By Debbie Moore

Hello from Baton Rouge. You lucked out, for this week at least. We took far too many pictures this weekend for me to go through them so that I could show you my wonderful, beautiful, handsome and intelligent family. But there is always next week.

Medallions unveiled

I really regret not being able to attend the festivities surrounding the unveiling of the Chestnut Street medallions, but Main Street Director Nancy Wood sent the following for those of us who missed it:

The program started at 9 a.m. on the corner of Chestnut and Water streets under the trees of the Ascension Catholic Church yard. Thank you to Fr. Rick for very graciously letting us use the space for the program and to church secretary Dee Dee for her help. The nearly 200 people who attended had perfect morning weather!

Please know that the following is by no means a complete list of everyone who was there, or who helped the event happen. I am scared to death I may miss someone, and if so, please forgive the omission. Some of those in attendance were Main Street board member Dick, and his wife Duffy, Smith, Marie Ruiz and her extended family (some of whom traveled from Dallas for the occasion and to view the medallion dedicated to the workers at the Phelan Mines who were their Marceleno ancestors) and Tom Scott.

Also there were Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa General Manager Steve Dewire (newly named chair of the Bastrop Main Street Program advisory board), Main Street board vice-chair Jane and Rob Hunt (with dog-about-town Hank), city council members Kay Garcia-McAnally, Bill Peterson and Joe Beal, city manager Mike Talbot and public works construction manager Doug Denny (who managed the Chestnut Street Improvement Project Phase II for the city and spent many long hours to see a successful completion), Gene Krupa from BEFCO Engineering (who coordinated all the pieces and the planning as the city’s engineering consultants), Bill and Andrea Haschke, Commissioner Willie Pina, County Judge Ronnie McDonald and Justice of the Peace Bill Weddle.

I can’t forget Cara and Kelly from Deep in the Heart Art Foundry (who spent hours making the designs of the medallions take life) and the Bastrop Main Street Program volunteers and  board members who helped make this event happen: Pat and Bill Crawford (setting up the PA system so early), Joe Newman (president of BEDC who helped with chairs and tables to set up and tear down), Debbie Denny, Martha Granger, Shawn Pletsch, Dock Jackson (also a member of the medallion committee that developed the concepts for the medallions), Dick Smith, Connie Nauman and so many more people I cannot begin to name. Tina Holter from Lost Pines Nursing Home volunteered and drove their shuttle bus to get people from the sidewalk ribbon cutting out to the foundry…what a great service! According to Susan Wendel, president of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, the ribbon cutting photo for the new Chestnut Street sidewalks (everyone in the audience lined up in the group picture) shows the largest group ever attending one in the chamber’s history of ribbon cuttings!

Special thanks to Terry and Patricia Orr for the idea of the medallions over one year ago and to the members of the medallion committee who went with the idea and developed the concepts to reflect the very long history of Bastrop: Dock Jackson, council member Ken Kesselus, Robbie Sanders, Marilyn Whites, Kay Wesson, Sandra Chipley, Mary McMurray and Bill Ennis, and last but surely not least, thanks to Cindye Wolford, director of the Old Town Visitor Center and Joshua Kemp, graphics designer for their work on the wonderful brochure.”

Ribbon cutting number 2

Nancy Wood also sent this report:  “Deep In the Heart Art Foundry’s successful grand opening of their new Fireside Gallery followed the medallion and sidewalk ribbon cutting. BEDC Chair Steve Mills awarded Clint Howard and the Foundry $100,000 because of their employment numbers.”

Thank you, Nancy, for your help.

If you have not been to the Foundry, you owe it to yourself to visit and see the incredible work they are doing out there. Clint’s work is being sent around the world. Those of you who have been to Santa Fe, N.M. will recognize some of the gorgeous statues.

Call the Foundry at 321-7868 to find out the days and hours of their tours.

Going to the dogs

Bill Weddle submitted this update from his dog, Tsa-la:

Dear Aunt Debbie: Here is an update from Bastrop as you enjoy your family reunion with your litter in Louisiana. The tails of Bastrop were wagging over the success of the recent pet parade. What fun and another reason to love this pet-friendly town. My dad (Judge Bill Weddle) received many woofs of thanks for the water he provided to the participants.

We furry family members need plenty of water during these hot summer days; keep it fresh, clean and accessible at all times. Fresh food in a clean bowl, a nice, cool spot in which to relax and restricted activities will all help keep us healthy and happy. And never, never leave us in a hot vehicle.

All paws love a cool ride around town, though, and the many other pet-friendly activities here – a romp and bark at the doggie part is great fun; a shopping spree at Petco will do wonders for the spirit; and a walk in the cool morning will always bring out a warm pat from a human friend.

Seen around town recently was Missy Delarosa with her dad, Willie (her sister Emma stayed home with Linda that morning). Bravo Sterns, son of Zach Sterns, was seen keeping a watchful eye on his dad’s truck. Buddy Weiting was seen taking his dad, Johnny Weiting, on their daily riverwalk.

A report of another Louisiana trip came from my neighbor friends, Pica and Cooper Pace, children of June and Robert Pace. The family visited near New Orleans then traveled on to Mobile, Ala., where granddaughter Jessica was graduated from Springhill College. Way to go, Jessica.

I am off to get a pedicure from Tracy at Bastrop Veterinarian Hospital. She is Dr. Schraeder’s technician and so kind and gentle that even my fears are eased. Quigley Barrientos has invited me out for a dip in the pool – the labs love the water, but you know we Dobes will melt in the water so I will just watch from afar.

Barks and Hugs,Tsa-la Weddle (aka Charlie Weddle – Tsa-la is my Cherokee name)

Calling all Bastrop High School grads

Lucy Orozco Faz, a 1960 BHS graduate, is spearheading the 50th reunion of her class.  There will be a catered Dutch-treat meal beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the LCRA Conference Center after the Homecoming Parade. Any Bastrop High grad is welcomed to either participate in the meal or just come to visit.

Lucy and other organizers will be in front of Lock’s Drugs the day of the parade with information on the day’s happenings. However, the caterer needs to know how much food to prepare, so if you want to participate in the meal, please let Lucy know.  She can be reached at 303-2716.

Happy birthday

Calling all party people…There is going to be a fun birthday party and sock hop on Friday, July 23 beginning at 5 p.m. celebrating the birthdays of Opera House guru Chester Eitz and Fat Cat Kitchenware and Catering’s very own Danielle Adams.

All are welcome.

That’s all for now

I must get back to playing with grandchildren. Until next week, be good to yourself and let me hear from you at  mooreaboutbastrop@ya
hoo.com.

Remember “Don’t do anything in practice that you wouldn’t do in the game.” George Halas