Hill Country Sun, December 2012 by Julie Harrington

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Hill Country SUN

DECEMBER 2012 River City Ballet Company’s

Nutcracker Suiite and other Holiday Treats R Dexter Haynes’

Hill Country Christmas Lights in Johnson City R CJ Wright’s

Hill Country Wildlife R Suzy Moehring Mallard’s

Hill Country Parks R The Hill Country’s most complete

Calendar of Events

Serving Austin, Bandera, Blanco, Buda, Bulverde, Burnet, Canyon Lake, Castroville, Comfort, Concan, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Georgetown, Gruene, Henly, Hancock, Johnson City, Kerrville, Kyle, Lakeway, Llano, Leakey, Luckenbach, Marble Falls, Medina, New Braunfels, San Antonio, San Marcos, Sattler, Sisterdale, Stonewall, Wimberley, Utopia, Uvalde, Vanderpool & More

Young man’s love of season comes to light

By Ernie Altgelt

oes Dexter Haynes love Christmas? The answer to that question can be found nightly this month with an illuminating drive-thru visit to his family’s seasonally-transformed Even as a small child, Dexter seemed Johnson City homestead. Here, since 2004, the young man has been attracting to go beyond the normal exhilaration (and welcoming) numerous like-minded this special time traditionally engencelebrants with his beautiful Hill Coun- dered in youngsters. As he recalls, “The thoughts of toys try Christmas Lights extravaganza. So yes, Dexter does indeed love and treats were there but I was always Christmas, and, fueled by a brightly equally intrigued by the overall exciteburning passion, that affection is exqui- ment the total season generated.” Dexter undoubtedly loved the day sitely reflected in the many beckoning light-enhanced displays that annually and what it represented, but also, the grow (and glow) across this expertly-cre- trappings – the Christmas trees, colorful ated, yet ephemeral, Yule-time wonder- lights, carols, etc. – quite simply, “the enland.Season And, ad_Layout in the spirit of Christmas HCS 1 11/17/12 7:50 PMgivPage 1tire Christmas package.” Recognizing this, his attentive paring, all are invited to visually share.

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Death of a Salesman by ARThuR MilleR Feb. 8 - March 3 The American classic about unrealized dreams. 1949 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play.

Presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., NYC

The Canterville Ghost Based on the story by Oscar Wilde Music & lyrics by JOShuA WilliAMS Book by RyAN hAMilTON

April 12 - May 5

A charming musical about an unlikely ghost in an old manor house bought by a skeptical family.

The Taming of the Shrew by WilliAM ShAKeSPeARe

June 21 - June 30 & July 12 - July 21 The Bard’s famous battle of the sexes!

Stay by SheilA COWley Sept. 13 - Oct. 6

A Texas Premiere!

ents gave their eager son his first string of of the car, attendees can “tune in” to a lights at the tender age of eight. He im- special FM radio station that further sets mediately hung them in the family’s front the mood with festive carols and tradiyard and delightedly flipped the switch tional hymns. Also, at specific times, a — and, just like his suspended lights, he “live” Nativity is staged additionally enwas hooked! hancing the experience. By 2004 (now age And, rumor has it 13), Dexter’s decorating that on the weekends, had grown to encomthe “real’ Santa will pass an impressive make appearances. 50,000 individual lights New to the event are and the Hayne’s house entertaining (and combegan to attract attenfortable) hay rides. tion. These (by reservation U n d e r s t a n d a b l y, only) excursions gently lots of locals were drawn roll across the Hill Counto these twinkling, intry Christmas Lights triguing lightings, some route and, some will even entering the propeven venture into Johnerty to get a better view. son City proper. PurBy 2005, Dexter chasing tickets early is (with his parent’s per- Dexter Haynes. recommended due to mission and now em- Photo courtesy Hill Country Christmas Lights. the anticipated demand. ploying 75,000 lights) in To complete each response to the growing interest, official- season’s undertaking Dexter starts his ly opened the family property to the pub- preparations in early October. Finishing lic. The popular destination soon became can require an exhausting six-weeks of inknown as Hill Country Christmas Lights, tense effort. and enthusiastic crowds began showing All of the equipment used is personup in even greater numbers. A tradition ally owned by the Haynes family. Since was born and it’s been “lighting up” the there are no admission fees charged for Texas Hill Country ever since. the driving tour, to offset costs incurred, Today, powered by more than 600,000 including lights, displays, maintenance lights, from mid-November through De- and a hefty electrical bill, donations are cember, hundreds of packed cars each gratefully accepted (with half going to night can be expected to make the pil- area charities). grimage to the Hayne’s doorstep and With so much time, labor and extake the driving tour, all ready to be pense invested each year, when asked if it amazed and delighted by the visual in- is all worth it, a proud Dexter volunteers credibility that Dexter almost single- without hesitation, “You bet. I just love handedly fashioned. Christmas and the reason for it – Jesus This spectacular spectacle includes Christ. It should be a joyful time and I be60 electrically-lighted displays that burn, lieve my lights add to that joy.” blink and beam representing myriad figFYI • Hill Country Christmas Lights runs nightly from ures and shapes, 75 oak trees each care- November 17 through January 1, 2013. The grounds open fully wrapped in colorful strings creating Monday through Thursday at 6 pm and close at 10 pm. Fria magical forest that borders the half-mile days and Saturdays, hours are extended through midnight. drive and a 5,000-light tunnel radiating in Longer hours are also scheduled for Christmas Eve and New pure white that emerges close to a mam- Year’s Eve. For more information, including directions and to moth, illuminated Christmas tree. purchase hay ride tickets, visit the web site at www.hillcounEight fun (and brightly lit) inflatables trychristmaslights.com or call 512-955-1706. The property round out the wonderment. is located one mile north of Johnson City on Highway 281. And, while viewing from the comfort Look for the lights, you can’t miss it.

