Raymond and Imogene (Triesch) Wagner celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends at the Gathering Place in Bulverde. They were married on Dec. 6, 1947 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Twin Sisters, TX. Best man was Kenneth Triesch and matron of honor was Grace Wagner (deceased). Raymond and Imogene lived in Blanco until marriage when they moved to Corpus Christi.

Dominique Wright graduated from Louisiana Tech University, where she majored in Kinesiology and was the Health Promotion Manager for the Lady Techsters women’s basketball team. Dominique is the granddaughter of Joyce Jones of Blanco and the late Emil Jones, and the daughter of Debbie Jones of Austin. She plans to attend graduate school for her Master’s degree.

I purchased my first new truck in Houston on a Monday during the summer of 1985; a green Toyota 4X4 King Cab pickup, piled high with fixings – sunroof and bed-liner notwithstanding. I kept the truck parked in the apartment cul-de-sac out front with a dozen or so other vehicles. Running late for work the following Friday morning, I rushed out of my apartment, found the truck, jumped inside and made a beeline for eight-to-fivesville.

OK, now it really is time to start watching for Mars. No, it won't look as big as a full Moon--it never does, regardless of what you read on the Internet. It won't even be as bright as it was in 2003, but will still be brighter than any star. About every other year Mars spends six or so months in our evening sky.

Speaker Tom Craddick on Nov. 28 and 29 released lists of legislative interim charges for House committees to study and report on before the 81st Legislature convenes on Jan. 13, 2009. Here are only a few of the dozens of subjects our lawmakers will be taking a close look at in their respective committees: • Identity theft; • Voter fraud; • College scholarships and student support programs; • Creation, use, maintenance and preservation of electronic documents; • Economic developm ...

This week, get your hot cocoa and cookies along with a splash of eggnog ready, ‘cause you'll want to curl up with our all time Christmas Favorites to make your Holidays special. 5. Miracle on 34th St. (old or new) 4. The Polar Express 3. Elf 2. It's a Wonderful Life 1. The Christmas Story Merry Christmas to all & to all a good night!

QUESTION: “I read your article recommending knock-out roses and I planted three double reds this spring, but was unsure what type of winter care they need. I have several hybrid teas that I mulch about 8 inches above the crown. Do I need to do this with the knock-outs as well?

Texans take care of Texans. I am proud the Texas Department of Agriculture will help provide meals to homebound Texans by funding non-profit organizations through Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program. The program, created during the 80th legislative session, helps defray the cost of home-delivered meals not fully paid for by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) or the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

We are into what is probably the busiest time of year. In this "Holy Day" season, when there is so much going on, it's easy to get caught up in all the "stuff." Set aside some time this weekend and take a break Saturday night - join the Blanco Film Society for a viewing of NOEL. NOEL is not your average holiday fare. It's Christmas Eve in New York City, and an interesting cast of characters are playing out their personal dramas on an emotionally loaded day. Facing the loneliness that can occ ...

Community volunteers often wonder if their efforts make a difference. For members of The American Legion throughout the State of Texas, an analysis of reports covering the past 12-months provides evidence that it does -- to the tune of $1,459,072.00 million and counting. Volunteers gave over 176,500 hours of community service in their local communities across Texas. A review of reports covering July 2006 through June 2007 finds that post service officers gave more than 5,472 veterans assistanc ...

Area food pantries in Blanco, Burnet, Lampasas, Llano, Mason and Williamson counties received a boost to help provide food for local residents during the holidays with the help of a $6,000 donation from Lower Colorado River Authority employees. Twelve food pantries each received a $500 donation in November from LCRA Employees' United Charities, a voluntary program.

If you want to add a valuable item onto your shopping list this holiday season, consider giving the gift of life! The holiday season typically results in decreased donations, but hospital patients continue to need transfusions. Please take a few minutes of your time to give the gift that keeps on giving.

