Winchester Book Club to Meet March 16
March 16 will be the next meeting of the Round Table Book Club. It will begin at 7 p.m. and the book “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins will be discussed. COVID-19 protocols will be observed.
WACA to Hold Meeting
The first in person meeting of the Winchester Area Civic Association this year is scheduled for April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Zilss Hall. A “Meet and Greet” will be held prior to the meeting in order to get to know all our new members and celebrate in-person meetings again. Although many have received the COVID vaccination, the association will still be following COVID protocols with mask wearing and social distancing. The membership drive has been successful so please come and meet your new neighbors.
Quilt Block Classes in April
A quilt block paint class will be held on Saturday, April 24 at 10 a.m. at Zilss Hall in Winchester. Registration is required and can be completed on-line at www.quiltblocktrail.com. A $50 registration fee may be sent to WACA at 8945 FM 153, Winchester, Texas 78945. If you would prefer to pay with credit card you may contact Rhoda Gersch at (979) 242-3213. The class will be 6 hours long and you will be able to complete a quilt block. All supplies will be provided. Please wear appropriate clothing that could be stained with paint, also bring a sack lunch and drinks. COVID-19 protocol will be observed.
Membership Drive
The purpose of the Winchester Area Civic Association is to promote the Winchester area, produce a forum for discussion of local events and ideas relevant to the Winchester community, and to produce cost free, family-friendly community events. It is also the association’s responsibility for maintaining Zilss Hall.
This past year with COVID-19, most events, such as Annual Domino Tournament, hall rentals and quilt block painting classes, have been canceled. Three of our largest funding streams have been canceled. Therefore, your membership is important.
It is time to renew our WACA membership and if you are not a member this is your opportunity to join. The dues are $10 per household per year. A letter has been sent to area residents asking you to please consider joining. If you did not receive a letter and have questions, contact Margaret Atkins at (512) 751-5298.
You can send a check to WACA, 8945 FM 153, Winchester, Texas 78945. If you would like to use a credit or debit card, please contact Rhoda Gersch at (512) 237-0842.
Faith Lutheran High School
New student registration is open at the school in Warda. Any new student who registers prior to March 12 will have registration fees waived for the 2021-22 school year. You can receive registration materials by calling (979) 242-2889 or visit the website at www.faithlutheranhighschool.com.
Barn Board Quilt Trail
The quilt block trail in Winchester can now be seen at www. quiltblocktrail.com. Schedules of classes and class registration forms, pictures and trail map are just some of the items available for viewing. A comment section is being developed. 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. The trail is self-drive, is available at your convenience and is a great way to spend an afternoon during this COVID-19 social distancing time. You will find the blocks on fences, gates, barns, and houses that can be seen from the road.
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. These bins are not for household garbage. Please recycled items only.
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 advertised, please post.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes are sent to Marvy Gibbs-March 9; Betty Jakobeit and Kyle Montgomery-13; Laura Matthijetz, Linda Jones and Pat Kleiber-15.
Michael’s Lutheran Church
Continuing for all future worship services unless notified otherwise, St Michael’s will be changing the format of their worship services as they continue to adapt to COVID-19. The new worship format will allow those who are comfortable returning to worship service in the sanctuary to so while still making accommodations for those who would prefer to participate from their vehicles in the parking lot.
Pastor Nate will conduct the worship service from the sanctuary. For those who would like to participate in the service inside the sanctuary, you are asked to monitor your health and only participate inside if you are free of any COVID-19 related symptoms and have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19. The wearing of a mask or face covering is also required at this time for those participating in the sanctuary. Every other pew will be marked off to allow spacing between groups.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call Pastor Nate at (979) 966-8036.
First United Methodist
The Winchester First United Methodist Church has returned to service inside the sanctuary. Pease wear a mask and social distance inside the church. The 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.
Condolences
Sympathy and prayers of comfort are extended to the family of Stanley Herzog of Winchester. Stanley passed away on March 3 and is survived by his wife Joyce; son Shane and wife Trish; daughter Dana Srubar; 3 granddaughters Lily Herzog, Payton and Payge Srubar; and mother, Marie Kilian all of Winchester. Services are pending.
In Our Prayers
Those on the prayer list include: Betsy Anderson, Steve Burton, Sherry Cook, Jeanette Franke, Tommy Franke, Marian Fritsche, Sam Gibbs, Evelyn Haschke, Audrey Koenning, Bea Kilian, Mary Lehmann, Rose Lehmann, Ramona Lopez, Jodi Miller, Henry Pearson, Raymond Schulz and Thelma Zoch.
Remembering Our Shut-Ins
Charlene Franke, R. C. Franke, Evelyn Kasper, Marie Kilian, Lillian Pietsch, and Thelma Kieschnick.
In the US Armed Forces US Air Force
Nathan Brothers, Eielson AFB, Fairbanks Alaska; Ryan Spray, San Antonio, Texas
US Army
Warren Evans, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska; Jake Hagood, Ft Hood, Texas; Byron Taylor, South Korea
US Marines
Damien Hernandez, San Diego, California; Kevin Gonzalez. San Francisco, California
Have News?
If anyone has news to share and/or corrections please call me, Rhoda Gersch, at (979) 242- 3213 or email me at rmgersch@ yahoo.com.