COUNTY LIFE
Make it a safe boating holiday weekend
SPRINGFIELD, Va. September 1, 2020 – For the nation’s 12 million boat owners, Labor Day weekend is the last blast, with many enjoying the end-of-summer boating ritual with family and friends aboard, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). The national advocacy, services and safety group cautions, however, that boating traffic and complacency could be safety concerns.
BoatUS’s nationwide on-water towing fleet, TowBoatUS, forecasts an increase in number of boaters on the water this three-day Labor Day holiday period. “Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are the 1-2-3 peak boating weekends of the year in terms of the volume of requests from boaters needing towing assistance services,” said BoatUS Vice President of Towing Services John Condon. “This gives us a fair barometer of boating traffic. However, social distancing guidelines from COVID-19 and the subsequent increase in boat sales already has led our fleet to respond to an average of 20% more calls than last summer. This Labor Day holiday, all bets are off. If the weather holds, that number will likely go up.”
BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner says, “At this time of year complacency can set in. You’ve had a safe boating season up to now, but don’t let your guard down just yet.” Sensenbrenner offers these end-of-summer boating safety tips:
- Do you know where your flares are, or did you bury them under the inner tube in the back lazarette?
- Are life jackets serviceable, or has the dog eaten one? Have you periodically inspected any inflatable life jackets?
- Is your throwable (Type IV) personal floatation device still at the helm within easy reach, or did a guest hide it in the back under the stern seat?
- Are all of your navigation lights still working?
- Have you checked your U.S. Coast Guard Local Notice for Mariners lately to see if anything has changed, such as recent storms affecting navigation or infrastructure work?
- Over the course of the summer, have your boat trailer’s safety chains accidentally dragged on the pavement leaving them compromised? Are brake lights still operable?
- Want to learn more about boating safety? Take a free online boating safety course from the Foundation at BoatUS.org/Free.
Nocona and Saint Jo High Schools will be sending students to the state University Interscholastic League academics meet in Austin next week.
NHS had two students qualify after contests last weekend. Abby Hill, sophomore, placed first in feature writing and fourth in news writing. This was her first year to compete in journalism. Her first place win sends her to state in feature writing where she will compete on May 14.
Isaac Fulumana, junior, placed first in current events, and this also is his first year to compete. He had the highest score across the state on the regional test.
Fulumana placed third in literary criticism and this is his second year to compete at the state level in this category. He will compete on May 15. The school placed 12th overall out of 50 schools at regionals.
The Saint Jo spelling team are the regional champions and will compete at the state UIL contest. Its members include Maxey Johnson, Francesca Voth, Paola Sanchez and Bailie Nobile. Johnson was second place individual.
Other students competing at the Region 3 academic meet were Layla Polk, fifth place in persuasive speaking and Maxey Johnson, fifth in ready writing. Good luck to all of them.
(Pictured top) Saint Jo’s spelling team of Maxey Johnson, Francesca Voth Paola Sanchez and Bailie Nobile. (Right) Nocona’s Abby Hill and Isaac Fulumana.
Young ladies interested in competing for Miss Jim Bowie Days 2024 are invited to attend a mandatory pre-contest meeting at 4 p.m. May 18 at the Bowie Rodeo Arena (highway side).
This annual contest is open to girls ages 14-21 for Miss Jim Bowie and those 13 and under for Little Miss. An application and contestant photo will be due at that time. There is an application fee of $50 and a sponsorship fee of $100 (name of sponsor will be placed on their sash).
The Miss JBD contest will be on June 28 with horsemanship at 8 a.m. at the arena. A brunch will follow and time will be allotted to change clothes.
Contestants also will be required to ride Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in the grand entry and rodeo; Saturday morning parade at 10:30 a.m. and attend every festivity during the festival.
Queen prizes will be a saddle certificate from Teskey’s, a $500 college scholarship, clothing allowance and more. Little Miss prizes include a saddle certificate from Teskey’s, clothing allowance and more.
For application forms or those with questions may call Rilla Brock, 817-228-6914 or Shalee Rater at 254-979-5780.
With a wet April already in full swing and more storms expected in the coming months, the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District staff is here to provide tips and tricks on creating your very own rainwater harvesting system.
Nearby counties received between 24-28 inches of rain last year, and just a fraction caught from roofs and barns can sustain landscaping, livestock, or family homes.
Rainwater harvesting helps alleviate stress on local groundwater systems, preserves streets and roadways, and can even slash your monthly utility bill. View our recommendations below and consider a harvesting system today.
The district recently named the five finalists for the 2024 grant program for rainwater harvesting system.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
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