Miss Abigail Rose McDougall announces the December 30, 2014, birth of her brother Joshua Alexander McDougall, born to Samuel and Lauren McDougall at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. Joshua weighed in at 7.4 pounds and measured 20.5 inches.

Joshua’s family includes Savannah McDougall, half-sister; Judy and Kevin Cuddy, maternal grandmother and step-grandfather; Cecil McIntyre maternal grandfather; Mildred Cain and Bersha McIntyre, maternal great grandmothers; Dana and Mark Hughett, paternal grandmother and step-grandfather; Cicero Alexander (C.A.) Rust III, godfather and paternal Grandpa.

Joshua’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Bill Gernenz, offered a prayer of thanksgiving in the hospital delivery room with the family.

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More from Announcements.

Hurry up and give me a price to list or build my home, I’m ready to do it now! I can’t tell you how many times a REALTOR® or Builder hears this when talking to a potential client. The flip side, if you give a price at the spur of the moment and it is wrong, who is to blame? Let’s look at some of the things to consider when working with a REALTOR® or builder on pricing.

Normally, a REALTOR® has an idea on the going prices of homes in a neighborhood, but it’s best if they do a bit of homework so they can give you a more accurate recommended price. Just doing a drive by of a home does not give the REALTOR® enough information to price your home for selling. For instance, you might have an older home in which you have just totally renovated, including new A/C and roof which are high ticket items. You might have a workshop out back that adds value. Walk and talk the property with the REALTOR® so they can get all the information on your property. The REALTOR® will also look at the currently listed and sold homes in the area to compare suggested listing price too. Being thorough up front can save a lot of time, heart ache, and hopefully help you sell your home appropriately for the current market.

When working with a builder, there are a few more components to add in. Sure you can ask what their estimated square foot price to build is, but this is only a baseline to go by. If you start adding a lot of extra items, site work, designs, upgrades, and more, this definitely changes the baseline price. If you want a quick price, not allowing the builder to do their homework, there are no guarantees and you could get dinged with additional charges throughout the construction process. One of the major things in the hill country is the various land elevations. Land elevations play a big part in the foundation cost. You might not think you have much slope until the builder shoots the land grade. There are many other factors to putting together a good solid price on building a home. This is a major cost for you, so don’t expect an on the spot quote.

Communication is the foundation of Real Estate and Construction. You are coming to these professional people for their expertise. Allow them to do some homework to give you a sound number that you all can be happy with. You will be amazed at how smooth it might go with getting a listing up and going, or starting the design and build of your dream home. Happy Selling or Building!

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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More from Putting the Pieces Together.

On Tuesday, January 20, the Panthers lost to the Comfort Bobcats, 33-48.

Jacob McCaslin led the team with 9 points. Ty Royce scored 7, followed by Dylan Tesch with 6. Tyler Schlinke made 5 points, and Hugo Rodriguez sank 4. Justin Williams scored 2.

The JV I team fell 21-30. Chail Knoll paced the team with 8 points. Jacob Robinson scored 5, with Peyton Van Dyke adding 4. Ty Priess sank 3 points and Garrett Seales added 1 on a free throw.

The JV II team won an exciting overtime game 36-33.

Kaleb Hunter led Blanco with 10 points. Lance Reinhard scored 8, with JoMac Crofts adding 7. Hayden Hunt and Trey Pruitt each scored 4 points. Joaquin Olmedo scored 3.

On Friday, the varsity lost a close game to the Georgetown Gators, 47-53. Tyler Schlinke fired in 17 points to lead the Panthers. Dawson Albin sank 9, with Justin Williams scoring 8. Jacob McCaslin made 7 points. Ty Royce scored 4 points and James Rodriguez made 2. The JV I team tallied a strong 59-41 win over Gateway. Jacob Robinson scorched the hoops for 24 points. Garrett Seales sant 9 points. Peyton VanDyke and Kaleb Hunter each scored 4 points. Ty Priess added 3.

The JV II team fell to the Gators 31-45. Joaquin Olmedo led the team with 9 points. Jonathan Campbell scored 8 points, with Hayden Hunt adding 7. Lance Reinhard made 4 points. JoMac Crofts scored 2 and Trey Pruitt sank 1 point.

The Panthers faced Ingram Tuesday, January 27 and then travel to Jarrell on Friday, January 30.

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More from Sports.

The Lady Panthers claimed a District 25-AAA win over the Comfort Deer, 41-35, on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Jamie McClinton led the team ripping the nets with 20 points. Payton Savarino scored 8 and Lexee Jenkins added 5. Charlsey Smith and Reagan Rogers each scored 3. Gracie Edmondson sank 2 points.

The junior varsity also defeated the Deer, 43-37. Andrea Calzoncit paced the team with 14 points. Victoria Moya scored 12, followed closely by Skylar Wiseman with 10. Cheyenne Dechert sank 4 and Katlinn Calzoncit scored 2 points.

The girls teams play Ingram on Tuesday, January 27 and then travel to Jarrell on Friday, January 30.

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More from Sports.

Taylor Hartmann, a 2011 graduate of Blanco High School and a political science major at Texas A&M University, recently began a spring 2015 policy internship in Austin, Texas. Taylor will spend the semester as an integral part of the Office of Representative Bryan Hughes.

