The 4th annual Lavender Festival is only 3 days away. Our Beautification volunteers have been working to help make the Downtown Historic Square clean and full of flowers. The lack of rain has really worked against us but it still looks great. Our Environmental volunteers have also been working to help educate property owners on environmental laws and to encourage voluntary compliance.

I had just left the bait shop. Stuck in traffic, an old hearse caught my eye. Pondering what becomes of old hearses, it struck me — the ultimate sportsman’s vehicle! That sled would put an SUV to shame, I reasoned. Isn’t a hearse actually an upscale SUV? A Sport Undertakers Vehicle with leather interior and smoother ride.

The Orphanage Keith- The orphanage is a scary, suspenseful little tale that I underestimated. This is the first film from this director, but he captured this tale perfectly. It is about an orphan who is adopted and comes back years later with her husband to buy the house and adopt 4 or 5 children to give them the chance she was given.

Every week, the article that appears here is simply the sermon that I delivered on the previous Sunday morning at Abundant Grace Fellowship. I just put it in written form on Sunday night or Monday morning, and send it in. This week, Dr. Cecil Paxton delivered the message to the church, and we were blessed by it.

Janos Arnosky, of Blanco Boy Scout Troop 497, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout Sunday, June 8th at a ceremony that took place at the Arnosky Family barn. The rank of Eagle is the highest achievement in scouting. Scoutmaster Dr. John Weaver presented Janos with the award of Eagle Scout, and the ceremony was attended by about 50 friends and family members.

This Friday June 13th at Blanco Rodeo Assn Arena in Yett Park 5:00pm books open. We will close books at 6:15pm so we can start promptly at 6:30pm. You have to be a resident of Blanco ISD or Johnson City ISD to participate. Four different age groups 7 and under lead line, pee wee 7 and under ride alone, Juniors 8 to 12 yearr olds and Seniors 13 to 18 yearr olds.

The Blanco Youth Football League announced officers for the 2008-2009 season: President: Paul Elrod Vice-President: Matt Horton Vice-President: Debbie Triesch Secretary: Tiffany Hodge Treasurer: Melissa Kneese IT/Equipment Director: Doug Edwards Cheer Director: Melissa Kneese The BYFL will be holding another sign-up on Wednesday, June 18th from 6-8pm on the square. Parents can also pick up and return forms at City Hall.

Donating blood is a simple and painless process but less than five percent of the eligible population participates. Patients such as accident victims and premature babies across south Texas depend on this precious gift everyday. There’s an additional incentive to donate blood. Donate on two occasions between May 1st and September 30th and receive a $20 H-E-B gift card.

June 6-July 18 • Blanco Library Summer Reading Program: Texas Summer Reading Club Jubilee! 1958-2008. The library will host entertainers and storytellers every Friday @10 am for Blanco children to come and enjoy! In addition, if your child reads 5 books, they will earn a free ticket to The Ringling Bros.

With the continuing upward spiral of the cost of gas and groceries, more families are appealing to the Good Samaritan Center for groceries and special aid assistance (rent, utilities, gas, water, medicine, clothes). The following breakdown reveals the increase in requests received during the first four months of 2008 over those experienced in the first four months of 2007: Groceries: first 4 months of 2007 No.

On April 26, 2008, on behalf of 33 veterans buried at Round Mountain Cemetery in Round Mountain, the Highland Lakes Honor Guard provided military funeral honors with ceremonial flags, rifle salute, playing of TAPS, flag-folding ceremony and flag presentation to the next of kin. The Highland Lakes Honor Guard was officially Certified by the Department of Defense as an authorized provider of military funeral honors at the presentation in Round Mountain.

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.

The Blanco County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue members are pleased to have given out six scholarships this year to Blanco and LBJ High School graduates at their June 2nd meeting. Through the generosity of local groups that request our help at their events, we were able to build up funds for our yearly scholarship awards for continuing education for our graduating high school students. Anyone interested in learning more about our organization can contact Elaine Cross, membership ch ...

The fine folks at Super S Foods will once again get things started for this year’s Lavender Festival. They have teamed up with Y-100 country Radio from San Antonio to host a live broadcast from 4:30 to 6 pm in the parking lot with games and surprises. There will free snacks and soft drinks.

The Blanco Library is proud to present Austin Children’s Author, Davis Ford to the Summer Reading Program on Friday June 13 at 10 am. Davis will read his children’s book, Leroy the Cowboy: Children and Horses to Blanco’s children and will have copies of his book to sign for purchase.

