I hadn’t seen Linda Robinson since we graduated from high school. I had taken her to the Junior Prom. I remember that night well because we almost got caught in a flood in the borrowed car I was driving. When I spotted her at a family gathering, we were both married and had families.

This column comes to you from the Eldorado Star Party where I'm enjoying the wonderfully dark skies of west Texas with nearly 200 other stargazers. Organized by volunteer amateur astronomers, the week-long event takes place every fall on the X-Bar Ranch Nature Retreat between the small towns of Eldorado and Sonora. ESP (www.texasstarparty.org/eldorado.html) is one of several annual, week-long star parties held in this part of ...

AUSTIN — More than a dozen city council members had their day in federal district court on Nov. 23 when their challenge to the constitutionality of the Texas Open Meetings Act was heard with Judge Rob Junell presiding. The plaintiffs, from cities across Texas, claimed the Act violates their right to free speech because it requires them to meet and vote in public or face jail time and fines if they are convicted of deliberating about public business secretly, or in a manner that ...

Have you noticed the prices on popular magazines lately? Many of our favorites are our favorites because they are packed with great information, but they are not inexpensive. If I subscribed to all the magazines I would like to have or bought all the ones that appeal to me on the newsstands, I would have to take out a loan. Lots of magazines are not available in Blanco, and then there are those wonderful periodicals that I discover by accident on a regular basis. Well, guess wh ...

The Blanco Cemetery is the eternal resting place for those buried there. Since 1856, before Blanco was founded, the land has been used for grave sites. The cemetery has expanded through the years and holds our and our neighbors’ departed ancestors, family, and friends. The cemetery is a place where we remember our people and our past and deserves reverence and respect. Unfortunately, there have been reports of disrespect and possibly unintentional damage to grave markers.

PEC employees in Johnson City are teaming up with the Blanco County Future Farmers of America and the Blanco County 4-H Clubs to help make the Blanco County Warm Your Heart Coat Drive a success. As the temperature drops during these winter months, there are those who need a coat but cannot afford one; this community effort will offer warmth to people in need. Coat collection boxes have been placed in local PEC offices.

It was a half-century ago that members of the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City launched what has become a local tradition — the Living Nativity Pageant — drawing visitors from all over Texas and beyond. The original Living Nativity was a simple display with living characters in Biblical costume, posed around the manger between the sanctuary and parsonage.

A farmer placed an ad in the local paper that read: "Farmer Jones needs a wife, about 35 years of age, wife must own a new tractor, send picture of the tractor." Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder. Paul says in Ephesians 1:7 "In Him [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace..."

Two Blanco churches held the First Annual Turkey Bowl and Chili Cook-off on Saturday, November 20, at Panther Stadium. First Baptist Church, under the direction of their youth minister, Carlton Pridgen, came up with a great idea to have an annual Turkey Bowl football tournament. FBC invited Trinity Lutheran Church to join their youth and Jim Raby, youth director, added the idea of the Chili Cook-off.

I have more memories about Hanukkah than I realized when I started contemplating how to write a column about Hanukkah for this year. But first, let’s start with a few facts about Hanukkah for those who don’t really know what Hanukkah is. Hanukkah starts on December 1 of this year. The holiday really has so many of the elements I find interesting in Jewish history and observance. Precipitating event: “More than twenty-one centuries ago, the Holy Land was ...

We continue on our journey through the neighborhood of our neighbor’s beliefs. After the past three weeks of this series I have received numerous responses from some whose faith I wrote about. If anyone would like for me to verify chapter and verse of what has been written here please notify me. Today we look at a couple other neighbors.

Have you heard? We’re ‘gonna be raptured! What’s that? Well… Definition of rapture: 1) overwhelming happiness: a euphoric transcendent state in which somebody is overwhelmed by happiness or delight and unaware of anything else. 2) mystical transportation: (Christianity) a mystical experience in which somebody believes he or she is transported into the spiritual realm, sometimes applied to the second coming of Jesus Christ, when true believers are expected to r ...

2Timothy 2:1, 3 says, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Men, we are to be strong in the Word of God, in our walk with Jesus, and as leaders in our homes and society.

"Jimmy" Garland Wayne Spencer passed away at his home in Spring Branch, Texas, on Monday, November 29, 2010. All wishing to celebrate his life are invited to join family and friends for an informal gathering at the Blanco Cemetery on Sunday, December 12 at 1:00pm for interment of his ashes.

Bruce Gilbert McKennis, 72, went to be with the Lord on December 1, 2010 in Johnson City after a long illness. He was born in Chicago, IL to Charles McKennis and Ruth Finn. Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Charles McKennis; sister, Charleen Bennett; father in law, Jim Davis; and niece, Robin Womack.

Lois M. Wick went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 8, 2010 at the age of 92 years. Lois was born in Henly, Texas to James and Ida Jennings on March 2, 1918. She was a lifetime resident of the San Antonio area and her devotion in life was to her God, her family, and her church.

Perry Holt, 68, passed away November 30, 2010 at his Home in Johnson City. Perry was born in Big Spring, TX to Rufus Lee Holt and Birdie Seals Holt. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jerry Holt, and sister, Irene Penick. Perry is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Mary Livingston Holt; daughters, Carol Marie Stueler and husband Kevin of Johnson City and Suanne Haydon Taylor and husband Ben of Johnson City; son Tommy Haydon and wife Melyssa of Austin; sister, Joan Hernan ...

Dear Editor, Rev. Dr. Leggett has done it again. He has written about the “Mormons” using questionable sources. If he had bothered to go to the Book of Mormon itself, he would have known that Moroni gave young Joseph Smith, not “two golden plates” but one set of plates, “a book written by many ancient prophets.

Panthers Hold 3-0 Record After Defeating Armadillos The Panthers now hold a 3-0 record after defeating the San Saba Armadillos, 47-40, on November 23. The Panthers led 19-9 at the half, stretching that to a 16 point lead at the end of the third quarter. The Armadillos made a late rally in the fourth, but Blanco held on for the win. Clayton Green led the Panthers with 15 points.

I hope you have taken the time to visit downtown Blanco. Many citizens have donated many hours decorating. Blanco has never looked so lovely. The freeze on November 26 will be the end of many summer flowers and plants. It will be necessary to begin winter clean-up. We will have canas to give away this year; let us know if you want some plants.

December 4, 1964 Freezing weather was recorded on four days in November. The first freeze occurred on November 21 with a low of 30 degrees. The next night, the temperature got to 29. A 32 degree reading was recorded both the 23rd and 25th. • The annual sale of the Blanco County Hereford Breeders Association brought in 28,070.00.