During the more than 20 years that All Faiths Chapel occupied the location where New Hope Lutheran meets today, its members created and maintained a ministry that provides equipment to local residents who have special medical needs. The storage building on the property houses wheelchairs, walkers, powered hospital beds, braces of many different types, potty chairs, crutches, breathing assistance equipment, and assorted other items. These are available on a no-charge basis with ...

December 18, 2009 •Yucca Garden Club - Christmas Lights Contest: Deadline for entry has been extended to Friday afternoon, Dec 18. Two prizes will be awarded – one for the best lighting of a business and one for the best lighting of a home. Pick up an entry form at the Blanco Chamber or call Retta at 833-4720.

Scott and Linsey Balmos are proud to announce the birth of their son, Ryder Patrick Balmos, born Monday, November 23, at 10:11am in San Antonio at North Central Baptist Hospital. Ryder weighed 6 lbs 14 oz and was 20 inches long. He is welcomed with love by his grandparents, Pat and Lisa Ziriax of Mason, Texas, Bobby and Judy Everett of Selma, Texas, and Jim Balmos of Mico, Texas.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince If you’re a fan of the books, then you probably already braved a trip to the movies amongst the huge crowds months ago like we did, but you might just be a casual Potter fan that waits for the DVD. Seeing the earlier films are a must to really know what's going on in this film; reading the books maybe not so much.

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry on Dec. 9 wrote to Lisa Jackson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency director, in hopes of having the agency withdraw a ruling that admits to the health danger of carbon dioxide in the air we all breathe. The EPA announced Dec. 7 that greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone) threaten the public health and welfare of the American people.

Sunday evening’s potluck supper at the Blanco Courthouse, sponsored by Blanco Verde in cooperation with the Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society, provided good food, great company, and hearty Christmas cheer. Guests enjoyed creating festive wreaths with herbs and bits of ribbon to decorate their homes. After the feast, Richard Lindley and Alan Cooper accompanied the group in a Christmas carol sing-along, which brought out some of the prettiest voices in the communit ...

Harvest House in Johnson City celebrated its Grand Opening on December 12 from 12 to 5. Nancy Thompson and her son, Kip Thompson, are the new owners. Many different samples were available for all who attended; cheeses, jerky, dry sausage, ribs with their special House Blend BBQ rub, stuffed pork loin and fresh sausages. One of the most popular sample items was chicken salad made with Harvest House smoked chicken.

Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center provides services to victims of domestic violence and or sexual assault including 24 hour hotline, 24 hour crisis intervention, emergency shelter, food, clothing, individual and group counseling, information and referral. Services are free and confidential. The service area includes Blanco, Burnet, Llano and Lampasas Counties.

The Blanco High School Student Council began gathering toys for their first annual Holiday Toy Drive on December 7, hoping to donate them to the local toy drive effort that has been benefitting local families for the past fifteen years. After beginning to collect for the Holiday Toy Drive, it was reported that the community toy drive had been canceled.

Writer, college professor and native Texan Dr. Oscar De Los Santos will read from a forthcoming short story collection at the Bulverde/Spring Branch Library at 10:30 Monday morning, December 21. De Los Santos is originally from Corpus Christi. A graduate of the city’s Texas A&M branch campus (undergrad) and Ohio State (Masters and Ph.D.), he is chair of the Writing Department at Western Connecticut State University, where he has taught since 1993. De Los Santos’ ...

Blanco Woman’s Club held their annual Silver Tea Thursday, December 10, at the Blanco Library from 4:00-8:00pm. The tea is the Woman’s Club annual fundraiser to benefit the library, and the theme this year was “All Aboard the Polar Express.” That theme was carried out throughout the room, with snowflakes and stars around the walls, making it appear wintry, but the friendliness found there certainly warmed the atmosphere.

While Christians are making preparations for Christmas, Jews are well into the holiday known as Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah). Many non-Jews know of Chanukah; even though it’s a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar, much ado is made of it because of its close proximity to Christmas. Here’s a short description of Chanukah from www.chabad.org………. Chanukah — the eight day festival of light begins on the eve of Kislev 25 — celebrates the tri ...

Definition: the renunciation of a religious or political belief or allegiance Renunciation – Definition: a denial or rejection of something or somebody, usually for moral or religious reasons So, what if a person does not actually deny Jesus by their faith, they just deny Him by their actions? What if a person believes in Jesus but does not study His Word?

On Tuesday, December 22, Joni Topper and Scott Crofts will be singing in the Christmas holiday. From 6:30 to 8:30pm you can drop in to hear your favorite holiday tunes in the warmth and comfort of the newly remodeled sanctuary at First Christian Church in Johnson City. This musical event has a casual atmosphere and you may come and go as you wish.

Last week I began a three part series on Mary, Joseph, & Emmanuel. As stated last week, the Bible dedicates no less than four chapters (Mt & Lk 1-2) to the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Since all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God (2Tim 3:16) and is profitable for doctrine, instruction, correction, & reproof; It behooves us to know this story and take what lessons we can from it.

When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?

A dad was visiting a toy store, doing some Christmas shopping, when his eyes fell upon a magnificent train set displayed in the window. He immediately spoke to an employee of the store and said, "I'll take that wonderful train set". The employee said, "good choice, I'm sure your son will love it".

After a solid showing at the Dripping Springs Fall Classic, the Blanco FFA Chapter was again well represented in New Braunfels this past weekend at the annual Cougar Classic Jackpot Show. On Saturday, senior FFA member Kaleigh Anderson was awarded a buckle after she was selected the overall showmanship winner in the senior division of the steer show.

On November 1 and 15, BISD middle and high school students spent their Saturday mornings helping to decorate Bindseil Park and the Pecan Bottom with Christmas lights. These students were all members of the Leo Club. The Leos are affiliated with the Blanco Lions Club. We appreciate these kids for helping KBB get ready to celebrate the Christmas lighting on the courthouse square on the night after Thanksgiving: Lauren Graham, Morgan Petri, Chandler Ashley, Dillon Luke, Natalie Stahmann, Kyle M ...

On Thursday, December 10, Santa showed up at Live Oak Medical Center with greetings and a gift for each resident. The United Methodist Church choir came to sing, while Darlene Kiernan played piano. Christmas cookies and punch were passed out while everyone enjoyed their favorite Christmas music. On Saturday, December 12, staff bundled up residents and put Santa hats on all to go outside and enjoy the Christmas parade. We appreciate the parade participants who came to greet resi ...

Yule Posada December 14, 1979 The parish family of St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church will celebrate the Christmas season together in a Posada Dec. 16. People will gather in front of A. J. Weber’s home at 5:30 p.m. The procession will proceed from there to the Church. A covered dish social will follow in the parish hall. Christmas Cantata To be Presented Next Wednesday December 12, 1969