April 15, 2009

On Tuesday, April 14, Congressman Lamar Smith spoke to Blanco citizens and business owners at the monthly Blanco Chamber of Commerce meeting. Congressman Smith answered questions from the public. A senior Member of the Texas Congressional Delegation, Congressman Lamar Smith has represented residents of the 21st Congressional District since 1987.

From Blanco Historic Preservation Commission Ghosts have always been a part of the history of a town and everyone has one, so please share your story! Linda Howard, Chair of the Blanco Historic Preservation Commission, is looking for people willing to tell the ghost stories of Blanco. At some point, she would also like to start a ghost tour of Blanco. If you have a great story about a ghost you have seen or even heard about in Blanco, please call Linda at 830-833-4971 to set up an interview. Ha ...

The old guys came to play last Saturday. Ryan Breeding got the win for the Alumni. Ly McNett, Mark Mobley and Pepe Mancha all saw the bump against the pups. Blanco could only manage 5 hits on the day. Ethan Evans had 2 doubles. Kevin Gray, Cory Dowlearn and Kaleb Specht all had hits.

The 2009 Project Graduation Fun Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th at 9:00am. The participants will meet at the Blanco Courthouse and run a scenic loop through the Blanco State Park. The money raised from this event will support Blanco Project Graduation. The goal of project graduation is to host a safe party for our seniors to attend the night of their high school graduation.

Stonewall, Texas—Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park invites the public to experience a decade like no other when the park hosts its second annual “Reflections of the 60s at the LBJ Ranch” special event on Saturday, April 18. Vietnam veterans, Johnson administration and National Park Service staff, and a former Texas State Representative will participate in lively and informative panel discussions on topics as diverse as the Great Society and civil rights.

On May 2nd, the Courthouse square in downtown Johnson City, the Wildflower Capital of the Texas Hill Country, will be filled with artists, musicians, artisans, wine merchants and food. Demonstrations and Workshops: Here’s your chance to enjoy “plein air” (painting in the open air) with the presentation of Dan Gilroy and his art by The Uptown Blanco Art Center.

The winner (pictured left) is Billy H. Lux of Kendalia and on the right is Blanco National Bank employee, Stephanie Grenwelge. The theme for Week 1 was “Loans for Flip Flops and Rag Tops” and Mrs. Lux won an ice chest full of goodies for a vacation at the beach.

“I had no idea how much I would learn and grow by being a part of this Leadership program,” says Stefanie Doyer, who is affiliated with EXIT One Realty. A group of civic-minded individuals over a nine-month period of time were chosen to observe a current topic of community interest.

April 8, 2009 •Good Samaritan Center: Quarterly business meeting at 10:00am. Everyone is encouraged to attend. April 18, 2009 •Blanco River 5K Fun Run: Meet at old Blanco courthouse, 8:30am. More info at www.blancograds.com/funrun. Proceeds benefit 2009 Project Graduation. April 18, 2009 •Fundraiser for Henry Fudge: Fundraiser for Henry Fudge to help with medical and funeral expenses.

The Project Graduation Celebrity Dinner was held at the Rockin' R Steakhouse on March 25th. It was a night of delight as celebrities such as Pam Moore, and Mark and Connie Tidwell delivered excellent customer service to the good folks of Blanco such as Josh Gillis,and Debra and Wayne Dworaczyk. Project Graduation appreciates Bonnie Riley and everyone that came out to support the Class of 2009.

(San Marcos, TX) – CTMC Hospice Care is now accepting applications for Camp HeartSong, a special bereavement camp for children ages 8 to 17 who have experienced a death of a family member or significant loved one in the last year. Camp dates are June 3, 4 and 5, 2009. Camp HeartSong will be held at John Knox Ranch, a beautiful 300 acre camp facility located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country on the banks of the Blanco River, six miles from Wimberley.

Many old timers and residents of Blanco County knew Henry Fudge. He was a master mechanic and worked on many people’s cars back when Bob Riley’s Rockin R Steakhouse used to be Barker Motor Co. He worked with Delman Barker and I believe with Dwayne Nolte, when there was a mechanic shop in the old Cedar Hills Feed Store on Hwy.

Local ladies compete at the Aggie Super Circuit Quarter Horse Show held last weekend in Bryan, TX. Shown left to right are Leigh Slaughter, Paula Allison, and Brooke Erickson. Paula received a Reserve Champion award in her division. When not competing, these ladies are busy with their careers. Leigh, formerly from Spring Branch teaches fifth grade in Seguin, Paula sells real estate at REMAX Genesis and Brooke is a Registered Dietician and both reside in Blanco.

PEC Press Release — Pedernales Electric’s Board of Directors received and accepted a 2007 financial audit from KPMG at a special called meeting Monday, April 6 at PEC’s Johnson City headquarters. KPMG audited PEC’s financial statements, its Employees Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and its Employees 401(k) Savings Plan for the year ending Dec.

