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June 24, 2019

Very few people know I have a blog so help get the word out to any who might be interested. AND send your news  to siskeyworth@att.net 
Until one of my kids show me how to receive comments, the only way I know is if you send them to my email address like Denny did as follows: Then I will copy and paste them to the blog like I did with her email. 

Hi Sis,
 
Mom told me about your blog so looked it up.  Commented on your article but don't know if I did not complete it correctly or if it takes a while for comments to be accepted.

Will be looking for any updates.  Thanks for keeping Almeda alive for us.

Denny Kembro
If you have a copy of your comment Denny send it I will post it.



June 17, 2019
I'm late mentioning Earl Bockel's 90th birthday party held on May 25th at Bob's home which was the old home place when the Bockels first came to Almeda in 1926. According to Bob's deed, the house was built in 1905. Earl thinks the oak tree in the front yard is about 150 years old as it was a big tree when he was a little kid. His cousin, Dorothy Roco filled me on part of their family tree: Johnny and Mary Kerr Bockel had kids including Mrs. Bruins, mother of Dorothy Roco, and Mrs. Elam, mother of Billy and Lula Belle Elam, and Arthur  "Shorty" Bockel, father of Earl and Dick. 
Johnny also had a sister who was the mother of Allen Kaufhold. Back in the 40's, you could pretty well count on anybody living east of Almeda Road being kin to a Bockel if not by blood by marriage.

Another old timer I talked to was Mollie Stevenson Taylor Jr. She has slowed down but still has her traveling western historical  museum going to schools and special events.

Today I noticed that both both the Almeda Diner and the World of Children has been demolished. The corner at Almeda and Anderson Road is bare. 
Hi everybody,
I quit putting out Our News in March 2016 but I'm going to start posting again on this blog at least when I hear about those who once lived in the Almeda area.
My memory is lousy so I need to get back in the habit of taking notes.

May 4, 2019 Gene Harris passed away. He grew up on a dairy farm located where Bass Park is now.  I always called Gene, "Bucky" but I think his real name is Gene Arnold Harris Jr.  He had been in the hospital for a month before passing. Please send any corrections or comments.  

Nelva Sue "Sue Baby" Harrison Hughes passed away on May 14, 2019. She was born January 20, 1932. Sue was in the hospital 19 days after an operation.   

If you have anything you want posted, you can comment or send me an email at siskeyworth@att.net     If you got a kid or grandkid you would like to brag about like my granddaughter Emma who graduated from college with a 4.0 average send the news  to me. 

New News

As you know I no longer put out the newsletter Our News in the Almeda area but Kelly Coleson is.
She has just completed her third edition. You can see it on her website at AlmedaNews.com
Instead of Almeda Moe you can read Almeda Schmoe. 
You can also still obtain the book of history, Back Yonder in Almeda. email me at siskeyworth@att.net or call 713 433 1098. 

One of these I might start writing again.
Sis

Our News news

Two people have expressed an interest in starting up a paper with the news from Almeda. May take awhile before they can get it together. I've heard numerous comments of how much Our News is being missed. What  people seem to miss the most is Almeda Moe.
Coming soon is a meeting of the Friends of the Almeda Cemetery. More friends are needed. To raise money to help pay for the cost of repairing the lawn tractor, plans are being considered to have a yard sale so if live in the area hopefully you can donate some items. More details will be posted.  If you have a question you can always email me at siskeyworth@att.net. Put in the subject line Almeda.  

February 2016

Last issue


         After 257 issues of Our News, I am tired. But I’d like to thank all the advertisers, who have stuck with me for many years, making it possible to pay the printer. Thanks to Lone Star Printing’s low prices, I never ran out of the $100 I had to start Our News. I thank all you volunteer reporters especially Rodrigo Carreon.
       I thank those who faithfully read the paper especially the ones who subscribed; without you it would have been a waste of time. Most of all I thank God who made it all possible and provided the wisdom of what not to write although I ignored Him occasionally. In the future if you email me with news or death notices  I will put it on my blog: Almeda Our News.

ISIS   OR    ISIL
ISIS stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Now they refer to themselves as ISIL because their goal is to include the Levant which is a broad strip of land from Syria to Egypt which includes Lebanon and Israel. Seems referring  to them as ISIL would encourage ISIS. They are also called Da'ish, by some Arabic media and politicians. This name is used by those who are critical of ISIS.

LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
 A Little League baseball complex is being built about a mile east of Hwy. 521 off of FM 2234. From 2234 you can see about 100 light poles. Maybe not 100 but a whole bunch.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY
The First Baptist Church Fresno is opening up their facility to the Manvel Food Pantry and the Second Mile Food Pantry. Starting in February, the Manvel Food Pantry will distribute food every Tuesday, Second Mile Food Pantry distributes  the 1st Saturday of the month, and Fresno Baptist will continue their regular food pantry every Wednesday. They are located at 4501 FM 521 Rd.
The church recently sold the back 5.5 acres of land to Fort Bend County. The land, adjoins the Mustang Community Center. Plans are for a soccer field and an extension of the walking trail. The most used park in Ft. Bend is Mustang.
You might give your suggestions for use of the land to  your County Commissioner Richard Morrison Feb. 23 at 6:30 at the Arcola City Hall as he will be there to hear all the concerns of Pct. 1 residents.

 HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
         They say love makes the world go around. Love also keeps the world from falling apart.
         If you love someone you want to spend time with them.  You pay attention to every word they say and you want to know everything about them. You want them to know all about your dreams and desires, but you would lay aside your desires for the stronger desire of being close to the one you love. Is that the way you love God?
Help us God to love you with all our heart, with all our mind and strength and may your love flow through us to our neighbor.  

Love in Action  Sixteen Gallons
In 1974, Garnett Lewis attended Almeda Baptist Church and learned that the pastor, Gerald Cannon, was a free bleeder. Lewis responded and donated a pint of blood. His brother in Christ has died but Lewis continues to give. He has extraordinary health and giving blood doesn’t bother him. Four times a year he gave a pint until recently. Now, he gives “double red” every six months. Double red is a quart of red blood corpuscles only.
 Lewis is living proof that some people can give blood  at the age of 82, although others like Mae, his wife of 60 years, had to quit giving many years ago. Lewis is not trying to set some kind of record; there are some in Houston who have given more. He just sees it as a way God provided for him to help others.
Pam Cartwright, who is in charge of the blood drive at Southview Baptist Church, says one pint of blood can help save the lives of three people. She has given several galloons herself after seeing her husband’s life prolonged for four years because of the generosity of others who donated. “Nothing can take the place of blood,” she says.
A Donor Coach accepts blood every three months at Southview at 23003 Hwy. 288 south of Hwy 6. Call Pam at 713 582 3082 for details. The blood center at 9223 Broadway St. #119 in Pearland 713 436 7722 or 1400 La Concha Ln. (north of NRG stadium in Houston 713 790 1200 are other places to donate. They all test you to make sure you can give without jeopardizing your own health.

IT’S IN HIS BLOOD
James Wark got bit by an acting bug in 1985 and he is still infected. You may have seen him in the J. J. Watts Ford pick up commercials where James was sitting in a barber chair. Not a big part but that two seconds of fame resulted in a  $410 check for Wark as well as a check to Pat Skiles, his agent for the past 10 years with A– Plus Agency in Houston. 
      
       HISTORY OF ARCOLA AREA :  A good place to learn the history   of Ft. Bend Co. is at John Walker’s web site
         http://www.lifeonthebrazosriver.com
         His email address is                 john@cryptoheaven.com

WHO IS JESUS?
         In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made.
         The Word was made flesh and lived among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Emmanuel! God with us.
         Call his name Jesus for He shall save his people from their sin. In him was life and the life was the light of men. He was in the world and the world was made by him, but the world did not receive Him. As many as did receive Him, He gave the right to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name.
     He is the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the Savior, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the King of kings, the only begotten Son of God.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord: neither death, nor life, nor things to come. 
                   Taken from John 1:1-14, Matthew 1:21,  John 10:11, John 14:6, Romans 8: 31.

Water Board Meets 6pm  Third Thursday
Their website is Fort Bend Fresh Water Dist 1. Click on the News tab for Water District Application Documents in connection with the Teleview Terrace Subdivision. Click the Map of District tab for the current water and wastewater projects, as well as estimated construction timelines.
Teleview Terrace is taking bids to hook up homes.

 Democrat and Republican Primary
         Election Day March 1st. Early voting Feb 16—Feb 26th. To find out any information you need in Harris County call County Clerk Stan Stanart at 713 755 6965 or if you live in Fort Bend County call the Elections Administrator at 281 341 8670.


