Boerne Business Monthly - December 2022

Karl J. Eggerss Principal, Financial Advisor

Casey Keller, CFA Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor

Shawn Morris, CFP®, AAMS® Vice President, Financial Advisor

Britni Mosher Associate, Relationship Manager

December is here and we thought it was only fitting to feature the one place in town where it’s Christmas all year long – The Christmas Shoppe! This local store right on Main Street is the perfect place to get what you need to deck the halls and trim the trees. And they don’t stock only Christmas items. Shop them all year round for all of your holiday decorating needs.

Boerne has become quite the hotspot for Christmas light displays too. Not only does our Hill Country Mile look like something straight out of a Hallmark movie, but there are a handful of local venues to drive-thru, stroll through or drive by to soak up all that holly jolly goodness.

This year as you do your holiday shop ping, remember to shop local as much as you can. Our small town stores appreciate it more than you will ever know and we

have some of the coolest places to find something for everyone on your list.

As the year comes to a close we have some exciting news of our own. We have recently acquired two additional publications, Explore & Kendall County Woman, that will now be part of the Distinct Media LLC family. We are beyond excited for what the future holds!

I hope you all have the merriest Christmas and the happiest New Year!

Lauren StumbergOwner/Publisher

your Business. Call for more information and Floor plans.

106 - A FM 1376 - BOERNE, TX

COMMERCIAL BUILDING

This 4,842 sf Showroom/Commercial Building features; ICF concrete Walls, LED Lighting, Security/technology, Full Kitchen/Laundry, Free Span Interior, Polished con crete floors, 50 Gal Water tank with Water Catchment system. 2 Separate Men and Women's Locker rooms with Showers and Lockers. 2 Separate entrances, the Space can be divided with current separating folding doors.

37350

E. BANDERACUSTOM SPEC HOME

431

Custom Spec Home being built by S. Barry Signature Homes. 3 Bed room, 3 full bath home is approx 2767 sf main level and 428 sf fin ished out garage apartment. Great location in Boerne!

106 FM 1376 - "STATE OF THE ART RESIDENCE"

This Custom residence located a minutes from downtown Boerne is 3,239sf with 550sf Insulated Flex Space and 2,257 sf Barn, Open and Private residence boasting 3 BR, 3.5 baths, with Gated and Private access. Truly a unique opportunity, this modern ranch home is custom-fitted with countless master crafted finishes. The Home is ideal for entertaining. A separate gated entrance and parking area ensure convenient access to all amenities.

IH-10 WEST - COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Commercial property at Johns Road and IH-10 west corridor to Boerne, Texas. This 1.29 acre property is unrestricted but in the ETJ of Boerne. Both Water and sewer are nearby from the City of Boerne. The property has 250+ ft of IH 10 frontage, Included 750 sf Workshop with Electricity; adjacent to the COI company HQ, Easy IH-10 access on and off coming from the West and East exit ramps.

book review

Welcome Home: A cozy minimalist guide to decorating and hosting all year round by Myquillyn Smith book review by Adrianne Carnes holidays Shine Bright: Local Holiday Light Displays ribbon cuttings finances Retirerment on Purpose by Kim Painter courtesy of Karl Eggerss - CAPTRUST

Boerne Business Monthly is published by Distinct Media, LLC, copyright 2022. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Boerne Business Monthly are those of the writers or sources and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute the endorsement of products or services herein. Although the information and recommendations in this publication have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, Boerne Business Monthly makes no guarantee as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information and recommendations.

photo by Ron Pritchett

FROM

FAMILY TO

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”” LUKE 2:10-12

&

DWAINE RIVERS

REALTORS® jrivers@phyllisbrowning.com MOBILE (210) 393-3231

The Advantages of Outsourcing Your Organization’s Accounting

by Paul Wobser, CPA – ADKF

LLeaders in business are constantly faced with the challenge of operat ing in an ever-changing environment. Recently, businesses have had to navigate a global pandemic, inflation, a tight labor market, rising interest rates, rapidly changing technology, military conflicts, and many other matters. Suffice it to say, things have been chaotic in the past few years. For this reason, business leadership needs to now, more than ever, ensure that appropriate resources can be dedicated to running the daily operations of the business and executing the businesses long-term stra tegic plan. One major way your internal resources can be freed to focus on operations is by outsourcing your accounting functions. Accounting firms, including ADKF, offer advanced accounting outsourcing services commonly referred to in the accounting industry as “Client Accounting Services” or “CAS”.

With advancements in cloud computing and remote work technology, advanced outsourced accounting services have never been more feasible. In the past, many businesses could only afford to have a bookkeeper on staff and often thought that an accounting manager, controller, or CFO would be unrealistic for their budget. Now, your accounting records can be securely saved in the cloud and shared between you and your accounting team in real time regardless of where you are. Additionally, routine accounting tasks and data-entry heavy functions can often be automated to reduce costs. These changes present accountants with the ability to provide a full outsourced accounting team to almost any small or mid-sized business. You can get a highly qualified CFO, controller, accounting manager and bookkeeper that work and collaborate as a team within one firm for exactly the amount of time that you need each of them. This is the expertise that your business needs so you can have actionable financial data to make operational decisions, to communicate financial performance to investors or lenders, and enable your organiza tion access to the capital needed for growth. Thus, hiring an accounting firm is no longer just hiring someone to prepare your historical account ing records. Your CAS team can now have access to real-time data to enable work in the present and for future planning to become an integral component of your organization’s business processes.

