Lifestyles

In the early winter of 1994, my life was forever changed. That may sound dramatic, but it is completely true. I was a senior in high school – my beloved alma mater East Central High School southeast of San Antonio nestled in the small town of Adkins and playing football for our Mighty Fighting Hornets. I say “playing” in the loosest of terms.

Llano Main Street will present the new movie, Appaloosa on Friday, November 14 at 7:30 and Saturday November 15 at 2:00p.m. and 7:30p.m. Filmed on location in New Mexico and Austin, this western is a true classic, having a hero, his sidekick, a heroine and a bad guy. Popular actor Ed Harris directs and stars in this spirited western and draws on a strong cast, with Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger, and Jeremy Irons.

The Company Theater is gearing up for its sixth annual holiday tour of Bah Humbug throughout the entire state of Texas. Award-winning actor, Damian Gillen, will present his unique, one-man adaptation of the classic A Christmas Carol during the Company’s 30 performances in a 30 day schedule. The tour begins at the Fort Worth Cultural Arts Center and will end, just before Christmas, at San Anonio’s famous Arneson River Theater.

The Heart of Texas Country Music Association is sponsoring a bus tour on Saturday, November 22 & 23 to Ft. Worth. The trip will include an evening performance from Country Music Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn. The tour will depart Llano at 8:00 AM and Brady at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning with an afternoon visit to the new Grapevine Mills.

Darrell McCall to Headline The Llano Country Opry The Llano Country Opry will be staged on Saturday, November 8, at the Lantex Theater. The show begins at 7:30p.m. and admission is $10 per person. Tickets are available at the Llano Chamber of Commerce, Llano National Bank, Lively Computers in Kingsland or by calling (325) 247-5354. Darrell McCall will headline the Llano Country Opry this month.

Dining at the historic Badu House is over, at least under the ownership of the Lusher family. The restaurant closed its doors on Tuesday, Oct. 21, ending its almost two-and-a-half years of fine dining in its Bessemer Street location. Purchased three years ago by Ted Lusher, a Llano rancher and Austin businessman, the Badu House -- originally built in 1891 -- is on the National Register of Historic Places and recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark.

On Thursday, Oct. 2, Todd Staples and his representatives presented a $150,000 check from the Texas Capital Fund to the City of Llano and Main Street Project Director, Sarah Franklin. The money will be used to continue improving the sidewalks and lighting downtown. Many representatives from Llano organizations attended the presentation.

Guest Artist Michael Jennings will give a demo on Monday Oct. 6, at the Llano Fine Arts Gallery at 503 Bessemer St.(one block north of the bridge). Everyone is welcome to attend the demo from 10 a.m. until noon. Lunch will be served afterwards and a $5 donation will be appreciated to help cover costs.

Marin Elizabeth Zimmer, of Llano, received a Bachelor of Arts in English, from Texas A&M University in College Station, Sept. 19. Diplomas were awarded to 1,764 Texas A&M University graduates during summer commencement ceremonies.

Welcomed lovingly by brothers, Ty and Tate, Leah Claire Schmidt was born on July 14. She was born at 4:07 p.m. in Austin, to Shanda and JB Schmidt, of Mason. Leah weighed 7 lbs, 8 oz and was 20 inches long. Her proud grandparents are Bill and Phyllis Almond, of Llano and Tim and Trudy Schmidt, of Mason.