City Insider June 2016

CITY

JUNE 2016

INSIDER

Premier Independent Resource Guide for Sun City Texas Mailed to every home in Sun City

SUN CITY HUNTING AND FISHING CLUB

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Meet Sun City’s First Residents, Page 6 Older Americans Month Men’s Golf Association The Bucket List Ask Your Lawyer Club News & Photos

Read the latest issue of City Insider online at

CityInsiderTX.com

Coming This Summer Pages 12-13

City Insider I don’t normally like to give up my “space”, but this story, written by my husband about his father is one of my favorites! Thank you for this indulgence and Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there! See you next month - can’t wait to hear about your summer travels…

What a Father Taught a Son About Memorial Day

2016 EVENTS Pocket Music Series (2nd Saturday - through Sept)

June 3rd & 4th - 2nd Annual Shakespeare on the Rock • June 18th - Dog Daze July 8th Salado Swirl Aug. 6th Salado “Legends” • Aug. 6th - 7th Art Fair Weekend Sept. 16th - 17th Chocolate & Wine Oct. 1st Historical Cemetery Tour Oct. 6th Chamber/Tourism Golf Tournament Oct. 7th - 8th Christmas in October Oct. 15th, 22nd, 29th Fright Trail • Oct. 22nd Fall Pub Crawl Nov. 11th - 13th Scottish Clans Highland Games

www.Salado.com 254-947-5040 SaladoChamberofCommerce @Salado_Texas 2 | JUNE 2016

#SaladoTX #ShopSalado #VillageofSalado @SaladoTexas

By: Mike Payne My father was a quiet man; contemplative, somewhat shy, and always reluctant to talk about himself. When I was a child, he owned a grocery store. Like others who were successful in that business, Dad worked about 90 hours a week, morning until night, seven days a week.

by in the north). As a child, all I knew about the man was that his last name was “Shanks.” At the time, I couldn’t appreciate what would make two grown men who only saw each other an hour a year so happy to see one another.

One summer we stopped at the station, but Shanks didn’t come out.

From the time Dad, a bit confused, I was about six, inquired about him, our once a year and was told that he vacation was travhad died the previous eling from our home winter. After finding out in Maryland to the where he was buried, we mountains of southwest drove up the hill to the cemVirginia where my etery to pay our reED PAYNE granny and grampaw spects. Dad stopped lived. We went every summer; and the car, got out and spent a few minevery summer we’d stop on the way utes looking for and then kneeling at at the same gas station in Berryville, the marker. He got back in the car and Virginia. Dad would pull in, and the we drove off. Of course, my dad didn’t tall, skinny station-owner would come say much, and I didn’t ask. running out and give my father a big When I got older, I finally asked hug, picking him up and swinging him Dad how he knew the man at the gas around in a circle like kids do. They’d station. He told me that they were in talk for an hour or so, and we’d all the war together. I vaguely rememhave “Nabs” (as Peanut Butter Crackbered him telling me that when I was ers were known in the south) and a little, but back then, war was a world Dr. Pepper (which was hard to come away from what concerned little boys.

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Independence Day Celebration NO COVER! All donations benefit the Walburg Community Center!

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INSIDER have each other’s backs, and we did. He saved my life for sure, and he swears I saved his, although I didn’t see it quite like he did...”

Now a man, I asked him if they were good friends during the war. He said they took basic training together, sailed to Europe together, and fought together in France and in Germany to protect the freedom that we enjoy today. He went on to say, “we saw a lot of good men die fighting, and we made a promise when we were on our way to war that we’d always

I’ve never forgotten this story; and if I live to be a hundred, I never will. Now I know what makes two grown men pick each other up and spin around in circles like little boys when they hug. Please tell me that, somewhere, grown men are still doing that!

A Guide To Quality Living in Georgetown A local resource for residents of Sun City, Texas © 2016 Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC

CONTENTS 4

Memorial Day in Sun City

5

Worth The Drive - The Globe Theatre

6

Meet Sun City’s First Residents, Nathan and DJ Corbell

8

Thought You’d Like To Know - Round Rock Donuts

10

Sun City Hunting and Fishing Club

14

Out “Fore” Fun with the Men’s Golf Association

16

Williamson County Celebrates Older American Month

18

Ask Your Lawyer

19 10 Questions: Getting To Know Your Neighbors Cathy Payne, Managing Editor CPayne@CityInsiderTX.com

FRONT COVER PHOTO: 30 members of the Sun City Hunting and Fishing Club are ready for a morning of fun, fish and fellowship at the Schwertner Ranch Event Center.

Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook at City Insider for more news & pictures!

Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

20

Mayor’s Update - Garey Park

22 The Past is Present: Courthouse Tours & Volunteers STAFF

Managing Editor/Lifestyles: Cathy Payne Writers: Ann Marie Ludlow Design: Elysia Davis Guest Columnists: Mayor Dale Ross, Mickie Ross, John Bickle, Sharon Patterson

CONTACT US

Info@CityInsiderTX.com P.O. Box 213, Jarrell, TX 76537 To Advertise in City Insider, call a sales exec at 512-746-4545 © Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC, 2016. All rights reserved.

JUNE 2016 | 3

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Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross presented Governor Abbott with a City of Georgetown mayoral coin.

