Texas Hill Country

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Mark S. Holly Autumn Trail. Lost Maples State Natural Area TexasHillCountry.com / 3

Letter from the Editor

CEO AND PUBLISHER Mitchell Moorhead PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Scott O’Neill CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Erin Baxter CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER Gene Mathis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marcy Stellfox ART DIRECTOR Tony Maples DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Meg Moorhead DIGITAL EDITOR Yehoshua Flores CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS Matt Church, Robert C. Deming, Athena Hessong, Jenny Webster Jurica, Sonia Ramirez, Spring Sault, Marcy Stellfox, Jason Weingart CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Mario Andrade, Beethoven Mannerchor, Jen Brown, Cassi Crow, Robert Deming, Jim Flynn, Bonnie Gatlin, Laura Griffith, Tyler Hoffman, Mark S. Holly, Wendy Little, Tony Maples, John Pace, Larry Pena, Kimi Lukachik Phillips, Shore Fire Media, Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc., The AMMO Group, United Ways of Texas, Jason Weingart, Larry White SALES REPRESENTATIVES Corporate Sales Office PO Box 8343 Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 (512) 763-0051

Many people would argue that the Texas Hill Country displays its best beauty in the springtime. But, I would venture to say that fall deserves HYHU\ ELW DV PXFK JORU\ DV WKRVH JRUJHRXV ZLOGÍĽ RZHUV :LWK RQH JODQFH DW WKH FRYHU SKRWR DQG WKH SKRWRV ZLWKLQ \RXĚľOO EHFRPH D ͤ UP believer that the fall season in Texas is as spectacular as anywhere else in the country. Join us as we celebrate the arrival of autumn. Revel in the reds, golds, and oranges that wash over Central Texas. Relax in the cool breeze from the north as it blows triple digits clean off the weather map. Grab your camera and capture the best the season has to offer on our Fall Scavenger Hunt. Plan a trip to the wine country and experience some of the newest vintages from this year’s harvest. Compare notes on the subtle or notso-subtle differences from your favorites of last year. Learn about the young blood pumping their contributions into the Hill Country wine business. :H ZHUH WKULOOHG WR JHW FDXJKW XS ZLWK 7H[DV FRXQWU\ VXSHUVWDU -RVK Abbott. Discover the inspiration behind his latest release, “Until My Voice Goes Out.â€? Grab a copy of the new record for yourself, and turn it up while you toodle the Texas countryside sampling the culinary delights of the famous and new-to-you BBQ joints highlighted in our ‘cue article. Practice the chicken dance and get yourself in shape to attend some of the best food and cultural festivals of the season. Check out the SLHFH RQ RI WKH :XUVW )HVWV Finally, we’re proud to welcome Chef Matt Church from Hye Market as a recipe contributor to “Heart of Texas Magazine.â€? Become a pitmaster at home with his recipe for barbecue brisket and made-from-scratch barbecue sauce. :H LQYLWH \RX WR VLW EDFN ZLWK D JODVV RI LFHG tea, your morning cup of coffee, or a crafty local brew and enjoy our latest issue of “Heart of Texas Magazine.â€?

Marcy Stellfox Editor-in-Chief

Heart of Texas Magazine produced by Texas Media Group

4 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

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FALL COLOR SCAVENGER HUNT GRAB YOUR CAMERA AND SHOOT THE TEXAS FALL AT ITS FINEST

42

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY BBQ GET THE LATEST ON WHICH TEXAS ‘CUE JOINTS ARE JUMPIN’

2017 TEXAS GRAPE HARVEST THE YOUNG GUNS TAKING THE REINS IN THE HILL COUNTRY

CONTENTS Fly Away with Watercolor Artist Jen Brown.10 Fredericksburg Artist Creates Artistic Impressions Inspired by Nature

Dance Hall Dinosaurs............................................16 The Fight to Save Texas Dance Halls

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PHOTOJOURNALISM SIGNS OF THE SEASON

Lubbock Original Josh Abbott...........................46 New Album Tells a Personal Story of Loss, Life, and Love

From the Hill Country Kitchen..........................60 Hye Market’s Chef Matt Church Does Some Mean Brisket

United Ways of Texas............................................64 Texans Helping Texans

56

5 OF THE WURST -

WHERE TO CELEBRATE SAUSAGE SEASON IN THE THC

TexasHillCountry.com / 5

T

he Reservation on the Guadalupe

Let the Fun Begin

H

LGGHQ DZD\ LQ D SRFNHW RI trees just off the beaten path stand eight tipis clustered in a tiny reservation. But these aren’t just any tipis. They are luxury tipis for those that want the camping experience but prefer to leave the tents and sleeping bags behind. The Reservation on the Guadalupe is conveniently located 11 miles from New Braunfels and Gruene Hall. The luxury tipis sleep 6 people comfortably, LQFOXGH IXOO\ HTXLSSHG NLWFKHQHWWHV

6 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

outdoor grill and comfortable outdoor seating, and a private full bath for each tipi in the separate bathhouse. Internet availability and flat screen television NHHS \RX FRQQHFWHG 2K DQG GLG ZH mention these tipis are air-conditioned?

With its location, the Reservation on WKH *XDGDOXSH PDNHV WKH SHUIHFW jumping off place for a day trip or the perfect peaceful respite after a day of play away. And just 2 miles IURP 6DWWOHU LW̵V MXVW D KRS VNLS DQG a splash to Whitewater Amphitheater, Grab a beach towel and your inner tube the Rio Raft Company, and Tube Haus. DQG KHDG GRZQ WR WKH 5LYHU 3DUN 7KH SDUN LV D VKRUW ZDON IURP WKH SURSHUW\ or float it from the river access point located at the tipis. With an acre )RU PRUH LQIR DQG WR PDNH \RXU RI ZDWHUIURQW 5LYHU 3DUN LV D JUHDW UHVHUYDWLRQ FKHFN RXW RXU ZHEVLWH place to float, fish, swim, or just chill. besttexastravel.com

TexasHillCountry.com / 7

Fly Away with WatercolorArtist Jen Brown by Jenny Webster Jurica Photos Courtesy Jen Brown

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ince the beginning of time, artists have gathered endless inspiration from nature. From the vivid FRORUV RI D ZLOGͥ RZHU WR WKH EOXH DQG JUD\ KXHV in the ocean waves, nature is the greatest muse for many. The poet Henry David Thoreau declared that his ̸SURIHVVLRQ LV DOZD\V WR ͤ QG *RG LQ QDWXUH ̹ 7KH VDPH FDQ EH VDLG IRU )UHGHULFNVEXUJ ZDWHUFRORU DUWLVW -HQ %URZQ

their belongings, Brown says, “My family felt an indescribable FDOOLQJ WR JR WR $IULFD ̹ %URZQ DGGV ̸:H KDG QR GRXEW WKDW the God that we trusted with all of our hearts would use us to VRPHKRZ GHPRQVWUDWH +LV ORYH WR WKHVH XQUHDFKHG SHRSOH ̹ Brown describes their time in Africa as the hardest thing WKDW KHU IDPLO\ KDV HYHU GRQH EXW DOVR WKH PRVW PDJQLͤ FHQW and beautiful experience of their lives. It certainly wasn’t always easy—living with temperatures that often reached 134 degrees and no electricity or running water. The Brown family ZRUNHG DORQJVLGH WKH YLOODJHUV DQG ZHUH IXOO\ LPPHUVHG LQ their culture; celebrating their victories and comforting them during their losses and tragedies.

,Q UHFHQW \HDUV )UHGHULFNVEXUJ 7H[DV KDV EHFRPH D haven for creators of art and those who enjoy it. With over JDOOHULHV LQ WKH WRZQ )UHGHULFNVEXUJ ERDVWV DQ DUW VFHQH that’s elevating this burg into more than just the “Bed and %UHDNIDVW &DSLWDO RI 7H[DV ̹ 7DNH )LUVW )ULGD\ $UWZDON )UHGHULFNVEXUJ (OHYHQ JDOOHULHV LQ WKH GRZQWRZQ DUHD H[WHQG their business hours and offer nibbles and wine helping to The Browns learned many lessons during their time in SURPRWH )UHGHULFNVEXUJ DV DQ DUW ORYHU̵V GHVWLQDWLRQ Africa. Paramount among them—to live moment by moment, fully trusting in God to supply all of their needs. While in $Q DFWLYH PHPEHU RI WKLV WKULYLQJ )UHGHULFNVEXUJ DUW Africa the Browns realized that there is so much more to community is Midwest native, Jen Brown. Brown remembers WKLV OLIH WKDQ WKH ̸$PHULFDQ 'UHDP ̹ -HQ %URZQ FDPH KRPH KDYLQJ DQ LQWHUHVW LQ DUW IRU DV IDU EDFN DV VKH FDQ UHPHPEHU IURP $IULFD IHHOLQJ LQVSLUHG WR FUHDWH DUW WKDW H[HPSOLͤ HG WKH As a child, art shows in school were always a part of her life, LQÍ¥ XHQFH WKDW WKH FRXQWU\ DQG LWV SHRSOH KDG KDG RQ KHU DQG and she remembers diligently trying to reproduce what she her family. saw in nature in her art. After she graduated from high school, Brown went on to earn a college degree in graphic design and 7KH WUDQVLWLRQ EDFN WR $PHULFD ZDVQ̵W DV HDV\ DV H[SHFWHG spent years as an art director and raising a family. for the Brown family though. It was during this time of transition that Jen Brown rediscovered art after almost 20 However, Brown’s world view changed drastically when \HDUV DZD\ IURP LW /RRNLQJ IRU D WKHUDS\ WR RIIHU KHU SHDFH she, her husband, and their two teenaged sons jumped at the comfort, and healing, art delivered in a big way. Brown began opportunity to live for two years in the West African country of experimenting with watercolor, and in the three short years Mali, translating the Bible for an unreached group of natives. that she has been dabbling in it, watercolor has become her /HDYLQJ HYHU\WKLQJ WKDW WKH\ NQHZ EHKLQG DQG VHOOLQJ DOO RI passion. 10 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

̸7KH ZDWHU LV XQSUHGLFWDEOH DQG VRPHWLPHV GLͦ FXOW WR control, but it always seems to create something so lovely DQG RULJLQDO ̹ VD\V %URZQ ̸7KH FKDOOHQJH RI OHWWLQJ WKH ZDWHU move freely but yet still controlling the details of the subject LV ZKDW UHDOO\ H[FLWHV PH ̹7KUHH \HDUV DJR DIWHU WUDYHOLQJ WKH world and focusing on career and family, the Browns were ͤ QDOO\ UHDG\ WR SXW GRZQ VRPH VHULRXV URRWV )UHGHULFNVEXUJ was an obvious choice for their new home so that they could be near family. However, the beauty of the Texas Hill Country also played a major role in enticing the Browns to settle in WKH DUHD )RU WKLV QDWXUH ORYLQJ DUWLVW WKH ZLOGÍ¥ RZHUV FDWWOH GHHU DQG ELUGV̱XQOLNH DQ\ RI WKH ELUGV VKH̵G VHHQ DQ\ZKHUH else—all held endless potential for artistic expression.

pet portraits. The majority of the pet portraits that Brown is DVNHG WR FUHDWH DUH RI EHORYHG GHFHDVHG SHWV 0RVW RIWHQ Brown paints pictures of dogs, but she has also lovingly memorialized a few cats and even a longhorn. $Q\RQH ZKR KDV ORVW D SHW NQRZV KRZ VSHFLDO LW LV WR VHH their unique expressions and the light in their eyes once again. These memorials are a blessing to pet owners who are ORRNLQJ IRU D RQH RI D NLQG ZD\ WR NHHS WKH PHPRU\ RI WKHLU pet alive. Brown’s clients say that she has an extraordinary ability to portray each animal’s unique personality in paint, providing a memory that lasts beyond the precious years spent with a pet.

