The Bastrop Advertiser and County News (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 138, No. 74, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 15, 1984 Page: 4 of 32
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page 4, Section I THE BASTROP ADVERTISER AND COUNTY NEWS Tlwrfday.Novcmber 15, 1964
Issues and Opinions
-J:
Legion kept Homecoming alive
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SfeCOhOD -HOMOMOOIS)
Dear Editor:
After reading where Homecom-
ing dates will be changed and ad-
ditional comments, I felt it my duty
to write about Homecoming as
there are so many who are not
familiar with its inception.
No one owns Homecoming—not
the City, not the Chamber of Com-
merce, nor the American Legion.
Homecoming was conceived
many, many years ago by none
other than Dr. J. Gordon Bryson,
and Amy and Ed Standifer (Origi-
nal Bastrop Advertiser Owners).
The whole idea was to have a
celebration that would bring former
students and friends together to re-
hash the days when they lived in
Bastrop. (Those were the days that
when your graduated from high
school you left Bastrop to Houston,
Dallas, Austin or other far-away
places to work. There were no jobs
in JJastrop for the young people,
so this was to be the means to bring
them together.)
The American Legion Post had
just been completed, with the rodeo
Smithville project for entire county
arena, with the help of the City and
rwwn. It was ac-
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Board of Direc-
tors of the Smithville Civic Center,
Inc., I would like to comment on
remarks attributed to Judge Clyde
Clardy in an interview with
Richard Goldsmith (Bastrop Ad-
vertiser, Nov. 1). Judge Clardy
was lamenting the lack of an
indoor-outdoor facility and park for
Bastrop County.
A group of concerned citizens in
Smithville had similar feelings as
Judge Clardy and they have band-
ed together to form Smithville Civ-
ic Center, Inc. Their purpose is to
Principal helping kids
Dear Editor:
What in the world has happened
to the Bastrop School District?
How did we allow a man like Mr.
Haass to get in?
This is a man that the kids can
go to and expect understanding.
They
can tell him their problems
with drugs, drinking, family, etc.,
and he doesn’t condemn or criti-
He might actually keep a few of
them from being a total loss to
society—and to themselves—if they
let him. Personally he reached out
and touched my son’s life. He has
helped him and given him hope for
the future.
cize. He tries to help. If he can’t
Ir r “
Thank God for this man, and?
thank BISD for letting a decent,'
purchase land and develop a facil-
ity much like the one dreamed of
by Judge Clardy.
This group has made arrange-
ments to purchase SO acres of land
fronting on the Colorado River just
outside the Smithville city limits
for the purpose of developing a
park site. Besides river frontage the
property has large pecan and oak
trees.
The Board of Directors is now
working with Texas A&M Univer-
sity to develop a long range site
plan. The plan will include an as-
sembly area, an area for concession
booths, livestock and rodeo areas
as well as picnic areas along the
river front.
The board, presently presided
over by David Nance, is anxious
for cotpoiunity support from all
i m our coui
areas tn our county. Anyone wish-
will find the proper agency or
person that can. My God, how did
we ever permit a man like this to
supervise our children?
caring man slip through all the ,, ing to contribute time, energy or
trash into a position where he can“ ^financial support is welcome to be-
come involved.
trash into a position where he can
help my son — and yours.
Mae Parks
Bastrop
The Stichin’
Niche
The
“There's Still Time
to Make It Before
Christmas"
Sale
20% off all items in our needlecraf t
store from November 8 thru
November 17th.
P.S. We’Uhelpyou or teach you.
712 Chestnut, Bastrop
321-2262
Those wishing further informa-
tion are encouraged to contact
David Nance, President; Grover
Shade, Vice President; Jim Wither,
Treasurer, or myself.
Mary Ann Walborg, Secretary
Board of Directors
Smithville Civic Center, Inc.
