|
April 14, 2010 Issue
Front Page
The Blanco Volunteer Fire Department has hired nine part time employees in an effort to increase coverage during the week. Because the BVFD has relied on volunteers to respond to calls, the crews were often shorthanded and response time was slow. Having each firefighter work two twelve hour shifts a week has helped to ensure that there will always be someone there to respond.
David Hotz, BVFD fire chief, says that the majority of all calls fall between 1pm and 6pm, and during the week ...
|
|
Those in attendance at the crowded April 6 public hearing regarding annexation of properties to the city of Blanco heard a number of residents express confusion over what annexation really means. As Mayor Pro Tem Bobby McClung stated at the beginning, a public hearing is designed to get public comments and is not a public debate or a “free-for-all.” However, there was a great deal of spirited debate and give-and-take during the 1-½ hour session.
McClung began with a ...
|
Submitted by Sylvia Romero
(Johnson City, Tx) — Walkers (and joggers) will go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society 2010 Relay For Life of Blanco County.
Teams will gather at the Johnson City High School Football Field on April 24, 2010, at 5:00 pm for an overnight relay against cancer.
|
In the late 1980s, two women, Bernice West and Melba Moore set about on a mission and produced Blanco County Heritage, a book telling the story of Blanco and the families that settled here in the beginning.
Gathering information from a multitude of sources and relying on memory of stories from their childhoods, the two were able to write the story of Blanco and its people.
Only 100 were printed in 1987, and copies were quickly sold.
|
|
Submitted by Carolyn Boydston
On Friday, April 9, a long-standing promise of the Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society (OBCCPS) was honored and fulfilled. Eight commemorative bricks, sold from 1987 to 1993 as an early fund-raiser for preservation and restoration of the Old Blanco County Courthouse, were imbedded in the concrete walkway approaching the Courthouse from Main Street.
Early supporters of the “Save the Courthouse” movement promoted the bricks project with the thought that a brick ...
|
|
I have been involved in Boy Scouts one way or another almost continuously since I was nine years old. During that time the motto, “Do a Good Turn Daily,” has become, I think, a part of who I am. Perhaps it is even one of the reasons I write these articles.
The words of a familiar hymn come to mind:
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and
made someone feel ...
|
AUSTIN — The Texas Trade Up Appliance Rebate Program began and ended on April 7, with nearly 39,000 rebate reservations made before funding was used up.
State Comptroller Susan Combs called the response unprecedented. A staff of 550 answered an estimated 1,000 calls per minute from Texans who wanted a break on the cost of replacing certain functioning household appliances with more efficient Energy Star-rated appliances.
|
Stonewall, TX – Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park invites the public to return to the 1960s on Friday, April 16, when the “Reflections of the 60s” special event brings together people who experienced this turbulent decade first hand to share their stories and re-create the atmosphere of that electrifying time in U.S.
|
The Blanco County Extension Education Association Annual Spring Luncheon will be held next week, Thursday, April 22, at the Gem of the Hills citizens community center, 2233 North US Highway 281, Blanco, Texas. Serving will begin at 11:00 am and continue until 1:00 pm. Cost will be $6.00 per person.
Once again, the good cooks of the whole county extension clubs pool their talents and resources to provide a wonderful smorgasbord of main dishes, side dishes, salads, and desserts all for ...
|
Blanco County Aggie Moms is a non-profit organization formed in 2006 by a group of Aggie Moms who wanted to provide a base of local support and fellowship for Aggie students and their families. The organization is chartered under the Federation of Aggie Moms Clubs. Since the formation of the group four years ago, the enrollment has grown from a half dozen Aggie moms to the current membership of 18.
|
|
This last Saturday, April 10, the BHS Leo Club participated in the Bass Champs Central Region Tournament at Lake LBJ. BHS volunteers attending the tournament, Abby Beard, Sophia Chapman, Braxton Guinn, Alex LeBlanc, Justis Liesman, Donald Miller, Tina Morgan, Samantha Primeaux, and Grant Weaver, participated in the event by, counting fish, recording their weights, carrying the fish to the holding tank, making sure the required documents were signed, and helping out in the volunteer booth.
|
|
By Tanya Kasper, Volunteer Coordinator
It is getting to be that time of year again! The Lavender Festival is only a couple of months away and we are looking for volunteers from our great little town to help make this the best festival yet.
