Individual Award Winners (L to R) Tristan Lopez, Montana Wiseman, Griffin Wearden, Kaylin Gaskamp, Joaquin Olmedo, Trace Savage.

Photo by Amy Arlitt.

Blanco Middle School, performing Tim Kelly’s The Marvelous Playbill, won the District 27-AA One Act Play competition held Wednesday evening at Blanco Middle School.

“One Act Play is considered a team event—and in the theater world, we call this team an ‘ensemble’,” said event judge Perry Crafton. “Blanco has a very, very good ensemble.”

Both Comfort and Lago Vista put on good performances, but Blanco’s strong ensemble performance carried the day.

“I was a little nervous when Lago Vista won the Best Actor and Best Actress awards,” said middle school OAP director Amy Arlitt. “But we have a very strong ensemble cast. It’s something Blanco does well. We play well with each other.”

All Star Cast recognition went to Joaquin Olmedo, Griffin Wearden, and Trace Savage. Honorable Mention All Star Cast honors went to Kaylin Gaskamp, Montana Wiseman, and Tristan Lopez.

“I’m very happy with our win,” said Joaquin Olmedo, who played the role of Chanfalla, a charismatic charlatan who dupes an audience of vain Castilians into believing they are viewing a great theatrical performance, when in reality, there is none.

“I’m very proud of my fellow cast and crew members—we had a challenge and we worked hard, together to win. My wife, played by Christyn in the play, was also supportive and amazing. Without her, I wouldn't have been able to do the act.”

Mrs. Arlitt said, “I’m so proud of these students. It is a privilege to sit back and watch them grow and learn. When I get them as 6th grade students, they don’t know the first thing about theater and the stage, but by their 8th grade year they are performing contest pieces on their own.”

“I’m not allowed backstage during the competition, so all lights, sound, and direction must come from the crew. All hiccups have to be handled by these 13- and 14-year-old students. And they win while doing it.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased.”

“I also want to thank our parents, especially Jennifer Baker and Priscilla Torti. They have been a huge help to me these past few weeks—they made goodie bags, delivered pizza, repaired costumes—I would have a very long list of ‘to-dos’ without their help.”

The cast will perform the play in a non-district competition next Saturday, February 9, at Fredericksburg. “We’ve won first place there the past three years—I’m excited to see how this group will respond at this next level,” said Arlitt.

The play will also be performed during Public Schools Week. The exact date and time have yet to be set, but everyone is invited to attend.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated six counties in Texas as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

The counties are Bastrop, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Lee, Travis and Wilson.

“Our hearts go out to those Texas farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Texas producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”

Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Texas also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are Atascosa, Bexar, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Comal, Fayette, Gonzales, Hays, Karnes, Milam and Williamson.

All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas Jan. 23, 2013, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.

The Obama Administration remains committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses struggling with natural disasters. Actions taken by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2012 to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought included:

Extended emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, freeing up a record 2.8 million acres and as much as $200 million in forage and feed for ranchers during a challenging time.

Purchased $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation's meat supply in line with demand.

Reduced the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.

Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops.

USDA worked with crop insurance companies to provide flexibility to farmers, and one-third of all policyholders took advantage of the extended payment period.

Authorized $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought.

Transferred $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought.

Authorized haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands.

Lowered the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012.

Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.

Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that Congress has not funded the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.These are SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.

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Photo by Cyndi Schroat of Shutterly Blessed.

Blanco’s Buggy Barn Museum featured their famous True Grit Cotton Wagon on Saturday, February 2, with Dennis Moore and staff at this year’s Western Heritage Parade and Cattle Drive on the streets of downtown San Antonio.

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According to researchers, 20,000 square-mile Lake Bonneville was once the largest lake in North America. It had no outlet to the sea and covered much of central Utah and parts of Idaho and Nevada. In some places it reached a depth of 1,000 feet. Today, some of the beaches of the two thousand mile shoreline can be seen on the sides of some Great Basin mountains.

As the climate changed and the area became more arid, the lake receded until all that is left is the much smaller Great Salt Lake and a couple of other remnants. The shoreline of Lake Bonneville forms a high bench for mostly residential development. In fact, the Universities of Utah, Brigham Young, Weber State and Utah State are all located on beaches or “benches” of the ancient lake overlooking their respective towns and cities.

