; and Mrs. Emil G. (Erna) Freudenberg, 67, of La Grange.

Nancy Malota, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Malota Sr., was chosen by the senior class and faculty of Fayetteville High School as 1974-75 DAR Good Citizen. The John Everett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Columbus sponsored the contest.

The children and grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Justin V. Bartos Sr. of Ammannsville honored the couple on their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday. Miss Vlasta Bohac and Justin V. Bartos Sr. were married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ammannsville on Oct. 26, 1924. They had three children: Mrs. Leo F. Janda and Justin V. Bartos Jr. of La Grange and Leonard Bartos of Weimar; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mr. and Mrs. Bartos had lived in Ammannsville all their lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Walther Sr. of Warda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the VFW Hall in La Grange on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26, with a large number of relatives and friends present. The marriage of Miss Mathilda Hobratschk and Ed. Walther took place at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at Warda on Oct. 21, 1924. Mr. and Mrs. Walther farmed in the Warda community throughout their marriage. They had four children: Clinton Walther of Port Arthur, Edmund Walther and Ed. Walther Jr. of Houston and Mrs. Gloria Mae Teinert of Austin.

Margie Kovar, a graduate of La Grange High School, was notified she was featured in the eighth annual edition of Who’s Who Among American High School Students, 1973-74. Miss Kovar was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Kovar of Ellinger.

U.S. Postal Carrier Kermit Blume from Ledbetter was honored for driving more than 701,000 miles over 37 years since being commissioned on Dec. 7, 1937. He was presented with an outstanding defensive driving certificate and a belt and buckle inscribed with “Driver of the Month.”

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