The Panther softball team will face the Boling Bulldogs in the area round of playoffs on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 at the Starplex softball fields in Shiner. In this best of 3 series, game times are set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. If necessary game 3 will be played 30 mintes after the end of game 2. Good luck to the Panther softball team!
More from Sports.
Funny how time repeats it’s self. Construction falls into this as well. The more I look at older homes, the more I see things being brought back. So many homes are using designs, materials, ideas from the 1950-1980’s, some even older. Here are a few of the latest trends.
Reclaimed wood is very popular. This is old wood being reused. Wood from old barns is in big demand. People are using this on the outside of homes as well as inside homes for flooring, cabinetry, trim work, and furniture. Old barn tin can fall into this category too. Want that really rustic and old look? These items will be good to incorporate with your home.
Smaller homes are the in thing too. People are building smaller homes. They also are adding guest homes. However, many people are adding additional features. Some like to add more to the outside. Things like outdoor patios, outdoor bar-b-que, fireplaces, or fire pits are all nice. Waterfall areas and gardens are being added. Outdoor living in general has so many things to offer.
Hardware throughout a home use to be the shiny gold and silver. Now the brushed nickel and antique brass is back in. Old claw foot tubs are being redone, or replica’s purchased for use in both the master bath and additional bath rooms. Antique hinges, doors, lights and more are being used throughout a home.
In the flooring area, lighter woods are being selected. Concrete is really popular. Concrete can be plain, scored, designs, roughed up, colors mixed and more. You can even put in that new real wood flooring and scruff it up to look old with paths, this looks great in a rustic style home.
Walls are being dressed up with fabric and wall paper. Even those stripes and geometric designs are being used again. Paint colors are in the darker earth tones. Yes, even those blues and greens are being used.
Talking about blues and greens, carpet in these colors are back and being used again. No so much the long shag that was once popular, but the shorter shags are what is being used.
All natural is very popular with the baby boomers as well as a few additional items. For instance, using paint and stains with no fumes and chemicals, concrete or wood flooring (even bamboo). Creating doors that a wheel chair can go thru, walk in showers with no doors, grab bars in areas, reachable/stackable cabinets. These are just a few items that baby boomers add.
Retro furniture fits right in with that wall paper and blue shag carpet. Yeah Baby, it’s the 60’s in some of the styles.
Using bead board on walls and ceilings, and tin on the ceiling is even an older trend that is coming back. Big front and back porches, like in the olden days for hanging out, are such a nice touch.
Just like keeping those old clothes, keeping old furniture, reclaiming wood and more just keeps on coming back. Some like it and some don’t. You are the one living in your space, make it you.
For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-6658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net
More from Putting the Pieces Together.
When you’re buying anything — and that includes a house — you want to be as informed as possible.
One of the most important factors in the purchase of a home is determining what makes a fair asking price and, by extension, a fair offer — one that is more likely to be accepted.
How do sellers arrive at an asking price?
First, it’s helpful to know that there are two primary considerations most homeowners use to determine the asking price for a property — and they’re both about motivation.
The first motivation is to sell the house quickly. Sellers in this situation may be more aggressive in their pricing strategy — and that could mean good things for you. It may also mean a multiple-offer situation, so be prepared to act.
Some sellers don’t need to sell in any particular time frame. Their main motivation is to maximize profit on the property. In many cases, the home may be owned outright or be a second home. This can mean the seller is looking for a certain price and will likely be less flexible.
In most cases, though, there’s a happy medium between the two extremes — and that’s where most homeowners end up.
So how do you know if an asking price falls is reasonable?
Do your research
As I mentioned at the outset, it’s important to be an informed consumer. The best way to get informed is to do your research. The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University (www.recenter.tamu.edu) is a good place to start. The center offers sales data from around the state, which enables you to learn about the local market.
You should look for things like how quickly homes have been selling in a neighborhood and the surrounding areas.
Aside from the seller’s motivation, which you will likely not know, think about what factors may go into pricing a home — renovations that have been done, the general condition of the home, school district, location, and more.
Get help from an expert
Buying a home can be an intimidating, confusing and lengthy process, and I strongly urge you to use an expert to guide you through the transaction.
Texas Realtors are certainly industry experts, but more than that, we’re local experts who know what’s going on in a particular neck of the woods. Real estate market conditions can greatly vary within a city, so it’s this local expertise that really offers value to you.
