It has been a long rocky road, but Navasota finally bid farewell to the class of 2020 with four graduations spreading over three days, Thursday, July 23, Friday, July 24 and two on Saturday, July 25. The community rallied around the graduates who dawned facemasks, practiced social distancing and watched the Valedictorian and Salutatorian speeches on the new jumbo screen at Rattler Stadium. View more graduation photos on page 2. Examiner photos by Erica Grifaldo and Mya Rodriguez
A lifetime was spent writing the story of Jim Chionsini and he met his final press deadline when the “Ultimate Publisher” opened the Heavens and greeted him with open arms. The story of Jim impacted and continues to impact lives of those that k new him personally and those that were touched by the newspaper business he invested his life in. Jim was the owner of Granite Publications, a family of newspapers that includes The Examiner. The staff at The Examiner sends heartfelt prayers to his family and friends and will strive to continue his legacy. Read a special account of Jim’s life on page 5. Courtesy photo
A well written sports story or movie features an underdog, disappointment, perseverance and the thrill of victory. Grimes County Machine Pitch All Stars played the role of stars to perfection battling from the loser’s bracket to win the District 13 Little League All Star Machine Pitch Tournament in Bellville.
The COVID-19 pandemic halted the 2020 school year abruptly for seniors everywhere and changed the way graduations were held. Navasota High School celebrated its seniors with a special military graduation ceremony in June and four additional graduations for the remaining seniors July 23-25 on the new turf at Rattler Stadium. Scholarship donors helped seniors on their new journey awarding $ 755,743 in scholarship money. Examiner photos by Erica Grifaldo and Mya Rodriguez
Four Navasota Junior High Lady Fang cheerleaders earned All-American Cheerleader status at cheer camp last week. All-American Cheerleaders are selected for showing exemplified showmanship, poise, technique and crowdleading skills. Earning the distinct honor are Grace Mendez, Bradey Poston, Brianna Seymore and Sophia Trejo. Courtesy photos
Radio personalities Kenny Graves and Andre Perrard recently celebrated their second anniversary at Navasota’s Willy 1550 and 98.7. This past year, the duo made “friends” all over the county, delighted their classic country listeners with an expanded music library as well as fun, informative interviews. But when it comes to the importance of Willy’s presence in Navasota, there’s no doubt how Graves and Perrard feel.
Q-Nails received a $2,000 Special Project Grant check from the Navasota Economic Development Committee (NEDC) Monday, July 20. NEDC has assisted many small businesses that have felt a financial impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured left to right: NEDC Vice President Johnny McNally, Ben, owner of Q-Nails and NEDC Specialist Rayna Willenbrink. Courtesy photo
The Navasota Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) held a Regular Meeting Thursday, July 23, and conducted a workshop to further clarify language related to zoning setbacks. The amended regulations were sent back to P&Z after city council members asked for more clarity and uniformity in the language at their June 8 meeting.
The city of Navasota has been combating flood issues for years, and a joint flood study has Navasota on track to provide flood relief to the area.
TODD MISSION – Preparations are in full swing at the Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) with just over two months before the gates open for the start of the festival’s 46th season on Oct. 3. As the largest Renaissance festival in the nation, TRF management team has been working closely with Grimes County and local government and emergency and health agencies to ensure COVID-19 response and communications plans are in place that will be followed prior to and during the months of October and November when the festival is open.
Garrett Harris has been patiently waiting to learn when baseball will resume. The Anderson-Shiro High School graduate has been training six days a week so that he is prepared for when the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball season begins.
Even coping with injury, Malaiya Jedkins performed well enough to earn an all-conference honor this track and field season.
Navasota Lady Rattler alumna Keaundra Eddings was named to the Spring 2020 Don Wilhelm Athletic Director’s Honor Roll at Blinn College. Athletes must maintain a 3.0 GPA and pass a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level courses to make the prestigious honor roll. Eddings plays basketball for the Lady Buccaneers. Courtesy photo
Paden Hurst went into the rodeo circuit’s break on a high note.
Greetings to my fellow veterans and all others who may read my occasional columns. I am sure that you have noticed I have not written much lately. I have been asked why by a few people here lately, so I will be short in my answer. Congress has been too busy with other things and there really has been no news about helping vets. No news from Congress or the Veterans’ Affairs, no column from yours truly.
The Maytag repairman was once billed as the loneliest job in the world. That was due to the high quality of their washing machines. Commercials at the time had the character actor, Jesse White, suggesting to the new repairman recruits that they should carry items in their survival kit to keep them occupied during the day: playing cards for solitaire, jigsaw puzzles and beadwork.
When this pandemic started in March, I was determined it wouldn’t get the best of me but despite the pep talks and plans I’d make in my head at bedtime for “tomorrow,” mentally it did. Many people I know have enjoyed the isolation, or at least the opportunity to tackle projects they didn’t have time for before, but I on the other hand was married to my appointment book.
At this writing, it happened two and a half weeks ago on a Wednesday afternoon. I was about to close up shop at my hot dog stand and was feeling a bit downhearted about the sales for the week when a random customer walked up. She was an attractive, welldressed African American woman and before I could even say “Hello”, she said that she didn’t want a hotdog, she just wanted to let me know I was blessed.
“When your door of opportunity opens, remember it’s because someone oiled the hinges for you.” — Old saying certified by Jim Chionsini as an “Old Italian Saying.”
Rose Ann Kimich, 82, of Anderson, passed away on July 21, at CHI St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan. Visitation was held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Anderson Friday, July 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the Rosary following at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will also be at St. Stanislaus on Saturday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m.
Sara Lou Box Reiland, 92, of Navasota, formerly of Houston, died Thursday afternoon, July 16, 2020, at Southern Knights Assisted Living in Tomball.
Graveside services for Tommy Prosper, 69, of Navasota, will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2020, at Dennis Bryant Cemetery, located at CR 415 off of HWY 105. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 6: p.m. Friday, July 26, 2020, at Friendship Baptist Church, 1111 S. LaSalle Street in Navasota. Tommy passed away July 14 at Memorial Herman Hospital in Houston, Texas.
