Juneteenth Reflects on Past Event Highlights Progress, Continued Struggles

Vol. 145 No. 6 GEORGETOWN, TEXAS n JUNE 23, 2021 One Dollar Juneteenth reflects on past Event highlights progress, continued struggles By KATHERINE ANTHONY for this year’s Georgetown Juneteenth celebration was On Juneteenth’s 156th “Education, Health, and anniversary — and in the Justice for All.” year it became a national On June 19, 1865, news holiday — Georgetown citi- of the Emancipation Proc- zens gathered to remember lamation — signed by “how far we’ve come and President Abraham Lin- how far we have to go” in coln more than two years fulfilling America’s prom- earlier — reached Galves- ise of equality. ton, Texas, when a group Wesley Jarmon, key- of enslaved people finally note speaker at this year’s learned that they were free. Georgetown Juneteenth ob- Mr. Jarmon said, at that servance, summed up what time, there were an estimat- must lie ahead to ensure a ed 250,000 slaves in Texas. full democracy for all. In the decades since, “We must challenge the Juneteenth celebrations status quo,” he said Satur- have spread nationally d a y. and, on Thursday, the day Mr. Jarmon is a retired was recognized as a feder- administrator for the Fed- al holiday when President eral Communications Com- Joe Biden signed the June- mission and founder of the teenth National Indepen- Ernest Everett Just Foun- dence Day Act into law. SHARP ANDY BY PHOTOS dation, whose mission is to Under the hot, midday Above, Rachael Jonrowe, Georgetown’s District 6 City Council mem- foster academic excellence sun, Mr. Jarmon on Satur- for students in science, day recounted the struggles ber, who recently announced she’s stepping down from that position, technology, engineering, experienced by African receives a hug from Joyce Gadison as Jonrowe is honored with a and mathematics. Americans since that first plaque near the conclusion of the 69th Juneteenth Celebration Sponsored by the George- Juneteenth — Black Codes, conducted by the Georgetown Cultural Citizen Memorial Association town Cultural Citizen Me- Jim Crow, KKK terror — on Saturday. Gadison is the association’s vice-president. Association morial Association (GC- and he told the Georgetown president Paulette Taylor is at back right. This year’s event was held CMA) since 1975, the local gathering that Juneteenth in the parking lot outside the association’s shotgun house at West Juneteenth celebration is a reminder that the strug- 8th and West Streets. Left, Trell Trotter-Salsberry, front, and Allyson commemorates the eman- gle for equality continues. Patterson, members of Georgetown’s Saving Grace Church Praise cipation of enslaved Afri- Team, perform a musical selection. can Americans. The theme Continued on 10 Library exhibits Jewish driver’s licenses The Georgetown Public The exhibit tells the sto- Library has the privilege ry of the journey, from the to exibit 13 Jewish driver’s license holders to their de- licenses confiscated during scendants, and will be view- the Holocaust, which will able through the month of be on display starting June J u l y. 27. “13 Jewish Driver’s Li- The history exhibit is a censes is about a German collaboration between the town coming to terms with library and Congregation its darkest past,” said Lisa Havurah Shalom, which Salko, a relative of two of will bring these driver’s li- the licensees. “It is a story CHRISTOPHER DE LOS SANTOS CHRISTOPHER censes to Georgetown. about human connection Jammie Swanks, Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse “This exhibit tells a story and about doing the right corporal, and volunteer Beth Baumann assemble the sun of discovery and reflection, thing. And it is a story and the power of reckon- about hope for all of us in shades for the VIP section at the rodeo in Jarrell. ing and reconciliation,” The licenses on display at the Library are over 80 years old. today’s tumultuous world.” Library Director Sally Mic- The exhibit is free and ulek said. “The Library is The licenses that will be found, a high school class will be open to the public proud to host this exhibit, displayed were taken from set out to find the descen- during library hours. It can and we are grateful to Con- the Jewish citizens of a dants of the licence owners, be found on the first floor of Sheriff’s Posse gregation Havurah Shalom small town in Germany in a search that brought them the library, 402 West Eighth for bringing it to the com- 1938, and remained undis- as far as Austin in Central Street, beginning Sunday. munity.” covered until 2017. Once Texas. rodeo returning this weekend City Post Chophouse now open for lunch Event being held in Jarrell The Williamson County cades, moved to Jarrell in Wang, Manny Farahani, came through last week. of III Forks, and the restau- BY KATE THURMOND Sheriff ’s Posse Rodeo will 2019. Joe Lykes, and Kevin and The oyster bar is cur- rant will bring on a new be held in Jarrell