Hays County Echo December 2021

HAYS COUNTY

ECHO WINTER 2021

INSIDE:

Home for the holidays

The labor conundrum What employers and employees need

SHOP LOCAL Veterans give back and reflect on the season A product of Barton Publications, Inc. • Serving Hays County and surrounding communities

Home for the holidays Veterans give back and reflect on the season

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

and safety, many veterans still feel compelled to help the communities After more than a year of not being they are a part of long after they return able to meet due to COVID-19, VFW home.

Post 12058 in Kyle was finally able to The Post gave up their 2021 Christresume their weekly Friday breakfast. mas party to donate the money they During their fifth week back together, would have spent on it – $250 – to the the room buzzed with conversation local Blue Santa Program. They also and laughter among new and familiar ‘adopt’ a family in need, usually a vetfaces. eran family in Kyle, every Thanksgiving Past Post Commander Jimmie Quin- and Christmas. tero, a retired Master Sergeant who Other veteran-led initiatives, like served in the Army for 26 years, helps AMVETS Post 115 in Kyle, are also organize the weekly meal. especially keen on spreading goodwill “We call it a veterans breakfast, but through various fundraisers and events we don’t say no to anybody,” Quintero as the festive season approaches. But said. “Anyone who comes through that despite all of the holiday cheer, this door is welcome.” time of year can prove to be difficult VFW Posts have long been considfor some. ered a safe space for veterans to find According to the U.S. Department of support and camaraderie. Quintero Veterans Affairs, between 11% to 20% said that the Post’s main purpose is to of those who served in the Iraq War or help veterans in need, from monetarily Operation Enduring Freedom experiassisting with gas, bills and groceries to enced PTSD in a given year, and 30% helping fill out VA disability paperwork. of Vietnam veterans have had PTSD in And while their priority is in Kyle, “no their lifetime. veteran is turned away.”

The holidays can exacerbate this It’s evident that despite years of disorder. VAntage Point, the official service sacrificing their time, energy blog of the VA, said that those suffer-

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Those suffering from PTSD may be sensitive to losses around this time of year, and can feel overwhelmed and tired by family activities and pressured to participate.

Feelings of isolation are also not uncommon, especially with older veterans.

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ing from PTSD may be sensitive to losses approved to go home for the holidays. around this time of year, and can feel “It’s scary when you go up,” Moore overwhelmed and tired by family activisaid. “You don’t know if you’re coming ties and pressured to participate. Feelback. In an active situation like that, you ings of isolation are don’t really have time also not uncommon, to celebrate [ChristVFW Posts have long especially with older mas]. You just follow veterans. been considered a safe orders. Being back “Some veterans home after experispace for veterans don’t have any family encing some of that support,” said current stuff was a blessing. to find support and Post commander BenIt means a lot.” camaraderie. And ny Courtney. “These Through their [VFW Posts] are their service and struggles while their priority is family. When everycomes a desire to in Kyle, “no veteran body goes off to do keep giving back, their various things, but everything the is turned away,” says they’re basically left community does in former Post 12058 at home. That lack of return to support family is why there is them, no matter the Commander Jimmie a high suicide rate in time of year — from Quintero. the military.” volunteering and Even if PTSD isn’t donating to parades prevalent in a veteran’s life, many have or a simple ‘thank you’ — is not lost on tough memories of being away from their them. loved ones during weeks that were meant “Anything to help the veteran feel like to be the “most wonderful time of the they have a family and are accepted is an year.” Shawn Moore, who served in the important thing,” Courtney said. “That Air Force for eight years, recalled getting you weren’t just used and discarded. deployed to Panama during Christmas You’re still of value and accepted and 1989 just shortly after getting his leave worthy.”

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The labor conundrum What employers and employees need In September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 4.4 million workers left their job while there are more than 10 million job openings.

BY MEGAN WEHRING Help wanted signs are posted on nearly every storefront yet some job seekers are struggling to secure a position after filling out dozens of applications.

Local residents are searching for the right job, even while local businesses are trying to find laborers. The pandemic caused many people to reevaluate their lives and what they want in a career. In September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 4.4 million workers left their job while there are more than 10 million job openings.

WHAT EMPLOYEES ARE SAYING Maria, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, spent “Getting picked from an nearly three months in the job search following her commencement because online application is nearly it all boiled down to the same response equivalent to winning the from employers: not enough experience. (Maria asked that her last name be lottery,” Maria said. “You withheld.) have a much higher chance For an entry-level position, Maria found that employers wanted at least of connecting to a job four to six years of experience in an through a person who is applicant.

