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Time for the 94th Annual Peach and Melon Festival

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

The slogan for the 94th annual DeLeon Peach and Melon Festival -- Same Theme, New Scene -- says it all. This year, for the first time, the celebration will be held at the new DeLeon Community Park.

GETTING READY FOR THE FESTIVAL. Workers for Moore Electric were busy Monday, July 28, doing the wiring for the food booths at the new Community Park in preparation for the 94th annual Peach and Melon Festival, scheduled for August 5-9. Shown above are Randy Green, Ray Flora and Hector Benevidez.

For the past few weeks, it’s not been unusual to see Festival committee members and others working late into the day to get the grounds ready for the festival.

The fun will kick off on Tuesday, August 5, with the carnival opening and the pageants. This year, two new age groups were added, so judges will select Little Miss DeLeon, Petite Miss, Junior Miss, and Queen.

Wednesday the 4-H cake entries will be judged at the Reunion Center, and fruit will be judged at the Festival stage. The downtown parade, Kiddie Tractor Pull, Peaches at Sunset, and Melon Auction are also scheduled for Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Tractor Pull will kick-off with the eagerly anticipated “dual tracks” in operation, and a musical program is scheduled for the festival stage. And of course, the carnival will still be going strong through Saturday.

On Friday, there will be more oppportunities to enjoy both the carnival and the tractor pull, and the Spanish Dance -- with Los Primos -- will be held at the stage area.

The fun will conclude with a full day of activities downtown on Saturday. Among the scheduled events are the Melon Patch Tour, 42 Tournament, Golden Saturday Fair, Ex-Student Reunion, Garden Tractor Pull, Mini-rod Pulls, Spaghetti Lunch, Seed-Spitting Contest, free Watermelon Slicing on main street, Tractor Pull, dance with Zane Trusty and Kimberly Murray and, finally, the selection of Miss DeLeon.
The Peach and Melon Festival offices will be re-located from the downtown area to the new park, for the week of the Festival, as of Monday, August 4.

Festival Committee members for the 2008 Peach and Melon Festival include Avery Carlisle, chairman; Jaye Golden, secretary; Treasure Mailoux, treasurer; Heath Matteson, tractor pull co-chairman; Monty Stewart, tractor pull co-chair; Bobby Campbell, Kathy Campbell, Ruby Carlisle, Johnny DeLatorre, Richard Gonzales, Chris Fulligar, Cody Hodges, Clayton Hudson, Jackson Jobe, Walter McCurry, Warren Mitcham, Rosa Segura, Maria Mix Segura, Jeremy Sparger, Dean Thompson, Bobby Winkles, Jr. and Dovie Withers.

“We’ve gotten lots of entries for the parade,” said Jaye Golden, “and we’re supposed to have a bigger carnvial. We’re hoping it’s going to be a good year.”

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Council Approves Use of Community Park for Soccer Games

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

The DeLeon City Council met in regular session Thursday, July 24, 2008, and addressed a rather brief agenda.

All council members -- Gayle Stroud, Avery Carlisle, Pauline Villarreal, Lee Childers and Mayor Danny Owen -- were present for the meeting, but City Administrator Karen Wilkerson was absent. Filling in for Wilkerson was Marilyn Harbour. Also present was Public Works Administrator Rob Duncan and Police Chief Ralph Dickey.

After several routine items were addressed, Lesa Hernandez addressed the council regarding soccer fields.

“We have some soccer teams, adults, who wanted to see if we could get a field in DeLeon,” Hernandez said. “They travel to Stephenville, Dublin, Lingleville and Hico to play their games and they were wondering if they could get a place to play soccer here too. It would be once or twice a week.”

“We do have available space at the new park,” said Mayor Danny Owen, “it’s referred to as the multi-purpose field, but it’s really an undeveloped area at this time.”

Mayor Owen noted that the field does have grass, but at the present time there is no lighting available. “Right now, we’re just not financially able to put in any kind of lighting,” he said. “That’s something we’ll have to work on in the future.”

