June 13, 2018 Issue

The Blanco County Sheriff’s Office received 290 calls for service from 6/04/2018 through 6/10/2018. The Blanco County Communications Center received the following call types during the seven-day period: 6 = Arrests 106 = Traffic Stops 8 = Reckless Drivers 27 = Medical Aid Calls/Medical Alarm 27 = 911 Hang up Calls, Mis-dials, Open line or Abuse calls 11 = Fire Calls/Fire Alarms 11 = Motor Vehicle Accidents 4 = Disturbance Calls 5 = Animal Complaints/Loose Live Stock Calls ...

Canyon Lake Water Service Company serves approximately 250 square miles of west Comal County and southern Blanco County. It became operational in 1994 as a non-profit, member-owned water utility combining 46 separate groundwater systems. At that time, residents were obtaining water from Trinity Aquifer wells, but they became insufficient as demands increased at peak times, such as summer. The City of Blanco is currently purchasing water from CLWSC while the water treatment plant is offlin ...

On June 4, 2018, the City of Blanco imposed Stage 1 Water Restrictions to our customers as outlined in the approved Drought Management Plan. The Plan states that upon implementation of Stage 1 restrictions that all operations of the City of Blanco shall adhere to water use restrictions prescribed for Stage 2 of the plan. In order to set a leading example, and do our part in water conservation, Mayor Herden has ordered the following additional provisions to be applied to all City of Blanco o ...

Top officials join in briefing about hurricane preparedness Abbott said Texas is getting resources ready and communication and response strategies together to protect families and property in the event of another hurricane. Abbott is encouraging Texans to prepare emergency supply kits, create communication plans, prepare homes for storms and heed warnings from local officials. The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and will end on Nov.

Youth can participate by: 1) Reading: Youth ages 8 to 18 can register and track their reading with a time log and earn a prize for every 10 hours they read. *New this year: After you finish with your reading log, you can submit a short summary of you next books on a slip to enter to win a FREE Large Golden Dragon Pool Float!* Be sure to read and earn prizes as well as a chance to win two great prizes! Ongoing Programs: Sunny the Reading Dog, first and third Mondays, 3:30 p.m.

The Hill Country Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was recognized for its ongoing efforts to honor and support National Flag Day and Week by the Blanco County Commission, which proclaimed the week of June 10-16 as “National Flag Week” in Blanco County. Flag Day is June 14, 2018, which marks more than 241 years of displaying the American flag since the Second Continental Congress adopted the American flag on June 14, 1777. The proclamation by t ...

Johnson City Antique Tractor and Engine twelfth annual Tractor Pull will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23 at the Blanco County Fairgrounds at 619 U.S. Hwy 281 in Johnson City. There will be events for various size and age tractors from 1965 and older. Along with the tractor pull, there will be a Kiddie pull and lawnmower pull. The event is a non-points Texas-style pull with weighted and unweighted rules like those used at Temple & Hamilton.

The fifth and final performance of the Blanco Performing Arts eighth season, Flights of Fancy, was a spectacular and magnificent end to a masterful season of stellar chamber music. The outstanding concert showcased the memorable duo Jonah Kim, cello, and Sean Kennard piano, who held their audience spellbound during their vibrant performance.

Some of you know my oldest son has cerebral palsy, severe spastic cerebral quadriplegia, to be exact. When DJ was almost a year old (in 1988), I began a crash course in neonatal neurology, pediatric developmental therapy and Children’s Social Services. I embarked upon an eye-opening, life-changing journey to familiarization and exploration of a subculture in which parents of special-needs children raise their kids--a world previously unknown and unacknowledged by me at age 20. Most new mo ...

Everyone has heard of the term “hot topics”; in the past two years I don’t know of any historic site in Blanco that has been a hotter topic. Blanco’s Town Creek runs through the Pecan Bottom, and at the north edge of Town Creek, behind the large stores on Third St., is a dry-stacked, historic rock retaining wall.

Members of the Lucky Leaf 4-H club show off their patchwork quilts, from a recent workshop conducted by Barbara Wilson, instructor and Extension Education Association member (back row. Members from left: Brailee Snow, Mamie Chambless, Jenna White and Celeste Campa.

Children of all ages are invited to Fredericksburg Thurs., June 21, to participate in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson at the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center (1006 S. State Hwy. 16). The lesson is free, and children are required to register to participate. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., and the lesson begins at 1:30 p.m. Certified swim instructors from the HCM Wellness Center will lead the 30-minute swim and water safety lesson. The World’s Largest Swim Lesson was created i ...

I assume that folks who read these columns are at least somewhat interested in Nature and our native habitat. If this describes you, then there are two brand-new books out that that will interest you. The first book is “Seasons at Selah: The Legacy of Bamberger Ranch Preserve.” This book was so much anticipated that I put my name on a list to buy a copy even before the actual publication.

