Christy Seals and Jon Anderson, both of Austin, Texas, were joined in marriage under the blue Texas skies at Southwind Ranch, home of the parents of the bride, in Fischer, Texas,on April 2, 2011.  Jon is the son of Trygve and Kathy Anderson and Vicki and Don Stewart, all of Plano, Texas.  Christy is the daughter of RK and Priscilla Seals.  The bride’s sister, Erin Sakowski, was the Matron of Honor, and Birgit Shultz, friend of the groom, was the “Best Gal.”&nb ...

Mr. and Mrs. John Wood of Dripping Springs, TX, proudly announce the engagement of Nancy Hanus to Matthew Lewis. Nan has been a private chef for Middle Creek Ranch for the past ten years. She is a long-time resident of Blanco and is best known for the restaurant she had on the Square called Pecan Street Bakery and Cafe.

AUSTIN – Big bills continue to rumble around the state Capitol with less than a month remaining until May 30, the last day of the regular 82nd session of the Texas Legislature. The full House and the Senate Finance Committee have passed versions of the state budget, but last week there was not enough collective will in the Senate to bring the matter up for floor debate: too much disagreement on the particulars.

Rising corporate profits and consumer demand pushed the DOW up 490.81 points in April ending Friday at 12810, the highest level since May 2008.    History was made as Fed Chairman, Ben Bernanke  gave its first news conference ever.  Mr. Bernanke signaled that  the central bank would end its $600 billion bond buying  program in June and keep interest rates low for now.  He more or less stated that the Fed is doing all it can do in ...

Security State Bank & Trust recently celebrated their 70th anniversary. In honor of their anniversary, they had a drawing for a Yeti Cooler overflowing with BBQ and picnic goodies. Tito Romero was the lucky winner!

Debbie Vallone-Homeier, Vallone Real Estate and Candy Cargill, Hill Country Real Estate were recently on a mission to continue to enhance the services of the local sellers and buyers within Blanco County.  Blanco County did not belong to any jurisdiction.  Meaning, Blanco Country did not formally belong to any Real Estate Board territory.  Blanco Country could participate with boards, and can still participate with other boards, but to have a vote and say meant join ...

The director of the Rain Bird Gallery, Maureen Bester, has a kid’s art exhibit that runs until May 13. The young students and their teacher, Mrs. Ibarra, invite the Blanco community to visit the exhibit and admire the various paintings of the young artists. Mrs. Ibarra and her students appreciate the Rain Bird Gallery and Blanco Library for their continuing support.

I was born in a small town in West Texas called Hamlin. I moved away when I graduated high school in 1975. I married in 1984 to Bill Meyer, a great person, friend, and husband, who has always supported me throughout the years. We have four children: Samantha, Calvin, Lindsey and Kellie.

The fourth and final public meeting with Architect Sue Ann Pemberton of Mainstreet Architects will be held on May 9, 2011, at the Blanco Public Library at 6pm. This is the final meeting and the group is looking for input and questions from everyone — citizens, Realtors, builders, property owners.

Do you feel like an ambassador?  Do you think you’ve been called by Christ?  You mean me, you say?  Yes, you!  Why would I say that?  Because Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

After a shipwreck a young boy clung to a rock through a cold night. When rescued he was asked if he trembled in the night, he said, “I trembled all night... but the rock on which I laid never did.” The Lord is a rock to those who trust in Him.

John 8:31-32, 36 says, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Mr. Clifford Benjamin Grimm of Blanco, Texas passed away in the Hill Country Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg, Texas on Saturday, April 29, 2011 at the age of 85 years. He was born February 10, 1926 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, the son of Benjamin M. Grimm and Emma Erps Grimm.

Stacy Lea Franklin, 44, passed away on April 28, 2011 in Brenham.  She was born in San Antonio on November 11, 1966, to E.B. Franklin and Betty Jane Dotson.  She is preceded in death by her father and step-father, Donald Ray Pearson, Sr. Stacy is survived by her husband, Scott Bates, her son, Cameron Lee Cougot, her mother, Betty Jane Pearson of Brenham, step-mother, Sharon Franklin of Blanco, and step-brothers, Donald Pearson, Roger Pearson, and Lance ...

