January 29, 2009

The first meeting of 2009 of the Johnson City Woman’s Civic Club was held Monday, January 26th at Ronnie’s Ice House. Hostesses Cindy Weiershausen, Ellen Mauldin, Gerarda Geary, Mary Uecker, and Leanne Haley prepared the perfect winter evening meal – baked potatoes with all of the fixin’s and a salad bar.

Members of the Pleasant Hill - Rocky Community Club met last Thursday, January 22nd, to decide how to distribute $3,500 raised at last fall’s annual benefit dinner, the Smorgasbord. As in previous years, the major donations went to the North Blanco County EMS ($700), the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department ($700), and the Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department ($900). And again this year, members voted to make donations to the Blanco County Youth Council, the Johnson City Library Building F ...

Good morning to all and we are all a little excited about receiving rain. It might come in the form of sleet later on, but we so need the moisture and we can just be careful when we are out and about. Capitol Area Food Bank had a wonderful turn out last week along with Catholic Charities.

Well, last week I had my days planned out. My sister was working for me and I was going to Buda to stay for a few days with my grandkids and venture to the quilt shop there (B& B Quilting). I got as far as Southpark Meadows Shopping Center and I called to let my son know I was getting close and while I was shopping, I received a call back telling me that I may not want to come because Kaden had been to the doctor and he had Type B Flu.

We’ve had a number of bulls over the 25 years we’ve been here and all but one have been quite willing to stay here with its harem of hotties, gaggle of girls or consenting cows. The one who ‘got away’ admittedly may have finished his work on our ranch and gone on to greener pastures so to speak, but nevertheless he left us in a lurch.

*****The plans are final for this years’ Father-Daughter Valentine’s dance. It will be Saturday, February 14th from 5:30 till 8:00 at Gem of the Hills, just north of Blanco. Remember all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Hope to see you there! *****Steven and Molly Koennecke with Zachary Beattie went to Cuero to Timothy and Ginny Lu Bergman’s house to celebrate River Bergman’s 3rd birthday and Zachary’s 15th birthday. *****Eunice Byars was invited to the American Legion me ...

Going the extra mile – that’s what the Johnson City branch of Cattleman’s National Bank is doing as part of its support of the Blanco County Stock Show. At the show in mid January, the bank purchased the overall Grand Champion shop project – an ornate 15-ft. outdoor metal entry gate made by Johnson City High School senior Jesse Rabago – which was the second item that came up for bid at the evening’s event.

Las Vegas, NV (January 24, 2009) ~ In front of a standing room only crowd at the South Point Hotel and Casino Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Clayton Baethge was crowned the 2008 Waggin’ Train CBR World Champion. Clayton of Johnson City, TX was the round two average winner with a combined score of 181.5 off a ride on Apollo (AJ) 90.5, and Red Eye (RMR) 91.

On Tuesday, January 13th the Blanco County Commissioner’s Court discussed the possibility of building a new jail for the county. According to Blanco County Judge, Bill Guthrie, land was purchased about two years ago next door to the sheriff sub station; across the street from the Johnson City Super S store. The Jail Commission is recommending that the current eighteen bed jail be replaced with a new forty-eight bed jail, which is the minimum standard in the state of Texas.

The 2009 Blanco County Youth Exhibit Hall Show was held Thursday and Friday during the Youth Stock Show. Students competed against others their age group in six classes: Food, Home Canning, Sewing, Hobbies, Fine Arts and Educational Exhibits. The winners are as follows: Class 1. Foods Junior Cookies: 1st Place, Anni Weisbrich 2nd Place, Avery Klepac 3rd Place, Kendra Smith 4th Place, Alyssa Wheeler 5th Place, Harleigh Klepac Junior Bars/Brownies: 1st Place, Chelsea Dowdy 2nd Place, Kendr ...

A group of Johnson City residents watched at the Benini Sculpture Ranch last week as a 40-ton crane lifted a sculpture weighing more than a ton from a flatbed trailer suspended only by heavy straps and welded braces. Fifteen feet long, the steel and stainless steel piece is bisected by two contrasting Horn’s Bend Crystal Shist sections, a beautiful detail, but one that could also complicate the placement…...

Welcome to the new year of Library programs. Because we have temporarily changed some of the regular times for some of our programs, I just wanted to bring you up to date on these changes. The next Johnson City reads will be Tuesday Feb. 3, at 9:30 and 7 p.m.

