Winchester Community Christmas Party Friday

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.

Light the Night in Winchester WACA is compiling a list of all homes that are being decorated for the Christmas season. It will be available on the patio of Zilss Hall by Dec. 15 for anyone wishing to drive around and view the decorations. There will be no home decorating contest this year. If you would like to be on the list please notify Michele Weth by calling (281) 435-9245.

WinchesterWomen’s Luncheon The Winchester Ladies Luncheon will be held on Dec. 5 at 11 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, (979) 639-1646, so a space can be reserved.

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 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Cookie Exchange 

The Winchester Cookie Exchange will be held begin-ning 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 65 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 Daniel Gersch and Jacob Koenning-Dec. 4; Charles Lehmann-6; Austin LeMew and Judah Odom-8.

Anniversary 

Anniversary congratulations are sent to Tara and Sean Murphy-Dec. 2.

First United Methodist Church The United Methodist Church has service on the first and third Sunday of the month at 9 a.m. Richard Johnson is the pastor. The members of the church will be conducting a food drive for AMEN. All food boxes should be left in the church to be blessed at the Christmas eve service which will be held on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. A list of suggested donations can be found in the back of the church.

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

Christmas Caroling 

Please make plans to join in an afternoon of bringing Christmas Joy and Spirit through song to individuals who reside in local care facilities or at their homes. St. Michael’s Lutheran Church annual Christmas Caroling event has been scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 15. They will meet in the Church parking lot at 2 p.m., and a meal will be served in the Fellowship Hall upon return. If you plan to attend, or have any questions, please contact Roland at (979) 966-9397 or Robbie at (979) 639-1220, by Dec. 15.

In Our Prayers 

Those on they prayer list include: 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 Dec. 5-Winchester Women’s Luncheon meets at 11 a.m. at Murphy’s Steakhouse.

Dec. 6-WACA Community Christmas Party at Zilss Hall begins at 5:30 p.m.

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

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

HaveNews? 

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