From the specific to the general
You may only buy a few homes in your entire life, but most Texas Realtors conduct several transactions per year — often in the same area. This frequency not only enables us to spot local trends in pricing and market conditions, it also affords a familiarity with the process so there are no stones left unturned, no documents left unsigned, and fewer chances for the transaction to fail.
More from The Real Estate Corner.
The Buggy Barn Museum hosted the Veteran Motor Car Club Of America on Friday, April, 26. The club’s 2013 Chrome Glidden Tour is exclusively for cars made between 1935-1988. The club tours all around the country, but this was a Hill Country adventure, with the last stop in Blanco. Dennis Moore and the Buggy Barn Museum Chuck Wagon Cooking provided the club with a hot meal on the cloudy day. The cars were the reals stars, of course.
3 photos attached to this article.
More from Community News.
The Blanco girl tracksters who qualified for state, will be competing on Saturday, May 11, beginning at 12 noon at Mike Meyers Stadium on the University of Texas campus in Austin.
Finishing in either first or second place at Regionals, the girls qualify for the following: Meaghen Seales, 800 meter run and 400 meter relay; Leslie McClinton, 200 meter relay; Paxston Koehl, alternate for the relays; Lexee Jenkins, 400 meter relay; Abby Beard, 200 meter relay and 400 meter relay; Abbie Culton, 200 meter relay; Bret Leigh Nance, 800 meter run. Natalie Barnett, not pictured, qualified for the 400 meter relay.
The girls track team has had another outstanding season. Best wishes to the girls running at State!
1 photo attached to this article.
More from Sports.
The final voting day for School Board Trustee, Place 6 is Saturday, May 11. The poll location is in the new Cafeteria of the Blanco Elementary School. Polls open at 7 am. and close at 7pm.
You must be a registered voter and a resident in the Blanco Independent School District, in order to participate. The Blanco Independent School District encompasses 378 square miles, located primarily in Blanco, although touching or including sections of Hays, Comal, Kendall and Gillespie counties.
More from Community News.
The Blanco Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the 9th Annual Blanco Lavender Festival will be held June 7 – 9th in the heart of Blanco, on the Old Blanco County Courthouse Square. In the past eight years, the Blanco Lavender Festival has grown into one of the premiere events in the Texas Hill Country and has succeeded in bringing recognition to the beautiful community of Blanco as a destination location. Blanco is the Lavender Capital of Texas, with land and climate conditions suitable for growing this historic plant.
Despite recent drought conditions, The Blanco Lavender Festival continues to thrive and is pleased to announce three touring farms this year: Hill Country Lavender, Imagine Lavender at Rocking L Ranch and Wimberley Lavender Farm. The Courthouse square will host over 140 art and craftsmen booths and there will of course, be lots and lots of lavender products from local and regional growers. The “Go Texan” booth will again showcase Texas wines and food products grown and produced in Texas.
The popular speakers pavilion will offer festival guests opportunities to learn more about the history of lavender and how to best grow lavender in your own garden, how to include lavender in your culinary creations, bee keeping and secrets to growing wildflowers. You can even get a chance to blend lavender and essential oils into customized spritzers!
The Lavender Festival will also be featuring some of the best music in the Hill Country along with some unique food vendors to satisfy every appetite.
The success of the Lavender Festival has always been large in part due to the amazing community volunteers. Volunteer Shifts are now forming. Sign up early to get your favorite place. Volunteers needed in the Wine & Beer Tent, Information/Souvenirs, Office and Parking. Call Libbey at 830-833-5101.
Complete information on the festival, farms, music and vendors can be found at the Festival web-site: www.blancolavenderfest.com. Make your plans now to visit Blanco during the 9th Annual Lavender Festival, June 7, 8 & 9, 2013. See you there!
1 photo attached to this article.
More from Community News.
by Priscilla Seals
Those residents of Blanco who attended Monday night’s Town Meeting regarding Emergency Services District #2 (South Blanco ESD) were given a unique opportunity to learn about the history and operating procedures of the district as well as to voice their concerns and expectations of what emergency services should be provided.
