Spicewood Texas

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Banners are up announcing the arrival of flu vaccine and Burnet County already has seen enough flu-like illness to earn a highlight on the Centers for Disease Control Texas map.

“Doctors report cases and the CDC reports them weekly on the cdc.gov website,” said Juliette Madrigal-Dersch, MD, the Burnet County Health Authority. “They are still sporadic here, but on the East Coast the flu is pretty widespread. Cases won't be counted in the 2016 season until Oct. 4, but they have been confirmed in counties east of us.”

Dr. Madrigal's recommendation is in line with the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Everyone six months old and older should be vaccinated against the flu, especially pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions. Those people are at a greater risk of severe complications if they do get the flu.

Two local clubs of Lions International began roaring together this month.

On July 1, the Marble Falls Noon Lions Club and the Spicewood Lions Club merged to form the Spicewood & Highland Lakes Lions Club.

The merger gives both clubs greater resources to serve the residents of more than 200 square miles now encompassed by the new club.

The Texas Hill Country is well known for tasty peaches, so the Pedernales Fire Department (PFD) Auxiliary is having loads of them delivered to the fire station for a fundraiser this summer.

For $50, you can order a case of delicious Texas peaches to pick up in mid-July at the PFD Station No. 1, located at 801 Bee Creek Road in Spicewood. Order the 20-22 pounds, carefully packed, one of the following ways:

· Call the Auxiliary at 512-496-3092 and leave a message

· Go online to the www.pfdauxiliary.org “Peaches” page

· Send a check for $50 to PFD Auxiliary, with “Peaches” on the memo line and your name, address, phone number and email, to PFD Auxiliary, 801 Bee Creek Road, Spicewood, TX 78669.