June 17, 2009

A young man from Austin made a decision Sunday night that cost him his life. Gregory Neal Jaffers, 21, was traveling east on Hwy 71 in the City of Llano when Llano Police officer Allyn Rub’s radar clocked him exceeding the speed limit. Rub pulled Jaffers’ vehicle over to the side of the road east of Llano Junior High School around 9:45 p.m., and then Jaffers made a tragic decision.

The city of Llano was shocked Monday to learn of the death of Bill Miller, a world-class athlete turned coach turned Chamber of Commerce president. Miller’s body was discovered on his property by the side of County Road 412 just before noon on Monday, not long after he had attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting in town.

“I may not be the only one who’s done it,” admits Dr. David Hoerster, “but I can almost guarantee that I’m the oldest.” “It” is a 125-mile kayak trip from Telegraph to Kingsland – almost the entire navigable length of the Llano River. “And it’s longer than that by canoe or kayak,” Dr.

Kids explore the "land down under" at First Baptist Church of Llano's Vacation Bible School. The “Hop on Board the Boomerang Express!” program continues through Friday. The Crocodile Dock VBS at Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church will be held from June 29 to July 2.

Ahoy, mates! Better start learning some nautical terms so you’ll be “ship-shape” for watching one of the highlights of the upcoming Rock ‘n Riverfest – the second stop on the five-stop circuit of the Texas Star 45 class model yachts. So far, nine boats are signed up for the regatta, but “I expect we’ll have 12 to 15 skippers by race day,” says Don Keeney of Buchanan Dam, who is the national secretary for the Star 45 class association.

In an abbreviated meeting Monday evening, the Llano City Council approved an agreement with Zeecon Wireless Internet to bring 24 pairs of fiber optic cables to downtown Llano via Cherokee at a total project cost of $461,682 The agreement, the end product of several years of brainstorming and negotiation, would have Zeecon putting up 17% of the cost from its own resources, plus borrowing 33% more from the Llano Economic Development corporation.

Here’s the deal: several seniors don’t show up for one reason or another; the one who does, for two of the four games, was in a camp playing basketball till two o’clock in the morning before that night’s Llano game; the head coach is in the stands, and she’s not supposed to be coaching, especially when her wedding day is about to exceed the three-point field goal in importance.

Art Dlugach, sports editor for The Llano News, has been named Sportswriter of the Year for Region IV, south central Texas and the Gulf Coast area. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches made the selection after the nomination by Llano Girls’ head coach, Jessica Quintanilla. Art said: “No more criticizing Coach Q.”

It took Shaun Carter five years to become a head coach. That’s not an awfully long time, but the final two weeks of that five-year plan must have seemed like waiting for the mail via Pony Express—more pony than express. Dan Hughes, May 28, surprised most everyone by resigning as Llano’s Girls’ track coach.

Victories were like ships passing in the night—there weren’t a whole lot of them—ships or victories for Llano—in the 7-on-7 skirmishes, June 9, in Marble Falls. But there were still some impressive moments, despite the fact key skilled players had other obligations. “A lot of kids got extra playing time,” co-defensive coordinator Brad McCasland said, “and that was a plus.

The race is on. Football practice doesn’t begin till August 3 (Wow! Is it that soon?), but the two main quarterback candidates for the starting job at Llano High are trying to pass muster. They are both getting time in the 7-on-7 games in Marble Falls. We introduce to you: Preston Rabb, who will be a junior.

The Friends of the Red Top Jail are hosting an art contest to benefit the jail restoration project. All art mediums will be accepted, including photography. The jail will be available to artists through September, 2009. Judging will be done and prizes awarded during the Heritage Festival in October. The historic jail will be the subject of all artwork; entry fee is $10.

Once again this month FUEL coffee house in Llano will present its Third Thursday “Songwriters in the Round.” Thursday, June 18th at 7:00 PM, host W.C. Jameson will take the stage along with his guests this month singer / songwriters Walt Wilkins, and Tina Mitchell-Wilkins. Walt Wilkins is considered by many to be one of Texas’ finest songwriters.

I am sorry we missed last week’s article, but we were in Tennessee. My mom, who was 94, went to Heaven last Sunday June 7th. I have been employed in many different types of work from Ford automobile assembly plant, finance company, department store, truck driver, refinery, grocery store, farming, just to name a few.

On June 8, 1912, a little girl named Opal was born to Jessie and Della Ratliff at the home of the little girl’s Grandma Moss near Lone Grove. As one of eleven children in this family, Opal learned the meaning and rewards of honest, hard work to help make ends meet. At the age of 20, Opal married Dea Holland.

Miss Lindsay Ann Haverlah and Mr. Lee Farr Alexander were united in holy matrimony on May 23, 2009 at Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church. The wedding was officiated by Brett Willis of Durango, Colorado. A reception followed at the Dabbs Railroad Hotel, located along the scenic Llano River. After a honeymoon trip to California, the couple will be at home in Farmington, New Mexico.

