COUNTY LIFE
Local educator turns passion into a side business
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
“The heat, the hammering, creating something out of nothing, it’s absolutely addicting.”
That is how knifesmith Sergio Menchaca describes forging a hand-crafted knife and his passion for the forge and its creations is obvious as you watch him work.
Most around Bowie know “Mr. Menchaca,” as principal of Bowie High School. Arriving in North Texas in July 2019, Menchaca soon made his presence known around the district. His enthusiasm and concern for students and education is felt by all those around him.
The administrator came to Bowie with 18 years of teaching and administrative experience primarily in the Hill Country, where he grew up in Junction Texas and later in Midland. He spent 11 years in the classroom working with special education grades 9-12, resource English and as a behavior interventionist. Menchaca says while working with these students was challenging at times, it also brought some of the greatest rewards.
Knife collecting began for Menchaca when he was a youngster. He laughs his dad says his boy was always interested in knives since he was old enough to talk, but they’re not sure where the dye was cast for the hobby.
“As a kid I wanted all kinds of knives, of course starting with pocket knives. My scoutmaster carried an Old Timer, so if you can only afford one that is what you get. I have gone through a lot since then and as a collector I have a few,” said the Eagle Scout.
In his adult life, Menchaca got to a place where he felt he was spending too much on knives, especially on custom ones, which can get pretty expensive. It then began to dawn on him, “I could make them cheaper.”
Read the full feature on this knifesmith in the weekend Bowie News.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Montague County is inviting livestock producers, landowners and wildlife managers to participate in an upcoming online educational meeting focused on the New World screwworm, a parasitic pest that can have serious impacts on livestock and wildlife health.
The virtual meeting will be at 9 a.m. on June 23, via Microsoft Teams. Organizers say the session is designed to provide timely information about the biology of the pest, prevention strategies and best management practices for producers in the region.
The New World screwworm is known for its destructive larvae, which infests open wounds of warm-blooded animals. Left untreated, infestations can cause severe tissue damage and even death. Although the pest had been eradicated from the United States in the past and has now entered into Texas. Continued awareness and preparedness remain important for early detection and rapid response efforts.
“This program is intended to help producers and land managers better understand the threat and what steps to take if cases are suspected,” said Justin Hansard, from the Extension Service.
The meeting will cover several key topics, including, how the New World screwworm spreads; general livestock management practices; wildlife monitoring and surveillance considerations, participants will also have the opportunity to learn practical strategies for maintaining herd health.
How to Join the Meeting
The session will be conducted entirely online using Microsoft Teams, and participants can join in one of two ways by joining the directed link (recommended) or by copying and pasting the following link into a web browser and follow the prompts:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/275071149431328?p=mOH2bhAqSVgo3AgtMK
Join using Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 275 071 149 431 328
- Passcode: u84hq3qX
Participants may join from a computer, tablet or smartphone. No Microsoft Teams account is required; users can select the option to join through a web browser. Attendees are encouraged to log in a few minutes early to ensure their device audio and video are working properly.
More information and fact sheets, can be obtained at our Texas A&M Agrilife Extension website: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm.
The program is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, which continues to provide research-based education and outreach to agricultural communities across Texas.
The Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on June 23 at the office located at 607A Lindsey in Bowie.
Public comments and consent agenda open the meeting.
Discussions will include: Review of member notification of rate increase postcards and PUC letter regarding the increase; president’s report on employee unsigned contracts of employment; review of all expenses and update of scanners for meter reading, office systems and software.
An executive session is slated for a discussion of employees, followed by a return to open session for any action.
The Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on June 22.
The agenda includes: Montague County Historical Commission to receive a distinguished service award; discuss returning unused funds to the state from the county attorney, district attorney and sheriff’s office; open sealed bids for base rock and budget workshop.
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