James and Esther Dowlearn will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2008. The couple have three children, Sandra Ginder of Indianapolis, Ind., Melody Howard of Oceanside, California, and Douglas Dowlearn of Blanco, Texas, nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. The Immediate family will celebrate in Rockport, Texas.

June 18, 2008(FHTNC)—Navy Seaman Recruit Samuel A. Featherstone, a 2004 graduate of Smithson Valley High School, Spring Branch, Texas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Featherstone 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.

Brandon Rendon graduated June 5, 2008 from Richard Milburn Academy in Killeen, TX Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.4. Brandon is the only male student in the history of the academy to graduate with honors. Brandon is pursuing a career in the medical field. Brandon’s grandparents are Gary and Mary Wood of Blanco, George and Alta Rendon of Spring Branch, and great grandmother Pearl Greevon of Blanco.

The Bucket List Keith- The Bucket List is a movie about 2 older fellows (Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman) who end up in the same hospital room together and learn of their fates together. An odd couple for sure they end up making up a list of things they want to do before they die and while there very different souls they both learn from one another in time to cherish a few important things in their life that they had lost.

Bonnie and Jeff Holmes are the proud "grandparents" of 6 Standard Poodle puppies! Miss Marci, although never married, is, by all reports, a wonderful mother! The puppies are all named for snakes, snakes being the passion of their "grandpa." FYI - I have resigned from the Chamber, so I won't be seeing any of you through the window.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for the Highland Lakes Area, Inc. is having their 3RD Annual Motorcycle Rally & Armadillo Run in Riesen Park again this year, beginning Friday June 27th through Sunday June 29th. The function will serve as a fund raiser for the non-profit organization as well as a public awareness effort.

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.

Students came from as far away as Eagle Pass for the disaster training given Saturday at the Johnson City First United Methodist Church. The subject was “Spiritual and Emotional Care” — how to help survivors get through the emotional trauma of a disaster — but the skills will be applicable not only in large incidents but in lesser, everyday crises such as house fires, job loss or a death in the family. “It sounds like a religious course, and in some ways it is,” said Pastor Sid Sp ...

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.

Blanco, Texas (June 25, 2008) -- Want to learn what it takes to soar on the flying trapeze or just what goes into those cream pies that the clowns throw? Or maybe learn some fun facts about one of the more than 100 cities the mile-long circus train visits or how to teach your old dog a new trick?

Week 3 of the Summer Reading Program at The Blanco Library saw the biggest crowd yet. Last Friday, June 20, close to 100 children came to the library. There were kids of all ages, from tiny babies, all the way up to high school kids! They were there to hear snake and reptile expert, Jeff Holmes, give a presentation about snakes and lizards.

A descendant of William Trainer, whose family was the third to settle in the Blanco Valley, Bernice West catalogs her family's history. The family reunion is set for this weekend in Blanco, to be attended by many from near and far. The Trainer family and its branches continue to thrive in Blanco County. By Bernice West Prior to the year of 1853, this was the disputed domain of buffalo, mustang, black bear, panther, Mexican lion, and almost all kind of small game.

Blanco United Methodist Church wrapped up its 2008 Vacation Bible School with a Children's Program and social activity in God's Big Backyard (theme) on Thursday evening, June 12th. After a week of learning how to serve others and God, the children demonstrated what they learned through a skit, singing, and reciting Bible verses.

Satchel Paige, the winning pitcher and baseball diamond philosopher, gained a national reputation for his widely circulated rules for successful living. The most remembered of these was “Don’t look back. Something may be gaining on you.” Satchel’s pitch to let the past be past was good advice. Too many of us allow yesterday’s failures to steal today’s joy and cancel tomorrow’s opportunities.

Last week, we saw that The Holy Spirit is a Gift from God; and that we are to stir up our relationship with Him (1Tim 4:14, 2Tim 1:6). We should never neglect our fellowship with The Holy Spirit. We also saw that God wants us to lack in no gift (1Cor 1:5-7, Num 11:25-29), and that we should earnestly desire and be zealous for things of The Spirit.

It is written in James 5:16 - “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” KJV (The prayer of a fervent righteous woman availeth much, too!) In my pursuit of a better understanding of God's Word; and as I was praying and seeking Jesus by reading my bible, I suddenly felt compelled to bare myself unto you, dear reader, as an act of humbleness, and obedience unto God.

Dear Editor, As a relatively new member of the Blanco community, I want to share what a pleasure it was to participate in both the Blanco Lavender Festival and the Peyton Colony Juneteenth Celebration the past two weekends. I know events like these are successful because of the tremendous efforts of many working behind the scenes and it was a personal pleasure to support the preparation work for both events, to enjoy the festivities themselves, and to get to know so many of my fellow Blanco co ...

The federal Highway Trust Fund, which is the largest single source of funding for Texas’ 79,000 miles of roads, is on the brink of insolvency. Unless Congress takes action, there will be a 34 percent cut in U.S. highway and bridge investment, which will cause our transportation infrastructure to deteriorate and our economy to suffer.

The Blanco Little League has announced the Minor Boys All-Star Team. The players include: Hayden Calzoncit, Jonathon Campbell, Ross Edwards, Jesse Ferrell, Jackson Fordice, Chase Horton, Jeremy Kindla, Jack Morgan, Logan Parker, Hugo Rodriguez, Jacob Ruiz, Devin Sauerhoff, and Jordan Wagner. After 3 months of regular season baseball, these fine young athletes are now going through intense practice sessions preparing them for their upcoming post-season play. Heading the Team is Jessie Ruiz; his ...

Super Squad of the Hill Country will make its debut the first week in September in Blanco Elementary. The after-school enrichment program covers a spectrum of activities including cheerleading, dance, pom pom, tumbling and much more. It’s designed to boost self-confidence, build character and encourage team work. This program is for everyone.

The 4th Lavender Festival has come and gone and thanks to the hard work of the Blanco Chamber of Commerce and all of the many volunteers it was a hugh success. I drove back into Blanco at 6:10 p. m. on Sunday afternoon so that I could help clean up and I was amazed.

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 May 2 ...

Pantherettes tab officers June 23, 1978 Blanco - Following a most rigorous two-hour judging held on June 9 be an out-of-town judge; combined with a high school faculty scoring of each girl, the 1978 Pantherette drill team officers were announced. The office of Captain was earned by Charlotte Calhoun. Charlotte is a senior and has been a member of the Pantherettes for three years. Marilyn Klepac sophomore, will serve as First Lieutenant and Sandra Behn, junior, was selected as second li ...