Thursday, September 13, 2007

If the basketball blog is to keep a link to Lipan Texas Exchange, something needs to be posted here! How about . . . .

Due to the the unusual rains this year:
>Excellent large round bail hay is cheap at about $35. This time last year, some sorry hay was selling for nearly $100. This market is good for the cattlemen, but not so for the hay growers. Fortunately, many farmers are both.

>Frogs are everywhere! That's kinda fun to watch.

Lipan schools reported 35 more students than last year at the start of school. That's huge! Board president John Cooper says no additional teachers have been required which eventually helps the district with state funding. This enrolement increase, greater than 10%, is as shocking as it is encouraging to the community of Lipan.

The school's new gym additions (dressing rooms, coaches offices, foyer and concessions area) are staying within the budget resources partly due to superintendent Williams Stokes' donating some of his cabinet making skills. You may not know that Mr. Stokes started in education as a shop teacher. Mr. Cooper and others are donating some of the electrician labor. These contributions are really appreciated!

The First National Bank of Lipan is celebrating its 100th year this fall. This record of continuous service to the community is remarkable and rare! Congratulations to the employees and owners of the bank.

Jo Anna Stowe's "Lipan Smoke Signals" in the weekend Hood County News continues to report local family news. I'm curious how long this feature has run in the paper, and admit to being an avid reader.

Recent graduates of Lipan's public school are pursuing some of the most interesting studies or occupations. Not wanting to slight anyone, I wouldn't dare make a public list. However, surely you know that pride in their accomplishments are felt in the recent school enrollment numbers.