San Jacinto County News - Breakout

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Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING —Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Klammer has spent 25 years helping mold future generations of Texans.

Klammer, who has a wealth of experience in education, curriculum, and leadership, has taken the mantle of Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction.

“This year will be my 25th year in Texas public education, and I couldn’t be more excited to be at Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD!” she said. 

Klammer said she was born and raised in southwest Houston and attended Bellaire and Westbury High Schools. After graduating from Sam Houston, she began her career as a sixth-grade teacher in Aldine ISD, then moved to Montgomery, where she taught and served as an instructional coach, school administrator, and director of curriculum and instruction for 16 years.

School improvement and innovation became her passion, and she took that to Navasota as PK-12 Coordinator of RLA, SS, and federal funds and then joined Region 6 as a School Improvement Lead and Coordinator of Instructional Services.

“After a little over a year at the ESC, I was ready to get back to a district and work with campus administrators, teachers, and students,” she said. “I joined Shepherd ISD in November of 2021 as the Director of Secondary and Interim High School Principal.”

Klammer came to COCISD in June. She said COCISD has wonderful people from the merchants downtown to the school board members who volunteer their time to guide the school district with the voices of the community. 

“I feel so fortunate to be here and to work with an instructional-minded Superintendent like Dr. Bryan Taulton,” Klammer said. “Taulton, my predecessor Dr. Smith, and the phenomenal campus administrative teams have begun the work of instructional excellence and providing all of our students with the tools they need to achieve their goals in life. Whether students leave COCISD to pursue a path in the military, further academics in college or a trade school, or proceed straight into the workforce, my goal will always be to help students meet or exceed their goals and provide opportunities for them to do just that.”

Klammer thanked the staff of COCISD for giving her the opportunity to be a part of the COCISD community. 

“Our teachers are here to ensure that our students thrive, and I could not be more thrilled and honored to be here to support them in their classrooms, where the most important work is accomplished,” she said. “Here’s to an amazing 2022-2023 school year and beyond!”

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A sample from Shepherd library’s Big Buttons, which will be available at the Wolf Creek car show in October. Courtesy photoBy Yvonne Cones

If you are a kolaches for breakfast fan, try Texas Grill and Cafe on Loop 424 in Shepherd. Of course they do all the favorites, gravy and biscuits, French toast, loaded hash browns, muffins, pancakes and waffles, omelettes and tacos, all served till 10.30. a.m. 

Coffee is a treat with as many different ways of making a cuppa as you can imagine. There’s white mocha, macchiato, latte, cappuccino, americano all of which can be served iced as well as regular java. Call (936) 402-8800 for more info or to order. 

Facebook has the full menu for the restaurant.

•The Coldspring Garden Club met for the first time in the new season. Christine Knight introduced Sandra Smith, “The Rose Lady,” who is well known to the members for her wonderful talks on roses and other gardening subjects. 

Then Christine and Dina Welch introduced the program “Getting to Know You.” Three vases of flowers were positioned around the room and we were asked to gather round the one we felt most drawn to. 

Of course we loved all the selections; each vase had a different group of blooms, roses, lilies and sunflowers. We were asked what quality had attracted us to our choices and were then told what positive qualities the flowers bestowed on the people who had picked them. 

It was a lot of fun and also very interesting. 

At the meeting we were invited to the “Heirloom Bulbs: Bring Your Lunch and Learn.” This is a free talk by Jay White, owner and publisher of Texas Garden Magazine. It will be held from 11 a.m.-1p.m. Sept. 29 at the Shepherd Community Center at 10251 TX-150. Jay will explain all about heirloom bulbs and answer your questions. He will have bulbs for purchase at the event. 

Bring your lunch and enjoy mingling with other gardeners.

•Shepherd Library will be at the Wolf Creek Car Show on Oct. 15-16. You will be able to have a custom button made there for $2 each. If you take a personal photo or printed picture or logo for example, you can have it made there and then. 

Grandparents have made the most of this idea with the photos of their grandchildren, especially for reunions and birthdays.

•San Jacinto County and Polk County Republicans have joined together to host a rally for Morgan Luttrell to be held at VFW Post 8568, 4951 Hwy 190 West. This rally, sponsored by both Republican clubs is titled “Mission: Red, White and Blue,” will kick off his campaign and all are welcome to come and meet the candidate. 

Other candidates are also invited to attend and be introduced. So, mark your calendars for Sept. 12, doors open at 5.30 p.m. and enjoy the event along with the meal of bratwurst and apple pie. 

•Coldspring Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member Marsha Strickland and her business San Jac Promotions. Marsha produces promotional items of all kinds for businesses, organizations and community events. Located at 15160 St. Hwy 150 West Suite B, you can reach her at (936) 653-3200. A ribbon-cutting will be announced soon.

