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9/17/08 St. Paul Serbin has been earnestly searching for a Pastor to fill the position that was left vacant a year ago by their pastor of nine years, Rev. Michael Buchhorn.

The congregation began the search by accepting names of potential candidates. These names were then submitted to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod who contacted the candidates and others to be considered for the position.

After four months, the Synod presented six names for Serbin's congregational leaders to consider. After phone interviews with these candidates, and much prayer, a vote was taken by the leaders on who seemed to be the best person for the position. Unanimously the vote went to Rev. John E. Schmidt of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Two months later, the name of this candidate and two others were presented to the Voting Body of the Congregation and they agreed with the decision of the congregational leaders. This candidate was then issued the job.

Rev. Schmidt and his wife, Lisa, flew down and met with different organizations of the church and visited the community. However they declined the position.

On August 10, the Voting Body again decided to re-issue the job to Rev. John E. Schmidt of Lincoln, Nebraska. He and his wife and three children; high school students Eric & Ann and 7th grade daughter Krista, flew in on September 4 for a two day visit. One week later - on Sunday, September 14, a letter was read to the congregation of Rev. Schmidt's decision to accept the position as Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran.

Area Sales Tax Revenues Up: Prices, Production and Services Major Contributing Factor

8/8/08 With rising prices for goods, services, and gasoline - sales tax collections are reportedly up, in and around the Lee County area.

According to the State Comptroller's Office sales tax revenues for several area cities and counties rose for the first seven months of 2008.

The city of Giddings posted an increase of 8.6%. Other cities that profited from higher sales tax collections were Caldwell (25%), Sealy (17.9%), Luling (9%), Bastrop (8.8%), Lockhart (7.5%), and Smithville (7.1%).

Milam County saw a 63.62% increase in sales tax revenue for the period, while Lee County saw a 32.3% increase.

Fayette, Burleson, Caldwell and Bastrop counties were a few of the counties that posted moderate gains of under 8%.

Higher retail prices and prices at the gas pump account for part of the collection increase. When consumers pay more, more sales tax is collected for goods and services that are taxable.

Pricing for services are up, with service industry professionals having to pass along operational cost; like gasoline, diesel, maintenance and personnel, to the consumer.

Texas economists claim that it is not necessarily consumer spending that has revenues in the upward motion. Many of the increases should be attributed to industry factors for specific areas.

Oil and gas prices have added to the mix because of the increased amount of drilling and production in Texas and the areas around Lee County.

Oil and gas service companies have reported being busier than ever and these types of services are subject to sales tax. Companies involved in drilling, production enhancement, operations and basic oilfield service are working more and in some cases charging more to offset additional amounts they spend to operate in the 2008 economy.

Barbecue will be sold beginning at 4:30 p.m. Plates will be available at 5:00 p.m. Adult plates will sell for $6 and children's plates will be $3. All to-go plates will be $6.

Other events will include a 2:00 p.m. washer tournament, a silent auction at 3:00 p.m. and a barrel train for the kids which will start running at 3:00 p.m. Music will be provided by the Central Texas Sounds at 3:30 p.m. and a live auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. and round out the evening.

All proceeds will be used to purchase new firefighting equipment for the department.

7/29/08 The Paige Volunteer Fire Department will hold its 13th annual fundraiser on Saturday, August 2nd beginning at 3:00 p.m.

The VFD will be selling BBQ meals at 4:00 p.m. Plates are $8 for adults and $4 for children.

The event serves as the group's major fundraiser for the year. Funds will be used for equipment and for their new facility which is located on the north side of Highway 290 in Paige.

The Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department has planned its annual Fried Chicken Dinner for Sunday, August 3rd at the Lincoln Community Center.

Meals will be served from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. A live auction will begin at 1:00 p.m.

7/27/08 One of three replica coffins that was built as a model of Abraham Lincoln's coffin will be on display at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in LaGrange.

The traveling exhibit, which has been touted as "a chance to view a part of history", was made by Batesville Casket Company, is one of three Lincoln coffin replicas which travel to funeral homes and events sponsored by Lincoln enthusiasts across the United States.

The Batesville Company made the coffins as a response to a request from a Chicago museum to manufacture a replica for an exhibit. Currently, there is a waiting list for the replicas that extends into 2009.

The exhibit will run, in LaGrange, from August 4th - 8th during the hours of 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

7/6/08 The United States Flag of Honor made a stop in Giddings on Friday, July 4th and was welcomed by local law enforcement officials and area First Responders.

The United States Flag of Honor travels around the country to memorialize men and women in the armed forces, law enforcement officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The care and handling of the US Flag of Honor has been entrusted to a group called The Honor Network which is led by Chris Heisler, of Leander.

On September 11, 2001, the United States Flag of Honor was flying over the Texas Capitol during the terrorist attacks. After the attacks it flew at half-staff in honor of those who had perished on that day and the days that have followed.

The flag later became known as the United States Flag of Honor and was presented to New York Gov. George Pataki at the New York Police Department.

In an effort to salute thousands of fallen heroes, the flag has traveled to numerous states as well as the District of Columbia. It has also been taken to U.S. combat zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar.

The flag arrived at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on July 3rd where it was received by the Lakeway Police Department. Lakeway was first on a list of stops of 4th of July stops for the flag.

The flag then made a stop at the Giddings Volunteer Fire Department's July 4th celebration in route to Houston. Members of the GVFD, Sheriff Rodney Meyer and DPS Troopers were on hand for a welcoming presentation at the Firemen's Park.

Sheriff Meyer stated, "It was an honor to have the flag presentation here in Giddings even though it was on short notice."

