December 17, 2008 •Christmas Lights Contest, sponsored by the Yucca Garden Club: Wednesday, December 17th is the deadline for entering. Two prizes will be awarded – one for the best lighting of a business and one for the best lighting of a home. Contestants may enter their home or business by contacting Ruby Duecker at 833-5085.

This week our Christmas recommendation is White Christmas. White Christmas (made in 1954, the good ole’ days) is a classic Christmas musical starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. The story is about two Army buddies, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye), who are a successful song and dance team and along the way they run into a couple of girls, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen) that they both end up falling for.

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry on December 11 requested an extension of the registration deadline until January 10 for Hurricane Ike victims to apply for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA's current registration deadline for Ike victims ended December 12. "Since Ike made landfall on our coast, families and communities have struggled to restore their lives,"

The Tejanitos (Little Texans) art classes are being formed in the Blanco area. Classes will feature youngsters who wish to participate in oil painting. The Tejanitos will display their painting talent in the children’s reading area of the Blanco Public Library. Art classes in oils are available to preteens on Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Second place winner in the Christmas parade was the Alamo Miniature Group of four entries. Guests of Jane Macon and Nell Krueger for the Christmas parade and weekend were Harvey Smith, retired Vice President and Administrative Manager for Kingsville A & I Univ., who brought both a covered wagon and a buggy, which he commissioned Amish craftsmen to build to scale for miniature horses.

The lights at night are bigger and brighter during the holiday season as the famous Hill Country Christmas Lighting Trail lights the skies. Several communities are part of the Texas Hill Country Christmas Lighting Trail - the area’s most celebrated family holiday tradition - between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Make plans now for family fun and fantastic viewing in Burnet, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Johnson City, Llano, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Round Mountain, and Wimberley.

The date of December 13, 2008 will be remembered by homeowner Stacy Kamas as a special time. First, she celebrated her birthday two days early with a yummy Italian cream cake specially made and decorated for her by Cerice Spivey, Missions Committee Chair for Blanco United Methodist Church (BUMC). On the same day Stacy and the Blanco County Chapter of Austin Habitat for Humanity completed the “A Brush with Kindness” exterior improvements on her home.

Master Gardeners and spouses recently enjoyed an evening of dinner and plant exchange. Incoming 2009 Officers were recognized and outgoing officers were thanked for their contributions to the community. During this year Master Gardeners sponsored seven seminars/workshops for AgriLife Extension Service. The programs ranged from pruning advice to plant propagation to helping with the Lavender Festival to a class for the Science Discovery Academy, a presentation on native trees and perennials and ...

A ribbon cutting was hosted by the Blanco Chamber of Commerce to welcome Dr. Kenneth Schramm, who has opened Complementary Alternative Medicine at 405 Main St, Blanco, in the former Two Friends building. Dr. Schramm is from St. Louis, Missouri, and he graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, California in 1977 where he earned his Dr of Chiropractic and Bachelor of Science Degrees.

City of Blanco Public Works Director Nathan Cantrell recently conducted a street light inventory and counted 103. Afterwards, several hours were spent observing the same lights at night. A total of 33 out of the 103 were found to not work or were damaged. The list was given to PEC, who has started to correct the non-working lights. Non-working lights should be reported to Blanco City Hall at 833-4525.

With the holidays fast approaching, please remember the Good Samaritan with your donations of canned goods and other non-perishable food items. Additionally, with the ever-increasing number of people needing assistance, all donations of cash are greatly appreciated. Volunteers: If you have three hours of free time, either in the morning from 10am to 1pm or in the afternoon from 1 to 4pm, preferably on Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays (just one day per month would help, please call Lucy Uselto ...

Blanco County's traditional Living Nativity Christmas pageant set a new attendance record this month -- 1,381 people -- the most in it's almost 50-year history at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City. Guest-guides Dick and Janet Wiemers said it meant full bleachers at many shows, and occasionally standing room only, but they managed to get the cars parked and visitors squeezed in for all 20 performances. Show chairman Dale Hardy attributed the boost to the good weather and the sp ...

Matthew 12: 29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” 1 Corinthians 8:3 “But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.” Do you love God?

North Shore United Methodist Church at Canyon Lake will be holding two Christmas services for area residents. Pastor Sharon Freeto will conduct a Blue Christmas Service on Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00pm. This is a service for anyone finding it difficult, for any reason, to celebrate the holidays. A traditional Candlelight Service will be held on Wednesday, December 24 at 7:00pm. The church is located on the north side of Canyon Lake, at 23880 North Crane's Mill Road, one block south of Rt.

