Henderson County Now

City of Athens Open Forum

By Michael V. Hannigan

Wednesday, July 15, the City of Athens staff held a Community Budget Forum at the Cain Center. With the help of a slide presentation, department heads explained what they do and then took questions from the audience.

Suggestions from the audience included paying more attention to curb and gutters and expanding the hours of the tourism office.

Those paragraphs share the particulars of what happened Wednesday evening for those who missed it — which includes almost everyone in the city. I counted less than 10 people on hand who were not required to be at the forum or connected with city government.

But it doesn’t really tell the crux of what happened. Continue reading “City of Athens Open Forum”

A Mascot Sees Cheer Camp Through New Eyes

Meaghan Paige Morton stands with the Malakoff High School mascots in Waco this week. (Courtesy photo)

By Meaghan Paige Morton

Concussions, tears, and vomit are the first things that come to my mind when I think of this week. To go back to the same building, see the same instructors, and see the same schedule being played out in front of me took me far back in time (about a year ago), when I myself was wearing a matching uniform and trying not to pass out from working too hard and a lack of sleep. No, I am not talking about some sick camp that puts young girls through the wringer, I am referring to cheer camp. Continue reading “A Mascot Sees Cheer Camp Through New Eyes”

Obituary: Hollie M. Morrow

A memorial service for Hollie M. Morrow, 84 of LaRue is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the old Morrow home place in the New York Community. Hollie passed away July 15, 2015 at his home in the New York Community.

He was born June 11, 1931 in New York Community to Hollie Hamlet and Jewel Cupp Morrow and had been a lifelong resident of the community. Hollie was retired from the Dallas Police Department. He was a rancher, truck driver, poet and pick up man at the Mesquite Rodeo.

He is preceded in death by parents, wife Marlene Morrow, son Harley Mac Morrow and granddaughter Kristina Scranton. Continue reading “Obituary: Hollie M. Morrow”

Agriview: Store Hay to Limit Losses

By Rick Hirsch/County Extension Agent

Hay storage losses vary greatly depending upon several factors, but storage technique is of utmost importance. The loss of dry hay stored inside a barn is usually of little concern. However, even for barn stored hay, losses rise sharply as moisture levels increase above 20 percent and losses from round bales stored outside under adverse conditions can be much larger. During storage, hay can be subject to dry matter losses as well as losses of forage quality. So, it is important to have the proper storage space for hay. Barns similar to these Dutch Barns could be a step in the right direction when it comes to having sustainable storage options.

If hay is to be stored outside, it is desirable to locate the storage site close to the feeding area because bales become more difficult to handle as they weather. It is easier to move them a greater distance when they are new and tightly wrapped. Continue reading “Agriview: Store Hay to Limit Losses”

Agriview: Caring For Your Lawn in the Heat

By Rick Hirsch/County Extension Agent

I know we have had more than our fair share of rain this year, but the hot, dry days of summer are just around the corner . . . maybe. Keeping our lawns green in July and August can be a challenge even with a good irrigation system. Watering is one of the basic elements of lawn maintenance and often one of the costliest. But without it, our lawns may well dry up and die. With an effective system of pipework and water flow valves (https://tameson.com/valves/ball-valve/manual/3-way/) in place, there is no reason that your lawn can’t make it through August without succumbing to the intense heat.

Soil type, grass species and turf management influence the amount of supplemental water and the watering frequency required for lawns.

Sandy, coarse-textured soils absorb water at a much faster rate than finer textured soils, but retain less moisture. Therefore sandy soils will require more frequent applications of water at lighter rates. Clay soils retain more moisture and should require less frequent waterings. Clay soils absorb water very slowly so application rates should be slower and extended over a longer period. Continue reading “Agriview: Caring For Your Lawn in the Heat”