January 15, 2020 Issue

Fifty-five years is a lot of time spent in the saddle, but that’s just how long the Hill Country Trail Ride has been an annual tradition for many Central Texans. The 55th Annual ride is set to begin in Blanco on Jan. 31, with the 100-mile meandering adventure ending on Feb.

The Fredericksburg Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas is honored to host John Thomas, owner and founder of Wildseed Farms, as its inaugural speaker for 2020. All members of the community are cordially invited to attend the free presentation to be held at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 North Milam, on Tuesday evening, January 28, 2020.

Lob snowballs at a target with a slingshot, watch an ice sculpture take shape and make mini snowmen at the Science Mill's fourth annual Snow Day, as its backyard—the Science & Art Park—is transformed into a winter wonderland with 30 tons of real snow. With a focus on science-based activities and demonstrations, Snow Day activities will take place from 10 a.m.

AUSTIN – Gas pumps across Texas will soon display new consumer information stickers to reflect the Fuel Metering and Quality Program’s new home: the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The new design has a Texas shape and includes information about the amount of state and federal taxes charged for every gallon of fuel sold, as well as a telephone number and a QR code that consumers can use to file a complaint with TDLR regarding the quality or quantity of fuel that was sold.

The Stonewall Heritage Society will meet on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 2 p.m. for its first program of the year. The meeting will be at St. Thomas Hall next to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stonewall, Texas. The program will be presented by the children of the Paul and Ida Pehl family and the trying times that they experienced in 1952 when six of the seven children contracted spinal polio and set a national record. The society also announces the beginning of its annual membership ...

Cooking Demo: Vegan Tacos The Library will host a Vegan Taco cooking ademo at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15. Snow Day at the Science Mill  Explore the science of snow at family-friendly Snow Day on Saturday, January 18. See more information on the front page of this issue. Afternoon Tea and Costuming The Library will provide supplies for a 1920’s headband crafting session.

The Blanco County Appraisal District is reminding the public that 2019 property taxes must be paid by Jan. 31, 2020. Taxes paid after Jan. 31 become delinquent and incur penalty and interest charges, according to the appraisal district. Property taxes may be paid in person at 615 N Nugent Ave. Johnson City or by mail at P.O.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott last week convened the quarterly meeting of his Domestic Terrorism Task Force at the state Capitol.  "We must work together to develop meaningful solutions to fully eradicate domestic terrorism in the Lone Star State,” Abbott said in explaining the purpose of the meeting. "Just as domestic terrorism takes many forms, this task force is committed to developing comprehensive and evolving defense strategies to ensure a safe and secure future for every Texan,"

On Saturday, February 8, the Phoenix Center’s largest annual fundraiser will take place at the Horseshoe Bay Resort from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., which has been underwritten by the Horseshoe Bay Resort for the past two years. “The Mardi Gras Gala gains awareness for people in Horseshoe Bay and throughout the Texas Hill Country for people to learn more about the Phoenix Center, connecting as potential supporters,” said Blakeley Wilbanks, Communications Director, Phoenix Center.

Betty Bielser has been a member of Highland Arts Guild since 2003 and is being honored as their Artist of the Month for January. She has been painting in watercolor most of her life and has studied under many well-known watercolor artists. But Betty says, “The best way to learn is to teach” and has written two workbooks…one for beginners and the other on watercolor portraits, which she uses to teach her second and fourth Thursday classes every month at Highland Arts Gallery.

FREDERICKSBURG—On Saturday, January 25, the Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center will offer a presentation about the hows and whys of bluebirds, and their housing wants and needs. The presenter will be Kevin Pillow from Wildbirds Unlimited. After the presentation, there will be a hands-on activity involving making bird houses from gourds.

By Julie Storer The Lady Eagle Varsity dropped to 1-3 in District with a 59-21 loss to the Blanco Lady Panthers last Tuesday. The visiting Panthers had three players in double figures as they raised their record to 4-1 in District 25-3A competition. “We played better defensively in the first half and kept their lead to 15,” said Coach Cori Baker.

Cooking Demo: Vegan Tacos The Library will host a Vegan Taco cooking ademo at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15. Snow Day at the Science Mill  Explore the science of snow at family-friendly Snow Day on Saturday, January 18. See more information on the front page of this issue. Afternoon Tea and Costuming The Library will provide supplies for a 1920’s headband crafting session.

