The Mercedes Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 82, No. 12, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 23, 1994 Page: 3 of 12
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• 4
The Mercedes Enterprise — Page 3
Mercedes, Texas 78570 Wednesday, March 23, 1994
OFFICER
By Frank W. Judd, Ph.D
Director, UT-PA Coastal Studies Laboratory
Icy Road Conditions
G.B., San Antonio
LEATHERSTEM
“Hereby perceive we the LOVE OF GOD...”
GHOST CRAB
JTACKMAMM
attend.
In Times Like These
The Mercedes Enterprise
Quitting in plaids, stripes told
This Series Made Possible by 5
These Business Firms and Individuals
Who Support Our Right to Worship Freely.
Trooper Kevin Wilkie is a Texas Highway
Patrol Association board member, and
works in west Texas
Second class postage paid
at Mercedes, Texas
78570. Published each
Wednesday at Mercedes,
Hidalgo County, Texas,
Office of publication, 230
S. Texas Ave. Subscrip-
tion rates $12.50 per year
in Valley, $15.50 per year
out of state. Single Copy
price 25 cents. Send Ad-
dress Corrections to The
Mercedes Enterprise,
P.O. Box 657, Mercedes,
Texas 78570.
A. Most troopers prefer the
Caprices because they are safer and
roomier. Now that the bigger cars are
getting faster you might see them
replacing some of the smaller pursuit
vehicles (Mustangs, Cameros) in the
future. You’ll see dog handlers and
License and Weight officers using the
Jeep Cherokees.
to the shore where they spend the re-
mainder of their lives.
Ghost crabs are both predators and
scavengers. As predators they actively
dig for mole crabs and coquina clams
which are their preferred food. In the
absence of preferred food, ghost crabs
will eat a host of decaying animals,
vegetation, and human refuse, includ-
ing the Portuguese man-of-war, Sar-
gassum, and coffee grounds.
Leatherstem, jatrophia dioica, is
one of the most interesting plants in
the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
It is a shrub, usually growing to
one to two feet in height, but the stem
is scarcely woody at all. Indeed, the
stem is so flexible that it can be tied
into a knot! This attribute is the source
of the common names “leatherstem”,
“leatherwood”, and “rubber plant”. The
name “Sangre de Cristo” or blood of
Christ comes from the red sap that
occurs in the lower portions of the
plant.
Leatherstem often forms extensive
colonies due to the fact that it is propa-
gated from perennial underground rhi-
zomes. It is particularly common on
calcareous soils throughout the lower
Rio Grande Valley.
This plant is reportedly poisonous
to goats, butjavelina are known to eat
the roots.
The leaves are from 1/2 to 2 1/4
inches long and usually shaped like a
spatula. They are deciduous during
drought conditions. The flowers are
small (i.e. the corola is only about 8
mm long) and white to pinkish in color.
Ghost crabs are usually found fairly
close to water. This is because they
must keep their gills moist. To moisten
their gills, ghost crabs either enter the
surf or burrow down to the water table.
Of course, the water table is close to
the surface in places where ghost crabs
live. :
The next monthly meeting and lun-
cheon will be conducted Saturday,
April 9, at 10 a.m. at the Palm Aire.
The program in April will be a fashion
show of wearable art modeled by vari-
ous members and guests, and narrated
by Val Pieri of Pharr.
Luncheon reservations may be
made by calling Vangie Martinez at
210-565-1093 no later than April 4. :
Ask the officer is sponsored by the Texas Highway Patrol Association and seeks to answer questions on law
enforcement, public safety and other concerns involving the welfare of Texas citizens. You can write Ask
The Officer care of the Texas Highway Patrol Association, 610 Brazos, Fourth Floor, Austin, Texas 78701.
RIO GRANDE VALLEY
FAUNA AND FLORA
The Mercedes Enterprise
(USPS 177-100)
A.R. DAVIS REAL ESTATE
J.H. "JAKE" DAVIS-AGENT
RT. 2, BOX B-8
Mercedes, Tx.
