Not all towns get to celebrate 150 years. What a perfect year to be a newcomer to Blanco and to become involved with the Blanco County Historical Commission, initiating the celebrations. I was very proud and excited to be in charge of setting up the Byars building for the Fireside Chats. Thanks to Rebecca Howerton for giving me the opportunity. Getting to be a part of the history involving the founding of Blanco has been very informative and interesting. We had quite a celebration. Be sure and watch the paper for other upcoming events and activities all year. This includes Blanco and Johnson City celebrating the 150 years of Blanco County. In addition to that excitement, we are also celebrating the 100th Anniversary of President Johnson’s Birthday. The National Park and President Johnson’s family have many additional events planned.

You missed some interesting and exciting stories if you didn’t visit the Byars building for the Fireside Chats. The speakers were Ken Holmes, speaking on the Blassingame and Holmes families, Charles Rothenbach representing the Kneupper and Fries families, and Bernice West, speaking on the Trainer family, and Phyllis Edmondson speaking on the Trainer family in the afternoon. Thanks to the audiences who listened to their stories. Other families were also represented throughout the day.

I would like to thank all the ones who helped me decorate the Byars building, whether it was by loaning items to be on display, decorating, manual labor to set up, etc. (Please forgive me if I forget anyone.) Items were brought in from Nell Krueger, Diane Hostetler, Dennis Moore, T.D. Smylie, Jayne Lightfoot, Robert Furlow, Barbara and Vic Hinze, Lawrence and Patty Coffee, Jennifer Oines, Candy Cargill, Byars Family information, and The Blanco Woman’s Club, along with my own personal items. The ones helping me transform the Byars building back in time included Nell, Diane, Barbara and Vic Hinze, and Marcy Westcott; however, people such as Dennis, Lawrence, Vic, Robert, Ron Westcott, and Rosa Linda and Mingo Garcia helped with picking up, delivering, setting up, or whatever I asked! Sue McFarlin, Chairman of the Hostesses of The Women’s Club served as a Hostess in the building. I thank Julie Dill and Deb Yorgensen of the Chamber for their support. Many thanks go to Diane and Debbie and Carl Homeier (daughter and son-in-law) for closing up at the end of the day. Also, thanks to my husband, Tommy Vallone, for his help in cleaning up and his support of me in this project. A big thank you to Charles for the articles and information in the Blanco County News. Thanks to the City of Blanco’s Bobbie Mowery for always answering my questions and providing a key for me, when needed, for the Byars building.

I am happy to say that some of the items have been left on display in the Byars Building. We hope to have the building open for many of the events scheduled throughout the year. Just watch the paper for information.

As we step back in time this year with events and activities by different groups, join in the fun of dressing in old period clothes for these functions. You may stop in the Chamber and pick up a 2008 Event Calendar.