Autumn is coming. Really. Even though the calendar date is set for Sept. 22, most often here in the Coastal Bend she seems to arrive a bit later, quite a bit later. When she does, we start noticing that the Chinese tallows have turned a deep red and the wind in cottonwoods is gently making itself heard.

The 18th Annual Ark Gala, "Voice for the voiceless" will be on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown. Keynote speaker is Erin Merryn. Merryn has had more than 200 speaking engagements around the world and has given some 250 television and print interviews.

Sister Richard Bussing, 95, died on Sept. 5, in Mother Theodore Hall, St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She taught at St. John School in Robstown from 1955-59 and1966-68.

Once it was reported that several Coastal Bend communities had been devastated by the damaging winds and showers of Hurricane Harvey, Incarnate Word Academy students were quick to answer the call to action.

St. John Paul II High School welcomes students displaced by Hurricane Harvey. For grades 9-12 St. John Paul II is currently waving the registration fee and PTO fee ($230 value) and offering tuition at $100 a month (reg. $540 a month until enrollment is full. Visit us at jpiihighschool.org or call (361) 855-5744 for more information.

The Aug. 31 matchup between St. John Paul II High School and Skidmore-Tynan was loaded with "firsts" at Bishop Carmody Field.