November 25, 2009

In the early hours on Friday, November 20, 2009, Blanco County Corporal Bob Morgan was in route to Cattleman’s National Bank Round Mountain location to look into a duress alarm that had been set off. He called for assistance from the Johnson City Police Department and Chief of Police Randy Holland responded. Both officers arrived at the bank and Corporal Morgan exited his vehicle with his shotgun and approached the bank, only to quickly retreat, letting Holland know that there w ...

The Yucca Garden Club is again sponsoring a Christmas lights contest, with judging to occur on Tuesday, December 15. Two prizes will be awarded – one for the best lighting of a business and one for the best lighting of a home. The best lit home will be awarded a gift basket and a yard sign.

Johnson City, Texas — Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park invites everyone to experience “Timeless Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home and the Johnson Settlement” on Saturday, November 28. In conjunction with Johnson City’s “Lights Spectacular,” National Park Rangers will provide an open house of these historic sites, all decked out for a Christmas celebration in the 1920s and the 1860s from 6:00 to 9:00pm. The LBJ Boyhood Home will be lamp lit ...

The Blanco Police Department has reported an increase in the number of car break-ins in Blanco in the last few weeks. Assistant Chief Carl Bragg reports as many as 10-12 that have occurred recently. Assistant Chief Bragg is currently investigating leads on the cases. Bragg urges all citizens to use caution when parking your car; lock your doors, take purses with you and don’t leave valuables in the open.

The Starlight Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Donald K. Miller, announces their Holiday concert schedule for the 2009-2010 Season! The first concert will be held on Saturday, December 5, at the Central Administrative Offices Auditorium (a.k.a. Old Blanco High School) in Blanco at 7:30pm. The second concert will be on Sunday the 6th at St.

The Steering Committee of Blanco County Chapter of Austin Habitat for Humanity designated November as Appreciation Month for its six most generous contributors for the years 2008-2009. Two of the major donors hail from the town of Blanco, two from Johnson City, and two from out of the county. In fact, one of the large donors resides out of state.

On December 10, 2009, the Blanco Women’s Club will host its annual Silver Tea, benefiting the Blanco Library. In the summer of 1937, the Blanco County News ran an ad inviting all women who were interested in study and public speaking to call Luceba Van Dyke. Van Dyke was a teacher of elocution, and it was her hope to establish a class in public speaking and dramatics.

The Hill Country 100 Club, founded in 2002, is the only citizen-sponsored charitable organization established to support the families of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personal. The Hill Country 100 Club announced today that, at the special request of the City of Sunrise Beach, Texas, they have provided funding for the purchase of Body Armor for their police officers. The Hill Country 100 Club Chairman, Dewey Hollingsworth, said that peri ...

Kelly Carper Polden, a local author and communications consultant, is proud to announce that her short story, entitled “The Miracle of the Lord’s Prayer,” is published in the newly released anthology entitled Christmas Miracles, edited by Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson and published by St. Martin’s Press. The book was released in late October and is available in bookstores across the country.

Have you checked out the latest buzz in the Hill Country? There is a new place to shop that will keep you from having to brave the big malls and super saving marts in the big city. Rustic River Market Shoppes opened the original location in June 2009 in Spring Branch.

Kendalia rancher, Jack Esser, and Kendall County Agrilife Extension Agent, Stephen Zoeller, were both recognized on October 8, 2009, in Beaumont, Texas, as the 2009 Grass Roots Award winners through the Texas Section Society for Range Management (TSSRM). Each year the TSSRM Grass Roots Awards honor four individuals in four different categories throughout the state of Texas.

Dr. Brian Smith has opened a branch office, Brian Smith Orthodontics, in Spring Branch at 6102 FM 311 (across from Smithson Valley Middle School). The Grand Opening was held November 12. Dr. Smith is Board-Certified in Orthodontics and offers services to both children and adults. Referrals are not necessary and initial consultations are free.

I have been fascinated by Kippah/Yarmulkes for longer than I’ve been practicing Judaism for many reasons. The first time I saw a Jewish person wearing a kippah was when I was still in the semi truck with my ex-husband making a delivery in New Jersey. A Jewish man was at the building we delivered to and he was wearing a kippah. A kippah is clearly the most identifiable mark of a Jewish person. But why do Jews wear these head coverings to begin with?

The story is told of bus passengers complaining because buses were on occasion passing the bus stops without stopping. The mass transit system released the following statement: "It is impossible for us to maintain our schedules if we are always having to stop and pick up passengers". What should have been priority number one had been replaced with schedule keeping.