A lifelong lover of nature, Brown gets her artistic inspiration IURP *RG DQG KLV FUHDWLRQV ̸, ͤ QG JUHDW SOHDVXUH LQ FDSWXULQJ *RG̵V FUHDWLRQ LQ ZDWHUFRORU DQLPDOV ͥ RZHUV DQG HVSHFLDOO\ ELUGV ̹ %URZQ DGGV ̸:KHQ \RX VWXG\ DQG WU\ WR GXSOLFDWH WKH GHWDLOV RI +LV KDQGLZRUN \RX FDQQRW KHOS EXW EH ͤ OOHG ZLWK DZH DQG ZRQGHU ̹

&XUUHQWO\ %URZQ̵V WLPH LV ͤ OOHG ZLWK SDLQWLQJ LQ KHU VWXGLR and teaching painting classes locally. She is an active PHPEHU RI WKH *XDGDOXSH :DWHUFRORU *URXS DQG KHU ZRUN is currently on display at the Artisans Gallery in downtown )UHGHULFNVEXUJ $UWLVDQV *DOOHU\ IHDWXUHV DUW LQ VXFK mediums as ceramics, stained glass, photography, sculpture, and outdoor art by dozens of local artists. Artisans Gallery 7KH EUHDGWK RI %URZQ̵V ZRUN LQFOXGHV ELUGV ̱ PRVW RIWHQ WKH SDUWLFLSDWHV LQ WKH )LUVW )ULGD\ $UW :DON ZKLFK RFFXUV WKH ͤ UVW birds that Brown sees every day outside of her home studio Friday evening of each month from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the window. With her bird feeders and birdbath strategically JDOOHU\ ORFDWHG DW :HVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW LQ )UHGHULFNVEXUJ SODFHG RXWVLGH %URZQ FDQ VLW DQG PDUYHO DW *RG̵V KDQGLZRUN Find Jen Brown on Facebook at jenbrownstudio. while hoping to recreate even just a bit of His artistry in her ZRUN %URZQ MRNHV WKDW VKH NQRZV DOO RI ̸KHU̹ EDFN\DUG ELUGV̵ personalities and has come to view them as little members of her extended family. Most recently, Brown has begun doing commissioned TexasHillCountry.com / 11

12 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

46thAnnual Hamilton County

Dove Festival and Cody Ohl Championship Bull Riding at Circle T Arena

Saturday, October 28, 2017

A Day of Live Music, Entertainment and Much, Much More

Enter the Cork ‘n Pork Bite My Butt 5K - run, walk, or crawl, along a route through historic Hamilton. Every finisher receives a free Bite My Butt pork butt sandwich courtesy of the Wenzel Lonestar Meat Company. Prizes for Overall Male and Overall Female Winners.

Participating Wineries: Red Wing Dove Vineyard & Winery • Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards • Marker Cellars Family Winery • Texas Legato Vineyard • Fiesta Winery • Silver Spur Shopping has never been more Winery fun then with a wine glass in hand. Participate in the Dove Fest Wine Walk Other activities include: in which Texas wineries will tantalize Live Entertainment, Car Show, Vendors, Cooking more your thing? Then strut you with tastes. Commemorative Live Band, Magic Show, Pony Rides, your stuff at the Hot and Wild Wing wine glass and lanyard complete the Petting Zoo. Parade, KidsZone, Bull Cook Off. Are you wild or spicy? Let package. Riding and Dance at Circle T Arena. your wings do the talking. Prefer

hamiltondovefest.com

eggs to birds? Then bring on your meanest deviled egg and vie for the prize. Awards for best Wild Wing, best Hot Wing, and meanest egg.

facebook.com/HamiltonDoveFestival TexasHillCountry.com / 13

Laura Griffith Fall Foliage in the Texas Hill Country

Dance Hall Dinosaurs: The Fight to Save Them

By Spring Sault

A

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Photos Courtesy Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc. &UHDWHG E\ D VPDOO EXW HQWKXVLDVWLF JURXS RI SUHVHUYDWLRQLVWV DQG PXVLF KLVWRULDQV WKHLU ERDUG PHPEHUVKLS LQLWLDOO\ FRQVLVWHG RI SULPDULO\ $XVWLQLWHV DQG +RXVWRQLDQV 7KH\ ZHUH OLNH PLQGHG SHRSOH ZKR NQHZ WKDW ZLWKRXW SXEOLF DZDUHQHVV HGXFDWLRQDO RXWUHDFK DQG GHGLFDWLRQ WKH SOLJKW RI WKH 7H[DV GDQFH KDOO ZRXOG JR XQQRWLFHG DQG D SLHFH RI RXU SDVW ZRXOG FHDVH WR H[LVW

Saving

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Dance Halls one Two-Step

at a Time

5HFRJQL]LQJ WKDW KLVWRULFDO GDQFH KDOOV DUH QRW RQO\ D VRFLDO JDWKHULQJ VLWH EXW DOVR GHͤQH RXU VWDWH FXOWXUH D SDVVLRQDWH JURXS IRUPHG WR KHOS NHHS WKLV OHJDF\ DOLYH 7H[DV 'DQFH +DOO 3UHVHUYDWLRQ ,QF 7'+3 KDV D XQLTXH SXUSRVH DQG DQ HTXDOO\ XQLTXH DQG FDWFK\ VORJDQ 7KH\̵UH RXW ̸VDYLQJ 7H[DV GDQFH KDOOV RQH WZR VWHS DW D WLPH ̹ 16 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Their sole mission is to preserve historical Texas dance halls, including the culture and musical stylings which are found within them. Through traditional and social media FDPSDLJQV WKLV QRQSURͤ W LJQLWHV DQG IXHOV WKH GDQFH KDOO SUHVHUYDWLRQ FRQYHUVDWLRQ FDUU\LQJ LW OLNH D WRUFK 7KH\ EULQJ DWWHQWLRQ WR WKH GLOHPPD WKDW D FRUQHUVWRQH RI /RQH Star State history is destined to quietly fade away unless a concerted effort is made WR PDLQWDLQ UDLVH IXQGV DQG SURPRWH WKH FDXVH $QG DV 'HE ͤ UPO\ VWDWHV ̸7KHUH LV DOZD\V PRUH WKDW FDQ EH GRQH ̹ Representing numerous historical dance halls which are scattered across the state RI 7H[DV )OHPLQJ LGHQWLͤ HV WKDW SHUFHQW DUH SUHVHQWO\ DW ULVN 2QH RI WKH JURXS̵V primary efforts is concentrated on raising awareness about the importance of these UHOLFV RI RXU SDVW 7R GR VR 7'+3 ͤ UVW FRPSLOHG D GDWDEDVH RQ WKRVH LQ H[LVWHQFH WKH FXUUHQW VWDWXV RI RSHUDWLRQ GHWDLOV VXUURXQGLQJ WKHLU KLVWRU\ DQG WKHLU IXWXUH RXWORRN Many people aren’t aware that there are a lot more of these beauties than the handful that are actively promoted online or are featured in magazines or social pages. And according to Fleming, for those that have hands-on ownership or management, QHWZRUN LQ D PRUH EXVLQHVV OLNH IDVKLRQ DQG ZDQW WR IRFXV RQ SUHVHUYDWLRQ LVVXHV and long-term survival, the TDHP is there. Times change. Halls change hands, close down, or become retail space. Floors and roofs need repair; equipment needs replacing, and somewhere along the way, the PRQH\ JHWV KDUG WR FRPH E\ 7'+3 ZRUNV WR XSGDWH WKHLU GDWDEDVH DQG NHHS WKH PRVW accurate and current information as a form of clearinghouse, if you will, for Texas dance hall operators, fans, supporters, and lovers.

Albert Dance Hall

Regardless of whether a particular hall in question is owned by a family, a community organization, or is operated as a small business, the TDHP board of directors aims to situate itself as the number one information resource for that hall with respect to everything including meeting historic

preservation guidelines, event promotion, fundraising initiatives, grants, and the earning of state and federal tax credits. It doesn’t sound all that romantic when you WKLQN DERXW LW EXW WKH HQG UHVXOW WUXO\ LV ,I WKH JURXS FDQ DVVLVW D 7H[DV GDQFH KDOO RSHUDWRU WR UXQ PRUH HIIHFWLYHO\ DQG Hͦ FLHQWO\ WKHLU SDWURQV ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR ZHOO patronize the place. They’ll support it, frequent it, and welcome others to do the same. 7KH 7'+3 KDV ZRUNHG WR FRRUGLQDWH JUDQW DSSOLFDWLRQV ZKHUH KLVWRULF KDOOV were previously unaware of such funding, which has also helped elevate what the organization can continue to do for their catchments, including educating on historic preservation efforts, coordinating technical resources such as engineering and DUFKLWHFWXUDO ͤ UPV DQG FROODERUDWLQJ WR UHDFK HQWLUHO\ GLIIHUHQW PDUNHWV ZKLFK LV PXOWL EHQHͤ FLDO $V DQ H[DPSOH )OHPLQJ LGHQWLͤ HG D SURMHFW WKHLU JURXS LV FXUUHQWO\ LQYROYHG LQ FDOOHG ̸0RWKEDOOLQJ RU 6WDELOL]DWLRQ ̹ ZKLFK VKH QRWHG UHIHUV WR ̸D PDWFKLQJ JUDQW WKURXJK the Texas Historical Commission for $23,000, where 9 halls were provided the service of a historical preservation architect who evaluated the halls that are infrequently XVHG RU SUHVHQWO\ OHIW YDFDQW DQG FUHDWHG D WRRO NLW ZKLFK FRXOG EH XVHG WR PDLQWDLQ WKH LQWHJULW\ RI WKHVH EXLOGLQJV HQVXULQJ WKH\ GRQ̵W GHFOLQH IXUWKHU 7KH WRRO NLW FDQ EH TexasHillCountry.com / 17

used by other halls to help identify and hopefully correct or repair in the most effective and historical way, any physical shortcomings.

