Thursday, May 21, 2020 THE MOHAIR WEEKLY Page 3 The Idle American Friday night’s ‘production’ causes damage Friday night gave the A Book by a Back-Up… area quite a dramatic produc- University’s first-ever consensus tion of a storm. Before dark All- player to and in an instant the tempera- earn the honor in successive years ture cooled down 10+ degrees (1963 and 1964). and the wind started blowing It’s as much about “heart” as athletics, though. Elkins’ “tick- like never before. er” is as big as the expanse of the In Rocksprings, the pow- Old West, and his Texas drawl er went out for a little bit. For exceeds any the Marlboro man my family, we were in the could muster. middle of making supper so He was the product of an quickly switched from grilled asphalt-covered Central Elemen- cheese to a good old fashion tary playground, a hard-scrabble childhood and races to the dinner PB&J, by kerosene lantern. table to “avoid being last.” There This light pole and tree were nine other half-brothers and at the post office were blown sisters, and he was the young- over, and there are other re- est…. Ron Davis, track record- ports of trees and even a wind- ***** setter mill that were damaged due to Yep, he was, as they say, high wind speeds. Lawrence Elkins, high “all boy.” His mother, an ardent elevator--was big-eyed. On the front page you see school four-sport star church-goer, regularly dragged But Lawrence’s mom re- him to the Pentecostal Church minded him of his commitment the rain reports. I’m over here “No one is an idol to his of God, stationing him on the to Baylor, and off to college he thinking that Mother Nature valet.” Historian/writer Thomas first pew. went. made a big deal out of just a Carlyle so contended two centu- Once, a lady seated next to There, he set several re- little rain! ries ago. him accidentally blackened his cords (none of them academic, he In one case dating back 60+ eye with an errant elbow. jokes), and fans still speak of him years, Carlyle would have been “Momma let me sit on the in reverent tones…. “dead wrong” about a couple of second pew for a few Sundays, ***** Brownwood High School athletes. and called me a ‘little heathen’ Upon graduation, he signed Lawrence Elkins--the “idol”-- less often,” he mused, admit- with the Houston Oilers for re-wrote dozens of records in ting he was “somewhat inatten- $170,000, kidded a year later by four sports, dazzled at Baylor in tive.”... Texas Tech’s Donnie Anderson, football and might have re-written ***** who signed with Green Bay for Photo by Brenna Bissett National Football League stats if Everyone knew he was $944,000. “The Oilers’ offer injuries hadn’t “done him in.” destined to greatness, this young- included the gift of a Phillips His “valet”--a year behind ster who balanced on handlebars 66 service station, which Elkins him--subbed for Elkins on the of bicycles ridden by siblings claimed upon retirement. With a The American Rancher has 1960 AAA State Championship and friends. Besides re-writing chunk of his bonus, he remodeled football team. Ron Davis, also high school football, his folks’ home, bought them a 76, is best known for church and track records, he was an ace new car and deposited $2,500 always been a critical worker music ministry. Now, he’s also pitcher on amateur teams each in their bank account. He also By Robert E. McKnight, home orders, many were greeted to feed American families, the an author…. summer. funded central heating and cool- Jr., president, Texas and with empty shelves and meat cases. manufacturers of highly processed ***** Football was king. When ing for his mom’s church. Southwestern Cattle Fortunately, this is due to the lo- meat substitutes are continuing to A friend claims that about the late Gordon Wood came to The 76-year-old Elkins-- Raisers Association gistics of getting things where they push a profit-driven agenda that is need to go, not an actual supply dependent on their ability to mislead one of every 100 people who men- town in 1960, the Lions had with “creaks in his get-along”-- There’s no question COVID- tion writing a book does so, and beaten Breckenridge only once, lives in Clifton with wife Becky. shortage. Nonetheless, millions of consumers. They may have gravely 19 has had an enormous impact on Americans faced the prospect of overestimated the naivety of Ameri- of that number, only a handful get back in 1941. Elkins helped the Elkins and Davis are “co- our country. We will continue to feel around to publishing. limited food options for the first can consumers. While meat was Lions beat the Buckaroos 18-14, champions” in one category, that its effects for a long time and, in time