Immunization Clinics
11/28/2009
Texas Department of State Health Services

Immunization clinics in Runnels County
We will have a limited amount of H1N1 available

Winters
Thursday, December 3rd
1:30-5:30
Professional Building
110 South Main, Suite 108

Ballinger
Thursday, December 10th
10-12 & 1:30-3
608 Strong (old DHS Office behind the courthouse)

Please bring child's immunization records
If Child has Medicaid or CHIP please bring card

For more information call 325/754-4945
 

Christmas in Olde Ballinger - Reminder
11/27/2009 -by Tammy Virden, Ballinger Chamber of Commerce
Christmas in Olde Ballinger will be held on Saturday, November 28^th, 2009. The Christmas lights will be on, and Downtown will be decorated. Beginning at 9:00am the many Arts and crafts booths will open downtown on 9^th and Hutchings Ave. The parade with Santa Claus, will be at 2p.m. Immediately following, prizes will be given to the best Entries.

There will be a variety of food booths and a kids corner behind The First National Bank of Ballinger with lots of rides and activities opening at 9:00am.  

Come join us in celebrating the beginning of a joyful Christmas Season, and have a fun filled day. Thanks from the Ballinger Chamber of Commerce

BISD Annual Federal Program Consultation Meeting
11/24/2009 -by Caroline Toliver, Program Director, BISD
The public is invited to the Ballinger ISD Annual Federal Program Consultation Meeting on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 11:30 A.M. in the Ballinger ISD Administration Board Room.  The Local Advisory Council will be at the meeting to evaluate, plan and review the federal funds for the 2009-2010 school year.  Federal Funds include: Title I, Part A & Title I, Part A - Stimulus (Improving Basic Programs), Title I, Part C (Migrant), Title II, Part A (Teacher Principal Training and Recruiting), Title II,D – Stimulus (Technology) and (Title XVI (State Fiscal Stabilization).  For questions or comments contact Caroline Toliver at 365-3588.

Plant A Tree
11/24/2009 -by Kay Mansell, District Technician, Runnels SWCD
Don’t miss the trees that you have waited for all year.  Order early to ensure the trees you want are available.

In cooperation with the Texas Forest Service Nursery in Idalou, the Runnels Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be offering quality hardwood and evergreen tree seedlings for sale to area residents through the Windbreak Tree Program.

These seedlings are healthy, viable seedlings that are well adapted to the soil and weather conditions in Runnels County.

Runnels SWCD will be offering conifers and hardwood seedlings this year.

Twelve-inch conifers (Afghanistan pine, Arborvitae, Deodara cedar, Italian Stone Pine, and Red cedar) have a 28 cubic-inch root volume and are $40.00 for 15 trees in felt containers.  Bullet-plastic containers have a 10 cubic-inch root volume and are $30.00 for 15 trees.

Bareroot hardwoods (American elm, bur oak, catalpa, chinkapin oak, desert willow, green ash, pecan, redbud, saw tooth oak, shumard oak, and western soapberry) are approximately 24 inches in height and sell for $30.00 for 25 trees.

This program will conclude on January 25, 2010 and seedlings will arrive at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office at 2000 Hutchings Avenue in Ballinger on February 4, 2010.

Please consider that ordering early will have trees reserved before stocks are depleted.

Technical assistance in planning your windbreak is available.  For more information call 325-365-3415 ext. 3 or come by the NRCS office and place your order.

Glory Road Cowboy Church Winning Raffle
11/23/2009
Glory Road Cowboy Church recently held a drawing for a horse raffle. The winner is Gaylon Hall.
Shown are Madelyn Kline, Jimmy Harris, Mr. Hall, Toni Owens and Troy Owens.

The proceeds from the raffle will be used for the benevolence fund for the church.

We wish to thank all who participated in the selling or purchasing of the raffle tickets.

Glory Road Cowboy Church is a non traditional, non denomination church. We meet at 10:00 AM at 802 Hutchings. Anyone is welcome. Come as you are.

Class of '83 Benefit Fish Fry
11/23/2009
Ballinger High School Class of ’83 seeks to help a classmate in his battle against cancer.  Ballingerite and long time resident of San Angelo, Dana Dittman has recently been diagnosed with a particularly difficult form of cancer.  Dana is seeking treatment at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa, OK, which will involve some 8 weeks of aggressive treatment of the disease.  Dana is a former member of the Texas Army National Guard, and enlisted in the Ballinger unit shortly after his graduation from Ballinger High in 1983.  He lives in San Angelo with his wife Laryssa, and works at Sitel.   

To help defray the costs associated with his treatment, Dana’s classmates are holding a benefit fish fry at the Main Street Soda Fountain, 701 Hutchings Ave. in Ballinger on Saturday the 5^th of December.  The event will run from 5:00 to 9:00 PM, where meals can be purchased for $8.00 a plate.  The benefit fare will include: golden fried catfish fillets, french fries, coleslaw, red beans, hush puppies, a drink, and dessert.  Eat-in or take-out.  Call-in number for the Main Street Soda Fountain is (325) 365-3383.    

Kids for Kids
11/23/2009
WHO: Gatti’s Pizza and the San Angelo Fire Department will collect toys for the Child Advocacy Center this holiday season.

