Allissa Abdelwahed, daughter of Misti Kittman of Blanco and Moncef Abdelwahed of Paris, France, was awarded first-year honors at Sweet Briar College for outstanding academic achievement for the 2010 fall semester. To qualify for first-year honors, students must achieve an outstanding record, including a 3.3 grade point average with a minimum of 12 graded academic hours in the first semester of their freshman year. Sweet Briar College is a nationally recognized all-women’s ...

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Allison of Liberty, Texas are pleased to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Lauren Colleen, to Mr. Robert Buchannan Watson, son of CW4, U.S.Army (Retired) and Mrs. John C. Watson of Blanco, Texas. Grandparents of the bride-elect are the late Mr. and Mrs. William A.

Parts of the Middle East are in turmoil as oppressed people seek freedom from the tyrants that have ruled their lives for generations. One of the things at stake in the outcome of the strife is the people’s freedom to adhere to religious convictions and practices not condoned by the ruling powers.

AUSTIN — Tough questions over how the Legislature will address a $4.3 billion state revenue shortfall in fiscal year 2011 and a $27 billion projected revenue shortfall in Texas’ 2012-2013 budget cycle continued last week. On March 3, Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, chair of the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee, invited Comptroller Susan Combs to come forward and present “a clear description of how we arrived at this point, what our current challenges are and ho ...

The public meeting will be held at the Blanco Library at 6 p.m. on March 14, 2011. Sue Ann Pemberton with Mainstreet Architects will present the additions to the draft that she presented on October 25, 2011. (The previous draft is available online on blancoguide.com.) Design Guidelines are the written tenets according to which a historic preservation commission interprets the preservation ordinance.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park announces the 4th annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour, “A Ride to Preserve History,” which begins on the historic LBJ Ranch airstrip near Stonewall, Texas on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. The tour provides four separate routes of 10, 30, 44 and 65 miles throughout the scenic Texas Hill Country and one special historical tour narrated by Luci Baines Johnson beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m. Cost of the event is $40.00 as of Marc ...

The Pajama Mamas team was recognized at the Blanco County Relay for Life Kick-Off Meeting on February 22, 2011, as a “Platinum Team.” In order to reach platinum status, a team has to raise $10,000 in one year for the American Cancer Society. The Pajama Mamas have been a Relay for Life team since 2005 in Blanco County.

In Section A4 there are apparently only three rows of graves. Starting at the back of the section and coming forward to Loop 165 there are two unknown markers just north of the big cedar tree. In the next row: William L. Turner (1890-1946) WWI, Beulah L. Surber (1909-2007), William E.

Since 1991, Blanco United Methodist Church has awarded scholarships to deserving Blanco community students who seek to further their education after high school. More than $65,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 108 students. Before applying for 2011 scholarship consideration, a potential applicant must meet four requirements: 1) be a graduating senior, 2) be active in BUMC or another church, 3) have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and 4) plan to attend a four-year college, a community coll ...

Hebrews 4 (Amplified Bible) 1Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it. 2For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not ...

What’s that building project south of Blanco? The local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, alongside volunteers from all over South Central Texas, are working hard on the new Kingdom Hall. The project is located at the entrance to Landon’s Crossing, on Logan’s Way, south of Blanco on U.S. 281. The project broke ground on Monday, January 17, said Timothy Covert, and the bulk of the construction will be completed by this Sunday, March 13. Up to 450 peop ...

“I’ll get even with you!” We’ve all heard these five wounding words and some of us have spoken them, not really being aware of their destructive power or the negative influence they can have on both the speaker and hearer. This seething desire for retribution can sentence one to the prison of anger; the cell of recurring rage; where revenge is the jailor and release from selfishness is the only key to freedom The desire to get even creates playground bul ...

Psalm 103:8-18 says, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

A young employee was responsible for some missing funds at the company for which he worked. When the matter was discovered he was summoned to the main office. He was asked if the matter was true and he admitted his involvement. Much to his surprise, he was asked, "if you keep your present job, can you be trusted in the future?"

Fred Leslie Maly, 83, passed away March 7, 2011 at his home in Blanco. He was born in San Antonio to Fred V. Maly and Marie Alberthal Maly. Fred is survived by his son, Lynn Maly and wife Shelly of Blanco; daughter, Nickey Maly and her husband Bo Williamson of Spring Branch; and aunt, Daisy Jane Alberthal.

Keith K. Williamson, Sr., 79, passed away March 3, 2011 in New Braunfels, TX. He was born in San Marcos, TX to Earl Williamson and Mary Whisenant Williamson. Keith is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Laura Read Williamson; three sons, Keith Williamson, Jr. and wife Sandra, Mark Williamson and wife Betty, and Read Williamson and wife Sissy; two daughters, Christine Cruess and husband Edward and Carol Caudill.

On Friday, February 25, Blanco High School Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members recently participated in a special opportunity – the chance to be part of the 5th annual Spurs FCCLA Night and Career Day at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Career Day Seminar is designed to highlight some of the many off-the-court careers in pro sports, including those in health care, hospitality, nutrition and fitness. Following the seminar, all students w ...

The Lady Panthers won third place in the 7th Annual Blanco Softball Tournament held March 3-5. On Friday, the Panther’s first opponent was the Fredericksburg varsity team. Trailing 2-4 in the fifth inning, the Panthers rallied for a 5-4 win. Alex Gustafson hit a single, a double, and a triple to go 3 for 3 in the game.

Support the Friends Jo Nell Haas reminds everyone that the Friends of Blanco State Park will meet on Wednesday night, March 9, at the pavilion in the park. Bring a covered dish! Everyone is encouraged to come and join.   Stripes Plans Opening The Stripes convenience store chain has purchased Blanco General (Exxon south of Super S).

April 2 is the date set for Blanco’s annual Spring Trash-off, sponsored by Keep Blanco Beautiful. Groups are needed to help clean up our city. If you wish to help, please contact Retta Martin at 833-4720. Every year, dedicated citizens gather litter along our streets, creeks and river banks. Keeping Blanco clean is everyone’s responsibility and those who help are much appreciated, with lunch after a morning spent gathering trash. The Boy Scouts and the high school ...

Dear gentle readers, If it weren't for Pat Lane, I wouldn't have known this! Barbara and Joe Crowley, who were high school sweethearts in San Antonio, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family at the Uptown Blanco Restaurant on March 4. Family members came from several Texas towns and from Oklahoma as well.

March 7, 1969 The Blanco High School Band, directed by Billy Harrell, received another honor when it was named Outstanding Class A Band in both Concert and Sight-Reading at the 21st- Annual Heart O’ Texas Band Festival in Brady. This was the fifth consecutive time that the Blanco band received honors at Brady.