October 8, 2008

The 38th Annual Ladies State Chili Championship of Texas and Open Barbecue was held this weekend at Camp Ranger, located off of Hwy 32. As early as Wednesday, contestants started arriving and setting up camp. Each year contestants gather from all over the area to compete in a Chili cook-off like no other.

While most visitors and contestants at this year’s 38th annual Texas Lady Bird Johnson Ladies Chili Cook Off for the Susan G. Komen Caner Cure were enjoying the smell of hot spicy chili, Army officer Reuben Rangel and wife Rshae Taylor held each other tightly. The wedded couple of nine years came to Blanco to celebrate the cook off fund raiser with family members.

Your Precinct number is on your Voter Registration Card Precinct 102 Masonic Lodge, 501 Eleventh St., Blanco, TX Precinct 201PEC Auditorium, 201 S. Ave. F, Johnson City, TX Precinct 202 Pleasant Hill School, 183 Rocky Road, Rocky, TX Precinct 302 Blanco County Courthouse Annex, 200 N. Ave. G, Johnson City TX Precinct 303 Precinct 3 Warehouse, 862 RR 962 E.

It may sound more like a terrorist threat than a compliment, but it actually was a sincere thank-you from Terri Ward, executive director of The Children’s Center of Galveston. “You da bomb!”, she said. “We are so grateful for everything Blanco County has done for us!” The Children’s Center’s tale began as a hurried evacuation as Hurricane Ike shifted its target eastward along the coast, finally settling on Galveston.

We viewed 4 properties covering a range of prices and types; a home on 1+ acres, another house on ½ acre. After those we viewed thirty acres with a home and 20 acres that is unimproved. These tours give exposure of properties that Blanco County Realtors list and sell. Attending were: Jayne Lightfoot, Pam Neighbors, Pamela Capps, Dawn De Laurentis and Chris Hall –RE/MAX Genesis, Charlotte Matthews and Ron Bacon- RE/MAX Home Ranch Realty, Kay Jeans a visitor - Stansberry, Margo Davis, Jani ...

A Buck A Bag! : Parking Lot Book Sale at the Library- Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. We’re bursting at the seams with used books, so fill a bag for one dollar and be ready for the cool, rainy days that surely will come. There also is our on-going book sale inside the Library with hardcovers selling for $.50 and paperbacks, videos and DVDs for $.25.

October 12, 2008 •Annual Turkey Dinner & Raffle at St. Ferdinand's Church: Main Street. Sunday, October 12th. Roasted turkey dinner with all the trimmings, beverage & dessert. Dine in or take-out, $8.00. Raffle prize drawing, too. Serving opens at 11:30a.m. 833-5227. October 12, 2008 •Hill Country Galleria, the 1.3-million-square-foot lifestyle center, located 16 miles west of Austin in Bee Cave, will feature a car show on Sunday, October 12 from 12:00 to 6:00p.m.

Chairman Will S. Moursund and President and CEO Gary Gruben are pleased to announce the hiring of John Sconiers as Senior Vice President and Branch Manager of the Blanco location of Cattleman’s National Bank. Mr. Sconiers graduated from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas in 1984 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.

Justice Law has been the Chief Justice of the Third Court of Appeals, since Jan 2003. The Republican Club is hosting Justice Law at the Old Blanco Court House in Blanco on October 13th at 7:00. He is a Graduate of the University of Texas in 1970 and Baylor Law School in 1973.

The first Trainer immigrant to come to America related to the Blanco Trainers was from Dublin, Ireland. He came to settle on a land grant from King George prior to 1776 in South Carolina. His name was James Trainer. When the war broke out between the colonies and England, James sided with the colonies and joined with General Frances Marion, who was known as the “Swamp Fox”.

Anyone wishing to vote early for the November 4, 2008, General Election may do so starting October 20, 2008. Regular hours for early voting will begin October 20, 2008 and run through October 31, 2008. It will be held in the County Commissioner’s Courtroom, Blanco County Courthouse, 101 E. Pecan Dr., Johnson City, from 8:00 a.m.

On September 27th, the Blanco Sesquicentennial committee joined with the Ranch Roundup committee to celebrate the 150th birthday of Blanco County. From 10:30 am to 3 pm, the Blanco County Historical Commission and the Sesquicentennial committee under the direction of Rebecca Howerton showed the people of Blanco their heritage. Rebecca Howerton opened the event with a speech about what and why we celebrated this event.