It was on the “east bench” of Salt Lake City back in the 1950s that my father was putting the roof on a house. He had cut the rafters and leaned the 2X6 boards against the house walls in preparation to pull them up for assembly. He was standing on the ground when one of those little dust devils or whirlwinds came a’calling. One of the boards blew down and hit him squarely on the head, cutting a pretty large gash.

“Mac,” said one of the brick masons, “you had better go have a doctor check that out; you might need some stitches.” Sure enough, the doctor shaved and cleaned the immediate area and sewed him up. “Now, Mac,” said his doctor, “I’m going to give you a tetanus shot and I want you to sit in the waiting room for a few minutes to make sure you don’t have any reaction to the injection.”

As my father sat there looking around, he noted that all the waiting room occupants were women—most appeared to be pregnant. Perhaps, he thought, it was the good doctor’s usual mid-morning clientele.

He saw a table in the middle of the room that was covered with magazines and decided that he would peruse one. Now, it was summertime and the weather was hot. He was wearing carpenter’s overalls that sported a lot of pockets for a variety of nails, a tape measure and other necessities. The garment was held up by suspenders that went over the shoulders and fastened to a bib in front. The bib held pencils and other small tools of his trade. In his haste to get to the doctor’s office, he had foregone emptying his pockets. He was wearing a shirt under the overalls but, due to the warm weather, was otherwise unencumbered by any clothing but his underwear.

Much to his chagrin, when he stood to retrieve the magazine that had caught his eye, he quickly discovered that, while slouched in the chair, both suspenders had become unfastened. Over went the bib, spilling its contents, while his overalls fell around his ankles, dumping nails and other assorted flotsam and jetsam onto the waiting room floor—some of it rolling under the seats of the other wide-eyed patients

“I didn’t know whether to grab for the nails or my pants,” he said. “I managed to hitch up my britches enough to be able to duck through a door where I almost knocked over a nurse. When I finally got myself put back together, I re-entered the waiting room where I found every one of my ‘fellow’ patients hiding her face behind a magazine trying desperately to suppress her giggles.”

Whenever I think of Lake Bonneville’s “east bench,” I can’t help but smile when I consider the above incident involving my otherwise dignified father. It kinda makes me wonder what incident might define people’s memories of me. For what will I be remembered? Whatever it is, I hope it will bring a smile to someone’s face.

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AUSTIN — Texas is stronger than ever, Gov. Rick Perry said early in his 36-minute “State of the State” address to the 83rd Texas Legislature on Jan. 29.

Perry praised lawmakers, saying the line has been held on taxes and the state is spending within its means, delivering on his priorities, by “making the tough decisions separating wants from needs.”

He called for an amendment to the state constitution “so when we do bring in more than we need, we’ll have the option of returning tax money directly to the people who paid it.” And he said employment is robust, with nearly 1.4 million low, medium and high-paying jobs added in the last two years.

As for the environment, Perry said that from 2000 to 2011, ozone levels decreased by 23 percent and industrial nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide gas emissions were cut by 60 percent.

In a pushback statement aimed at Washington, D.C., Perry said Texas would not expand Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act and would not set up a state health care exchange — part of phased-in “Obama Care” intended to aid citizens in finding affordably priced health insurance.

Education, Perry said, is progressing, with graduation rates at an all-time high, the third highest in the nation. Perry noted that some higher education institutions are offering the $10,000 four-year degree program that he asked for, and he spoke proudly of increases in charter-school enrollment, but he did not mention the $5 billion stripped two years ago from the public education budget.

What to do with surplus

Even though state finances are off to a running start in 2013 with better-than-expected tax collections that might allow the state to avoid major funding cutbacks like those adopted in 2011, there is room for improvement, Perry suggested.

“We’re in a position today to put our financial house in order, and it’s time to do so,” he said. “We have an opportunity this session, an opportunity to true up our budget and move away from the budgetary techniques we’ve come to depend on all too often. … We need to make the franchise tax exemption for small businesses permanent. … We also need to do away with the practice of using dedicated funds and specific fees for anything other than the purpose for which they were intended. If we don’t need taxpayer money for that purpose, let’s not collect it at all.”

Perry added, “I think providing tax relief of at least $1.8 billion over this biennium is a good place to start.”

Guv has projects in mind

Perry mentioned the state’s Economic Stabilization (or “rainy day”) Fund — a savings account to be used for emergencies, disaster relief and to maintain a high credit rating. He said the fund will soon hold nearly $12 billion, and he supports the use of $3.7 billion from the fund for a one-time investment in infrastructure programs, which he defined as “critical water and transportation systems.”

