Moe’s grandpa drove his brand new Corvette convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he pushed it to 80 mph, enjoying the wind blowing through what little hair he had left. "Amazing," he thought as he flew down Hwy 521, pushing the pedal even more. Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a police officer from Arcola with blue lights flashing and siren blaring. He floored it to 100 mph, then 110, then 120. Suddenly he thought, "What am I doing? I'm too old for this!" and pulled over to await the officer. Pulling in behind him, the officer got out of his vehicle and walked up to the Corvette. He looked at his watch, then said, "Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a new reason for speeding--a reason I've never before heard -- I'll let you go."
Grandpa paused and then said: "Three years ago, my wife ran off with a police officer. I thought you were bringing her back.”
“Have a good day, Sir,” replied the officer.
Almeda Moe spent the last week of 2012 in the hospital due to a slight miscalculation. For Christmas he gave his son an I-pad, his daughter an I-pod, and his wife an I-ron.
KINFOLKS
Families meet and greet during the Christmas holidays. Uncles, aunts, cousins– cousin? You say you are my third cousin once removed. Could you explain that please. According to the encyclopedia, first cousins are the children of a brothers and sisters. The children of first cousins are second cousins to each other. The children of second cousins are third cousins to each other. But a child of one of the first cousins is a first cousin once removed.. A grandchild of one of the first cousins would be a first cousin twice removed. Got that HAPPY HOLIDAYS The PC police don’t want us saying Merry Christmas anymore. If they knew the meaning of holiday, they might object to Happy Holidays, too. As listed in the Collegiate Dictionary the meaning of the word holiday is holy day. May each of you have many happy holy days this new year.
ARCOLA NEWS
A proposal was made that the Mayor’s salary would be increased from $400 a month to $500 a month. City council members would receive $200, an increase from $150. According to council member Effie Jones this proposal would go into effect only for those newly elected in 2013, and for those reelected in 2014. If a special meeting is called the mayor will also receive $200 and council members will receive $75.
A vote was taken on the proposal. Council member Jones, Rojas, and Jackson voted for, Hilton voted against and Tuffly was not present.
150th Anniversary of the Battle of Galveston!
Professor, author, and historian William Davis, from Virginia Tech, will be the keynote speaker at the Battle of Galveston 150th Anniversary Celebration to be held January 11th through 13th, 2013.
The event is hosted by Galveston Historical Foundation. I have been on the planning committee and I can tell you - this is going to be an awesome event!
Through a Humanities Texas grant all lectures will be free and open to the public. And we have some incredible speakers on tap. Only the exhibit at the Texas Seaport Museum, a few tours, and the Southern Banquet will have fees. Most exhibits, the lectures, and the living history events are free. Lectures include: “The Sinking of the USS Hatteras by CSS Alabama”
“The Monstrous Regiment of Women – Women Soldiers in the Civil War” (by Dr. William Davis)
“Warrior Women, Lady Spies in the Civil War”
“The British Opinion of the American Civil War”
Go to http://galvestonhistory.org/Battle_of_Galveston.asp for a schedule of events and to sign up/buy tickets. Also, they are looking for volunteers for ticket-taking and other easy tasks. If you want to get involved, call Jami Durham at 409 765 3409. Helen D. Mooty Director, Galveston County Museum 409 766-2329 office 281 910-3521 cell
helen.mooty@co.galveston.tx.us Sent in by John Walker
WILLIE “Bill” ANDREWS, 87, passed away December 9, 2012 Bill was born in Houston on May 19, 1925 and came to Almeda in 1936. He served his country during World War II with the 320th Squadron, 90th Bomb Group "Jolly Rogers" of the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross "for extraordinary achievement" in the Southwest Pacific. He returned to Almeda after the war where he spent the rest of his life. The foundations of several homes in Almeda attest to the fact that Bill learned from his father how to pour a concrete foundation properly. He worked as an inspector of concrete work for the City of Houston for 22 years after he had spent several years as an electrician. Always busy and desiring to serve others, he became a 50 year member of the Masonic Order.
Preceded in death by his brothers: Jim, Albert, LeRoy, Robert (Cotton), and Johnny; sisters: Vera, Nellie, Linda and Lois, Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dahlia Rae Tyler Andrews; brother, Wesley Andrews; daughters Connie Andrews, Evelyn/Lonnie Sasser, Barbara/David Grosskopf; grandchildren Scott, Kristen, Stephanie, Jason, Theresa, Jennifer, and Allison, 14 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Service were at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 6927 Main, Houston 77030 or charity of your choice.
