December 11, 2008

Freda Baber was surprised, to say the least, this past Sunday, when almost 80 friends and family showed up for her 80th surprise birthday party. Family from as far away as St. Louis attended and loads of friends, some she has known for more than 50 years, all came out to say…..Surprise Freda and Happy Birthday!

Freda Baber was surprised, to say the least, this past Sunday, when almost 80 friends and family showed up for her 80th surprise birthday party. Family from as far away as St. Louis attended and loads of friends, some she has known for more than 50 years, all came out to say…..Surprise Freda and Happy Birthday!

We have had some cool weather with a lot of wind. My that wind sends a chill right through you whenever you are out and about. It is a little warmer today, but I hear that another front is coming in tomorrow. There is a tenant association meeting this Tuesday @ 4:30 pm.

Hey ladies, I have been on the road again. My friend, Sherry, and I took a road trip last week. We headed out on Sunday morning and went up 281 bucking the wind all the way. Sherry is my driver when I head to Dallas, I don’t do Dallas. We made a few stops on the way and Hico was one of them.

Question: I did not sign up for Part B when I turned 65. When is the next enrollment so that I can sign up for it? Answer: If you are eligible for Medicare Part B medical insurance, but you didn’t sign up for it when you first became eligible for Medicare, you will have another opportunity to apply.

And maybe a former Turkey QUEEN? I have been the unlucky one to have gout or so I have self diagnosed using the internet tool, Google. It still amazes me what you can find out when you Google just a bit of information. All of a sudden late Thanksgiving Day my foot and big toe began to hurt and by Friday I was limping more than walking.

*****The wanderers are back home. Locals Louise Gravenor, Dorothy Uecker, Pearl Hedlund, Joy Watson and Pat Dildine have returned from a weeklong bus trip to Nashville. While there they visited the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen, Opryland Hotel, Delta River Flatboats, the Belle Meade Plantation, the Hermitage and many other places.

The Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department has a member who has been with them for many years. When they say many; they are talking about 60 years. He helped organize and build the fire department from the ground up. He has been here and seen the department grow. On May 10, 1949, George Byars, Sr., Mayor of Johnson City, called a much needed meeting of men from the community which included George Byars, Jr.

Stonewall, Texas – The Friends of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Western National Parks Association, Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park and LBJ State Park and Historic Site invite everyone to a “Celebration of the Birthday and Legacy of Lady Bird Johnson” on Sunday, December 21 beginning at 2:30 p.m.

KERRVILLE, TX December 4, 2008 – The Red Cross has designated December 13 “National Day of Giving for the American Red Cross” as part of its efforts to reach the $100 million fundraising goal for the Campaign for Disaster Relief, which the organization launched in September. “We’ve made some incredible progress toward our goal in a short period of time,” said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer of the Red Cross, “and we’re confident that the National Day of Giving for t ...

The weather this week has been crazy. We had our first wintery mix, as the weathermen call it, Tuesday night. I had numerous texts and phone call,s “Is it snowing at your house?”. The kids got a kick out of seeing the trampoline covered in what me and my 5 year old argued to be snow or ice.

Blanco County Chapter Habitat for Humanity By Karen Brugnoli and Betty McNallen On Saturday morning, December 6, faithful Habitat volunteers returned to work on the ABWK partner home south of Blanco. The team of David Hamm, Michael Young, Danny Campos, and Mike Kelley were back on site to complete as many of the remaining tasks as possible.

Blanco County Chapter Habitat for Humanity On Saturday morning, December 6, faithful Habitat volunteers returned to work on the ABWK partner home south of Blanco. The team of David Hamm, Michael Young, Danny Campos, and Mike Kelley were back on site to complete as many of the remaining tasks as possible.

Blanco County Chapter Habitat for Humanity On Saturday morning, December 6, faithful Habitat volunteers returned to work on the ABWK partner home south of Blanco. The team of David Hamm, Michael Young, Danny Campos, and Mike Kelley were back on site to complete as many of the remaining tasks as possible.

EARLY BIRD 4-H CLUB meets second Tuesday, Pleasant Hill School. Call Texas Cooperative Extension, Blanco County for more information, 868-7167. HILL COUNTRY SPURS 4-H CLUB meets third Tuesday, Blanco County Fairgrounds Riding Arena, 6:30 pm and focuses on the 4-H Horse Project. You do not need a horse to participate. Call Texas Cooperative Extension, Blanco County for more information, 868-7167. JOHNSON CITY 4-H CLUB meets second Wednesday, Blanco County Courthouse Annex JP Courtroom, 5:30 pm ...

CRIME ALERT 12/09/08 Criminal Mischief of a Vehicle/Marble Falls (AGAIN) Marble Falls Police Department and Crime Stoppers are asking for the publics’ assistance with any information on a case of criminal mischief to a 2001 white Ford Explorer. All four tires were slashed, both rearview mirrors were broken off and it was scratched (keyed) all around.

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 8, the Pedernales Electric Board voted to continue moving toward its previously adopted conservation and renewable energy goals by joining the American Wind Energy Association. A national trade organization, AWEA provides its members information on topics such as new projects, companies working in the wind energy field and technology and policy development within the growing wind power industry.

St. Joseph’s Halle Craft Show December 13, 2008 The 23rd annual St. Joseph’s Halle Christmas Craft Show will open Saturday, December 13, from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Artisans from across the Hill Country will have hand crafted products at the free show in the historic limestone St.