PEC Press Release - Pedernales Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce the promotion of James Blanton to Assistant General Manager, effective April 13, 2009. Blanton will be responsible for PEC member services through oversight of the Correspondence & Records and Member Services departments. His promotion completes PEC General Manager Juan Garza’s upper management team; Blanton joins Assistant General Manager Jeanell Davis and Deputy General Manager Paul Hilgers. “James has served the P ...

Blanco and Kendall County AgriLIFE Extension Offices are co-sponsoring a Pecan Management Program on Tuesday, April 21, beginning at 3:00 pm. This program will offer 3 CEU credits for persons holding a Private Applicators License. The program will include a tour of Don Hagans’ “Circle H Orchards”, located near Bergheim.

With this year’s Soil Stewardship week theme titled, ‘Dig it! The Secrets of Soil’ the Pedernales Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to join with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) to celebrate this historical observance which will be officially celebrated April 26-May 3, 2009. In 1955, the NACD began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship.

Austin (April 6, 2009) – Spring is bursting out all over the Hill County. It’s a great time to capture that winning photograph and enter the Third Annual Hill Country Alliance Photography Contest. Take your photo on a Texas Hill Country Nature Photography Alliance (THCNPA) member ranch for a chance to win a $500 bonus award.

Former students of Texas A&M University will assemble on April 21 at the Old Blanco County Courthouse in Blanco for the annual Texas Aggie Muster to honor all Texas Aggies who have passed away within the last year. Various Muster activities, including a meal and the traditional Muster Ceremony, will begin at 6:00pm.

The Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society invites everyone to come join us at the Annual Sparkles and Spurs Gala! Once again, the Gala will be held outside on the grounds of the Courthouse on May 2 from 6:00pm to 11pm. Dinner is being catered by Sullivan Street Caterers and the Sam Bentley band will be performing.

The Stonewall Heritage Society will have its annual Spring tour this Sunday, April 19 from 2:00 to 4:00pm. The tour will be a visit to the Klepac Greenhouses in Blanco, Texas. Klepac’s is a Texas premier supplier of “Florist Quality Potted Blooming Plants” They have been a family owned and operated business since 1955.

Super S held their Easter Coloring Contest again this year and Mason O’Rear was the proud winner of the boy’s bike. Children were given the opportunity to enter the contest by coloring the Easter color sheet that was available at the store and turning in the sheet to Super S. Bikes were given to one boy and one girl. Information for the winner of the girl’s bike was unavailable as of press time.

April 09, 2009 (FHTNC)--Navy Seaman Recruit Daniel R. Omeara, a 2005 graduate of Smithson Valley High School, Spring Branch, Texas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL. During the eight-week program, Omeara completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety.

Acts 18:24-28 says, “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

An 80 year old woman stood before the judge for shoplifting and the judge asked her, “What did you steal?” She replied that she had stolen a can of peaches. When he asked her why, she said she was hungry. The judge asked her, “How many peaches were in the can?” She said, “six”.

When we give each little problem to the Lord God, He takes them and fixes them, blesses us and the problem, and gives it back to us, fixed in the spiritual realm, testing us to see if we are now leaning on Him and trusting in Him, and that He will complete the fix, as we wait on Him and His perfect timing. Then, as we think of all our problems that we’ve turned over to our Lord, ask yourself; have you given yourself to Him?

Last summer I packed my most important belongings and pointed my minivan south to the Lone Star State. Texas has been my home since last August and it has been a non-stop adventure, but an enjoyable one. It’s remarkable to me the differences between Iowa and Texas. I imagine it shouldn’t be a surprise, after all, I’ve heard in the past that Texas is like a country of its own.

The season opener of Major League Baseball has reminded me of an enjoyable ride across our state while listening to one of the most recognizable voices in North America. Ernie Harwell was announcing a Detroit Tiger baseball game and his usual mastery of the microphone, added to the fact that I was once Ernie’s pastor, made my long trip a pleasant sentimental journey. What made Ernie Harwell so effective as a baseball announcer and so loved by the public in general? A Detroit newspaper once qu ...

Circus barkers across the years have, well, “barked” about amazing acts in three rings for “children of all ages.” The best of them, however, fade when compared to the colorful, non-stop goings on at professional sports venues. And the “best of the best” may be the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks, where mastermind team owner Mark Cuban holds forth.

Eddie “Ed” Dorian Liesman, 88, died Tuesday, April 14, 2009. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maggie Herwig, and his parents, Edward Fritz and Donie Walsmith Liesman. Ed was a home builder and a member of the Onion Creek Masonic Lodge, the Blanco Masonic Lodge, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Today is tomorrow’s yesterday. Yesterday, in a previous letter from Sarajevo, we made a case for making some common sense changes to Blanco’s Unified Development Code (UDC), our annexation plans, and other means of shaping Blanco’s future to ensure that we retain the small town, Texas Hill Country character we all love.

