Slow down curve ahead

As Payton and I traveled from College Station late Wednesday night, we traveled through Main Street in Richards. At the curve in downtown Richards on 149, we noticed a car that had its lights on and appeared to have run off the road. We stopped and a young Navasota man had escaped serious injuries. Payton and I drove up on the accident and were the first and only ones at the scene. We arrived about five minutes after the accident according to the driver. He couldn’t remember how his vehicle ended up in the brush next to the train track. It looked as though he didn’t make the curve or someone ran him off the road. We probably would not have noticed the automobile it if it was not for the lights on the car. This young man took quite a ride. His airbags were there to protect him and we were so glad that there weren’t any known injuries. We stayed with him until help arrived. Often people who are passing through Richards are not familiar with this curve and do not realize just how sharp this curve really is. Richards has several sharp curves so do drive slowly when driving through town.

It brought back memories of when my baby girl was a teenager and had been at a Fall Festival at Union Grove Baptist Church. A group of youth decided to go to the Dacus church to another event. They were together with a friend of my son Cody who just got his station wagon. He rounded this very same curve when a man and woman driving too fast in the misting rain, didn’t make the curve and their Cadillac slid into the station wagon. Luckily for these teenagers there were no serious injuries, but both vehicles were damaged. As for my daughter who was in the back seat, she had a broken nose. This is a dangerous spot and you must always watch the other driver who might be coming around the bend!

Payton and I had just returned from an evening of basketball watching my oldest granddaughter play for Aggieland summer league. It was a very good game. Lee met us in College Station and the three of us went out for a late dinner after the game. Payton and I were returning home together, and Lee was just ahead of us before the accident had occurred.

Please be safe as many people are traveling around vacationing. There seems to be more traffic on the roads. It sometimes seems our little community is hit hard with accidents during the holidays. Remember the July 4, holiday is fast approaching us, so please drive safely.

There has been a lot of buzz around the town in preparation of Haynie’s General Store that is opening soon. Everyone is waiting and so excited to see this store open.

United Methodist held their VBS, along with Crossroads this past week and Union Grove Baptist Church had their VBS days before them. There have been many fun activities for children to do in our community so far this summer.

Last week I failed to mention when Anderson celebrated their 125th birthday celebration that Billy Thomas was there near the courthouse with a lot of his old cars. He has a lot of nice ones. I always enjoy riding by the Thomas ranch and seeing the old horse buggies that he has sitting out. Years ago, when my daddy had antiques, Billy Thomas reminded me that he had bought one of the old buggies from my daddy. It sure does bring back fun memories.

Deepest sympathy to the family of Minnie Canatella Crouch. Minnie was a dear friend and co-worker. I had the privilege of having her be my supervisor at United Telephone in Navasota many years ago and also worked with her at Texas Department of Criminal Justice. I will truly miss her. Minnie is survived by her husband Frank Crouch and beautiful Granddaughter, Cassidy Marie Canatella, Minnie’s sister, Mary Jo Kennedy and husband James and her boys are longtime residents of our area. She also is survived by her brother Charlie Canatella and wife Lou Ann of Washington, and many nieces and nephews. A beautiful service was held in Navasota for Minnie Crouch at Christ Our Light Catholic Church. Please keep this family and her friends in your prayers.

Prayers for the family of Minnie Canatella Crouch, Tere Phelps, Marie Tomkivits, Stacey Wisnoski, our country and our president.

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