June 3, 2009

Sta-Bilt Lumber and Hardware located at 13th and Mesquite Streets in Blanco will be closing its doors by the end of June. An institution in the community since 1971, the business will be greatly missed by contractors as well as average citizens who have depended on the store for everything from nuts and screws to footballs and pocket knives.

It is business as usual at the Real Ale Brewery on San Saba Road in Blanco this June 1 Monday morning - a far cry from the festivities at the brewery on May 30 as weary but jubilant bikers rolled in after their rides to relax, tell tales of the road, eat Riley’s Barbecue, and of course, drink free Real Ale beer.

AUSTIN, Texas — On May 27 in Austin, Selah-Bamberger Ranch Preserve in Blanco County received the 2009 Leopold Conservation Award for Texas from Sand County Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, part of the department’s Lone Star Land Steward Awards program. “Texas has become an urban state, in that most of us now live in cities,” said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director.

Press Release - How do you know when a baby animal needs your help? Call Wildlife Rescue and we can help you do the right thing. In the wildlife community the spring and summer seasons are also seasons of birth and hatching. In both our cities, neighborhoods (sometimes even in our attics) and outlying areas there are newborn fawns, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, birds and others just beginning to make their way in this life.

Dr. Ed Arnett, conservation scientist with Bat Conservation International in Austin, will speak on “Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Wildlife: What Does the Future Hold for our Hill Country Bats.” The meeting will be held on June 9 at the Gillespie County Agricultural Extension Service Building, 95 Frederick Road in Fredericksburg, beginning at 7:00pm.

On April 11, some of the members of the class of 1953 met at the Blanco Bowling Alley for lunch and a lot of visiting. Ralph Martin from Seattle, Washington was in town and had not seen his classmates for many years. Picture are: Mary Ann Wood Steigleder, Frank Brussel, Ralph Martin, May Laidley Kraft, Gloria West Nance, and Mary Frances Dechert Meiers.

June 3-5, 2009 •CTMC is accepting applications for Camp HeartSong, a special bereavement camp for children who have experienced the death of a family member or significant loved one. Dates are June 3-5 and will be held in Fischer, TX at John Knox Ranch. Children must be between the ages of 8-17 years old.

The Blanco High School class of 1954 celebrated their 55th anniversary at the Church of Christ Fellowship Hall May 9 with 13 of the 16 remaining class members present. Dorothy Troppy catered a delectable turkey and dressing meal. Steve Weber led the group in a prayer and a moment of silence for those we have lost—Truman Hearne, Jamie Kay Wagner Simmons, Lee Bagby, Joe B.

Save Saturday, June 7th, for Eco-Day, a day of fun and information at the Henly South Fire Station on FM 2325 at Plainview Road. One-hour presentations from 9:00 to 5:00 will be offered as well as interesting demonstrations for kids and parents alike. Watch how rain travels through the Edwards, Glen Rose, and Trinity aquifers using a model aquifer showing the different layers of gravel, rocks, and clay through which rainwater trickles.

On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, the Hill Country Spurs 4-H club held their officer elections for 2009-2010 season. Former President, Bailey Zeoller, called the meeting to order, and started the elections. Kendra Smith, former Historian, was elected President. Amara Yachimski was re-elected for Vice President I. Former Secretary Elizabeth O’Day was elected Vice President II.

A new coffeehouse is opening soon in Blanco. Owners Keith West and Leslie Reilly are very excited to offer the community a new hangout aptly named “Joyful Noise”. “We all need a celebration and everyone is welcome to join the fun” says Leslie Reilly. The Joyful Noise will serve organic coffee, pastries, espresso, smoothies, soups, salads, and sandwiches on homemade bread.

Uptown Blanco Art Center is hosting its second annual Lavender Festival Fine Art Show on the West side of the square in Downtown Blanco. The show will be held in the building on the corner of 4th and Main Streets and will run from June 5th through June 28th. Please enjoy a beautiful Hill Country evening of exceptional art, music, and hors d’oeuvres at the art show Opening Reception on June 5th from 5:00pm to 7:30pm.

The Blanco Chamber of Commerce is proud to present ERF Wireless as a Bronze Marketing Partner of the Blanco Lavender Days (the month of June) and Lavender Festival being held June 12, 13 and 14. ERF Wireless, Inc. is a fully reporting public corporation located in League City, Texas. The company specializes in providing broadband wireless product and service solutions to commercial and residential clients on a national basis.

When I wrote about all the wonderful spots in the Texas Hill Country in The Unlikely Lavender Queen, I tried to describe them so that you’d really feel like you were there. But now I can do even better than words. I can actually take you to some of the key places.

The Lucky Leaf 4-H club has completed their gardening project. The Lucky Leaf 4-Hers met at the Dechert residence for 4 weeks to obtain gardening techniques. Linda Dechert put together a fun, hands on gardening curriculum that was enjoyed by all. The members learned about the basics of plant parts and seed identification, how to identify good and bad bugs for your garden, helped to assemble a worm farm, and had lots of opportunities for gardening experiences. The last meeting was a tasting meet ...