Great, great grandpa Benjamin Canby Birdsall  was buried in the Almeda Cemetery in 1898. Learn the
history and get a copy of Back Yonder in Almeda.  The book contains information gathered from court house records and stories from the earliest settlers in the little prairie town 11  miles from Houston city limits.
         Call 713 433 1098 for more info or
Email   siskeyworth@att.net

   Vinson Library
3810 W. Fuqua 832 393 2120
 closed Sun. & Mon. Multi-center closed Sat. & Sun. Libraries are offering free help with income tax returns.
Sienna Branch Library
 8411 Sienna Spring Blvd 281-238-2900

Almeda Moe
Moe decided to open a medical clinic. His sign said
Dr. Moe’s clinic Treatment  $500, If not cured, get $1,000 back.
Fresno Joe was positive  that Moe  knew nothing about medicine, and thought what a great opportunity to get $1,000. So  he went to Moe’s clinic:
"Dr. Moe, I have lost all taste in  my mouth. Can you please help me?"
Moe responded, "Nurse, please bring  medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops on Joe's tongue."
Joe yelled Aaagh! -- "That was gasoline!" Moe said, "Congratulations! You got your taste back. That will be $500."
Joe waits a few days then tells Dr. Moe, “I have lost my memory, I cannot  remember anything."
Moe says, "Nurse, please bring medicine  from box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient's mouth."
Joe yells, "Oh, no you don't, -- that is gasoline!"
Dr.  Moe replies, "Congratulations!  You've got your memory back. That will be $500."
Joe is ticked off after losing $1000, but he figures out how he can get it back. A week later he tells Dr. Moe, "My eyesight has become weak  --- I can hardly see anything!” Dr. Moe shakes his head, "Well, I don't have  any medicine for that so, here's your $1000, and gives him a $10  bill.” Joe exclaims, But this is only $10!" "Congratulations!” You got your vision back! That will be $500,"replied Dr. Moe.

 Condolences
Harvey Onishi passed away on Dec. 4, 2015. Born in 1941, Harvey grew up on a truck farm on Almeda Genoa Rd. Many of his Almeda school mates would earn money at his family’s farm picking tomatoes and other vegetables along with Harvey.   
Leroy H. Hlinsky , age 89, a resident of Arcola for 55 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on December 1, 2015. Leroy was born June 26, 1926, in Ellinger, Texas. He served in the United States Army 1944-1946 in the Philippines.  A retired truck driver, Leroy was a long time member and volunteer of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manvel. He enjoyed listening to polka music and was proud of his Czech heritage. Leroy was preceded in death by his parents; sister Evelyn Girdnt and husband, Robie, and brother-in-law Albert Prasifka.  Leroy is survived by his wife, Honora of Rosharon; three daughters; Linda/Kenneth Guin  of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Brenda/William Gaidosek of Sulphur, Louisiana, and Annette/Alfonzo Hernandez of Sugar Land, Texas; one son, Richard/Diedra Hlinsky of New Braunfels, Texas, 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and sister Ruby Prasifka of Columbus, Texas. 
Kristie Gail McDougald, age 58, unexpectedly passed away Wednesday January 6th at Methodist Hospital. Kristie was born in Richmond, Virginia on October 26, 1957 and moved to the Houston area in 1980. She is survived by her mother Carol Hammack; brother James Mitchell (Jimbo); sister Lou Ann Helms; daughter Beau Watson and husband Quincy Watson; nephew Chase Helms and wife Crystal Helms; grandchildren Brendon, Kaley, Wyatt, Hayden; and great nieces Bre’Aunna and Kinzley.  Funeral Services were held at South Park Funeral Home in Pearland Texas. on January 11, 2016.
 BACK ISSUES OF OUR NEWS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A PRICE.  
Call 713 433 1098

The challenge in the December issue was how can you plant five rows of trees with four trees in each row if you only have ten trees? Charlie Gertson emailed the answer: 5 pointed star, one tree at each point, then one tree at each intersecting point. Charlie is the grandson of Donald and Doris Gertson. Donald who lived in Almeda passed away about 10 years ago. “My father is Skipper Gertson, We have lived in the Arcola area since before I was born. I'll be 37 the end of this month.  We've seen Arcola come up along with the surrounding area  (Sienna Plantation). My kids go to school where the cattle pens used to be,  when I was 7 or 8 years old we helped work the cattle there,” says Charlie.





Bobby Rose shot this wild boar in Rosharon, TX on Christmas Day. The big hog weighed 327 lbs. Bobby owns and operates Champion Foundation






December 2015

No January
Issue of our News
Your paid advertisement and subscriptions will roll over.

