February 2, 2012

BOUNCING BABY BOY......Amanda and Greg Wessels are proud to announce the birth of their son, Aaron Matthew, born on January 26th at Seton Hospital in Austin. Aaron weighed 7 lbs., 6 ounces and was 19 ½ inches in length. He was welcomed by his sister, Aleigh Marie, grandparents, Joe and Peggy Stewart of Johnson City and Diane and Jim Wessels of La Grange.

Tarleton State University has selected six students (enrollment of over 10,000 students) to be included in the 2012 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Sheridan Hodge, daughter of Jimmy and Kim Hodge of Johnson City, has been selected to be in this elite group. The Who’s Who program is a nationally recognized institution of the American academic community.

The Hill Country 100 Club paid honors to area Law Enforcement, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service Personnel of Blanco, Burnet, Llano and Lampasas Counties at their annual membership and awards banquet Thursday January 19, 2012 at the Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls, Texas. Over 300 members, honorees, colleagues, family and friends, were present to recognize 46 area Emergency First Responders for their service and contributions to their respective agencies and communities.

Peggy Aldridge welcomed 13 members of the Round Mountain EEA Club into her home on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 2:00 PM. The meeting opened with a reading “One Flaw in Women”. Incase you are wondering the flaw is that in our busy life we forget our worth. We began our meeting with our program.

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

*****After almost 18 months of waiting, “60 Minutes” aired a piece on the Bamberger Ranch on Sunday, January 29th. “60 Minutes” aired at 6 p.m. CST. They were part of a report on the Scimitar Horned Oryx and its recent changes with its endangered status that will make it more challenging and difficult to hunt this exotic animal on Texas ranches.

With the loss of Richard Barrientes, father of four children and beloved husband, Holly is left with funeral and medical expenses not covered by insurance. Accounts have been established at both Johnson City Bank & Cattleman’s National Bank on behalf of the Barrientes family to assist with the expenses. All donations may be made payable to Holly Barrientes.

“If we had known how much we needed each other, I’d have been in Johnson City a long time ago!” Cindy Leonard, RN, has just been hired as a Wesley Nurse by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and will serve the county’s residents out of an office at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City.

It’s that time again-and for the 2nd consecutive year the Annual Chamber Banquet will host the Old West Casino Night at the Blanco County Show Barn on Thursday, February 23rd. This event has proven to be a fabulous evening of unique western dress, delicious food, recognition, socializing, a silent auction and casino style gambling fun!

Time to change the world again! The Change-the-World crew at First United Methodist Church will be out again Saturday, doing chores for people who can’t do them for themselves. The last time they were out, Darlene Young and Paul Radich raked leaves and cleaned up the yard for a lady with a bad back.

The Writers’ League of Texas is pleased to partner with the Johnson City Library and the LBJ National Historic Park to present a daylong writing seminar and book signings. This event hosted at the Johnson Settlement Events Center Wednesday February 29, 2012 from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm is $40, the cost of which includes lunch.

Last year, Texas saw more than four million acres burn as more than 30,000 wildfires swept through the state. Several counties, including Blanco County, saw damage to property and valuable livestock grazing land. But some local farmers and ranchers say that fire, when used properly, is a good range management tool.

Learn what we can do to help our soil work better for us. The program “It All Starts with Soil” will be presented by Master Gardeners Robert & Sheryl Yantis. This free presentation is a Highland Lakes Master Gardener Green Thumb Program at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main St.

In the third chapter of Genesis we are shown the origin of sin. By a lie, the “tempter” enticed the first woman to do the one thing that was forbidden by God (Matthew 4:3). Eve heard a lie, believed a lie, and obeyed a lie. She gave “also to her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).

The Eagles have done it again! This year JCISD dominated in the UIL Academic Competition that took place in Hunt, Texas last December. Johnson City won first place by 56 points – whereas Mason ISD came in second and Center Point ISD came in at third place. For the first time in JCISD history, the school district placed first in every math contest…in every grade level!

Club Ed, Kerrville Independent School District’s continuing education program, is offering a one-day Parent’s Workshop for sending your child to college called Going to College and Paying for it, with sessions offered on the following Saturdays – February 18th, March 3rd, and April 14th. The class will be held from 10 – 11:30 am at the Auld Center, 1121 Second Street, behind B.T.

Kaitlyn Arvesen looks for an open player down court. Lady Eagles “B” team played a very tough game last night but lost to Mason 8-33. Fantastic rebounding from Dominique Requenes and Skylar McKennis plus great defensive play from Karli Metcalf rounded out the Lady Eagle defense. Top scorer for the evening was Skylar McKennis who scored 4 points followed be Dominique Requenes and Jazmin who both scored 2 points.

Kyle Porter takes the ball to the basket against the whole Mason team. The Boys 7th grade team had an incredible overtime victory last night 37-32. Top scorer was Walt Maenius who had 9 points, followed by Steven Barrientes with 8 points. Kyle Porter also had 6 points while Cesar Alvarez and Willie Miertschin both had 5 points for the evening.

Kaity Helpenstell battles it out for the tie ball. The Lady Eagles “A” team also played a tough game against Mason but also fell 19-40. Great three-point shooting from Kailey Ockman coupled with her 2 point baskets totaled 11 points while the next top scorer was Audrey Capra with 4 points.

Dawson Hernandez powers up for the jump shot. The 8th grade boys also went into a very tense overtime game but lost by only 2 points, 30-32. The game was a nail-biter till the end but Aidan Berry kept the game on our side with incredible 3 points shots –he scored 12 points overall – and Dawson Hernandez also had an incredible game with 9 points.

In keeping with the historic Head-of-State barbecues held on the LBJ Ranch during the Lyndon B. Johnson presidency of the 1960’s; the National Park Service is hosting a Barbecue on the LBJ Ranch on May 5, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The 1960’s barbecues always included good entertainment and tasty food.

Retired Pedernales Electric Cooperative board president R.B. Felps filed a lawsuit against the electric cooperative in December after the current board voted to discontinue the Medicare supplemental insurance program, paid for by the cooperative, that covered the former director. In July 2008, the PEC board of directors adopted a resolution that provided board members aged 65 or older, who left the board after at least 10 years of service, with Medicare supplemental insurance paid for by the ...

CASA for the Highland Lakes Area in conjunction with the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center will host a workshop on “What Child Abuse Personnel Must Know About Domestic Violence” on Monday, February 13, 2012, at 1:30 pm at the Marble Falls First United Methodist Church, located at 1101 Bluebonnet in Marble Falls (next to HEB).

Tracy A. Byerly, II, M.D., has joined Hill Country Primary Care Physicians. Otolaryngology or ENT (ear, nose and throat) is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders. Dr. Byerly received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School (UTMS) at Houston in 2002.

Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center is inviting prospective triathletes, Masters competitive swimmers and adult fitness swimmers to participate in a three-week, six-session class in “Total Immersion” taught by U.S. Masters Swim Coach, Alan Carr. Total Immersion is an approach to swimming perfected by nationally renowned triathlon swim coach Terry Laughlin.

Ken and Julie Moore are announcing their new business venture, Provision Shelters in the Texas Hill Country area and beyond. Provision Shelters provides and installs underground storm/safety shelters as well as above ground in-home safe rooms. These units provide excellent protection from tornadoes and other natural disasters as well as great storage areas that are resistant to moisture, thieves, fire, pest, etc.