Over the past two years, landowners across the Hill Country, including 100 landowners along the Blanco River, have partnered with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), The Nature Conservancy, Hill Country Alliance, Texas Department of Transportation, and other municipal and local partners to build the Healthy Creeks Initiative. This collaborative effort focuses on controlling Arundo (a non-native, invasive plant) and restoring diverse, healthy plant communities along the Blanco River and ...

In recognition of noteworthy local efforts to reduce light pollution and promote the benefits of nighttime darkness, IDA today designated the Wimberley Valley of Texas as an International Dark Sky Community. It is only the third such designation to date in the Lone Star State. The Wimberley Valley, situated in the Texas Hill Country between the Austin and San Antonio metropolitan areas, consists of the Cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek and neighboring unincorporated areas subject to limited ...

Lavender farms around Blanco are the foundation of Lavender Fest. On their property growers take a hands-on approach to making their products. For them it is a labor of love, more than a way of making a living, but to work with something they enjoy. Lavender is easy to grow in most any garden soil, or gravel and sand with a sunny dry open space and good drainage.

Kyle Gray has become a New York Yankee for the second time in his life. The first time was in 2007 when he was a 10-year-old on a Blanco Little League team. On Wednesday, June 6 Gray was drafted by the major league New York Yankees in round 14, pick 427. His parents, Alan and Marilyn Gray were both at work when the announcement was made.

The Blanco Basketball Camp was held Monday, June 4 through Wednesday, June 6. More than 60 students participated in the camp. Awards were given on the last day of camp. Incoming 1-5 Graders Campers of the Week Hailey Longoria Emme West Sawyer Kersten Jake Snow Henry Pluger Lay-ups Landry Meyer Natalie Ruiz Diego Soto Wyatt Allison Free Throws Harper Balmos Landry Meyer Ryder Balmos Eli Longoria Hot Shots Natalie Ruiz Skylar Finch Ryder Balmos Fletch ...

2nd Grade Allison Wyatt Ryder Balmos Gonzalo Caballero Keegan Darling Matthew King Garza Henry Pfluger Avery Smith Alice Sorrell Leah Staas Jayden Taylor 3rd Grade Trent Bath Chloe Clark Jacob Carrasco Lochlainn Cook Payton Craft Nola Faught Jolene Forsberg Emma Haley Hudson Monasmith Amelia Muniz Mattie Smith Emme West Res Wisdom 4th Grade Dominick Avila Mondragon Karla Bacilio Arreguin Miley Brock Mamie Chambless Natalie Dupont K ...

6th Grade Tori Adkinson Miguel Avila Alexandra Beliveau Erika Calzoncit Celeste Campa Callan Drum Craddock Faris Alexandra Hartman Brayden LaRue Henry Lewis Nessah Marquette Keirsten Sauceda Jacob Shell Carson Smith Trent Smith Torynce Soli Jess Whitehead Wesley Whitehead Whitney Whitehead Katherine Windham Trevin Young 7th Grade Roanna Acosta Noe Alegria Cielo Bamberger Benjamin (Cooper) Berne Tristan Brown Aviv Buchenbacher Aolani Ca ...

Celebrate the history of Peyton Colony at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 23 here in Blanco, Texas! It is a blessing to be able to live in Peyton Colony. There are two historical markers, one for the church and one for the Peyton Colony School, where Lawrence and his siblings attended. There is actually another historical marker that was designated at the Lime Kiln, which was utilized to build houses here in Blanco.

The Hill Country Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was recognized for its ongoing efforts to honor and support National Flag Day and Week by the Blanco County Commission, which proclaimed the week of June 10-16 as “National Flag Week” in Blanco County. Flag Day is June 14, 2018, which marks more than 241 years of displaying the American flag since the Second Continental Congress adopted the American flag on June 14, 1777. The proclamation by t ...

Johnson City Antique Tractor and Engine twelfth annual Tractor Pull will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23 at the Blanco County Fairgrounds at 619 U.S. Hwy 281 in Johnson City. There will be events for various size and age tractors from 1965 and older. Along with the tractor pull, there will be a Kiddie pull and lawnmower pull. The event is a non-points Texas-style pull with weighted and unweighted rules like those used at Temple & Hamilton.

The fifth and final performance of the Blanco Performing Arts eighth season, Flights of Fancy, was a spectacular and magnificent end to a masterful season of stellar chamber music. The outstanding concert showcased the memorable duo Jonah Kim, cello, and Sean Kennard piano, who held their audience spellbound during their vibrant performance.

Everyone has heard of the term “hot topics”; in the past two years I don’t know of any historic site in Blanco that has been a hotter topic. Blanco’s Town Creek runs through the Pecan Bottom, and at the north edge of Town Creek, behind the large stores on Third St., is a dry-stacked, historic rock retaining wall.