Almeda Moe
Nothing could dampen Jennifer’s excitement as she prepared for her wedding. Not even her parents’ nasty divorce. Her mother found the perfect dress. A week later, Jennifer realized her step mother had the same dress. Jennifer asked her to exchange it but she said “Absolutely not. I look great in the dress. When Jennifer told her mother, Mom immediately went out and bought another dress, but she kept the first one. Why are you keeping that dress you don’t have anyplace to wear it?. O yes I do said Mom, “I’m wearing it to the rehearsal supper.” 
CHALLENGE
How can you plant five rows of trees with four trees in each row when you only have ten trees? It can be done.
Send  answer to siskeyworth@att.net


The Arcola’s Police Department’s new badge and new uniforms are outward signs of the department as they try to change the image and perception of APD so the community will recognize that they are a professional organization and capable of responding to their needs. 
         Another change is the NO U TURN signs posted on Hwy. 6 to address a safety hazard in front of city hall and a little further west. The law will be strictly enforced. Chief Bell has been APD’s chief since December 1, 1914. He would like to remind citizens that December is the month thieves are doing their Christmas shopping, so be aware.
HE WAS ROBBED
After being robbed, an 18th century preacher wrote: I   thank God that though he took my money, he didn’t take my life; I thank God that though he took all that I had, he didn’t take much, and lastly, I thank God that it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed.
EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT Fort Bend county Commissioners Court will not finalize the election results to establish an Emergency Service District until they complete a canvas of the residents in the Fresno/Arcola area. 12.8% of the registered voters cast a ballot in the Nov. 3rd election with 845 citizens voting in favor, and 265 against establishing the ESD, according to Fresno Fire Chief Chris Tormey.        
Commissioner Richard Morrison Files For Re-Election
Under his watch in the last four years Morrison has held over 200 town hall meetings throughout Precinct 1. He is also at the forefront of mental health reform. The Mental Health Public Defender’s Office diverts hundreds of people a year from the County Jail to a more humane treatment and saving taxpayers millions of dollars. “Mental illness is not a crime and the success of the Mental Health Public Defender’s Office is one of my proudest accomplishments,” said Morrison 
What does Rising Sea Levels & Santa Claus have in Common?
According to the new analysis of satellite data, the Antarctic ice sheet showed a net gain of 112 billion tons of ice a year from 1992 to 2001. That net gain slowed to 82 billion tons of ice per year between 2003 and 2008.
Furthermore, instead of contributing to the rising sea levels, the still-very-much-frozen southern continent is actually reducing them by 0.23 mm per year.


 Merry Christmas
          Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above. The most precious gift is the gift of His Son. Joseph was told that Mary would have a son and “you shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21 No wonder that those who have received God’s gift, want to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
96 Years in Almeda
On December 5, 1919, Rose Buell was born in a small wood frame house on Anderson Road. She played on 55 acres of land where the students at YES Academy now play. She also worked. Among her other chores shehauled water for the farm animals, for the garden, and for the house. No electric pump-no electricity. Still she had plenty of time to sit on a barn roof underneath a peach tree, reading, writing poetry, and eating peaches. When asked about the contrast of life now and life almost 100 years ago, her immediate response was freedom. “We could grab a fishing pole and go anywhere there was a pond of water.”
Freedom is not the answer we might expect knowing that Rose grew up without a telephone, running water, TV, all weather roads, etc. When the mud on Anderson Road made it impossible for her dad to drive the family to church in their Model T, they walked. Traffic was never a problem. Rose also walked over two miles to go to Almeda School where she graduated from high school in 1937. She was the salutatorian of her senior class consisting of four students.
The following year she married Jim Andrews. They lived with her parents for one year while Jim built a garage in Winchester Place on Grapevine in the middle of a cotton field about three miles from her birthplace.
In 1939, there were two other houses west of South Post Oak. From their single car garage which served as their home for 11 years, they could see the traffic light on South Main change from red to green. They could also hear the train.
The first house Jim built was destroyed. No insurance. They were finally able to build again, paying for the lumber with “what we didn’t eat and didn’t wear,” but when they moved out of the single car garage into the house with their four children that was one of the happiest days of her life. Other days were celebrating their marriage of 50 years, then 60, and then 70 years, seeing old friends, several vacations, being baptized when she was 76 years old were all special events in her life but day to day happy days  were filled with gardening, sewing, and making everything from giant mosquitoes out of okra to beautiful quilts and of course the joy of loving 15 grandchildren, 26 greats, and 15 great greats.
Rose has not had an easy life physically, but her secrets for  a happy life are: Love people. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Be humble and willing to serve. Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. Be content in all circumstances and bear up patiently in hard times, praying for God’s grace and help. If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything. Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business. “These secrets have worked for me!” she says.
Rose looks much younger than 96 years old, perhaps because she has lived a contented life.

