Society

50 Years after it closed, The Record is running a series of articles this summer looking back at the key figures surrounding the Chicken Ranch and the complicated legacy it has left behind. A ug.

The year was 1855. Millard Fillmore was president. Walt Whitman published “Leaves of Grass.” Also, in 1855, Dr. William Hermes left Germany for a second time: destination both times, Texas. That year a small committee of La Grange citizens applied for parish status and received official acceptance from the Texas Episcopal Diocese and St. James’ Episcopal was born. In 1853, just two years before, German Heinrich Steinweg established a piano factory in Manhattan. One hundred and sixty-eight years later, a Hermes Steinway piano would leave its home in the Hermes mansion on North Main and wind its way across the city to its new home in the little red-on-yellow church across from the HE- B on Monroe Street.

Leafcutter ants are one of the most difficult pests to eliminate from the landscape. They can strip a mature fruit tree in a day. I have heard them described by my gardening friends as pure evil. But like all critters of the earth, they have a job to do, even if we can’t figure out the job’s value.

Fayette County Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to announce the commencement of “2x4 Season,” a unique and exciting initiative aimed at bringing the community together to support the construction of the Wright Family’s forever home. As part of this special campaign, individuals, businesses, and organizations can sponsor 2x4s for $50 each and contribute to the realization of this family’s dream.

Readers of fiction can enjoy local author Audrey Wick’s latest novel Seeing Us, a Texas-set love story between a patient looking for new glasses and the town’s optometrist. Fans will enjoy seeing a few familiar locations as well as secondary characters that crossover from Wick’s previous work.

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OP News TheChuckwagonCooking Class with Chef Grady Spears is set for Aug. 24.

W Annual Lorenz Reunion The descendants of August and Marie (Winzer) Lorenz gathered for the 39th annual reunion. The reunion was held on Saturday, July, 22 at Holy Cross Picnic Grounds in Warda and was hosted by the families of Herman and Martha (Foerster) Lorenz.