The Blanco Chamber of Commerce on April 16, 2011, held an event called “Meet The Candidates” for the community. Due to an oversight, none of the Blanco ISD School Board candidates were invited.  The Chamber strives diligently to remain nonpartisan and to support all citizens who give of their time to serve the Blanco community, and we apologize for our unintentional omission of these candidates. Blanco Chamber of Commerce Board of Dire ...

Five members of the Blanco FFA Chapter traveled to Lubbock to compete in the State FFA Entomology Contest sponsored by Texas Tech University.  After winning the Hill District and Area VII Championships, Blanco ranked ninth in the state, competing against 69 other teams from across Texas.  Team members included Rance Dollahite, Grady Childress, Tim Goodman, Grant Weaver, and Megan Wier.  Individually, Rance and Grady tied for the top two spots in dist ...

The Blanco chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America attended the State Leadership Conference held in Houston, Texas on April 14-16, 2011. The chapter members were among 3,500 delegates attending the three-day conference. The youth-developed theme, “Ignite the FCCLA Flame,” was carried out through tracks featuring a series of specialized workshops and general sessions in which members discovered ways to become actively involved in issues facing today’s youth ...

Taking advantage of well-placed bunts, aggressive base running, and solid pitching, the Lady Panthers outscored the Sonora Lady Broncos 16-1, on Friday, April 29, in the Bi-District match-up played in Fredericksburg. The Panthers scored six runs in the second inning to lead 8-0. At the top of the fifth inning, leading 9-1, the Blanco team’s bats exploded and seven runs were scored. Leslie McClinton placed three excellent bunts for three runs ...

Saturday, April 30 – Wimberley Invitational Seventh Grade: Trent Dechert and Justin Williams, 2nd; Canyon Burkhart and Kenny Peyton, lost in the finals of consolation; Sarah Martinez, lost in the finals of consolation; Victoria Jeske and Emily Romero defeated Vanessa Skillman and Christina Cortes in the finals of consolation. Eighth Grade: Kyle Gray, 2nd; Hunter Goodman and Ty Royce, 2nd; Jamie McClinton, 1st; Kari Graham an ...

Back row, left to right: Maryn McMain, Kenzie Adamson, Taylor Calder, Maddy Kunkel, Bret Nance. Front row: Denise Edwards, Montana Wiseman, Gracie Edmondson, Shayna Srackangast, Katlinn Calzoncit.

Despite the wind and lack of rain, there are beautiful wildflowers all over town.  Take a walk along Fulcher and River Run to the river’s edge at Flat Rock.  It is beautiful!  Trash has been picked up and pink, yellow and orange flowers delight the eye.  Take a picnic lunch and watch the birds at Flat Rock or play in the water to cool off.  Bring your fishing rod!

When I first saw the picture of that two-toned 1957 Ford hardtop convertible with its sleek lines and graceful fins, I thought it had to be the most beautiful car my eyes had ever beheld.  The problem was that my Dad had no use for Fords.  He was a dyed in the wool Chevy man true blue through and through.  Because he held that make in such low esteem, I figured that I was obliged, as a dutiful son, to say bad things about the Ford every chance I go ...

Creating a cozy backyard stone fire pit can be simple and you don’t need to hire a contractor.  However, most contractors will be glad to build it for you.  First, decide what style you want, whether you want a circle or square, what kind of stone, location, and if you are willing to do it yourself.  Next, follow these simple steps to create your own special fire pit.  This example is for a circle, but the concept would be the same for a squar ...

May 5, 1967 The Blanco High School Band under the direction of Billy Harrel would participate in the Six Flags Over Texas Band Festival. To qualify for competition in this contest, a band must have received a First Division Rating in Concert, or the equivalent, in its state contest during the spring of the 1966 school year, or a First Division Rating in the Six Flags Concert Band Festival during the past two years.