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*****4-H’ers from Blanco County placed in the D-10 Horse Show held in Gonzales, Texas on June 15 & 16. Rebecca Harlin placed 3rd in Grade Mares. Elizabeth O’Day placed 8th in Poles and 7th in Barrels. Amara Yachimski placed 7th in Hunter Showmanship. Rachel Harlin placed 5th in Hunt Seat Equitation. Congratulations 4-H equestrian members!

*****Katie, Maddy, and Carrie Hacker came for a late afternoon swim at Granny Cynthia and Poppy Pat Smith’s house last week. Katie can now swim by herself with the help of water wings and very close supervision. Maddy is jumping off the side of the pool and both girls have learned to duck their head and blow bubbles. Before we know it they will be going on dates. My how time flies when you’re having fun!

*****James and Donna Sultemeier left on Thursday, July 1st, for Colorado Springs, Colorado to attend their great-nephew’s wedding at the Air Force Academy. They are also celebrating their 25th anniversary which will be on the 17th. B.J. and Amber are going to the wedding also, then will drive to Lake City to pick up Savanna and Mattie from Amber’s parents and fly back to San Antonio

*****Alton and Janie Moreland had all their kids here for July 4th. Steven, Timmy, David, and Emily, along with their families, shared the festivities together.

*****Larry Martin’s friends celebrated his birthday last week, mostly without Larry. There was confusion about which restaurant to meet in, so Larry and a few friends had a quiet dinner together, while most of the gang was enjoying his party across town. A runner delivered the cards from the party to the birthday boy, then returned with most of Larry’s cake. Consensus was it worked so well, they may do it that way again next year.

*****A group arriving at El Charro noticed a little girl at a nearby table tucking into an unusual-looking platter. One of the women asked the waiter what it was, and he explained the girl had just invented the dish...french fries topped with fajita meat, slathered in cheese sauce. "I want that, too," she said. When her husband arrived later, he thought it looked tasty and asked for the same thing. It’s not on the menu, but if it sounds good to you, just ask for Ashley’s Special.

*****When the Change-the-World crew from the First United Methodist Church built a wheelchair ramp for a local lady last week, they were able to finish in only two half-days. This was due to the large turnout of helping hands: Paul and Nathan Axtell, Darlene Young, David Kurimski, David and Susan Hamm, Mickey Little, Greg Koplos and George Barnette. Not only did they finish quickly, they did it with only minor damage and almost no injuries.

*****A few churches in town held picnics to help celebrate the fourth of July. The folks of Liberty Lighthouse Church had front row seats to the parade, since their new church is on the parade route.

*****Sam Brown originally from Australia but now from Tucson, Arizona was in town visiting his friend, Carrie Hacker. They spent time in Austin and Johnson City and even took in the parade and fireworks. Sam helped with some minor home repairs, and even cooked a bit. Now that’s a good man!

*****On Independence Day the Blanco County fairgrounds were packed so full there wasn’t room for one more truck or car and the fireworks were amazing and a bit longer than one hour. What a show! There were so many people on the dance floor enjoying the music, the Weimers family and Dunaways to name two. Hamburgers were being eaten by so many and Gene Yentzen and other Lion’s Club members were there serving them up. Mary Thurlkill, Melanie Anderson, Cynthia Smith and Barbara Hudson had a truck full that were having a great time enjoying the nice evening and the fantastic fireworks. Janette and Dwayne Hoppe joined the group on the ground in their chairs while the others filled the truck bed with their lawn chairs. A perfect end to a wonderful 4th of July!

*****You might be a Johnson City native if you can remember when our only ambulance was housed under a carport at the new hospital.

*****Happy Birthday wishes to: July 9th – Rusty Weirich & Ronnie Weiershausen; July 10th – Jeremy Crawford, Denise Alba, Bill Timmins, Herman Klappenbach, Luanne Coleman & Gayla Guthrie; July 11th – Delores Fenton, Leslee Steward, Darlene Woods, Ann Birck, & George Birck; July 12th – Mary Holt, Chad Erwin, Julie Castillo, Romelia Greenwood, Tatum Craig & Sonja Bean, July 13th – Dustin Reichert & Yvonne Belgrave; July 14th – Bob Woods, Celia Grote, & Gavin Thompson; and on July 15th – Kelly Dildine, Chelsie Moreland, Roy Burdett, Diane Burke, Diann Ebeling, Todd Swift & Madeline Farrell.

*****Anniversary congratulations to Jeff & Peggy Redman and Jay & Denise Luckenbach on July 11th; to James & Donna Sultemeier on July 13th; to Dennis & Lynette Bushnell on July 14th; & to Roy & Michelle Burdett on July 15th.

*****Tip for the week: Put your cell phone on ICE! (in case of emergency). Emergency and first responders will check you cell phone in case of emergency. Include more than one telephone number. Or one can put ICE1-Mom; ICE2-Daughter. DO IT NOW!

*****I’ll see you again when there’s more news! Email it to imasnoop01@gmail.com.