Christina Behrends graduated from Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine on May 8, 2014.

She is 2007 graduate of Blanco High School and completed the pre-veterinary curriculum at Texas A&M University prior to being admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Her proud parents are Dr. David Behrends of Blanco and Julie Jones of Danville, Kentucky. Tina will begin her career at Bastrop Veterinary Hospital in Bastrop, Tx.

Dr. Behrends congratulates the NEW Dr. Behrends!

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More from Announcements.

Special Announcement: The Library will be CLOSED Monday, May 26th for Memorial Day. Even if your items are stamped due on this day, nothing is actually due. Please have a happy and safe holiday from your friends at the library!

Remember to come see Sunny the Reading Dog today at 3:30pm at the library! For our classical readers, go to our catalog (https://blanco.biblionix.com), click on “See What’s Hot,” and select our “Classical Literature” booklist. For our Western lovers, be sure to check out the new Western Memorial Collection in our large conference room!

Check out our Photo Contest Rules on our Home Page! Winner receives a FREE KINDLE! As always, remember to check our website at www.blancolib.org or call us at 830-833-4280 for more information.

Recently Added Bestsellers: Evening Stars by Susan Mallery, Frozen (novelization) by Disney, Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel, NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson, Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen, The Traitor’s Wife by Allison Pataki, and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler.

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More from Community News.

Larry Kuebel and Tim Nance were sworn in as BISD School Trustees on Wednesday, May 14. BISD Administrative Assistant Landa Lassberg performed the ceremony at the BISD administrative offices.

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More from School.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. There is evidence that women’s groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War in remembrance of the Confederate Dead.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5,1868 and first observed May 30,1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson, of Johnson City, Texas May 1966.

In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” Moina Michael replied with her poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led.

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving our nation during war.

The official flower of the American Legion is the poppy, in their recondition of those who gave all to their country.

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. It is not just the start of summer or a 3 day holiday, which was created by Congress in 1971; when they moved Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday of May.

It is the day set aside for honoring those who have fallen in service of their country!

A “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in December of 2000 which asks that at 3:00 pm local time, that all Americans “Voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of Remembrance and respect, by pausing and giving a moment of silence or a listening of Tap’s”.

We at American Legion Post 352 of Blanco County would ask that each of you, this Memorial Day give a Moment of Remembrance and Respect to those that have given all for their country and for your Personal Freedom!

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More from Features.

On Sunday, May 18th, the second Buckle Series Youth Play Day was held at the Blanco Cowboy Church Arena following the morning worship service with Special Guest Minister, Hunter Erwin, of Springfield, Louisiana.

The church family provided hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone present. Glen Rust, Sr. cooked the meal on the new church BBQ pit that he built and donated to his church family.

Many thanks go out to the leadership and help of all present who made it a great play day event for the many young cowboys and cowgirls who participated, and the Lord provided a beautiful afternoon with cool breezes for horses, riders and helpers.

The youth loaded their horses and headed for the barn, eager to come back on Sunday, June 1st for the third and final 2014 buckle series youth play day.

Colossians 3:17 says.."And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving praise to God the Father through Him."

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More from Focus on Faith.

Editor,

Taxpayers should be aware that an 80’ clear span bridge is proposed and currently being engineered to replace the low water crossing on Middle Creek Road (CR 410). This bridge proposal is being propelled by Commissioner Paul Granberg based on the argument of a “safety” improvement. This bridge is costing $68,000 just for the engineering work and is estimated between $300,000 and $500,000 in construction cost from our hard earned county revenues.

However, this is a bridge that few of the property owners or organizations along Middle Creek Road want, on a road that does not need more traffic. This addition could encourage 18 wheelers and buses on a narrow, winding, part gravel road designed with insufficient weight limits in mind! This will necessarily lead to more county cost in road improvement/maintenance since it will quickly disintegrate with a usage never intended for it.

Unlike low water crossings on Chimney Valley Road, Country Road 406 and others, there has never been a fatality or even a major issue at this crossing. Since all the residences have another way out, they do not need to cross it.

This proposal makes no sense and certainly it does not pass a “smell” test. There are many low water crossings in Blanco County that could use attention! For $500,000 they could probably all receive substantial improvements. I believe probably every one of these “other” locations services a greater number of taxpayers and offer more “safety issues” to the county residence than Middle Creek road ever could.

