Congratulations to Chad and Mary Byrne. The couple married at the Blanco Church of Christ on Saturday, April 26 2008, with Brother Pete Wilson performing the ceremony. Family and friends were present to celebrate with them. Chad is the grandson of Mr. Leroy Armke (deceased) and Mrs. Marjorie Armke of Blanco.

I was doing pretty well, given the recurring signs and disappointing reminders of late. I slid right past my doctor's veiled question about taking my daily calcium. I'd long grown accustomed to the polite "ma'am" from everyone under 30. I was even close to coming to terms with that pushy few pounds that wrapped itself around my middle and refused to leave.

“Bottom line, you still have money to use and work with,” claimed the auditor after explaining his report to the County Commissioners during the April 22nd meeting. Keith Neffendorff, Auditor, Neffendorff, Knopp, Horry, and Dobbs, P.C., Fredericksburg, took command of the Blanco County Commissioner’s Court meeting as he read from and explained his “Independent Auditor’s Report”.

There Will be Blood Keith– Another Oscar mention was “There Will Be Blood.” This movie is brilliantly made & Daniel Day Lewis is brilliant but that’s where the brilliance ends. I’ve never seen a more unhappy character as this oil tycoon and have never seen someone give so much up for money and power, no wonder he will die alone, a withering drunk.

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry was in Fredericksburg on May 9 to help break ground in a ceremony to begin construction of a 40,000 square foot expansion of the National Museum of the Pacific War. While there, Perry spoke to reporters and repeated his assertion that he plans to seek a third full term as governor in 2010.

A prominent and popular minister, whose marriage nearly disintegrated along with his career, wrote the following about his neglect of things in his life he now considers vital: “They never screamed out immediately when ignored. I could neglect my spiritual disciplines, for example, and God did not seem to shout loudly about it.

The May meeting of Ranch Hiway was held May 6 at the home of Jewell Scott with Co-Host Grace Walker. Information was given regarding the spring conferenc which was held In Lulling. A report was given on our spring luncheon, which was very successful. Leona Smylie gave a report on how the Blanco state park was started.

Senior adults of Arlington’s Tate Springs Baptist Church filed to fellowship hall for a luncheon following Sunday morning services a while back. Upwards of 200 signed up for the feast, followed by a program, then a benediction voiced by Pastor Bart McDonald. It was 1:30 p.m., and the parson might now wish he had let well enough alone with a final “amen.”… * * * * * But no.

Last week, we began talking about God’s power to overcome. We discussed the fact that we need to know the power of God, and walk in the power of God. God said His people are destroyed for “lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6). If we reject God’s knowledge, we will be rejected.

Jesus said in Mark, chapter 13, verses 33-37 - "33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37And what I say ...

Taking a frontal view of the Alamo style bell-towered school house, our first and second grade classroom was on the left side of the double door entrance. Each morning all classes were lined up, single file, outside the back entrance (not the front) and were instructed to march into the classroom, each student going directly to his or her assigned desk.

Pamela Keith Pam is a transplanted Texas from the states of Maine and Iowa. She likes to say that she got here as soon as she could. She and her husband, Bob, live in the San Antonio area where she works out of her studio. Pam has tried other media such as oil painting and watercolor, but ceramics quickly became her great passion.

The Blanco County Sesquicentennial will be celebrated in Johnson City on June 7, 2008, on the Blanco County Courthouse Square from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Sesquicentennial committee would like you to share your history with our friends and visitors. We are asking for groups, organizations, businesses, and families willing to have a booth or exhibit telling about their history in Blanco County as we celebrate the 150 years.

May 15 Blanco High School Academic Awards ceremony 7:00 at BHS Cafeteria. Blanco Baseball will play Grape Creek (#4 in the state) in Fredericksburg at 7pm. May 17 Blanco Baseball will play Grape Creek in Brownwood at 1:30 at Howard Payne University (if needed, game #3 will be 30 minutes after.) May 17 • Vargas Cancer Benefit Fundraiser at Yett Park this will be an all day even.

The Blanco Library is pleased to announce the addition of a children's librarian to its staff. Christine Bailey, born in Mineral Wells, Texas, and a resident of Blanco for the past twelve years, calls herself an “Army brat” married to another Army brat, Dave, her high school sweetheart. They have three children--Travis, 14; Evan, 10; and Wyatt, 3.

The Hill Country EXXONMOBIL Retirees Club of Texas is holding its quarterly Meeting and Barbeque Luncheon at the Lady Bird Johnson Park in Fredericksburg on June 10 at 11:30 am. If you are an Exxon or Mobil retiree you are invited to attend. Contact Sam Begeman at 830-896-0541 or Dianna Green at 830-997- 6396 regarding details.

Hill Country Memorial Health System (HCMHS) in Fredericksburg will build a multi-story patient tower equipped to provide patients of Hill Country Memorial Hospital with well-designed, evidence-based private rooms. “This is all about providing quality and confidentiality in a sophisticated community like ours where we have long-time residents and new retirees coming in from all over the country,” Allen Daigle, chairman, HCMHS Board Planning Committee, said.

Residents of Blanco County, BEWARE! Someone is stealing mail and forging checks out of mailboxes on Highway 32. This happened to us and it could happen to you! So far, 3 checks have been reported, totaling more than $1000. It appears they were used at Target, Wal-Mart, and HEB in San Antonio.

AIC Travis Fojtasek has been in the Air Force for over 2 years. His job is Aircraft Structural Maintenance. He has been at Ali Al Salem AB in Afghanistan since mid-January 2008. He was awarded airman of the month for February for saving the airforce thousands of dollars by performing and repairing major structural repairs on C-130 aircraft.