Many business leaders struggle with trying to learn accounting best practices or they struggle with supervising an internal accountant or bookkeeper. With an CAS team, you do not need to worry about hir ing and interviewing new staff, managing human resources issues, or teaching yourself accounting. As your business grows and changes, your CAS team can quickly scale to meet your businesses needs so you can focus on what you do best – operating your business. Many small

organizations still compromise their accounting expertise by employing a single person to fill all of the accounting roles. This results in organizations either overpaying for employees that have underutilized skills or compromising the quality of their accounting by hiring an employee that may be capable of completing routine accounting tasks but struggles with process improvement and strategic financial analysis. With CAS, you’ll have access to the exact quanti ties and types of expertise needed to match your organiza tions current situation.

Being true experts in the field of accounting is another advantage of hiring a CAS firm. As experts in the field, your CAS team will know exactly which systems and pro cesses can be implemented to make your daily operations run smother. A CAS firm will remain abreast of all recent accounting pronouncements, changes in technologies and best practices in the field. With real-time data, accounting experts will also have the ability to identify improvements to your processes and provide timely insights to make managing your business a much smoother experience.

Lastly, one of a business leader’s worst fears is fraud. In many cases, once fraud is identified (if it is caught at all) it can be extremely costly to prosecute, and the recovery of lost funds may be impossible. Going beyond the direct costs of the fraud, if your customers, investors, lenders or donors (for non-profit organizations) learn that fraud was identified they may no longer want to work with your orga nization out of fear the fraud could reoccur. Theft of funds is often the result of a high degree of responsibility being placed on a single employee as the necessary segregation of duties may be unrealistic or too costly for small and mid-sized organizations. The result of this is an extremely high risk of fraud in smaller and mid-sized businesses. In addition to adding an additional set of eyes on the books, a CAS firm can help your organization mitigate the risk of fraud by improving the design of internal controls and segregating accounting duties within your organization.

BBM

Paul Wobser, CPA

As a partner at ADKF, Paul oversees the firm’s accounting services department and provides audit services to organizations across a wide array of industries including manufacturing, construction, restaurants, and not-for profit organizations. Paul graduated from Texas Tech University and has over a decade of public accounting experience. A resi dent of Boerne, Paul spends most of his free time with his wife and two children.

With offices in San Antonio, Boerne and New Braunfels, ADKF is the largest locally owned accounting firm serving the greater San Antonio area. We provide a full array of accounting services including tax, audit and accounting services. Our professionals love serving the community and adding value to help local businesses thrive in this constantly changing and challenging business environment. If you believe your organization could ben efit from CAS, we would be thrilled to meet with you to discuss our services in more detail and to learn more about your organization. adkf.com

DECEMBER Calendar of Events

DECEMBER 1

GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR COUNSELING CENTER OF BOERNE

11:30am to 12:00pm 121 S Main St – Boerne

GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR CORE ATHLETIC CLUB 1:30pm to 2:00pm 1580 River Rd. – Boerne

GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE PATRICK HEATH PUBLIC LIBRARY'S NEW DIETERT HISTORICAL COMMUNITY ARCHIVES 4:15pm to 4:30pm

Patrick Heath Public Library 451 N Main St. – Boerne

GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR BOERNE RADIO 103.9FM

4:30pm to 5:00pm

Patrick Heath Public Library 451 N Main St. – Boerne

DECEMBER 6

GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR HAIRBENDERS SALON & SPA 11:30am to 12:00pm 802 E Blanco Rd. – Boerne

GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR BOERNE BACKYARD 1:30pm to 2:00pm

31007 I10 W, Suite 101 – Boerne

DECEMBER 8

merry christmas

Wishing You a & Happy New Year

BOERNE AFTER 5 MIXER: HOSTED BY PHYLLIS BROWNING 5:00p to 7:00pm

711 S Main St. – Boerne

DECEMBER 9-11

TOAST TO OLDE TOWN Hill Country Mile

A merry mistletoe weekend in celebration of our olde town’s heritage. Locals (old & new) and all friends and family who are returning home for the holidays are invited to join us for a quiet stroll of downtown Boerne.

DECEMBER 10-11

MARKET DAYS

Main Plaza

100 N. Main St. – Boerne

Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm

On the second weekend of every month, Main Plaza is home to a magical outdoor market that blends the traditions of the Texas Hill Country with the creations of today’s culture.

DECEMBER 12

KENDALL COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S COURT 9:00am to 11:00am

Kendall County Courthouse 201 E. San Antonio Ave. – Boerne

DECEMBER 13 & 27

CITY COUNCIL 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Livestream Meeting

See ci.boerne.tx us for link to meeting

DECEMBER 15

GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR MERCY INTERNATIONAL 11:30am to 12:00pm

100 W Hosack #101 – Boerne

Demand for Home Renovation is Still Strong!

