Bobcats "Scratch Past Owls"

The Bobcats defeated Odem 35-28 in Tuesday's rescheduled varsity football game. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports on what appears to have been a very exciting game: Bobcats scratch past Owls

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Longtime Signal advertiser Rob's Digital Photography has been quietly busy photographing recent S-T sporting events. New additions to his S-T sports gallery include varsity football and volleyball games and even a Junior High football game. Take a look for yourself at Rob's Skidmore-Tynan sports gallery.

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Bobcat Make-Up Games, Homecoming Rescheduled

The Bobcat Homecoming game and ceremony has been rescheduled Friday, October 14 vs. Banquete. Bobcat/Ladycat make-up games resulting from the hurricane Rita evacuation are scheduled as follows:

Volleyball
Monday, Sept. 26 - Varsity Ladycats vs. Odem
Tuesday and Friday of the week of Sept. 26 are back on original schedule (Varsity only)

Football
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. Varsity Bobcats vs. Odem - AWAY
Saturday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. Varsity Bobcats vs. Freer - HOME
Friday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. Varsity Bobcats vs. George West - AWAY
(back on regular schedule)

September Signal Available at Local Stores

This month's issue of the Signal features a new and improved version the Skidmore Historical Business map. The map is a work in progress and readers are encouraged to provide any additional information they may have regarding local businesses in operation during the early 1900s.

Regular contributor Edwin Wallek writes about the Olmos Clubhouse and Jo Kreis reflects on lessons learned from hurricane Katrina. Connie Sugarek shares a story (incorrectly attributed to her husband Steve) about an unreported tornado that damaged their Olmos home. "Tech Notes" writer J.D. Henshall shares his observations on the many services provided by Google.com and describes the increasing popularity of internet-based (VOIP) telephone services.

NOTE: If you picked up a copy of the Skidmore Signal at the Beeville HEB in the last couple of days, you no doubt noticed that the interior pages were out of order. The newspapers had already been delivered to HEB before we noticed the error.

Good Grief! The Signal's Gone Commercial

Yes, it's true, regular readers of the online version of the Skidmore Signal will have noticed an increase in dreaded ad banners on the site. The Signal recently joined two advertising affiliate programs - Google Adsense and the Linkshare network.

Google Adsense offers up advertising based on the actual content of the Signal website (hence all the recent football-related items).

The second advertising affiliate, the Linkshare network, allows us to link to a wide variety of products and services from nationally recognized retailers like Target and Walmart, as well as internet-only services like Shutterfly and Apple's iTunes music store.

Please bear with us as we experiment with these affiliate services. Our goal is to provide links to services that Signal readers find useful so please feel free to make suggestions at any time via the comments links below each news entry.

Bee County Tropical Storm Warning Cancelled

S-T ISD Closed, Rita Now Category 5

S-T ISD Superintendent Brett Belmarez advises the Signal that all athletic events have been cancelled for the week including the Odem Varsity Football game previously moved to Thursday night. S-T ISD will be closed Thursday through Friday and may be closed Monday pending further notice.

County Judge Jimmy Martinez has advised citizens of Bee County to prepare for a "voluntary" evacuation and has called an emergency meeting of the Commissioner Court. Bee County Government offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.

UPDATE: In wake of school and goverment closures, and evacuations abroad, the NWS just confirmed that Rita is now a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 160+ MPH.

To stay up-to-date on the latest information, please visit the KRIS-TV Hurricane Center to see a 5-day projected path of Hurricane Rita. Also visit the National Weather Service Online and FoxNews for the latest updates and information on the storm.

Coastal Bend College Cancels Classes

In anticipation of Hurricane Rita, Coastal Bend College announced minutes ago that they will be closed from Thursday, September 22, 2005 from 12:00pm (noon) through Monday, September 26, 2005 at 8:00am. All faculty, classes, and on-campus services will not be available.

Classes will resume at 8:00am Monday morning. For more information, visit the CBC website at www.coastalbend.edu.

Bobcats "Ruin Panthers Homecoming"

Last week's Varsity Bobcat upset over Aransas Pass earned a nice write-up on the Caller-Times website: Skidmore-Tynan surprises AP

Varsity Football Moved to Thursday Due to Hurricane Rita

UPDATE 9/21 -- GAME CANCELLED -- Friday's Varsity football game in Odem has been rescheduled a day earlier to avoid potential conflicts with Hurricane evacuation. Thursday's regularly scheduled Junior High and Junior Varsity games have been cancelled. There is a possibility volleyball games may also be cancelled or rescheduled but the Signal has not yet received official notification.