Straus names panels, chiefs

Speaker Joe Straus on Jan. 31 publicized his list of the state representatives to serve as chairs and members of 38 House standing and three select committees for the current legislative session. With that task accomplished, hearings on proposed legislation will begin.

Some of those standing committee chairs include: Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, Appropriations; Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, Ways and Means; Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, Calendars (the committee that decides which bills advance to the House Floor for debate); and Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, State Affairs.

Also: Tracy O. King, D-Eagle Pass, Agriculture; Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, County Affairs; Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, Criminal Jurisprudence; Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, Energy Resources; Government Efficiency and Reform, Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving; Dan Branch, R-Dallas, Higher Education; Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, Human Services; John Smithee, R-Amarillo, Insurance; and Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence;

And, Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, Land & Resource Management; Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, Natural Resources; Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, Public Education; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, Public Health; and Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, Transportation.

In announcing the chairs and committee assignments, Speaker Straus also recognized Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, as dean of the House, a title given to the member who has the most years of continuous service as a state representative. Craddick, first elected in 1968, served as speaker in the 2003, 2005 and 2007 legislative sessions.

Straus also appointed Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, as speaker pro tempore.

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On Saturday, January 26, the Johnson City Police Department busted a teen alcohol party. Officers issued eleven Minor in Possession/Consumption of Alcohol citations.

According to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission minors who purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages, as well as minors who are intoxicated in public or misrepresent their age to obtain alcoholic beverages, face the following consequences:

• Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500

• Alcohol awareness class

• 8 to 40 hours community service

• 30 to 180 days loss or denial of driver's license

If a minor is seventeen years of age or older and the violation is the third offense, the offense is punishable by a fine of $250 to $2,000, confinement in jail for up to 180 days or both, as well as automatic driver's license suspension.

A minor with previous alcohol-related convictions will have his or her driver's license suspended for one year if the minor does not attend alcohol awareness training that has been required by the judge.

JCPD has been investigating with assistance from TABC officer Scott Helpenstell and will be submitting charges to the County Attorney’s office for the multiple adults that provided and/or purchased the alcohol for the teen drinkers. The punishment for making alcoholic beverages available to a minor is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $4,000, confinement in jail for up to a year, or both.

Chief of Police Randy Holland stated, “Parents are upset with the police department. That is to be expected, but if this party was not broken up and an accident occurred, then they would want to know what the Police Department was doing to prevent such incidents.” Parents and/or adults who continue to provide the alcohol for such parties need to understand the tragic results that can occur.

There are also allegations of sexual assault from a minor female that occurred at the party. The JCPD is currently investigating this and will turn over its findings to the county attorney.

Chief Holland is working on a forum for the public that will answer all questions regarding punishment, laws, rights, and consequences of teen drinking and providing alcohol to minors. Look for future announcements on this subject.

