President's Message

Can you believe that half of 2011 is already gone?

Here we are in July and have just celebrated our nation’s birthday on July the Fourth. I always love to go to Round Top, Texas, which this year held the 161st annual 4th of July celebration. It’s considered to be the oldest continuous Fourth of July commemoration west of the Mississippi. Round Top, and the surrounding area, is where my ancestors settled when coming to America from Germany. I especially enjoy going there, because I feel that I have roots there. Texas Highways magazine featured Round Top in their July, 2011 issue. If you subscribe, or get a chance to read the story, do so. It also gives information on other very interesting and exciting things going on in or near Round Top. Near Round Top, is Shakespeare at Winedale where plays are being performed through the summer season. The Lutheran church at Round Top, and the two story home with historical markers, was built by Carl S. Bauer, my great-great-great grandfather. The home is believed to be a replica of the Bauer family home in Saxony, Germany. Anyway, I hope that each of you had a special place to celebrate and that you had a safe and meaningful holiday.

Hope that all of you were able to attend the Sunday Stroll at Laura Joseph’s home and gardens and the gardens of Scott Stewart last Sunday. Beautiful homes and gardens, wonderful refreshments, garden demonstrations, a vintage clothing style show, a showing of vintage hats, a 1955 Chevrolet to see, and of course, the Purple Martins. Thanks Laura, for putting all this together for all club members and guests to enjoy. The Purple Martin babies and parents are having a hard time dealing with the extreme heat and severe drought conditions that all of us and all living creatures and plants are trying to deal with. Luckily June 22, brought a little over 4 inches of rain to the La Grange area and as much as much as 5 inches near Schulenburg. Certainly every drop is welcome, but, this still leaves us in a very severe drought condition and with still our usually two hottest and driest months to go. So, as I’ve been saying all year, let’s all continue to pray for rain!

Remember that our regular meeting in July is on Thursday, July 28. This meeting will be our annual ice cream social. The program will be Show and Tell featuring our own members presenting their favorite plants. Also check the calendar of events in this newsletter for correct times and dates of all meetings and activities. Hope to see you there.

Sincerely,
Wilburn Hackebeil