Opinion & Letters see more »

Tip o’ the hat to Master Gardeners

Dear Editor,

On behalf of Preserve Our Water and all the “rainwater harvesters” in Blanco County, a great big “thank you” to Pat Owens and the Blanco County Master Gardeners for the rainwater series, including the article that ran in this paper the week of July 20th. While many unfamiliar with this excellent source of water for potable and non-potable uses will think it odd to draw attention to rain in a drought, those of us who rely on rainwater harvesting know otherwise.

Rainwater systems come in all manner of sizes and configurations, from the most modest rain barrel to harvest water for watering house plants to the massive 90,000 gallon system installed on a ranch in the northern part of Blanco County. Preserve Our Water is dedicated to education about and promotion of this oldest of human water systems. For more information about rainwater systems, a list of area rainwater system installers, and photos of local rainwater systems, please visit the Preserve Our Water web site and explore the Rainwater section – www.preserveourwater.org.

Additional information is also available from the Blanco County AgriLife Extension Office, 868-7167.

Dave Collins

President, Preserve Our Water pow@hughes.net

How blessed we are as hill country neighbors!

Dear Editor,

We are eager to give our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the amazing volunteer firefighters who serve our community! We were not home on Sunday, July 26th when a wildfire threatened our home in Pedernales Hills Ranches. We returned as soon as we were notified by neighbors to find that the grassfire had almost completely surrounded our home and come within a foot of our porch. Thanks to the valiant efforts of our local firefighters, assisted by the neighboring volunteers as well, our home was saved!! We are deeply grateful to all who fought in the blazing heat to save our home. We all commend acts of bravery by those who serve to protect us, but the most amazing part is that these wonderful neighbors of ours are all VOLUNTEERS!! For no monetary reward, they give their time at a moment’s call, serve in difficult conditions and take personal risks to help others! How blessed we are as hill country neighbors!

Special thanks to these folks who protected our home and others: Mark McMain and his daughter, Macy, of Blanco; Alton Moreland, Todd Kneese, D.C. Bundy, Jeremy Meurer and Daniel Meurer all of Johnson City. A dozer crew from Arkansas, on standby to help, cut critical paths to stop the fire. And an extra special thanks to Whitney Liesmann who was the first person on the scene. Thanks to all of the emergency personnel and to the forest service.

God bless you all!!!

David and Jan Garrett