The July issue of the Texas Polka News went out in the mail this week. E-edition subscribers should have received their issues as well. There was a mistake discovered after the paper went to press. The story on Page 8 titled "Fritz Hodde, Musical Patriot" had an incorrect byline. That story was actually written by Justin Everett. We apologize for the mistake.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Reggae Festival at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels beginning at 4:30 p.m. feat. Jah Sun and the Rising Tide plus The Mighty Mystic.

SAN ANTONIO: Fiesta Gartenfest at the Beethoven Männerchor. Music from 5-6 p.m. by the Tuba Meisters, 6-7 p.m. by Beethoven Dance Band, 7-9 p.m. by Beethoven Concert Band and 9-11 p.m. by Off the Grid.

SAN MARCOS: Summer in the Park Concert at San Marcos Plaza Park feat. music by Brave Combo, starts at 7:30 p.m.

LULING: Sean Orr and Nathan Colt Young at Luling Watermelon Thump, 8 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Ryan Waguespack at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 2:45 p.m., Soul Session at 7 p.m.

AUSTIN: The Hot Peppers at Metcalf BBQ at Graceland, 6 p.m.

SAN ANTONIO: Fiesta Gartenfest at the Beethoven Männerchor. Music from 5-6 p.m. by Tuba Meisters, 6-7 p.m. by Fire on the Mountain dance group, 7-8 p.m. by Beethoven Concert Band, 8-9 p.m. by Beethoven Männerchor and Damenchor German choirs and 9-11 p.m. by Beethoven Big Band.

ENNIS: Friday Night Party at Sokol Ennis Clubroom with music by The PBR Band, 7 to 11 p.m. No cover. All Sokol members and guests welcome.

CISTERN: Briana Adams at Cistern Country Store, 8 p.m. to midnight.

RED ROCK: Nathan Colt Young Band at Watterson Hall near Red Rock, 9 p.m.

LA GRANGE: “Česky Večer” at the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange. Enjoy a “Czech Evening” on the TCHCC lawn with music by the Czechaholics Band, 7-10P. Food and drinks available. Lawn Chairs suggested.

REK HILL: Heartland Texas Band at Baca’s 159 Junction in Rek Hill (3024 East Hwy. 159, Fayetteville, 78940), 8 p.m. to midnight.

ROUND TOP: Bill Pekar and the Rainey Brothers at The Stone Cellar in Round Top at 7:30 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Elysha Lemaster at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 2 p.m., Julian Escobedo at 7 p.m.

SEATON: Ennis Czech Boys at Seaton Star Hall, 7 to 11 p.m.

FREYBURG: Sandra Ruhmann’s Burthday Bash at Freyburg Hall. Music by the Pettit Brothers starts at 8 p.m. RSVP to (979) 292-5658.

COUPLAND: Joshua Ray Walker and John Baumann at Coupland Dancehall, 7 p.m.

HOUSTON: Liz Talley and the Dusty Spur at Houston VFW Post 10352 (16035 Waverly Drive), 2 to 5:30 p.m.

PLUM: Sts. Peter and Paul Church Picnic with music by Ken Brothers from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Mark Halata and Texavia from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Coltin’s Kin at Krause’s Cafe, 10 a.m., Czechaholics from 2 to 6 p.m., Curlytop Jazz Trio at 7 p.m.

BRENHAM: Polka Time at Nathan’s BBQ in Brenham with music by Valina and Das Ist Lustig, 3-6 p.m.

SWEET HOME: Blue Denim at Sweet Home Hall, 3 p.m.

KARNES CITY: Sean Orr and Chris Rybak at the KC Hall in Karnes City, noon to 3 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Walt Harfmann+ at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 6:30 p.m.

BASTROP: Farm Street Opry in Bastrop feat. music by Ronny Corbin and David Lewis. $7:50 admission, doors open at 5:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. www.farmstreetopry.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Kade Isakson at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Braydon Zink Band at 6:30 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Josh Holden at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 3:45 to 5:45 p.m., Cluture Jam at 7 p.m.