Lions Punt, Pass, & Kick Results

Participants in Saturday's Punt, Pass & Kick competition.

The Skidmore-Tynan Lions hosted their Annual Punt, Pass and Kick competition Saturday, September 17th.

As in the years past, the Skidmore-Tynan ISD coaches, headed by Athletic Director Adam Arroyo, graciously pitched in to handle most of the set up and measuring. The competition began at 9:15 a.m. at Bobcat Stadium for children ages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 years of age.

Results are as follow:

Age 7
1st Place - Lance Glew

Age 8
1st Place - Cody Leonard
2nd Place - Alexandria Lara
3rd Place - Ryan Jimenez

Age 9
1st Place - Alex Acosta
2nd Place - Michael Huerta
3rd Place - Andrew Casarez

Age 10
1st Place - Brandon East
2nd Place - Kyle Jostes
3rd Place - Mauricie Hinojosa

Age 11
1st Place - Lucas Glew
2nd Place - Rene Jimenez
3rd Place - Aaliyah East

Age 12
1st Place - Donato Salinas Jr.
2nd Place - Zachary Mengers

Also participating were:
Simon Perez, Rebekah Colle, Vanessa Salinas, Courtney Leonard, and Zachary Mortensen.

Ribbons were presented to each participant. Trophies for First, Second and Third Place competitors in each age group will be presented prior to the Homecoming Game. The S-T Lions wish to thank the High School and Junior High coaches who volunteer their time each year. Thanks also to Joe Torres and J.D. White for their assistance in retrieving footballs.


Andrew Casarez lines up a kick as Zachary Mengers looks on.

Click here for Lions Punt, Pass, & Kick photos at Shutterfly.com

Sports Pics - Varsity Bobcats 34 - Falls City 6

Players and cheerleaders from both teams participated in a pre-game ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11 and hurricane Katrina.


Senior Bubba Gonzales turns on the afterburners.

Click here for more game photos at Shutterfly.com

School Board Approves 2005-06 Budget

S-T ISD Trustees met Monday, August 29 to approve the budget for the upcoming school year. Action items listed on the agenda for the August 29 meeting included:

Consideration and Possible Approval of Board Policy BDD (Local). - This policy, recommended for adoption by the Texas Association of School Boards, essentially designates the superintendent as the primary contact with the school's attorney. Trustee Ysrael Salinas, reading from a prepared statement, voiced his opposition to adoption of the new policy. The item was dropped for lack of a motion.

Consideration and Possible Approval of the 2005-2006 Budget. - This item was approved after lengthy discussion regarding the establishment of a Home Economics program contained within the budget.

Consideration and Possible Adoption of an Ordinance for a Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2006. - This item was approved.

Consideration and Possible Approval of Personnel Recomendations. - The board approved the hiring of Cheryl Renae Arnold (Intervention) and Maxie Beyer (7th & 8th grade math).

In their next meeting, Monday, September 12, 2005 at 6:00 p.m., S-TISD Trustees will consider action on 2005-06 campus goals and objectives, and approve personnel recommendations. The board will also revisit the aforementioned board policy BDD Local designating access to the school's attorney. Two additional items are added by board president Rick Olivares including "Amended Board Policy BE (Local)Board Meetings," and "Written Directive to the Superintendent of Schools" The latter appears to be related to a recent directive by the board to limit access to informational packets previously made available by written request under the Public Information Act.

Skidmore Signal Photos Available Online

By popular demand, the Signal now offers online photo sharing via the internet's most popular photo service. When you see a Shutterfly link on the Signal website, just click to view photos of Skidmore-Tynan sports and news events. Shutterfly also allows you to share your own photos online and order prints and lots of other custom photo items. Click on the Shutterfly banner below to set up your account. It's free and easy!