Taylor is one of twenty-five students selected for a policy internship through the Public Policy Internship program (PPIP) at Texas A&M University. Taylor’s duties include monitoring legislation, attending committee hearing and briefings, researching and responding to constituent requests, and preparing reports for senior staff members. Taylor is the son of Mr. Larry Hartmann, and Mrs. Tricia Hartmann.

“The internship program plays an integral role at Texas A&M,” says Stephanie McMillen, director of PPIP. “It gives students the opportunity to gain real world experience in a challenging and rewarding environment. The Public Policy Internship Program is one of few programs in the nation specifically geared toward transforming today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders.”

The program is in its 12th year of sending students to Austin to work in legislative offices and other state government organizations. Since its inception, more than 750 Aggies have worked in Austin and Washington, D.C. through the program. Each student receives course credit for their internship, as well as a monthly stipend. To learn more about Taylor and his experiences, visit the program’s website at http://ppip.tamu.edu.

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More from Features.

On the heels of a December rate reduction, Pedernales Electric Cooperative is now seeking feedback from its members on the Co-op’s rates and fees as part of a comprehensive cost-of-service and rate design study.

Co-op members are invited to share their views by taking a survey at www.pec.coop/survey beginning Jan. 28 through Feb. 28, or by coming to a member forum at PEC’s offices in: Cedar Park (Feb. 4), Junction (Feb. 11), Kyle (February 18) and at PEC headquarters in Johnson City (Feb. 25). The forum in Johnson City will also be streamed live online at www.pec.coop. PEC will be mailing survey and forum information to its entire membership, as well as communicating the information through email, social media and other efforts.

Engaging members and stakeholders on key issues is a practice PEC firmly believes in. “PEC is owned by its members, and their input is an essential part of the study,” said PEC CEO John D. Hewa. “This feedback will help us develop rates and innovative options that utilize advances in technology and help PEC better meet the current and future energy needs of its membership.”

PEC is working with independent consultant Burns & McDonnell to complete the cost-of-service and rate design study, which will be used to help the Co-op outline a draft rate structure with different rates, fees and options. PEC will consider the feedback as it builds a draft rate structure with updated rates and fees. The Co-op then will ask members to review the proposed rate structure options and provide additional feedback before a finalized rate structure, designed with substantial input from PEC members and stakeholders, is implemented.

Members may also complete a printed version of the survey by downloading and printing it from www.pec.coop/survey, by requesting a copy from PEC at 1-888-554-4732 or by visiting one of the Co-op’s offices. Completed paper surveys should be mailed to Chris Deffenbaugh at Burns & McDonnell, Westec 360, 8911 North Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 4260, Austin, Texas 78759.

To ensure input is received from a diverse group of Co-op members and stakeholders from different geographic areas, PEC is seeking feedback through a variety of methods, including the online survey, one-on-one interviews and member forums. Burns & McDonnell plans to present the member feedback it receives to the PEC Board of Directors in March.

The Co-op will be exploring several different types of rate options, including time-of-use rates, prepaid rates, economic development rates, renewable energy rates and rates to encourage conservation. The Co-op will also be reviewing its line extension policy and fees, as well as the rates, fees and buy-back rates offered to members who own small-generation equipment like solar panels and wind turbines. In December, PEC did increase the buy-back rate nearly 70 percent for members generating surplus electricity.

“We want our rates to allow us to continue offering programs that help members save money, conserve energy and utilize energy sources that benefit our communities,” Hewa said.

Periodic cost-of-service studies are used by utilities to evaluate factors driving costs and revenues, avoid drastic rate fluctuations, eliminate or reduce subsidies and provide reference points for setting goals and rates. This industry-standard study aids PEC as it moves forward with designing updated rate options while meeting expectations from a diverse group of members and stakeholders, complying with regulations and meeting financial and strategic goals. The Co-op began its last cost-of-service and rate design study in 2008.

Hewa stressed that the study doesn’t mean the Co-op’s rates are going up. “In fact, certain rates could even decrease. The purpose of the study is not to raise rates, but rather to update our rate structure to help us better provide our members with the electricity options and services they need.”

More information about the Co-op’s cost-of-service and rate design study, links to the survey, a member forum agenda and an online forum is available at www.pec.coop/survey.

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More from Community News.

Technological advancement has made an impact on every aspect of modern life. The public library is no exception.

While many essential texts can only still be found on parchment — local histories, genealogies and books no longer in print — the Blanco Library now can supply patrons with eBook editions encompassing many of today’s most popular authors, like novelist James Patterson.

That’s the word from Blanco Public Library’s Crystal Spybuck.

“We carry free ebooks, but we also will help people set up their reading devices and show them how to use Wi-Fi access,” Spybuck said. “Our ebooks are offered through overdrive.com.”

The Blanco Library is part of the Central Texas Digital Consortium, which interfaces with overdrive.com to offer local patrons application downloads to suit virtually every tablet or smartphone interface.

“Our patrons can use overdrive.com to check out items, download them and access them for up to two weeks at a time, free of charge,” Spybuck said. “Library members can just stop by and we will assist them.”

There are other sites where readers and researchers alike can find access to free materials that can be perused on smart phones, tablets computers or laptops. One such site Spybuck recommends is guttenberg.org, which offers over 46,000 free ebooks that can be downloaded or read online. No fee or registration is required, but users who find Project Gutenberg useful are asked to donate a small fee so the non-profit can buy and digitize more books.

