The Front Page
The Risk is Real - Serving our Country
Remembering those that have served and those that are serving our country.
You know sometimes it doesn't hit you until it is personal.
I recently received an e-mail from Stephanie Dane of Santa Anna as follows:
James,
I think this is a fabulous website. I wanted to let you know that my husband, Jason, goes out there from time to time to catch up on Santa Anna news. He is currently a Department of Defense (DOD) contractor working in Baghdad, Iraq. Could you please add his name to the list of men and women currently supporting the troops? I would really appreciate it!
Jason was hired by KBR to be a labor foreman. He left for Houston for processing on Jan 23rd. He then flew out of Houston on Feb 6th. After a couple days travel time, he has been in Baghdad ever since. He will come home for his first R&R in June. He works four months and then gets to come home for ten days. He currently has a one year contract, but is considering completing two full years. Eventhough he is not in the military, he is still serving our country by making sure the men and women that are in the military have working plumbing! We are all very proud of him!
Thanks so much for all you are doing for our community!
Stephanie Dane, proud wife of Jason Dane
Here is a picture of Jason and the kids (Garrett 7, and Jadyn 2) taken at the Downtown Houston Aquarium the day before he flew out. The kids and I were able to go down to Houston and spend three days with him. It was an exciting little mini vacation.
This is one of the kids and I wearing our new shirts Jason sent us from Baghdad. They have a picture of Iraq with an American flag over them and they say" My dad/husband is over there. Operation Iraqi Freedom." The kids live in theirs. I can barely get them to take them off so that I can wash them! He has also sent us some pogs which are used in lieu of change since change jingles in the soldiers pockets when they walk. They are made of cardboard and have different war scenes along with the value on each one. Today, Jason had the day off and was able to go fishing on a man made lake that Sadaam made for his sons. The area of Baghdad Jason is located in is called "Sadaam's playground" because it was all built as a place for him and his sons to go and relax. It also includes the Perfume Palace.
He wanted me to be sure to tell everyone how much he misses our fair town and how much he appreciates all the prayers and support for himself and our family. Thanks so much for putting this up. I truly appreciate it!
Stephanie
You know sometimes it doesn't hit you until it is personal.
Please remember these Santa Anna folks that are serving our country in combat, training, or support: Maricela (Marty) Siller, Clay Hubbard, Eddie Dawson, Ike Garza, James Watson, Austin Voss, Randy Casey, Mike Montgomery II, Mark Rutherford, Allen Tucker, James Culpepper, and Shane Watson.
Please remember the others that should be included in our prayers also. There are many serving as volunteers for various groups and those that may be working for the media or one of the many Department of Defense contractors that have employees in support roles in Iraq. These folks are serving an important part in the rebuilding of Iraq and the danger is just as great if not more for them as it is for soldiers. The Iraq Coalition Casualty Count has tracked the deaths of 78 American contractors working in Iraq so the risk is real.
1525 American soldiers or sailors have died in Operation Enduring Freedom as reported by the
Department of Defense and the
Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. Pray for our country, its' leaders, and our soldiers and sailors.
Many service men and women return home safely. Operation Tribute to Freedom Homecoming Photographs.
Clay Hubbard arrived home early Saturday morning and had time to come by and visit with Cindy and I. Clay has been at sea for the last several months. I have been keeping up with him from his e-mails and the USS Abraham Lincoln website. Clay has been to such exotic places as Hawaii, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The Lincoln played a major role in the recent humanitarian aid delivered to the Tsunami victims in Sumatra.
Clay brought me this cool T-shirt and Cindy took our picture.
Here is the logo from the shirt:
Good Friday and Happy Easter
I hope that you and your families all have a Happy Easter!
I understand that Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" has been re-released in a version that is more suitable for some audiences called The Passion Recut. It is supposed to be less brutal and intense than the original but yet still pretty intense for young audiences. As I have told you before the original is the worst movie I have ever seen.. not because I did or did not like it but because it was so real. So real that is beyond what I can describe to you. I understand the original was almost rated X for its violence and brutality.
