Georgetown View magazine October 2019

georgetownview OCTOBER 2019

OH MY GOURD! IT ’S PUMPKIN SEASON IN GEORGETOWN REMEMBERING HEROES GEORGETOWN’S FIELD OF HONOR

40 YEARS OF HEALTH AND CARE FROM ST. DAVID’S GEORGETOWN

WILLIAMSON COUNTY’S HISTORIC (UN-HAUNTED) CEMETERIES

2

OC TOBE R 2019 ï‚« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

contents

photo by Alicia Yoder

FEATURES

PUMPKIN ROUND-UP 20 Fall Family Fun NOT FORGOTTEN Caring for the History of Williamson County

24

FIELD OF HONOR Remembering our Veterans, Past and Present

28

ST. DAVID’S GEORGETOWN Celebrating 40 Years of Health and Community

32

SPECIALS & COLUMNS HOME & GARDEN Costumes: Buy vs. DIY

6

EXPERIENCE GEORGETOWN Libraries Hold All the Treasure

10

FIVE QUESTIONS GEORGETOWN PD Delta Jolly

12

EDUCATION 16 50 Fellas Foodfest

ON THE COVER

Silas and his fellow Scouts helped unload more than 4,000 pumpkins at San Gabriel Presbyterian in preparation for the Pumpkin Patch and Family Festival in 2017. Above, Silas is now a student at Benold Middle School and is still working hard with the Scouts.

Visit our Facebook page for follow-ups to these stories and hints to those upcoming...

Georgetown View Magazine

20

HONORING SERVICE ABOVE SELF

28

WHY IS THIS A THING? Pumpkin Spice

36

SAVE THE PLANET Eco-Friendly Halloween

41

ASK THE EXPERT 44 Ride Sharing: What You Need To Know POPPY TALKS Philosophy and Cows

52

WORTH THE DRIVE Sweet Eats Fruit Farm

54

FACTS TO BLOW YOUR MIND Time Warps

59

FOOD All Pumpkins, All the Time

60

PARTING SHOT 64 E.G.A. BOO RUN Exceptional Children, Exceptional Event

Georgetown’s third annual Field of Honor remembers and honors our veterans; those living and no longer with us. Flags will be posted Friday, November 8; special events begin Saturday, November 9.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

1

2

OC TOBE R 2019 ï‚« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

first look ANN MARIE KENNON EDITOR’S NOTE October has always been my favorite month. It’s football season. The PUBLISHER Cathy Payne cathy@georgetownview.com Like many of the best in her craft, Cathy has a specialized degree—in her case, hard science—and a gift for writing. She found her voice and fulfilment reporting and writing news and magazine features for a regional Central Texas audience.

Along with serving as the publisher of the Georgetown View, Cathy provides daily support for multiple news magazines, marketing campaigns, and books.

weather is perfect; not too hot or cold. The stores start putting out their holiday decorations―I am one of those people who gets excited about Christmas in August.

Plus, I grew up in Virginia and always loved the change in the colors in nature that seemed to catch fire right around my birthday. Okay, yes, my mom always made a big deal out of my birthday, so maybe that was part of it too. I had a chocolate cake with orange icing and M&M jack-o-lantern face every year until I was 19. She

EDITOR Ann Marie Ludlow Kennon annmarie@gtownview.com

even managed to mail my cake when I was a freshman in college.

To celebrate Fall at the George-

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tracie Jack • Greta Bauer Megan Freedman

town View, we went with some traditional themes. You’ll find a lot of pumpkin thoughts and ideas on

CREATIVE Buz21 Media CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rudy Ximenez • David Valdez Reagan Zaragosa PRODUCTION MANAGER Donna Sypion

these pages. We actually thought that might be a little obvious... until October 1972

we saw Starbucks’ live countdown to the first pumpkin spice latté order on

Facebook. Clearly, the obsession hasn’t waned.

We also took a little different tack for a Halloween story. While not haunted, the historical cemeteries in Williamson County have a lot to offer histo-

PRE-PRESS Renee Blue

ry buffs, family members and folks who just want to provide a cardinal act

CONSULTANT Ben Daniel

work so hard for things forgotten or abandoned by others.

ADVERTISING Mark Elliott • ads@gtownview.com 512-240-2267 • 512-598-3500

I was pleased to get a head start on Veterans’ Day with Dr. Jeanne Cox,

Dave Schumacher

Memorial Day.

DISTRIBUTION Tom Higgs IT/WEBMASTER Jesse Payne Georgetown View is an Optimus Media Group, LLC publication. Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved. Georgetown View is published monthly and individually mailed USPS, free of charge, to more than 41,000 homes and businesses in the Georgetown zip codes. Mail may be sent to View Magazine, PO Box 2281, Georgetown, TX 78627. For advertising rates or editorial correspondence visit www.georgetownview.com.

of kindness every now and then. They inspired me with their willingness to Never abandoned is Georgetown’s love and respect for our Veterans.

Director of our Field of Honor. I always appreciate a chance to recognize and thank veterans of all wars, of all ages, apart from the solemnity of I hope we have done justice to the event for them and their families.

You may notice even more new features this month. We’re building our knowledge base and interests as quickly as we can; always trying to keep things fresh, share information and, of course, entertain you.

Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.

William A. Foster, USMC  Medal of Honor Recipient, WWII Veteran

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

3

4

OC TOBE R 2019 ï‚« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ï‚« G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

5

HOME & GARDEN: Costumes • DIY or Store-bought?

EASY TO DIY: GHOST, DOG/CAT/MOUSE, DECK OF CARDS, ROBOT, CAR, PRINCESS, WITCH, HIPPIE PROBABLY SHOULD BUY: STAR WARS, SUPERHEROES, DISNEY PRINCESSES, OTHER DISNEY CHARACTERS, MINIONS, CARTOON OR MOVIE CHARACTERS

by Tracie Jack • Tracie@gtownview.com

It’s that spook-tacular time of year we dress up and take to the streets of our neighborhoods or meet up with friends at a Trunk-or-Treat. In any case, if you haven’t already chosen a costume, or a theme, you’re not alone.

FIND YOUR STYLE Silly or scary? Popular or unique? Buy, or attempt a DIY? Think about what kind of clothing you like to wear. Comfy or glam? Do you want to step out of your comfort zone, or have your friends say, “That is so YOU.” It’s worth mentioning parents of children with special needs are celebrating Target’s launch of affordable options for children with disabilities and sensory issues; apparel with softer fabrics and openings in the back.

MAKE OR BUY? Buying everything you need to make Target.com your own costume can add up. That’s okay if you’re not on a budget, but if the point is to save money, you just need to plan a little.

How much can you af ford to spend?

Is your costume idea readily available at the store?

Are you able to make something from scratch?

Do you have a model or pat tern for the costume you’re considering?

Can you sew? Or looking at no-sew?

Do your kids want to help? How can they help?

Do you have the time to make it?

If you choose to shop, fashion mavens recommend you spend $20-40 for a store costume to ensure it will hold up safely and comfortably for a full night of revelry. Also, be sure to check what is included, in case there are add-ons; e.g., no Jedi wants to be seen without a light saber.

If you have the means, don’t rule out a full-on Hollywood entrance when you can rent the real thing. Visit ACutAboveCostumes.com and make an appointment for a professional fitting just down the road in Round Rock. Or, in the $200 range, you can rent a genuine Dark Knight or fully-furry Wookie from HalloweenCostumes.com.

6

OC TOBER 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

Maybe you still want something fancy on a budget. Consider prowling through the yard sale circuit in October. There are always plenty of cocktail or formal dresses on a rack for a princess or Elvira-Mistress of the Dark. Also consider hosting a costume swap with your best shoppers or Pinterest friends.

Or, go without any costume at all. Instead, invest about $30 in a pair of cat-eye or werewolf contact lenses (order them early!) and watch people freak out a little when they get really close and it’s too late.

SpookyEyes.com

For $15 at Amazon, avoid worrying about it all together and dress up your furry friend for Amazon.com cute points, and bonus guard dog while you’re walking the neighborhood.

THEMES According to Amazon, the hottest are still the classics; Banana, Panda, Woody and Jessie and, since this is Texas, a Taco.

Perhaps your taste is more toward real life characters; Donald and Melania, or various members of the Royal family—don’t forget to include Princess Beatrice’s butterfly hat.

How about a costume that has a point―Bishop Curry, the 11 year-old Texas boy who invented the Oasis (a device to alert parents and police if a child is left in a hot vehicle). This would be a great DIY costume for the socially-aware or STEM child in your life, especially since he or she will be able to explain the character and raise awareness for it.

KEEP IN MIND Children may reassess their Greatest. Costume. Ever. at some point between the school parade and the night-time trick-ortreating. Parents may want to keep this in mind and be supportive―early on―of those independent choices. But also remind your precious ones that it may not be possible to whip up a Transformer out of a trash bag at the last minute. Maybe take the time to locate that just-in-case firefighter or cowboy getup, unless you have a DIY genius in the house, or a large wardrobe, to whip up a princess or pirate.

More than anything, embrace the family time and don’t let stress of analysis paralysis be an unwelcome ghost, er, guest in your holiday preparations.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ï‚« G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

7

LIVE MUSIC BY

GUMB O’S

BRIAN MULLINS NEW BRUNCH FEATURES

BANANA CARAMEL FRENCH TOAST MONTE CRISTO

MISSISSIPPI PO’ BOY

B R U N C H S UNDAYS • NOON - 2 PM

NEW BAR MENU ITEMS WINGS | POTATO BARRELS GUMBO’S POUTINE LOBSTER ROLLS | PO’ BOYS

HAPPY HOUR

Monday – Friday: 2 pm - 7 pm Wine, Cocktail & Appetizer Specials!

1/2 PRICE BOTTLES OF WINE All Day Mondays and Wednesdays

TUESDAY LADIES’ NIGHT $3 Margaritas • $5 Martinis Buy One Entrée, Get One 1/2 Price (excludes Tenderloin)

LIVE MUSIC!

SEVEN DAYS A WEEK! SUNDAY-THURSDAY 6 -9 FRIDAY & SATURDAY 7-11 Visit

for the latest line-up!

