Living in Hays County by Digital Publisher

Living SUMMER 2015

IN HAYS COUNTY

A guide to home services in your area a product of Barton Publications, Inc.

Living IN HAYS COUNTY

Living in Hays County is published by Barton Publications, Inc. 122 N. Main St., Buda, TX Contents ©2015 Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton Editor Kim Hilsenbeck Graphics Director David White Graphics Assistant Christine Thorpe Distribution Suzanne Hallam 6MÄJL 4HUHNLY Connie Brewer 4HYRL[PUN Tracy Mack Paula Pulley Miles Hanson Proofreader Jane Kirkham

2 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

In this issue... Featured Articles

Hays County Growth ................................................................ 4 Cedar Supply Inc. ..................................................................... 6 Your Dollar Counts ................................................................... 8 Quality Floors ........................................................................... 9 Family and Community Effort ................................................. 10 Sharp Propane ....................................................................... 11 Remodeling Projects .............................................................. 12 Garden-Ville ............................................................................ 13 Texas Disposal Services ......................................................... 14 Basin Water Solutions ............................................................ 15 Build a Website....................................................................... 16 Barton Publications ...........................................................18-19 Barbara Gremillion – Coldwell Banker Realtors ..................... 19 Basin Water Solutions ............................................................ 20 Star Tex Real Estate ............................................................... 20 Germer Insurance Services .................................................... 21 Hays Insurance Group............................................................ 22 South Austin Appliance Repair............................................... 22

Advertiser Index

1st Quest Mortgage ............................................................... 23 Barbara Gremillion – Coldwell Banker Realtors ....................... 3 Basin Water Solutions ............................................................ 15 Broadway Bank ........................................................................ 5 Cedar Supply Inc. ..................................................................... 7 Christi Anderson – Asset Realty ............................................... 9 Doyle Law Firm......................................................................... 8 Germer Insurance Services .................................................... 24 Hays Insurance Group............................................................ 11 High Tide Pool Service ............................................................. 3 Jeff Shay – Exit One Realty ...................................................... 8 Judy Carey – AmanVerde Real Estate ...................................... 3 Kyle Library Thrift Shop .......................................................... 23 Lety Johnson – Farmers Insurance .......................................... 9 Made in the Shade ................................................................. 23 Penny Moulder – Keller Williams Realty ................................. 23 Quality Floors ......................................................................... 16 San Marcos Bail Bonds .......................................................... 23 San Marcos Outlet Furniture .................................................. 23 Sharp Propane ....................................................................... 13 South Austin Appliance Repair............................................... 14 Star Tex Real Estate ............................................................... 15 Texas Disposal Systems/Garden-Ville.................................... 17

HIGH TIDE POOL SERVICE

WELCOME TO TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

Quality, Dependable Service for over 18 years

I am Always Ready to Help You Find Your Texas Hill Country Home! Judy Carey, Realtor AmanVerde Real Estate/Ultima RE, Broker (512) 847-0180 Office (512) 626-6696 Cell Email: Judy.AmanVerdeRE@Gmail.com Website: WWW.AmanVerdeRealEstate.com

Keith Miller, Owner TICL #786

• • • • • • •

Cleanings Repairs Plaster & Tile Drain & Clean Renovations Pool School Start-ups

512.965.3465 HighTidePoolService@yahoo.com www.HighTidePoolService.com

LI N ST EW IN G S

Specializing in Residential & Ranch Sales 1004 Uhland – 2 homes on 1/2 acre in San Marcos, just off I35. Zoned multi-use. $275,000

2434 Martin Rd. – 12+/- AG exempt acres in Dripping Springs with main home, guest home, horse barn, riding arena and more. Perfect for horses and/or events.

100 Old Fitzhugh – 3+/- acres in downtown Dripping Springs with ancient oaks, fruit trees and precious 3BR/2BA home. Around the corner from the Mercer Street happenings. Zoned CS. Lot 5 Carney Ln. – 1/2 acre Commercial lot across from Wimberley Middle School. $49,000 1901 Elder Hill Rd. – 99.5 acre ranch in Driftwood with 2 homes. AG exempt and no restrictions & no ETJ.

Barbara Gremillion 512-775-2904

Thinking of selling?

Contact me for a free market analysis.

Looking for your dream home?

