Annual Winchester BBQ Showdown Saturday Benefi ts Combined Community Action, Family Crisis Center

The 11th annual BBQ Showdown benefiting Combined Community Action, Inc, and the Family Crisis Center, in Memory of Judy Hielscher of Winchester, will be held at Shorty’s Bar and 8902 FM 153 on Oct. 14.

The schedule of events will start with an 8:30 a.m. meeting of the cooks, followed by 10 a.m. judging of Bloody Mary’s; 11 a.m. turnin of jackpot beans; 12 p.m. (noon)-jackpot open; chicken at 1 p.m., pork spareribs at 2:30 p.m. and brisket at 4 p.m. Prize drawing, awards and announcement will begin after 5:30 p.m.

It is 4-H Poinsettia Time

The Winchester 4-H club members are taking orders for the purchase of poinsettias for Christmas. You may order red, white, and pink at $12 each. Orders will arrive tentatively on Nov. 30. For more information, contact a 4-H member.

4-H Spaghetti Dinner

The spaghetti dinner prepared by the Winchester Area Civic Association (WACA) to benefit the Winchester 4-H Club will be held on Oct. 22 at Zilss Hall. The dinner will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be drive thru or dine in. Nicolette Morrison, WACA president is requesting everyone who wishes to contribute money or ingredients for the meal, to contact Barb Schafer at (254) 644-0336 or email at

richardbarbschafer@ gmail.com. All proceeds will benefit the Winchester 4-H Club.

Round Table Book Club

The Winchester Round Table Book Club’s next meeting will be on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in Zilss Hall. The book to read is “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. Everyone is welcome.

FLHS Oktoberfest

Faith Lutheran High School in Warda will be holding their annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 28. New this year will be The Battle of the Vines, in addition to The Battle of the Brew - both are home brew competitions, so start planning your brews now. Returning will be our traditional German meal, domino tournament, cornhole tournament, music, kid’s games, fellowship, and lots of fun.

Recycling Trailer

The Winchester recycling trailer is located on the side of Zilss Hall on Memorial Hall Street. Please place your recycling in the appropriate bins.

Barn Board Quilt Trail

This summer is the perfect time to drive out to Winchester, pick up a map at Murphy’s or Zilss Hall, and enjoy viewing the 65 quilt blocks displayed in our area. The trail is self-driven, available at your convenience, and is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon viewing quilt blocks on fences, gates, barns, and houses that can be seen from the road. Winchester Barn Board Quilt Trail maps may be picked up at the Texas Quilt Museum, Casino Hall, the Wendish Museum, quilt stores, and other businesses in Giddings, Smithville, and La Grange.

Zilss Community Hall

Anyone wishing to rent Zilss Hall should contact (512) 434-0292. The hall is inexpensive and air conditioned and is now available for rentals following renovations.

The Little Free Library

The library is on the covered patio at Hall and is always open and has a variety of authors. Space is limited, so please, if you donate a book(s) look through the current selection and take as many as you leave. Also on the patio, there is a bulletin board available to post event notices.

First United Methodist

The Winchester First United Methodist Church has service on the first and third Sunday of the month at 8:30 a.m. The Rev. Patricia Zaiontz-Newcomer is the pastor.

Shiloh Baptist Church

The Shiloh Baptist Church is located on FM 153 at North Raymond Road. For more information, contact Rev. Paul Whitmill at (512) 629-1428.

St. Michael’s Lutheran

The weekly worship service takes place at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning in the sanctuary. Following the worship service, you may gather in the Education Building for Bible Study and Sunday School beginning at 10:15 a.m.

In Our Prayers

Kourtney Burton, Dale Dunk, Sam Gibbs, Bea Kilian, John Kocurek, Mary Lehmann, Ramona Lopez, Travis Miertschin, Colton Montgomery, Marceil Prestridge, and Layne Schramm.

Remembering Our Shut-Ins

Charlene Franke, Evelyn Kasper, Lillian Pietsch, Thelma Kieschnick, and Audrey Koenning.

Calendar of Events

Oct. 10-Young at Heart meets at 2 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

Oct. 10-Winchester Area VFD meeting at 7 p.m. at the Fire Station.

Oct. 14-11-Winchester BBQ Showdown at Shorty’s Bar.

Oct. 17-Round Table Book Club meets at 7 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

Oct. 22-4-H Spaghetti Dinner at 10:30 a.m. at Zilss Hall.

Have News?

Email Rhoda Gersch at rmgersch@yahoo.com.