DR PEPPER — Heading home Saturday, midway betwixt Dublin — make that Dr Pepper — and Stephenville, it occurred to me that the Dubliners have experienced a banner year. It’s a swell place, Dublin, full of friendly folk, famous for a certain soft drink, and depending on whom you ask, named or not named after that other place in Ireland. Dublin’s also a bit out of the way. Not sure how many out-of-towners pass through in a typical year. Plenty have this year though.
After several reported UFO sightings near Stephenville last January, the Dublin Rotary Club outfoxed that city by agreeing to host an interview session between a UFO investigatory group and witnesses, a move that attracted hundreds of nonresidents, and no doubt, mucho dollars to the local economy.
The masses once again flowed into Dublin Saturday. This time they came to celebrate the 117th birthday of the town’s Dr Pepper bottling plant, said to be the world’s oldest soft drink bottling plant. From talking to people in the crowd, it appears more out-of-towners occupied the city that day than residents.
The festivities, sponsored by Dr Pepper and the Dublin Lion’s Club, marked the seventh such celebration, although owners apparently threw a similar do to mark the plant’s 100th anniversary as well.
As they have in the past, town leaders replaced the city limits signs and changed Dublin’s name to Dr Pepper, Texas, for a week.
Many came for the 10, 2 and 4K races but stayed for the music, magic, the alleyfest and an arts and craft fair. This year’s races attracted more than 400 entrants whose entry fees help Dublin Lions Club charities.
“It’s a great deal, we hold the birthday celebration in conjunction with the Lions Club,” said Jeff Kloster, one of the Dr Pepper plant owners. “We always get a lot of people from out of town. We had the governor here for five years, but he couldn’t make it this year.
“This gives Dublin something to be proud of and a chance for people to get together and celebrate something that’s grown up in Dublin.”
Kloster’s grandfather, Bill Kloster, began working at the plant as a bottle sorter making 10 cents an hour when he was 14. Bill Kloster worked his way up to eventually owning and running the plant until his death in 1999.
Bill Kloster is most famous perhaps for his refusal to stop using Imperial Pure Cane Sugar long after other Dr Pepper manufacturers switched to less expensive corn sweeteners. The decision ensures Dublin Dr Pepper’s superior taste to this day. Or, as David Hira, a magician who performed Saturday, said, “Dr Pepper the way God meant it to be.”
Although many came for the festival fun and free Dr Pepper and tours of the bottling plant, more it seems came to compete in the runs.
“I try to do one of these races every weekend,” said Temple resident Brandi Torrez. “But now I’m going back to the hotel to swim for an hour then come back here and have some fun.”
Austin resident Bernard Manirakiza impressed everyone by placing first in the 10K race for the fourth year running. Another 10K entrant, Killeen resident Lear Riojas, almost didn’t make it.
“We got here late, and I didn’t even have time to register,” Riojas said. “I just jumped in and started running. I figured we’d driven two hours to get here, and I’m not going to turn around now.”
Others simply came to shop, eat, have fun and listen to the music of the 10 to 4 band and Elvis Presley tribute artist Johnny Rockit.
“Two years ago I passed through going to visit a friend in West Texas,” said Stephen Schaphorst of The Colony. “I’d never heard of Dublin and was thinking there sure are a lot of Dr Pepper signs in this town.”
Schaphorst stopped out of curiosity and said he had so much fun that he’s returned every year since. Which is music to the ears of Dublin resident Brenda Sharp.
“This gives the community a chance to come together since we’re a small community anyway,” Sharp said. “It’s also great to see other people come to town that don’t know much about Dublin.”
On the Web:
www.dublindrpepper.com
Local News
Dublin wants to be a pepper too
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
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Indians on top of selections
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
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Indians on top of selections
- Godley
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Upcoming sports schedule
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Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
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Never forgotten