THURSDAYS

Happy Hour ALL DAY & NIGHT *Not valid on holidays

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS Brunch Served 11 am – 3 pm

Let Gumbo’s Cater Your Next Event Ask About Our Private Room

701 S. MAIN ST. | GEORGETOWN | 512.943.4214

Ex per i e n c e Ge o r ge t own Libraries: Evolving with the Times and Still Full of Treasure Like many things in Georgetown, our Library is an award-winning organization and it has so much more to offer than books on shelves, which—to begin with—is very powerful. Thanks to Director Eric Lashley and Friends Of the Library (FOL) volunteers, the Georgetown Library is a place of myriad educational and community-related services, some of which don’t even require that you go there... and in some cases, the books will come to you.

RELEVANCY IN THE INTERNET AGE Our modern library allows you to reserve a book online and it will be waiting for you when you arrive. Or you can check out an audio or digital book and have it sent to your device temporarily. If you do decide to visit in person, before you go in (or leave), you may want to stop for coffee and sandwiches at the Red Poppy Café. The café is adjacent to and inside the library interior, so you can relax with a latté and read your new book right away.

Inside, things get serious. As the world becomes more and more virtual, Eric has been looking around and re-defining what the mission of a local library could be. In addition to providing knowledge and entertainment, he found ways to solve problems for people with particular needs.

When Eric noticed there were homeless individuals spending time in the library, safe from the elements, he secured a grant to hire a part-time social worker to provide case management assistance, and also installed lockers for them to store their precious personal items securely.

W H E N WA S T H E L A S T T I M E YO U A P P L I E D F O R A J O B O N PA P E R ? 15 P E R C E N T O F A M E R I C A N S D O N OT H AV E A CC E S S TO T H E I N T E R N E T A N D, F O R T H E U N E M P LOY E D, H AV I N G A CO M P U T E R A N D I S P I S P R O B A B LY N OT A F F O R D A B L E . O U R L I B R A R Y H A S 30 CO M P U T E R S W I T H F R E E ACC E S S TO T H E I N T E R N E T TO K E E P J O B S E E K E R S O N A L E V E L P L AY I N G F I E L D.

Eric has made it his habit to look at what the big city libraries are doing and figure a way he can replicate those programs. Our library is now a Family Place; a safe and welcoming environment to help families nurture their children’s development and early learning. There is a specially de-

10

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

signed space for families with young children to relax, play, share books, and meet other families; workshops and playbased activities for toddlers and their parents or caregivers, including toys and child development specialists. Aside from the benefits to their development, this is an economical option for indoor play in the summertime. Ricki adds, “You would be stunned by the number of teenagers and young people, separate from the children’s library, who spend time here in study or book clubs and discussion. And we have age-appropriate book clubs for everyone; from kindergarten to retirement.”

Eric and his staff make every effort to address a current or emerging need based on the time, talent, and treasure available from the City or his many volunteers. It is this kind of thinking that made Eric the Texas Librarian of the Year.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY The 1,000-plus members of the Friends of the Library are true BFFs. They raise money and generate a lot of revenue to fund unbudgeted projects at the library; things not covered by tax dollars.

Ricki McMillian provides publicity for the FOL and is quite proud to be part of this group nicknamed “Fairy Godmothers and Godfathers” because the work they do provides for the frills in the library.

FOL provide resources for many things you might expect; Children and Teen Summer Reading programs, couches and shelving, and more. But they also fund live music programs on third Sundays, an online audio book program, and a bookmobile that delivers reading materials to patrons’ homes.

Believe it or not, online books are more expensive than printed books. When a digital book is checked out a certain number of times, the library has to purchase the license again. FOL covers that cost.

If you are a purist who loves printed books and you find you are #36 in the queue to check out the new John Grisham, rest assured the FOL has already begun purchasing more copies to put on the shelves; they start buying them up when the wait list gets above #7.

Later, when those extra books are no longer in high demand, they go to the Second-Hand Prose Used Book Store on the second floor where again, the FOL sell them at greatly reduced prices. For some time, Second-Hand was Georgetown’s only book store and—open seven days a week—it is still the FOL’s second biggest revenue generator.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE...

At the front entrance, there is a cart with books that are absolutely free to take home forever; patrons are welcome to leave a donation at the front desk if they choose.

They are also launching a new fundraising campaign to bring another big city program to Georgetown. In an effort to keep up with home delivery, they are working toward a “Words-On-Wheels” industrial-sized vehicle that will deliver books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks and magazines to residents unable to come to the library due to illness, recovery, or lack of transportation. “Everything you can do at the library, you’ll be able to do at home thanks to the WOW-mobile,” Ricki adds. This new van will enable the Friends to manage the 1,000 or so items they retrieve, sort, and deliver on a monthly basis, which is challenging to organize in a mini-van or sedan. And they already have a volunteer driver!

CAMPAIGN IN GEAR GOAL • $65,000 The City of Georgetown has agreed to provide maintenance for the WOW-mobile once the vehicle is purchased and the service launched.

Visit FOLGeorgetown.org for information about the volunteers or to donate to the campaign. BONUS, the Friends of the Georgetown Library are a 501(c) (3), so your donation is tax-deductible.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

11

DELTA JOLLY GEORGETOWN PD

Officer Delta Jolly is the Community Engagement Officer at the Georgetown Police Department. If you haven’t met her yet, make it a point to do so. She is a busy lady, providing education and outreach for the department, working on her black belt in Krav Maga with her daughter, and teaching Criminal Justice at Austin Community College. And she still has time to run 5K races in her tutu. She is already preparing for National Night Out, Chase the Chief and Blue Santa, and here’s a little more about this real-life beauty queen. (You can ask her about her titles!)

1

WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?

I really like helping people. I teach classes from Kindergarten to retirement age and I love sharing our purpose, our commitment and our compassion.

I am so glad I get to start with the babies and make sure they know they can trust police officers and believe in them.

2

WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN OR DONE ON THE JOB?

Other than riding through the lobby on my scooter with my tutu? When I was a dispatch operator in Bryan, I answered a call from a woman who demanded that we get her money back. Turns out, she was an irate drug dealer and the man she had just sold her product to had given her a counterfeit $20 bill.

3

WHAT DO MOVIES AND TV GET WRONG ABOUT YOUR JOB?

4

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH DONUTS?

We don’t solve cases in 45 minutes with commercial breaks, and we certainly don’t get to trial in the next week. Sadly, we deal with children more often than I’d like. Kids are my soft spot, so sometimes it can be heartbreaking; and kids being hurt is my line in the sand. All I want to do is give them the life of wholesomeness and life skills we got growing up; playing outside with friends and feeling safe in our surroundings.

I don’t know about donuts, but we do enjoy a sugary power ring every now and then. Historically, the two have been together because donut shops were often the only place open in the middle of the night, and any place you can get something good you can dunk in your coffee is okay with me. Still, don’t judge me, we have been known to wait in the parking lot for the “hot” sign to come on at the Krispy Kreme.

5

WHAT DO YOU TELL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?

It is what you make it. This can be a long and happy career if you have the right mindset. Don’t do it if you think it will make you rich. It’s about doing good things. It’s about being able to be a light for fellow officers and citizens when bad things happen. I tell them the honest truth about the work and the job because I want to inspire women in my field and little girls who want to grow up and be police officers.

advertorial

Family ER: Now Everybody Has a Doctor in the Family

It’s safe to say no one wants you to be sick or injured. But, if you are, do it in Georgetown so you can appreciate the healthcare experience at Family Emergency Center, open for business 24/7.

If you know about Concierge Care but didn’t think it was for you, or even if you are just longing for days past when your doctor knew your name and spent more time building a relationship with you, there is an answer—it comes with personal attention and fantastic quality of care.

Dr. Joshua McConkey works with three board-certified physicians—Dr. John Valentini, Dr. Ryan Prudoff, and Dr. Rick Daniels—in this convenient, comfortable and homey environment where patients may be seen for chronic conditions or emergent needs; belly pain, broken bones, sickness and even chest pains. “I became a doctor so I could help people. Here, I am able to spend quality time with my patients.

Illness and injury do not happen at ‘convenient’ times, and no one should have to wait to see a doctor for care.”

Dr. Joshua McConkey is Board-certified in emergency medicine, combat-decorated, a Colonel in the Air Force Reserves, and a former Duke University professor.

Don’t get too comfortable in his homey waiting room though, because the Doctor—not an assistant or nurse—will see you within minutes. Plus, when you come back for a follow-up, you are likely to see the same doctor again, who already knows you and can provide continuity of care.

Family Emergency Center has in-house x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and lab tests, and access to MRIs. If your condition requires a hospital, Dr. McConkey will arrange your admittance in record time compared to the same visit to the hospital emergency room. He also has personal relationships with many local and regional specialists to refer you.

The Center takes all commercial insurance, offers equitable cash pricing for services, and will discuss best options for payment. “As the owner, I feel empowered to do whatever I need to do, without limitations on my resources and time.”

He loves his work and his Center and it shows. Like many who have ascertained the satisfaction of working in smaller facilities, he says, “I, and many like me, always wanted medicine to be this way. Here, I give personal attention, concierge-level care, and everyone on my staff treats every patient like they are their own brother or mom—‘family’ is right in our name.”

Like any good business, they have planned the space to grow with the community. Dr. McConkey adds, “We always want to help more patients, and if our waiting room gets full, I will hire more doctors because it is unacceptable to me to lessen the time spent with patients or the quality of care we provide.”

You can schedule an annual exam, but when you’re sick—right now—you don’t want to wait to get an appointment with your doctor.

14

W.R GE University Ave, OC TOBE R 2019 1210  GEO TO W N V I EW

Georgetown • See our ad on the inside back cover

Don’t wait to get your home holiday ready with beautiful Hunter Douglas shades.

100

REBATES STARTING AT

$ Pirouette Window Shadings

*

ON QUALIFYING PURCHASES Sept. 14 - Dec. 9, 2019 See showroom or website for details.

Ask About re n Befo Installatio ays! d li o H e th Locally made, factory direct, Totally Texan.

Shutters

Quality meets Style.

Solera Soft Shades

Invest yyur with O’Hair hardwyyd shutters, hand crafted in Texas, Invest in in your homehyme with real wood shutters, handcrafted right here in Central Texas, and Hunter Dyuglas Douglas window treatments, custom tailoredtailyred to your style. & Hunter windyw treatments, custym to yyur style.