younger couples to these venues. Teaching the up-and-coming generations to respect and appreciate these old halls the way their parents The money to do what’s needed for many of these vestiges of and grandparents did fosters the feeling that SRHWLF 7H[DQ OLIHVW\OH FRPHV IURP FRRUGLQDWHG HIIRUWV WKH QRQSURͤ W these venues should be given a place of honor develops within the state through government, corporate, and within a community. It’s a touchstone that regional partners. As a shining example in January of this year, once gone can never be replaced. “We need the /RQH 6WDU %HHU DQQRXQFHG LWV ̸7DEV IRU 7H[DV̹ VWDWHZLGH FDPSDLJQ VRPHWKLQJV WR EHFRPH LQYROYHG ̹ )OHPLQJ VDLG raising funds for dance hall preservation through the TDHP via tab donation from each beer can. For every tab that was placed Unfortunately, many are not even aware that in boot-shaped containers at more than 200 retailers and dance changing demographics and musical tastes halls across the state until April 30th, $1 was donated to the cause E\ WKH FRPSDQ\ WKDW ERWWOHV WKH ̸1DWLRQDO %HHU RI 7H[DV ̹ $V D result, TDHP received $30,000 from the Lone Star Beer campaign. $QG \RX̵G EH KDUG SUHVVHG WR ͤ QG D KLVWRULFDO KDOO WKDW ZDVQ̵W VWUXJJOLQJ ZLWK PDLQWHQDQFH DQG UHSDLU FRVWV (YHU\ OLWWOH ELW IURP partnerships and funds can go a long way. 2WKHU JUHDW ZRUNLQJ SDUWQHUVKLSV WKH 7'+3 KDV GHYHORSHG include a pending Dance Hall Trail Program in conjunction with D SRSXODU $XVWLQ EDVHG ͤ UP ZKLFK ZLOO LQFRUSRUDWH D WUDLO W\SH ERRNOHW IRU VWDPSV WKDW FDQ EH REWDLQHG E\ YLVLWLQJ SDUWLFLSDWLQJ halls over a special period of time. Fleming indicated that the program may be announced shortly (at the time this interview was FRQGXFWHG VKH QRWHG $XJXVW RU 6HSWHPEHU PD\ EH NLFN RII WLPH and is anticipated to run for approximately four months. She also said, “Currently in the discussion stage is a partnership with the Texas Red Dirt Roads radio program that presently is KRVWHG OLYH DW %LOO\ %RE̵V LQ )RUW :RUWK ZHHNO\ +RVW DQG '- -XVWLQ )UD]HOO ZDQWV WR WDNH WKH VKRZ RQ WKH URDG DQG SURGXFH VLQJHU songwriter sessions within these historic Texas dance halls, GHYHORSLQJ ͤ YH VKRZV RYHU WKH FRXUVH RI ͤ YH 6XQGD\V IURP 6HSWHPEHU WR HDUO\ 2FWREHU RI 7KH FKDOOHQJH KRZHYHU LV WKH technology considering that good internet connectivity is required, and many of these rural halls don’t have access to broadband. 6R ZH̵UH SUHVHQWO\ ZRUNLQJ ZLWK VRPH JRRG WHFKQLFDO SHRSOH IRU D ZRUN DURXQG :H̵YH SURYLGHG D OLVW RI KDOOV WR ZKLFK )UD]HOO ZLOO PDNH FRQWDFW DQG FRRUGLQDWH WKH OLYH VWUHDPLQJ RSSRUWXQLW\ which would last approximately three hours and be a fully local event free of charge, which gives the hall an opportunity to give EDFN WR LWV FRPPXQLW\ LQ WKH IRUP RI D JUHDW LQWLPDWH VKRZ $QG WKHVH EURDGFDVWV KDYH WKH SRWHQWLDO WR UDLVH D ORW RI DZDUHQHVV ̹

Garten Verein

Anhalt Hall

(QJDJLQJ 7H[DV \RXWK LV DOVR DQ LQWHJUDO FRPSRQHQW WR NHHSLQJ the lifeline open on this valuable piece of our past. For the most SDUW KDOO RZQHUV DQG RSHUDWRUV DUH IURP WKH ̸EDE\ ERRPHU̹ DQG older generation. Their clientele is often of similar maturity, and subsequently for the Texas dance hall to survive, it’s going to need to invite and welcome a younger ownership base and clientele. According to Fleming, this is slowly beginning to happen through active engagement, the involvement in trending Texas bands that want to get in on the dance hall scene, and encouraging and teaching more socialization through dancing. $V ZHOO SDVVLRQDWH IRUZDUG WKLQNLQJ \RXQJ SHRSOH KDYH embraced hall ownership and made it their mission to introduce

18 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Bellville Hall

threaten the Texas dance hall culture. To bring more awareness to the issue, the Texas Dance Hall Tour with Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel (Grammy-winning, $XVWLQ EDVHG FRXQWU\ PXVLF JURXS ͤUVW WRRN SODFH LQ WKH VSULQJ RI WKLV \HDU 7KHLU LQDXJXUDO ZHHN ORQJ HYHQW was held in March, and a follow-up tour is planned for 2FWREHU 7KHVH KDOOV ZHUH RQFH WKH SURYLQJ JURXQGV IRU phenomenal country acts such as Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, and George Strait. Welcoming new patrons to experience traditional and revered ways, the tour offers this unforgettable experience as a means of engaging with the grass roots of it all. Where music winds its way out through windows and doors, barbecue pits still RYHUÍ¥RZ ZLWK VPRNH DQG FURZGV RI YDU\LQJ DJHV DQG sizes mix and mingle over special events, this unique experience brings the value of these halls home to GDQFH KDOO SDWURQV 7KH YHQXHV DUH SDFNHG ZLWK D ZD\ of life, romance, and history that can’t be found in any other event atmosphere throughout the state. ,Q VSHDNLQJ ZLWK )OHPLQJ VKH VDLG WKDW 5D\ %HQVRQ recognized the value and foundation that a dance hall brings to not only a community but to Texas music. Benson and his organization approached the TDHP to GLVFXVV FROODERUDWLRQ RQ D ̸ODQG FUXLVH̹ RI VRUWV +LV level of integrity and enthusiasm lent genuine passion WR WKH SURMHFW WKDW ZRXOG RWKHUZLVH KDYH WDNHQ ORQJHU WR develop on its own. Asleep at the Wheel did all the heavy OLIWLQJ WR PDNH WKH WRXU D UHDOLW\ DIWHU WKH \HDU LW WRRN WR GHYHORS 7KH ͤUVW WRXU ZHQW RII ZLWKRXW D KLWFK DQG QRZ QRW RQO\ LV D VHFRQG LQ WKH ZRUNV EXW EHFDXVH RI Benson’s involvement, additional bands have reached RXW WR WKH 7'+3 LQ KRSHV RI ZRUNLQJ ZLWK WKH JURXS and with the dance halls to promote awareness and get WKHLU PXVLF RXW WR PRUH 7H[DV FURZGV &KHFN RXW ZZZ texasdancehalltour.com for more info and to come join WKH IXQ LQ 2FWREHU

Because music, food, and good friends have made parts of rural Texas what they are today, no trip through these towns would be complete without the experience of one or more of these historic gathering places. And although Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country region VSHFLͤFDOO\ KDYH D JOXW RI VXFK ULFKHV WKH\ QHHG QRW EH WDNHQ IRU JUDQWHG 7KHLU HVWDEOLVKPHQW FDPH DW D WLPH when horse and foot travel were predominant. The land base in this area was fertile and so easier to sustain a family on fewer acres. Subsequently, the population in this area was denser than that of West Texas where a larger land base was required to support a family. (QWHUWDLQPHQW RSWLRQV ZHUH HVWDEOLVKHG ZKHUH WKH populations would support them, however, that did not negate the rising of famed dance halls throughout the VWDWH VXFK DV WKH /XFN\ 0XOH LQ $ELOHQH 6HQJHOPDQQ Hall in Schulenburg, and London Hall in London.

The rise of these establishments coincided at a time when dancing was entrenched as a part of our socialization process and a part of our culture. Fleming noted that during the spring dance hall tour, a daytime dance lesson event led E\ %HWK 6WULFNODQG ZDV LQFRUSRUDWHG ZKLFK ZDV ZHOO DWWHQGHG DQG DSSUHFLDWHG E\ SDUWLFLSDQWV 6WULFNODQG SRVVHVVHV D vast amount of historic information pertaining to dance and technique, which has given rise to the development of a concept for the fall tour, as well as for future corporate collaborations, which is to use that information to drive a renewed interest in dance culture. Subsequently, the TDHP hopes to develop a dance educational program for use in the dance halls that will incorporate the positive effects of dance, share the history of the dance halls, and give participants a chance to get their boots wet with a lesson. (DFK KDOO KDV LWV RZQ SHUVRQDOLW\ ZKLFK FDQ̵W EH GXSOLFDWHG DQG which has been home to generations of Texans who enjoy life WR D FHQWXULHV ROG OLYH PXVLF VRXQGWUDFN 0DQ\ YLVLWRUV GUHDP RI WKLV H[SHULHQFH $V 7H[DQV ZH RIWHQ WDNH LW IRU JUDQWHG WKDW WKH OLOWLQJ FRXQWU\ ͤGGOH VRXQGV WKH JOLGLQJ DFURVV D ZRRGHQ Í¥RRU DQG WKH VLJKWV DQG DWPRVSKHUH RI DQ DXWKHQWLF /RQH 6WDU 6WDWH GDQFH KDOO DUH UHDGLO\ DW RXU ͤQJHUWLSV $QG VXFK PD\ QRW be the case much longer for many a dying hall. As development RYHUWDNHV UXUDO 7H[DV VPDOO FRPPXQLWLHV DQG WKHLU GDQFH KDOOV are slowly disappearing. The partnerships that the TDHP can form with present-day corporate and social-minded Texans will KHOS WR EHQHͤW WKHVH PHPRULDOV RI RXU SDVW $ ZKLVNH\ GLVWLOOHU\ VRRQ WR VWDUW EXVLQHVV LQ WKH VWDWH recognized the importance and value of such facilities. They have reached out to host preservation education and dance events, inviting a whole new group of people to become familiar with the romance and legend of the dance hall. And with these opportunities, Fleming hopes that “…collaborating will help us H[SDQG RXU QHWZRUN RI VXSSRUW H[SRQHQWLDOO\ ZKLFK LV EHQHͤFLDO WR DOO LQYROYHG ̹

MORE INFO: To learn more about Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc., to donate, become a TDHP member, or to become a regular supporter of its partnerships and initiatives, visit their website at texasdancehall.org. Better yet, visit a GDQFH KDOO 7KHVH ZRRGHQ ͥRRUHG GRPLFLOHV RI GDQFLQJ history will tell you a lot more about your neighbor, your community, and your state than a social media page from a cold computer ever could.

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20 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

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Fall Color Field Trips

D o

your

By Robert C. Deming

out-of-state to worry. We aren’t going to manipulate DW /RVW 0DSOHV 6WDWH 3DUN EXW OHW̵V VDYH

IULHQGV VKDNH WKHLU KHDGV the photos to have rich colors. We won’t WKDW XQWLO ODVW <RXU ͤ UVW DVVLJQPHQW

VDGO\ DQG ORRN DW \RX ZLWK D ELW RI SLW\ QHHG WR 6XUH IDOO LQ 1HZ (QJODQG LV LV WR ͤ QG D SODFH ZLWK D YLHZ RI WKH in their eyes when you mention the spectacular but followed by ice and horizon and be there at sunset. You’ve beautiful colors of a Texas Hill Country snow and bare trees, while we Texans heard that dust in the atmosphere fall? Then this year, prove to them you send distant friends pictures of a creates the colors at sunset, but that NQRZ ZKDW \RX̵UH WDONLQJ DERXW

thermometer showing 70 degrees in isn’t strictly true. In fact, clean air is December. Texas has football, barbecue, the main ingredient of brilliant sunsets.

Grab a camera and get out the door, DQG ZLGH RSHQ VNLHV DQG 7H[DV KDV IDOO Sunlight is scattered by particles in we are going on a Texas Fall Color FRORU WRR 6R FRPH ZLWK PH DV ZH ORRN its way, and the wavelength of colors Scavenger Hunt.

At the end, we’ll around for some natural color to enjoy of light across the spectrum matters.

create a montage of photos to show in our shirtsleeves.