TThe mortgage rates and housing shortages may have stalled home sales, but the renovation industry is still alive and well and keeping a lot of custom homes builders very busy. A decrease in home sales can often take away two reasons that folks fix up their houses: 1.) Sellers often spend money renovating

hoping to bring about a higher price and helping to make the transaction go smoothly. 2.) Buyers often will renovate their new purchase to make it their own style and taste. However, rising rates and fewer moves haven't seem to slow the demand for renovation. Lowe's, Home Depot, and Sherwin-Williams all report brisk earnings despite those factors. One source for the demand could be that because of the slow down of new construction throughout the past few years, homes are getting older. An aging home continues to need more consistent remodeling and updates. Homes aren't the only thing aging. According to the Census Bureau, 17% of the U.S. population is 65 years or older and they are hoping to "age in place." That means adjusting their space to better fit their needs - replacing carpet with solid flooring to allow for walkers and wheelchairs and renovating bathrooms with walk-in showers and hand railings. According to a local builder approximately 50% of his new construction business has now transitioned to remodeling with many projects being quite extensive.

The recent pandemic allowed many people to work from home and many companies are allowing their employees to continue that practice; thus, homes are being remodeled to accommodate one or possibly two persons the ability to work from home. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act included many credits and rebates for energysaving home improvements such as replacing windows, putting up solar panels and installing electric heat pumps. Most of those perks will run through 2032. Additionally, many homeowners do have the finances to invest in their homes as roughly 40% of homes are mortgage free and/ or have locked in at very low rates. Of course, this could all change if the job market becomes weaker. That would force people to save and not spend. Then Katie bar the door - we can't afford to replace it!!

Adapted in part from a recent article in The Wall Street Journal

(830) 331-1104

CAROL SCHULTZ & ARIEL BROOKS-STEVENS

BBM

HERFF VILLAGE TOWNHOMES

Where it’s Christmas Everyday!

by Lauren Stumberg | photos by Ron Pritchett

IImagine a world where it’s always Christmas. A place filled with magic and wonder, lots and lots of Christmas trees, jolly holiday tunes and oh so much glitter! For Emily Carvalho, this is not a dream, but in fact her everyday life as the owner of The Christmas Shoppe.

Established in 1996, The Christmas Shoppe recently celebrated its 25th Year in business. Carvalho purchased the store in 2015 from its original owners, Michael and Shedell Giddens, and the store continues as a second-genera tion family tradition.

“I had worked here for the Giddens for a decade. When it came time for them to move to their next chapter, they approached me about buying the business and the rest is history.”

“It’s funny how God intervenes in your life and gets you where you need to be,” laughed Emily. “I actually came to Boerne because of an internship at Meadowlands.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, but it didn’t take me long to realize that was

not the path for me. However, I fell in love with Boerne almost instantly and knew this is where I wanted to be. After trying all sorts of jobs, I eventually remembered a test they had given me in high school that told you what might be a good career path based on your strengths, personality, etc. Retail was what the test said would be a good fit for me. I figured I might as well give that a try and interviewed at The Christmas Shoppe, got hired right away and went to work. Guess what? I LOVE retail!”

Carvalho not only loves retail, but she also loves Christmas!

“I have always been the one to put up the Christmas trees for my whole family. Even now, where I am surrounded by Christmas at work, we have a couple of trees at our home that stay up year-round,” she said.

The Christmas Shoppe loves bringing Christmas joy to their customers. They offer the finest selection of holiday décor and collectibles, including Department 56 Villages, Jim Shore Figures, Old World

According to Emily, some of the most popular selling Christmas ornaments are cardinals, which often symbolize a loved one who has passed, and pickle ornaments. “According to German tradition, families would hide a pickle ornament in the tree and the first one to find it would receive a special gift or treat of some kind. Pickle ornaments are extremely popular.”

Need an ornament to commemorate a special event? Whether it’s baby’s first Christmas, sports, college, or just about any other life event, they’ve got you covered. How about snow globes, stockings, advent calendars, cup towels, coffee mugs or cooking

Ornaments, Willow Tree figurines, Mark Roberts fairies, Christopher Radko ornaments, Ing-Glas ornaments, Russian santas and nesting dolls, and so much more!

continued from page 17 utensils? Whatever holiday themed item you can think of, Carvalho has likely anticipated your need for this and has it stocked.

“We don’t stop at just Christmas either,” added Carvalho, “We celebrate everything! Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, birthdays… you name it. We love each and every holiday and offer a spectacular selection of dazzling themed trees throughout the year.” The displays at The Christmas Shoppe are always changing based upon upcoming holidays and seasons to keep things fun and fresh.

Every nook of the shoppe is filled with new treasures and wonders. No matter what it is you have to celebrate, be sure to stop in and be inspired!

132 S. Main Street – Boerne | (830) 816-2176 THECHRISTMASSHOPPETX.COM

Begin Your Journey to Wellness

Areas of Focus

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Heavy Metal Toxicity is the result of exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic. Heavy metals bind to parts of your cells that prevent your organs from doing their job and can lead to chronic illnesses.

Health/Wellness

Helping you achieve a state where the physical body is free from disease, while working towards an overall balance of your physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and environmental well-being.

Holistic Living

Holistic living is a lifestyle that nourishes your mind, body, and soul...it's actually quite wonderful! We help you achieve a holistic lifestyle, allowing YOU to take care of your entire self; mind, body and soul.

