Bastrop, Cedar Creek and Elgin joined Georgetown – which dropped from Class 5A –former District 16-4A opponents Hutto, Connally and Manor and new school Georgetown Eastview to make up District 17-4A.

Just as predicted.

While the district alignment was what most coaches were expecting, the move to Region III (Houston) was kind of surprising.

“I wasn’t expecting Region III,” said Bastrop head coach Gerald Perry. “We are up against a good Brenham district for our bi-district and we have never seen those teams before. It’s what makes the day exciting.”

Elgin head coach Wade Griffin said he thought there was a possibility of a couple of changes, but figured it was going to be just how it turned out.

“It’s about what we expected,” he said. “Moving to Region III was a bit of a shock, but if you look at it, we could have gone to any of the three regions (Dallas, Houston or San Antonio.”

Georgetown and Eastview replace Hendrickson, which jumped to Class 5A, and Bryan-Rudder, which was aligned with Brenham, Conroe Caney Creek, Huntsville, Magnolia, Magnolia West, Montgomery, Waller and Willis in District 18-4A.

The move to Region III will make most regional competitions much closer in Huntsville while when Elgin and Bastrop were part of Region II, the schools traveled over 200 miles.
The new alignment also brings a much greater challenge, according to Perry.

With the addition of Georgetown, which is a state powerhouse in baseball and girls basketball, 17-4A will be much more competitive.

“Georgetown is good in a lot of sports,” Perry said. “This is going to be a good competitive district.”

Griffin welcomed the addition of Georgetown, where he served as defensive coordinator prior to being hired by Elgin in the summer of 2011.

“I’m pretty excited about getting to play Georgetown,” he said. “Competitive wise, this district is going to be tough, which is a good thing.”

Another interesting side note, both Perry and Griffin were candidates for the head coaching job at Georgetown East View in February 2011 when the district was looking to hire East View’s first football coach.

Thursday was an exciting time for Cedar Creek’s coaches as they took part in its first district realignment in the school’s short two-year history.

The Eagles will play their first football varsity schedule in the fall, while the other sports will play in their second varsity season.

Cedar Creek head coach Dan Hernandez said it was a good day for Eagle football.

“I’m pretty excited and look at this as a challenge,” Hernandez said. “Our kids were excited (Wednesday) at our banquet and they were already talking about what they needed to do. Now that we know where we are going, we have something to work with to get ready for next year.”

District 17-4A coaches met Thursday after realignment was set and finalized their schedules.

Schedules will not be official until Feb. 21 when coaches can officially sign two-year contracts, but all three area schools in District 17-4A tentatively set their schedules.

Bastrop’s non-district schedule will be Vista Ridge, Gonzales and Akins (Sept. 13).

Elgin’s non-district schedule will be Rudder, Lehman and Vista Ridge.

Cedar Creek’s non-district schedule will be Travis, Lanier and Lockhart.

Notable district games are Bastrop at Cedar Creek (Oct. 12); Bastrop at Elgin (Nov. 2) and Elgin at Cedar Creek (Nov. 8).

Bastrop and Cedar Creek will share BISD Memorial Stadium for all varsity football games.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULES
BASTROP
Aug. 31    Vista Ridge    A    7:30 p.m.
Septl. 7    Gonzales    H    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13     Akins    H    7 p.m.
Sept. 21    Manor*    A    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28    Eastview*    H    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5    Open
Oct. 12    Cedar Creek*    A    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19    Hutto*    H    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26    Connally*    A    7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2    Elgin*    A    7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9    Georgetown*    H    7:30 p.m.

CEDAR CREEK
Aug. 31    Travis    A    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7    Lanier    H    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14    Lockhart    H    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21    Hutto*    H    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28    Connally*    A    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5    Open
Oct. 12    Bastrop*    H    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19    Georgetown*    A    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26    Manor*    H    7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2    Eastview*    A    7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8    Elgin*    H    7 p.m.

ELGIN
Aug. 31    Bryan-Rudder    H    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7    Lehman    H    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14    Vista Ridge    A    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21    Georgetown*    H    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28    Hutto*    A    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5    Open
Oct. 12    Manor*    A    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19    Connally*    H    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26    Eastview*    A    7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2    Bastrop*    H    7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8    Cedar Creek*    A    7 p.m.

Blake said Jonathan Frelich, 31, turned himself into the Bastrop County Jail Thursday. Frelich, who was also an assistant softball coach, posted a bond of $50,000 and was released, according to jail records.

BISD communications officer Donald Williams said Frelich resigned his teaching post on Jan. 13, with the district receiving a report about the alleged incident four days later.

“Bastrop BISD received a report on Jan. 17 about an incident of alleged inappropriate contact between a student and the teacher,”  a district news release said. “Immediately upon hearing the report, the district contacted local law enforcement and began an internal investigation.”

Blake said the female student was 16 at the time of the alleged incident.