The Kendall County Area Democratic Women (KCADW) will host their 10th annual Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner and Fundraiser on Saturday evening, October 18th, at the Boerne Community Center. Wine and cheese will be served at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00p.m. The featured speaker will be Justice Catherine Stone of the Fourth Court of Appeals. The Fourth Court of Appeals has intermediate appellate jurisdiction of both civil and criminal cases appealed from lower state courts in thirty-two cou ...

A recently formed Acting Company is planning on establishing a regular presence in Blanco. The Second Act Troupe, a division of the San Marcos Performing Arts Association, is a traveling company of mature and experienced actors well known in regional community theatres. They will be performing in the Learning Center theatre of the Blanco School District at 814 11th Street (opposite the elementary school).

A group of citizens has formed a society for the veterans. They are called Blanco County Volunteers for Veterans Memorial Society. The members are Kenneth and Carolyn Moore, Dennis Moore, Sherry Hawkins, Jan Morgan, Darlene Kiernan and Bruce Huguelet. They are planning their first annual Veteran’s Day Parade to be held in Blanco on Saturday, November 8th.

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.

PEC will distribute capital credits to eligible members as credits on October electric bills. This distribution is a result of a decision made by Pedernales Electric’s Board of Directors to comply with terms of the pending settlement agreement and distribute capital credits, even though the settlement is currently being appealed.

Lion Ben Copeland presents the game ball to Bart Lassberg. The Blanco Lions Club would like to thank the Blanco fans for their support of the Lions Scholarship Raffle.

Bob and Carolyn Boydston of Blanco announce the engagement of their daughter, Erin Elizabeth Boydston, to Louis LaProcido, son of John and Irene LaProcido of Marlton, New Jersey. Erin graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Duke University and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Zoology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior at Michigan State University.

Washington, D.C., September 23, 2008 - Mr. Kirk Beckendorf, an eighth grade science teacher from Blanco Middle School in Blanco, Texas, is one of fifteen teachers selected from a nationwide pool of applicants to receive a 2008-2009 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. This prestigious program offers elementary and secondary science, technology, and math teachers with a demonstrated excellence in teaching an opportunity to serve in the national education or public policy arena.

Last week we began a series on the subject of love. We saw from Scripture that God’s kind of love is the primary thing in the world. Without love, you are nothing (1Cor 13); you know nothing (1Cor 8:1-3); and you don’t know God (1Jn 4:8). Your love relationship with Jesus is so important, that Jesus told the church at Ephesus (who were doing everything right) that He would remove them from existence if they didn’t repent and remember their first love (Rev 2:1-5).

First Baptist Church CRASH Kids - Wednesdays from 6-7 pm Fresh Connect - Sundays 6-7 pm 1st - 6th graders welcome. Fifth Quarter Friday, October 10: Blanco United Methodist Church will be hosting Fifth Quarter after the Varsity Football Game. St. Ferdinands Turkey Dinner Sunday, October 12: Annual Turkey Dinner and Raffle at St. Ferdinands Church, Main Street.

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its second annual Polka Worship at 10:30 a.m., on Sunday, October 12. What's a Polka Worship? Oma and the Oompahs of New Braunfels will play Polka tunes with familiar hymn lyrics. Come join the fun and worship to some toe-tapping German music. This form of worship began over 20 years ago in Minnesota as a Catholic Polka Mass.

In my search for ‘deliverance’ from bondage, strongholds, wrong thinking patterns and bad habits, I share these Scriptures, praying they will help someone else, as they’ve helped me. Exodus 6:4-6 - “4And I reaffirmed my covenant with them. Under its terms, I promised to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living as foreigners.

A rage permeates the land at the prospect of unscrupulous CEOs of crumbling financial institutions making off with spoils enfolded in golden parachutes. The most talked-about “winner” of the largesse derby is Alan H. Fishman, whose CEO status spanned 17 days at Washington Mutual. He’s reported to have pocketed some $20 million. No doubt he’ll “cry all the way” to the mattress, the cookie jar or the coffee can--I mean a REALLY big coffee can--buried in his backyard…. * * * * * ...

Carolyn L. “Corky” Kincaid Williams Jones, age 66 of Blanco, TX died Tuesday, September 30, 2008. Corky was born November 1, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a Baptist and a Recognized Photographer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Evelyn Kincaid; three brothers, Frank, Melvin and Ed Kincaid; and one sister, Jackie Kincaid; one sister-in-law, Vicki Kincaid; and one brother-in-law, Harold Elliot. She is survived by the love of her life, Loyd Lynn Williams; one ...