A number of emergency services personnel were present at the meeting, including EMS Director Mike West and EMS Officer Rick DeWolfe; Blanco VFD Assistant Chief Lynn Hicks, and members of the Air Evac Life Team. Moderator and Commissioner Ann Hall also recognized ESD#2 commissioner Theresa Turner. Other commissioners include Wayne Dworaczyk, Mary Ann Millard, and newly-appointed preventive medicine physician Darwin Labarthe.
Ann Hall presented what she called “a quick lesson” on the history of the emergency services district entity, which was created in 1987 by the Texas Legislature through a constitutional amendment. Although a special election in Blanco County in 1988 to vote on the formation of a Blanco County Emergency District failed, a Rural Fire Prevention District was created the following year by a slim margin of three votes. Finally in 1999 an election was held in the Blanco Independent School District, by which the Blanco RFPD #1 became the current Blanco County ESD #2. As Hall explained, the boundaries of the ESD correspond to the boundaries of the school district except that the ESD does not cross county lines. However, as was explained later, districts have a mutual assistance agreement by which EMS and fire personnel respond to emergencies which occur over the lines. ESD #2 covers 200 square miles and serves between 5500 and 6000 residents, plus hundreds traveling up and down Highway 281. The VFD made 254 fire runs in 2011, 207 in 2012, and 81 this year through March. EMS made 616 calls in 2011, 664 in 2012, and 420 so far for their current fiscal year.
The powers of the ESD, which is a political subdivision of the state, include imposing and collecting taxes ($.05 per $100 valuation), “ the ability to acquire, purchase, lease, manage, occupy, and sell real and personal property, enter into and perform necessary contracts, appoint and employ necessary officers, agents, and employees, sue and be sued, accept and receive donations, lease, own, maintain, operate, and provide emergency services vehicles and other necessary or proper apparatus, instrumentalities, equipment, and machinery to provide emergency services, “ and most important, the power to contract with other entities such as the Blanco VFD, EMS, and the Air Evac Lifeteam of helicopter EMS personnel out of San Marcos, which includes three helicopters. Hall stressed, “Operating an ESD is just like operating a business except we are using public tax funds and everybody should be watching us!”
ESD #2 has an annual operating budget of over $400K, with an estimated $493,633 in revenue from property taxes in 2013, although as ESD commissioner Theresa Turner commented, not everyone pays their taxes; so the district’s budget must include paying a delinquent tax attorney $3500 to collect those taxes. In addition, major budget expenses include the following: the EMS annual contract ($216K), the VFD annual contract ($163,170), fees to the Appraisal District ($16,200), insurance ($1200), professional fees to auditor and attorney ($3K), and a $3,900 fee for use of the Verizon communication tower.
In answer to the question of why individuals are charged for fire and EMS services beyond the taxes they are assessed, Hall explained that taxes do not cover all the costs of service. If EMS or Air Evac do not transport someone, they are not reimbursed for gas, meds, or supplies. Medicare and Medicaid payments are also not covering expenses as they have in the past. The cost of emergency vehicles and equipment can be staggering, as Hall pointed out. For example, Blanco VFD Engines 25 and 26 cost about $130K each. A brush truck, which carries water and is sent out to brush fires, has a replacement cost of $150K. The large tanker truck, which refills brush trucks, was bought in 1997 and has a replacement cost of $200K. Protective clothing for each fire fighter must be replaced every ten years at a cost of $2500 for each set. The “Jaws of Life” equipment to pry people out of wrecked vehicles costs $12K.
State-of-the-art equipment for EMS is also pricey. A Frazer ambulance, one of which is on order now, costs $134,900. A Life Pak 12, which includes a heart monitor, defibrillator, heart pacer, blood pressure monitor, and EKG, costs $40K. A Lucas CPR machine, which Hall says performs “perfect CPR every time,” costs $15K. As Theresa Turner pointed out, operating expenses increase as fewer people are willing to serve as volunteers, resulting in paying qualified personnel. There are also costs for the land and stations, and a Communications Center must be staffed. Grants are available if districts have a plan in place, hence the importance of developing a Strategic Plan.
In the second portion of the meeting, facilitator Jack Twilley invited those in attendance to write their expectations of what an ESD should provide, their concerns about the quality of services, and personal experiences. The responses were then grouped into categories and put on an easel. Input will form the basis of a Strategic Plan for the district, which will include a Mission Statement, a Vision Statement, and a Values Statement. The final plan will be available to the public, either online or in print. Those in attendance were invited to provide their e-mails for that purpose.