If you are a Christian I would encourage you to see one of the versions at least. It will give you a new and real perspective of just exactly what it means to be a Christian. If you are not a Christian I would NOT encourage you to see it because you may very well not ever want to be a Christian after seeing it.
If you are unsure about whether or not you want to see it the website links above will take you to the sites where you can find additional information and even some clips and trailers from the movies.
Pre-K Easter Party
The Pre-K had an Easter Party and Egg Hunt Thursday. Thanks to Brandi McIver for submitting this photo.
SAHS Track Team in Water Valley Meet
Cindy and I took a day off from work... that makes two nice days off in a row counting yesterday for One Act Play... and we drove to Water Valley for their track meet. They have a really nice track facility and the weather was perfect. We are both a little red in the face from the sunshine. Much different from last Saturday's chilly Goldthwaite Eagle Relays.
I am afraid I don't have a lot of results because we left after Jessica was through running her two relays. I think that Terrance Jackson got second in the triple jump and Patrick Kerr got fourth in the discus. I also think that the girls relay teams got fourth in the 400 and 800 meter relays.
See the Sports Page for the Water Valley Track photo album
| Terrance Jackson finished second in the Triple Jump. |
Here he is again in the Long Jump. |
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| Here is Demitirus Reese in the Long Jump. |
Here is Ben McIver in the Long Jump. |
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| Patrick Kerr finished fourth in the discus. |
Jaryd Jones throwing the discus |
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| Mayra Dean throwing the discus. |
Micah Pritchard throwing the discus. |
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| Tasha Zarate throwing the discus. |
Chelsea Guerrero in the Long Jump. |
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| Keshia Wirts putting the shot. |
Becca Fellers putting the shot. |
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| Jesse Hensley in the 110 Hurdles |
The Girls 400 Meter Relay team came in fourth.. here they are preparing with Coach Kerr. |
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Helen Cheaney Passes Away
It is with great sadness that I tell you about the passing of my friend Rob Cheaney's Mother, Helen Cheaney. The Santa Anna National Bank where Rob works has posted that they will close at 2:15 Thursday so that employees can attend the graveside services. Please pray for Rob and his family during their time of need.
The Houston Chronicle has the following posted online as published 3/23/05:
HELEN FETTO CHEANEY,born August 1, 1919 in Buffalo, New York, died March 21, 2005. She is predeceased by her husband, O. L. (Jack) Cheaney. She is survived by her son Robert Cheaney, his wife Sharon and his two sons, Joey & Chris; her daughter, Barbara Cheaney and her husband, Bruce Martin. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Interment will be at 3:00 P.M. Thursday in Santa Anna, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association.
Santa Anna High School One Act Play Advances
The Santa Anna High School One Act Play advanced along with the play from Lohn High School from the Conference A District 11 East Zone to the District 11 contest in Brownwood next Wednesday.
Santa Anna's OAP advancing play cast and crew receive awards along with their Director Kathy Walker.
In addition to Santa Anna and Lohn the Zone Contest consisted of schools from Novice, Panther Creek, Paint Rock, and Rochelle. The Zone Contest was held in Santa Anna for the first time in many years and the newly remodeled auditorium provided a very nice facility to host the contest.
Santa Anna ISD Superintendent Roger Walker was the Contest Director and the Contest Critic Judge was Susan Loughran who is the Professor of Theatre Arts at Saint Edwards University in Austin.
Honorable Mention Cast members were James Singleton - Santa Anna, Raelee Watson - Santa Anna, Mallori Sadler - Novice, Jayden Van Pelt - Panther Creek, Jessica Pelton - Santa Anna, Jessie Gruenewald - Lohn, Matt Bignall - Paint Rock and, Erica Roueche - Rochelle.
All-Star Cast members were Destiny Byrd - Lohn, Scott Pike - Lohn, JeLisa Kirven - Santa Anna, Emma Dryer - Panther Creek, Patrick Bignall - Paint Rock, Mayra Dean - Santa Anna, Sarah Schmidt - Novice and, Andrew Ingvall - Rochelle.
Best Actress was Chelsey Van Pelt from Novice and Best Actor was David Allen from Rochelle.
