August 27, 2008

The Lower Colorado River Authority announced last week that it is exploring the possibility of creating a park north of Johnson City in Blanco County and has entered into a conditional contract to purchase land there. The 222-acre tract is known as Rainbow Trout Farm and has frontage on the east side of U.S.

Ed. Note: Blackburn was a BCN columnist for many years, is author of the 1987 “Just Visitin’”, and is also a winner of a 1990 Texas Press Award. This article originally ran in the Blanco County News on August 14, 1991.) Every year when it is time for the kids to go back to school, the school kind of memories come back.

San Antonio, TX –The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) is experiencing low counts of O Negative type blood. Filtered red blood cells, which are used for patients who have suffered trauma such as a car accident or gun shot wound and those awaiting surgeries, are needed every day.

During a special meeting of the Blanco County Commissioners Court, the court voted to lift the burn ban for the county. Judge Guthrie said that the ban would be lifted as “long as people are careful,” saying the phrase again for emphasis, “and I mean CAREFUL.” The most recent burn ban ended on Monday, August 25th.

Blanco’s Safe Routes to School Program is sponsoring Blanco Schools’ first year of participating in the 2008 International Walk to School Day. All students in the Elementary and Middle Schools will walk in the neighborhoods as part of the curriculum on Oct. 8. Students are encouraged to walk or ride a bike to School on that Wednesday. Blanco was awarded a Safe Routes to School Grant to encourage walking and investigate possible sidewalk routes to the Middle School and Elementary School.

On January 2, 2005 David Gillis,16, was killed in a car accident not far from his home in Blanco. Tommy and Jana Gillis, parents, were thrown into the world of grief. They knew right away they would need help beyond their local church and community. GriefShare was recommended by a friend. In February of that year, they began the 13 week video seminar and support group that would help them restore their hope and faith.

By Rebecca Howerton 1858 was a very historic year. A year when several farmers, ranchers, and land developers decided to petition the Texas Legislature for the formation of Blanco County by drawing land from Hays, Comal, Kerr, and Gillespie Counties. The City of Blanco was also named at that time. Riding in the Blanco County Fair Parade in an original trail buggy, Saturday, August 16th, to represent those Founding Fathers were Dennis Moore, Mark Mabrito, Bill Noonan, and Rob Jones.

Stop worrying about MPG! Fill up at the Library and visit places you’ve only dreamed of. READ a book LISTEN to a book WATCH a movie EXPLORE the world of the Internet The newly painted and decorated exterior of the Blanco Library welcomes you to the resuming of open, Sunday afternoons from 2PM to 6PM beginning Sunday, September 7th.

August 30, 2008 •Tejas Art Club bake sale, yard sale, and starving artists art sale. It will take place at the Uptown Art Center, 410 Pecan Street. Please keep this date in mind and come visit us. August 30, 2008 •Benefit Dance for Manuel Telles: Yett Park on Sat, Aug. 30th from 8p.m.

From now on, the first Tuesday of every month will have a caregiver support group at the Blanco Library at 7:00 PM in the large conference room. This meeting will be facilitated by Ann Passino, the community liaison from Hill Country Health Care in Dripping Springs. It is very informal, just lots of helpful hints and a place to talk and share coping strategies with people who are in need of the same things - support and cross-talk.

Parents who use the Texas Debit Card to access their child support payments should beware of a new identity theft scam that targets EPPICard users. The Texas Attorney General’s Office and government agencies in 14 other states use EPPICards, which are known locally as the Texas Debit Card, to disburse child support payments. According to the Internet Complaint Center, EPPICard users nationwide have reported receiving e-mail, voice and text messages falsely indicating problems with their acco ...

Foreign high school students are scheduled to arrive soon for academic semester homestay programs, and the sponsoring organization needs a few more local host families. The students are anxiously awaiting news of their new families. These young ambassadors are looking forward to fulfilling their life-long dreams. According to Pacific Intercultural Exchange (P.I.E.) President, John Doty, the students are all between the ages of 15 and 18 years, are English-speaking, have their own spending mone ...