7/3/08 The Giddings Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) will once again hold its annual Forth of July 4th celebration at the Fireman's Park on Friday. The highlight of the event will be a fireworks display presented the GVFD.

In addition to the barbecue and auction fundraiser there will be arts and crafts, games, hobby horses and a barrel train for the kids.

Afternoon music will be provided by Joe Boyd Reynolds and the JBR Band. Ricky Kalmbach will perform at the Fireman's Pavilion beginning at 8:30 p.m. Admission to the dance is free.

The Lee County Sheriff's Posse is pulling out all the stops with its 14th Annual PBR Bull Riding Extravaganza, Fury on the Fourth. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Lee County Sheriff's Posse Arena. Several of the world's best bullriders will compete in the Independence day event.

The Lexington Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) will host its annual July 4th Fireworks In The Park on Friday.

The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. at Lexington Memorial Park. The LVFD will be selling grilled hamburgers and the Lee County Stars Drill Team will provide a "Horseless Rodeo" for the children.

A fireworks display is planned for 9:00 p.m. and will round out the Independence Day celebration.

The Round Top Rifle Association (RTRA) will present its 158th Annual Parade and Celebration starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.

The event will begin on the town square at 10:00 a.m. The firing of the Round Top Cannon will start the parade at 10:30 a.m. Floats from organizations and businesses in the area will participate.

The association will sell barbecue with all the trimmings and music will be provided by the Round Top Brass band and the Round Top Jam Session during the day. A moonwalk and train rides are planned for the kids.

Kleiber Tractor will host a Tractor, Equipment and Engine show on the association grounds. A battle dance will be held from 3-8 p.m. with cold refreshments in the air-conditioned RTRA hall.

6/16/08 Thousands of Texas’ most avid bikers made their way to Austin, Republic of Texas bikers

this past weekend, in route to the Republic of Texas Biker Rally (ROT) held at the Texas Exposition and Heritage Center in East Austin off Decker Lane.

The rally drew over 45,000 motorcycle enthusiasts, mostly Harley Davidson riders, who enjoy the chance to get together to ride, ROT Biker Rally Austin Texas

compare their "toys" (especially the custom artwork) and talk about their trip and the bikes in general.

The 45,000+ motorcyclist are believed to have a $36 million impact on the Austin area economy. These figures, put forth by ROT officials, include money spent on lodging, food, shopping, entertainment and fuel.

The rally boast non-stop entertainment with 70 bands, that played on four stages throughout the three day event. The rally hosted acts like the Charlie Daniels Band, Three Dog Night, Billy Joe Shaver and Ray Wiley Hubbard.

Some of the other entertainment i Republic of Texas bikers

ncluded the Xtreme Fighting Championship, a Military Bike Giveaway, a performance by the Texas Roller Girls, Celebrity Bike Builders, a Tattoo Contest and the the annual "Parade To The Capitol" combined with a party on Congress Avenue.

The route to Austin had thousands of the bikers cutting a path through Giddings for a chance to stop and refuel, eat, drink and take a break from the hot summer sun.

While there are probably not any real statistics as to the economic benefit the group had on Giddings, but one has to believe there is quite a boom to Republic of texas bikers

certain segments of the Giddings business roll.

The fast food restaurant and convenience store sector of the Giddings retail economy had to have seen a noticeable change in sales figures for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Many local businesses were packed, as bikers were seen all over town, especially on Sunday as they all headed home after the rally ended at noon.

These Cows Think The Jersey Barnyard Is "Heaven" Photos by: Raina Allee, 5 years old, Story by: Dana Lehmann

The Jersey Barnyard in LaGrange has been entertaining and educating children in our area for over 15 years.

The three generation dairy farm, that is owned and operated by the The Jersey Barnyard

Frerich Family of Fayette county, raises farm animals of all kinds and makes them available for children’s tours, birthday parties and other youth activities. Children are allowed hands-on contact with baby pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, cows, calves, a donkey and a miniature pony. The children are also encouraged to run thru a huge maze made of round hay bales, their chance to "get lost" at the farm for a while.

For a small fee the kids enjoy the educational tour, are given feed for the goats (which eat from the child’s bare hand) and a scoop of Blue Bell Ice Cream to round out their visit. The highlight of the trip comes when the children are all given a chance to milk one of the cows by hand, an exciting event that most of the children would never experience, except on their outing to The Jersey Barnyard.

The farm is also a working dairy that raises over 300 Jersey cows, from which it produces milk and cheese. The operation runs a schedule that includes two “milkings” a day; 4:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m The Jersey Barnyard

. The farm produces thousands of gallons of milk a week that is then sold to a milk processing plant. The Frerich Family also makes All Natural Handmade Cheese at the farm using fresh milk produced onsite. Gift baskets and gift boxes are sold at the farm’s gift shop and thru their online store on their website.

Another function of The Jersey Barnyard is to provide the cows for the Blue Bell Creamery ad campaigns. Blue Bell has used the farm for the filming of TV commercials, as well as a backdrop for photos for print advertising. Forget Brenham, these Blue Bell cows actually think LaGrange and The Jersey Barnyard are “Heaven”. ¨

Our visit to the farm came as we tagged along with the Immanuel Lutheran School Pre-K class as part of their spring field trip. All but one of the photos (*noted) used in this story were taken by Raina Allee who is in Ms. Knippa’s Pre-K class at Immanuel. Raina has been an avid “young” photographer since (approx.) age 1.

The Jersey barnyard is located on HWY 159, North/East of LaGrange. To book a tour or get more information call The Jersey Barnyard at 1-800-382-2880. www.texasjersey.com

Hempstead's Lawrence Marshall

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