Search for properties online at

www.BarbaraGremillion.com A product of Barton Publications | 3

Hays County growing faster than ever A

people in the nine-county nyone living in Hays region in one year. County knows this area Travis County, though not a is growing. part of RCA – not rural, had a Recent U.S. Census data growth rate of 2.5%. The U.S. conﬁrmed that, not only overall during July 2013-2014 is Hays County seeing an had a growth rate of .7%. explosion, but other counties The largest growth in the in Central Texas are too. Central Texas RCA occurred Information put together in 2007, with an by the Rural increase of new Capital Area persons exceeding (RCA) website “Headlight”, shows Hays County 32,000. The birth the breakdown of ranks 1st as rate, though, in counties in this the RCA did not area. the fastest have much of an Hays County impact. Births per ranks 1st as the growing 2,000 population fastest growing in 2014 in the U.S. county in the U.S. county in overall was 12.5. in medium sized the U.S. in The RCA had a counties, based rate count on net migration. medium sized birth of 12.2, with Hays Net migration County falling at takes into counties, 12.1. consideration the based on net In the RCA, number of people Williamson moving in to a migration. County had the county, less the highest birth rate number moving – 12.9 per 1,000. out. According to Travis County led in Central the Census Bureau, from July 2013 to July 2014, Hays County Texas, with a rate of 14.1 per 1,000 residents. had a net migration per 1,000 Blanco County had the residents of 37.8. lowest birth rate – 7.3 – of all Williamson County had a the nine counties in RCA. net migration of 27.4, putting The overall population in it ﬁfth in its size category of the RCA accelerated in 2014, medium-sized counties. according to Census data. The According to Rural Capital total population of the RCA is Area, the growth was driven now 909,000, up from 879,000 primarily by net migration. in 2013. The group, when calculating Looking overall at the entire growth, considers births, population growth, Hays international migration, County is the second fastest domestic migration and among counties with 100,000 deaths. population. Hays County had Overall, the nine-county a population of 185,030, as of area of RCA, which includes July 2014. Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Williamson County Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, still leads with the overall Lee, Llano and Williamson population of the nine-county counties, grew at an annual rural counties, reaching growth rate of 3.4% in the year 489,250. reviewed, with 30,000 more

4 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

Source www.ruralcapitalheadlight.com

GOOD IS giving your daughter the wedding she has always dreamed of. What is good? It’s giving her the Cinderella wedding of her dreams. It’s also knowing you’ll always be there for her with the right experts by your side. And for Broadway Bank’s private bankers, good is having a hand in making it all possible. PRIVATE BANKING | CUSTOMIZED LENDING | BUSINESS SOLUTIONS | PORTFOLIO MORTGAGES

A product of Barton Publications | 5

Complete inventory western red cedar

edar Supply isn't your typical lumber store. Our leadership team knows customer service makes all the difference. Our employees know their cedar. They're also knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and ready to assist you with any indoor or outdoor project. Building a deck? A fence? Putting on cedar siding? Be sure to see Cedar Supply ďŹ rst. We specialize in Western Red Cedar but also have many other products to meet your needs, both wholesale and retail. We service all of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Cedar Supply holds memberships in the North American Wholesale Lumber Association and the Lumbermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Association of Texas. One reason for our success is our integrity. We wouldn't have been around since 1968 if we didn't treat our customers right and sell only quality products. With a store in Kyle since 1983, Cedar Supply strives every day to help customers in Hays County and beyond complete their projects using the best lumber. No project is too large or too small. We offer all shapes and sizes of cedar from custom timbers to shakes and shingles. Need cedar? Allow us to be your lumber experts. Stop by Cedar Supply and see how we can help. Manager Carter Smith and Assistant Manager Jason Sanders believe in putting the customer ďŹ rst.

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A product of Barton Publications | 7

Your Dollar Counts

“I

can’t make that big of a difference with just a couple of local purchases.” “It will be easier to just go to the chain store.” Have you ever thought this to yourself when deciding where to shop?

These thoughts are what small businesses in your area are up against — and it’s time to flip the script. The truth is, your money does matter, no matter how small the amount. And it can actually be easier to make a quick trip downtown for a purchase than to walk through a big box store for the same item. That’s because choosing locally owned stores for your shopping needs generates almost four times as much economic benefit for the surrounding region compared to shopping at a chain, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. More specifically, the report states that local restaurants recirculate 79 percent of their

revenues locally, compared to 30 percent for chain eateries. This type of money being reinvested in your community should help convince you which way to shop the next time you’re conﬂicted.

SOCIAL INVESTMENTS More money staying local means more funding for important organizations such as charities and fundraiser events. Small business owners are more likely to make these

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8 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

types of social investments in the community, according to research by The American Small Business Coalition. From local art groups to youth sports teams, small business owners are quick to offer their sponsorship and money to help support community groups. This helps create customer buy-in for business owners, as well as a reputation for genuinely caring about their communities.

HIRING LOCAL About half of all private sector workers are employed in small businesses, according to the Bureau of Labor. This means more local talent is retained and more money for taxes stays in the community, as well. The next time you think your dollar doesn’t count, remember that you’re not only helping the community as a whole, but also all of those individual workers who have jobs because of your support. From part-time help all the way up to the business owner, small businesses are counting on you.

