Community News, School, Announcements, Sports, Mustard Seeds, Keep Blanco Beautiful, Regional News, Putting the Pieces Together, The Real Estate Corner, Focus on Faith, Obituaries
Blanco County News
As the Bluebonnets and spring wildflowers pop up along the Hill Country roadsides, festival season is in full bloom. This spring marks the return of the 3rd Annual Bands 4 Band Music Festival to Yett Memorial Park. The daylong event which takes place on Saturday, April 27th has traditionally drawn many enthusiastic music fans from as far away as Dallas, as well as the surrounding Austin and San Antonio area.
The 8th Annual Blanco River Run supporting Project Graduation, a drug and alcohol-free graduation night lock in, was held Saturday, April 20. The 5k run/walk meandered through the beautiful Blanco State Park, along the Blanco River. This year's River Run attracted 90 participants, and raised $2500 dollars for Project Graduation. This was a marked increase from last year, when only 44 runners participated.
Scott Wesner, Publisher of the Blanco County News, is pleased to announce that, Merannda Button has taken over as editor. Merannda has been a Blanco resident for seven years and is married to Benjamin Pilon. They have a son, Brett, who will start kindergarten this fall. “I am excited, not only to be the Editor, but also for the opportunity to be more involved with the community,"
Blanco Performing Arts finished the third season on a high note Sunday afternoon, with violinist Jolente de Maeyer and pianist Nikolaas Kende. The performance began with the dramatic Sonata for Violin and Piano in G major by Claude Debussy and continued with an intricate piece by Francis Poulenc. Following the intermission, the performers took the audience on a romantic journey with the aptly named Romanza by Lodewijk Mortelmans and a wedding Sonata by Cesar Franck.
The District 27-AA champions fashioned a two-day total of 704 to finish one shot behind Regional winner East Bernard, and in a tie with district rival Lago Vista at the Region IV-AA golf tournament held at Quail Creek Country Club in San Marcos. “We set our sights on the state tournament three years ago,” said head coach Scott Balmos.
Blanco County Commissioners Court held a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 23rd. All four commissioners were present, and Commissioners approved the minutes of the April 9th Regular Meeting. Official reports were also approved by the Court with Commissioner Paul Granberg making a motion for approval and Commissioner Chris Liesmann providing a second. Blanco County Judge Bill Guthrie asked the Court to consider raising the speed limit from 30 to 35 mph on Kendalia and Rocky Roads.
On April 27, Blanco County residents will have the opportunity to dispose of their large household trash items at the Blanco County – Progressive Waste Transfer Station. The event location is at 377 Transfer Road (between Johnson City and Blanco) and trash items will be accepted from 8am until 3pm.
Blanco Elementary recently recognized “Kids Who Roar” for the 5th 6 Weeks. The students selected were honored for exemplifying the trait of Trustworthiness.
In the upcoming Blanco ISD trustee election on May 11, 2013, incumbent Charles Riley faces a challenge from long-time resident Libbey Aly. This reporter recently asked each candidate a series of questions to help voters make an informed choice when they vote. How long have you lived in Blanco and where are you from originally? Libbey, husband Brandon, and daughter Alina have lived in Blanco for seventeen years.
Brad Farbstein and Gabriel Gregerman owners of Real Ale had their 17th anniversary party with 3000 of their closest friends, along with their daughter, Sadie. The newly canned Four Squared and Hans Pils beers were on hand along with the great music of La Tampiquena and others.
Streetscape Committee Chair Jack Twilley updated members of the governing body of Blanco at their regular meeting April 9. A resolution passed by council in October 2009 authorized the committee to develop a plan to beautify the historic square, increase pedestrian safety, and increase the economic viability of businesses on the square.
As a youngster in elementary school I was a shy one. I seldom got into trouble because I was afraid to. The teaching staff put a label across my forehead that said I was a good boy who madegood grades and seldom needed discipline. That label earned me the coveted position of School Projectionist.
AG Teacher Jason Marek has made sure that every year, the kids sign up and participate in Keeping Blanco Beautiful. Some of the students began serving their community when they were freshmen and are now seniors ready to graduate with four years of environmental contributions under their belt. The participating classmates are: Colton Childress, Logan Dodd, Kari Graham, Katherine Biggs, Devlin Moore, Dru Ramirez, Merritt Johnson, Lexee Jenkins, Carson Kipp, Dylan Bates, Kyle Gray, Abbie Culton, ...