565-5223
B.R., Dallas
A. The biggest mistake people
make is thinking that ice causes crash-
es. It’s the drivers confronted with icy
conditions who cause crashes. You
have to adapt your driving to the condi-
tions, even if it means driving only 5
mph, and also your turning, accelerat-
and braking. And don’t go out
unless you must. It’s a good idea to
keep lots of room between your car and
the car in front of you. If you start
skidding, turn the wheel in direction of
skid.
Patrol Cars
Q. I’ve seen troopers in Crown
Victorias, Caprices, Mustangs,
Cameros, Broncos and most recently
Jeep Cherokees. What’s the deal? Is
there no set standard for highway
patrol vehicles?
Past Sins
Q. Exactly what information does a
trooper get when he calls your driver's
license number in? I was convicted of
mail fraud once. I’ve never hurt any-
body in my life. I’ve served my time
and cleaned up my act, but now I’m
paranoid that if I get pulled over the
computer will say “EX CON, ” and I’ll
get treated like a murderer or some-
thing.
Chiropractor
DR. LYLE A. STRUNK
L.M., Odessa
A. Typically a driver’s license(DL)
check will result in the name, city of
residence, date of DL expiration, class
of license and any restrictions on
license, if the license is under suspen-
sion and if the holder of the license has
any outstanding warrants.
Normally during routine traffic
stops I don't run a criminal check
which shows a person’s criminal
record.
and Edy Davis of Harlingen. Each
received enough Kite quilt blocks for
a small quilt.
Guild-sponsored “Quilting in the
Heartland” by Charlene Jorgensen is
airing Sunday Afternoons at 2:30p.m.
on KMBH-TV, Channel 60, through
April 3, members were reminded. Also
airing on KMBH is “Sewing Today”
sponsored by Bernia beginning on
Saturday, March 19 and running 12
weeks.
The Guild voted to expand on its
recently established $500 scholarship
fund. The award will be made to two
Valley home economics (sewing) stu-
dents each year. The school selected to
received the first award was Mission
High, and the second award will go to
a student at Valley View High.
The Guild sponsors an annual
workshop, and this year the featured
teacher was Anne Wanke of
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Mem-
bers spent two days learning new ideas
and techniques from this very gifted
teacher.
It was announced that the Crazy
Patch Bee would be meeting once again
in McAllen. This bee meets on the
first Saturday of each month from 1
p.m. to4p.m. This is one of many bees
that are affiliated with the Guild. Those
wanting further information about
where or when a bee meets can contact
Jean Tate at 783-4608.
Following the luncheon was a lec-
ture, complete with dozens of quilts by
Ann Wanke on the subject of using
plaid and striped fabrics in quilts.
The Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild
is an educational organization func-
tioning for the purpose of promoting
GOD’S FIVE MINUTES
I THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING' Ecclesiastes 3:1, The Living Bible, Tyndale House
Q. It almost never snows where I
live. But when it does, or the roads get
icy, the trip home is like thirty miles of
“bumper cars. ” I’ve heard some peo-
ple say, “Texans don’t know how to
drive on ice, ” and I don’t deny it. But
That is there to know? Do you have
any tips for icy weather driving?
G "Seven generations of fine Bootmaking"
a ELI RIOS AND SONS
A. BOOT COMPANY
‘Finest Custom Handmade *Boot and Shoe
Cowboy Boots Repair.
"We Make The Best and Repair the Rest!"
310 S. Texas Mercedes 565-3949
The Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild
conducted its regular monthly meet-
ing at the Palm Aire Motel in Weslaco
on March 12. The meeting was called
to order at 10 a.m. by First Vice Presi-
dent Betty Reid, with over 120 mem-
bers and 28 guests in attendance.
The Guild now has over 200 regu-
lar members.
