Juneteenth Celebration June 21, 2025

 Juneteenth Spirit Endures in the Valley.

Front page article July 19 in The Arizona Republic interviews our own Todd Bailey about the Saturday, July 21 celebration at AZHC.

Juneteenth marks the Union forces’ June 19, 1865, announcement in Galveston, Texas, of the emancipation of more than 250,000 slaves in the former Confederate state.

Come celebrate with us!

Lyndon Baines Johnson library

The Texas tour took us to the LBJ library in Austin. Lady Bird Johnson worked tirelessly to create the presidential library to her husband. His legacy lives on.

Donna Esposito and Clede Gorrell confer with LBJ

Lady Bird campaigned non stop for her husband

Capitol building Austin, Texas

Day 3 brought the Historical League Texas tour to Austin and the fabulous Capitol building. VERY impressive! The rotunda is so tall that the Statue of Liberty could easily stand inside.

Bad Hair Day

Did anyone mention the humidity in Texas? The fabulous Historical League trip included a few comments about having a "Bad Hair Day".  Curls, waves and frizz or straight and flat . . . what's a girl to do? Gifts of t-shirts to Linda and Lindy said it all! "Jeep Hair Don't Care" and "Lake Hair Don't Care".

Texas Whitehouse

No wonder President Lyndon B Johnson wanted to get away from the hectic Washington political scene and enjoy his ranch. Such a peaceful, tranquil place. BIG SKY. Texas style. Although he brought the politics with him most times, entertaining foreign heads of state, Congressmen, Movers and Shakers. Anyone he could influence with this majestic 2000 acre ranch was treated to a backyard BBQ by the river under the 300 year old Oak trees.

Herefords graze under hundred year old trees

LBJ Texas White House

Impromptu Happy Hour in Fredericksburg, TX

With two hours between Fredericksburg history and Luckenbach guitar picking, we decided on a Happy Hour with whatever we could find in the hotel lobby. Always lots of memories with this group!

Seated: Norma Jean Coulter, Lee Rogers, Julie Moore, Mary McMahon, Zona Lorig, Mary Parker, Susan Dale.
Standing: Dianne Linthicum, Nancy Evans, Bonnie Newhoff, Ruth McLeod

Zona Lorig, Mary Parker, Susan Dale, Ruth McLeod, Lee Rogers

Lee Rogers, Ruth McLeod, Zona Lorig, Mary Parker bursting into song, “Between Hank Williams’ pain songs / Newbury’s train songs / and “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain” / Out in Luckenbach, Texas, ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain.”

“Between Hank Williams’ pain songs / Newbury’s train songs / and “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain” / Out in Luckenbach, Texas, ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain.”

Read More: Top 10 Country Songs About Texas | http://theboot.com/songs-about-texas/?trackback=tsmclip

“Between Hank Williams’ pain songs / Newbury’s train songs / and “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain” / Out in Luckenbach, Texas, ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain.”

Read More: Top 10 Country Songs About Texas | http://theboot.com/songs-about-texas/?trackback=tsmclip

Luckenbach, TX and backwoods BBQ

"Backwoods BBQ for dinner since no visit to Texas would be complete without a BBQ and unique evening entertainment." reads our itinerary.

Jan Murray sums up our appreciation to our tour leaders Linda Fritsch and Lindy Isacksen, "What a fantastic trip you girls planned.  You had it down to the minute and that is not easy with a large group.  We were like herding cats. I really enjoyed my first league trip and getting to know more league members. Looking forward to future functions. I admire all the work you did to make it such a success.  Thanks again."
The evening entertainment included roosters in the trees!

Stroll through history at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas

Donna Esposito and Clede Gorrell

Amazing stories of German relocation to this area in May 1846 are told at the Pioneer Museum. With photos, videos, refurbished homes, schools and farm equipment, we learned about the trials and tribulations of 120 German men, women and children who began the last segment of the long and dangerous journey to their new home in Texas. Hope of a freer, more prosperous future for themselves and children strengthened them to endure the miseries of the trip and the hardships yet to come.  It is a definite MUST SEE when you are in the Texas hill country.

 In Fredericksburg, traces of the past are all around you. A quick glance suggests the German heritage of the town - the limestone constructions of its buildings, the names of its commercial buildings, the celebrations and festivals.

Susan Dale at the Pioneer Museum entrance

Barb Ziehler, Susan Howard, Jan Murray

Donna Esposito, Jan Murray, Clede Gorrell

Susan Howard admires the limestone buildings

Somber Memorial at Fort Hood

Our tour guides, Linda Fritsch and Lindy Isacksen made sure we saw as much as possible in three days. Staying at the Shilo Inn in Killeen, TX we walked to the touching memorial dedicated to the 13 victims from the November 5, 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood.
It was a somber time to reflect and respect our military.
More information at
http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/-Dedication-set-for-memorial-to-victims-of-Fort-Hood-shooting-rampage-371799602.html