Expectations of what emergency services should provide included timely response, a fully-equipped ambulance, competent and kind emergency workers who have a high level of medical training, and adequate water to fight fires.
Concerns included adequate water to fight fires. It was suggested that a district-wide database listing water sources and gate codes would facilitate more effective service. Someone else expressed concern that the fire department does not have fittings to attach hoses to rainwater collection systems. One person said that he is unable to get fire insurance because Blanco has a low ISO (Insurance Standards Office) rating. Someone else pointed out that directions to properties differ depending on which internet search engine is used. Another person questioned where 911 calls go from a cell phone. Twilley expressed his concern that a plan is needed for coordinating resources across county lines in case of a major emergency such as that in Bastrop or in West, Texas. Another person said it is difficult for a large fire truck to get down his road. Someone asked why both EMS and fire personnel often respond to the same emergency call. EMS director Mike West responded that EMS may be needed to help an injured firefighter, and that it is helpful to have both services available to take emergency measures such as CPR. In response to a concern that Air Evac will not transport someone who is receiving CPR, Program Director Terri Thompson responded that the person must be stabilized before transporting.
In contrast, those who related personal experiences said that response time was quick and that personnel worked efficiently in their emergency.
The final part of the meeting consisted of comments by Hall on what each individual can do. Suggestions included taking a CPR class, leaving money to the ESD in one’s will, and of course, not inadvertently setting brush fires. She referred to the “stupid tax,” which bills people who inadvertently set fires. She also invited those in attendance to become more involved with emergency services by contacting her by phone at 830-833-9915 or online at(hall@texas-skies.com) or by visiting one of the stations.
More from Community News.
St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church held a groundbreaking ceremony for the building of their new church, Thursday May 2.
Joe Vasquez, Bishop of the Austin diocese, attended the event and gave a special homily. “This is a historic day for you.” said the Bishop. “Our prayers are with you on this new endeavor. This building is a reflection of the building and growth of the Austin diocese.”
Father Justin Udomah, Pastor at St. Ferdinand’s thanked the Bishop for his visit and told him, “I want you to know, this is the best parish in the diocese!”
At the ceremony, Bishop Joe Vasquez blessed the site of the new church with holy water and participated in the groundbreaking along with Father Justin Udomah, Deacon Jessie Esquivel, Dan Kubin, Building Committee Chairman, John Kubin, Pastoral Council Chairman and Bill Noonan, Capital Campaign Director.
St. Ferdinand’s is hoping to have the new church building completed by Christmas.
2 photos attached to this article.
More from Focus on Faith.
I recently received an email from my brother, Dale, saying that he is considering retirement. A few days later he sent me a picture of a corner in his home with a note that said, “After almost 40 years of marriage I have finally arrived. I now have my very own man-corner. I had thoughts of having a man-cave, but those dreams were dashed long ago…”
The photo shows a modest but nice wooden desk and a two-drawer file cabinet: that’s about all—not even a chair. My other brother, Jay R, sent him this message: “I notice you have nothing to work with in the man-corner—no computer! Good move!! All that is required is a soft recliner chair and a TV.”
Boyd K. Packer gave a friend a tour of his home that included a visit to a secluded spot on his property bordering on a lake. It was a beautiful, quiet place. He explained to his guest that this choice spot was, for him, a refuge. It was the place he went to find solitude, to meditate, to be quiet and to pray. The visitor was impressed. The Elder Packer asked him, “Where is your lake?”
When I asked myself, “Where is your lake?” I came up with two places. One is a secluded spot that I like to call “Hidden Springs.” It is shielded by large oaks and cedars that turn the spot into a quiet getaway out of sight and sound of neighbors and away from the noises of the highway and the rush of the world. I like to park my pickup under a tall spreading live oak, turn the dog out to run and sit alone to think, to meditate and to pray. The older I get, the more I cherish those moments.
Unlike my brother, Dale, however, I also have a man-cave. It is a well-insulated but somewhat rustic room built into an out-building. There, I am surrounded by books, pictures and other mementos of my life that take me back many years. The lack of electricity doesn’t deter me at all from making frequent solo visits to the place in order to be alone with my past and to contemplate the present and the future. I need that time alone and I suppose that each of you do also. The lack of any internet connection in that place, I honestly believe has been a great blessing. There is time for that at the house in-between supper and the Hallmark Hall of Fame.
