P.S. I Love You Keith I watched this with my wife and was expecting a chick flick sob fest with some sweet moments; by the end I just wanted this to end. It was hard to identify with his dying because they didn't really lead up to it, one minute he's there - next scene he's gone and then we finally find out why during his drinking social/comedic funeral.

Gentle readers: The farewell party for our beloved, one and only Charles has been rescheduled for May 29, 2008, on the courthouse lawn between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. He is leaving for the colder climes of Fort Collins, Colorado. We will miss him dreadfully, but he promises to keep in touch - he is a wizard with a computer!

AUSTIN - Records obtained via the Texas Public Information Act reveal that in the first 19 days following the April 3 raid of the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado, the state spent close to $7.5 million. The Austin American-Statesman on May 16 reported a breakdown of the expenditures, unaudited figures obtained from the governor’s office. Here are rounded estimates of those unaudited costs: • Department of Family and Protective Services: $2.2 million • Health & Human Services Commission: $1 mil ...

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been discussing the different principles in the Bible that equip us to live the overcoming life. Knowing and understanding these principles will enable us to live the victorious life that Christ died to give us. Jesus did come to destroy the works of the devil (1Jn 3:8); and that’s exactly what He did (Col 2:15, Mt 28:18, 1Pt 3:22, Eph 1:20-22).

County Extension Agent-Family & Consumer Sciences Blanco County Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Blanco County will be hosting a Babysitters Boot Camp June 9-11. The course will last from 8 am to 5 pm on June 9 and 10 and from 9 am to Noon on June 11. The registration fee will be $65 and includes lunch on Monday and Tuesday.

Congratulations to Mrs. Priscilla Seals for her nomination and selection to the Texas Public Schools 2008 Media Honor Roll. Media representatives from Texas newspapers, radio, and television stations have been selected to the 2008 Media Honor Roll by school districts across the State of Texas. Sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards the Media Honor Roll program recognizes media representatives statewide who deserve recognition for fair and balanced reporting of news about public sc ...

Another successful year has come to a close with the Blanco Rodeo Association's Annual Washer Pitching tournament held on May 3. A total of 21 teams from around the area registered to compete, but only one team could be declared champion. The father/son team of Mark Owens and Pete Owens took that title, winning 1st place, while 2nd place was awarded to Raul Ruiz and Jose Bustos and 3rd place to Roberto Ruiz and Ignacio Ruiz. A special "Thank You"

May 22 • “Growing Up in Blanco” Five local men discuss their boyhood times growing up together in our town. A round table conversation beginning at 7 p.m. in the Library as part of the “My Story, Your Story, Our Story” series of the One Book, One Community effort. May 24 • First Annual Pointless Chili Cook Off Party, Albert, Texas-Saturday, May 24th, Bar hours 10:00am to 1:00am Cooks Registration 2:00pm, Fee $15.00 Cooks Dinner 5:00 pm, Sponsored by Raul Garcia, Sunday, May 25th ...

Dear Editor, I had some friends visiting from Austin yesterday and decided to take them to Wayne Smith Dam to let our children play. I was absolutely appalled when we got there at the amount of trash and glass bottles that littered the entire area. Why in God's name would people be that inconsiderate?

Completing the full spectrum of emotions, a lunch-time group at the "Brown Bag" Blanco Library Book Review Series heard stories that took them from "tears to laughter" at noon on April 3rd. "This time we've had together today was informative, inspiring, and just plain fun," said Jan Redmond, the Blanco Library Head Librarian.

Local wood artist Doris Phipps has been selected to exhibit at the Official Texas State Arts and Crafts Fair May 23-26, 2008. Through a stringent jury process, images of the applicant’s work are viewed simultaneously by a panel of jurors from the fair, as well as professionals from the art community. Jurors score the artists’ work according to concept, workmanship, originality, and presentation.

Matthew P. Burchett Navy Seaman Recruit Matthew P. Burchett, son of Shelly J. Castilleja of Blanco, Texas and Robert Burchett of Floresville, Texas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Burchett completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety.

The Blanco Library, in the interest of providing more open hours for patrons and better use of staff and our loyal volunteers, will begin new library hours effective Tuesday, May 27, 2008. The library will close for the Memorial Day holiday, May 24, 25 and 26. The new Library hours are: Monday: 10AM-6PM Tuesday: 12PM-8PM Wednesday: 10AM-6PM Thursday: 12PM-8PM Friday: 10AM-6PM Saturday: 10AM-4PM Sunday: 2PM-6PM (Closed Sunday-Memorial Day to Labor Day) Along with new hours and staff ...

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.

May 15, 2008 (KANSAS CITY, Mo.) – Ed Ely, Carol Bigott and Janice Fox, managing partners, have recently opened a United Country Real Estate franchise in Johnson City, Texas. Located at 205 Highway 281 North, the office will be called United Country – J Myane Realty. The franchise is owned by Jerry Myane, broker and licensed REALTOR®, who also owns and operates a United Country office in Blanco, Texas. United Country – J Myane Realty offers United’s real estate marketing services that ...

