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2018 Spring Remembrances Newsletter1 Remembrances Newsletter of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Spring Edition 2018 There’s a new middle school about to open in North Schertz (Comal Independent School District) next school year that sits at the corner of Hubertus Road and FM 482. That location was formerly a part of the early Comal Settlement community. The school district sponsored a naming contest for the new school and received many entries. Sandra Sham Reeh, a descendent of one of the area’s settler families, submitted the winning entry. Mrs. Reeh chose as her submittal the name “Danville Middle School.” Her seven-page nomination package focused on the historic past of the surrounding community and its first one-room school house called “Danville School.” The names of sixty endorsers accompanied her nomination package. The Schertz Historical Preservation Committee is extremely proud of Mrs. Reeh’s achievement in having the community’s history be the impetus for this school’s naming. The school name contributes to promotion of a more lasting legacy for the area and will bring historical appreciation and awareness to many new generations of students. Congratulations to one of our own committee members, Dr. Paul Ringenbach. Dr. Ringenbach was honored at a February 27, 2018 San Antonio Historical Association Awards Dinner as one of the awardees of the Dr. Joseph W. Schmitz Award for excellence in dissemination of history to international audiences. Dr. Ringenbach was instrumental as a contributor (application author) for the designation application that led to selection of the San Antonio Missions as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He has also recently received the award as Comal Independent School District’s Mentor of the Year. He recently served as Vice Chairman of the Bexar County Tri-centennial Symposium. A special meeting of the committee was called on March 8, 2018 for the purpose of considering the property owner’s application for a City of Schertz matching Main Street grant for the residence at 533 Main Street. The committee approved the application and sent it on for City Council consideration. 2 Remembrances Newsletter – Spring 2018 Committee members participated as judges for the annual Sons of The Texas Revolution Student Letter/Essay Contest held February 22, 2018. Seventh graders from two school districts (Northside and Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City ISD) submitted imaginary ‘letters home to loved ones’ written from inside the Alamo during the siege event. The subcommittee has been working on joint city/school district projects to include social media presence, Biblioboard enrollment, and Clemens High School video production. These projects have progressed to the point of implementation. Social media connections have been arranged through the City of Schertz Public Affairs Department and links to the Committee’s news and projects are now on City’s web page under Historical Preservation Committee. Our Biblioboard postings are available to the public through that same page and on the Schertz Public Library’s website. Many thanks to Committee members Elizabeth Strong and David Lynch for their work on these projects. Our thanks also go out to both the City’s Public Affairs Department, to the Clemens High School Media Department, and to Melissa Uhlhorn, Schertz Public Library Director. Remembrances Special Edition Article 2018-2 was published this quarter (see attached). The City Council’s Main Street Subcommittee continues work on planning for restoration/enhancements to Main Street. The highlight of its work this quarter was a stakeholder’s open house event held on April 9th, 2018 at which citizen stakeholders contributed ideas and heard discussion regarding issues related to the Main Street project. Heritage Banner replacement and additions in the Aviation Heights subdivision has been completed. The neighborhood is now more visibly identifiable as a City of Schertz Heritage Neighborhood which should instill a sense of pride among all of our citizens. The Committee’s annual report to City Council was presented to the Council on February 27, 2018. Included in the report was the Committee’s assessment of its success in achieving its 2017 objectives and its newly posted 2018 objectives. Copies of the report can be supplied via email upon request (weirtz1@yahoo.com). The Schertz photo history book remains on sale at the Schertz Visitors Center, the Schertz Public Library and at City Hall (Water Dept.). The Committee developed a historic Fiesta poster exhibit and placed it for public viewing at the Schertz Senior Center for the duration of the Fiesta celebration.