There is something fun to do for every personality! We have openings in every area including assisting visitors at the Courthouse, helping in the beer and wine tent, greeting and assisting our exciting guest speakers, assisting the musicians, helping out in the information booth and many ...
|
Blanco County, TX – A bighearted donation to the Blanco County Cat Coalition (BCCC) from one of our neighbors has made it possible to extend $25.00 spay/neuter vouchers into the month of May. This donation could not come at a better time, considering that a rabid fox has been sighted in the county.
|
|
Private Water Wells should be tested annually. The Blanco County office of Texas AgriLife Extension is sponsoring a water well screening day for area residents on April 19 at the following locations: Blanco County Extension Office in Johnson City and Blanco General Store in Blanco.
This well screening day is designed to inform private water well owners and users on the condition of their well water of possible contamination from common contaminants.
|
Submitted by Kelly Carper Polden
Celebrate the beauty of the Texas Hill Country by taking a drive on the wild side, experiencing the natural beauty along the Hill Country Wildflower Trail. Start and end your wildflower journey in Johnson City — the crossroads to the Texas Hill Country — at the Wildflower Days 2010, celebrating art, wine and wildflowers April 16-17 on the Blanco County Courthouse square, in City Park, and throughout town.
|
The public is invited to tour Our Rehab on Saturday, May 1, from 10 am to noon.
The new Hill Country Memorial location for physical, occupational and speech therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary services is the former Davita Dialysis Center, at 402 W. Windcrest St., on the northwest side of the Milam and Windcrest intersection.
HCM Director of Rehabilitation Services Brad Harding, PT, MPT, Cert.
|
With this year’s Soil Stewardship week theme, ‘Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats,’ the Pedernales Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to join forces with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) to celebrate this historical observance which will be officially celebrated April 25-May 2, 2010.
In 1955, the NACD began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship.
|
|
The Blanco County Extension Office will sponsor a Private Applicator License training and testing program on Tuesday, April 27, in Johnson City. The program will be held at the Exhibit Hall, located at the Blanco County Fairgrounds-Johnson City, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The training will conclude at 12:00 noon and resume at 1:00 p.m.
|
South Texas Growers Inc., located at 22201 Hwy 46W in Bulverde, held a Grand Opening on April 3rd with the help of the Bulverde/Spring Branch Area Chamber of Commerce’s Ribbon Cutting ceremony.
Owners JoAnne and Mike Hall actually opened this nursery in March, 2002 having been in the landscaping business for more than 20 years.
|
|
Ten Blanco County residents have completed the training class for victim assistance, and are on the roster to be called when needed to help people get past the trauma of disasters in their lives, work through the grieving process, and start back toward living normal lives again.
The course is from the National Organization for Victim Assistance, NOVA.
|
“As a compound, nothing could be simpler than water: two atoms of hydrogen joined to one of oxygen. From a human point of view, simplicity fades.” (National Geographic, April 2010).
Water is one of our most precious - and limited - natural resources, and the world community is becoming increasingly aware of its use and need for conservation.
Blanco’s water problems may be just a drop in the bucket compared with those of the rest of the world, but the Blanco Wo ...
|
On Tuesday, April 6, the Blanco Woman’s Club honored the many volunteers of the Blanco Library with a luncheon in their honor. Charlene Pace, owner of The Blanco Settlement, graciously hosted this event. Flowers adorning the tables were donated by the Arnosky Family Farm, and Charlene Pace and Candy Cargill Wenzel, of Hill Country Real Estate, donated small gift packages.
|
|
By Pastor J.D. Link, agf-blanco.com
Matt 15:22, 25-28 says, “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
|
Following Sunday morning worship service at Blanco Cowboy Church, the following five members were baptized as the excited Church family joined them in celebration: Alexandria Penshorn, Cindy Fest, Brandon Burow, Vanessa Castillo and Pricilla Ruiz.
Hesston Krause played his guitar and led everyone in singing Amazing Grace as the group joined hands praising God.
Matthew 28:19-20 ...Jesus said, ”Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name o ...
|
I was studying the book of John, chapter 5. I’d like to share this. Here is John 37- 47:
“37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.
39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life.
|
By John Kinslow, Minister, Blanco Church of Christ
A mother was trying to console her daughter and said, "your brother said he was sorry he broke your toy and you need to forgive him". Finally she said, "Okay, I'll forgive him, but I'd feel better about it if I could swat him first!"
The list of the faithful in Hebrews 11 is an inspiring list.
|
When my e-mail program started having problems, “Error occurred” kept appearing on my computer screen, which is not an encouraging sign since e-mail is my primary means of sending this weekly column to more than one hundred newspapers in the United States and Canada.
A quick call to the technical support department of my internet provider sent me on an international journey to technicians who are supposed to know how to fix such problems.
Starting with an overseas e ...
|
Trinity Lutheran Church, Stonewall, Women of the Word will host their annual one-day Spring Retreat on Saturday, April 24, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All local area church women are invited to attend. This year’s theme is “Serving God Through Orphan Care.”
