When I was very young I slept in a basement bedroom shared by my oldest brother, Boyd.  He often worked after school and on Saturdays helping my father who made his living as a building contractor.  I think I was just a little jealous of Boyd because he always had some spending money.    Across the road from where we lived was the “White Spot.”  The White Spot was not unlike a Dairy Queen.  It had a walk-up window in front where you could orde ...

AUSTIN -- Be patient, the state Department of State Health Services urged Texans on Sept. 30, because the supply of H1N1 “swine” flu vaccine over the next few weeks will be low. “We’ve been told that we’ll have about 15 million doses for Texas after all is said and done, but it won't be available all at once,” said Dr.

After a summer of severe drought, we have come to value the wonderful water resources of the Hill Country more than ever. In appreciation of our magical springs, creeks, rivers and lakes, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) is hosting its First Annual Water Celebration and fundraiser, featuring Eliza Gilkyson, award-winning Hill Country singer/songwriter at the Salt Lick Pavilion in Driftwood, Texas. The event also features a conservation fair and an auction with fabulous it ...

Twin Sisters Sons of Hermann Lodge # 138 welcomed Mayor Tina Gourley as a guest at their monthly meeting on Sunday, October 4.   She presented the “Outstanding Performance in the Area of Dedicated Volunteerism and Service” award from the Blanco Cemetery Association to lodge member Hilary Huser for his work at the Blanco cemetery. The Twin Sisters Lodge #138 also awarded Mr.

Todd Swift has arranged to have Jim Gallagher of the Texas Agrilife Extension Service in Uvalde speak at the Sixth Annual Pedernales Wildlife Management Coop Meeting to be held at 4:00pm on Saturday, October 24, in the PEC Auditorium in Johnson City. Jim Gallagher has worked in forestry, range, animal science, and wildlife during his career, including four years as a biologist, administrator, and game warden for the U.S.

WIMBERLEY —Whether you have lived in Hays County all your life or migrated here to escape a city, the recent drought has been an eye-opening reminder of how closely we are tied to the land. This “exceptional” drought – as the weather service calls it – has been a challenge to our wells, grasses, gardens, trees, wildlife, rivers and creeks.

I remember my time as a Christian; the talk I would hear about living your life in a godly way so that you can “give witness.”  I think there’s a whole lot of truth to those words.  In this day and age of “relative” values, there need to be people who live by the better aspects of their belief systems.  And, in this respect, it is giving witness to what you believe in. No matter who you are, represent your people well. I had a custom ...

Blanco’s own Blanco Canyon Gospel Group will perform Saturday at the Wimberley Gospel Music Festival hosted by the Cowboys For Jesus Christian Fellowship. The group will kick off Saturday’s show with a performance at 11:00am. The gospel group performed this past Saturday at the Wimberley Market Days and The Trinity Lutheran Church Fundraiser.

A man was driving home from church service with his family when he stopped the car next to a field of watermelons. He hopped the fence and ran out into the field and picked up a watermelon, as he was about to cross the road he asked his family in the car if anyone was coming, he admonished them to look both ways.

What can come between us and God? Offense - being offended, and offending others can cause a division between us and our Lord.  It’s often overlooked and/or ignored, but since we are commanded to love our brothers, when we hurt someone else, on purpose, or accidentally, if we know someone was offended, we need to apologize because it’s sin.

Trinity Lutheran in Blanco will hold its third annual Polka Worship on Sunday, October 11.  A traditional service will be held at 8:00am, and the Polka Worship service will be at 10:30am.  Oma and the Oompahs, a New Braunfels band famous for their Polka Music, will play.   Worship services set to polka music began over 20 years ago and is an extremely popular worship style in the north central United States.   Winter Texans in the Rio Grande Valley have been e ...

The Lord called Laura “Lorrie” Johnston Ashby home on October 6, 2009.  Lorrie was born in Valparaiso, Florida, on August 25, 1955, and spent her early childhood in various military bases around the world, including several years in Italy. Lorrie was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and June Johnston.

Ron Houston was born in Karnes County, Texas, February 18, 1939, and passed away October 7, 2009.  He graduated from Kenedy High School in 1957, during which time he began working at the local radio station.  He went on to work at several radio stations in South Texas and Houston, arriving in San Antonio to work at KTSA.  He later worked at KEXL, KBUC, KFAN, KR10, and KENS Radio.  He was a top-notch radio personality with a great voice.  During this time, Ron also re ...

