HOW’S IT FLY? – Marathon students, from left, Kindergartners Dominic Paradez and Alexya Grano and Pre-Ker Lawon Meiers got a closeup look as propane-fed burners blew hot air into a balloon Friday. The balloon, entered by a propane marketing foundation, was on its way to Alpine for the Big Bend Balloon Bash over the Labor Day weekend.

LONGHORN RIBBON – Rita Yates snipped a yellow ribbon officially opening the Texas Longhorn Museum in Lajitas Saturday. Looking on was Shirley Coleman, superintendent of San Vicente School at Big Bend.

LONGHORN VIGIL – A stuffed longhorn steer surveyed visitors to the Texas Longhorn Museum at Lajitas Saturday. The five-room museum dedicated to the famous bovine was officially opened at the old Lajitas Trading Post.

RECEPTION – The entrance to the old Lajitas Trading Post at night welcomed visitors to the official opening of the Texas Longhorn Museum Saturday. More than 500 horns and other artifacts dominate the five-room museum with the motif extending even to the rest rooms.

GAS BAG – The Propane marketing balloon was inflated at the Marathon football field Friday but was quickly taken down when winds made it necessary. Students at Marathon ISD got a first-hand look at a hot-air balloon in action. It was on its way to Alpine for the Labor Day Big Bend Balloon Bash, an event mostly eliminated by weather.

BALLOON ZOO – There were huge hot-air balloons all around over the weekend but clown David Gish used much smaller rubber balloons to fashion balloon animals for the kids. Gish was just one of many attractions at the Big Bend Balloon Bash. What there was not much of was flying balloons. The weather, don’t you know?

A ONE AND A TWO  - Sanderson Band director Eric Cooksey led the band last week at Meet the Eagles.  From left, musicians are Natasha Adkins, Catherine Barron, Brittney Pacheco, and Cordell Lawson.  The band impressed Eagle fans, considering the number of students they have.