Hayley E. Filippini, BA, HIH

Krista R. Malone, RN, HIH

The GVTC Foundation’s Thanksgiving Give Back Project Celebrates its 10th year by delivering 616 meals

The Thanksgiving Give Back Project is The GVTC Foundation’s largest community project of the year. When this project was initiated, the vision was to provide a meal to neighbors experiencing hardship, with the hope that they would place their worries aside for the day and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal with their families.

Since 2012, the foundation has partnered with local food pantries, which select the recipients in the GVTC service area. As the project grew, organiza tions were invited to participate by collecting food items to make a complete Thanksgiving meal. The meal includes a frozen turkey, all the traditional sides, bread, and dessert. GVTC employees and their families package and personally hand-deliver the meals the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

The goal for the 10th annual event was to provide for 500 families. Despite the rain and cold weather, volunteers were able to deliver meals to 616 families, well-exceeding expectations and helping feed thousands in our community.

Community Partners

This year’s project wouldn’t have been possible without the help of volunteers, 12 local food pantries, and one Meals on Wheels program. Over 25 community organizations collected food and funds for this project. The GVTC Foundation extends a sincere appreciation to all that participated:

HEB

Brookshire Brothers Canyon Lake Bimbo Bakeries Foodguys

Local Food Pantries included:

The Hope Center Habitat for Safe Seniors

Helping Hands at Rebecca Creek CRRC of Canyon Lake Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries Provisions Outreach of Bulverde Meals on Wheels Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center

Blanco Good Samaritan Center Gonzales Christian Assistance Ministries Hill Country Family Services Children Centre Los Niños Community Bible Church Bulverde

Organizations included: Bill Brown Elementary Blanco Middle School Boerne Community Theatre Boerne YMCA Boerne ISD Boerne Education Foundation

Bracken Christian School

Canyon Lake High School Student Council Church Hill Middle School

Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation

Communities in Schools

Contractors Helping Kids

Davenport High School Band Gloria Deo Academy

Gonzales High School Anchor Club, FCCLA, and Leo’s Club

Kendall County Juvenile Probation Living Rock Academy

Paschal Elementary -CIS Site

Rebecca Creek Elementary RecoveryWerks!

Rotary Club of Boerne Shepherd of the Hills (S.W.A.T.)

Smithson Valley High School Family and Community Services & JROTC Sonora Bank Bulverde

STEPS Solutions That Equip People for Success

Faith Alive Church

The Vine Wellness Group

Texas Valor Softball

Veramendi Elementary

Since its launch, the Thanksgiving Give Back Project has helped 2,736 families. The GVTC Foundation continues to serve its mission to profound ly enhance the quality of life in the communities served through charitable contributions and volunteerism.

If you wish to learn more about The GVTC Foundation and how you can get involved in community outreach efforts, email info@thegvtcfoun dation.com or visit thegvtcfoundation.com BBM

Boerne ISD’s Ag Barn and Animal Science Center

IIn May of this year, Boerne ISD partnered with the Kendall County Fair Association (KCFA) to lease the Ag Barn at the Kendall County Fairgrounds on Highway 46. The building now serves as Boerne ISD’s Ag Barn and Animal Science Center and is accessible to all district students. Boerne High School Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor, Kathleen Young, serves as Boerne ISD’s Ag Barn Manager.

“We are excited about continuing to honor our com munity’s strong agricultural heritage. The rich agricultural history of Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch and Kendall County is simply amazing, and we look forward to the future by using this incredible facility for our students at all grade levels,” said Dr. Thomas Price, Boerne ISD Superintendent.

The facility allows Boerne ISD kids to participate in livestock projects even if they cannot keep them at their own home. “Having this space available within our district really opens up a lot of opportunities for our students,” said Kathleen Young. “The response from local families that want to participate has been overwhelming. This is our first year and we already need to start thinking about phase 2.”

According to Young, this communal space in which 4-H and FFA students can raise their livestock projects has created a fun atmo sphere of both community and competition. Within the pens of the barn are hogs, lambs and goats that are being fed, conditioned and trained to look and show their best for the Kendall County Junior Livestock Show and Sale. Many of these students will take it a

step further and compete at a major stock show as well.

“Raising livestock teaches these kids so many valuable life lessons. The responsibility and time management it requires gives them a sense of matu rity. They develop a sense of pride and ownership in their project as well. Watching them develop these skills feels like a big hug, it just makes me so proud,” said Young.

pictured above: Kathleen Young, Boerne ISD’s Ag Barn Manager

Having this space available is a great, positive step towards the future for Boerne ISD's Agricultural Science classes, and 4-H and FFA chapters. It is more than just a barn, but rather also a communal space to educate the kids on agricultural topics as well. According to Young, “We have been able to bring in some adult volunteers and veterinarians from the local community to educate the kids on different topics related to the care and health of their animals, to work with them on their showmanship and so much more. It is really proving to be a great educational space on many levels.”

The district is extremely grateful for the KCFA's generosity and especially for KCFA President Shane Boerner and 1st Vice President Billy Shussler. This is only possible because of their leadership and vision.

