The Central Texas Council of Child Protection Boards presented its 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award to Bill Swiss at the annual Regional Awards Luncheon on May 19 in Salado. The Central Texas Council of Child Protection Boards includes Boards from 30 counties in Central Texas. Bill has been a member of the Blanco County Child Protection and Family Advocacy Board since 2004, and served as Vice-President in 2005 and 2006 and as President from 2007 through 2010.

Blanco Auto Parts sponsored Rest Stop #2 on Crabapple Road for the Real Ale Bike Ride on May 21 benefitting CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate. Bikers were serenaded by the No Hope Band and volunteers from New Hope Lutheran Church valet parked bikes while bikers took a break to eat and rest.

Blanco County’s disaster clothing drive is building momentum, as churches and groups join the individuals already clearing their wardrobes to help people who have lost theirs. “This clothing drive is an essential part of our response to the needs of others,” said Pastor Percy Smerek of Trinity Lutheran Church in Stonewall. “It may not be the same as laying down our lives for our neighbors, but it certainly is laying down our effort for them.” Response to our county’s coll ...

On Tuesday, May, 17, Friends of the Blanco Library held its annual meeting at the library. Jeff Holmes, President, opened the meeting and gave and overview of the past year’s activities and accomplishments. After the treasurer’s report, installation of officers and other business was completed, the real fun began. Sibby Barret of Onion Creek Kitchen at Juniper Hills Farm gave a fascinating account of how she found her way from Dallas to Blanco and established a premier cooking school in t ...

Mary Jo Isenberg is working on a new concept with the current economic climate in mind. As they say, if Mary Jo’s behind it, it’s going to be great. In addition to hot dogs from Frankly Speaking, she’s selling gift and decor items without the high price at Chic It Up, located south of Blanco. “Many people see junk at garage sales, yard sales, and flea markets,” Mary Jo says, “things you would just toss in the trash.” Mary Jo, on the other hand, sees it from a different perspectiv ...

Philippians 3:3, 8-9 says, “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh… Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the rig ...

Definition of assent as an intransitive verb: to accept a concept or course of action formally. Definition of discern: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure: skill in discerning . 2: to see or notice something that is not very clear or obvious. In 1 Corinthians 12:1-10 Paul said “1NOW ABOUT the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed. 2You know that when you were heathen, you were led o ...

We have been examining the concept of “So That…” That is to say, everything happens, “So That…” something else can happen. If we have employment it is “So That…” we can get paid. We get paid, “So That…” we can pay our bills, etc. Mom or dad fixes dinner, “So That…” the family may eat.

A business man watched a Swiss clockmaker carve a beautiful ornate cuckoo clock. The work was precise but slow. The business man said, “You will never make money that way.” The clockmaker said, “I’m not making money, I’m making the finest cuckoo clocks in the world.” The business man was seeing one thing and the clockmaker another. God sees the hidden person of the heart (I Peter 3:4).

Dear Editor, I am grateful and pleased for the bond propositions that passed. I want to thank all those who voted. Our community looked at the information that was presented and made an informed decision to support its school district and to build on its excellence, for this day and for the future.

Dear Editor, A very special thank you goes out to all the citizens of Blanco who came out on May 14, 2011 and voted for me for Mayor of Blanco. I sincerely appreciate your support and your faith in my ability to participate in the governing body of the City of Blanco. There are so many helpful, caring persons who had the vision for a change in our city government.

Dear Editor, Our recent city, school, and school bond elections have come to a close and I personally wish to thank each citizen of Blanco County for exercising their right to vote. During any given election, some might think “why” they should take the time to vote and perhaps it really does not matter, but it does matter.

Dear Editor, I’m from Blanco. My husband and I have raised our five children here. I love Blanco and I want what is best for every one in our community. Have you heard of communities coming together to encourage folks to read the same book? That got me to thinking. My present hope is that all the priests, pastors, and religious ministers in our community will soon preach a sermon on the evils of gossip.