Because air molecules are closer in

our friends so when they say, “You don’t

size to the wavelength of violet light,

KDYH IDOO FRORUV LQ 7H[DV ̹ ZH FDQ SURYH

No story of fall colors in Texas is the longer that light travels through the

that we do. Not a Photoshop pro? Not complete without the bigtooth maples atmosphere and is scattered, the more 22 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Photo by Kimi Lukachik Phillips our eyes will read the colors yellow and

The Texas Hill Country is widely FRPHV IURP WKH *UHHN ZRUG IRU VWDU

red. The very same sunbeam which appreciated for its spring and early 9LVLW WKH /DG\ %LUG -RKQVRQ :LOGͥ RZHU LV JLYLQJ &DOLIRUQLD D GHHS EOXH VN\ LV VXPPHU ZLOGͥ RZHUV EXW WKHUH DUH Center in Austin where you will also creating a yellow-red sunset in Texas. If SOHQW\ RI IDOO ͥ RZHUV WRR /RQJ DIWHU RXU ͤ QG 0H[LFDQ VXQͥ RZHU JD\IHDWKHU \RX ZDQW WR UHDG WKH ZKROH VWRU\ ORRN beloved bluebonnets have gone to seed, and prairie goldenrod. Another option XS WKLV H[FHOOHQW DUWLFOH KWWS ZZZ fall aster are drawing us in with their deep LV WR ZDON \RXU QHLJKERUKRRG ORRNLQJ DW VSF QRDD JRY SXEOLFDWLRQV FRUILGL VXQVHW 'RQ̵W MXVW WDNH D VWXQQLQJ photo for your montage, savor

EOXH SXUSOH SLQN FRORUV 7KHVH ͥ RZHUV ͥ RZHUEHGV ZKHUH \RX ZLOO TXLFNO\ ͤ QG are found in many places in the world RWKHU ͥ RZHUV IRU \RXU SKRWR FROOHFWLRQ including Texas, and the name 7DNH WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR FRPSOLPHQW

the live moment of Texas’s

your neighbors on the beauty they add

spectacular

to your world.

and sunsets.

sunrises

1H[W PDNH \RXU way to a river lined

with

Photo by Cassi Crow

Photo by John Pace

Photo by Tyler Hoffmann

Photo by Larry Pena

bald cypress trees. These deciduous the Nueces River near Uvalde to Caddo ZDV NLOOHG E\ WKH 5RFN +RXVH )LUH LQ conifers impart an imperial grace to our /DNH LQ (DVW 7H[DV 'RQ̵W MXVW WDNH D 2WKHU JUDQG FRWWRQZRRGV VWLOO VWDWH ,I \RX Í¥ RDW ULYHUV \RX ZLOO ͤ QG SKRWR WDNH D SLFQLF OXQFK DQG FRPH stand, though, and in early November bald cypress trees often grow in a sharp ZLWK WLPH WR EH TXLHW DQG GULQN LQ WKH their leaves turn a brilliant yellow. Fort bend in the river. The river’s current view.

Davis may seem a long way to drive

brings canoers to an eddy, which often

to see some yellow, but you won’t be

draws the river rats from their boats

In Far West Texas, beginning on the GLVDSSRLQWHG E\ ZKDW \RX ͤ QG 9LVLW WKH

into the startlingly clear water for a ͥ DQNV RI 0RXQW /LYHUPRUH DQG ͥ RZLQJ Fort Davis National Historic Site where refreshing swim. Needles of the bald beside Wild Rose Pass and Fort Davis the trail leads you to a spectacular F\SUHVV WUHH WXUQ D GDUN UXVW FRORU LQ IDOO sixty-three miles before it disappears overview of the town and the fort. Then, The Guadalupe River between Kerrville LQWR WKH JURXQG LV /LPSLD &UHHN 1DPHG continue along the ridge-top trail to and Center Point reveals long deep after the Spanish word for pure, the river 'DYLV 0RXQWDLQV 6WDWH 3DUN .HHS DQ pools of slow-moving water where the supported people as long as 10,000 eye out for the rare peregrine falcons GDUN UHG QHHGOHV RI WKH F\SUHVV \HDUV DJR DQG ZDV ͤ UVW H[SORUHG E\ RIWHQ VSRWWHG WKHUH <RX ZLOO DOVR ͤ QG WUHHV UHͥ HFW RQ D JODVV\ the Spanish in 1584. Growing along ZRQGHUIXO YLHZV RI /LPSLD &UHHN DQG VXUIDFH EURNHQ RQO\ WKH EDQNV IRU PDQ\ \HDUV ZDV WKH 5LR cottonwoods off the north side of the by

millions

of Grande cottonwood, National Big Tree ridge. The views from this trail will steal

dropped needles Champion. This tree measured 364 your heart. ͥ RDWLQJ

VORZO\ inches in circumference, was 82 feet

downriver.

These tall, and had an average crown spread

$W WKH HQG RI WKLV KLNH \RX ZLOO FRPH

PDJQLͤ FHQW WUHHV of 115 feet. The tree, two miles north across Indian Lodge, a gem of the Texas can be found from of Fort Davis beside State Highway 17, VWDWH SDUN V\VWHP QHVWOHG LQWR WKH

Photo by Wendy Little upper end of the canyon. This historic Utopia and Vanderpool. Lost Maples come for fall color reports and the star full-service hotel in the tradition of great is as much a pilgrimage for Texans as party schedule. western lodges was completed by the YLVLWLQJ %LJ %HQG RU (QFKDQWHG 5RFN CCC and built of hand-hewn pine beams The maples were left behind many

2QFH \RX KDYH FROOHFWHG DOO \RXU IDOO

DQG DGREH EORFNV ZLWK SLQH Í¥ RRUV DQG centuries ago by retreating glaciers color photos, you can easily turn them river cane ceilings. The Southwestern and survived in a canyon carved of into a montage by connecting with a regional romantic architecture and décor OLPHVWRQH EHVLGH D FUHHN Í¥ RZLQJ LQWR photo department at Walgreen’s—either has charmed visitors from 1935 to the the Sabinal River. The maple trees turn DW D NLRVN LQ WKH VWRUH RU YLD WKH LQWHUQHW present. The hotel even has a swimming bright orange during November in a you can even upload them directly from pool with views of the mountains display of color more grand than in other your smart phone.

Create a colorful

beyond. Reservations should be made parts of the state. However, one word of collage to the celebrate Texas fall. It well in advance. Currently, the hotel is FDXWLRQ GXULQJ SHDN FRORU VHDVRQ 7KLV doesn’t have to be just about the trees. closed for renovations until January 5, SDUN JHWV YHU\ EXV\ DQG HYHQ ZKHQ 7KLQN RXWVLGH WKH ER[ IRU \RXU IDOO FRORU %XW FKHFN WKH SDUN ZHEVLWH IRU YLVLWLQJ RQ D ZHHNGD\ WKHUH PD\ EH ͤ [ $QG E\ DOO PHDQV VHQG GHWDLOV DQG XSGDWHV DW WSZG WH[DV JRY VLJQLͤ FDQW GHOD\V 7KH ZHDWKHU FDQ DOVR a copy to your friends VWDWH SDUNV LQGLDQ ORGJH 7KH DGMRLQLQJ be surprisingly cold and even wet, so up %ODFN %HDU 5HVWDXUDQW ZLOO UHPDLQ RSHQ pay attention to weather forecasts, so with during the renovations.

north a

along picture

\RX DUH SURSHUO\ SUHSDUHG IRU WKH KLNH of you in your $W QLJKW WKH SDUN KRVWV VWDU SDUWLHV RQ shirtsleeves.

Last, but not least, is the iconic Texas a regular basis. If you decide to visit, fall color story—the bigtooth maples at FKHFN WKH SDUN̵V ZHEVLWH DW WSZG WH[DV Lost Maples State Natural Area near JRY VWDWH SDUNV ORVW PDSOHV EHIRUH \RX

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Bonnie Gatlin Cibolo Nature Center TexasHillCountry.com / 31

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Cassi Crow Cibolo Creek, Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne, Texas 34 / Heart of Texas Magazine Summer 2017

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Off the Beaten Path BBQ

By Sonia Ramirez

“Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.� - Anthony Bourdain,Photos chef and food writer Courtesy of Participating Restaurants

B

arbecue in all its juicy, fall-off-the-bone scrumptiousness is a Texas staple with some of the best down-home sides you could imagine. Although many lay claim to having the best barbecue around, HDFK MRLQW RQ RXU OLVW EHORZ LV PRUH WKDQ FDSDEOH RI RZQLQJ WKDW WLWOH ZLWK UHVSHFW WR WKHLU XQLTXH twists on seasoning, sauces, and homemade recipes that truly are finger-licking good. Some may not be well-known around your parts but in their neck of the woods, they are hidden gems waiting to bowl you over with their Southern hospitality and some of the best barbecue off the beaten path.

Black’s BBQ Lockhart Dating back to 1932, Black’s BBQ in Lockhart is the oldest family-owned barbecue restaurant in Texas. Third generation Pitmaster Kent Black slow smokes all the barbecue the way his grandfather did in 1932. A simple rub, local post oak wood, and patience is the secret. The menu includes “a perfect pork chop, smoked and barbecued in a full rack,â€? shares the restaurant’s website. You’ll also ͤ QG JLDQW EHHI ULEV VPRNHG WXUNH\ EUHDVW DQG EHHI EULVNHW 7KHLU KRPHPDGH VDXVDJH LV XQLTXH ̸2XU \HDU ROG UHFLSH DQG WHFKQLTXHV UHPDLQ WKH VDPH DV HDFK ULQJ LV KDQG VWXIIHG DQG KDQG WLHG WKHQ VPRNHG WR SHUIHFWLRQ Ěš VWDWHV WKH %ODFNĚľV website. Black’s offers their own take on barbecue sauce to go along with the succulent BBQ that you won’t soon forget. With two ORFDWLRQV WKH RULJLQDO LQ /RFNKDUW DQG RQH LQ $XVWLQ %ODFNĚľV %%4 LV VXUH WR ͤ QG D VZHHW VSRW LQ \RXU KHDUW IRU VRPH RI WKH best barbecue along the roads of the Texas Hill Country. blacksbbq.com

Central Texas Style Barbecue This family owned and operated barbecue establishment in Pearland, Texas, has been delighting customers since 1969. Ruth LeClere owner of Central Texas Style Barbecue has a loyal following of clientele who keep coming back for her Cubaninspired side dishes along with her barbecue. Using old-school pits to cook the brisket all night, it’s no wonder one of the favorite dishes on the menu is chicken on the bone, and the pulled pork. The “Eddie Grilled Cheese Brisket Sandwich,� named after a customer, is a favorite you will have to call ahead for on Wednesdays. When asked what would be one word to describe her place LeClere said, “It’s like home.� The memorabilia on the walls and photos on the table of her family make you feel like you, too, are part of LeClere’s relations. Comfort food best sums up WKH FXLVLQH GLVKHG RXW LQ WKH XQLTXH VLGHV DQG GHVVHUWV RQ RIIHU VXFK DV QHZ SRWDWRHV SLQWR EHDQV DQG D EUHDG SXGGLQJ WR satisfy any sweet tooth. With four generations waiting to serve you today, tomorrow and into the future (LeClere’s grandson Jude is coming up the ranks), “this place feels like Texas,� shared a customer. centralbbq.com 36 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Pecan Lodge BBQ Independently owned and operated by Justin and Diane Fourton, Pecan Lodge has won the hearts of barbecue lovers for over \HDUV ̸8QUHOHQWLQJ IRFXV RQ WKH TXDOLW\ RI RXU IRRG DQG̿ZH DUH WUXO\ DXWKHQWLF ̹ VKDUHG WKH )RXUWRQV ZKHQ DVNHG ZKDW VHWV 3HFDQ /RGJH DSDUW IURP WKH FRPSHWLWLRQ (YHU\WKLQJ LV PDGH IURP VFUDWFK DW 3HFDQ /RGJH DV PRVW LWHPV DUH UHFLSHV WKH GXR FUHDWHG ̸+RZHYHU ZH XVH KHU JUDQGPRWKHU̵V UHFLSH IRU EDQDQD SXGGLQJ DQG IULHG FKLFNHQ ̹ VKDUHG -XVWLQ 7KHLU EHHI ULEV DUH WKH ͤ UVW WR VHOO RXW DORQJ ZLWK WKH WUDGLWLRQDO EULVNHW D IDYRULWH DPRQJ FXVWRPHUV DV ZHOO 7KH )RXUWRQV WKLQN WKHLU FROODUG JUHHQV DUH D SUHWW\ XQLTXH RIIHULQJ ̸7KH\ RIIHU WKH SHUIHFW EDODQFH RI VZHHWQHVV DQG YLQHJDU\ ELWH WR RIIVHW WKH ULFKQHVV RI WKH VPRNHG PHDW ̹ /RFDWHG LQ 'HHS (OOXP D KLVWRULF QHLJKERUKRRG MXVW D IHZ EORFNV HDVW RI GRZQWRZQ 'DOODV WKLV EDUEHFXH VZHHWKHDUW LV WKH WDON RI WKH WRZQ DQG PXVW VWRS IRU DQ\RQH YLVLWLQJ 'DOODV pecanlodge.com