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Cynthia Hatcher, Speeding • James Edens, Speeding • Esteban Torres, Speeding • Crystal Anderson, Possession of drug paraphernalia • Louis England, Speeding • George Lueckenhoff, Expired license plates/registration • Ron White, Improperly tagged deer • Kent Black, Improperly tagged deer • Karen Mann, Speeding • Laura Cleland, Speeding • Rober Doy, Speeding • Mark Synek, Operating motor vehicle without a license • John Barnett, Speeding • Nathan Silva, Speeding • Richard Gray, Speeding • John Bretz, Speeding • Brett Huser, Speeding • Shelley Rodriguez, Speeding • Michelle Elbers, Speeding • James Moore, Speeding • Austin Allen, Failure to maintain financial responsibility • Kelley Davis, All but parent/guardian permit-unlicensed • Gina Parga, Speeding • Kristopher Kimura, Speeding • Derrick Webb, Speeding • Mary Meaux, Speeding • Matthew Baca, Speeding • Meagan Brooks, Speeding • Christopher Johnson, Speeding • Stephen Forren, Speeding • Brea MacLaskey, Expired license plates, speeding • Milan Weeks, Violating DL restriction • Billy Parsons, Speeding • Chandler McCollough, Speeding • Bill Rhodes, Speeding • Corey May, Speeding • Brandy McKennis, Operating unregistered motor vehicle, driving while license suspended • Robyn Froboese, Speeding • Michael McKee, Speeding • Katherine Elkins, Speeding • Lindsey Humphrey, Speeding • Charlene Goeddertz, Speeding • Jessie Welch, Driving while license invalid • Jerod Breakiron, Operating motor vehicle without a license • Emily Booth, Speeding • Lori Combss, Speeding • Erica Taylor, Speeding • Julie Beggs, Disregarding flashing red stop signal • Courtney Crow, Speeding • Michael Campo, Towing unregistered trailer, improper driver’s license for vehicle • Mauro Escobedo, Speeding • Jesus Ruiz, Speeding • James Thetford, Speeding • Evette Rangel, Speeding • Mynor Castillo, Speeding • Dillon Deberry, Speeding • Randy Dejohn, Speeding • Rebecca Gerow, Speeding • Jeffrey Hilt, Speeding • Stacy Turner, Speeding • Kathy Yanes, Leaving refuse on Highway • Robert Barrett, Speeding • Hector Salas, Speeding • Crystal White, Speediing • Christopher Hudson, Speeding • Marisela Moore, Speeding • Lawrence Witt , Failure to yield at Intersection • Theresa Bauldree, Fire extinguisher violation • Warren Paynes, Speeding • Nathan Bradley, Speeding • Angelica Villalobos, Speeding • Theadore Murphy, Speeding • Stephen Goodwin, Speeding, Disregarding flashing red stop signal • Rosales Rivera, Speeding • Alejandro Vicencio, Speeding • William Secor, Speeding • Randy Hoppe, Speeding • Sara Crisp, Speeding • William Miranda, Speeding • Sharlene Johnson, Speeding • Kelcie Nesbitt, Speeding • Roger Jones, Speeding • Charles Johnston, Speeding • Nelson Arias, Wrong side of road-not passing • Erica Lopez, No/expired valid inspection certificate • Clifton Glass, Cut in after passing • Jon Stillman, Speeding • Evan Halikias, Speeding • Lozoya Dominguez, Speeding • Christian Grossklaus, Speeding • Jeremy Hinojosa, Speeding • Christopher Keith, Speeding • Joseph Elhajjmoussa, Speeding • Megan Szalwinski, Speeding • Jasmyne Brown, Speeding • Nicholas Collazo, Speeding • Kim Dunham, Speeding • Jeremias Guadarrama, Speeding • Christopher Rigsby, Speeding • Joshua Coucke, Speeding • Steven Graves, Speeding • Daniel Ayala, Speeding • Katharine Mercado, Speeding • Nina Cremin, Speeding • Christine Case, No/expired valid inspection certificate • Monica Smith, Speeding • Dana Weddle, Speeding • Walter Thompson, Speeding • Caitlin Beckmann, Speeding • Richard Allen, Expired DL, speeding • Benito Montiel, Speeding • Dawn Laurel-Jones, Speeding • Gregory Althoff, Speeding • Johnie Bonnet, Exhaust System not secure, windshield washing system • Arturo Salas, Speeding • Kristine Pagel, Speeding • Andrea King, Speeding • Krista Goewe, Speeding • Randall Bowman, Failure to maintain financial responsibility, speeding • Ronald Vandewater, Speeding • Felicia Leggett, Speeding • Abigail Bartlett, Speeding • Nurdin Julian-Venegas, Speeding • William Harned, Speeding • Jennifer Baxter, Speeding • Michael Malkowski, Expired/No motor vehicle registration • Kenra Buentello, Speeding • Joshua Litos, Public display of alcohol • Cesar Perez, Following too closely-commercial truck • Socorro Bustamante, No/expired Commercial motor vehicle license • Alfred Rivera, No/expired Commercial motor vehicle license, No record of duty status (log) • Joe Adams, Ride not secured by safety belt-Driver • Keith Fulgham, Expired/No valid inspection certificate • Haveen Cheacho, Speeding • Juan Montes, Speeding • Mark Griffin, Failure to display TXDOT cab card • Rickey Obrian , Air-brake compressor violation • Ramon Villarreal, Over 34,000lbs. Tandem axle • Jesse Goodwin, No/expired inspection certificate, Operating motor vehicle without a license • Marcus Kidd, Speeding • Michael Whalen, Failure to display TXDOT card • Martin Duran, Overwidth, Failure to maintain financial responsibility • Charles Haltom, No/expired Commercial motor vehicle license • Mallory Jenkins, All but parent/guardian permit-unlicensed • Roberta Givens, Driving while license invalid • Justice-Lee Siller, Speeding • Caleb Clawson, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Public display of alcohol • Richard Rodgers, Public display of alcohol • Ginger Sofia, Violating DL restriction • Frank Jordan, Speeding • Richard Eppright, Speeding • Tony Boehm, Speeding • Valerie Lester, Speeding • Adrian Arcieri, Speeding • Mailien Felty, Speeding • Edward Casillas, Speeding • Jenna Garcia, Speeding • Edwin Biglarian, Ride not secured by safety belt-Driver • Megan Brown, No valid motor vehicle inspection certificate • Justin Tabor, No/Defective Brakes on Vehicle • Salvador Crisanto, Drove on wrong side of road/bridge • Ronnie Hardman, Failure to maintain financial responsibility.