WHAT: Gatti’s Pizza Kids-4-Kids Toy Drive in Partnership with the San Angelo Fire Dept.
Gatti’s Pizza and the San Angelo Fire Department will accept new, unwrapped toys in original packaging at Gatti’s from November 23 – December 20. Gatti’s Pizza will reward each child donating a toy with a minimum $8 value with a Free Kids Buffet. (No toy guns or swords please) All donated toys will go to the children of CAC.

WHEN: November 23 – December 20
Donated toys will be accepted at Gatti’s Pizza from November 23 – December 20. The toys will be distributed to the children served by the CAC by the San Angelo Fire Department prior to Christmas.

WHERE: Bring toys to Gatti’s Pizza on 4349 Sherwood Way and receive a FREE Kids Buffet.

WHY: “Our Kids-4-Kids Toy Drive is about kids helping kids. We are promoting the holiday spirit by asking our young customers to think about those less fortunate during the holidays. In return Gatti’s Pizza will reward the kids that donate a toy with a Free Kids Buffet” - Michelle Boerner, Activities Manger, Gatti’s Pizza.

Rather than adults simply donating money or toys, we suggest that parents and mentors encourage the kids themselves to select a toy and purchase it to give to a needy child. We hope that the child feels that the warmth of sharing supersedes their sacrifice.

4H Holiday Hop
11/23/2009
The Holiday Hop is scheduled for Saturday, December 19^th from 6:30 to 9:30 pm in the Ballinger High School Cafeteria.  The Hop is sponsored by the Runnels County 4-H Council and will offer a dance, games, and refreshments.  All 4-H members are invited to attend and can bring a friend with them if they choose.  This year’s community service project will be Pennies for the Pool, so please bring lots of change to help with pool repair expenses at the Texas 4-H Center.  4-H families are asked to help bring refreshments according to the following list:                                                      

Winters – Sandwiches (Club provides)
Ballinger – Large Bag of Chips (1 per family)
Rowena – 2 Liter Drink (1 per family)
Miles – Homemade cookies (3 dozen per family)

Blood Drive
11/23/2009
The Bi-monthly Blood Drive will be held at St. Joseph's, Rowena, on Sunday, December 6, 2009, from a 8 a.m. until noon at the meeting room of the parish hall.  To make an appointment or FMI please call David or Pat Lange at 442-4721.  If you can - give the gift of life.

BES Family Fun Night Winners
11/18/2009
Students at Ballinger Elementary School who have perfect attendance for a six weeks grading period are entered in to the FAMILY FUN NIGHT drawing which is held at the end of each six weeks. The drawing for the first six weeks was held on October 1^st.  330 students had perfect attendance and were included in the drawing.  The winner was Robert Roman.  Robert is in Mrs. Faubion's Pre-K class.  Robert and his family won a gift certificate for 5 buffet meals at Mr. Gatti’s Pizza and also a gift certificate for 5 movie tickets at Cinemark Tinseltown in San Angelo.
 

The second six weeks drawing was held on November 13^th and there were 165 students who had perfect attendance. The winner was Jaedan Coy in 4^th grade.  Jaedan’s teachers are Mrs. Delgado and Mrs. Chamberlain.  Jaedan and his family won gift certificates to Mr. Gatti’s Pizza and to Cinemark Tinseltown in San Angelo.

 Ballinger Elementary School encourages good attendance for the Bearkittens.  Students who are at school each and every day learn more and become more involved in school activities. BES attendance is taken at 9:30am.  A student must be present at 9:30am to be counted in attendance.  If a student is gone to a doctor’s appointment in the morning and returns to school the same day with a doctor’s note, he/she will receive a medical absence that will not count against his/her attendance record for this contest.  Students who are running fever and/or sick do not need to attend school. 

Students who had an absence in the 1^st or 2^nd six weeks are still eligible for the Family Fun Night drawing at the end of the 3^rd six weeks as long as they have perfect attendance for the 3^rd six weeks reporting period.  Eligibility for the Family Fun Night drawing each six weeks is independent of absences reported in prior six weeks. 

GOOD ATTENDANCE = GOOD GRADES and Family Fun! 

If you have questions, call Kim Castleberry at 365-3527 x3028 or email at kim.castleberry@ballingerisd.net .

Students to Participate in TMEA All-District/All-Region Choir Clinic
11/18/2009
Ballinger High School Students Reese Hallmark, Lindsey Heidenheimer, and Brandon Vasquez will participate in the TMEA All-District/All-Region Choir Clinic and Concert, to be held at Cleburne High School this Saturday, November 21.  The concert is set for 7:00 PM in the Cleburne High School Auditorium.  There is no admission charge.  The public is invited and, in fact, encouraged to attend in support of these young people.

KTXS to Feature Mueller, Inc.
11/18/2009 -by Lynna Rollwitz, Advertising Coordinator, Mueller, Inc.
Mueller, Inc. will be featured on Texas Country Reporter next weekend for their recent Helping Hands Project.  The show will air locally on the stations below:
      KTXS 12 Abilene/Sweetwater, ABC 6:30 pm SAT November 28th
        KTXE 55 San Angelo, ABC 6:30pm SAT  November 28th   

This past spring, Mueller teamed up with the popular television show "Texas Country Reporter" to find a deserving non-profit organization in Texas to receive a free Mueller building.  The application process was extensive and the response was overwhelming, with close to 300 applicants.  After sifting through every application and hearing stories from many deserving organizations, one stood out from the rest.  The name at the top was Titus County Cares in Mount Pleasant, Texas.   Titus County Cares is a food bank, serving 850 families a month, which includes a program serving hungry children with their "Backpacks For Kids" program.  This unique effort targets children who are involved in free breakfast and lunch programs at school, but have little or no food over weekends. Titus Co. Cares had been storing food in 9 locations around the city and were in dire need of a central place to call home.

