4th annual Country Gospel Show Sunday

GIDDINGS—The fourth annual Country Gospel Jamboree is set for Sunday at the Giddings High School auditorium. The opry-style show kicks off at 6:30 p.m., hosted by Second Chance, the band of the Cowboy Church of Lee County. Admission is free and $8 hamburger plates will be available starting at 5:30.

Work (and fun) on tap before STAAR testing

RISD REPORT Rockdale Junior High School completed their first round of State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing a couple of weeks ago, and are fired up and ready to finish their second round in two weeks.

‘SUPERIOR’ BAND

—Last week the our Rockdale High School Big Blue Band participated in the UIL Region 18/26 Band Concert and Sight Reading Contest at Bastrop and was awarded straight “Superior” Division 1 ratings, according to director Adrian Acevedo The band received “Excellent” Division 2 ratings on sight reading.

Busy spring for Milano scholars, athletes

MISD REPORT Our one act play cast and crew have been very busy.

GOLDEN TROWEL

—Temple businessman, and Texas legend, Drayton McLane Jr. (left) recently receive the Golden Trowell award from Milam County San Andres Masonic Lodge No. 170. It is the highest award a lodge can bestow upon an individual member.

County clerk leaving office early

CAMERON—Milam County commissioners Monday accepted the resignation of County Clerk Barbara Vansa and named Deputy Clerk Jodi Morgan her successor. Vansa’s resignation is effective Tuesday and Morgan—who is unopposed for the office in the November general election—will be sworn in that day.

Early voting pace slow for May 5 elections

It’s been a slow start to early voting for the May 5 city and school elections in Rockdale. Through Tuesday, after two days of early balloting, only 49 persons have voted early. Only nine persons cast early votes in the school board election.

Business of the month

Renaissance Villa, currently located at 700 Dyer, has been named business of the month for April by the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center. Administrator Matthew Bur-rough, and staffers, accepted the honor from Chamber members, directors, ambassadors and well-wishers.

BBQ, music, 5K in Cameron

CAMERON—It’s a huge weekend May 4 and 5 in Cameron’s Ledbetter Park surrounding the 2018 Cameron Fun Fest and Barbecue Shootout.

RE-CERTIFIED

These El Camino Real chapter Master Naturalists have been re-certified during 2018. To re-certify, members must complete 40 volunteer hours and take eight hours of training.