“Very few companies want to start working for a company that with someone fresh out of college and shares similar goals as you. train them to be an expert in their field,” the engineering graduate said. “In a is restricted and company property.” field like land development, most of the Networking goes a long way. Maria learning happens on the job and the material is not necessarily material you can said talking with people about your learn in a bachelors program. Some of it career goals, even casually, can help you

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land a job.

“Getting picked from an online application is nearly equivalent to winning the lottery,” Maria said. “You have a much higher chance of connecting to a job through a person who is working for a company that shares similar goals as you. For example, I wanted to do civil engineering and I specifically wanted to do land development, so when I reached out to people I kept that in mind and let them know that’s what I wanted to do. I think many of us recent grads see networking as a social behavior that occurs at events or job fairs, but it’s more simple than that.”

On the other hand, Jason (another respondent who wishes to withhold his last name) has had the opposite problem

of having too much experience as well as not being offered sufficient benefits for his 20-year background in customer support. He’s had hiring managers offer $100,000 less than his normal base.

“I have never in my entire career had a hard time finding a job,” the Dripping Springs resident said. “The challenge that I’m having is that a lot of the companies are under budget but want somebody like me. It’s now to the point where I’m saying as long [as the range they are paying] is kind of close, I just say that’s fine. Let’s move forward.”

With rent responsibilities and a family to support, Jason continues to apply for jobs in his career but he’s considered working retail to keep some income flowing.

WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE SAYING Businesses, school districts and government entities are continuing to look for people to fill positions that have been open for weeks or months.

What employers value in a candidate will vary but the most frequent answers are relevant experience, commitment and preparedness.

Craig Berlin owns three Uptown Cheapskate retail stores in San Marcos, Austin and College Station. Recently, he collected some applications of candidates who either back out in the middle of the process for another opportunity or quit communicating altogether.

What “We have employers been doing this for eight years,” value in a said. “You candidate will Berlin always have a small number of vary but the who are most frequent people not serious or whatever it is. But answers the percentage are relevant now of the people who don’t work experience, out and don’t commitment show up for their first shift, I’ve nevand seen anything preparedness. er like it.”

After losing some of the staff when Roadrunners Kitchen & Spirits closed its doors for COVID-19, manager Shay Douglas employed some returning college students — but it was a ghost town when summer ended.

“Prior to the pandemic and through this summer, we had on average 17 to 20 employees,” Douglas said. “We now have 10. We advertise no experience needed and a starting wage of $5 to $15 an hour plus tips depending on the job with the possibility of making $15 to $25 an hour.

We have learned to do what we can at half staff, and to expect longer shifts and more shifts.”

Finding employees who genuinely want to wait tables or bartend in Dripping Springs has been the main problem, Douglas explained, and it’s becoming a dying industry hanging on by a thread.

As an employer, Berlin added that he does not understand why so many people can’t find a job when there are hundreds of job openings in their backyard.

“When I see people posting online that they can’t find work, I don’t know what their criteria must be,” Berlin said. “If I were in that position and I couldn’t pay the bills, I would take something to make ends meet.”

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Find sense in supply-chain problem

BY SAHAR CHMAIS During Thanksgiving week, the line snakes outside of Texas Pie Company as people wait to get their sugar fix deliciously baked inside of a buttery crust.

Although this is the image every year as the Texas Pie Co. distributes 22,000 pies, preparations for the holiday season look a little different inside of the kitchen, all thanks to the dreaded term, “supply-chain disruption.”

Simply put, the shortages trace back to the beginning of the pandemic as worldwide manufacturers slowed production due to the virus ­– but consumer demands in the U.S. did not slow, if anything they had risen as people shifted

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“We’ve been here for 21 years, so I would hate to think I got taken down because of a sugar shortage,” Julie Albertson laughed. “I will go to Oklahoma if I have to.

You gotta do what you gotta do to get sugar. their lives and worked from home. Many goods go through multiple countries and factories to complete manufacturing, and one major item needed for cars, appliances and more are microchips, another disruption.

Then add on top of that the containers which were stuck at ports across the country and the shortage of truck drivers, and the issue of supply shortages becomes more complicated.

would hate to think I got taken down because of a sugar shortage,” Albertson laughed. “I will go to Oklahoma if I have to. You gotta do what you gotta do to get sugar. I will go get my ingredients and bring them back.”

