March 4, 2020 Issue

The Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department held a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 26. President Ray Bible called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and a quorum was established. Presentations Shelly Neely of AIR EVAC LIFETEAM of Burnet gave a brief informational exchange about the program. Cost is $55.00 per household with all family members included.

Johnson City Library Friends are pleased to host a Silent Auction during the upcoming Dessert and Bingo Extravaganza. The Extravaganza, sponsored by the Johnson City Woman’s Civic Club, is happening on Saturday, March 7, at the Activities Center of First United Methodist Church. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for delicious desserts, Bingo with prizes, and bidding on a diverse selection of silent auction items.

The Texas Regional Bank celebrated a new branch location here in Johnson City with a ribbon cutting ceremony and shrimp boil on Thursday, February 27, with the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce. The bank is located at 206 E. Main Street, and has a drive-up window and drive-up ATM.

The Blanco County Community Resource Center, located in Johnson City, celebrated a grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, February 28, with the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce. The center has offices for many local non-profit organizations, the Johnson City Christian Food Pantry, and meeting spaces availible. The CRC is located at 206 S.

A large enthusiastic crowd gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Blanco County’s Community Resource Center (CRC) on Friday at 11:30 a.m. There was a brief program followed by the traditional ribbon cutting, refreshments and guided tours. The goal of the CRC is to provide health and human services in one central location for rural residents and to be a one-stop-shop for community resources.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park and Hill Country Astronomers (HCA) invite you to attend free planetarium and dark sky programs and a star party at the LBJ Ranch on Saturday, March 14. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the National Park Service will host programs highlighting the marvels of the night sky and the importance of preserving dark skies.

Located on the high divide in far western Gillespie County, Harper, Texas is out there on the edge; connected to the German Hill Country in some ways and separated from it in others. Harper is famous for its healthy climate. A whimsical reporter once compared Harper to a similar town in Oklahoma where, “the town graveyard was a measly little patch in which only 3 lots had been taken and the occupants of those were 3 doctors who had tried to make a living there and starved to death because ...

This is how you make short work of a big pancake! That’s Jackson Walker demonstrating winning form in the Biggest Bite contest at the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at the First United Methodist Church. The traditional free pancake-sausage-and-bacon supper is the church’s last event before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, when dining is more restrained and less…enthusiastic.

David Hamm set the screws as Jim Aldridge held the parts steady when the wheelchair ramp construction crew built one for a lady just north of Johnson City last week. She’s not really in a wheelchair, but is decreasingly able to climb the steps into her home. The builders, working through the First United Methodist Church, build free ramps for those needing them throughout Blanco County.

AUSTIN — As the worldwide threat of novel coronavirus increased, state agencies already were working together to ensure the health and safety of all Texans, Gov. Greg Abbott said Feb. 27. After a briefing from state and federal health officials on coronavirus (COVID-19), Abbott provided an update on steps the state is taking.

AUSTIN —The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) will host a special traveling exhibit, They Took An Oath: Traveling Exhibit of Texas' First Black Legislators, on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin. The exhibit is part of the 19th Century Black Legislators’ Monument project unveiled at the Texas State Cemetery in March 2010.

AUSTIN – Thanks to a law passed during the last legislative session (SB 1200), military spouses who move to Texas and hold certain occupational licenses in other states now have several avenues available to them for working in Texas. Depending on their preference, they can now apply to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for: • Option 1: a three-year license; • Option 2: a three-year letter of authorization; or • Option 3: a standard license using reciprocity. “ ...

The majesty of an orchestra with its numerous woodwinds, strings, percussions, and brass, coupled with the exuberance of a conductor, is unmistakably dramatic and entertaining in its sounds and volume. However, not every city has a facility large enough to accommodate the more than 40 members that typically comprise a Chamber Orchestra. That’s the beauty of, and the reason behind, the creation of the ROCO Brass Quintet, a five-person group created from the celebrated River Oaks Chamber Or ...

