Winchester Annual Community Christmas Party Slated Dec. 6

WINCHESTER News

The Winchester Area Civic Association will be holding its annual Community Christmas Party on Friday, Dec. 6 beginning at 5:30 p.m. A baked potato bar and salad as well as spaghetti will be on the menu. Santa will arrive at 7 p.m. to visit with everyone present. Children’s activities will be held during the evening. Come out and start your holidays.

Women’s Luncheon 

The Winchester Ladies Luncheon was enjoyed with thirteen women attending. The next lunch will be held on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at Murphy’s Steakhouse in Winchester. A Christmas gift exchange game will be held, and each person is encouraged to bring a wrapped gift with an approximate value of $5. Everyone is welcome. Bobbie Hajek stated she will have a small surprise for anyone who brings a new attendee. Please RSVP to Bobbie so a space can be reserved. Program Rehearsals

At this year’s Christmas Eve Service, St. Michael’s will once again be able to enjoy a program put on by the children of the congregation. If you would like your child or grandchild to participate, please plan on having them attend all rehearsals for the children’s program. Rehearsals will take place during the Sunday School Hour each week beginning on Nov. 17. In order to ensure that the children are well prepared for their songs and speaking parts, attendance at each of the following rehearsals is mandatory: Nov. 17, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, and Dec. 22. Please contact Amanda Hart at (979) 540-0600 or another member of the Board of Education for more information. Dinah 4 Christmas

The 3rd annual Dinah 4 Christmas will be held the weekends of Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-23. The free community event will feature a lighted walking trail, visits from Santa, children’s activities, and refreshments. Gates will be open from 6-9 p.m. Lights out will be at 9:30 p.m. Santa’s visit will be from 6:308:30 p.m.

Cookie Exchange 

The Winchester Cookie Exchange will be held beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15. Please bring a couple of dozen cookies to exchange with others. This year, you are being asked to share a copy of your cookie recipe. When you leave you may take a plate of cookies contributed by each person present.

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.

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.

Zilss Community Hall 

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

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 Dianne Lude-Nov. 19; Bryan Burton and Elna Koenning -22; and Grant Pease-25.

Anniversaries 

Anniversary congratulations are sent to Charlene and Tom Juergen-Nov. 19; Delores and Morgan Karisch and Kristin and Richard Laws-25.

Congratulations 

Wishing wedding congratulations to Missy Zoch and Dylan Herbrich who were united in marriage Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Winchester St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. Missy is the daughter of Sandy and Barry Zoch and granddaughter of Angeline Zoch, all of Winchester.

First United Methodist The 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, please contact Rev. Paul Whitmill at (512) 6291428. St. Michael’s

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. The Reverend Nate Hill is the pastor. You are welcome to visit.

In Our Prayers 

Kourtney Burton, Sam Gibbs, Bea Kilian, Ramona Lopez, Travis Miertschin, Colton Montgomery, Dana Srubar, Layne Schramm, and Sharon Teinert.

Remembering Our Shut-Ins Charlene Franke, Evelyn Kasper, Lillian Pietsch, Thelma Kieschnick, Audrey Koenning, Marie, and Raymond Schulz.

Calendar of Coming Events Nov. 19-Round Top Book Club meets at 7 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

Nov. 26-Young at Heart meets at 2 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

Nov. 26-Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Deptartment meeting at 7 p.m. at the Fire Station.

Dec. 6-Winchester Area Civic Association Community Christmas Party at Zilss Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 13-15 & 20-23-Dinah 4 Christmas Lighted Walking Trail at 1231 FM 153, Smithville.

Dec. 15-Cookie Exchange at Zilss Hall at 3:30 p.m.

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.