Friday No longer affiliated with After a year of Covid-re- Rachel Cummins of Sweet rently the only dine-in op- sous chef in July as well. and Saturday. the Wilco Sheriff ’s Office, lated woes, City Post Chop- Lemon Kitchen. tion, and is serving lunch “It’s a good start,” Mr. Sanctioned by the Cow- the posse produces rodeos house finally celebrated Co-owner Kevin Cum- for anyone wishing to grab Cummins said. “We’re real- boy’s Professional Rodeo and raises money for local their soft opening Tuesday. mins originally predicted Gulf oysters. Mr. Cummins ly happy with the team we Association, great riders charities while promoting The new steakhouse oc- a February soft opening said the plan is to start im- have.” and ropers from Texas and youth, equestrian and ag- cupies the former post of- for the restaurant, but porting East Coast oysters The market inside the Louisiana will take part in ricultural activities in the fice building on the Square, supply-chain issues held as well down the line. building is also open, as is the event. county and surrounding and even kept the original up construction, such as a He said he hopes the the upstairs event space, Sheriff ’s Posse officers areas, said Crystal Mattice, mailboxes at the entrance, refrigerator delivery being restaurant and ground-lev- which can hold up to 132 and members are very ex- secretary-treasurer of the though they will now be delayed by months, he said. el bar will be open in late guests. Mr. Cummins said cited to bring the Rodeo Posse. used to house goodies for The main restaurant is still July once the team has they may open up the space back to Jarrell this year, “Last year we could not patrons who pay a member- in need of a vent hood for hired and trained enough for dining if demand re- said Posse Lieutenant Alex hold a rodeo because of ship fee. the wood-burning oven, but staff. City Post has six em- quires it. Mouton. The Sheriff ’s Pos- Covid restrictions,” said The restaurant and oys- all the necessary operation ployees at the moment. The se rodeo, which had been Mr. Mouton. “We are very ter bar is owned by Gary permits and certifications head chef is Adrian Corkill Continued on 10 held in Georgetown for de- happy that everything came together this year and there is a lot of excitement Volumetric water rates New water rates from our sponsors and the (per 1,000 gallons) citizens of Jarrell and Wil- liamson County.” Gallons Cost in effect Jarrell is enthusiastic 0-7,000 $1.85 also, City Manager Vanessa Shrauner said. 7,001-15,000 $2.75 Continued on 5 15,001-25,000 $4.80 Follow the 2-day per week watering schedule ©2021 Williamson County Sun 25,000 and more $8.40 City of Georgetown | water.georgetown.org 2 The Williamson County Sun, June 23, 2021 Wilco Covid-19 numbers slightly down since June 1 Rates expected to stay consistent until more are vaccinated By CHRISTOPHER DE LOS SANTOS ing to health district data. fully vaccinated as of June Covid vaccines available for that level of immunization, to build protection than re- Although numbers have 16, according to the Texas those without insurance. non-vaccinated people are lying on herd immunity or The average number of improved compared to ear- Department of State Health more protected from infec- getting sick with Covid-19. daily new Covid-19 cases lier in 2021, there is still a Services. Among the coun- Community immunity tion because there is less of The three vaccines in in Williamson County was risk of a future surge in ty’s residents ages 65 and Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief an opportunity for the dis- widespread use in Texas 12.4 from June 7 through cases. over, who are some of the medical advisor to Pres- ease to spread, according –– Pfizer, Moderna and June 20. “Until we can reach a most vulnerable to the dis- ident Joe Biden, told Dr. to a statement from the Na- Johsnon & Johnson –– have That number is down higher level of vaccine cov- ease, 79 percent are fully Mike Varshvski on June tional Institutes of Health. each shown a high level of from the 13.3 average daily erage in the community, vaccinated. 6 that herd immunity will While experts don’t yet effectiveness against most cases reported from June there is a likelihood that Covid vaccines are avail- make cases decrease. know the exact percent- variants active in Texas, 1 through June 13, and no- we will stay at the current able at pharmacies all over “When you get that level age of people who would experts with the CDC, as ticeably lower than the 350 level of [infection] activity, the county, with most ac- of protection that turns out need to get vaccinated to well as Texas’ largest not- cases per day on average or worse, increase if [new] cepting walk-up service to be the threshold of herd achieve community immu- for-profit hospital compa- reported late in January, variants start spreading,” without appointments.

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