Lately I have been contemplating our porch. I have spent a lifetime pursuing the things the world thinks to be important. Been there, done that. Now, I wish I had taken more time to sit on the porch during quiet moments in order to enjoy the cool breezes and the glorious sunsets.
“Everybody can enjoy a glorious sunset,” said David O. McKay. “You would have to pay a great sum for a painting by a skilled artist. Only the wealthy can afford it, but almost any evening we can look at a brilliant western sky, and each one of us can say, ‘That’s mine!’ Too few of us appreciate what this means.”
My secret places are helping me to enjoy the moment—to seize the day. Where is your secret place? Where is your lake?
(Comments? mustardseeds101@yahoo.com)
More from Mustard Seeds.
AUSTIN — May 27 will be the last day of the 140-day regular session of the 83rd Texas Legislature. There is a mountain of work for lawmakers to pack into the remaining few days.
First among lawmakers’ duties is to pass a budget for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. The task of reconciling two versions of the budget is now in the hands of a 10-member House-Senate conference committee. Members are weighing and measuring their way toward an agreement over the final composition of a budget likely to total in the neighborhood of $195 billion.
They will have to come to terms on how much of that enormous amount to put toward public education, health care and transportation. Once agreed upon by the conference committee, a budget of about 850 pages in length will be returned to the House and Senate for more or less ceremonial votes before reaching the governor’s office for a signature of approval or a veto.
Big-ticket items in the budget are health and human services, about $75 billion; public and higher education, about $75 billion; public safety and criminal justice, about $12 billion; and business and economic development, about $25 billion.
Water bill slows down
CSHB 11, by House Natural Resources Committee Chair Allen Ritter, R-Nederland, was stopped on a parliamentary point of order in House floor debate on April 29. The bill would pull some $2 billion from the state’s “rainy day fund” for deposit into a state water implementation fund that the Texas Water Development Board would mete out for qualified local and regional water conservation and infrastructure projects.
Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, raised the point of order against further consideration of the bill on grounds that the general appropriations (budget) bill had not yet been certified by the comptroller. Speaker Joe Straus sustained the point of order.
The bill was returned to the House Committee on Appropriations.
House OKs funding patch
On April 29 the supplemental appropriations bill, Committee Substitute House Bill 1025, moved to the Senate, after having been passed by the House on April 26.
Authored by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, the bill would add $875 million to the current state budget, which ends Aug. 31. Public schools would get $500 million of the amount to help fill the gap left by a $5.4 billion cut in education funding passed by the 2011 Legislature. Prison-related managed health would get $39 million to cover projected costs through the end of the fiscal year.
Some $170 million of CSHB 1025 will come from the Rainy Day Fund to help the Texas A&M Forest Service and other agencies cover costs from wildfires that ravaged areas of Central Texas in 2011. Some $2 million of the supplemental funding is designated for the recovery of West, Texas, where a fertilizer plant caught fire and exploded on April 17, resulting in 15 deaths, more than 160 injuries and catastrophic public and private property losses.
Agency would be renamed
The Senate on May 2 passed SB 212, the Railroad Commission of Texas sunset bill reauthorizing the state agency that regulates the oil and gas industry for 10 more years.
Authored by Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, the bill would rename the agency the Texas Energy Resource Commission to reflect its actual purpose.
The legislation also includes language barring the agency’s three commissioners from seeking or accepting campaign donations earlier than 17 months before an election day and provisions granting the agency power to regulate pipelines that cross the state border and creating a pipeline permit fee.
House OKs gun-related bills
Tentatively approved by the House last week were:
- HB 1009 by Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, to authorize a school district or open-enrollment charter school to appoint school marshals to prevent or abate the commission of an offense in the event of a life-threatening situation that occurs on school premises.
- CSHB 972 by Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Tomball, to authorize a public institution of higher education to use its rulemaking process to “opt out” of prohibiting concealed handgun license holders from carrying handguns on premises owned or leased and operated by the institution.
- HB 1076 by Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, to prohibit state and local governmental bodies from adopting a rule, order, ordinance or policy that would regulate a firearm, firearm accessory or firearm ammunition if it imposes a prohibition, restriction or other regulation such as capacity or size limitation, a registration requirement or a background check that does not exist under Texas law.
