New Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department Officers Elected

The Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department Annual Meeting was held Tuesday with Winchester area residents coming out to enjoy a fried fish dinner and hear the fire department news.

All the first responders, past and present, were introduced with an explanation regarding their years in the fire department. Eddie Schneider received a 25-year award for departmental service. New fire chief, Nick Brooks was introduced as well as Jackie Short, new President.

The community-driven fire department serves the Winchester area, responding to emergencies and providing critical services. With 32 volunteers, they are dedicated to protecting lives and property. Since this time last year there have been 30 incidents where first responders spent 260 hours on scene. The breakdown is unusual because for the first time the department had more fires than medical calls; 16 fires, 7 medical, 3 auto accidents and 4 other.

Community Spring Fling The annual Spring Fling hosted by WACA will be held on Saturday, April 4 beginning at 9 a.m. Mark your calendars and plan to attend the pancake breakfast, the Easter Egg hunts and welcome the Easter Bunny.

Women’s Luncheon 

The April luncheon for the Winchester Women will be on Thursday, April 9 at 11 a.m. at Murphy’s Steakhouse in Winchester. Please come and bring a friend. Contact Bobbie Hajek, at (970) 639-1646, to make reservations so she can let the restaurant know the number of participants.

Quilt Block Class 

The next quilt block class has been scheduled for April 11. The class runs from 10-4 p.m. with a cost of $90. All supplies are provided for you to finish a 2’x2’ block. Design templates are available. Dress appropriately for painting.

Bring your lunch and beverage. There is a refrigerator, microwave, and Keurig available Class size is limited to 10. To register for a class go to www.quiltblocktrail.com and complete the registration form. Your registration is not confirmed until we receive your payment. After filling in the registration form you may pay by credit card. Look for “click here” to complete the transaction.

If you wish to pay by check, make checks payable to WACA and send them to: WACA, 8945 FM 153, Winchester Texas 78945. For more information about the class contact Karen Kilian at (979) 966-7091.

Round Table Book Club Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave is the book selected for the April meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 at Zilss Hall at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

Recycling Trailer 

All cardboard boxes need to be broken down before placing them in the recycling trailer. We would appreciate it if you made sure that you close the bins so that any trash will remain in the bins and not blow out. The Winchester Recycling trailer is located on the side of Zilss Hall on Memorial Hall Street. Please place your recycling in the appropriate bins. Reminder: these bins are not for household garbage.

Winchester Quilt Block Trail 

Drive out to Winchester, pick up a map at Murphy’s or Zilss Hall, and enjoy viewing the sixty-five quilt blocks displayed in our area on the Quilt Block Trail. 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, Zilss Hall, Murphy’s Steakhouse, 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 available for rentals.

The Little Free Library 

The library is on the covered patio at the 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.

Birthdays 

Happy Birthday wishes are extended to J.D. Kilian and Ricky Schultze- April 4.

Anniversary 

Congratulations are extended to Jenny and Jerry Althaus on their April 6 anniversary.

Winchester United Methodist The Winchester United Methodist Church has service on the first and third Sunday of the month at 9 a.m. Richard Johnson 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 

Lenten midweek services have commenced and will be held every Wednesday at 7 p.m. through the Lenten season at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. 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 10:30. The Rev. Nate Hill is the pastor. You are welcome to visit.

In Our Prayers 

Those on the prayer list include: Kourtney Burton, Irma Gersch, Sam Gibbs, Bea Kilian, Ramona Lopez, Travis Miertschin, Jodi Miller, Scott Miller, Kolton Montgomery, Travis Odom, Eddie Schneider, Dana Srubar, and Layne Schramm.

Remembering Our Shut-Ins 

Evelyn Kasper, Lillian Pietsch, and Raymond Schulz.

Calendar of Events 

April 4-WACA Community Spring Fling begins at 9 a.m. at Zilss Hall.

April 6-WACA meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

April 9-Winchester Women’s Luncheon begins at 11 a.m. at Murphy’s Steakhouse.

April 11-Quilt Block Painting Class begins at 10 a.m. at Zilss Hall.

April 14-Young at Heart meets at 2 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

April 14-Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Fire Station.

Have News? 

If anyone has news to share with readers of the Winchester News column, contact Rhoda Gersch at (512) 2370842 or email rmgersch@yahoo. com.

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