Daniel and Elnora (Van Cleve) Brown Memorial Dedication

The Descendants of

Daniel and Elnora (Van Cleve) Brown

invite you to the memorial dedication

honoring their ancestors who were

 *Citizens of the Republic of Texas*

*Pioneers of Travis County*

Color Guard will be commanded by Marvin Morgan, Commander, Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard

 Musket Firing

 1776-1846 Period Dress Contest

Presentation by Virginia Van Cleave, Daughters of the Republic of Texas Alamo Committee Chairwoman

Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, area genealogical societies, and re-enactors will participate, many in period dress.

 Saturday, 23 April, 2011, 11:00 AM

Collier-Gregg Cemetery

504 Pace Bend Park Road North

Spicewood, TX 78669

Take Highway 71 to Highway 2322, which is Pace Bend Park Road; and go three miles. The cemetery, which has no sign, is behind the Pedernales Property Owners’ Association Building at the Cat Hollow entrance to Lake Travis.

 For information, contact:

David Bowles, 210-490-9955

david@westwardsagas.com, www.westwardsagas.com

2810 Thousand Oaks #171, San Antonio, TX 78232

 

And the Winners Are …

I’m sure you all have been anxiously waiting to know the winners of this year’s Christmas card contest. The committee deliberated over the last of the eggnog into the wee hours of the morn. There were so many great cards picking a winner was most difficult, and I would like to give honorable mention to a few.

Long time friend Ray Bini from Fort Myers sent a very impressive ecard with lots of lights and snow flakes. Sorry, Ray, there is no category for an electronic card.

Mysterious cards were in this year; I received one postmarked Kansas and signed just Brenda—no last name or address. Her entry was disqualified as I know of at least three Brendas up the yellow brick road. Then came a custom-made card with no name but the picture of the front of the Bill & Virginia Van Cleave house. The home is so well known in San Antonio everyone knows who it belongs to. They receive the Best Custom Card Award.

Woody and Margaret Mueller sent a pretty card that was eliminated from competition because of the Toll House chocolate pie attached to it. Note the committee gave it serious consideration, but after much deliberation was able to maintain its credibility. However, it was unanimously voted the best pie received this year.

The best animal card award goes to Courtland and Pat Snyder who sent an impressive card of a Texas Longhorn with horns that looked like peppermint swirled candy, and its brand was the silhouette of a Christmas tree.

The best religious card goes to John Steinberg; his card had an illustration of Baby Jesus in a manger, with a simple statement “When you get right down to it, He’s the only thing that matters.” Several were received that reminded us of “The Reason for the Season.”

The Puryear Family (Gary and Jennifer) of Fitzhugh, Texas, tied with the Azachi Family (Mel & Yoav) of Cedar Park, Texas, for “Best Family Picture Card.”

The “Best Overall Card” (drum roll here please) comes from neighbor Debby Bell, who has won this coveted honor once before. The card is very unique, like Debby’s first winning card—such a work of art could only be handmade. On the back it says Licensed by Penny Lane Publishing, Inc.

Thank you to all who sent Christmas cards. For the first time in years, the girls and I had Christmas at Goat Creek with family. Your cards on the mantel and sofa table served to remind us of your friendship.

We wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.   

photo credit: Mosman Library

‘Tis the Season for Christmas Cards

I received my first Christmas card on the day after Thanksgiving from long-time friend Linda Murray. She wins the category of first card received this year. As many of my friends know, for the last few years I have hosted a contest (of sorts) for the best Christmas card, or the one from the farthest place, etc. You get the idea. There isn’t a red carpet gala, and about the only press on the matter will be found on this blog in early January when I post the results.

It is my way of acknowledging my appreciation for those people who still send Christmas greetings by mail. I have a large extended family and many friends that I don’t get to see as often as I would like. Their cards let me know they thought enough about me to take the time to send a card. I enjoy the cards, and they stay up on my mantle until after the New Year.

The sending of all written correspondence seems to be coming to an end. Even the need for the beleaguered U.S. Postal System is being seriously questioned. The reasons are obvious: cost of postage, time restraints, and the popularity of social networking.

My Christmas cards to my offline friends are in the mail. Here is the online version for all my blog friends.

Booksigning at Barnes & Noble, La Cantera

I hope you’ll join me at Barnes & Noble, Barnes & Noble,  La Canterra, 15900 La Cantera Parkway, Bldg 27 on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 1 PM.

I’ll be signing Adam’s Daughters: Book 2 in the Westward Sagas.

Meeting readers and talking about my book is always great fun for me—and readers always seem to have a good time as well.

Read an E-Book Week

Read an E-Book Week is coming up March 7 – 13, 2010. Many publishers and authors give away free e-books during that week. If you’re an avid e-book reader already, you can stock up on great reading material. If you haven’t ventured into e-books yet, it’s a great opportunity to try out reading electronically with free books in your favorite genre. You can find a list of participating authors and publishers on the Read an E-Book Partners page.

I’ll be giving away e-copies of Spring House and Adam’s Daughters. Be sure to visit here during Read an E-Book Week to get your free copies as well as check out all the great books from other authors.