The first week in October, a team of Mueller employees erected Titus County Cares new 50'x75' metal building in just 3 ½ days.  It was amazing to see Mueller people from different regions and company functions coming together as a team to make this happen in such a short time.

The building dedication was spirited, with the local high school marching band, cheerleaders, and mascot present along with local officials and State congressman Mark Homer.  A group of elementary students, many of who benefit from the Backpacks for Kids program, also shared in the celebration.  Mueller President, Bryan Davenport, presented a plaque to Titus County Cares, dedicating the building to former Mueller CFO and East Texas resident, John Jones. 

Bob Phillips and the staff of Texas Country Reporter recorded over 15 hours of footage, from the building erection to the finale. The event will air on a special edition of Texas Country Reporter show close to Thanksgiving. 

First Baptist Church Musical
11/18/2009
The Sanctuary Choir of First Baptist Church, Ballinger, TX, will share the Christmas Musical, One King, on Sunday morning, December 13. The service is at 10:30 AM and the church is located at 400 N. 8^th Street. If you need directions or would like more information, call the church office at 365-3565. Come worship with us through music and narration.

Harry Harry Quite Contrary How Does your Grass Grow?
11/18/2009 -excerpt from "On The Level" by Charles Frerich
     Let’s meet Harry. Harry is your typical rancher. Harry grew up on the family ranch. He spent his life working hard, doing without and raising cattle. Harry knew that it took grass for the livestock to eat and grow. As long as it rained and the grass grew, things looked good. But Harry began to notice some changes in his grassland. Some grass clumps were eaten down while other grass next to it was standing. There were areas appearing that were bare, with a scattering of thin spindly grasses. Harry’s cattle grazed the range year round so there was no chance for the grass to recover.

Read the rest of the column by clicking on the "On the Level" link in the menu bar above, under Columns.

Runnels County 4H National Contest Placing
11/18/2009
Results are:
Courtney Gibbs - 10th High Individual - Sheep & Goats Dottie Cook - 3rd High Individual - Swine; 11th High Individual - Oral Reasons; 5th High Individual Overall

Conner Newsom - 6th High Individual - Beef Cattle, 8th High Individual - Oral Reasons; 16th High Individual -                             Overall

Team placed 4th Overall (in the entire Nation)!!!

Congratulations to Courtney, Dottie, Conner, Victoria and Marty Jo!

Pictured: Courtney Gibbs, Dottie Cook,  Conner Newsom, Victoria Kalina. Back Row: Marty Gibbs

BMA Community Thanksgiving Service
11/18/2009
Sunday, November 22 at 7:00 PM at the St. Mary's Parish Center.  Traditionally this Has been held at the Mary Sykes Auditorium in Carnegie Library. However, due to the auditorium not being available for use at this time, we have moved the service.  

Everyone in the community is Invited to come together for this service of thanksgiving for the blessings received this past year.

Ballinger VFD Awards Banquet
11/18/2009
The Ballinger Fire Dept held their annual Awards Banquet on November 14, 2009. 
Officers for the 2009-2010 are: 
(back row)
President: Robert Langston
Vice-Pres: Willie Covington
Captains: Shane Landers, Robert Ferguson, Sr.
Asst Chief, Sec/Tres: Brent Allen
(front row)
Chief: Clyde Kresta
Lieutenant: Kathy Landers
Mascot: Ethan Langston
Sponsor: Patience Mata
Lieutenant: Clemente Mata
Rescue Captain: Ken Kvapil (not pictured)
"Rookie of the Year" Juan Patino (pictured below)
"Firefighter of the Year" Clemente Mata 

Officers for the 2009-2010 ladies are:
Sec/Tres: Latresha Allen
Vice-Pres: Sharon Ischar
President: Jennifer Ischar
Event Committee Chairperson: Sheri Collins Telephone Committee Chairperson: Stephanie Kresta 

The Ballinger Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank the community for their continued support.

Rookie of the Year, John Patino pictured right.
Firefighter of the Year, Clemente Mata pictured below.

Career Day at BISD
11/17/2009
Career Day at Ballinger High School on Wednesday, November 4 was a success. Approximately 450 students from Ballinger, Miles, Winters, Robert Lee, Eden and Grape Creek attended this year’s event. There were fifty-nine businesses, government agencies, colleges, universities and technical schools represented by approximately 86 people from Ballinger, Winters, San Angelo, Abilene, Buffalo Gap, Austin, Snyder and Sweetwater who shared their knowledge with the students. Adult participants reported that this group of students asked the best questions of any students who have attended Career Day in the past.

A meal was furnished to the adult participants by the Ballinger Noon Lion’s Club, with paper goods furnished by Wal-Mart of Ballinger, drinks for the hospitality room were furnished by IGA in Ballinger.

