Prior to the monthly meeting, some members of EBLC performed with JCRSP to celebrate the World Singing Day event. Since many of EBLC’s membership are also retired teachers, on September 15, six EBLC members joined in with 70 plus retirees to sing together “The Eyes of Texas”. They were accompanied on the guitar by EBLC member Lura Faye Motley’s husband, Jack.
Former President Carolyn Swenson informed the JCRSP of the merits of singing, and we truly did “foster unity and harmony through a common experience”. It was a lighthearted and fun experience; it was obvious that joy of this kind can only boost one’s spirit!
The initial meeting of the 2025-2026 year for the Eleanor Brackenridge Literary Club, held in the Texana Room of the Farquar Building, was called to order by President Carolyn Strnadel. She introduced the Sheriff of Jackson County, Rick Boone, who also brought Chief Deputy Derrick Bermea and Investigator Brandon Callis. These gentlemen each contributed to a picture of law enforcement prevention regarding gang involvement and drug availability in the area.
Additionally, information about staffing, which is fully supported as of this time with the addition of extra dispatchers, who take and direct calls from all levels of enforcers within the county, and the possibility of a new Justice Center, which would allow for a larger jail plus courtroom space were also discussed. As an aid to both the police and to the education system, there are 28 educators who are in the Guardian program and can carry guns.
The news about gangs included the highway 59 corridor being used for narcotic running; the fact that some prison gangs are in existence due to feeling forced to protect themselves from the notorious gang members; and there is a local gang of young people, unfortunately. Sherrif Boone noted that a large boost to law enforcement is the elimination of cell phones in the school and that vapes are being removed from convenience stores. Our group seemed amazed and enlightened to learn of edible THC products that are available in smoke shops in the guise of a bag of potato chips! Aiding the officers’ work is a project named Jackson 1, which has counselors to service substance abuse folks at the hospital and at the jail; there is also a fulltime nurse service at the jail.
After the very informative presentation by Sheriff Boone and his officers, the business was chaired by President Carolyn Strnadel. Included in the agenda was her congrats to those who helped with the Lions Club Back*to*School eye check project.
Trivia will be on a new date this year, March 27, 2026. Bingo will be held on June 11, 2026. The Good Taco Truck will be at both events.
October 27 will be the date of the Trunk or Treat event at the high school. Candy will be distributed from 5 to 7. Jeannie Hale suggested that we invite Kadence Johnson, local pageant winner, to help us.
The Federation Counselor Carolyn Swenson announced that she, President Strnadel and Secretary Diann Walleck will attend the GFWC Fall Board Meeting in Austin at the end of September. They have been requested to prepare and preside over a 4-category rendition of our traditional Trivia contest. The topics are to be centered around GFWC items of involvement and/or interests. These are to be answered by the expected 80 plus attendees from across the state who all should know the EBLC name by the time they go home!
A $100 donation to the Jackson County Retired School Personnel’s scholarship fund for allowing our group to join with them to celebrate and sing together as a joint project. Also, a thank you note will be sent to Jack Motley for his accompaniment.
As a part of the effort to aid in the work against trafficking of humans it was decided that full-sized toiletries would be purchased by our local Fall Board meeting participants with the amounts for donations not to exceed $200.
