During the depression my father worked at whatever jobs he could scrounge up. He eventually obtained work helping a building contractor. One day his employer asked if he could read plans. Although his experience was very limited, he told him that he could. He handed my Dad a set of house plans and asked if he could build the house outlined thereon.

AUSTIN — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison announced her intention to stay in the race to be the Republican Party of Texas’ nominee for governor while continuing to serve in the Senate. In her Nov. 14 address in Houston to the Texas Federation of Republican Women, Hutchison said she would not give up her Senate seat as long as a national health care bill and cap-and-trade energy legislation are on the table. “I realize this will keep me in the Senate past the pri ...

The Blanco Masonic Lodge has announced that the annual Ernie R. Davis, Jr. Memorial “Care & Share Dinner” will be held on Saturday, November 21, from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the lodge (located on the southwest corner of US Highway 281 and Eleventh Street.). Each year, local Masons and Eastern Star members provide a full Thanksgiving dinner to the elderly, shut-ins, and local Blanco community residents through this free event.

On Sunday, November 22, Blanco Verde will have its monthly pot luck hosted by Heron’s Nest Herb Farm, 1673 River Bend Drive, at 5:00pm. The whole community is invited. Blanco Verde is excited to partner with Heron’s Nest as they celebrate their annual Echinacea Harvest. The harvest is going on Saturday and Sunday (November 21-22) from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Blanco’s churches will once again unite to serve a Thanksgiving dinner–complete with turkey and all the traditional trimmings–for local residents next week. “We’re calling it the Community Service of Thanksgiving,” explained Dayna Leggett, associate pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church. “After the meal, we’ll share traditional Thanksgiving hymns and a message.” The non-denominational dinner will be hosted in the fellowship hall ...

Following the recent death of Ron Houston and the surprise resignation of Mayor Tina Gourley last week, the governing body of Blanco held a special meeting Thursday, November 12, to appoint a new council member and a mayor pro tem. As was reported in last week’s Blanco County News, the council had eight days to make these appointments before the mayor’s resignation became effective in order to avoid calling a special election. City secretary Bobbie Mowery called th ...

The Blanco City Council passed a resolution at the October 2009 meeting establishing a committee to develop a local streetscape program and master streetscape plan, which would result in the historic preservation and beautification of the Blanco Historic District while protecting and enhancing the economic development within the city and especially those businesses adjacent to the courthouse area.

Pedernales Electric members will pay a reduced rate for electricity beginning with bills rendered on or after Dec. 1. The Cooperative is reducing the total cost of power by $0.002 per kilowatt-hour for the majority of its members, including all residential members. A reduction of $0.00196 per kwh will be passed through to PEC’s primary service (commercial and industrial) members. The average residential member’s monthly bill will be reduced by about $2 with the revised pow ...

The doors of the Blanco Pioneer Museum will open to the citizens of Blanco on November 20, 2009, for a sneak preview. There is no admission fee but donations to operate the museum are welcome. We are looking forward to the participation of citizens in developing this museum. Suggestions for future exhibits are welcome and docents who know the many stories of the great history of Blanco are still needed.

Blanco Police Department and Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help in solving the armed bank robbery of Security State Bank and Trust in Blanco that occurred around 7a.m. Wednesday October 21, 2009. Three males entered the bank wearing ski mask armed with pistols and demanded money. The suspects left with several thousand dollars. Anyone who saw any thing suspicious should contact Assistant Chief Carl Bragg with Blanco Police Department at 830-833-4525, or Crime Stoppe ...

On Thursday, November 12, members of the Tejas Art Club donated comfort pillows to all of the residents at Live Oak Medical Center for the Thanksgiving holidays in appreciation of the Blanco community support of the club. Most of the pillows were made by members of the art club and residents were able to pick out a pillow they liked. The club extends its gratitude to Pauline Walker for her help and coordination in setting up this happy event.

