Seven years ago, the Austin Daily Herald embarked on an ambitious project to publish three coffee table history books documenting the history of Austin through photographs.

The history book trilogy started in the 1880s and covered the time period up until the 1930s. The second volume picked up with the 1930s and covered the time period through the 1960s.

This year, we have been busy producing the third volume, which picks up in the 1960s and concludes with present day photographs.

All three volumes are currently available for purchase for just $29.95 plus tax, per volume. We have reprinted a small quantity of the first and second volumes, so if you didn't have a chance to purchase these fine quality books the first time, you have another opportunity.

Plenty of the third volume of books still remain, but pre-orders have been brisk so we urge you to act quickly to reserve your copy and complete the series. The complete set, of course, makes a wonderful Christmas present.

The development of the books has been a rewarding experience. It has provided a walk down memory lane, an education on Austin's vast history, an opportunity for the work of the Austin Daily Herald's photographers to be highlighted and an opportunity for the Austin Daily Herald to partner with the Mower County Historical Society both in assembling the book and then providing a monetary donation.

To date the Herald has donated approximately $2,000 to the Historical Society from book proceeds and we hope to double that amount early next year after sales of the third volume wrap up.

So if you have lived in Austin for many years, know someone who has, or just moved here, the trilogy of Austin's history makes a great gift and is a must for all Austin residents. The pictures tell the wonderful history and development of this place called home and make for great conversational pieces.

I hope you'll stop in and pick up your copies.

Reflection on the election

Whew. The election is finally over, well almost. The recount in the Senate District 27 race between Dan Sparks and Grace Schwab is still to be decided. But what a historic night Tuesday was in the nation, in the state and locally.

Clearly, people were motivated to get out and cast votes as voter participation throughout the state and region was high for a mid-term election. Such participation is great to see.

All indications were the race between Sparks, Schwab and Terry Kelley was going to be tight, but who would have guessed 33 votes would have separated Sparks and Schwab at the end of the night. Whatever the outcome of the recount, the winner will have won even though more people voted for the other two candidates. Wild.

Whether it's Sparks or Schwab that eventually wins the race, the winner will have some work to do in reaching out to those that didn't vote for them. Knowing both candidates, they are capable of bringing people together and I'm sure will put the politics of the election season behind them and work for what's best for the entire area.

Neal Ronquist can be reached at 434-2201 or by e-mail at :mailto:neal.ronquist@austindailyherald.com