C’MON IN – The water’s fine. A couple of canine comrades enjoyed the runoff from Sunday’s heavy rain. Sasha and Bella, who belong to Kristy Escamilla, explored what a little rain can do. More than four inches of the wet stuff fell in about two hours Sunday morning.

WATERFULL – The new drainage ditch at Fifth and Pine was running full Sunday morning after four inches of rain fell in about two hours. Pine Street was closed because the water sloshed into the street, making it hard to see where the road ended and the ditch began.

SANDERSON RIVER – The normally-dry Sanderson Canyon through Sanderson was full of water Sunday after more than four inches of rain fell in about two hours. After going all year with less than an inch in the rain gauge – and not much more than that for the past 12 months, the rain was a welcome relief, even if it did cause some flooding a few leaking roofs.

CAR WAKE – A passing car left a wake as it moved down Oak Street, or Highway 90, Sunday morning. More than four inches of rain fell in Sanderson in about two hours, flooding streets and filling drainage ditches. It all came after a year-long drought that has resulted in numerous grass fires.

Former Terrell County Deputy

              Shawn Dunham

HIGH FROM ON HIGH – The Southern Pacific Railroad “high bridge” over the Pecos River east of Langtry was shot over the wingtip of a deHavilland DH-4 in this grainy 1919 photo. The World War I airfield, home of the 90th Aero Squadron west of Sanderson in that era will be remembered with an historic plaque today.

LIL BOOKAROO – Nick Mitchell, 5, son of Amanda Mitchell of Corpus Christi, got a taste of the “Old West” last week as the Sanderson summer reading program came to an end. Children in the program got to ride John Pierce’s quarter horse, Darth Vader. Nick and sister Annette Roberts were visiting Uncle and Aunt Darrel and Cheryl Seidel.

READY, AIM – Jesse Roberts sent an arrow into the air toward a target Monday in the Terrell County 4-H archery class while County Extension Agent Mark Carroll helped Grace Jahn with her technique. In the back were Crystal Perez and Austen Stepp.

CRAFTY – Terrell County 4-H youngsters learned the fine art of painting a flowerpot Monday. From left, they were Analise Galvan with her back to the camera, Lauryn Carroll and Katie Jahn. 

Y QUINCE MAS – Roxanna Rodriguez got her first pair of heels from parents Juan and Maria Rodriguez at her Quinceañera Saturday. The event marks a young lady’s passing into adulthood on her 15th birthday.

STAR QUILT – The Star “Signature” Quilt started in the 1930s by Sanderson and Dryden Methodist Church members will be on display today and tomorrow, July 4 and 5, at Terrell County’s Independence Day observance. Of the some 30 families that were members of Dryden and Sanderson Methodist Churches, three remain members. They are, from left, Bill Goldwire, Doris Tollett and Mary Nell Hinkle.

CAR WASH – Volunteers teamed up to wash cars Saturday to fund a trip to Reserve, NM, for the Apache Creek Deaf and Youth Camp July 21 to 25. Washers, from left, included Ashton Corder, Jimmy Rapp Noemi Nunez, Buddy Imboden and Sybilla Baker. Looking on in the background was Rev. Paul Ray, pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church.    

SCENIC SERENITY – The Oasis Ranch, operated by the Nature Conservancy of Texas, provides a true oasis in the usually parched Southwest Texas countryside. The preserve at Independence Creek 22 miles south of Sheffield will host an Open Preserve Day Saturday, July 12.

RAIN FORECAST – Storm clouds gathered near the Nature Conservancy of Texas Oasis Ranch this week. Significant rains in the county helped ease drought conditions over the last year but the drought is not over yet, officials say.

SLIGHT BODY DAMAGE – Former Terrell County Deputy Sheriff Shawn Dunham sent a picture of his Army “Humvee” that came out second best in an “IED” attack. Dunham said he lost two vehicles to the improvised explosive devises while serving at Mosul, Iraq.