Texas premiere of a new psychological thriller.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (revised version) Based on the Comic Strip “Peanuts®” by ChARleS M. SChulz

Book, Music and lyrics by ClARK GeSNeR

Nov. 15 - Dec. 8

The whole family will love this musical. Adult actors bring those endearing Peanuts characters to life.

With Season Tickets, date exchanges are easy if your plans change SeaSon TickeTS on Sale nov. 27- Dec. 11. five ShowS for the price of 4, juST $72 - that’s 20% savings. purchase online at www.wimberleyplayers.org or call 512-847-0575 The Wimberley Playhouse is located Downtown at 450 Old Kyle Rd. Ample free parking.

PAGE 2 DECEMBER 2012 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Festive displays enlighten the holiday season at Dexter Haynes’ Hill Country Christmas Lights in Johnson City. Photo courtesy Hill Country Christmas Lights.

For Texas Hill Country Properties...

Hill Country SUN Julie Harrington Publisher Advertising Ralph Harrington President Advertising Melissa Maxwell Editor

Ernie Altgelt Bonnie Eissler Suzy Moehring Mallard C.J. Wright Writers Gerry Burns Delonn Bowie DeLane Ibarra Adelle Spell Distribution

call Lem Lewis, Broker

December 2012

Volume 23 • Number 7 ISSN: 1524-2315 Entire contents copyright © 2012 by TD Austin Lane, Inc., 100 Commons Rd. Suite 7, Number 319, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620. Writers and photographers retain copyrights to individual work. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any fashion without the written consent of the publisher. • The Hill Country Sun is published monthly. For advertising rates or information, call Julie Harrington at 512-484-9716 (email julie@hillcountrysun.com) or Ralph Harrington at 512-484-9715 (email ralph@hillcountrysun.com). Credit cards accepted. • Circulation: 24,000. Distributed monthly to more than 450 popular Hill Country locations (see list on front cover) and home delivered to all 5,181 Wimberley homes and 8,240 Dripping Springs homes by the US Postal Service. • C over : “River City Angels” by Josh Brewster. Young performers of the River City Ballet Company will present “The Nutcracker Suite and Other Holiday Treats” December 22-23 at the San Marcos High School Performing Arts Center (See story, page 6). Photo courtesy Josh Brewster Photography, www.joshbrewsterphotography.com. • Deadline for calendar events 15th of each month. Email melissa@hillcountrysun.com.

Land & Ranch ReaLty 210-275-3551 • LandAndRanchRealty.com

www.hillcountrysun.com julie@hillcountrysun.com • ralph@hillcountrysun.com melissa@hillcountrysun.com

INDEX

HENLY

Texas Hill Country Locator Map

Austin J5 Bandera B10 Bergheim D9 Bertram I2 Blanco F6 Boerne D9 Buchanan Dam F2 Buda J7 Bulverde G10 Burnet G2 Camp Verde B8 Canyon Lake G9 Castroville C12 Center Point B8 Clear Springs H11 Comfort C8 Concan A11 Driftwood H7 Dripping Springs H6 Fischer G8 Fredericksburg C5 Georgetown K2 Granite Shoals G2 Gruene H10 Hancock G8 Helotes G6 Henly G6 Highland Lakes F2/3 Hondo B13 Hunt A7 Hye E6 Ingram B7 Johnson City F5 Kendalia F8 Kerrville B7 Kingsland F2 Kyle I8 Lampasas G1 Leakey A9 Llano D2 Liberty Hill I12 Luckenbach D6 Luling K10 Marble Falls G3 Martindale J9 Mason B2 Medina A9 New Braunfels H10 Oak Hill I6 Oatmeal H2 Pipe Creek C10 Round Rock K3 San Antonio F12 San Marcos I9 Sattler H9 Seguin I11 Sisterdale D8 Spring Branch F9 Startzville G9 Stonewall D6 Utopia A10 Vanderpool A9 Wimberley H8

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R DECEMBER 2012 PAGE 3

C.J. Wright

hill country nature

ne day this past October while driving along a busy Texas highway, I glimpsed an orange and black butterfly buffeted by the rush of air from passing motorists. The monarch was obviously dead, one of the thousands of casualties that

occur during fall migration. The cobalt sky seemed less bright as, in that brief moment, I wondered if the monarch carried a tag on its wing, placed there by someone who had painstakingly raised the animal, then released it with fervent hope that it would make its epic

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PAGE 4 december 2012 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Plight of the Monarch journey to roost in the Oyamel trees growing on mountaintops amidst the Michoacán forest of Mexico. With countless articles written and films produced featuring this amazing bug, the migration of monarch butterflies is internationally known. Not so much, the many obstacles they face during every phase of their journey—beginning with birth. Though a female monarch can lay as many as 400 eggs, only a fraction survives to adulthood. Among the parasitoids that attack monarch larva are tachinid flies, flies larger and more bristly than houseflies. Females lay eggs on monarch larvae. The majority of these fly eggs harbor the first instar, which proceeds to cut into its host (monarch larva) where it continues to develop into adulthood, all the while eating its prey from the inside out. Ophrycocystis elektroscirrha (O.e.), a protozoan parasite, is another lethal foe. As fast-growing monarch caterpillars devour milkweed, they may also ingest O.e. If heavily infected, larvae may not reach pupation. If a caterpillar does form a chrysalis, the parasites form dormant spores around the scales of the developing butterfly. When these adults eclose (emerge), they often have difficulty expanding their wings. Those that successfully eclose are smaller and shorter lived. Some will mate and lay eggs, passing on spores to their young. As if parasitoids and parasites weren’t enough, predators such as spiders, ants, frogs, wasps, and some birds also prey on monarch larvae and butterflies.

