James and Kim Thompson of Blanco announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren, to Brian Groves, son of Kevin and LynDee Groves of Graham, Texas. Lauren is a graduate from Blanco High School in 2004 and most recently graduated from Texas State University in August 2010. She is continuing her education at Texas State to become a certified paralegal.

Whether or not your home or building is in the Blanco Historic District, building permits are required if your property is within city limits. When you start a remodeling project inside the city limits, preparation and knowledge on your part of building permits, codes, and fees are essential and vital.

Last week I wrote about a time when I hesitated, for selfish reasons, to give assistance to a boy who was half frozen with the cold. In response, my brother, Jay, who lives in California, sent me the following note: “I had a similar experience many years ago in Torreon (Mexico) while traveling with Mom and Dad.

AUSTIN — Now that it’s 2011, eyes turn toward the state Capitol in earnest, as weighty tasks lay in store for the 82nd Texas Legislature convening January 11. Certain things are known going into this legislative session: 1. Because 2010 was a census year, Texas, thanks to its swelling population, will gain four seats in Congress and district boundaries must be redrawn to accommodate those seats.

December 31, 2010 – The New Year’s Eve crowd at Redbud Cafe was treated to over two hours of classical guitar performed by local artist Trevor McGuire. Trevor’s wide-ranging repertoire included Spanish, German, and Italian Baroque, Classical, and Romantic era music, as well as traditional music of the Christmas season.

Someone has said, "Youth is when we are allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve and middle age is when we are forced to." It is certainly the case that most of the time age gives us a different perspective on years past and years to come. Yet there still seems to be a freshness to a new year that is filled with expectation of better things and a desire to implement newly devised plans. As we look toward the future may we look to give better than we receive.

Will it be the Holy Spirit? No, for He will be here all through the tribulation and forever (John 14:16; Acts 2:16-21; Revelations 12:17 with 19:10; Zechariah 12:10-13:1). Multitudes will be saved by the Holy Spirit during the tribulation, as now (Acts 2:16-21; Revelations 6:9-11; 7:1—21; 15:2-4; 20:4-6). It is the church!

2Timothy 2:1-4 says “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Alma Belle Adams Krueger was born September 20, 1915 in San Antonio, TX and died in Johnson City January 4, 2011. Alma Krueger was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Alfred Henry Krueger; her parents, James F. and Alma Braun Adams; her brothers, Arthur, Henry, Albert, and Maury Adams; and her daughter, Shirley Ann Browning Gilbreath.

Billy Foster went home to be with the Lord on December 30, 2010, at home with his family in Spring Branch, Texas. He was known by everyone as a caring, loving, funny, and giving man. Bill was born in Runnels County, Texas, outside of Winters, to Dee Joshua Foster and Loneta Ethel Self. He is survived by his wife Lillie S.

Christian Lee Yeoman passed away December 31, 2010, at the age of 64 years. He is survived by his three sons, Chris Allen Yeoman, Kenneth Robert Yeoman and Lance Kevin Yeoman; one daughter, Iliana Salazar; thirteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Roberta K. (Bobbie) Dossey. A memorial service will be held for him on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 2:00pm at the Sweet Spirit Baptist Church, located at 15535 Miller Road, St.

Donald Wayne Gaines passed away January 3, 2011 at the age of 64 years. He is survived by his wife, Judy and two sons, Kevin and Travis. Visitation for Donald will be at Crofts Funeral Home in Blanco on Friday, January 7, from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Blanco on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 2:00pm.

Elizabeth Ann Ward Robertson was born September 23, 1922 in Decatur, Texas to Elizabeth Penn Dixon Ward and Jesse Lawrence Ward. She departed this world on January 3, 2011 at Denison, Texas and is with her father and all others that preceded her. She attended Decatur public schools and several colleges and universities.

George Dwayne Hoppe of Johnson City, Texas was born January 13, 1935 in Johnson City, Texas and passed away on January 3, 2011. Dwayne grew up in the Cypress Mill community on the family ranch where they raised angora goats, sheep, cattle and ran a dairy for many years. He started school in Cypress Mill, Texas until it closed and then attended the remainder of his school years in Johnson City, Texas.

Ronald Clyde McCarty, 64, passed away on December 30, 2010 at his home in Henly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Louise Draper, and by his parents, Clyde Calvin McCarty and Geraldine Sharp McCarty. Ronnie was born on August 8, 1946 in San Antonio. He served in the Air Force for four years during Viet Nam.

The Lady Panthers began the new year with a decisive 50-16 victory over Fredericksburg Heritage on Monday, January 3. Blanco used a smothering full-court press to win by a 34-point margin. Kayla Martinez led the Panthers with 12 points, followed by Micaela Klein with 10. Abbey Weaver shot for 9, while Justine Cooley added 7 and Lindsey Jenkins, Meaghen Seales, and Susannah Campbell each added 4. The Lady Panthers begin district play on January 7 in a home game against the Ingram Lady ...

Happy New Year! We hope your holiday was everything you wished. My yard still looks ugly. I haven’t had the time to clean up all of the frozen plants at my house or the downtown area. If you know there will be a freeze, water all of the landscape, lawn, trees, shrubs and flowers; this will keep the plants from freezing.

Generally, this column will have mostly cheery items; however, today's column starts with my sadness on reporting the death of Don Gaines. He was one of the first people I met in Blanco, as he and his wife, Judy, volunteered at the library and most of you know how I love books.

January 1, 1960 Jack B. Miller, District Attorney of the 33rd Judicial District, announced his candidacy for the office of District Judge of the 33rd District. This Judicial District is composed of Blanco, Burnet, Llano, Mason, Menard, and San Saba Counties. • The following “Notice to Boys” ran: If any boys want to join the Boy Scouts, they are requested to notify Larry Liesmann of L.