Sincerely Yours,

Virginia and Carl Russell

Blanco, Texas 78606

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More from Opinion.

Editor,

We have been blessed to be able to live on one of the most natural and scenic roads in Blanco County. I am referring to Middle Creek Rd. I manage a large ranch on this road and also own 15 acres on the corner.

Since the road was paved I have seen an influx of; traffic, noise, roadside trash, large semi-trucks, abandon vehicles, poaching, fences being destroyed by reckless drivers who flee the scene, and suspicious individuals passing through.

The most peaceful, natural, and beautiful part of the road is where it dips down into Middle Creek and you drive on the rock bottom creek bed for several feet. This spot is treasured by all who live on this road and most visitors to the area.

The county is planning on building a large bridge that will span over 80 ‘ of this area. The design at this point is for the bridge to be wider than 20’ and to be built 15’ above the water level. They will have to cut down many very large trees and there is no telling what all will get in the creek water. They have not done an environmental impact study or traffic flow study.

My point is this : We the tax payers do not want this picturesque area destroyed. There is no need to build this bridge. This area is not dangerous and there has been no accidents there. This is wasteful spending by the County of our tax dollars. It will bring more liability to the area and more problems for the residents along this road. There are other areas in the County that do need this money.

There is a petition going around and a Facebook Page “Save the Creek Crossing on Middle Creek Rd”.

Dennis Garrett

Blanco, Texas

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More from Opinion.

Acts 20:32 says, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Over the past three weeks, we have shown clearly that salvation, acceptance, and righteousness are complete gifts of God; are completely given by grace; absolutely cannot be earned; and can ONLY be received by faith. When one teaches Biblical grace the way the Apostle Paul did, the natural response was, “So, can we just go live in sin?”. If you have never asked this question, then you haven’t heard the Gospel preached like Paul preached it! However, when you hear the pure Gospel, this question is quite reasonable. We will see that grace does not promote sin, but rather it delivers from sin: Rom 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

Rom 6:1-2; 15 says, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid… What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Does true grace teach sinfulness and lawlessness? God forbid! God’s grace, and our freedom by His grace, is so we can truly love and serve each other and God (Gal 5:13, 1Pt 2:15-16). It delivers us from performance based, drudgery-inducing service; and gives us a love for others and God, and a heart desire to serve Him in joy, peace, and acceptance. It’s the abiding life - simply being a branch and conductor of God’s love, grace and truth.

SO, if I am totally accepted by God based on what Jesus did, and not what I do - why not live in sin? 1. It is not our nature any longer. Rom 6:2 …How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? A born again Christian is dead to sin. They are no longer sinners by nature, but are now partakers of the divine nature (2Pt 1:4). The spirit of a (real) Christian is in union with God. He desires what God desires. He wants to live for Jesus. He honors God’s Word. He wants to do right. It is his nature. Though he may fail at times, and may sin in his soul and flesh, that is not who or what he is. He is righteous; his spirit is holy; and it is his nature to live righteously - though he will never do this perfectly while contained in this mortal body.

2. We don't want to submit ourselves again to Satan (Rom 6:16-18). When redeemed, our Master is now Jesus. He is good, loving, gracious, compassionate, & kind. Satan is evil, cruel, & wicked. Why would we go back under the authority of an evil taskmaster? Jesus offers abundant life, while Satan only offers death. The wages of sin is death, while the gift of God is life eternal. We can choose life & blessing, or death & cursing.

3. Sowing & reaping is still a law of the Kingdom of God (Gal 6:7-8, Jam 1:14-15). Sin always takes us further than we want to go; keeps us longer than we want to stay; and costs us more than we want to pay. If we sow to the spirit, we reap life; if we sow to the flesh we reap death. We can’t sow corn and expect to reap wheat. Even nature shows us that we reap what we sow. Do we want the harvest of sin coming back into our life?

4. Because sin hinders your faith (1Ti 1:19). As a Christian, willful sin brings a guilty conscience. A guilty conscience shipwrecks your faith. God still feels the same towards you, but you won’t feel the same towards God. You won’t have the confidence towards God that you should, if you know in your heart you are being rebellious.