On Saturday, April 20th Blanco County Aggie Moms will hold their annual Garage Sale. The Garage Sale is 8 am – 2 pm at 603 Fourth Street (Immel’s Dairy Service). This is a large multi-family sale. Sale items will include appliances, furniture, household items, home décor, accessories, kids’ items, athletic equipment, automotive accessories, and much, much more! Blanco County Aggie Moms is a nonprofit organization, and all monies go to fund scholarships for incoming freshmen to Texas A&M ...
The Panther baseball team claimed two more district wins defeating the Ingram Warriors, 10-0 on Tuesday, April 9 and downing the Johnson City Eagles, 4-0 on Friday, April12. Against the Warriors, Kyle Sauceda got the win going 3 innings, striking out 2 and scattering 2 hits. Ian Ray went 2 innings striking out 3.
For the 25th year, we proudly ask you to come and visit us on Saturday, the 18th of May, when we will again enjoy the Blanco Classic Car Show at the Blanco State Park. It is also Armed Forces Day and we cordially invite all Active-duty, veterans, National Guard, Reserves and retired military to attend our Free show and allow us to thank each and every one of you and your families for your service and sacrifice to our country. Rev up your engines, turn your radio or CD player up and head to Bl ...
The Blanco FFA Chapter qualified four teams for state career development events hosted by Tarleton State University in Stephenville this past week. FFA members from Blanco competed in Homesite Evaluation, Environmental Natural Resources, Range and Pasture Judging and Land Evaluation. Blanco was the only school to have three different teams place in the top 10 overall. In the Homesite CDE, Blanco placed 4th overall with Trey Hunter recognized as the 3rd high point individual.
The Blanco FFA Chapter recently traveled to College Station to compete in the Texas A&M University Area Career Development Events. Blanco did extremely well winning two contests. Of the more than 100 schools Class 1A to 5A in Area VII, Blanco was the only school to win more than one event. In the livestock contest, Blanco would take home top honors with Logan Dodd winning high point individual of the contest.
The Blanco girls won the District 27-AA track meet held April 10 and 11 at Comfort. It was the fourth year in a row they have won the district championship. “I am so proud of the way each of the girls competed,” said head coach Brandi Mumme. “The varsity girls stepped up and showed they deserved to be the District Champions!” “Each relay and almost every individual improved their times or marks from earlier in the season.
On April 13th, eight members of the "Blanco Quilters on the Square" traveled to the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, Tx. The Museum opened in 2011 and showcases both historically significant and contemporary quilts. The museum exhibits change 2-3 times a year, and the current exhibit theme is "Flower Power". In addition to the Museum, the ladies enjoyed visiting the "Grandmother's Garden"
Blanco State Park will host a “Stars-in-the-Park” event on Friday night, April 19, 2013, starting at 7:30 pm. Aided by amateur astronomers from the Austin Astronomical Society and the Hill Country Astronomers, this celebration of the starry nighttime Hill Country sky is sure to be a stellar success. The event will begin with John Watson, a local Blanco astronomer, using his computer-driven Stellarium – similar to a mini-planetarium – to orient visitors to the particular night sky above ...
The March meeting of Blanco Woman’s Club met at the scenic Heron's Nest Herb Farm and Van Aken home. Melanie Van Aken presented a wonderful program about essential oils and how you can make your own household cleaners, body sprays, and raise healthy plants, organically and free from harmful chemicals. She also gave us a crash course in aromatherapy.
Regional Qualifiers 4x100 relay- Keith Dearmond, Aikman Elrod, John Hodge and Alex Palos, 4x200 relay- Keith Dearmond, Quinn Dillard, John Hodgeand Alex Palos, and 1600 meter- Rance Dollahite. Varsity Results: Philip Alvarado- 5th Pole Vault, 5th 3200 meter run, Ed Alvarado- 4th 4x400, 6th 800meter run, Conner Anderson- 6th 400, 4th 4x400, Dylan Bates- 3rd 400m dash, 4th 4x400, Cove Chick- 4th 100 m dash, Quinn Dillard- 2nd 4x200, 4th 200m dash, 4th 4x400, Keith DeArmond- 1st 4x100, 2nd 4x20 ...