  Dear Editor, I have also met Maria Serrano. If you are used to seeing her collecting cans on weekdays you might not recognize her standing in her Sunday clothes outside St. Ferdinand’s visiting with friends and family. I met one of her sons, a successful contractor, who told me that he and his brothers have told her she doesn’t need to work so hard, they are willing to help her, but he added, “She’s very independent.

  Dear Editor, I love living in Blanco, and I love the folks in Blanco, especially people like Robert Seymour of Seymour’s Garage, who took one look at a $1000 list of “necessary repairs” from a dealership down in New Braunfels, and whittled that list down to “new tires” only - I appreciate your honesty!

Dear Editor, Hello. I just wanted to make a few comments regarding my experience at the Blanco football game on Friday night. I have been a fan of the Panthers for 4 years now, and I try not to miss any games. One day my son will be wearing the Blue and Gold and I am proud to sport the t-shirts and the decal on my car that identify me as a Panther fan.

Members of the Blanco FFA Land and Range Judging teams traveled to Seguin this past Wednesday to compete in the Annual Comal-Guadalupe S&WC District Invitational Land and Range Plant ID Contests. Overall, Blanco took top honors in each of the contests, while also winning numerous individual awards as well.  More than 200 participants from 10 schools competed in this year’s events. In the land competition, senior Lauren Graham finished in first place overall, while Zach ...

The Blanco Panthers wrapped up homecoming week with a crucial victory over the visiting Comfort Bobcats. Although Comfort was able to slow down the Panthers’ offensive attack, Blanco’s defense turned in another stellar performance as they shut out the Bobcats for the first time in school history. The 22 to 0 win puts Blanco in first place, one game ahead of Harper, in district play. Blanco looked to get on the board quickly, as senior Layton Dworaczyk returned an errant Bo ...

Despite the score of 6-0, the Blanco JV Blue Youth Football team dominated the field in an exciting game Saturday afternoon. Offensively, the Panthers had eight first downs.  Brandon Phipps led the way with 37 yards.  Close behind was Devin Sauerhoff with 34 yards and Jermey Kindla ended the day with 30 yards.  Kindla was stopped short of a touchdown before time expired in the first half.  Our offensive line, Wyatt Perkins, Kaleb Hunter, Blake Brandon, Tristan Lope ...

Blanco vs. Johnson City 9/29/09 Varsity: 25-14, 25-12, 25-17 JV: 17-25, 16-25 FR: 16-25, 25-21 Blanco vs. Comfort 10/2/09 Varsity: 25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 25-15 JV: 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 FR: 25-12, 18-25, 19-25

The Junior Varsity football team traveled to Comfort for a clash of district rivals, the Blanco Panthers and the Comfort Bobcats. The Panthers made the first strike with a touchdown pass from Sam Isenberg to Tim Goodman. Quarterback Isenberg then ran for the two-point conversion, hurdling two Bobcat defenders at the goal line. The next two touchdowns scored by Blanco were tosses from Isenberg to Quinn Dillard.  The extra point conversions were no good after these scores.&n ...

I can hardly remember a fall like we are having, except in West Texas where I was raised. It’s just wonderful. I wasn’t going to put in a garden this fall, but I’ve changed my mind; I’m adding compost to all of the plants that made it through the summer, re-potting many pot plants that will need to come inside for the winter, fertilizing the lawn, trees, and shrubs and extending flower and shrub beds.

Dear Readers: First and foremost this week, how many of you knew that Rudy retired as postmaster Friday before last?  He said he would be back to check his bushes to make sure they were being cared for properly, but otherwise he was going to have a little R&R!  Stop in and meet our new temporary postmistress – she is really a sweetie! The Sunset Restaurant has finally been sold to – get this – John Smith and his family.  He came in to the dr ...

Blanco Police Department ReportsThese reports were filed between Sep. 10 and Sep. 17.Sep. 10• 281 North Bound. 1:53 AM. Traffic Stop •  N US 281. 3:25 PM. Welfare Concern •  310 Pecan St. 4:25 PM. Citizen Assist •  1250 Bonita Dr. 5:38 PM.

Wanda Faurie Hosts Yucca Garden Club October 4, 1989 The first meeting of the Yucca Garden Club was recently held at the home of Wanda Faurie, this month’s hostess. A program introducing dried grasses and flowers suitable for autumn arrangements was beautifully presented to members and guests by Stella Eickenloff. Her inventiveness with native plants was enjoyed by all. Co-hostesses Mildred Jones and Joyce Mourie served delicious refreshments. B ...