•The Coldspring Chamber is open from 10 a.m.-3p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for vendors and businesses who wish to donate to the 250 goody bags to be given out at the Wolf Creek Car Show. Every year the chamber hands out these bags to entrants and vendors. It is a great way to advertise your business by donating pens, koozies, keychains, etc., for these freebies.

After the car show, you will be able to look forward to the Coldspring VFD Fire Fest event on Oct. 29 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. This will be held at the San Jacinto Community Shelter. There will be a barbecue cook-off, silent auction, music and dancing with raffles for a gun and a tattoo. I will write more on this event as time draws nearer, but please mark down the date, you won’t want to miss this.

Contact the Shepherd Chamber at (936) 628-3890 or the Coldspring Chamber at (936) 653-2184. 

Yvonne Cones is president of the Greater Shepherd Chamber of Commerce, and secretary of the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce.

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A hound dog was lying in a puddle at an abandoned home.

By Tony Farkas
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SHEPHERD — Abused and abandoned animals continue to be a problem for law enforcement officials in San Jacinto County.

Several animals were found to be in neglect, and in one case, warrants for arrest on charges of animal cruelty have been issued.

Earlier last week, law enforcement officials were sent to Virginia Street in Shepherd, and found a large dog mostly submerged in a hole on a neighbor’s property. Waggin Tails Dog Rescue of San Jacinto County has been caring for the animal, who reportedly is improving.

Constable Sam Houston said the owners have been located, and once the animal heals, it will be microchipped, given shots and returned to his home.

On Wednesday, Houston and Capt. Pete Sparta obtained arrest and seizure warrants for animals elsewhere in the county for animal cruelty.

The dogs were taken to the Texas Humane Society for treatment and eventual adoption. 

The Houston Humane Society has rescued eight dogs from cruelty in San Jacinto County recently.

According to a press release, the animals suffered from severe neglect and deplorable outdoor living conditions with no visible food or water. The animals appeared severely malnourished, infested with fleas and ticks, and suffering from skin conditions. 

Law enforcement have issued a warrant for the owner, who moved off the property and abandoned the dogs. All eight animals will remain in the care of the shelter’s veterinary team while the case is brought to court, the release states.

Houston Humane Society regularly partners with law enforcement agencies in surrounding counties in an effort to eliminate animal cruelty and support pet owners in need of assistance.

For information, visit www.houstonhumane.org.

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By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — In just about a week, a premier event in San Jacinto County kicks off as the 75th annual San Jacinto County Fair and Rodeo begins.

There will be more than a week of entertainment, competition, animal showing, crafts, and of course, even a carnival.

A hometown favorite, David Allen Franklin Band will perform on Sept. 17 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Also on that Saturday, the SJC BBQ Cook-off will be held, with judging starting at 11 a.m. and awards at 3 p.m.

Other events include a battle of the bands, a queen contest, a parade, the livestock sale, and more.

Information for the fair, as well as registration forms for the various events, can be found at sjcfairandrodeo.com.

Schedule of events

SJC Fair and Rodeo

Thursday, Sept. 15

5-8 a.m. Cook-off early bird move in

Friday, Sept. 16

8 a.m. Cook-off team move in

5:50 p.m. Registration, practice for Cornhole Under the Barn

6 p.m. Cook-off activities

7 p.m. Cornhole tournament

Saturday, Sept. 17

10 a.m. Parade followed by Barnyard Olympics

Noon Baby contest registration

1 p.m. Baby contest

4 p.m. Cook-off winners announced

5 p.m. Queen’s horsemanship pattr

6 p.m. Tame the Beast bull riding

9 p.m. Live music and dance

Monday, Sept. 19

3-5 p.m. Swine check-in

4-7 p.m. Educational Barn projects check-in

5-6 p.m. Poultry and lamb check-in

6 p.m. Poultry show, followed by lamb show

Tuesday, Sept. 20

5-5:30 p.m. Rabbit check-in and inspection; goat check-in

5:30 p.m. Rabbit show begins, followed by goat show.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

9 a.m. Fine arts/handicraft interviews

3-5 p.m. Steers and heifers check-in

7 p.m. Market swine show

Carnival TBA

Thursday, Sept. 22

9 a.m. Horticulture/food interviews, ag mechanics judging

7:30 p.m. Rodeo, Queen’s second horsemanship

Carnival TBA

Friday, Sept. 23

9 a.m. Breeding heifer show, followed by commercial heifer show, followed by market steer show

1 p.m. Auction setup

2 p.m. Sale committee announces sale participants, non-sale animal check-out

7:30 p.m. Rodeo

Carnival TBA

Saturday, Sept. 24

10 a.m. Exhibitor pick up numbers

10:30 a.m. Awards and recognition

11 a.m. Youth auction

7:30 p.m. Rodeo, crowning of 2022 queen