February’s First Friday at Art Connections Gallery will showcase “2 Sisters,” with sisters-in-law Kathy Callaway and Julia Callaway.
Kathy, from Fayetteville, is a sculptor who will show pieces in bronze and cold-cast bronze.  Particularly loved in her works are the “little people,” small figurative portraits of children that capture their personalities.  Kathy also features animals, a special work being “Locking Horns” showing four young longhorns jostling for space at the trough.
Julia is from Dallas, where she had a career in architecture followed by a career in art.  While Julia works in many different mediums, her focus for this show will be mosaics. Julia does colorful, whimsical scenes in a variety of mosaic materials. They are delicately and exquisitely made and will grace any collection. As promised in our name, Art Connections is all about connections.  These ladies share not only family but a love of and talent for creating. And to continue the connection a portion of the sale of Kathy’s work will benefit ARTS, a program to bring art education to children in rural central Texas.  A portion of Julia’s sales will benefit the Friends of the Bastrop County Animal Shelter.  After all, Art Connections Gallery is where “Art becomes heart.”
Photographs by Sheryl Bucsanyi will hang in the featured artists’ gallery at the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild throughout the month of February.  The opening reception is Friday, March 3 from 6-8 p.m. The gallery is located at 1009 Main St. in Bastrop and will be open every day, except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BFAG
The Bastrop Fine Arts Guild was asked recently to provide work for a display at the Austin Bergstrom International  Airport.  Eight BFAG artists responded with works portraying hope, inspiration and reflections on the recent wildfires in our county. As the exhibit is in the departure lounge and can be view only by ticketed passengers, art curator for the airport, Matt Coldwell, invited the artists for a special “backstage” tour.  If you are flying to or from ABIA anytime between now and the end of March, look for the exhibit in a glass case right before descending the escalator to the baggage claim.

It seems that Cedar Creek has definitely become a target for adversity. First the Union Chapel fires, then the rains that came on Jan. 25 trapped a lot of people in their homes and kept others from getting there. Major roads that lead out from the outlying areas of Cedar Creek were shut down by water over the road.
At 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the bridge on FM 812 was the scene of a raging Cedar Creek. For more than half a mile, water was pouring over the roadway, keeping traffic at a standstill on both sides. One of the firemen on the scene told me that two cows had drowned. Move on down to Watts Lane and both the bridges were barely able to be seen because the road had turned into rushing water. And then came FM 535 and FM 812.
Just down the road, our beautiful Cedar Creek Park was under water as Cedar Creek reared its angry head and covered the entire area. Watching the water at the entrance was surreal. I was standing in the Bluebonnet Fire Department parking lot with the water within inches. It was coming through so hard and fast it appeared to be boiling.
Constable Matthew Henderson said, “I don’t think I have ever seen so much water.”
He had been out since early morning watching the water rise and making sure no one drove into it. He said he had to wade into the water at one point and was soaked but his wife could not get through the flood waters to bring him dry clothes. Now that’s dedication to service. As long as I have lived in Cedar Creek, I don’t remember seeing the creek out of its banks this bad, either. I just thank God that from all reports, no lives were lost.
One lady remarked, “I never gave that creek any thought before, but it sure got my attention now. I will be quick to watch the weather should we get this type of downpour again.”
Last year, I told you about Lynn Reardon who rescues former race horses and teaches them how to become “people” horses again for adoption at her place called Lone Star Outreach to Place Ex-Racers on Texas 21. Well, she was hit pretty hard by the flooding. Lynn said she had to move the horses from the barn to higher ground and during this move one helper was kicked in the head when the horse got spooked and she went to the hospital for stitches. Some had to stand in knee-deep water until they could get them all moved.
Lynn said that unfortunately the barn and home may be lost to the flood. All the horses were moved to higher place and all are safe and sound. Lynn said many thanks to the Bastrop Emergency Service District 1 for their help.
Should you come to a place where the water is across the road, keep in mind “turn around, and don’t drown.” Water out of its bank is very unpredictable and a “wall” can come down so swiftly you can be swept away without warning.

King Ranch Chicken
This recipe was submitted by Joyce “Mama J” and it’s very good. I served mine with warm flour tortillas.
n 6 cups chicken fajita
n 1 large can cream of chicken soup
n 1 can of rotel (tomatoes & green chiles)
n 2 cups grated cheese (I used mild cheddar)
n Bag of tortilla chips
Mix the first 3 ingredients together and put it in a 9×13 cake pan. Spray the pan with non stick spray, Crumble chips on top and add the cheese. Bake at 350 for 20-25 mins.
It’s quick, inexpensive and easy when you are short on time for dinner
Please keep the recipes coming. I love receiving your emails so if you have something to share, send it on to cedarcreek50@yahoo.com.
In answering Marty, no, I do not get involved in politics.

Trivia question
Here’s something to work on for all of you. Does anyone know how Cedar Creek got its name and what year it was established? Yes, I do have the answer but how many of you Cedar Creekers know? E-mail me and let’s see what kind of answers I get. This could prove to be interesting. God bless ‘til next time

Tickets are $20 per person for all the soup and dessert you want to sample – pottery soup bowl included. Children 12 years of age and under eat free. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance during regular business hours at the pantry at 1201 Pine St., the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce (927 Main) and the Sugar Shack (114 Loop 150 W.).
For more information, see  www.bastropfood
pantry.com or contact the pantry at (512) 303-9550; or by email at tresha@austin.rr.com.