Edwin Wallek Jr. Stories Included in Texas Czech History Books

Edwin Wallek, Jr., writer of Historical Notes in the Skidmore Signal, has seven stories in a book printed by the Texas Czech Genealogical Society. This two book set contains over 400 articles by more than 150 individuals. It has Czech Family Genealogy, Biographies of Czech Pioneers and Memories of Early Czech Life. Those wishing to purchase the two volume set can do so by Internet at, www.txczgs.org or by mail to, Bill Holden, 1201 Nimbus Drive, Pflugerville, TX 78660. The price is $90.00 plus $10.00 shipping. Order via the internet before September 15 for a $15 discount and delivery about November 15, 2005, just in time for Christmas.

Sports Pics - Bobcat JV Football vs. Falls City

Chris Hall executes a perfect catch and "fleaflicker" toss to Eric Boggess (out of frame) who ran the ball in for a touchdown against the Falls City Junior Varsity. Unfortunately, the touchdown was called back on a questionable ruling by the officials.

Click here for more game photos at Shutterfly.com

Junior High Football vs. Falls City

Kevin Shumake sacks the QB in Thursday's 8th grade game versus Falls City.

The 7th and 8th grad football teams traveled to Falls City last Thursday and came away with a split. In the 7th grade game, Falls City traveled the length of the field in the 1st quarter and scored on a running play to make the score 6-0. The score remained 6-0 until the 3rd quarter when Bobcat quarterback Derek Boggus scored on a 1 yard run. The Cats had a long drive thanks in part to some fine blocking by the offensive line. In the 4th quarter, the host Beavers scored the winning touchdown to make the final score 12-6 Falls City.

In the 8th grade game, the Cats wasted no time getting on the board. Early in the game, after a Falls City punt, Bobcat running back Alex Gonzales ran off of left tackle for a 70 yard touchdown. Adam Perez added a 2 point conversion to bring the score to 8-0. Again after a Beaver punt, Gonzales, on the same exact play scored from 80 yards out and another 2 point conversion by Perez brought the score to 16-0 after one quarter. The Bobcats ended the half with the score 16-6 after a Beaver touchdown in the second quarter. The Cats had some big hits on defense and the Beavers found it hard to run. The Beavers went to the air where they had some success. In the 4th quarter, the Beavers closed the gap to 16-12. The Beavers had the ball for the last ten seconds of the contest but were held by the Cats, making the final score 16-12. -- Submitted by the S-T ISD Coaching Staff

Lions Punt, Pass and Kick September 17

The Lions will host our Annual Punt, Pass and Kick competition for boys and girls ages 7 through 12 years old on September 17th. The competition will be limited to those boys and girls who attend Skidmore-Tynan ISD or are “Home Schooled” and live within the District .

This years, as in the years past, the Skidmore-Tynan ISD coaches, headed by Athletic Director Adam Arroyo, will pitch in and handle most of the set up and measuring. The competition will begin at 9:00 A. M. in Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, September 17. We will have a booth set up on September 14th the day of the Open House at the school. We will be registering any boy or girl for the competition who are 7, 8, 9 10, 11 or 12 years old. The registration forms will explain how the age of each contestant will be determined and how the competition will be run. If you have any questions, contact any coach or Lion for information.

Trophies will be presented to the First, Second and Third Place competitors in each age group and Participation Ribbons will be presented to each participant. Plans are in the works for the trophies to be presented just prior to the “kick-off” of the Homecoming Coming Game. Word will be passed as soon as the plans are final. The ribbons will be presented right after all participants have completed their turn and the tally sheets turned in for final decision.

The Lions will be operating a small concession stand during the competition. Sodas, water and pickles will be available. This will help defray the cost of the trophies and ribbons.

Come out and watch our “next generation” of football stars in action. Our children need our support and encouragement. -- Submitted by Lion Russell Duggins

Bobcats 39 - Woodsboro 6

The Victoria Advocate has a brief capsule on the Varsity Bobcats' Friday night football victory over Woodsboro.

Teen Rescues Busload of Katrina Survivors

Did you hear about the "renegade" bus of New Orleans refugees that arrived early and unannounced at the Astrodome? It turns out the school bus was "commandeered" by an 18 year old boy, Jabbor Gibson, who drove around picking up total strangers for the 7 hour drive to Houston. This young man managed to do for a small group of people what the combined efforts of the state and federal government could not. South Texas' News Channel 5 KRGV-TV has the story: Taking refuge in the Astrodome. The article ends by pointing out that the kid "could find himself in a world of trouble for stealing the school bus. I say "Not if there is any justice in the world!

