Fruits of the Spirit by Julie Howard opens this Saturday, January 18, at the ARTS Ross Gallery. The opening reception will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. This exhibition highlights Howard’s breathtaking hyperrealistic works, crafted using soft pastels she hand-makes with organic ingredients. Her natural pastel recipe yields the rich, vibrant colors that define her art. “As I strive to best represent my own personal character, my mission is to illustrate the beauty of God around us as it is reflected in the presence of water and the many colors of the rainbow,” Howard explains. This inspiring collection embodies the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Join ARTS for the opening reception to meet the artist and see firsthand how she brings these virtues to life through her extraordinary talent.

them some trouble.” Though La Grange has been playing well most of the season, they are even tougher since the return two weeks ago of Hernandez, who had injured her knee back in the first game of the season. “She’s battled so much the last couple of years, an ACL tear (last year) and in the first game this season she tears her meniscus and has to go through physical therapy,” Golan said.

Great news, Fayette County, there’s a new Relay in town. The two county Relay for Life events for the American Cancer Society have united to form one bigger and more fun Relay. The event will be held on Saturday, April 12, from 6-10 p.m. at Leopard Stadium in La Grange. Even though it is still a few months away, event planners want to get the word out to the community.

Perfect Attendance: Witley Besetsny, Clare Besetzny, Raven Demel, Ryker Demel, Rilee Durfey, Addison Eudy, William Eudy, Ellie Klein, Myles Krenek, Annaston Kutac, Brody Lewis, Sophie Neiser, Harrison Novick, Hudson Ohnheiser, Adam Reeves, Camila Saucedo, Justin Schramek, Asher Shimek, Luke Shimek, Kynslee Zapalac, Kasen Zbranek.

Sengelmann Hall in Schulenburg will close on Jan. 31.

A home in the Clear Lake Pines Subdivision near Winchester burned Wednesday, Jan. 8.

A “Unity in the Community” celebration will take place on the Courthouse Square in La Grange on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Dylan Mateo Mendez-Medina, son of Jesus Mendez-Bentacourt and Seylin Yamileth Medina-Osorio of La Grange, was the first baby of 2025, born Jan. 1 at 8:33 a.m., at Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 20.24 inches in length. On hand for the special event were, front, mother Seylin Yamileth Medina-Osorio holding her son, Dylan Mateo Mendez-Medina; and, back row, from left, Stefani Limon, RN; Michelle Flores, Surgical Tech; Alyssa Bookout, RN, Vanessa Ulrich, RN; Saima Ghazal, M.D.; and Brandie Manak, RN. No babies are born in La Grange anymore (except home births). In 2017 the Birthing Center was closed at St. Mark’s Hospital in La Grange and in 2023 St. Mark’s completely closed.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15 at noon, award-winning historian Andrew Torget will discuss the improbable rise of Galveston from an abandoned sandbar in 1836 to its emergence as the most important port city in the American Southwest by 1895. Then, in 1900, the most violent hurricane in American history destroyed Galveston, obliterating the city like a modern-day Atlantis and remaking both Texas and the American Southwest once more. E-mail tricia.blakistone@ austin.utexas.edu for a link to this zoom talk.

The American Legion Auxiliary and the American Legion Post 102 joined their voices and holiday spirit to visit local military veterans at The Villas in Schulenburg on Dec. 16. They also visited College Place in Schulenburg and Jefferson Place in La Grange. Visiting with local veterans to sing holiday songs, distributing homemade cookies with other treats, and recalling stories from shared military services are ways that the American Legion Auxiliary and American Legion Post members enjoy spending their time. It is an honor to meet with Veterans in their homes. Pictured from left: John Battle, Auxiliary President Mary Battle, Gladys Polasek, Elaine Matthys, Phyllis Chavarria, Post President Richard Gray, and Stacy Ryza. The American Legion Auxiliary meets on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at the VFW Home located on Veterans Memorial Drive at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.