Free in-home consultations 10321or Burnftt Call textRd, forStftanA appointment 512-836-338816151 Cftllftgft Oftk Dr, Stft 102 Since 1981 Aufttin, TX 78758

Sftn Antftnift, TX 78249

512ft836ft3388

210ft979ft8703

ftufttinwindftwfftfthiftnftftftftft

windftwfftfthiftnftftftftftftftftftftft

512.836.3388

austinwindowfashions.com Austin showroom 10321 Burnet Rd. Ste A

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

15

E DUCAT IO N

story and photos by Ann Marie Kennon • AnnMarie@gtownview.com

GEORGETOWN EDUCATION FOUNDATION

THIS IS THE PARTY YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS. Georgetown ISD’s Education Foundation 50 Fellas Foodfest is October 26 at Reunion Ranch. While this five-star tailgate party was created to support the students of GISD, it is an adults-only event that has grown to over-capacity, so get your tickets early.

Word of mouth from previous successes brought almost 500 guests to the 2018 event, which raises money to support the Foundation’s mission to assist the district in providing a world-class education for all students.

Originally, manly teams of two “chefs” each registered from government, business, and individual schools, but entry is open to everyone. Foodfest Chair Dr. Jensen Young says they already have more than 40 cooking teams, many co-ed, registered.

Another change this year is the move to Reunion Ranch, which Jensen says will provide a much greater experience for the chefs and guests. “Cooking on the tarmac at the airport was rough in the mid-day sun. At the Ranch there is plenty of outdoor space, but it is also shaded, and inside, cooks will be able to watch football while their grills are working.”

There will also be auction items and live entertainment throughout the evening.

16

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

THE FOOD Team dishes are judged by guests based on their flavor, creativity and how memorable they are. Guests receive chips to vote for their favorites, and teams typically have some kind of lively bell-ring or other attention grabbing means to let the other teams know (trash-talk) when they’ve received a vote.

The best appetizer, entrée, and dessert will be chosen by popular vote and awarded a trophy—as well as extreme bragging rights. All participants receive a cook-themed SWAG bag as well.

As a guest, you can expect a lot of satisfying dishes like brisket queso and chicken-fried bacon, mango salsa fish tacos and bourbon chocolate cake. Secret recipes for smoked meatloaf, pork loin, ribs falling off the bone, chicken gumbo, and fried grit cakes are very popular, as are the variety of adult beverages offered to wash them down.

THE MISSION Last year, with generous pre-event sponsorship from HEB, Walsh Gallegos, Raymond James, Georgetown Health Foundation and many others, then later ticket sales and silent auction items, the Foundation raised in excess of $74,000 for all of its programs, particularly teacher grants and the Sea Perch program. Jensen says this year’s goal is $100,000, and donations can be made anytime at FiftyFellas.com or GISDedFound.org

Bean dip, Baby! ~GISD Superintendent Dr. Fred Brent

^^ Attorney Josh Schroeder, GPD Chief Wayne Nero and Asst. Chief Cory Tchida; just three of the fabulous fellas competing and supporting GISD Education Foundation. << David Wolf, Chet and Laura Garner, Greg Bowden

Board member Greg Bowden adds, “We are extremely blessed to live in a community that believes in the vision and comes out to cook, and eat, every year to give back to the students.”

Teacher grants provide up to $5,000 for individuals or groups who wish to apply new and innovative techniques, at all levels, in their classrooms.

“Georgetown is an engaged community,” Jensen adds.

“Having so much support for innovative programs over the past five years has been very rewarding for all of us.”

The Foundation reports that grant applications have tripled in the last five years. Jensen explains, “After a few years, many teachers who received grants and launched

Every dollar raised goes to support programs at GISD

$50

FIFTYFELLAS.COM

new programs have been able to see them come to fruition.

Seeing those successes is putting even more energy into the process and inspiring others to go beyond.”

So much success is a good problem to have, he says.

“We feel the heat because we would love to award every well-written grant and planned request. Events like the FoodFest give us greater flexibility every year.”

GRANTS IN ACTION One of the great benefits of the Foundation is the opportunities it provides for outside giving. Thanks to a generous donation to the Foundation from SportClips CEO Gordon Logan, contributions to the 2019 event may provide more funding for a new Cosmetology program at the high school level.

“Mr. Logan got the ball rolling,” Jensen says. “His contribution comes from a great place because he wants to promote and be a resource for those who feel college is not the path for them. Students in this program will graduate high school with a cosmetology license and can start a career right away with no debt.” The Georgetown Chamber is also chipping in to help students purchase their $400-500 kits.

SportClips’ donation highlights the beauty of the Foundation—programs with the potential for great change can be implemented without asking taxpayers for more. The School Board has named the center in Mr. Logan’s honor.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

17

Local Pumpkin Roundup 2019 Fortunately, pumpkin patches are not difficult to find in Texas, and by the time you read this, many of them are already open for business. Pumpkin patches mean service projects, traditional photo ops, fundraising and great ways to engage children in learning and growing. Giving children the freedom to roam and pick their own pumpkins gives them a sense of independence and pride, and, on farms, can provide a teaching opportunity about pumpkins, gourds and other things that grow on vines. Here are some good bets for some local Fall family fun.

SAN GABRIEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5404 WILLIAMS DR., GEORGETOWN October 5 @ 10am • Pumpkins arrive by truck and residents are invited to watch or help with the offload. The patch will be open for sales October 6 - 31. Hours are Monday–Saturday 10am–7pm and Sunday after church. Proceeds from the Pumpkin Patch benefit Scout programs, church activities and the Navajo nation that grows the pumpkins.

EXTRAS: Story time, Oct 11 and 25 from 9:30-11am. Family Fun Day, October 14 from 10am-2pm. This is a school holiday so families can enjoy hay and pony rides, activities, pumpkin painting, food trucks, archery and static displays from Scout programs.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 410 E. UNIVERSITY AVE., GEORGETOWN October 9 @ 4pm • Pumpkins arrive by truck and residents are invited to watch or help with the offload. The patch will be open for sales October 10 - 31. Hours are Mon–Fri 1–7pm and Saturday-Sunday from 9am-7pm. Proceeds from the Pumpkin Patch benefit Children’s Ministries, Student Ministries, and Transformative Mission Ministries.

EXTRAS: They will also have Movie Night October 19 from 6:30-9pm in the parking lot. Popcorn, cotton candy, and lemonade will be served. Bring a blanket or chair for sitting.

GAREY PARK HAY DAY 6450 RANCH TO MARKET RD 2243 October 12 from 1-4 pm • Pumpkins priced $2-6. Also features Family-friendly activities, a hayride. Entry fees are required, and most activities will include a fee. Hayrides, pony rides, brush tattoos, petting zoo, food and refreshments for sale; lawn games, photo station, vendors, and more.

SWEET EATS FRUIT FARM 14400 E. TX-29, GEORGETOWN

CENTRAL TEXAS OLIVE RANCH 5251 FM 972, GEORGETOWN

Open every weekend and some evenings through November 3 • Free admission if you are shopping for pumpkins; priced by the pound or per-piece for minis. You can shop at the patch or pick your own right off the vine. Painting is free.

3rd Annual OliveFest, October 20 from 5-10pm • Free admission, bounce houses, raffles, live music, hayride orchard tours, crafts, beer and wine, food trucks, photo booth, pumpkin patch, pumpkin chunkin’, olive oil tastings and more. (Rain or shine)

EXTRAS: The farm has more than 30 other activities every weekend, including zip lines, apple chunk and a hay and corn maze. Visit them on Facebook for special events and see our story on page 58.

Much more than Π...

The word “pumpkin” showed up for the first time in Cinderella. A French explorer in 1584 first called them “gros melons,” which was translated into English as “pompions”. It wasn’t until the 17th century they were first called pumpkins.

The Irish brought the tradition of pumpkin carving to America... The tradition originally started with turnips.

When the Irish immigrated to the US, they found pumpkins were plenty and much easier to carve for their ancient holiday.

A pumpkin is really a fruit... it is a member of the Cucurbita family, which includes squash, melons and cucumbers.

Every single part of a pumpkin is edible...skin, leaves, flowers, pulp, seeds (there are over 500 on average), and even the stem.

If you count jack-o-lanterns, there are 47 varieties of pumpkins... with names like Hooligan, Cotton Candy, Orange Smoothie, Baby Bear and Spooktacular.

In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

Pumpkins are grown all over the world... Six of the seven continents can grow pumpkins including Alaska!

Antarctica is the only continent that won’t produce them.

Just over 80 percent of the U.S.’s pumpkin crop is available during October. Out of the total 1.5 billion pounds, over 800 million pumpkins are ripe for the picking in a single month of the year.

Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.

The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 2,600 pounds, it was shown in Germany in 2016.

The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.

Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

21

Dawn Plaza

CONDOS

CONDOS FOR SALE

Located one block off Williams Dr. in Georgetown on Dawn Dr.

SIZE AND PRICES OF CONDOS:

2913 Williams Drive 2995 Dawn Drive 3008 Dawn Drive

860 square feet for $172,000 960 square feet for $192,000 1170 square feet for $234,000

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT AMY GANTT 512-630-9589 | amy@dawnplazacondos.com dawnplazacondos.com

Rachel & Co. georgetown’s

premier

salon

Specializing in Curly Hair

FULL SERVICE men / women / children Cuts • Curls • Perms • Eyebrow Waxing • Massage • Manicures Pedicures • Barber Services • Featuring Redken and DevaCurl Products 508 River Bend | Georgetown | www.rachelandco.com CALL 512.863.9711 FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! 22

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

advertorial

T

homas Anselment is a Certified Master Goldsmith. If that is not a term you are familiar with, it could be because it is only possible to attain his level of expertise in Europe. He began his goldsmithing education at 16 years old; worked as an apprentice for 3-1/2 years, then spent 5 years as a journeyman. Thomas was then accepted to “Goldsmithing and Watch-Making School Phorzheim”, and, after two additional years of elite and practical study, graduated as a Master Goldsmith.

Think of Mr. Anselment as having a doctorate degree in jewelry, inclusive of his knowledge of metallurgy and skill in design.

As you might expect, the jewelry in his shop is custom, hand-made and cold-forged to customer specifications, which means his process is not at all like those of mass-produced items. He does not pour precious metals into molds—which introduces air and impurities into the metal—then simply solder the parts together.

Thomas begins with a solid piece of metal that is work-hardened and heated only to the point that it can be shaped. The Master Goldsmith allows it to air cool, which means the metal will be much more dense and uniform in appearance and hardness.

One touch of his jewelry, you will notice a difference in texture as well as the weight. This, he says, is what gives you the superlative value, because your jewelry will last longer and wear better for generations.