With eight returning starters from a 20-9/9-3 season that ended in the first round of the UIL 3A State Playoffs second-year Head Eagles Baseball Coach Steven Shipley expects his 2020 Eagles to be playing into June. “We have a lot of varsity experience returning this year, and a lot of athleticism,” said Shipley recently – before his Eagles made their 6-0-1 run in the first week of the season notching a no-hit shutout and a tournament Championship.

The Varsity Eagle Baseball team had a stellar opening week featuring a no-hit shutout against Natalia on Tuesday and a five win – one tie performance in the Comfort Invitational to win the Championship over the weekend. Senior Parker Hughes was credited with the Natalia win, but Senior Wyatt Tumlinson and Sophomore Cade Boyer pitched in to preserve the no-hit shutout that was called according to the run rule after 4-1/2 innings.

Johnson City teams earned a team title and individual event gold medals in the Blanco Invitational Track Meets held last week at Blanco Panther Stadium. The 7th Grade Girls battled to a Co-Championship with 4A Wimberley as Jackie Earley continued her dominance in the distance events started during an undefeated 2019 Cross Country season.

Blanco County 4-H and FFA Youth Council Annual Meeting The meeting will be at the Blanco County Show Barn in Johnson City on March 4, 2020 at 7 p.m. Agenda items are: review of the rules, policy changes and suggestions for improvements in the Youth Show; and election of directors with expiring terms. You must be a paid member by February 26 to run as a Director and vote. Contact Keitha Johnson at (830) 833-4138 or at [email protected] for more information. Homeschool Day at the Science ...

Steven Wayne Hill of Johnson City passed away at his home on February 12, 2020. He was born on September 17, 1945 in High Point, North Carolina. Steve proudly served his country in Viet Nam as a Specialist 4th Class in the US Army where he received Expeditionary Medals in Sharpshooter, Marksmanship and an Expert Badge with Rifle Bar. Steve worked for Jerrold Electronics Corporation as a superintendent for 22 years.

I recently spoke to a man whose problems seemed to overwhelm him. He was beginning to feel that his life on earth had become a failed enterprise and that perhaps, due to his perceived shortcomings, heaven might be out of reach for him.  Elder Paul V. Johnson, said that “earth life includes tests, trials and tribulations, and some trials we face in life can be excruciating.

Bob suggested we all do push-ups. I guess I should mention that I don’t know Bob. Peter, my husband, knew Bob in high school. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure Peter and Bob were even close pals in high school. But Bob sent me a Facebook friend request shortly after he became Facebook friends with Peter and, even though I don’t know Bob, I accepted.

Located on the high divide in far western Gillespie County, Harper, Texas is out there on the edge; connected to the German Hill Country in some ways and separated from it in others. Harper is famous for its healthy climate. A whimsical reporter once compared Harper to a similar town in Oklahoma where, “the town graveyard was a measly little patch in which only 3 lots had been taken and the occupants of those were 3 doctors who had tried to make a living there and starved to death because ...

AUSTIN — As the worldwide threat of novel coronavirus increased, state agencies already were working together to ensure the health and safety of all Texans, Gov. Greg Abbott said Feb. 27. After a briefing from state and federal health officials on coronavirus (COVID-19), Abbott provided an update on steps the state is taking.

AUSTIN —The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) will host a special traveling exhibit, They Took An Oath: Traveling Exhibit of Texas' First Black Legislators, on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin. The exhibit is part of the 19th Century Black Legislators’ Monument project unveiled at the Texas State Cemetery in March 2010.

AUSTIN – Thanks to a law passed during the last legislative session (SB 1200), military spouses who move to Texas and hold certain occupational licenses in other states now have several avenues available to them for working in Texas. Depending on their preference, they can now apply to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for: • Option 1: a three-year license; • Option 2: a three-year letter of authorization; or • Option 3: a standard license using reciprocity. “ ...

The majesty of an orchestra with its numerous woodwinds, strings, percussions, and brass, coupled with the exuberance of a conductor, is unmistakably dramatic and entertaining in its sounds and volume. However, not every city has a facility large enough to accommodate the more than 40 members that typically comprise a Chamber Orchestra. That’s the beauty of, and the reason behind, the creation of the ROCO Brass Quintet, a five-person group created from the celebrated River Oaks Chamber Or ...