I planted some bitter melon seeds back in the spring. I’m growing this fruit for the first time this year.

The next online Winedale talk will be on Saturday, July 17, at noon. Thadious Polasek, Blinn College instructor and the Schulenburg librarian, will present Texas Czech Communities: Echos of the Homeland. He will discuss the arrival and impact on Texas by the Czech. The following Texas Czech communities will be covered: Cistern, Dubina, Hostyn, Praha, Moravia, Velehrad, and St. Mary’s. E-mail tricia.blakistone@austin.utexas. edu for a link to this Zoom talk.

Healing Hearts and Friends adventure for July is to Majek’s Vineyard and Winery located in Moravia (Schulenberg), on Saturday, July 17. They will enjoy country music by Sean Orr and Texas Gold, try wine tasting from the vineyard (should you choose to do so), and have dinner at the restaurant prior to leaving at 6 p.m. The only cost is the food and drink that you partake of. They will leave the church parking lot at 1 p.m. and return between 6-7 p.m. All are welcome to join. If you have any questions, contact Emily Matheson at 979-250-3027 (text or call) or email emilymatheson123@gmail.com

The Round Top Lions Club contributed $1,000 to Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS) at a recent event sponsored by the art organization. ARTS in collaboration with the Texas Commission on the Arts provided a storytelling performance by Bernadette Nason at the Round Top Library.

Things are chugging along at the Navidad Valley Community Connections Senior Center (NVCC). We are starting to get very busy, with more folks coming back each week.

Fayette Savings grand re-opening public event was held on Friday, June 18 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the La Grange location. They showcased their beautiful lobby and bank remodel. It was a sight to see. What a gorgeous bank inside, just like the small town employees who work within. This family- and community-friendly picnic was enjoyed by many. Activities included a ring toss, snow cones, a pair of alpacas named Willie and Waylon, food, refreshments and prizes. Fayette Savings Bank has branches in Schulenburg, Weimar, and Flatonia. Pictured from left are: Sherry Pfluger, Shannon Raabe, Gene Carson, Samantha Milan, Crystal Barrow, Kyle Barrow, Sandy Northrup, Joe Jameson, James Lehmann, Sam Gunn, Shelby Zbranek, Jerry Jacob, Rodney Kalich, Sandra Teykl, Kyle Janda, Payton Wolfe, Mike Olle, George Brandt, Riley Mozisek, Kelly Mozisek, David Zapalac, Vera Brandt, Ben Schovajsa, Adam Kristoff, Wade Mozisek, Marissa Navarro, Dustin Drab, Brad Cutright, Darlene Brothers, Catherine Velasquez, Braxton Smidovec, Candace Kaiser, Shelby Weyand, Kay Marburger, Emily Eindorf and John Marburger. Not pictured were many employees, friends and account holders who came out.

Noah Hester from Fayetteville is one of more than 1,200 students to celebrate their graduation in May during two days of commencement ceremonies at Shenandoah University. Students either graduated in May 2021, December 2020 or August 2020.

The Fayette County Firefighter’s Association reports the following calls for the week of July 4-10: Fire Alarms - 4; Accidents - 11; Medical - 9; Structure Fire - 1; Dumpster Fire - 1; Vehicle Fire - 1; Citizen Assist With Flooding - 1.

Millions of dollars have been allocated for communities in Fayette County as part of the national American Rescue Plan. However, no one really know what it can be used for yet.

A City of La Grange contractor who was installing a new water line accidentally struck an old water line while digging on Water Street Tuesday morning, July 13. City Manager Shawn Raborn said the contract crew was installing a new line from Well Station B on Hanacek Lane to Well Station D on West Colorado Street when the mishap occurred. Raborn said the contractor quickly repaired the damage that morning. Photo courtesy of Andrew Baker