5. Because we love God. 1Jn 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” If we love God, we want to do what He says. Though we may fail at times, our desire is to live pleasing to Him. None of us are perfect, but we have a perfect Savior, and it does not grieve us to follow His ways. It is rather a joy to live in His truth.

6. Because we look for His coming (1Jn 3:2-3). As an engaged bride, we keep ourselves pure and ready, knowing that our groom is preparing a place for us, and could come at any time to sweep us off our feet. It’s not, “While the cat is away, the mice will play”, but rather, “While the groom is away, the bride will stay and pray”.

This is not an exhaustive list, but these six reasons are sufficient Scriptural evidence that preaching Biblical grace is not preaching a “license to sin”. On the contrary, only in understanding God’s grace do we gain the true ability and pleasure to live the abundant Christian life - free of the legalistic, performance-based, condemning, “Ol’ sinner” mentality that so many of the Body of Christ live with. I was an “Ol’ sinner”, but by His grace I have become a new creation; and now I am the righteousness of God in Christ. Understand and acknowledge this, and live the effective Christian life (Philm 6). Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!

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More from Focus on Faith.

The manager of a large office asked a new employee to come into his office. "What is your name?," was the first thing the manager asked.

"John," the new guy replied. The manager scowled. "Look, I don't know what kind of a namby-pamby place you worked at before, but I don't call anyone by their first name! It breeds familiarity and that leads to a breakdown in authority," he said. "I refer to my employees by their last name only - Smith, Jones, Baker - that's all. Now that we got that straight, what is your last name?" The new guy sighed and said, "Darling. My name is John Darling." The manager said, "Okay, John, the next thing I want to tell you..."

When the angel spoke to Joseph about the promised child, he said, "And you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The apostle Peter said, "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Paul the apostle said, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father" (Colossians3:17). The name does make a difference. Salvation has been expanded by the world to include salvation in any name, and

authority for what is taught and practiced in our faith has often been replaced with the creeds of men.

No wonder Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Only Jesus can save, and let all that we do in word or deed be done in His name, by His authority. Come and learn of Him and His way!

(To request a free non-denominational Bible correspondence course or to ask a Bible question call 830-833-4884 or email bcc102@gmail.com - No personal contact will be made unless requested.)

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More from Focus on Faith.

I’ve recently begun a new franchise, with a corporation interested in good health, by eating more fruits and vegetables, with a product that helps us get more in our daily diet. So I’ve been researching the benefits of eating different fruits and vegetables. I didn’t realize many of them actually increase our immune systems, kill cancer stem cells, lower blood pressure and are natural anti-inflammatories! God gave us health through the foods He gave us! We decrease our health when we decrease those good foods.

I’d love to share my research with you, and perhaps I’ll get to some day. Meanwhile, you can do it yourself on the internet, by typing in a search like “benefit of eating broccoli” and discovering the wonderful things this food will do for your body.

God’s perfect plan included good health. We are the ones who are boycotting the foods He gave us, thereby causing our own poor health. In Isaiah 5:13 is written:

“Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.”

In Genesis 1:11-12 it is written “11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”

In Genesis 1:27-29 it is written “27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”

He told Adam and Eve that He had provided meat for us, in the form of fruit and herbs. Perhaps these Scriptures are the reason so many people won’t eat beef, pork, or fowl. Well, that’s what it sounds like to me, and look below at Genesis 9:4.

Because He goes on to say that the beasts were supposed to eat herbs, too! And some of them do!

“30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.” Genesis 1:30

I wonder when lions began to hunt other animals? Perhaps they ate herbs, too, at first, a long time ago?

God said “17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17

But they did eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so that angered God.

“17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:17-19

Genesis 9:3-5 “3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.”

Well, it is written that all things are good that God created, but after the flood that Noah and his family built the ark to be saved from God told Noah and his family the following.

Genesis 9:3-6 “3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. 4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. 5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”

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More from Focus on Faith.

Wayne Gosnell (Right) holds the far-travelling toy Lamborghini and stands next to Karlis Gangis (Left) who help the car get back to Blanco.

Wayne Gosnell was surprised recently when Karlis Gangis, a citizen of the country of Latvia in Eastern Europe, showed up in Blanco bearing an unexpected treasure -- a bright yellow, cast metal, toy Lamborghini, the winner of the "Great Trans-AtlanticTuscany to Texas Motor Race."