Luckily, it did not come to that, as A few months ago, word of a sugar she bought copious amounts of sugar shortage made its way from a supplier to as soon as she received the heads up.

Julie Albertson, owner of the Texas Pie Co. About 2,000 pounds of sugar are sitting Then other wholesale items followed in in Albertson’s storage so she can make the shortage trend, as well as an increase the 22,000 pies and abundant amount of in prices. Albertson acted quickly, as the cookies for Christmas. Additionally, she holiday season was approaching and she began stockpiling butter and freezing could not stop making pies; afterall, that pie fillings in five-gallon buckets to make is her livelihood and one of Kyle’s joie de sure her customers get their supply. vivre.

While Albertson can stockpile, not all “We’ve been here for 21 years, so I businesses can have this luxury.

about 36, Kellogg added. The competition is big to get access to microchips.

The backlog in getting parts for fixing commercial vehicles or even finishing the manufacturing further strains the supply-chain.

“We sell moving vans,” Kellogg said.

“It can affect getting food to the stores and I heard it affects grocery stores by causing down time. Some [companies] are buying parts at a premium price and people are desperate for them…Even the Amazon boxes are affected by truck shortages like this.”

As getting goods this holiday season proves to be more difficult than years prior, some Hays County residents have turned to shopping locally. On Facebook community pages, residents have made posts, sharing ideas and small businesses in the area to buy gifts.

And as this consumption disruption has put a thorn in many residents’ sides, there is hope yet.

Albertson has found her balance in preparing all the cookies and pies for the season, and Kellogg said that Rush Center is optimistic that things will begin turning for the better. In the meantime, residents will do their best to buy gifts for their friends and family, whether through standing in long lines to get the best deals, or by finding a local business to sustain.

H

The auto industry, which has been hit hard by the shortages, continues to find ways to navigate out of the storm. Just drive by any dealership and take notice of the scant supply of vehicles.

Car dealerships are not alone. One commercial vehicle supplier in Buda, Rush Center, is feeling the impact of the shortages in all departments. For the past few months, trucks that were supposed to be built at the factories are not showing up on time, said Evan Kellogg, sales manager at the Rush Center.

Trucks are missing key components that make them inoperable for transportation, he said, and there is an excess of 4,000 vehicles waiting to be shipped out. Sometimes customers can receive their vehicles with missing modules until the parts come in, but that is only if the part is not necessary to make the vehicle operational.

“Call it supply chain issues, but a lot of it boils down to some manufacturing overseas and getting the container ships that can’t unload because there are not enough dock workers,” Kellogg explained.

A lot of the backup for this industry comes from a need for microchips, which are used in microwaves, ovens, refrigerators and in vehicles. To put it in perspective, a Ford pick up truck could use about 1,500 microchips, while a Peterbilt uses

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SHOP LOCAL Holiday survey results The staff at the Hays Free Press and NewsDispatch surveyed online readers about their upcoming holiday traditions. We asked: • What is your favorite Hays County business to buy gifts from?

• Which local Hays County activities will you attend this year?

• What is your go-to winter drink?

• What is your favorite holiday movie?

• What is your favorite holiday dish?

• Do you plan on changing your Christmas shopping habits?

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HAYS COUNTY BUSINESS TO BUY GIFTS FROM? Cabelas and Cracker Barrel were popular choices, but as far as homegrown businesses runners up were King Feed and Hardware in Wimberley, Ellipsis in Buda and the Budaful

Hiker/Little Bluebird also in Buda.

There are many other local businesses in downtown Buda, Kyle, Dripping Springs and Wimberley. So be sure to get out and explore what your locale has to offer.

See page 10 for more holiday survey results.

Hays County Echo Service Directory AIR CONDITIONING A&E Air Conditioning & Heating, LLC Free furnace special, $500 off complete system or 15% off any repair by mentioning you saw us here. 512-312-9535 www.ae4cool.com

NEMEC Heating and Air Proudly serving Central Texas.

Residential, commercial and after hours available. chris@ nemecheatingandair.com 512–312–9081 or 512–789– 5132

COMPUTER SERVICES Hays Technical Services Want help selecting the best value? Office systems not maintained? Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless? mike@haystech.com

DIRT Rick-Rob Trucking Loam, topsoil, sand, gravel, roadbase, asphalt millings, granite, compost mix. Tractor work available. Specializing in country driveways. 512-858-7952. robinnds@aol.com, www.rick-rob. com

FINANCIAL PLANNING Barton Financial Group Financial planning, investment planning and insurance planning.

