September 3, 2009

Blanco County Family Aid is a non-profit organization providing families and individuals of Blanco County assistance to obtain information, services, and funds through utilization of community resources. Their first annual fund raiser will be held on September 5, 2009 at the Blanco County Fairgrounds, starting with a Garage Sale at 7 am.

Eight of Texas most noted and successful authors will be signing books and greeting people at Luckenbach, Texas, on Sunday afternoon, September 13 between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.. This major autograph party is part of the Mike Blakely Tex-Americana Fandango, a music and literary festival featuring some of the Lone Star State’s most famous songwriters and performers.

Mike Mecke, Kerrville water resources specialist, will speak on “Rainwater Harvesting on Landscapes: Saving Water for those Not-So-Rainy Days” on September 8 at the Gillespie County Agricultural Extension Building, 95 Frederick Road in Fredericksburg beginning at 7:00PM. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center as part of their nature series programs held monthly during the school year.

Lindsey Dee Leatherman and Chad Louis Schaertl were united in marriage at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Floydada. Former pastor, Brother Anthony Sisemore of Tyler, officiated the candlelight ceremony. The bride is the daughter of John and Dee Leatherman of Floydada.

Travel Ezee will host a Group Tour Preview Party on Friday, September 11 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Kingsland Community Center. The center is located at 3451 Rose Hill Dr. on west 281. Light refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend. The program itinerary includes information on three exciting tours in early 2010.

*September 3rd & Every Thursday in September* – Blanco State Park – *Romper Rangers* - This class is a relaxed and inviting experience for parents and young children (ages 1-5) to enjoy nature together (no more than three children per adult please). Activities will include walks, crafts, and hearing stories.

America is a special place, where someone you may not know will give you their blood, save you from drowning or provide you with shelter. September has been proclaimed as American Red Cross Preparedness month. The American Red Cross recommends 3 Action Steps you should take to be prepared for emergencies: 1.

This course will focus on exploring various drawing techniques while experimenting with different media. We will begin to add a little color with such media as oil pastel and watercolor washes. Newcomers are welcome. Just come join us and tap into your “inner creative self”. When: Wednesday, September 23rd. Time: 9:30am Where: Johnson City Library Length: Every Wednesday for 6 weeks Fee: $20.00 supply fee Stop by the Library today and sign up for this class

Well, here we are at the Porch of Oak Crest. Our Director and maintence personnel went to a conference last week. We all did very well while they were gone; however, having them back is great for we really missed them. My husband and I went to the hospital last week to see if we could get his feeding tube removed.

The second day out, we started seeing quilt blocks on barns. This was in Virginia. We spent a few hours watching and finding blocks on old barns and then they faded out. We still found lots of great old barns that would have been great with a quilt block on them.

t of the nearly 55 years I have been married, at least 50 of those years have been spent dove hunting with our family. It seemed as soon as we had enough extra money to make a trip up to Bremond where Pat’s grandparents lived or to Temple where his mom and step dad resided we’d be dove hunting on opening day. Back then we just had to save up the traveling money, gas and food for five there and back.

***The Diners Club took to the road this week, reckless daredevils that they are, going all the way to Flores Mexican Restaurant on 290 on the far side of Dripping Springs for dinner on Thursday, August 26th. *****Mary Garrett celebrated her birthday early at the Silver K on Wednesday and shared the lunch with her mom Cynthia Smith who celebrated her birthday late.

At a special meeting of the Commissioners Court of Blanco County on August 25, Commissioners failed to give the go-ahead for the Blanco County Central Appraisal District (BCCAD) to purchase property, construct, and finance an office facility for its exclusive use. This item had been tabled at the previous meeting in order to seek legal counsel after allegations that the BCCAD had failed to follow State procedural guidelines prior to purchasing the property for the facility.

The Johnson City Police Department would like to recognize and congratulate Officer Bryan Geeslin. Officer Geeslin has recently earned his master police officer certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement in Austin. Officer Geeslin has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Wayland Baptist University, 10 years of law enforcement experience, and the Johnson City Police Department is proud to have him as an employee.

Gail Teegarden has been Johnson City’s Postmaster for 10 years. She recently celebrated her 30 year anniversary with the United States Postal Service. Gail Started her postal career as a PTF clerk in Odessa Texas Main Post Office working tour one in manual mail processing. She served in her first OIC assignment in 1983 and was awarded the Postmaster position in Big Bend National Park.