Wayne and his wife, Martha, had placed the Lamborghini, along with two other cars, a Mercedes and a Corvette, in a geocache in the Tuscany region of Italy four years ago with the goal of “racing” it back to Blanco, moved along by fellow geocachers.

Geocaching is a high tech sport in which participants use GPS units to find hidden “treasures" all over the world. "Trackables", such as the three toy automobiles, can be placed in geocaches and given a mission, which fellow geocachers can help fulfil.

Wayne and Martha's Mercedes and Corvette trackables crossed the Atlantic first but crashed and burned enroute to Texas. The Lamborghini was lost in Latvia for two years but later reemerged at a geocaching event there.

Karlis, a Microsoft contractor with over 10,000 geocache finds, had a business trip planned to Texas and personally drove the car across the finish line on the Blanco River.

There are at least eighteen geocaches within five miles of Blanco, some with trackables such as the victorious Lamborghini.

To learn more about the amazing sport of geocaching and the other 2.3 million hidden caches, go to www.geocaching.com, join for free, and discover a whole new way of looking at the world.

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More from Community News.

Blanco Performing Arts closes their season “Outside the Music Box” on Sunday afternoon, June 1 at 3:00 at the Uptown Blanco Ballroom with Blanco native Julia Pautz who returns in a full length solo recital with collaborative pianist Dr. Maimy Fong.

This program of Beethoven, Brahms, Gershwin, and Sarasate promises to woo and wow. Hailed by the Dallas Morning News as “a genuine virtuoso”, Julia has been a member of the San Diego Symphony since 2010. Graduating with honors from Cleveland Institute of Music, she earned her master’s degree at University of Southern California and a professional studies certificate from The Colburn Conservatory both with renowned violin pedagogue Robert Lipsett. She has appeared at the Aspen Music Festival, Brevard Music Center, ENCORE School for Strings, the Sarasota Music Festival, and Basically Beethoven music series. She has recently presented solo recitals in southern California to acclaim.

Dr. Maimy Fong, pianist & vocal coach, has played everywhere from Weill Hall at Carnegie, to Dell Hall at the Long Center. She earned a Bachelor's degree in piano with a concentration in vocal accompanying from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. She also completed Master's and Doctoral degrees in piano performance at the University of Texas at Austin School of Music. She has worked for the Des Moines Metro Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, and was the first pianist-coach in El Paso Opera's Artist-in-Residence Program. In 2009, she helped co-found and now is Artistic Director for the "Feed Your Soul" Music Series at Dell Children's Medical Center. For more information, please visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FeedYourSoulAustin. In Austin, she maintains an active schedule of playing chamber music, instrumental and voice recitals, teaching, and vocal coaching.

A limited number of tickets are still available. Visit www.blancoperformingarts.com or call 830-385-1173for information and tickets.

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More from Community News.

I’m thankful for bright readers who can read between my lines. In last week’s Fit Tip I told you about the beginnings of my personal journey, and how the first step in the process of changing your lifestyle, and thus your body, is to evaluate WHY you are in the ‘shape’ you are. The second step, which generally follows the first, is this: decide WHAT you will do now.

I’ve mentioned previously that we may get discouraged when physical changes don’t come as quickly as we hope. Sometimes we use the wrong gauge to determine our successes, like the bathroom scale, which will call us heavy if we are losing fat but gaining muscle, (that can be discouraging if you aren’t aware it’s actually a good thing!). Sometimes we feel as though the effort we put forth is exponentially more than the results, and it doesn’t seem worth the struggle…it’s just too hard. Sometimes we hit a plateau, and though we continue to work as hard as we feel able, we just don’t seem to make headway. We stall.

