November 11, 2009

Less than seven months after being sworn in, Mayor Christina Gourley has turned in her resignation, effective immediately, to the Blanco City Council. Citing medical issues stemming from a facial injury she received while loading cattle in July, and a difference in goals between her and members of the council, Gourley states that she is unable to accomplish what she set out to do. The resignation of Gourley creates a second vacancy on the council; the first having been created ...

At their regular meeting held at the County Courthouse in Johnson City on November 10, County Commissioners received a report from County Extension Agent, Todd Swift. With him were more than a dozen animated Master Gardeners from Blanco County. Mr. Swift reported on the Drought Decisions Program, the Fall Range Field Day, the Wildlife Management Program and the Private Applicator License Training. He reported on 4-H students’ participation in the Wild Game Dinner; ...

The District 10 4-H Gold Star Banquet was held Saturday, October 17, at the Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde. This event honors the outstanding 4-H members from the 21 counties in District 10 who have been selected to receive 4-H’s highest honor. The 4-H member from Blanco County recognized was Elizabeth O’Day of the Hill Country Spurs 4-H Club. This event also recognizes outstanding volunteers from the 21 counties in District 10 who have gone above and beyond to p ...

On Thursday, November 12, the Blanco County Historical Committee will meet for a Potluck Dinner and Meeting. The group will meat at the PEC headquarters in Johnson City at 6:30pm. Local chefs will prepare chicken as the main entree. Please RSVP with Patricia Coffee at 830-833-4183 (7 to 10pm) to ensure there is enough to go around!

AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced today the Texas Department of Agriculture now offers grants to young farmers interested in creating or expanding an agricultural operation in Texas. “Farming is a difficult and challenging business, especially for young farmers,” Commissioner Staples said. “By working with the Texas Legislature, the Texas Department of Agriculture has developed more tools for Texas producers, including the new Young Farme ...

The Yucca Garden Club met November 4, 2009, at the Blanco Library to assemble Thanksgiving candy bags for the residents at Live Oak Medical Center. Each year the club does this at Thanksgiving and at Easter. Pictured above are Sophie Johnson, Administrator of Live Oak Medical Center, resident Mildred Peterson, and Yucca Garden Club Member Linda Lyons.

AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced applications for this year’s Family Land Heritage Program will be accepted until December 15. The Family Land Heritage Program recognizes farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural production by the same family for 100 years or more. “We are blessed with some incredible families in Texas,” Commissioner Staples said.

Several hundred people gathered at the historic Pleasant Hill - Rocky School last Saturday evening to enjoy the Smorgasbord, the annual benefit dinner hosted by members of the Pleasant Hill - Rocky Community Club. James Sultemeier, club president, reported that the event was “perhaps our best ever,” raising around $4,500. “On behalf of the officers and members,” Sultemeier added, “I want to thank everyone who participated in any way, including those who c ...

Ever wonder what Great Grandma’s 100 year-old pitcher is worth? How about some old books, jewelry, collectibles, or art work you think might be valuable? If so, bring what you are curious about to the Antique Appraisal Event Saturday, November 14, at the Old Blanco County Court House beginning at 12:15pm. This is the second annual appraisal event sponsored by Friends of the Blanco Library. Certified Antique Appraiser Carolyn Rankin and Certified Gemologist Ralph Morgan an ...

On October 30, 2009, Emmett Tyler Griffin graduated from an eight week Navy boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. He is currently stationed at a submarine base in Groton, Connecticut. Tyler is a 2009 graduate of Blanco High School.

November 12, 2009 •The Blanco County Historical Commission will meet Nov. 12 at 6:30pm in the PEC Community room in JC. All members are urged to attend and guests are welcome. Bring a favorite dish for the Pot Luck Supper. Anyone interested in working with the Historical Commission projects is urged to attend and become a member.

Dorothy Clark receives “2009 Outstanding Community College Business Officer” award at the annual Community College Business Officers conference in Palm Springs, California on November 3, 2009. The Community College Business Officers (CCBO) association mission is to provide educational and professional support, networking opportunities and other resources to help business office professionals better prepare for successful roles in community colleges in the US and in Canada. ...

November 9, 2009 Open Letter to the Council and Citizens of Blanco from the Mayor: Much has transpired since May when I was elected and took my oath as your Mayor. Early in July my brother was killed by a drunk driver. Later in July I suffered a severe head trauma and underwent reconstructive surgery.

My biological family is flush with various dimensions of Christianity; my father grew up in a Baptist household, his father descended from German Catholics that settled in western Iowa to farm and raise sheep. On my mothers side are Dutch reform and more German Catholics can be found, the German Catholics trace their roots back to Hungary and on to Germany.

In casual conversation the other day, a question came up about Jesus Christ and Michael the archangel. Some people teach that Jesus and Michael are the same person. Though I wrote this article many moons ago while doing research, I thought it would be good to share it this week.

At church we sing a song called “Lord I Want To Be A Christian In My Heart”, and one of the verses says “I don’t want to be like Judas in my heart, in my heart, I don’t want to be like Judas in my heart.” Don’t you know the Lord was in control of Judas, too?

I read the story of two men that through the years had become enemies and had not spoken to each other in sometime. They were together at a new years party and one of the men was encouraged to go over and wish his enemy a happy new year. He walked over to the man and shook his hand and said, "happy new year"

These 5 weeks we are examining the fastest growing church in the world. Have you heard about the largest church in the world? This church is called Oprah’s New Age Spirituality. It boasts millions of followers and teaches what we would call cultic religion. A cult is defined as teaching what is contrary to historic Christianity.