There was then a discussion of using portable soccer goals and how to work around the lighting problem.

“You’ll probably need to coordinate everything so you can have your games in the daylight,” Owen said. “And each year, there will be three weeks that the Peach and Melon Fesitval will have control of the park. So you’ll have to wait until later in August, or the first of September, to play out there. But the rest of the time, I don’t see that it would be an issue for you to play out there.”

Owen then asked the council what they thought.

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District Shows Strong Gains In Test Scores
Elementary Garners “Exemplary” Rating

The test scores for De Leon ISD show that 2007-08 was a year marked with strong improvements.

Overall test scores for the entire district were up over the previous year with significant improvement in the areas of reading/language arts, writing, and social studies. The district posted scores of 90% or better for all students and for all sub-groups in these subject areas. In reading, the district scored 97% passing, writing 94% passing, and in social studies, with 123 students taking the test, 120 passed for a passing rate of 98%.

Strong gains were also seen in the areas of math and science. The district posted an 80% passing rate in math and a 74% passing rate for science. The science score saw an increase of 10% over the previous year’s score.

The scores for the district are an overall compilation of the scores received by each campus. From the campus perspective excitement is growing at the elementary with that campus earning scores that will garner them an “Exemplary” rating when the ratings are released on August 1. The elementary had a 90% passing rate for all of its subject areas and for all of its subpopulation groups. A 90% passing rate is required to earn the state’s highest accountability rating. Third graders saw a passing rate of 100% in reading.

Campus principal, Judd Gibson noted that, “Our teachers and staff deserve all of the credit. They are the reason we have reached this level of success.”

De Leon Intermediate students in grades 5 and 6, posted scores that will allow the campus to rated “Acceptable”. The campus missed being “Recognized” due to two subpopulation groups in the area of math. Reading posted a 99% passing rate, math 76%, and science 83%.

To be rated “Recognized” a campus or district must have a 75% or better passing rate on all test. This includes all students and all sub-population groups as noted by the state.

Perkins Middle School missed the rating of “Recognized” due to one subpopulation group in the area of math, which scored only five points below the required standard, so the campus will be rated “Acceptable”.

In reading, 95% of students passed, 98% in writing, 100% in social studies, 84% in math, and 81% in science. Gains were seen in all subject areas for the middle school with particular growth noted in the areas of writing and science. Mark Lewis, campus principal, noted, “Our teachers and students worked hard and should be very proud of their efforts for this year.”

De Leon High School will also be rated “Acceptable”. The campus saw 97% of its students in the area of reading/language arts pass, 96% in social studies, 72% in math, and 64% in science. All subject areas posted strong gains from the previous year, reading/language arts +9, social studies +15, math +5, and science +11. Campus principal Jimmie Cearley noted, “We are headed in the right direction and 2008-09 will be a great year for the high school.”

Official's Medical Absence Complicates Budgeting

for County and Other Taxing Entities

By JERRY MORGAN, Reporter

COMANCHE -- This is the time of year when a rigidly specified process for setting public entity budgets and property tax rates must take place. In Comanche County that process may likely be complicated by a medically-related absence of uncertain term by a key official.

Commissioners discussed various options on Monday, July 28, as they considered alternative means of complying with the mandated budgeting and tax rate setting process. The development added an unwanted complexity to what promises to be a difficult budget year.

All members of the Commissioners Court were present for their second regular meeting of the month. Judge James Arthur conducted the meeting and Commissioners Jimmy Dale Johnson, Bobby Schuman, Kenneth Feist and Garry Steele attended.

Other county officials involved in the meeting included County Clerk Ruby Lesley, County Auditor Joey Boswell, County Sheriff Jeff Lambert, County Attorney Craig Willingham, Emergency Services Coordinator Ray Helberg, Assistant Emergency Services Coordinator Trish Grimshaw and Veterans Service Officer Jim Coats. Commissioner-elect Sherman Sides and Commissioner candidate Corky Underwood were also present.