Disaster Coverage - Blogger Style

Rescue vehicles make their way through flooded streets to the Superdome. Photo by Michael Barnett, DirectNIC.com.

He may be nuts but this guy weathered the storm and has a birds eye view of the chaos unfolding in New Orleans. For more amazing stories and photos, meet the "Interdictor." WARNING: Occasional coarse language.


A building burns in New Orleans. Photo by Michael Barnett, DirectNIC.com.

Sports Pics: JV Bobcats Victory Over Woodsboro

The Bobcats put up a stiff defense in Thursday's Junior Varsity game versus Woodsboro.


QB Garrett Vandever passes under heavy pressure.


A Woodsboro running back finds himself with nowhere to run.

Baptist Men Again Called Into Action

Local members of the Texas Baptist Men disaster relief group, Jimmy Hudson and Bill Hartman left Wednesday to aid victims of hurricane Katrina. The two are joined in Orange Texas on the Louisiana border by TBM members from Corpus Christi, George West, and Alice. Pat Hartman reports that volunteers prepared 800 lunches today for distribution by the Red Cross and Salvation Army to refugees fleeing the devastated city of New Orleans. According to Mrs. Hartman, every relief unit in the church's fleet has been dispatched to the area.

New Orleans Needs Our Support

On a recent visit to New Orleans, I sat next to an elderly woman on a streetcar. She was obviously a local, so I struck up a conversation. She politely answered my questions about the area attractions and at what stop to exit the car. We had quite a long conversation as we rattled along the length of Canal Street and, while I do not recall her name, I can't help wondering if she and her family were able to escape the city before the storm hit.

I'll never know the fate of my helpful lady friend or if she is among the refugees desperately awaiting transport our of the city. But I do know that there are thousands just like her who need YOUR help now. Please click here to donate what you can to the Red Cross relief effort. Together we can help put this horrible ordeal behind the people of New Orleans and speed the recovery of their historic city.

Technology Aiding in Katrina Rescue and Relief

With the obvious deteriorating conditions in the Gulf coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, machine is going where man cannot, in an effort save lives, suvey damage, and prevent rescuers from risking too much. Science and technology has an alternative as MSNBC reports.

Use technology to help out at home. Get on the Internet and go to the American Red Cross as well as the official FEMA website for information how you can help.

Another Skidmore Area Highway Drug Bust

Skidmore roads continue to serve as a dead end to not-so-sharp drug traffickers. The latest criminal to pass through with a half ton of marijuana didn't get stopped for behaving suspiciously - he simply had an expired registration sticker. The Victoria Advocate reports DPS seizes 633 pounds of marijuana.

Big Buck Contest

With deer season almost upon us, it's time to gear up for the annual Bee County Wildlife Management Association (BCWMA) 2005-2006 Big Buck Contest. The contest is open to all adults and children and both bow and gun hunters.

To be eligible, game must come from land owned by a BCWMA member, or be harvested in Bee County by a hunter who is a member of BCWMA prior to harvesting the animal. A $10 entry fee and a completed entry form per person (both adults and children) is required to participate and must be paid prior to October 1, 2005 for bow hunters and before November 1, 2005 for gun hunters. Prizes will be awarded by division and include a new high quality deer rifle, broadcast feeder, 22 pistol, and binoculars. Prizes will be presented at the BCWMA annual meeting in February.

For full rules and an entry application, come by the Bee County Extension office or one of our sponsors. For more information, contact Pat True at 361-548-5059 or by email at lazybox8@aol.com.

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Annual Button Show. Enjoy the art of buttons? Then the fifth annual Antique Button Show and Sale Saturday, October 1, will be the place to go. Vintage clothing buttons by the thousands, ole time autoharp music and a visit to a historic site will all be available from 10AM to 3PM at the Park Hotel Antiques Shoppe, 8937 N. Highway 181 in Tuleta. The Park Hotel is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark as designated by the Texas Historic Commission. There is no admission charge to attend and the event will be held rain or shine. Clothing buttons are considered by many as works of art which mirror the history, customs, and economy of our nation’s culture. Over 15,000 buttons will be on display and for sale during the event. -- The SonShine Girls will be performing from 10AM to noon on the hotel veranda. The group features folk and gospel selections accompanied by the autoharp. Exhibit space is available for those wishing to sell or show buttons. For more information or to reserve an exhibit space, please call 361-375-2558.

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