Press Release -- Pedernales Electric employees and PEC are distributing more than $310,000 to civic and charitable organizations throughout its service area. PEC’s United Charities program will give to 369 qualified charities this year. The funds come from volunteer employee payroll deductions and corporate-matched funds approved by PEC’s Board of Directors.

As you visit the Lavender Festival you may notice the changes to the west side of the Blanco Town Square. Uptown Blanco Arts and Entertainment is really beginning to take shape. The sidewalks are done, the railings are up and the canopies are in progress. Currently the restaurant, art center, courtyard and ballroom are open.

It’s time to kick off the annual Youth Summer Reading Program at the Blanco Library. There are six programs scheduled throughout June and July for elementary age kids; parents are welcome to attend. It’s not necessary to attend all of the events. You can come to those that interest you or those you have time to attend. This year, Maggie Goodman is starting things off with various Texas stories, at 10:30 Friday morning, June 12th.

The Blanco Lavender Festival hosts its first street dance on Friday evening (6:00pm to 10:00pm), June 12, to kick off its weekend festivities. Zydeco Blanco will strum up some zydeco tunes, as well as a variety of cover songs to get people dancing! Most of their songs blend the influences of Louisiana music with the feel of life in the Texas Hill Country.

The 5th Annual Lavender Festival has expanded to Friday this year, allowing festival goers a chance to avoid the crowds on Saturday and Sunday. All six participating farms are open on Friday, June 12, with tours from 10am to 4pm. The Arts & Crafts Market on the Courthouse Square opens from 3pm to 8pm, as does the wine and beer tent, with music by Nelson Broyal.

On May 9th, 2009, Brittany Hesskew graduated from Hallmark College in San Antonio, Texas, with an Associates Degree of Applied Science in Medical Assisting. Brittany graduated with high honors being on the Dean's List with a 3.9 GPA and was also accepted into the Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Brittany is a 2007 graduate from Blanco High School and will be continuing her education.

It’s time to sign up for the 2009 Football/Cheer Season. On Monday, June 8, BYFL will hold its second sign up for the 2009 season at Riley’s Barbeque, in the party room. Age division are as follows: Cheerleading: 5-12 Flag:5-6 Freshman Tackle: 7-8, 120 lb weight limit. (9 years old okay if first year and with a 60 lb weight limit.) Junior Varsity: 9-10, 140 lb weight limit.

Nina and Egon Artzt were married June 5, 1949 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Twin Sisters, Texas. They were blessed with three children: David Erich, Michael Egon, and Belinda Denise Atkinson and son-in-law J.W. Atkinson. Five grandchildren and one great granddaughter. God has blessed them with many good friends and family.

The second leg to the footstool the Jewish people rest on is people hood. This is particularly intriguing because one of the fundamental questions people have is – who is a Jew? This goes to the heart of people hood. Some people think Jewish people are a race and some think we are a religion – well, both are true. There are people that can lay their fingers on the generations of Jews they have descended from and then there are people like myself that are converts, that embrace the covenant ...

The other day I was enjoying some coffee with Raymond Singleton at the Deutsch Apple in Blanco when a man and a woman came in to get something to eat. They had spent the night at the Blanco State Park and were on there way back home riding their bicycles.

Twelve years ago by the hand of GOD Connie and I came to Blanco, Texas to open Ark Christian Bookstore in the Old Theater. Ten years ago this Sunday Ark Revival Ministries was birthed in the theater with plenty of drama and our share of comedy. Then we moved to the Old Blanco County Courthouse having services in these two old buildings was very special and an honor.

“14I write to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be conscious of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one. 15Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world.

This Summer, Northern Hills United Methodist Church is bringing a group of about 20 kids to Blanco for a mission trip on June 28th through July 3rd. We are excited for the possibility to help such a great community. We are being helped by Blanco UMC and Trinity Lutheran to plan and arrange all of the plans for the week.

Lena Grace Hobbs, 90, a resident of Johnson City all of her life, passed away Tuesday the 26th of May, 2009 at LBJ Medical Center. She took such pride in keeping her house and cooking for her family. Later in life she loved her church and the long time friends in her Sunday School Class. Her husband, Nathan Hobbs, preceded her in death as well as her parents, Otellia and Lisle Page, and her brothers, Uncas, Jessie, Homer, and Eddie Page.

SPRING BRANCH, Texas – June 5, 2009– The Camp Invention® program returns to Spring Branch this summer. Based on the concept that learning should be fun, the program provides children with opportunities to experience the joy of playing, creating, and inventing in ways that augment their traditional education, and shows them that there’s always more than one solution to a problem. Custom designed for children entering first through sixth grade, the Camp Invention program presents a scienc ...

