Sid and Mary Jo Isenberg are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Isenberg, to Chris Tucker, son of Alan and Terry Tucker of Flower Mound, Texas. Sarah and Chris met at the University of Texas at Tyler, from where they are both graduated. The couple plan to wed in June in Lantana, Texas.

Are you curious about aromatherapy? Our volunteer instructor, Vessel, will talk on some of the uses of aromatherapy throughout history as an alternative or complementary healing art. Her non-medical discussion will cover how essential oils are different from fragrance oils and the role that carrier oils play in aromatherapy. She will be aided with supplies from the Peach Basket Natural Foods and Supplements in Fredericksburg.

Hill Country Memorial Hospital’s project to have all single-patient rooms has reached its $1.2 million goal thanks to a final gift of $30,000 from members of the Hill Country Memorial Auxiliary. “We were more than a little excited when this fine group of volunteers told us about their gift,” Frosty Rees, chairman of the Hill Country Memorial Hospital Foundation’s board of directors, said.

The planning stage for a new Western exhibit has come to a short pause because we need the assistance of the Blanco community again. We are seeking people who have knowledge or families who have a family brand. Brands were registered with the county that you lived in at one time and were used to identify your livestock, such as cattle, horses, sheep, and goats.

On Tuesday, March 6, more than 100 riders of all ages will make their way through the Hill Country on horseback and vintage wagons. The 112-mile trail ride will cross 40 cattle guards as they ride through more than 20 Hill Country ranches, including the historic LBJ Ranch on RR 1, before arriving at Yett Memorial Park.

It’s that time of year! Lenten luncheons, which support the Blanco Ministerial Alliance, will return on Thursday, February 23, at noon at First Baptist Church of Blanco. A $5 donation is suggested, which goes to the alliance funds. Luncheon Schedule: March 1 @ Trinity Lutheran, March 8 @ United Methodist, Kendalia Community and Mt.

For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.

Getting right with God is something many wish they would have done yesterday, they plan on doing tomorrow, and they are determined not to do today! "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning , and your joy to gloom.

Eph 5:18 says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled (crammed full of and influenced) (present tense – habitually, continually) with the Spirit; Act 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” Let’s get into God’s Word. Last week we talked about the initial filling with the Holy Spirit, that experience subsequent to salvat ...

Leslie Yett, 92, of Blanco, formerly of Marble Falls, died February 19, 2012, at North Austin Medical Center in Austin. Born November 17, 1919, in Marble Falls, he was the son of Marion and Ora (Shelby) Yett. Leslie served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked as a stone polisher at Texas Granite for 31 years and then worked at Blanco National Bank for 20 years.

Services for Sheriff Bill Elsbury will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 2pm at the Liberty Lighthouse Church, located at 321 Old River Crossing Road, in Johnson City, TX. Reception to follow at the First United Methodist Church, 105 LBJ Drive. The family requests that you make donations to the Blanco County church or charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

Beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went to be home with her Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, February 19, 2012, in Blanco, Texas, at the age of 93. She was in the company of family, as she died at home due to natural causes. Jerry, as she was known throughout the Blanco community, was born on December 28, 1918, in Presidio, Texas.

Steven Gary Jensen, 63, passed away February 14, 2012, at his home in the Texas Hill Country south of Austin, with his wife Candace by his side. He was born in Houston, Texas, on January 12, 1949. He graduated from Galena Park High School in 1967 where he enjoyed taking part in choir and football and from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Enforcement in 1971. Steve’s career in criminal enforcement began as a rookie with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco ...

AUSTIN — Redistricting work continued last week and one part of the puzzle was solved. State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, on Feb. 15 announced an agreement with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott that will keep her Senate District 10 boundaries as they were in 2001, instead of the version state lawmakers enacted last spring.

The District 8-AA Middle School One Act Play Contest will be held on Wednesday, February 22, at Blanco Middle School. Junction, Blanco, and Comfort will vie for this year’s top honors, with competition scheduled to start at 4:00pm. Blanco’s play choice for performance this year is Roomers, by Jerome McDonough. It is about a small apartment building filled with an alarming number of crazy personalities When the group pitches in to help one of their own, a case of mistaken identity sends ...

