Jason Robert Davis and Kristin Marie Canady happily announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. They will be joined by family and close friends on March 22, 2008 as they begin this journey as husband and wife. This celebration of love will be held in Burnet, TX where both are employed in law enforcement.

Greg and Donna Norris of Spring Branch, Texas and David and Linda Lehmann of Warda, Texas announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their children, Brenda Michelle Norris and Justin Robert Lehmann. Brenda and Justin were engaged on March 14, 2007 overlooking the Continental Divide in Winter Park, CO. Brenda is a 2002 graduate of Canyon High School in New Braunfels and a 2007 graduate of Texas A&M University where she was a member of the 2006 Big 12 Champion Women’s Golf Team.

The Great American Clean Up started on March 1, 2008 and will go to May 31, 2008. The National Sponsors this year are Troy Bilt, WM-Waste Management, Honda, Firestone, Sprint, Sams, Wrigley, Scotts Miracle Grow, Force Flex, Glad, Dow and Pepsi. Thanks to Sherri Stockman at Real Foods, we now have a new sponsor for the 2nd annual Great Blanco River Clean Up.

American Gangster Keith–The hype surrounding American Gangster, in my opinion, was dead on. This is just good storytelling about Frank Lucas and his heroin rise to the top as Harlem’s drug lord back in the early 1970’sand and the cop that took him on. Denzel & Russell are superb as always and I was intrigued from the first minute to the last.

This past Friday our beloved Virginia Beare passed away. She was so kind to me, giving me her treasured file box, with all the names of people she checked on for happenings to put in the Potpourri. Blanco will be a little less for her passing. Our thoughts are with her family.

Turnout for the March 4 primary elections likely will reach a record number. Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson, the state's chief elections officer, on Feb. 27 projected an overall turnout of 26 percent of the registered voters in Texas. That is 3.3 million voters. The previous record came 20 years ago in the 1988 presidential primaries, with 2.7 million Texas voters casting ballots. To predict turnout, the secretary of state's office factors in early voting from Texas' 15 most populous c ...

As part of a series of articles for Blanco County’s birthday, the Blanco County News is publishing family histories from local families. The Lindeman family can be traced for 7 generations. The known heritage begins in Prussia in the late 1700s. Johann Andreas Lindeman was born in 1797 and married Eva Affa in 1820.

A big hoorah for Meg Davis, Blanco Elementary art teacher, and Meredith Parsons, Katherine Anne Porter librarian, who have initiated teaching the benefits of bike riding in our education system. Teaching our youth about pollution protection and other environmental plusses is a huge step in Blanco's awareness and growth. Our teachers have the most significant influence on our village youth and their loving embrace of the Blue Bike Project will provide sustainability and an opportunity for our ch ...

March 1 and 2, internationally renown publisher and decorative painter, Gretchen Cagle, honored Blanco and the Hill Country by instructing painting classes in the area. Saturday’s class, taught in the Old Blanco Courthouse, emphasized acrylic blending techniques. Sunday’s class, taught at Wendy’s Red Door Painting Studio, featured painting transparent glass with oils. Gretchen’s painting seminars are sought by painters all over the world.

Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center will provide two classes in March designed to help individuals reduce blood fats and blood pressure, as well as help them achieve a healthier lifestyle by learning how to manage their sodium intake. The first session, “Reducing Blood Triglycerides,” will be March 12 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The day had begun like so many others in late September. Although the date on the calendar said fall, the weather was warm and sunny. Doris remembers the day vividly, for it was her younger son’s birthday, September 28th, 2002. She had gone grocery shopping to prepare a special birthday dinner for her family. However, on that day she was to receive a phone call which would change her life forever.

David’s Song, a Southern Gospel trio based in Tyler, TX, will perform at First Baptist Church, this weekend, March 8-9th. This will mark the third year in a row that the group, David Huffine the baritone, David McKain, the tenor, and David Fowler, the lead, has performed in Blanco. This year, they will spend the weekend with the community, beginning with a breakfast meeting on Saturday morning at 8:00 AM.