The Highland Lakes Democratic Women will hear from retired Border Patrol Agent, Roy Wilson, who will share his experiences at their January 23 luncheon and meeting at the Meadowlakes Restaurant in Marble Falls. Check-in begins at 11:15 a.m., lunch and the business meeting at 11:30 a.m., and the speaker will begin at noon. Roy Wilson graduated Llano High School, 1965 and graduated from Texas Tech University.

Thomas G. Mills of Johnson City, TX, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, January 12, 2020. He was born March 10, 1930 in Franklin, IN to Homer Gilbert Mills and Alice Maude (Dragoo) Mills. Tom retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander after 26 years of honorable service. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, David Mills and Thomas Mills; brother, Glenn Emerson Mills; and sister, Nancy Louise Mills. Tom is survived by his loving wife of ...

“Dad,” I exclaimed, “There is something a little strange happening out in the garage.” I was on one of my regular visits to the home of my elderly parents in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. My wife and I made the four hour trip from El Paso a couple of times each month in order to check on them, to take them groceries and to spend time with them. “Last night when I pushed the button to close the garage door, a couple of swallows swooped in and perched on the garage door rails ...

We open the newspaper, turn on the television, listen to the radio, and we are constantly inundated with bad news. Another person has died in an auto accident. There have been more shootings and deaths. Bombings and assassinations take place throughout the world. Our national government appears to be in chaos.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott last week convened the quarterly meeting of his Domestic Terrorism Task Force at the state Capitol.  "We must work together to develop meaningful solutions to fully eradicate domestic terrorism in the Lone Star State,” Abbott said in explaining the purpose of the meeting. "Just as domestic terrorism takes many forms, this task force is committed to developing comprehensive and evolving defense strategies to ensure a safe and secure future for every Texan,"

On Saturday, February 8, the Phoenix Center’s largest annual fundraiser will take place at the Horseshoe Bay Resort from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., which has been underwritten by the Horseshoe Bay Resort for the past two years. “The Mardi Gras Gala gains awareness for people in Horseshoe Bay and throughout the Texas Hill Country for people to learn more about the Phoenix Center, connecting as potential supporters,” said Blakeley Wilbanks, Communications Director, Phoenix Center.

Betty Bielser has been a member of Highland Arts Guild since 2003 and is being honored as their Artist of the Month for January. She has been painting in watercolor most of her life and has studied under many well-known watercolor artists. But Betty says, “The best way to learn is to teach” and has written two workbooks…one for beginners and the other on watercolor portraits, which she uses to teach her second and fourth Thursday classes every month at Highland Arts Gallery.

Ever since I was a boy dunking minnows in Pecan Bayou near our home in Red River County, I dreamed of heading to the wilds of Canada to catch big northern pike, lake trout and walleye. I remember reading all about this fishing wonderland in magazines and back then never dreamed that one day, I would actually experience the thrill of tossing a big plug over a shallow weed bed and hooking into a pike almost as long as a boat paddle or, catching those great eating walleye and enjoying a shorelin ...

FREDERICKSBURG—On Saturday, January 25, the Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center will offer a presentation about the hows and whys of bluebirds, and their housing wants and needs. The presenter will be Kevin Pillow from Wildbirds Unlimited. After the presentation, there will be a hands-on activity involving making bird houses from gourds.

The Highland Lakes Democratic Women will hear from retired Border Patrol Agent, Roy Wilson, who will share his experiences at their January 23 luncheon and meeting at the Meadowlakes Restaurant in Marble Falls. Check-in begins at 11:15 a.m., lunch and the business meeting at 11:30 a.m., and the speaker will begin at noon. Roy Wilson graduated Llano High School, 1965 and graduated from Texas Tech University.

On December 10th, 2019, Hill Country Builders Association, Highland Lakes region (HCBA) expanded their commitment to the building trades with a $10,000 investment in skills training for adults. The funds were donated to Workforce Network, Inc., a local nonprofit focused on equipping low wage workers with the knowledge and skills for a career in a better-paying, high-demand profession. The Department of Labor reports that for every five skilled tradesmen that retire, only one will enter the ...