On Saturday, April 13, young people and adults swarmed all over Blanco picking up litter carelessly left along the road side. The week prior to the trash-off event saw many Blanco City residents haul unwanted items to the city yard for disposal. Members of the City Council, friends and family along with city employees gave up their Saturday morning to cruising the streets for piles to junk left for collection.
The Blanco County Emergency Service District #2 (ESD) is hosting a town hall meeting on Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Old Blanco County Courthouse at 6:00 PM to gather input from south Blanco County residents about expectation and concerns they have for emergency services. The ESD contracts with Blanco Volunteer Fire Department for fire and emergency services and with Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corp for ambulance and emergency services.
Blanco County is partnering with area agencies to plan for our future, focusing on economic development and transportation. Judge Bill Guthrie worked with county commissioners and local stakeholders to partner with the Capital Area Council of Governments to guide the development of the plan. The plan will create a vision for economic growth and transportation improvements Blanco County through the year 2040. The first public meeting for input on the plan will be held April 25, 2013 starting at ...
AUSTIN — An explosion on April 17 at a fertilizer storage and distribution company in the city of West left at least 14 people dead and an estimated 200 injured. Counted among the dead were 10 volunteer firefighters who were called to the scene to extinguish a fire discovered there. As they fought the fire, an explosion powerful enough to knock down a nearby school and an apartment complex occurred at 7:50 p.m.
District 27-AA Champs... L-R: Coach Scott Balmos, Kyle Gray, James Leachman, Lane Hoelting, TJ Hardin and Aaron Uballe. The Blanco boys golf team captured the District 27-AA championship for the third year in a row, outdistancing second place Lago Vista by 15 strokes in rounds played on March 26 at Vaaler Creek Golf Club in Blanco and on April 8 in Kerrville.
4x100m relay-1st- Abbie Culton, Natalie Barnett, Leslie McLinton, and Abby Beard. 800m run-1st-Meaghen Seales; 2nd, Bret Leigh Nance; 4th, Corinne Johnson, 100m hurdles-2nd-Paxston Koehl, 100m dash-5th, Erica Flores; 6th, Lexee Jenkins, 4x200m relay-1st-Culton, Barnett, L. McClinton, Beard, 400m dash-5th, Monica Flores, 300m hurdles-2nd, Paxston Koehl, 200m dash-2nd, Leslie McClinton; 3rd, Abbie Culton, 1600m run-1st, Meaghen Seales; 2nd, Bret Leigh Nance, 4x400 relay- 1st- Jenkins, Barnett, Se ...
Does my house need gutters? Right now, you probably think this is a stupid question, since we have been in a drought. But, it actually is important. When we get rain, it can come down hard and can make a difference. Gutters prevent water from seeping into your foundation by channeling it away from the house.
Mr. Terry Rodgers and Ms. Carol Swanson are pleased to announce their engagement. Mr. Rodgers currently resides near Burnet where he is the manager of Inks Lake State Park. Prior to that, he was the manager of Blanco State Park for 18 years. Ms. Swanson calls Buda home, and is employed with the Hays CISD.
You’ve heard the old saying that real estate is all about location, location, location, and it’s pretty much true regardless of the property type or owner. Location is definitely important when it comes to commercial real estate, but once you get past the universal truth that location is key, the differences between residential and commercial properties start to emerge. Residential real estate is about your primary dwelling place.
“Let nothing affright thee; All things are passing; God never changeth; Whom God possesseth in nothing is wanting” -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (from the Spanish of Santa Teresa, 1515-1582) Bro. Rusty Hicks preached his farewell sermon at First Baptist Church on Sunday morning April 14, 2013. Bro. Hicks ministered at FBC for 28 years, longer than any other Baptist pastor had served.
Franklin Palmer Crofts, Jr., known by most as “Sandy” passed away Sunday afternoon, April 7, 2013 at Lighthouse Hospice in Round Rock, TX. He was born October 9, 1943in Cisco, TX to Franklin Palmer Crofts and Evelyn Halbert Crofts. Sandy was loved by all who knew him. He loved people, shooting his guns, riding hismotorcycle and helping people. During his lifetime he was a rancher, a truck driver for approximately 45 years haven driven several million miles never injuring anyone.