Looking to buy or sell your current home? Your local neighborhood Realtor! I will provide you with the very best customer service. Call today with questions or to set up an appointment.

Jeff Shay Realtor® License #0614073 Exit One Realty

A Realtor You Can Trust

Ph: 512-423-9255

“Each office is independently owned and operated”

Email: jeff@jeffsellstexas.com Website: www.jeffsellstexas.com

Quality Floors: Quality you can stand on For more than 30 years Shaun Daniels, owner of Quality Floors & More in Wimberley Texas, has been selling and installing beautiful ďŹ&#x201A;ooring in homes all over Hays County and the surrounding area. In that time, his family-owned and operated business has built a solid reputation for excellent customer service and beautiful results. Quality Floors & More installs hardwood, laminate, porcelain tile, vinyl, carpet ďŹ&#x201A;oor coverings as well as bath and kitchen backsplashes and tile to residential and commercial customers. Whether it is a renovation or new construction, the installation team takes pride in creating the stunning looks that have become a hallmark of Hill Country design.

When a customer comes to them with a clear vision, their focus is to take the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideas and turn them into a beautiful reality. When a customer is not sure exactly what they want, the design team can

create stunningly beautiful looks that ďŹ t hand-in-glove with the setting and style of the location. Because of their strong ties to the local community and a legacy of satisďŹ ed customers, Quality Floors

& More is committed to providing the best service and ďŹ&#x201A;oor buying experience in Central Texas. Because of this commitment, Daniels has serviced countless repeat customers over the years. As a customer moves or renovates, they always come back to Quality Floors & More for the products and service they know and trust. This strong reputation and customer loyalty has made them the premier provider of carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and tile for homes and businesses in the area. Even as the business expands and grows, they remain a family owned and operated company with their mission staying the same ... to provide the highest quality service and ďŹ&#x201A;ooring products to their customers.

ASSET R E A L T Y OF TEXAS

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M. LETY JOHNSON

512.442.4707

12111 MANCHACA RD STE B, AUSTIN, TX 78748 www.farmersagent.com/ljohnson4

Your Real Estate Resource and Trusted Advisor

Are you thinking about buying or selling real estate? Call me today for a free market analysis.

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A product of Barton Publications | 9

Family and Community Effort

he act of shopping local is not one to be enjoyed by a select few. In other words, the more the merrier.

Local business owners are ready to welcome you with open arms. You should do the same for them by bringing along your friends, family members and neighbors on your next local shopping trip.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON It’s never too early to pass on the values that drive you to shop local and support your neighbors. The children in your life are impressionable. Make a good impression by explaining the importance of shopping locally. They may be future entrepreneurs, and it’s never too early to plant that business acumen. Teach them the basics of starting a business, and introduce them to shop owners. Prompt them to ask questions about being a business owner and then keep discussions going even after you’ve left the store.

GIVE BUSINESSES IDEAS Do you have a business degree or some kind of training in marketing? Why not lend your expertise to a small business in need of some brand improvement. Small business owners are busy and can run out of time at the end of the day to launch an email marketing campaign or create clever social media content. Helping small businesses with activities like this is not only a sign of solidarity from a veteran businessman or woman, but also a great way to gain free, internlike experience for college students.

Build your clips now by offering to handle all social media accounts for a local business owner who agrees to put you in charge. You’ll be gaining valuable hands-on experience that will look strong on a resume.

MAKE IT A CONTEST This year, make shopping a contest with your closest friends. Start now by tallying up how much money you spend in local businesses. You can even start a blog or spreadsheet to track spending. At the end of the year, see who spent more locally. The winner gets treated to a $20 gift card to her/his favorite small business.

10 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

Relax! Sharp Propane makes summer easy Summer is here in Central Texas, which means it’s time to relax. The last thing you want to worry about is checking your propane tank or wondering if you’ve paid your latest propane bill. Sharp Propane®, a 65-yearold company that services homes in Hays County, offers a unique service to its customers, called Complete Care®, to ensure they always have a safe, reliable source of propane for their home energy needs. Complete Care combines the best of smart technology, worry-free tank monitoring, easy payment options, free inspections, and Sharp’s Always There™ Guarantee of service for a propane delivery model that’s designed to offer the utmost convenience and ﬂexibility. Sharp Propane built Complete Care around direct feedback from its customers in order to deliver smart propane service

that ﬁts the way they live. Propane usage varies from season to season, with the colder winter months relying more on propane to keep homes warm, and powering smaller things like cooking appliances, clothes dryers and barbeques in the summer. Sharp’s Easy Pay™ program eliminates the element of surprise, making payment schedules and budgeting for bills, well – easy. Easy Pay offers convenience and predictability by evenly dividing up annual estimated propane usage into consistent monthly payments, ensuring that

customers can expect the same bill each month. Each year, Sharp will recalculate the balance and any remaining balance or credit can be rolled over into the next year’s monthly payment. Summer in Central Texas means many people will be out in the back yard, mastering the art of grilling or lounging in the hot tub. And when sizzling steaks or swimsuits are on the mind, the propane levels of your tank should not be. With Sharp Propane’s Complete Care, Smart Monitoring and AutoFill services, taking care of propane needs is as easy as