Two door prizes were donated by Lange Funeral Home of Ballinger for the students. Brittany Ocho of Ballinger received the 19" High Definition television and John Kay of Winters received a Nano I Pod. The fishing tournament conducted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service was won by Cody Gressent of Ballinger High School.

The winners of the door prizes for the adult participants were Scott Coco, drawn by Joreta Smith and Ryan Hunter, drawn by Laura Strube, Superintendent of Ballinger ISD.

Thanks to the students and the adults for making this a successful day and for their active participation. This was the first year that a student who attended Career Day as a student came back to be an adult participant when Paul Galvan came to represent Texas Culinary School in Austin.

 BISD Parent Emergency Information
11/16/2009 -by BISD Superintendent, Laura Strube
Ballinger Independent School District has made a commitment to put into place best practice procedures that will help to insure an orderly environment in the event of an emergency. We have and will continue to work closely with local law enforcement to coordinate efforts that will maximize the safety of our students and staff. In the event of an emergency BISD will attempt to contact KRUN Radio AM1400, www.ballingernews.com and if possible, post any pertinent information on our website at www.ballingerisd.net.

Fire/Evacuation - Each campus will initiate previously practiced evacuation procedures. Each campus has different meeting points unique to its setting. Parents are encouraged not to rush to the school as this could impede emergency personnel. The school will take account of all students and assess the situation. If it is necessary to release students, we will do so in a planned and orderly fashion. Students in junior high and elementary will only be released to a parent, guardian, or other previously designated person.

Fire Pick-up Locations:
Elementary - Bearcat Stadium          
Junior High - H. S. Baseball Field                    
High School – Davenport Little League Baseball Field  
 

                          Off- Campus Evacuation Pickup Locations:
                          Elementary – First Methodist Church
                          Junior High - 9^th St. Church of Christ            
                          High School – First Baptist Church

Tornado - Each campus will initiate previously practiced sheltering procedures. If a parent or non-school employee is on campus or enters the campus building, they will be expected to seek shelter as well. We will not ask our employees to leave a sheltering position in order to locate a student for purposes of leaving the campus. If a tornado does hit a school building, we have procedures in place to take account of all students and assess the situation. Pickup procedure will include the regular pickup routine for each campus. Parents are encouraged not to rush to the school as this could impede emergency personnel.

                           Pick-up Locations:
                           Elementary – Office
                           Junior High – Main Office
                           High School - High School Auditorium

Lockdown - Each campus will initiate previously practiced lockdown procedures. All individuals on campus will be expected to move to a secure predetermined location and remain until an all clear is given. We will not release any students until the crisis has passed.
                           Pick-up Locations:           
                           Elementary - Office
                           Junior High - Main Office
                           High School - High School Auditorium

Band Boosters Thank You
11/16/2009
The Ballinger Band Boosters would like to thank the following businesses for helping with financial support towards the state-bound t-shirts and UIL patches: 

Ballinger's Bank
Buddy's Plants Plus
Mueller Inc.
Raymond James Financial Services, Jim Woodruff
Shoppin' Basket
The First National Bank of Ballinger
Wal-Mart

We would also like to thank the community for the wonderful support shown towards the band during the 2009 marching season!

Runnels County Historical Commision Met at Bruce Field
11/16/2009 -by Betty Thomason, RCHC Reporter
     Fifteen members of the Runnels County Historical Commission and several guests met at Bruce Field (Ballinger Airport) on Saturday, November 14. Lee Roy Muller, 84, who started working at Bruce Field/Fred Harmon Training Center when he was 16, gave a brief history of the WWII U. S. Air Force Training Facility.
     Mr. Muller said that in 1940, R. E. Bruce was chairman of the committee that started the aeronautics school. By May 1941, Ballinger voted $60,000 in bond money to buy land for the site. The committee bought 640 acres in an open cotton field a few miles west of Ballinger. On July 3, 1941, Mayor C. P. Shepherd participated in the groundbreaking ceremony. Construction began soon afterward. Flooding and other obstacles held up the completion of the school on schedule. When the first cadets arrived, the barracks at Bruce Field were not yet ready so some of the larger homes in Ballinger and rooms in the Central Hotel housed the newly arrived Class 42D Cadets. Some of their first classes were held in the courthouse.
“As the flying school reached completion, the cadets, their families and other civilian personal moved into Ballinger. The population of the town reached approximately 10,000.” Muller said.
     According to Mr. Muller, Fred Harmon, Bruce Field’s founder and director, came from a flying family as his father operated an airport in Dallas. Harmon learned to fly at his father’s air school. The story of Harmon flying the “tin goose,” one of Ford Motor Companies Tri-Motor planes, became a legend.
     Mr. Muller worked at Bruce Field from 1942 until it closed in 1944. His job included filling up planes with gasoline for two weeks and then the rest of time he did maintenance on the airplanes. In June 1943, he was drafted, but allowed to join the Air Corps Reserve in order to continue needed maintenance work at Bruce Field. When the flight school closed in 1944, Mr. Muller went on active duty until discharged in 1946.
     While working at Bruce Field, he met his future wife, Velma Rice, who commuted from Winters with some other young ladies in a Model A Coupe to work at the Flight Training Center. Muller said on Sept 6, 1943, he and Velma married at 3 p.m. and went back to work at 6 p.m. Velma worked in the Air Force form’s office to check the pilots written reports and transcribe them to the formal report. One of the other ladies who worked as a civilian at Bruce Field during WWII was Dixie Parker (Coleman). Dixie’s job was to take off the back wheel of the plane, wash and grease it and put it back on. She said she also worked at night in the form’s office with Velma.
     There were four hangars at the time Bruce Field was in full operation. Mr. Muller worked in hangar number three. The only hangar left standing today is hangar number one. After the war in 1946, a tornado demolished hangar number two. Hangars three and four were dismantled over the years and moved to other structures in Ballinger.
     The Cadets learned to fly PT-19 planes, which was the Primary Training Plane. Then, they went on to Basic Training and Advanced Training. Bruce Field served as the first stage of the pilots training and the instructors were all civilians.
     After the program at Bruce Field, the RCHC members went to Lowake for lunch and a short business meeting. All RCHC meetings are open to the public. Next meeting will be January 9, 2010.