Margie and Jim Kubrick; Jim served in the Pacific from 1943-46; and Shirley and Don Barker; Don served at an Army Nike missile site; Shirley’s father served in WWI.

Aggie Gladden and Catrin Dubois, Sun City’s landscape superintendent; Catrin who recently earned her U.S. citizenship got Governor Abbott’s autograph.

John and Joyce Joiner; John served in the Pacific from 1944-46.

4 | JUNE 2016

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May 30, 2016

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Heavy rain did not keep more than 700 patriotic visitors from filling the Sun City Ballroom to capacity to recognize Memorial Day with honored guest Governor Greg Abbott. In his remarks, the Governor mentioned his most recent visit to our part of the state when he pinned the Purple Heart medals on the victims of the Fort Hood shooting, for which he also credited Congressman John Carter for his diligence over many years struggle to make it happen.

All veterans and active duty military members were called and honored, as well as the 175 Williamson County Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Global War on Terror. Wreaths were on display to be placed at the Veteran Wall at a later time, weather permitting.

“The arc in our history bends toward freedom,” Abbott said. “From the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement; from the Cold War to the War on Terror, Americans have always remembered that freedom is worth fighting for, and America remains the greatest force for freedom the world has ever known and the mightiest military in the history of the world in times of war and in times of peace.”

Governor Abbott also announced his plan to launch a nationwide call for photos; “Among the 91 Medal of Honor recipients from Texas memorialized at the Capitol in Austin are names and faces that should be familiar to every Texan; but six Medal of Honor recipients from Texas have no photo to show people who they were. Today I’m launching a nation-wide call to help us remember our heroes. I’m asking for America’s help to find these six missing photos.” Visit Gov.Texas.Gov to learn those names and help locate photos.

The Governor stayed long after the ceremony to visit and take photos with every citizen who waited to speak with him and shake his hand. His DPS staff watched over him and patiently maintained security to enable everyone to get a personal moment. One officer said, “On a special day like this we don’t cut it off; we will stay as long as the people want to talk to their Governor.”

RI A L D O M

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Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

ME

City Insider

John Williams Sr. (served 1945-49 and also in Korea) and his son, John Williams Jr. and wife Ashley of Austin.

City Insider This labor of love was a plan by Hamilton and Regier to bring live music and entertainment back to Bertram, and it has been a big success so far. They re-opened in February of this year to packed houses, and they have live music or classic movies at least once per week with plans for more.

THE GLOBE THEATRE Bertram, TX

If you have been watching reruns of The Andy Griffith Show and missing the charm of yesteryear, you need go no further than the Globe Theatre in Bertram for a real taste of simpler days. Built in 1935, the theater has just finished a seven-year renovation under new owners Lance Regier and Zachary Hamilton, and everything has been restored and repainted to near-perfect 1935; from the replication wall sconces to the velvet stage curtains, down to the push-button switches for the lights.

The house holds guests 195 in genuine 1940s cushioned floor seats, and 50 more in the balcony. Each seat has a brass nameplate recognizing every donor from the Kickstarter campaign that funded the matching vintage chairs. Several big-name local bands have already held shows there, and all have given rave reviews of their experience with promises to play again and tell their friends in Austin to check it out. On the cinema side, they screened “Casablanca” in May, and are showing “Cool Hand Luke” with Paul Newman on June 11 — a wonderful chance to see some of your favorites on the big screen again. (See the full entertainment schedule in their ad.) If you come for a music show, you might want to bring your dancing shoes as well. There is plenty of room in front of the reclaimed wood stage to cut a rug. And, not only do they put on shows, they have already reserved one or two weddings as well.

“People have been reliving their own childhoods along the way,” Regier says. “It’s a place from the good old days when families came to town to do their shopping and they dropped the kids at the theater for the afternoon. We have the same footprint, plenty of parking, and it’s a great date night for all ages.”

Ticket prices vary for movies and concerts, but concessions are all $2.00 and there is a bar in the lobby as well.

Getting there: Globe Theatre, 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram, TX; drive west on Rt. 29 to Bertram (about 30 minutes) and turn left onto Grange Street, then turn right into Mayberry…

(just kidding) … it’s a right onto W. Vaughan St. If you want to go early for dinner, Route 29 BBQ is around the corner and last year was voted one of the Top 25 Best New BBQs in Texas.

www.GlobeTheatreTX.com

Jun 3 jun 4 jun 18 jun 28 jul 1

high plains jamboree jeff Hughes & chaparral jason Roberts band aaron mcdonnell w/brain pounds jason boland & the stragglers (w/ mike & the moonpies)

jul 2 jeff Hughes & chaparral Jul 16 redd volkaert Jul 30 weldon Henson jun 11 jul 9

cool hand luke (1967) rebel without a cause (1955)

JUNE 2016 | 5

City Insider

21ST CENTURY PIONEERS

Meet Sun City’s First Residents: Nathan and DJ Corbell

By Ann Marie Ludlow

Las Vegas and decided that was the lifestyle for them.

They enjoyed swimming pools and golf, and DJ was interested in ceramics; both were very impressed with the amenities that would be available.

Pretty soon, DJ’s cousin in Austin saw a tiny notice in the Austin American Statesman about a Del Webb community coming to Texas, and since DJ’s mother lived in Texas, it seemed perfect for everything they wanted rather than just buying a house in a regular community. They put themselves on the mailing list for the community that was being planned and started receiving regular updates.