On Thursday, November 29, Blanco Senior Citizens Center hosted 24 visitors from the San Marcos Senior Citizens Center. We shared lunch, arts and crafts activities, played bingo, and even had door prizes that the San Marcos group brought for us. We also celebrated Elizabeth Sorrell’s 97th birthday a few days early.

Blanco County Habitat for Humanity received a check for $1000 for their 2008 building program from The Real Ale Brewing Company. Each year since 2002 The Real Ale Brewing Company of Blanco, Texas, has hosted an annual benefit golf tournament. The Real Ale Brewing Company invites bars and distributors to sponsor individual holes to cover costs of the event.

A new, dangerous identity theft scheme is targeting credit union customers across the country. According to consumer and credit union groups, spoof e-mails are directing credit union customers to call a telephone number and confirm their personal information. Consumers who make the call do not reach their credit union, but instead end up on the telephone with a scam artist who wants to steal their identity. Savvy consumers have increasingly learned to identify and delete spoof e-mails that fal ...

Toys for Tots volunteers will solicit local businesses for donations on December 10. Individuals wishing to make a donation may drop off cash or checks made out to "Toys for Tots" at Blanco National Bank. The donations will be used to buy toys for children from infants through 12 years of age. On Thursday, December 13 , Security State Bank and Trust is hosting the annual Blanco Chamber of Commerce mixer from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Two thousand people gathered in New York City recently to remember and celebrate an event that happened there one hundred fifty years ago. World Magazine reported the reason for the celebration as follows: “On September 23, 1857, Jeremiah Lanphier climbed the stairs to the third floor of a church on Fulton Street in lower Manhattan.

The carpenters have been building and costumers have been stitching as they prepare for another series of performances of Johnson City’s traditional Living Nativity Christmas pageant at the First United Methodist Church. A special part of the show this year will be the appearance of three generations of pageant performers. Jim Odiorne was in the original Living Nativity, back in the ’60s.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” - Jn 14:6. Last week pointed out that this statement by Jesus was emphatic and exclusive. We saw how Jesus is the only way to The Father: the highway, the road, the route, the means.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been having some trials. I know they are tests, to see who I’m gonna’ run to. I’m learning to run to God for every little thing. All my life I’ve been deceived. I thought adults had it easy, and us kids were the ones who had a hard, sad life.

Alice Hausman Edmondson passed away on November 13, 2007 in Kendalia, Texas. She was born February 27, 1917 in San Antonio, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Cody Edmondson. She is survived by one brother, Jim Hausman of Bergheim and three sons; Steve Edmondson of Alvin, Sam Edmondson of Kendalia, and Stan Edmondson of Baytown.

Helen Ferguson, 79, passed away November 27, 2007 at her home in Blanco. She was born March 10, 1928 in Asherton, Texas. Helen was loved by everyone. She was a member of the Eastern Star and very active in the First Baptist Church in Blanco. Helen worked and did volunteer work at Liveoak Nursing Home.

Austin-Senator Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, kicked off his campaign for reelection to Senate District 24 with the second round of stops that will take him to all regions of his Senate district after filing official paperwork in Austin declaring his candidacy. “The challenges of the next legislative session will be greater than ever before, “Fraser said.

Sam Oatman, District Attorney for the 33rd and 424th Judicial Districts has announced his filing for a 6th term of office subject to the March 4, 2008 Republican Primary. Oatman began his career as a prosecutor under the late Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney, Alton Griffen on March 18, 1976. While there he prosecuted all types of felonies from rape cases to capital murder cases.

An opportunity to learn about native plants and animals of this area will be available this spring through the Highland Lakes Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists. A new class will begin March 6, 2008 and continue for 11 weeks studying archeology, geology, wildlife management, native plants and animals that compose this area.

