Stories

Welcome to Greg Stevens, the newest member of the Rotary Club of Blanco County, who was inducted at the June 6 meeting. Greg has a long history as a Rotarian in California and Oregon. We are glad to have him in Blanco County.

 

 

 

 

The Rotary is an international organization whose mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.  The Blanco Club supports that mission through the above projects and community volunteering.  “Service Above Self” is the Rotary Motto.  If you’d like to join the Blanco Club, contact any member or Tracy Barr at tbarr54@gmail.com. 

Welcome to our newest club member, Rebecca Lightfoot O'Shea, who was inducted at the club meeting March 21.

 

Welcome to our newest club member, Richard Pankhurst, who was inducted at the club meeting March 7.

 

 

 

Welcome to new Rotarian, Tom Jones, who was inducted at the club meeting February 21.

   

 

 

Senator Campbell began her remarks by thanking the veterans who were present.  She shared some of her history including how and why she decided to run for state senator.  She explained the process of how a bill is enacted and all the many steps it has to go through to be signed by the Governor.  She also discussed several measures which she has written and/or sponsored and their impacts.  These include the Texas Heroes Act which provides veterans with college credits earned while on duty and increased mental health benefits and another program to promote veteran entrepreneurship.  She was also involved in passing the Lone Star Infrastructure Act which essentially stopped governments antagonistic to the U. S. from buying land and starting businesses such as wind farms that would allow them access to security information on our electric grid, water supply, communications, etc.  Finally she addressed border security and human trafficking in Texas.  She feels there has been some success by the Human Trafficking Task Force but much to be done.  She helped pass the National Child I.D. Bill which keeps childrens’ DNA and fingerprints on file in case they are ever abducted. Club President, Joe Kustelski thanked Dr. Campbell for speaking and informed her that the club will provide a $50 donation to the Rotary Foundation in her honor.

The Rotary Club's donation to the Powerlifting team is another example of the Rotary Motto: Service Above Self. If you are interested in joining an organization whose sole purpose is to serve and better our community (and the world) contact Ms.Tracy Barr at her email address of: tbarr54@gmail.com.  The club meets at noon, the first Monday of each month in the Back Forty of the Old 300 BBQ, and the third Monday at 6:00 p.m. in the same location.

 

The Rotary Club of Blanco County gathered, wearing blue, to raise awareness against human trafficking on January 11. #WearBlueDay

 

 

 

 

Members of the Blanco Women’s Club and the Rotary Club of Blanco County have joined together to support the Blanco Elementary School’s art program.  The formal art program was discontinued after the district experienced financial difficulties several years ago.  This year, first grade teacher, Rosalind Ellis, reached out to the Rotary Club to inquire if Rotarians would volunteer to teach art classes to Kindergarten through second graders.  The answer was, of course, a resound yes!!  In seeking the volunteers, the Rotarians contacted the Blanco Women’s Club to see if any of their members would like to help with the art project.  They immediately stepped forward to offer their artistic expertise.

The program is conducted each Friday with volunteers alternating every other Friday to help the young students with their art projects.  The most recent project was making “pinch pots” with clay.  Each student made their own pinch pot, engraved their initials on the bottom, and will paint their pots during another class period.  The students were excited that they could give the pots to their parents, relatives or friends as Christmas presents.

Pictured are the second grade artists learning how to work with clay in order to make the pinch pots. The students are watching retired art teacher, Ms. Kuebel demonstrate the technique of working with clay. Jayne Lightfoot, Rotarian Volunteer, and Betsy Scheffe, Blanco Women's Club Volunteer, are ready to help the young artists.

New Rotary member, Mykal Van Stavern (right), was inducted December 6. Mykal is an insurance agent with Van Stavern Insurance Group.

    

by Jack Twilley

 

Blanco Rotarian and Artist, Leta Garcia and local Artist Betsy Scheffe, along with Jayne Lightfoot and Jan Gass, are volunteering at the Blanco Elementary School as Artists and helpers to introduce and teach kindergartners through second graders art.  They are engaged in learning art through seasonal projects like decorating for Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.
 
The project is spearheaded by first grade teacher, Rosalind Ellis, and supported by principal, Jowie Walker.  The elementary school has been without an art program since 2017 when the district’s financial shortfall forced curtailment of its art program.  The volunteers are now filling that gap and using their artistic knowledge and skills to teach the students the basics of art (shapes, colors, etc.) while allowing each individual’s own creativity to shine through their project. 
 