Maria Antonia Calzoncit, age 68, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2009. She was born February 14, 1941 in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico to her parents, Jesus Ivarra Cruz and Maria Moreno Sanchez. Maria is survived by two sons, Greg and Juan Calzoncit, and seven daughters, Francesca Lopez of Blanco, Maggie Padrone of Blanco, Veronica Gonzalez of Blanco, Florestella Quevas of Blanco, Juanita Cedillo of Fredericksburg, Carmen Williams of Blanco, Blanca Calzoncit of Blanco, 16 grandchil ...

I recently received an email that I hope proves to be untrue. It came from a credible source and it said that the White House this year would not display any “Christmas trees” as in years past. Instead, they would be designated “Holiday Trees.” If we take Christ out of Christmas, why celebrate the holiday at all?

All three Blanco ISD schools have been named the recipients of Texas Education Agency Gold Performance Acknowledgments, earning a total of eleven awards among the three campuses. All awards were based on performances of the Spring 2009 TAKS administration. Blanco High School received five awards: one for College Ready Graduates, one for Commended on Social Studies, one for Recommended High School Program, one for Texas Success Initiative English Language Arts, and one for Texas Succes ...

The cover of the binder is entitled Raising The Bar; Coach Amy Hackebeil, Coach Brandi Mumme, and the 2009 Varsity Volleyball Team have done just that. The Lady Panthers soundly defeated the Schulenburg Lady Horns 3-1 on Friday, November 6 at the Luling gym to claim the Area Championship. The Blanco team started the match strong, winning the first game 25-21 and the second game 25-13.

7th Grade The Harper Longhorns were fired up playing their last game of the season at home, and were looking for revenge against the Panthers. After kicking off to the Longhorns, the Panther ‘D’ quickly forced a 3 and out, with Grant Calzoncit and Jake Breeding making tackles for no gain; but the Harper defense proved equally tough in forcing the Panthers to punt for the first time this year on their opening series.

In the final district Junior Varsity football game played on October 29, the Panthers fought a close defensive battle, claiming a victory of 16-8 against the Cole Cougars. Blanco struck first with a two yard run by Tim Goodman. Goodman also rushed for the two-point conversion. Edward Alvarado grabbed an interception, stopping one Cole drive, but the Cougars were able to score in the quarter leading to a halftime tie 8-8. In the third quarter, Sam Isenberg completed a six yard t ...

The Keep Texas Beautiful Recycle Day will be November 17 this year. Maggie Goodman, with Blanco Verde will join with KBB to meet with the BISD Elementary School and provide information to the students about the importance of recycling. Blanco Verde is a new organization in our community. Their mission is to help educate citizens about protecting our environment and rivers.

Now, this isn't quite the G.I. Joe you grew up with; it's more like the cgi version on steroids, but if you want action then your in luck. Action is pretty much all this movie has, so enjoy the cgi scenes and fighting stunts because once you get past that, you’re dealing with a story that leaves you thinking that they went over budget and had to hire a few teenagers to finish the script. I enjoyed this movie only because I knew going in that the script would probably be hanus, s ...

A huge shout-out to Ernest and Mary Ann Hoffman – they know why! Lots of interesting, and delicious, things were sold at the BUMC bazaar last Saturday. I was even lucky enough to be one of the raffle winners (and no, I didn’t bribe anybody) – I won a lovely fall-colors lap quilt! Deborah Latham of Blanco is a finalist in the 3rd annual Texas Hill Country Top Chef contest.

Golden Wedding To Be Observed November 7, 1969 The Children of Mr. and Mrs. W.S.. Polley wish to extend an invitation to their friends to attend an Open House honoring the parents Fiftieth Anniversary on Sunday, November 16 from 2:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon in their home. Six new teams November 9, 1979 Wasting no time in lining up next years’ football schedule as soon as the UIL realign ...

AUSTIN — A Nov. 5 mass shooting at Fort Hood, about 60 miles north of the capital city, resulted in the deaths of one civilian, 12 soldiers and the wounding of 30 others. Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, a U.S. Army psychiatrist, was identified as the shooter. Civilian police officers Kimberly Munley and Mark Todd returned fire, stopping Hasan.

Would you like the pleasure of seeing beautiful butterflies visit your garden? Do you know which flowers or shrubs attract them? For inspiration, visit the Bulverde/Spring Branch Library’s butterfly garden designed and planted last spring (behind the library, with breathtaking views of the countryside). A dedicated committee nurtured the garden through the hot, dry summer and recent rains provided growth spurts, giving the butterflies a feast of nectar. Dozens of trees, s ...

The Tuscany Italian Grill & Restaurant, located in Spring Branch, held a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting with the Bulverde/Spring Branch Area Chamber of Commerce on November 2nd. This new restaurant is located in Adobe Village at 8685 Hwy 281N, just north of the Guadalupe River. They are open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

Finding ways to keep the budget in line while still making the most of the holidays is a priority for all of us these days. Giving homemade presents, looking for early-bird sales, and putting an emphasis on the value of the time spent with family and friends are just some of the ways that Americans will stretch their budgets this season. Another affordable option to get family into the spirit of the season is by taking an evening drive to enjoy displays of Christmas lights and ...