Schulenburg Mayor Connie Koopmann issued a proclamation at the City Council meeting Monday night, Aug. 3, recognizing students from the Schulenburg FFA who qualified for state competition. Four Schulenburg FFA teams reached state during the 2025-26 school year: farm business management, dairy judging, wildlife and forages. Koopmann described the students as role models and wished them continued success. Pictured are (back, from left) City Administrator Tami Walker; Schulenburg ag teacher Kylee Zapalac; FFA students Brayden Stoever, Ian Reeves, Haylee Vacek, Ava Slaton, and Grace Schramek; Schulenburg Mayor Connie Koopman; FFA students Jolene Jarvis, Mikayla Stang, Scott Bass, Gracie Burton, Shalanie Olvera, Cody Lewis, and Hannah Mulhern; FFA Advisor Brad Lux; (front) and Council members Greg Thomas, Frank Wick III, Roger Moellenberndt, Randy Mican and Kathy Kleiber.

Festival Hill is more than a performance venue, it is a carefully created “musical landscape,” where music, architecture, and history unfold across a unique campus in Round Top. Founded in 1971 by James Dick, the Institute has grown into a place filled with stories waiting to be told, and you can be part of bringing them to life.

Last week I wrote about summer gardening depression and how a few hardy shrubs are helping to keep the blues away. That got me thinking about some other heat-loving plants growing around my place. Now, I’m not necessarily suggesting that anyone grow this plant I’m about to write about. It’s quite invasive. If you plant it, give it a space and just know that it’ll probably spread and you’ll never get rid of it. But it is quite beautiful this time of year.

DOPTABLE Please consider stopping by the shelter to meet a couple of senior ds looking for a forever family to spend their senior years with. These sweet souls are often overlooked but really need comfort and companionship.