DOROTHY JEAN Gehring MORTON 87, passed away December 18, 2012. When Dorothy first attended Almeda School she lived on Almeda Genoa Road, a dirt road back then. For entertainment she watched pilots doing stunts at the Minor- Stewart Airport located where 288 crosses Almeda Genoa. She learned to fly but didn’t want to solo. Dorothy worked years for Western Union, Witco Chemical, and as a volunteer for M.D. Anderson Hospital. She was a member of Eastern Star and Almeda United Methodist Church. Dorothy died peacefully at Holly Hall Retirement Community, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Robert I. Morton; parents F. N. and Anne Gehring; brothers Raymond and Johnny Gehring; sisters Mary Lea Langston and Annie Bass. She is survived by daughter Judy (Tighe) Truax and husband Wayne Truax; sister Amelia Murphey; She worked years for Western Union, Witco Chemical, and as a volunteer for M.D. Anderson Hospital. She was a member of the Bellaire Chapter of Eastern Star and Almeda United Methodist Church. Buried at South Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in honor of Dorothy to MD Anderson Hospital or the Almeda United Methodist Church.
TWAS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
Twas the day after Christmas when all through the house
all the creatures were stirring even the mouse.
The stockings all tattered lay on the floor
the gifts back in boxes to return to the store
so off they go in their gas-powered sleigh
as they drove out of sight I heard father say
BAH HUMBUG by Billy Keyworth
Most of us have experienced the disappointment of having the “perfect” gift exchanged, or re-gifted or sold in a garage sale for a fraction of its cost. Through out time, the only purely perfect gift came from a perfect person in the form of a perfect baby who lived a perfect life. Many have exchanged this perfect gift for temporary pleasure. Others stuff it away in a closet and forget it or sell the perfect gift for a tiny, tiny fraction of its worth like Judas who accepted 30 pieces of silver for the One who created silver and gold and diamonds and the heavens and earth.
Yet there are others who would gladly lay down their lives before they would deny or reject the perfect gift—the gift that makes us acceptable to God.
When our not so perfect gifts are rejected, we can partly understand, the grief God must feel when those He so dearly loves reject or put small value on the gift of His only begotten Son, the most precious gift a father could give.
As much as you desire to be with the ones you love, God desires to be with us. He proved his love. John 3:16
GRAND PARKWAY TOLL RD. SEGMENT C
The proposed route for the Grand Parkway Toll Road connecting 99 at 59 to 288 will run right through the Rosharon State Prison Farm on 521. It will make a connection with 288 about seven miles south of Hwy 6 and north of FM 1462. The email address for public comment is segmentccomment@grandpky.com The deadline for comments is suppose to be Dec. 20th, but perhaps they may still read them.
James Wark draws a crowd at the Houston Gem and Metal Society. He is demonstrating the lost wax casting procedure to make jewelry. That procedure was used in India about 5,000 years ago and for making jewelry in Egypt 3500 years. It is still used for precision items like dental plates. James has made several rings using the gold he gets from discarded computers. Only takes about 250 computer boards and a ton of patience to get an ounce of gold. He is not worried about somebody else preventing him from getting all the computers he wants since there is a constant supply as schools, businesses, and the government are continually updating. If you want more info on how to mine gold from computers go to Google, type in James Wark and click on Precious Metal Mine by James Wark. While making a living recycling, Wark acts for fun and added adventure. His latest movie is coming out in January at 258 movie theaters where he will play the part of a sheriff in “Search for the American Dream”.
BE GOOD TO POLICE OFFICERS
At a routine traffic stop a Houston police officer was shot and killed. We might forget that news in a few days but officers will remember. They never know who is behind the wheel, an honest citizen who was in a big hurry, a drunk, a drug smuggler, or a nut. If you get pulled over the best thing to do is put both hands on the steering wheel in plain sight or lower your window and have both hands visible on the door. The police officer’s job is stressful enough. They have families, too.
WARNING TO GUN OWNERS
Be careful how you answer questions when you go to the doctor. A former vet went to the VA. He was asked: did he feel stressed, did he feel threaten, did he feel like harming someone? He answered no and then found out if he said yes to one of those questions it would have gone on his medical record, reported to Homeland Security and he would have lost his concealed hand gun permit.
Jackie B. emailed that she had a visit with a doctor who was a member of the Association of Family Physicians and that all their doctors are required to use a standardized form with the following questions. Do you have any guns in your house? Do you own any guns? If so, how many? Are your guns secured in your home? How? Her answer was None of your business!!
According to the National Institute of Justice's report "Guns in America: National Survey on Private Ownership and Use of Firearms", guns are used over 1.5 million times a year in self defense. That means that firearms are used 40 times more often for protection than for murder.
From a Texas Redneck Gun Owner " There are no words to explain evil acts by a nut with guns. Conn, and New Jersey have the strictest gun laws in the USA next to Chicago. The first thing out of the Gun Control crowd is ban all guns. Just delete the 2nd amendment and start picking them up!! They just need something to blame to make them feel better . It's a kneejerk reaction from the same bunch every time a tragedy occurs.
