The Work of Destruction in Fayette County, 1909
Our modern day meteorologists inform the public that hurricane season in Texas, which began on June 1, is based on historic weather patterns when tropical storms begin to form in the Atlantic Ocean. This Footprints article will deal with one of these storms which left its footprints on Fayette County in 1909. This storm, referred to as the Velasco Hurricane, was deemed to be a Category 3 storm when it struck the Texas coast on July 21, 1909. The storm began as a weak tropical depression, and after crossing the Gulf of Mexico, made landfall at Velasco, and after passing through the town, left numerous citizens dead, and only a few buildings standing. As a side note, the town of Velasco, located in Brazoria County, was at one time the seat of government for Texas after the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto. In the late 1950s it was incorporated into the city of Freeport. The hurricane left a swath of destruction not only in Fayette County, but also in the surrounding areas, including Austin, Bastrop, Colorado, Lavaca, Lee, and Wharton counties. This storm, and the many that came after, were long overshadowed by the 1900 Galveston Hurricane, known as the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
Award-Winning Quilter Anita Todd to Present Demonstration
Colorado Valley Quilt Guild will be hosting one of their very own award-winning guild members, Anita Todd, as she presents a short demonstration of her awardwinning talents on quilting with a domestic machine. Machine or hand quilting is a challenging and rewarding aspect of what quilters do. Hopefully, some will come away with a new appreciation for the task and be ready to roll up their sleeves and give this type of work a chance. If you’ve seen her award winning quilts, you know she does amazing work and this is a program you won’t want to miss. The Colorado Valley Quilt Guild meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Randolph Recreation Center, 653 W. Pearl St., Room A East, La Grange. Guild meetings begin at 6 p.m. on even months and 10 a.m. on odd months. meetings are always open to the public, so grab a friend and come learn more about this wonderful service organization right here in La Grange.
Constitution Week Is Sept. 17-23
Sept. 17-23, marks the 71st year the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will celebrate Constitution Week. On Sept. 17, 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. As these delegates were leaving the Pennsylvania State House church bells were rung. To honor the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, the Smith-McMillan Chapter of DAR will host a Bells Across America ceremony.
ACCSS Alliance Exploring R-PEP Designation
The Alliance for College & Career Student Success (ACCSS) program is entering its sixth year as a collaborative of rural school districts serving South-Central Texas. The initiative has been very successful, expanding from five to eight school districts and now serving over 2400 high school students, growing workforce and dual credit opportunities and supporting post-secondary preparedness. ACCSS shares academic and career resources, student advising, and support needed for every student, regardless of background, to earn post-secondary credits or workforce credentials to pursue their individual goals. It is that vision of ACCSS that students from rural communities graduate from high school with a plan – ultimately learning, living, and working in the rural communities where they were raised.
The Historical Roots of Local Election Control in America
This year marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, and the League of Women Voters is devoting this column series to the rights and freedoms at the heart of our nation’s founding. Few of those founding decisions shape daily civic life as much as this one: the choice to place control of elections in the hands of states and localities, not a central government.