The first order of business was the approval of the minutes from three previous meetings, including the regular meeting on July 14, a public hearing on July 21 and a limited agenda meeting on July 22 to approved the application for a $250,000 grant to supplement the FEMA flood damage repair project grant funds because of rising fuel and materials costs. Only minor corrections to the draft minutes were made.

Veterans Service Officer Report

The first order of new business was a quarterly report by Jim Coats, the county's Veterans Service Officer. Coats noted that he had received an "old and cranky" computer from the State to use in his office, but that it was adequate for the job. He asked the Commissioners for permission to attend mandatory Veterans Service Officer training offered by the state, and noted that the state pays for the related travel and lodging expenses.

The Commissioners unanimously approved a motion by Bobby Schuman, seconded by Jimmy Dale Johnson, to authorize Coats to attend the VSO training. Judge Arthur complimented Coats on his work and noted that he was popular with the veterans he serves.

Liability Insurance on VFD Fire Trucks

Ray Helberg spoke to the Commissioners noting that the renewal time for liability insurance on the fire trucks operated by the county's various volunteer fire departments was nearing. He stated that the Texas Forest Service offered a liability insurance coverage for only $150 per truck per year, versus the current cost to the county of $600 per truck per year.

Helberg said that the only problem was that the volunteer fire departments would have to obtain the coverage directly and not through the county. He recommended the county pay the VFD's the $150 and let them obtain the coverage through the Forest Service.

The recommendation was unanimously approved on a motion by Bobby Schuman, seconded by Jimmy Dale Johnson.

District Court Mileage Reimbursement Request Produces Split Vote

The only split vote in recent memory occurred on a request by District Judge James Morgan that the county follow the State of Texas by increasing the reimbursement rate for the use of a personal vehicle in official duties up to 58.5 cents per mile.

Morgan's request was only for the District Court Reporter and Coordinator, and noted that there were sufficient funds available to cover the increased costs.

Joey Boswell noted that the costs were shared by Comanche, Hamilton and Bosque counties pro rata to their population, and agreed that carryover funds were available to cover the increased costs.

Bobby Schuman asked Boswell what should be done regarding the rest of the county employees.

Boswell replied that it was a matter for the Commissioners to decide, but that he knew the cost of driving had certainly increased.

Garry Steele stated that he believed the county should increase the current personal vehicle mileage reimbursement rate of 41.5 cents per mile to the state's rate, noting that they had held the county's rate below the state's rate for several years.

"We're way behind," was Steele’s summation.

Jimmy Dale Johnson disagreed, however, noting that the county did not have the money for the increase, and adding that if it was being done for some, it should be done for all.

"I say table it until we get to see the budget," Johnson added. Moments later he questioned, "Is this just a d...... edict, where we bless it and go on? Is that what this is?"

"No. It's a request," Boswell responded. "He'll make it to all the counties, because all the counties fund it."

Johnson then asked what would happen if one county voted against the request and the other two approved it. He was told that the majority of the participating counties would rule in that instance.

Kenneth Feist agreed that the matter regarding the rest of the county employees should be considered at budget time. Garry Steele added that he could live with that.

Johnson reiterated his opinion. "I hate to be hard-boiled, or whatever, but I'm not for any of this. I mean the taxpayer is max'ed out. He's getting poorer every day... Everybody paying taxes is getting poorer.

We've got to quit somewhere," Johnson stated.

Joey Boswell agreed that this would be one of those years where the county was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Bobby Schuman reiterated that the funds were on hand to cover the District Judge's request and that the rest of the matter could be considered during budgeting. He then offered a motion to approve the request and Kenneth Feist seconded.

Schuman, Feist and Steele voted for the motion.

"I'm against it," was Johnson's statement.