UIL Math and Science Results
11/9/2009
The Ballinger UIL Math and Science Team competed in the TSTC Meet in Sweetwater on Saturday. The team took second in sweepstakes behind 3A Wichita Falls Hirschi.

Team Results:
2nd Mathematics - Jared Fournier, Darian Evans, Collin Brown and Kaci Hite
3rd Science Team - Jared Founier, Judd Hatler, Collin Brown and Blake Holle
3rd Number Sense- Jared Fournier, Collin Brown, Darian Evans, Blake Holle
4th Calculator - Kaci Hite, Jacie Frierson, Karri Pruser, Judd Hatler

Individual Results:
12 grade:
Collin Brown - 3rd Number Sense, 6th Science, 6th Mathematics
Darian Evans - 4th Number Sense, 4th Mathematics
Jacie Frierson - 5th Calculator, 10th Mathematics
Kaci Hite - 4th Calculator, 7th Mathematics

11th Grade
Jared Fournier - 2nd Science, 3rd Mathematics, 3rd Number Sense
Karri Pruser - 4th Calculator

9th Grade
Judd Hatler - 1st Science, 3rd Calculator, 4th Mathematics, 3rd Number Sense
Blake Holle - 3rd Mathematics, 5th Calculator, 3rd Science, 2nd Number Sense

Spotlight Change
11/9/2009
Ms. Patsy Dierschke has found her way into the BISD Faculty Spotlight. Click on the link in the above to read this new edition of the spotlight.

MHMR Shares Kindness
11/8/2009
West Texas Centers for MHMR’s 15 Mental Health Centers are inviting patients and their families and members of the community to the center the week of November 9-15 to celebrate World Kindness Week with members of their staff.

West Texas Centers for MHMR works in collaboration with the non-profit Random Acts of Kindness Foundation to promote kindness throughout the year.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation was formed in 1995 as an outreach program to inspire people to practice kindness by providing ideas, guidance and resources to others through its website: www.actsofkindness.org.

West Texas Centers participates in World Kindness Week because research shows that acts of kindness improve one’s mental and physical health, said West Texas Centers for MHMR CEO Shelley Smith.

“The goal of community mental health centers is to allow people being treated for mental illness to live a productive life in their home communities,” she said.

Each Mental Health Center will bring the international group’s message home to West Texas by sponsoring daily activities, ranging from refreshments to prizes, Smith said.

Runnels County Mental Health Center, 126 State St., in Winters, will celebrate on Thursday, Nov. 12, with soda and donuts.

Banners will hang in the lobby proclaiming National Kindness Week.

For more information, call Amy Vidal, West Texas Centers for MHMR Public Information Director, at (432) 263-0007.

West Texas Centers for MHMR provides mental health and mental retardation services to consumers in 23 rural counties in West Texas.
   

Three Ballinger HS Freshman Place in TMEA All-District Choir
11/8/2009
In the second of two auditions for All-District/All-Region Choir held Saturday, October 31, at Stephenville High School, BHS students Lindsey Heidenheimer, Alto 2, Reese Hallmark, Tenor 1, and Brandon Vasquez, Bass 2, took places in the TMEA Region VII All-District Choir by placing in the top 28 of their respective sections. They will perform in the TMEA All-District/All-Region Choir Clinic and Concert, to be held at Cleburne High School Saturday, November 21. Time of the concert is to be announced.  

These students advanced to the second audition by placing in the top 40 of all students auditioning in their section in the first audition held September 26 at Granbury High School.  

Jacob Arp, Caleb Virden, and Riley Woodruff also advanced to the second audition and participated in the auditions Saturday. 

Faculty sponsor for choral music activities is Dale Ellis. Jackie Hallmark, Janna Vasquez, and Laurie Woodruff served as parent sponsors. Ida Lee Ellis, Ballinger Elementary music teacher, also assisted with the contest.

Runnels County Pecan Show
11/7/2009 -by Marty Gibbs, Runnels County Extension Agent
      The 2009 Runnels County Pecan Show will be held in conjunction with the Tom Green County Pecan Show on Friday, December 4 at the Judge Ed B. Keys Building in San Angelo according to Marty Gibbs, Runnels County Extension Agent, and Chester McCown, Horticulture Committee Chairman.

