Gary and Carol Granberg were married September 28, 1957 by J. Wesley Jones of Coker United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas. Gary and Carol lived in San Antonio until 1972 when they moved to Blanco, Texas. They celebrated their 50th with a quiet dinner at Rocking R Steak House, with a few friends and hosted by their son, Bruce.

SAN ANTONIO – Texas Hermann Sons and its local lodges have been recognized by the National Fraternal Congress of America for their "Join Hands Day" program participation in 2007. Twin Sisters Hermann Sons Lodge No. 138 was among the local Hermann Sons lodges along with the Grand Lodge in San Antonio that conducted "Join Hands Day"

State border council seeks public input AUSTIN -- Texas’ new Border Security Council will conduct public forums in border communities Oct. 1-3. The state of Texas launched “Operation Border Star” last month in hopes of reducing crime along the Texas-Mexico border. The governor’s office described the operation as a “surge” in border security. Working together in the operation are the U.S.

Fish, hunt and camp are four-letter words? - Those responsible for hunting and football seasons coinciding aren’t in jail? - Your household chores fester for months, but when camp chores call you can’t be there fast enough? Your wife is never gone when you try to sneak a new gun in the house?

Up until recently, park rangers patrolling here in Johnson City and on the LBJ Ranch could be found on foot and in vehicles only. But when Alison Bullington transferred to the park from Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, she brought with her fifteen years of mounted horse patrol experience and her own horse, Zoe.

The Annual Council Meeting took place September 21, 2007, 9AM at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Blanco. There was a nice selection of breakfast foods and beverages available with a pretty decor of lavender. There was time for fellowship while the past Annual Council Meeting minutes of the previous year was distributed.

Blanco County gained a new set of caseworkers this week through a day-long class taught by the American Red Cross. Caseworkers are a critical part of disaster relief, assessing the needs of survivors and connecting them with sources of the relief they need. The new graduates from Blanco and Burnet Counties will be able to help our neighbors if a disaster strikes this area, and can volunteer to go wherever the Red Cross needs them to assist in disaster response nationwide. Blanco County Disast ...

The ESA Garage Sale is just around the corner. The sale kicks off on Thursday October 4th at 5 pm and lasts until 8 pm. On Friday, October the 5th, hours are extended this year. They are from 8am – 7 pm. On Saturday, October the 6th the hours remain from 8 am till 3 pm. Come out and see all the clothes, furniture, household items, toys, books and much more.

The 37th Annual Ladies State Chili Championship of Texas is being held Saturday, October 6, in Blanco, and is dedicated to the memory of Ann. W. Richards. This little spot of land in the Texas Hill Country will be covered with colorful tents and characters as the cooks and show teams pull out all the stops to determine the best female chili cook in the State of Texas, as well as entertain and raise money for the Austin Affiliate of the Susan G.

The Blanco Police Department has issued information about two suspects who they believe are involved in two recent counterfeit check cases. Arthur J. Snow, Jr., is allegedly involved in fraud and forgery of financial instrument. Born on November 11, 1968, Snow is a white male, 6' 5" tall, has blue eyes, brown hair, and weighs 215 pounds.

Pictured far right, Leo Cuellar, Clayton Turner, and Mason Moreland of the Johnson City FFA chapter with a wheel planter and round table that they helped build for the wild game dinner silent auction. The table is donated by the FFA and the planter by Myron and Mary Uecker. Also pictured is a 25 gallon sprayer and remote control deer feeder timer that was donated by Chris and Randy Schulze and Odiorne’s Feed for the silent auction.

Ark Revival Ministries is pleased to announce the completion of the new worship center located directly behind the H & R Block building located in the Super S parking lot. They gratefully acknowledge all the prayers and support given by the friends of the ministry. They thank you and invite you and your family to come into the Ark and grow with them. Service times begin at 10:30 AM on Sunday morning and 7:00 PM.

On Sunday, September 23, young cowboys and cowgirls rode in from many directions to compete in the 2nd Annual youth PlayDay at the Blanco Cowboy Church Arena. Books opened at 9 AM and closed at 10 AM sharp with all of the young cowboys and cowgirls and their families attending the full church service as their entry fee.

On Saturday morning, October 13th, professionals serving the Hill Country will offer expert, personal advice to individuals and families who have experienced loss or are in a crisis situation this holiday season. Dr. Tommy Roberts of Highland Lakes Christian Counseling will address the problems associated with holiday planning and family activities post trauma.

A Wisconsin minister who had resigned as pastor of a church he had served for eleven years shared his sad story with me. During his time as pastor, the church had grown from only a few members to a large thriving congregation. He had enjoyed his work for more than a decade but then one of the members of the church began to criticize him, finding fault with his preaching and pastoral work.

The world, the flesh, and the devil have been selling us a lie for many years; and too many of us have bought in to it. What is this lie? The lie that you have no choice. The world’s way is to blame someone or something else for your problems.

William Franklin Riley William ("Bill") Franklin Riley was born November 7, 1920, in Big Spring, Texas. He died September 19, 2007, in Austin, Texas, at age 86. Bill was a man of many talents. He was a musician, a story teller, a writer, and a practical philosopher. Bill loved music.

