Back row: John H., Savannah G., Brandon G., Kaitlynn G., Rhealene F., Casey E., Cadence D., Anna B., and Ty A.Front: row: Maggie W., Lauren S., Rafael R., Kaiden P., Julian P., Inez M., Alexia L., Chayn K., and Kathryn H.

2012 Ultra Quest cost: $20.00 age: grades 7-12 as of Fall 2012 when: June 11-July 19, 7:30am-9am where: Blanco High School Weight Room instructors: BISD Coaches Basketball Camp cost: $20.00 age: grades 4-9 as of Fall 2012 when: June 18-June 21, 8a,-10am (4th&6th) 10am-noon (7th&9th) where: Blanco High School Gym Volleyball Camp cost: $40.00-grades 3-9 as of Fall 2012; $60.00 grades 8-12 as of Fall 2012 when: July 23-26, 9-11am (grades 3-6), 11am-1pm (grades 7-9), 3pm-7pm (grades 8- ...

The success of last year's disaster clothing drive has earned Blanco County a request to expand its effort this year. Last year, we filled to overflowing the second-largest trailer the warehouse had, so this year they're sending their big one -- a 53-foot semi-trailer, and they're leaving it parked at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City so it can be loaded as donations arrive, rather than have to move all the bags and boxes a second time. Having the big trailer on site also mean ...

“Life happens!” We all have varying degrees of stress. We could not be overcomers without issues to overcome. So the question is “How much stress?” and “How do we deal with challenges?” Usually, we think of stress as a bad thing. But at its most basic level, stress is helpful. When your mind senses a dangerous situation -- such as an animal about to attack -- it triggers your body to react with the "fight or flight"

First Baptist Church of Blanco held a recognition ceremony for the high school seniors in its congregation last Sunday, May 20. Pictured are Emily Furlong, Susannah Campbell, Kayla Martinez, Matt Pepper.

Uptown Blanco Art Center hosted a model car show on Saturday, May 19, to accompany the full-size classic car show in Blanco State Park. Members of the Austin Scale Modelers’ Society and local Phil Friddell brought in models to display. For those interested in learning more, the Uptown Art Center also offers plastic model workshops for children and adults.

On Saturday, May 19, Rain Bird Gallery hosted artist Amanda Furr, whose oil paintings are inspired by the chrome and curves of classic cars. She has expanded into painting other objects from the 1950s, including old radios, antique telephones, broadcast microphones, and typewriters. For more information, visit Furr’s website at amandafurr.com.

While on their routes last Saturday, four Blanco mail carriers picked up more than 1,200 pounds of non-perishable food, which filled pantry shelves this week at the Blanco Good Samaritan Center. “We must have gotten around 40 or 50 bags of food,” said Hilary Huser at the center.  “We were very happy and grateful to get it!” Postmistress Tina Kmetz at the Blanco Post Office identified the carriers as Crystal, Joyde, Nelly and Flor.

For the summer, the Technology for All program will start a job skill series program at the Blanco Library. Classes include Word, Excel, PowerPoint and then move into resume writing and job searching practices. There will 8 Word classes through the month of June on Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m.

Blanco State Park was a beehive of activity on Friday May 11th when 49 third graders from Blanco Elementary School descended upon the park for the 3rd annual Kids Day Out Program. The weather had everyone worried initially because over three inches of rain had fallen the previous night – but the day brought nicely cooler temperatures with overcast skies and no precipitation to interfere with the activities. The Kids Day Out Program is a day for the third graders to experience nature firsthan ...

The annual Real Ale Ride was held on Saturday, May 19, and 1,652 riders, the most yet, registered for the brewery’s annual fundraising event. “We had a great turn out,” reported Gabriel Gregerman. “Everything went smoothly, great weather, great beer, bbq and bands!” This year, proceeds go to Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, near Johnson City.

Following morning worship services with Evangelist Clifton Jansky and a delicious lunch, the young cowgirls and cowboys mounted up and rode into the church arena for group prayer and their Youth Play Day. The 5 age groups participated in four arena events in their first Buckle Series Play Day. The next two events of the buckle series are scheduled for June 3 and July 1. Awards were spread out under the oak trees where the youth selected their prizes beginning with first place through fifth pla ...

Our spirit and soul do not ‘die’ as our physical body dies. Our spirit and soul continue to live, and are fully conscious even after our body is laid in the grave; our spirit and soul continue to live, we just move from the earth to a new residence. The apostle John, who walked with Jesus and wrote the book of Revelation said: “9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 ...