      Pecans may be entered at the County Extension office, Citizens State Bank of Miles, Alderman-Cave in Winters, the Norton Gin, Ballinger Feed and Seed, or the West Texas State Bank in Rowena.  No entry will be accepted later than 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, December 1.

      Each single entry should consist of not less than 45 pecans of the same variety.  They should not be cleaned or rubbed to the extent that the shape or color is altered.  They should be packed in paper or plastic bag with the exhibitor's name, address, and variety of pecan, if known.  Exhibitors are limited to one entry of each named variety they grow.  However, a grower may enter as many seedlings, known hybrids, or natives as he wishes      Divisions will be: Commercial, Classic and Variety Seedling.

      Champion and Reserve Champion will be selected from each division.  Plaques and rosettes will be presented to the Champions and rosettes to the Reserve Champions.  The public is invited to attend the judging and  public viewing of the entries beginning at 11:00 am on December 4 at the Judge Ed B. Keys Building in San Angelo.

Buck Fever !!! No! Fall Maintenance
11/7/2009 -excerpt from "On The Level" by Charles Frerich

     Frost in the air, leaves changing colors…. What could this possibly mean? Buck fever? No… It’s time to be thinking about those pesky gullies in your fields! Those areas where water tends to run when it rains. It starts so innocently. A small trickle which when plowed disappears. This is called sheet and rill erosion. After several years of the soil moving downslope in the same area a depression begins. Each rain concentrates more water to carry more soil downslope. You begin to see that after you plow the depression is still there. There are called ephemeral gullies. Then it happens! That big rain comes. The depression becomes a gully where several inches of topsoil is lost. Given time this area will become too deep to cross with farm equipment.

Click on the "On The Level" link under the Columns header on the linkbar above to read the rest of the story.

BHS Class of 1959 Reunion
11/5/2009
The Class of 1959 recently celebrated their 50th High School Reunion at the Ballinger Country Club . 

Those attending were:  Back Row left to right:
Siegfried (Siggy  Pertl) exchange student from Austria;  Edward (Buddy) Stasney; Philip West; Ronnie Wood , Jerry Candler, Jerry Willingham, Paul Price, and Kenneth Wiginton

Second Row, left to right:  Billy Witter, Beverly Carter, Sharon Cook Dankworth, Pauline James Batson, Linda Moncrief Byrd, Glenda Cook Willingham 

Seated front row:  Clayton Davis, Martha Gallant Brown, Darlene Jennings Jones, Ann Richardson Huckabee, Louise Jones Jonas, Lucia Clark Smith, and Donald Dusek.

Runnels County SO Needs Helping in Identification
11/5/2009
The photos below show a couple of suspects involved in a theft. If you recognize either individual or the trailer seen in the photos, please call the Runnels County Sherriff's Department, 365-2121. You may provide any information you have anonymously.  Click for larger photos.

First Baptist Church Garage Sale
11/5/2009
First Baptist Church Garage Sale Saturday, November 7 8:00 AM until ? Lots of Items!

Ballinger Country Club Raffle
11/5/2009
The Ballinger Country Club is having a raffle for two tickets to the Nov 21^st game between Texas Tech and Oklahoma.  The tickets are 1 for $5 or 5 tickets for $20.  The seats are located in Sect 102 Row 37 Seat 25 & 26.  The drawing will be held Nov 18^th. 

Contact Jason at 234-2708 for ticket information. 

Lions Club Peace Poster Contest Winners
11/5/2009
Amanda Kelley's JH art class participated in the Lions Club Peace Poster contest. 

This year the winners are:












1st place    Savannah Dunn          2nd Place   Dawn LaVallie      3rd Place   Serena Staker

This was sponsored by Ballinger Breakfast Lions club.  Savannah Dunn's poster will go to Lions Club District 2-A1 to be judged.  Winner will be announced in April at the district convention in San Angelo.  Posters advance through several judging levels: local, district, multiple district and international. At the international level, judges from the art, peace, youth, education and media communities select one grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners.

Each year, Lions clubs around the world proudly sponsor the Lions International Peace Poster Contest in local schools and youth groups. This Contest encourages young people worldwide to artistically express their visions of peace.

The theme of the 2009-10 Peace Poster Contest is "The Power of Peace." Students, ages 11, 12 or 13 on November 15, are eligible to participate.

Natural Resource Day
11/3/2009 -by Kay Mansell, District Technician, Runnels County Soil and Water Conservation Disctrict
     The Runnels Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Concho Soil and Water Conservation District with assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) held the eighteenth annual outdoor classroom on October 14 at the Indian Pictographs in Paint Rock.   Two hundred seventeen fifth graders and their teachers from all over Runnels County and Concho Co. had a wonderful time and enjoyed a variety of topics that were presented by speakers at eight stations.  Demonstrations included animal safety, mobile learning center, range land, erosion, crop production, soils, Indian Pictographs, and water quality.

Instruction for the students was provided by Sandy Taylor, Texas Cooperative Extension Agent; Michael Palmer, Texas Cooperative Extension Agent; Allan Lange, Doris Hoelscher, and Finis Allen, Lipan Kickapoo Water District; Brad Teplicek, NRCS District Conservationist; Laura Broyles, NRCS Soil Conservation Planner; Kathleen Traweek, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Fred Wilde, RSWCD District Board Member; Rusty Dowell, NRCS Soil Scientist; Kathy Saunders, NRCS Soil Conservation Planner; Sutton Page, Farm Bureau; and Fred and Kay Campbell, owner of the Painted Rocks; and.  Helping behind the scenes on set up and scheduling were Charles Frerich, NRCS Civil Engineer Technician, Kay Mansell, Runnels SWCD Technician and Delton Atwood, Concho SWCD Technician. 