“Gutenberg Press handles things that are outside of the copyright range, offering things that can be downloaded to your device,” Spybuck said. “Overdrive and Gutenberg are the only things out there that offer Kindle capability. All the other things out there are aiming at PC, Android and other platforms.”

Learn more at the Blanco Library, located at 1118 Main Street, or call 830-833-4280. You can visit the library online at www.blancolib.org.

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More from Community News.

Recipe for a Trail: Start with a densely wooded and overgrown area. Add the Central Texas Trail Tamers and a group of dedicated park volunteers. Remove debris, prepare and smooth trail surfaces, prune trees and bushes, and mix in some sweat. Sprinkle liberally with boulders for steps and voila – a new trail is created! That is exactly what happened on a beautiful mild day in January of this year when the Central Texas Trail Tamers came to Blanco State Park to build a new trail connecting the upper and lower parts of the Caswell Nature Trail. The old connecting trail under the Highway 281 bridge had become difficult to navigate due to continual erosion of the trail, and a different route had long been the dream of park staff and volunteers who regularly conduct interpretive hikes and other activities on the trail. Under the Trail Tamers’ expert guidance, everyone pitched in to clear the growth and create a new connecting trail that will help ensure a safer and more enjoyable hike. It was truly amazing to watch the Tamers winch several 1000-pound boulders into place to create stable steps for the trail. Thank you so much to the Trail Tamers who generously donated their expertise, equipment, time, and labor to make the new connecting trail a reality! Thanks also to the volunteers who took advantage of the beautiful weather to come out and help.

The worldwide annual Great Backyard Bird Count is scheduled for February 15. Shirley Winslow will once again lead the count for Blanco State Park as part of her Birds at Breakfast series. In a two-hour period last year, Shirley’s group counted a total of 160 birds in the park. Bring your binoculars and come help gather data that scientists will use to track bird populations. In other birding news, an Eagle Scout and park staff will be installing eight new blue bird boxes in the park on January 31 as part of an Eagle Scout project. If you know of a Scout who needs a conservation project or volunteer hours, please contact the park’s interpretive ranger, Kate Boysen, at kate.boysen@tpwd.texas.gov.

If your interests lie with fins rather than feathers, Blanco State Park is once again scheduled to be stocked with 4,000 rainbow trout this season. The last stocking date is scheduled for February 5. Fishing licenses and stamps are not required when fishing from the shoreline in Blanco State Park, there is no minimum or maximum limit on length, and the daily bag limit is five.

Upcoming events: Invasive plant removal – February 6, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (meet at Park Headquarters with spade/trowel and kneeling pad if desired), Caswell Trail Nature Walk – February 7, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Junior Ranger Camp – February 14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Birds at Breakfast and the Great Backyard Bird Count – February 15, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Caswell Trail Nature Walk – February 21, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Stories in Stone – February 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., and Creature Clues – February 28, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Blanco State Park’s website: www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco/park_events

This monthly column is brought to you by the Friends of Blanco State Park, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and protecting the park’s natural beauty. It is easy to become a member of the Friends group. Just pick up a membership application at the park office, join us at one of our events, or call the park office at 830-833-4333.

Did you know…….? Last year, participants in the Great Backyard Bird Count turned in more than 144,000 online checklists, creating the world’s largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded. Participants can count birds for as little 15 minutes during the four-day event. For more information, go to www.birdcount.org.

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More from Happenings at Blanco State Park.

It’s rodeo time again and this year “Let’s Rodeo San Antonio” has invited the Blanco Buggy Barn Museum to provide wagons and carriages in the 2015 Heritage Cattle Drive Parade.

This is a big honor for Dennis and Kelley Moore and family, owners, and the 2nd time to provide wagons in this parade that travels two miles down Houston Street to end at the Alamo with 200 head of cattle and longhorns. Special guest and friend, Jerry King, from KKYX Radio, the Legendary Texas Hall of Fame DJ will ride on a nine-foot tall Hitch Wagon. The parade begins promptly at 11 a.m. on February 7, kicking off the start of the 67th Annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo which runs February 12 through March 1, at the AT&T Center. The Buggy Barn will have four of its famous wagons/carriages/trolley wagon in the parade with numerous horseback riders as well.

To get you in the western mood, the Buggy Barn Museum will host a chuck wagon BBQ on Saturday, January 31st. There will also be lots of fun activities as well as live music provided by members of The Dry River Band, 5p to 9p, and then DJ Chris Rocks will provide karaoke the rest of the evening. There will be door prizes and a challenging Chicken Foot tournament for all ages. Happenings begin at 5 pm with dinner ready by 6 pm. Come out early, take a wagon ride, visit the many barns to see one of the nation’s largest collection of wagons, carriages and historic relics of time gone by. You don’t want miss the new European exhibit in the main hall.

The best part - ITS’ FREE, however, donations are always welcomed to support the 501 3C Blanco Buggy Barn Museum, which depends on fundraising to continue to provide education and history of our western heritage.

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More from Community News.