Washington, D. C. – The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and Blanco National Bank remind community banking customers that their insured deposits are safe and backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “We understand that during these difficult economic times some people are concerned about the safety of the money they have in their savings or retirement accounts, but they shouldn’t be, said Mark T ...

At their last meeting the Blanco Lions Club donated funds to Blanco Boy Scout Troop 497. Present to receive the check were brothers Janos and Derrick Arnosky. The two young men, both Eagle Scouts, gave a fascinating report about the troop’s recent activities. For this year’s current Eagle project, the troop has improved the nature trails at the Blanco State Park.

Adult Grief Support Group No one needs to suffer grief alone; everyone can benefit from care and support. CTMC Hospice Care provides a safe and comfortable environment through its grief support groups to express the feelings you may experience due to the death of a loved one. These services are available at no cost to the participant as a community service.

Chad and Michelle Covin happily announce the birth of their son, Hunter Alan. He was born July 29, 2008 at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, TX. Hunter is welcomed home by his sister Avery of Colorado Springs, CO, grandparents Tom and Rose McCright of Kenedy and Chris and Rita Covin of Blanco, great-grandparent Mary Covin of San Antonio.

Dr. and Mrs. Jack Jones would like to wish Mr. and Mrs. Terry Smith many many happy years in their new home. It is a bittersweet moment for the Jones’ as they finalize their move from Texas to Kentucky. States Julie “I am so happy that our home has sold to someone we feel will love it as much as we have.

I was disappointed to learn that a once vibrant church was about to close. Learning about those looming locked doors brought memories of days when that church had been one of the most active in the community. A youth program had flourished and missionary work both at home and abroad had high priority, sending people and money around the world from this caring congregation. Too bad that these good people had lost their vision of reaching out and had started focusing on the faults of their past ...

Jesus said Mark 8:38 - “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." I’m not sorry that I’m finally gaining courage to live how the bible says, even if others are not.

On Saturday, July 19, 2008, Mary Louise {“Skip”} Brasher was Ordained to the Office of Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America [ ELCA ]. Surrounded by nearly 200 clergy, family, and friends at her home congregation, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Wimberley, the Reverend Doctor Ray Tiemann, Bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod, presided at the Rite of Ordination.

The aura of a special day added to the enchantment of a special place, beautiful Bryant Park in Manhattan. The weather was made to order, unseasonably cool, and a few thousand people—most of them visiting gawkers like me—adorned the grassy pallet of green. Soon, theirs would be a chorus of screams that only teenagers can make when rock star idols, uh, well, rock! Invigorated by a brisk four-block walk from the hotel, I wilted upon seeing this sea of youthful humanity, quiet—ever so quie ...

Eph 4:26, 31 says “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:..........Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger… be put away from you, with all malice.” This seems like a contradiction, until you look a little closer. The first type of anger is a righteous anger.

Kenneth James Triesch went to be with the Lord on August 24, 2008 at the age of 75. He was born in Blanco, TX on March 26, 1933 to the Late Eugene Oscar Triesch Sr. and Roena Amelia Artz Triesch. Kenneth is survived by his wife of 57 years, Yvonne Wagner Triesch, his daughters, Diane Sides and husband Robert of Dublin TX, Peggy Moore and husband Larry of Driftwood TX, Connie Cobb and husband David of Blessing TX, Bonnie Palmer and husband Richard of Blanco TX, and son Ricky Triesch and wife V ...

Mary Jane Phillips Van Dunker went home to her Holy Father on Saturday August 23, 2008 at the age of 89 years. She was born December 26, 1918 on her family farm near the small town of Iredell,Texas. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband Charles Lawrence Van Dunker, her parents Jack Phillips and Samantha Jane Fulton Phillips.