Hazel Jane Dale Ball died on April 12, 2013. She was the eldest daughter of Jane and Elmer Dale of Blanco, Texas. She held a masters degree in education and a masters degree in library science. Her career in library science took her to Odessa, Texas where she taught children's literature and applied art at Odessa College. In 1964 she moved to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia to accept a position as library specialist for the ARAMCO Oil Company Schools for ex-patriot children. Retiring in 1984 she retur ...
James Kenneth Greenhaw passed away on April 19, 2013 surrounded by family in the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas after battling cancer for 11 years. James was born December 16, 1944 in Austin, Texas to Jarl Edward Greenhaw and Sibyl Mary (Connell) Greenhaw. James served 2 years in the United States Army and was a Veteran of the Vietnam War.
A former Blanco County resident was found guilty by a Blanco County jury of Sexual Assault of a child and Aggravated Sexual Assault of a child and sentenced to 456 consecutive years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. On Wednesday, April 10, Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Stacy Street, and District Attorney Sonny McAfee completed the trial of James Alba, Sr.
On Saturday, April 20, the Master Gardener Association of Blanco County will be hosting a plant sale and education day at City Park on Highway 290 in Johnson City. In addition to beautiful plants, there will be rain barrels, yard art, seed paper notecards, and books for sale, and there will be a crafts table for the children.
Blanco-1st Place Team - 200 points Ashley Hall -1st, 4x100m relay; 1st, 4x200m relay; 2nd, 200m dash; 2nd, triple jump; 2nd, long jump. Sarah Brotzman - 1st, 4x100m relay; 1st, 4x200m relay; 1st, 4x400m rlay; 4th, triple jump; 3rd, long jump. Charlsey Smith - 1st, 4x100m relay; 1st, 4x200m relay; 1st, 200m dash; 1st, triple jump; 3rd, long jump. Sianna Ghoulson - 1st, 4x100m relay; 1st, 4x200m relay; 1st, 4x400m relay. Charity Windham - 1st, 4x400m relay; 2nd, 100m hurdles; 3rd, 300m hurdl ...
The 62nd National Day of Prayer will be observed in Blanco at Trinity Lutheran on Thursday, May 2nd at 6:30 p.m. You are invited to attend and join with thousands of coordinated prayer events being held nationwide on that day. Please join us in our efforts to call our nation to prayer.
It is time for our Friends of the Blanco Library’s annual Dinner and a Movie! Sibby of Onion Creek Kitchens is crafting a wonderful “New American Cuisine” to go with our movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Pick up your $20 tickets for this May 3rd night out on the town at the Blanco Library or at Liz’s On the Square.
We had our volunteer luncheon this month to thank all of the wonderful people that make this library so friendly. Without all of the people that help and give their time, this library could not provide such wonderful service 6 days a week. Here is a poem that our lovely volunteer Sally Wall wrote for the occasion: The Library By Sally Wall The library’s a wonderful place you can go, To learn many things you never did know. For computer help, tax help, art classes and such, Our little Bl ...
The Panther softball team tallied 3 district wins this past week trouncing the Ingram Lady Warriors, 16-1 on Tuesday, April 9, beating the Johnson City Eagles, 17-4 on Friday, April 12, and defeating the Comfort Deer on Monday, April 15, 4-2 Callie Culton pitched the 3-inning, 15-run rule victory over the Warriors tossing 3 strike-outs, giving up one hit.
In a first place tiebreaker game on Monday, April 22, the Panther softball team hit their way to a 12 to 2 victory over the Comfort Deer. With the win the Panthers earn a bye in the first round of playoffs. Comfort faces Karnes City in the first round of playoffs. Meaghen Seales pitched the 5 inning game with only one walk, 3 hits, and one strikeout.
The Panther baseball team had a rough night against the Comfort Bobcats on Tuesday, April 16, falling 1 to 7 in their first district loss. Comfort and Blanco now share the lead in the district race. Josh McCaslin took the loss, going 6 and 1/3 innings, giving up 5 runs and scattering 8 hits.