Ever wonder what Sun City was like when it was still scrub land on the west side of Georgetown? High school sweethearts DJ and Nathan Corbell came to see what would be Sun City in 1995, and there was no question in their minds that the vision would turn into the perfect place to settle in their retirement.

While working and raising a family, Nathan and DJ enjoyed many years of RV-ing and resort living all over the country, and when Nathan retired from the Cross pen company at 57, they hit the road full time. After about 5-1/2 years, they decided it was time again to find a homestead. While on a trip to Alaska, they happened upon the Del Webb Summerlin community in

Neighborhood #2 “Settlers” Nathan and DJ Corbell lived in an Airstream camper on Jim Hogg Road while selecting their Neighborhood 2 home in 1995.

Once Georgetown was confirmed as the location, they arrived in their Airstream, parked on Jim Hogg Road, and proceeded to the cleared land,

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“We aren’t as active physically as we once were,” DJ says, “But activity helps keeps you young and we are so lucky to have the care that we do.”

Over the past 20 years, the Corbells have made so many friends in and out of Sun City. “This looked like such a healthy lifestyle for us and being connected is a major thing. It’s not for everyone, but too many times, even in a friendly state like Texas you may not have neighborhood that looks out for each other. Sun City is not like that. We all look out for each other. “ Nathan says, “We have been here long enough to see some turnover.

Some of our neighbors got to be great friends, but have moved on to assisted living or they are gone. We miss them, but we are so excited to transition new people and continue to renew the vitality into the neighborhoods. We love maintaining the connections that we made here.” Recently they attended an anniversary party for the first group in neighborhood #2, which was attended by about 30 people and allowed everyone to enjoy the memories of the early days and great benefits of the best choice they ever made.

Photos and clippings from the very beginning are available to peruse thanks to the donations of the Corbells and other early buyers, and maintained by the Community Association.

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days.

An old day passes, a day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend — or a meaningful day. ~ Dalai Lama

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Once the construction got into full swing and residents arrived, Del Webb formed the “Ask Me” group from their early adopters. The Corbells traveled all over the state of Texas in a Winnebago as ambassadors of the community to talk to people about Sun City. They drove in parades, spoke to community groups, and spread the word at wine and cheese parties to provide a great entrée to the Del Webb lifestyle. They frequently meet people today who say they came to Sun City because of the Corbells, including Nathan’s brothers, and now their daughter Cathy. “It’s been a wonderful choice of a lifestyle for us and our family, and we entertain kids to great-grandkids with all the great things Sun City has to offer,” DJ says. “There is an expert here in everything,” Nathan says. “We needed to restore a windmill of all things, and we found not one, but two people who could do the work.”

They appreciate the symbiotic growth of Georgetown around them, particularly the health care that is now local, and they no longer have to travel to Austin to see doctors and dentists.

Keeping active, they are charter members of the Horticulture Club; DJ put together the ceramics club; and she is now a member of the Line Dance club at her daughter’s urging, for the exercise. They don’t play golf as much, but they have been active and helpful in the forming of many of the community clubs. “We didn’t have a computer, but they needed 50 members for the charter so we signed up for the Computer Club too.”

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still wearing hard hats. They were in the first group of potential buyers looking at the lots on the first day, and chose their lot in neighborhood #2 as well as their Classic home plan fairly quickly. They moved into an apartment in Georgetown and moved DJ’s mother in with them. “She lived to be 94, and we were so happy to have her here with us in Sun City after it was completed,” DJ says. “People told us we had a lot of guts to get in so early. The square footage cost was relatively high, but that included all of the amenities we knew we would be getting. We had really done our homework on Del Webb and we had great confidence in them. We’ve never regretted it.”

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What everyone knows as “Round Rock Donuts” is actually called the Lone Star Bakery, and it has always had a family feel, even if not via blood relatives. The bakery opened for business on Round Rock’s Main Street in 1926 under owner Reinhold Moehring who experimented with many dough recipes to create something special for the bustling city of nearly 1200 residents. His trademark glazed doughnut is still the subject of delicious debate (is it really orange?) and was perfected with the help of his associate, Louise Johnson, in the early 1940s. Shortly thereafter, he sold the bakery to her sister, Selma.

Selma and Louise (really) sold the bakery back to Mr. Moehring in 1946, and he sold it back to Louise again in 1960. Louise sold it to Charles Baird who was at the helm when the Round Rock Doughnut was declared “the best doughnut in Texas” by Texas Monthly magazine.

The Bakery was purchased most recently in 1978 by Jan and Dale

Cohrs who still run the business, and enjoy a near-constant stream of traffic (they open at 4:30am) coming for their glazed doughnuts, pies, rolls, muffins, kolaches and more; they also do wedding and special event cakes to order. The orange coloring on their glazed doughnut originally came from the very-large yolks of duck eggs, but now they use regular chicken eggs and add a little tint to achieve the trademark color.

“Our biggest day of the week is Sunday; we sell the most donuts to all the churches in the area who stock up for services,” says Cohrs. But, you don’t have to live in Round Rock to enjoy them. The bakery also contracts with Doughnuts Overnight to ship their famous donuts anywhere in the continental United States. They also have dozens of stories from decades of popularity, like pregnant mothers coming through the drive-through on their way to delivery, house accounts for regular big spenders, and a hearse driver who ordered a dozen to-go as a final request.