HAYS

laying out by the pool. Through Smart Monitoring, Sharp gathers data about propane usage to track and predict how much propane homeowners will need and when they’ll need it. This means that propane deliveries are based on customers’ needs. With AutoFill, Sharp is alerted when the tank is getting low so they can deliver automatically, ensuring service that’s both uninterrupted and stress-free. Sharp Propane delivers more than just propane; they deliver peace of mind. The company’s Always There Guarantee means that any time you have an issue with your propane, they’ll be available to provide customer service. So as you’re relaxing this summer, get ready to settle in and stay worry-free. With Sharp Propane’s Complete Care service, they spend their time thinking about propane so you don’t have to.

Eddie Hebert, Jr.

Rod Limely

INSURANCE

Call and see if we can lower your rates. 316 N. Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610

(512) 262-3388 www.haysinsurancegroup.com A product of Barton Publications | 11

Remodeling Projects

lanning a home remodeling project can be a stressful experience. Why exacerbate that tension by relying on out-of-area distributors for your materials?

Before your project gets started, be sure to include local companies in your search for building materials, design pieces or custom furniture. Local shop owners are always looking to add more business and projects and can be just as talented and stocked as major manufacturers. Instead of opting for the big box store for lumber, for example, you probably have a family-run operation in your neck of the woods that sells the same type of wood for comparable prices. We’ve already discussed the ﬁnancial impact that shopping locally can have on your community. In this case, it also can help you take more pride in your remodeling project knowing your lumber came from right down the road.

CARBON FOOTPRINT Shopping local businesses can help you greatly reduce your remodel’s carbon footprint. By choosing nearby companies for materials, you’re cutting down on the energy required for delivery. If sustainable ﬂooring has to be shipped from China, is that really contributing to the “going green” movement? Check close to home ﬁrst to help lessen your remodel’s impact on the environment.

RAPID ORDER TURNAROUND No more waiting weeks for faraway manufacturers to ship your remodeling materials. Shopping locally means you can get your custom glass, doors, shower frames, mirrors or furniture in a quicker time frame. Many local shops will cut the middleman out of the

process to help expedite order turnarounds, meaning you’ll receive your orders days to weeks faster.

TRULY CUSTOM Working one on one with a local design consultant means you can make something truly all your own. You can be proud to show off your new remodeling features knowing that no one else in the world has something quite like it. Small companies can offer this individualized attention to complement their craftsmanship and skill.

12 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

Go Garden-Ville for your landscaping needs Garden-Ville is part of the TDS family owned business, which has more than 700 employees. Qualified experts are able to assist hobby gardeners as well as seasoned organic gardeners and everyone in between. Garden-Ville is a trusted source for all natural and locally made STA certified (Seal of Testing Assurance/ US Composting Council) gardening products including compost, soils and mulch. Garden-Ville creates products from diverted organic materials that would otherwise go in the landfill. These products, sold in bulk, bagged and bottle forms, are like no others you will find in gardening or chain stores. Customers include homeowners, landscapers and businesses. The company is committed to creating and producing chemical free, all natural

organic gardening products with the personal responsibility of keeping the best interests of our customers and the environment a priority. Garden-Ville also features the RestoreDecor line of garden and home decor products made entirely from repurposed material diverted from the TDS landﬁll. This is one of the many ways the organization represents its full circle approach to reclaim, recycle and repurpose all at its facilities.

How is Garden-Ville different? As part of the TDS family, Garden-Ville is able to combine its efforts to educate and implement programs for recycling and composting in order to divert materials from the TDS landﬁll and create products for organic gardening. All Garden-Ville products are tested and certiﬁed by the Seal of Testing Assurance/US Composting Council, known as STA, ensuring the quality and

POOL? SPLASH.

GRILL? SIZZLE.

THIS IS EASY.

IT MUST BE SUMMER.

rating of organic ingredients used in the products sold. There are only a few organizations in Austin and the surrounding areas that participate in this process. Garden-Ville is committed to creating and producing chemical free, all natural elite gardening products as a personal responsibility to the environment and organic farming. The TDS process diverts green waste, brush, tree trimmings, and fruit and vegetable matter from taking up space in landﬁlls and creates premium quality composts and living mulches. Garden-Ville also specializes in natural soil amendments, plants, trees, tools, and everything else needed to keep lawns and gardens green. Garden-Ville is located at 3606 FM 1327 in Creedmoor and has seven locations across Texas. For more information visit Garden-Ville.com

TANK? FULL.