Thomas wakes up every day, happy that he is able to go to work in his “little store”. You will notice that his showroom is smaller than his workshop because all of his jewelry is one-of-a-kind and he shows only his own art.

In his workshop, which has state-of-the-art technology and tools, he designs and creates masterpieces, but he does also repair and restore customers’ existing jewelry.

If you have jewelry you no longer wear, he is happy to re-purpose the metals and stones, and there is no limit to what he can sketch and create. Your old jewelry will be adapted in his cold-forging process and the new piece will be a unique and classic masterpiece for years to come.

For those who desire something truly extraordinary.

In the Two Rivers Shopping Center • 103 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 210 • Georgetown 512-688-5204 • ThomasAnselment.com

perspectives

story and photos by Ann Marie Kennon • AnnMarie@gtownview.com

The Stories Our Cemeteries Tell Not everyone finds cemeteries depressing or spooky.

Williamson County is home to a group of taphophiles who have made it their mission to repair and preserve the pieces of Texas history that our historic cemeteries represent.

There are groups like this in many places across the country—taking care of burial plots along the road, in backyards, or connected to old churches that are no longer maintained, with relatives having moved on long ago.

Cemeteries are part of our collective history, and their gravestones tell stories of people who once lived, worked, and built our towns, memorialized by a few sentences in stone. The Williamson County Cemetery Restoration Volunteers have taken it upon themselves to identify and rehabilitate some of these old, abandoned cemeteries scattered among the rural areas of our county.

In heat or cold, and with their personal equipment; jumbo-sized weed-whackers, mowers, and a lot of hard work, these dedicated men and women work nearly every weekend re-discovering and documenting founding families, pioneers and ancestors in the undergrowth of private and public lands.

Thanks to John Christeson, who more than a decade ago set out to organize all the available information about cemeteries in our county, nearly 250 have been added to and documented on FindAGrave.com.

Working mostly alone, Christeson visited cafés where farmers would meet for coffee and conversation. After explaining his objective, the locals often led him to otherwise undocumented burial sites. Sometimes he would have to cut a path through the brush or even crawl on the ground to read inscriptions on the tombstones.

But John was not yet finished. After the search and identification phase was completed, he began a program of clearing and cleaning as many of the abandoned cemeteries as possible. These days he is helped by friends, Boy Scouts or other volunteer organizations; cutting weeds, trimming trees or repairing fences and straightening head stones. His passion, in his own words; “To preserve the history of the early settlers by maintaining their abandoned cemeteries.”

THE RESTORATION TEAM The Cemetery Restoration Volunteers are actually two teams with distinct interests and jobs. One team works every week cutting weeds and other chores while the other repairs and levels the headstones. Team leader Don Stephens says, “While we have never officially named the teams, we call them ‘weed killers’ (or weeders / weedies) and the other team is called ‘stone setters’ (or stoners / stonees).”

Armed with a camera, a GPS and computer access to the online data bank of FindAGrave, he began the arduous task of documenting thousands of graves. After completing the relatively easy survey of the large, well-maintained cemeteries in the county, he turned his efforts to attempting to find the often forgotten or “lost” cemeteries in rural areas of the county.

Four weekends of work have cleared most of the Noack / Zieschang Family Cemetery near Taylor.

24

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

Photo above courtesy of Wayne Ware

CEMETERY HISTORY Don and his team have a unique perspective on the history of the county as well as some small towns that, today, are little more than a crossroad or a mention on a map. Many are named for the first family or postmaster to settle there, and it is apparent by the multitudes of stones with the same names in the local plots.

Don says, “One thing I have begun to recognize from this work is just how hard life was on the Frontier. People here lived in relative isolation with their families. There wasn’t a grocery store, you had to dig your own wells, there were Native Americans who still had claims to living on the land, and there might have been one doctor and a sheriff within a day’s ride.”

As we walked through the Noack Cemetery, the names and dates on the headstones demonstrated his point very poignantly. Many were for the Zieschang family and nearly all were written in German. The Zieschang cemetery was brought to the county’s attention by a concerned descendant of the family pioneers.

taphophile: a person who takes an interest in cemeteries, tombstones, or memory of past lives.

If it helps, you’ve heard of “epitaphs”...

They also welcome anyone who wishes to volunteer to help with the “yard work” of this labor of love.

Contact Don Stephenson via the Williamson County Historical Society (wilcohistory.org).

All but one of the headstones noted a life lived fewer than five years or 80 or more. Don explained, “It was a hard life and many children were lost in infancy because they weren’t strong. But if you were strong enough to make it out of childhood, you were hardy stock, and destined for a very long life after. Anything in between was likely an accident or serious illness.” To illustrate, he pointed out the number of graves in the latter part of the 1910s when the Spanish flu was epidemic.

He adds that this kind of “forensic” observation is common, and quite interesting to the group when they work on a new site. The volunteers welcome requests and notifications about new locations to perhaps put them on their schedule of maintenance.

At a young 87 years, John Christeson still affectionately scrubs and brightens tombstones nearly every weekend.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

25

26

OC TOBE R 2019 ï&#x201A;« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

F i r s t U n i t e d m e t h o d i s t C h u r c h G e O r g e tow n

t h e patch ope ns october 10

open daily through october 31 saturday & sunday 9:30am-7:00pm

movie night

at the

patch

october 19 6:30pm-9:00pm

Monday- friday 1:00pm-7:00 pm

trunk or Treat october 31 4:30pm-6:00 pm

First United Methodist Church Georgetown Living Out God’s Love Everywhere We Go

410 East University Avenue • Georgetown, Texas www.fumcgt.org • 512-863-2370

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

27

Field of Honor A Tribute to Service Above Self

NOVEMBER 9-17, 2019 • SAN GABRIEL PARK ACTIVITY FIELD The Rotary Club of Georgetown is paying tribute to our valued veterans, active and reserve duty military, first responders, and K9 heroes at the third annual Field of Honor.

Rotary is selling the full-sized U.S. flags in advance of these events to create an emotional and stunning display posted in San Gabriel Park at the activity field.

All are welcome to visit and participate, starting with a spectacular opening ceremony at San Gabriel Park Sunday, November 10th at 2pm. There will be fly-overs, cannon fire, military and emergency vehicles on display—even a tank!

Also new this year, the Williamson Museum is facilitating recording some of the many sentiments and oral histories of veterans and family members in a “story tent”.

Throughout the week, night and day, visitors may take photos and walk among the 1,500 full-size United States flags on display, including 27 historical flags flown throughout American history.

THE MISSION

Display flags are special because each may be purchased from Rotary and dedicated to a personal hero, whether living or deceased. Individual flags include the name and information about the individual being honored, and donors may take their flags to keep after the closing ceremonies.

Ceremonies continue daily until the extravagant Patriot’s Ball at the Georgetown Sheraton on Saturday night, Nov. 16th.

Colonel was the poster dog for “Train a Dog, Save a Soldier”.

by Ann Marie Kennon • AnnMarie@gtownview.com

28

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

Rotary uses proceeds from the Field of Honor for myriad veteran and first responder programs, including those for individuals wounded or fallen in the line of duty, or their families. Event Director Dr. Jeanne Cox says this year they are also focusing on the alarming problem of veteran suicide. Funding will support programs at the local and regional level that bring together veterans with PTSD and help them supplement treatment and personal growth with service dogs, art, and other outlets.

Jeanne says, “This memorial is a labor of love through Rotary of Georgetown, which breathes life into it and has created a wonderful legacy for all of us.”

WHAT IT ALL MEANS Jeanne has as many stories as the veterans who visit the field. “Last year we honored Veterans of the Vietnam war in particular. Each veteran of that era received a pin and a certificate of appreciation, presented by General Gail ‘Candy Bomber’ Halvorsen, who saluted each with thanks for their service. At the end of the day, a gentleman came up to me with tears streaming down his face. He put his arms around me and said it was the first time in 50 years he felt truly appreciated.”

Jeanne encourages everyone to purchase a flag, even if they have no one in mind. Rotary is reaching out to leadership in military and emergency services to recommend deserving “adoptees”, including K9 officers, for the anonymous flags. Donors may include a personal dedication message on their flag and the service member will be notified.

Vicki Jackimiec purchased and dedicated a flag to her mother, Carol Hope Torgerson, who served a tour of duty in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) until 1958. Vicki says her mother worked at the Pentagon during her service and it was the most rewarding job she had ever done. “She was a patriot through and through.”

Not pictured is Carol’s walker and the heroic effort she made to visit the field—and stand— to salute her own flag and all the others.

Jeanne herself purchased a flag for a young man who was nearing his first deployment to Iraq. “I thanked him for his service and told him I would remember him on the Field of Honor. We stayed connected through that and several other deployments. I post his flag every year.”

The 2019 event will honor World War II and Korean veterans.

Jeanne has planned a special tribute at the opening ceremonies and at least three generals are scheduled to attend for the presentations.

The Field of Honor is open to visitors, day and night, during the week. The field will be lit and monitored by security at all times.

SPECIAL EVENTS...

Friday, November 8 @ 2pm Flags will be posted until it is done. Visitors are welcome to watch and take pictures.

Saturday, November 9 @ 8am 2nd Annual Honor Walk 5K Sunday, November 10, 2:00-3:15pm

The photo below was taken by a security guard, touched by the respect paid by this unknown member of law enforcement in the middle of the night.

OPENING CEREMONIES! Monday, November 11th – VETERANS DAY @ 2pm Quilts of Valor will be awarded by Poppy’s Quilt N Sew in a special ceremony.

Saturday, November 16th, 3rd ANNUAL PATRIOTS BALL BOOTS N’ BLING from 5:30–10pm at the Sheraton in Georgetown. $100 Sunday, November 17th - Pick up your flags after 9am.

Volunteers will help donors locate their flag(s) and remove it respectfully.

order your flag Flags are available now ($45) and may be purchased at San Gabriel during the event. Visit GeorgetownTXFieldofHonor.org Docent volunteers from American Heritage Girls will be available all week at the activities field to identify and escort donors and special guests to their personal flags. These caring volunteers will certainly want to hear stories and help with personal photos. photos on this page courtesy of Field of Honor

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

29

30

OC TOBE R 2019 ï&#x201A;« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ï&#x201A;« G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

31

St. David’s Georgetown 40th Anniversary Celebration

Ann Marie Kennon • AnnMarie@gtownview.com

Georgetown View sat down with St. David’s George-town CEO Hugh Brown to talk about the history of St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. We knew it would be some interesting history, but what was even more impressive is the impact and impression this globally-recognized organization really has on our city.