Kreuz Market Lockhart 2QH RI WKH ͤ UVW WKLQJV \RX̵OO UHDOL]H DERXW .UHX] 0DUNHW %DUEHFXH LV WKDW QR %%4 VDXFH RU IRUNV KDYH HYHU EHHQ D SDUW RI LWV VXFFHVVIXO UHFLSH IRU JUHDW EDUEHFXH ̸1R QHHG WR KLGH WKH IRRG ̹ VDLG /DXUD 9DOGH] RI .UHX] 0DUNHW /RFNKDUW 7KH EDUEHFXH VSHDNV IRU LWVHOI ZLWK MXVW D OLWWOH ELW RI VDOW SHSSHU DQG &DMXQ PL[ WR EULQJ RXW DOO WKH ͥ DYRU QHHGHG IRU RQH RI WKH IDYRULWH PHQX LWHPV SRUN FKRSV WR VWDQG RXW 7KHLU VDXVDJH LV PDGH IURP D ̸FODVVLF *HUPDQ .UHX] UHFLSH EURXJKW RYHU IURP WKH ROG FRXQWU\ SHUFHQW EHHI SHUFHQW SRUN DQG VSLFHV LQ D QDWXUDO FDVLQJ ̹ VKDUHV WKH .UHX] ZHEVLWH 7KHLU *HUPDQ SRWDWR VDODG LV D IDYRULWH DPRQJ WKH FXVWRPHUV .UHX] RSHUDWHV WKUHH ORFDWLRQV WR DSSHDVH \RXU ͤ [ IRU WUDGLWLRQDO EDUEHFXH DQG KDV VHUYHG EULVNHW VPRNHG LQ ̸ROG IDVKLRQHG EULFN SLWV LQ WKH WUDGLWLRQDO *HUPDQ PHDW PDUNHW VW\OH VLQFH ̹ TXRWHV LWV ZHEVLWH kreuzmarket.com

Franklin Barbecue 2IWHQ ZLWK D OLQH RXW WKH GRRU )UDQNOLQ %DUEHFXH VHWV LWVHOI DSDUW ZLWK WKH ̸PHPRUDEOH H[SHULHQFH \RX ZDON DZD\ ZLWK IURP WKH IULHQGO\ VWDII DQG DPD]LQJ IRRG DW D SULFH \RX FDQ DIIRUG ̹ VKDUHG 6WDF\ )UDQNOLQ ̸%ULVNHW LV WKH PHDW WKDW PRVW RI RXU QRWRULHW\ KDV FRPH IURP EXW ZH ORYH RXU RWKHU VPRNHG PHDWV DV ZHOO 'RQ̵W IRUJHW WR WU\ WKH WXUNH\ ̹ 7KHLU VHDVRQLQJV LQFOXGH MXVW VDOW DQG SHSSHU DQG WKH\ PDNH DOO WKHLU VLGHV LQ KRXVH $ IDPLO\ RZQHG UHVWDXUDQW $DURQ DQG 6WDF\ )UDQNOLQ RSHQHG )UDQNOLQ %DUEHFXH LQ 'HFHPEHU RI DQG DUH VWLOO WKH RZQHUV DQG RSHUDWRUV 2QH ZRUG WR GHVFULEH WKLV SODFH VKDUHG 6WDF\ ̸7DVWH SHULHQFH <HV WKDW LV PDGH XS ZRUG EXW LW FRPELQHV WKH ZRUGV WDVW\ DQG H[SHULHQFH ̹franklinbbq.com TexasHillCountry.com / 37

Opie’s Barbecue Since 1999 this family-owned BBQ joint has been a favorite among its customers plating “Texas Hill Country’s Award Winning BBQ,â€? advertises Opie’s website. “The wonderful sides, the friendly staff, set us apart,â€? shares Todd Ashmore, general manager of Opie’s. “Our sweet and spicy baby back ribs are a favorite item on the menu along with our moist turkey breast,â€? says Ashmore. 6RPH RI WKHLU RQH RI NLQG VLGHV LQFOXGH D VSLF\ FRUQ ZLWK MDODSHÂłRV D WDWHU WRW FDVVHUROH DQG DQ DOPRQG FROHVODZ 7RS LW off with their homemade banana pudding and key lime pie to round out your meal. opiesbarbecue.com

Peters BBQ Since 2001, Allen Peters has run another family-owned barbecue jewel. “Hospitality, great BBQ, fresh sides are what we are known for,â€? shares Jason Vasut one of the cooks at Peters BBQ. “We cut the meat hot and fresh in front of you and let you choose,â€? says Vasut. Their ribs are a favorite item on the menu. And some days they can’t keep the chicken on the menu as it sells out. Vasut says that they slow cook the meat 12 to 14 hours the night before with pecan wood, and their homemade barbecue sauce is a family recipe which they make 25 gallons at a time. Squash, fresh coleslaw, and a three bean salad are among the favorite sides of customers and the homemade peach cobbler, banana pudding, and blackberry pies are desserts worthy of VDFULͤFLQJ WKH FDORULHV “Best barbecue between Houston and Austin,â€? shares Vasut. “Bring your friends and come on back to see us!â€? facebook.com/bbqpeters

Pinkerton’s BBQ “We cook old school style in the middle of a big city,â€? shares Grant Pinkerton owner of Pinkerton’s BBQ. “Our barbecue is made from scratch with all natural antibiotic-free brisket,â€? says Pinkerton. A favorite among customers is the moist brisket DQG JOD]HG SRUN ULEV <RX ZLOO DOVR ͤQG VRPH RXW RI WKLV ZRUOG VLGHV DW 3LQNHUWRQĚľV LQFOXGLQJ D MDODSHÂłR FKHHVH ULFH DQG D duck and sausage jambalaya. Their unique seasonings include a rib rub that is the owner’s recipe along with a special kind of black pepper. 3LQNHUWRQĚľV LQÍĽXHQFH FRPHV IURP KLV IDPLO\ LQ WKH +LOO &RXQWU\ DQG KLV FRRNLQJ UHÍĽHFWV WKRVH GHHSO\ URRWHG WUDGLWLRQV he started learning at the age of 12. “I wanted to bring a taste of barbecue from the Hill Country to Houston, Texas,â€? shares Pinkerton. Like craft beer, Pinkerton’s is “craft BBQâ€? states Pinkerton. Looking for a bit of hometown Hill Country goodness in Houston? Then Pinkerton’s is a place not to miss. pinkertonsbarbecue.com

Truth BBQ “Truth BBQ is different from your legacy roadside BBQ joint. When you arrive at our small outpost on Highway 290 in Brenham you’re likely to see a line to the highway and a crowd of people making friends and sharing the free Lone Star we give away,â€? says Leonard Botello IV, owner and pitmaster of Truth BBQ. The minute you walk in, the smell of the brisket overtakes you as you watch the pitmaster “who just previously spent all night on a cot next to the pit‌â€? artfully slicing the meat. What’s the favorite menu item? “Everything,â€? shares Botello. “We are well-known for being one of the only spots to have the same focus on our sides and desserts that we do on our meats. It doesn’t matter what you order at Truth, you’re coming back for seconds. I promise.â€? Everything they serve is homemade including a house made BBQ sauce, but they recommend trying your meats without VDXFH ͤUVW Ěš :H KDYH D ORW RI %%4 VDXFH OHIW RYHU HYHU\ GD\ LI WKDW WHOOV \RX DQ\WKLQJ Ěš 3HRSOH JR FUD]\ IRU WKHLU FRUQ SXGGLQJ mac and cheese and collard greens. Growing by leaps and bounds, Truth BBQ was started by Botello two years ago. “Mouthwatering,â€? says Botello, is the one word that describes how you’ll remember this place. truthbbq.com

Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ New Braunfels Cooper’s has been serving its “picnic-style barbecue� to customers since 1953. The restaurant best known as the home of the “Original World Famous ‘Big Chop’� specializes in “delicious pit-smoked barbecue,� shares its website. And the barbecue pit is bursting with 13 different kinds of meat sure to satisfy that barbecue craving. Move on inside and choose your side dishes from favorites such as mac ‘n cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, hot cobbler and more. With four locations to choose from, Cooper’s newest location in New Braunfels brings more of the Wootan family’s world famous barbecue to the Texas Hill Country—“the BBQ capital of the world,� states its website. coopersbbq.com

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Young Guns Shoot for a

Stellar Texas Grape

Harvest by Robert Deming

T

h e calm and peacefulness proliferating through the winery’s tasting room is misleading; this is crush season. From July through November grapes from the Hill Country to the Panhandle are ripening; ZLQHPDNHUV DUH QHUYRXVO\ ZDWFKLQJ ZHDWKHU IRUHFDVWV HYHQ DV WKH\ RYHUVHH JUDSHV SLFNHG HDUO\ WKLV PRUQLQJ GXPSHG LQWR WKH GH VWHPPHU DQG FKHFN RQ RWKHUV WKDW DUH LQ WKH ͤ UVW VWDJHV RI IHUPHQWDWLRQ 0DQ\ )UHGHULFNVEXUJ ZLQHULHV XVH JUDSHV IURP 7H[DV DQG DV \RX NQRZ 7H[DV ZHDWKHU LV WULFN\ 7KHVH ZLQHPDNHUV KDYH JURZQ RU FRQWUDFWHG IRU IUXLW ZKLFK could be perfect or could be ruined by too much rain or a hailstorm, and at this moment all their eyes stay focused on the weather forecasts. Doug Lewis and Duncan McNabb (both now 33) were roommates in Austin when they decided to head to Hye and PDNH ZLQH DQG QRZ WKH\ DUH IXOO RI QHUYRXV HQHUJ\ ̸&UXVK WLPH̹ LV LQ IXOO VZLQJ 0F1DEE LV RQH RI WKH QHZHU IDFHV LQ the Texas wine business, so young he can still wear a t-shirt VSRUWLQJ WKH :LOGFDW PDVFRW IURP KLV DOPD PDWHU (OJLQ +LJK School. He is earnest when he says, “This is our best vintage HYHU $QG LI \RX DVN PH WKDW TXHVWLRQ QH[W \HDU ,̵OO VD\ WKH VDPH WKLQJ ̹ +LV SDUWQHU /HZLV H[SODLQV ̸7KH IUXLW VWDUWHG HDUO\ ZLWK EXG EUHDN LQ )HEUXDU\ EHFDXVH ZH KDG VXFK D PLOG 42 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Photos Courtesy Robert Deming

winter. The berries are smaller than usual because there’s EHHQ OHVV UDLQ ̹ 0F1DEE FRQWLQXHV ̸:H̵UH VZHDWLQJ EXOOHWV ̹ 8QOLNH PRVW 7H[DQV GXULQJ WKLV WLPH RI \HDU WKH\ GRQ̵W ZDQW UDLQ DQG WKH\ NHHS DQ H\H RQ WKH ZHDWKHU IRUHFDVWV 5LJKW QRZ WKH\ DUH SLFNLQJ WHPSUDQLOOR JUDSHV LQ +HQO\ 7KH\ SLFN at night with the help of friends and volunteers bringing the fruit into the winery before sunrise while it’s still cool and depositing it right into the de-stemmer and crusher. “The small berries are going to produce a great vintage. Now we’re SOD\LQJ WKH JDPH ZLWK 0RWKHU 1DWXUH ̹ VD\V 0F1DEE ,I WKHUH is too much rain before the grapes are harvested, the berries ZLOO JHW WRR ODUJH DQG PD\ HYHQ EUHDN RSHQ DQG EH ZRUWKOHVV Nearby in Hye, Joe Grubb is driving a tractor cleaning up the ends of the vines rows. Before wine, the 35-year-old )UHGHULFNVEXUJ QDWLYH ZDV LQWR H[WUHPH VSRUWV D SURIHVVLRQDO URFN FOLPEHU 1RZ KH LV DVVLVWDQW ZLQHPDNHU DQG FHOODU PDVWHU at Hye Meadows Winery. “We dodged a bullet, we recently had a hail storm, but it was small and there wasn’t any damage. 7KLV LV RXU ͤ UVW HVWDWH KDUYHVW DQG WKH FKHPLVWU\ FDPH RXW UHDOO\ QLFH ̹ 7KLV \HDU +\H 0HDGRZV FROOHFWHG WKH ͤ UVW IUXLW from their own estate grown vines for use in a 100 percent tempranillo wine. The grapes are now in fermentation, and DFFRUGLQJ WR RZQHU 0LNH %DWHN ̸,W VKRXOG EH JRUJHRXV ̹