Don’t miss the 10th Anniversary Wild Game Dinner fundraiser scheduled for October 3rd in Johnson City at the Blanco County Show Barn beginning at 5:00 PM. Game Dinner tickets are available for $15.00 per person. Included in the price will be the best wild game you have ever eaten, door prize chance and dance until midnight to The Mike Clifford Band.

When the Texas Department of State Health Services is ready to open flu shot clinics in Blanco County this fall, two dozen freshly trained volunteers will be ready to help run them. They expect to get their first test with this season’s flu shot clinics, both the regular seasonal flu and the H1N1 swine flu.

How do I care for a swine flu patient? What are the signs it could be something worse? Is there a way to help my neighbors without exposing myself? One place to go for answers and action is...the Methodist Church! United Methodist Churches in Central Texas are taking an active part in preparing to relieve the effects of swine flu on residents, whether Methodists or not. “The first secular job the early Church had was helping the sick,” said Kerrville District Superintendent Bob Allen, ...

Pedernales Electric has implemented an innovative leave-sharing policy approved by the Cooperative’s Board of Directors in August. The policy enables employees to donate their individual sick leave to co-workers on extended family or medical leave. “The policy was really created because our employees voiced a desire to support their co-workers in times of need,” said PEC General Manager Juan Garza.

The Round Mountain Extension Education Association Club gathered at the new pavilion of Walnut Methodist Church on Wednesday, Aug. 19, for their Ice Cream Social Night. Thirty-five members, family and friends enjoyed the many flavors of ice cream and the goodies that go so well with it. Visiting and catching up on what we did this summer was also enjoyed.

Kasper Blackwell in 8th grade at LBJMS won the All Around at Llano Rodeo Summer Series after competing in the Breakaway Roping, Tie-down Calf Roping and the Ribbon Roping. Starting next month he will be competing in Region 6 Texas Jr. High Rodeo Association.

Over 1,000 people visited the Exhibit Hall on Friday and Saturday during the Blanco County Fair. Visitors viewed contest entries, participated in children’s activities and visited booths sponsored by agencies that serve Blanco County. In the Home Canned Products competition the results are: Best of Show: Zachary Denton, Kosher Dill Pickles Leonard Denton, Kosher Pickles Ball Fresh Preserving Awards: Holly Lawson, Pickled Corn Zachary Denton, Kosher Dill Pickles Leonard D ...

Donley Ross Dollar 2 June 1954 – 28 August 2009 Lived and died with honesty, courage, and the conviction of a true heart; it was evident in the way he lived every precious moment in his life. Everyone who knew Donley, really knew him and many of us loved him and will now be forced to bear an intolerable sorrow with his passing.

Gilbert Roy “Sweet Pete” Uecker, born May 14, 1929 in Blanco County, TX, died August 31, 2009 at LBJ Medical Center, Johnson City, TX. The son of Emil and Alma Uecker, Pete is survived by his sister Lillian J. Wideman (Suzy) and three nephews; Jim Fairchild and wife Katy, Roy Fairchild and wife Debbie, Mark Fairchild and wife Mary and many other great nieces and nephews.

Lillian Fuchs Dechert Lillian Fuchs Dechert, 90, passed away on August 28, 2009. She was born in Cypress Mill, Texas on April 28, 1919 to Reinhold and Martena (Henslee) Fuchs. Upon graduation from Johnson City High School, Lillian went to Houston, working and putting herself through business school (which was quite a feat for a young single woman in pre-WWII society).

Ray Pollock, building contractor and homebuilder of Burnet passed away Friday, August 28, 2009, at age 62 after a 10 year battle with cancer. He was born August 22, 1947 in Tacoma, Washington to Elton Pollock and Lucille (Borninghaus) Pollock. Ray grew up and went to school in Johnson City where his family lived while his father was assigned duty as a Secret Service agent for President Lyndon Johnson.

