Like some of the other big summer festivals who have already announced plans to continue their events in some form of fashion (Round Top 4th of July, Schulenburg Festival), officials from the Fayette County Fair also plan to hold their event this year amidst coronavirus precautions.

For the week ending May 9 (the most recent stats available from the Texas Workforce Commission), 58 people in Fayette County filed for unemployment benefits. While still a big number (only five filed for unemployment the same week a year ago) that total of 58 folks was the lowest filing in the last seven weeks.

Katherine Steinhauser Collier earned a Master of Social Work degree. Katherine is now a licensed social worker and will be practicing in Austin. Katie is the daughter of Judge Jeff Steinhauser and Stephanie Steinhauser.

A few local people tried claiming federal stimulus checks sent to their deceased relatives.

Rev. Herman Powell Jr., his wife Sister Mary Jo Powell and the congregants at St. James AME Church in Weimar are working to save their 100-year old building. Their efforts were aided this week with checks totaling over $2,000 from another St. James, this one the Episcopal Church across from the HEB Grocery in La Grange. The St. James Episcopal Church Men’s Club donated over $1000 to the Weimar church and that was matched from La Grange’s St. James’ discretionary fund. The St. James AME Church has a lot of work to do, but it is a determined congregation. “I’m going to fight to my last day to see that the church makes it,” vowed Rev. Powell. Sister Powell pointed towards the church steeple, saying “That’s what I want to hear ringing again.” Donations to help St. James AME can be sent to 412 St. Andrews Street, Weimar, TX 78962 or can be made through the church’s Facebook page. Photo by Bill Bishop

Rachel Caroline Steinhauser graduated from Texas A&M University, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Math and Sciences degree. Rachel will conclude graduate school in August of 2021 and begin a teaching career. Rachel is the daughter of Judge Jeff and Stephanie Steinhauser of Flatonia.

La Grange High School junior Katherine Perales has been invited to participate in NASA’s Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) virtual summer program. She applied to the program in the fall of 2019 and after being accepted she began completing numerous requirements during the fall and spring semesters.

This year Fayette County Republican Women (FCRW) offered $1,000 scholarships to graduating, college-bound senior girls at each of the five Fayette County high schools. The winners demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, high grade point averages, positive involvement in their communities and exemplification of conservative values. A total of five scholarships were awarded. This year’s recipients are Alexandria Galipp, Schulenburg, Julie Korenek, Fayetteville; Kaitlyn Rowell, Flatonia; Lauren Lehmann, La Grange; and Julia Patterson, Round Top-Carmine. Applicants were evaluated on their academic record, leadership activities in local organizations, conservative values and goals, recommendations from teachers and community leaders and their written essay on conservatism. FCRW congratulates these young women on their outstanding accomplishments and wishes them success and happiness in all their future endeavors.