The smallest winery and tasting room in the Hill Country is Calais Winery. Just a mile east of Hye, there is no sign, only a dirt road leading to an unusual half-underground cellar. ,QVLGH ZLQHPDNHU %HQ &DODLV UXQV KLV KDQGV WKURXJK KLV ORQJ FXUO\ EURZQ KDLU DQG ORRNV RYHU WKH ZLQH EDUUHOV &DODLV KDLOV IURP (XURSH KDYLQJ OLYHG LQ ERWK %HOJLXP DQG )UDQFH EXW 7H[DV LV KLV KRPH QRZ $QG KH LV GHGLFDWHG WR PDNLQJ wine in the French way but out of 100 percent Texas grapes. ̸(YHU\WKLQJ LV GRQH LQ WKLV EXLOGLQJ ,̵P GRLQJ LW WKH ZD\ ZH GR LW LQ %RUGHDX[ :H̵UH SLFNLQJ QH[W ZHHN ̹ &DODLV IHUPHQWV LQ VPDOOHU )UHQFK RDN EDUUHOV MXVW RQH RI VHYHUDO ZD\V KH HPXODWHV WKH ROG ZRUOG VW\OH RI ZLQHPDNLQJ

went on to earn a degree in civil engineering from Texas Tech 8QLYHUVLW\ EXW DIWHU D IHZ \HDUV ZRUNLQJ LQ WKH HQJLQHHULQJ ͤ HOG KH ZHQW EDFN WR KLV URRWV LQ DJULFXOWXUH 7KH KDUYHVW LV XQGHUZD\ LQ 7HUU\ &RXQW\ ZKLFK LV Í¥ DW IDLUO\ dry. Sides says, “Grapes don’t need as much water as people WKLQN DQG WKH\ XVH D ORW OHVV WKDQ FRWWRQ DQG SHDQXWV ̹ 7KH family vineyards are irrigated with drip lines, and at this point they don’t want any more rain. Terry County is in the Texas High Plains American Viticultural Area (AVA). This area does not have Pierce’s Disease which is endemic to the Hill Country, but Sides says that in farming, there is always something to worry about. Insects aren’t much of a problem, EXW ODWH IUHH]HV DQG KDLOVWRUPV DUH 7KH ͤ UVW KDUYHVW LV LQ D Pinot meunier grape, one of their smaller plantings. In their 200 acres of vineyards, Lost Draw grows varietals familiar to the Rhône River region and to Spain and Italy. Among WKHP DUH YLQHV WKLFN ZLWK PRXUYHGUH JUHQDFKH FLQVDXOW DQG carignan grapes.

Andrew Sides, 30 years old, is a managing partner of Lost 'UDZ :LQHU\ DQG D ͤ IWK JHQHUDWLRQ IDUPHU 7KH ZLQHU\ MXVW VRXWK RI GRZQWRZQ )UHGHULFNVEXUJ LV DOVR D IDPLO\ DIIDLU RZQHG E\ KLV IDWKHU LQ ODZ 7UR\ 2WWPHUV $OWKRXJK WKH\ have traditionally made their wines in Terry County, most red ZLQH SURGXFWLRQ KDV VKLIWHG WR WKH )UHGHULFNVEXUJ ZLQHU\ “I’m proud to produce wine from 100 percent Texas grapes IURP RXU RZQ YLQH\DUGV ̹ KH VD\V 6LGHV KHOSHG SODQW WKH 6LGHV VXPV XS KRZ PDQ\ 7H[DV ZLQH JUDSH JURZHUV IHHO ͤ UVW ͤ YH DFUHV RQ KLV XQFOH̵V IDUP LQ 7HUU\ &RXQW\ LQ WKH ̸%HLQJ D SDUW RI VRPHWKLQJ OLNH WKLV MXVW DW WKH VWDUW SURGXFLQJ Texas Panhandle when he was in high school as the family high-quality 100 percent Texas wines, that is exciting, and I transitioned from growing cotton and peanuts to grapes. He DP SURXG WR EH D SDUW RI LW ̹

TexasHillCountry.com / 43

TonyInksMaples Lake State Park TexasHillCountry.com / 45

Josh Abbott on By Marcy Stellfox

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RURU VRPH SHRSOH VWDQGLQJ QDNHG RQ stage in a crowded theatre would be more appealing than sharing the details of their private life with the public. For -RVK $EERWW LW̵V GLIIHUHQW ̸5HDO OLIH LQVSLUHV PH ̹ the singer-songwriter says. “All of our albums KDYH EHHQ ELRJUDSKLFDO LQ D VHQVH ̹ $QG $EERWW̵V willingness to expose both the joyful and painful H[SHULHQFHV RI KLV OLIH PDNH KLV VRQJV PXFK PRUH relatable to his fans. ,Q WKH EDQG UHOHDVHG ̸)URQW 5RZ 6HDW̹ ZKLFK ZDV H[DFWO\ WKDW Ì° D QR KROGV EDUUHG ORRN at a slice of Abbott’s personal life. Listeners found themselves drawn into the songs that played out OLNH YLJQHWWHV RI D PDQ̵V OLIH SURMHFWHG RQWR WKH big screen. And Abbott didn’t leave much to the imagination. The album follows Abbott from his FDUHIUHH FROOHJH GD\V WKURXJK KLV ͤ UVW PDUULDJH DQG 46 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Life, Loss, and Love

Photos Courtesy Shore Fire Media That point made itself sharply evident when Abbott’s father HQGV DW WKH XQLRQ̵V SDLQIXO EUHDNXS ̸8QWLO 0\ 9RLFH *RHV 2XW̹ UHOHDVHG $XJXVW SLFNV XS ZKHUH ̸)URQW 5RZ 6HDW̹ OHIW died. He says this song more than any other will always mean off. something a little more to him. The lyrics have become larger DQG WDNHQ RQ D PRUH PHWDSKRULFDO PHDQLQJ ̸, ZDQW WR GR It’s probably too early to say that the year 2017 will be the ZKDW , ORYH GRLQJ ZKLFK LV SOD\LQJ VRQJV IRU P\ ZKROH OLIH ̹ PRVW VLJQLͤ FDQW LQ $EERWW̵V OLIH EXW LW̵OO GHͤ QLWHO\ KDYH LWV KH VD\V ̸<RX FDQ WDNH WKH WLWOH RI WKH VRQJ WR PHDQ XQWLO P\ own chapter in Abbott’s biography. Abbott became a father YRLFH EUHDNV RU LQ D ODUJHU VHQVH XQWLO , WDNH P\ ODVW EUHDWK ̹ WR D GDXJKWHU (PHU\ )DU\QQ LQ 0D\ DQG DQQRXQFHG KLV )RU $EERWW WKLV DOEXP SLFNV XS WKH QH[W FKDSWHU LQ KLV OLIH engagement to Taylor Parnell at the end of July. And though these events represent new beginnings in Abbott’s life, the ,W̵V DERXW WDNLQJ WKH QH[W VWHSV DIWHU D UHODWLRQVKLS HQGV +H ORVV RI KLV IDWKHU LQ 0DUFK ZDV D KHDUWEUHDNLQJ EORZ $EERWW says the songs are about “closure, what’s next in life, and recalls the last song he played for his dad at his hospital UHGLVFRYHU\ ̹ 7KH\ DUH VRQJV DERXW D IXWXUH ̸OHDUQLQJ KRZ WR EHGVLGH ZDV WKH WLWOH WUDFN WR ̸8QWLO 0\ 9RLFH *RHV 2XW ̹ 7KH OLYH OLIH DJDLQ )DOOLQJ LQ ORYH DJDLQ 7KLV DOEXP Í¥ LUWV ZLWK DOO whole point of the song says Abbott is to encourage people RI WKH HPRWLRQV VXUURXQGLQJ WKRVH QH[W VWHSV ̹ to live passionately, to spend time doing what they love to do, $QG ZKLOH WKH VRQJ ̸8QWLO 0\ 9RLFH *RHV 2XW̹ LV DQG DOZD\V WR PDNH WLPH IRU IULHQGV DQG IDPLO\ DV \RX QHYHU NQRZ ZKHQ WKH\ PD\ EH WDNHQ IURP \RX RU ZKHQ \RX PD\ EH DERXW WDNLQJ HDFK GD\ DQG OLYLQJ ELJ DQG EROG LW̵V DOVR WDNHQ IURP WKHP about letting go of the fear to love someone again, it’s about putting your heart on the line and letting yourself TexasHillCountry.com / 47