The project is another example of the Rotary Club of Blanco County reaching out to help our community and its citizens - and living the Rotary Motto: “Service Above Self”.  If you are interested in joining the Rotary club, please contact Rotarian Tracy Barr via email at: tbarr54@gmail.com. (photos by Sandy Switzer)

 

 

     

     

     

The Rotary Club of Blanco County held a Pints for Polio fundraiser event for End Polio Now on October 27 at Old 300 BBQ - Back Forty. The eradication of polio is one of Rotary's longest standing and most significant efforts and Rotary continues to raise funds to help immunize children all over the world.

Herman Weber and his wife, Nancy, stopped by to make a donation at the event. Herman, who was born and raised in Blanco County, was personally affected by polio. In 1955 when he was only 2 ½ years old, Herman went from running as a toddler, to walking, to crawling over a short period of time. He had contracted polio. At the event local club President, Joe Kustelski, shared a video about the progress in eradicating polio worldwide. Those in attendance enjoyed a BBQ meal and a beer or wine. The Joker's Wild drawing was won by Doug McKenzie who donated the money back to the polio fundraiser.

 

Amber Corder, Program Coordinator for CoAPT, was our guest speaker at the club meeting October 18. Amber shared information regarding the mission and vision of Blanco Coalition of Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment of Substance Abuse. She shared statistics and strategies used to prevent/decrease substance abuse in our youth.

 

On October 16 the Rotary Club of Blanco County and the D5840 Combat Human Trafficking Rotary Club held a walk around the Old Blanco Courthouse grounds to raise awareness about human trafficking. Rotarians handed out information and answered questions about the myths and facts surrounding human trafficking. Rotarian Susan Burkholder, who is also a member of the Ransomed Life organization, will provide presentations to your local community and schools about steps we can take to prevent the exploitation of adults and children for profit.

 

 

 

Please join us for A Walk for Freedom around the Courthouse in Blanco - Oct. 16, 2021 - 10 am - 11:30 am Rotarians with the D5840 Combat Human Trafficking Club together with members and friends of The Rotary Club of Blanco County are hosting an AWARENESS WALK to bring attention to Human Trafficking. On this day, in cities across the U.S., thousands of people will be walking in response to A21’s Walk for Freedom national campaign against human trafficking. Our walk takes place during Blanco Market Days where vendors and shoppers will be on the Courthouse Square. We will carry signs, pass out brochures, and answer questions. The walk will last around 30 minutes, and afterwards the group will gather at Bindseil City Park, (across the street from the Courthouse) for refreshments and a short Q and A session with Susan Burkholder, Rotarian and Randsomed Life volunteer. We will gather at the entrance to Bindseil City Park southeast of the courthouse on Pecan Street at 10 am. Park on the side streets around town, on Pecan and 5th St. near the Old Pioneer Museum, or Pecan and 2nd or 3rd streets, near the Bindseil Park entrance. If possible please wear a Rotary T-shirt, cap or name tag. For further questions please text or call Tracy Barr @ 512-576-1930 

 

Tristan Schlinke attended the club meeting October 4 to thank Rotary for the scholarship awarded to him. Tristan attends Schreiner University in Kerrville. Tristan is pictured with his grandmother, Rotarian Leta Garcia.

 

 

Karen Stevenson, Director of National Museum of the Pacific War was our guest speaker at the October 4 club meeting.

 

Chris Van Stavern was inducted to the Rotary Club of Blanco County at the September 20 meeting. Chris is a financial planner at Springs Wealth Group.

 

 

 

 

 

Ronni Pue received Paul Harris Recognition +2 at the September 7 club meeting. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

 

Pictured left to right Candy Cargill, Pam Bindseil and Shannon Millard were inducted to the Rotary Club of Blanco County at the September 7 meeting. The three new members are all realtors at Hill Country Real Estate in Blanco.

 

KK Welch of Rockbox Theater in Fredericksburg was the guest speaker at our club meeting September 7.

 

 

Our next meeting is TUESDAY (not Monday), September 7 at 12:00 noon at Old 300 BBQ - Back Forty. Hope to see you there.

 

              

The Rotary Club of Blanco County supports several organizations that are bringing awareness to human trafficking and its adverse affects on children and families, such as the post below.  Read on!

