Winchester Area VFD Officers Re-Elected

The Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department held its annual community meeting this last week at Zilss Hall. Following a business meeting that had various reports given by departments and officers, an election for new officers was held. The current slate of officers include: Jackie Short, President; Kelly Franke, Vice President; Ron Kaiser, Secretary; and Sherry Murphy, Treasurer who were re-elected by acclimation. A fried fish dinner was served to all in attendance with Kelly Franke, Daniel Bamsch, Nick Brooks, and Jake Franke doing the preparation.

Spring Fling Party 

The 8th Annual Spring Fling will be held on April 19. Please mark your calendars for a pancake and sausage breakfast, Easter egg hunt, other games along with the Easter Bunny. The fun begins at 9 a.m.

WACA Scholarships 

The Winchester Area Civic Association will be offering a scholarship to a person(s) enrolled or enrolling in an institute of higher learning for careers in the professions helping in the community such as nursing, teaching, criminology/peace officer, fire sciences, dental, radiology/ imaging, EMT certification/ paramedic or other degree that will help in this or your future community.

The application deadline is April 24. For more information or to obtain an application, contact Barb Schafer at richardbarbschafer@gmail. com.

Quilt Block Paint Class The April class for painting a quilt block will be on April 12 at Zilss Hall in Winchester. Karen Kilian, paint instructor, has announced that the class is $90 for registration and can be completed online at quiltblocktrail.com. All supplies will be furnished in order that each participant can complete a 2 X 2 block. Design templates are available. Class runs from 10-4. Please dress appropriately for painting and bring a sack lunch, snacks, and beverages. There is a refrigerator, microwave, and Keurig available for your use.

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. Reminder: these bins are not for household garbage. Please recycle items only.

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 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.

Round Table Book Club The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on April 15 at Zilss Hall with the selection James by Percival Everett. All are welcome.

Birthdays 

Happy birthday greetings are sent to Cindy Hielscher-April 1; Shanti Odom-2; Della Bartlett-3; Alicia Wich and Linda Hart-4; Karen Robbins and Tommy Franke-5; Joseph Lehmann, Saydee Hart, and Ron Kaiser-6; and Marcus Wilson 7.

Anniversary 

Anniversary congratulations are sent to Jenny and Jerry Althaus-April 6.

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

Camp Lone Star 

Registration for all Summer 2025 programs opened November 12th. All campers from ages 5-18 are invited to join us for an unforgettable summer filled with adventurous Christ-centered experiences. From day camp and family camp to 2-night and 5-night overnight experiences, we have something for everyone!

Visit https://camplonestar.org/ lagrange-summer/ to look at the summer and activities.

St. Michael’s has full scholarships available for children of our church members to attend a week of camp this summer at Camp Lone Star. For more information, contact Pastor Nate.

In Our Prayers 

Those on the prayer list include: Kourtney Burton, Sam Gibbs, Bea Kilian, Ramona Lopez, Travis Miertschin, Kolton 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 On April 7-Winchester Area Civic Association meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

On April 8-Young at Heart meets at 2 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

On April 8-Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Fire Station.

On April 12, Quilt Block Paint Class will be held from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

On April 15, Round Table Book Club meets at 7 p.m. at Zilss Hall - Book to be discussed is James by Percival Everett.

On April 19-Winchester Community Spring Fling begins at 9 a.m. at Zilss Hall.

On April 22, Young at Heart meets at 2 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

On April 2, Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Dept meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the 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.