Published by the Hill
Country Sun
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November 2016
LOCAL INFORMATION & ADVERTISING
New Life Lutheran at home in great outdoors
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By Laurel Robertson
hen they say their church is open, they really mean it! New Life Lutheran Church in Dripping Springs has been meeting outdoors, in the shelter of three ancient oak trees, for more than two years now, and members say they hope never to go back to an indoor setting. Pastor Carmen Retzlaff says the group has fallen in love with the beauty of their 12 wooded acres near Dripping Springs Ranch Park and finds it connects them to God in a special way. “Many people find God in nature,” she observes, “and it reminds us that church is not a building – it’s a community.” On a typical Sunday morning this fall, several dozen worshippers gathered at their outdoor Oak Tree Sanctuary for morning service, some in shirt sleeves and some wrapped in blankets borrowed
from a nearby basket. A couple of friendly dogs ambled through the grass while the group sang from hymnals, joined in prayer, listened to Carmen’s short sermon and shared communion. At a nearby picnic table, children talked quietly as they busied themselves with an art project. Babies cooed in their parents’ arms and birds sang in the trees. The sun finally broke through the clouds just as the service ended. The group adjourned for coffee and cake and conversation, and then broke into Bible Study groups. In very inclement weather, they gather in a large white tent just downhill from the Oak Tree Sanctuary. Its sidewalls can be dropped to keep out rain or keep in warmth from the gas heaters. The group’s prayer and hope, says Carmen, is to eventually build a simple See NEW LIFE LUTHERAN, page 2
A recent “Youth Celebration” at New Life Lutheran Church, where worship services take place outdoors on 12 wooded acres. Photo by Jim Woodard.
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open-air structure that will keep them connected with the outdoors. “It will be lovely to have a permanent roof overhead!” she admits, though she says they still intend to use the Oak Tree Sanctuary for most of their services. In all that they do, the New Life Lutherans strive to “build lightly and sit lightly on the land.” An old concrete watering trough in the Oak Tree Sanctuary serves as the base of their altar; their baptismal font sits atop a tripod of rough-
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hewn cedar posts. Even the wine they use for communion is fermented from mustang grapes that grow wild on their land! “We love it so much, we want to give other people a chance to love it,” says Carmen. A small garden area they’ve created produces vegetables for the Helping Hands Food Pantry. They’ve built a bird blind for nature watching and miles of trails with the Station of the Cross for hiking and meditation. Their prayer labyrinth is listed on the World Wide Labyrinth locator. Teachers from the elementary school across the street are invited to walk over during lunch to enjoy the peace and quiet. New Life’s openness extends beyond their 12 acres, into the community. Through three outreach teams — Earth, Food and Arts – they promote their mission of caring for creation, caring for those in need and supporting creativity in the community. Members of the Food Team provide coffee and fruit one morning a week to day laborers waiting for work in downtown Dripping Springs. The Art Team co-hosts Thirsty Thursday, a monthly open mic for poetry, storytelling and music, with the City of Dripping Springs. Earth Team members pick up trash along Ranch Road 12 and coordinate oncea-month work projects to help elderly neighbors with home or yard work. “We make it part of our regular worship service one Sunday a month,” Carmen explains. “After the work is done, we finish by taking communion at the site.” The group experience has been very moving for her, she says. The group goes out into the community for weekly Bible study and casual worship in local bars and coffee shops. They also meet in private homes for prayer groups. New Life Lutheran started in 2004, meeting in homes. Later they moved to Sunday night services at Grand Slam See NEW LIFE LUTHERAN, page 3
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New Life Lutheran Church Pastor Carmen Retzlaff. Photo by Jim Woodard. Pizza in the Commons Shopping Center. They leased space in Frog Pond Center on Highway 290 for a few years, until they moved onto their land for Easter 2014. “The idea of meeting on the land [without a church building] was terrifying to some people in the congregation,” Carmen remembers. “We did a lot of talking about it and tried a few ‘preview services’ at different times to find what worked best.” The actual move onto the land was
a historical and moving event for the church, she says. At their Maundy Thursday service that Easter, they stripped the altar (as they do every year), quit their lease and moved everything out to the land. They haven’t looked back since. FYI • New Life Lutheran Church is located at 1121 Buffalo Canyon Drive, just south of Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Sunday morning services are at 9 am, followed by Bible Study. For more information, visit the web site at www. NewLifeDrippingSprings.org, find them on Facebook, or call 512-894-0155.