A huge picnic was held with
'one bri
everyone bringing their lunch
baskets and family (this was held
in the State Park in what is now the
big camping area). At that time
there were picnic tables in the area
and Bastrop State Park was fairly
new. Everyone had a great time.
This picnic was always held after
THE NATURAL
Save money and energy with
a new gas furnace.
Gas can heat 2Vi homes for the same amount of
primary energy it takes to heat one electrically.
Natural gas is the most efficient way to comfortably heat
your home. A gas flame gives you instant heat, to warm
your home faster, so you use less energy. Save energy, save
money, with die efficient energy source. See your nearest
natural gas appliance dealer, or call Entcx. And remember:
when you use natural gas wisely, you’re conserving our
natural resources.
you know the difference.
DON’T LET FIRE
RON EVERYTHING!
The one thing you should
be able to count on is an
adequate insurance policy.
Our full coverage will
guard your finances. Call!
THE MAYNARD AGENCY
Protect Your Livelihood!
During this
highly dangerous period
fire could strike
at any time
Be sure you are
adequately protected!
The Maynard Agency
1108 Main, Bastrop Phone 321-2584
Next to the U.S. Post Office
aa of Nov. 12
Robert L
those Veterans of1
complished by co-operation and
hard work. The Legionnaires paid
the expenses of materials and the
city furnished man-hours. It was
a job everyone was proud of and
we now had a place to have enter-
tainment outside of going to the
school house.
Have you vets forgotten all the
hard work that went into this ac-
complishment?
Now we had a place to have
Homecoming. Homecoming was
never intended to be a commercial
money-making project.
The first Homecoming was
opened with a relay race. Bastrop
to Elgin-Taylor-Austin-Lockhart-
Seguin-Schulenburg-La Grange-
Smithville and back to Bastrop.
Caravans of cars led by Dr. Bry-
son and others traveled the route
to advertise Homecoming and
they were accompanied by the then
famous “Rockne Playboys.”
Everyone who could traveled the
two day route. One day north and
one day south. It was fan time
for everyone going.
church on Sunday.
There were boat races on Satur-
day at the river (before a boat
ramp).
The Grand Parade was held on
Thursday, opening day. It was held
in June at this time, but after be-
ing rained out a number of times
it was moved to July, and still
rained out, so a final time of the
first weekend in Atlgust was decid-
ed upon, which with a few excep-
tions, has been dry.
The Legion veterans ran the
rodeo and dances. This was their
money-making project.
After a few years, folks down-
town decided it was too much trou-
ble and wanted to hold
Homecoming every few years, but
the American Legion decided to
continue on every year, so they
planned the parade, did all the
work, and famished all the fan.
Former Bastropians looked for-
ward to Homecoming, set their va-
cation dates to coincide with this
event to hold their reunions and
meet at the dances.
This went on for years. Then af-
ter I became involved with the
Chamber of Commerce, the down-
town merchants complained about
poor business during Homecoming
so we decided to try to bring some-
thing downtown to keep the crowds
after the Kiddy Parade on Thurs-
day and the Grand Parade on
Saturday.
L.C. Smith and John Allbright
suggested the canoe race with Lone
Star as sponsor. It was suggested
that booths be set up on the river
bank for church groups and local
organizations to have for a money-
making project. There were so few
ways to make money outside of
‘‘cake walks” and ‘‘bake sales.”
Now remember the Legion still
kept Homecoming going, not the
city or Chamber.
Then some of the young folks
decided the Legion was making the
money and they didn’t like the
bands, etc., so they decided to go
in competition.
Austin had come along with
Aqua Festival and set their dates
to coincide with Homecoming
dates, but we found this really
didn’t make a great deal of differ-
ence, we kept plodding along. It
was a great thing and everyone had
fan.
Homecoming was based on co-
operation 6f organizations, not
conflict and competition.
Paul Pape, with all of his hard
work, has done a fine job, but to
state that the American Legion
events conflict with the Homecom-
ing is just a little far-fetched and
should be reversed. Homecoming
has gone into competition with the
American Legion.