After winning the Hill District FFA Leadership Sweepstakes award for the seventh consecutive year, the Blanco FFA Chapter sent 7 teams to the Area VII FFA Leadership Development Events held on November 14th in Seguin. Blanco’s Radio Team consisting of Victoria Jones, Samantha Ruiz, Daniel Romero, and Brooks Wyatt will serve as alternates to the state contest after placing third overall.

Greg Smith of Blanco Masonic Lodge # 216 donated a digital camera to the Blanco Middle School Student Council in appreciation and support of their work. Accepting the camera is Blanco Middle School principal Dr. Buck Ford.

Several local FFA members from the Blanco FFA Chapter recently took part in the annual Dripping Springs Ag Boosters Fall Classic Livestock Show. This year’s show was held in Johnson City at the Blanco County Show Barn. Overall, there were more than 500 animals at this year’s show. In the market goat show, Alex Gustafson would take 1st place with her meat goat, while Will Byler, Lauren Winn, Lindsey Winn, and Maggie Reininger would also do well in their respective classes.

Moormans Feeds will be conducting a show pig clinic at the Blanco High School Agricultural Science Building on Wednesday, December 12th, at 6:00 pm. Everything from feeds and feeding to show day preparations will be discussed. All families showing pigs are encouraged to attend. If there are any questions concerning the clinic, please feel free to contact the Blanco AgSc Department at (830) 833-4819.

As with each year, the Lady Panthers participated in the Johnson City tournament, which is a three day tournament. In the first round, the Lady Panthers faced St. Stephens. The Panthers took a small lead in the first period, with each girl playing her part as a team. By half time, the Panthers only had a two point lead with the score 16-14. Coming back from half time, St.

STTF Khaos 15u took the championship game in the South Texas Triple Play Tournament held October 20th and 21st at Bower field. This was the 5th consecutive championship game this season for the Khaos team coached by Ronnie Catlett. The team is planning on attending the Super Series Winter National Championship in Arizona in December and is currently ranked #1 in the nation for the 15 and under division.

The Blanco Lady Panthers took to the road to face the Lady Bears of LaVernia on Tuesday, November 27. First up to take the court was the Freshmen team. Even though they started slow in the first period, they gained a little momentum during the second period while holding the Bears to only eight points and managing to score four points themselves. The Panthers came out strong in the third period as they sank a total of nine points, but the Bears were close behind, scoring eight points, ...

The lights around the square and in Blanco make a lovely sight. We have been working the past two weeks in Bindseil Park, decorating the tree and park area. We’re having a problem with the timers and shortage of electrical outlets, but we hope to get that reconciled.

The Keep Blanco Beautiful volunteers have had a very busy 2007 year. We held the lst annual River Cleanup in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup and Don't Mess with Texas Trash Off. This was our 7th annual Trash Off. Throughout the 8 years that Keep Blanco Beautiful has been holding "Trash Off"

Sally Wall of Blanco went to visit her son, Bob, in Fulcher, TX, in his new house! Bob is a teacher and coach in Houston. Sally's mom, who lives in Katy, TX, was there as well. Sally says the new house is lovely. Bob Daughdril of Blanco had a visit from his son, Benjy, who came up for a hunt weekend.

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 These convictions were filed between November 6 and November 28, 2007. • Luan Robinson Jennings, of P ...

10 Named to District Squad December 2, 1987 Ten Blanco varsity football squad members were honored as being selected to the 29 AA All District football team, according to Blanco Athletic Director Allan Fischer. Named to 1st team offense were Mitchell Wagner and Robert Upshaw; 2nd team offense were Martin Sauceda, Robert Love, Gerald Elrod, and Chris Moehnke. Honorable mention offense team members were Joey Ramon and Jeff Hudson. Named to 1st team defense were Mitchell Wagner, Robert Up ...

Your home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make. That’s why it’s crucial that you look carefully at any financing surrounding that purchase – or even after you’ve bought your house. Whether you’re refinancing your current loan, searching for a new one or venturing into home equity territory, it’s smart to consider the following 10 mistakes – and avoid them – before you start signing all those documents.