My 23 year old son, who lives in San Marcos, came for dinner so we had a big feast, including a dessert. My 6 year old son decided he didn’t like any of the vegetables that were on the table; he only wanted meat and the dinner rolls. I told him it was fine if he didn’t eat anything except a piece of meat and a roll (at first, he refused even the meat), but he was only allowed to have one roll and he would have no chocolate pie afterward. Well…this created quite the emotional event. He tried every trick in the book to get that piece of pie, without having to eat even one bite of the three different vegetables on his plate. He refused even to taste them. Of course I wouldn’t ever force him to eat anything…but I wasn’t going to give him pie, either. I know this isn’t a new story. If you use to be a little boy, you know what I mean.

So- should I have given my little boy a piece of pie, even though he refused to take ONE bite of vegetables? Should he learn that rewards follow a refusal to even try? Do I want him to be a self indulgent adult adult man who feels entitled to pie… no matter what? Somewhere there is a lesson in all of this. “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Without putting forth effort, we can expect no success. Strength and health most often result from work and sacrifice. Sometimes we don’t like the taste of it. Sometimes it’s just hard work. Frankly, the more success we hope to achieve, the more work we must be prepared to do. No matter how society has tried to change the rules, the truth cannot be avoided: there is no true reward without effort on the part of the individual. The sooner we teach our children this truth, the better prepared they will be to start working toward their own personal successes.

I don’t know if JT will taste his vegetables the next time we have dessert. That’s up to him. I don’t know if the lessons I try to teach my children will be learned or not. I know it is my job to teach them what I know is true, by example and words.

In the end, each of us determines whether or not we eat metaphorical pie. How about you; do you want it?

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

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More from Fit Tips.

White lies, gray lies, black lies and down right pathological liars!

Which one are you? When I became convicted of lying the Holy Spirit showed me that I was telling lies more than I realized. People don’t even bat an eye while giving someone an untruthful compliment, or saying “I’ve missed you!” when they really haven’t.

How many people will admit they lie? I’ll warrant not many, but you know what? Everyone has told a lie. We just don’t like to admit it, and also want to ignore how God feels about liars. He hates liars. Did you know that? So where does that put you (or me) with God? Well, I’ve come across a few Scriptures to share, if you dare!

And if you realize your whole life is a bucket of lies, don’t despair. There is hope. If you believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who lived, died and arose from the dead on the third day, was seen by 500 people for 40 days after His resurrection, and is now sitting on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, then there is a small flame glowing within you, and you just need to feed it with small sticks, then let the wind blow and it will grow brighter, and give it a few more sticks, and let the wind blow some more, add a few larger sticks, wait a while for them to get started, and pretty soon you can add a good log on it. It takes time, but the Holy Spirit will begin showing you when you need to be honest. The small flame is the Holy Spirit, and the small sticks and logs are God’s Word.

Exodus 20:16 “16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

Leviticus 6:1-8 is lengthy but good to read.

Leviticus 19:11-13 “11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. 12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God:I am the Lord. 13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him:the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.”

Some day one might want to read Leviticus chapter 26. God told us what He’d do for us if we keep His commands, and what He’d do if we don’t. Some people ask “Why does God allow these calamities?” His Word is true, and people do die for lack of knowledge of God’s Word.

Proverbs 6:16-19 “16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Proverbs 21:6 “6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.”

In John 8:44 Jesus said “44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own:for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

Read Acts, chapter 5:1-11

Colossians 3:9-11 “9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:but Christ is all, and in all.”

1 John 2:21-23 “21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father:(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”

Revelations 21:27 “27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Revelations 22:14-15 “14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

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More from Focus on Faith.

I encourage you to read 2Cor 4:15-18. Verse 17 says, “For our light affliction (tribulation, trouble, persecution), which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Notice, Paul encourages us to count our afflictions as “light“, but the exceeding eternal glory as “weighty“. The eternal glory far outweighs the temporary troubles. Perhaps some might think, “Well, that’s easy for Paul to say. He didn’t go through what I have. He doesn’t understand.” You may be able to say that to me or others, but not to the Apostle Paul. Check out 2Cor 11:23-28 for some of Paul’s “light” afflictions. Most of us have no idea what affliction is - compared to him. So, when he says he counts his afflictions as light, what are you and I going through that we cannot count as light?

A.W. Pink said, “Afflictions are light when compared with what we really deserve. They are light when compared with the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight of glory which is awaiting us.” We must keep this in mind. It’s all about perspective. How you perceive things in your heart. Though Paul suffered much, his perspective was, “This is nothing compared to the eternal glory!”

Paul said in Romans 8:18, “For I reckon (estimate, conclude) that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” As a Texan, I “reckon” Paul is right. Do you reckon the affliction great, or do you reckon the glory great? It’s all perspective. Someone could be going through a great trial, and you would never know it. Why? Because they reckoned it as nothing. Another could be going through some fairly insignificant circumstance, and everyone would know it. Why? Because they reckoned it a big deal, when it really isn’t.

Though I haven’t been living in a cave, I only recently heard the term “First Word Problem”. These would really be considered more inconveniences than problems. Slow internet; slow drive-through line; bad calls at the Tee-ball game; Having to choose this month to either pay the iphone bill, the internet bill, or the satellite bill; too much whip cream on my Venti white chocolate peppermint mocha; etc. If we make a big deal about these insignificant things, how could we possibly count any real afflictions as light? Much of our afflictions are nothing more than “First World Problems”.