BISD also thanks the Kendall County Junior Livestock Association and its President Joe Lozano, all our Agricultural Science and Technology teachers at Boerne and Champion High schools, and all of the FFA and 4-H parents who have provid ed their valuable guidance and advice. Our continued collaborative efforts will make this a great success for the school district and community.

by Myquillyn Smith

Mreview by Adrianne Carnes

Myquillyn Smith began writing about home over thirteen years ago as a blog ger, and has written three books about interior design. Online you will find her as “The Nester.” She wrote about cozy minimalism in her book Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff, where she describes how to create a beautifully inviting home without too many things. She teaches how to begin the process and how to manage it through to the end with gorgeous pictures of mantels, tables and lighting.

In her book Welcome Home , she writes about decorating and hosting through out the year. This book is brilliant, and changed the way I view decorating for each season. Myquillyn’s method is about decorating for the natural season that we are in before bringing out any store-bought decorations. There are four sections to the book, for each season. Within each section, there are two chapters: Decorating and Celebrating.

She so easily illustrates how decorat ing for the natural season helps to bring the mood into our home and creates a vibe before any decorations are needed. For example, this winter, I brought in

branches, wood for the fireplace, tex tural throws and pillows, and candles. Immediately my home felt ready for winter before it even saw a Christmas tree. With the mood already created, it’s easy to not have to add much else.

Myquillyn is obviously a gifted hostess. She helps to ease any anxiety or stress about hosting the people you love in your home for any celebration. She involves each of our senses as she graciously prepares her home for guests, with music, food, comfortable

seating and lighting.

I highly recommend Myquillyn Smith’s book Welcome Home, to anyone who wants to curate a home that feels comfortable and welcoming during any season of the year. BBM

Find this book and more at The Boerne Bookshop

153 S. Main – Boerne | (830)249-0000

theboernebookshop.com

A cozy minimalist guide to decorating and hosting all year round

shine bright! holiday fun

PARADE OF LIGHTS

OLD WEST CHRISTMAS LIGHT FEST

After you drive down the driveway filled with Christmas lights, hop out of your car and experience a holiday-filled Old West Town!

242 State Hwy. 46 christmaslightfest.com

THE JONES CHRISTMAS RANCH

Jesus is the Reason for the Season! The Jones Family loves to spread the Joy of Christ‘s birth through their 2+ million Christmas lights drivethru. Tune into 94.5 FM and enjoy this fantastic display at their newly expanded location. 43360 IH-10W – Boerne

TheJonesCHRISTmasRanch.com

Each year, Boerne Parks & Recreational Department hosts a Residential and Commercial Lighting Contest. A map of all the entered addresses for 2022 will be published later in December on the City’s website.

GVTC has partnered with Calix, Inc. (NYSE:CALX) on a fully managed home protection service. GVTC will now offer their customers Arlo Secure in addition to their proinstallation services.

This new product is intended to provide GVTC broadband customers with a smart camera option that will build a safer and smarter home.

“GVTC has been a trusted partner in the community for over 70 years. We felt partnering with Calix on Arlo Secure was the next step needed to help protect our customers' homes.

GGVTC connectHome® products bring more than complete smart security. It gives our cus tomers a sense of comfort, safety, and peace of mind,” said GVTC President and CEO Ritchie Sorrells.

With Arlo, customers can stream live video, play recorded clips, easily arm and disarm their system and also take immediate action on alerts without unlocking their phone. Arlo Activity Zones and Smart Notifications will differentiate between people, animals, and vehicles giving customers the ability to fine-tune areas that trigger motion and noti fications.

“GVTC continues to set the bar for broad band service providers thanks to their unwav ering commitment to delivering exceptional subscriber experiences. The GVTC team

understands that continually introducing inno vative new services is critical to meeting its objectives. Arlo Secure, a fully managed connected camera service, is the latest innova tion that GVTC is offering its subscribers. By offering Arlo Secure as a GVTC managed ser vice, they will greatly simplify home security for subscribers across their community. We are proud to be their partner as they build on a 70+ year legacy of technology and service innovation for their community,” said Matt Collins, executive vice president of commer cial operations and chief marketing officer at Calix.

Explore the benefits of GVTC Smart Security and see what services are available in your area today.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT THE CRUMBLING CASTLE

Located between Boerne and Comfort, this drive-thru expe riene offers a dazzling display of more than 30 acres of Texas hill country illuminated into a magical forest with idyllic holi day scenes, fairy tale sculptures, thousands of wrapped trees, and lights to enchant one and all. 571 FM 289 – Comfort crumblingcastlelights.com

HINOJOSA

FAMILY LIGHTS

Don’t miss this family’s biggest and brightest light show yet! With over 100 hours of setup work, this display is sure to amaze. 140 Shadow Knolls facebook.com/ hinojosalights

BOERNE BRIGHT

The First Baptist Church is hosting a free, walk-through Christmas light experience with over 200,000 lights synced to holiday tunes. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and take a stroll with the family. Check website for dates. 631 S. School Street fbcboerne.com