Children of all ages are invited to Fredericksburg Thurs., June 21, to participate in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson at the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center (1006 S. State Hwy. 16). The lesson is free, and children are required to register to participate. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., and the lesson begins at 1:30 p.m. Certified swim instructors from the HCM Wellness Center will lead the 30-minute swim and water safety lesson. The World’s Largest Swim Lesson was created i ...

The Blanco Basketball Camp was held Monday, June 4 through Wednesday, June 6. More than 60 students participated in the camp. Awards were given on the last day of camp. Incoming 1-5 Graders Campers of the Week Hailey Longoria Emme West Sawyer Kersten Jake Snow Henry Pluger Lay-ups Landry Meyer Natalie Ruiz Diego Soto Wyatt Allison Free Throws Harper Balmos Landry Meyer Ryder Balmos Eli Longoria Hot Shots Natalie Ruiz Skylar Finch Ryder Balmos Fletch ...

2nd Grade Allison Wyatt Ryder Balmos Gonzalo Caballero Keegan Darling Matthew King Garza Henry Pfluger Avery Smith Alice Sorrell Leah Staas Jayden Taylor 3rd Grade Trent Bath Chloe Clark Jacob Carrasco Lochlainn Cook Payton Craft Nola Faught Jolene Forsberg Emma Haley Hudson Monasmith Amelia Muniz Mattie Smith Emme West Res Wisdom 4th Grade Dominick Avila Mondragon Karla Bacilio Arreguin Miley Brock Mamie Chambless Natalie Dupont K ...

6th Grade Tori Adkinson Miguel Avila Alexandra Beliveau Erika Calzoncit Celeste Campa Callan Drum Craddock Faris Alexandra Hartman Brayden LaRue Henry Lewis Nessah Marquette Keirsten Sauceda Jacob Shell Carson Smith Trent Smith Torynce Soli Jess Whitehead Wesley Whitehead Whitney Whitehead Katherine Windham Trevin Young 7th Grade Roanna Acosta Noe Alegria Cielo Bamberger Benjamin (Cooper) Berne Tristan Brown Aviv Buchenbacher Aolani Ca ...

Join Garrison Brothers Distillery from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 16 for its annual celebration of everything Hye, along with sister city Stonewall. Immediately after the Stonewall Peach Parade, everyone is invited back to the distillery for a fried yard-bird lunch in the barrel barn at the distillery. Tickets are available for $28 online at https://garrisonbrothers.ticketspice.com.

Lavender farms around Blanco are the foundation of Lavender Fest. On their property growers take a hands-on approach to making their products. For them it is a labor of love, more than a way of making a living, but to work with something they enjoy. Lavender is easy to grow in most any garden soil, or gravel and sand with a sunny dry open space and good drainage.

“Liz”, Elizabeth Anne Samples Marchand, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, May 25, surrounded by family and friends at her home in Blanco, Texas. Liz was born February 10, 1968, to Bill and Margaret Rose Samples in Big Spring, Texas. She spent most of her childhood years in Big Spring, Denton, El Paso, Las Cruces, and later graduated from Permian High School in Odessa, Texas in 1986.

Ephesians 4:7 says, “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Here, Paul moves from unity and what we all have in common; to our individuality as believers. We each have a different gift, and where we lack in an area, other believers who are gifted in that area help us along.

The Bible teaches that there is no sin that a person can commit that goes beyond the forgiveness of God if the sinner truly repents, except one…that is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31, “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.” Jesus even said that you can sin against Him, the Son, and be forgiven. So what is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?

I wish I knew the author of the following story so that I could give credit where credit is due. It was submitted by a student in a Sociology class taught by Dr. Reed H. Bradford at BYU back in the 1960s. He shared it with other students and I have kept it all these years.

Top officials join in briefing about hurricane preparedness Abbott said Texas is getting resources ready and communication and response strategies together to protect families and property in the event of another hurricane. Abbott is encouraging Texans to prepare emergency supply kits, create communication plans, prepare homes for storms and heed warnings from local officials. The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and will end on Nov.

Some of you know my oldest son has cerebral palsy, severe spastic cerebral quadriplegia, to be exact. When DJ was almost a year old (in 1988), I began a crash course in neonatal neurology, pediatric developmental therapy and Children’s Social Services. I embarked upon an eye-opening, life-changing journey to familiarization and exploration of a subculture in which parents of special-needs children raise their kids--a world previously unknown and unacknowledged by me at age 20. Most new mo ...

I wish I knew the author of the following story so that I could give credit where credit is due. It was submitted by a student in a Sociology class taught by Dr. Reed H. Bradford at BYU back in the 1960s. He shared it with other students and I have kept it all these years.

Over the past two years, landowners across the Hill Country, including 100 landowners along the Blanco River, have partnered with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), The Nature Conservancy, Hill Country Alliance, Texas Department of Transportation, and other municipal and local partners to build the Healthy Creeks Initiative. This collaborative effort focuses on controlling Arundo (a non-native, invasive plant) and restoring diverse, healthy plant communities along the Blanco River and ...