Aware of these dangers, volunteers across the country devote long hours, working to help these fragile creatures survive. They rejoiced when this past spring came early to southern Texas. Timely rains prompted flowers to bloom, including native milkweed. Since vegetation rebounded from last year’s devastating drought ahead of fire ants, monarchs returning from Mexico in early March found plenty of nectar plants and milkweed for depositing eggs. Soon the first generation of monarchs was flying north, a promising start to the season. Also having experienced a milder winter and early spring, Manitoba and the Canadian Prairies enjoyed a large monarch migration. And as spring warmed into summer, citizen scientists and volunteers— dedicated to the cause of these delicate animals—worked diligently to raise public awareness of the plight of See HILL COUNTRY WILDLIFE, page 5

WIMBERLEY

HILL COUNTRY WILDLIFE, from page 4 monarchs (Their population is about 50% of the long-term average.) while also fighting to ensure the survival of every egg, caterpillar and butterfly they encountered. Many visited schools to educate students and faculty about monarchs and their tenuous position in our environment. Together volunteers and students raised monarchs and created butterfly gardens. Others helped mental health patients raise monarchs, rewarded by the patients’ profound wonder. Some captured injured monarchs and carefully repaired broken wings. Still others worked tirelessly to construct and maintain indoor enclosures. Creating a sterile environment sprayed with a bleach/water solution, they raised monarchs from pin-sized egg to butterfly. Potted milkweeds were given the same sterile treatment—all to protect larvae and eggs from O.e. In addition, countless volunteers maintained and taught others to create butterfly gardens complete with native milkweeds. Many tagged fourth generation monarchs to generate data regarding their migratory paths should the tags be recovered. In one publicized case, a woman from New York who has raised monarchs for 40 years persuaded Southwest Airlines to fly her and her late-eclosing monarch to San Antonio where the insect was released to

join her kin on their fall migration. But as summer faded, observers noted a decline in the number of migrating monarchs flying south. A large number pass through the Midwest during both spring and fall migrations. Once Midwest prairielands bloomed with nectaring plants— abundant sources of food—and milkweed. Now subdivisions and fields of genetically modified, herbicidetolerant crops proliferate. When companies created herbicideresistant soybeans, cotton and corn plants, farmers sprayed, killing all other vegetation. Nature has a way of fighting back but, in this case, she still loses. Weeds that have grown resistant to herbicides force farmers to increase herbicidal use. Some insect populations have grown resistant to Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) toxins found in genetically engineered crops thus prompting more insecticidal spraying. In addition, the severe drought that fried millions of acres of land in the Midwest left lifeless any nectaring plants that escaped herbicides. Gone was the milkweed, the sole food plant of monarch caterpillars. Milkweed needed for the last generation to lay eggs on. Thus, fewer numbers of monarchs drifted into Texas this autumn. Many that

did were thin, dimming the probability that they reach Mexico—this, compared to years past when rivers of monarchs glided overhead, stretching from horizon to horizon. Though not yet tallied, the number of monarchs roosting in the Michoacán forest this year will be fewer than last year, that population being well below average. And one can’t take much comfort in knowing that some monarchs overwinter in Texas as well as Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia because the majority of the population is genetically programmed to fly to Mexico — a phenomenon first brought to light by Dr. Fred Urquhart and his assistants, now the subject of a wonderful 3-D IMAX film, Flight of the Butterflies. Upon celebrating her 107th birthday, one lady attributed the secret of living long to eating well and helping others. And I reflected on the reward volunteers felt upon seeing the wonder in children’s eyes when they watched monarchs they’d raised soar free.

As the New Year approaches we make resolutions, perhaps some of us will resolve to help the monarch butterfly. FYI • To learn how you can help, visit the web site at www.monarchlab.org.

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EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens

Holiday Trail of Lights  WIMBERLEY H More than 100 seasonal displays at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens holiday Trail of Lights combine to make this one of the best family-oriented holiday sites in the Hill Country. Last year, the Trail of Lights hosted 17,700 visitors. The festive exhibits along the trail— open from 6 pm to 10 pm November 24 through December 31—are created by local families, individuals, businesses, schools, churches, and organizations. A fun family tradition, visitors can enjoy complimentary  hot cocoa at the Yule Log. Remember, donations are needed (and appreciated) to help defray expenses.There will also be Christmas entertainment by area musicians, choirs and talent most evenings. The eight days of Hanukkah celebration at the Trail of Lights begins December LEFT TO RIGHT Mrs. Claus, EmilyAnn Theatre & 8. “It is a not to be missed experience,” says Gardens founder, Ann Rolling, and Santa Ann Rolling, EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens’ at the holiday Trail of Lights. founder. Photo courtesy EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens. Admission to the Trail of Lights is free (donations gratefully accepted) Sunday through Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 10 pm.“And please remember that, as we grow and on very busy nights, parking is available at Wimberley High School and a lighted path provided,” says Ann. Check the theatre’s web site for directions and parking information. FYI • The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens is located at 1101 Farm Market 2325 in Wimberley. The Holiday Trail of Lights is November 24 through December 31, open Monday through Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 10 pm. Admission is free, donations greatly appreciated. For more information about the Trail of Lights and the many other events at the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, call 512-847-6969 or visit the web site at www.emilyann.org.

