Community News

103 year-old Scottie Gourley, center, stands in line at the County Courthouse for early voting this past week. Mr. Gourley’s nephew, Gerald Dowdy helped his uncle make it to the courthouse. He said that his uncle has not missed an election since 1918 when he placed his first ballot.

Letter from a Veteran: This next Tuesday Nov. 11th is Veterans Day, and if you know a veteran or meet one shake his hand or give him a hug. For without the soldier from the bitter cold of Valley Forge to the blistering heat of Fallujah we wouldn’t have the right to vote.

Between three hundred and four hundred people gathered at the historic Pleasant Hill - Rocky School Building last Saturday evening to enjoy the Smorgasbord, the annual benefit dinner hosted by members of the Pleasant Hill - Rocky Community Club. James Sultemeier, club president, reported that the event was “our second best event ever,” raising around $3,500. “On behalf of the officers and members,” Sultemeier added, “I want to thank everyone who participated in any way, including those who cleaned the building and grounds and made donations prior to the event.

The Johnson City FFA Chapter is selling various fruit and meat products again this year. How about a delicious, smoked, spiral sliced ham? Need a gift for that hard to please someone? They’ll love the authentic variety of smoked flavors in the Golden Valley Hunter’s Pack. If you prefer something sweet, juicy, and healthy, then you should try some Texas Red Grapefruit or Navel oranges.

As November approaches, chili cooks begin their annual pilgrimage to the Big Bend area of west Texas for the Terlingua International Chili Championship, always held on the first Saturday in November. They come from throughout the United States and beyond for this, the largest and most prestigious chili cookoff in the world. About ten thousand cooks compete each year in chili cookoffs sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) in an effort to qualify to cook in Terlingua.

Suzy Q’s, located in downtown Johnson City, Texas will be celebrating on November 15th from 10 am – 7 pm. The party portion of the day will begin at 4pm – 6pm!! The afternoon will include refreshments, drawings, and door prizes. On that day anything purchased can be monogrammed for free. Suzy Q’s features popular product lines such as Tyler Candles, Toss Designs, Shaw Rugs, Morgan and Company Sterling Silver and Susan Shaw Designs,Thymes Personal Care, Natural Life, Bungalow and so many more. Suzy Q’s opened its doors’ in November 2007 to offer home décor and gift items to shoppers in the Hill Country area.

November 4, 2008 From 7:00 A.M. To 7:00 P.M. Pct. 102 Blanco Masonic Hall, 501 11th Street, Blanco, Texas 78606 Pct. 201 PEC Auditorium, 201 S. Ave F, Johnson City, Texas 78636 Pct. 202 Pleasant Hill Schoolhouse, 183 Rocky Road, Johnson City, Texas 78636 Pct. 302 Courthouse Annex, 2200 N. Ave G, Johnson City, Texas 78636 Pct.

Friday, November 7, is your chance to beat the flu this season! That’s when the Texas Department of State Health Services teams with the Blanco County Disaster Response Group to offer flu shots in the Activity Building of the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City. The clinic will be open from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, but no one in line will be turned away at closing time. The flu vaccine will cost $10 per dose, and Medicare patients can receive theirs free and file their claim on the spot. The state team came to Blanco County last summer to train the Disaster Response Group in how to help in a shot clinic in case of a health emergency.

My eyes were still closed, but I could feel someone staring at me. It’s a rather creepy feeling, but I knew exactly who it was. My brother Matthew is four years younger than I, and he was always the first one to be wide awake on Christmas morning. I was a bit annoyed since this tradition was ongoing and he was already 20 years old. I would groggily roll over and try to ignore him – the gifts would still be there – so I didn’t see any point in vacating my warm bed before seven in the morning. “Come on Josh!

JOHNSON CITY, TX. — Cracked paint peels from the surface of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8915. The lonely building sits like a farmer’s field gone barren for the winter, cold and empty. The Johnson City post, located at 201 Ranchview Drive, was served their revocation notice on Friday, October 24th by the state level VFW organization – 61 years after being founded for area WWII veterans.