NEWSBRIEFS

Andy Griffith program ahead at city library

Jim Platt will present a program, “A Tribute to the Comedian Andy Griffith” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Lucy Hill Patterson Memorial Library.

Platt is a former minister at Forest Grove Christian Church, who now resides in the Forest Grove Community south of Rockdale.

Griffith, of course, is known mostly for his iconic Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960 to 1969.

But his career started in the early 1950s as a monologist comedy. In 1954, he was cast in the television play “No Time for Sergeants” and his career took off.

Librarian Melanie Todd said the evening is one of reminiscing and laughter as Platt will present some of Griffith’s early comedy sketches.

“He has been fascinated by these presentations made to audiences, as well as recordings made by Griffith in 1954,” she said.

Platt said the program includes a brief presentation from memory of three tracks from the album “Andy Griffith: Just For Laughs.”

Cow-calf clinic ahead Thursday in Cameron

CAMERON—The 38th Annual Central Texas Cow/ Calf Clinic will be held Thursday, at the Milam County Youth Exposition Building, 301 South Houston in Cameron.

This program is presented by the Texas A&M Agri Life Extension of Milam, Robertson, Bell, Burleson, Falls and Williamson Counties, according to County Agent Floyd Ingram.

Registration is from 7 to 8 a.m. with the presentations starting at 8 a.m. and concluding at 3 p.m.

Three hours of continuing education units (CEUs) will be given for Pesticide Applicators License holders, one IPM and two general.

Cost is $20.

“This was the hottest and driest spring/summer we have seen since the drought of 2011. Stock tanks dried up, hay pastures went from green to brown,” County Agent Floyd Ingram said.

Seton purchasing LRHC King’s Daughters Clinic

One of the facilities closed when Little River Health Care failed financially is being purchased and it expected to re-open within the next few weeks.

But it’s not in Rockdale or Milam County.

On Friday a federal judge in Waco approved a request from the Seton Family of Hospitals to purchase King’s Daughters Clinic of Temple.

Chief U. S. Bankruptcy Ronald King signed the order, which states the sale is in the best interests of LRHC’s creditors.

Patients from LRHC’s Rockdale clinics have been frequently referred to services at the King’s Daughter Clinic.

Dr. John M. Weed III told The Reporter that Friday’s developments have no repercussions for Rockdale’s health care dilemma.

The Rockdale Hospital District board of directors continues its quest to find an entity with an interest in re-establishing a clinic, and possibly other health care services in Rockdale.

In addition to Rockdale, LRHC closed facilities in Temple, Cameron, Harker Heights and Killeen.

Initially, LRHC hoped to work out a plan to pay its creditors and keep facilities open but last month switched to a bankruptcy plan which allowed it to liquidate its assets, including its Rockdale facilities.

Those included Little River-Rockdale Hospital, the former Richards Memorial Hospital which opened in 1974.

Preservation grant applications accepted

CAMERON—Applications are now being accepted for preservation grants in Milam County for 2019, according to Lynn Young, chair of the Milam County Historical Commission.

Applications for funding are available in Cameron at the Office of the County Judge and in Rockdale at Rainbow Courts.

Applications may be requested by e-mail: MilamCHC@gmail.com.

Completed applications must be received by Jan. 15,.

Those interested may visit the Milam County Historical Commission’s website for more information: http:// www.milamcountyhistoricalcommission.org/preservationtrust.php

Since 2013, over $40,000 has been awarded for preservation projects in Milam County.

Live Christmas tree disposal until Friday

Through Friday, Rock-dale residents may dispose of their live Christmas trees by at no charge.

Trees under 4-feet tall may be set out for the regular garbage pickup. The city asks that all ornaments, tinsel and garlands be removed.

Residents may also call City Hall at 512-446-2511 to schedule a disposal, also at no charge.

Loss of spouse grief program set to start

Loss of a Spouse is a two-hour seminar for people grieving a spouse’s death. It will be held Meadowbrook Baptist Church, from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday

Cost is $5 for the participants guide, according to Malda Burns, program director.

The seminar features video interviews with counselors, grief experts, and widowed men and women. They offer helpful insights on:

• What to expect in the days to come.

• How to deal with the loneliness.

•What to do with your spouse’s belongings.

• Why it won’t always hurt this much.

Everyone who attends will receive a booklet with over 30 short readings on how to live with grief and eventually rebuild your life.