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Emmanuel Gayosso, Speeding • Jason Brown, Speeding • Jessica Woodman, No valid inspection certificate • Rodney Lafoe, Speeding • Caleb Macias, Speeding • Pedro Garcia, Failure to maintain financial responsibility • Ronnie Hardman, Jr., Driving while license invalid • Jacob Speakerman, Failure to control speed • Brenda Walton, Speeding • Ronald Crockett, Speeding • Jeffrey Anderson, Speeding • Christopher Cardwell, Speeding • Brent Bailey, Speeding • Tracy Davidson, Unsafe speed • Megan Breeding, Speeding • Neil Esquibel, Speeding • Benjamin McDaniel, Operating motor vehicle without a license • Jack Anderson, Duty status not current.

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Kelly Eugene “Buddy” Garrett, 80, passed away February 1, 2013 in Twin Sisters, Blanco County. Mr. Garrett was born in El Campo, TX to Jacob S. and Maria Tyson. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Elizabeth “Beth” Garrett of Twin Sisters, TX; son, Kelly E. Garrett and wife Jessi of Twin Sisters, TX; daughter, Mary Harris of Glendale, AZ; four sisters, Laverne Gresham of Mission Valley, TX, Joyce James of Sunrise Beach, TX, Sue Locust of Tucson, AZ, and Lou Schupe and husband Donnie of Spirit Lake, IA; eight grandchildren, Jessica, Alice, Kella, Roxanna, Melissa, Mel, and James. Mr. Garrett is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Buddy proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from Texas Dept of Transportation.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Twin Sisters Cemetery, Blanco, TX. Local arrangements are with Crofts – Crow Funeral Home of Blanco, Texas.

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Bruce Hall Cain, 66, longtime resident of Blanco County, passed away in the loving company of his family in Florida on January 18, 2013. He was born in Washington, DC but had made central Texas his home since the mid 1970s. He taught middle school math and science in the Austin Independent School District for nearly 30 years before buying a small ranch for his retirement in Blanco. During his time in Blanco he was an active member of the Masonic Lodge, the Lions Club, and the Blanco County Cat Coalition, among other community endeavors. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Sharon, whom he nursed through a long illness with tender and loving care. Bruce is survived by his daughter Amber Gilmore and her husband Daniel Gilmore, granddaughter Sylva Gilmore, and soon-to-be-born grandson Silas Gilmore. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at the Blanco Masonic Lodge on Saturday, February 9th, at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice of Panama City, FL.

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Jonathan Waller, 2004 Blanco High School graduate and 2008 Texas Christian University graduate, worked as a scribe for “PhysAssist” until July 2012. He is now attending St. George University in Grenada, in a dual-degree program to get his Masters in Public Health and MD.

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More from Announcements.

Allen Eugene “Gene” Jordan, Sr., 77, passed away February 1, 2013 at Hill Country Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg, TX surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 29, 1935 in Kerrville, TX to Birdia Allen Jordan and Dora Couch Jordan. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Elsa Hartmann Jordan; two sons, Allen E. Jordan, Jr., and his friend Carol and Michael Jordan and wife Nancy; daughter Michelle Conlon; six grandchildren, Whitney, Mycala, Shelby, Tyler, Chance, and Colton; and sister Marie Eckhardt and husband Lee Harry of Fredericksburg, TX. Gene is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and many dear friends. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bennett Jordan, and sister Judith Ann Jordan.

Gene graduated from Tivy High School in Kerrville, TX in 1951. Gene proudly served his country for 22 years with the U.S. Navy. In 1951 he joined the Navy and was stationed in California. After he re-enlisted for 6 years, he came home on leave and met the love of his life Elsa Hartmann. They were married on August 31, 1958 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stonewall, TX. Gene served during the Korean War and three tours of duty in Vietnam. His first tour of duty was on the USS Bremerton out of California as a machinist mate. Gene served on several ships including the USS Enterprise 65 and retired in 1973 from the USS Dixie as a Chief Machinist Mate. After returning home from the military, he chose a career working on offshore drilling rigs for five years. He worked in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Africa. Missing his family, he returned home to start his own successful construction business with his son Allen for 31 yrs.

