News Dispatch October 17, 2019

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D.S. accepts Scenic City award

Tiger VB stays perfect in district

Empty Bowls fighting food insecurity

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXX No. 3

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

Search is still on for DSISD head SUBMITTED REPORT The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees is in the midst of a search for a permanent superintendent for the district. Nearly 80 candidates expressed interest in the position and the board carefully reviewed the pool before selecting seven for interviews, which occurred the week of Oct. 7. A second round of interviews will occur the week of Oct. 21. The process is being led by TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) Executive Search Services. “We were pleased to see

BY CAMELIA JUAREZ

EL RANCHO CIMA, 3

75¢

Thursday, October 17, 2019

County eyes access for El Rancho Cima Hays County officials have their eyes on making public a portion of El Rancho Cima, the 2,382acre former Boy Scout ranch along the Blanco River in Hays and Comal counties, between Wimberley and Fischer. However, public access will be controlled with restrictions similar to those in effect at Jacob’s Well. Visitors would be required to reserve passes for four-hour swimming windows and a park ranger would accompany visitors for the entire visit, county officials announced during a public meeting Oct. 9. The proposals and planning for El Rancho Cima are in the early stages and more public comment will become available, Natural Resources Coordinator Alexandra Thompson said. The park capacity would be between 60 to 80 people. Visitors would be required to make reservations for either an early swim time of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or an afternoon time of 2 to 6 p.m. Passes would cost $10 per a visitor. “The long-term plan is for the property to be available to the public, limiting the number of visitors at one time via a reservation system,” Thompson said. The Blanco River would be available to the public during swim seasons of May through Sept. 30. Upon arrival, visitors would park in an existing parking lot and be escorted by a park ranger. County officials are uncertain if an additional parking spaces will needed.

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PHOTO BY DALE ROBERSON

Stone Carver Phillip Hoggatt with one of his many sculptures on his property on Bell Springs Road west of Dripping Springs.

Rocks to Remember BY DALE ROBERSON

Rocks are the bane of most property owners on the west side of the Balcones Fault. To Phillip Hoggatt, stone, especially limestone, is the crux of his art and living. Hoggatt, who with his wife Michelle, is co-owner of Carved Stone, Inc. He spends his days making beautiful and meaningful art from stone. They have owned their shop on 9-1/2 acres on Bell Springs Road west of Dripping Springs since 1997. Their new office/show room is testament to Phillip’s artisanship. Shelves are filled with bookends, paperweights, cardholders, lamps and other items of beautiful carved art pieces. Much of the stone he uses for his creations and commissions comes from historic uses, which he repurposes.

Much of the stone that stone carver Phillip Hoggatt uses for his creations and commissions, comes from historic uses, which he repurposes.

granite. Probably the most notable grave marker Hoggatt has designed and built is that of former U.S. Congressman and famous Texas Attorney General Jim Maddox. Shortly after Maddox’s death, Hoggatt was selling carved stone “I bought the limethe Capitol in an aucpieces in a booth at stone from the front tion, but when the state Founders Day in Dripsteps of the State Capfailed to get bids on ping Springs. Maddox itol when it was refurthe stone from the rear was a resideny of the bished,” he said. steps, they gave it to Dripping Springs area. Although the capitol him just to get disposal. Maddox’s widow Marta building is made mostly That load also included approached Hoggatt of pink granite quarried quite a bit of granite and asked if he would near Marble Falls, the that had been replaced. build a monument for steps were limestone Since he rarely works her late husband. from near Austin. with granite, he gave Jim Maddox was “The limestone wears most of it to his friend known as “The People’s away after years of use,” and fellow stone mason Lawyer.” How could he Hoggatt said. Mike Bond. refuse? The steps were Even though he works Hoggatt designed replaced with more mostly in limestone, he the 12-foot monument limestone. Hoggatt said doesn’t believe it suitand constructed it of they, too, will wear away able for all stonework. limestone, quartz and with use after time. If re“It’s soft and won’t granite. placed with granite the last forever like granite Designing and consteps would last nearly or marble,” he said. For structing the obelisk forever, he said. that reason Hoggatt said was not necessarily the He purchased the he believes gravestones steps from the front of should be made of STONE CARVER, 8

LAGNIAPPE Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival

The festival is free and takes place on six stages at six venues: Barber Shop Bar, Acopon Brewing Co., Mazama Coffee Co., Hudson’s on Mercer, The Sidecar Tasting Room and Milton’s The public is invited to the annual Dripping Lodging, all within easy walking distance of Springs Songwriters Festival Oct. 18-20, 2019 each other in the quaint Dripping Springs to enjoy three exciting Downtown Historic days of phenomenal District. You won’t want singer/songwriter to miss a single note. showcases. Forty-five songwriters from across the United States and around the world will be there up-close and personal. Enjoy this chance to see, hear and get to know some very talented performers This year’s festival who have a deep love of will be held Saturday the art of songwriting.

38th annual Wimberley Gospel Music Festival

at the Wimberley VFW Post #6441 on Jacobs Well Road. The festival will be dedicated to Jan Hoyt. She and her husband, Pastor Jerry Hoyt, put their heart and soul into the festival at the Cowboys for Jesus Church in Fischer for the last 12 years. For many years, Jan endured a courageous challenge with cancer. During those times, she remained optimistic and upbeat, always with a smile on her face. Her faith in the Lord was unwavering. Entertainers will be coming from across the state, some who have played the festival in prior

years such as Clifton Jansky, Song of Glory, Cowboys for Jesus, Dee Vickery, Blue Creek Bluegrass and Hearts of Grace and some new to the festival this year including Tim Marshall and Jackie Cox. Wimberley’s own Darrell Ayres, Tom Christopher and Jim Henderson will be in the lineup. Sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary, admission is free; there is a $5 parking fee. Creekside Cookers will be providing lunch and dinner and the VFW Auxiliary will have their concession stand open. Festival hours are 11a.m.- 9 p.m. For information, call 512847-5162.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH, 4

Public input south for US 290 study BY CAMELIA JUAREZ The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is seeking public comment to help its feasibility study for the future of US 290 from RM 1826 in southwest Austin to RM 12 in Dripping Springs. During an open house event Oct. 10, local residents and business owners expressed their concerns of traffic accidents in the area, inconvenient roads that are hurting local business and roads that increase police and EMS response times. TxDOT Pubic Involvement Officer Alex Navarro said community input is prioritized and highly encouraged to help engineers make the roads safer and adaptable. “Anyone who lives, works or travels in this area will notice the traffic. We are noticing that growth will not stop, so we are really trying to come up with a suggestion on how to connect these different areas. We want to improve safety and mobility to accommodate the continuous growth,” Navarro said. Local business owner and resident of the area Senora Lee said the current roads make it difficult to access her property and business. Her daily inconvenience is also a threat to the health of her neighbor, who frequently needs emergency medical assistance. “We live in an area that we have to drive two and a half miles, then do a turn around to access our property and businesses. If you had to call EMS, they would have to go all the way down then turn around to get to elderly people. My neigh-

US 290 STUDY, 5


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