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and more than a million new cases will be diagnosed nationwide this year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. As a community service, Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center and local dermatologists are joining forces to provide a free skin cancer screening at the Wellness Center Friday, June 6, from 8 a.m.

We've all made embarrassing mistakes, and know the bible teaches us to apologize right away, ask God to forgive us, and do it before we go to bed! We don't have to live forever ashamed, once we have taken it to the Lord. But what about when others hurt us? We need to be kind to them and their animals?

The First United Methodist Church of Johnson City welcomes Pastor Sid Spiller as their new pastor on June 15, 2008. Pastor Sid is currently the pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Mathis, Texas. He is in his 34th year as a minister. Pastor Sid has undergraduate degrees in Business, Economics and Education. Prior to entering SMU where he received a Masters of Theology, Pastor Sid taught high school business.

Who’da thought it? Despite college graduation rates being lower than we’d like, over the long haul, a higher percentage of colleges than students have failed. In Texas for every cornerstone at an institution still functioning, there are at least two gravestones marking others that failed. Churches led the way in establishing colleges.

Paul Alexander Tenny, 20 years old, of Blanco, Texas, went to be with the Lord on May 19, 2008. Paul was born on August 24, 1987, in Blanco, Texas. Paul was the son of Gwendolyn Reynolds and James Tenny. Paul spent the first 15 years of his life in the First Baptist Church.

Todd Lester of Navigant Consulting presented the firm’s Report on Director Compensation to the Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors at Monday’s meeting in Johnson City. The report stated, “With one exception, the average total compensation of PEC’s directors exceeds director compensation levels at the other largest cooperatives in the U.S.

The Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) Foundation is pleased to award scholarships of $1,000 to 10 graduating high school seniors in the Austin area. Each year, the Foundation recognizes students’ academic merit, extracurricular involvement and employment histories with scholarships that are good for use at any Texas college or university. The Foundation warmly congratulates these deserving scholarship recipients: Sarah Kocurek of Blanco High School, who will study education at Tarleton Sta ...

Three members of the Blanco FFA qualified to earn $600 for the Blanco High School Library this past week as they were selected for the National FFA Scholarship. Senior Blanco FFA members Alisa Guler, Sarah Isenberg, and Ross McCormick were each selected by the National FFA Organization to receive a $1,000 Cargill Commuity Scholarship. As a part of the scholarship program, Cargill will also donate $200 in the name of each student to the Blanco High School Library.

The school year is coming to an end, but the memories made last week during the Blanco Elementary Corpus Christi Trip will last a lifetime. Every year, Blanco fifth graders are filled with excitement as they board charter buses and head for the Texas coast. This year was no different.

SEGUIN, Texas - May 2008 - Local resident Michelle Kempf of Blanco was among the 158 Texas Lutheran University graduates who walked the stage on May 10, 2008. Kempf, a kinesiology major, graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. A graduate of Blanco High School, Kempf is the daughter of Leo and Beverly Kempf. Texas Lutheran is an exclusively undergraduate university of the liberal arts, sciences and professional studies.

The Panthers’ season ended last weekend in Brownwood with them losing to Grape Creek in a two out of three series. The first game was played in Fredericksburg on Thursday, May 15. Blanco lost 6-3. Ross McCormick started on the mound for the Panthers and went seven strong innings, striking out 10 and scattering five hits.

A signature program of the Kayak Anglers Society of America (501c3), the High School Kayak Fishing Series (HSKFS) has been specifically created to introduce high school students to the sport of competitive fishing, to increase their knowledge of the outdoors, and to help foster a strong conservation ethic in each student angler.

I would like to introduce the Spring Branch Tennis Center to our community. This is a non-profit organization whose mission is to make tennis more accessible to our community. The youth and adults in our area need a place to play and socialize for all ages and abilities. There are currently no public tennis facilities in or around our community.

The spring mornings are wonderful and the summer afternoons are here. The afternoon temperatures have hit 90 degrees several days. Some of the plants are showing the effects. One of the bad bugs have hit many of our plants this season. Thrips have damaged many roses this spring. Many of the roses don’t open completely and the edges turn brown.

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. Blanco Police Reports These reports were filed between May 5 and May 14. May 8 • Citizen Assist. 8:12 AM.

Methodists to honor graduates May 19, 1978 The United Methodist Church of Blanco will hold a special Senior Day Service on May 21. The graduating seniors will be honored during the Sunday morning service with a covered dish luncheon following. Dr. Rod O’Connor of Texas A & M University will be the guest speaker.

Choosing the right neighborhood is as important as finding the perfect house. Think about it: When you purchase property, you are essentially buying the area where you will spend a lot of time as well—at stores, parks, schools, neighbors’ homes, roads, and everything else that goes into a neighborhood. We all want to live in a community where we feel safe and comfortable.