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I know there have been busier weekends in Llano, but last Saturday I was having trouble remembering when. There were crowds in the streets all afternoon, with the very successful “Desserts of Llano,” the goings-on at the Red Top Jail and the Country Opry with “The Whites,” from “O Brother, Where Art Thou.” That evening (in addition to the second Opry show), there was the Eastern Star dance and auction at St. James Lutheran Church and the Mardi Gras celebration (sponsored by the Llano Memorial Healthcare System) at Oestreich’s Rose. All the costumes at Mardi Gras were spectacular (I went disguised as a reporter); even entertainer Elliott Fikes was in costume. Dr. David Hoerster showed that his acting success at the previous week’s Variety Show was no fluke, and the rock stars and groupies of “KISS” were absolutely amazing. I was plenty impressed before I figured out who they really were. Now I think that, if I save those pictures for a few years, I’ll be able to blackmail some prominent citizens (if they won’t pay me to destroy the pictures, I’m sure their kids will!)

The week had already been a busy one. Although I’m supposed to be finishing up my Spring issue of the Texas Hill Country magazine, I’ve been called to quite a few events around town. I was very much impressed with the Valentines dance for the “special needs” students, held at St. James Lutheran Church last Friday. There were kids from all over the Hill Country there, and they all seemed to be having fun. Congratulations to the organizers, and to the volunteers who helped make it a success!

Later on Friday, I went over to Care Inn, where Wilson Frederick and Doris Arp were elected Valentine’s King and Queen in a charming ceremony. Of course, that was the day of the bomb scare at Llano High School, but I thought the administration handled that unfortunate situation very well, and no permanent harm was done.

Backing up to last Tuesday, I have to admit that I cheated on my diet when I went to cover the Brownie Judging at the Kingsland Library. That evening, I cheated again at the Masonic Lodge, where about twenty long-term Masons were honored in an impressive ceremony after supper. Fortunately, most of the soup that I had at the library on Wednesday was very healthful (although I figure there’s something wrong with anything that tastes that good). I resisted the goodies at the Fuel Coffee House concerts on Thursday and Friday, but I sneaked a taste of some Llano Desserts on Saturday afternoon, and had delicious meals at both the Saturday evening events.

Speaking of Fuel, there are several events there in the next ten days that I’m really looking forward to. First, I guess, is this Thursday’s “Songwriters in the Round,” with W.C. Jameson, well-known country singer Thomas Michael Riley, and up-and-coming young Zach Huckabee, from Lampasas. Then, on Friday, is Justin Simpson’s “Open Mic” night, followed by next Tuesday evening’s book-signing, reading and video screening of Laurie Wagner Buyer’s remarkable story, “When I Came West.” Next Thursday (February 25) is the day for “Homegrown Gospel at Fuel,” featuring guests Darrell Staedtler, George Ensle and Danny Brooks with host W.C. Jameson. Then, that Saturday, Greg Whitfield will do a Children’s Show at 10 a.m., and award-winning vocalist Jenny Taylor will sing old-fashioned hymns at 7 p.m. (that’s on Saturday, February 27).

For any parents out there who might be interested in a non-denominational, Christian-based school in Llano, there will be an informational meeting at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, February 28, at the First Baptist Church gymnasium. Rick Green, from the Wall Builders Association, will be here to discuss the possibilities and answer questions. He is an outstanding speaker with some remarkable statistics about modern “Godless” education.

Don’t forget the “Birds of the Kingsland and Highland Lakes Area” program next Wednesday at the Kingsland House of Arts and Crafts. My friend Sue Kersey, who has submitted some great pictures for past issues of the Texas Hill Country magazine, will be giving a Power Point presentation at 1 p.m. Having seen her pictures before, I heartily recommend it to anyone who is interested in birds.

I have been very flattered lately to have quite a few people tell me how much they enjoy my history articles; unfortunately, this week I’m not going to do one, because I’m needing all my available time to finish my magazine. I want you all to know that the lapse is just temporary; I enjoy researching and writing those columns at least as much as anyone enjoys reading them. I hope that when you read the Spring magazine, you’ll agree that my time was well-spent.