Lone Star is a consistent draw for tourists and locals alike. If you haven’t had a doughnut that even your grandparents might have enjoyed in the last 80 years, give them a try at 106 W Liberty Avenue in Round Rock. Just look for the long line of cars.

8 | JUNE 2016

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FISH, FELLOWSHIP & FUN AT SCHWERTNER RANCH Members of the Sun City Hunting & Fishing Club converged at the Schwertner Ranch Event Center (SchwertnerRanch-EventCenter.com), by invitation, for a day of fishing May 5. Schwertner Farm opens its Event Center doors to the Hunting & Fishing Club four times each year to honor the club members. Event Center Director Tom Madden explains, “It’s the least we can do to thank the Hunting & Fishing Club for everything they do for Sun City and Georgetown, and we have about 500 fish out there just waiting to be caught.”

Gary Goldfeder’s reels in a third fish in under ten minutes.

Lindy Roberts had second fish on the line before letting the one in his hand go.

Carolyn Turney tries her luck in the Texas-shaped lake.

10 | JUNE 2016

The catch-and-release event catered to about 30 of the club’s 400 members who fished from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm, many of whom couldn’t get their lines into the water fast enough.

Member Bill Mateja says, “This is about a 10-1/2 or 11 on the scale of 1-10 for local lakes.” As if to prove his

point, Gary Goldfeder caught his first four fish on five casts using a rattle trap lure.

Member Joe Moore expressed great appreciation for Schwertner Farms; “People in the world really do nice things. They don’t have to share this land and this wonderful event center with us, but they do, and it’s a great day for all of us.”

The lake is home to plentiful numbers of large-mouth bass, as well as crappie and a few others. The club will have another fishing day in August at the Event Center, but will be catching fish to transfer to Cowan Pond in Sun City. The Hunting & Fishing Club works year round to promote, support, and maintain our local resources, so all our waterways and lands are kept healthy and full of wildlife for everyone to enjoy.

Event Center Director Tom Madden and club member Bill Mateja.

City Insider

16th Annual Sun City Hunting & Fishing Club Fish Fry

The Sun City Hunting & Fishing Club hosted the 16th annual Fish Fry May 7 at the Sun City Ballroom. As one of Sun City’s largest resident clubs, it was no surprise the capacity crowd raised nearly $15,000 dollars.

Funds raised are donated across Georgetown and Central Texas to many groups that support and promote outdoor sports and activities. Last year the group donated over $7,500 to Deployed Soldiers Kids Fishing Fun, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Georgetown Parks & Rec, Boy and Girl Scouts; and provides seats to local college football games for active duty military and their families.

The event was sponsored by the Schwertner Ranch Event Center, Academy Sports, Hewlett Auto, Jim Key Memorial and Georgetown Jewelry.

Above Left: Bill and Joy Sattler, George and Cookie Poe, and Ricky and Cyndee Poe of Georgetown Jewelers.

Above Right: Guests browse the plentiful silent auction items in the near-capacity ballroom. The annual event is the best attended fundraiser in Sun City.

The Sun City Hunting & Fishing Club The Sun City Hunting and Fishing Club is a charter club that regularly takes their passion for all things outdoors beyond a hobby and social club to sow into the local community. They regularly participate and donate time and treasure to projects that encourage a love and appreciation of the outdoors.

The club meets monthly for various social and benevolent activities related to the outdoor lifestyle. They work with the Texas Corps of Engineers and Texas Parks and Wildlife to improve the fishing habitat in Lake Georgetown. The group supports the Wounded Warrior Brigade by sponsoring shoots at the Fort Hood Skeet Trap Range, golf events at Sun City courses and hosts soldiers and their families during the holidays. They also support Georgetown’s Junior University Project which teaches young people about fishing. Additionally, the club stocks the Berry Creek Pond at Sun City with Rainbow Trout and Catfish for the community to catch and keep.

Meetings are held at 2 pm on the second Tuesday of each month (no meetings in July and December) in the Sun City Ballroom. Annual dues are $12.

JUNE 2016 | 11

Last month, the U.S. Census Bureau ranked Georgetown, Texas the fastest growing city (with population over 50,000) in the nation; a superlative more than just people to our community. Population growth also means more cars, homes, furniture, appliances, memorabilia —all the physical acco that come with making a city a home. In Sun City alone, the development of the 385-acre Queen Tract (near the SH195 entrance) means hundreds o will be carving out their own space in the next few years.

Fortunately for Georgetown and Sun City, proactive local business owners have already taken steps to accommodate the growing need for storage bly follows an influx of new residents. Developed and constructed by Capella Capital Partners, in management partnership with ExtraSpace Storage 90,000 square foot, state-of-the-art storage facility will be opening this month at 5431 Williams Dr. Located less than half a mile west of the Del We entrance to Sun City, this 600 unit facility offers the convenience, Class A quality, and advanced security features that make it Georgetown’s premier storage choice.

Convenience comes in the form of both location—a one to five minute drive from Sun City—as well as 24-hour physical and virtual accessibility. On-site, the facility offers freight elevators and cargo carts to its interior units, as well as several dozen exterior drive-up units that can accommodate cars or boats. Online, customers can reserve their unit of choice and make payments without leaving the comfort of their own home.

