The Blog-Henderson County Now

5 Thoughts on Uncle Fletch Festival 2015

By Jeff Weinstein

Seems like yesterday that I was drafting my Top 5 for last year’s Uncle Fletch. Time does fly by way too fast. Uncle Fletch 2015 is in the books and here are my top 5 thoughts.

1. Without people like Michael Hannigan and Garrett Hope there is no way in the world that we could pull off such an amazing event. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys hear me dream up an idea and run with it until we reach the finish line. I love you both very much. Continue reading “5 Thoughts on Uncle Fletch Festival 2015”

Happy Labor Day!

Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.

Have a great Labor Day.

7 Things to Know for the Week of Sept. 22

Jeff Weinstein with descendants of Fletcher Davis at the Uncle Fletch Hamburger Festival Saturday, Sept. 20. (Todd Hutson Photo)

By Michael V. Hannigan

Now that the 2014 Uncle Fletch Festival is in the books, maybe things can return to some semblance of normal around Henderson County Now. So while I’m cleaning up the office, here are 7 things to know for this week:

— In case you missed it, Henderson County Commissioners’ Court ended the burn ban last week.

— Also last week, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced he was going to step down. Staples is a former State Senator who represented Henderson County.

— Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews in Athens will be conducting base repair work on FM 607 this week from SH 31 in Brownsboro to Loop 60 in Larue. They are also doing edge repairs in other locations around the county as a moving operation. Motorists can expect day time lane closures using flaggers for traffic control. Elsewhere, on FM 317 from FM 607 to FM 314, the contractor is finishing up culvert work and preparing for widening operations as part of the FM 198 project. Expect lane closures on this job. Continue reading “7 Things to Know for the Week of Sept. 22”

Pledge to the 15-Star Flag

By Michael V Hannigan

In a neat change, this morning’s Commissioners’ Court meeting opened with the Pledge to the United States Flag of 1812. The 15-Star flag was in place for the meeting.

The pledge was in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. Frances Scott Key wrote the poem that later became our National Anthem on Sept. 15, 1814 at the attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It was the 15-Star flag that flew over the fort.

The stars represented: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.

7 Things to Know For the Week of Sept. 8

By Michael V. Hannigan

The weekend is over and it’s time to get back to work. Here are seven things to know about the week of Sept. 8.

1. The first Cardinal Pride Luncheon of the new season is scheduled Monday, at Ol’ West Steak House.
The event will begin at noon and the cost of the meal is $10. Between the 2-0 football team and the 14-1 volleyball team there will be a lot to celebrate.

2. The Athens City Council has a busy agenda for its regular meeting 5:30 p.m. Monday night. Council members will hear from the public about the tax rate and budget (very small tax increase from property values increase), and they will interview representatives from two executive search firms re: the hunt for a new city administrator. There is also a chance the council will vote on a new contract with the Athens Municipal Water Authority following an executive session. Continue reading “7 Things to Know For the Week of Sept. 8”