Tyler and Melanie Griffin of Indianola, Washington, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Madison Elise. She was born on September 5, 2012. She weighs 7 lbs 3 oz and is 19.5 inches long. Grandparents are Tim Griffin and Lesley Griffin of Blanco, and Tony and Denise Hanson of Emporia, Kansas.

The Mason County Friends of the Library is now accepting applications for the 2012 Old Yeller Days. Visitors from all over will enjoy contests, shows, interactive demonstrations, arts & crafts, a dog show, an apple baking contest, live entertainment, good stuff to eat, and so much more. Set on the beautiful grounds of the Mason County historical courthouse, the Old Yeller Days celebration is intended to bring the history of the 1870s to life through demonstrations and performances of re-enacto ...

Your city representatives want to update its citizens on the status of the pending issues the city has with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ. As many of you know, the city’s sewer plant is quite old, over 50 years. Moreover, the plant is taking in much more effluent than it was when it was placed on line.

Sponsors are needed for the largest fundraiser for the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center Burnet, Blanco, Llano and Lampasas: The Highland Lakes Crisis Center is still seeking sponsors and golfers for the upcoming 29th Annual Golf Tournament and Silent Auction, Saturday, Oct. 27, at 1p.m. at the Delaware Springs Golf Course in Burnet. The funds raised by the golf tournament and silent auction enable the continuation of support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in ...

In colonial Philadelphia, our nation was founded upon prayer. Cry Out America, Remembering 9/11 is a grassroots prayer initiative involving sacred assemblies in all 50 states. Blanco County's own assembly was held last Tuesday, September 11, 2012, on the east lawn of the Courthouse. There were many in attendance to pray for our country, renew the spirit of patriotism through song and pledge, and honor our local first responders–the Volunteer Fire Department, Police Officers, and EMS).

The Uptown Blanco Art Center hosted the opening of a photographic exhibit featuring the work of Blanco County resident Joe Walsh, who specializes in landscapes. Mr. Walsh’s photographs, primarily of western American scenic views, are technically accomplished and striking in composition, always beautiful, and sometimes ethereal. The opening was Saturday, the 15th of September; however, the exhibit will be available for viewing at the Art Center until October 19. Live music for the event was ...

Hill Country Memorial will host a Service of Remembrance at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15, at the HCM Women’s Pavilion to remember babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. October is designated as Infant Loss Awareness Month, and communities around the world will be holding remembrance services. Last year’s local event drew about 50 people.

This week’s random Summer Reading Program winner is John S! Kids, remember to keep an eye out for your name in this newspaper to see if you won! Remember to sign up next year to earn and win prizes. It is that time of year again for our annual Friends Membership Drive starting next week through mid-November.

“Three months ago, I joined Olga Ibarra’s Tuesday afternoon art class. The class is so much fun. We have really nice, friendly, and talented artists. I hadn’t painted since high school and this was my first attempt using acrylic paints. Since starting the class I have done several acrylics, one water color, and a few pencil drawings.” – Sally Wall To join the Tejas Art Club, get in touch with Mrs.

Well, it is done and open again! The Blanco Pioneer Museum opened the doors with an exhibit that we call “Western Heritage.” Western Heritage goes from the era of the cowboys and trail drives to the time of settlement of our own Blanco County. During your tour, you might ask yourself what this has got to do with Blanco.

On the eve of teal hunting season, which opened Sept. 15, LCRA is reminding everyone that hunting and possession of a firearm are prohibited on all LCRA lands and water. The ban, which has been in place for years, is contained in LCRA Land and Water Use Regulations. It prohibits all types of hunting and the possession or use of firearms on LCRA property, including the Highland Lakes. “We’ve had some issues in the past with people trying to shoot water fowl on the Highland Lakes, particula ...

The question had to go through a lot of minds in Blanco County last Thursday night: "How much higher is this water going to get?" When water gets loose in a house, it goes everywhere and destroys wherever it goes, and what it doesn't destroy it ruins or damages. Even a small flood cleanup is awful...it's sweaty, nasty labor...disheartening and discouraging as you keep finding more and more hidden damage. One way to make that easier is the gift of cleaning supplies. Blanco County's volunteers ...

Volunteers Ruby, Rebecca, Kayla and Diane with Trinity Lutheran Church welcomed shoppers to the Blanco Good Samaritan Center Monday morning. The center, which also houses a community food pantry, was closed all last week while a new floor was installed and other renovations were made. Hours at the center are 10 a.m.

This year’s courthouse weekend starts at sundown on Friday, September 28, with a free showing of the Coen Brothers’ “True Grit.” The movie will be shown on a large screen on the courthouse lawn – bring chairs or blankets. Showtime is at sundown, weather permitting.  Free popcorn will be available, and soft drinks and water for $1.