The American Farm Bureau Federatiom had their annual meeting in San Antonio Jan. 11 - 14. Approximately 5000 members from across the U S attended. The Texas Farm Bureau had 27 bus tours from which members could choose. Over 300, six bus loads, chose to visit the LBJ Ranch and the Boyhood Home and Visitors Center in Johnson City. Blanco County Farm Bureau Directors Carol Bigott, Don Casey, Duane Hoppe, Bobby Humphrey and Adrian Schulze, along with Ann Casey, Laurie Humphrey and Christine Sch ...

In October Dr. Barron Rector was the guest speaker at the Master Gardeners: Celebration Of Our Grassland Heritage. Rector’s knowledge and antidotes about grasses and their management kept his audience entertained and enlightened. We are delighted to once again have him return to the Hill Country. As part of Master Gardeners of Blanco County 2009 Training Class, we are sponsoring Dr.

Barney Edgar Odell, 94, of Blanco, formerly of Dripping Springs, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23 with his family gathered around him. A TRUE TEXAS COWBOY who loved his family like none other. During his earlier years he loved to rodeo; however ranching was where his heart was. While raising his children, he built a successful business processing meat, known as Odell Processing.

Lavell Deike Dempsey, 72, passed away January 27, 2009 in San Antonio, TX. She was born in Hye, TX to Frederick Deike and Oma Lee Middleton. Lavell was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Dempsey, step daughter, Shawn Dempsey, brothers, Stanley and Gary Deike and sister, Vivian Brodbeck. She is survived by step sons, Kimball and Scott Dempsey, sister in law, Pat Deike, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday, January ...

Dear Editor, The National Anthem has always had special meaning to me and nearly always brings a tear to my eye. It means even more now that my son has served two tours in Iraq. Tuesday night in Johnson City made it even more special as I was in the gym at the high school to watch our boys’ basketball team play Brooks Academy.

Blanco Police Reports These reports were filed between Dec 23 and Dec 30. Dec 23 • Disturbance. 12:36 AM. A caller reported a verbal disturbance with an individual who would not leave. Officers reported that both parties agreed to separate for the night (with Blanco Co. SO). • Reckless Driver. 8:13 AM. US 281, southbound into Blanco. • Civil Standby.

Warm thoughts and supportive prayers are the products of the Prayer Shawl Ministry at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City. The knitters’ group meets twice a month to create shawls, lap robes and afghans for people undergoing medical treatment or other trying times. These knitters, (right to left), Louise Koch, Nina Saxton and Jane Mills, and others produced more than a dozen pieces which were blessed on the church altar Sunday before being sent out to wrap the arms of God and ...

YOUTH LED SUNDAY WAS INSPIRED Sunday Jan 25th was a special day at First Christian Church, Johnson City. The entire service was planned and conducted by the youth department. Every aspect of the morning from greeters at the front door thru special music, choir leadership, children’s sermon and delivery of the message was led by the teens.

The LBJ Eagles fell to two very tough opponents in district games this past week. On Tuesday, Jan 20 the Eagles faced the state ranked Randolph Ro-Hawks who came into the game with an 18-1 record. The Eagles jumped on Randolph early, scoring 20 first period points against Randolph’s half court press to hold a 20-13 lead after one period.

Thursday January 22, 2009 vs. Hunt The 7th grade girls played a tough game against Hunt losing 12-43. Brooke Wood was the top scorer with 6 points. Whitney Wood, Kiley Wood, and Lydia Yachimski all scored 2 points each. The 7th grade team is 4th in District overall and will play in the district tournament February 7th. The 8th grade girls won a very close game 23-21 with excellent play from both teams.

7th Grade Team LBJ 19 Hunt 27 Notable Standouts: Jeremy Polinard Krause and Preston Workman were the high scorers with 5 points apiece for the Eagle offense. Anthony Capra contributed with several rebounds and good hustle plays. Jose Mesa also boxed out and contributed at post. 8th Grade Team LBJ 34 Hunt 42 Notable Standouts: Charlie Moore led the Eagles with 14 points and Juan Alvarez added 10.

When you file your 2008 individual tax return, you will use one of three IRS tax forms. Be sure to use the simplest form you can, which will help you avoid costly errors or processing delays so you won’t have to wait to receive your refund. Each of these forms can be filed electronically, which speeds up the processing of your return. Use the 1040EZ if: * Your taxable income is below $100,000 * Your filing status is Single or Married Filing Jointly * You (and spouse) are under age 65 ...

In 2008 the average time of a power interruption for Pedernales Electric Cooperative members fell to the lowest level since PEC’s Board of Directors established a goal in 1994 of 60 minutes or less as the average interruption time per member, per year. PEC exceeded that target with a 2008 average of 51.7 minutes per each of its 227,000-plus members.