In 1917, a hospital was established in Georgetown to treat students at Southwestern University during the Spanish influenza epidemic.

In 1924, five doctors in Austin, who were all members of the St. David’s Episcopal Church, decided they needed another hospital in the region. The church provided them with a building with the stipulation that the hospital continue to bear the name as a faith-rooted, non-profit organization. Even today, the Rector of the church still has a seat on the board.

Fast forward to 1979, the physicians who founded the Georgetown hospital, Drs. Benold, Shepherd, and Gaddy donated some land and built a new hospital that continued to serve the Georgetown community as a not-for-profit entity.

By the 1990s, St. David’s Hospital in Austin had become the large facility that it is today and decided to combine resources with other for-profit entities to become St. Davids Healthcare. This new organization has three owners; St. David’s HealthCare, HCA Healthcare, and the St. David’s Foundation, the latter of which remains a not-for-profit organization.

The St. David’s Foundation is the second largest grant-giving foundation in Central Texas. Last year alone, they gave away $75 million in grants.

(Second only to Dell)

All this business stuff leads to one of the best parts of the story.

Because St. David’s Foundation was a true non-profit, all that money had to go somewhere, so in 2006, St. David’s HealthCare purchased the Georgetown Hospital. The hospital had been built by the community, so the payment was used to fund the St. David’s Georgetown Health Foundation, which now has 1% ownership in the entire St. David’s Healthcare organization.

So what?... you ask. Well, when St. David’s HealthCare shows a profit, 1 percent of that revenue comes to the Georgetown Health Foundation. This is why the Georgetown Health Foundation, which provides so many things to our community—from wellness programs to urgent care centers—never has to have a charity gala, or even a bake sale, to raise money for programs that facilitate the wellness of everyone in Georgetown.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE Because St. David’s HealthCare has a slight majority ownership in that for-profit company, they pay taxes. CEO Hugh Brown said, “When David Morgan started as our City Manager, I set up a meeting and he expected that I would be asking the city for help. David was delighted when I told him that not only do we pay taxes, but we will never ask him for money. Plus, we are legally prohibited from giving our money back to the hospital, so we use it in the community.”

To do that, the Georgetown Health Foundation provides grants to healthcare and adjacent organizations. They provide things like dental screening vans to schools, funding for Lone Star Circle of Care, and other entities like the Caring Place to provide case managers for people in crisis.

GTFH.ORG

Q UA L I F I E D A P P L I C A N T S F O R G H F F U N D I N G MUST ALIGN WITH THE MISSION, VISION/VISION P H I LO S O P H Y, A N D S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S O F T H E F O U N D AT I O N , A N D S E R V E G H F ’ S TA R G E T P O P U L AT I O N .

32

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

Photos on this page courtesy of St. David’s Georgetown Hospital

THE CEO

THE FUTURE

The hospital made a great choice in Hugh Brown. Early in his life, he was an officer on a nuclear submarine and has always believed in causes greater than self. He would be a terrible contestant on “Undercover Boss” because he has performed nearly every non-physician job in a hospital, from registration clerk to CEO. He has streamlined processes and helped put St. David’s Georgetown on dozens of Top 100 lists across the state and the nation. His standards of hiring were even adopted by a health care group in Australia, so, “our smalltown hospital is having a positive effect on the health care of people on the other side of the world.”

According to Hugh, there are many dynamics and external forces to consider as the leader of such an integral organization. “We are not just taking care of the sick, we are trying to help them not come here. And as you look at the landscape, how are we, as a nation, going to pay for this? With a dwindling number of doctors and nurses, our current system is not sustainable.

IT’S ABOUT PEOPLE Hugh says, “What drives me is taking care of the people.

We have great leadership in this community; [City Manager] David Morgan, [Superintendent] Dr. Fred Brent, [Fire Chief] John Sullivan, and [Police Chief] Wayne Nero. These are outstanding leaders who really get along well and I believe, like me, we could all maybe go to other, bigger places, but we all choose to be here. This time and place is the call in our lives.”

Aside from good leadership, St. David’s Georgetown is known for excellent care and caregivers. Hugh, who has been at St. David’s for 12 years, says many of the people on the staff were working there even before St. David’s came in.

“You can’t create employees who care about their neighbors; you have to identify and nurture them. When I came in for my interview, I sat in a lawn chair. I saw that the hospital was truly independent and spent money on patients, not fancy things. That continues today, when we see a need, we find a way.”

One of those ways is the rehabilitation clinic they developed in 2019. The average stay for rehabilitation is 10-12 days, which Hugh says can be an extreme burden on a family. But they have streamlined and reconfigured space and resources to make that stay easier on families, which has created a demand for their facility, and they can’t even take all the patients who want to be there.

“On a positive note, I am pleased with the uptick in options. More and more things that used to be done in a hospital are being done elsewhere, or in a shorter amount of time, so our critical resources can be in reserve for the critical cases. The Georgetown hospital of the future will become even better at taking care of acutely ill patients, using the next technology, so we can keep people from having to travel for care. Right now, we have a focus on joint replacement, our number one procedure, because that is what the community needs.”

Fortunately for Georgetown, there are several urgent care facilities and outpatient clinics, which are not in competition with the hospital, but rather access points for less-intense care. “In the future,” Hugh says, “you will almost have to be ICU-level sick to come here because there are other means of appropriate care that will cost you less time, money and recovery.”

St. David’s is also investing in family practices and an adult medicine center on the west side of Georgetown, near HEB, which will be helpful for new residents on Medicare. These centers are staffed by doctors who originally worked at St. David’s Georgetown, so the level of care will be familiar and consistent.

BOTTOM LINE Hugh and his staff are using the strength of their award-winning system to get things done in the most efficient and streamlined way. “As the populations grow, the national statistics will play out and we don’t want to do anything unless it’s going to be excellent.”

33

34

OC TOBE R 2019 ï&#x201A;« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

why is this a thing?

Greta Bauer • Greta@gtownview.com

PUMPKIN SPICE IT HAS BECOME THE ELVIS OF FLAVORS. LOVE IT OR HATE IT, PEOPLE JUST CAN’T STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. We set out to understand how and why a fancy coffee proliferated into a half-billion-dollar market niche that is as much a part of the holiday season as elves on the shelves and, say... oxygen. Like Christmas itself, pumpkin spice launches are coming earlier every year. In 2018, sales began their uptick in late August.

Believe it or not, Starbucks began serving Pumpkin Spice lattés back in 2003 and—here’s the best part—they started adding actual pumpkin juice to it in 2015. We weren’t sure if it was still a big deal until we saw Starbucks’ live countdown to the first latté of the season on Facebook a few weeks ago.

Over the years the industry has added pumpkin donuts, bagels, muffins, and hamburgers and chips; even M&Ms, Milanos, and Cheerios if you can find them. Pumpkin-spice beers and liqueurs are out there, as are yogurts, salty snacks, almonds, and cheeses. Yes, even cooking spray, dog food and toothpaste, and we haven’t even started on the air freshener market.

Kantha Shelke, a food scientist at the Institute of Food Technologists says, “Over time, nostalgia, clever marketing, media coverage and hype by companies like Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Hallmark have led us to feel comforted by the thought. Pumpkin itself is not actually a favorite food.

Children and many adults often avoid pumpkin as they do rutabagas and other root vegetables,” she says.

Still, we humans are easily led by our senses and the scent of pumpkin spice has become seasonal, like pine, holly berry, and fireplaces. It makes us remember that we’re supposed to be happy and in a giving state of mind.

36

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

IT’S ACTUALLY THE “SPICE” The flavor of pumpkin spice isn’t actually the pumpkin.

What we’re really smelling (and reacting to) is the spice mix of cinnamon, cloves, dried ginger, and sometimes nutmeg and other spices.

Food historian Dr. Megan Elias says Americans have used spice combos from Medieval European culinary traditions to add flavor to pumpkins for years.

“Most people couldn’t afford those spices regularly until the 20th century, so spiced pies and cakes were holiday fare.

Pumpkin is a late fall crop, so there’s a lot of it at Thanksgiving. The trend is very new, but the spicing combination is very old,” she says.

The proliferation of pumpkin spice hasn’t done much for actual pumpkins, however. Fresh pumpkin sales, outside of the photo ops at pumpkin patches, have dropped in the past decade. Elisa says history suggests pumpkin-spice products are here to stay and may eventually become available all year.

In case you think this is a new thing, pineapple was a big deal in the 1950s, just after Hawaii became a state; and some of us may remember when bubble gum was the flavor of everything in the 1980s. It was a Hubba Bubba time! If I ever figure out the acai berry... I’ll write about that too.

But, never fear, because producers use such small amounts of genuine flavor compounds in their products, there is not likely to be a shortage of pumpkin any time soon, so you’ll be able to enjoy pumpkin pancakes, ice cream, Yankee candles, and more, for a long time to come.

OCTOBER SPECIALS: 20% o�f all closet systems & 20% o�f all RM COCO drapery panels!

Professional Services Include:

• Kitchen and Bath Remodel Specialists • Custom Closet and Storage Systems • Custom Window Treatments • Design Consultation Packages • Tile • Engineered Wood • Porcelain Wood

CARLOS BARRON PHOTOGRAPHY

512-931-2608 Gigi@KinseyInteriors.com www.facebook.com/KinseyInteriorsInc www.kinseyinteriors.com O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

37

38

OC TOBE R 2019 ï&#x201A;« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ï&#x201A;« G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

39

40

OC TOBE R 2019 ï&#x201A;« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

Tracie Jack • Tracie@gtownview.com

save the planet

HAVE AN ECO-FRIENDLY HALLOWEEN With more than $9 billion spent each year—costumes, candy, and decorations—Halloween makes no small footprint on the planet. Being mindful of plastics and chemicals in the costumes to rainforest-destroying palm oil in many candies, consumers can be agents of change for good by the choices they make. Consider these eco-friendly ways to celebrate the holiday in a way that is not just good for the planet, but for your family too.

Look for candy made with certified sustainable palm oil. Companies like Nestle and Mars use palm oil that is sustainably grown and produced in Malaysia. Also look for Fair Trade chocolates.

Host a costume swap with neighbors and friends. This is a fun and free way to get a costume, but it also will keep once-used costumes containing non-recyclable plastics like PVC out of landfills for another cycle around the sun.

