The Fayette County Republican Party hosted their second candidate forum of the primary election season on Saturday, Jan. 29 The event took place at the Ellinger Chamber of Commerce Hall.

As the Blinn College Schulenburg campus approaches the 25th anniversary of its opening this fall, a pair of recent developments continues to cloud its future. On Jan.

Fayette County Judge Joe Weber, a retired three-star general in the U.S. Marine Corps, administered the oath of enlistment to Pvt. Rider Reid of La Grange under the historic Muster Oak on the Courthouse Square in La Grange. Before the ceremony, Weber had Reid recite a short history of the Muster Oak – the spot where generations of Fayette County men gathered before entering the armed services. Reid is a 2021 graduate of La Grange High School. Photo by Andy Behlen

Following their forum in Schulenburg Jan. 22, the four Republican County Judge candidates followed the JP candidates at Saturday’s forum in Ellinger.

It’s that time of year when love is in the air and the annual Valentine’s Library Benefit Concert for Round Top Festival Institute is happening. This year it will be Love Songs Galore. There will only be a live benefit concert ... no silent auction ... no tables laid out with sweet treats and goodies. Nonetheless, an additional special treat will be a performance by James Dick during the concert. The concert starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 benefits the Festival Institute’s Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee Library and Study Center. Tickets can be purchased online at www.festivalhill.org or by calling the Festival office at 979- 249-3129.

The Sacred Heart Altar Society members met on Monday, Jan. 3 in the Msgr.

Worldwide, a red door is an invitation. It signifies a place to find rest, safety, and protection.

The Pioneer Unit of the Herb Society of America held its January meeting in Burton. The group, which includes members from Washington, Fayette, Austin, and Harris Counties as well as other area counties, heard an interesting report on our yearlong study of twelve different basil varieties. Some are grown in the ground and others in pots. The pictures included in the presentation made many members interested in trying some new varieties of basil when the weather warms.

The Ellinger Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a homemade chicken noodle soup lunch and bake sale on Sunday, Jan. 30. This will be a drive – thru event held at the Ellinger Community Center. Serving will get underway at 10:30 a.m. You are asked to bring your own containers for the soup. The cost will be $8 a quart or $30 a gallon. Desserts and chicken salad sandwiches will also be available.

The Fayette County Firefighter’s Association reports the following calls for the week of Jan. 16-22: Grass Fires - 8 Accidents - 1 Fire Aarms - 3 Medical - 6 Hay Bale Fire - 1 Mutual Aid Grass Fire - 1.