More from Regional News.
Bring your entire family for the Founders Day Celebration planned for Saturday, May 11, 2013. It will be a wonderful time with Mother’s Day guests in for the weekend to share in the history of Fredericksburg’s founding which was May 8, 1846.
Founders Day Celebration will be held Saturday, May 11, 2013. As the 8th of May rolls around each year – it becomes time for the community to turn its eye to the past and reflect on the rich cultural heritage of the area. The celebration takes place annually on the 2nd Saturday of May each year on the Pioneer Museum grounds since the mid 1950’s. Visitors young and old alike will have the opportunity to observe many types of pioneer skills including blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, knitting, and sewing, wire fence making, antique tractors and engines in operation, corn shelling, and storytelling as well as make rope. The activities have an educational goal to enlighten the public to the customs and pioneer skills that were commonplace in Gillespie County during the 19th Century.
A Wreath Laying ceremony will honor the founding families of Fredericksburg at 9:30 a.m. at Marktplatz, 100 West Main Street. Immediately following the wreath laying at Marktplatz, all are invited to meet Glen Treibs at 11:00 a.m. for the second wreath laying and tour at Der Stadt Friedhof, North Lee Street. This cemetery was first known as Der Stadt Friedhof by the early German settlers. It was later known as the Union Cemetery and the City Cemetery before returning to its original name. Der Stadt Friedhof is German for "The City Cemetery". Meet at the cemetery entrance to participate.
Living History activities will take place from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on the museum grounds. Bring the family and enjoy pioneer activities. Roy’s research for his presentation in the evening has included visiting with descendants of the Heinrich and Carl Kensing, John Kleck, Julius Ransleben, Henry Becker Sr., Valentin Hohmann, Gottfried Heimann, Johann Fritz, Fritz Joseph, and Wesley Franz families. During the afternoon from 1:00 – 6:00 p. m. these founding families whose principal occupation was blacksmithing will have family memorabilia on exhibit in the Social Hall on the Pioneer Museum grounds. Roy Bellows will be explaining the blacksmith profession in the blacksmith shop during the day. That afternoon the historic Schandua house at 111 East Austin will be open for tours and a photo exhibit by Melissa Starry featuring “Schatzie Crouch” that afternoon.
Admission to the daytime activities is the regular Pioneer Museum admission fee of $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-17. Those five and under will receive free admission. Pioneer Museum is located at 325 West Main Street and parking is free. The museum gift shop will also be open which features a wide selection of books, gifts and collectibles as well as children’s toys from days gone
More from Community News.
Wesley Kevin Smith, 51, of Blanco, passed away on Monday April 29, 2013. Graveside services were held on Wednesday May 1, in the Blanco Cemetery under the direction of Crofts – Crow Funeral Home in Blanco.
Wesley was born on January 10, 1962 in San Diego, CA to Dale and Beatrice (Emery) Smith. He worked in construction until his illness. He was preceded in death by his mother Beatrice.
Wesley is survived by his father Dale Smith and wife Sharon of New Braunfels; the love of his life, his fiancée Wendy “Taz” Colton of Evergreen, CO; a brother Wayne Smith and Carol of Missoula, Montana; a sister Wendy Jones and Derrick of Blanco; a niece Skyler; three nephews, Justin, Travis and Tanner and their families, and many friends.
More from Obituaries.
As Memorial Day approaches amid our current events, I think we all greatly appreciate our men and women who have (or currently are) serving our great nation, the United States of America. I know I do! When I’m speaking to someone who’s hinted of their tour of duty, I’ll interrupt our conversation by saying “I just want to thank you for fighting for my freedom, lest I forget at the end of our conversation.” For me, it’s important enough to interrupt, and for them, I’ve seen that (although they’re all humble, they appreciate the interruption) and are sometimes even surprised, perhaps because it’s a rarity.
It makes me cry to realize some have died without ever hearing a thank you! Perhaps we can make it up by thanking everyone we run into, and while we’re at it, we can thank the men and women who are the first responders to emergencies, such as our local EMS personnel, our fire department personnel, and our law enforcement, too!
They put their life on the line each time they put on their uniform and walk out of the house, and their family does not know if they’ll come back home each day. One of my younger brothers was killed in the line of duty as a San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officer, and my daddy was an investigator for SAPD all my life, so being a police officer’s daughter, law enforcement is very close to my heart.