Paul said in Acts 20:23-24, “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course (race) with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Though he knew he would endure hardship wherever he went, Paul said none of those things moved him. It didn’t budge him. He just kept moving forward, and he did it with joy, not counting his life as anything. He wasn’t self focused - he was God focused. Glory focused.

If our afflictions are because we are Christians, Jesus said to rejoice and be exceedingly glad (Mt 5:11-12)! How is this possible? By having the right perspective. This life is short. Our life is but a blip on the radar screen of eternity. If we will keep that before our eyes, we’ll live for Jesus and His purposes. We do not have much time - even if we have 100 years. Make your time count for Him in this life.

Let trials make you better, not bitter. Don’t be easily offended; or angered; or depressed; etc. Just let trials make you stronger and better and more Christ-like. Reckon hardships as nothing. Count it all light affliction. Eternity is what is important. The things unseen are greater than the things seen. We will all have trials (1Pt 1:5-9, 4:12-13). Don’t get discouraged.

Zac Poonen said, “The man who has an easy way through life, will be spiritually weak, flabby and impoverished. He won’t be able to do all that God wants him to do. But the one who has gone through trials and testing successfully, will be strong and capable of doing all the will of God.”

Psa 30:5 says, “For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor is life (a living thing): weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. There may be weeping in the night (our physical lifetime), but joy comes in the morning (eternity). Think of the eternal glory that awaits us as Believers, then count whatever trial you’re going through as a light affliction. If Paul was able to do this, then we can too. Selah.

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More from Focus on Faith.

The Hill Country Trail Ride will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Blanco with a breakfast. The riders should arrive in Blanco about 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. They will stay overnight at Yett Park and the Blanco Chamber of Commerce will provide them with its traditional Cowboy Breakfast at 7 a.m. the following morning (Photo courtesy of the Hill Country Trail Ride)

For 50 years, the Hill Country Trail Ride has rolled through the City of Blanco, stopping off at Yett Park for an overnight stay and an early breakfast, catered by the local chamber of commerce. For cowboys and cowgirls everywhere, the annual ride means the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo is just around the corner.

There was a time when the event drew hundreds of Blanco residents to U.S. 281 to cheer the procession on.

“I started doing the trail rides in the early 1980s, and folks would line up along the highway, but the crowds began to dwindle about 10 years ago,” said Trail Boss Marty Jones. “But it is still one of those rare occasions when people can see a real trail ride up close.”

While the crowds may not gather like they once did, locals have catered a breakfast for the riders each and every year.

“The folks in Blanco know how to rustle up the grub,” Jones noted. “On a trail ride, we eat a lot of things that can be put on a flour tortilla. It just works better, particularly if you are riding.”

That, she said, is why they call it a “Cowboy Breakfast.”

This year the ride, operated by the Hill Country Trail Ride, a 5013c non-profit, will begin in Albert at noon on Saturday, Feb. 7. The riders should arrive in Blanco around 5 p.m. The Cowboy Breakfast will take place at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8 on the park grounds.

“We will begin close to the dance hall in Albert,” Jones said. “We will go from there to Yett Park in Blanco. On Sunday, we will go to the Kneupper Ranch in Kendalia.”

Jones, now in her eighth year as trail boss, said the riders are mighty grateful to the local chamber for its efforts.

“It’s really nice because it is one morning that we do not have to cook breakfast,” she said. “They will provide us with all we need to eat and are always gracious.”

While breakfast tacos may be on Sunday’s menu, it is also tradition that menudo is served a couple of mornings during the ride.

Jones said the event is family oriented in every sense of the notion.

“We are a family,” Jones said. “Many us have been doing this for a bunch of years, so we have grown close over the years. However, we are seeing more and more younger riders joining up, and that’s good. It means the tradition will remain strong for years to come.

“One story that has stayed with me happened about six years ago,” Jones, who met her husband on a trail ride, continued. “I got a call from someone in another state who said he knew someone who was looking to go on a trail ride. He said it was on his ‘bucket list.’ I called that man up. He didn’t have a horse. He didn’t have a trailer. He didn’t know where he was going to stay once he came to Texas. I told him I could fix him up.”

Jones called friends and were able to help provide all the needs.

“He now comes back every year,” Jones said. “It is stuff like that which makes the ride so special. Our kids can run around and play together without us worrying too much about what they are up to. If they [the children] are at one camp, that adult is the parent. We take care of each other.”

This year, Jones will take her horse, Comanche, on his final ride. The horse is 27 and will be retired after this ride.

The San Antonio Livestock Show takes place from Feb. 12-March 1. Visit www.sarodeo.com for more information.

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Francois Debuc’s painting has been selected as the artwork for the 2015 Lavender Festival. Debuc is a Winter Texan who avoids the cold Canadian winters, spending his time in the warmer confines of Texas (Photo courtesy of the Blanco Chamber of Commerce).

A painting by Francois Dubuc has been selected as the official artwork for the 2015 Blanco Lavender Festival.

Dubuc, a “Winter Texan” has made the Lone Star State his winter home for a number of years. It’s easy to understand why he likes the warmer temperatures in Texas, compared to his native Quebec Province, Canada, near Montreal.

