WINCHESTER News

The Winchester Ladies Luncheon 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, (979) 639-1646, so a space can be reserved.

Community Christmas Party 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.

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 Raymond Matthijetz and Sam Appleman-Nov. 27; Gina Marek and Stephanie Alvarado- 29; Robbie Zoch Dec. 1 and Carlton Musgrove-2.

Anniversaries 

Anniversary congratulations are sent to Sherry and Boykie Murphy-Nov. 26 and Teresa and David Shed-28.

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.

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 

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) 9669397 or Robbie at (979) 6391220, by December 15. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing.

In Our Prayers 

Those on the 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.

In the US Armed Forces US Air Force: Nathan Brothers, Langley, Va.; Ryan Spray, San Antonio; US Army: Caleb Burton, Ft. Carson, Colo,; Warren Evans, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Jake Hagood, Ft. Hood; Byron Taylor, South Korea; Seth Lopez, Army Reserve National Guard, Egypt; Kaleb Pyle Ft. Bliss; US Marines: Damien Hernandez, San Diego, Calif.; Kevin Gonzalez, San Francisco, Calif.; Dylan Robbins, Jacksonville, N.C.; US Navy: Christopher Brand, Great Lakes, Ill.; US Coast Guard: Brett Smith, Corpus Christi; Texas National Guard: Erik Vallejo. US Border.

Calendar of Coming Events Nov. 26-Young at Heart meets at 2 p.m. at Zilss Hall.

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

Dec. 6-WACA Community Christmas Party at Zilss Hall at5:30 p.m.

Dec. 13-15 and 20-23Dinah 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.