In the last few years, Gene enjoyed working in his garden and spending time with his grandkids taking them hunting and fishing.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at Crofts – Crow Funeral Home in Johnson City. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Liberty Lighthouse Church, 321 Old River Crossing in Johnson City. Interment will follow in the Johnson City Masonic Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Melvin Sultemeier, Claude Jordan, Karl Hartmann, Calvin Hartmann, Emil Uecker, and Tyler Conlon. Honorary pallbearers are Roland Hartmann and Gene’s grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

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Announcement–Tax forms are still trickling in; check with our front desk staff if you need a form that is not on our tax shelf to see if they can print it off the IRS website. For those still needing the 1099 forms, you can pick them up at a physical IRS location:

AUSTIN: 825 E. Rundberg Ln., Austin, TX 78753. Open: Mon. - Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm. 512-499-5127.

SAN ANTONIO: 8626 Tesoro Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217. Open: Mon. - Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm. 210-841-2090.

As part of that time of year again, Diana Blackburn is offering, free of charge, to help patrons with their taxes. She only has a couple of appointment slots available on April 4th. Call to make your appointment ASAP! Our beautiful Blanco Library Calendars are now on CLEARANCE for $1 each; please stop by today to pick up your copy. For the month of February, we will be selling special chocolate bars for $8.50. Buy one for your loved one or for yourself!

Upcoming Programs: February 7 @ 4:00pm – Chinese New Year. February 11 @ 10:30am – Chair Yoga. February 12 @ 4:00pm – Valentines crafts for kids. February 14 @ 2:00pm – Blanco Writers Group. February 16 @11:00am – Author: Betsy Dudley visiting.

Recently Added Bestsellers: Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz, No Easy Day by Mark Owen, Threat Vector by Tom Clancy.

Continued Announcement–There has been an abandoned bicycle at the library since Thanksgiving. If you think this may be your bike, please stop by the library or give us a call to see if this belongs to you.

As always, remember to check our website at www.blancolib.org or call us at 830-833-4280 for more information.

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A few tickets remain for Boerne Performing Arts second performance of the 2013 season…The 5 Browns. The Juilliard trained pianists will be performing at Boerne Champion High School Auditorium at 7:30pm on Saturday, February 9. “One can only celebrate the unabashed joy and love of music heard and seen in the performances of The 5 Browns.” – Sarasota Herald Tribune. Texas Public Radio will be recording the concert for a tape-delay broadcast in San Antonio.

BOERNE, TX – February 3, 2013. Following a sold-out performance by Drumline Live last Wednesday, Boerne Performing Arts is ready to change gears for their next presentation featuring The 5 Browns…five extremely talented concert pianists, all graduates of the famed Juilliard School of Music, performing on five Steinway Grands…a symphony of piano performance at the highest level.

The technical aspects now turn to the delivery of five Steinway Grand pianos, each being tuned by a highly trained technician prior to each performance, and aligning the pianos so that the five piano virtuosos are in contact with each other throughout the performance. Musical selections will include features from their latest release, 5 Browns in Hollywood, highlighted by Star Wars: Suite for Five Pianos, the music of John Williams, arranged by Greg Anderson, a Juilliard classmate of the Browns.

The Browns recently announced the birth of a new addition to their family. Desirae, the eldest of the Brown siblings, has brought a little girl (her first!) into the world in January of 2013. While she is on maternity leave, the group is honored to announce “that her place in the group will be temporarily filled by one of the most talented pianists we have had the pleasure of knowing, Mr. Stephen Beus. He will not only be joining us on every 5-piano piece, but he has also been so kind as to agree to perform a solo as well.”

Stephen Beus began piano lessons at the age of 5 and made his orchestral debut four years later. He has won numerous national and international competitions, capturing the attention of both audiences and critics. The winner of the Juilliard School Concerto Competition, Beus made his Carnegie Hall debut with the Juilliard Orchestra, under the direction of James DePreist, playing Prokofiev Concerto No. 3. While in Boerne, Mr. Beus will perform Sonata Tragica, by Nikolai Medtner.