in their lives. flying off supermarket shelves, fake At one of Lawrence’s eight en route to the 1960 AAA cham- being for their absolute mod- some respects, it will likely have a The saying goes: A nation meat products remained idly in their hall of fame inductions several pionship. esty. Read the Amazon book, and permanent impact on our nation. with an abundant, affordable food display cases. years ago, Ron told Lawrence Immediately, Wood was you’ll understand why. They’re Despite the tremendous toll supply has many problems, but a I am proud to be part of an we have paid to combat the virus, he’d like to write a book about the THE town favorite, so viewed both champions…. nation without an abundant, af- industry that works tirelessly to care Brownwood sports legend. I do see reasons for hope and opti- fordable food supply has only one for the people, livestock and land until his death in 2003. After all, ***** mism. For one, it has brought our Elkins answered, “Go for he won seven BHS state football Newbury is a former edu- problem. of this country, not just in times of country and communities closer It’s unfortunate, but I think a need, but every day. Cattle produc- it.”… titles…. cator who writes weekly and together as we fight for a common ***** lot of people got a glimpse at this tion is an essential part of our daily *****. is a longtime public speaker. cause. This isn’t an uncommon truth because of the COVID-19 lives. So much so, that agricultural For the past few years, he The Elkins’ word was their Comments/speaking inquiries phenomenon after disasters. Politics has conducted interviews, visited pandemic. Many now understand producers were not only exempted bond. After a tournament to: [email protected]. and personal differences are put what we have always known – cattle from stay-at-home orders but re- sports luminaries and researched in 1961, a scout offered Lawrence Phone: 817-447-3872. Web site: aside as communities pull together producers are essential to our sur- quired to continue to report to work vigorously. Published late last a $25,000 signing bonus. Law- www.speakerdoc.com Twitter: to help their own on the road to vival, both as individuals and as a during the COVID-19 crisis. year, his book includes many sto- rence’s dad--a big baseball fan @donnewbury. Facebook: don recovery. nation. My fellow leaders and staff at ries and statistics. Elkins--a three- With non-essential busi- Every day, the Texas and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle who supported his family driving newbury nesses closed, and millions of sport star at BHS--was Baylor trucks and later operating a bank Southwestern Cattle Raisers As- Raisers Association have worked Americans ordered to stay at home, sociation stands up to fight activists diligently to ensure the beef supply many have seen their daily distrac- who want to do away with beef chain continues moving regardless tions fade. This means things are and put ranchers out of business. of the challenges presented by the moving a little slower, and people These individuals and groups use coronavirus. From the Desk of the Mayor have more time to focus on what misleading and flawed data to Maintaining the beef supply, really matters – faith, family and convince consumers that beef is so store shelves stay full, will con- by LaWanda Goller our fellow neighbors. bad for their health and bad for the tinue to be our first priority, but the I am sorry to announce the The budget for 2020-2021 will and wearing of masks when in There has also been a renewed environment. real credit goes to the cattle produc- not be worked until August and public. The wearing of masks is focus on agriculture, both within gov- The head of one prominent ers who make up our membership. resignation of Councilmember ernment and politics, and also among Brenna Bissett. She has been a September. to keep your neighbor safe as well fake meat manufacturer even said I hope everyone will join the general population. during the midst of the coronavirus me in thanking all of the American great asset to the Rocksprings City Covid-19 certainly has as yourself. I do not know about As consumers flocked to Council. With her resignation we messed with a lot of plans that your doctors but none of mine are outbreak that he wants to com- ranchers and agricultural workers grocery stores in preparation for pletely replace animals as food who continue to work so diligently will be needing a replacement, were made for the City but now seeing patients in their offices. the possibility of lengthy stay-at- that the Governor has relaxed It is thrilling to know that by 2035. While American farmers