What a week it’s been! We’ve been covering lots of good news and lots of bad news this week. Our challenge now will be to fit it all in the paper so you can read it. The week started pretty well. (Here at The Llano News, weeks start with Wednesday morning and run through Tuesday afternoon.

PUBLIC NOTICE Kingsland Water Supply Corporation is now accepting bids for a backhoe, owner/ operator. This is a temporary project. Bidder must be insured. Bids should include two rates: one as an owner/operator and one as an operator. Bids are due in our office hy 2:30 p.m. on June 24, 2009.

Ben Floyd Blossman, 82, died June 11, 1009 at his home in Kingsland, Texas.  He was born to born to Floyd Joseph and Florese (Harkey) Blossman on April 1, 1927 in the Wallace Creek Community in San Saba County.  Mr. Blossman proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and was stationed in Manila, Philippine Islands.  He married Robbie Ruth Jackson of San Saba in 1948.  Mr.

Douglas Bellah, 71, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2009 in Llano, Texas. He was born in Llano to Viola (Ellington) and Leroy Bellah March 25, 1938. Doug retired from the United States Army. He is survived by a daughter, Debra Moore of Flower Mound and Son, Donald D. Bellah of Charlottesville, Virginia, Four Grand Children, and Brother, Raymond Bellah of Santa Rosa California.

Florence Joyce Haedge, 86, of Kingsland, formerly of Austin, passed away June 11, 2009. She was born to William and Anna Marie (Psencik) Haedge on November 15, 1922 in Dallas, Texas. Her family moved to Copperas Cove, Texas immediately after her birth and remained there her entire childhood. She played basketball, softball, and tennis while she was in high school.

Larry Boyd, age 64, of Bluffton passed away June 15, 2009 in Temple, Texas. He was born February 23, 1945 in Lampasas to Stanley Boyd and Nannie (Taylor) Boyd. Larry was a pump installer and a fishing guide for the last 19 years. He married Sue Marx on January 8, 1965 in Jollyville, Texas.

Lella Lillian Fowler, a life-long Llano County resident who was well known as a prominent landscape artist, music teacher, pianist and organist, historian, civic leader, and long-time rancher with her husband of more than six decades – Hudson Fowler – died Friday (June 12) at her home. Mrs. Fowler would have been 87 on Aug.

Monroe Adamson, 65, passed away Sunday, June 12, 2009 in Llano,Texas . He was born in Alpine, Texas on July 11, 1943 to Beatrice (Cobos) and Hallie Levi Adamson, He served as a Forman for Mooney Aircraft for several years. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, and a sister.

Roger Ray Walker left this earth for his heavenly home after a long and courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, June 14, 2009. His strong faith helped him face his battle. Roger was born on January 3, 1946 as the only child of Ray and Lucille (Moore) Walker in Brady, Texas.

Wanda Beatrice Mahan, 58 Years of age died on June 13, 2009 at Seton Williamson Hospital following a lenghty illness. A native of Rural Adkins, West Virginia she was born on June 15, 1950 to Robert and Thelma Mae Goodson Ryder. Wanda was a daughter of a coalminer. Wanda loved spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.

Anna Bustamante and Coby Randolph were married last Saturday night in Fredericksburg. The outdoor wedding was beautiful. Congratulations to the couple. There will be Yard Sales all over Cherokee Saturday, June 20. They will begin at 8:00 a.m. The Cherokee Baptist Church has been having VBS this week. They have had a great turn out. Wayland Perry had surgery in Llano last week. Ben Campbell has been in Scott and White in Temple following heart surgery. Ross and Dean Maddox from the Dal ...

Jay Seifert, co-founder of LoneStart Wellness, presented the LoneStart Employee Wellness Challenge to Llano Memorial Healthcare System employees yesterday and today. The program kicks-off the hospital’s own commitment to lasting, long-term health and wellness. Kevin Leeper, CEO at Llano Memorial Healthcare System, says the LoneStart program is important to the hospital because it “promotes what we’re all about—taking a proactive approach to health and wellness.

Jesse James Real Estate is proud to welcome Don Stiles as a new Realtor to their team. Don has been a local Llano resident for the past 5 years. He grew up in Grayson County, about 30 miles north of Denton. He graduated from East Texas Baptist University with a B.A., and earned a M.A.

The little United Methodist Church in Castell, TX has seen many changes since it’s founding in the 1850s. Pioneer preacher Reverend Charles Grote held worship services on the north side of the Llano River near the present site of Castell in 1852, ministering mostly to the German settlers in that area.

The family of Kyle Hohmann is hosting a day full of fun, food, and relaxation in the Texas Hill Country. On Saturday, August 29, a 5-stand skeet tournament and barbeque lunch will be held at the Hohmann Ranch. The skeet tournament will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run all day. A flurry station will be available so you can get in some practice before your shoot.

We will be celebrating 30 years for the class of ’79 on June 27 at the Dabbs Railroad Hotel in Llano at 2 p.m. until the party ends. The cost will be $20 at the door. Light food will be provided by Miiller’s, Inman’s, and the Llaneaux Seafood House. We will provide tea and water, all else will be BYOB.