 ARE YOU A HAPPY CHRISTIAN?
       Many Christians often feel they are lacking something. We don’t know exactly what it is but we just don’t have the joy we know we should have. Recently I felt like that. I heard that generous people are happy. So I prayed that God would make me-no that would be dishonest but I can pray that God will make me want  to be generous.
         He showed me that I am plain selfish. The best or maybe the only way is for me to die to myself. The Bible says that we should consider ourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God Romans 6:11.  Jesus said, “he that seeks to save his life shall lose it and he that loses his life for His sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25         
If life on this earth is all we have, God’s way is still the best but it would not be enough for us to die to ourselves unless we really believe that after our body dies we will live with God. We get so wrapped up with our own problems we lose sight of the eternal and dwell on the temporary. We may be grateful for the good things God gives us day by day, but when bad stuff outweighs the good, in our mind, that diminishes our gratefulness and our  generosity and our joy. 
To die to self is to live to God, the giver of every perfect gift.


Pick up a copy of the history of the area of Almeda at Debbie’s Barber Shop (next to Parker’s Hardware) in the 14000 block of Almeda Road for $12 or have a copy mailed to you for $14.50. Send a check to Our News
 P. O. Box 450336 Houston, TX 77245
The book is $12 Postage $2.50
call 713 433 1098 for more info

  Need a Ride? Call 281 633 RIDE  or   1-866-751-TRIP or go to fbtransit.org for a public service bus ride Mon. thru Fri. in Ft. Bend Co. Cost $1.

Vinson Library
3810 W. Fuqua 832 393 2120
 closed Sun. & Mon.
Multi-center open Mon. thru Fri.
GED/ABE & ESL CLASSES
Registration starts Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10 at 9am at the Willie Gay Hall Campus at 1990 Airport Blvd. registration is $20. Classes starting in Jan. are free on Mon. Tue. & Wed from 9:30am –1:30pm. For more info call 713 718 5380.
Fort Bend County Law Library
Brief, introductory classes will take place on Thur., Dec. 3, 10, and 17, between 10:00 am and  noon, The classes are free. Call the Law Library at 281-341-3718 for more info.
Sienna Branch Library
 8411 Sienna Spring Blvd 281-238-2900
Winter Fest Family event featuring professional storyteller Jean Donatto on Sat., Dec. 12th from 10 to 11 am.  Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Following Donatto’s performance, families are invited to enjoy a hot drink, cookies, and caroling at the library’s Winter Fest Open House from 11 am to 1 pm.
The Tween Café, 4th and 5th grades  held on 1st and 3rd Wed. at 4:00 pm. Dec. 2- Pumpkin-Spice Playdough, Dec.6 -Peppermint Bath Salts.
 Middle-School Programs, on the 1st and 3rd Thursday, at 5:30  grades 6 and up. Materials for these programs are made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Sienna Branch Library. Dec. 3 – Heroes vs. Villains Life-Size Monopoly. Dec. 17-Cupcake Wars!
After-School Break -- crafts, movies, stories, grades 1 - 5 ONLY – 2nd Tue, at 4 pm. Dec. 8th- Book Ornaments.
COMPUTER “MS Word Survival Basics” - Wed., Dec. 9, 10 am. Learn how to create letters, resumés, forms, and other types of documents.“MS Excel Survival Basics” - Wed., Dec. 16, 10 am. Learn the basics of using this spreadsheet software program that includes calculation tools for financial and statistical uses.

Easy Christmas Treat
Combine three cups of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, one cup of water, bring to boil and cook until it reaches the thread stage. Immediately pour over two quarts of pecans and stir until the sugar mixture hardens and pecans separate. You can half the recipe.
If you don’t have a candy thermometer, dip a spoon into the sugary syrup lift it up eye level. It is ready when the syrup spins a two inch thread when dropped from the spoon.
Quotes From Fred Thompson
Thompson, a presidential candidate in 2007. a senator from 1994 to 2003, a film and TV actor before and after he served as senator died in November 2015. Following are a few of his quotes. “This country has shed more blood for the freedom of other people than all the other nations in the history of the world combined.”
“After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood.”
Asked in 2007 to name his top accomplishments, Thompson replied “You mean besides leaving the Senate?”
 “It occurred to me that, to paraphrase one of Churchill’s comments, perhaps I had more to be humble about than I had realized,” he wrote of his failed 2008 presidential bid. “It also occurred to me that this was a pretty doggone expensive way to achieve a little humility.”
  Condolences
JUANITA KEYWORTH
 January 6, 1931 –October 22, 1015
Former resident of Almeda, Juanita had moved to Longview, TX. A faithful member of Mobberly Baptist Church, she enjoyed crocheting and gardening. Preceded in death by her first husband, Walter Box, son Gene Box and second husband Jack Keyworth, Juanita is survived by her son, Gary/Pamela Box, daughter Debbie/David LaRue, Steve and Kelly/Cheryl Keyworth, 12 grandchildren and one great.