During the month of June, the Blanco Library is showcasing the art of Blanco resident Trish Woodruff, whose acrylics and oil compositions vibrate with rich colors and energy. Many of her works glow with spirituality, including figures which resemble a madonna and child, and a composition resembling the Last Supper.

Blanco United Methodist Church began their annual Vacation Bible School on Sunday, June 8, 2008. The evening began with a Hamburger Kick-off, gathering music with BUMC’s Music & Choir Directors, Ed and Linda Casburn, and more than 100 participants, including helpers. The children moved through a series of stations for drama, storytelling, crafts and outdoor games and concluded the first day with music and prayer.

I love God’s Word, and am passionate about reading it. When I have a problem, I look up what the bible says about it. That one little effort sets off a whole series of study sessions; following scripture references. In Hebrews 11:6 it is written “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Jeremiah 29:13- “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your hea ...

We met standing in line at the Post office on a beautiful balmy day. I opened our conversation commenting on the weather, hoping it might lead to an opportunity to talk about the goodness of God. “It’s a beautiful day!” he replied, “but I dread what’s ahead.” “Why?” I asked, just as he reached the front of the line. “We’re going to pay for this!” he said, heading to the counter to do his mailing. “I don’t believe that!” I called, probably causing everyone in the ...

That “whooshing” sound you hear has nothing to do with the wind. Rather, it is the collective wheeze of school superintendents exhaling at the same time. (Please, no insensitive questions about whether it’s hot air!) These CEO’s, and bunches of others in the educational enterprise, figure that foul-ups of the 2007-2008 school year now are in their rearview mirrors. Such stalwarts are beaten down by end-of-year turbulence that strikes liken to waves beating against the rocks.

You’ve seen them. They’re everywhere. Hanging on poles in the neighbor’s barnyard; on signs and billboards around town; on the sides of self-storage buildings, offices and warehouses all over Blanco; even on city-owned utility poles illuminating Blanco’s streets. It’s the ubiquitous 175 watt mercury vapor “security light.” Evil outdoor lighting at its worst.

AUSTIN - The governor’s mansion burned Sunday morning, June 8. The 152-year-old structure, which was being renovated, is gutted. Firefighters were summoned around 1:45 a.m. They worked for hours to put the fire out. Authorities said the cause of the fire appeared to be arson. A multi-agency investigation has commenced. Gov. Rick Perry and first lady Anita Perry were traveling in Europe on a trade mission when the fire occurred.

Summer, Fall Weekends Set Near Austin, San Antonio, Houston AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Outdoor Family program is expanding, offering a new series of weekend workshops in state parks this summer and fall. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department began the program two years ago, and is also hosting workshops in local parks through partnerships with cities, river authorities and others. "Today’s children are growing up in urban areas and becoming disconnected with the world of nature and the outdo ...

Elementary Editor’s Note: The Elementary honor rolls were inadvertantly reversed last week. A Honor Roll First Grade AJ Briscoe,Bailey Bryan, Karley Burnett, Reyna Calzoncit, Dillon Delafuente, Cade Felps, Cody Frei, Hanna Garrett, Hallie Gloor, Ernesto Gonzalez, Ryan Grohe, Carly Haack, Tanner Hilterbrant, Lyndoll Hope Cox, Chance Horton, Brady Hunter, Helen Hunter, Jackson Hunter, Brynn Kirkland, Taylor Kotfas, Carlie Kuebel, Lane Lowak, Jayme Mowery, Cooper Riley, Jennifer Rodarte, Ka ...

Blanco Volleyball will be holding its annual summer camp June 30 - July 2 from 9AM - Noon in the High School Gym. The camp is open to incoming 5th - 9th graders. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria each day after the camp. Each camper will receive a camp T-shirt for attending the camp.

In Round One - The first place team #13; Captain John L. Dechert & Pam Meier, BoBo & Rhonda Delavan, and Bill & Carla Ernst bowled against the fourth place team #5; Captain Arlin Dowdy and Alice Dowdy, Connie Russell & Clara Gourley, Troy Immel & L.J. Preiss. The scores were: Team #13 - 208 and 229, and Team #5 - 203 and 215.

Two from Blanco Receive Degrees June 7, 1968 Nelson J. Jonas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Jonas of Blanco, received a Masters degree in mathematics from Southwest Texas State College on May 29. Donald E. Rose, son of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Rose of Blanco, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Texas.

If you are looking to buy or sell property in the next few months, take my advice and have it inspected by a qualified professional. Rumor has it that do-it-yourself inspection kits are gaining in popularity. But if you choose to inspect it yourself, I'd say prepare for the worst. If you're a homebuyer, inspecting the property will help you identify potential problems and might also cue you to preventive measures, avoiding costly future repairs.