feel emotion again, it’s about hope for the future. Abbott feels over the loss of his father. It’s a beautiful, moving VRQJ LOOXVWUDWLQJ WKH UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV D VRQ WDNHV RQ ZLWK KLV The album about new beginnings also introduces new father’s death. musical elements into its songs. Abbott was dedicated to PDNLQJ VXUH WKLV DOEXP ZDV GLIIHUHQW IURP SULRU UHFRUGV Abbott, now 36, started the Josh Abbott Band with fellow +H VD\V D ORW RI DUWLVWV ͤQG VXFFHVV LQ D FHUWDLQ DOEXP DQG fraternity brothers Austin Davis, Neel Huey, and Drew Hurt, WKHQ FRQWLQXH WR PDNH WKH VDPH DOEXP LQ VOLJKWO\ GLIIHUHQW ZKLOH LQ VFKRRO DW 7H[DV 7HFK 8QLYHUVLW\ EDFN LQ 7KH variations over and over. EDQG UHFRUGHG D GHPR DQG UHOHDVHG LWV ͤUVW VLQJOH ̸7DVWH̹ LQ 2007. Since then, Huey and Hurt dropped out of the band, and Abbott wants to steer clear of that trap. This time the band PHPEHUV 3UHVWRQ :DLW DQG (GGLH 9LOODQXHYD MRLQHG DQG WKHQ incorporated both horns and strings into the songs, changing later, James Hertless, Caleb Keeter, and David Fralin came on their sound sonically and adding a level of depth to the tunes board completing the band. that wasn’t there in prior releases. Abbott notes, however, if you were to strip away the horns and strings, the songs 7HQ \HDUV ODWHU WKH EDQG KDV UHOHDVHG LWV ͤIWK DOEXP RQ would still stand on their own. The inclusion of the additional its own label Pretty Damn Tough (an attribute assigned to instruments simply etches another groove into an already Abbott’s Phi Delta Theta pledge class at Tech that resonated solid collection of songs. with him). The band played around with a large record label RQFH EXW $EERWW VD\V ̸,W GLGQ̵W ZRUN RXW 7KH\ WULHG WR ER[ XV ̸+HDUWEHDWLQ̵̹ VKRZFDVHV D SOXFN\ EDQMR DQG LQWURGXFHV LQ DV RQH WKLQJ RU DQRWKHU ̹ WKH KRUQV ,W̵V D ͤQJHU VQDSSLQ̵ WXQH WKDW WDONV DERXW D UHDZDNHQLQJ RI HPRWLRQ D KHDUW JLYLQJ LWVHOI SHUPLVVLRQ WR Abbot says that the music the band plays particularly feel again, a heart testing the waters of happiness. VSHDNV WR SHRSOH ZKR FDQ LGHQWLI\ ZLWK WKH EDQG̵V 7H[DV URRWV DQG WKDW FRQQHFWLRQ̱IRONV LQ 2NODKRPD .DQVDV DQG RI 7KH VZHHW DQG WHQGHU ̸,̵P <RXU 2QO\ )ODZ̹ XVHV WKH VWULQJ FRXUVH WKRVH KHUH DW KRPH $QG ZKLOH $EERWW DFNQRZOHGJHV VHFWLRQ WR OXUH \RX LQWR D VRQJ WKDW VKRZV WKDW ͤQJHUV RI that a lot of the band’s songs have broader appeal, he still GRXEW VWLOO OLQJHU WKDW D YXOQHUDELOLW\ SHHNV WKURXJK WKH QHZO\ OLNHV WR ZULWH VRQJV DERXW 7H[DV $QG IRU D EDQG WKDW̵V DOO DFTXLUHG MR\ IRU OLIH $EERWW VLQJV RI ͤQGLQJ D SHUIHFW SHUVRQ about their songs relating to their fans, songs about Texas but is fearful that he may not be worthy of this new love; he is are a must that might alienate mainstream country fans. fearful he could damage the perfection. But it’s sung in such a way that you end up rooting for the guy, wanting him to 7KDW̵V RND\ IRU $EERWW +LV JRDO IRU WKH QH[W WHQ \HDUV LV believe in himself and stay the course, and you want his new to create a comfortable life for his family, one that includes ORYH WR NLVV DZD\ KLV OLQJHULQJ GRXEW VDYLQJ IRU WKLQJV OLNH UHWLUHPHQW DQG FROOHJH HGXFDWLRQV +H̵G OLNH WR EULQJ RXW WKUHH WR ͤYH PRUH DOEXPV LQ WKH FRPLQJ ̸:KLVNH\ 7DQJR )R[WURW̹ LV D KXPRURXV WZDQJ\ OLWWOH GLWW\ decade and plans to continue the rigorous schedule of about a guy experiencing that day when everything goes playing 120 shows a year. After that, he plans to slow down ZURQJ WKRVH GD\V ZKHQ \RX IHHO OLNH WKH ZRUOG LV DJDLQVW \RX a little, maybe cut the touring schedule down a bit, too. He’s And the song can’t help but bring on a smile because we’ve ORRNLQJ WR WDNH VRPH DGYLFH GROHG RXW RQ KLV FXUUHQW UHFRUG all been there. and spend more time with friends and family. For Abbott, who MXJJOHG IHHGLQJ KLV GDXJKWHU ZKLOH WKLV LQWHUYLHZ WRRN SODFH :LWK MXVW DQ DFRXVWLF JXLWDU DQG $EERWW̵V YRLFH WKH VWDUN that is unquestionably what a meaningful life is all about. ̸$LQ̵W 0\ 'DGG\̵V 7RZQ̹ OD\V EDUH WKH GHSWK RI ORQHOLQHVV 48 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Mario Andrade The Frio River TexasHillCountry.com / 49

A Fall Photo Collection by Jason Weingart

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+DXQWHG -DLO 0DQ\ FLWLHV DFURVV WKH VWDWH RIIHU KDXQWHG WRXUV RI KLVWRULF EXLOGLQJV 7KH KLVWRULF :LOOLDPVRQ &RXQW\ -DLO LV WUDQVIRUPHG LQWR D KRXVH RI KRUURUV HDFK 2FWREHU )DOO 6XQVHW 'RQ̵W WHOO WKH ZHDWKHU WKDW LW̵V IDOO /DWH LQ WKH \HDU WKH VWDWH DFWXDOO\ VHHV DQ LQFUHDVH LQ VHYHUH ZHDWKHU VR NHHS DQ H\H WR WKH VNLHV ZKHQ KHDGLQJ RXW IRU +DOORZHHQ DFWLYLWLHV &RORUDGR &LW\ &RWWRQ :KLOH WUDYHOLQJ WKURXJK 7H[DV LQ WKH IDOO \RX PD\ QRWLFH VRPH ͤHOGV ORRN WR EH FRYHUHG LQ VQRZ While the state does receive snowfall on occasion, chances are if you’re seeing white ground during the fall months, it is DFWXDOO\ YDVW ͤHOGV RI FRWWRQ 7HUOLQJXD *KRVW 7RZQ /RRNLQJ IRU D VSRRN\ H[SHULHQFH H[SORUH 7HUOLQJXD *KRVW 7RZQ +HUH \RX ZRQ̵W VHH D VLQJOH ORQH VWDU EXW UDWKHU RQH ELOOLRQ VWDUV GXH WR WKH ODFN RI DUHD OLJKW SROOXWLRQ 7KH 7H[DV %LJ %HQG LV RQH RI WKH GDUNHVW SODFHV LQ WKH world. )RUW 0F.DYHWW )RUW 0F.DYHWW VLWV RXWVLGH RI 0HQDUG 7H[DV 2XU VWDWH KDV D ULFK KLVWRU\ ZLWK SOHQW\ RI KLVWRULF IRUWV WR visit across Texas. TexasHillCountry.com / 51

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54 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

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5 of the Wurst by Jenny Webster Jurica

Photos Courtesy Jim Flynn, Beethoven Maennerchor and The Ammo Group

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hile the Texas Hill Country offers visitors an opportunity to see some of the state’s ͤ QHVW IDOO IROLDJH DQ HTXDOO\ LQYLWLQJ annual autumnal activity for locals and YLVLWRUV DOLNH LV WKH IHVWLYDOV JRLQJ RQ HYHU\ ZHHNHQG LQ WRZQV IURP ODUJH WR VPDOO 0DQ\ RI WKHVH IHVWLYDOV SD\ KRPDJH WR *HUPDQ\ DQG LWV FULWLFDO LQÍ¥ XHQFH RQ our Texan culture.

OHDYLQJ WKHLU PDUN RQ WKH ORFDO FXOWXUH̱D PDUN WKDW LV VWLOO prevalent in much of the Texas Hill Country today.

The German-born Texans brought many of their traditions WR WKHLU QHZ KRPHODQG LQFOXGLQJ 2NWREHUIHVW 7KH RULJLQDO 2NWREHUIHVW VWDUWHG RYHU \HDUV DJR LQ WKH KHDUW RI %DYDULD Munich, Germany and is still going strong. The original 2NWREHUIHVW EHJDQ DV D ZHGGLQJ FHOHEUDWLRQ EXW KDV VLQFH grown to include horse races, games, music and, yes, beerAccording to the Texas Almanac, the German-Texas culture GULQNLQJ 7H[DV FUHDWHG LWV RZQ DQVZHU WR 2NWREHUIHVW ZKLFK ZDV ERUQ LQ ZLWK WKH DUULYDO RI )UHGHULFN (UQVW ZKR has many of the same characteristics as the original but all VHWWOHG RQ ODQG LQ $XVWLQ &RXQW\ 7H[DV 6KRUWO\ DIWHU (UQVW with a distinct Texas-spin. arrived, thousands more Germans immigrated here, setting RXW WR HVWDEOLVK D ̸QHZ *HUPDQ\̹ RQ 7H[DV VRLO E\ PHDQV RI +HUH DUH ͤ YH German-inspired festivals happening in an organized mass immigration. Many of these people went the Texas Hill Country this fall that are worth getting your RQ WR IRXQG VXFK FLWLHV DV 1HZ %UDXQIHOV DQG )UHGHULFNVEXUJ OHGHUKRVHQ GU\ FOHDQHG IRU 56 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

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September 30: AustOberfest $XVWLQ ̱$XVWLQ̵V DQVZHU WR 2NWREHUIHVW WDNHV SODFH RYHU WKH FRXUVH RI RQH GD\ RQO\ <RX̵YH RQO\ JRW RQH VKRW WR PDNH LW WR WKLV IHVWLYDO̱ but it’s totally worth it. Held at Austin’s famous Scholz Garten, your DGPLVVLRQ FRYHUV DQ $XVW2EHUIHVW FRPPHPRUDWLYH JODVV KDW SLQ beer tastings, unlimited sausage tastings, and live music. Go to austoberfest.com to learn more.

September 29-October 1: Oktoberfest (Boerne)—Visit historic (not to mention scenic) Boerne and enjoy their unique celebration of all things Bavarian. Featuring live music, VKRSSLQJ IXQ IRU WKH NLGV DQG GLG ZH PHQWLRQ EHHU" $QG MXVW WR VZHHWHQ WKH GHDO WKLV IHVWLYDO LV IUHH Go to facebook.com/boerneoktoberfest to learn more.

October 6-8: Oktoberfest )UHGHULFNVEXUJ ̱)UHGHULFNVEXUJ̵V 2NWREHUIHVW FHOHEUDWHV LWV WK birthday this year and promises to be bigger and the most entertaining festival to date. For three full days, the whole world is invited to VLQJ WRDVW DQG GDQFH DW RQH RI )UHGHULFNVEXUJ̵V IDYRULWH IHVWLYDOV &HOHEUDWLQJ WKH VSLULW RI 7H[DV JHP¾WOLFKNHLW ZKLFK LV *HUPDQ IRU ̸IULHQGOLQHVV̹ WKLV IHVWLYDO LV DV PXFK DERXW WKH VKRSSLQJ DV LW LV DERXW WKH IRRG DQG GULQN )HDWXULQJ WHQW DIWHU WHQW RI +LOO &RXQWU\ artisans showcasing their talents, this is a perfect place to start your holiday shopping off right. Go to oktoberfestinfbg.com to learn more.

October 6 & 7 and October 13 & 14: Oktoberfest at Beethoven Maennerchor (San Antonio)—Located in San Antonio’s historic King William district, WKH PRVW DXWKHQWLF 2NWREHUIHVW H[SHULHQFH WDNHV SODFH DW %HHWKRYHQ Halle and Garten. Hosted by The Beethoven Maennerchor, (which is the oldest German men’s singing club west of the Mississippi) this festival features the best German food and the best German music in 6DQ $QWRQLR 7KH H[SHULHQFH RI WKLV 2NWREHUIHVW LV QRW WR EH PLVVHG Go to beethovenmaennerchor.com to learn more.

November 3-12: Wurstfest (New Braunfels)—It doesn’t get more authentically German than New %UDXQIHOV̵V PRVW IDPRXV RI DOO HYHQWV 1HVWOHG RQ WKH EDQNV RI WKH picturesque Comal River sit the Wurstfest grounds—a collection of permanent structures that houses thousands of visitors a day during WKLV ̸7HQ 'D\ 6DOXWH WR 6DXVDJH ̹ 6WLOO JRLQJ VWURQJ VLQFH :XUVWIHVW KDV VXUSDVVHG LWV KXPEOH EHJLQQLQJV DV VLPSO\ D ZHHNHQG ORQJ ̸VDXVDJH IHVWLYDO̹ DQG QRZ WDNHV SODFH RYHU WHQ FXOWXUH ͤOOHG GD\V :XUVWIHVW LV OLNH QR RWKHU IHVWLYDO LQ WKH VWDWH DQG LV D PXVW VWRS this fall in the Texas Hill Country. Go to wurstfest.com for more information.