St.Ferdinand Catholic church and pastor, Fr. Justin Udumah were visited this last week-end by Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera from the diocese of Ratnapura. Ratnapura is located in the country of Sri Lanka, which is a tropical island nation off the southeast coast of the Indian subcontinent. The total area of Sri Lanka is 65,610 sq km.

Young Life club is up and running in Blanco County! We have had two “clubs” to date (September 10th and 17th), and could not be more excited about the direction Young Life is going. On our first meeting (September 10th), nearly 90 high school kids from Blanco County packed our Young Life building and participated in lots of songs and games.

New Hope Lutheran Hosted Fifth Quarter Friday Sept 14th - Over 80 students filled the fellowship hall and deck at New Hope Lutheran after winning their football game against Luling.

Well, first let me say I hope I don’t sound like I know so much about tithing, because I decided today that learning how to walk with our Lord Jesus as our Guide, Teacher and Shepherd is like learning how to manipulate a Mac pc after using a Windows operating system.

Acts 26:18 says, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power (mastery, control, authority) of Satan unto (the mastery, control, authority of) God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Notice what Jesus commissioned Paul to do.

To the Editor; My husband and I recently had the privilege of viewing a series of three films about WWII begining with D-day invasion. These films were very informative as well as educational. They were of particular interest to me as I had an uncle killed in France. The films depicted the extreme struggle the American soldiers went through so the world would be free.

The markets rose after Fed Chief, Ben Bernanke and the Boys announced they would be purchasing more mortgage-backed securities indefinitely and keep rates low far into the year 2015. In other words, here’s QE3-Quantitive Easing part III. The Fed had been hinting all along that they would take action in order to spur along the U.S.

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry returned to Austin on Sept. 12 following a multi-day overseas trip. While in Italy, Perry addressed an annual international economic development forum. He touted Texas’ workforce, universities and business climate and encouraged investment in and trade with Texas, telling his audience, “… we’ve created a fertile environment where innovators are free to create and nurture their ideas and where government stays out of the way.

th Grade Teacher I actually learned how to solder, weld, operate woodworking equipment, and repair motorcycles in public schools. While our 5th graders did not obtain that level of involvement on our tour of the new facilities, I think that they had a unique opportunity to see some of the numerous materials and various labor and skills that go into a construction project, most especially as large an undertaking as this. Ms.

After evening their season record with a win over Comfort, the Blanco Panthers returned home to host the Luling Eagles with hopes of picking up their first home victory of the season after dropping their home opener to Canyon Lake. Although both teams had been able to put points on the scoreboard in each of their first two games, neither Blanco nor Luling were able to get their offenses going. After a scoreless first quarter in which both teams traded field position, it was the Panthers’ def ...

Left to right in the picture is Ben Copeland, President of the Blanco Lions Club, Kolby Marek, who drew the winning ticket, and Mrs. Yawn, who won the ball. All the funds raised from the sale of the game ball go to scholarships for Blanco High School seniors. We thank everyone for their support.

On a road trip to Center Point the Panthers were no match for the Pirates as Blanco won 3-0 on Tuesday, September 11th. Set scores were 25-6, 25-16, and 25-16. The Junior Varsity also won their match, 25-20 and 25-16. The Panthers hosted Cornerstone Christian on Firday, September 14th. The Varsity won again 3-0, with set scores 25-19, 25-11, and 25-11.

Inactivity has become an epidemic among children and is a major reason for the growing rate of obesity. About ten million children in this country currently have serious weight problems, placing them at potential risk later in life from diabetes, heart disease, orthopedic disorders and respiratory disease. By motivating children to be active and providing a well-balanced diet, parents can help kids maintain a healthy weight, improve overall health and well-being, and develop good eating and exe ...

My first long-term Boy Scout camping experience took place at Camp Steiner in the lofty Uinta Mountains of Utah near the border with Wyoming. For a solid week I was in Boy Scout heaven. My buddies and I roamed the forests and lakes and streams and climbed snow-capped peaks in search of adventure.

allone Real Estate So many times I hear “where do I build my house” from folks once I sell them some land. Or as a builder, we go to meet folks on their land and they say, “We just don’t know where we want to put our home.” Let me give you some things to think about. Moving from the big city years ago, we had this same question.

By Julia Vicars 1977- BISD Student count dropped to 483 mostly due to a large drop in new students enrolling in Kindergarten. A breakdown of student in enrollment in 1977 is as follows; 232 in Elementary, 84 in Middle, and 159 in High School. Last year (2011-2012 school year) BISD had a total of 966 students; 439 in Elementary, 228 in Middle, and 299 in High School. 1987- City Council rejected a left turn lane at US 281 and FM 1623 because including a left turn lane would do away with parki ...

Did you know that buying a home can require new vocabulary? As part of your homebuying research, learning real estate-related terms will make you an educated buyer and put you in a powerful position to purchase your first home. Appraisal When you purchase a home, your lender will require a property appraisal.