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Zane Trusty to Perform at Peach and Melon Festival

Singer Zane Trusty will be the featured performer for this year’s Peach and Melon Festival dance, with his performance beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday night on the stage of the new community park.

Trusty began his career as a singer/songwriter, embarking on a solo career in 1988. He later found commercial as part of the duo Austin & King.

Trusty, who began playing the guitar at age 10, was born in Frederick, Oklahoma. He was involved in the Texas-Oklahoma “gig” scene for a while before leaving to try his luck in Nashville.

In 1989 he signed an artist-management contract with Anita Bryant. Trusty was also given personal guidance by Reba McIntyre and, Bill Monroe, Clinton Gregoru and the late Faron Young.

Trusty recorded two albums while signed with ABI Inc., “Oklahoma Blue” produced by Jim Whitaker, and an album titled “Heartzone” produced by Larry Rogers and Jim Pace of Studio 19 -- who also produced Ricky Nelson, Charley McClain and Billy Swan. Trusty also had the opportunity to attend the 1991 (as a guest of Tanya Tucker) 1994, and 1997 CMA Awards, and made an appearance with Bill Monroe on the Grand Ole Opry. After unsuccesful negotiations and one halted release with Arista Records, Trusty moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas to perform as a matinee headliner sharing the stage with Bill Bays, one of the late Elvis Presley Stamps Quartet singers. In 1996, Trusty hit the road with his band “Branded Stray.” He was given his own silver eagle bus to travel on which made the road life more tolerable. Trusty and the band played shows across the U.S. including opening concerts with friend Joe Diffie. In 1997, Trusty formed the duo Austin and King with Mark Hendrym whom he’d met in 1994. The duo performed in Branson, Missouri, for a short time and then relocated to Texas to work on an album. After the CD was released, four of its singles, written by Trusty, hit the top 40, and of those, “Blue Bonnets” hit number one in seven countries, and was chosen

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DeLeon Native Releases CD
Will Perform at Peach and Melon Festival

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

Kimberly Garmon Murray, a DeLeon native and currently a jailer at the Erath County Jail, recently released a CD of music with a traditional touch (Once Upon a Time in a Honky Tonk) and readily admits that law enforcement and singing have been her two big passions for years.

Luckily, Murray, who will perform on the Peach & Melon Festival stage Saturday night, August 9, has never had to choose between the two.

Growing up in what could best be described as an unusual environment, Murray says she not only survived -- she thrived. As the only daughter (she has four brothers) of Liz and the late Sheriff Shilo Garmon, it wasn’t unusual for young Kimberly to sit at the dinner table with prisoners – and even have them accompany her as she ran errands.

“Daddy was the Comanche County sheriff from 1978 to 1992,” Murray said, “and we actually lived in an apartment at the jail from the time I was four, until I was eight. And sometimes the prisoners would come downstairs and sit at our table and eat with us. There wasn’t a Commission on Jail Standards at the time, so it was a different world. In fact, I used to walk to the store to get bread and stuff with the trusty. Mama would give me the money, and she’d send one of them to keep an eye on me.”

It was also around this time that Kimberly became enchanted with singing -- especially performing before an audience.

“My mom was a Sunday school teacher and a piano player at Faith Chapel in DeLeon,” Murray said. “I did specials, and the very first song I ever sang was “I Saw the Light” – I was four years old.” Murray said her mother was also a huge fan of country music back then, and the house was always filled with the sounds of traditional country music. The combination of gospel music and country basically created a soundtrack for her life.

That early exposure to the world of law enforcement would also shape her future.

“I was certified as a jailer before I ever graduated DeLeon High School in 1991,” Murray said. “In fact, I took the test before I turned 18, so I couldn’t get my certificate then, but on the day I turned 18 it was mailed to me and I was a certified jailer. So the day I graduated I was wondering when and where I could go to work in a jail.”

In 1992 Murray began work as a reserve jailer at the Comanche County Jail.