Dear Editor: Letter to TXDoT Citizens of Blanco are concerned about the safety of exiting Blanco Ave. and the SuperS parking lot on to Hwy 281. We feel there is a need for a traffic light at this intersection due to many accidents including fatalities. We believe the number of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot and Blanco Ave.

A $160,000 endowment will provide scholarships for Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences majors at Sul Ross State University. Peggy Landis Matli, Fredericksburg, and her nephew, Heath Landis, New Braunfels, and Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan recently signed documents establishing the Gilbert A. and Laura P. Schmidt Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Endowment and Scholarship Fund. The Schmidts were long-time ranchers in Blanco, Kimble and Gillespie counties.

The Blanco Band Booster organization was pleased and delighted to welcome back Brandon Aly to the staff of Blanco ISD during their regular monthly meeting held August 25. Aly’s contribution to the band program has been instrumental in the continued success the band has achieved over the past several years.

Kindergarten and Pre-K parents and grandparents attended the Boo Hoo Breakfast on August 25, 2008. Parents were given some information on what to expect for their children in Pre-K and Kindergarten. This is the 3rd year Blanco Elementary has had a Boo Hoo Breakfast. It has helped to make the school transition smoother for both parents and students.

It’s beginning to feel like fall. What a great change in the weather! KBB missed two weeks of working on the east side of the Square, due to rain. So needless to say, there is a lot to be done the next time we meet. Be on the lookout for fall webworms.

Noel- Penelope (Christina Ricci) is a simple tale, but one with a big meaning behind it. A long time ago, Penelope’s uncle was madly in love with a girl who just happened to be his family’s servant girl. When he told his family of his undying love for her, all he got in return was laughter and ridicule.

BIG EVENT - our wonderful, knowledgeable Bernice West of Blanco had a birthday Saturday. She didn’t hesitate to let me know just how old she was and she also said she didn’t mind if I told my gentle readers as everybody probably knows anyway - she is 87! She told me Monday they had a party for her in the fellowship hall and a good time was had by all!

Births August 24, 1988 Lindsey Gayle Mobley - - Misty and Kelly Mobley are proud to announce the arrival of their baby sister, Lindsey Gayle, on Sunday, August 21, 1988 at St. Lukes Hospital in Houston Texas. She weighed 7 pounds 10 ½ ounces and was 19 ½ inches long. Lindsey is also welcomed by her parents Steven and Judye Mobley of Houston, grandparents Richard and Sarah Garrahan of San Antonio and Dugie and Reva Mobley of Blanco. Great Grandparents are Vivian Garrahan of San Antonio, ...

All builders and remodelers in Texas are required to register with the commission if they build new homes or work on an interior remodeling job that either costs $10,000 or more or that, regardless of cost, changes the square footage of the home’s living space. Registration includes a criminal background check and requires builders and remodelers to provide a set of minimum warranties for their work. Before hiring a builder or remodeler, consumers should ask for proof of registration or cont ...

AUSTIN - Their goal, they said, is to finance a “world-class transportation system.” Texas’ top three elected officeholders co-signed an Aug. 19 letter to Texas Transportation Commission Chair Dierdre Delisi expressing their collective wishes for a plan to fund transportation projects over the next biennium. Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick told Delisi to prepare for an Aug.

Three of four homeowners participating in a recent survey said their home represents a large portion of their wealth, and many use the value of their homes when making important financial decisions. That’s good news for those of us who had big losses in the stock market over the last year.

Dear Weiss, I have to tell you, the only reason I am writing in is because of the boldness of last week’s letter. Something in our town of Blanco has been bothering me too. I know a lot of people are frustrated about this situation, yet nothing has been done and no explanations have been given.

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. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Criminal Cases Convictions will not appear this week. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Criminal Cases • Eric Harold Throne, of Austin, was fined $166 for speeding on July 30 (DPS). • Kenneth James B ...