Santa Anna High School to Host Zone OAP Contest
This year Santa Anna High School will proudly host the Zone One Act Play contest and show off our newly remodeled auditorium featuring a new sound and lighting system. Competition will begin Thursday afternoon at two and the Santa Anna Cast will compete at around 6:30. Contest rules will apply throughout the performances with no one entering or leaving the auditorium during a performance so be sure and come early or you won't be allowed to enter the auditorium. Young children, cameras, cell phones, and pagers are also not allowed during a performance.
This year's Santa Anna OAP performance is titled "Livin' De Life" by Ed Graczyk and is set in the past at the Briar Patch and the Creepy Crawly Forest. The Cast of Characters in order of appearance is Tasha Zarate as Brer Tarrypin, Rudy Enriquez as Brer Coon, Jessica Pelton as Brer Rabbit, Raelee Watson as Brer Fox, James Singleton as Brer Bear, JeLisa Kirven - Aunt Mammy-Bammy, Michelle Wetsel as Miss Meadows, Mayra Dean as Sis Buzzard, and LeaAnda Bennett as Miss Goose. The crew is made up of Jessica Bennett - Alternate, Bianca Dean, Kendra Cannon, Kristle DeLeon, and Becca Fellers. This year's play is directed by Kathy Walker with assistance from Amanda Ellerbe and Orabeth McIver.
Santa Anna Lady Mountaineers by Coach Bob Libby
The Santa Anna Lady Mountaineers had a very strong showing in terms of all-district honors for the 2004-05 season. Jesse Hensley a 6 foot junior post was a unanimous first team selection. Hensley averaged 10 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Tasha Zarate a junior was selected to the second team. Zarate connected on 165 three-point shots and averaged 8 points per game.
Senior Chaplin DelaRosa was also selected to the second team and was primarily a defensive fireplug. In district play she averaged 1 charge per game for a team that gave up an average of 32 points per game.
Rounding out the all-district honors with an honorable mention were seniors Amanda Moreno, Micah Pritchard, and Angel Deleon. Junior Jessica Pelton also received honors on a team that averaged 51 points per game and finished the season with a 20-11 record.
L-R: Chaplain DelaRosa(Sr), Micah Pritchard(Sr), Amanda Moreno(Sr), Angel Deleon(Sr), Tasha Zarate(Jr), Jessica Pelton(Jr), Jesse Hensley(Jr)
Mountaineer Basketball All District - Coach Lloyd Fields
The Santa Anna Varsity Boys finished the season 5th place in district (8 teams) with a 5-9 district record, while compiling a 12-16 season record.
Pat Kerr made 2nd team all-district. He averaged 18.4 points per gamed, with a season average of 14 rebounds per game.
Matt Vasquez was honorable mention averaging 12.7 points per game.
Matthew Vasquez(Sr) and Patrick Kerr(Jr)
Price of Gasoline and Crude Oil Hit Record Highs
As the price crude oil hits all time highs over $56 per barrel the price of gas goes over $2 per gallon in the Central Texas Area. The cheapest I saw on the way home from work Monday was $2.049 at one place in Brownwood. I ran across TexasGasPrices.com this evening which has some high an low prices around the state. It is kind of funny that some of the cheapest is in the Port Arthur area and some of the highest is in Midland.
Home Depot opens in Brownwood Last Week
Home Depot opened up in Brownwood last week on St. Patrick's Day. I went by there on the way home and they were packed. Cindy was still under the weather so I met her, Chrystal, and Jason there on Friday after work and we got to see them inflating the Home Depot hot air balloon which was pretty cool especially when they shot the flames to it in the early evening darkness.
As far as Home Depot goes it is not G&E Hardware or Bradley Lumber but is more like a Walmart Super Center. I would much rather go to J.E. Stevens in Coleman if I can get away with it. If you need to rent something to do a job though now looks like a good time because all of the equipment at the Home Depot rental center is brand new.
What's Ginning at the Cotton Gin?
Mark came into City Hall and talked to Cindy Friday. Cindy showed him the News and they both agreed with me that I needed a picture with the new porch on the front of the gin/3C Rustic. I didn't catch Mark there but I did get a shot with the nice new porch that he has now finished.
See the latest edition of the Business Page to find out..
