August 9, 2017 Issue

Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department used a cost share grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Program to help purchase a slip-on unit that will increase the department’s capacity to save lives and property. A slip-on unit is a complete self-contained firefighting system designed for a pick-up truck or custom-built vehicle platform.

Mark your calendars for free and fun family entertainment in Blanco! The city’s Arts in the Park committee announced its fall series concerts last week. They include 5 concerts featuring a variety of musical genres plus an Art Walk with local artists exhibiting their art. Each concert will be held in Bindseil Park beginning at 3 p.m.

Support those who support us! Saturday, August 12th Sisterdale Volunteer Fire Department is hosting their annual BBQ and Live Music Dance.  Our fundraiser is designed with our community in mind, with the event offering a chance for our neighbors to gather in support of our volunteer fire department for food and fun, giving, winning and dancing. The BBQ dinner is from 5-9p, with live music by Wagon Aces from 8-Midnight.

Hill Country Memorial will host a free “Eat Well, Age Well” seminar at Gem of the Hills Community Center (2233 Hwy. 281 N.) in Blanco on Tues., Aug. 22. A complimentary lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m. with the presentation to follow. The presentation will describe how the body’s dietary needs change over time and will include a question-and-answer session with HCM’s registered dietitian Chelsea Edwards. “Based on community feedback, we are bringing information and experts ...

The Blanco County Association of Retired Educators (!BCARE) met on May 25th at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. The members discussed legislative actions affecting healthcare of retired public school personnel. The members made plans to continue efforts toimprove health care insurance, especially for public school retirees under the age of 65whose premiums and deductibles are unaffordable for most retirees in this category. The program was presented by out-going president Peggy Gresham, a ...

Hayden Hunt, a 2017 graduate of Blanco High School, completed United States Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio on August 4th. He will now transfer to Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, where he will begin training to become an Air Traffic Controller.

The St. John Lutheran Community Association of Crabapple, Texas (Gillespie County) will hold its Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, August 20, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at the Sunday School Building in Crabapple, 14689 Lower Crabapple Rd. Election of Officers and Discussion of the Annual Homecoming Worship service planned for Sunday, September 24, 2017, will be agenda items along with any new business that may come before the meeting.  All former members of the St.

Dedicated Christian parents dropped their children off at their VBS, and when they picked them up two hours later, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally the boy replied, “That the teacher said he wanted us to be brought up in a Christian home, but I want to stay with you guys!”     In the New Testament the church is referred to as the «household of God» or as «the household of faith» (I Timothy ...

Galatians 1:8-9 says, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Here, the apostle Paul uses the most extreme language to communicate the seriousness of preaching any “gospel” other than his.

The St. John Lutheran Community Association of Crabapple, Texas (Gillespie County) will hold its Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, August 20, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at the Sunday School Building in Crabapple, 14689 Lower Crabapple Rd. Election of Officers and Discussion of the Annual Homecoming Worship service planned for Sunday, September 24, 2017, will be agenda items along with any new business that may come before the meeting.  All former members of the St.

All the Commissioners were present at July 25 Court Session in which they imposed a burn ban and discussed ongoing budget concerns for next fiscal year. General Business Despite not being in drought conditions, Commissioners decided to enact a burn ban for two weeks, to be reconsidered at the next Commissioners’ Court. Commissioner Weir expressed his concern that despite not being in drought conditions the high heat and dry environment does present a fire danger. After approving the ...

Support those who support us! Saturday, August 12th Sisterdale Volunteer Fire Department is hosting their annual BBQ and Live Music Dance.  Our fundraiser is designed with our community in mind, with the event offering a chance for our neighbors to gather in support of our volunteer fire department for food and fun, giving, winning and dancing. The BBQ dinner is from 5-9p, with live music by Wagon Aces from 8-Midnight.

Boerne, Texas - The Cibolo Conservancy Land Trust, in partnership with the Hill Country Alliance, is hosting a landowner workshop from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, August 25, 2017, at the Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX 78006. This workshop will focus on conservation easements—a tool available to help landowners steward and protect their land investment in the long term. Conservation easements are one of the most flexible and effective means to protect private ...

AUSTIN – The Texas House on Aug. 1 approved House Bill 20, legislation appropriating $212.7 million from the “rainy day” reserve fund to help defray rising healthcare costs for retired school employees. Primary authors of HB 20 include: Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin; Drew Darby, R-San Angelo; Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston; John Zerwas, R-Katy; and Donna Howard, D-Austin. The House also approved HB 80, legislation that through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas would make a one-time cost- ...

WASHINGTON, August 2, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for loans to provide and expand broadband service in rural areas, Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today. “Modernizing the nation’s infrastructure to deliver high-speed internet service is essential in today’s global marketplace,” Hazlett said. “Broadband helps create jobs.

Hill Country Memorial will host a free “Eat Well, Age Well” seminar at Gem of the Hills Community Center (2233 Hwy. 281 N.) in Blanco on Tues., Aug. 22. A complimentary lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m. with the presentation to follow. The presentation will describe how the body’s dietary needs change over time and will include a question-and-answer session with HCM’s registered dietitian Chelsea Edwards. “Based on community feedback, we are bringing information and experts ...

Did you know the last time a total eclipse crossed the United States from coast to coast was 99 years ago? Join us August 20th from 1-4pm to celebrate this extraordinary celestial event. Learn what causes an eclipse and why they are so rare as you enjoy one-of-a-kind solar activities.

When an inch of water reaches the ground, it penetrates various depths. In sandy soil that one inch will soak down to almost 30 inches. In loamy soil, same rain fall will soak down to approximately 15 inches. In clay soil, same rain fall will soak down to 9-10 inches.