For many homeowners, the monthly mortgage payment is a sizable chunk of monthly bills. You may have thought about the benefits to paying off your mortgage early. Who hasn't? To be sure, making extra payments on your mortgage will save you thousands of dollars. For example, making just one extra payment a year on a $200,000 mortgage could save you more than $65,000. That's not small change—after all, what better investment is there than your home?
By Mrs. Lawrence Coffe John 6:30-40 and Revelations Chapter 9 People don’t have to experience this prophecy. We all have a choice. Choose life! Choose Jesus! John 6:30-40 “30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 31* Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32* Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from ...
Do you know your enemy? A famous quote of General Patton was “I read the book!” That’s why he won the battle, he read the book which had the battle plan in it. Was that just a line in a movie? Well, whatever it was, it makes perfect sense. We would all do well to know our enemy and the names or aliases used by him and his cohorts. I brought this up because last week in chapter nine John referred to the king over the scorpions as an “angel of the bottomless pit whose name in the Hebrew ...
AUSTIN — Two Senate bills making the award of certain financial benefits for certain individuals contingent on drug testing were passed by the Senate last week and have now moved to the House for consideration. SB 11 by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, would require applicants for benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to submit to a screening for controlled substance use.
Last Friday’s Stars-in-the-Park event at Blanco State Park saw more than fifty participants. Combining environmental awareness with a hands-on orientation to the science of astronomy, this continuing series of events has become an important community outreach by the Park and is greatly enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike. Comments from both children and adults on Friday confirmed a high level of excitement and enthusiasm for the program and the majesty of Blanco’s night sky. The ...
The Blanco Volunteer Fire Department held their annual fundraiser on April 6th at the fire station. The members were overwhelmed with the attendance of supporters. Thanking everyone is almost impossible. We had so many volunteers, members and non members that did whatever they could to help make the fish fry a success.
The family of Vernon Schmidt thanks you for all your calls, visits, prayers, cards, flowers, food and the many memorials given in his name. A special thank you to Pastors Bobby and Dayna Leggett and Skip Brashear for the beautiful service, to Gordon Crow and Susie Hunter of Crofts-Crow Funeral Home for all their kindness and care.
The family of Jewel Uecker DeLoach would like to acknowledge to all our friends and relatives for their support after the loss of Jewel. Thank you for the cards, phone calls, food, flowers and donations to the Mark Uecker scholarship. Also other donations to Hospice, Croft-Crow Funeral Home and to Pastor Ernest Topper for such a wonderful service.
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus: We’d like to thank you for your interest in the Peyton Colony Elementary School, and for coming to our school reunion on April 6, 2013! It was a wonderful surprise to see the huge turnout, and we were so happy to receive so many people who are also concerned with protecting the history of Blanco County for our little ones, so they’ll know what the early Blanco County pioneers endured and will hopefully appreciate the many changes God has brought abo ...
Hab. 2:1-3 says, “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it.
The Fredericksburg Music Club is pleased to present Nancy Zhou, violinist, in concert on April 21, 2013. The concert will be at 3:00 pm at the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. A good will offering will be taken to help defray the expenses of this concert. The concert will include pieces by Bach, Ysaye, Debussy, and Wieniawski Nancy Zhou, born in 1993 and a native of San Antonio, Texas, began violin studies at age four with her father, Long Zhou, who continued to be her teacher throughout ...
By Pastor J.D. Link agf-blanco.com 2Tim 4:7-8 says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Good means beautiful, excellent, noble, virtuous; while fight means contest, conflict, struggle, & battle.
After graduating from high school, I spent the summer with my parents in Mexico City. We had had a parrot for several years that would sing, say “piojitos” (fleas) when its head was scratched and, with a little encouragement, would repeat some words and phrases as well as whistle and sing.
The high school UIL academic team brought home the Region IV championship, defeating nearly 50 other schools last Saturday at Texas State University in San Marcos. Blanco garnered 188 points while Karnes City came in second with 107.5. District rival Lago Vista finished third with 101 points. “We’ve been in the running several times, but this is our first time to bring home the regional championship,” said high school UIL academic coordinator Russell Kirkscey.
The Blanco County Fair Board has announced that it is conducting a public contest to determine the theme for the 2013 Blanco County Fair and Rodeo’s 82nd annual event. “The Fair & Rodeo is an important part of our local heritage and culture and we want to keep it alive and well.” said Terri Waxler.
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