May 7, 2008

The Blanco County News first started publishing from a small building near the jail, on the west side of the square. Since its first issue in 1883, the News has called several buildings in Blanco home, and was once published out of the front room of the Baines home (Amenthal) in Pittsburg.

April 26, 2008, will be remembered by members of the Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society as the Gala which best celebrated the beautiful Second Empire-style Old Blanco County Courthouse. A large tent was set up on the courthouse grounds for the dinner, catered by Riley’s Barbecue and Steakhouse, and the live auction following it. Approximately 40 Silent Auction items, including handcrafted quilts, a hand-tooled leather belt crafted by Marvin Stetler, a Willard Gibbons photograph, sculpture, a deluxe birdhouse designed by John Jones, Adirondack chairs, gift baskets, dishes, jewelry, embroidered linens, exercise equipment, and a large outdoor propane grill, as well as gift certificates donated by local merchants, were displayed inside the courthouse, where guests could browse prior to the dinner and place bids throughout the evening up to 9 p.

If your property value has increased in the last year, you should soon receive a notice of your 2008 appraised value from the Blanco County Appraisal District. About 6,200 notices were mailed on May 1, 2008. Your city, county, school district and other local taxing units will use the appraisal district’s value to set your 2008 property taxes.

The new Tejanitos, Little Texans, art classes are being formed in the Blanco area. Classes will feature youngsters who wish to paticipate in oil painting. The Tejanitos will display their painting talent in the children’s reading area of the Blanco Public Library.

Former Blanco High School students have many memories and tales of their educational years. Stories are being sought by former students of Blanco High School. If you have a story to share, please submit it to Blanco Renovation Committee, 814 11th Street, Blanco, Texas,78606.

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) is working with its members to implement new procedures mandated by legislation passed during the last session. This legislation creates an electronic notification system for their customers who are victims of identity theft, fraud or compromised financial information.

Blanco County is hit by some fast-moving disease. . .

Due to technical difficulties, the Potpourri was short and sweet last week. However, I need to let everyone know what a treat the Gala at the Courthouse was. It was definitely the place to see and be seen, with everyone who attended in some of their fanciest duds and lots of BLING!

“Rural Texas Women at Work 1930—1960,” a photo exhibit paying tribute to the industrious, hard working women who lived and worked through the three decades that included the Great Depression and World War II, will have its official opening at noon May 8 at the Blanco Library. Part of the “Brown Bag Series,” the program will feature the exhibit as well as a panel discussion by local women, remembering their lives during those times.

(AUSTIN) - The Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA), a state agency, presented an oversized, ceremonial check to the City of Blanco, which received a grant of $250,000 from the agency’s Texas Community Development Block Grant program to install 2,955 linear feet of wastewater line with manholes on First Street, Pecan Street, Second Street and Park Road 23. “The agency is pleased to assist the City of Blanco with this project,” said Charles S.

Stuart Weaver, son of John and Mary Ann Weaver, and a student at George Washington University in Washington DC, is spending the spring semester of 2008 studying abroad in Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. “This is my second time abroad.

The story of Blanco’s library began with a rack of shelves in Fulcher’s Drugstore, sponsored by Blanco Woman’s Club charter member Angeline Fulcher. Over the years the library has expanded with the support of the Woman’s Club and the hard work of a large, diverse group of volunteers, without whom it could not function.

May 2008 (KANSAS CITY, Mo. ) – United Country Real Estate, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. , announced recently that United Country – J Myane Realty of Blanco, Texas, has earned the company’s Founder’s Award.

They were words my old mamma used sparingly—when she encountered situations meriting expressions of profound disbelief. Once they rolled from her tongue repeatedly when she experienced a pair of “firsts.

Births May 3, 1968 Verne and Jan Engel, Blye Ellen, Roger Weldon and Audre Allison proudly announce the arrival of their Littlest Cowboy, Cody Reagan, on Saturday, April 13, 1968.

Call it what you want—”McMansion,” “starter castle,” “monster home,” even “Garage Mahal. ” The nicknames vary. But according to a study by Robert Lang of Virginia Tech University and Karen Danielson of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), “the new ‘supersized American dream’ includes fully loaded SUVs and, yes, monster houses.

What happened to all of the April showers? I think we missed ours. It’s necessary to water the lawn and plants every week during the dry times.

With the hot summer months quickly approaching, May is designated as the national melanoma and skin cancer prevention and detection month. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, and the number of new cases diagnosed each year is quickly on the rise in the United States.

Michael Clayton Keith- Finally getting around to some more of the Oscar-worthy movies, at least according to them, and Michael Clayton was one that made some rifts there.

AUSTIN - Secretary of State Phil Wilson said he received in recent days many inquiries about a statewide proposition to provide school tax relief to elderly or disabled taxpayers. Voters will find no such proposition on their May 10 ballot.