A DISTINCTIVE COLLECTION OF

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Hill Country George Kovach, “Bluebonnets,” 40” x 30,” Oil

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512-847-7278 TheArtGalleryAtWimberley.net HILL COUNTRY SUN R DEcember 2012 PAGE 5

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River City Ballet’s Nutcracker Suite T

until an injury prompted her to direct her he holidays are here again. The talent and experience toward teaching. signs of the season are everywhere, With four years at the helm of River from festive music in the air City Ballet, Caitlin says, “It was really a to decorations on the square, to the natural progression.” With a mission to provide quality Christmas week River City Ballet’s two performances of the Nutcracker Suite, affordable ballet for youngsters in the with its enchanting score by 19th century Russian composer Tchaikovsky. Caitlin Kelly, the company’s artistic director, says audiences can expect something different this year, with “brand-new choreography” for the Nutcracker along with a brand-new ballet, choreographed by Texas State Assistant Professor Ana Baer Carrillo, to open the Young dancers train at River City Ballet Company in San show. Marcos. Photo courtesy River City Ballet Company. Caitlin grew up in Connecticut and studied Ballet Pedagogy at the Hartt area, the company attracts aspiring School, which is the performing arts dancers from San Marcos, New Braunfels, conservatory of the University of Kyle and surrounding areas. Their many accomplishments also Hartford. She danced with ballet companies include school outreach programs such in New York, Boston, and San Francisco as last year’s performance of Peter and the Wolf – an engaging children’s musical with a diverse array of human and animal characters – for 1000 elementary students at Hays Performing Arts Center. “We usually do something fun, like Peter and the Wolf, that especially appeals to kids and is interactive,” UNIQUE WORK OF Caitlin says. “They can ask questions 13 HILL COUNTRY and even get up on the stage to try out ARTISTS some dance movements.” Caitlin is very happy to be working MOSAICS with Ana, and hopes to develop an OILS / ACRYLICS ongoing relationship between River City FUSED GLASS Ballet and Texas State. WATERCOLORS “This is a first for us,” Caitlin says, SCULPTURE “ and it’s exciting because it is a new PHOTOGRAPHY process for the girls. For Ana’s ballet, the JEWELRY / GIFTS girls have been learning the choreography first, without musical accompaniment. Choreographers work in different ways and these different experiences help their training.” Although some performers in Nutcracker are as young as age 3, the more serious training for dancers at River City Ballet begins at age 8, after the student makes the decision to really focus on ballet. This takes dedication, and dancers rehearse about 10 hours a week, with some practicing as many as six or seven days a week. Wimberley With this kind of persistence, Fine Arts Center success stories are inevitable. One recent 13909 Ranch Rd 12 Wimberley high school graduate is now training with Ballet San Antonio and another is www.wimberleyfineartscenter.com See RIVER CITY BALLET, page 7

By Bonnie Eissler

WIMBERLEY FINE ARTS CENTER

WIMBERLEY

RIVER CITY BALLET, from page 6

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Don’t miss “The Nutcracker Suite and other Holiday Treats,” performed by the River City Ballet December 22-23 in San Marcos. Photo courtesy River City Ballet Company.

training with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, Mississippi. And two younger students from River City Ballet were accepted into American Ballet Theater’s summer intern program in New York City. Only 200 were selected from thousands of hopeful auditioners for this prestigious internship. Caitlin says, “It’s wonderful to work with such motivated dancers and to

watch as a full production develops over months of practice and hard work.” FYI • The Nutcracker Suite and other Holiday Treats performances are December 22 at 7 pm and December 23 at 4 pm at the San Marcos High School Performing Arts Center, 2601 E. McCarty Lane, San Marcos. Purchase tickets online at www.rivercityballet.org or call 512-396-8736. Tickets are $5 - $15 with no charge for children under 2 years. The River City Ballet Company is located at 101 East Hopkins Street in San Marcos.

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R DECEMBER 2012 PAGE 7

Suzy Moehring Mallard hill country Parks

Christmas and color in the parks this season

isits are up at the state parks, we’re bundling up against the nippy nighttime weather, and it won’t be long before we’ll have a few days off school and work to make even more visits to the parks. Check out these special Christmas events at our Hill Country parks, and then wrap up against the cooler weather and head on out. December 15 at 10 am GOVERNMENT CANYON STATE NATURAL AREA PIONEER KIDS CHRISTMAS Join us for a Pioneer Kids Christmas! Experience what a typical Christmas would have been like for pioneer kids in this region. Make your own nineteenthcentury Christmas decorations, listen to Christmas legends pioneer children may have heard, and make an old-timey toy. Make reservations before December 14 at fogcsna@gmail.com or 210-688-9055 extension 289. Include the name of each

participant/guardian, age of participant, contact e-mail address and telephone number. Entrance fees apply. December 8, 15 & 22, 5 pm-10 pm LONGHORN CAVERN STATE PARK CAROLING IN THE CAVE Celebrate the season with holiday music inside the cavern followed by tasty food and games in the administration building. Santa is sure to make an appearance with gifts for all the good little children. The evening ends with a reading of two stories, one of which will take you back in time. Different musical artists are featured each week. Reservations highly recommended. 512-756-4680 or 512-756-4680 or online at longhorncaverns.com December 16 at 6 pm Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site 43rd Annual LBJ Tree Lighting A centennial year of celebration in honor of Lady Bird’s 100th Birthday-

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The 43rd annual lighting of the Christmas tree at LBJ State Park and Historic Site is December 16. The tradition was started by President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Ladybird Johnson, back in 1970, and has continued as a popular holiday event with decorations, lights, Christmas songs, a live nativity scene and tours of the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, which was also decorated for Christmas as it would have looked in the early 1900s. Photo by Bryan Frazier, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Come join the Texas Hill Country community in this special tradition started 43 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson. Enjoy music, a live nativity, Santa Claus and of course, the spectacular tree lighting. Then, step back in time to the SauerBeckmann Living History Farm where you’ll find special German cookies and cakes, glowing lanterns, and a traditional candlelit German Christmas tree. The park store will be open to help you find all your holiday gifts. 830-644-2252