It's a fact, crazy people are gonna kill. Look what a handful of Muslims did to kill 3000 Americans with something as common as a box cutter . Didn't need a gun for that. It's a sick feeling watching those tormented parents. (in Conn.) The nut could have done the same thing with a sword or a homemade bomb or who knows. Just get on the internet and you can find out how to make poison gas. Killers will kill. They have since dawn of Man. Hitler took all the guns from his citizens in the late 30's as did Japan from their people. Disarm and control, You saw how all that worked out! I don't mind a background check on buyers. I went thru that and the FBI got my prints on file, but I can legally protect my home and family in public, if not me, then Who will? Guns don’t make us killers. I firmly believe there is a long range plan to disarm the U.S. citizens. These people are cunning and patient. We already got a President that ignores the Constitution and does as he wishes and nobody challenges him. When they take away our right to defend, we become nothing but sheep to slaughter if we don't do as they wish. I could go on and on but most folks have their minds made up. Maybe if we quit letting our kids play the violent shootem up video games and got Hollywood to quit glamorizing mass body counts in their movies and got God back into the schools things would be different. Something in our society has changed us.
Ed. Note: Written by a man who was the victim of a senseless shooting. My thoughts: address the use of legal drugs.
Vote Passed 398-1 —- 32 Not Voting
The House cleared a Senate bill that would remove the pejorative “lunatic” from the United States Code. The lone House dissenter was Texas Republican Louie Gohmert, who insisted that lunatic should be retained, pointing to his fellow Members of Congress as living, breathing examples of the term. The bill awaits the president’s signature.
TREE STUMP GOOD RIDDANCE
Want to get rid of an old tree stump. I had a stump about ten inches in diameter. I placed three empty plastic milk gallon containers on top of it As you know the plastic is made from oil which when set on fire soaked into the stump. It burned brightly for a few minutes then just smoldered. The next morning there was a hole in the ground where the stump and the roots had burned out.
A SIGN FROM A GOVERNMENT AGENCY The Park and Wildlife Dept. put up a sign: Please Do Not Feed the Animals." Their stated reason for the policy is because the animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.
Something to think about.
MEDICAL CARE IN ALMEDA
While living in Houston near Brays Bayou, Alice Bockel, who was born in 1872, would go to the drug store and buy vaccine. She and her husband Johnny would vaccinate each other. (Not sure what for.)
Mr. John Barclay twisted his arm on an oil rig. He carried a five pound bucket of cement and gradually increased it to 20 pounds to straighten out his arm.
Audree Harris Monrad said when she got a nail in her foot, her mom wrapped it in wool material and smoked the foot in a bucket to pull out the pain and infection.
Verna Parks Bunjes went to Memorial hospital where every body went in the ‘20’s. She died there having a baby. She is buried in the Almeda Cemetery.
The life and history of the town of Almeda, founded in 1892, is in the book Back Yonder In Almeda. Call 713-433-1098 for more information on where to pick up a copy or have the book mailed to you.
VINSON LIBRARY
3810 West Fuqua 832-393-2120
Open Tue. 10-6, Wed. 10-6, Thurs. 12-8, Fri. 1-5, Sat. 10-5. Closed Sun. and Mon. Web site www.houstonlibrary.org
Multi-center open Mon. thru Fri.
SIENNA BRANCH LIBRARY
8411 Sienna Springs Blvd 281-238-2952 Tue., Jan.15, at 10:00 am. Learn to create a digital story with photos, special effects, soundtrack music, text, using your own voice narration and how to publish the finished product on the web via YouTube. Free but reservations are required. Call or register online at (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us),
Jan. 8th, at 10:00 am, in Learn how to download e-books to Kindles.
Children’s Book Week, January 20-26, Teddy-Bear Picnic and Story Time on Saturday, January 26, beginning at 10:30 am and at 1:30 pm, The Family Reading Club will begin on Sun. Jan. 20th to March 2. For other events go to their web site or call.
FOR SALE
BBQ & Firewood Pecan & Red Oak
Call 832-621-9579
Large native pecans $3.00 a pound.
Call 713-433-1098.
Gardall Safe $350 or best offer
W. 50.4” H. 60” Inside 50” Deep wide 40.5 dial w/handle
Fish Tank $100 w/fish & accessories 40gal. 12” wide 18” high 29 1/2” across Call 281-745-2079
Solid wood table $75
Dining chairs $10 each
Dresser $50 Piano Bench $50
Butcher block counter top $75
Double Hung Door $50
Old Singer Sewing Machine in cabinet $50 Call 713-437-0731
Pet Nanny 30 years experience
Pearland area 832-621-9579
Ads $1 a line. Call 713-433-1098