CISTERN: Midnight Wranglers at Cistern Country Store, 8 p.m. to midnight.

SEALY: Sealy Lions Dance Club feat. Blue Denim at Sealy American Legion Hall, 7:30 to 11 p.m.

COUPLAND: Dale Watson at Coupland Dancehall, 8:30 p.m.

SCHULENBURG: The Texas Polka News presents “Stars, Stripes and Polka On!” featuring the Czechaholics at the Schulenburg KC Hall, admission $10, 7-11 p.m.

MORAVIA: Victor Rodriguez at Moravia Store, 8 p.m. to midnight.

SHINER: Shiner Half Moon Holidays with music by Mark Halata and Texavia from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m., Shiner's 2nd Wind playing from 4-6 p.m. www.shinerhalfmoon.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Lederhosen Junkies at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 2 p.m., Monte Good and the Honky Tonk Heroes from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 10 p.m.

ST. JOHN: Annual 4th of July Picnic at St. John Parish (7026 FM 957, 6 miles SW of Schulenburg). Mass at 9 a.m., Flag Raising at 10 a.m. Fried chicken and stew meal with all the trimmings for $10, serving starts at 10:30 a.m. Music all day by The Shiner Hobo Band, Dujka Brothers, Red Ravens and Mark Halata and Texavia. Auction, raffle, games for the kids, and more. Fireworks show at 10 p.m.

ROUND TOP: 171st Annual Fourth of July Celebration in Round Top. Parade and music throughout the afternoon at the Round Top Rifle Hall by the Round Top Brass Band, Round Top Jam Session, and Cool Freddie and the Crew. BBQ chicken and smoked sausage meal starting at 11 a.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Jack Byron at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 10 a.m., Slim Bawb at 2 p.m. and Southern Angels at 6 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: New Braunfels Village Brass Band at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 6 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Brett Cline Band at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 7 p.m.

HOUSTON: Fab 5 at SPJST Hall Lodge 88 in Houston, 8 to 11:30 p.m.

BURTON: Das ist Lustig at the White Horse Saloon in Burton. Music starts at 7:30 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Rick Cavender Band at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 6:30 p.m.

CISTERN: Sean Orr at Cistern Country Store, 8 p.m. to midnight.

RED ROCK: Nathan Colt Young Band at Watterson Hall near Red Rock, 9 p.m.

MULLINS PRAIRIE: Josh Tiemann at Mullins Prairie Store (between La Grange and Weimar), 8 p.m. to midnight.

NEW BRAUNFELS: MC and the Mystyx at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 2 p.m., All Mixed Up from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 10 p.m.

SCHULENBURG: Swiss Alp Dance Club feat. music by The Red Ravens at the Schulenburg Hall (KC Hall), 3 to 6 p.m. Guests welcome.

WEST: Summer Fun Polka Dance at the West Knights of Columbus Club feat. music by Fritz Hodde and the Fabulous Six and the Jodie Mikula Orchestra. 1 to 6 p.m., $10 per person. Meal: beef tips and rice for $10.

COUPLAND: Lance Lipinsky - Rockabilly Pianist Extraordinaire w/ A Side of Steel at Coupland Dancehall, 1 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Terry Cavanagh Duo at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, 10 a.m.

CONROE: Mike Gest and the Night Session at Carriage Inn in Conroe, 4 to 6 p.m. Free dinner and dance.

PULASKI, WI: Pulaski Polka Days at the Pulaski Community Park. 22 bands in four days. Camping and lodging available. More information at https://pulaskipolkadays.com. Listen live at http://247polkaheaven.com.

PULASKI, WI: Pulaski Polka Days at the Pulaski Community Park. 22 bands in four days. Camping and lodging available. More information at https://pulaskipolkadays.com. Listen live at http://247polkaheaven.com.

