On the Road

Head to La Grange to walk in the footsteps of true Texas heroes

Texas Heroes Day is hosted in September on Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites.

Photo courtesy of City of La Grange

Nestled along the Colorado River, La Grange is a place steeped in history, natural beauty, and some deliciously authentic fare, thanks to the town’s pioneering German, Czech, and Moravian immigrants who settled here in the 19th century.

And, if you were wondering, La Grange is indeed home to the famed Chicken Ranch, which was the inspiration for the hit musical and film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. And let us not also forget ZZ Top’s classic rock song “La Grange.”

But in addition to those claims to fame, there’s plenty more to explore. With a kolache or two in hand, hit the farmers market each Saturday, head to a museum, and check out the Old World charm of downtown.

Another must-see stop? The Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites in a beautiful park setting.

In 1849, German immigrant Heinrich Ludwig Kreische purchased 172 acres of land, including Monument Hill, which honors the Texan heroes who lost their lives in the 1842 Dawson Massacre, and the ill-fated Mier expedition, where Texans had to draw beans for their lives.

In addition, Kreische also started one of the first commercial breweries in Texas in the 1860s. You can see the stone ruins of Kreische Brewery and tour what was once the Kreische family home.

Mark your calendar for Texas Heroes Day on September 17, 2022, hosted at Monument Hill. The memorial ceremony honors the fallen soldiers from Dawson and Mier and will include guest speakers, wreath laying, and a gun salute.

For more information on Texas Heroes Day, visit Friends of Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill. And head over to Visit La Grange for a calendar of events and things to do while you’re in town.

vacation texas promoted

Animal News

Get free pet food, vaccines, and spay/neuter at Fort Worth animal event

If you think this puppy is cute now, wait until he falls down.

undefined

Animal shelters across North Texas are overcrowded right now, due to an increase in owner surrenders, and a group of animal rescues are coming to the rescue.

Several Texas-based animal welfare organizations are coming together on Saturday June 3, to offer a day of free pet food, vaccines, microchips, and spay/neuter vouchers to pet owners in Fort Worth.

The owner surrenders are a symptom of economic pressures and related issues such as food insecurity, which are up in Texas and across the U.S.

According to a release, in Fort Worth alone, the North Texas Food Bank estimates that 30 percent of the population faces challenges accessing nutritious food. These issues affect not only people, but pets as well - often resulting in families surrendering their pets to a shelter or to an animal rescue.

Fort Worth Animal Care and Control (FWACC), which receives animals from the area, has seen an increase in animals—more than 1,000 additional animals coming through its doors so far this ﬁscal year—with many exhibiting signs of illness easily prevented by vaccinations.

The signiﬁcant increase in animals has stressed resources that are already maxed out. FWACC for example, has faced a difficult crease in its "live release rate" - the percentage of animals that leave their care alive. Last year, its live release rate was at 96 percent and a year later, it has decreased to 87 percent.

Keeping pets at home where they have families who love them is a key component to preventing shelter crowding and the impact felt by the organizations who are faced with it.

The event is Saturday June 3, from 8 am-12 pm, rain or shine, and will take place at 1678 Rockwood Ln., across from Rockwood Park.

Organizations stepping up to help include Cowtown Friends of Fort Worth Animal Control; Spay Neuter Network; Dallas Pets Alive; The Love Pit; and SPCA of Texas.Partners: Fort Worth Animal Care and Control; Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank; Saving Hope Animal Rescue; and Rahr to the Rescue.

The event is supported by CUDDLY, a mission-driven company centered around the needs of rescued animals and the community focused programs that sustain them.

animals