December 21, 6:30 pm to 9 pm MCKINNEY FALLS STATE PARK: A Merry Evening with Santa. Come visit Austin’s own state park for an evening of ornament and candy-making, Christmas decorations and pictures with Santa for a suggested donation. While you are out, enjoy hot cocoa, warm wassail, kettle corn and a twilight hike followed by a star gazing party with the Austin Astronomy Club at 7 pm. Regular entrance fees apply. 512-415-8793 See HILL COUNTRY PARKS, page 9

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HILL COUNTRY PARKS, from page 8 And while you’re out, notice what all this cool weather is doing to the colors in the parks. Ah, this cool weather – and the more we have the more color we’re going to see everywhere. Those beautiful bigtooth maples at LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA northwest of San Antonio and west of Austin are at their peak, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says a weekday visit would be way better than a weekend visit if you don’t want to be in among crowds of people and lines of cars. At INKS LAKE STATE PARK, the sycamore trees are showing off their golden foliage and the cypress trees along the lake fairly holler out with their shades of brown, orange, and red. Parks and Wildlife botanist Jackie Poole says fall colors in Texas will be best in areas that have not been stunned by drought, such as much of West Texa,s and have been blessed with some decent rainfall during summer and early autumn. And really, it’s not just oaks, sycamores, and cypress that show off their color – lots of native plants do a change of color with the right combo of cool weather and seasonal rain. According to Andrea DeLong-Amaya, director of horticulture for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, says that many native Hill Country plants that provide the best fall color will achieve peak color shortly after the first

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MAKE THE TRIP TO THE DRIP! Virgina creeper leaf. © Norberto Mario Lauría | Dreamstime.com frost. Some of those species include: FLAME-LEAF SUMAC (Rhus lanceolata) Orange/red. POISION IVY (Toxicodendron radicans) Orange/red. TEXAS RED OAK (Quercus texana) Dark red. ELBOWBUSH (Forestiera pubescens) Yellow. CEDAR ELM (Ulmus crassifolia) Yellow. VIRGINIA CREEPER (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Orange/red. Grasses like bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) And all y’all have a Merry Christmas. See you in the New Year – make Texas park visits a New Year’s resolution for your family.

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Hill country calendar

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NOTE: Dates or locations for the events listed in the Calendar may change. Some require admission fees or reservations. Please call ahead to confirm information. EVERY DAY GRUENE: Live music at Gruene Hall. Enjoy free music shows Monday through Thursday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. gruenehall.com. WIMBERLEY: (every day except Monday) Visit Wimberley Glassworks. Gallery open daily 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm. Glassblowing demos daily except Monday (except Tuesday on holiday weekends) 800-929-6686 WGW.com. EVERY SUNDAY AUSTIN: Sunday Jazz Brunch. Nutty Brown Café. www.nuttybrown.com. SECOND SUNDAY JOHNSON CITY: Taste Wine + Art Music Events. Entertainment ranging from rockin’ gospel and jazz to Latin music at the Kirchman Gallery. 830-868-9290. EVERY MONDAY CANYON LAKE: Seniors Bingo. 12:30 pm at Habitat for Safe Seniors, 2174 Old Sattler Road in Startzville. 830-899-2256. EVERY TUESDAY AUSTIN: Kid’s Night. Nutty Brown Café. www.nuttybrown.com. CYPRESS MILL: The Bunkhouse Gang at Wenmohs Ranch. Paint and enjoy the fellowship of other Hill Country artists. 830-825-3465. FISCHER: Youth Archery Program. Cowboys for Jesus, 8400 FM 32. 830-935-2920. GRUENE: Two Ton Tuesdays at Gruene Hall. Rock-a-billy band Two Tons of Steel takes the stage at 8:30 pm. 830-606-1281. WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Community

Band. Meets at First Baptist Church. 512858-7960. FIRST TUESDAYS BANDERA: Cowboy Capital Opry. Professional entertainers perform to benefit Meals on Wheels. Silver Sage Corral Senior Activity Center. 830-796-4969. THIRD TUESDAYS NEW BRAUNFELS: Comal Country Music Show. Knights of Columbus Hall, 111 Landa Street. 830-629-4547. LEANDER: Low Cost Pet Spay, Neuter and Vaccination. 512-260-3602, ext. 101. EVERY WEDNESDAY AUSTIN: Austin Farmers Market at Triangle Park. 4600 Guadalupe at Lamar and 46th Street. 512-236-0074. AUSTIN: Open Mic Night. Nutty Brown Café. www.nuttybrown.com. WIMBERLEY: Farmers’ Market. Fresh produce, fresh breads, much more. Senior Citizen’s Activity Center. 512-264-1637. FOURTH WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Neighbors. 9:30 am. Visitor’s Center. 512-847-2849. EVERY THURSDAY AUSTIN: Karaoke at the Nutty Brown Café. www.nuttybrown.com. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Coffee House with Light Dinners, Decadent Desserts and Open Mic. 6 pm to 9 pm. Thyme and Dough. 512-894-0001. FIRST THURSDAY AUSTIN: Austin Air Coolers VW Gang. Meet at 7:30 pm at Deep Eddy Pool, cruise down Congress to Austin Pizza. BUDA: First Thursday. Stroll through the downtown antique and specialty shops, while you enjoy the delicious food from