 

Sidney Cox, President of Cox Paving of Texas, receives the thank you gift of an engraved candy dish from Leta Garcia for being a Gold Sponsor of the Joe Garcia Memorial Golf Tournament held in June.

 

 

 

 

During the month of June, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Blanco County provided assistance to the students and teachers at Blanco Elementary School’s summer program. Rotarians, Kathie Estrada (at top) and Jack Twilley (above), are shown volunteering their time and talents working with students and demonstrating the Rotary motto - Service Above Self. Other Rotarians who volunteered and worked with summer program students were Jan Gass, Jerry Gass, Sandy Switzer, Tracy Barr and Connie Cox.

                                

 

Tommy Weir, Blanco County Commissioner for Precinct 1, was the guest speaker at the July 19 club meeting. Tommy talked about some of the challenges faced by the Commissioner’s Court including HOT tax, the actual jurisdiction of the court and what they can and can’t do, development, density issues, growth in the county, water issues, road and bridge repair. He said that Law Enforcement expenditures are about 47% of the county budget. Sheriff Jackson addressed some of the challenges at our meeting a couple months ago. The court fully supports our Law Enforcement agencies and understand how full their caseloads are. Pictured is club President, Joe Kustelski, thanking Tommy Weir for a very interactive discussion.

 

At the July 19 meeting, Bob presented the club with the Foundation achievement banner for 2019-20. Our club has 100% participation in contributions and all members are Sustaining Members. Only 11 of the 54 clubs in our District are at this status! Way to go Rotary Club of Blanco County!

 

 

The Rotary Club of Blanco County 2021-2022 President, Joe Kustelski, was sworn in by District Governor, Kristy Vandenberg, at the June 21 meeting.

Online safety and awareness training - parenting event to protect your kids. FREE. Register on Eventbrite.

 

 

 

Incoming District Governor, Kristy Vandenberg was present at the June 21 club meeting to install the 2021-2022 Rotary Club of Blanco County Officers and Committee Chairs. Pictured standing left to right Jack Twilley (Service Projects and Youth Activities Chair), Dixie Van Eynde (Secretary), Bob Backle (The Rotary Foundation Chair), District Governor Kristy Vandenberg, Joe Kustelski (President), Gerald Gass (Sergeant-at-Arms), Harvie Lindeman (President Elect & Treasurer); seated left to right Tracy Barr ( President-Nominee & Membership Chair), Connie Cox (Public Image Chair).

 

 

 

Bob Backle, 2020-2021 Club President pictured on the left, was recognized for his exemplary service and organization in leading the club for the past year. Incoming club President for 2021-2022, Joe Kustelski, presented Bob with a thank you plaque.

At the June 21 club meeting Bob Backle, club President, presented the Rotarian of the Year award to Sandy Switzer. Sandy was recognized for her dedication and hard work on the many service projects and for keeping our club in the news despite the difficult year covid-19 presented for us.

 

 

 

 

Bob Backle, club president, presented Service Above Self awards to Frank Dubuisson (left) and Ken Smith (right) at the June 21 meeting. These two men worked extremely hard organizing the Joe Garcia Memorial Golf Tournament fundraiser held earlier this month.

 

 

Bob Backle, club President, presented gifts to the outgoing 2020-2021 officers and committee chairs at the June 21 club meeting. Pictured below, left to right: Gerald Gass, Joe Kustelski, Sandy Switzer, Tracy Barr, Pat Clewell, Leta Garcia, Frank Dubuisson, Jack Twilley, Harvie Lindeman, Bob Backle. Not pictured Ronni Pue.

 

 

 

 

  Michael Thomas – San Saba Rotary Club
Johnson City Print Shop for their excellent work!

                       

 

 

                   

 

The Rotary Club of Blanco County presented a check to the Blanco Independent School District Safety Patrol on October 30, 2020

                  

 

Sandy Switzer delivered hygiene kits to Blanco ISD schools while Dan Van Eynde delivered additional hygiene kits to the senior living areas.

For those of us old enough to remember, hearing the word polio brings back major discomfort.   It brings the vision of young children being crippled for life or crying in agony while living in iron lungs.   It was certainly a time of celebration when the Salk vaccine was developed and then widely dispersed.   Since that time, tremendous improvement has occurred in most countries of the world in eradicating polio.