Students Commemorate Texas Heroes Day
Seventh and eighth-grade junior La Grange historians marked March 6, Texas Heroes Day, by placing monument wreaths in downtown La Grange at the historic oak in front of La Grange State Bank, on the east side of the Fayette County Courthouse and at the Monument Hill State Park tomb. The students were under the guidance of teacher Mrs. Marge Williams. This was the first time heroes of the Texas Revolution had been recognized since the 1920s when local Boy Scouts decorated the monuments.
City sales tax receipts for 11 municipalities in this area increased 11.5% in 1974, not much more than the national rate of inflation. Therefore, the actual retail sales growth here was probably negligible. Brenham had the highest total receipts and percentage of gain in the region. La Grange continued to hold second place in collections, receiving $106,450.
The La Grange Leopard baseball squad got the 1975 season underway. The charges of head diamond mentor Bill Risken kicked things off against the Bellville Brahmas with a 12-inning scrimmage that ended in an 8-8 stalemate. Turning in creditable stints on the mound for the Leps were: Neal Miller, Kenny Hatfield, Mike Pechal, Bert Vasut, Thomas Supak and Larry Bippert. Wayne Zimmerhanzel collected the longest base hit for La Grange, socking a homer out of four trips. Hatfield hit safely twice in three times at bat, while Pechal and Richard Cernoch were one for two.
Was 1975 destined to be a dry year? Only 3.99 inches of rainfall had been recorded during the first two months of the year, with 1.26 falling in January and 2.73 in February. For the same period in 1974, 7.14 inches had fallen, and for the corresponding time in 1973, the total was 8.64 inches.
The University of Texas announced Philip Henry Oestreich and Wayne Charles Wessels of La Grange were Bachelor of Business Administration degree candidates.
Funeral services were held for: Emil O. Fiedler, 81, a native of Fayette County; Mrs. Lola Pearson, 84, of La Grange; and Daniel James Cernosek, 28, a native of Ammannsville.
Cadet John W. Mode, the son of Dr. and Mrs. W. G. Mode of La Grange, received a varsity letter with Navy star in lightweight football at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The star denoted a win over the Navy team in a varsity competition.
Last-day filings resulted in a contest for the City of La Grange Ward 2 council post in the spring election. Candidates for the post were Alois J. Petrusek, a retired high school teacher, and Kenneth S. Stevenson, owner of Ken’s Grocery. Milton J. Pechal was not seeking reelection after serving 15 years on the council. In Schulenburg, longtime mayor Hirsh N. Schwartz was being opposed by building contractor Frank J. Bohlmann.
Pat Smith’s three-run homer over the left field barrier in the final frame gave Bill Risken’s La Grange Leopards an 8-7 come-from-behind victory over the Sealy Tigers. Consecutive bases on balls from Wayne Zimmerhanzel, Mike Pechal batting for Gary Dippel, Ken Hatfield and Larry Bippert got the Leps their first five. Neal Miller followed with a sacrificed fly that plated Pechal. Smith sailed a pitch out of the park to score Hatfield and Bippert ahead of himself.
The 32 Fayette County 4-H Club members taking part in the 43rd Houston Livestock Show brought home more than $4,000 in exhibit sales, premiums and scramble certificates. Bruce Mozisek of the La Grange 4-H Club made the largest sale with his 9th-place turkey hen. It sold for $250.
Emil (Babe) Blume, who was retiring after 62 years as a musician, was honored by Blume’s Orchestra at Frank’s Restaurant in Schulenburg on Sunday night. For entertainment, taped music by Blume’s Orchestra played during the social hour and dinner. A brief history of Babe’s life related how he had played the saxophone and clarinet with Bill Cornelson, Larry Cornelson and Alfred Bushe, the Blue Jackets, and had his own band for many years. Babe played with Blume’s Orchestra for 27 years.
Ever since the urban exodus to the country hit Central Texas in the late 1960s, thousands of Houston families had loaded up their station wagons each weekend and headed for their second homes in the fertile, rolling country between the Brazos and Colorado rivers, about a two-hour drive from the city. As a result, more than half of the land in Washington and Fayette counties was owned by Houstonians. In response to this phenomenon, the University of Texas at Winedale outdoor museum of rural life near Round Top was offering a two-day seminar for weekend farmers on March 22 and 23. For a fee of $25 per couple, $5 of which was tax deductible, attendees could combine a tour of the museum and picnic lunch with lectures on potential land use, tractor safety, hay types, etc.
Round Top-Carmine High School class favorites included: Mr. RTC – Stuart Markwardt; Miss RTC – Donna Leonhardt; friendliness – Stuart Markwardt and Susan Etzel; most likely to succeed – Becky Fuchs and Ronnie Jahnz; most athletic – Dian Caldwell and Stuart Markwardt.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Liebscher observed their 40th wedding anniversary at the Home Demonstration Club on Saturday, March 1, with many relatives and friends attending.
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