By Pauline Tom
Gary White, on Poplar, Facebook’d a clipping from The Olathe Mirror, August 21, 2013. It mentions Gary’s great-grandfather and his dad. A tidbit about a kid playing with a water sprinkler made the newspaper. It reminded me of Montage’s birth.
Twenty-one years ago, as new Mountain Citians, we began reading this newspaper. In one neighborhood column we delighted in who came to visit over the weekend, what got served for Sunday dinner, and who all had aches and pains.
How that column spoke to our appreciation of our new home in Mountain City, a little city out in the country, far removed in every way from the big city of Houston.
But, Mountain City had no column. And, it continued to have no column.
A word of willingness to Bob Barton, editor, birthed Mountain City Montage on March 20, 1997. It’s “a composition of juxtaposed more or less heterogeneous elements.” Montage is chitchat composed of tidbits more or less related Mountain City, somewhat woven together.
As so it is, that the birthday party for Susie Ferrell, of Kyle, fits.
Now, if you know Susie, you know she told me, “Put it in the paper.” Yes, ma’am.
A common denominator for “100” who came and went from Kyle Methodist on June 27th is that one little woman.
Susie Ferrell’s shindigging friends from Mountain City include Beth Smith (Precinct 2 Judge), John Hall (of Kyle Methodist Church), and the Toms. The two of us have a unique connection with Susie. We met Susie at Lilly’s Bar in Lockhart after Sunday morning worship a few months back. (Now, that’s another story.)
The Mountain City connections juxtaposed with Susie’s friends, young and old, from “her” city’s governing officials, “her” Chamber of Commerce, “her” church, “her” neighbors, “her” local civic clubs, and many other every which way.
A Kyle native is she? No. Seven years a citizen here.
Oh, the impact one person can make in the lives of many, even in a short period of time!
One way to make an impact in the City of Mountain City is as an alderman. Mountain City has three alderman positions that will be up in November.
Mayor Tiffany Curnutt wrote in her “Serve Your City” email, “You have an opinion? You are a great listener? You care about the future of this fine City? You enjoy providing solutions?” Oh, what an impact you could make! See Ellis Craig, City Secretary, for an application (email him through www.mountaincitytx.com).
Oh, what impact the rains have made! St Augustine grass, dormant for years, greens portions of our lawn. Horse herb really covers ground. Native plants usually below my nose tower above my head.
Has the rain caused fallen Texas Persimmon leaves? That’s a question for Hays County Agrilife Extension Service.
Oh! What impact (or chuckles) tidbits make as they are woven together in Montage. Please send some to [email protected] (subject: TIDBIT) or 512-268-5678. Thanks! Love, Pauline