The Blanco Historic Cemetery Association (BHCA) is missing Rebecca Howerton very much right now. It’s time to put the flags on the graves in the cemetery and that was Rebecca’s baby. I know I’d see her several times a week at the cemetery, because I work down the block from it. We have questions to ask her!
Did she continually purchase flags and replace those that blew out? It’s an on-going project that needs daily checking, if you want them out there perpetually. And, if they’re placed out there only for special times such as Memorial Day, then someone needs to pick them up and keep track of where they were! She took on that responsibility and sometimes even personally paid people to help her.“We’ve purchased the flags and Diane Hostetler said she wants to carry on Rebecca’s work, and continue placing the flags on the graves. Would you like to help Diane?
Bonnie Riley said she has time to help Diane put the flags in the grave sites, and so if you would like to work with Diane and Bonnie, you may call Diane at (830) 833-4329 and Bonnie at (512) 644-4043.
If you can afford to make a donation towards the purchase of the 300 + flags to place on the graves, please mail your donation to Blanco Historic Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 473 , Blanco, TX 78606; and notate on the payment that it is specifically for purchase of flags. Thank you very much for your support of this worthy cause.
Sincerely, Patricia Coffee, Secretary, BHCA
More from Community News.
Sybil “Irene” Childs Killgore, 86, passed away May 2, 2013 in San Antonio.
She was born on September 26, 1926 in Tahoka, Texas to Kimmie Auban Childs and Algie Marie Moyers Childs. She married Victor Lee Killgore on January 26, 1946 in Kingsville, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Auban Eugene Childs, and son Kim Ed Killgore.
Irene is survived by 2 sons, Wesley Francis Kilgore and 4 children, Jon Mark Killgore and wife Janet and 3 children; brother K. A. Childs, Jr. and wife Jan Ruth Davis Childs and 2 children; sister Linda Marie Childs Flannery and husband Robert H. Flannery and daughter Lynell Marie Flannery.
Irene was a long time member of the High Country Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in San Antonio, where she volunteered at the church library, sharing her love of geneology.
More from Obituaries.
El Rancho Cima is an official Boy Scout Camp that allowed us to camp overnight in their woods.
After our arrival, we worked hard setting the tents and the canopy for our kitchen tools, gear, and tables. After we ate the foil pouches that we each prepared, we put out the fire and went to sleep.
Waking up with a bugle in our ears, we got up and re-built the fire we had burned out the day before and made our breakfast: pancakes, eggs and bacon all in one. Later we had shish kabobs for lunch.
We rode horses, swam and used the canoes. We had lots of fun. We packed the next morning and left for home with a delightful feeling of pleasure.
P.S. We had canoe wars, trying to tip Scout Leader Larry Kuebel.
1 photo attached to this article.
More from Community News.
Several individuals have done considerable work on their family plots at the Cemetery. That is great. Some members of the Cemetery Association have proposed that we have an old fashioned cemetery work day that could be fun and productive in getting ready for Memorial Day. All those who would like to participate in such an activity are invited to meet at the Cemetery on Saturday morning, May 18, between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m. to clean debris from the Cemetery and to weed eat around the plots. If that sounds fun to you, don your gloves and come on! Because not everyone gets a newspaper, call family and friends to invite them to join you.
Section 10E is almost completely full. One row has 11 graves instead of the normal 10. Does anyone know why Luersen is also spelled Luerson on some of the tombstones?
Section 10E: Earl Barton Renicks , Regt Texas Cav Civil War(1907-?); Gracie Lee Renicks (1908-1975); Ara Luersen (Aug. 30, 1874-June 14, 1974); George Luersen (Jan. 20, 1879-May 27, 1942); George Luerson, Louisiana PVT CD C1 (Nov. 9, 1845-Apr. 16, 1920); Helene Luerson (Oct. 6, 1850-Jan. 17, 1924); Bettie Twidwell (1875-1957); Lucian Twidwell, (1876-1968); Geo. Herbert Riba, Veteran (Jan. 20, 1906-Aug. 6, 1948).