Adult Grief Support Group - No one needs to suffer grief alone; everyone can benefit from care and support. CTMC Hospice Care provides a safe and comfortable environment through its grief support groups to express the feelings you may experience due to the death of a loved one. These services are available free of charge.

On Saturday, May 31st, 2008, Bicycle Sport Shop will present the 2nd Annual Real Ale Ride. The ride will start in Blanco, TX, at the Real Ale Brewing Company and is expected to draw more than 1500 cyclists, volunteers, and their guests to the beautiful town of Blanco. Participants may choose routes of 15, 30, 50, 65, and 80 miles, with challenging hills and beautiful vistas on the scenic back roads in the heart of the Texas hill country.

Safety belts have been proven effective in saving lives, yet there are still some groups that are resistant to wearing them. Young adults, teens, pickup truck drivers and their passengers, as well as nighttime motorists are at greater risk because they are less likely to wear safety belts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than half of the motor vehicle crash fatalities in these groups are found to be unrestrained.

Dorothy Barbara Zoeller Kneupper went to be with our Lord on May 11th, 2008, at the age of 85 years. Wea rejoice that she is now with our Savior, and fondly remember her life and love. Born April 8, 1923, Dorothy spent her early years in Boerne, Texas with her beloved mother, father, and two sisters.

Elsie Lee Flugrath McClain, 83, born in Blanco on August 6, 1924 and passed away on May 6, 2008 at Colonial Manor Care Center in New Braunfels. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Penshorn and husband Roy of Blanco and one brother, Hilmar Flugrath of New Braunfels. She is also survived by three grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. On behalf of the Penshorn family, we wish to thank you for all the flowers, food, and loving thoughts and prayers that were s ...

Otto Richard Sultemeier, 92, passed away Friday, May 9, 2008. He was born in Sandy, TX to Adolph and Emma Rech Sultemeier. Otto is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Maxine Stevenson Sultemeier; son, Perry Sultemeier and wife Cindy of Johnson City; daughter, Kay Williams of Johnson City; sister, Emma Lou Mohle and husband Paul of Lockhart, TX; five grandchildren, Cody Swope, Kimberly Terry, Zane Swope, Cindy Kay Sultemeier, and Brent Sultemeier; and great grandchildren, Candice and Katie ...

After competing in five different state contests this past week, at four different locations, the Blanco FFA will be making its 8th trip to a national contest, as the Blanco FFA Range Team will be competing at next week’s National Range Judging Competition in Oklahoma City. Seniors Alisa Guler, Sarah Isenberg, Ross McCormick, Jared Newby, Samantha Ruiz, and Junior Katie Baker, will be representing Blanco High School and the State of Texas following their 4th place finish at state.

Each year, the National FFA Organization awards $2 million in scholarships. There are many types of scholarships to fit the diversity of FFA members. Scholarships are given for a wide variety of experiences, career goals and higher education plans. Different awards may be used at colleges, universities and post secondary agricultural programs. Scholarships are sponsored by numerous businesses through the National FFA Foundation with new scholarships added each year.

John Smith, research scientist at Texas A&M University, spent two days visiting with Pam Meier's 7th grade science classes as part of a water testing project. Students took water samples from their wells throughout various locations in the district, and over the course of two days, these samples were analyzed and reports were generated regarding the water in South Blanco County.

Our family Little League story begins with “Big Jim the Arm” Armsberg (aka Papa). Jim, a South Dakota farm boy who learned to be a flame throwing pitcher by throwing rocks at rabbits, moved to Wenatchee, Washington, in 1953. This was the first year Wenatchee ever had organized Little League baseball.

Blanco beat Coahoma 5-3 and 11-3 to advance to the Regional Quarterfinals. Senior Ross McCormick started for the Panthers in game one and went seven strong innings striking out eight and scattering six hits to pick up his seventh victory of the year. Blanco pounded out 11 hits during the game. Ethan Evans went three for three.

On Thursday, May 8, the Blanco Panther All Sports Banquet was held at the Blanco High School. Jay Top with SASports opened the ceremony. Coach Danny Rogers announce the football teams starting with JV and then proceeded on to the varsity. Volleyball was announced by Coach Mitchel Etzel. Coach Stuart Schultz announced vrossed vountry, girls basketball and tennis.

Congratulations to Rebecca Howerton, Tina Gourley, and Ron Houston on their election to the Blanco City Council. The representation of the citizens and the Blanco environmental issues are at the heart of Keep Blanco Beautiful. The enforcement of the federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and codes that provide safety, health, and welfare for the citizens of Blanco is the responsibly of the mayor and city council. Rebecca has worked diligently, as our elected representative, to accept this ...

On April 30, the Lutheran Church hosted our monthly birthday party for April. Don Shugart was honored with a gift from the Blanco National Bank. Everyone enjoyed cake, ice cream and punch while Darlene Kiernan played the piano and Dorothy Dillon sang old time favorites. On Monday, May 5, the Blanco Orchestra came to Live Oak Medical Center and played a medley of old favorites and Spanish music in honor of Cinco de Mayo.

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 Police Reports These reports were filed between Apr 2 ...

Band to Hold Spring Concert On Saturday, May 11 May 10, 1968 The Blanco High School Band, directed by Billy A. Harrell, will present its annual Spring Concert this Saturday, May 11, at 8:00 p.m. in the high school gym. Admission will be 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for students. Some of the featured numbers will be “Burnished Brass” by Cacavas and “Trumptes Ole” by Cofield. FFA elect new officers May 12, 1978 The Blanco FFA Chapter held is annual election of officers for ...

The day is finally here. You've taken that big leap and purchased a home of your own. You spend your first evening in the new house with a bottle of champagne—toasting yourself on a job well done. But later that night, you wake up in a cold sweat—full of regret.