The Blackland Prairies and Post Oak Savannah

Pre-settlement conditions of the western counties were that of a true prairie grassland community dominated by a diverse assortment of perennial and annual grasses and forbs (weeds). The fertile dark clay soils of the Blackland Prairies are some of the richest soils in the world. Many early settlers who first encountered the blackland prairie described it as a vast endless sea of grasses and wildflowers with sparsely scattered trees or mottes of oaks. Wooded areas were restricted to bottomlands along major rivers and streams, ravines, protected areas, or on certain soil types. People are often surprised to learn that trees, including some of significant size, comprise a part of the prairie ecosystem. Pecan, cedar elm, various oaks, and hackberry dot the landscape, with mesquite invading some areas. However, development and the suppression of natural fires have allowed more trees to flourish in this region than ever before. The dominant grass of this true tall-grass prairie is little bluestem, but big blue stem, Indiangrass, eastern gammagrass, switchgrass, and side oats grama can also be found. Today, only 5,000 of the original 12 million acres remain in true prairie condition.

The eastern counties of this region are part of the Post Oak Savannah Ecoregion. As the name implies, the original plant community associated with this region was a savannah dominated by native bunch grasses and forbs with scattered clumps of trees, primarily post oaks and blackjack oaks. Black hickory may also be locally abundant. Cedar elm, sugarberry, eastern red cedar, and common persimmon are also widespread. Forested areas were generally restricted to bottomlands along major rivers and creeks, or in areas protected from fire. Historically, wide vistas of tall-grass – little bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, and a myriad of wildflowers were broken only by the occasional group of trees giving the landscape a park-like atmosphere. Peat bogs mingled amongst stands of flowering dogwood, sassafras, bumelia and yaupon are also found here. Soils within the area are unique. Sands and sandy loams are predominantly found on upland sites, while clay or clay loams are typically associated with bottomlands. A dense clay pan, that is almost impervious to water, underlies all soil types within the region at depths of only a few feet.

For more information on the historical perspective of this region, please see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/habitats/post_oak.

Navarro County Real Estate

By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
So far in 2009, the rate of home foreclosure growth has slowed dramatically in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. But economists and real estate analysts worry that a surge in local layoffs could lead to more homes lost later this year.

In 2008, more than 21,000 Dallas-Fort Worth area homes were sold at foreclosure auction by lenders after borrowers defaulted on their mortgages.

The flood of foreclosed homes has affected almost every neighborhood in North Texas.

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Feb. 27

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

Feb. 28

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for Walker Creek Karaoke with Howard and Loran from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.

March 6

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Pure Country Karaoke with John and Connie. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

March 7

Big C Jamboree will be held at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Music Hall, 201 S. Beaton St. The house band will include Chuck Wiginton, Joe Honea, Zanada Tally, Jody Thomas, Ron Sikes, and Bobby Fluker, who will also be the emcee. Special guests will be Fred Hayes, Stan Lawhon, Russell Bailey, Billy Roy Mitcham, and B.G. Williams. Tickets will be $10 per person. For more information, contact Jody Thomas at (903) 641-1538.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for Pure Country Karaoke with Connie and John from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. Sons of American Legion will have a spaghetti dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. at $6 per person. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.

March 13

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

March 14

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for Walker Creek Karaoke with Howard and Loran from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.

March 20

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Pure Country Karaoke with John and Connie. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

March 21

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for a sock hop. Dance to the music of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Prizes will be given for the best dressed male and female. Entertainment will be Pure Country Karaoke with Connie and John from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.

March 27

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

March 28

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for a night of music and dancing with Mr. Rock ‘n Roll from Ennis. Entertainment will be from 8 p.m. to midnight. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.

Source

By Janet JacobsConstruction began Monday to rebuild East 12th Avenue in Corsicana from Seventh Street to 12th Street on the south side of the city.

The project will take about six months to complete, according to Elizabeth Borstad, city engineer.

Twelfth and its cross-streets will be closed to traffic for the next six months. Other than Business 45, Main Street will be the only road open for through traffic along that stretch.

When completed, the concrete avenue should look like the new West 13th Avenue, near Oil City Iron Works. The 13th Avenue project was paid for with grant money about two years ago.

The project is a part of the bond package approved by voters in 2007, and will eventually incorporate several repair and reconstruction projects throughout the city.

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By Bob BelcherThe future growth and appearance of Corsicana may very well be influenced by a group that works “outside the box” of government influence.

The phrase “outside the box” accurately describes the body known as the Strategic Planning Group, or SPG. They have taken on a large task — helping craft a better, cleaner, easier to market Corsicana and Navarro County.

And the work toward meeting that goal — admittedly a long-term one — is already underway.

The Strategic Planning Group is comprised of active and retired business people, community leaders and volunteers that are looking at various aspects of the city. Infrastructure, thoroughfares, community identity and “branding” are but a few of the aspects the group is analyzing. The desired result — a workable plan for progress that includes a “buy-in” from every segment of the community.

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The Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce has announced a change of dates for the upcoming Navarro County Day in Austin.

Scheduling problems with facilities at the state capitol forced organizers of the bi-annual trip to Austin to move the date back one day. It is now scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, according to Paul Hooper, executive director of the chamber.

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Valentine’s Day was a day to love to fish on Richland Chambers as Skeeter Bass Champs North Region began its 2009 season. Three bass were weighed in tickling the 10 pound mark, with a winning stringer just shy of 30 pounds! Richard Draper and Phil Marks topped a field of 183 teams and took home $26,000 in cash for their win!

The lake was wind-blown and murky on this cold, chilly morning. Despite that it was an incredible day. Looking at the statistics in most tournaments, the average per bass weight runs in the two pound range. The average bass of the 329 weighed in was just over three pounds! Several big bass were weighed in, including three just missing the 10 pound mark. Richard Draper and Phil Marks had the biggest weighing 9.82 pounds, a big part of their winning stringer totaling 29.88 pounds.

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by Shannon Cotton

Texans Report “fireballs” and “explosions” Sunday Shortly before noon on Sunday, February 15, Central Texas law enforcement officials began receiving calls from startled residents concerned about a possible plane crash or explosion. Local residents reported seeing burning objects falling from the sky, and many reported hearing a loud “explosion” and feeling their homes shake.

Shortly after 12 p.m. Sunday, Waco news station KWTX alerted residents that law enforcement officials were looking for the source of a “loud explosion” heard and felt by residents throughout Central Texas. A short time later, it was reported that an FAA spokesman said the agency suspected that residents were seeing and feeling the effects of falling debris from the U.S. and Russian satellites that collided in space last week.

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