With the changing times, the importance of teaching children about the environment around them make the Runnels Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service proud to participate in the conservation education of our young people. 

(left) Brad Teplicek, NRCS District Conservationist, shows Runnels Co. fifth graders some plants that grow in our county during the Natural Resource Day held had the Painted Rocks in Paint Rock. 

(below) Rusty Dowell, NRCS Biologist, explains some of the soils found in our county to Runnels County fifth graders during the Natural Resource Day held had the Painted Rocks in Paint Rock.

Paint Rock Ex-Students Association
11/3/2009
Paint Rock Ex-Students Association invites all PRHS ex-students to our All School Reunion this Saturday, November 7, 2009 in the new school cafeteria and gymnasium. Registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. with a business meeting scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The Continentals will be entertaining at the close of the business meeting. Refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be given. If you ever attended PRHS, please make an effort to renew old acquaintances, and come see the improvements recently completed at the school. For more information, contact Carolyn Slaughter (365-3996 or 718-9996) or Roy Bowman (365-2466).

Congrats to BBB for their State Marching Appearance
11/3/2009
The Ballinger Bearcat Band performed in the Alamo Dome in San Antonio Monday. Unfortunately, they did not advance into the finals for the state marching competition. However, their appearance at state was an awesome accomplishment in itself and will forever be remembered. Great job BBB!! To view the state marching band results, click here.

Imagination Station Park Project Photos
11/3/2009
The Imagination Station Park Project has had a change in dates on the Olan Mills pictures.  The last chance to get a picture sitting is November 15th.  Pictures will still be done at the Ballinger Housing Authority Community Room.  Viewing dates will be November 29th and 30th.  For an appointment please call Sheree at 365-2552 or Terilyn at 365-2516.

Annual Hunter's Appreciation Dinner
11/3/2009
This Saturday November 7th marks the opening day of General Deer Season. It is also the day of the Ballinger Chamber of Commerce's Hunter's Appreciation Dinner at the Ballinger Community Center located on Crosson Ave.

This event is put on every year to show the Hunter’s that come in from all around, our appreciation for them spending their time and money in our Community. This event gets larger every year, and this year is no exception, we were host to over 1100 people last year. We will feed everyone behind the Community Center in a large covered and comfortable tent. All of the entertainment will be held inside the building.

There will be live entertainment by “Lariat”, vendors, raffle items, silent auction, and door prizes inside the Community Center. Our meal will consist of brisket, smoked ham, and sausage, with homemade beans, and homemade desserts, and of course all of the trimmings (potato salad, pickles, jalapenos, onions, etc.). The tickets for this event will be $10 a person, with children under 12 getting in free. The ten dollar ticket will get you great entertainment, great food (please go back for seconds), and two raffle tickets will be issued to you to place on the raffle item of your choice. Come out and join us, we will kick this party off at 6:30p.m. and go until 10p.m. Let Ballinger show you why we are the “Greatest Little Town in Texas”.

Click here for the 2009 Raffle Items page for a list of what you can win!

FCCLA Toy Drive
11/3/2009 -by Ashley Rhodes
Every year over 50,000 children in Texas are abused mentally, physically, emotionally, and neglected. This doesn’t even count the number of children who are abused prenatally. Ballinger Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America would like to help child abuse survivors by hosting a toy drive. They will be collecting toys November 9 - 14. You can drop new or gently used toys off at the high school Family and Consumer Science room or in the foyer of the high school. All donations will be given to Abilene Child Protective Services and San Angelo Child Protective Services. Please help us make the world a little bit brighter for those children affected by abuse.

Runnels County Historical Commission Meeting
11/3/2009 -by Betty Thomason, RCHC Reporter
The Runnels County Historical Commission will meet November 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Bruce Field off Highway 67 outside of Ballinger.  All RCHC meetings are open to the public.

