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TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

Tidy up unfinished business and head in an innovative direction. Use your expertise, knowledge and experience to take advantage of an opportunity that interests you. Traveling, learning, socializing and personal

Railway tycoon had Ennis ties

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Colorful excerpts of Ennis and Ellis County history

He may have been the wealthiest man to set foot in Ennis. Born in London, Col. Edward Howland Robinson Green, nicknamed “Ned,” was educated in New York and Chicago before heading south in 1892 to take control of the Texas Midland Railroad, a soonto-be lucrative family investment.

Mysterious 1899 death of German VIP

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I have room for only a few yesteryear news items this week, most of these provided by newspapapers.com, where some local publications are archived. In addition, I consulted back issues of the Ennis Daily News and Ennis Weekly Local from my own collection.

Youth at the helm

September in Ennis was hottest, driest on record

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WEATHER

When one’s favorite outdoor activity is going back indoors, its summer in the south. While September usually signals a change of venue, in Ennis it was as though the thermostat was set for fried hell.

According to our resident meteorologist and TV weather watcher Ron Vestal, the just concluded month was not only the hottest on record, at least in the near 50 years he’s been charting Ennis, but it was also the driest as well.

Home Tour tickets on sale

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COMMUNITY

Ever since the August announcement was recently made of the five houses that will be included on the upcoming Christmas Home Tour, interest in the event has grown. Hosted by The Friends of the Ennis Public Library, proceeds will benefit that organization.

Spurgeon seeks Bardwell mayoral post

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COUNTY

Seven months after her husband, Bardwell Chief of Police Mike Spurgeon, died in a tragic accident on S.H. 34, Shannon Spurgeon will seek to keep his legacy alive when she runs for mayor of the Ennis suburb, Bardwell.

Voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballot in favor of either Spurgeon, 49, or Larry G. Gilbert, 76, who once served a two-year term as mayor 28 years ago.

The Raised bed garden

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Joe Lamp’l, host and executive producer of the PBS-TV series Growing A Greener World, believes in promoting sustainability in his books and columns. The raised bed is one of the best ways, he says, to create a healthy, productive garden. And the best part is, he maintains, no matter how bad the ground you’re starting with, ideal planting conditions can be created for soil structure and drainage; essential keys to success include the following important considerations.

1.Options to contain the soil

Growing your own blueberries

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Blueberries are among the most nutritious food of all. The fruits are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber. They are great for healthy snacks, making into preserves or pies, or canning. Growing your own is easy so long as you keep a few things in mind while choosing your plants and putting them in the right location.

There are several types of blueberry plants: highbush, half-high, lowbush, and rabbiteye. Highbush blueberries reach five to six feet tall and will spread an equal amount (zones 4-8).

City hopes for voter approval of existing .25 percent tax

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SAFETY

An important item for Ennis residents is on the ballot next month when Proposition A comes up to a vote. If approved by voters, it will continue for the current sales tax rate, which was passed two years ago, to resume with proceeds going toward the completion of the new police and fire facilities on Lake Bardwell Rd (Hwy. 34).

Ready for a Hay-Mazing good time

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DOWNTOWN

Ben Vyers adds finishing touches to the Ennis Bluebonnet flower on location of the Autumn Hay Maze.