Six year-old Cash Pearce didn’t get that buck he wanted, but he did get a set of rattlers for his collection while visiting his Uncle Shane (Gibson) in Yancey, Tx.

Serious concerns over the risk management aspects of the new farm legislation have arisen among local producers, said Adrian Schulze S&T of the Blanco County Farm Bureau. “Flood, drought, you name it, Texas farmers experienced it this year,” Schulze said. “These extreme weather conditions have exposed flaws in the risk management aspects of new farm legislation.” Schulze said the amount of production costs have also skyrocketed this year, increasing farmers’ risk. “Farmers ha ...

Several prominent speakers are presenting programs during the 2009 MG class. The 2009 Class begins on Tuesday, January 13th, and we are hoping to schedule the majority of the sessions in the new Johnson City Library with its wonderful facilities for speakers and their audience. Todd Swift, Blanco County’s Extension Agent, will begin the class with an introduction to the Master Gardener program and its association with the AgriLife Extension Service and our Land Grant College, Texas A&M.

James Roger Kromer December 8, 1925 - September 5, 2008 James Kromer, 82, of Castro Valley, California, passed away, Friday, September 5, 2008, at his home, less than two weeks after the discovery of a previously undetected metastatic cancer. James, the son of Otto and Julia Kromer of Blanco County, was born in the family farmhouse in Round Mountain on December 8, 1925.

JOHNSON CITY, YOU’RE AWESOME! “Magical night....Wonderful family event...Can’t wait to come back....Great adventure...WOW!” Just a few of the many responses to the 19th year of Lights Spectacular, Hill Country Style. The “Spectacular” fireworks were presented by Chester Davis. We are grateful to Judge Guthrie and the JCVFD for allowing the “show to go on”.

Blanco Police Reports These reports were filed between Nov 6 and Nov 12. Nov 6 • Dog Complaint. 6:04 PM. A dog near Pedro’s Restaurant kept barking. An officer was unable to locate the owner. Nov 7 • Disorderly Conduct. 11:51 AM. A caller reported loud noise and screaming from nearby, which was affecting his business. • Stranded Motorist.

A snake!? Where? Happily, it was only made of rubber...a part of the Cooking with Texas History show presented by Darlene Young’s sixth graders to the Marvelously Matures meeting at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City. Young’s students use drama, art and music to enhance learning, and this year it was teaching Texas History with drama.

In keeping a tradition alive the Community Choir performed their Christmas Program at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Johnson City and the First Baptist Church in Blanco over the weekend. Photos by Duane Lokken

Millions have giving on their minds. And no wonder! The reason for this special season makes giving appropriate because we’re celebrating the birth of Christ: God’s great gift to us all. Some dislike the traditions of Christmas: evergreens, lights everywhere, holiday gatherings, even gift giving; which, to them, adds unwanted pressure to an already over-commercialized season.

LBJ Band students will perform at the high school auditorium on Sunday December 14th. An enchilada dinner will be served by the LBJ High School Band Boosters for $6.00 a plate while the LBJ High School Jazz Band performs for your dining pleasure from 12 to 1 PM. The fifth grade band will start the concert with their selection of Christmas Carols followed by the sixth and seventh grade band.

On Monday, December 8th, the Johnson City ISD School Board met in regular session for their monthly meeting. The meeting began promptly at 6:00 pm. Keith Neffendorf from Neffendorf, Knopp, Doss and Company, P.C., was on hand to present the audit that was mandated by TEA for the independent audit cycle for the 07-08 school year.

LBJ Fighting Eagle Band Drummer Senior Philip Lensey will be competing for a position on the ATSSB (Association of Texas Small School Bands) Regional High School Concert Band on Saturday December 13th in Smithville. Philip has participated in many competitions during his High School Band years and has been selected in several; Philip is pursuing a degree in music after graduating high school.

JC vs. Hunt 7th Grade Team LBJ 32 Hunt 34 Notable Standouts: Preston Workman was the high point player with eleven total points. Anthony Campo came up with several rebounds. JC vs. Hunt 8th Grade Team LBJ 45 Hunt 36 Notable Standouts: Charlie Moore was the high scorer with thirteen points. Aubrey Humphrey and Jade Cones also provided a spark for the Eagle scoring attack.

The 8th Grade team came out strong against Hunt with great defense and awesome fast-break passing. “Our fast break game was excellent tonight”, commented Coach Voron. The Lady Eagles scored 43 points against Hunt’s 14 to win the game decisively. Kendyll Kohlleppel had a fantastic night scoring 15 points. Other top scorers were Caycee Marx with 9 points, Shelby Conlon – 6 points, and Kaitlyn Hubbard – 6 points. The Middle School girls also played Hunt last Thursday night.

The LBJ Eagle varsity boys basketball team had a very busy week as they played 4 games, 3 of them in the annual LBJ Invitational Basketball Tournament. Before the tournament began the Eagles took on the San Saba Armadillos. LBJ took an early 12-4 lead over the Dillos and were in control the whole game outscoring San Saba in each quarter to pull away for a 45-26 victory.

Dr. Myrna Armstrong, Professor and Regional Dean of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing, will be meeting with interested registered nurses on Thursday, December 11 from 10am – 12 Noon. The session will be in the conference room of Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg, 102 E.