CHRISTMAS ON THE RANCH

Looking for a Texas-size display of lights? Drive through over 1 mile of animated Christmas lights and enjoy Santa’s village where you can grab a bite to eat, shop the vendors and grab a picture with Santa! 103 Waring Welfare Road christmas.donstrangeranch.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

| cont’d

DECEMBER 15

CANADIAN BRASS SPECIAL HOLIDAY EVENT

7:30pm to 10:00pm

Champion High School Auditorium 201 Charger Blvd. – Boerne $20 to $60 Tickets More info at boerneperformingarts.com

DECEMBER 16-18

KINDER FEST

Hill Country Mile

It’s Christmas vacation! Bring the kids for a weekend full of Christmas fun! The Dickensian era was beautiful, but on this child-friendly weekend, everyone is encouraged to show off their ugly Christmas sweaters, silly Christmas pajamas, and Whoville hairdos. Events include the Cookie Crawl on Friday and Saturday (Tickets go on sale November 16th), a free Santa Scavenger Hunt on Friday and Saturday, Christmas Card Decorating at Under the Fig Tree on Saturday, a visit with Santa at J. Forks Designs on Saturday, and a Cowboy Christmas Market Saturday and Sunday.

DECEMBER 17-18

CHRISTMAS MARKET DAYS Main Plaza Shop vendors from all over Texas for fabulous holiday items and gifts.

DECEMBER 18

BOERNE CONCERT BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT

7:00pm to 8:00pm

Boerne High School Auditorium Celebrate the holiday season with traditional Christmas songs played by the Boerne Concert Band.

DECEMBER 25

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

DECEMBER 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE BBM

Now Offering Jet Plasma

Jet Plasma pen is a handheld plasma device that uses a cooler atmospheric temperature so it does not create surface trauma like traditional fibroblast plasma. This extreme ly powerful device penetrates 13,000 volts of plasma through the epidermis, into the dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin stimulating high levels of collagen and remod eling the cellular structure from the inside out. When J plasma is mixed with oxide oxygen, ozone plasma is created which kills surface bacteria and is anti-inflammatory to aid in calming keratosis, eczema, and rosacea.

ribbon cuttings

Greater Boerne ChamBer of CommerCe novemBer uttinGs

6Shift provides marketing and analytic solutions that help businesses efficiently optimize resources, drive digital exposure, and curate an online presence. 6Shift was founded in 2022 here in Boerne, Texas. Focused on providing businesses and brands with new-age digital solutions to age-old problems, they bring a data-driven tailored approach for each of their clients focused on results. From social media account management and post curation to search engine optimization and website builds, 6Shift is here to help you make the most of the ever-changing digital marketing space. Go to 6shift.com and learn more about 6Shift, their services, and how they can help you; or email Josh at 6Shiftmarketing@gmail.com.

Bridgehead IT is the technology partner your business can count on! Established in 1999, they offer customized, end-to-end technology services that support businesses of all sizes. They are different because they take a holistic approach to the technology needs of their clients and empower their staff to become leaders in their fields.Their 24/7 operations, leading edge tools, and on-staff team of numerous expert technicians offer scalable resources to meet your business needs. Bridgehead IT recently moved into a new location and are celebrating the grand opening of their new headquarters here in our community! You can give them a call at (210) 477-7900 or check out their website at bridgeheadit.com to learn more!

Established in 1982, Omega Retreat Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters, provides a quiet place away from the distractions of daily life. Located on the Sisters’ grounds, in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, the Center offers spaces for group and individual overnight retreats. In addition to overnight retreats, Omega offers Bethany, a quaint space for individual, private day retreats and reflec tion. Reservations must be made in advance. Spiritual Direction is offered by request. Give them a call (830) 816-8470 or visit boernebenedictines.org/omega. Note: Established in 1982, Omega is home to the very first A.C.T.S. retreat that was held in 1987.

Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center cel ebrated their 35th Anniversary with a special ribbon cutting ceremony! HCPCC has been serving families in the Texas Hill Country since 1987. All their services are free, fully confidential and available to any one regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or age. The staff and volunteer advo cates are extensively trained, while all medi cal services are provided by licensed nurses under the direction of a medical doctor. With an office in Boerne and Comfort, they’re working to bring more help to the Hill Country area.Take a look at their web site for more details boernepregnancy.org!

It’s been 5 years of fun in Boerne! Raising Cane’s has been serving up their ONE LOVE quality chicken for 26 years, but is extremely excited to be celebrating a milestone anniversary at their Boerne location. Cane’s not only serves up great chicken, but they love to give back to the communities they serve. Every crew member at Raising Cane’s helps give back to the community, because they don’t want to be just another restaurant chain in town. They want to be an integral part in their community. To read more about their story, Cane the dog, and more, check out their website raisingcanes.com.

Boerne! Comfort and convenience take center stage, where every detail is designed to meet your needs, you’ll feel right at home from the moment you first walk through the door! They also have on-site staff for quick and easy access! Check out their website at www.gardencreek.net, give them a call at (830) 268-3079 or stop by and visit them at 110 Bluebonnet Circle in Boerne.

T. David Phillip, CPA, celebrated his 20th Anniversary with a special ribbon cutting ceremony! T. David Phillip, CPA is a local accounting firm providing tax and business planning for individuals, families and closely held businesses tailored to meet your needs. David offers personalized services in the areas of taxation and financial account ing. His mission is to provide clients with professional, accurate, and timely business and tax advice to help clients meet their goals and objectives. You can contact David at (830) 248-1075, send him an email at david@tdavidphillipcpa.com, or he is locat ed at 409 E. San Antonio Avenue in Boerne.

held an open house and rib bon cutting ceremony for theier Morpheus8 launch!

