Tom Atkins, Eddie Schneider Recognized by Winchester VFD

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Two fire fighters and first responders were recognized with special awards last Tuesday at the annual firemen’s Christmas Party. Both awards were for recognition of service beyond and were given to Tom Atkins and Eddie Schneider.

A delicious meal of chili prepared by the Franke family and chicken noodle soup prepared by Pat and Clayton Kleiber were served to the guests.

Dinah 4 Christmas 

A free Community event will be held again for the fourth year at the Dinah 4 Ranch at 1231 FM 153 west of Winchester. The free event features a lighted walking trail, children’s activities, Santa Visits and refreshments. This year fireworks and live music will be added on select evenings. The last nights of the events will be Dec. 19- 22. The gates are open from 6-9 p.m. with lights out at 9:30 p.m. Santa will visit from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.dinah4.com.

Round Table Book Club 

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen has been selected for the January meeting of the Winchester Round Table Book Club. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20 at Zilss Hall at 7 p.m. The group has decided that there will be no meeting in the month of December. All are welcome.

Recycling Trailer 

All cardboard boxes need to be broken down before placing them in the recycling trailer. 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. The Winchester Recycling trailer is located on the side of Zilss Hall on Memorial Hall Street. Please place your recycling in the appropriate bins.

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.

Zilss Community Hall 

Anyone wishing to rent Zilss Hall should contact (512) 434-0292. The hall is inexpensive and air conditioned and 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.

Birthdays 

Wishing birthday greetings to Grayson Hart and Nancy Stiles-Dec. 17; Eddie Schneider and Pat Karisch-18; Ainsley Murphy -19; Judy Latham-20; Diana Roeber-21; and Samantha Zoch-22.

Condolences 

Sympathy is extended to the family of Thelma Kieschnik, 95, who passed away on Dec. 5, 2025. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents. Paul and Alvina Noack, her husband Walter Kieschnik; her seven sisters, Mary Mitschke, Edna Mitschke, Helen Mitschke, Lillian Teinert, Wilma Bigon, Leona Dunk, Ann Meier, and Barbara Noack. Thelma was survived by her daughters, Sherell Stork and husband Rickie of Brenham; Kathleen Boettcher and husband Tommy of Lexington; and Carol Schramm and husband J.C. of Warda; as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and a sister-inlaw, Lillian Pietsch. Thelma was buried at the St. Michael’s Church Cemetery.

Winchester United Methodist The United Methodist Church will hold a Christmas Eve service instead of its service on the third Sunday of the month. The service will be held at 6 p.m. Food boxes that have been prepared for AMEN in La Grange will be blessed and delivered after the holiday. Richard Johnson is the pastor. All are welcome.

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) 6291428. 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 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Nate Hill is the pastor. You are welcome to visit.

In Our Prayers 

Those on the prayer list include: Kourtney Burton, Sam Gibbs, Bea Kilian, Ramona Lopez, Travis Miertschin, Jodi Miller, Scott Miller, Kolton Montgomery, Eddie Schneider, Dana Srubar, and Layne Schramm.

In the US Armed Forces US Air Force: Nathan Brothers, Langley, Va.; Ryan Spray, San Antonio; US Army: 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., Gavin Noak, Cherry Point, 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 Events 

Dec. 19-22-4thAnnual Dinah 4 Christmas at 1231 FM 153, West of Winchester.

Have News? 

If anyone has news to share with readers of the Winchester News column, email rmgersch@yahoo.com.