Use non-toxic face paint for your loved ones. Kiss Freely, GoGreen, Kooalo, and Luna Star offer all natural, hypoallergenic, non-toxic makeup made in the USA. Support your local farmer’s market and buy natural decorations for the fall. Pumpkins, gourds, hay/straw, and potted mums make great fall inspirations inside and out.

To add to your yard décor, ask local farmers if they won’t mind selling you their corn stalks.

Instead of buying new trick or treat bags/buckets/bowls, which is just more plastic, reuse the ones from last year, or that little wicker basket with a handle, or decorate a paper gift bag. For a great reusable candy collector year after year, sew up a fabric bag: fold a rectangle of fabric in half and simply sew up the sides. Use a ribbon, shoelace, or twine as a handle. If sewing isn’t your thing, use hot glue on some felt pieces or paint a pillowcase.

Recycle your old pumpkins instead of throwing them away. Cut them up and use in the compost pile for your garden, put them out for wildlife (not too close to the house), or give to local farmers for their livestock.

Don’t throw away your pumpkin seeds. Soak them overnight in salt water and roast them for a tasty and nutritional snack. Allrecipes.com has great ideas for culinary re-purposing. If that’s not your thing, the birds will thank you for sharing with them.

On November 1, consider donating your costume to a local theater troupe, school, or charity. Many kids in foster care have only the clothes on their backs and these programs rely on charities for toys and dress-up play things on hand to offer families who help the vulnerable in our community.

Think outside the box and give coins, small books, or a coupon for an ice cream cone. Not all kids are allowed to keep all the candy and will enjoy having something they can use or play with that won’t disappear in the overnight raid by mom and dad.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

41

42

OC TOBE R 2019 ï&#x201A;« GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

WINTER IS COMING EVEN TO TEXAS

REPAIR |SERVICE | INSTALLATION MAINTENANCE

Specializing in Duct Cleaning & Filtration Services

COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL | NEW CONSTRUCTION Locally Owned & Operated | 24-Hour Emergency Service 100-A Don Currie Dr. | Jarrell, TX | StarAirHVAC.com

512-746-6099

TACLA12427E

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ï&#x201A;« G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

43

GETTING YOU THERE

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RIDE SHARING Drivers and frequent riders share advice and tips for departures and arrivals.

Georgetown is not so big a city that we can’t get where we’re going easily, but if you are going to travel, knowing the ins and outs of ride-sharing will demonstrate it is much more than just an occasional door-to-door service. Not everyone is comfortable with this relatively-new concept, but our “experts” have a lot of perspective on the benefits.

For starters, giants Uber and Lyft are changing the dynamics of car manufacturing. In the 60s and 70s, young people couldn’t afford cars, but had the freedom to hitchhike. Today, our younger generations see ride-share as a viable alternative to the financial burden of owning their own cars, and time spent not-driving can be used to send emails or make calls from the back seat. Plus, who wants to look for parking when you could already be there; so Uber is probably not going away any time soon.

THE PICKUP Both companies identify as technology giants because everything they do is online and on your phone. No cash is ever exchanged and you don’t even need a credit card; fares and tips are paid on the apps.

Drivers are given GPS routes from the app as well, and, unlike taxis, you will know the estimated cost of your trip ahead of time.

44

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

You will also have the driver’s phone number and can see the car approach on an interactive map, so you can call or text to let him or her know exactly where you are. Jeff Frazier drove for Uber in Austin and he suggests walking to a place with less traffic where you can easily be seen.

He also recommends riders comparison shop. “Each app has a base price set by minutes and miles. Every trip is different based on traffic and route choice, so don’t assume that your favorite ride is actually the best price.”

THE RIDE Once you check your price, you do not have to accept the ride. Be aware, you are allowed to cancel, but if the car has already arrived, you may be charged a small fee based on percentage or time.

John Christian is a business traveler who uses ride-sharing as a way of life on the road. “I don’t have the hassle of renting cars I might drive only to the hotel and back, nor do I have to wait on a taxi.

I am also very glad Uber has enhanced the personal profile.” Riders indicate certain preferences before the ride to avoid issues of etiquette. “I like the car cold and I don’t usually want to make small talk. My drivers typically honor that and that’s what gets them good ratings.”

your driver within ten minutes even on a bad day. I once received a request from a man who just wanted me to drive to an impound lot and pick up his son’s keys and personal belongings and bring them to him. You can call a driver for Uber-eats to bring your dinner or even pick up your dry cleaning.”

While drivers and riders are under no obligation to follow a specific set of rules or etiquette, everything about the service is based on ratings. If you or your driver receive enough unsatisfactory ratings, the rides stop.

NEED A RIDE? Most ride-shares allow you to choose the style and size of the car you want. For instance, you can ask for an SUV to spread out and work, or specify a car with a trunk and even send a note to the driver that you’d like help loading the groceries you just bought.

Georgetown’s Ben Stewart drove for Uber and says if you want an economy trip, share the ride. Drivers may pick up other passengers to share your fare to the same place or along the same route.

Ride prices are subject to change based on demand.

Check your apps before you call during busy times for “surge” prices. Jeff says, “New Year’s Eve is an obvious surge period, but also keep in mind that most bars get out at the same time, and it also applies when a concert or a sporting event lets a lot of people out at once.”

DON’T NEED A RIDE? You can order a ride for another person. Ben says, “Set up a ride on your app and it doesn’t matter who or where it is. As long as you are paying for it, you can let them know it is your mom or a neighbor who needs a ride. “ He also says the expansion in offerings makes Uber and Lyft something of a concierge service. “With a taxi, you’re lucky if they arrive in 45 minutes. With ride-share, you see

John added that riders are certainly allowed to bring or pick up other people on their trip, but not animals; “You’re riding in someone’s personal vehicle and they will not appreciate a dog that makes a mess in the back seat.”

STAYING SAFE John says to make sure to check the app for the make, model and color of the car that is coming to pick you up.

“You can also see the license plate of the vehicle and a photo of your driver to make sure you’re not being scammed.

Uber and Lyft are adding decals to their cars-for-hire so you can spot your driver farther away.”

John and Jeff both agree that being polite is key to the best experience. “If you start out nice,” Jeff says, “your driver will reflect that attitude and try their best to please you.”

John says, in his experience, being polite and friendly just sets the tone early on that you appreciate their service. “Drivers are not paid a fortune, so being kind and giving them a tip will get you a return visit from a driver who likes you.”

Our combined experts have helped us with a bottom line: You may not have the need for ride-sharing on a regular basis, but there will come a time—airport run, picking up the car from the shop, etc.—when it is the best option to get you where you need to go, so it is a good idea to know how to do it.

Down Home

Jimmy BBQ Vega's SMOKEHOUSE

JIMMYVEGAS.BIZ 40120 INDUSTRIAL PARK CIR. • GEORGETOWN, TX 78626 • 512-577-2813 • MON-FRI 11-3 • THURS & FRI 4-9 • SAT 3-9 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

45

advertorial ALL THE GOOD REASONS TO EAT AT A RESTAURANT — GEORGE’S ON THE TOWN FITS ALL OF THEM ...

WHERE TRADITIONAL MEETS INNOVATIVE AND CASUAL DINING MEETS FINE HOSPITALITY sphere for staff and guests so everyone will have fun and want to come back.”

You can be spontaneous...

George’s on the Town is upbeat, casual, and right in the center of Georgetown. No reservations needed, and plenty of room in their contemporary, perfectly lighted dining room, plus a spacious covered, tree-shaded, and pet-friendly patio for outdoor dining year-round.

For those occasions when you want to plan, they have a semi-private party room or will reserve the patio for office parties, wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners, or any special event. You may even want to have their menu catered and delivered off-site.

It is convenient...

A destination restaurant where all the parking is just for you. Nestled in a grove of trees, you’ll arrive feeling relaxed and the experience continues after you walk through the door.

You can even have their chicken-fried steak or famous flat-bread pizza delivered to your home via Grub-hub, Door Dash, or any of their other delivery partners.

To be with other people...

George’s is the perfect place for date night, a casual drink, or to gather around a wide-screen television to watch baseball or football with friends and some Asian Fire Shrimp, a margarita, crafted cocktail, or one of their 30 draft and local beers.

To be served...

General Manager Karl Poe says one of the things he loves most about his job is the people. “I love our regulars and the people I work with every day. It is a great atmosphere, people enjoy working here and it shows. My mission is a happy atmo46

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

George’s is also a tremendous community partner; serving and contributing food to many local agencies.

They also have discounts for diners who are military, first responders or educators.

Happy Ho Drink ur 2-7pm an appeti d zer specia ls

And, of course, the food! George’s has all of your favorite American fare, but with a lot of innovative flavor combinations; perfect for Texas-style appetites, but also vegetarian, gluten-free, and kiddo favorites, including chicken fried steak, Tinga tostadas, and stacked catfish. Start with a fresh-ground (and super moist) hamburger infused with brisket and bacon and plan your next visit after 4pm for the slow-roasted or woodgrilled prime rib.

There are lunch, daily and seasonal specials and be sure to follow them on Facebook (GeorgesOnTheOPEN MO N -S AT Town) and Instagram 11A M - 1 0PM (@GeorgesOnTheTown) for S U N 11A M -9 P M special culinary events.

Karl says, K ID S E AT FREE “Georgetown is an interesting M O N D AY N IG H T S place. I love the great energy we $3 T U E S D AY P IN T have on Friday nights but it’s never N IG H T S the same day twice.”

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ï&#x201A;« G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

47

movers & shakers

Living Donors: A Whole New Level of Sharing There are 11,000 people waiting for new, healthy organs, right now, in Texas alone. Across the United States, 22 people die each day waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

But this story is not about scary statistics. It is about the hope that comes on the heels of greater education that people like Ty Gipson are providing every day; while he is waiting for his own new kidney.

Ty Gipson has been a mover and shaker in Georgetown for many years.

He is an extraordinary business owner, having founded one of Minuteman Press’ most successful franchises in the nation. Plus, if you play or watch sports, you have undoubtedly seen some of his Waterboy Graphics creations and signage around our schools and fields.

He is also a former City Councilman (2015-18) who contributed much to the city’s development and growth.

Ty and his wife, Crystal are regular speakers in Georgetown and all over Central Texas. Their mission is to educate others to understand the truth about transplants as well as highlight the extreme need.

Ty, Crystal, and Gia invite you to visit them at Minuteman Press on S. Austin Avenue to talk about donation, or schedule a time for one of the family to talk to your group or business.

