La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath reports on the following incidents his department responded to during the week of May 31 through June 7.

Going through my late husband’s things, I came across a neatly-kept seed corn sack. That was a reminder about how corn meant survival at one time in Fayette County and throughout Texas. Corn not only fed humans, but also animals. Wheat flour was not available in the early days, so cornmeal became the basic ingredient for cornbread, Johnny cakes and cornmeal mush, which was frequently prepared with meat renderings as food for dogs and cats. Dogs were essential as guard dogs and to help with hunting and cats were utilized as “mousers” to keep down the rodent population, especially in the corn crib.

Giddings Times & News

Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is an eight hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social and self-help care.

A Unity Gathering will be held Saturday June 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at White Rock Park in La Grange.

The Juneteenth on the Square organization is hosting a Prayer Rally Friday, June 19 on the courthouse square in La Grange beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting about an hour. Speakers will be Louis Zachary, pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and Verlia Mosley. Organizers are hoping to have a choir and there will also be a reflection time of eight minutes and 46 seconds, which was the time George Floyd was held down by a Minneapolis Police Officer before he died.

The big community garage sale in downtown Muldoon was a success. There were seven vendors of all kinds of goods. Buyers came from all over to meander through the goodies and find some real bargains, thus helping clean out a few garages and storage spaces. It also was a great way for everyone to get a chance to visit out in the open air with lots of space. Meanwhile, those unused goods made their way home to a useful spot in someone else’s home. What a great way to recycle.

One of the most unique and detailed model train layouts in South Central Texas, if not the entire State, has made its way from Michigan to Flatonia’s downtown Central Texas Rail History Center (CTRHC).

Last Thursday, June 11, Fayette County Commissioners signed a proclamation designating June 19 as Emancipation Day in Fayette County. That day also know as Juneteenth, celebrates the date in 1865 when Union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and announced orders freeing African-Americans who were up until then held in slavery. Pictured at the signing were (from left) Pct. 4 Commissioner Tom Muras, Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff, County Judge Joe Weber, Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel and Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom. Photo by Andy Behlen

The Winchester Area Civic Association will be offering a $1,000 scholarship to a Fayette County resident who is enrolled or 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.