Psychologist Henry Brandt was speaking on overcoming anger to a group not usually associated with rage, but an angry minister was in this crowd who desperately needed what the speaker that day had to say. And not more than four minutes into the lecture this needy one was, in his words, “blazing mad.” He assumed that his wife had invited him to come to this conference so Brandt could preach to him. Small wonder. Brandt’s text met this mad minister right where he lived: “Let all bittern ...

John 8:2- 11- “2Early in the morning (at dawn), He came back into the temple [court], and the people came to Him in crowds. He sat down and as teaching them, 3When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him. 4Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. 5Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such [women-offenders] shall be stoned to death.

Last week we started to talk about how we’re to resolve differences. This applies not only to the church; but in marriages and families, in work relationships, and in friendships as well. We saw the first three principles in resolving differences are: 1. Know who your enemy is (and it’s not people Eph 6:10-12) 2.

The sentence has been on the top shelf of the literary cabinet, a nugget well-worn by repetition, teetering on the brink of triteness. I’ve resisted using it, despite the temptation to join others who’ve lifted the line from the movie released 14 years ago. You remember it: Forrest Gump. “Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates; never know what you’re going to get,” Forrest said, lavishing credit on his mama.

Alfred Knoll was born in a farm house in Twin Sisters on February 23, 1914 to Albert and Mina Georg Knoll. He attended Twin Sisters School and grew up on his father’s farm and eventually took over the farm. He worked hard his whole life, as a farmer, rock mason and in the grocery store.

Bertha Novotny Trainer was born in West, Texas, on October 4, 1915 and passed away on March 3, 2008. After moving from Marble Falls, she was living at Homewood Suites on DeZavala with her husband of 70 years. They lived for many years in Fort Worth, where Bertha lovingly taught first grade.

Charles Franklin Mincemoyer, born August 5, 1917 to David Norman and Frances Christina Richardson in Cherry Valley, Illinois passed away February 27, 2008 in New Braunfels, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, the former Catherine Lundgren and their children Martha Blair and husband Richard of Kerrville, Texas, Marguerite Macke and husband Paul of New Braunfels, son Carl and wife Debra of New Braunfels, son Clifford and wife Druanne of San Antonio, Texas.

Virginia Harris Beare, born May 9, 1916 passed away on February 29, 2008. She was a much loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Virginia was born to Lanier and Eugenia Clegg Harris in Saint Louis, Missouri. She lived most of her life in San Antonio, Texas where she grew up with her brothers, Lanier and Joe.

Johnson City invites you to enjoy the springtime ambiance and wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country by joining our annual Wildflower celebration. Wildflower Days springs into action Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, from 9am to 5pm. This Wildflower Days celebration is one of the most natural wonders in the Texas Hill Country with Johnson City, Texas, right in the middle of all of the beauty!

The Blanco County Master Gardeners Association would like to invite you to attend a presentation on Landscaping with Cacti, Succulents and Native Plants. The presentation will be made by landscaper Larry Fagarason and will be held on Tuesday, March 11th at 1:00 p.m. at the Blanco County Library. Larry Fagarason is licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

February 18, 2008 – The official dedication of the Withers-Spaulding Building, Johnson City, brought together a large group of Blanco County citizens, some in 1850’s period dress. Judge Bill Guthrie, in black top hat, dress coat, and boots, from the era, read an official proclamation opening the building to the public.

The American Red Cross will bring its emergency shelter operations training course back to Blanco County Saturday, March 8, at 9 am in the Activities Building of the Johnson City First United Methodist Church. This is the same course which last May launched the Blanco County Disaster Response Group by training 36 local residents in how to set up, operate and shut down a short-term emergency shelter.

Smile Texas/Mobile Dentists came to Blanco Elementary on February 27 and 28 and saw 62 students. 37 students need further treatment for cavities - which is about 60%. Parents of students needing more dental care will be notified by the Mobile Dentist staff. The dentist, dental hygienist and dental assistant cleaned teeth, gave fluoride treatments, applied sealants, screened teeth for problems, and x-rayed teeth.

