August 20, 2008

Texas Community Development Institute and The Community Development Council is proud to announce that Lynda Pack of Llano, formerly of San Saba, has completed the three year Texas Community Development Institute which included extensive topic research and study on topics including developing a workforce, principles and processes of community development, identifying stakeholders, and community assessments.

The second Saturday in August was the date and the American Legion in Llano was the place. This year the Rhoades Annual Reunion was held on Aug. 9. It just gets bigger and better every year. The family had a fantastic reunion with about 70 people present. The oldest person was Harry Isenberger who is 86.

Charis Hills Camp again this summer was nestled in a valley of the Kerr County hill country near Ingram, but founders of the program for learning disabled kids still hope it will sit on a hill overlooking Castell in summer 2009. As the camp concluded its final session last week, The Llano News was invited to tour the facility that has garnered so much attention since stories about it first ran locally last fall.

In a meeting that seemed to be about housekeeping issues, the city council approved many things, tabling only one item. The meeting started off with a discussion of the City of Llano Finance Department Report. Lynda Kuder gave the overview of the report. “I looked back at the seven year average (used for electricity), we’re about five percent ahead of that seven year average,” said Kuder.

The Kingsland Water Supply Corporation (KWSC) Board of Directors took a step back Aug. 12 from a grant that has been pursued for more than two years and voted to re-think ways to deliver water to the far eastern Indian Trail area. When plans were begun in 2006, the project was estimated at $337,000 with a hefty KWSC match of $137,000.

Rosa Emma Aaron, 98, of Kingsland, passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, in Kingsland. She was born on Dec. 18, 1909, to Emma (Mouser) and Claude Finch in Crown. Mrs. Aaron is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Thomas Aaron Sr.; her parents; one grandson; two sisters; and three brothers. She is survived by daughters Virginia Von Pechmann, of Houston, and Clariece Farris and husband, Larry, of Kingsland; sons Marvin Aaron Jr.

Clifford Alford Harris, 95, of Kingsland, formerly of Oxford, N.Y., passed away Aug. 13. He was born to Frank and Mamie (Stickle) Harris on Aug. 28, 1912, in Afton, N.Y. He is survived by his sons, Clifford Alford Harris, Jr., of Whitney Point, N.Y., and Ivan Jay Harris of Buchanan Dam; his grandchildren, Tammy Harris, of Richland Hills, Christy Harris of Searcy, Ark., Crystal Brown, Donald Harris, and Douglas Harris; his great-grandchildren, Catherine Denise Miles, Casey Miles; and numerous other great-grandchildren. Mr.

Business owners and Llano ISD athletic fans are invited to join the Llano Athletic Booster Club. We support our student athletes and coaches throughout the year by promoting good sportsmanship among our athletes and fans and by showing our support during pep rallies and competitions. We also raise money to provide equipment needed to help our athletes reach their full potential.

“It’s been a tremendous journey, and it’s not over yet.” Marble Falls High School track coach, Kyle Futrell, delivered those words Sunday, Aug. 17, following Leonel Manzano’s final running strides in the Summer Olympics at Beijing. Manzano’s fantastic effort in his heat on the Friday before was marred by a last-place finish in the 1,500-meter semifinals.

Lightning, a formidable opponent no one wants on his schedule, made a nasty appearance above Sonora, Saturday, Aug. 16, and it halted Llano’s domination of the Class-2A Broncos in a football scrimmage. Since the game of “our ball for 15 plays-your ball for 15--and more of the same” lasted about half as long as most scrimmages, Jackets’ head coach, David Yeager, was asked for just half the time he normally spends on the postgame interview.