In this last article of November let us take a look at where we came from and where we are in America. Why should we be concerned about where we came from? If we don’t remember where we came from we will surely end up where we do not want to be in this nation.

Psalm 100:4 – “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” My prayer: Lord, I thank Thee, for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me and all I do. I praise Thee! I’m sorry for complaining, Lord. I don’t want to be like the following Scripture in Romans 1:21 – “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vai ...

Thanksgiving is the oldest American holiday. Although we generally attribute the First Thanksgiving to the Pilgrims in 1621, several other special times of thanksgiving preceded it on land that would eventually become part of America. In 1541 at Palo Duro Canyon, Texas, Coronado and 1,500 of his men celebrated a time of thanksgiving to God for His blessings. In 1564 at St.

Herbert Hays Cowsert, son of Herbert and Bessie Fern Cowsert, was born September 22, 1915, in Waco, Texas and passed away November 17, 2009, at the age of 94. After growing up in San Antonio and attending Brackenridge High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and, upon completing training as a Machinist’s Mate, served aboard the Battleship USS Nevada.

Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sun on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awake in the mornings hush I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds incircled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do ...

Note from the Editor: In the November 18 edition of the Blanco County News, our article on the school board meeting; “Sports Injuries Spark Parent Concern” caused some confusion. In the first paragraph, we reported that “The presence of EMS personnel at varsity football games is inadequate.” That should have read, “The presence of EMS personnel at only varsity football games is inadequate.” Mrs.

The Blanco Panthers had to face one of their tougher tests this past Friday when they traveled to Round Rock to take on the Rogers Eagles. With one of the more potent rushing attacks in the area, Rogers proved to be a tough opponent. However, the Panthers were up to the test in claiming their 11th win of the season to set up a rematch of last year’s regional semi-final game against Industrial. Blanco wasted little time in stating their case for the area championship as Layton Dw ...

The Blanco Panther Girls Basketball team opened their season with wins against D’Hanis. Scores were unavailable at press time. The Panthers played Canyon Lake on November 23, but both teams were narrowly defeated. The varsity traveled to Fredericksburg to play in a tournament, where they tied for the Battlin’ Billie Bash Championship.

This is the week that we work hard to finish up the Christmas Lighting in Bindseil Park, the Pecan Bottom, and on the city property. It is also the time that we give “Thanks” for all of the volunteers who have helped make this time of year a special time for our families, children, and grandchildren to have a special place in Blanco to enjoy beautiful Christmas lights.

I remember reading a letter to Ann Landers, the syndicated columnist who could solve everyone’s problems. A woman complained that she had just turned 40 and her life was over. How could anyone cope with being past life’s prime? Ms. Landers replied by publishing a letter she received from a young man in his early twenties who was suffering from a form of cancer that would inevitably, in a short time, end his life. “I will never see age 40,” he said.

One of the biggest and best items for Potpourri this week is Jewell Scott, formerly of Blanco, is proud to announce the birth of her great-grandson, Jonah Long, on October 31, 2009. Jonah is the son of Caroline and Justin Long of Fort Collins, Colorado, the grandson of Cordelia Willgren of Cedar Park, and the nephew of Charles Willgren. Can’t top that, so just everybody have a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving - I am lucky enough to have not only my dandy husband and my mama her ...

Six ace All District spots November 27, 1985 From 22 All District spots our Blanco Volleyball team got 27% of them, 6 in the top positions. Pictured right: They are Senior Leslie Richie – Honorable Mention (front left) with 2 years of playing experience, Junior Jodye Schaefer – 2nd Team with 3 years playing experience, Junior Shelly Vest 2nd Team (top) with 3 years experiences, Julie Dechert – 1st team with 4 years of experienc ...

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed a brief with the Texas Supreme Court defending the state's medical malpractice reform law. Abbott filed his brief in a case involving the Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio. Plaintiff Emmalene Rankin sued two physicians and the Methodist Healthcare System, alleging that a surgical sponge was left in her body after an operation more than 11 years ago. In 2003, the Texas Legislature passed a bill prohibiting medical mal ...

Remodeling your house is a large project in and of itself, not to mention finding a qualified craftsman/Builder to help you complete the task at hand. Working with a craftsman can be a hassle if you don't hire the right one. So how do you go about finding a qualified craftsman/Builder? Start by planning your entire project before you even begin looking for a craftsman.