News

Drought is becoming a more frequent problem. According to NASA, the last 20 years have produced some of the driest conditions in the American west on record. When drought occurs, it is now more severe and pervasive than it once was, which underscores the importance of planning for drought before it occurs.

The Ennis Garden Club has announced the 2022 Spring Yards of the Season. The Yards of the Season are selected three times a year: Spring, Summer, and Fall. The yards, nominated by members of the Ennis Garden Club, are selected in each of the four EISD school districts. Homes are chosen using the following criteria: curb appeal, neatness, seasonal landscaping, use of perennials, and owner involvement.

Summer is synonymous with many things, including family vacations and relaxing days at the beach. For foodies, perhaps nothing evokes the spirit of summer more effectively than grilled foods.

Taking Ennis by storm since 1967, the National Polka Festival returns next week, May 27-29. A cultural surge of Czech heritage and traditions can be enjoyed by individuals, groups and families in small-town Americana.

Last week the Stamp Out Hunger food drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers, delivered a successful collection of food donated by citizens.

Area residents as well as military veterans are invited to attend the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Ennis Veterans Memorial Park at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 30. Drawing a crowd in the hundreds for the tribute reflects on the city’s value and respect for veterans.

Magness Party Barn at Magness Ranch in Bristol, operated by Pashia Blalock and Catherine Becker, is hosting its Bristol Craft and Vendor event on Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Commencing the opening of the redesigned Ennis City Hall on Tuesday was the first occasion to conduct the business of the City Commission in the new chambers. A standing room only crowd at the start was onhand for several positive comings and goings.

Ennis junior thrower, Heath Vernor, finished third at the Class 5A Track & Field State Championships in Austin last week. His discus sailed 185’9” at the University of Texas Mike A. Myers Track Stadium. At 6’4, it was the second consecutive year to qualify for the state tourney.

Ennis history enthusiast Henrietta Novotny (left), a regular reader of this column, and her friend, writer Karen Witte, are pictured here as they look over several of the many scrapbooks that Novotny compiled during her time as a shop owner in Ennis for over three decades.