Features

Mildred Strickland is being recognized by the Marble Falls Library Thrift Store as its Volunteer of the Month.

Mildred Strickland began volunteering at the Marble Falls Library Thrift Store after retiring from a teaching career of 30 years. When she began to volunteer in the early 1990s, the thrift store was located on Main at Fifth Street. Mildred continued to volunteer when the thrift store moved into the larger building previously occupied by the Marble Falls Library in 1997.

Harvey H. Klee of Llano County will be offering up a prayer before the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. on Feb. 28.

Klee, National and Texas State Chaplain for The American Legion, also is chaplain of the Highland Lakes Honor Guard. Rep. Michael Conaway extended the invitation to Klee to present a prayer as guest chaplain at noon at the Capitol, an event to be televised live on C-SPAN.

During his stay in Washington D. C., Chaplain Klee will be installed as a member of ANAVICUS – Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada, United States, an offshoot of ANAVIC, a Canadian veterans organization first authorized by Queen Victoria in 1840. It was Queen Victoria who granted permission for the members to wear berets of Royal purple. The United States Chapter was chartered in 1953 with membership by invitation only. Today, more than 1,100 Legionnaires wear the ANAVICUS Royal purple beret or cap.

When the smoke rose up from two agricultural burns in Spicewood last week, it climbed high into view over the Burnet County landscape and calls rolled in to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) dispatch center.

That was not a bad thing, because the heavy fuel load of grasses, weeds and undergrowth from a wet year do present a fire danger that challenge rural firefighting teams that need to respond quickly. In cases such as the two in Spicewood surrounds, prescribed burns may not only be clearing fields and pastures for new growth, but can prevent future wildfire spread.

What is important, said Fire Chief Scott Hannusch of the Spicewood Volunteer Fire Department, is reporting plans for burns to BCSO, 512-756-8080, to keep track of controlled burns and tell those reports from wildfire.

At least two local folks swelled the crowd at the at the Inauguration of Donald John Trump and Michael Richard "Mike" Pence. Graham and Mary Jane Avery traveled to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 18 to represent the Burnet County Republican Party.

They began the celebration by attending a mixer for The Mighty American/Texas Strike Force where they heard experiences of Strike Force members from across the United States.

Festivities continued the next evening when the Averys attended The Texas Society of Washington, D.C. Black Tie and Boots Presidential Inaugural Ball, chaired by District 25 Congressman Roger Williams. Entertainment was provided by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, as well as the Beach Boys.

Burnet resident Bill Piotrowski is looking for a few good men and women who have previously served their country in the armed forces.

Piotrowski is the sole remaining officer for the Burnet Veterans of Foreign Wars Highland Lakes Post 6974 on US 281 in Burnet. He said he has been given until Feb. 7 to find seven people not only willing to join Burnet VFW as new members, but to take on officer positions within the organization, or the post will be forced to close for good.

“We owe it to our community, local veterans, friends, and fellow citizens to help keep this post open,” Piotrowski said. “On Feb. 7, 2017, a vote will decide the fate of VFW Post 6974. This vote could be the final chapter of a story that is over 50 years old, but we still have a chance to right this wrong. If we can find veterans who have served their country honorably in an overseas conflict, we can change this outcome.

By Dorothy Crockett

Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA) has announced the first purchase in the permanent sculpture installation initiative of Sculpture on Main.

Eleven sculptures were introduced at the opening of the 11th annual event Dec. 2. Although entries in the show remain on exhibit along Marble Falls' Main Street, all are for sale.

The colorful set of metal sculptures, “3 Ponies” by Johnny Shipman has been purchased by an anonymous donor who already has named the three to represent family residences. The stallion will be named Kosse for a Limestone County family ranch, the mare will be called Dallas and the colt will be Rocky, for a Rockport residence.

Shipman has exhibited all over the Central Texas Area and several years in the Sculpture on Main event, selling several premier pieces to local patrons.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Salvation Army is alive and well in Burnet County, evidenced Wednesday, Jan. 11, by the delivery of $26,000 collected by bell ringers in Marble Falls and Burnet.

The idea of ringing bells before kettles to collect money for the disadvantaged at Christmastime began in 1891 in England. Today, you may pass by volunteers at Walmart in Marble Falls and Beall's in Burnet without realizing what represent, but Brooks Blake knows.

“Everyone is so good, so generous, teaching their kids to give,” said Blake. “So many people stop and say how they have been helped. It is heartwarming.”

For some time now, volunteers come from the county's three Rotary Clubs—those that meet at noon in Marble Falls and Burnet and Daybreak Rotary in Marble Falls.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Dr. Dawn Buckingham took her oath of office today, Jan. 10, as the new senator for Texas District 24 and she shared time yesterday for telephone interviews with the press.

She succeeds Sen. Troy Fraser of Horseshoe Bay after coming out on top of five Republican candidates, besting Rep. Susan King in the run off and swamping Democrat Virginia Leeder of Llano 214,568 to 81,836, statewide in November.

“We really appreciate Sen. Fraser's years of service,” said Buckingham. “Those are big shoes to fill and he has worked with me to make a smooth transition and make sure the district is represented well throughout the transitional period.”

In District 24 that are includes the counties of Burnet, Lampasas, Llano, Blanco, San Saba, Comanche, Gillespie, Brown, Bandera, Bell, Callahan, Coryell, Hamilton, Kerr, Mills, and parts of Taylor and Travis.