ORGANIZATIONS
CAMERON—El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association (ELCAT) will host the first meeting of the El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Model Trail Community and a 50th anniversary celebration of the National Trails System Act at 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, June 9 at the historic Milam County Museum in Cameron.
“The free event will feature remarks from representatives from ELCAT about organizing the first local chapter of ELCAT to further education, research and preservation of the El Camino Real in Milam County,” said Beth Brooks, spokesperson.
This year, 2018, marks the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
“The National Trails System is comprised of trails that have been deemed as nationally significant by the US Congress, and in the case of El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, it is because it is the road that led to the founding of Texas,” Brooks said.
ELCAT is a non-profit, 501 (C3) association that seeks to protect the historic integrity of the trail, to educate and engage the public about its significance, and to promote resource development, interpretation, and tourism along its path.
Added to the National Trails System by the U.S. Congress on Oct. 18, 2004, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail commemorates nationally significant historic routes extending from the U.S.-Mexico border at the Rio Grande to the eastern boundary of the Spanish province of Texas in Natchitoches Parish, La. The period of historic significance for the trail is 1680-1845.
“The meeting is open to all who are interested in Milam County’s early history,” Brooks said. “Join us in this historic event, and make sure that the road that led to the founding of Texas is not forgotten.”
Registration and Information: MilamCoHC@gmail.com
Historical commission to meet here June 11
Milam County Historical Commission will meet at 10 a.m. Monday, June 11 at First Presbyterian Church in Rockdale. All are welcome. FMI: Beth Brooks, 512-213-8108.
Master Naturalists hear of early food sources
Texas Master Naturalists from the El Camino Real Chapter learned how people fed themselves in the Brazos Valley before there were grocery stores, thanks to a presentation by Dr. Alston V. Thoms of the Texas A&M Anthropology Department at their May meeting.
Thoms has studied the people who lived in Texas from the earliest days, and his research shows that one major food source has not changed since the time mastodons roamed. Attendees were surprised to learn that the white-tailed deer have fed people here ever since there have been people here.
Because water in the Brazos Valley is plentiful, it has been inhabited by nomadic peoples for 15,000 years. Thoms also explained how roots, berries, and other foods were gathered in their seasons and kept in good shape with a combination of periodic burning and moving from place to place, so plant life could recover. He also showed how earth ovens were built and used to cook food over many hours.
If this information makes you curious about the natural environment in our area, consider attending the next Texas Master Naturalist meeting on June 14. Barbara Willy, director of the Monarch Gateway Program, will speak at 6:30 p.m. at Milano First United Methodist Church fellowship hall.
Texas Master Naturalists are sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The El Camino Real Chapter meets each second Thursday. FMI: txmn.org/elcamino.—Sue Ann Kendall
The Reporter welcomes news of special events from area organizations. Email bill@rockdalereporter.com or fax to 512-446-5317.
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