But in recent years, he has wintered in Blanco County and has fallen in love with the area.

“It started when I was down last year working with the Tejas Art Club,” Debuc said. “I submitted something, but it was way too late for 2014’s festival. So I asked the group to keep the painting here. It was submitted last fall and was selected.”

The painting, a landscape which features a field of lavender mixed in with native grasses with a blue sky background, will be used in the official posters and associated materials used to promote the festival.

The Blanco Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the Lavender Festival, has been holding a contest since the inception of the event to find just the right artwork to represent the event, said Chamber Executive Director Libbey Aly.

“The winner receives $100 and the selected piece is the official, commemorative artwork for the year,” Aly said. “The artwork is used on our marketing collateral, our rack cards, advertising, posters, program and the T-shirt.”

Aly said the planning for the annual event, to be held June 12-14, is moving along nicely.

“We had about a 73 percent return rate on our vendors from last year, which means they are doing well at the event,” Aly said. “It is time for the vendors to send the rest of their money in.”

The deadline for food and art vendors is March 6.

“We are well into the logistic planning process,” Aly said.

To learn more about the Lavender Festival, visit www.blancochamber.com, or call 830-833-5101.

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The new Hill Country Science Mill (HCSM) promises to introduce students to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields using interactive, engaging exhibits and programs. The 14,000 square foot space features 35+ exhibits, sourced globally and many of which are unique to the HCSM. Bonnie Baskin, PhD and the museum’s Founder and Chair of the Board, has designed a place where kids can fall in love with science. “You don’t fall in love with science by reading about it. You have to do it!”

Baskin and her team spent the last 2.5 years sourcing and designing interactive, engaging exhibits. “Many kids have no idea what kinds of opportunities exist for them in science and technology. Our aim is to inspire a large and diverse work force for the future.”

The museum is housed in a renovated 1880s grist mill and cotton gin, giving new life to a building that was created for the cutting edge science of its day. The idea for a science museum was born over a few years. “When we first moved to Johnson City, I would drive by the mill all the time. It was derelict and falling apart. It looked like a crazy science experiment!” says Baskin. “Then I heard it was for sale and the idea sparked.”

The museum’s grand opening is on Saturday, February 14 musical performances have been scheduled to help kick-off the day. Proceeds from the Grand Opening will benefit the Science Mill’s Scholarship Program, which will help defray the admission and transportation costs for field trips and enrollment in science programs and camps for qualified students.

Opening day/weekend hours are Saturday, February 14th 10am-6pm; Sunday, February 15 (12-4pm); and Monday, February 16th (President’s Day), 10am-4pm. Regular museum hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm and Sunday 12-4pm. Admission is free for children under 2, $6.50 for ages 2-18 and students, $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for Seniors (65+) and Military.

For more information, please visit www.sciencemill.org, on Twitter @ScienceMill, on Instagram @HillCountryScienceMill and in person at 101 South Lady Bird Lane, Johnson City, Texas, 78636.

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Blanco County is gearing up for a new Texas Two Step.

Beginning March 1, 2015, the state will no longer issue vehicle inspection stickers and will move to a “Two Steps, One Sticker” program. Under the new system, Texas vehicle owners will need to pass inspection prior to renewing their registration. The familiar blue-bordered Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) registration sticker will serve as proof of both inspection and registration.

“Blanco County is prepared to make this transition as smooth as possible for our residents,” said Blanco County Tax Assessor-Collector Hollis Boatright. “During the first year of the program beginning March 1, 2015, all you will need to do is make sure you already have a valid passing vehicle inspection before you renew your registration in our office, online or by mail.”

When vehicle owners renew their registration, the system will automatically verify whether the vehicle has a valid inspection. Without a passing inspection, the vehicle will not be eligible for registration renewal.

During the second year of the program, beginning March 1, 2016, vehicles’ inspection and registration expiration dates will align to the date that is on the registration sticker. Once the expiration dates are aligned in that second year, you will have a convenient 90-day window to pass inspection first and then renew your registration before the end of the month listed on your sticker.

“When the ‘Two Steps, One Sticker’ program is fully implemented, Blanco County residents will appreciate having just one sticker in the corner of their windshield and only one expiration date to worry about,” said TxDMV Executive Director Whitney Brewster. “And because a passing vehicle inspection will be a requirement to renew your registration, more vehicle owners will comply with inspection requirements leading to safer and more environmentally sound cars on Texas roads.”

The implementation of “Two Steps, One Sticker” is a result of House Bill 2305 which passed during the 83rd Legislative Session in 2013. The program is joint effort by the TxDMV, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, in collaboration with the 254 county tax assessor-collector’s offices which process vehicle registrations and vehicle inspection stations across the state.

For more information visit www.TwoStepsOneSticker.com.

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Coming across the waters on February 11, to visit the Blanco Buggy Barn Museum, are 28 special European world travelers from Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Belgium, France and more. Also visiting will be travelers from Michigan, and California. They will be hosted and will enjoy a hearty cabbage stew with homemade cast iron skillet corn bread lunch including a yummy dessert upon their arrival on the western town movie set. Lunch will be set up in the Kelly Jo parlor room at 11 am. The public is encourage and invited to join them for lunch, a small donation of $5.00 for the meal would be appreciated.