THINK ABOUT PROPANE. ONCE.

sharppropane.com 800-932-4315

A product of Barton Publications | 13

TDS makes the environment a priority Brothers Bob and Jim Gregory founded Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) in 1977. The ﬁrm is still family owned and operated today. After growing up in the business, Bob’s and Jim’s children moved into integral company roles. Today TDS has more than 700 employees. Its services include recycling, composting, trash, portable restrooms, green events, Green School Solutions, commercial services along with construction and demolition services. The TDS mission is to provide the highest quality waste processing services while keeping the best interests of its customers, employees and environment a priority. How is TDS different? That’s simple: It leads by example, providing systems and solutions to divert as much as possible from the landﬁll by recycling, repurposing and

reusing materials. Some materials can be found in the TDS Resale Shop where reclaimed items can be reused or repurposed, or in its Garden-Ville RestoreDecor line where they use recycled materials to make bird houses, benches and more. The compost collected is used in gardening products such as compost and mulch. This is achieved through multiple diversion programs on site and off site. TDS has become the largest independently owned solid waste collection and disposal company in Central Texas. The landﬁll is the state’s ﬁrst totally integrated facility of its kind, incorporating solid waste disposal, compost production, and recycling operations from inception. Texas Organic Products (TOP), a large-scale composting and soil blending operation, was established in 1997. TDS

expanded operations into San Antonio in 1995, into Georgetown in 1998 and into Alpine in 2007. TDS has also expanded its metal buying services with a one of a kind metal buying facility located at the TDS facilities in Creedmoor, Texas. After all these years, TDS remains a ﬁxture in the community. Success was achieved by providing exceptional customer service with a philosophy to provide education and solutions to communities and customers to create successful diversion programs in our homes, schools and businesses. As TDS heads into the future, its focus on always being a step ahead of how it can continue to evolve and expand its diversion programs in the

efforts to preserve the landﬁll space. TDS will continue to create systems and facilities that provide innovative solutions that allow communities to be a part of the ﬁrm’s growing mission to be stewards of the environment by reclaiming, repurposing and reusing. Texas Disposal Systems is headquartered at 3606 FM 1327 in Creedmoor.

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14 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

BASIN WATER SOLUTIONS “It’s all clear water from here”

Purchase your whole home house water system today! Buy a whole house water system and get reverse osmosis free! ($899 value) (Installation fee applies)

Call Joey Tidwell at 512-557-0904. Mention this ad for a special deal!

List or buy a home with us... We will donate 10% of our sales commission to local non-proﬁts

Giving back to the communities where we live, work and love! StarTexRealEstate.com 512-312-1150 A product of Barton Publications | 15

Build a Website

or many in the business community, having your own website seems almost elementary. It provides your customers an online resource to learn more about you and can be a great tool for making more money.

So why do only 45 percent of small businesses have one? That statistic comes from a 2013 survey of more than 3,000 small businesses conducted by Google and research company Ipsos.

IT’S EASIER THAN EVER If you’re intimidated by building your own website, don’t be. It’s easier than ever. Think about the time you spend every morning coming in to work, starting the coffee and chatting with your employees. In that time frame — say 20 minutes — you could build and launch your own website. There are many online platforms that make it easy and

free to create your own online presence. You don’t need to be a coding genius to ﬁgure it out. Search for a “free website builder” and watch the options come to you. These platforms come with ready-made templates that you can fully customize with photos of your business and text that ﬁts your business strategies.

WEBSITE TOOLS Adding a blog to your website is a great way to build credibility with your audience. Use the space to give tips and thoughts on your industry, not sales pitches and coupons. Your readers will appreciate the free information and will

remember your expertise when it comes time to make a purchase. If you’re not collecting money through e-commerce on your site, you’re missing out on the chance to capitalize through online sales. There are affordable e-commerce platforms that will basically build your online store for you — yet another benefit of today’s technology helping the small

business owner. Live chat immediately gives your website the feel of a bigger operation. Again, there are free and inexpensive services online that make the process of adding live chat to your site a breeze. You can designate yourself or an employee to be at the ready for incoming questions from customers or even set up boilerplate responses to frequently asked questions.

Quality Floors & More

Quality you can stand on Let our qualified sales reps Shaun Daniels, Garret Henry and Brandon Duggar help you find what you’re looking for.

Plaza Del Sol shopping center, 12111 RR12, Suite 101, Wimberley, TX • P.O. Box 3002

512.722.3389 • ^^^ X\HSP[`Å VVYZ^PTILYSL` JVT 16 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

INNOVATION LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY Texas Disposal Systems provides Recycling, Compost, and Trash services at your home, school, or business. TDS also offers services for Portable Restrooms, Green Events, Metal Buying, and customized solutions for commercial industries.

