News

Milam Community Theater will premier its 2019 season with its spring production “The Kitchen Witches.” A comedy about two “mature” cable-access cooking show hostesses who have hated each other for 30 years, ever since Larry Biddle dated one and married the other. When circumstances put them together on a TV show called “The Kitchen Witches,” the insults are flung harder than the food. Performance dates are Friday, March 8, as a dinner theater, reservations only. Weekend performances are at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 10; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 11; and 7 p.m. on March 15, 16 and 17. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students. Get your tickets at the door or online at Milamcommunitytheater.com. Pictured are Martha Lee, left, and Mona Butala as the Kitchen Witches. Milam Community Theater is continuing their fun with auditions for “Driving Miss Daisy” on March 11 and 12 at 6:30 p.m. All parts open, more information can be found on the website. 

Milam County Commissioners honored several members of the Milam County Historical Commission and heard an annual report from the group during a meeting Feb. 25.

Lynn Young with the Milam County Historical Commission spoke to the commissioners about the accomplishments of the group. The commissioners then honored Jeri Burnett as the recipient of the Jon Ben Sheppard Leadership Award from the Texas Historical Commission and honored Jack Brooks for his service to the group. Brooks presented the commissioners with maps of historic Milam County cemeteries.

The commissioners also recognized Delores Mode for over 25 years of service to the Milam County Historical Commission.

Milam County Judge Steve Young updated the commissioners on economic development during the meeting.

Everyone enjoyed Mardi Gras at the annual Mardi Gras Bash at the Simon George Hall on Feb. 23. The event featured a meal of Cajun food and live and silent auctions to raise funds for the Chris Holcombe Memorial Scholarship fund. Over the past seven years a total of $77,500 in scholarships has been given to college students from Milam County as as result of the Mardi Gras event.

With the new year comes the start of one new project and phase II of another for the City of Cameron.

The 2017 Community Development Block Grant has been approved and work will begin by March 1. 

“The purpose of the project is to repair and/or replace several sewer collection mains south of Highway 190/36 and recondition several manholes,” Jerald Brunson, Utility Director for the City of Cameron said.  “The City of Cameron has partnered with TCEQ to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce both sewer spills and groundwater infiltration into our system. The lines and manholes selected have been identified as major contributors to one or both of these issues. The largest of these repairs is for a sewer collection main that runs from Main Street to Batte Street between South Orchard and South Colfax.   This line goes through several pastures and a creek. The repair of this pipe will be done by inserting a flexible fiber lining that is heated and cured in place.” 

The City of Cameron will be making repairs to an underground broken utility line on Highway 36/190 in front of Milam Auto/Carquest beginning at approximately 9 a.m. tomorrow, Feb. 27.

Traffic will be detoured south down FM 1600 and Houston. Signs and flaggers will be in place for this construction work. 

It is recommended that local traffic avoid the intersection of Highway 77 and Highway 36/190. The construction is anticipated to last from 6 to 10 hours.

Cameron Elementary students were honored for their successes at competition during the Cameron ISD Board meeting on Feb. 11.

Cameron Elementary UIL participants brought home gold from district competition in December. The following students were winners.

FIFTH GRADE

Kelton Driska placed sixth in Chess Puzzles.

The Music Memory Team coached by Lori Eldridge placed third. Team members were Lorena Gil, Merci Kistler, Rigoberto Merino, Yahtziry Saucedo, Dylan Stowe, Shaleigh Adindu, and Kamile Cartwright.

In Music Memory Dylan Stowe placed third and Yahtziry Saucedo placed sixth.

The Number Sense Team coached by Jana Beckhusen placed third. Team members were Jabe Conorly, Cesar Najera, Logan Akin and Kelton Driska. Jabe Conorly was first place, Cesar Najera was third place, and Logan Akin was fifth place.

Cameron ISD will hold an active shooter drill on Feb. 26 at C.H. Yoe High School in an effort to prepare the students and staff in the event that CISD is ever faced with an active shooter on campus.

“The purpose of this drill is to prepare students in the event CISD is ever faced with an active shooter on campus, and to allow administrators and staff to identify areas of strength and weakness when responding to such an event,” CISD Superintendent Allan Sapp said.  

Sapp said community members may notice an increase in law enforcement on the high school campus the day of the drill. Law enforcement officers will be present during the drill to observe the response by CISD staff and students as the drill is taking place.

The theme for the Cameron Chamber of Commerce’s 85th annual banquet was on display and evident in the entire evening – working to move Cameron forward.

The Chamber honored outstanding members and residents during the banquet and heard from a Texas legend – Bob Phillips of the Texas Country Reporter – about his travels across Texas.

Chamber President Julie Sulak handed out awards for the evening to: Circle S BBQ and owner Sam Berry for Business of the Year; Cameron Volunteer Fire Department Chief Henry Horelica and his wife Penny as Volunteers of the Year; Cameron City Manager Rhett Parker for Chamber Member of the Year; Old Town Cameron and Railroad Museum and director Jamie Larson as Organization of the Year; and former Milam County Judge and Cameron Mayor David Barkemeyer as the Citizen of the Year. 

The Chamber also added a few new awards this year for excellence and honored three Yoe High seniors for their achievements.

The Cameron Chamber of Commerce honored Main Printing as the February Business of the Month. Main Printing was started in 1960 in a one-car garage size building on the back of property owned by Monroe Marek’s dad, Jimmy Marek, at 1201 W. Main Street Cameron, by Monroe and Evelyn Marek. In the next few years, several expansions took place until there was not enough room to expand anymore. In about 1980, Monroe Marek purchased the present building, 115 N. Houston in Cameron, which had been home to Hefley Stedman Ford Dealership. In 1982, the first phase of Main Printing’s new and present location was opened. It was expanded to its present size by 1984. At one time there were as many as 16 employees. In 1990, Mike and Janice Marek purchased the business and have continued to operate it. In 1992, Main Printing entered the T-shirt and sign printing business as an addition to the commercial printing.

Organizers are putting the final touches on the 7th annual Mardi Gras Bash, which will be held this Saturday, Feb. 23, at Simon George Hall, 401 S. Karnes in Cameron. 

The event will start at 6 p.m., and includes an authentic Cajun food dinner, auctions including a gun raffle and activities for the kids. Adult tickets are $10 and children under 18 are $5.

It’s your last chance to get tickets which can be purchased at the Milam County Extension Office in Cameron, the Rockdale Reporter and Rodenbeck Farm & Ranch in Thorndale.

Items for the auction can be dropped off at Ideal Poultry in Cameron.