Nikki Maxwell/newseditor@gonzalescannon.com

Local artists Hal Shipley and Jan Meeks began realizing their dream of a permanent art show when they bought the 1920’s big, red, two story building in downtown Harwood and began renovating it earlier this year. They fondly refer to it as their “vendor booth with a roof.”
On Track Arts held a soft opening a few months ago, and since has only been open on Saturdays.

I didn’t really know what to expect. I knew U.S. Navy boot camp wasn’t going to be easy, and I was prepared for a challenge.
But I wasn’t prepared to have two men standing two inches from my face yelling at the top of their lungs every morning for two months.
And I wasn’t prepared to be thrust into a close-quarters living environment with so many other scared, exhausted, stinky people who at the end of each day just wanted the same thing I wanted — a hot shower and lots of sleep.

Layne Becker stars as Willy Wonka and Mackenzie Moers as Charlie Bucket in the Gonzales High School production of “Willy Wonka Junior,” which opens at 7 p.m. Friday at the Gonzales Junior High Auditorium. Performances are also set at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 and 2 p.m. Nov. 13. Tickets at the door are $8 for adults and $6 for students, or you can buy them in advance at either the high school or junior high offices for $2 off.  (Courtesy Photo)

Entertainer Marvin Gershowitz, of The Hope Weaver Variety Show, serenades Arlene “Sue” Cavasar during the “Octoberfest” celebration sponsored by Texan Nursing and Rehab, Oct. 11. During the event, Dr. James C. Price was the big winner, earning several door prizes, and bringing home the big bucks (Photos by Nikki Maxwell)

The family and extended family of Sabrina Flores staged a benefit barbecue plate sale Saturday to raise funds to help defray Sabrina’s medical expenses. Sabrina was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called HLH Homophagocytic Lymphohistioytosis — but she had lots of support on hand Saturday. (Photo by Nikki Maxwell)

Dozens of Gonzales residents celebrated the observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the Pink Ribbon Brunch at First Lutheran Church on Saturday. The event also included a hat-decorating contest, which drew some very colorful entries. Larissa Tecsh (top left) shared the story of her victory over and how she’s since raised a family. (Photos by Nikki Maxwell)

Representatives from Holt Catapillar manufacturing company were in Gonzales on Oct. 4, treating early morning visitors to Mr. Taco with free breakfast. The gesture was the company’s way of saying “thank you” to oil and gas pipeline workers in the Eagle Ford Shale area, who are bringing an increasing amount of industrial business to the entire region. Pictured are Adam Haby, Peter John Holt, Marshall Ward, Contessa Baird and Blaine Baird. Also pictured is a Holt Cat employee greeting customers as they enter Mr. Taco. (Photo by Nikki Maxwell)

Our three terriers provide hours of mindless entertainment.
Usually its while watching them wrestle each other from one corner of the living room to the other, making gutteral growls as if they actually mean to tear each other apart.  After they tucker out, they curl up together sleeping in a furry pile of twitching ears and wagging tails.

If you’ve driven by the Gonzales County Courthouse lately, you may be wondering why there’s a clothesline on the lawn. Here’s why.
The Commissioners Court signed a petition Oct. 11, supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Gonzales County. Part of that awareness is The Clothesline Project, a visual display that bears witness to the violence against women.
During the public display, a clothesline is hung with shirts, each decorated to represent a particular woman’s experience by the survivor herself, or by someone who cares about her.

City of Gonzales Finance Director Joe Cavazos is scheduled to retire at the end of the month, according to City Manager Allen Barnes.
“His last official day will be Monday, Oct. 31,” Barnes told The Cannon Wednesday.
Cavazos has been employed by the city for 8 1/2 years.  He has served as finance director for that entire period.
“I’ve enjoyed being here, but my wife and I felt it was in our best interest for me to retire,” Cavazos said.