Wonderful summer at the 'cool pool'

I want to thank Monty Blackmon and Micky Tower and their staff for a wonderful summer at Hancock Springs Free-Flow Pool. The lifeguards and cashiers were always friendly and willing to sweep leaves out of the pool, pick up trash and even trim bushes and pull weeds. They were firm but kind to the children who forgot and started to run, and they were eager to share a little history of the area with those who asked.

This was a difficult summer with two floods and mud in the pool and fences down, but the staff pitched in and helped get the pool ready for use as soon as possible.

Lifeguards Lynn Pillans (assistant pool manager), Katie Honea, Peter Michelbook, Chant Clark, Richie Maceyra, David Briggs, Stephanie Wolfram, Laura Terrazas, Justin Henderson and Bonnie Kaiser, and cashiers Angelia Briggs, Kailie Phelan, Darcy Sikes, Shanna Taylor and Mariah Ball made swimming in the historic, chlorine-free, spring-fed pool an extra-special experience.

Hancock Springs pool was constructed in 1911 and advertised as the "Best Bathing Resort in Texas." The springs were well known for their healing medicinal value. This summer, there were birthday parties, reunions, families playing in the water and having lunch under the trees, and even a baptism. I will be eagerly waiting for next summer so I can enjoy swimming laps and visiting with friends at the "Cool Pool."

Leah Snell