58 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

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Hill Country

From The

BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

Dice the onion, garlic and jalapeno. Set aside. Melt butter in a sauce pot, then add diced vegetables to WKH PHOWHG EXWWHU DORQJ ZLWK WKH SDSULND DQG EURZQ sugar. Let vegetable mixture simmer until vegetables DUH FDUDPHOL]HG DERXW WR PLQXWHV 2QFH WKH vegetables are caramelized, juice the oranges and add WKH MXLFH LQWR WKH SRW DQG WKHQ DGG WKH YLQHJDU 2QFH WKH YLQHJDU DQG RUDQJH MXLFH KDYH FRRNHG LQWR WKH VDXFH DGG the remaining ingredients to the sauce. Let the sauce VLPPHU IRU WR KRXUV $IWHU WKH VDXFH KDV ͤ QLVKHG FRRNLQJ &KHI &KXUFK OLNHV WR SXUHH LW WR PDNH LW VPRRWK but he adds, that is completely optional.

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4 cloves garlic

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1 cup brown sugar

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4 oranges

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style. The biggest difference between it and regular

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&KHI 0DWW &KXUFK RI WKH +\H 0DUNHW LV QR VWUDQJHU WR WKH NLWFKHQ 6LQFH KH ZDV NQHH KLJK KH KDV EHHQ GLVKLQJ RXW KLV FXOLQDU\ FUHDWLYLW\ RQH PHDO DW D WLPH :KHWKHU LW ZDV LQ KLV NLWFKHQ DW KRPH FRRNLQJ IRU KLV IDPLO\ RU SUHSDULQJ HOHJDQW GLQQHUV IRU JXHVWV DW D &RORUDGR EDFNFRXQWU\ ORGJH &KHI &KXUFK EULQJV VDWLVI\LQJ smiles to diners with his spin on rustic dishes. Chef Church’s philosophy? He believes in showcasing locallyVRXUFHG LQJUHGLHQWV ZLWKRXW GURZQLQJ WKHLU QDWXUDO Í¥ DYRUV LQ heavy sauces. The ex-football player is also a big fan of protein. $QG WKH EHVW WKLQJ DERXW KLV MRE" ̸, DP YHU\ OXFN\ WR EH LQ +\H $ ORW RI WKH WLPH LW GRHVQ̵W UHDOO\ IHHO OLNH D MRE :H DUH VXUURXQGHG by places and people that love what they do. If I had to narrow it down, I would have to say that it’s being creative with the food , SUHSDUH ̹ :H DJUHH WKDW &KHI &KXUFK̵V FUHDWLYLW\ PDNHV IRU WKH PDJLF VWXII WKDW NHHSV IRONV FRPLQJ EDFN WR WKH ZLOGO\ SRSXODU +\H 0DUNHW WLPH DQG WLPH DJDLQ :H̵UH WKULOOHG KH̵V DJUHHG WR share with us a few of his very own recipes 60 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Kitchen

By Chef Matt Church

Rib Rub Ingredients: •

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1 cup brown sugar

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2 teaspoons salt

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2 tablespoons granulated garlic

•

2 tablespoons garlic powder

Chef Matt Church tends to keep all of his rubs and spices fairly simple so that the quality of the protein shines. Use this simple rub to create a rack of mouthwatering ribs your friends will rave about. Mix all the ingredients together until evenly combined and then apply generously to the ribs. Ideally, put the rub on the ribs the night before or at least 3 to 4 hours before FRRNLQJ WKHP $ERXW DQ KRXU EHIRUH WKH ULEV JR RQ WKH VPRNHU WDNH WKH ULEV RXW RI WKH refrigerator and let them warm up to room temperature. Smoking the ribs: +HDW WKH VPRNHU WR DURXQG WR GHJUHHV 3ODFH WKH ULEV ERQH VLGH GRZQ RQ WKH VPRNHU VR WKDW WKH VPRNH FDQ UROO RYHU WKH ZKROH UDFN RI ULEV 8VH WKH DUHD RI WKH SLW WKDW LV IDUWKHVW IURP WKH KHDW VRXUFH &RRN WKH ULEV IRU WR KRXUV WKHQ SXOO WKHP RII RI WKH VPRNHU DQG OHW WKHP UHVW IRU WR PLQXWHV 0HDVXUH WKH internal temperature of the ribs with a meat thermometer. The ideal temperature of the ribs should be 180 to 185 degrees. Chef tip: Put a foil pan with water in the bottom RI WKH VPRNHU WR KHOS NHHS WKH ULEV PRLVW

Grilling the ribs: Set the grill for indirect heat. If you are using a gas grill, only light one side of the grill. With a charcoal grill, leave all the charcoal on one side of the grill. Heat the grill to 250 degrees. Place the ribs on the side of the grill with no direct KHDW /HW WKH PHDW EURZQ RQ HDFK VLGH DERXW WR PLQXWHV 2QFH WKH PHDW KDV EURZQHG FRYHU WKH ULEV ZLWK IRLO DQG FRQWLQXH WR FRRN IRU DERXW KRXUV 7KH LQWHUQDO WHPSHUDWXUH RI WKH ULEV VKRXOG EH WR GHJUHHV ZKHQ GRQH Oven roasting the ribs: 3UHKHDW WKH RYHQ WR GHJUHHV :UDS WKH ULEV LQ IRLO DQG RQFH WKH RYHQ KDV UHDFKHG WKH FRRNLQJ WHPSHUDWXUH SODFH WKH ULEV LQ WKH RYHQ &RRN WKH ULEV FRYHUHG IRU KRXUV $IWHUZDUGV WDNH WKH ULEV RXW RI WKH RYHQ DQG SODFH WKHP RQ D EDNLQJ VKHHW +HDW WKH EURLOHU DQG FRRN XQWLO WKH ULEV KDYH EURZQHG QLFHO\ DERXW PLQXWHV ,QVHUW D PHDW WKHUPRPHWHU WR PDNH VXUH WKH ULEV DUH EHWZHHQ WR GHJUHHV

TexasHillCountry.com / 61

62 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Mark S. Holly Ranch between Kerrville and Bandera TexasHillCountry.com / 63

United Ways of Texas

by Athena Hessong Photos Courtesy United Ways of Texas

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he wide-open spaces of the Lone Star State PDNH LW DQ LGHDO SODFH WR OLYH IRU PDQ\ EXW VRPH 7H[DQV GRQ̵W ͤ QG OLYLQJ HDV\ 7KH\ PD\ HQFRXQWHU SUREOHPV ZLWK PDNLQJ HQGV PHHW HGXFDWLQJ WKHLU FKLOGUHQ RU WDNLQJ FDUH RI WKHLU IDPLO\̵V KHDOWK 7KDW̵V ZKHUH the United Ways of Texas and the various local United Way EUDQFKHV VWHS LQ WR PDNH OLIH D OLWWOH EHWWHU IRU HYHU\RQH LQ WKH Lone Star State. In Williamson County, the tax prep program through the local United Way assisted a widow with four children in preparing her taxes at no cost. A commercial tax preparation company quoted her $200 for the same service, but that was extra money the now-single mother did not have. She’d recently lost her husband in active duty, and she and her children were OLYLQJ RQ PLOLWDU\ VSRXVH EHQHͤ WV DQG VRFLDO VHFXULW\ 7KRXJK VKH VRXJKW SDUW WLPH ZRUN VKH IRXQG WKDW LW FRXOGQ̵W PDNH XS for the childcare she had to pay for. Without the United Way, this woman and her family would have fallen even deeper into debt. The volunteers not only helped her to get all the possible tax credits she deserved but also connected her with local assistance programs.

64 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

In Comal County, Manda disclosed to a teacher that she had self-harm issues. This landed Manda in the local United Way’s Communities in Schools program, a move which would change her life. There, she learned from her advocate, Ms. Tribble, to stand up for herself and to be what she wanted to be. Manda gained valuable life lessons through the friendship and encouragement of Ms. Tribble, which boosted her selfesteem. Today, Manda attends Texas State University and is another life changed by her local United Way. United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties hosted a Change D &KLOG SURJUDP DQG RQH ER\ EHQHͤ WHG E\ UHFHLYLQJ D EDJ RI ERRNV 7KRXJK KLV JUDQGPRWKHU DGPRQLVKHG KLP WR WDNH FDUH RI WKH ERRNV EHFDXVH WKH\ KDG WR EH UHWXUQHG KH UHSOLHG ̸1R *UDQGPD WKHVH DUH 0< ERRNV ̹ 7KH FKLOG EXUVW ZLWK MR\ WR KDYH ERRNV RI KLV RZQ DQG KXJJHG KLV ERRNV FORVH WR KLV FKHVW

Organization The United Way has a distinctive operation structure. $GULDQQD &XHOODU 5RMDV &(2 RI 8QLWHG :D\V RI 7H[DV H[SODLQV it best, “…United Ways individually are local organizations WKDW OHYHUDJH WKHLU GRQRUV YROXQWHHUV DQG QRQSURͤ W SDUWQHUV WR WDFNOH LVVXHV UHOHYDQW WR WKH FRPPXQLW\ :KDW ZH GR LV

KHOS IXUWKHU WKDW ZRUN DQG VXSSRUW WKHP ZKHWKHU LW̵V WKURXJK and also assists children in improvement programs. getting resources to them being a voice for them or being a Since the programs are tailored to the community, the QHWZRUN IRU WKHP WR GULYH WKH FKDQJHV WKDW WKH\̵UH WU\LQJ WR VSHFLͤ F QHHGV RI WKRVH ZKR OLYH WKHUH FDQ EH EHWWHU PHW PDNH LQ WKHLU FRPPXQLWLHV ̹ 7KH RYHUDUFKLQJ JRDO RI WKH 8QLWHG :D\ LV WR IRFXV RQ HGXFDWLRQ ͤ QDQFLDO VWDELOLW\ DQG KHDOWK How to Help 7KH 8QLWHG :D\ HVSRXVHV D ̸JLYH ZKHUH \RX OLYH̹ FRQFHSW but how each local branch approaches these areas differ. Those interested in helping the United Way should consider Different Communities, Different Needs the needs of their local branches. Some branches connect 6LQFH HDFK EUDQFK RSHUDWHV LQGHSHQGHQWO\ WR ͤ OO WKH QHHGV potential volunteers to local agencies that need help, while of its community, the actions and programs in each United Way others accept monetary donations. United Way program will differ. For instance in Comal County, the mission statement volunteers are always appreciated. The United Way of Hays SHU &(2 7HUUL 5RELQVRQ LV ̸7R LPSURYH WKH TXDOLW\ RI OLIH IRU and Caldwell Counties has a unique way for women to people in Comal County by generating resources to meet the contribute through the United Women program. Annual dues QHHGV RI WKH FRPPXQLW\ ̹ 7KH RUJDQL]DWLRQ DFFRPSOLVKHV WKLV raised from this help fund Change a Child and Born Learning. E\ IRFXVLQJ RQ IRXU NH\ DUHDV IDPLO\ DQG VHQLRUV KHDOWK DQG healing, meeting emergency needs, and youth. Groups wanting The United Way changes lives of Texans, and through the WR ZRUN ZLWK WKH 8QLWHG :D\ LQ WKDW FRXQW\ PXVW VKRZ WKDW efforts of the organization, life becomes a little better for WKH\ FDQ IXOͤ OO D FRPPXQLW\ QHHG LQ RQH RI WKHVH IRXU DUHDV everyone. People who get help directly from the United Way HQMR\ LPSURYHG OLYHV DQG WKH UHVW RI 7H[DV EHQHͤ WV IURP ,Q $XVWLQ WKH 8QLWHG :D\ IRFXVHV RQ ͤ JKWLQJ SRYHUW\ happier, healthier, and more productive men, women, and through programs that help parents and children. Play and children. Learn targets 2 - to 4-year-old children and their parents ZKLOH *HQ KHOSV SDUHQWV ZLWK ZRUNIRUFH GHYHORSPHQW TexasHillCountry.com / 65

66 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

Larry White fall on the frio river TexasHillCountry.com / 67

68 / Heart of Texas Magazine Fall 2017

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