Linda E. Preiss, age 85 of Blanco, died Sunday, September 30, 2007. She was born January 26, 1922 at Spring Branch, Texas to Gustav and Alwine (Kuebel) Elbel. She married Martin A. Preiss, Jr. November 4, 1939 in New Braunfels. She retired after working at Mission Valley Mills. Survivors include a daughter, Lula Mae Kanz and husband Albert Kanz, Jr.

Editor: Last week Congress passed, by large bipartisan margins, and sent to the President an extension and expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP. This 7 year old program is widely praised for bringing millions of uninsured children into the health care system. Texas is near the top in numbers of such uninsured children. Yet, President Bush has threatened to veto this legislation.

School administrators interested in earning superintendent certification can do so in the Hill Country while continuing to work. The 15 credit hour Superintendent Professional Certification preparation program is offered by Texas Tech University (TTU) College of Education. Students can attend classes at any of these sites: TTU at Fredericksburg or TTU at Highland Lakes or TTU Center at Junction.

The fall proves to be a busy season for members of the Blanco FFA as they start the year with competitions in Land Evaluation, Range and Pasture Judging and Plant Identification. There are a total of 34 students competing in the three events. The first contest of the year was the Guadalupe – Comal Natural Resource Conservation Service Invitational.

The Principal, Dustin Barton, of Blanco High School announced that Siomha Moore has been named a Commended Student in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to the scholastically talented senior. About 34,000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Project Graduation held their fall golf tournament on Sunday, September 30 at Quick Sand Golf Course in Wimberley. A total of 12 teams turned out to participate in this tournament. This year’s winning team and still holding the title, was the team of Roland Mancha, Louis Garcia, Zane Smith and Salvador Calzoncit.

Blanco's U-12 green soccer team took on the Blue team from Johnson City on Saturday afternoon, September 29. Pictured is Blanco player, Meaghen Seales, playing as a defender. Meaghen's job is to keep the soccer ball away from their own goal and the approaching Johnson City players. Blanco (U-8) Black Cobra team played against the Johnson City, Lime green team last Saturday.

The eighth grade Panther volleyball team took first place in the annual Blanco Middle School tournamant last Saturday. They defeated Comfort, Junction, Johnson City, and split with St. Mary's. On Monday, the eighth grade ‘B’ team defeated the Comfort Deer 25-6 and 25-17. The Panther ‘A’ team defeated Comfort in two game 25-22 and 25-16.

The BYFL’s JV Gold team faced the unbeaten Marble Falls Purple team at home on Saturday, and the defense was on fire. The Mustangs would pick up their only first down on a 12 yard run in their first series, but Trent Dechert would cause a fumble recovered by the Panthers to stop the drive.

2007 USPTA – Texas Junior Grand Prix State Tennis Championships were held at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30. The San Antonio team took 2nd place. Austin Carrola (pictured right) was one of the four players from the San Antonio team who went undefeated at the state tennis tournament.

On Tuesday, September 25 the Panthers traveled to San Antonio to play San Antonio Hawkins. Both the JV and Varsity came away with big wins. JV’s scores were 25-11 and 25 - 13 and varsity finished with final scores of 24-26, 25-21, 25-11, 25 - 20 the last game was won by nine consecutive points by the Panthers. On Friday, September 28 all the teams were in action against Ingram.

The 21st of this month will be one year since David Key and Armando Pena hosted a fundraiser for Keep Blanco Beautiful at their Treetops Ranch in Stallion Estates. The event was a great success with 235 interested citizens of this area and many of David's and Armando's friends donating to the efforts of KBB to beautify our square.

Fall is here and the temperatures are dropping, but Potpourri news is always cool! First, we must apologize for missing Leona Smylie's birthday - belated happy birthday to one of our favorite ladies. Leona and TD's daughter, Pat, are having a dinner to celebrate the Smylies' 65th wedding anniversary this week, so congratulations are in order. Second, there is a social event happening on the courthouse lawn this Friday at 6:00.

Public records information is compiled by Charles Willgren from reports filed at the Blanco Police Department, Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, Blanco Volunteer Fire Department, Blanco County Clerk, District Clerk, and Justices of the Peace offices. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Criminal Cases Convictions will not appear this week. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Criminal Cases Convictions will not appear this week. Blanco Volunteer Fire Department Log These reports were file ...

McKinney quits as city secretary September 30, 1977 Part time city secretary Bob McKinney resigned his position effective October 1. Mayor Charles Matus indicated that McKinney is interested in assisting the city but that the city office was running smoothly enough to eliminate the position. The city will begin working with the school district on a joint tax office beginning in October. City clerk Judy Ratliff will be on hand to take in tax collections and continue city business as usual ...

Woulda, coulda, shoulda. If those words describe how you’re feeling lately, you’re not alone. Buyer’s remorse sometimes plagues homebuyers – people who think they missed out on the house/deal/yard/school district/neighborhood of a lifetime when they recently bought a home. Buyer’s remorse can even set in after the buyer has a contract on a property but before the sale closes.