Dear Editor, Blanco ISD would like to thank the voters who voted in the May 14 bond election. We would also like to recognize and thank the members of our Citizens Advisory Committee, who met throughout the summer, fall, and winter of 2010 – 2011 to put together a bond package that would both meet the district’s facility needs, and be acceptable to the majority of the voters of the district.

AUSTIN — Actions taken by the state House and Senate point toward the possibility of completing a state budget on or before May 30, the final day of the session. House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, sent out press releases late in the week indicating negotiations were going well enough to pass a balanced budget that relies on historically deep cuts. The House did pass a Senate “fiscal matters” bill — one just for public education — ...

Front row: JoMac W., Skylar W., Elisa T., Justin T., Tanner S., Hannah S., Shea S., Sean-Eric S., Trace S., Mario S., and Wade R. Middle row: Mariah R., Robert R., Brandon P., Kaylee P., John M., Jon M., Daisy M., Alyssa K., Chace K., Will G., and Sarai G.

The all district teams were announced. '''All Academic All District''' – Grady Childress, Clint Dreyer, Kyle Garrow, Travis McClinton, Zac Rogalski, Colton Childress, TJ Hardin, Sam Isenberg, Chad Marshall, Ian Ray, and Josh McCaslin

On May 24, Travis McClinton signed a football letter of commitment to Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Travis has played varsity football for Blanco for the past three years. He was All-State Tight End his sophomore year and was All District TE and DE the past three years.

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Hurricane Preparedness Week during 2011 runs from May 22nd through May 28th. Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding.

Last week’s local elections turned out an impressive number of voters.  With the average percent of registered voters voting in Texas hovering around 10%, Blanco had a 35.4% turnout! This is absolutely wonderful!  The high turnout can be credited, in large part, to the campaign efforts exerted by the candidates and their supporters. State law requires all campaign signs, banners, etc.

Bindseil Park, “the Jewel of downtown Blanco” right by the Square is a beautiful inviting spot to enjoy. It is a place enjoyed by tourists and many of the residents of Blanco. We are working real hard to have it in tip top condition for the Lavender Festival, which takes place in less than three weeks.

One of my favorite scenes from the first “Crocodile Dundee” movie takes place in New York City when a young hoodlum confronts the Australian crocodile hunter with a switchblade knife and demands his money. Dundee looks at the little knife with disdain and with a grin on his face says, “That’s not a knife.

A belated congratulations goes out to all the Mutton Busters, including Ryder Adams and Noah Schwarzlose. Those young cowboys and cowgirls let everybody know they have the right stuff, baby! I bet the sheep will really be running scared next year! Lavender Festival will be here soon, too soon for some and not soon enough for others - we can certainly use lots of volunteers in every area, those of you who will still be in town.

Blanco EMS reported the following call volume for April 2011. * Total Dispatched Calls – 51 * Total Patients – 48 * County Calls — 24 * City Calls — 27 * Response Time to Scene Average – 6.7 minutes // (City, County, and Mutual Aid Combined) * Total Call Time Average (dispatch to back in service) – 2 hours, 13 minutes Blanco EMS (DSHS License # 016001) is located at 607 Chandler and can be mailed at P.O.

Building homes becomes more and more expensive each year as lot prices raise, and materials become scarce. With the rising costs of homes, many people looking to build are seeking alternatives to the traditional stick-built methods. Manufactured homes are a great alternative for a variety of reasons, one of which is time.

''May 27, 1960'' The auditorium of the First Baptist Church would be the scene of a piano recital by the students of Mrs. B.R. Gloor. Students appearing in the program were: Jody Beverly, Maggie Beverly, Suzanne Bullard, Val Jean Ellison, Kristen Gloor, Beverly Hopson, Jean Poenisch, Christie Posey, Dixie Posey, Holly Smith, and Gail Stansbury.

Here’s a seemingly simple question: Will a $175,000 house or a $200,000 house cost you more? Before you question my grasp of numbers, hear me out. While your mortgage payments are going to be higher on the $200,000 property, that’s not the whole story. Does your current household budget include anything else besides your mortgage or rent?