and selflessly to see our nation per- this replacement’s tenure will be and ranchers are pulling together severe through this crisis. until regular election next May many of his mandates, businesses our RISD seniors will be able to as dictated by Local Gov’t Code, all over Texas are beginning to have a physical graduation instead Section 22.010. open. Rocksprings and Edwards of a virtual one. Congratulations Due to conflicts of schedules County have been blessed by not to all Seniors and their teachers the Budget Adjustment Workshop having anyone contracting the for working so hard to complete that had been set for Monday virus. I expect all citizens to con- a school year under most unusual night was rescheduled for Thurs- tinue to practice safety measures terms. May you all reach your day evening at 6:00. As with to prevent anyone becoming ill highest dreams for your futures. household budgets, City budgets with the virus. Please practice God Bless! must be reevaluated periodically. safe distancing, hand sanitizing,

Rain or shine, Edwards Co. EMS, all the time! May 17-23, 2020, is the 46th an- nual National EMS Week. National EMS Week dates to 1974, when President Gerald Ford authorized a special observation and celebration of the essential work performed by EMS providers every day. EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who pro- vide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s “front line.” This week is a reflection about what it means to be an EMS practitioner and is the perfect time to recognize EMS and all that its clinicians do for our nation. May 25th-2020 ‘fire ants’ from pg...... 2 spreader. (Texas A&M AgriL- orchard,” Merchant said. “Users after application. Sweep up any Camp Wood Hardware & Auto Supply ife Extension Service photo) should always read the pesticide excess product so it doesn’t wash Getting the entire community label to be sure the site they are into gutters or storm sewers and involved also helps limit the spread treating is listed, then follow all affect the water table. of fire ant activity from one property label instructions.” • Always follow label direc- to another, she said. The Wood Glen He also suggested the follow- tions on the proper disposal of community recently coordinated the ing tips for control of fire ants: pesticides. Do not pour pesticide fire ant bait broadcasting portion of • Do not use gasoline or other leftovers down the drain as they Closed FOR Memorial Day! the Two-Step Method. petroleum products to control fire are not easily removed by regular Brown said similar commu- ants. Although these kill fire ants, wastewater treatment. nity-wide fire ant control efforts they are highly flammable and are “The Two-Step Method can have also taken place in other dangerous to both the user and the be an efficient, effective and safe primarily urban counties of Texas environment. way to control fire ants for an in- in collaboration with AgriLife Ex- • Don’t leave insecticide dividual home, large property or tension integrated pest management granules on streets or sidewalks entire community,” Merchant said. specialists. Meeting the needs of our rural community providing quality service and supplies: “The Wood Glen program’s Paula New success has largely been due to ac- Director of Business Lumber Hardware Plumbing tive community involvement along Development with an engaged and a helpful hom- Electrical Sand Water well Parts/Supplies eowners’ association,” Brown said. “You don’t need an entomologist Gordon E. Sauer Concrete Building Materials Paints – Mix & Match living in the neighborhood to have President a successful pest management pro- Gardening Supplies Veggie & Bedding Plants Equipment Rental gram. All you need is a community Ryan W. Sauer champion and people in the com- Owner & Vice President NAPA Auto Parts Tire Repair New Tires munity willing to support it.” Proper use of fire ant control Oil Changes Vehicle Inspections products Rocksprings According to Merchant, 120 North Well St. • 830-683-4700 Hours of Operation AgriLife Extension also developed the Two-Step Method to help con- Junction Fredericksburg Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hardware: (830) 597-3299 sumers make sense of all the fire ant 135 North 6th St. 114 East Austin St. Saturday – Hardware store 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Auto Parts: (830) 597-3105 control products on the market. 325-215-2800 830-997-4615 “The insecticide label de- www.hillcountrytitles.com Saturday - Auto Parts Dept Closed Sunday Closed termines where a product can be used, whether it’s a lawn, garden, agricultural production pasture or Go Angoras!