St. Joseph Fall Festival
11/1/2009
ROWENA--It began in 1922 as an Armistice Day Celebration. For the next 87 years, it would evolve to what is now the annual St. Joseph Fall Festival.
     This year the event is scheduled for November 8, 2009, with the theme “We Believe”.
Descendants of those early parishioners are carrying on the tradition of great food, fellowship and fun. All activities will take place at the St. Joseph Parish Hall and church grounds.
     Scott and Amanda Matschek are the General Chairmen with Mike and Cathy Howard serving as General Co-Chairmen. Kelly and Lisa Carroll are head of the Workers’ Committee with Paul and Dawn Kalina as Co-Chairmen. Roy and Sandra Rollwitz have the task of Food Chairmen with Quentin and Margaret Watkins as Co-Chairmen.
     Activities begin at 10:30 a.m. with a flag raising ceremony conducted by Rowena Post #9196 of the VFW. It will be held at the Veterans Monument in front of St. Joseph School Building. The Ceremony will conclude with a balloon release to honor and remember all veterans, MIA-POW’s and military personnel deployed throughout the world.
     The mid-day meal will be served from 11: 00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with turkey, dressing, that great Rowena German style sausage with all the trimmings. Tea or coffee and homemade dessert will be included. Adults plates and plates-to-go will be $8.00; $4.00 for children. A drive through and walk-up window will provide plates-to-go.
     In preparation for the meal, parishioners will be making 8,500 lbs. of sausage starting Friday evening and ending Saturday. Raw sausage will be sold for $3.50 @lb. It can be bought at the plates-to-go drive through or the sausage window in the new hall addition.
     Handicapped parking and seating will be available. To make things a little easier for those who need help getting to the hall, a shuttle bus will be on hand. In case of bad weather, the meal line will be routed through protected areas.
     Games for all ages begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. A playground for smaller children is located just outside the north entrance of the hall in a protected area. A playground for older children is north of the school building.
     A Country Store featuring homemade one-of-a-kind items, plants, canned and baked goods will be open throughout the day.
     An auction of merchandise donated by parishioners, friends and merchants will begin at 1:30 p.m.
     A Sausage Sandwich Supper will begin at 4:30 p.m. at a cost of $3.00 with tea included.
     Tickets for two drawing can be purchased from any parishioner of St. Joseph’s or on the day of the festival. Prizes for the first drawing include 1.) Homemade Queen-sized quilt; 2.) Afghan and pillow; 3.) Handmade crocheted doily. The second drawing will feature the following prizes: 1.) Ipod Touch; 2.) Magnus Box Blue Ray Disc Player;
3.) Sony Portable DVD with 9 in. wide screen; 4.) 3000 Digital Picture Frame. Both drawings will be held during the Auction. You need not be present to win.
     Mass for festival workers will be held on Saturday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Church. Mass on Sunday, November 8, is at 9:30 a.m.
     Parishioners of St. Joseph and the community of Rowena invite old friends who have attended the Fall Festival for many years to come join them in this celebration of thanksgiving and the faith “we believe” in. They extend a heartfelt welcome to those who may be attending for the first time and hope they come back again and again “as the tradition lives on.”

Click for larger photos

(Left) In the 1920's and 1930's, St. Joseph's Fall Festival started with a parade down the main street of Rowena.  The Knights of Columbus float featured the Santa Maria, one of Columbus' ships.  Right behind it was a replica of the first church built in 1907. 

(Right) In 1935, not only was there a St. Joseph Brass Band, but a Rowena Junior Band that took part in the festival parade.

 

BHS Senior Carnival 2009
11/1/2009

See more photos on GorePhotographyShop.com

Breakfast Lions
11/1/2009
Ballinger Breakfast Lions cooked and served brisket with the fixings on Tuesday to 168 Senior citizens.  Members present to help were Jimmie and Shannon Caughron, Larry Hays, Bobby Moore, and Tim and Darlene Kelly.  Ballinger Breakfast Lions club meets every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month at Beefmaster Steak House at 6:00 am.  They are always looking for new members.  Contact Bobby Moore for more information.

Credit By Examination
11/1/2009
Students will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit for an academic course for which the student has no prior instruction.  The dates on which exams are scheduled are December 7, 8, & 9.  A student will earn credit with a passing score of at least 90 on the exam. 

If a student plans to take the CBE (credit by exam), the student must register with the counselor, Kandace Arrott, no later than November 7 and pay the $60 feel. For questions visit the counselor or call 365-3547  ext. 5005 or email kandace.arrott@ballingerisd.net

Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton to attend FCA Event
11/1/2009
Abilene, Texas -- Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, whose inspiring story of faith captured the national spotlight, will be the featured speaker at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Victory Dinner” on  January 22, 2010 at the Abilene Civic Center in support of  the  FCA University Ministry program in Abilene.
     Sponsorship tables are available until December 15 and limited individual tickets will go on sale December 16 for the FCA event. The program will feature an audience Q&A session with Hamilton and his wife, Katie. All proceeds will benefit the Big Country Chapter of the FCA and its local university ministry programs.  Table sponsorships and tickets are available at the FCA office – 325-795-0020 or email cpickett@fca.org or table and ticket reservation forms are available at bigcountryfca.org. (or click here)
     Hamilton, who has battled drug and alcohol addictions since 2001, credited his relationship with Jesus Christ for turning his life around after being suspended by the MLB in 2004 for violating the league’s joint drug treatment and prevention program. He returned to baseball in 2006 and then burst onto the national scene with a breakout season in his first year as a Ranger in 2008.
     Hamilton was the 2008 American League RBI leader and put on a dazzling display of power in front of a national television audience at the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby in Yankee Stadium. He was an All-Star Game starting outfielder and finished the season as the Rangers’ MVP with 32 home runs, 130 RBI and a 304. batting average. Injuries limited Hamilton to 89 games in 2009 when he hit .269 with 10 homers and 54 RBI.
     Since beginning his recovery, Hamilton has been actively involved in Christian ministries. In 2008, he and his wife created Triple Play Ministries, focusing its efforts on sports ministry, community outreach, and mission projects.
     His autobiography, Beyond Belief, debuted at No. 19 on the New York Times Bestsellers List for non-fiction in October 2008. He and Katie also were guests of President George W. Bush at the White House in December 2008 to participate in the Meeting on Drug Use Reduction.