This Month at the Llano Fine Arts Guild you get two for one as we feature Lou and CW Quallenberg as our April Artists of the Month. Lou Quallenberg came to Llano as a commercial photographer eight years ago and has quickly transformed into an award winning mesquite furniture maker and artist.

The Hill Country CattleWomen, a chapter of the Texas CattleWomen, are pleased to announce their 28th Annual Spring Style Show and Luncheon thatb will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at the Inn of the Hills Resort and Conference Center, located at 1001 Junction Highway, in Kerrville, Texas. Members are inviting guests to attend and enjoy the latest in spring and summer fashions presented to us by area boutiques, a great beef lunch, and lots of fun.

One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer.

The Llano Tea Party meets April 5 at Inman’s Kitchen meeting room (Hwy 29 West) in Llano. Guest speaker is the Honorable Jeff Rose, justice on the Third Court of Appeals. Justice Rose, an extremely engaging speaker, will present a program intended to enlighten the public on the role of the courts, a topic frequently overlooked by many in trying to understand the various branches of government.

Blue Water Nursery held its Grand Opening on March 14. Blue Water Nursery carries a wide variety of shrubs, trees, ground cover, Native plants, seasonal colors for landscape use, fabrics, landscape tools including fertilizers, pesticides and organic disease control products. Our Irrigation Supply House carries all irrigation and sprinkler products including Rainbird, Hunter, etc.

It’s that time of year again for the annual Llano County Rodeo that will be held on the first weekend in June. Along with many other exciting events the rodeo has the annual Llano County Rodeo Queen contest. Llano County Rodeo queen is a scholarship pageant and is a great contest to prepare girls for future events and rodeo pageants.

Coolidge Henry Ake, 88 of Cherokee passed away Sunday, March 18,2012. Coolidge was born on November 22, 1923 in Concho County, Texas to Jim Henry Ake and Cora Hardin. Coolidge was a Draftsman and worked in aircraft manufacturing for the U.S. Government. Coolidge served his country in the Army Air Corps in World War II.

Dorothy Jean Haile, 64, of Llano passed away, March 24, 2012. She was born to Walter and Merle Ford McCurry in Fredericksburg, Texas on December 17, 1947. Mrs. Haile worked as a tile setter for many years. In her spare time she loved to fish, dance and go camping. She is survived by her children, Bonnie Wrubel of Kingsland, Texas and Gary Mayes of Llano, Texas, sisters, Ida Williamson of Buchanan Dam, Texas, Betty Box of Bertram, Texas, brothers,Walter McCurry, Jr of Deleon, Te ...

Joyce Ann Ricketson, 67, a lifetime resident of Llano, Texas passed away Sunday, March 25, 2012. She was born April 22, 1944 to Albert Roberts and Florene (Dildine) Roberts in Llano, Texas. Joyce married Wayne Douglas (Doug) Ricketson on March 3, 1961 in Goldthwaite, Texas. Mrs. Ricketson was an antique collector, a member of the First Baptist Church and was also a past member of the sorority, Beta Sigma Phi.

Kristy was born in Alamogordo NM on March 10, 1975, after a lengthy illness, her life’s journey ended on March 20, 2012 at the age of 37. She moved to Hobbs NM in 1976 with her parents where she spent the next 33 years. After high school she worked as a waitress and eventually went to work as a dispatcher for Hobbs Police Dept.

Lavern E. Smith, 88 of Springdale, Arkansas formerly of Kingsland, Texas passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2012. He was born March 22, 1923 in Hooker, Oklahoma to Frank Smith and Effie Blackburn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wife, Lola Margie (Curry) Smith in 2008, his brothers, sisters and granddaughter, Jackie Kisner. Survivors include his son, Marvin Paul Smith of Kingsland, Texas; grandchildren, Cammie Smith of Tonti Town, Arkansas, Tricia Smith of Springdale, Arkansas, K ...

Mary Belle Parks, 81 of Llano, Texas passed away Thursday, March 22, 2012. She was born March 14, 1931 to Charlie Brown and Ethel (Wright) Brown in Bastrop County. Mary married Roland Lee Parks June 29, 1991 in Smithwick, Texas. Mrs. Parks was of the Baptist faith and she loved to travel.

Everyday, America’s aging population, 40 million strong, faces the challenges of growing older, including depression, memory loss and social withdrawal. Locally, our population is aging faster than national statistics with more people retiring to the Hill Country to enjoy their golden years. I can tell you from experience flowers and gardening lift a person spirits.

Dear Editor, On Friday March 23 at noon City Council had a special session. It was to consider allowing the Llano Economic Development Corporation to borrow another $200,000. It seems they went $80,000 over budget in moving dirt, and much of another $85,000 is to build a road up to the new Arena from HWY 152.

The HCMH Foundation board has named Amanda Stevens as the new Executive Director. Stevens, who has been the Development Officer for over six years, will take over the position following the retirement of Sandy Goff on March 30, 2012. “I have had the great opportunity to have Sandy as a mentor for nearly seven years,” Stevens said.

TAYLOR—You wouldn’t think an 8-7 score would result in high praise for a pitcher, and that defense would be so critical, but that player and that side of the game grabbed Blue Ribbons following Llano’s thrilling softball win over the Ducks to open 25-AAA play, March 21. “I had confidence in Angela Jackson, and the utmost confidence in my infield,” said head coach Brian Cottle. Here’s the set-up: Jackets in front 8-6 with Taylor batting in its ...

BURNET—The farewell tour for Marcos Vallejo remains paved with perfection and one dandy invitation. Just before he added two gold medals to a collection that keeps rising in value, the pleasure of his company was requested at the Texas Relays, a near-century-old landmark of track history. “I never thought I’d get there,” the Llano High senior said.

LAMPASAS—It’s one of the most incredible games you’ll ever be lucky enough to read about. If the 23rd run of this 12-11 carnival had been scored by the “other” team, the word incredible would not figure in the top ten of appropriate adjectives. You’d have to designate it as “Baseball: Impossible.” A Llano loss would have upstaged (downstaged?) the Rangers’ World Series collapse for sports implosion.

BURNET—There weren’t any golden moments for the Llano High girls’ track team at the Bulldog Relays, but there were silver linings to thwart any clouds on an early spring day that felt like midsummer. The Jackets’ 4x200-meter relay squad finished its duties in 1:52.6 and lost by under a second to Salado.