December 17, 2008

The Llano Jr. Livestock Show will be here before you know it, and there will be some changes to this year’s premium sale. The livestock show will be held from January 8-10, 2009 at the Llano County Community Center. The sale will be held once again on Saturday, January 10; however, unlike recent years, the premium sale will have a change of start time and venue.

Maybe Llano County residents won’t be spending as much money this holiday season as in years past, but they will be spending some ... and local business leaders have pretty good reasons why that money should be spent locally. Not surprisingly, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tony Griffith says he’d like local shoppers to say, “Let me look here – at home – first.” The business community does everything it can to offer the best possible prices, he says.

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today released “The State of Texas Children: Texas KIDS COUNT Annual Data Book 2008-09,” a resource that provides the latest look at the well-being of children in Texas and for every county in the state. This year’s data book includes a special essay on “Closing the Educational Gaps,” revealing that community and statewide factors play a pivotal role in a child’s academic achievement.

An excellent season, like the one the Llano football team had, usually results in honors. Seven Jackets have been named to the first-team, 8-3A, All-District squad. Trey Brooks was selected as quarterback over a talented bunch of signal callers in the league. “He has all the intangibles,” head coach David Yeager said, “and those were decision making, poise under pressure and good leadership.” Brooks accounted for 30 touchdowns, passing and running, in his 25 consecutive starts as Llan ...

And maybe you thought only the Llano girls’ team was always on the road. (See the Ladies’ story in this sports section.) The Jacket boys, through December 15, were 3-7 with nine games away from home. Here’s a companion note: because of the late start due to football’s lengthy season, there have been five after-school practices—that is to say—half the number of contests.

Llano Ladies, 4-1 for the week, were third in the Salado tournament. Standing: Taylor Francis, Caitlin Coffey, Carli Clayton, Coach Q, Kirsty Fogelberg, Olivia Hutto, Kallie Johanson, Kelsey Kirchner Kneeling: Ashley Schroeder, Lauren Parker, Allie Rostron

The Llano Lady Jackets, seeing more of Texas than Sam Houston did, enjoyed a most impressive week: they recorded a record of 4-1, registered a near-remarkable double-header triumph, and most importantly, rebounded from the doldrums of a late-winter slump. They are now 8-8 after playing 15 games away from the Jackets’ gymnasium.

An adventure in the clouds, not the best of health, the cold Atlantic air, and a narrow runway in the woods were some of the obstacles Llano freshman Marcos Vallejo and junior Erik Forrister faced as they competed in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics for cross country. The meet took place December 13 in Mechanicsville, Virginia. “Bad.” That was Marcos’ quick response when asked how he had done.

Raymond Lynn Bagley, 52 years of age died at his home in Buchanan Dam on December 4,2008 following a short illness. Ray was born in Brownwood on March 17, 1946 son of Raymond L and Emma Ellen Evatt Bagley. He lived in Llano County for several years and worked as a brick mason and also a fishing guide.

Ms. Kristi Leeann Bender age 28, of Lampasas, died Tuesday December 9, 2008 as result of an auto accident in Williamson County. Kristi was born September 29, 1980 in Burnet County the daughter of Robert E. Bender and Beverly Grindle Bender. Funeral services for Kristi Bender were held on December 13, 2008 at Sneed Funeral Chapel.

C.M."Mack" Dawkins, 87 years of age, died at Windchime Retirement Center in Kingsland on December 13, 2008 following a lenghty illness. Mack was born April 12, 1921 in Itasca, to William and Alma F. Grisham Dawkins. He married Lena Ellen Mauldin in 1940 in Itasca. He later entered the U.S.

Clinton Johnson of Enterprise, AL passed away Saturday, December 13, 2008, in Enterprise. He was 83. Funeral services were held December 16, 2008, at Westview Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Hayes and Rev. Harry Circle officiating. Burial followed in Meadowlawn Cemetery with Searcy’s Providence Funeral Home directing. The family received friends at the funeral on Monday, December 15, 2008. Memorials may be made to Westview Baptist Church, 809 Damascus Road, Enterprise, AL 36330. Survivors ...

John Lafatte McAnally, of Llano was called home to be with his Lord, Sunday, December 7, 2008, at the age of 94. He was born March 18, 1914, in Brady to Milton L. and Mary A. (French) McAnally. John proudly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Alaska during WWII.

Winnie Allred Pearson, age 96, passed away suddenly on December 8, 2008. She was born on January 19, 1912 in Llano County to Jerry Gilmer Allred and Alice Loe Allred. Winnie graduated from Llano High School and attended The University of Texas at Austin. While living in Austin, she worked at Austin Life Insurance Company and married John L.

Ruby Faye Taylor, a resident of Tow for sixteen years, coming from Weatherford, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2008 in Rochester, Texas at the age of 90. She was born on October 17, 1918 to Mr. and Mrs. Ross Taylor. She’s preceded in death by her parents; husband, George Taylor; daughters, Shirlene McQueen and Julia Clark; four sisters and four brothers. Survivors include her daughter, Sarah Fanning of Garland; brothers, James Taylor and wife Betty of Prosper, Bill Taylor and wife Tay ...

On December 12, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs issued reports showing continued increases in sales tax collections across the state. “However, the increase is less than in the past three years, and collections from important sectors such as retail trade and construction have declined slightly,” Combs said in a press release. The City of Austin posted a 1.16% decline in sales tax revenues for October 2008, as did some smaller Hill Country cities.

I’ve referenced that first weekend that I came up here to Llano from San Antonio as the main “sell” in my decision to take on this challenge. What sold me, from the minute I crossed Sandstone was the town square and the businesses on and around Main Street. What struck me most is how much the square reminded me of a little town in northeast Arkansas where my Mom is from.

Two wrecks occurred at virtually the same place on Hwy. 71 on Dec. 8, 12 hours apart, with both vehicles heading westbound. They both involved failure to negotiate the curve at that spot on the highway. But that’s where the similarities stop. The first, at 10:54 a.m., took place when James Durant, 60, of Llano was distracted as he was driving because “his foot had gotten stuck under the brake pedal,” according to Trooper J.

Because the Early Independent School District wanted to see successful implementation of the CScope curriculum, seventeen staff members of Early ISD paid a visit to the Llano schools on Friday, December 5. Teachers and administrators from each of the four Llano campuses shared success stories from the past 18 months of using the vertically aligned curriculum in math, science and social studies.

This year’s Logos Christmas musical, “Mission Possible,” took place on Sunday, December 14 at the Llano Junior High Auditorium. An annual tradition for the past 10 years, this musical event features students from grades 1-6 who have participated in Logos, a mid-week program at the Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church in Llano.

By Kay Herring Special Correspondent All invitations to Christmas parties are “nice” – but one Llano woman has an invitation that is really special! Rachuel Brewer is jetting off this weekend to attend the White House Christmas Party on Sunday. Brewer is the guest of her sister Michelle Parrozzo, a former White House employee who is now deputy liaison to the White House from Pentagon offices.

Llano boys and girls of all ages had fun "taking a powder" at Badu Park on Saturday, Dec. 13.

The Llano County Community Center will be receiving a grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) on Monday, Dec. 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the Llano Chamber of Commerce. The funds will be used for general improvement to the Center. They are inviting everyone to come out that morning for refreshments and to sign up to volunteer in helping with the improvements.