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downtown restaurants. www.discoverbuda.com. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Dripping Springs American Legion meets at 27500 Ranch Road 12. 7 pm. 512-858-1907. WIMBERLEY: YAPI (Young Artist Perfor mance Incubator). Great opportunity for kids 18 and under to perform in an intimate setting. Maui Wowi. 512-847-6215, www.brendafreed.com/yapi. FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY CANYON LAKE: Noon Lions Meeting at Canyon Lake Golf Club. 830-899-4406. THIRD THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Dripping Springs VFW. 27500 Ranch Road 12. 7 pm. 512858-1907. WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Kitchen Coffee House Concert Series. The best in live music. 7:30 pm, Wimberley UMC, Corner RR 12 and CR 1492, $15, wimberleyumc. org/susannaskitchen.htm EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Live Music at Linda’s Fine Foods. 500 FM 2325. 512-847-5464. EVERY FRIDAY GRUENE: Friday Afternoon Club at Gruene Hall. Happy hour, prize giveaways and the best in Texas tunes, broadcast live by KNBT-92.1 FM Radio New Braunfels with Mattson Rainer. 4 pm to 7 pm. 830629-5077. LEAKEY: Fridays at the Buckhorn Bar and Grill. House band and local talent. 830-232-4755, friobuckhornbar.com. WIMBERLEY: Happy Hour at Taste Buds on the Square. Special drink prices and free appetizers. 512-847-7771. WIMBERLEY: Bingo. VFW Hall. 512-8476441. WIMBERLEY: Celebrate Recovery. First Baptist Church Youth Building. 7 pm to 9 pm, with pizza at 6:30 pm. 512-847-9035. SECOND FRIDAY CASTROVILLE: Friday Night Fever. An evening of cars, trucks, bikes, food, shopping. 6 pm to 10 pm. Lundquist Automotive. www.castroville.com, 830-931-2479. THIRD FRIDAY JOHNSON CITY: Cruise-In. See classic and collectable vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Free admission. www.3fjc.com.

FOURTH FRIDAY BANDERA: Fourth Friday Jam. Musicians jam at the Silver Sage Corral starting at 6:30 pm. 830-796-4969. EVERY FIRST FRIDAY and SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Late Night Shopping on the Wimberley Square. Stores remain open until at least 8 pm for your shopping pleasure. wimberleymerchants.com. EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY FREDERICKSBURG: Rockbox Theater. Renowned variety, music, and rock ‘n roll show, great family fun. 866-3496688. FIRST SATURDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Low Cost Pet Vaccinations at Tractor Supply. 512-858-7229.

EVERY SATURDAY AUSTIN: Austin Farmers Market. Republic Square. 512-236-0074. AUSTIN: Sunset Valley Farmers Market. Barton Creek Mall. 512-280-1976. COMFORT: Comfort Area Farmer’s Market. 8 am to 1 pm (or until sold out). Comfort Park on Highway 27. COMFORT: Wine Tastings at High’s Café. 4 pm to 7 pm. 830-995-4995, www. highscafeandstore.com. NEW BRAUNFELS: Canyon Trail Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show. An evening of cowboy song and hearty dining awaits. For information, call 830-626-8200, 888-408-7245. WIMBERLEY: Tours of Jacob’s Well. Hear the stories about famous floods and scuba divers, learn value of native grasses, experience stunning beauty of spring that started this town. 10 am. jacobswellspring.org EVERY SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Arnosky Family Farms Market. Fresh flowers, more. Ranch Road 2325 and Highway 165. 830-8335428. FIRST SATURDAY BANDERA: Market Days. 830-796-4447. BANDERA: First Saturday Book Sale at the Bandera Public Library. 9 am to 1 pm. 830-796-4213. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Low Cost Pet Vaccinations. In the parking lot of Tractor Supply. 512-858-7229.

Hill country calendar FIRST SATURDAY KYLE: Market Days. 512-268-4220. WIMBERLEY: Market Days. (March through December). Everything you can’t live without at Lions Market Day Field. 475-plus booths, free admission. 7 am to 4 pm. shopmarketdays.com.

FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Toastmasters Public Speaking and Leadership Club Meets. 10:30 am at Visitor’s Center. 512-9134804. SECOND SATURDAY BUDA: Artists of the South Corridor

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R DECEMBER 2012 PAGE 11

Hill country calendar

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Saturday, December 1

STORE WIDE SALE at our store, “Treasures on Twelve,” 13620 Ranch Road 12, Bldg. A from 10 am to 5 pm. 20% off on everything!

Saturday, December 8

DOG ADOPTION DAY at King Feed, 14210 Ranch Road 12 from 10 am to 2 pm.

Saturday, December 15

WAG RESCUE ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAKE SALE at Brookshire Brothers, 14100 Ranch Road 12 from 10 am to 4 pm. We need bakers! Contact Susan Martin at 925-918-3128 if you would like to make something for the sale or help with packaging baked goods.

LOCATIONS ALL ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS (512) 366-8260 specsonline.com

WAG Rescue is a non-profit public charity for dog rescue and adoption. Donations are tax deductible. Make a secure PayPal donation on our website or mail checks to P.O. Box 2603, Wimberley, Texas 78676.

