REMEMBER WHEN?

Dec. 11-15, 1970

Sheriff’s officers were conducting an investigation involving the theft of two high-priced guns and a radio from a 1965 Chevrolet pickup truck parked at Cottonwood Inn. It took place while a Houston man and two companions were eating supper there on Monday night. Missing were a 16-gauge Browning automatic shotgun, a 30.06 Remington automatic rifle with scope and a portable AM-FM radio. Entry was made by prying open the vent glass on the driver’s side and tripping the latch.

The short-lived nationwide railroad strike was over and, by Friday afternoon, operations were normal again at the La Grange Post Office.

County judge David M. Murray ordered an election be held on Saturday, Jan. 9, in the Round Top-Carmine Independent School District and the Fayetteville Rural High School District regarding the consolidation of the two districts to form a new independent entity.

District VII of the Texas Forest Service was dedicating its new headquarters in La Grange at a Christmas open house on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The new district office was just off E. Eblin St. in the eastern part of the city near the warehouse.

Despite a second half spurt in which they outscored their opponents, La Grange Leopard cagers came up with too little, too late. As a result, they bowed to the Texas School for the Deaf, 75 to 56, in the Rockdale Invitational Tournament. David Elmore was top pointer for La Grange with 17 and Charles Williams chimed in with 14. Coach Richard (Ricky) Peters said, “We’ve got a young ball club, but our boys are progressing.”

The Junior Lutherans of St. Paul Lutheran Church in La Grange were again presenting a live, 15-minute outdoor nativity pageant on the lawn on the evenings of December 21 and December 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Each presentation was to last approximately 15 minutes. The Junior Lutherans was an organization of youth aged eight through 13 years.

The brand spanking new Schulze Studios located at 411 E. Colorado St. in La Grange was holding its grand opening on Saturday. Free prizes, with a total retail value of approximately $130, were being awarded on a “just register, no obligation” basis. First prize was an 11x14-inch framed portrait with a total value of $57.95. Second prize was a 16x20-inch frame with a hand-rubbed finish valued at $28.95; third prize, a gold finish frame with a retail value of $ 24.95; and fourth prize, an 11x14 frame with a $16.90 retail value.

One of the victors in the 10th annual Punt, Pass and Kick contest held in Houston’s Astrodome was a La Grange lad. Thirteen-yearold Kenneth Hatfield won his age bracket by scoring 374 points to beat his opponent from Dickinson, Texas, who came up with 362 points. Kenny, who was sponsored by La Grange Motor Company, was eligible to participate in the semi-finals of the nationwide contest in San Diego on December 20.

Funeral services were held for: Miss Edna Vera Sulik, 43, of La Grange; Leon Robert Kainer, 48, of Flatonia; and Mrs. Hugo Dieringer, 63, of Freyburg.

Burrel D. Willett was elected president of the La Grange Little League for 1971. He succeeded James Hatfield who resigned because his employer, General Telephone, had transferred out of town. J.B. (Bob) Simmons was elected vice president, E.H. Baumbach, treasurer and James Zimmerhanzel, secretary.

Kenneth Wilson was the new manager of the ARCO – formerly Sinclair – service station at the corner of E. Travis and Franklin Sts. in La Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, formerly of Bastrop and Smithville, had moved to La Grange. He was the son of Fayette County ASC Office Manager and Mrs. William W. Wilson.

Loretta Brugger of La Grange received a trophy from the Texas Woman’s Bowling Association for having rolled 585, the highest individual three-game series for the season. Verlene Citzler received a beautiful pin for having rolled 213, the highest scratch game.

Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Fiebig observed their golden wedding anniversary on November 2 at the SPJST Hall in Holland. The couple was married on Nov. 2, 1920, at Rutersville. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Muske celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Zapp’s Hall in Warrenton on November 22.

On December 5, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Sommers Sr. were honored by their children on their 40th wedding anniversary at the Freyburg Hall. The Rev. Arlyn J. Hausmann offered the blessing for the meal and the Mahac Band provided the music. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Jochen led the grand march.

Alvin Paul Rainosek, the son of Mrs. Ben B. Armatta (formerly Mrs. Al Rainosek) of El Campo, was to receive his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mathematical Statistics from Texas A&M University.

The 1970 peanut harvest in Lee County was expected to gross $1 million.

For more great stories, visit Elaine online at www.elainethomaswriter.com/blog/ or call her at 979-263-5031.