For a quote or more information, please visit www.texasdisposal.com or call Customer Care at 800.375.8375.

LOCALLY MADE ALL NATURAL GARDENING PRODUCTS Garden-Ville is the trusted source for STA Certiﬁed Compost, Soils, and Mulch. Visit our organic experts for tips on getting your garden looking its best.

For directions to all 7 stores across central Texas, please visit

www.garden-ville.com

A TDS afﬁliated company

A product of Barton Publications | 17

Barton Publications – still strong, still growing Barton Publications, which includes the Hays Free Press, the News-Dispatch and Hays County Echo magazine, is probably the oldest continuously family-run business in north Hays County. It is strong to this day, expanding coverage, adding new products and branching out in many ways. But how did this business come to be established here ... and what makes it grow?

THE HISTORY The Hays Free Press started as the Kyle News in 1903 and just celebrated its 112th birthday. Originally founded by Thomas Fletcher Harwell, the Kyle News was a family venture. It covered events throughout the county, but was based in north Hays County. Harwell’s son, Turner, took over the business and worked at the Kyle News until it was purchased by Bob Barton and Moe Johnson in 1954. Turner continued to help on the newspaper until his death 40 years later. Barton and Johnson ran the Kyle News while they were both in college at Southwest Texas Teachers College. Their friends and spouses took up the call, with Wynette Barton, Bob’s spouse, then a junior in college, serving as news editor. Reporter Pete Guttery, 21, was a sophomore in college at the time and studying journalism. The business manager was 19, the sports editor 17, the printer’s devil 16 and the Linotype operator a mere 13. The average age of the staff? 19. Johnson decided to get out of the business in a few years and pursue his career in teaching and later in school administration. He traded his share of the business for a box of cigars. Johnson did go on with his education career and became the superintendent of Hays CISD – during its consolidation and into the expansion before he retired in 1984. Bob Barton died in 2013, having passed the reins of the business to his daughter-inlaw, Cyndy Slovak-Barton, a

Barton Publications publisher Cyndy Barton accepts an Envision Central Texas Revitalization award from representative Al Gmitter after the construction of a multi-use building downtown that is also the headquarters for the Hays Free Press.

few years earlier. But his inﬂuence continues to this day. Barton believed in change. He moved the newspaper several times, combined it with other newspapers over the years, and tried new products. The Hays Free Press, founded as the Kyle News, has carried the names and/or combined with other newspapers – Hays County Citizen, Austin Sun, Onion Creek Free Press, River City Sun, Hays County Free Press, The Chautauquan and more. The character of the newspaper has been formed by Bob Barton – always a maverick

18 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

when it came to newspapers. He advocated for sometimes unpopular beliefs – voting rights for minorities, desegregation of schools and more. Because of the newspaper’s insistence on correctness, the Hays Free Press has excelled as a strong community newspaper. The ofﬁce walls at its Kyle headquarters are lined with plaques awarded to it by the Texas Press Association, the National Newspaper Association, the Inland Press Association, South Texas Press Association and more. Expanding its reach into the Dripping Springs and Wimberley areas, Barton

Publications purchased the News-Dispatch from Dale and Joyce Roberson almost two years ago. The Robersons worked for the Hays Free Press for years before going into their own newspaper venture, the News-Dispatch. Barton Publications is a reflection its staff. Many of its former employees have gone on to bigger jobs – the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek Magazine, Houston Post, USA Today, the Charlotte Observer, Reuters News Service. But when the call goes out for a “family reunion,” these employees come flooding back, renewing old friendships, again finding their common thread – small weekly newspapers covering Hays County. It is this sense of family and camaraderie that makes the Barton Publications what it is today. Our family of publications includes the Hays Free Press, the largest circulation weekly newspaper in Hays County, along with the News-Dispatch and the monthly magazine, Hays County Echo. We also have two websites covering everything from the Hays/Travis county line to San Marcos, various chamber publications, including visitors guides and maps, and special editions aimed at schools, sports, young families, business and much more.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Barton Publications and the Hays Free Press always seems to be “on the move.” When the Harwell family established it in 1903, its ofﬁces were located facing the railroad tracks in Kyle, along Front Street. Since then, it has moved – to San Marcos (near Cheatham Street Warehouse), to Manchaca, to Buda (in the buildings now housing Raby’s Roots and then in Frasier Harris’ current pottery shop), to Mountain City (where Hill Country Driving School and Arrowhead Bicycles are currently located on FM 2770), to downtown Kyle again. The newest location also happens to be Kyle’s ﬁrst pri-

Wimberley. Public notices are run in the Hays Free Press and the News-Dispatch by many institutions – Hays CISD, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, DSISD, Hays County, Uhland, Mountain City, Niederwald, Creedmoor, and attorneys galore – because they know that the newspaper reaches the people they need – informed and involved.

vately built two-story building in downtown Kyle. Built to looked like the old building it replaced – Teddlie’s Pharmacy, the BartonWord building at the corner of Center and Main streets includes not only the office of the Hays Free Press, but also the law office for Lucinda Doyle and four apartments above which overlook the historic Kyle city hall park. In addition to the main headquarters in Kyle, its sister publication, the News-Dispatch, has an office in Dripping Springs.