512-394-8619 •wimberleywagrescue.org

PAGE 12 DECEMBER 2012 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Meeting. Artists meet at Hobby Lobby in Southpark Meadows. 10 am. CASTROVILLE: Market Trail Days. Houston Square. 830-539-2316. THIRD SATURDAY MARBLE FALLS: Bluegrass, Country and Western, and Gospel. 6 pm to 10 pm at the Boys and Girls Club. 830-898-1784. LAST SATURDAY JOHNSON CITY: Taste Wine + Art Reception. Free exhibit of contemporary art, plus Wines of Texas available by the glass, bottle or case at Kirchman Gallery. 213 North Nugent Avenue. 830-868-9290. EVERY SATURDAY and SUNDAY ROUND MOUNTAIN: Public Weekend Tours at Westcave. Public tours of Westcave Preserve, ecological jewel in the crown of the Texas Hill Country are offered every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Tour takes visitors from an arid savanna through a limestone crevice and into a spectacular sheltered canyon of lush plant life. 830-825-3442, info@westcave.org. SECOND SATURDAY and SUNDAY AUSTIN: Tours of Bright Leaf Natural Area. Guided hikes of beautiful wooded area four miles and two hours in length. www.brightleaf.org. NOVEMBER 30 NEW BRAUNFELS: First Star Studded Evening Christmas Tour of Homes. John Newcombe’s Estates. 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. 830-620-1526. DECEMBER 1-24 FREDERICKSBURG: Rockbox Theater Christmas Show. rockboxtheater.com. DECEMBER 1-30 NEW BRAUNFELS: Santa’s Ranch Holiday Lights Park. Drive-through Christmas tradition features more than 1.5 million twinkling lights. santasranch.net. DECEMBER 1-31 WIMBERLEY: 15th Annual Holiday Trail of Lights. Opening ceremonies aNovember 24 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Sunday through Thursday 6 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 10 pm. www.emilyann.org. DECEMBER 1 - JANUARY 1, 2013 JOHNSON CITY: Hill Country Christmas Lights Display. More than a half million lights at this drive-thru display, plus live nativity December 7-8. 830-992-7646. www.hillcountrychristmaslights.com. JOHNSON CITY: Lights Spectacular, Hill Country Style. The Blanco County glows with more than 100,000 lights, plus one million lights on PEC headquarters on Avenue F, Christmas in the Park and light displays throughout the community. Each weekend, the Garden Club fills the Courthouse with Christmas ornaments and holiday crafts for purchase. johnsoncity-texas.com. MARBLE FALLS: Walkway of Lights. More than two million sparkling lights transform Lakeside Park into a holiday wonderland, with Santa on weekends. 6 pm to 10 pm nightly, weather permitting. marblefalls.org. DECEMBER 1 - JANUARY 2, 2013 BLANCO: Trail of Lights. Stroll the path of lights and Christmas scenery in Bindseil Park. 830-833-5101, www.blancochamber.com.

Hill country calendar DECEMBER 1 - JANUARY 5, 2013 FREDERICKSBURG: Eisbahn. Outdoor skating at Marktplatz downtown. Open daily. skateinfred.com. DECEMBER 1 BLANCO: Chuckwagon Food and Christmas Concert. 6 pm Buggy Barn and Carriahe Hills Ranch. 830-833-5708, buggybarnmuseum.com. BOERNE: Weihnachts Parade. 6 pm on Main Street. 830-248-1543. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Christmas on Mercer Street. Arts and crafts vendors, carriage rides, pony rides, Santa and his elves and more. 10 am to 6 pm along Mercer Street. Tree lighting at 6 pm. cityofdrippingsprings.com, 512-858-9912. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Photos with Santa at Cowgirls and Lace. Bring your camera! www.cowgirlsandlace.com. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Bake Sale at Christmas on Mercer Street sponsored by Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library. 10 am to 4 pm. WIMBERLEY: Storewide Sale at Treasures on Twelve. 20 percent off everything to benefit WAG Rescue. 13620 Ranch Road 12 Building A. DECEMBER 1- 2 BOERNE: Oma’s Christmas Craft Fair. Three buildings of vendors offer handmade, handcrafted merchandise. 830249-2541, www.kcfa.org. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Hill Country Holiday Gift Tour. Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm. 512-858-7000. GRUENE: Old Gruene Market Days. 10 am to 5 pm. GrueneMarketDays.com. DECEMBER 2 BUDA: Mare-Y Christmas Barn Tour and Rocking Horse Fandango. Texas H2Oasis®. Five barns decorated for holidays, plus music, demonstrations, mini-clinics, refreshments and more from 1 pm to 5 pm. Rocking-Horse Fandango follows at KaliKate Event Pavilion from 5:30 pm to 7 pm. www.texash2oasis.org. WIMBERLEY: Holiday Extravaganza presented by Wimberley High School Project Graduation 2013. Community Center from noon to 6 pm. DECEMBER 6 COMFORT: Hill Country Pottery Holiday Reception. Gallery and Studio Open House, and meet and greet with our local contributing artists. 738 FM 473. 5 pm to

8 pm. 830-446-2957 DRIFTWOOD: Holiday Social and Toy Drive. Craft beer, wine, live music, Santa and more. 7 pm to 10 pm at Duchman Family Winery. duchmanwines.com. DECEMBER 6-8,13-15 CANYON LAKE: 16th Annual CRRC North Pole Village. Includes ice fishing, hay rides, photos with Santa, a live nativity and more. 6 pm to 9 pm. 830-964-2324, crrcofcanyonlake.org. DECEMBER 7 AUSTIN: Seton Volunteers’ Holiday Bazaar. Enjoy wine while strolling festive holiday market. $20, 512-324-9018. BANDERA: Annual Holiday Parade and Shopper’s Jubilee. Downtown parade begins at 11 am, then enjoy children’s choirs performing in front of the Courthouse, a live Nativity and an evening of shopping on luminaria-lit streets filled with carolers, musicians and cowboys from 4:30 pm to 9 pm. 830-796-4447. DECEMBER 7-9, 14-16 BURNET: Main Street Bethlehem. Walk the streets of Bethlehem and experience Christmas as never before. First Baptist Church. www.fbcburnet.org. DECEMBER 8 BLANCO: Market Day. Courthouse Square. 830-833-2211, historicblanco.org. BLANCO: Christmas Parade and Evening on the Square. Visit Santa and enjoy music and buggy rides. 830-833-5101, www. blancochamber.com. CANYON LAKE: Christmas Parade in Downtown Sattler. Flyover, Shriners and Santa. 11 am. www.clnoonlions.com DRIPPING SPRINGS: Tour of Homes sponsored by Friends of Dripping Springs Community Library. Tour five beautifully decorated homes and Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead from 10 am to 4 pm and enjoy “Flights of Fancy,” an after tour event from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. 512-771-3217. FREDERICKSBURG: Alternative Gift Market at Memorial Presbyterian Church. 10 am to 4 pm. Unique handmade jewelry, shawls, nativities, American Girl doll clothes, baskets, molas and other gifts from around the world. 601 North Milam. 830-997-3543 www.mpcfbg.org. FREDERICKSBURG: Tannenbaum Ball. Seated dinner, open bar, silent and live auctions and dance. 830-990-8441, pioneermuseum.net. SAN MARCOS: “Memories of Love.” New Year’s musical celebration featuring Kirk Griffith and Lee Coleé. Price Center. 512-522-3288.

