COUNTY LIFE
Celebrate Texas Independence at several special events across the state
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) state historic sites have arranged several free, family-friendly opportunities to celebrate the Texas Revolution of 1836.
On March 2, 1836, 59 delegates from across Texas gathered in Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare independence from Mexico and sign the official Texas Declaration of Independence. This act is only one of many legendary stories and heroes that span far beyond the Lone Star State.
March alongside costumed reenactors Feb. 25 and 26 during the annual Texas Independence Day Celebration at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site! All visitors can explore the Texas Army camp for free to see demonstrations and experience how Texas soldiers and their families lived in 1836. There will be live music, food, musket and cannon firings, living history presentations and so much more! Take a look at the full event schedule here.
March 1836 marks the anniversary of many iconic battles across the state that shaped the Texas spirit as it is today. Fannin Battleground State Historic Site is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Fannin, Texas, just a few miles away from Goliad. Visitors can walk the grounds and view the impressive stone obelisk that honors the spot where Col. James W. Fannin surrendered to Mexican forces, taking a moment to remember the men who helped forge Texas’ destiny.
Join Presidio La Bahía State Historic Site on March 24 and 25 for their annual Goliad Massacre Living History Program. Experience reenactments of the events that took place leading up to the Texian departure from Presidio La Bahía, aka Ft. Defiance. The final battle of the day recreates the fighting on Coleto Creek and culminates with the Texian surrender and their march as prisoners back into the fort.
On April 1, Fire on the Brazos: The Fall of San Felipe de Austin will take visitors on an in-depth journey through the events in 1836 that led to the fall of San Felipe de Austin, the colony headquarters established by Stephen F. Austin in Mexican Texas. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can experience reenactments of the Runaway Scrape, when colonists were forced to abandon their own homes and businesses in Texas’ economic, social, and political center of the 1820s and 1830s.
And on April 22, the iconic Battle of San Jacinto will be commemorated with reenactments, food, games, and fun at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will interact with reenactors as they cook, check weapons, and engage in the typical daily routine of soldiers and civilians from nearly 200 years ago.
Select THC sites now offer free “passports” for visitors to follow in the journey to Texas’ independence, revolution, and republic-era state historic sites. Interested parties can collect stamps from participating sites’ admission desks or museum stores, and if you collect all of the stamps, a very special gift will be waiting for you at the museum store.
About the Texas Historical Commission
The THC manages 36 state historic sites, the Texas Heritage Trails Program, the Texas Main Street Program, and many more heritage tourism and historic preservation initiatives across the state. For more information, visit thc.texas.gov.
When we were going through my grandmother’s house in Nocona after it sold, I found a few neat keepsakes, but the biggest treasure I thought I had found was her biscuit cutter. I was so excited to show my mother (her daughter) and just knew she would be happy it was found and would still be used after all this time.
My mother, however, had a different thought about my precious biscuit cutter. She said, “Suzanne, you know that biscuit cutter is just an old tomato paste can that has both ends cut out.”
I was still no less delighted with my cutter. I continue to use it today. My husband has bought me vintage, new and fancier cutters, but this cutter is something I go back to time and again.
My Memaw was recruited to be a lunch lady from 1952 to 1958 at Nocona Elementary, back when lunches were cooked, not “fixed.” Lenora Brown Burnett was an excellent cook and everyone knew it. She went on to work at the Nocona Major Clinic kitchen from 1958 to 1969.
You could only use shortcuts if you knew how to do it the long way. That is how I still approach cooking. You can only use a cake mix if you know how to make a cake with lots of ingredients, time and effort.
Read Suzanne’s Love & Luck column in the Thursday Bowie News on the On the Table page.
Top photo – Grandmother’s biscuit cutter and hand written recipes. (Photo by Suzanne Storey)
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It’s a bitter cold January week, so it must be time for the Montague County Youth Fair, which opens Wednesday running through Saturday.
More than 330 students from across the county will compete in everything from golf ball art work to top dairy goat in this annual event where there are 1,160 entries. Almost every contest saw an increase in entries from the prior year.
Scheduling was still in flux at presstime due to pending weather. Watch the fair’s Facebook page for any late changes.
The All Together Show was moved to 5 p.m. on Jan. 8 in the show barn. It had been set for Thursday.
There were no changes for leadership day on Wednesday at presstime.
Read the full story on the fair in the Thursday Bowie News.
By Norman Winter
This time of the year I always look forward to the announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year. Last year it was Peach Fuzz and the year before Viva Magenta.
I’ve always liked to try to join in and pick out flowers, you know to show that we are part of the team, a Pantone Partner if you will. Drum roll please, for 2025 the Pantone Color of Year is Mocha Mousse.
This ‘Garden Guy’ doesn’t do mousse. It’s not on my dessert menu and I don’t put it in or on my hair. There aren’t any brown flowers either, other than those that have passed on.
Before I could jump, Kate Spirgen Marketing Communications Specialist with Proven Winners got me off the proverbial ledge with a press release. That’s what communications gurus do, and as a garden guru I will hopefully get you back in the garden with Mocha Mousse, too.
Read the new Garden Guy column in your Thursday Bowie News.
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