WOW Coordinator, Lorraine Zensen, reports Trinity, in conjunction with Buckner International and Soles4Souls, has embarked on an orphan care ministry with the collection of gently used shoes and new socks.
|
Donna Lynn Ethridge passed away at her home surrounded by family on Sunday, April 11, 2010. She was born February 22, 1952 in Blanco, Texas to Chester and Lillian Weber. Donna was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many.
Donna was born and raised in Blanco, where she was baptized and confirmed at St.
|
|
Janette A. Lindig, 62, of Austin passed away suddenly at her home April 10, 2010. She was born June 1, 1947 in Fredericksburg to Felix and Addie (Sultemeier) Lindig and grew up in the Rocky Creek Community, Johnson City. She is survived by a brother, Al Louis (Brenda) Lindig of Johnson City, and two sisters, Joann Lindig (John Machalski) of Cottekill, NY and Merilyn (Allen) Hatcher of Derby, KS.
Visitation was held at Crofts Funeral Home, Johnson City from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
|
Viola Schmidt (Solarczyk) Herms, known as Baby Grandma, was 65 years old when she passed away peacefully in Boerne, Texas, on Saturday, April 10, 2010. Viola was a patient at Town and Country Manor after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm and many other complications. Viola was born in New Braunfels on March 28, 1945.
|
|
Dear Citizens of Blanco:
I have only been a permanent resident here in Blanco for 2 years. I have come to know many and have shared many parts of their lives and lifestyles.
In my search for developing a small business, there has been a noticeable common “pet peeve”. Everyone’s PEC bills are ridiculously high.
|
Submitted by Dustin Barton
Blanco High School students received the “Texas Student Achievement Award” from the Texas ACT Council for their performance on the PLAN (the Pre-ACT) Assessment. These students are on target to meet or exceed ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks by graduation. ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks are empirically-based and identify the level of achievement necessary in English, mathematics, reading and science to have a successful college freshman experience.
The st ...
|
Sixth-grade students in the classes of Donna Ashley at Blanco Middle School have become energy achievers, committing to make small changes at home that will lower energy consumption, save money and reduce their impact on the environment.
The sixth-graders participated in the PowerHouse energy investigation program, sponsored by Pedernales Electric in partnership with the Lower Colorado River Authority.
“The PowerHouse program was great!” said Ashley.
|
|
Pedernales Electric Cooperative congratulates area seniors throughout the Hill Country who are eagerly anticipating graduation day. To help keep our youth safe, PEC is donating $19,000 to area high schools for Project Graduation. The program provides seniors an opportunity to celebrate in a drug-free and alcohol-free environment.
This year, PEC is supporting 38 high schools in and around its service area with $500 donations.
“Graduation is such an exciting right of passag ...
|
On Saturday, April 10, the Lady Panther softball team shut-out the Harper Lady Horns 15-0 in three innings.
Callie Culton slammed a hard single, bringing Leslie McClinton home for the Panthers first run of the game. Kelsey Schwind then hit a double, bringing Alex Gustafson and Culton in for runs. Hayley Fishbeck took base on a single, followed by Mishelle Calzoncit, who laid down a bunt, running in Schwind and Fishbeck for two RBI’s.
|
The Panther baseball team extended its winning streak to five games, with victories over Harper and Randolph this past week. On Tuesday, Blanco hosted the Harper Longhorns in a non-district game. The Panthers scored in every inning and used an 8 run 4th to end the game in five innings.
|
Have you checked out the Wildflowers? If you can find the time, check out the Willow City loop, north of Johnson City. It is well worth the time.
We don’t have a count of the volunteers that worked at the Trash Off on Saturday, April 10, but it was very successful.
|
|
By Debbie Vallone-Homeier, Paragon C&D Builders / Vallone Real Estate
When you have a construction project, it is important to keep your work moving forward on schedule. This is going to save you time and money. It is going to mean you get in your house faster, and you will have a better construction experience. You do not want to get your project off schedule because you hire people who make you get behind.
One of the leading causes of getting off schedule is subs not showing up for work.
|
You know that Texas Realtors are trusted experts for buying, selling or leasing property in Texas. Do you also know that we monitor happenings at the Capitol to make sure Texas remains a friendly place for homeowners, buyers, sellers and tenants?
It’s not really a secret
Recently, real estate author and columnist Alyssa Katz wrote a piece for TheBigMoney.com called The Lone Star Secret (March 30, 2010).
|
|
Shopping Cart
Mostly Cloudy 88.0°F
(50%)
News Feed