WHAT’S IN THE FUTURE?

WHY IS BARTON PUBLICATIONS GROWING? Maybe it’s the products, which are hyper-local. When alarms go off at schools, local residents turn to the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch website to ﬁnd out what has happened. When a team goes to the state playoffs, those not able to attend follow the newspapers’ twitter feeds, @haysfreepress, @hfprebelsports, @ hfplobosports, and @ NEWS_ DISPATCH.

In 1954 the Kyle News was purchased and operated by late co-publishers Bob Barton (back, second to the left) and Moe Johnson (back right).

When someone needs information about doctors, they pick up the newspaper’s medical guide, which lists local physicians and their ofﬁces and facilities. When voters want to know

about bonds or candidates or what city hall or the local school board is up to, they pick up the weekly newspaper, which has stands and pointof-sale kiosks all over Buda, Kyle, Dripping Springs and

There are always changes being made ... that’s the nature of the news business. An improved mobile website? In the works. The addition of video spots? That’s already done and improving each week. Native advertising? Just rolled out. Photos for sale, magazines, inserts, advertising design and production? The staff of the Hays Free Press is ready for whatever businesses need. Call us if you want to talk – about marketing, about stories, about photography, about video. You can reach Barton Publications at 512-268-7862.

Hill Country realtor goes above and beyond Real estate agent Barbara Gremillion wins her client’s trust by going above and beyond to meet their needs. A Hill Country resident since 1981, Barbara’s personal, ﬁrst-hand and in-depth knowledge of the local real estate market makes her second to none. She also spends time volunteering in the community. Barbara’s passion is to help clients reach their real estate goals by providing excellent service with the highest level of integrity, expert knowledge of the market, and consistent follow-up and communication.

And her effective utilization Barbara has spent hundreds of the latest technology assists of hours gaining additional her clients throughout the real estate education real estate process, including Accredited whether they are Buyer Representative buying or selling. (ABR). She is also a For the past 13 Graduate, Real Estate years, Barbara has Institute (GRI). She proven her skill and holds memberships dedication again and in the Austin Board again. She specializes of REALTORS, Texas in residential and Association of ranch sales, new and REALTORS, National resale single-family Association of homes, homesites REALTORS, Dripping )HYIHYH (lots & acreage), Springs Chamber of .YLTPSSPVU condominiums and Commerce, and the townhomes, hill Wimberley Chamber country ranches and multiof Commerce. family properties. She also received the

5-Star Professional in Real Estate Award from Texas Monthly, the Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society Award and Realtor. com’s Award of Excellence for Online Marketing. If you’re looking for a onestop source for real estate services, contact Barbara Gremillion today at 512775-2904 and schedule a consultation. Gremillion is a member of the Coldwell Banker United Realtors and her ofﬁce is located at 609 Castle Ridge Rd., Suite 440 in Austin. For more information, visit www.barbaragremillion. com.

A product of Barton Publications | 19

Basin Water: It’s all clear water from here Basin Water Solutions prides itself on customer satisfaction as well as customer service. They have been in business fourteen years and dedicate their lives to showing customers the importance of clean, safe water. Basin services residential as well as commercial clients and is constantly expanding its service area. Many of its customers have become part of the family. Basin Water Solutions has a reputation that has exceeded expectations. Numerous families have remained committed to the ﬁrm since the beginning of operations. The mission is clear, and that is to bring customers the best and healthiest water. Basin strives to create healthier lifestyles and a healthier environment as well as a healthy relationship with its customers. Call Joey Tidwell at 512-557-0904 or visit Basin Water Solutions at 12111 RR12 #104, Wimberley, Texas.

BASIN WATER SOLUTIONS

We’re your northern star for local real estate At Star Tex Real Estate, the difference is in the firm’s agents – they work for you and with you throughout the entire process. The agency’s success and longevity are directly related to the willingness of agents to go above and beyond for their clients. Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be complicated. Star Tex agents are here to help. Each of them live in this community and give back through volunteerism. They are all ready to help educate you on home ownership, rentals, and buying and selling a home or office. Since 2004, Star Tex Real Estate remains locally owned and operated by Chris Dunkin. Money starts here and stays here since the firm doesn’t have franchise fees. In addition, agents give back 10 percent of their sales commissions to local nonprofit organizations including Buda / Kyle Relay For Life, Hope & Love 4 Kids, Hays Youth Athletic

20 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

Association, the Buda Food Pantry and most recently the Wimberley Flood victims. In 2014, agents donate more than $25,000 because of their clients. Star Tex agents specialize in Residential and Commercial Real Estate Sales & Leasing as well as Commercial and Residential Property Management. They are members of Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Central Texas / Four Rivers Association of Realtors, and Central Texas Commercial Area Realtor Association. Give Star Tex Real Estate a call for all your real estate needs and see the difference a community minded and locally owned Real Estate Company can make. Visit Star Tex at 251 N FM 1626, 2A, Buda, TX 78610, call 512-312-1150, or visit www. StarTexRealEstate.com for information.