Ty is an ambassador for Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA). He and his family have become advocates of organ sharing because it has been part of their lives for nearly 20 years. The process gets better every year, and there are much fewer limitations than you might think.

In a few months, Ty will undergo surgery to receive a new kidney for the second time. His sister, Gia, says with a beaming smile, “God gave us two kidneys so we would be able to share one if it is needed. The impact is amazing, especially the joy and privilege to be alive, see the results, and know you really helped.”

THE GIPSON FAMILY Ty was blessed nearly 20 years ago when his mother donated a kidney to him, where the education part of the story begins.

Earline was 59 years old at the time, which tells us age is not a factor in being a donor, and the donor doesn’t even need to be in top physical condition.

As long as the donor has never had cancer or kidney disease, any organ

has potential. Ty’s wife Crystal says, “Ty’s mom has lived with one kidney and never had a health issue because of it.

Just in case you think, But what if I need my kidney later?”, she assures, “When you become an organ sharer, if you ever need a transplant of your own, you are put at the top of the list immediately.”

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE...

Kidney transplants have become as commonplace as knee replacements in terms of procedures and recovery time.

Removal is done laparoscopically and the donor is home within a few days.

What is amazing about this living donor program is that kidneys can be donated anonymously; anyone can be tested and added to a database. When a compatible recipient is found, the matching donor will be called in for the procedure. This is important because living tissue has greater longevity than an organ from a deceased donor, and, Ty says, many of those latter donated organs have to be destroyed due to limited viability.

The anonymous donor program also holds the incredible potential for organ “swaps.” If your kidney is more compatible with a person in need than a kidney currently waiting, yours will go to that person and the original kidney will be put back in the pool for the next best match.

Last year in Houston, a single living donor triggered a rare six-way swap that saved as many lives. Testing and technology is able to identify the best

H O P E D R I V E S E V E R Y T H I N G . I A M H E R E TO A D V O C AT E F O R T H O S E W H O D O N ’ T H AV E A D O N O R Y E T B E C AU S E T H E R E W O U L D B E N O G R E AT E R G I F T T H A N “ I H AV E A K I D N E Y F O R YO U.” ~ T Y G I P S O N 48

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

TOSA1.ORG Texas Organ Sharing Alliance serves more than 7 million people in 56 Central and South Texas counties.

“Saving lives through the power of organ donation.”

To register as a donor, visit DonateLifeTexas.org

AT 64%, W I L L I A M S O N CO U N T Y H A S O N E O F T H E H I G H E S T D O N O R P E R C E N TA G E S I N T E X A S ~ D O N AT E L I F E T E X A S . O R G

organ in the pool, whether it is from a family member or an anonymous donor.

TOSA assures potential donors that there is no need to be concerned about funeral arrangements. All mainstream religions endorse donation or leave it up to the individual.

Even Pope Francis says, “As long as it is an unpaid, free act, it contributes to fostering a culture of life and is an expression of universal brotherhood.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO Talk to your loved ones and make sure you understand each others’ wishes. TOSA recommends even your extended family be aware of your decision because just one dissenting opinion in an emergency situation can terminate a donation.

They believe it is important to maintain good relationships among family members.

Ty says, if you are in need, the most important thing is to get your story out there. “One man walked around Disneyworld wearing a t-shirt that said, ‘I need a kidney’. Another man put up flyers at his barber shop. His barber got tested on the sly and was compatible. He didn’t tell anyone outside of the donor bank, and he still cuts the hair of the man who doesn’t know who saved his life.”

Within a few hours of transplant, a new kidney is already adapted to 80 percent capacity.

Within hours of donating, a donor’s remaining kidney has begun to assimilate and increase output to maintain the body’s function.

Medical testing for each donor determines the threshold of compatibility. Organs across a spectrum of viability are given to patients based on age and wellness.

If you are not quite ready to share your organs, Ty says it is a simple thing to support those who are waiting.

People on dialysis are, more often than not, unable to work and treatment can be that much more challenging for those who do not have family nearby. “I’ve seen folks finishing a treatment and they go outside in the heat, cold, and rain to wait for the city bus. It would be a blessing to those folks just to have a ride, or maybe an Uber so they can get home to be comfortable. Knowing that someone cares can offer a ray of hope while they wait for a new kidney.”

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

49

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ï&#x201A;« G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

51

poppy talks

The Wisdom of Cows

Normally cows and pie bring to mind certain things. Today I’m going to tell you a philosophy joke about cows and pi.

Believe it or not, it has given me a lot to think about in terms of aggravation and how to be a happier person.

Two cows were standing in a field munching on grass. The first cow says, “You know, although we have typically worked out pi to five digits; 3.14159, it bothers me that it’s really an infinite number and we will never figure it out.” The second cow pauses a moment, looks up, and says, “Moo.” I am lately envious of the second cow because there are ever-more days I would love to just munch grass and enjoy pastoral loveliness. Instead, I am too often swept up in the drama of political intrigue, family issues, or the malevolence of social media.

It would be nice once in a while to tune out so I can go about the business of nurturing my family, doing my job, and paying bills without worrying about things over which I have no control. I want the be the Taylor Swift of cows and just ‘shake it off!’

I can’t do anything about the negative feelings people may have about our President all the way down to, hmmm, my kid’s little league coach. But just walking around in the world every day, I have to hear it. I honestly don’t wish to be a person who is not engaged in life and society, but I have fewer and fewer moments after I wake up before I’m in a bad mood.

Lately I have also stayed off social media because my friends have been vilified for decisions or indecision, and, while I may not know all the details, they are still humans with families and lives, and they are doing their best to do the right thing. Even as a writer, I may get twenty nice comments, but all I can think about is the one nasty one. God bless the people who still produce great things because they aren’t bothered by Troll feedback.

Cow #1 cannot do anything about the Professionally Angry, who live to press the “outrage” button on their keyboard. Cow #2 is blissfully unaware of the vitriol; and while #1 may think #2

is ill-informed, which one is really happier?

To you, cow #1... honestly, you’re going to be fine. I know it is perhaps the mission of television and the Internet to tell you everything is terrible and we are in the new fall of the Roman Empire. I also know they tell you scary things to be mean and crush your self-esteem——some believe it is the best way to get you to do things the way they think you should.

Remember things have always been this way. Every generation has had a certain segment of people who believed they were in the best or the worst of all times. Someone has to be in charge and someone else has to be against that person, with new ideas. Someone has to run our County and pay our bills so we can continue to live in a safe place with good schools and fun things to do. Anyway, my primary message is this: don’t spend all your time in worry.

Do a little thing that makes sense to you to save the planet.

Accept that the rate of change in your life will always be constant. For every depressing news story you hear from an overly hair-sprayed head, there are three people out there working really hard trying to change the world for the better. Many of these people are succeeding, but you might not hear that because it would make you feel positive, and that’s not going to turn the world the way some people want it.

Kids are still doing school plays, playing baseball, and doing odd jobs to save up to buy their own toys. Kitchens are still feeding hungry people, and people are ringing bells for someone’s last day of chemo. So, don’t build a nuclear bunker and stockpile baked beans just yet. Be the cow who trusts the things that have gotten you this far, and do your best to maintain and pass them on.

In other words, from now on, when I find myself feeling anciently tired from people who have nothing nice to say, I’m going with cow #2. For anyone ready to blast an angry email because all they got out of this satire is Poppy clearly thinks people are cows, bless your heart...

Moo.

Let us decorate your home for the holidays

Creative, fresh solutions for your new or existing home design/decor needs, including furnishings, window treatments, accessories, �looring and holiday decor.

On the Georgetown Square 115 West 7th Street 512-864-7876 | www.divageorgetown.com

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ď&#x201A;Ť G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

53

worth the drive

Ann Marie Kennon • AnnMarie@gtownview.com

Sweet Eats Fruit Farm

N OT YO U R T Y P I C A L P U M P K I N PATC H ...

YO U C A N P I C K T H E O N E YO U WA N T

RIGHT OFF THE VINE!

th en paint th em for free. . .

Erin says their healthygrown fruits are usually picked out in the first weekend or two, but farm activities are available all the time as long as there is no heavy rain.

Imagine an amusement park with a “farm” theme. Then hop in your car and drive about 15 minutes east of the downtown square to Sweet Eats Fruit Farm. Bring your play clothes, leave the tablets at home, and enjoy a day in the country without really leaving Georgetown.

A BIT OF HISTORY Sweet Eats Fruit Farm started in 2013 when owner Jon Meredith decided he could grow better fruit than what he found in the grocery store. Several successful crop-years later, he hired Erin Klingemann, who helped develop the farm into a family-friendly agritourism destination with playscapes, games, live music and—of course—year-round opportunities to pick your own fruit. Erin works with Camp Director Karen Laywell to ensure all-day fun for field trips, family outings, birthday parties, corporate retreats, and more.

The farm has several acres of fruit-bearing gardens for nearly year-round picking; strawberries, peaches, pears, blueberries, and more. You can see their schedule of picking seasons on their website, along with the varieties and best dates for each.

Sweet Eats provides the containers for fruit, and you pay only for what you pick.

Strawberries are $3 per pound, $2.50 for a pound of peaches, and you need only rinse off the dust before eating.

FOR THE KIDS There are more than 30 separate activities on the property to help everyone get that good kind of tired and dirty, including a treasure hunt, swings, obstacle course, pony rides, hay maze, duck races, zip lines, and a literal mountain of tires. There are also many special and seasonal activities like live music, summer foam parties, Easter egg hunts, and apple and “punkin” chucking.

It is really worth mentioning that almost all of the play attractions are in the shade!

► 54

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

worth the d rive

SISTERS, GINGER AND NUTMEG

If you aren’t able to visit for mazes and pumpkins, November begins special events for Christmas, including a gingerbread house, visits from Santa, and live reindeer.

N OT J U S T G E T T I N G T H R O U G H T H E H AY M A Z E , B U T PA S S I N G T H E C H A L L E N G E S I N S I D E !

FALLFEST Now through November 3, there are two pumpkin patches for picking, painting and photo ops, live music every afternoon (you can listen to it from one of their many hammocks), and the food truck will be up and running with hot dogs, kettle corn, shaved ice, chips, soft drinks, and adult beverages.

This year is the first for their corn maze, which was planted from seed and is already growing in the maze pattern, ready for visitors who enjoy a Wild West Theme. There is a smaller maze for younger children, and on Saturdays nights, you can play in the maze 7-10pm with your flashlights.

