April 9, 1965 Mrs. Laura McDowell was named the conservationist of the year of the Pedernales Soil Conservation District. She was presented her award at the regular meeting of the Blanco Lions Club on Tuesday evening at Robin’s Diner. • Nearly an inch-and-a-half of rain fell here in a thunderstorm Monday night that produced an extraordinary lightning display.

April 7, 1961 Leveling of the grounds for the new Blanco Livestock Commission Co., Inc. has been completed and foundation work should be completed by the middle of next week. When completed this auction ring should be of great convenience to the stockmen of Blanco and surrounding counties, as well as a big asset to the area.

March 24, 1961 Doris Schmidt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Schmidt, was elected as the 1960-61 FFA Sweetheart of the Blanco Chapter. • The Blanco FFA Dairy Products Judging team won third place in the judging contest held at San Marcos State Teachers College. Members of the team were Donald Rose, Lynn Banks, and Ronald Kneupper.

March 25, 1960 Mr. Mac McKenzie, Promotion Director for KENS-TV, has made announcement that the “Salute to Blanco” will be given over KENS-TV on April 5, at which time pictures of various scenes in and around Blanco will be shown. • Several boys from Blanco County placed with their exhibits in the Houston Stock Show.

March 7, 1969 The Blanco High School Band, directed by Billy Harrell, received another honor when it was named Outstanding Class A Band in both Concert and Sight-Reading at the 21st- Annual Heart O’ Texas Band Festival in Brady. This was the fifth consecutive time that the Blanco band received honors at Brady.

March 10, 1961 Mr. and Mrs. Chas. A. Lindeman were honored on their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house at the home of their son and daughter in law, Mr. and Mrs. Alton C. Lindeman. Even though it was a very rainy day, a good many of their friends and relatives came in to visit the couple.

February 21, 1969 A.S. Ethridge celebrated his 102nd birthday. He was born in Blanco County in 1867 and lived here for many years. For the past number of years he had made his home with his daughter in San Antonio, where he got around with the help of a walker. He was still mentally alert and could give anyone a good game of dominoes.

February 17, 1967 Work was progressing nicely on improvements to the Johnson City Water and Sewage System. The work was divided into three projects: Extension of water and sewer lines; water purification plant and construction of a dam on the Pedernales River. Johnson City had extended their city limits to include about 60 to 70 acres to the east and southeast of the old city limits.

February 10, 1967 Initial steps were taken for the creation of a hospital district for the Blanco trade area when a group of men discussed the proper procedure for the creation of such a district. The entire setup would have to be done in several steps: Mayor Smith was appointed temporary chairman to name a temporary Board of Directors; they in turn would define the limits of the district—it was suggested to use the existing boundaries of the Blanco ISD since it covers most of the immediate ...

February 4, 1966 Mr. and Mrs. Herman Riba assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Joe D. Riba honored Mr. Fritz Koch on his ninety-sixth birthday at the Blanco Mill Nursing Home. Mr. Koch was born at Twin Sisters January 13, 1870. He lived in that community until a year previous when he came to the nursing home.

January 22, 1965 The Rev. A. R. Wolber would be installed Sunday as the new Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Blanco. He will be installed by the District President, Dr. Vernon A. Mohr of Austin. Rev. Wolber, his wife, and 4 children would move into the parsonage the following week.

January 17, 1964 Almost 100 people were present at the school lunch room to attend the joint 25th anniversary Charter Night of the Johnson City and Blanco Lions Clubs. Robert McKinney of Johnson City, serving as master of ceremonies, called the group to order. Group singing, pledge of allegiance, and invocation led by the Rev.

January 11, 1963 County Judge M.B. Barrow issued a call for a meeting of the newly appointed Blanco County Historical Survey Committee in the Courthouse in Johnson City. The meeting was being held in accordance with a proclamation by Governor Connally, declaring January 19 (the day of the meeting) as Texas Historical Preservation Day.

January 5, 1962 Mr. and Mrs. Orville Hill celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary in the Parish Hall of the Catholic Church. An arrangement of white mums with silver glitter graced the tea table. The white wedding cake with silver dragees was swerved by Miss Ruby Knoll. • David Smith, son of Mr.

This article was written by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers and originally appeared in the August 27, 2003, issue of the Blanco County News. Earlier this summer, Sarah Pautz couldn’t have been more relieved when she stepped into her tub and spotted a skinny leg sticking out of the drain. “Mom!” she hollered excitedly to her mother, Vickie.