Zilss Hall in Winchester Receiving Face Lift

The first phase of a face lift for Zilss Hall has been installed with the help of the Bluebonnet Master Gardeners of Fayette, Austin, Colorado, and Washington counties.

New planters, with a drip system, have been placed on the edges of the porch of the hall. Altmans in Giddings donated plants to fill the planters. Richard Schafer, Master Gardener; Barb Schafer, and Denby Morrison planted the flowers which are beautiful.

Thanks go out to Travis Odum, who is designing the landscaping for the hall. If you haven’t noticed the changes, go by, and check out the hall porch. Stay tuned and watch for the beginning of the next phase.

Winchester VFD Fundraiser

The 25th Annual Fundraiser Fish Fry and Auction to benefit the Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department will be held Saturday, July 23 at the St. Michaels’ Park Pavilion in Winchester.

The meal will be held between 5-7 p.m. and will be a free will donation and may be dine in or take out. A silent auction will be held from 4-6 p.m. and a live auction will begin at 6 p.m. Come join in supporting our Volunteer Fire Department which serves Winchester and surrounding area.

Young at Heart

Young at Heart will be held on Tuesday, July 26 at 2 pm at Zilss Hall. Dominoes and cards are played. Please bring a dish to share for a light snack during the afternoon.

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 that you make sure that you close the bins so that any trash will remain in the bins and not blow away.

Barn Board Quilt 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. The trail is self-drive, available at your convenience, and is a great 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 can 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 following COVID-19 requirements. Rent is very reasonable.

The Little Free Library

The library 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. The Little Free Library is housed under the roof of the patio at Zilss Hall. There is also a bulletin board available on the patio. If you have an event, you would like to advertise, please post.

Birthdays

Birthday wishes are extended to Robert Hamff, Billie Jo Murphy, and Easton Leopold-July 19; Mary Ann Liebscher-21; Jenny Althaus and Laura Jakobeit-23, Jack Pierce, Nancy Teinert and Andrew Schramm-25.

Anniversaries

Anniversary congratulations are sent to JoAnn and Eddie Schneider-July 24.

First United Methodist

The Winchester First United Methodist Church has services 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) 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. You are welcome to visit for Worship and Bible Study. When you come to the church, please introduce yourself to Pastor Nate, he will be thrilled to meet you.

In Our Prayers

Those on the prayer list include: Don Buck, Marian Fritsche, Sam Gibbs, Evelyn Haschke, Bea Kilian, Mary Lehmann, Rose Lehmann, Ramona Lopez, Travis Miertschin, JoAnn Schneider, and Layne Schramm.

Armed Forces

US Air Force: Nathan Brothers-Eielson AFB, Fairbanks Alaska; 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-Fort Jackson, S.C.; US Marines: Damien Hernandez, San Diego, Calif.; Kevin Gonzalez-San Francisco, Calif.; US Navy: Christopher Brand-Great Lakes, Ill.; US Coast Guard: Brett Smith-Corpus Christi.

Calendar of Coming Events

July 23-Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry and Auction beginning 5 p.m. at St. Michael’s Park Pavilion.

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

Have News?

If anyone has news to share with readers of the Winchester News column, contact Rhoda Gersch at (979) 242-3213 or email rmgersch@yahoo.com.