Registration forms for Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading are now available at First Baptist Church Llano. Football evaluation and cheerleading orientation will be held at the Barney Lee Baseball Field on Thursday, Sept. 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Llano’s volleyball team, displaying the envied energy of youth, on Monday, Aug. 18, showed no fatigue from a five-match road trip compressed into the previous Friday-Saturday, and, in rude fashion, ushered Lampasas out of the Jackets' gymnasium after a three game sweep. The Lady Badgers, down, 7-3, went on a 14-2 run in the opener before a fine Brittany Williams save led to a Llano point, and the home team had begun the badly-needed job of regrouping. “It was good we could dig ourselves a hole, and then get out of it,” a relieved head coach, Shawn Sweeten, said.

Hill Country Cat Control (HCCC) is the recipient of a gift of $9,999.99 from Nine Lives Pet Foods (Del Monte, Inc.), the Grand Prize won by Tina Strong, a valued volunteer of HCCC. Tina won the option to choose the animal rescue group of her choice to receive the gift and she chose HCCC.

The Kingsland Lions Club Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Kingsland Community Center. Serving will be from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tickets can be purchased from any member of the Lions Club or at the door. Donations are $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 years old and under.

The annual celebration of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s birthday takes on added significance Wednesday, Aug. 27, the date the Texas Hill Country native would have turned 100 years old. The honoring of the birth of the 36th president of the United States begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Johnson family cemetery of the LBJ Ranch with the traditional wreath-laying ceremony.

A nationally recognized quail expert invites all “students of quail” to the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch’s inaugural field day set from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sept. 12. The ranch is located 12 miles west of Roby on U.S. Hwy.180. “Our inaugural field day will be the first of what I hope are many significant events towards the proliferation of quail in West Texas,” said Dr.

A trio of Kingsland teens made headlines in July when their CAMPUS Surf and Skate X-tour took them beyond Houston to surf waves kicked up to the northeast of Hurricane Dolly. Chris Ammerman, Cody Hunt and his brother Mazier (Dakota) Banjabbasi recently were joined by Jayme Wood as the first local members of a new organization in the area called CAMPUS Xtreme. The name CAMPUS is an acronym for Civic and Ministry Professionals United for Students and the Xtreme refers to just about any kind of individual sport that involves moving fast, providing a twist on traditional youth outreach. The faith-based, faith-supported youth ministry was created to bridge the gap between denominations and to fill gaps in traditional youth programs.

By: Jamie Osbourn, County Extension Agent - Agriculture, Llano County Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s annual Silver Clover Recognition Banquet celebrated its 41st year Aug. 14 with a banquet at the Zentner’s Daughter Steak House in San Angelo. This year’s event recognized 29 individuals who are instrumental to the success of District 7’s 4-H youth program. Wayne Homesley, of Llano County, was among those receiving the Silver Clover Award.

Children need healthy meals to learn. Llano ISD offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.50; lunch costs $2 grades Pre-K through 5 and $2.50 grades 6 through 12. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. Reduced price is $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch.

Llano Memorial Healthcare System is going tobacco-free on Nov. 20, the date designated by the American Cancer Society for their nationwide campaign known as “The Great American Smokeout.” As of that date, no tobacco use of any kind will be permitted – inside or outside – on hospital and all related health system property.

Former officers, new friends and many supporters of Llano New Horizons have met on two occasions this summer to help get Llano New Horzions (LNH) on its collective feet once more. Although the non-profit financial aid organization has continued to furnish aid to families with short-term emergencies in the Llano area, it has recently operated with only three volunteers—Todd Keller, treasurer; Sara Holland, secretary; and the Rev.

The Llano Heritage Festival, Oct. 18, is still two months away but to continue having great events, proceeds from The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, will benefit the festival. Put Friday night, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Aug. 23 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on the calendar, pick a performance, and enjoy this popular movie at the Lantex. Has every one enjoyed clips of China during the Beijing Olympics?

The Llano County/Highland Lakes Relay for Life 2009 Committee will hold its first organizational meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the meeting room of the Llano Library, 102 E. Haynie Street. Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Funds raised through these events support local cancer patients and their families, providing a range of services including transportation, lodging, financial assistance, and emotional support.