Mike and Lesli Matt, along with big brother Mason, welcomed twin baby girls, Londyn Grace, 6lbs 5ozs, and Lainey Hope, 5lbs 6ozs, to the world May 9, 2011 at 10:51am and 10:52am. The proud grandparents are Lori and Terry Burklund, of Blanco, Texas, Marylou and Richard Howells, of Bandera, Texas, Jean and Mike Higgins of Cutbank, Montana, and Shelia and Mike Matt of Plains, Montana.

In April, members of Blanco National Bank’s Information Technology Committee produced a seminar on “How to Prevent Identity Theft” for local schools. The seminar, presented by committee members and other employees, was a feature of Community Banking Month. IT Committee members include Dixie Hall, Sherry Hawkins, Penny Lieck, Ramona Covey, Betty Yargo, Stephanie Grenwelge and Kimberly Gilbert.

The lives of a well-loved Blanco family were rocked recently by a shattering medical diagnosis. Jim was diagnosed with Stage 4 renal cancer and given what doctors consider to be a fatal prognosis. The family does have health insurance but out-of-pocket medical expenses are already staggering, and after surgery to remove a kidney, Jim was unable to return to his job as Production Manager at Klepac Greenhouses.

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011, close to a hundred people surrounded and packed into the Blanco State Park Club House, now known as the pavilion. The Blanco State Park, in conjunction with the Blanco Historical Preservation Commission, celebrated National Historic Preservation Month with the unveiling of the Blanco State Park Historical Marker honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the original land owners, and the history the park holds of our community. The ceremony started wi ...

A new sign graces the entrance to Uptown Blanco Restaurant. Installed last week, the sign harkens back to the winged parapets that were used on the West Side of the Square, one of which is still in place on the building to the left. ...

On June 3, Gem of the Hills Senior Citizens Community Center and New Hope Lutheran Church sponsored a luncheon for the recipients of Lunches of Love. The GOTH Senior Exercise Class gladly served as hostesses. CARTS (Capital Area Rural Transportation System) provided transportation for the participants. Jose Olmedo made classic Argentinian empanadas for the group and Phil Parker set up and took down all the tables and chairs.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is encouraging members to vote in its 2011 election, in which early voting ends Friday, June 10. After the early voting deadline, members will have a final chance to vote at the Co-op’s June 18 annual meeting in Johnson City. In the election, members are voting to select directors for PEC Board Districts 2 and 3, and also to recommend to the Board which system should be used for future director elections.

On Saturday, June 25, Blanco United Methodist will hold a Fashion Show to benefit The Good Samaritan Center located at 620 North Pecan Street. The Good Samaritan Center is the county’s local food pantry and aid center for those in need. This Center is in need of substantial repairs and remodeling.

Juneteenth is coming up the third weekend in June (it’s Father’s Day weekend), on Saturday, June 18th, at the Peyton Colony School grounds located on Peyton Colony Road (aka CR 409), off Rural Route 165, Blanco County, Texas. From Blanco, take RR165, about 9 miles east and turn left onto Peyton Colony Road, and you will see it around the bend.

Join us this summer with fun games and activities! Every Wednesday at 2 p.m. this June and July, we have programs for kids of all ages! Also, sign up for our Reading Program at the front desk and get prizes for reading. For kids 8 and under, you get a prize for every five books you read.

USS BLANCO COUNTY — Ever heard of it? Well, it is true and you can go to the Blanco Pioneer Museum on Pecan Street to see pictures, read a story about it and, at a later date, see some pieces. A very interesting story tells when the ship was launched and when it was put out of commission.

The Blanco Senior Center is open Monday through Friday and offers a variety of activities for Blanco County’s 60+. We are located at the corner of 4th and Mesquite, just across from Blanco Regional Clinic. A monthly calendar is available by calling 830-833-2233. We are always seeking new activities and people who are interested in providing classes or just to get together with friends in an inviting setting.

At the May 16 Blanco Historic Cemetery Association annual meeting some issues were addressed and reported in the newspaper, some of which have since been resolved in a positive manner. The May 18 edition of The Blanco County News, reporting on that meeting’s proceedings, stated that $16,000 in cemetery funds were allegedly unaccounted for.

