COUNTY LIFE
Updates from the director of Texas State Parks
We hope that you and your family are staying safe and healthy during this unprecedented time.
Up until recently, most state parks have stayed open. Park employees across the state rose to the challenge of providing safe outdoor access to about 740,000 visitors in March. But as demand increased, following social distancing and sanitation guidelines became more difficult.
At the governor’s direction, we closed all Texas state parks. This was not a decision that was taken lightly, as we are honored to provide access to the outdoors for millions of Texans. However, the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers is always a chief consideration for us.
The current crisis is not a state park problem or a Texas problem. It is much broader. It is now time for all of us to focus on doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. We would love to continue helping Texans make memories and smiles when they need it most. However, I feel this temporary closure is prudent, given the current situation.
Here are the steps we are taking:
- All state parks are closed to the public. If you had a camping or day pass reservation in April, we will automatically refund the full amount of your booking. You do not need to contact our customer service center.
- We have extended the term of Texas State Parks Passes by two months. This extension will happen automatically for any Texas State Parks Pass holder whose pass was active on April 7, 2020. You don’t need to take any action for this benefit.
- We are not taking new reservations for any state park. This includes both day pass and overnight reservations.
- Existing reservations for May and beyond are still valid but could be cancelled, depending on the situation. We will let you know if things change.
- You may cancel your May reservation without cancellation fees. Contact our customer service center at (512) 389-8900 or by email.
While the parks are closed, we will be hard at work maintaining and improving our facilities and grounds.
On behalf of the Texas State Parks and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, we are looking forward to the day when we can welcome you back to your state parks. We’ll be ready when that time comes. Until then, I encourage you to find nature a little closer to home and enjoy springtime in Texas as best you can. Stay healthy and safe.
Sincerely,
Rodney Franklin
Texas State Parks Director
The Forestburg Community invites you to step into its charms and celebrate the Christmas season on Dec. 13.
There will be a full day of family fun activities to help kick off the holiday season. Santa Claus will be at the historic log cabin in downtown Forestburg from 3-5 p.m. to visit with the kids.
Forestburg Baptist Church will serve smores at the Christmas tree throughout the day. At Life Church from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. there will be cookie decorating/fudge and wreath contests.
Stroll over to the community center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy the bake shop and kid’s activities. There also will be a chili cookoff from noon to 1 p.m. so come cheer on your favorite.
At the community fire hall take part in a cornhole tourney at noon with a $20 buy-in. The members of the Methodist church have planned an afternoon of bingo from 1-3 p.m.
Visit the live nativity at 6 p.m. at the Christmas tree, followed by the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. The lighted parade will follow at 7 p.m. Guests can then enjoy a dance at the fire all after the parade.
Throughout the day there will be bounce houses at the cabin, food and shopping vendors, live music at the tree and Christmas movies at the community center. Bring the entire family and enjoy the day.
Pictured – Forestburg student council and National Honor Society members helped decorate the community preparation for Saturday’s events.
Members of the Bowie Amity Club and Maids & Matrons Club of Bowie are preparing for the Wreaths Across America at 11 a.m. on Dec. 13 where live Christmas wreaths will be laid on the graves of veterans at Elmwood Cemetery.
The public is invited to attend and help the club members lay the wreaths across the cemetery.
Wreaths Across American remembers and honors veterans across the nation through the laying of remembrance wreaths on the graves of the country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each one aloud as the wreaths is laid.
Many families have made this a holiday tradition to lay a wreath and take part in this special program honor veterans.
Winter’s chill and an eerie fog may have hung over Saturday’s 34th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, but the community and parade participants shared the holiday spirit throughout the route.
Cindy Roller, executive director for Bowie Community Development which hosts the festival activities, laughed Monday morning that many parade-goers said the fog “created a holiday glow” for the event. There were 48 entries, but she added there were many more for example the jeep club had one entry with multiple vehicles.
Sip and Stroll welcomed lots of shoppers to downtown Bowie Saturday night as 27 participating vendors welcomed guests. Pancakes with Santa served about 350, while Elfin Magic provided fun for the all the families.
(Pictured above, photo by Justyne Roller0 Sister Act Connection claimed the Sweepstakes Award with their massive, colorful float, “I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” The lighted hippo filled the float.
First place community went to Southside Baptist Church and second place to St. Jerome Catholic Church.
First place business went to Select Ready Mix with the Grinch riding on the back of a cement mixer. Pigg Towing took second place business.
The First Responder Award went to Montague Volunteer Fire Department. First place best decorated vehicle went to Jeepsy Soul Jeep and second to Angelia Richardson in second place.
Read the full story and see lots more photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
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