Is Jesus really necessary for our salvation and spiritual wellbeing? We have been examining the “New Age Spirituality” phenomenon and Oprah’s complicity in that new religion. Here is the “kicker,” all this is nothing new. These Satanic religions were around in N.T. times. They were called “Mystery Religions.” Secret knowledge is what they were seeking and so it is with Oprah’s “False Religion.” They were called “Mystery Religi ...

Twice in the 'Sermon on the Mount' (Matthew 5,6,7) Jesus said, "Beware". Once, He said it in reference to false prophets (Mt. 7:15) and second He said it in reference to the reason we practice our religion (Mt.6:1). In this second case Jesus talks about the giving of alms, praying and fasting.

Ecc 1:9 “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” Many times we like to take pride in our self, and think we are so unique. However, in a general sense, mankind is - and always has been - the same.

“Do you still look out your study window each morning and give thanks?” asked my grandson, his question being drawn from memories of childhood. Allow me to explain. During one of the most difficult periods of my life, I started this early appointment to give thanks because of the following wise words of A.W.

Luke 16:1-9 “1ALSO [Jesus] said to the disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a manager of his estate, and accusations [against this man] were brought to him, that he was squandering his [master's] possessions. 2And he called him and said to him, What is this that I hear about you?

Dear Editor, Back in October, I drove to Blanco for the Blanco Pantherette reunion. I have not been to Blanco much since graduating, but as I drove I found myself reminiscing on how it used to look and the changes that had happened since then. As I passed the old Peach stand, I looked to the right side of road expecting to see the “Welcome to Blanco, Gem of the Hills Sign.” You can understand my surprise when what welcomed me back to my hom ...

Each year, members of the Blanco FFA chapter put in numerous hours to enhance their social and leadership skills by training for leadership development events. There are twelve different contests that students can compete in, each with a different career objective. Blanco FFA members competed in eleven of these events and took home sweepstakes honors at the Hill District Competition.

Eddie Calzoncit plays with a 35+ age Division team, the San Antonio Bulldogs, who played in the World Series held in Phoenix, Arizona from November 1-7. There were eleven teams in the 35+ Central Division from around the United States and the Bulldogs won their division in the World Series, giving the team back-to-back championships.

The Lady Panthers lost a close match to the Navarro Lady Panthers on Tuesday, November 10 at the Wimberley High School gym. The final game scores were 26-28, 18-25, and 22-25. The first game was a point by point battle for momentum. The match up was even, so much so that each point required many vollies in order to be earned.

Brian Roche won the San Antonio Tennis Association (SATA) Zone Advancement Tournament (ZAT) for the boys’ 18 division this past weekend. Brian dominated in the final match held on Sunday afternoon at the University of Incarnate Word, winning 6-1 and 6-0. Winning this tournament qualifies Brian to compete in the next level of competitive junior tennis in Texas, playing at Championship Major Zone (CMZ) tournaments.

These past weeks have been very busy preparing the soil and gardens for planting. Working soil that is too wet can actually cause long term damage. To know if your soil is ready for planting, squeeze a handful of soil; if it crumbles through your fingers, you’re ready to garden, otherwise give it a few days to dry. The weather is cool enough to plant pansies, ornamental kale and cabbage, dianthus, cyclamen and snapdragons; seed vegetable cole crops such as turnips, lettuce, must ...

Glen and Ruby Barnard are proud to announce the birth of a great-grandson, Joshua Jordan Boyd, born in Colorado. Woohoo! On FaceBook, I have noticed that a lot of posts have to do with things to be thankful for - so since Thanksgiving will be here next week, think of at least three things you are thankful for - you may surprise yourselves! I personally am so thankful for my friends here in Blanco - and the way they put up with my shenanigans!

Golden Wedding To Be Observed November 14, 1969 The children of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Polley wish to extend an invitation to their friends to attend an Open House honoring the parents’ Fiftieth Anniversary on Sunday, November 16 from 2:00 p.m. 6 p.m. in the afternoon in their home. Rural Towns Offered Awards November 16, 1979 College Station – Rural communities can once again compete for c ...