State-of-art security features mean customers don’t have to worry about their personal safety or the security of their belongings. The ExtraSpace Storage property is fenced, and all doors are locked with personalized key-pad entry, plus interior and exterior security cameras provide additional peace of mind. The property is supervised by an on-site daytime manager, and 24-hour assistance is available by phone. Customers may also purchase an individual unit lock from ExtraSpace Storage, or provide their own.

Exceptional quality, cleanliness, and service standards characterize this operation. Energy-efficient, climate controlled units come in eight different sizes from 5’x 5’ to 10’x 30’; multiple freight elevators in each building eliminate waiting to access a unit or floor; and month-to-month leasing and competitive pricing means customers only pay for the space they need, when they need it. Additionally, a quick drive down Williams Dr. reveals that the designers considered form as well as function. The facility was intentionally created to be aesthetically pleasing from the road, an asset to the entire Georgetown community. Plans for a second phase in 2017 will add an additional 45,000 square feet, increasing the total size by fifty percent.

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City Insider

Out “Fore” Fun with the Men’s Golf Association

By Ann Marie Ludlow

of all kinds; scrambles, best score and more to change things up for the players.

If you’re looking for a way to meet new people in Sun City (and you’re The larger tournaments are mema man), one of your best options is ber-guest and member-member. the Sun City Men’s Golf AssociaMember-guests tournaments are tion (MGA). With an average of 600 sponsored by Pulte to give everyone members, you will always a chance to check out the lifestyle have someone to play in Sun City. MGA President with—most of the time Steve Ritzwoller says, at your own skill lev“Thanks to the gener“Golf is a great game el—and you have ous sponsorship we for your lifetime. We plenty of perks at receive each year, have members in their the courses and we normally pro80s and 90s who still pro shops by vide over $55,000 play. It may only be 9 being a member. in sweeps prizes holes once a week, but back to our memthey’re still out there The MGA bers every year.” enjoying themselves.” was organized 20

Steve Ritzwoller, years ago when Club dues are MGA President Sun City got started just $20 per year, and and the Legacy course they meet quarterly opened for business. to discuss events New residents wanted to get orand membership. All of the courses in ganized and have some competition.

Sun City are semi-private; residents Today, they have five big tournaments play free and preference is given to annually, and Wednesday Play Days residents for tee times. Club mem-

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MGA President Steve Ritzwoller bers have preference for tee times on Wednesdays as well, and the games rotate among the three courses on the property.

Ritzwoller moved to Sun City seven years ago and is pleased to be part of such a great group of people; “The club is as much social as it is about golf. You get to meet so many different people with a diversity of backgrounds; people who have done great things all over the country. When you get those people involved, you get great results.”

Membership is always open, and Ritzwoller encourages everyone to give it a try. “We make a point to put people together with similar handicaps. It maintains a good pace of play, and beginner golfers won’t feel intimidated during the game.” He adds there is a professional in each of the pro shops for those who want lessons (at a nominal fee) and you don’t need to be a member of the club.

Aludlow@CityInsiderTX.com

City Insider

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JUNE 2016 | 15

City Insider

Williamson County Celebrates Older Americans Month There are approximately 87,500 residents aged 60 and older living in Williamson County, with the number expected to double in the next 15 years. May was Older Americans Month, and a time to recognize and celebrate older Americans who are trailblazers in their communities.

fostering camaraderie, fellowship and inclusion. They raised $44,725 in 2015.

In a resolution approved by the Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 24, Williamson County committed to raising awareness about issues facing older Americans and helping all individuals to thrive in communities of their choice for as long as possible. Communities can help by providing opportunities to enrich the lives of individuals of all ages. One way is ensuring community members can benefit from the contributions and experiences of older adults. Several

Many of Williamson County’s most vibrant and active “older Americans” are Sun City residents. On May 24, The Williamson County Commissioners court recognized the efforts of several Sun City groups who work to enhance the lives of our county’s older Americans. groups for older adults in Williamson County do just that through a variety of community service projects to benefit their communities.

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Women Helping Others (WHO) is a group with a mission to support existing charitable organizations with time, donations and assistance while

Sun City Angels provide knitted hats for individuals going through cancer at the various cancer centers in Williamson County. During the past year, they donated more than 300 hats to cancer patients. In addition, they knitted more than 100 scarves and hats to hand out at the Georgetown Christmas Day Dinner for Meals on Wheels and the Caring Place.

The Woodworker’s Club at Sun City Texas gives back to their community through donation of woodworking projects. They make model kits for Camp Discovery and go to the camp to help the children

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My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. ~ Jim Valvano

City Insider assemble them. They also make between 800 to 1400 heirloom quality toys for groups such as Toys for Tots Program and other local charities.

The Fabric & Fiber, Quilting Club is a group comprised of 12 special interest groups that make quilts for the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, the Lady Heroes Project, the Children’s Charity Project, the Veterans Project, and the graduates of the VA Women’s Trauma Recovery Center in Temple.

They also donate a quilt to the family of a soldier killed in action as well as the families who are staying at the Fisher House in Fort Hood while their soldier is in the hospital.

The Sun City Georgette Dance & Drill Team performs around the greater Austin area. In addition to performing at parades and high school games, the group brings entertainment and laughter to nursing homes whose residents are not able to get out very often.

Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength. ~ Betty Friedan

Wisdom From the rearview mirror

Coming to Terms with My Views By: Sharon L. Patterson If you were to ask me to take a survey today to declare what I am…A) Liberal; B) Conservative; or C) Moderate, the result would be much different now than it would have been in my twenties, thirties, or even my forties.

Menopause had an amazing influence on my once unbending convictions concerning everything from how clean a house should be to the list of “shalt nots” seared at both the conscious and unconscious levels of my children’s brains. (This is due to the sheer

If those days seemed unstable, what better description can we give these days than boundlessly chaotic?

More than any other period of my life, I am forced to choose and declare what I am. I still walk in that same simple faith and hold onto the time-tested Biblical principles, but I have more of a tendency to listen before expounding.

I do believe in standing for life causes, but I must check with the Lord before engaging my mouth or pen. Most of the time, God calls me to the closet of prayer-not to the front of a picket line

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or to a platform with a microphone. I find it is the people behind the views on which God focuses my attention.

He seems much more concerned with the heart behind my convictions than the vocal expression of them.

When all is said and done in my life, I will still likely circle B) Conservative, although I would wince if the tag included “ultra-right wing”. Instead, my hope remains that the following description might be written: “Christian-Moderate in habits (except eating chocolate and shopping for bargains); Liberal in forgiveness; and Conservative in judgment of others.

Sharon L. Patterson, retired educator, author, and lay minister from Round Rock has written and published inspirational encouragement in various forms from greeting cards, short stories, poetry, and Bible studies for over thirty years. She has authored three books, she recently published a perpetual desk calendar, and is also a contributing author for seven books. Additionally, Sharon writes for the quarterly e-zine Ruby for Women.

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In another year, I will be a 7th decade baby boomer who grew up in the hippie “me” generation. I chose to remain inside the establishment rather than try to disestablish it. I navigated the instability of that era with a simple faith in God and following the wisdom of time tested principles.

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City Insider

By John W. Bickle, Attorney at Law 1. Does the State of Texas collect any inheritance taxes?

Effective January 1, 2005, Texas did away with inheritance taxes. The state does not assess either inheritance, estate or gift taxes.

2. Will my family have to pay federal inheritance taxes?

Because I am one, I’m very interested in reviewing legal matters which are of concern to senior citizens. However, many of our concerns apply to others as well as to us. Therefore, I’ll be taking a look at a number of matters involving Texas and Federal law which I hope will be interesting and useful to you. I’ll quote liberally from and use the format which was inspired by the Elder Law Handbook of the Tarrant County Bar Association. However, remember this is information and not legal advice. For legal advice, ask your lawyer. This month we’ll take a look at some estate and gift tax issues.

It’s highly unlikely that your family will have to pay any federal estate and gift taxes. Most estates pay no federal estate and gift taxes because the fair market value of the decedent’s estate on the date of death does not exceed the federal exemption amount. For 2016, the federal exemption limit for individuals is $5.45 million dollars. For married couples, the aggregate exemption for 2016 is $10.9 million dollars. However, if your estate exceeds the exemption amount and is taxable, the estate and gift tax rate is 40%.

3. Do the same rules for estate taxes apply to married couples?

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estate taxes until the second spouse passes away. This deferral is called the unlimited marital deduction. No Federal tax will be assessed regardless of the size of your estate if you pass the property to either: (1) your surviving spouse; or (2) a trust that qualifies for the marital deduction.

However, the tax is deferred and not eliminated. When your spouse dies, the value of all assets he or she owned, including those inherited form the first spouse to die, are subject to estate tax.

4. Can I minimize estate taxes with special provisions in my will?

Special planning is necessary for both spouses to take advantage of their exemptions. By creating a will that provides for assets up to the exempt amount to be taxable (although no tax is payable because of the exemption), additional estate tax benefits can be obtained by having the property pass to a “by-pass trust” or “credit shelter trust” which names your spouse as trustee and your children as beneficiaries when your spouse passes away. The surviving spouse is entitled to receive income from this trust during his or her life and the trust corpus, including any appreciation of assets in the trust, passes free of estate taxes to the beneficiaries. The rest of the assets can pass to the surviving spouse and be free of estate tax because of the unlimited marital deduction.

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5. Will my beneficiaries have to pay any income, estate or gift taxes?

Assets you inherit for which income taxes have not been paid are subject to income taxes, e.g.,

individual retirement accounts (IRA), qualified retirement accounts (401(k), other pension plans, and installment notes payable. Planning may be available after death to extend the period over which the tax must be paid. Estate taxes and gift taxes are paid by the person making the gift and not by the person receiving it.

6. What exclusions are available for gifts?

An annual exclusion amount of $14,000, or $28,000 if both spouses elect to gift an individual, is exempt from gift taxes. Since the gift and estate tax exclusions are unified, any amount you make as a gift which exceeds the annual exclusion reduces your estate tax exclusion of $5.45 million dollars applicable at death.

Gifts in an unlimited amount may be made for medical expenses and school tuition, if paid directly to the provider.

I’ll be back next month with more questions and, hopefully, more answers. Remember, we’re all in this together and the more information you have the better questions you can ask your lawyer and the better decisions you will make.

John W. Bickle resides in Sun City, is licensed to practice law in Texas and continues in practice today as a member of the Williamson County bar. He can be reached by phone at (512) 868-8593 or by email at jbbickle@msn.com Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.