During these times, it’s important to remember: When you decide WHAT to do- you change either the way you eat or the way you move your body (hopefully improvements in both areas), because you know in your head it is right for you. You know you need to change your lifestyle and so you determine to move forward in that direction. Don’t let your feelings get in the way after the decision has been made. Don’t let discouragement stop you now! Never allow fear or discouragement to control you! Persevere! “We are all creatures of habit, and changing behaviors takes time. We must learn to praise small changes, no matter how slowly they come.” (Jeanne P. Goldberg, PhD RD)

Give yourself credit for having put your foot upon the path. Don’t fret the journey seems long. It is a long, long journey! Believe me, I know! But, if you will put one foot in front of the other, and continue to do what you’ve decided to do (exercise every day if you can, scale back on what you’re eating, try to be careful about the amount of sugar, fat and salt you put in your body, etc.), you will make forward progress on your personal journey to a healthier you! You won’t be able to help it. It will just happen. Pat yourself on the back for that! Don’t wait until you’ve reached the journey’s end to congratulate yourself for having embarked upon the path. After all, if you do it right, you’ll be on this path for the rest of your life…and that’s just too long to wait to give yourself credit for doing what needs to be done.

Sally Windham is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor in Blanco, TX. Please send questions and comments to sally.windham@yahoo.com

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More from Fit Tips.

So you think you want to teach your kids to be leaders, right? Followers are not only weak, unoriginal, and uninteresting, but what you really want is for them to not follow the bad kids. You have the old “Would you jump off a bridge if…” talk. You teach them about the dangers of gateway activities that lead to serious jail time. You want them to be strong, thoughtful, stand-up citizens!

Well, you’re wrong!

Sorry, to tell you, but you are all very wrong. I thought the same thing about my child, and seeing as how everyone’s children and lives are exactly the same… I was wrong, and so you all must be wrong as well.

To be honest, I really didn’t need to teach my son any leadership qualities, they came very naturally to him. You know what I mean, he’s bossy. However, at times I feel obligated to do some kind of parenting on my kid, so I nurtured those qualities in order to prepare him for Kindergarten. Before attending public school he had spent very little time with large groups of children, so he and I had a few talks about how; he is his own person, he knows what is right or wrong regardless of what others do, he wasn’t to tattle or whine about the other kids, all that good stuff.

Lo and behold, it all paid off! Exactly the opposite way I had anticipated.

In Kindergarten here in Blanco they have a system for when the kids get in trouble; “flipping your clip.” When I pick my son up from school I ask him how his day went and whether he had to flip. He’s not a perfect child, surprise surprise, so one day when he admits to me that had to flip his clip I’m not shocked, but I am put-off when he won’t tell me what happened. Luckily his teacher will write a short note on why, so I take a peek in his notebook and see, “Threw a BIG rock at recess.” Not just those little playground pebbles, but a BIG ROCK.

Cautiously, with a little fear of the answer, I ask him, “Did you throw this big rock at a person?” I mean, I know throwing rocks in general isn’t great, but I would be a lot more concerned if this rock was thrown in anger at another kid. He answers “No.”, but doesn’t immediately give up any more details. After a minute he admits, “Mom, other kids were throwing rocks too! We were seeing who could throw the farthest!” For a moment I want to ask if he was the one who threw the farthest, but then I realize… “You were just throwing the rocks because ‘that’s what the other kids were doing?’ We talked about this, buddy! We do NOT make poor choices just because other kids started it!” How ashamed I am, all my hard work down the drain. He’ll be a follower for life. Never accomplishing anything on his own, forever the assistant.

“No, Mom. I started it.”

So there you have it. I’m no longer worried that my son will follow the bad kids. Now I’m worried he’ll lead them.

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More from Oh, Honestly.

Seventh Grade Girls District Tennis Champs. (L to R) Kenzie Warner, Hallie Gloor, Allie West, Coach Bill Tesch, Johanna Villarreal, Cami Manriquez, Taylor Kotfas, Jimena Alergia. (Not present: Coach Lindsey Blamos)

Blanco Middle School’s tennis teams competed in the District 27-AA meet in Ingram on Saturday, May 3.

The seventh grade girls team placed first, and eighth grade boys team placed second.

“I was proud of our teams,” said middle school coach Bill Tesch. “The tennis team made great strides during the season and played hard during district competition.”

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More from Sports.

7th Grade Girls

1st Place Team

Hallie Gloor - 1st Singles

Cami Manriquez - 2nd Singles

Kenzie Warner & Allie West - 1st Doubles

Johanna Villarreal & Taylor Mangold - 2nd Mixed Doubles

7th Grade Boys

Chris Ostequin - 2nd Singles

AJ Briscoe - 4th Singles

8th Grade Boys

2nd Place Team

Paco Vargas - 2nd Singles

Lance Reinhard & Wade Robinson - 3rd Doubles

Kaleb Hunter & JoMac Wyatt 4th Doubles

Sebastian Flores & Catie Bickham - 2nd Mixed Doubles

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More from Sports.