William “Bill” Kretzer, Jr., 70, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2008 in San Antonio. Bill was born in San Antonio to William Joseph Kretzer, Sr. and Dorothy Ray Michot. He was raised in Blanco where he helped his mother operate the Blanco Theater and graduated from Blanco High School. Bill served his country with the U.S.

The Social Security Administration writes: The number of retired workers is projected to grow rapidly starting in 2008, when the members of the post–World War II baby boom begin to reach early retirement age, and will double in less than 30 years. People are also living longer, and the birth rate is low.

By John Watson Social Security is one of the most successful and popular programs in the history of our country. Today more than 50 million beneficiaries receive payments from Social Security. While mostly thought of as a retirement benefit, about 1/3 of beneficiaries are disabled workers and survivors of deceased workers, including more than 4 million children.

Dear Editor, I have read the Presidential Candidates’ views on several issues presented in your weekly paper. There is a major Constitutional issue that is being ignored. Every voter should read, analyze and understand the Constitution, Section 7: “All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.” Walter Williams in his September 21, 2008, column explains that presidents don’t cut or ...

Art classes for tweens, who want to learn more and do more art, will be held weekly at the Blanco Library on Mondays from 4 to 6p.m. Classes will include: cartooning 101, creating pictures with pastels, 3D drawing and sketching, shading for depth, basic drawing, still life, draw what you see and drawing for beginners.

(Waco) Jason Brown of Blanco has earned a place on the Deans Honor Roll for the 2008 summer semester at Texas State Technical College Waco. Brown, a student in Laser Electro-Optics Technology, is among those recognized with a scholastic achievement of a 3.5 to 3.9 grade point average for the semester. Texas State Technical College, the only state-assisted technical college system in Texas, offers specialized, hands-on instructional courses.

The Blanco FFA Chapter sent 10 FFA members to the Hill District FFA Leadership Camp in Ingram. The camp, which is coordinated by the Hill District FFA officer team, as well as the Hill District’s Area VII officer, focuses on developing leadership skills in freshman and sophomore FFA members. Local students attending this year’s camp were: Trevor Hardin, Katelyn Bradfute, Susannah Campbell, Alex Gustafson, Matt Pepper, Maggie Dennis, Tyler Noah, TJ Raby, Chelsea Fuller, and Garrett Gombert.

SAN MARCOS, Texas (Grassroots Newswire) October 1, 2008 - Texas State University-San Marcos has announced that the following students were among the graduates during commencement ceremonies held May 9 and 10 at the university: *William B. Keresztury, a resident of Blanco (78606), who received a bachelor's degree in political science *Charles A.

When you’re feeling sad, When you’re feeling blue And you just can’t find anything that’s new… When you feel like giving up And you just don’t want to try, Just sit back and close your eyes. You will see the horizon setting on the beach. You will feel the sugar sand rush beneath your feet. You will hear the breeze ringing. You will hear the wind singing. Put your worries and your fears all away. Save them for yourself on a rainy day. Reach high for your dreams, Beyond t ...

The Panthers traveled to Comfort this past Friday and continued their dominant play as they improved to 6 and 0 on the season with a 35 to 13 win. Blanco, which is currently ranked 8th in the state 2A polls, picked up almost 500 yards in offense, while limiting the Bobcats to less than half that amount. In the first quarter of play, the Panthers took an early 7 to 0 lead on a one yard QB keeper by Derek Tesch, along with a Dal Dechert extra point.

The seventh grade boys went out and beat Comfort 40-8. Grant Eickenloff, David Ramirez, Alex Palos and Kyle Sauceda all contributed to the final score. Eichenloff scored once and gained two extra points, Ramirez had a total of three touchdowns and two extra points, Alex Palos with one TD and two extra points, and Kyle Sauceda went in for four extra points.

Although they fought hard, the eighth grade boys ended one touchdown behind the Bobcats. This Thursday they will once again travel to Comfort.

It was an ugly start for the BYFL Blanco JV Blue Panthers when they took on Dripping Springs Maroon Tigers this past weekend. The Tigers were able to successfully recover two on-side kicks and scored both times putting them out in front of the Panthers 13-0. The Panthers started playing a little tougher once two scores down.

The Panthers fought a hard battle this week versus the (3-0) Bulverde White squad. "There was some great things happening for us on the field, we just couldn't keep the momentum. We moved the ball pretty well on offense, but we couldn't stop penalties from taking away our progress." stated coach Webster.