Restore your radiance and confidence with a Morpheus8 nonsurgical face or neck-lift to help you look as young and beautiful as you feel! The Optimas device also has IPL photofacial and hair-removal capabilities—both of which will move you closer to clear, porcelain skin. Invest in yourself while investing in your community. At Gilded Palm, 10% of proceeds always go to charity. You get a say in which local and Texas-based nonprofits you would like to support. Schedule your free, in-office evaluation with Dr. Jessie or just check out all the services offered by going to gildedpalmspa.com. Gilded Palm Aesthetic Spa is located at 100 W. Hosack St. Ste 104 in Boerne.

To see available homes, read testimonials and more, go here: scottfelderhomes.com/.../san.../boerne/esperanza.

You can also reach them by calling (210) 547-4302 or email jharris@sfhtx.com.

Each

(949) 510-1775 or email dean@ doubleddogtraining.com!

The Garden Creek Apartments are a charming, boutique community nestled in a quiet neighborhood in the heart of

Dean, the “Dog Dude,” the owner of Double D Dog Training provides private, in-home, Puppy Training, Basic Obedience Training and Advanced Obedience train ing sessions using only positive reinforcement training methods. With personalized training in the comfort of your own home and on your schedule, his goal is to help your pups become well-behaved members of the family!

session will start with a review of the training from the previous session, to ensure that you are doing your homework! With multiple package options to choose from, Double D Dog Training will work to fit any family’s needs. Check out their website at doubleddogtraining. com, call them at

Scott Felder Homes has earned a reputation for integrity, diversity and attention to details, which have long been their cornerstones for success. Being an eighteen-time Builder of the Year, they have risen through the ranks to become one of the largest producers of quality, move-up homes in the Hill Country! Down to the smallest detail, they specialize in tailoring their services and products to the clients’ desires, sense of style and standard of living.

Gilded Palm Aesthetic Spa

Founded in 2019, EP Commercial Real Estate, LLC brings over 38 years of experience from the commercial real estate brokerage industry. Elize Pruske, CCIM, founder of EP Commercial Real Estate, LLC created the businesses to be a full-service, boutique commercial real estate broker age firm that strives to embody the pursuit of excellence in each business transaction. Elize and her team are dedi cated to serving, providing value and delivering results per sonalized to individual needs of their clients by utilizing an adaptive approach during the execution of their services. To get in touch with Elize, give her a call at (210) 416-3491 or go to her website at epcommercialrealestate.com.

Legacy Farmstead impacts the lives and legacies of Veterans and First Responders, along with their families, who are battling PTSD and chronic stress from repeat exposure to trauma through rescue horses, other animals, and farmsteading in a retreat-like setting. Families are given the opportunity to stay on site at the farmstead for at least a full weekend to disconnect, initiate the first step of the process, and to immerse into what God has provided. After the initial stay, they are welcomed back on a regular basis to work with their equine specialists and trainers one on one through general horsemanship and groundwork. Check out their website at www.legacyfarmstead.com or email Amy at info@legacyfarmstead.com.

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Retirement on Purpose

When aviation executive Richard J. “Jet” Vertz turned 65, he retired because, he says, that’s what peo ple in his industry did. He had no plans for the first day he woke up no longer employed—or for the weeks and months after that.

For a while, it was great. “For about six or eight months, it was sort of like a retirement honeymoon,” says Vertz, who is now 74 and lives in Wakefield, Rhode Island. “I didn’t have to get up early. I could just go and do whatever I wanted to do. Every morning, I would walk the beach. And then I found a group of people I could go and play golf with. It was really nice.” Until it wasn’t.

After those few honeymoon months, Vertz says, he felt a strong sense that he was no longer contribut ing to the world, that he was “a taker, just breathing out carbon dioxide.”

Vertz found his way, first by form ing a group with other retired men struggling with purpose and then by teaching classes to other older adults. One of the classes he teaches at the University of Rhode Island’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is on finding purpose in retirement. He’s also written a book: Purpose Driven Retirement.

Vertz’s experience rings true to many retirees, but it also raises questions: Does every retiree need a clearly defined purpose? Or can a life of leisure be fulfilling?

Defining Purpose

Research suggests that purpose, if not essential, is certainly a good thing and is linked to better health, a longer life, and a more positive outlook. But dig deeper and the answers get more complicated.

People, including researchers, define purpose in different ways.

Does purpose mean having clear goals? Does it mean pursuing activities that are deeply meaningful to you? And do you have to contribute to the broader world in some way?

It depends on whom you ask.

Fred Sloan, a CAPTRUST financial advisor in Lake Success, New York, says he works with some retirees who live leisurely lives but do seem purpose ful and satisfied. “I’m thinking of one person who plays golf three days a week and tennis three days a week, and on the seventh day, he rests. He goes to see his grandkids once in a while and maybe reads The Wall Street Journal in the morning, but that’s about it. He feels fulfilled and happy, and that’s his purpose.”

