Shawnene Shawver and Ron Edmondson are happy to announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. The bride elect is the daughter of Darlene Drawe of Charlotte, Texas and Bill Drawe of Seguin, Texas. The groom is the son of Sam and Lanette Edmondson of Kendalia, Texas. The couple plan to celebrate their unity with family and friends on December 18, 2010 in Kendalia, Texas.

Raelea McClung, a 2007 Blanco High School graduate, was recently chosen for the editorial staff of the University of Texas English Department literary journal, The Hothouse. This literary journal aspires to publish the most compelling creative work by UT English majors. Raelea will be responsible for selecting exceptional student poetry for publication.

Last Saturday I watched a Texas A&M football game. The coach of the opposing team stormed up and down the sidelines berating the officials, screaming at his players and throwing tantrums like a petulant child. At one point, when his quarterback came off the field, he got right up into his face, stuck a finger into his chest and snarled at him with venom that I have seldom seen even in the sometimes violent game of football. I guess my idea of leadership is just different than that ...

AUSTIN — Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus, in a joint announcement on Nov. 15, said the Legislative Budget Board had adopted an 8.92 percent estimated growth rate for the 2012-13 fiscal biennium. The 10-member Legislative Budget Board, on which Dewhurst and Straus both serve, is a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops budget and policy recommendations for legislative appropriations for all state agencies and performs fiscal analyses ...

Did you know that the Blanco Library has a fabulous website? That’s right! Now you can find out what books are available and what fun activities are scheduled for the coming weeks. There is always something going on—after school programs for the kids, adult education opportunities, public meetings—you name it, the library has it.

The Blanco County Community Choir is preparing for their annual Christmas performance. This all volunteer choir has been bringing lovely Christmas music to the community since 1975. A few members have been with the choir since that beginning date, but the personnel and numbers change from year to year. The program this year is “A Joyful Christmas” and it will bring a variety of songs from traditional to contemporary.

The Historic Preservation Commission has been very busy lately for the benefit of the beautiful town of Blanco in the downtown historic district. The right steps were taken when it comes to applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) in the past weeks. The City of Blanco applied, Lone Star Construction applied, and the Pioneer Museum also applied. Yes, all three were approved, so progress has been made.

The Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society invites everyone to come out to the Square on the day after Thanksgiving for the annual courthouse lighting. The festivities begin at 5:15pm with caroling on the steps of the courthouse. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive right before 6pm in a sleigh as the courthouse lights are turned on.

While the days are getting shorter and the holidays getting closer, the Blanco Chamber of Commerce continues to look towards next year’s seasons without pause. They recently completed a day long retreat to review last year’s activities and begin the planning process for what 2011 might offer. The retreat was a great success with the Board focused and reenergized on moving forward on an agenda to promote, enhance, and develop business opportunities in Blanco.

A man was complaining because he lived in one room with six other people. A friend said, "get a goat and let the goat live you and come back to see me in one week." After a week the man returned and said, "the goat didn't help matters at all, he stinks and makes a mess, things are worse than ever."

Note: The following article is written by historian David Barton, and is reprinted with the permission of Wall Builders Ministries (wallbuilders.com) The tradition introduced by European Americans of Thanksgiving as a time to focus on God and His blessings dates back well over four centuries in America. For example, such thanksgivings occurred in 1541 at Palo Duro Canyon, Texas with Coronado and 1,500 of his men; in 1564 at St.

1 Timothy 2:1-6 “1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God an ...

I find the American experience rather interesting to the extent that history looks different to each of us. While we think race, color and creed have little bearing on everyday living, it sure does when it comes time to observe sacred moments from a religious or national perspective. These moments leave room for conflict among fellow Americans and this is so very true with someone like me who attempts to honor my chosen faith, Judaism, and one strand of my ethnic heritage, Native American.

Mormons have written several articles in the Blanco News and many people have asked me to explain what Mormons believe. Understanding what our religious neighbors believe is enlightening and helps us to be better neighbors to them. Mormons number eleven million plus and are one of the few religious groups that are increasing in America.

Nora Maxine (Waxler) Hines passed away November 18, 2010, in Llano, Texas. Nora was born July 19, 1934, to Albert L. Waxler and Hermina L. Beckmann on her grandmother’s ranch in Blanco, Texas. She married Charles E. Dixon on September 4, 1953, in California. They then moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where she raised her family.

Susan Maria Coleman, 61, of Drippings Springs, passed away Sunday, November 14. She was born March 18, 1949 in Westfield, MA, to Luella Reitz Marsh and the late Douglas F. Marsh. Sue worked many years at the Blanco Bowling Club and more recently at Dripping Springs High School. She was predeceased by her father and her daughter Angela Maria.

Dear Editor, RE: Focus on Faith Article “Mormons on the Religious Landscape” by Rev Dr Bobby W Leggett As a lay leader of the “Mormon” Church in Fredericksburg, TX I would no more choose to expound and publish the tenants of another religion than to tell Robert Seymour how to fix my car.

I was made aware of this only last week. I have since started to better educate myself on this topic. If you value your rights as a property owner, it is my opinion that you should read every word and start asking our City, County and State officials their position.

On Monday, November 8, 47 members of the Blanco FFA Chapter traveled to Fredericksburg to compete in the annual Hill District FFA Leadership Development Events at Fredericksburg High School. After all events were completed, the Blanco FFA was recognized as the Hill District FFA Sweepstakes Winner for the 10th consecutive year.

The Panther basketball team has started their season strong with a 2-0 record. On Tuesday, November 16, the Panthers soundly defeated Hill Country Christian 54-32. Zach Barnes led the team with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Austin Carrola followed closely with 11 points and 19 rebounds, while Tanner Rogers made 9 points and Sam Isenberg added 8.

The Lady Panthers tipped off their season with a win over the Fredericksburg Billies on November 16. The Panthers played an aggressive, fast-paced game, out-scoring the Billies 52-31. Junior Justine Cooley paced the Panthers with 20 points. Micaela Klein tossed in 12 points with Abbey Weaver adding 9. Lindsey Jenkins made 5, while Susannah Campbell and Leslie McClinton each added 2 point. The Junior Varsity girls lost 31-49 in their opener against Fredericksburg.

Gentle readers: The column this week is mostly about the combined Evett/Gallant families. Our dear Mr. Phil Evett hosted 22 members of the McNay Art Museum from San Antonio at his gallery on November 20. Before touring the gallery, they all enjoyed a lovely meal at Uptown Blanco Restaurant. Mr. Evett’s mother-in-law, Phyllis Gallant, had surgery on her knee, so is rehabilitating at Deer Creek in Wimberley.

November 29, 1963 “President Kennedy Is Assassinated” – Nation Goes Into Mourning – This reprinted article was published in the November 29, 1963 issue of Blanco County News. The author was not mentioned. Monday, the day of the President’s funeral, was proclaimed a day of mourning for the whole nation by the incoming president, Lyndon B.