Events

The Marble Falls Coffee with the Mayor event will resume Friday, Feb. 10, when Mayor John Packer will be sharing a free cup of coffee with interested citizens from 7-8:30 a.m, at Starbucks at US 281 and Gateway North in Marble Falls.

The series began last year at Numinous Coffee Roasters and will continue in 2017 on Fridays, Feb. 10 and 24 and March 10 and 24.

Anyone who has a question about city government or who just wants to get to know the city's mayor is invited to share the view of Lake Marble Falls and visit with Packer. A local business owner, Paker is completing his first term as mayor and, as yet, is unopposed for re-election to the post.

The Highland Lakes Garden Club will host wildlife biologist and ecotherapist Amy Sugeno, LCSW, at its meeting Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main Street.

She will present her program, “Healing From the Ground Up”. Spending time in nature improves our mental health and wellbeing, and she will focus on the healing aspects of plants, gardening, community gardens, animals, and nature in general and how “healing gardens” are especially helpful with veterans, people in assisted living and those dealing with long and short term hospital treatments.

Sugeno got her start with 16 years as a wildlife biologist, studying a variety of species, mostly birds and bats. She now incorporates her first scholarly love into her role as a licensed clinical social worker.

The public is invited. Social time is at 1 p.m. and the program starts at 1:30 p.m. Call Jennye Keys, 830-953-0404, to reserve your seat.

The Spicewood Community Center will host its annual wild game chili dinner at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.

Tickets for adults are $10, and for children are $5. Come taste the various chilis and decide which one is best. The price includes chili, drink, fixings, and dessert. All proceeds benefit the Spicewood Community Center.

The center is located on County Road 404, just left off of Spur 191 in Spicewood.

Greg Lasley, renown naturalist and photographer, will be the February speaker at the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society at their Thursday, Feb. 2, meeting at the Marble Falls Library at 101 Main St. in Marble Falls. Social time begins at 9:30 a.m. with the speaker to present his topic at 10 a.m.

When Greg spoke to the group in November, his topic was Birds of the Big Bend. But in February, his topic will be the order Odonata, Dragonflies and Damselflies, another subject at which this exceptional photographer loves to point his lens.

By Amy Prayer

Highland Lakes Newspapers

Burnet residents rallied Saturday night, Jan. 28, in support of Burnet Officer Matt Imrie, with a benefit concert.

The community came together for one purpose: to support their fellow member of the Burnet community.

Imrie, who was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident while off duty Tuesday, Jan. 10, sustained a badly broken femur bone, which required surgery. Imrie remained in intensive care until Sunday, Jan. 14.

“He has since been moved out of ICU and is receiving the best of care in a rehabilitation center located in Round Rock” said Jenniifer Watlers, Imrie's mother.

Imrie was released from the rehabilitation center to enjoy the benefit concert at Haley Nelson Park and spoke with many of the community members who expressed their love and support for Imrie during his recovery.

“Thank you all, this means so much to me,” said Imrie, to the attending crowd.

More than 80 Highland Lakes area women gathered Tuesday, Jan. 24, for "Soup's On," the annual soup pot luck luncheon and business meeting of the St. Paul Catholic Church Women Working in Communion and Spirit (WWWICS).

The Finn Family Life Center of the Horseshoe Bay Parish was a colorful scene, with the settings for each table for eight provided by individual WWICS members. In addition to table settings, attendees enjoyed 16 different soups and a variety of breads and desserts provided by WWICS members.

Co-chairwomen of the event were Carolyn Richmond and Jo Doherty. Pan Wenzel and Diane Snyder are president and vice president of the organization, respectively.

WWICS is a parish service and social organization. More information is available by calling the office of Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church., 830-598-8342.

Individual first responders from four counties were in the spotlight Jan. 19 for the 14th Annual Hill Country 100 Club Awards Banquet.

More than 400 club members and guests gathered with honorees from Burnet, Llano, Blanco and Lampasas counties at Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls.

District 20 Rep. Terry M. Wilson was guest speaker and presenter for the individual first responder awards.

Past Chairman Robert Dahlstrom and Amy Everitt were singled out for their contributions to the Hill Country 100 Club, which not only supports law enforcement units, but their injured members and survivors of those who lose their lives in the line of duty.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Gala goers raised some $328,000 at the Faith Academy Gala it was announced at the close of the event Saturday, Jan. 21.

“Because of the generosity of so many faithful friends, we exceeded our record-setting fundraising goal of $300,000,” said Faith Administrator Joseph Rispoli.

“Thank you to all who worked tirelessly on sponsorship and auction donations, beautifully decorated the venue, and ensured our guests were smoothly checked in/out,” said an announcement from Dawn Madigan and Gail Cali- Gala Committee chairwomen. “We give a special thanks to Trey Poage for being our winning auctioneer honor, and grace.”

Want to find out more about spring courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Texas Tech University? Come to the OLLI Spring Kickoff Reception and walk the red carpet wth OLLI on Friday, Feb. 3!

The reception will feature hors d'oeuvres and beverages and interested parties can sign up for one of several award-winning OLLI spring courses at the Frank Fickett Educational Center at 806 Steve Hawkins Parkway, Marble Falls.

The event starts at 5 p.m. and the cost is free but an RSVP should be made to 830-990-4948.

OLLI offers unique opportunities for local citizens ages 50 and older who wish to continue their learning experiences. For more information, visit hillcountry.olli.ttu.edu.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Just to prove the election cycle never ends, all the dates for May 6 elections are in sight now and office holders and candidates need to be preparing the financial reports due Jan. 17.

It is not too late to cash in on free half-day training events being offered by the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) on Friday, Jan. 6, at the Texas Capitol in Austin.

“Our four-hour training will focus on real world scenarios demonstrating how to report political activity,” said TEC executive director Natalia Luna Ashley. “This is one-of-a-kind training we are providing to candidates and office holders. Our goal is to help them file their reports correctly and avoid common reporting errors.”