This group of women has traveled all over the world and this year, adding to their annual visit to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo running from February 12th to March 1st, the Blanco Buggy Barn will serve as their host. Carriage and wagon master driver, Dennis Moore will host the ladies, in the horse-drawn trolley car. They will be touring various attractions while in Blanco, Texas ending their evening at Chef Mike’s in the Village, in Bulverde, Texas for dinner and then on to Gruene Hall for a great musical experience.

While in Blanco, the group will also visit Klepac nursey, the Square and historic Courthouse, and Real Ale Brewery.

Irene Valkiers from Belgium said it was, “the best time I’ve ever had, feel like a real celebrity being escorted by these handsome Wranglers Eddie Easter and Kevin Smith. And made a new special friend Blancobarby while at last years’ SA Rodeo.” She and other European visitors were personally hosted and escorted to their rodeo seats. The ladies will also be hosted by the Brett Ward of the International Committee of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo on opening day February 12. “We’re excited and ready for our visit, you all are so friendly and gracious”, stated Mary Schultz, European tour planner and coordinator. Mary and Blancobarby have been working for a year to coordinate this visit and its time, Let’s Rodeo San Antonio, we’re doing it right and adding Blanco Buggy Barn to the tour is the icing on the cake!

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AUSTIN — On Jan. 28 the main work of the Texas Legislature started when the state budget-writing Senate Finance Committee met at the Capitol.

Financial figures for the committee to use as a guide come from the 10-member Legislative Budget Board, a permanent joint committee of the House and Senate that develops budget and policy recommendations for appropriations, completes fiscal analyses for proposed legislation and conducts evaluations and reviews to improve the efficiency and performance of state and local operations.

In its budget estimate, the Legislative Budget Board recommends a $205 billion state budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal biennium. The current 2014-2015 budget is estimated at $202 billion. The biggest chunks of the 2016-2017 recommended budget are $77.5 billion for education, $75 billion for health and human services and $30 billion for business and economic development.

As set forth in state law, the 10-member “LBB” is co-chaired by the lieutenant governor, who presides over the Senate, and the speaker of the House, and includes the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee; the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee; three members of the Senate appointed by the lieutenant governor; and two other members of the House appointed by the speaker. As of Feb. 1, the chairs and lists of members of House committees had not been named.

Sen. Jane Nelson, the first woman in the history of the Legislature to chair a standing budget-writing committee, was appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to preside over the 15-member panel. Nelson, R-Grapevine, said Senate Bill 2 would be a “responsible” budget and she encouraged committee members to voice their individual priorities during the budget-writing process. She also said the panel would spend a week on tax-relief bills.

New governor’s work begins

In the days following his inauguration on Jan. 20, Gov. Greg Abbott set right to work.

On Jan. 21, “to prevent, detect and investigate fraud, abuse and waste” he named Stuart W. Bowen Jr. as inspector general for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

On Jan. 22, he submitted to the Texas Senate for approval Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos as Secretary of State, Jerry Strickland as chief of the Office of State-Federal Relations and David Mattax for reappointment as commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance. He also named appointees to the University of Texas System, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University boards of regents.

On Jan. 23, he set Feb. 17 as the date of special runoff elections for Senate District 26 and House Districts 17 and 123. He also traveled to Edinburg to speak and be present for the announcement of a nearly $3 million grant to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine grant by United Health Foundation. The medical school is to open in 2016.

On Jan. 27, he released a statement in defense of former governor Rick Perry, who is facing felony charges related to his vetoing the budget of the state’s Public Integrity Unit when the head of the unit ignored his demand for her resignation after she had been arrested for drunken driving. Abbott said, “The Texas governor is endowed by our constitution with the authority to veto legislation, and it is outrageous and inappropriate that a governor would be prosecuted for exercising that authority.”

On Jan. 28, in a letter to all state agency heads, he called for higher standards in the state’s contracting and procurement process, including specific reforms aimed at restoring the public trust in the contracting process. This comes in the wake of a series of investigative stories by the Austin American-Statesman detailing a multi-million dollar no-bid contract between the Health and Human Services Commission and an information technology security firm.

On Jan. 29, he proposed to eliminate the Texas Emerging Technology Fund and establish the New University Research Initiative “to make meaningful and effective investments in job creation.”

Correction / Clarification

In this column last week, I erroneously reported Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, as having voted against a proposed Senate rule change in floor procedure, allowing a three-fifths majority of the 31-member body (19 senators) to bring a bill to the floor for debate, rather than the traditional two-thirds, or 21 senators. Estes was present but did not vote on the rule change. I regret the error. The rule change was adopted on a vote of 20-10.

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Now that Emergency Services District #2 [ESD #2] has an agreement in principle with a reorganized Blanco Volunteer Fire Department, the need for additional volunteers is acute.

There are currently about 11 volunteers available to the fire department, but as BVFD’s Lynn E. Hicks explains, that is between 65-90 people short of what it will take to provide an adequate roster under a new plan currently being implemented as part of the reorganization.

“We need a lot of volunteers like we had about 10 years ago,” Hicks said.

Currently, the fire department primarily depends on paid firefighters, with some assistance from volunteers. However, the reorganizational plan calls for the department to have one paid firefighter who coordinates a staff of volunteers. That means the department must have far more volunteers for proper staffing.