Saturday, May 3, started out just a normal weekend day and ended with a hurried trip to the emergency room for one Blanco girl. Emily Torre, a fifth grader at Blanco ISD, was at home with her parents and two older siblings on Saturday when the accident occurred.

In the #5 and under Team Roping, Antonio Siller and Joel Reyes took home the Championship Heading and Heeling Saddles from the April 26 Team Roping and Clem Wofford and Dakota Smith were awarded the Championship Gist Buckles. In the #6 and up Team Roping Championship Gist Buckles and $2,000 cash were awarded to winners Pat Ivey and Randy Davis.

The Mt. Horeb church congregation attended Center Union Missionary Baptist Church in Buda this past Sunday. Our church was on the program and “in charge” of the morning worship service, and our pastor gave a great sermon.

Too many Christians are down cast. Too many children of God have victim mentalities. Too many believers have a mind set of defeat; of being conquered; a poverty spirit.

She was but a young girl when she made her first serious vow: “I will never do anything that will hurt my mother.

Dear Editor, Priscilla Seals has done excellent reporting on the School Board meetings and Mr. Gardner had an excellent opinion.

The Blanco FFA will be holding its annual rabies clinic on Wednesday, May 14th, at the Blanco High School Agricultural Science Building from 3: 00 pm to 6: 00 pm.

Blanco Middle School Proud Panthers for April are (L to R): Dayna A. (6th grade), Leslie M.

From Blanco Elementary School.

Top Row: Brandon F, Jennifer R, AJ B, Dillon D, David Z, Karley B, Lydoll H, Jackson H, and Chance H. Middle Row:

On Thursday, May 1, the entire 6th grade class was able to go and visit our own Blanco State Park for River Days. The students were at the park from 8: 30am-2:

The Hill Country CattleWomen, representing 14 Hill Country counties, hosted their annual scholarship fund raising luncheon and style show at the Inn of The Hills in Kerrville, Texas on Tuesday, April 15th. A raffle, silent auction, and a live auction were all a part of this fundraising event.

Rebecca Kamas defeated a debater from Salado to win the state University Interscholastic League Class AA State Lincoln-Douglas Debate Championship at the UIL State Academic Meet in Austin on May 2-3. Taylor Holden placed third in the tournament, losing to Kamas in the semifinals on a 2-1 decision.

This year’s winners are Tyler B. , Jamie M. , Dylan T.

Pedernales Electric has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 50 high school seniors whose parents or guardians are PEC members. The scholarships may be used for expenses at any post-secondary institution, including universities, junior colleges and technical schools.

Registration for Blanco Elementary School will be Thursday, May 15 during the times of 9: 00 a. m.

Teachers in Blanco and in communities across the nation will be recognized the week of May 5-9 during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Teacher Appreciation Day began in 1953 when Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day that would serve the purpose of celebrating teachers across the nation. Parent and teacher organizations have established Teacher Appreciation Week the first full week in May of each year.

Tis the season for garage sales when one person's trash is another's treasure. Garage sales are an excellent way to remove clutter from your home and also help the environment by eliminating excess trash from landfills.

Texas is proud to host the US OPEN NATIONAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT, an ASA sanctioned event for girls 12u, 14u, 16u and 18u fastpitch softball teams on July 18-20, 2008 at the Ford Fields softball complex in Beaumont, Texas. Call 979-258-0750, e-mail txsoftballmag@aol. com or sign up on eteamz.

The Panthers traveled to Brady to hook up with District 5 AA Champions Hawley Bearcats for a warm-up game last Friday night. Ross McCormick got the nod and went five innings, scattering three hits and striking out six to improve his record to 6-3 on the year.

Lauren Mancha slides in safely to third base in a 13-8 win over the Wimberley #1 team.

At the District Meet Selena Adele Guerrero placed 2nd in the Blanco Middle School Tournament while her sister Yvette Corvette Guerrero placed 3rd in Varsity Girls Single Tournament. Congratulations to both of them.

The Panther Softball team fell to the number four ranked Coahoma Bulldogs for the area championship. The Panthers played a tough game, but three errors in the third inning resulted in Coahoma scoring four runs, and proved to be enough for Coahoma to defeat the Panthers 5-1.

Pedernales Electric General Manager Juan Garza will be visiting local communities to meet with members in a series of forums being held throughout PEC’s service territory. Members are invited to attend the forums, which will be held between May 6-29 in Dripping Springs, Marble Falls, Kyle, Georgetown, Austin, Spring Branch/Bulverde area and Junction.

Public records information is compiled by Charles Willgren from reports filed at the Blanco Police Department, Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, Blanco Volunteer Fire Department, Blanco County Clerk, District Clerk, and Justices of the Peace offices. Blanco Police Reports