CISTERN: Boogie Allen at Cistern Country Store, 8 p.m. to midnight.

WALLIS: Happy Cousins Dance Club feat. Texas Sound Check at the Wallis American Legion Hall, 8 to 11:30 p.m. Call (281) 232-3531 for more information.

COUPLAND: Kenny Orts at Coupland Dancehall, 8:30 p.m.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Mark Halata and Texavia at Krause’s Cafe, 6 to 9 p.m.

MULLINS PRAIRIE: Tyler Ross at Mullins Prairie Store (between La Grange and Weimar), 8 p.m. to midnight.

HALLETTSVILLE: Southpaw at Blase’s Hall (4228 US Hwy. 90-A West, Hallettsville, TX 77964). Music from 8 p.m. to midnight.

PULASKI, WI: Pulaski Polka Days at the Pulaski Community Park. 22 bands in four days. Camping and lodging available. More information at https://pulaskipolkadays.com. Listen live at http://247polkaheaven.com.

SWEET HOME: Nathan Colt Young Band at Sweet Home Hall, 3 p.m.

MORAVIA: Mark Halata and Texavia with Texas Sound Check at the Moravia Church Picnic, 4 to 8 p.m.

SEATON: Jerry Haisler and the Melody 5 at Sefcik Hall in Seaton, 6 to 9 p.m.

EL CAMPO: Blue Denim at Taiton Community Center, 2 p.m.

PULASKI, WI: Pulaski Polka Days at the Pulaski Community Park. 22 bands in four days. Camping and lodging available. More information at https://pulaskipolkadays.com. Listen live at http://247polkaheaven.com.

Don't miss out on your favorite polka music. Tune in to the following radio shows:

KMIL 105.1 FM in Cameron - Alfred Vrazel's Polka Show on Sundays noon to 2:30 p.m.

KHBR 1560 AM in Hillsboro – The American Czech Hour with David Kolar, Sundays 1:30 to 3 p.m.

KRXT 98.5 FM in Rockdale – Michael Craig's Polka Show, Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. to noon, Sunday from 1:15 to 6 p.m.

KBEC 1390 AM in Ennis – Polka Party with Danny Zapletal, Sundays 10 a.m. to noon

KULP 1390 in El Campo – Dance Time with John Dujka, 10 a.m. to noon.

KULM 98.3 FM in Columbus – Polka Party Time Show with Ricky Canik, Monday-Friday 5:15-7 p.m. and Saturday’s 7-9 a.m.

Polka Jammer Network - Polka music from your computer 24 hours a day, polkajammernetwork.org.

Polka Music 24/7 - Your favorite music and shows online at 247polkaheaven.com.

Advertising: Kim Macik Jobb  kim@texaspolkanews.com

Andy Behlen andy@texaspolkanews.com and

Gary E. McKee fayetteishome@gmail.com.

Subscription management: Mark Hermes info@czechtexas.org

Visit texaspolkanews.com to see latest issue.

Texas Master Fiddler Belen Escobedo and Ramon Gutierrez play at a Festival of Texas Fiddling party, May 2021

An Army Ranger was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana and he wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking. After becoming very frustrated with the "no haggle" attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the Ranger shouted, "maybe I'll just go out and get my own alligator so I can get a pair of shoes made at a reasonable price!"

The vendor said, "By all means, be my guest. Maybe you will run into a couple of Marines who were in here earlier saying the same thing."

So the Ranger headed into the bayou that same day and a few hours later came upon two men standing waist deep in the water. He thought, "those must be the two Marines the guy in town was talking about."

Just then, the Ranger saw a tremendously long gator swimming rapidly underwater towards one of the Marines.

Just as the gator was about to attack, the Marine grabbed its neck with both hands and strangled it to death with very little effort. Then both Marines dragged it on shore and flipped it on its back. Laying nearby were several more of the creatures. One of the Marines then exclaimed, "Darn, this one doesn't have any shoes either!"