~ Arnold H. Glasow

10 questions

City Insider

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS did you meet your 4 Where spouse?

In high school during our senior year.

5

What was the first movie you saw in a theater?

King Kong

6 Meet Harlow Fisher

What “rule of thumb” do you live by?

Show others you sincerely care for them.

Neighborhood #14A do you consider to be the 7 What most important historical event Where did you grow up?

Western New York (WNY) — about 60 miles south of Buffalo and 100 miles south of Rochester.

2 What was your first job?

Man landing on the moon. you could have a15 minute 8 Ifconversation with anyone, who would you choose and why?

Peddling papers at age 9

Jesus; because He is my Savior.

3 What did you do for a living?

your favorite part about 9 What’s living in Sun City?

I was a math teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, and a superintendent for 28 years, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed; for the past thirteen years I have been an ordained Pastor which is, by far, the best experience of my working life.

It is safe and quiet.

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How is living in Texas different from where you grew up?

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After nearly six decades of living in the cold snow belt of WNY, my beautiful wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed living in Sun City for the past thirteen years. Judy, to whom I have been blessed to be married for 52 years, is an ordained Pastor, and my loving partner in serving the Lord. We have pastored our own church, and have been associate pastors in three other churches since we arrived in Texas.

Our oldest son, Arnie went home to the Lord in 2014, but blessed us with four wonderful grandchildren.

Our second son, Jeff and his wife Becky live in Rochester, NY, with three fine youngsters of their own.

Our youngest son, Kyle, lives in Houston with his fiancée, Renee, and her two loving children.

I play tennis and a little pickle ball. Over the years I have been President of the Sun City Tennis Association for three years; President of the Sun City Republican Club for two years; and a member of the Citizens’ Council.

We simply love the Georgetown area, and as my wife asks often, “Why did it take us so long to find this so special area?”

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City Insider

MAYOR’S UPDATE Garey Park Plans Take Shape

By Mayor Dale Ross

Rendering of Garey Park entrance No later than September 1st of this year, work will begin on the construction of Garey Park, a 525-acre municipal park on Leander Road six miles west of I-35. When it opens in early 2018, Garey Park will be one of the largest city parks in the state with features typically found in state parks.

Garey Park is the result of an amazing gift to the City in 2004. That year, Jack and Cammy Garey announced they were planning to donate their ranch and estate home to the City of Georgetown to become a future park.

In addition to the ranch, the Gareys announced a $5 million cash bequest for the development of the park to be matched with City funds.

Jack Garey (second from right) with his son Glen, his wife Doris, and Georgetown Parks & Rec Director Kimberly Garrett. Garey’s endowment will be home of one of the largest public parks in Central Texas.

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department held public workshops in 2005 and developed a master plan that year for development of the future Garey Park. In 2008, Georgetown voters approved a parks bond proposal that included $10 million to fund the development of Garey Park.

Cammy Garey passed away.

The Gareys continued to live in their home at their ranch with the intention to deed the ranch to the city as a life gift in their wills. In November 2012, after a brief and unexpected illness,

The new park will include group cabins and camping areas, hiking trails, equestrian trails, a covered equestrian arena for events, a dog play area, a playground and splash

20 | JUNE 2016

In 2014, Jack Garey contacted the City to let us know that he had decided to move from the ranch to allow for the development of the park. Last year, after approving a phased funding plan, the City Council approved bonds to begin design work on Garey Park.

Rendering of Garey Park ampitheater

pad, and an outdoor amphitheater. The 6,500 square-foot home will become an event center for weddings, small conferences, and other gatherings.

of Garey Park. Pictured in the photo are Glen Garey, Doris Garey, Jack Garey, and Kimberly Garrett, parks and recreation director for the City.

The South San Gabriel River runs along the northern edge of the future park. A hike and bike trail connecting Garey Park to the city’s existing hike and bike trail network is planned for the future.

When it opens in 2018, Garey Park will be a regional destination for outdoor recreation as well as a beautiful Hill Country setting for special events.

The City is thankful for this generous gift which is the largest private donation in our city’s history and it will allow all of us to enjoy this remarkable addition to our existing world-class park system.

At the April 26 City Council meeting, Jack Garey presented a check for $5 million to the City for the development

In this bright future you can’t forget your past. ~ Bob Marley

City Insider In January, Sun City residents Webster Russell (Russ) and Dee Coffeen set out to check a major item off their bucket lists—a trip around the world. Over 111 days, the pair visited 36 countries, dropping anchor in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Jordan, (where they transited the Suez Canal), Vietnam, Brunei, India, Dubai, Greece, Italy, and Spain (just to name a few). Russ and Dee invite you to experience this adventure as they share photos, anecdotes, travel tips, destination recommendations, and maybe even a little gossip about finding love on the high seas. Look for the first installment in the July issue of City Insider.

THE BUCKET LIST:

AROUND THE WORLD

WITH RUSS AND DEE

Do you have a slightly-less epic (but still amazing) vacation or bucket list accomplishment to share? Send your favorite vacation or bucket list photo to: info@cityinsiderTX.com, so we can share it in an upcoming issue. Please include your name, contact information, neighborhood number, and a brief description of your photo.