While it’s good to be thoughtful about your retire ment plans, Sloan says, “I don’t think you owe it to the world to get another job or cure cancer. Once you decide to retire, I think you should have the freedom to do whatever it is you want to do.”

Sloan says he encourages his clients to think about how to use all that freedom. These are some questions he suggests they ask themselves: What does a great day look like? What’s on my bucket list? What can I learn, both positive and negative, from how my parents handled retirement? The answers vary, Sloan says—and they should.

Joshua Becker is the author of Things That

Matter and founder of becomingminimalist.com, a website dedicated to living with fewer possessions and more pur pose. He says that, to him, living with purpose at any age means “not wasting away our days or letting someone else define what is going to be important to us, but realizing that we have just one life to live, and we want to make the most of it.”

Andrea Millar, a life planning coach, says that she sees living with purpose as “getting to the core of who you are as an individual, living a life true to what makes you feel most energized, what makes you come most alive, and what gets you out of bed in the morning.”

For some retirees, Millar says, that’s a high-impact vol unteer role or a second career. For others, she says, it means having some fun, taking care of loved ones, or contributing to their communities in small ways. The most fulfilling life, at any stage, tends to be one that combines self-care, strong relationships, and giving back to the wider world, she says.

Giving Back

Nearly a third of older adults are working toward “goals that are meaningful to the self and aim to contribute to the world beyond the self,” according to a 2018 survey of 1,200 adults ages 50 to 90 conducted by researchers at Stanford University and encore.org.

Almost all those purposeful people have a bright out look on life, the researchers reported: “Though many people in this group were dealing with serious life problems, such as poverty, poor health, family difficulties, or bereavement, they emphasized the joy and satisfaction they experienced in their lives.”

That good feeling we get when we give back is just part of human nature, says retirement coach Nancy Collamer: “I think we are wired as human beings to feel good when we help other people.” A retirement lifestyle based entirely on fun and leisure is less nurturing, she says. “It’s like having a diet of just sugar and junk all the time. It’s going to catch up with you.”

Becker says social science backs up that view. “Every study that’s ever been done shows that people who reach the end of their lives the most fulfilled and with the highest sense of well-being are people who volunteered, people who gave, people who were generous, and people who served others.”

Purpose Anxiety

Purpose has become such a byword for both working and retired adults that some people have developed what

This document is intended to be informational only. CAPTRUST does not render legal, accounting, or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate legal, accounting, or tax advisor if you require such advice.The opinions expressed in this report are subject to change without notice.This material has been prepared or is distributed solely for informational purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy.The information and statistics in this report are from sources believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed by CAPTRUST Financial Advisors to be accurate or complete. All publication rights reserved. None of the material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of CAPTRUST: 919.870.6822. © 2022 CAPTRUST Financial Advisors

Kim Painter

researchers call purpose anxiety, a sense that, if they can’t identify their one true purpose, they are doomed. Collamer says she sees some clients “burdened by the concept of purpose.” But she and other experts say retirees struggling with the idea should understand a few key concepts.

You Can Take Your Time

Millar says many people approaching retire ment are “sick and tired of the never-ending to-do lists.” For those people, taking some time to relax, with a few clear goals and plans, can be essential. A period of calm and quiet, she says, can help people see what they want to do next.

Collamer agrees: “There is typically a period of time after somebody retires, particularly from a very intense career, when they just want to be able to kick back and decompress, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.”

You Don’t Have to Change the World

Much of the anxiety new retirees feel around purpose, Collamer says, stems from confusion over “purpose with a capital P” versus “purpose with a little p.” If you think purpose means “you have to solve world hunger, then it’s very intimidating and overwhelming.” If you grow and give a bit every day, you are on the right track, she says.

Millar says that giving doesn’t have to involve formal volunteer work. The woodworker who makes someone’s home a little nicer or the gardener who makes her block more beautiful is also making a meaningful contribution, she says.

You Will Learn by Doing

Collamer says she encourages clients to think of the first year of retirement as a gap year, like the one many young people take between high school and college. “It’s your opportunity to try different things on for size, no pressure, to see what speaks to you.”

Millar says that a little experimentation can be eye-opening: “You really can’t get clarity unless you take action.”

Becker agrees: “I would encourage [the uncertain] person to just get started with the one thing that they’re most passionate about.”

You Can Still Have Fun

Vertz, the aviation executive turned beach comber turned teacher, says that he encourages his students to set some goals that are all about enjoying themselves. In his case, that meant setting a goal to ski and snowboard at 50 ski resorts on five continents in five years. He started in 2013 and finished in 2018.

Collamer says her own husband retired recent ly and struggled for a while with finding purpose. He’s now working as a nature guide—and playing a lot of pickleball. “That’s not a particularly pur poseful activity,” she says. “But it’s fun.”

Karl Eggerss is a principal based out of Boerne, Texas. At CAPTRUST, he provides insightful planning and investment guid ance to clients and is a valuable addition to the team through strategic research, due diligence, and portfolio construction. Karl has been a frequent contributor on various financial news networks, including CNBC, CNBC Asia, Bloomberg, Fox Business, and Reuters. Currently, he hosts a weekly podcast called “Creating Richer Lives,” focusing on living a richer life beyond bank account balances. | CAPTRUST.COM