WACA to Sponsor Christmas Decorating Contest this Year

INCHESTER News

At the November meeting of the Winchester Area Civic Association, it was announced that Santa would be attending the Community Christmas Party on Dec. 8. The party will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner and the entire community is invited.

It was decided to sponsor an outside yard Christmas decorating contest once again, “Light the Night.” Decorations must be in place and ready for viewing and for voting on Dec. 15 and 16. An award presentation and social will be held at Zilss Hall on Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners.

Dinah 4 Ranch Christmas A free community Christmas event will be occurring West of Winchester at 1231 Hwy 153. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and will feature a lighted walking trail, Santa visits, children’s activities, and refreshments. The Dinah 4 Ranch Christmas will be open on Dec. 8-9; 16-17; and 22-23 from 6-9 p.m. Santa will be present between 6:308:30 p.m.

Winchester Cookie Exchange A cookie exchange will be sponsored by the Winchester Area Civic Association on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. at Zilss Hall. Bring a dozen cookies and leave with a dozen assorted cookies baked by your neighbors.

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.

Round Table Book Club The Winchester Round Table Book Club’s next meeting will be on Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. at Zilss Hall. The book to be discussed is “West With Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge. The book is a historical saga of the twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. All are welcome.

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. 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.

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.

Birthdays

Wishing happy birthdays to Jackson Bundick-Nov. 15; Alan Hepner and Bob Pendergrant- 16; and Dianne Lude-19. First United Methodist Church

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, please contact Rev. Paul Whitmill at (512) 6291428. 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 10:15 a.m. You are welcome to visit.

In Our Prayers

Those on the prayer list include: Kourtney Burton, Dale Dunk, Sam Gibbs, Bea Kilian, 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.

In the US Armed Forces

US Air Force: Nathan Brothers, Langley, Va.; Ryan Spray, San Antonio; US Army: Caleb Burton-Ft. Benning, Ga.; Warren Evans-Ft. Wainwright, Alaska; Jake Hagood-Ft. Hood; Byron Taylor-South Korea; Seth Lopez, Army Reserve National Guard-Egypt; Kaleb Pyle-Ft. Jackson, S.C.; US Marines: Damien Hernandez-San Diego, Calif.; Kevin Gonzalez- San Francisco, Calif.; Dylan Robbins-Newport, R.I.; US Navy: Christopher Brand-Great Lakes, Ill.; US Coast Guard: Brett Smith- Corpus Christi; Texas National Guard: Erik Vallejo-US Border.

Calendar of Events

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

Nov. 16-Cookie Exchange at 1 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

Nov. 21-Round Table Book Club meets at 7 p.m. at Zilss Hall, “West With Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge.

Nov. 28-Young at Heart meets at 2 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

Nov. 28 - Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department meeting at 7 p.m. at the Fire Station.

Have News?

If you have news to share with readers of the Winchester News colum, email Rhoda Gersch at rmgersch@yahoo. com.