Window on the Highland Lakes

A Window on the Highland Lakes shows CASA staff and volunteers speaking up for children in the foster-care system, the Llano community and high school baseball team coming together for fun and fundraising, and twin sisters in Llano sharing a blessed day. Courtesy photos
[tabs style=”default”] [tab title=”PHOTO 1″]Twenty volunteers, staff and board members from CASA for the Highland Lakes Area joined about 300 children’s advocates from across the state at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 30 to speak up for children in the foster-care system. The local Court Appointed Special Advocates representatives voiced their support for funding and reforms of the child welfare system. ‘Our volunteers speak up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in our courts,’ said Sue Thornton, executive director of CASA for the Highland Lakes Area. ‘We wanted to make sure these children’s voices are also heard at the Capitol.’ Making the trip were Barbara Nichols (left), Barbie Ott, Deborah Morris, Galyn Woerner, Margit Wyers, Julie Gilson, Ginner Boswell, Karon Justice, Glenda Hartman, Betty Dove, Kathryn Stephenson, Beverly Bowmaster, Mayrean McDonough, Jennifer Mortimer, Jim Mortimer, Kathy Kasparek, Jim Payne, Amy Perkins and Faye Payne. Not pictured is Sue Thornton. Courtesy photo[/tab]
[tab title=”PHOTO 2″]Caden Bauman (left) and Jack Dillard look at the prices of silent auction items during the Llano High School Yellowjacket baseball team’s first 100-inning game fundraising event Feb. 2 at the high school baseball diamond. Athletes competed in exhibition games and a baseball derby, youth played in scrimmages and adults bid on silent-auction items. Randy Reven won the Home Run Derby. New head baseball coach Mike Ridings and assistant coaches Zach Denson and Josh Sepeda also provided a mini-camp for youth using their own players to demonstrate techniques. Courtesy photo
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Baptism is the sacramental rite of full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into membership in the Christian church. At a baptism, the congregation renews its own baptismal vows and welcomes the newly baptized into the community. On Feb. 3, at Grace Episcopal Church in Llano, members witnessed the baptism of Emily Ann (left) and Laura Elizabeth Fordyce (right), the daughters of Jim Fordyce. The church’s blessings and good wishes go to the entire Fordyce family including older sister, Sarah. Andrea Bielefeld (center) was the teacher and mentor for instruction on baptism. Courtesy photo
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