The City of Bastrop will be giving away free five gallon trees to City of Bastrop residents and those in the county who have been affected by the wildfire on Saturday, Feb. 11 beginning at 9 a.m. at the City of Bastrop Public Works Facility parking lot, 1209 Linden St. The site is located near Jewell’s Park at the intersection of Hill and Linden streets in Bastrop.
The trees are all native to Texas, but there is a limit on the number to be given per family, so come early.
The trees were provided by the Apache Foundation’s Tree Grant Program. Thanks to Parks Board chair Judi Hoover and Bastrop Planning director Melissa McCollum for getting the word out and to Jason Alfaro, an employee of the Bastrop Public Works Department and the guy who does such a great job in taking care of our parks.

DBA changes meeting times and location
Beginning in February, the Downtown Business Alliance will meet on the first and third Thursday of each month at 8 a.m. in the Bastrop Library meeting room, 1100 Church St.
In talking about the change, DBA president Drusilla Rogers said, “We hope that by meeting in the morning before most shops are open, it will make it easier for more of the owners to attend.  DBA is here to support downtown businesses, and we need to hear from the proprietors as to how we can best help them.”
DBA has been meeting at the Bastrop Opera House on Spring Street, and Rogers said that she wanted to especially thank Opera House executive director Chester Eitze for “his hospitality and continuing support.”

Garage sale
It’s not too early to start planning for the March 3 garage sale sponsored by the Bastrop County Historical Society from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Bastrop ISD West Campus, 1602 Hill St., across from the football field.
Frank Huffman reports, “In the last two years of sales, we had several neat featured items, for example, a pontoon boat, an antique organ, a beautiful working 1930’s stove and several wooden church pews. More importantly, we have had thousands of toys, books, household items, collectibles, and clothing in good condition. All-in-all it is these items that might be of special interest this year with so many Bastropians still putting together households after the fire.”
Volunteers will begin accepting donations on Wednesday, Feb. 15 and will continue accepting items through noon on Thursday, March 1.  For information about donation times on those dates, call the BCHS at 303-0057, Karen Clardy at (512) 461-4804, or Nancy Scott at 303-0760.
Proceeds will benefit the society’s new museum and visitor center.

Oops….
I failed to mention that Chris “Matt” Dillon is picking up the tab for food at the Hearts for Paws fundraiser on Feb. 11 at Heritage Hall, 1020 Main St., from 4-7 p.m.  So sorry.

Until next week
That’s all for now.  Until next week, be good to yourself.  Let me hear from you by email at mooreaboutbastrop@yahoo.com so I can share the fun things that are going on in and around Bastrop.
Remember: “You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die, or when. You can only decide how you’re going to live now.”  –Joan Baez

Wamer was hired by the Family Crisis Center as the new manager of their Bits and Pieces Thrift Store at the tail end of August, which, as you might imagine, means he was pretty busy right from the get-go. That is, when he could get in to the store.

Bits and Pieces is located at 4107 Texas 71 East in Bastrop on the northern end of Tahitian Village where the highway intersects with Tahitian Drive. Like nearly all of the homes in that area, the store was inaccessible as crews struggled to contain the blazes.

After the fires, the store had a recovery process of their own to go through. The clothes, books and household goods it sells come in via donations, but the fire ended up cutting off their supply line, as those items went to help the new influx of people who had lost their homes and belongings in the blaze.

Now that the immediate need for many of those evacuees has dissipated, Wamer and the rest of the Family Crisis Center staff are hoping to call attention to its availability as a resource by holding a Grand Reopening and Open House Thursday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“I’d like people to take another look at us,” Wamer said. “Every dollar they spend or donation stays local.”

The store has undergone a number of changes in the last several months, including a revamped layout and a changing of the process they use for receiving goods. Now any donations – Bits and Pieces takes all kinds of items, but prefers for those donating them to make sure they can actually be used, as otherwise it costs the store money to dispose of them hits the store floor within 24 to 48 hours.

For the center, which works to provide support for victims and to help eradicate domestic and sexual violence in Bastrop, Colorado, Fayette and Lee counties, the store represents a steady source of funding in a time of dwindling appropriations from higher up.

“The store is a vital part of our operations,” said Sherry Murphy, the center’s executive director.

Murphy estimates that the revenues from the store represent some 15 percent of the center’s budget, an important chunk that’s immune from spending cuts, if not the free market.

“We saw a pretty substantial decrease in our state and federal grants,” Murphy said of the decrease between 2010 and 2011. The center had to drop two positions due to the cuts, but the diversity in funding represented by the store helped them save the jobs of some staff members who might otherwise have been cut.

That’s important, because the number of people the center is helping isn’t dwindling. Murphy said they put up more than 392 individuals for a total of more than 6,000 nights in their emergency shelter last year. More than 1,100 people made use of the center’s services.

For those victims, it’s not just dollars from Bits and Pieces that the Family Crisis Center uses in its mission. They also give vouchers to families or victims who come to them for help, some of whom might have left home to escape an abusive relationship with little more than the clothes on their back.

Bits and Pieces is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and they accept donations all day during business hours.