Cordillera Ranch and Sonora Bank, sponsors for this event, are partnering with Boerne Performing Arts to present world-class performing arts in Kendall County. The generosity and support offered by these two local entities will also provide a special in-school program that will allow 1,000 local students to attend a performance by The 5 Browns at no cost to the students. This is part of the Boerne Performing Arts FOR KIDS program. The Kronkosky Foundation, Boerne Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Boerne Star, Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts provide additional support for these programs.

Preview The 5 Browns at boerneperformingarts.com, where you can also use the online service for purchasing tickets for this and all Boerne Performing Arts events. Tickets ($30-$40-$50) are also available at the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce and the Boerne Convention & Visitors Bureau, and phone requests may be made at 830-331-9079.

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Dennis Moore leads Rebecca Howerton’s funeral procession from Trinity Lutheran Church to Blanco Historic Cemetery. The procession was joined by Sheriff’s Deputies, Blanco PD officers, Blanco engine 26, and a long string of mourners.

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The filing period for three vacancies on the Education Service Center Region 13 board of directors is February 1 through February 20.

Terry Smith, executive director of the education service center, announced that candidates may file on a board approved form, in person or by certified mail, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at Education Service Center Region 13 administrative office, 5701 Springdale Road, Austin.

Candidates for place 3 must live in Travis County. Candidates for place 6 must live in one of the following 16 counties in Region 13 -- Bastrop, Bexar (Comal ISD only), Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Fayette, Gillespie, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall (except residents in Boerne ISD), Lee, Llano, Milam (residents must reside in Thorndale ISD only), and Williamson.

Education service center board of directors are elected by school district boards of trustees in each region at the first regular or special board meeting held between March 1 and April 5.

Candidates for the regional board must be 18 years of age or older, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the region. They must not be engaged professionally in education or a member of a board of any educational agency or institution.

The term of office of each board member is three years beginning on June 1 following the election.

Dr. Charles Akins of Travis County (Austin) is now holding Place 1 position on the board. Dr. Akins came on the board in 2001. Mr. Paul Curtis of Williamson County (Liberty Hill) is now holding Place 6 position on the board. Mr. Curtis came on the board in 2010 and is currently serving as secretary. Other members of the service center board are Dr. Ron McMichael of Travis County (Austin); Mr. Gary L. Barnett of Burnet County (Bertram); Mr. Richard Stuewe of Gillespie County (Fredericksburg); Dr. Don Rogers of Hays County (Buda); Mr. Leroy Lorenz of Lee County (Giddings); and, representing charter schools, Ms. Jill Kolasinski of Travis County (Austin).

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With cold fronts blasting through Central Texas, the mercury has been falling, and for many of us that means the electric bill could be rising. When overnight lows drop below freezing, heaters must work overtime to maintain about a 40-degree difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Pedernales Electric Cooperative shares the following reminders to help their members take control of winter bills:

The recommended winter thermostat setting is 68 degrees. Every degree below that can reduce an electric bill by 3 to 5 percent.

When no one’s home, lower the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees. Turning off the heat causes the unit to work overtime when it’s turned back on, eating up any savings that may have been gained.

To ensure optimum efficiency, service heating units every year and change filters monthly.

Space heaters may seem like an economical solution to winter heating, but they can use a surprising amount of electricity.

Keeping curtains or blinds open during the day lets in the sun’s heat. Closing them at night blocks drafts and insulates cold window glass.

More tips and additional conservation resources are available on PEC’s website at www.pec.coop/conservation.

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The Kerrville Cattle Women will host the next meeting of the Hill Country CattleWomen. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2012 at Mamacita's Restaurant located at 215 Junction Highway, Kerrville, TX. The social begins at 10:00 am, with the meeting to begin at 10:30 and with lunch to follow. Cost of the lunch will be $18.00. Our guest speaker will be Rhonda Jolley of the Nunley Law Firm in Boerne, TX. Her practice centers primarily on commercial real estate and the most current topic of water law.

Please make your meal reservations before February 12, 2013 to your respective country reservation chairwoman, located on page 9 of your yearbook, to Dianne Staudt at 830-997-4729, or e-mail hillcountrycattlewomen@gmail.com. Guests are always welcome. Contact Dianne Staudt if you would like to attend and have any questions.

In addition, we are getting ready for our annual Spring Style Show, to be held April 16, 2013 at the Inn of the Hills, in Kerrville. If you are not a member and wish to attend, please contact Mary Jane Morrison at 830-249-0855 to purchase a ticket and/or reserve a table. Tickets are $30.00 each, and to reserve a table for ten (10) would cost $300.00. Members are asked to begin bringing raffle, silent auction, and live auction items to the February meeting.