16th Annual CRRC

NORTH POLE VILLAGE December 6, 7, 8 & 13, 14, 15 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Christmas Fun for the Whole Family Bakery r Post Office r Toy Land Ice Fishing r Elves House r Hayride Pictures with Santa r Live Nativity

Admission only $3.00 - 18 mos. & under Free! CRRC Recreation Center - Below Canyon Dam 125 Mabel Jones Dr - Canyon Lake

www.crrcofcanyonlake.org • 830-964-2324

DECEMBER 8 UVALDE: An Evening of Christmas Music. Hill Country Opera performs at Janey Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House. 830-278-4184. WIMBERLEY:Winter’s Eve Festival on the Square. Festivities start at 5 pm, Santa arrives at 6:30 pm. Enjoy live music from Texas Renegade and The Distractions, plus plenty of food, drink and family friendly fun, plus shops on the Square stay open until 10 pm. wimberleymerchants.com. WIMBERLEY: WAG Dog Adoption Day at King Feed. 10 am to 2 pm. wimberleywagrescue.org. DECEMBER 8-9 BOERNE: Market Days. 10 am to 5 pm on Main Plaza. boernemarketdays.com.

Dec 1-2 • 10am - 5 pm

CANYON LAKE...YEAR ROUND VACATION LIVING Come enjoy our clear lake and cool, refreshing river! Shop • Dine • Swim • Tube • Raft • Canoe • Fish • Camp • Sail

800-528-2104 • www.canyonlakechamber.com

~BEvery I NFriday G O~ v 4 Early Bird Games 7:15pm ~ 50/50 Split v 10 Regular Games 8pm VFW Hall Post 6441 @ Veterans Park 4 mi. no. on RR 12 to Jacobs Well Rd Non Smoking • Plenty of Parking • Air & Heat • Food Available www.visitwimberley.com/vfw

• 512-847-6441 • Lic. #1-74-6066562-7

SUNDAY H DECEMBER 2 4th Annual Texas H2Oasis®

MARE-Y CHRISTMAS Barn 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Tour

Tour five Western & English barns decorated for Christmas. Taste tapas. Watch training, dressage & jumping/vaulting demos. Hear live music from Gypsy Moon, Jim Halfpenny, Ivory Gear, TC Taylor and more!

ROCKING-HORSE Fandango Following the Barn Tour, don your country-chic duds and join the Rocking-Horse Fandango five minutes away at the charming Kali-Kate Event Pavilion. Experience its rustic, Christmas magic amidst thousands of twinkling lights and a roaring, Texas-limestone fireplace. Enjoy the magical sounds of Gypsy Moon, let Christmas elves to take your photo with a Gypsy Cob horse dressed as Santa, ride the Equicizer/mechanical horse (if you dare), or simply relax with friends over fine wine and savory hors d’oeuvres. Advance Tickets http://shop.texash2oasis.org • www.texash2oasis.org

HILL COUNTRY SUN R DECEMBER 2012 PAGE 13

Hill country calendar FRIENDS OF THE DRIPPING SPRINGS COMMUNITY LIBRARY

in the H ills C hristmas TOUR OF HOMES Bake Sale

Home Tour Tickets @ $15.00 Post-Tour Fundraising Event Tickets @ $50.00 (includes Home Tour) Raffle Tickets @ $3.00 or 2 for $5.00

Christmas at Mercer Street December 1 • 10 am–4 pm Visit our booth at Christmas on Mercer Street! Purchase holiday treats and event tickets.

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 5TH • Purchase tickets online through Chase Quickpay at Chase.com. Details at www.dscl.org (click on the F.O.L. tab). Tickets purchased online by November 30th will be mailed December 3rd. Online purchases between December 1st and 5th can be picked up at the library on the day of the Tour of Homes, December 8th, between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. DECEMBER 1 • Tickets may be purchased at the Bake Sale booth during Christmas on Mercer Street. BETWEEN DECEMBER 3 AND 7 • Tickets can be purchased at the library front desk. DECEMBER 8 • Tour of Homes tickets may be purchased at the library between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm and at homes on the tour. Post-Tour Fundraising Event tickets will be available for purchase at the library until 4:00 pm and can be purchased at the homes on the tour Saturday, December 8th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Tour of Homes

December 8 • 10 am–4 pm Wonderful people will open 5 beautifully decorated homes to the public. As always, the Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead, a local historical highlight, will be included.

Flights of Fancy December 8 • 4:30 pm–6:30 pm After the Tour of Homes an additional exclusive home will host a post-tour fundraising event with a “Literary Flavor”. Enjoy international wines while mingling with local authors.

For more information, call Bobbie at 512 771-3217

Thank you To our