Winchester VFD Annual Fish Fry Slated July 28
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 fund raiser pays the bills to keep the fire department running. When you dial 911, members of Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department are at your service to put out a fire, help you in case of an injury, or even rescue you from a flood. Members are at your service—no paychecks are handed out for their response. This fund raiser 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 or 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 mower along with hundreds of other items. Anything of value is wonderful, and may be just what someone is looking to buy.
The department always needs man hours—not to say woman hours are not needed, too. Volunteers prepare and serve the meal and 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 us a call, we will find a job for you. We greatly appreciate all the workers who help. Contact: Marceil Prestridge at (832) 567-8636, Eddie Schneider at (979) 242-5748 or Larry Herzog at (979) 966-9131.
The Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department reminds residents 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 and enable the first responders an easy and speedy entrance. Also, please call the Sheriff’s Office any time that you burn a brush pile; this communication will save many false reports of uncontrolled fires.
Scholarship Application
The Winchester Area Civic Association will be offering a $1,000 scholarship to a Fayette County resident who is enrolled or will be enrolling in an institute of higher learning for careers in the professions of nursing, teaching, criminology/ peace officer, fire sciences, dental, radiology imaging or EMT certification/paramedic.
You must be enrolled in a college or approved program for the Fall of 2020 semester, or have been enrolled in a college for at least one semester and have a GPA of 2.5.
The application is due by June 30. For more information, please contact Barbara Schafer at richardbarbschafer@gmail. com or call (254) 644-0336.
Round Table Book Club
The Winchester Round Table Book Club met on Tuesday, June 16, at Zilss Hall to discuss the classic “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier. Eight people were in attendance and held a lively discussion. 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.
Bash on the Bend
Bash on the Bend is still on. Tom and Margaret Atkins invite their neighbors and friends to join them at their Annual Bash on the Bend on July 4. Festivities will begin at noon. Bring your own picnic, chairs and beverages and join neighbors and friends under the shade trees for lunch and fellowship. Tables will be provided. The parade will begin when all entrants have arrived. Decorate a bicycle, your utility vehicle, your car or even baby stroller, and come join the fun. The coveted “Bottle on the Bend” trophy will be awarded to the crowd favorite. Call 242-3085 for more information.
Barn Board Quilt Trail
The quilt block trail in Winchester can now be seen at www.quiltblocktrail.com. Schedules of classes, 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, is available at your convenience and is a great way to spend an afternoon during this COVID-19 social distancing time. You will find the blocks on fences, gates, barns and houses that can be seen from the road.
Recycling Trailer Is Back
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 recycling 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: Johnny Green - June 23; Candice Hill - 24; Paul Schultz - 25; Bernice Latimer - 27; Madelyn Franke - 28; and Justin Klehm - 29.
Anniversaries
Anniversary wishes are extended to the following couples: Dorothy and Roger Loewe - June 28; and Becky and Rich Leer and C.J. and Jake Franke - 29.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Rick and Rachel Schaffer on the birth of their daughter, Vail. Vail was welcomed by her big brother, Vallen, and grandparents, Barb and Richard Schafer. She weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 20 inches long.
Condolences
Our condolences and prayers are extended to Joan Schenker and Becky Schenker on the death of Vivian Ballard, Joan’s daughter and Becky’s sister. Vivian lived in Austin.
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
With the arrival of the month of June, 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 Church
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. The 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
Those on the prayer list include: 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 US Armed Forces
US Navy: Christopher Brand, Great Lakes, Illinois
US Air Force: Jessica Lindner, Okinawa, Japan; Ryan Spray, San Antonio, Texas
US Army: Warren Evans, Ft. Benning, Georgia; Jake Hagood, Ft Hood, Texas; Jared Michalec, Kuwait; Byron Taylor, South Korea
US Marines: Damien Hernandez, San Diego, California
Have News?
If anyone has news to share and/or corrections, contact Rhoda Gersch by phone at (979) 242-3213 or email rmgersch@ yahoo.com.