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We’ve had spring and winter this past month. Flower buds are beginning to break on the trees and shrubs. It’s too early! Freezing weather could be right around the corner. Even if the groundhog DID NOT see his shadow, he is only 39% correct, so be prepared.

February is the month to begin the heavy pruning on shade trees, fruit trees, shrubs, hedges, and roses. Begin by removing diseased and crossed limbs. Use paint on oak trees that have been cut. This is the surest way to prevent Oak Wilt.

Peach and plum trees need to be shaped like a goblet. Cut back the center branch and remove two or three opposite branches, forming a bowl shape. You will be able to pick the fruit without the help of a ladder.

Before bud break on trees and shrubs, spray with Dormant Oil. On fruit, nut trees, hollies, pines, Dormant Oil, known as horticultural oil, is a highly refined, lightweight oil that controls scale and overwintering insects on the plants we’ve discussed. It must be applied during the late winter. Beneficial nematodes is another application that can prevent many problems in the garden, lawn, and flowers. It kills many soil insects. The nursery person can explain the proper way to apply the nematodes.

Wait until after spring bloom to cut back climbing roses and spring blooming trees and shrubs. After they have bloomed, prune them back as you wish. Fertilize and mulch after they have been pruned.

Divide perennials before they begin to green up–cannas, irises, mums, fall asters, and many more.

Continue to remove dead annuals and cut back perennials. Continue to fertilize flowering plants every two or three weeks. Try using Rose Glow for the blooming plants. It is a very good plant food. Blanco Gardens carries it.

Cool season flowers can still be planted–pansies, snapdragon, alyssum, pinks, larkspur, stocks, petunias, and bright lights ornamental swiss chard.

February is the month to plant potatoes, onions, asparagus, transplants of cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, and other root and leaf vegetables.

Remember: watering deeper, once a week, is more beneficial than watering every day for ten minutes.

Be prepared to cover your transplants if damaging weather is expected.

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Disturbing headlines like these are enough to trouble us all:

MOTHER TO GO ON TRIAL FOR POISONING HER CHILDREN

RUINS OF COLLAPSED DANCE HALL YIELDS 43 BODIES

KILLS WIFE, CHILD IN SLEEP AND THEN ENDS OWN LIFE

No wonder anger and anxiety are epidemic. News like this feeds our fears and frustrations, making violence and despair predictable. But wait!

These are not today’s headlines. They are taken from the July 7, 1925 issue of the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Herald. So even the “good old days” weren’t so good.

Long ago, Solomon urged his readers to avoid saying, “Why were the former days better than these?” (Ecclesiastes 7:10), reminding them that there is nothing new under the sun.

Today experts argue over the causes of violence, crime and moral decline, but until we get beyond outward influences we’ll not understand what’s really wrong in society. We may gather and computerize all the facts on these problems but will fail to come up with meaningful solutions unless we get back to basics.

In a letter to a young pastor, Paul predicted the future would be characterized by increasing education but said these learned ones would keep missing the central truth needed to make a difference (2 Timothy 3:7). Have you noticed how true this is in our time? We know more about mental health but have more breakdowns; more about law enforcement and the criminal mind but have more crime. Books, retreats and clinics on marriage abound, but home breakups are epidemic.

We must dig deeper. We must get past these frustrating facts to faith.

Jesus said the heart of the matter is the heart: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness.” (Mark 7:21-22).

We are all capable of doing terrible things. Within each of us is the potential for crime, violence, dishonesty, immorality, etc. Newspaper headlines and shocking lead stories on television news roundups are but evidences of what lies within us.

We’re talking about (dare we say it?) sin.

Augustine wrote: “We are capable of every sin we have seen our neighbor commit unless God’s grace restrains us.”

That’s both the bad and good news.

The good news is that God’s grace meets us where we are, changes us when we respond in faith to His love, restrains us from actions that would harm others or ourselves and sets us on a course of caring productive living. This explains why periods of spiritual awakening have historically produced positive moral and social results in communities and nations that stricter laws, stiffer penalties and even well-meaning expensive social programs had failed to do.

Changed hearts change headlines.

And our Lord wants to change us all.

Let the changing begin in you and me.

Roger Campbell is an author, a broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years. He can be reached at .

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