July 2021

June proved to be quite the month for Fort Stockton native Mary Villarreal. Just eight days after being hired by the Fort Stockton ISD as a middle school teacher and coach, Villarreal was named to the American Southwest Conference 2020-21 Academic All-Conference list for her performance in the classroom and on the softball field for the Sul Ross State University.

Odessa Boxing’s Club Joshua Franco, the great nephew of Fort Stockton’s Sophia and Rudy Franco, returned to the ring this past weekend at the 2021 July Bash this past weekend. Joshua Joshua was back in the ring after being out for 3 months due to a broken nose he suffered while sparring.

Fort Stockton new head softball coach Darrian Roberson and her assistants hosted the Prowlers softball camp on Tuesday on the Prowlers home field. The softball camp began on Tuesday and will run through Friday. Third through fifth grade student-athletes participate in morning sessions while sixth through ninth grade students take part in the camp in afternoon sessions. The softball camp is one of the final camps that will be hosted at the high school. Camps yet to take place is the golf camp (July 12-14) and the Panther football camp (Aug. 2-4). Photos by Nathan Heuer

In recent years, kayaking has become a craze, ranking right up there with TikTok dances, government stimulus checks, and those glorified Lunchables on plywood I can’t pronounce called charcuterie boards. And speaking of unusual pronunciations, before my teenage daughters got involved with the pastime, I mainly associated the word kayak with a noise our cat makes right before she barfs on the throw rug.

Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Coleman was a New York Yankees second baseman who won the 1949 Rookie of the Year award, and in 1950 the World Series Most Valuable Player award. After his playing career ended in 1957, Coleman broadcast New York Yankees, California Angels and then, for 40 years, San Diego Padres games.

Fumbling through the pages of The Pioneer, a traveling family visiting Fort Stockton was elated to be featured in the very column they were reading and passing around. “We’re headed back to Los Angeles from Louisiana,” said father and husband Ricardo.

A trailblazer over the course of her career in banking, Lou Ann Tovar decided to call it a career this past week after working 44 years in the banking industry. Tovar wore most hats in the industry during her time as a banker, starting in 1977, three days after she graduated from high school.

If you have an event for our Do Something! listing, please e-mail nathan.heuer fortstocktonpioneer.com. JULY 9 Bryon Garrison & The Rainmakers will perform at Zero Stone Park in Fort Stockton on Friday, July 9 starting at 7:30 p.m.

Kenney Maines performed live as a part of the Summer Off The Patio Concert Series at the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum July 1 in front a large crowd. Free wine was provided at the event by way of the Grey Mule. The concert series will run through August 12 and be featured every other week through that date. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine’s Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt returns for another year of summer fun across Texas. Travel to various locations regionally or statewide, take a selfie, and post it with the hashtag #GOSH2021. Discover history, wildlife, parks, waterways, and quirky attractions - plus iconic Texas food stops as a bonus to enjoy along the way. The challenge ends at midnight on Labor Day, Sept. 6.