Lueanna Luersen Crider (Mar. 27, 1911-Apr. 29, 1998); Willie Emil “Bill” Luersen (Nov. 11, 1914-Oct. 4, 1992); George Henry Luersen (Sept. 14, 1909-Apr. 4, 1987); Ernest B. Luersen, (1872-1955); Martha M. Luersen (1899-1976); Fritz C. Luersen (1871-1957); Cordia F. Luersen (1879-1975); Charles H. Luerson (Oct. 20, 1899-Dec. 2, 1962); Della C. Luerson (Feb. 6, 1906-July 3, 1981).
Erich Pehl (Sept. 28, 1919-Mar. 23, 1993); Edwin C. Pehl (1890-1969); Minnie Mae Pehl (1891-1960); Oscar C. Pehl (June 4, 1900-Jan. 1, 1989); Ida M. Pehl (May 14, 1907-July 6, 1994); Alvin Haufler (July 11, 1906-Nov. 15, 1958); Erwin Pehl, PFC US Army WWII (1918-1977); Elvera Pehl (Dec. 28, 1924-July 17, 2008); Alfred Pehl (1882-1960); Clara Haufler Pehl (1897-1958).
Clara Krause (Jan. 26, 1902-March 27, 1924); Emilie Hagemann (1875-1946); Robert Hagemann (1869-1953); Hugo A. Hagemann (Nov. 23, 1898-Mar. 4, 1965); Ottilie F. Morisey (1905-1981); Edward P. Morisey (1907-1970); Anna Mae Morisey (Apr. 30, 1936-May 2, 1936); Walter T. Yett (1894-1981); Virgie O. Yett (1893-1989).
Paul Knoll (July 7, 1885-Sept. 24, 1969); Clara Knoll (May 18, 1892-Sept. 22, 1982); Otto Schwope (Feb. 3, 1900-Mar. 4, 1968); Rosa Schwope (June 18, 1912-Nov. 24, 1984); Montague R. Seymour (Feb. 17, 1880-Jan. 22, 1966); Elsa Seymour (July 30, 1880-Sept. 20, 1974); Bob Dyer (June 22, 1892-May 4, 1972); Kenneth Leroy Dyer (July 18, 1959-Oct. 18, 1960); G.M. Dyer (June 7, 1854-May ?, 1944); L.P. Dyer (June 12, 1854-Mar. 22, 1944); George Samuel Lee Dyer (July 15, 1888-Sept. 26, 1958). G. M. and L. P. Dyer’s tombstone is hand made.
If you have stories or family connections that you would like to place in a public file, please send them to: Gail McClellan, Blanco Historic Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 640, Blanco, TX 78606 or gail_mcclellan@yahoo.com.
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Blanco Lions Club had the new officers for 2013-2014 installed at their regular meeting held May 2nd. The new officers are: Tom Davidson, new president, Les Kuneba, Zone Director, who conducted the installation, Lynn Evich, secretary, John Jones, treasurer, Jim Meadows, director, and Bob Dorsett, 2nd, vice president, Lawrence Mikes, 2nd vice president, Ben Copeland, outgoing president and now director, Marilyn Mikes, 1st vice president and Diane Hostetler, tail twister.
The Blanco Leos Club had 11 members present: Alley, Alexis, Juan, Alina, William, Annie, Kristen, Maria and Donald, outgoing president. They introduced their new officers as well. Their sponsor is Kim Thompson, whom was also present.
Past President, Ben Copeland presented Jimmy Josey, a certificate award for his 40 years as a Lion. Congratulations to Jimmy!
The program was a slide show presented by Carol Rankin, from the Blanco Master Gardeners. She showed how to fireproof your landscape.
Blanco Lions Club meets in the meeting room at the rear of the Uptown Blanco restaurant at 6:30 for dinner and meeting on the first Thursday of every month. All are welcome to join the club.
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The class of 1959 held their 54th class reunion Saturday, May 4, at the Blanco Methodist Church.
Old memories and stories were shared after viewing photo frames of each class members' school years. A good time was had by all, and those unable to attend were missed.
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Peggy’s Playhouse Childcare Center held it’s 3rd Annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Trike-A-Thon in April. The St. Jude Trike-A-Thon teaches children riding-toy safety and helps raise money for the hospital.
Public donations provide more than 70 percent of St. Jude Hospital’s funding, and Peggy’s Playhouse was able to raise $1300 this year. Logan S. raised the most money this year, $350.
If you would like to help the children at St. Jude Hospital, you can make a donation online at stjude.org/trike.
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