Thursday, September 3rd MS Volleyball vs *Comfort @ EJ Hyatt Gym 4/5/6pm 6:00 pm HS Football vs D’Hanis @ Shockley Field - JV Friday, September 4th HS Volleyball @ Boerne JV - 4pm; Varsity - 5pm Saturday, September 5th 7:30 pm HS Football @ D’Hanis - Varsity Monday, September 7th NO SCHOOL Tuesday, September 8th HS Volleyball vs *Randolph @ LBJHS Gym JV - 5pm; Varsity - 6:30pm MS Volleyball @ *Harper 4/5/6pm

Junior Quarterback, #7 Cody Smith, gets ready to lead the Eagles up the field for a touchdown. Johnson City Eagles took on the Granger Lions Friday night and came away with a 36 to 8 win

Friday night the Johnson City Eagles hosted the Granger Lions. After a slow start offensively for both teams, the Eagles defense recovered off a high snap from Granger’s center and scored on a 38 yard touchdown pass from Junior quarterback Cody Smith to Junior Kris McDonald. Smith kicked in the extra point. Early in the second quarter McDonald had a 35 yard run (sprint….the boy can move) into the end zone for the Eagles second touchdown of the night.

The LBJ junior varsity football team opened its 2009 season this past Thursday evening, August 27 on the road against the Granger Lions. The game was a close, exciting contest throughout. The Lions took a 16-6 lead into halftime but the Eagles came soaring back in the second half to take an 18-16 lead early in the 4th quarter.

The Lady Eagle Varisty finished their busiest week of play last week which included two matches and two days of tournament play in Kerrville. Last Tuesday night they played a very tough Medina team. The Eagles fell in three games, 17-25,18-25, and 16-25. Adrienne Pabon had 5 kills and 3 kill blocks, while setter Kourtney Smith had 14 on-target assists.

The Johnson City Middle School cheerleaders attended a three day cheer camp in Dripping Springs at Elite Cheer Company. The girls had an awesome time. They worked hard on perfecting motions to new cheers, chants, stunts, and a dance. The girls also worked on perfecting their tumbling. The mascot learned new skits for pep rallies and how to perform for a crowd.

Date: Saturday, September 19th Time: 9:00am- 12:00pm Where: LBJHS gym Cost: $25.00 (includes a T-shirt) Who: Grades K-6 Participants will learn at least 3 cheers, a dance, and a variety of jumps. They will be divided into age groups to learn material appropriate for their skill level. We also play various games that the varsity squad has learned at camp.

Climate change legislation (H.R.2454) was introduced in Congress on May 15, 2009 that will negatively impact the agricultural industry, according to the Blanco County Farm Bureau. “The complexity of the bill prevents adequate comprehension of the possible consequences of this legislation on the United States,” said Blanco County Farm Bureau S & T, Adrian Schulze.

Owning a pet is oftentimes quite similar to raising children, including the need for finding them a place to stay while you are out of the house. The majority of pet owners leave their pets at home, unattended during long days at the office. The downside to this is that dogs, especially young ones, need just as much exercise, attention and love as children do.

Virginia Gonzalez of Deer Park had long known that she loved kids, and that her dream job was to operate her own child daycare center. Thanks to a tip from a savvy friend, she soon learned another fact: Businesses like the one she planned to open are regulated and licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). So, before she opened the doors to Vicky’s Daycare, she made a point of contacting the local DFPS office and getting a copy of a booklet that covers all th ...

Texas’ new booster seat law will help save the lives of children by ensuring that they are appropriately restrained in vehicles. It requires children under 8-years of age to be in a safety seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Texas is the 47th state, including the District of Columbia, to enact a booster seat law. The law does not specify what type of car seat has to be used, but in general, most children outgrow car seats with a harness system at 40 lbs, usually around 4 years ...

Pedernales Electric General Manager Juan Garza recently became aware of certain medical issues requiring further examination. Garza’s doctor diagnosed a lesion in the left side of the PEC executive’s brain that will require surgery to remove and examine. The procedure has been scheduled for the morning of Thursday, Sept. 3.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative submitted an application for federal grant money that could expand PEC’s operating systems and infrastructure, while making them faster and more reliable. In the grant petition approved by the Board, PEC has requested matching funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to install a state-of-the-art Smart Grid network. “This grant will position PEC and its members to take advantage of cutting-edge technology,” said PEC General Manager Ju ...

Question: My husband will start his Social Security at age 62. At that time and our son will be 15. Will our son qualify for benefits? Answer: To get benefits, a child must have a parent who is disabled or retired and entitled to Social Security benefits; or died after having worked long enough in a job where he or she paid Social Security taxes.