“The majority of the calls we get come during the day when most people are working,” Hicks explained. “We need to have enough people to address the needs of the community. While we will have a paid person here at the station during the day, but in order to operate the truck, it takes two people just to get it there. Once you are there, you have to have six people, especially if you are facing a burning building. You have to have an officer in charge, a safety officer, an engineer to run the pump, two people on the line that will have to go into the building and two more to go in and get them if they are in trouble.”

There are numerous volunteer fire departments across the State of Texas. Some are small and some are massive, like the Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department, the largest all-volunteer department in the U.S. For most of its history, BVFD operated without paid firefighters.

Among the challenges facing BVFD’s ability to attract volunteers is the reality that most residents commute for employment, whereas in years past, most citizens worked locally, particularly when the area relied on an agrarian based economy. The fire department is keenly aware of the challenges.

“The new generation is different,” said Lt. Cliff Lener, a volunteer with the department. “The farming generation isn’t like it use to be. For example, I live on a working ranch, but I make 50 percent of my living from a job off the ranch, but there is still cattle and hay to deal with on the property. I think if you look around at people that are involved in farming and ranching, they work other jobs. The ranching part can turn out to be an expensive hobby.”

With that said, BVFD members believe volunteer fire departments can still flourish with good organization and public spiritedness. In fact, all other fire departments in Blanco County are fully volunteer.

The requirements to be a volunteer are simple. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and cannot have a felony criminal record.

Lener said volunteers do not have to be at the department at all times. The primary reason for strength in numbers comes down to coverage, particularly when many residents may be busy with personal endeavors.

“Today is Sunday and most people are attending church services until noon,” Lener said. “Right now, communication between all of us [volunteers] is very important. We try to let each other know when we will be out of pocket. But if there are more people there, we can have that comfort level in knowing there will be someone available when needed.”

There is training involved to be a volunteer firefighter.

“Volunteers can go to grass fires and can go to structure fires,” Hicks said. “But you have to earn enough hours of training before you can enter a burning building or even to get very close to a grass fire.”

The department will provide training to volunteers.

Lener pointed out that BVFD has a Facebook presence that is currently being updated by Duan Tomlinsen, a computer expert that has volunteers. When the Facebook page redesign is complete, the department hopes it will help attract younger volunteers.

Eventually, the fire department would also like to reconstitute its auxiliary to provide assistance, particularly when firefighters are dispatched; however, the plan is to first reconstitute the volunteer roster.

Anyone wishing to become a volunteer firefighter must have available time for training and education. Call 830-833-5009, or drop by the Blanco Fire Station at 503 Pecan Street for more information.

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Although I was born in the United States, I acquired Mexican citizenship through my father who was born in Chihuahua. Because I was living in Mexico as a youth, it was necessary to register with the Mexican military and to obtain some basic training. While still in high school I was issued a “cartilla” that certified that I had fulfilled my military obligation and that I was in good standing in the Mexican Army Reserve.

In 1969, as a graduate student at BYU, I spent a month in Guatemala researching educational practices in the predominantly Indian schools of the central highlands. When I crossed back into Mexico I was detained at the border by a Mexican immigration officer who wondered how this foreign-born “gringo” had obtained a Mexican passport. He just knew that something was amiss. Besides, he saw a situation that might provide him with a “mordida,” or bribe, that could enhance his pocketbook. One way to prove my authenticity as a Mexican citizen was to request to see my military cartilla, knowing that an imposter would be unable to produce one.

I handed the man my cartilla and he scrutinized it in amazement. “I see that you obtained your military training in Nuevo Casas Grandes in Chihuahua,” he said. “By any chance did you live in Colonia Juarez among ‘los mormones’?” When I replied that I had, his whole demeanor changed. All of a sudden I was his long-lost friend.

“I used to work at the border crossing at Berrendo,” he declared. Berrendo is known on the American side as Antelope Wells and was nothing more than a little cluster of adobe houses, a store or two, and a border crossing located in the middle of nowhere in the Chihuahuan Desert. “Do you know the Romneys, the Spilsburys, the Whettens, the Browns and the Wagners?” he asked. When I replied in the affirmative, he told me that he had helped them and others cross many things into Mexico from the States including such things as washing machines, farm implements and even a pipe organ which were difficult or even impossible to obtain in Mexico back then. After some fond reminiscing, he gave me a jovial pat on the back and sent me on my way. Here I was on the opposite border from the one near where I was raised and I had found a “friend” I didn’t even know I had.

Most of us are constantly running into “friends” with whom, at some previous time in our lives, we had interacted. In South America I met a man I had known in New Braunfels, Texas. At Disneyland I ran into a fellow my wife had dated years before in Van Horn, Texas. While at the State Fair in Dallas, a former El Paso student of mine, from out of the crowd, called my name. While at church one Sunday in El Paso, a couple of classmates from the American School of Monterrey Mexico, whom I had not seen in more than twenty years, walked into the service.

“In everyone’s life,” said Albert Schweitzer, “our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the flame within us.”

No matter at what “border” we find ourselves, it behooves us to not only have good friends but to be good friends or, at least, to hang out with good people. We never know when we might be in need of a friend or, better yet, to be able to help a friend—no matter how tenuous or distant the relationship.

(Comments? mustardseeds101@yahoo.com)

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