If the dates are changed, which
is fine, the name should also be
changed to the River Festival, as
it will no longer be Homecoming
in the true sense of the word.
(Dates have been advertised every-
where, brochures, etc., as first
weekend in August.)
Hopefully the American Legion
will still have its rodeo and dances
as in the years gone by. Bastrop
can accomodate two celebrations.
It is great to say that since the
beginning of Homecoming, and the
idea of Dr. Bryson and Amy and
Ed Standifer materialized with such
huge success. New jobs at the
steam plant, prison and other in-
dustrial projects now furnish jobs
so that our local high school gradu-
ates, who so desire, may find em-
ployment at home. But there are
still many of those out there who
left Bastrop before these jobs were
available and they still come back
for Homecoming.
It may be hot in August, but
thank God, it seldom rains.
(I am in no way now connected
with the Chamber, City or Ameri-
can Legion, only a citizen who has
always enjoyed Homecoming.)
Margaret Pfeiffer
Bastrop
Thanks to Clardy
Dear Editor:
It has been my privilege to work
as secretary to County Judge Clyde
Clardy during the majority of his
term in office. I can honestly say
the experience has been a highlight
of my life. This man, referred to
often as “controversial,” is in real-
ity a man of integrity, decency,
kindness, intelligence and thought-
fulness.
While learning the principles of
county government first-hand, I’ve
also witnessed Judge Clardy work
diligently each day to help the
many people who would come by
for advice and counsel. He has a
wonderful open-door policy and at-
Voters did job
Dear Editor:
It is significant and refreshing to
note voters had minds of their own
and were not influenced by heavi-
ly slanted local media in selecting
key officials of our government at
the recent election.
The anti-Reagan jazz continues,
but it is ignored. Freedom of
speech and press, right on.
Spencer McClure
Bastrop
titude, and there was always tim
for everyone. Our Bastrop Count
has really been the better for ha\
ing been blessed with this man i
the office of County Judge.
I would farther like to say tfa
the idea of a County Court-at-Lai
in Bastrop County is for the pui
pose of hearing the considerabl
number of DWI, marijuana abus
and theft cases in addition t
others. The District Attorney’
office decides whose case is he!
“when” and many cases get put o
a “back burner.” I believe that al
cases should be held as quickly a
possible with justice, so tha
habitual criminals won’t continue
believing Bastrop County is ai
easy place where crime gets by.
ask the people of Bastrop Count'
to let the Texas Legislature knov
we should have a Count'
Court-at-Law.
Again, my public thanks tc
Judge Clyde Clardy and to the
Commissioners for the responsibli
service I have witnessed them give
God bless them, and let’s pray foi
the incoming administration that i
may do as well.
Sarah Greer
Bastrof
ttlie iBastrop JKMicrttscr
iiiiil (Cuuntu JCelits
TEXAS’ OLDEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Published Monday and Thursday at the Bastrop Ad-
vertiser office, 908 Water Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602.
Second Class Postage paid at the Bastrop Post Office, Bas-
trop, Texas 78602. An independent, home-owned
newspaper, non-sectarian, non-partisan, devoted to the
welfare of the people of Bastrop County. Subscription
rates $9.50 per year in county, $14.00 per year out of
county, payable in advance.
Jack Fraser-Publisher
Jerry Appel-Business Manager
Richard Goldsmith-News Editor
Ellen Moore, Paula Gibson-Reporters
Richard Knight, Linda Helzer,
Kathy Ashbranner
~ Production
Fay Panned, Lou Humble, Gayle LeGrand
Teresa Highsmith
Circulation
BASTROP ADVERTISER (UPS045-020)
MEMBER TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
1984
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Goldsmith, Richard. The Bastrop Advertiser and County News (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 138, No. 74, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 15, 1984, newspaper, November 15, 1984; Bastrop, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth746738/m1/4/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bastrop Public Library.