Goldthwaite Track Meet
Cindy and I went to my home away from home town, Goldthwaite on Saturday for the Eagle Relays. I work in Goldthwaite so my car knows the way!
We saw some pretty good races and I wish I knew all the results but we left when it started raining and Jessica was through running. I am afraid that Jessica is the subject of many of the photos and that doesn't really make her too happy but she is the reason we go. We also enjoyed some half time entertainment from several of the Santa Anna athletes as they had a little jump rope challenge and you will have to see the Sports Page for the photo album to see what I am talking about.
Patrick Kerr finished second in the discus.
Bianca Dean finished first in the 400 meter run.
The Girls 400 Meter Relay team came in second.. here they are warming up.
New Things on SantaAnnaNews.com
SantaAnnaNews.com reached another milestone over the this last weekend as the Front Page went over 10,000 hits since August 12th. The last two weeks the unique visits per day has been between 120 and 270. At the current rate March will set a record and go over 4000 hits on the Front Page.
More important than all these numbers I am hearing from more and more of you that you are enjoying SantaAnnaNews.com and that is what keeps me going.
While visiting with Clay this weekend he told me he was having trouble seeing some of the things on SantaAnnnNews.com. I try to check it and make sure it will work in other browsers like Mozilla and Netscape but apparently the new button menu isn't working right. The pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer and naturally the higher the screen resolution and faster your Internet connection are the better your experience will be. I will try to work on the menu buttons so that they work with other browsers.. of course if you can't see them you may not know what they are or what I am talking about. If you can't see buttons for the Front,Business,Community,Sports,Stuff, andFunnies then you can click on these links until I get it working.
I hope that you find those things useful and if you can think of anything else that you would like to see on SantaAnnaNews.com or a news article suggestion or submission send it to news@santaannanews.com.
You might be from Santa Anna if..
..if your favorite Christmas gifts as a child were purchased at G&E Hardware. Submitted by Mike Hartman.
Like Mike, G&E Hardware was one of my favorite places to go into also both as a child and an adult. Owned and operated by Mildred Galloway and here sister Pauline Eubank for many years.
The place to go and get anything you needed for your almost. From toys to plumbing they had it all and knew where everything was. I remember when we first moved to Santa Anna Mom went into G&E and they had several Ken and Barbie dolls with the molded hair and brand new in the box. They were almost collectors items back then and Mom picked them up to save for retirement I guess.
Sometimes I miss G&E and the Barkleys at Phillips Drug. Gone to the big chains like Walmart and Eckerds I guess. Eddie and Susie Voss bought G&E from the sisters but couldn't make a go of it.. I sure know how they must have felt.
I will never forget when Walmart started selling the same brand of tires that I had been selling for several years at my service station. They were selling them cheaper than what I was paying for them. Makes it pretty hard for the small places to compete. I started buying case oil at Walmart about the same time because they were selling it cheaper than I could get it from my suppliers and that was about the only way I could make up for the lost tire sales. Certainly a win-win situation for Wal-Mart and that was many years before they sold gasoline. I must admit that I now buy tires and gasoline there. Only because they are cheaper. The rest of the gas I buy is at Allsup's in Santa Anna, Bangs, and Early only because I have to. You can pretty much bet that gas in Santa Anna is 5-10 cents a gallon higher than everywhere around except Coleman maybe. I guess when you are the only place in town you can sell it for whatever you want. On more than one occasion the gas from our Allsup's has smelled like Diesel fuel and looked cloudy to me.. keeps the valves oiled up I guess.
Enough of all that.. I am sure glad we have some folks like Mrs. Stroebel at Leather and Lace and Mr. Hetzel at That Santa Anna Store that have shown an interest in opening their businesses in Santa Anna. I have to get by and see them one of these days for a story for SantaAnnaNews.com.
Want your own dot com?
This is a great time to get it whether you just want it for an e-mail address of your own, like james@yourlastname.com, or for putting some family pictures on the web, or getting your business on the web
1 and 1 is by far your best bet!
Any questions just send me an e-mail and I will be happy to help you get started, or just click the 1 and 1 ad on the left, or any of the links in this article.
