Lifestyle

By Marie Christopher, Library Director We had a wonderful program on Saturday! Brian Weeks furnished the children (and adults) with a wonderful music presentation – trombone, kazoo, box drum, and more. The children all received a gift from Brian – drum sticks or a kazoo. Check out the Cameron Public Library Children’s Program on Facebook for pictures. Our Saturday was very noisy and loads of fun. Thanks, Brian. 

The Saturday programs begin at 11 a.m. and usually end about noon or shortly thereafter. There is one more Saturday program on July 23, before our final awards program and party on Saturday, July 30. Be sure to report all books read before Wednesday, July 28. If you can’t make it on time for the official program, we will have all crafts and other things for the children to do at all other times. 

With less than 12 days left until opening, actors, stage crew and volunteers hustle to construct the set for Milam Community Theater’s summer show, Greater Fatty Bottoms.

“It’s going to be a tight squeeze, getting this set built,” said Vicki Goza, producer of Greater Fatty Bottoms. “The Williams Event Center has been booked much of the summer and it wasn’t until July 17 that we could begin constructing the set. But, we’ve got a great bunch of folks helping us and they are ready to get going.”

Since auditions were completed in early June, director Joe Reynolds ‘blocked’ (theater-speak for “specific locations on stage where the actors move and perform”) the play’s action with strategically positioned folding chairs and a few key props.

By Curtis Chubb, Special to the Herald

“It is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. It can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. It includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.” 

That is how the United States Department of Justice defines ‘domestic violence.’

The term ‘domestic violence’ includes ‘family violence’ and ‘dating violence.’ Some describe it as ‘relationship violence.’ Under any name, domestic violence is unacceptable and unlawful behavior.

There were 124 incidents of domestic violence reported in Milam County during 2014. 

The Milam County Commissioners Court had a short meeting on Monday.

The Texas Historical Commission awarded the “Distinguished Service Award” to the Milam County Historical Commission at the meeting.  The Milam County volunteer group has won this award for 25 consecutive years. The award, officially presented during a commissioners court meeting, recognizes their “exceptional efforts” for programs targeted to the preservation of Milam County history in 2015.

In other business, the commissioners court:

• Approved the designation of two private roads: PR 3482 and PR 7913 East;

• Approved an agreement by which Precinct 4 Commissioner Jeff Muegge will assist the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department improve access to its hall in Thorndale;

• Granted permission to Precinct 2 Commissioner Donald Shuffield to advertise for bids for a low-water crossing on County Road 136; and

The annual Miss Thorndale Revue is set for 7 p.m. Thursday in the TISD cafeteria when 2015 Miss Thorndale Madison Hafley will pass her crown to her successor.

Theme for this year’s revue is Gypsy and Country. The event features categories for all ages as well as the Miss Thorndale division for Thorndale High School students.

The winner of the Miss Thorndale title will reign over the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department Barbecue Cookoff  June 24-26 and for the 2016-17 school year. The new Miss Thorndale will also represent Thorndale at various activities conducted by the TACC and at parades in the area.

The Thorndale Revue is a scholarship pageant with winners eligible to receive scholarships as well as represent the community in other festivals and events.

Effective July 1, the Milam County Retired Teachers Association (MCRTA) will be known as the Milam County Retired School Personnel Association MCRSPA). 

After several months of discussions, members approved the name change. “Many local Units around the state have been changing their organization’s name to be sure that all school employees know that if they receive a pension from TRS they are welcomed in to our organization,” explained incoming President Jamie Larson. “Our parent organization, TRTA, represents bus drivers, secretaries, cafeteria workers, janitors, teachers, administrators and anyone that has worked in a public school setting and receives a TRS pension. We are the voice for all active and retired teachers pension and health care in the Texas legislature. We also are working with Congress to abolish the WEP/GPO. This will help our retirees receive fair Social Security benefits.”

Holy Ground Church sets movie night June 17

Holy Ground Baptist Church of Cameron will host a free movie night at the City Park Gazebo on Friday, June 17. The movie “The Good Dinosaur” will start at 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the show. Popcorn, soda floats, water and soda will be provided.

Friends of Library book signing June 18

The Friends of the Cameron Library will host a book signing Saturday, June 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the library. The featured authors are Larry Causey and Garlyn Webb Shelton. Causey is from Temple and Shelton is from Brenham. Both authors write books with western themes.

Cameron City pool hours

The Cameron City pool, located at Air Park, is now open for the summer season.

Hours are:

Drug take-back day April 23
Cameron Police will observe 2016 National Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Police Department Lobby. Residents are invited to turn in old, unused, expired prescription and over the counter drugs to CDP for safe descruction. Liquid medications should be placed inside a sealed freezer/sandwich bag. The event is sponsored by CDP and the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

Aggie Moms Scholarship Golf Tournament
The fourth annual Milam County Aggie Mom Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, April 23, at the Rockdale Country Club. Two Tee Times available, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The event is a four-man scramble with $60 entry fee per player. Lunch and cart are included in entry fee. Hole sponsorships are still available. For more information, contact Robin Galbreath at 512-569-1742 or Darla Willingham at 512-760-5428.

VFW Post 2010 congratulates the 2015-16 winners of the annual essay competition. Shown are Diana Parker, VFW Auxiliary president; Kolton Deal, Patriot Pen winner; Savannah Kruse, first place Voice of Democracy winner; Olivia Duffy, second place Voice of Democracy winner and Thomas Wiley, VFW Post commander. The VFW Post also encourages students to contact the post for more details on the new topic for 2016-17 essay competition.

By Sue Ann Kendall, Guest contributor