Blanco Middle School will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, March 13, as part of Texas Public Schools Week activities. The theme for this year’s Open House is, “Education: Go Get It!” Throughout the week, students and teachers will be discussing the importance of education, and the opportunities young people have in their future in regards to college. Dr.

Even though the school year is winding down, Girl Scout registration is going strong. Girls can register to participate in Girl Scouts at any time and can immediately begin enjoying the many programs, friendships and opportunities, including summer camp, available through Girl Scouting. Summer camp, one of the most loved Girl Scout opportunities, is fast approaching.

The Blanco FFA senior and junior livestock judging teams competed in the Floresville and Victoria Livestock Judging Contests on the 23rd and 24th of February. With more than 50 schools competing at each contest, the Blanco FFA did extremely well placing in the top ten at each contest. At Floresville, Blanco’s senior team of Austin Thompson, Keaton Dodd, Carrie Lockwood, Quaid Haack, John Pepper, and Lindsey Winn ranked 2nd overall with Austin and Keaton placing 6th and 7th respectively in ...

On Tuesday March 11 Blanco Elementary will host the First Annual “Math Counts and Science Matters” event; an exciting evening of Math and Science activities geared for elementary aged children and their families. Registration will begin at 5:30 pm and continue to 6:10 pm in front of the elementary school office.

As the 2008 Spring Break quickly approaches here are just a few safety tips. Beach Tips • Drink plenty of water, non-carbonated and non-alcoholic drinks, even if you do not feel thirsty. • Stay within the designated swimming area and ideally within the visibility of a lifeguard • Never swim alone. • Be aware of rip currents.

Its time again for the Blanco Panther Baseball-Softball Camp. The Camp will be held March 17th and 18th starting at 11am and ending at 2pm. The cost is once again $25 per camper, and covers all instruction, insurance, camp T-shirt, hat, and snacks. 7th and 8th graders come for free, but you can buy a cap and t-shirt for $8 each.

Blanco opened up with San Saba and lost 11-5 Blake West took the loss for the Panthers, going four innings, striking out four, and scattering 10 hits. Offensively, the Panthers were sluggish, only managing five hits. Chantell Young was two for three, scoring two runs. Austin Thompson was one for two with two RBI’s.

The Lady Panthers held their annual tournament on Thursday, February 28 through March 1. The final game down to Bandera who defeated Centerpoint 4-1 in the Guaranteed game; Somerset also defeated Llano 2-1 in the Consolation game; Johnson City defeated Blanco 5-2 in the third place game; and Fredericksburg defeated Lago Vista 2-1 in eight innings in the Championship game. Blanco ended up in fourth place with a 2-2 record in the tournament.

On Friday, February 29, the track was full of jumpers, throwers and runners along with many spectators to watch the first track meet. Schools from Lago Vista, Wimberley, Cole, Medina Valley, Canyon Lake and Comfort were all in attendance. In the JV division, Blanco, as a team, took second place with 117 points. At the long jump pit, Luke took first place with a jump of 18.6, in the triple jump, Duke finished second with a jump of 38.10, followed by Martinez, who took fifth with a jump of ...

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 ...

Alma Armke honored on 80th birthday March 2, 1988 Eighty-five friends and relatives attended an Open House Sunday, March 28, 1988, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in honor of Alma Armke’s eightieth birthday. The celebration was hosted by Bernice Knight, Gladys Mueller, Helen Waxler, and their families. Alma visited with schoolmates she hadn’t seen in many years, including her elementary teacher, Vivian Stubbs. Cake, punch and sandwiches were enjoyed by all. Choices for Blanco cou ...

Rumors abound that anyone—no matter how bad their credit is—can buy a home in today’s real estate market. While some lenders are willing to take on riskier loans, you may pay the price in premium interest rates, hidden loan fees, and other unfavorable terms. So what if you have substandard credit—or no credit?