Stella Krafka of Harlingen brought
a report on the annual Quilt Show that
took place at the McAllen Civic Cen-
ter in February. Almost 2,000 people
attended this ever-popular event, mak-
ing it the most successful show to date,
she said.
Several events were added to the
show this year, including a miniature
quilt auction and out-of-town vendors.
Jim Benish of Harlingen was given a
special thank you for all of his extra
effort and help before, during and after
the show.
Eight ABC Quilts for children at
risk were collected along with a num-
ber of stuffed-bears for children at the
local hospitals. A bed-sized quilt was
turned in for the Family Crisis Center.
Anyone interested in more informa-
tion about this project may contact
Doris Winters at 210-423-7767, it was
told.
Ruth Kunselmen, reported on the
Guild-sponsored quilt classes being
offered by the Weslaco Public Library.
They have been very popular and suc-
cessful, she said. A thank you was
offered to library staff members for
their assistance and cooperation with
these classes. Those wanting more in-
formation and registration details, can
contact the Library at 210-968-4533,
it was reported.
Winners of the popular “Block
Party” were Marvel Rushton of Alamo,
OFFICE HOURS: 9 A.M. TO NOON, 2 P.M. TO 5 P.M.
(One mile south of Business 83 on FM 1015)
968-6260 2810 S. International
Claudia Kleven of Harlingen, Joan and teaching the art of quilting. Any-
Sammons of Port Isabel, Helen Croak one interested in quilts in any way,
of Weslaco, Fran Ezzell of San Benito, making or just enjoying, are invited to
Mercedes Christian Church
612 SOUTH TEXAS
P.O. BOX 896
MERCEDES, TEXAS 78570
SUNDAY WORSHIP
10:10AM & 7:00PM
PASTOR - DON BRYNTESGN .
CHURCH 565-1509 PAR. 565-4742
See us for towing, auto repairs
or welding!
► JUAN’S WELDING
andAuto Service
2190 W. Business 83 565-3711
• 1 MEMBER
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
Flowering may occur from April unpalatable, it may be eaten during
through September, but whether it does droughts by livestock.
or not depends on rainfall. During dry Goats and sheep are most likely to
spells there are no flowers. consume sufficient quantities to be--
Although the plant is considered come poisoned.
MATT'S
Appliance Repair
Ranges 565-4555 565-3026
‘Washers & Dryers
‘Window Units & Refrigerators
1306 S. Missouri - Mercedes
MARTINEZ GARAGE
TOWING
(512) 565-4022 @AUTO
PETE & BETO MARTINEZ s
OWNERS SERVICE
. 103 S. Missouri Ave .______Mercedes 78570 j
The ghost crab, Ocypodequadrata, ture until their second year of life,
is the most conspicuous inhabitant of Mating may take place in a burrow or
the gulf beaches on Padre Island. on the surface.
Adults are rarely seen during the Fertilization is internal and each
day, but juveniles are common when egg js enclosed within a chitinous cap-
the sky is overcast and at dawn and sule. The eggs are then transferred
dusk. The common name “ghost crab” from the female’s reproductive tract to
refers to their pale white color which the underside of the abdomen for two
closely matches the color of the sand, to three weeks as they undergo early
Ghost crabs occur from Rhode Island stages of development.
to Brazil and they are active on Texas
beaches from March to December. Atan appropriate time ™ the lunar
The colder months are spent in a cycle, the female enters the surf and
burrow with the entrance solidly vigorously agitates her abdomen to
plugged with sand. In tropical climates, free the eggs. Contact with the water
ghost crabs are active throughout the causes the egg capsules to rupture,
releasing the larvae.
year. P
Surprisingly, ghost crabs are rela- Although thousands of eggs are
tively long-lived. An average life span released, mortality is high. After a few
is three years and females do not ma- weeks the surviving juveniles return
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The Mercedes Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 82, No. 12, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 23, 1994, newspaper, March 23, 1994; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1618456/m1/3/: accessed June 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library.