A man had recently announced to those in his office that he was going on a serious diet to lose weight, but showed up at work the next day with a dozen donuts. He explained that he had a great desire for donuts that morning and that he always drove right by the donut shop, so he said to the Lord, “Lord if you want me to stop, then let there be a parking space at the very front of the shop.

"Worldview" is fast becoming a commonly used term. But do you know what it really means? By Dr. Del Tackett A recent nationwide survey completed by the Barna Research Group determined that only 4 percent of Americans had a "biblical" Worldview. When George Barna, who has researched cultural trends and the Christian Church since 1984, looked at the "born- again"

Joy Kathy Fisher was born on August 13, 1957 and passed away on December 10, 2008 She is survived by her daughter, Kandy Whited of Austin; mother, Margie Huckabay of Blanco; father, Bill Cochran of Austin; sisters, Lynda Cochran of Blanco, Peggy Johnson of Austin, and Debbie Trowbridge of Austin. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Richard Lynn Wagner, 69, passed away December 12 in Fredericksburg. Richard was a machinist in Austin for most of his career after serving in the Marine Corp. He was proud of raising his two girls by himself and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He is survived by his two daughters: Lynette Wilson of Blanco and Brenda Brought of San Antonio; a sister, Jo Annelle Bennett of Pearsall; five grandchildren and one great grandchild. Visitation was held at Crofts Funeral Home, Blanco on Sunday evenin ...

A Memorial Service for Virginia (Jeannie) Deutz Swope 83, of Hye, was held December 15, 2008 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Cypress Mill, Texas. Internment followed at Mission Park North, San Antonio. Jeannie was born August 1, 1925 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico to Helen Bettley Deutz and Henry Deutz, Jr.

Dear Editor, Blanco families can be VERY proud of their sons who played tough, played fair and played with their heads as well as their hearts in Saturday night’s game in the Alamodome. This was high school football at its BEST. We visit Blanco frequently but live in CA and we’ve never seen football like it’s played by this year’s team.

After a strong showing at the Hill District FFA Leadership Contests on November 10th, eight teams representing the Blanco FFA Chapter qualified to compete in the Area VII Leadership Development Events on November 19th. This year’s area competition was hosted by Blanco High School. Overall, more than 60 schools and 500 students from across Central Texas competed in twelve different events with hopes of advancing to state.

Pedernales Electric’s 2009 Youth Tour Contest has concluded, and six excited students are packing for a trip to Washington, D.C. The winners are Luke Brown, Amanda Dickinson, Emily Gross and Lynn Nguyen of Dripping Springs High School, Kathlene Davis of Leander H.S. and Hillary Tidwell of Blanco H.S. This year’s contest was in honor of Lyndon B.

The Middle School girls played Johnson City at home on Monday, December 15. All three teams defeated the Eagles with little trouble. 7B and 8B teams combined and won 16-6. Selene Serrano was the high scorer with 6 points and Makayla Elrod had 4 points. Isabella Cuevas, Audrey Johnson and Brooke York each sunk two points. 7A defeated the Eagles swiftly, holding them back the entire game.

Christmas is only a few days away. Have you been enjoying the season? How about that snow? Only in Texas can one garden in 81 degree weather one day and wake to snow the next morning. It’s too bad that it wasn’t enough to help with the needed moisture, but it was special.

Blanco Police Reports These reports were filed between Nov 13 and Nov 21. Nov 13 • Missing Person / Attempt to Locate. 12:00 AM. A police officer from Schertz requested Blanco County search for a reportedly suicidal female subject on medication who was injured. Officers made contact with the subject at Blanco General.

Support Your Local Builder is part of Economic Development for your community. Just as shopping local, support local business. How do you find your local builders? Check the Chamber of Commerce; look in the local papers and magazines, and word of mouth. There are always pros and cons with going with the small guy verses the large guys.

Library received flag December 14, 1988 Mrs. Rae (Mildred) Doran is a very patriotic lady. She wanted a flag for the new library. The local chapter of the American Legion was pleased to furnished one. Bennett Blake and Fred Mayberry, on behalf of American Legion Memorial Highway Post No. 352, presented Mildred Doran the flag she requested to fly in front of the Library at its new location on the square. Exes Basketball Game Planned For Friday, January 3 December 13, 1968 The Exes of Blanc ...