The Blanco Church of Christ will be hosting VBS on June 13, 14, and 15 from 9:00am to 11:30am for ages two years old through the sixth grade. It is an excellent opportunity for children to learn the story of Jesus. Lessons will include a message of transforming from helpless to hopeful as Jesus heals the cripple man (John 5), a message of transforming from terrified to trusting as Peter comes to Jesus on the water (Matthew 14), a message of transforming from selfish to unselfishness as Jesus ...

In Colossians chapter 1, verses 15-23 Paul said: Christ Is Supreme “15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.

Romans 3:24 says, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” I know I am breaking into a whole section of Scripture, but I assure you it is in context. I want us to look at the word “freely”. The Greek word is dorean, which means gratuitously, undeservedly, without cause, & for nothing.

Edna E. Costigan passed away peacefully on June 6, 2011 at the age of 90. Born August 20, 1920 in Schoharie County, New York, she was a devoted wife and mother. Surviving her are her “three girls”: Marguerite Costigan of San Luis Obispo, Ca, Barbara Thorp and Phyllis Costigan, both of Blanco. The family would like to extend grateful thanks to all the staff at Live Oak Medical Center in Blanco for their care and efforts in making her final years contented ones, and to the ...

Erma Anne Wood, 91, passed away June 3, 2011 in Blanco, TX. She was born in Paris, TX to William Richard Wood and Jane Connor Wood. Anne was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Ella Wood. She is survived by her loving husband, William “Bill” Wood; sister, Mary Connor McBride; and many other relatives and dear friends. Anne received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and continued her education at the University of Texas where she received her Mast ...

All A Honor Roll First Grade Adamson, Cutler • Cortez, Jaden • Cortez, Victoria • Cox, Mason • Cox, Rayne • Croft, Cynthany • Elrod, Kiley • Etzel, Sydney • Flores, Ananda • Gloor, Jaycie • Henry, Jason • Hernandez, Joseph • Hunter, Langston • Johnson, Jack • Kirkland, Daryn • Lewis, Lorraina • Mote, Brenden • Murphree, Macy • Nance, Avery • Nunez Flores, Nuvia • Olmedo Barraco, Juan • Porter, Lilyan • Romero, Kyler • Ross, Hayden ...

The fifth graders of Blanco Elementary had a great time on their annual trip to Corpus Christi/Port Aransas. The students seemed to have lots of fun on what is one of the best educational field trips taken at Blanco ISD. Some of the highlights included the boat ride into the Intracoastal Canal, where the crew dragged the fishing net and the students got to see different types of marine life.

A group of 8th and 9th graders from the boys basketball program took second at the Harper JV Spring League in May. They finished with a record of 7-1, with their only loss coming to Fredericksburg in week two. Members of the team were: Carlin Green, Jubal Elrod, Daniel Wheeler, Chandler Stewart, David Ramirez, Kyle Sauceda, Dylan Tesch, and Robbie Arlitt.

A group of Blanco Little League players traveled to Mason this past Saturday to take part in the annual Mason Little League Tournament. Blanco competed in the minors division against teams from Brady, Johnson City and Mason. The Panthers took on Brady in their first game, prevailing 8 to 6 in their final at bat.

The biggest event to ever take place in Blanco is upon us. Blanco is sprucing up to put their best foot forward. A favorite entertainment spot will be in Bindseil Park. You can walk the grounds and visit all the vendor booths, enjoy the wine booths, Lavender Lizzies, and Go Texan booths under the big tent.

Dear Hearts and Gentle People: I was informed of a random act of kindness the other day and wanted to pass it along - On June 1, between Blanco and Johnson City, a PEC crew was kind enough to stop and aid a lady in distress — they changed her tire!

The time has come to understand a builder’s contact list. I can’t tell you how many times a builder will get a call for “who do you use for designing plans?”, or “what plumber?” and so on. There are times a builder/general contractor will be glad to give you information and then there are times they have to draw the line.

June 8, 1962 The installation of officers for the 1962-63 year was the highlight of the May luncheon of the Blanco Woman’s Club held at the Golden Derrick Restaurant in the Petroleum Center in San Antonio. The officers installed were: Mrs. Roy Conn, president, Mrs. B. R. Gloor, 1st vice president, Mrs.

When a property changes hands, what goes with it? Unless otherwise stated in the sales contract, you won’t find a comfy couch and huge flat-panel TV waiting for you when you move in. But how about curtains, carpets, or mirrors? The question of what conveys, or is included, with a property can be more complicated than you think.