“And then in 1993, I went to work in Limestone County, and I worked there for about a year,” she said. Murray then began working at the Erath County Jail in 1994 and has been there ever since.

Although she’d always enjoyed singing, Murray said that when a friend asked her in 2003 to sing the National Anthem at a rodeo, “It was like everything just ballooned after that -- it just exploded.”

“I really wanted to perform at that point,” she said.

Even though she was excited about performing, Murray wasn’t sure exactly where she could perform the kind of music she loves.

“I was very discouraged about the type of music that was being played on the radio,” Murray said, “because I like the older stuff. I don’t like the Nashville music of today. I don’t get anything from it – and I don’t want to sing it. It’s like I wanted to do the old stuff, but there wasn’t any place for me to sing Connie Smith or Loretta Lynn songs, or George Jones and Ray Price, and that’s what I love.”

Murray said her close friend “Haus” turned her to the right path.

“I was talking to him about singing one day,” Murray said, “and he said ‘you enjoy it so much, you should do something with it. You need to listen to this friend of mine.’ Then he popped in this CD, and it was Jake Hooker (a very popular and successful musician), and Jake just blew me away. We went to see him perform and he invited me up onstage and I figured out there was a way for me to do the old stuff. It’s what Jake Hooker does – the good stuff.”

Kimberly said that knowing that there was an audience for Jake Hooker’s music gave her hope.

“I was following Jake around everywhere and singing with him a lot,” Murray said, “and after a show one night he had his guitar out and we were all passing it around and singing and Haus said, ‘Kim wants to do a CD, what do you suggest?’ and Jake said, ‘I need to introduce you to Justin, Justin Trevino’ (a producer). So he gave us Justin’s phone number and we called him and told him I wanted to do a CD and Justin said, ‘If Jake gave you my number, then that’s enough for me, come on down and we’ll do it.’ So we went down and met him and just instantly fell in love with him.”

That initial meeting led to a three-song demo CD, and eventually to the full-length CD. And just as Jake Hooker recommended her to Justin Trevino, Trevino told Kimberly that she needed to do the opry in Llano and told her to contact the owner, Tracy Pitcox.

“He told me, ‘you’ve got to do Llano, if you do just one opry in the state, make sure that’s the one you do,’” Murray said.

Once again, a personal recommendation opened doors. “Tracy said, ‘If Justin told you to contact me, you don’t need to audition – you can be on the show next week,’ and I was so excited,” Murray said.

That appearance led to many others and Murray was thrilled to find herself occasionally playing on the same ticket with some of traditional country music’s biggest names.

“I’ve met Gene Watson, John Conlee, Bill Anderson, Johnny Rodriquez, Moe Bandy and Johnny Bush,” Murray said.

Murray got assistance from some big name musicians on the “Once Upon a Time in a Honky Tonk” album, including Jake Hooker, on bass; Jim Loessberg, drums; Justin Trevino, lead guitar, rhythm guitar and harmony vocals; Reggie Rueffer, fiddle; Dicky Overbey, steel guitar, Ronnie Huckabee, piano; and Amber Digby, harmony vocals. She admits to being star-struck and in awe of them, and can easily name other singers that some of these same musicians have played for -- including Connie Smith, Farron Young, Charlie Pride and George Strait.

“The biggest distribution I have is overseas,” Murray said. “Tracy Pitcox, the one who has the Llano Opry, is also the president of the record label I’m on -- Heart of Texas Records -- and he has a distributor over there. And I’m played on radio stations over there. I get e-mails and messages on my MySpace page all the time from people overseas who say they’ve really enjoyed my music.”

Stateside, Kimberly (who kept the name Murray from a brief marriage in the mid-1990s) seizes every available opportunity to promote the CD.

“I play some dance halls and clubs,” Murray said, “and I do a lot of the opry houses. I’ve got a date next month in Louisiana, to appear on the Louisiana Hayride, and I’ll be on the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree in Nashville later this year.”

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