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The secret is out, my dear friends. Georgetown is the fastest growing city in the United States! According to Inman, Georgetown experienced a 7.8% increase in population and we now have over 63,000 neighbors. For those of us who couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, it doesn’t come as a surprise because Georgetown has a little something for everyone.

Are you a fan of the performing arts? You might want to check out the Palace Theatre conveniently located at 810 S. Austin Ave. The Palace will be presenting Legally Blonde, The Musical in June. This show is full of great music, dancing and fun for all ages!

Great wineries might not come to mind when you think of Georgetown, but there are a few right around the corner. Located on the beautiful Georgetown Square is the Georgetown Winery and Vineyard. They offer daily wine tastings and a great spot to people watch! Grape Creek Vineyards is also located on the Georgetown Square and they have tastings, too! If you want to see where it all begins, their vineyard is located in Fredericksburg where you can tour, eat and taste!

The history of our charming community is quite interesting, and a fantastic way to learn about it is to visit the Williamson Museum. The museum provides fun for learners of all ages; from the intriguing topics of The Salon at Wildfire to the engaging activities of Hands on History, there is something for everyone. Opening in June is Explorations in Oriental Brush, Watercolors, & Oils, from Sung Cha Brooks. Free Courthouse tours are available every Friday and Saturday, too! Meet at the Museum to get set up with one of their wonderful tour guides and take a trip back in time as you tour the historic County Courthouse. Tours start at 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Tours are free, last about 45 minutes and are handicapped accessible.

Please call ahead if you have a party of 7 or more, or to schedule a private tour 512-943-1670.

This is a very small sampling of a few fun things to do in Georgetown, and we hope to see you around town!

ERA Colonial Real Estate is very proud to be your Georgetown neighbor and we appreciate your continued support.

JUNE 2016 | 21

City Insider

The Past Is Present

By Mickie Ross

Courthouse Tours and Volunteers Have you toured the historic Williamson County Courthouse on the square in Georgetown? If you have, then you’ve heard the stories. You know about the marble from Stone Mountain, Georgia and what a bargain it was for the county. You’ve seen the beautiful poured terrazzo floor that was replaced in most of the building during the 2007 renovations. You’ve read the painted message that was found behind the 1959 elevator that

has us all wondering what was going on before then. You’ve even gotten the chronology of the four previous courthouses and the changes that affected the current one over the years.

And, you already know the story of the first prosecution of a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the United States.

If, for some reason, reading this has reminded you that while you have been to the courthouse but not taken the tour then please add that to your to-do list for visiting the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas. The beauty found in the details and the magical feeling in the air when you sit in those original benches and enjoy the view from one of the balconies is not to be missed.

Tours of the courthouse are offered

by The Williamson Museum each Friday and Saturday at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 pm. They are free and open to

the public and each tour can include up to 20 participants. The tours leave from the museum and visitors meet there at the scheduled times.

3 pm on June 16, 23 and 30. Materials include a written history, timeline of events and even cards with the information written as bullet points.

Special tours for groups can be scheduled as well, depending on the time and day of the request - and, depending on the availability of tour guides. And there is the rub, so to speak…

Tour guides in training are given ample opportunities to practice and shadow other guides while learning the information before being asked to give a tour on their own. The training emphasizes the stories that make the building come to life for visitors, rather than the names and dates. It is those stories that make the tours so interesting and causes people to return with their friends to hear them again and again.

When the courthouse re-opened in 2007, after two years of renovations, a call went out for volunteers to lend a hand with tours of the historic space.

Twenty-seven people were trained over the next six months and many of them took a turn at sharing the stories.

Eventually, the number of tour guides dwindled and today there are only a few left. It has been a while since our last appeal for guides but the popularity of the grand old building has us pleading for help!

The training for courthouse guides is being offered for three weeks in June. Wednesday trainings will be held from 10 am to noon on June 15, 22, and 29. The same training will be held on Thursdays from 1 pm to 22 | JUNE 2016

If you like people and storytelling, being a courthouse tour guide is the perfect volunteer job for you. Please consider coming to play with the museum volunteers and help us tell the stories of Williamson County.

You will have a good time and help make a difference in the community as well. For more information or to sign up for training, contact Danelle Houck at 512-943-3856 or dhouck@ williamsonmuseum.org. You will be glad you did!

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. ~ Marcus Garvey

City Insider

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Pokey's Current Listings Property Address 115 Ranier LN 117 Huntsville CV 121 Enchanted DR 104 Crosby 105 Alamosa LN 112 Monument Hill TRL 401 Mill Pond PATH 232 Bonham LP 124 Bluebell DR 108 Double Fire TRL 204 Whispering Wind DR 110 Hollyberry LN 319 Monument Hill TRL 170 Great Frontier DR 114 Cathedral Mountain PASS 907 Little Cypress CV 299 Trail of the Flowers 602 Farm Hill DR 201 Rosecliff DR 107 Baylor Mountain CV 406 Hills of Texas TRL 721 Independence Creek LN 121 Nolan DR 507 Independence Creek LN 105 Durango TRL 103 Llano CV 203 Colorado River RD 135 Ruellia DR 104 McKinney Falls LN 194 Dove Hollow TRL 210 Summit ST 118 Lampasas PASS 407 McKinney Falls LN 214 Armstrong DR 102 Burr Oak LN 201 Goose Island DR

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