A tourist visited a old monastery that was only accessible by rope. The tourist got in a large basket with a monk. Other monks begin to pull the basket to the top. The tourist looked at the frayed rope and asked, "How often they replaced the rope." The monk answered, "Whenever it breaks."

Psa 103:8-14 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.

Robert “Bad Bob” Henry, age 61, was called to heaven on May 23rd 2012 in San Antonio surrounded by his family. He was born in Jamaica, New York to the late Robert and Teresa Henry. Bob lived most of his life in Wimberley and surrounding areas. He is survived by his wife Connie Henry, son Tres Henry and his wife Teresa of Blanco, daughter Kayla Smith of Portland, Texas and daughter Misti McMain and her husband Cory of Blanco.

The hoopla over Facebook Inc.’s IPO entertainment ended with a thud on Friday. Most investors advised not to jump in with both wallets as the beginning $38 a share ended at $38.23. At least it wasn’t a loss in my opinion. The DOW ended Friday at 12369.38 down 71.11 points on the news of Facebook’s dismal showing.

AUSTIN — State troopers, police officers and sheriff’s deputies across Texas will be looking for drivers and passengers who are not buckled up or whose children are not properly restrained, the Texas Department of Transportation warned last week. During a two-week period from May 21 through June 3 (which includes Memorial Day weekend) the “Click It or Ticket” campaign will be enforced.

Select Blanco Band students will be competing on the state level at State Solo and Ensemble Contest this coming Monday. The Blanco Band Program advanced a Saxophone Quartet, a Percussion Ensemble, and Piano Solo. The earned there way to state at an earlier contest by earning a Superior Division 1 rating at the Region Contest.

The panthers baseball team defeated the Wall Hawks in a best 2-of-3 game series on Thursday, May 17 and Saturday, May 19 with game scores of 16-2, 4-8, and 17-16. In the first game of the series James Leachman and Kyle Sauceda pitched for the win. Weston Copenhaver was hit-by-pitch 3 times, with 4 other Blanco batters getting hit-by-pitch and drawing 7 walks.

May 25. vs Bushland, Regional Semifinals. Game at Snyder at 7:30pm. May 26. vs Bushland at Snyder at Noon. May 26. vs Bushland at Snyder immediately following the game listed above.

The Blanco softball team finished their record-breaking season with 27 wins and 3 losses. The team lost to Alpine in the Regional Semifinal playoff round in San Angelo on May 18th and May 19th. Playing a best 2-of-3 series on the San Angelo State University softball field, the Lady Panthers took on the Lady Bucks falling 1-5 and 1-5 in two games. In the Friday evening game the first two innings remained scoreless.

A month has gone by since the Great Texas Blanco-style Clean-Up Event. The statistics are in, and Blanconians outdid themselves in their effort to Keep Blanco Beautiful. Over 1,000 pounds of litter were picked up along the city streets, parks, and creek beds. Three pick-ups pulling flatbeds cruised the neighborhoods collecting large items citizens were unable to haul to the city yard themselves.

Shortly after I arrived in Texas to teach, the Texas Education Agency informed me that I lacked a required course in Educational Psychology. I signed up for a class that was being offered by a state university at nearby Fort Bliss. The first class had barely begun when, in response to a question by the instructor, one of the students said, “The Good Book says spare the rod and spoil child.” The instructor, who held a Ph.D.

Are you thinking of upgrading your house, but you don’t know what upgrades are the good ones to do? There are a number of different upgrades that you can do to your house, but which ones are the ones worth paying for? Here are some things to think about when you are deciding on what to upgrade in your home.

This week in... 1971 This week in 1971 Mrs. Kay Berger’s Kindergarten class held their graduating ceremony. The graduates were Clinton Dowdy, Wade Fischer, David Hartman, Sandra Jones, Jimmy Klepac, Neil West and Randall West. • Miss Dixie Posey received an honor from the Southwest Texas State University chapter of Chi Omega Sorority, being named “Best Active.” Miss Posey was active in her school affairs and a member of the Student Senate, the Strutters, and a Butler Dormitory Counsel ...

When the people in your life hear that you're house hunting, you can expect to get an earful of advice based on their experiences. However, you'll quickly find that everyone's buying experience is different because everyone has different needs. Good intentions don't always make for good advice The homebuying process can be overwhelming, especially for first-time homebuyers.