June 2, 1961

More than a score of workmen were busy rushing to complete the auction ring of the Blanco Livestock Commission Co., Inc., for their opening auction scheduled for June 13th, 1961. The building containing the auction ring, the administration offices, and coffee shop had been completed except for minor finishes. The board pens had been completed as well as several trap pastures; the driveways and parking areas were complete with their gravel and caliche surfaces. The main building was 200 feet long; the section housing the auction ring, seats, and bleachers, administrative offices, and coffee shop was 50 feet wide, all under cover, the remaining portion under roof was 70 feet wide and contained 24 receiving pens opening onto the auction ring and scales. A wide high walkway was constructed atop these pens that gave an inspection platform of the stock in the 24 pens. Under cover here was 12,400 square feet. The site, just off US 281 was about a mile south of the city. For the opening day of the development, there was a dedication program starting at 9 am with the first auction sale getting underway at 10 am. Barbecue dinner with all the trimmings was available during the day. • The Blanco Theater was reopened under new management. Mr. T.W. Fadal, who operated the theater at Boerne for the past six months, was the new manager.

June 4, 1971

The Bureau of Recreation, Department of the Interior, approved a grant of $296,150 to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to assist in the development of Pedernales Falls State Park, according to John G. Tower, US Senator from Texas. Funds would assist in construction of initial facilities, he stated. The picnic area had picnic tables and barbecue grills placed under the open shade of trees. Portable restrooms are furnished at the picnic area and at the Overlook farther upstream near the falls. • Several thousand people came to Blanco to join in the celebration held in connection with the opening of the Blanco Museum of the Early West. Festivities began early in the day and lasted until after midnight. Included was a free barbecue and a free street dance in the evening. Admissions to the museum totaled about 2,000. Included in this number was a group of members of the National Association of Editorial Cartoonists and their families who were luncheon guests of Alan Hawes. • Tommie and Emma Crow took over the management of the Western Steak House on Highway 281 in the northern part of Blanco.

June 4, 1981

The Blanco Christian School opened its doors for the first time in the Fall of 1980, after countless hours of discussion, prayer, deliberation, and concern by several families in the local area. Vickie Pautz is the teacher at the Blanco Christian School who gives the students individualized instruction. A graduate of Southwest Texas State University, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and an elementary certificate from that institution. Before coming to Blanco, she had several years of teaching experience at Harlandale in San Antonio and more recently at St. Thomas Episcopal School. Besides teaching her students the basic skills, Vickie also tries to instill in them an appreciation for the arts and a healthy desire to know more about the world around them. She often takes them on field trips, which may include anything from attending a Kinder Concert sponsored by the San Antonio Symphony to a visit to the zoo. The first year of existence has been an eye-opener for everyone involved with the school. Six students made up the first kindergarten class. The new school year beginning in September 1981, will find the school moving into the Blanco United Methodist Church and expanding to include at least First Grade. Dr. David Vause was instrumental in the school’s first year’s success by the donation of a school building, but increasing size has made it necessary to move into larger quarters.

June 5, 1991

Gem of the Hills Community Center was closer to a reality, thanks to a very generous gift. Dr. Clinton DeWolfe and wife Dorothy DeWolfe presented a check for $10,000 to Mrs. Phyllis Holmes, secretary of Gem of the Hills Corp., and Barton English, President of the Heartland Council. The DeWolfes hoped that their gift would encourage others to join in the effort

to build the Gem activities building in 1991.

• How a tree is pruned in its first few years of life will affect its shape, strength, and even its life span. A Free Tree Pruning Guide was available from the National Arbor Day Foundation. • Tamara Smith, daughter of Dorsey L. and Angie Smith, won first place in state UIL Twirling. Tamara was a junior at BHS. Her paternal grandfather was Dorsey Smith and her maternal grandmother was Bea Ellison, both of Blanco. Tamara worked part time for the Blanco County News as an advertising sales person. • Over 500 get well cards were sent to Craig Shergold by the students and faculty of BISD. Craig was a seven year old boy with an inoperable brain tumor. It was his wish to be included in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest number of get well cards received.

May 30, 2001

Taylor Baumgartner was the recipient of the William Hostetler Memorial Scholarship.