Support your local Volunteer Fire Dept.

Winner number 22 of the 2nd Annual St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 52-week gun raffle was drawn Sunday, Jan. 23. The winner of a Glock 19, 9mm Gen 5 is Scott Davis. The next drawing will take place Sunday, Jan. 30.

Recently, Grimes County residents in and around the Anderson area received a letter from the Central Grimes County/Anderson VFD as they conduct their annual fund drive. This organization operates with nine different fire apparatuses used for various situations and currently has 13 active volunteers that serve our area. With generous contributions from last year they were able to purchase a set of battery-operated rescue tools and attend training. These tools allow them to cut time in half for life saving measures. Funds collected this year will go toward further trainings, gear, equipment and future purchase of any needed apparatuses.

Anderson VFD depends heavily on this fund drive as they are not part of a Rural Fire Protection District and don’t receive tax funds in addition to property taxes. They only receive 20% of their income from tax dollars from the county which limits what that money can be used for. They need you to help them protect your home and property.

Anderson VFD also needs more active volunteers to continue their work in our area. Business meetings are held the third Monday each month at the fire station in Anderson at 7 p.m. For more information contact Fire Chief Michael Kimich, 936-870-8776 or President Darrell Dietrich, 936-870-7196. If you would like to help out you can send a monetary donation to Anderson VFD, P.O. Box 561, Anderson, TX. 77830. It will be greatly appreciated.

Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day. That day in 2021 was nerve-wrecking for our family, especially for our daughter Ashleigh and husband Tanner Krause. In the best interest of all, that was the day doctors decided to take our little Case Karl Krause 10 weeks early. It feels like yesterday when it happened and was earth-shattering for me since I couldn’t be with my baby daughter to give her support and help her through that unforgettable day. This dang pandemic ruined it all. So, I headed to Scott & White and sat in the parking lot and prayed a rosary over and over until he was born.

Weighing 2 pounds, 15 ounces at birth and dropping to 2 pounds 11 ounces, he was definitely a fighter. He stayed in the NICU for 6 weeks (originally it was supposed to be 10 weeks) but that little toot showed us all how to survive. I have babysat him all these months and now he is turning one. Doctors said he would most likely be behind in his development a couple of months but oh no, he is ahead of schedule. He began climbing stairs at 6 months and started pulling up and taking steps at 9 months. By 10 months, Case was walking everywhere and keeps me up and running too. Nothing gets done during the day except when he is napping. Thank goodness he is napping longer these days since his little legs walk at least a thousand steps a day! Thank you, God, for giving us this precious little angel.

Happy Birthday to those celebrating this week: Jan. 27 – Janice Pasket, Donna Blankenship, Justin Crenshaw and Deacon Ted Baker; Jan. 28 – Brandon Belinowski, Pam Szymanski, Tonya Wyatt and Bryce Allen; Jan. 29 – Martha Smith; Jan. 30 – Kristin Backhus, Kagan Stephens, Valerie Busa, Becky Greenwood, Ryder Snow and Moppy Davis; Jan. 31 – Kyle Backhus, Marcy Pavlock, Brad Countryman and Ben Leman; and Feb. 2 – Patsy Jones and Case Karl Krause.

Happy Anniversary to those celebrating this week: Jan. 28 – Cody and Brianna Small, eight years; Jan. 29 – Thomas and Linda Phillips, 15 years; Feb. 2 – Brandon and Kary Borski, 20 years; Feb. 2 – Roy and Lynn Bowman, 20 years; Feb. 2 – Steven and Meg Wisnoski, 14 years; and Feb. 2 – T.J. and Niki Haynie, nine years.

It was a rough week with the loss of Ronald and Donna Busse. This well-known Grimes County couple lost their lives in a home fire. Condolences go out to their three sons and the many that loved and admired this couple.

If you have special news about what goes on in your family or life, let me know by calling 936-870-6842 or email me at gailmsowell @yahoo.com.