25-year anniversary for our Sheriff
Sunday, Sept. 10 was a special day in our household. It was 25 years ago that day in 1998 when Don was appointed as the new Grimes County Sheriff. He had been asked to put his name in the hat for the appointment so after much discussion with family Don decided to take the dive. He was on duty at Harris County Sheriff’s Office when he got a call from the county saying a special Commissioner’s Court would be in session that afternoon to decide who would be appointed. That particular week he had put in 25 years with Harris County. Little did he know at that time that he would be the Sheriff of Grimes County the next 25 years of his life.
I remember that day very well as if it were just yesterday. After he received the appointment, the next few hours, days, weeks and months were pretty rough around here. But we survived it and here it is 25 years later. A few of you may not agree with me but for most of the residents of our county, he has served them well.As he has always said, “I may be a Republican, but I am a Sheriff for everyone no matter what your political affiliation is, what your race, color and age are – I am here for everyone.” I have witnessed firsthand this statement and it is a true one. No matter how you have felt about him, if you needed him, he was always there for you. Don is very dedicated and loyal to all his residents and more.
Going to the Sheriffs’Association of Texas conferences for the past 25 years, I have experienced the love and respect that Sheriff’s and others around the state of Texas has for him. There is rarely a week that goes by that another Sheriff doesn’t call him for advice and support. That makes me so proud to know how well-thought of he is from his peers. Congratulations to my sweet husband on this special day.
It’s time to order your 4-H pecans and just in time for the holidays. My fourth-grade grandson, Luke Waitz, is selling them so if you need to place an order, call his mom Brandi Waitz, 936-5376488 or me, Gail Sowell, 936870-6842. You may order them from any 4-Her or by calling the 4-H extension office, 936-8733907. Deadline to order is Oct. 3.
Grimes County Mobile Food Bank will be open Thursday, Sept. 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. in the back-parking lot of the Grimes County Fairgrounds in Navasota. Any resident of Grimes County will be served and will only need to show their driver’s license when they complete the once-ayear Client Assistant Intake form. For more information contact Patricia, jimcozby@gmail.com.
The annual Szymczak-Shimshack family reunion was held Sunday at the St. Stanislaus Parish Hall in Anderson. Around 70 people attended and enjoyed a delicious dinner, fellowship, bingo and a live auction.
Happy Birthday to those celebrating this week: Sept. 14 – Dalton Sechelski, twinsAidan and Eli Backhus, Demi VanHorn; Sept. 15 – Roger Vezurk, Tony Lara, Judy Foster; Sept. 16 – Sabrina Owens, Judy Asa; Sept. 17 – Stacey Zielonka, Michael Licce, Megan Schroeder, Cody Hassell; Sept. 18 – Caleb Licce, Jan O’Neill, Jan Waggoner; Sept. 19 – Grant Ghazi, Carson Lemons, Cindy Brandt, Jason Busa; Sept. 20 – Brandon Coronado, Sandra Pasket, Kelli Belinowski and Chris Ordaz.
Happy belated anniversary to Lavearne and Geralyn Backhus who celebrated 19 years Sept. 11.
Happy Anniversary to those celebrating this week: Sept. 16 – Blake and Stephanie Burzynski, 17 years; Sept. 16 – Kevin and Martha Smith, 17 years; Sept. 17 – Zackry and Samantha Pavlock, 1 year; Sept. 18 – Gerald and Mary Catherine Schroeder, 52 years; Sept. 18 – Greg and Betty Walkoviak, 19 years; Sept. 18 – Jeff and Kim Burke, 13 years.
If you have special news about what goes on in your family or life, let me know by calling 936870-6842 or email me at gailmsowell@ yahoo.com. I would love to share with others.