Zach Barton, 512-686-7589 107 S. Main St, Ste A, Kyle, Texas

LANDSCAPING Daniel Stone & Landscaping Supplies We deliver. Grass: St. Augustine, Buffalo, Bermuda, Tifway. Chopped rock, patio rock, flagstone, drystack, gravel, river rock, mulch, sand and loam. 12015 Hwy 290 W, Cedar Valley, Austin. 512-2888488.

Who Does Your Lawn?

Call Jesse Reyna at 512-7882180 or email apa6207@ sbcglobal.net. Offering competitive pricing and superior service in the Manchaca, Buda, and Kyle area since 2010. Taking care of all lawn needs so you can play. Mowing, trimming, edging, debris removal, flower bed maintenance

LEGAL SERVICES John A. Hall & Associates, P.C. Attorneys and Counselors at Law. Family law, business law, criminal law. 130 Hall Professional Center, 512-268-6425

PLUMBING Prince Plumbing Company Residential repair, remodeling, water heaters, sewer maintenance, slab & gas leak repair. 20 years experience, family owned and operated.

512–312–0710

POOL SERVICE G&S Pool and Spa Service Serving South Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994. 512–326–4695. www.gspoolspa.com

High Tide Pool Service Over 10 years cleaning and maintaining pools. Drain & clean, pressure washing, full service repairs, replastering.

Free estimates, call Keith Miller at 512 965-3465.

REMODELING Wild West Remodeling No job too small or too big!

Kitchen/bath remodels, painting, tile, siding, decks, trim, door & window replacements, drywall repair, electrical and plumbing.

Curtis Dorsett, 512–402–4704

SEPTIC SERVICES All American Wastewater Solutions, LLC Septic problems... Let us help!

Locally serving our community since 1982. Septic repair and installation specialist, septic tank pumping and servicing, aerobic system servicing and more.

Commercial and residential. www. allsepticcheck.com, 512–282–3889.

Sellman Enterprises, Inc. Septic plumbing, cleaning, repairs.

Commercial & Residential. Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.

512–312–0002 www.SellmanSepticServices.com

SHOE REPAIR Austin Shoe Hospital Quality boot & shoe repair as well as purse and luggage repair. Ten locations in Central Texas including: Ben White & Manchaca, 512-4408788; Hwy 290 & Nutty Brown Rd., 512-827-3398; and Hwy 290 in Oak Hill, 512-288-6386.

TREE SERVICES Lees Trees Firewood, pruning, tree removal, chipping, planting, cedar posts, bulk mulch. Free assessments & estimates. Affordable oak wilt treatment. Schedule ball moss treatment for June. Call Marcus Lees at (512) 858-4018, leestrees@vownet.net page 9

SURVEY SAYS...

Celebrate

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE?

WHICH LOCAL HAYS COUNTY FESTIVITIES WILL YOU ATTEND THIS YEAR? Why did we even ask this question? Overwhelmingly, our online readers will be attending Budafest this Dec. 3 through 5 as well as the Trail of Lights in Buda and the Sights and Sounds in San Marcos. We also had some votes for the Buda Sip and Stroll on Dec. 10 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

We’re missing a lot of holiday classics here, but among our readers, the top holiday movies rank in this order: Love Actually White Christmas How the Grinck Stole Christmas Christmas Vacation Home Alone

WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO WINTER DRINK? Hot Chocolate!!!

There were other nominees like tea (scoff) but chocolate was the clear winner.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY DISH? The clear favorite in this category is good ol’ green bean casserole. Just follow the directions on the back of the can of fried onions and you can’t go wrong. Or on the back of the cream of mushroom can, or the back of the green beans can. Okay, so while we’re at it, the main ingredients are green beans, cream of mushroom and fried onions.

Aside from the beloved casserole there was no clear runner up. We had all the usuals – turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, but the surprising newcomer on the list was mac & cheese. Did Kraft send out a memo that I didn’t get? According to our readers, it’s a traditional classic now.

DO YOU PLAN ON CHANGING YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING HABITS? Half of our readers said they were not changing their spending habits this year. But most other respondents are spending less and moving toward online shopping.

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Happy Holidays Wishing you and yours peace, joy, and good health throughout this holiday season and in the year to come.

And remember, we are always here for you … days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

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