Senior Alexis Leonard is given the John Philip Sousa Award by Band Director Brian Hecimovich.

Senior Alexis Leonard is given the John Philip Sousa Award by Band Director Brian Hecimovich.

Senior Kasie Dowdy received the Director’s Award at the Spring Band Concert.

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More from School.

Track records were tied, broken, and broken again this year at Blanco High School.

Lady Panther track member Meaghen Seales, set the new BHS record in the 800 meter run capturing 3rd place at the State meet with a time of 2:17.97. Bret Leigh Nance had previously broken the record this year with a time of 2:19, and then placed 4th at State running 2:18.12.5. The 800 meter record holder was Abby Beard with a time of 2:20 set in 2010. Charlsey Smith shattered the long jump record with a jump of 17’ 2 ¼ “. The previous record was set in 2004 by Haylee Hunter with a jump of 16’ 11”.

Panther track speedster, Alex Palos, set a new BHS record in the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.79. Juan Hernandez set the previous record in 2003 with a time of 11.06. Ross Edwards tied the current high jump record jumping 6’ 2”. Ben Bucklin also cleared 6’ 2” in 2001.

Alex Palos, Adrien Dominguez, Aikman Elrod and John Hodge blazed a new record in the 400 meter relay with a time of 43.54. The previous record was set in 2004 by Chris San Miguel, Julian “Pepe” Mancha, Michael Trevino, and Juan Hernandez with a time of 43.76.

Seales, Palos, and Hodge are Seniors at BHS.

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More from Sports.

Ashley Hall is given the Girls Golf award presented by Coach Scott Balmos. All Photos by Diana Schwind.

Heather Wagner, Blanco All-Sports Booster Club President, announces the 2014 $1,000 Scholarship Recipients. From L-R: Sarah Brotzman, Meaghen Seales, John Cove Chick, and Carlin Green. Not Pictured: Kyle Sauceda and Kasie Dowdy.

Below: Ashley Hall is given the Girls Golf award presented by Coach Scott Balmos. All Photos by Diana Schwind.

Chase Glowka receives his Senior Letterman’s Plaque from Baseball Coach Bryan Wyatt.

Shayna Srackangast is happy to receive the Girls Powerlifting award from Coach Bill Tesch.

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How about turning your backyard into a fantasy get away? It can be simple or extreme. There are so many things you can do to have a fantasy in your own yard. Here are some things to consider. Let’s split the area into areas for the adults, kids, animals, and all.

Trees and flowers are always a good solid start. If you are in an area where there are no deer, you don’t have to worry so much about what you plant. However, if there are deer around, you might want to check on what they will not eat prior to purchasing. Once you plant, you can add decorative pots, stones, walkways, fountains, swings, and more.

If you have kids, set aside an area for them. You might want to have a nice play ground area. Make sure it is away from the bar-b-que pit and swimming pool (if you have those). Add some mulch or sand under the swing set.

For the adult area, create that special area with the bar-b-que pit, beer coolers, fire-pit, and maybe some benches.

For the animals, some people like to have a separate area. If you have dogs that you like to keep in a fenced area, set aside one of the sides or back area to create a haven for them. Don’t just put up a fence, include shelter and trees for shade.

If you want the pool, hot tub, and all the bells and whistles, you might want to design your idea on paper or get a planner to help. You can have the pool in the middle, kids’ area in one corner, animals in another corner, adult area for cooking in another. Don’t forget to fence the pool area if the kids will be sharing the area.

Add some lighting through out the back yard. If you are into the dark skies and watching the stars, you need to face the lighting downward. String lights come in all kinds of forms now.

Just a simple deck can even satisfy your needs with some plants, bar-b-que pit, and deck furniture. Don’t forget to include a cover over it for use even in the rain or blocking the sun. Decks can be a single level, multi level, around a pool, away from a house or connected. Use your imagination on the design. You might even want several.

Need ideas to help you design your fantasy backyard? There are many books, the internet, planners, builders, family and friends that have ideas to help you get started. Most important, set a budget. It can be so easy to run the cost up before you know it. Have fun.

For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-6658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net

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