A shot clinic will be held at the Blanco Middle School Cafeteria Thursday, August 20; 9am-3pm. No appointment is needed. Bring your child’s shot record with you. If you have any questions, call Peggy Pepper, RN at 830-833-5282 or contact the Health Department at 830-693-8424.

August 20, 2009 •Blanco State Park – Outdoor Preschool: Early opportunities to explore nature can heighten a child’s curiosity and problem solving skills, not to mention grow their love of the outdoors. This program is appropriate for children ages 3-5 and their parents or caregivers (no more than 2 children per adult).

Season ticket sales for the 2009 varsity football season will go on sale on Monday, August 24 for renewals only until Friday, August 28. Initial ticket sales will begin on Monday, August 31 until Friday, September 4. The cost will be $30 for adults and $18 for students (six home games).

We all know the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Well, I came across this story in a recent newspaper article about a tortoise and a hippo: “One day after a devastating tsunami sent surging waves along the coast of Kenya on December 26, 2004, villagers found a baby hippopotamus in the sea, stranded on a sandy coral reef without his mother.

This documentary and the life and ministry of Justin Fatica will be offensive to some, yet liberating and refreshing to others. Some people don't view their faith as something that would lead them to scream in the faces of youth in retreats and in youth groups across the country, but that's just what Justin does, with a loving message, a message that tries to break through MTV, video games, music, television, peer pressure and everything else that is screaming in the face of youth. Whether or n ...

AUSTIN — During the H1N1 “swine” flu outbreaks last spring, many Texas schools closed, leaving about half a million students without access to meals normally provided under the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. “There are thousands of children who depend on the meals served at school every day, and we want to make sure schools have the option of continuing this crucial service, while still protecting those students from any public health threat,” Texas Agriculture Commiss ...

I always thought it was called Rainwater Collection. There are many people who collect rain and use it in their homes and or for garden irrigation. So what is this harvesting all about? The definition of collection is an accumulation of gathering together in a mass or pile and harvesting is to gather in a crop for use.

I’ll never view my Shabbats the same ever again after the one Shabbat I spent in Postville, Iowa among orthodox Jews. An invitation was extended to the Jewish community of Iowa City through the Chabad Rabbi in Iowa City to take a restive weekend in Postville. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to realize a deeper Jewish experience and took a relaxing ride up to Postville with a few other members of our congregation that Friday. On the trip up to Postville, I visited with an interesting mix o ...

A woman said, "I'm so glad I got converted, I had an uncle I hated so much I vowed I would never go to his funeral, but now, why, I would be happy to go to it anytime!" In the book of Acts we have the recorded history of the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome.

Well, let us play a game with Bible Book Names. This is very challenging and I must admit I did not do well on it. My wife got them all. Some folks got and some don’t. But it is fun and educational. This might be a good family project. You could maybe take one sentence an evening and work on it as a family.

1 Peter 5:6-7 “6Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, 7Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” It is written in Psalm 55:22-23 – “22Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [co ...

Annie Doris Prochnow, much beloved by family and friends, passed away on August 17, 2009 at the age of 71. She was born in Blanco, Texas to Gus and Rosie Triesch. She married the love of her life, Reinhold Prochnow, in 1955 and enjoyed 37 wonderful years together until his death in 1993.

Barbara Jean Hinze (nee Petry), 71, of Kendalia, TX died at 11:25 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, in her home, with her husband and Sherlock by her side. She was born on December 30, 1937, in Uvalde, Texas to Harvey and Myrta Petry. She had a brother Harvey and a sister Joy.

On August 19, 2009, Mary Earney, our beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away at her home in Johnson City, TX. She was 64 years old. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Michael Earney; her daughter Mari-Renee Grossheim of Katy, TX; her son and daughter-in-law Michael and Dana Earney of Center Point, TX; two grandsons, Stephen Grossheim and Noah Earney; as well as many close friends.

Wilfred Lucko, 87, was born to Fritz E. Lucko and Natalie (Fielder) Lucko on May 20, 1922 in Witting, Texas. He grew up in the Shiner-Charlotteburg area, where he attended school until the war broke out and did as any American would do, he enlisted in the Army Air Core.

Dear Editor, Blanco Texas is a small community but with a heart the size of Texas. I have worked with the community of Blanco for over twenty years. I have gained a wealth of knowledge from the people of Blanco, past and present. What has been taught to us we would soon forget unless we utilize it every day.

Dear Editor, I hope everyone enjoyed the 79th Annual Blanco County Fair and Rodeo! I appreciate all the well wishes I received upon being crowned Queen. The support is greatly appreciated. I am grateful for the Blanco County Fair and Rodeo officers, directors, and committee members for all their time and hard work volunteering to make the 2009 Fair and Rodeo so successful.

Blanco FFA member Kaleigh Anderson recently took top honors winning the overall high point individual award at the Texas Pork Producers Association Swine Judging Competition in Kerrville. In addition to finishing in first place overall, Kaleigh was also the top ranked contestant in the breeding swine division. Other members of the Blanco FFA Livestock Team competing included Claire Klepac, Keaton Dodd, Quaid Haack and John Pepper.

Blanco FFA seniors Kaleigh Anderson and Quaid Haack recently competed in the prospect steer show in Fredericksburg at the Gillespie County Fair. Kaleigh claimed Reserve Champion honors overall in the American Breed Cross division, in addition to showing a first place Chianina and a second place Santa Gertrudis. Quaid also fared well, taking home third place ribbons in both the Santa Gertrudis and Limousin classes. Both Kaleigh and Quaid, along with several other Blanco FFA members, will now loo ...

For two weeks, teams of the Blanco Youth Football League have been practicing, eagerly awaiting the start of their season in September. Boys from ages 5 and up are running drills, learning techniques and memorizing plays. The Blanco Youth Football and Cheer will host an end of the summer bash on Friday, August 21, at Yett Memorial Park from 5:00 to 11:00pm. The Michael Meyers Band will be performing and Riley’s BBQ will be providing the meal.

Hill Country Memorial Hospital, orthopedic surgeons and rehab professionals are teaming up to offer orthopedic and physical therapy evaluations to high school athletes on Saturdays this fall beginning August 29. The Saturday clinics will take place at the hospital in Fredericksburg located at 1020 S. State Hwy 16. Park in the main lot in front of the hospital and enter through the doors marked “Admissions.” Clinic hours will be from 8:30 to 10:00am.

It seems like everyone is talking about water these days. We take water for granted most of the time, we don't even think about our consumption because much of the time we have plenty. But when it stops falling from the sky or flowing in our riverbeds we start paying attention pronto.

School Opens Tues, August 26 August 22, 1969 Pupils in the Blanco Schools will put their feet into their shoes, sharpen their pencils and head back to school on Tuesday, August 26, for a full day’s session. High school students registered this week and elementary pupils will register on Tuesday. Members of the faculty will report for a day of preparation on Monday, August 25. One new faculty member has been employed, but the position of band director remains open.

No matter your motivation, improving the efficiency of your home is a smart move. For people who strongly identify with environmental issues, the positives of energy-efficient homes are obvious, but you don’t necessarily need that perspective to see the benefits. Besides reducing the impact on the environment, an efficient house is a more comfortable and affordable place to live. What does green mean? Reducing consumption is the key.