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COUNTY LIFE

Breathing new life into The Baker Hotel (video and photos)

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By BARBARA GREEN
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When Jeff and Christina Palmer first walked into The Baker Hotel it was awe-inspiring, and despite nearly 50 years of deterioration and vandalism, the craftsmanship of this 1929 gem was evident from its plaster and woodwork to the intricate tile.
The Palmers own Classic Design Works in Nocona and they are part of the team building and restoring the 900-plus windows in the storied Mineral Wells hotel. The couple and their crew have been working on the windows the past four months.
Their part of the restoration focuses on building new double-sash windows, along with exterior wood trim for the window, the the middle dividers, plus some other “fancy detail” pieces. They also are cutting all the window glass.


The Palmers are excited to be involved in a project that may be the largest historical restoration in Texas history.
In 1926 T.B. Baker began construction of the 14-story hotel in the heart of downtown Mineral Wells at at cost of $1.2 million. It opened two weeks after the great stock market crash on Oct. 29, 1929.

Read the full feature on the Baker’s restoration and its storied history in the weekend Bowie News.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDp1JssBOEQ
Check out all the update videos at bakerhotelandspa.com.
The Baker looms large above the Mineral Wells skyline. (Courtesy photo)
Vintage postcard of the original pool area of the hotel.
An advertisement for the grand opening back in 1929.
Old downtown Mineral Wells where Crazy Water was king.
Entry to Cloud Room where many famous musicians played. There are 270-degree views of the countryside.
The front entry of The Baker Hotel.
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COUNTY LIFE

Two BHS seniors earn associate degrees from NCTC

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By BARBARA GREEN
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While Bowie High School seniors are preparing for their graduation, six of those seniors have already made some huge steps toward their future.
Two seniors graduated from North Central Texas College last weekend with their associate degrees, and one earned a level one certification in welding. Two other seniors completed their veterinary assistant certification.

Ryan Rainwater and Jordan Vaught earned their association degrees from North Central Texas College as they await Bowie High graduation next week. Brody Fesmire earned his NCTC Level 1 welding certification and is the first BHS student to complete the two-year program.

Read the full story of these hard-working students in the weekend Bowie News.

Bowie senior Brody Fesmire is congratulated by Emma Halfmann, BHS College, Career, and Military Readiness coordinator, after he received his welding certification. (Courtesy photo)
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COUNTY LIFE

Gold-Burg one-act play ready to tackle the state stage

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The cast and crew of Gold-Burg High School’s one-act play, “Interview,” heads to Austin Sunday to compete in the state University Interscholastic League contest.
There will be a send-off for the group around 10 a.m. Sunday. The state performances will be at the Austin Independent School District Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Ave in Austin. Session I will start at 3 p.m. and session II at 6:30 p.m.
Fitzner said they will perform as the third play in session II, possibly around 8 p.m. Awards will be at 10 p.m. after the last session.
Tickets are available only online. Visit the UIL website at: uiltexas.org/theatre/state. There are individual play or four-play session tickets available.
This is the school’s first time to send a play to state competition. Gold-Burg advances with eight 1A plays: Benjamin, “The Ballad of Maria Martin;” Highland, “The Girl in the White Pinafore;” Avery, “The Voice of the Prairie;” Ackerly:Sands, “They Promised Her the Moon;” Guthrie, “The Beggar’s Opera;” Abbott, “A Monster Calls;” and Oakwood, “Mockingbird.”
Directors are Linda Fitzner, Pam DeMoss and David Winingham. Cast and alternates are Jimena Garcia, Corbin Gilbert, Arin Turner, Marshall Mason, Madison Provost, Levin Hellinger, Izzi Rohde, Barrett Allen and alternates Camdyn Dreyer, Jasmine Rojas, Kaylie Duncan and Brayden Odom.
Crew members are Joseph Jones, Aidan Foster, Lexie Eaton, Alyson Rojas and Eli Freeland.

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COUNTY LIFE

Affirming Texas Families readies fundraiser

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Affirming Texas Families Services presents “Hats, Bags & Bingo Night” on June 1.
Tickets are $45 per person and a light meal is included with the ticket. The fundraising event will be at 300 W. Nelson at United Presbyterian Church. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Call 855-239-2837 or visit the Affirming Texas Families Facebook page.
Affirming Texas Families (Services) provides licensed counseling free of charge to victims of crime and their non-offending family members in Montague, Jack, Young and Clay Counties.

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