The BYFL Varsity team took on the Dripping Springs Maroon team on Saturday. The Panther defense would dominate the first half, only allowing the Tigers one first down. Blanco’s offense would also control the first half, with great running by Andrew Burgess and Devlin Moore. The Panthers would drive inside the Tiger 15 several times, but four fumbles would eliminate scoring opportunities; leaving the score 0-0 at the half.

The following is a list of a few of the "green" features and building practices promoted in the Built Green program: * Energy Efficiency (part 1) * Indoor Air Quality (part 1) * Conserving Natural Resources (part 2) * Water Quality (part 2) Conserving Natural Resources 1) Plastic Lumber :There are many manufacturers of plastic lumber nationwide.

Are you interested in growin a butterfly garden? Do you have Monarch butterflies in your yard. They are numerous this year. They are on their way to South America, where they winter. The Swallowtail, sulphur, Gulf Fritillary and Malchite have been around also. You must remember, butterflies begin with caterpillars and they eat plants.

This week starts our once a month look back at some of the movies that blew us away and that we consider all time greats that must be watched and watched again. We've recently come in to possession of a rather large hdtv, so we've gone back to see some of the greats in a whole new way, and realized that others might like to do the same.

Completes operator course October 5, 1988 Army Reserve Pvt. Jodye R. Schaefer, daughter of Andrew G. and Bonnie E. Schaefer of Rural Route 1, Blanco, Texas, has completed an Army motor transport operator course at Fort Dix, New Jersey. During the course, students were trained in the operation and maintenance of military vehicles of less than four and one-half tons rated capacity.

AUSTIN - The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1424, the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008” on Oct. 3. It was the House’s second attempt in five days to prop up faltering Wall Street financial institutions. President George W. Bush quickly signed the $700 billion legislation referred to by some as a “bail-out” and to others as a “rescue” plan. The House vote was 263-171.

Did you know that a civilian fire injury is reported every 38 minutes in the United States? Or that the leading cause of home fire injuries is cooking equipment? Don’t worry – it’s not time to hang up your chef’s hat just yet. Fire Prevention Week is just around the corner (October 5-11), but it’s never too early to prepare for a possible fire in your home. The fact is that maintaining your home and following general safety practices greatly reduce the risk of fire, and a good safety ...

Badu Park in Llano will be filled with authentic chuckwagons from all around the state October 17 to 19 to compete in the 4th Annual Llano River Cookoff. Tickets are now on sale and are selling fast. Those of you who have not purchased a ticket need to contact the Chamber of Commerce at 700 Bessemer St.

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and six other state attorneys general today reached a nearly $8 billion agreement with Countrywide Financial Corp. The settlement resolves states’ lengthy investigation into Countrywide’s lending practices. Bank of America, which recently acquired Countrywide, agreed to the settlement. Texans who are in default or likely to default on sub-prime mortgages issued by Countrywide could be eligible to participate in an extensive loan modification prog ...

BOERNE, TX—Boerne’s popular “Second Saturday”, an eclectic collection of galleries and ‘other walls’ that feature an evolving array of art in all media, is set to ‘moon’ the town during an ultimate ‘potty weekend’ on October 11, 2008 (1pm- 9pm) that includes the Thunderbox Road art exhibit. In fact, the whole month of October is an art aficionado’s dream as Boerne’s Mayor Dan Heckler is set to officially declare October “Art Month”.

Two exceptional artists will combine their talents at Kathleen Marie’s Wildwood Studio annual Open House the second weekend in October near Johnson City. Kathleen Marie is an award winning artist working in Pyrography, the process of burning images into finished pieces of beautiful wood. The grain, form and textures of the wood, often native mesquite or pecan, become a part of the artwork itself.

Hill Country Memorial Hospital officials welcomed benefactors and the public to a ribbon-cutting and open house for the Hill Country Memorial Breast Center. Located in the Brune Professional Building just north of the hospital campus, the center is a state-of-the-art digital mammography facility. “This is your breast center,” Mike Tomforde, chairman of the HCMH Foundation, said in welcoming the crowd.

TexasSure, the vehicle insurance verification database designed to reduce the number of uninsured motorists, is now available to law enforcement statewide. TexasSure is a secure database that matches the records of registered passenger vehicles with personal auto insurance policy information submitted by Texas insurance companies. The project was mandated by the Texas Legislature and is a collaborative effort of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), the Texas Department of Transportation ( ...

The Health, Hope and Healing Cancer Resource Center is planning a “Think Pink” Tea Party Friday, Oct. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the center, located in the Brune Professional Building, 808 Reuben Street in Fredericksburg. Donna Lafferty, Cancer Resource Center coordinator, said all breast cancer survivors are invited.