Germer Insurance Services

Two independent agencies to serve all your insurance needs G

ermer Insurance Services has agencies in San Marcos and Kyle with a combined 81 years of experience providing home, auto, commercial, and life & health insurance products. Associated Insurance Agency in San Marcos has been serving clients in Texas since 1929 and today, agents Tara Lantz and Randy Robers are serving San Marcos and surrounding areas from

their ofďŹ ce on 125 Moore St., Suite 103. Wilson Insurance Agency in Kyle has been serving the community since 2005 and is located at 3601 Kyle Crossing, Suite A. Agents Camille Salyer, Mark Andrews, Debby Poole, Mason Cervenka, Nancy Wilson and Gary Germer would all be glad to talk with you about their products. Both agencies are mem-

512-396-4567

bers of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) as well as their local chambers of commerce. They both share the same mission â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to provide the very best insurance products available to each and every unique client, and going above and beyond whenever possible. As independent insurance agents, they have the unique ability to shop mulitiple carriers

which enables them to insure every client and their unique needs. Associated Insurance Agency and Wilson Insurance Agency are members of a family of independent agencies serving Central Texas that include Elgin Insurance Agency in Elgin, Koehler Barton Insurance Agency in Bastrop and Westerholm Koehler Insurance Agency in Seguin.

512-295-6530 A product of Barton Publications | 21

Hays Insurance builds lasting relationships The Hays Insurance Group is an independent agency located in Buda. The ﬁrm specializes in insurance for auto, home, health, life, business and more. Its agents and staff are committed to providing clients with the highest quality insurance plans available combined with some of the lowest rates available in all of Texas. The goal at Texas Insurance Services is to get customers the best coverage available at the lowest possible rate. They strive to create lasting relationships with each client to continue providing excellent service for many years to come. Although located in Buda, Texas, the ﬁrm offers unparalleled service and competitive quotes to clients throughout Texas. Hays Insurance primarily focuses on Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, and Travis counties including the cities of Austin, Buda, Canyon Lake,

We are committed to ﬁnding the best insurance solutions for you, your family and your business. Dripping Springs, Georgetown, Kyle, New Braunfels, Pﬂugerville, San Marcos, and Wimberley. The mission of the agency

is to provide the insurance protection the clients need by offering quality products, excellent service, and guaranteed value. The ﬁrm

is committed to finding the best insurance solutions for customers, their families and their businesses. As an independent agency, Hays Insurance Services represents multiple insurance companies. That allows them to compare coverage and prices in order to offer customers the greatest value possible. In addition, they combine years of experience with cutting edge products to provide exceptional service to all policyholders. Owners Eddie Hebert, Jr., and Rod Limely value the opportunity to discuss all of your insurance needs with you. Call them today and experience firsthand the firm’s dedication to prompt, friendly service and superior customer care. Hays Insurance Group is located at 316 N. Main Street in Buda. For more information, call 512-262-3388 or visit www. haysinsurancegroup.com

An appliance repair company you can trust South Austin Appliance Repair provides honest, professional services to residential and commercial customers in Travis, Hays and Caldwell counties. This family-owned and locally operated ﬁrm sells new and pre-owned appliances and appliance parts in their new showroom at 100 Precision Drive, Suite 405 in Buda. They also inspect, repair and install a wide variety of appliances and they also rebuild control boards for appliances. South Austin Appliance Repair works with homeowners, landlords, property managers, realtors and businesses. All employees are committed to going above and beyond for their customers. “We treat our customers right to earn their business for years to come,” said company president Lisa Sauls. South Austin Appliance

Repair realizes the stress a broken appliance can cause for homeowners and businesses. “We do what we can to minimize that stress,” Sauls said. It’s that level of customer service that earned South Austin Appliance Repair the 2014 Super Service Award from Angie’s List. Knowledgeable, experienced and friendly technicians guide customers through the entire process, helping them feel comfortable about having repair professionals in their home. South Austin Appliance Repair operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are also available for 24/7 emergency appliance repairs. Call them today at (512) 2801200 to get more information or to schedule an appointment.

22 | Living in Hays County | SUMMER 2015

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Germer Insurance Services

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