Day passes are $16 (age 3 and up), but if you just want to come for the pumpkins, you pay no entry fee and purchase your picks for $.79/pound or mini pumpkins $1.25 each.

You can reserve party space for a private event during the week, and Erin and Karen will help you plan and prepare for your visit. There is a large picnic area and guests are welcome to bring their own food, birthday cakes, or even have pizza delivered.

“We have groups of all kinds,” Erin says. “This is a great place for work groups to relax, or kids of all abilities to spend time in activity, but also retreat to a quiet space to enjoy nature. Anyone could appreciate getting away from noise and traffic in the middle of the week.”

Check their website SweetEats.com for activities and retail sales of many varieties of produce. Erin recommends, before you head there, visit their Facebook page for up-to-theminute activities, fruits in-season, weather advisories, and special events to add to your itinerary. facebook.com/SweetEatsFruitFarm

BUT WAIT...THERE’S MORE The farm is open to the public every weekend, but during FallFest they will be have after-school hours (2-7pm) open to the public.

They will also have a Wednesday-Thursday saver with most of the activities open.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

55

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9 ï&#x201A;« G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

57

October opening Dates subject to change

City Lights has some changes, check out our new grille menu where you can order food at the concession and have it delivered to your movie.

Our new lower matinee price every day before 6 pm is $6.00 a ticket. Tuesdays enjoy our Family Fun night for only $5.25 a ticket after 6 pm.

58

4 Joker 11 Addams Family 11 Gemini Man 18 Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

18 Zombieland 2 Double Tap 25 Black and Blue 25 Countdown

C H EC K U S O UT AT:

www.citylightstheatres.com for complete schedule show times and purchase tickets on-line or call 512 868 9922 Now equipped with all new state-of-the-art digital projection equipment & Master Image 3D.

OC TOBER 2 019 ď&#x201A;Ť GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

facts to blow your mind

TIME WARPS The first man to fly in a plane and the first man to walk on the moon were both alive at the same time. The first person to walk on Mars is almost certainly alive right now.

er ev d! s n ne thi appe h

Our familiar favorites in the dinosaur world did not all live together. The time difference between when Stegosaurus and Tyrannosaurus walked the Earth is greater than the time difference between Tyrannosaurus and now.

Betty White is older than sliced bread.

Remember the FAX machine? The “technology” for transmitting images by radio waves was patented 16 years before the telephone. Napoleon Bonaparte got a personal demonstration from the inventor one year before the start of the American Civil War. We built an atomic bomb 20 years before we invented color television.

Photographs exist of veterans of the Revolutionary War.

We put a man on the moon before we put wheels on luggage.

Cleopatra’s lifetime was nearer the invention of the iPhone than the building of the great pyramid at Giza. The pyramid was complete in 2560 BC; Cleopatra died in 30 BC.

NO Wh T Be ite tt

y

Mammoths were still walking around 1,000 years after the Egyptians finished building the Great Pyramid.

The light you are reading this magazine by could be many thousands of years old.

It takes a photon anywhere from 200,000 to 1 million years to travel from the core of the Sun to the surface, then just a little over 8 minutes from the Sun’s surface to your eye, sliding in at 670,616,629 mph.

1864 by Nelson Augustus Moore for E. B. Hillard’s publication The Last Men of the Revolution. ~Wikipedia Commons

Photons start life in the core as gamma rays, so half a million years of ricocheting off hydrogen and other atoms calms them down enough to warm us rather than give us radiation poisoning.

some useful gamma ray you su but they ws are perpo wers ill not give sorry . . . , Hulk.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

59

food

Give ’em Pumpkin to Talk About Gourd-Geous Health Benefits Pumpkin has a positive effect on blood pressure; is low-calorie, high-fiber and is full of vitamins.

Their antioxidants may

PIE, IN A PILGRIM KIND OF WAY Pumpkin pie is a popular part of our fall harvest traditions, but, 398 years ago, the Pilgrims found it difficult to grow wheat flour in the stony New England soil. With European flour being expensive and with no ovens to cook in, early settlers had to improvise. Pumpkin pie was cooked inside a pumpkin with milk, honey and spices and roasted whole over ashes. Although we are definitely using an oven, we think you’ll like this amazing dessert.

Cut the top off of a pie pumpkin (not just any pumpkin) and scoop out the insides Cover loosely with foil and bake at 400 degrees until fork tender — a 15 lb. pumpkin should take about two hours.

prevent degenerative

FOR THE CUSTARD:

damage to the eyes, boost immunity, and you

8 eggs 1 ¼ tsp pumpkin spice

can use pumpkin puree as

Whisk ingredients to combine

a replacement for butter or oil in recipes.

1 cup brown sugar 24 fl oz evaporated milk

Using a ladle, remove any liquid sitting in the pumpkin, and then pour in the custard.

Lower the oven to 350 degrees, bake for another hour or until the custard is firm.

The plant compounds in pumpkin seeds and pulp help the absorption of glucose into the tissues and intestines, as well as balancing levels of liver glucose.

They are high in vitamin A and C for an immunity boost, and their plantbased iron is said to support fertility.

Make a quick healthy treat by combining Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin, honey, cinnamon, and cocoa powder.

Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, help with sleep, heart health and are high in fiber.

LINGUINE AND PUMPKIN SAUCE 1 15 oz. can of pumpkin 1 pint half and half 1 large shallot, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 ¼ tsp curry powder ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper ¾ cup crumbled feta ¼ cup Parmesan cheese Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and cook over low to medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently to keep from sticking to pan. Be careful not to let boil. Meanwhile, cook one box of linguine pasta as directed on the box, add sea salt and butter to taste. Top the pasta with the pumpkin sauce and enjoy!

Want to

skip Starbucks?

HOT PUMPKIN SPICE

Instead of hot cocoa or a pumpkin spice latte, try this recipe! No caffeine, and all the yummy coziness of pumpkin!

INGREDIENTS 2 cups milk (use a dairy-free milk alternative for a vegan option - oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc.)

1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (use more or less depending on your taste) 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice whipped cream - for topping (use a dairy-free alternative for a vegan option) pumpkin spice - for sprinkling on top INSTRUCTIONS:

In a small saucepan, heat the milk, pumpkin puree, brown sugar and pumpkin spice on medium heat, until it is just about to boil, stirring frequently. Pour into cups and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of additional pumpkin spice.

PUMPKIN-TINI

Cinnamon Whiskey 1 oz. • Pumpkin Spice Liqueur 1 oz • 1 1/2 Rum Cream • 1 oz. Half & Half

More Boos, please! If you want to be trendy when you’re being trendy, of course there is a cocktail too.

Rim edge of a martini glass with caramel syrup and graham cracker crumbs.

In a shaker with ice, combine ingredients and shake thoroughly.

Strain mix into rimmed glass and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Let Us Quote Your Commercial Insurance ~receive a free bag of beef jerky~

{while supplies last}

Steve Osborne

Protecting All Producer Steve@txins.com That You Love...

■

Protecting Responsibly

Responsiblity ■ Efficiently ■

Consistently

Brad Davison STEVE OSBORNE Producer Producer

Steve@txins.com Brad@txins.com

All That You Love ...

Efficiently

www.TXINS.COM

BRAD DAVISON

Consistently

Producer Brad@txins.com

1911 N Austin Ave #401 Georgetown, TX 78626 1911 N Austin Ave #401 Georgetown, TX 78626 www.txins.com

Steve: 512-489-7685 Office: 512-489-7685 62

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

Brad: 512-489-0012 Office: 512-489-0012

GOLD & COIN MART ESTATE LIQUIDATION 2502 WILLIAMS DR. • 512.363.9270 8 Stylists / Barbers Walk-In • Any Service or By Appointment ladies’ boutique • full service salon

STOR UR STUFF STORAGE STOR UR STUFF STORAGE

FREE MONTH with 6-months lease

Insulated • Fenced and Gated 24 Hour Access • Secure Units Uncovered RV & Boat Storage U-Haul Rentals Available 10 x 20 10 x 15 RV & Boat

EXP 10/31/19

512-688-0780 1975 County Road 140 Georgetown, TX info@storURstuff.com

Your Hometown Independent Agency • 24/7 access to Agent/ Claims Service

& barber shop

FEATURED PRODUCTS: Lanza, It’s A Ten, Johnny B, Chi and more!

180 TOWN CENTER BLVD | JARRELL | 254-291-4790 (beside Brookshire Brothers)

$90.00 monthly $70.00 monthly $55.00 monthly

• Tailored Coverage for Personal and Professional Needs

512–746–6838 AnchoredInsurance.com brent.tidwell@anchoredinsurance.com

• Small Business Insurance Specialist • Free Consultation • References Available

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9  G E O R G E TO W N VI EW

63

outtakes

parting shot

EGA Annual Boo Run The Exceptional Georgetown Alliance (EGA) makes everyday fun accessible to children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The EGA was formed by parents and educators in 2008 when summer camp funding was no longer available.

EGA members understood the value of these summer camps and took on the job of finding financial backing to continue the programs.

EGA employs Special Education teachers and paraprofessionals to provide low teacher-to-student ratio at the Georgetown Rec Center camps. They also raise money to provide scholarships to help families cover the cost of this rare opportunity. Camps help children with social skills, occupational play, and adaptive recreational activities.

With help from business sponsorships and the generous time commitment by our high school sports teams, children who may not get an opportunity to play team sports are mentored by and get to play with “the big kids” throughout the school year. The seasonal heroes of the Eagles’ baseball team, Parks & Recreation lifeguards, Patriots boys basketball, and, starting this year, the Patriot girls’ volleyball team, spend time mentoring and showering the kids with skills and encouragement. It is a toss-up whether the kids or their spectator-parents enjoy the experience more.

The 11th Annual Exceptional Georgetown Alliance (EGA) Boo Run event begins with registration at 11am on Sunday, October 27 in beautiful San Gabriel Park. Come in your Halloween costume and stay for a kids’ costume contest at 12:15pm; the one-mile Fun Run starts at 12:30pm, followed by the 5K Chip-timed race at 1pm. Proceeds help fund the annual extracurricular events, activities, and summer day camps for EGA students. Pre-register at Active.com and visit ExceptionalGeorgetownAlliance.org for more on this exceptional program.

64

OC TOBE R 2019  GEO R GE TO W N V I EW

georgetown view P.O. Box 2281, Georgetown, TX 78627

POSTAL PATRON GEORGETOWN, TX