June 1, 2009, Johnson City, TX –* The Johnson City Community Education Foundation board is pleased to announce presentation of a record number of higher education scholarships to graduating Johnson City high school students. During graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 29, JCCEF board member Joe Stewart presented five scholarships, three for students who will attend a four-year college or university and two for students who will enter technical school in the fall. Kennedy Bynum, who plans to a ...

INDIANAPOLIS - The National FFA Organization awarded a $1,500 United Country Real Estate scholarship to Katie Baker of Blanco HS FFA. United Country Real Estate, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, sponsors the scholarship. Katie plans to use the funds to pursue a degree at Texas State Technical College - Harlingen campus. This scholarship is one of 1,462 awarded through the National FFA Scholarship Program this year.

On Thursday, May 28, Dennis Moore presented Athletic Director Danny Rogers with the Mirabeau B. Lamar Medal on behalf of the Blanco Masonic Lodge #216. The Lamar Medal honors local outstanding educators and students in Texas. Rogers has been an educator for twenty-one years, and has taught for sixteen of those years in Blanco.

Two Blanco High School students represented Blanco High School at the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest held at Texas State University in San Marcos on June 1. These students qualified for this event by memorizing a Class One (professional level) solo at the UIL Region contest held on February 7.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and practice, the human body experiences seasonal changes in harmony with the climate. The best time to affect an organ is in its season. The element of wood is associated with the season of Spring. Wood represents the liver and gall bladder organs. Spring is a good time to be thinking of renewing the energies of the liver. Many traditional diets use food and herbs in early springtime to cleanse the liver.

Are you enjoying the fruits of your labor? The hot weather has caused the lack of fruit set on many of the tomatoes and other vegetables. It became too hot, too soon. They should be more productive these next few weeks. Continue to fertilize and water regularly. We planted Moss Rose, Purslane, Blue Daze and Dalburg Daisy in the pots near the City Hall and east side.

Keith- Here’s a great series from HBO that grabs a hold and puts it’s fangs in you and turns you into a dedicated watcher. True Blood is a little crazy at first, being that the concept is that we live in a world that now has vampires out of the closet for the first time and are fighting for rights like they were like everyone else; but this is where this story starts to work and opens up a whole new world of blood, deceit, humor, biting, and sultry Louisiana good times as far as I’m conce ...

Dear Readers: Due to an oversight on my part, I forgot to include David Seymour and Hillary in the list of those who helped work on the cemetery for Memorial Day. Plus, I forgot to ask Rebecca Howerton how to spell Hillary’s name. Please forgive me, Hillary. Condolences to Katherine Allen and her family in the loss of her dad. Hope everybody enjoyed the rain as well as all the things that were going on over the weekend.

Cow Belles in Boerne May 30, 1980 Boerne – The Old West atmosphere of the Circle S Saloon was the site of the Hill Country Cow Belles luncheon meeting on May 20. Fifty nine members and guests enjoyed a lunch hosted by their Boerne Members. The Hill Country Cow Belles will hold their next meeting on June 10 at 11:30 a.m.

AUSTIN — Lawmakers spent the last few days of the 140-day 81st regular session of the Texas Legislature maneuvering to get their bills passed before midnight, June 1. House Democrats ate up enough of the clock with stall tactics to prevent final passage of the Republican-supported “voter ID” bill that originated in the state Senate. Hundreds of other bills died because of the slowdown, but end-of-session tactical slowdowns are nothing new. Also, to revive a floundering bill, some members ...

Take care of your home There are two times when you should pay particular attention to home maintenance: before you buy the home and when you’re selling it. Oh, and all the time in between as well. Yes, taking good care of your home is essential if you want to preserve the highest possible value of your property and to ensure that you get the most utility and comfort from your residence. Start before you begin What’s this about maintaining a home before you even own it?

When you are looking at a home remodel you may want to open up some more space in your home. Many older homes don't have as much space as you would like or you may need more space than is currently available in your home. Let's take a look at some of the things you should know when opening up spaces during a remodel. Look at the rooms you are remodeling and what you would like to do with them in order to open up the space.

AUSTIN – LCRA, accused earlier in May of breaching its agreement with the San Antonio Water System to study a proposed water-sharing project, called Thursday for mediation of the dispute and denied that it had breached the agreement. LCRA also challenged SAWS to identify exactly what obligations SAWS thinks LCRA has left unfulfilled. LCRA and SAWS signed an agreement in 2002 to study the feasibility of a water-sharing project to determine if such a project could provide for water needs in bot ...

Farm Bureau Press Release - The passage of House Joint Resolution 14 by State Rep. Frank Corte, Jr. (R- San Antonio) in the closing hours of the 81st Texas Legislature accomplished some of the eminent domain reform sought by Texas Farm Bureau, but does not go nearly far enough, the organization’s president said. “The constitutional amendment authorized by HJR 14 is very welcome and if passed by voters will provide protections from the abuses opened up by the Kelo case,” said TFB President ...