The boys varsity team took home first place in the Ingram Tournament at the Schreiner golf course on February 13. Pictured are Coach Scott Balmos, TJ Hardin, Kyle Gray, James Leachman, Tanner Rogers, and Lane Hoelting. The girls varsity team traveled to Mason on February 16. Emmalee Arlitt placed first, Presley Savarino placed second, and Alex LeBlanc placed ninth.

The boys placed fourth as a team. Individual results are as follows: Phil Alvarado took 1st place in the 114 weight class and Dylan Tesch placed 6th place in the 114 weight class and had a 50 pound increase in total. Alex Juarez placed 4th in the 165 weight class, Jake Breeding placed 7th in 181 and had 25 pound increase in total, Bryan Brecka placed 4th in the 198, Chris Barnett placed 2nd in the 220 weight class and had a 50 pound increase, Jessie Ruiz placed 3rd in 220 and also 50 pound incr ...

The Panther softball team slammed into their season with a decisive 14-4 win over St. Michaels of Austin on Wednesday, February 15. The Panthers closed the game in five innings under the 10-run rule. Callie Culton pitched an impressive season-opener with 11 strike-outs and only two walks and three hits. Kelsey Schwind went 4 of 4 at bat with two singles, a double, and a triple.

Nice Rain–Willard Gibbons captured this shot of the Blanco River flowing over the bridge at Trainer Wuest Road after the area received 2 inches of rain (by Willard’s gauge). It’s the first time in many months that the river has flowed over the bridge, Willard reports.

Last week Bob Flores’ letter to the editor inspired me to do some investigative reporting. It has been five weeks since the Masons, Scouts and high school students picked up the roadside north of town along 281. On Thursday, February 16, Wayne and I “policed” the same roadside from the Adopt-A-Highway sign to the motel.

Heart talk and “sweet nothings” come easy; but research takes time, money, and effort. The results are worth our attention. We all know about life’s guarantees: death, taxes, and the sun rising in the east. Let’s add another one: eating well ensures a long and healthy life. For years, mounting evidence has pointed to the role of a diet high in fruits and vegetables in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Remember that this coming Saturday, February 25, our annual membership meeting will be held at the Masonic Lodge at 2 p.m. We will vote on a new Constitution and Bylaws and we will have election of Directors. You will also be “caught up” on events since last May. Today we begin the “D” section.

Up for Adoption! In 1985 Texas introduced the Adopt-a-Highway program to give citizens an opportunity to support litter prevention by picking up trash along designated stretches of highway in the Lone Star State. Currently the program has more than 4500 groups involved. Here in Blanco, the Masons have helped Keep Blanco (and Texas) Beautiful since February 1987 along the stretch of 281 north of town.

Laissez les bons temps roulez (that is Mardi Gras speak for "a good time was had by all")! There's not a whole lot of cheerful news this week, except for the rain and the lovely couple days last week as well as my husband's 58th birthday! As long as he doesn't shave off his mustache, he will continue to look a little older than I am - if he takes a notion to remove it, I am done for.

Where do you start? Ask yourself these questions: Will I build on my current land or need a different parcel? When will I want to start and complete my home? What size of home and garage do I want? What can I afford? What style of home and exterior materials?

February 21, 1969 A.S. Ethridge celebrated his 102nd birthday. He was born in Blanco County in 1867 and lived here for many years. For the past number of years he had made his home with his daughter in San Antonio, where he got around with the help of a walker. He was still mentally alert and could give anyone a good game of dominoes.

Some of a home’s features can’t be changed. Location and age first come to mind. Other features can be modified at great expense and hassle, like adding a second story or replacing the flooring. And then there are those little touches that don’t cost much—maybe nothing but a little time—that can improve the impression your home makes on potential buyers … whether they’re viewing the home in person or in photos online. Simplify to show off your home’s assets You know that when ...