Dear Editor, Charlie Pemberton’s April 1 Letter to the Editor was such an April Fool’s joke that a serious rewrite is in order, here’s mine: The miracle in Washington, D.C. continues to grow every day. I feel like I should be running up and down the street yelling for joy or ringing a bell. Constitutional government has returned, no more dark holes of secrecy.

On Tuesday, March 24th, band students from around the region competed against other 1A, 2A, and 3A schools for a chair in the regional band. Several band students from Blanco Middle School were among those who traveled to TLU in Seguin to compete for these seats. Echoe Burkhart made Symphonic Band, which is the highest level for regional band.

Blanco High School students and FCCLA members recently participated in a “Shattered Dreams” event on Friday, April 3, 2009. Shattered Dreams is an educational program designed to remind students of the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving. The program involves the dramatization of an alcohol-related crash at or near a high school campus, complete with EMS, police and fire department response.

The Blanco Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America will be attending the State Leadership Conference held in Corpus Christi on April 16-18, 2009. The members will be among approximately 3,500 delegates attending the three-day conference. The youth developed theme “Find Your Treasure with FCCLA” will be carried out through leadership tracks and general sessions.

Blanco stormed back from an 8-1 deficit to win 11-8. Lance Gottardy was relieved by Blake West in the 4th inning and picked up the win for the Panthers. West scattered four hits while striking out five. The Panthers woke up in the 3rd inning and pounded out 13 hits.

The Panther baseball field has a new addition as of last week. The stands are now covered and it has improved the look of the field 100%! Thanks goes out to all who contributed to an outstanding job. Some folks who helped were: Roger and Ethan Evans, Charles and Grady Childress, Ronnie and Shea Mangold, Todd and Byron Mabry, John Pepper, Carroll Fuchs, Rodney and Clayton Green, and the Blanco Maintenance Department.

Are you ready to start designing your home? Most people do not know where to start. If you are going with a customer builder – they can provide you with the step by step process that fits their operations. If you have not selected a customer builder, but want to start looking at designs, you can do a few things.

Earth Day is April 22, 2009. Our "Trash Off" and "River Cleanup" are two events that work with Earth Day as well as the voluntary compliance of helping keep our city litter free. Every local observance of Earth Day will help its global purpose; Earth Trustee attitudes and actions throughout the year that will benefit people and the planet.

March’s rainfall brought a brief respite from the long drought we’ve been enduring the last year or so. Although we love seeing the trees and grasses green up with the freshness of spring, we expect that our water woes aren’t over yet. There is a discouraging pall over the countryside and among the people.

This is a bitter-sweet movie about a dog that is basically terrible and can’t be trained. If you remember the movie Turner and Hooch with Tom Hanks, you’ll probably like this movie. Marley and Me starts out with a newly wed couple that decide to take the next step and adopt a puppy; and not just any puppy, a clearance puppy (one point here that bothered me is that they never said why he was a clearance puppy).

Residents at Live Oak Medical Center enjoyed a visit the morning of the 9th from about 60 second graders. They sang Easter songs and did a cute Easter skit for everyone before passing out Easter cards and art they had made while visiting with residents. As the children left, they were given candy Easter eggs by the Activity Director and wished them a “Happy Easter”. On the afternoon of the 9th, residents met in the dining room to dye Easter eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt the next day. On Frid ...

Sophomores to Hold Barbecue April 11, 1969 The Sophomore Class will hold a Chicken Barbecue Sunday, April 20, at the Chamber for one-half chicken to go will be $1.00. Potato salad and beans will be available, also. Chris Moehnke on Dean’s List April 12, 1989 Christopher W. Moehnke, son of Larry and Deborah Moehnke of Blanco, has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 1988 semester at Texas Lutheran College. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must have a 3.5 cumulative grade poi ...

AUSTIN - Legislators packed the four-day workweek leading up to the Easter and Passover holidays with long lists of bills to be considered in committees. But the march of bills will grind down to a lower gear April 17 when the appropriations bill, HB 1, hits the House floor for a debate sure to be contentious. Whatever the House ends up with will have to be reconciled with the Senate's CSSB 1, their $182.2 billion version of a state budget for 2010-2011. Meanwhile, other issues abound, such as ...

You might think the age of online real estate listings and virtual tours has rendered curb appeal less important than in days gone by. But you’d be mistaken. Sure, a potential buyer’s first impression of your home might be of your kitchen or living room, displayed on her computer screen from the comfort of her own home.

Blanco Police Department Reports These reports were filed between Apr. 3 and Apr. 9. Apr. 3 • Minor Accident. 12:18 AM. Blanco General. Two vehicle minor accident • Animal Complaint. 12:08 AM. Racoon in roadway; animal put down. • Drill. 12:13 AM. Shattered Dreams • Spuspicious Person/Circumstances. 12:21 AM. Blanco Fire House. Subject dropped off at residence.