Be sure to wish Cheryl Eckenrode a happy birthday if you happen to stop in the Johnson City Sign Shop (it was last week), and wish Curt Knutson happy birthday Wednesday. Love is in the air in Blanco - keep your eyes open! Don't forget the annual Chamber banquet with Joaquin Jackson as the speaker on Thursday, February 25, at 5:30 at the courthouse.

On Friday, February 12, Live Oak had a Valentine/Birthday Celebration. Darlene Kiernan played piano and Dorothy Dillon sang many old-time favorites for the residents to enjoy. Nellie Luttrell’s birthday was on Valentine’s Day; her daughter brought a beautiful cake decorated with red roses, “Happy Birthday” was sung to her, and she received her early birthday gifts.

Nothing I could say would top Senor’s entry below, so I will save mine for another time! Happy Valentine’s Day, and Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! WHO DAT! The Ballet Folklorico from Mexico City dazzled the Alamo City on its recent performance at Municipal Auditorium. Mr. and Mrs. Chalon Jackson with daughters Alexis and Emma of Johnson City, Angela Wollmann and son Hunter of Kerrville, and C.A.

Happy Birthday Heather! Congratulations to Bruce Malone who came in 1st place in the ‘50’ plus race, held at Flat Rock Creek Ranch in Comfort. He competed in a 52-mile mountain bike race, which took over five hours. Bruce said it was very cold and very muddy. His parents are Judy and Bobby Brewer of Blanco. Condolences go out to Clarence Waxler’s family.

Blanco School Reunion will be June 19, 2010. Mark your calendar, and there will be more news to come! I wrote last week about Judy Brewer, not having heard from or seen her in quite a while. She popped up finally, and sent me a little note to let me know how thrilled she was with her 15-year award!

One small item this week - I am still wondering if an attorney and his cohort, a retired businessman, ever found the person they were looking for on P Nuts the Saturday before Christmas... they were having a terrible time trying to deliver their Christmas card in person, but they did appear to be very adventurous and willing to travel down paths unknown! Marilyn, Lawrence and Nan Mikes went to Seguin for Christmas Day.

First and foremost, Glen and Ruby Barnard recently attended a graduation celebration for their daughter-in-law, Jennifer Kitchen, who graduated from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. She has been pursuing this for a long time and they are VERY proud of her (so are we)! She had a 3.9GPA and graduated summa cum laude.

On Thursday, December 10, Santa showed up at Live Oak Medical Center with greetings and a gift for each resident. The United Methodist Church choir came to sing, while Darlene Kiernan played piano. Christmas cookies and punch were passed out while everyone enjoyed their favorite Christmas music. On Saturday, December 12, staff bundled up residents and put Santa hats on all to go outside and enjoy the Christmas parade. We appreciate the parade participants who came to greet resi ...

On Monday, November 23, about 70 kindergartners came to Live Oak Nursing Home to visit residents and sing some cute songs for Thanksgiving. Teachers and parents filled up our dining room and brought the holiday spirit. On Tuesday, November 24, residents gathered in the dining room to receive gifts from the Yucca Garden Club.

One of the biggest and best items for Potpourri this week is Jewell Scott, formerly of Blanco, is proud to announce the birth of her great-grandson, Jonah Long, on October 31, 2009. Jonah is the son of Caroline and Justin Long of Fort Collins, Colorado, the grandson of Cordelia Willgren of Cedar Park, and the nephew of Charles Willgren. Can’t top that, so just everybody have a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving - I am lucky enough to have not only my dandy husband and my mama her ...

Glen and Ruby Barnard are proud to announce the birth of a great-grandson, Joshua Jordan Boyd, born in Colorado. Woohoo! On FaceBook, I have noticed that a lot of posts have to do with things to be thankful for - so since Thanksgiving will be here next week, think of at least three things you are thankful for - you may surprise yourselves! I personally am so thankful for my friends here in Blanco - and the way they put up with my shenanigans!

A huge shout-out to Ernest and Mary Ann Hoffman – they know why! Lots of interesting, and delicious, things were sold at the BUMC bazaar last Saturday. I was even lucky enough to be one of the raffle winners (and no, I didn’t bribe anybody) – I won a lovely fall-colors lap quilt! Deborah Latham of Blanco is a finalist in the 3rd annual Texas Hill Country Top Chef contest.

For those of you who were waiting with bated breath for the publishing of the winners of the Dairy Queen pumpkin carving content, wait no longer! JJ in the 4-7 age group won with his Vampire, Logan in the 8-11 age group won with his Skull, and Lainie in the 12-15 age group won with her Bat in Moon.

Love the weather! Lots of outside activities coming up - last game of the season for the Panthers Friday night. Dress warm and enjoy! Congratulations to the Blanco High School Band for advancing to Area! Jill and Doak Hunter hosted a Halloween party at their casa-it was skeery! Bob Daughdril hosted his annual July 4th picnic belatedly two weekends ago, with all his kids, Benjy, Rob, and Brian, their spouses, and all his grandkids, minus one granddaughter and one great-grandson, ...

Dear Readers: This week’s is a kind of selfish, but cautionary column; however, I wanted to put my feelings out there in print. I am truly an A+ procrastinator, and this week it came home to roost. I have a bad, bad habit of assuming the people in my life will always be there when I am ready and available to see them. Just as I assumed Ron Houston would always be at the bowling alley getting his own cup of coffee or at CJ’s reading the paper ...