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her perfect day. ven in the Wedding Capital of TexElegant furnishings, good lighting, as, there’s nothing quite like it. The large mirrors and a sheepskin-covered Bridal Gypsies, the new bridal bou- dais to elevate the bride while she models tique on Old Fitzhugh Road in Dripping dresses assist with the process. The Salon Springs, offers “high-class hippie couture also makes the perfect place to get ready and one-of-a-kind gowns.” on the big day. Proprietor Polly Parsons has filled the beautifully restored old house in Dripping Springs’ historic district with beautiful and unique creations. From vintageinspired lace dresses and French fairytale crowns to handmade Russian brooch bouquets and even a full-length Native Polly Parsons on the porch of The Bridal Gypsies, her one-ofAmerican headdress a-kind new bridal boutique on Fitzhugh Road. Photo by Lisa Hause. (in white, of course!), Polly’s pickings are selected for the bride-to-be who wants her There’s even a beautiful collection of wedding day to truly reflect her individu- thoughtful wedding gifts at The Bridal ality. Gypsies, including Tunisian olivewood No racks of replicate Snow Beast bowls and cutting boards, Himalayan cangowns here. Polly has searched the world dles, French custom-made bath products, for romantic vintage-inspired dresses, jew- and exclusive Lesley Saligoe cosmetics. elry and accessories for the “sensual, boPolly developed her unique style and hemian bride.” Her favorite designs come distinctive tastes growing up in the world from Los Angeles and Dublin, Ireland. of theater design, makeup and costumBeyond just wedding wear, The Brid- ing. “I get many of my inspirations from al Gypsies offers unique and amazing film – I love theater and cinema!” says the dresses that glide naturally from roman- petite redhead. As the daughter of legendtic events to off-beat artistic receptions to ary country rock pioneer Gram Parsons, rock ‘n roll fetes. Add a pair of cowboy she naturally gravitated towards a career boots, and you’ll look great at your favor- as a concert promoter and music producer ite dancehall! in Los Angeles, where she gained business Polly pays attention to the whole acumen and further developed her fashion wedding experience. Just off the spa- flair for the unusual and dramatic. cious fitting room is the private Bridal In 2006, Polly came to Austin for a Salon, where the bride’s party, assuaged business trip and fell in love with the muwith champagne and hors d’oeuvres, sic scene and Texas style. Within a few can help her select the perfect dress for See BRIDAL GYPSIES, page 5
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The Bridal Gypsies offers unique and amazing dresses that glide naturally from romantic events to off-beat artistic receptions to rock ‘n roll fetes. Photo by Lisa Hause.
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The Bridal Gypsies offers beautiful options, including “high-class hippie couture and one-of-a-kind gowns.” Photo by Lisa Hause. months, she had moved onto three anda-half acres in Southwest Austin with her young daughter, Harper Lee. A lifetime of sad familiarity with the addictive lifestyles of many musicians led Polly to create Hickory Wind Ranch Recovery Community, a series of Sober Living Homes in the downtown/central Austin area. This past summer, Polly was in Dripping Springs, having her hair done by longtime friend Deborah Carter at Pink West Salon on Old Fitzhugh Road. Deb mentioned that Dripping Springs, the
Wedding Capital of Texas, had no bridal boutique and that the perfect place for such a business happened to be for lease right up the street from there. Polly took the bait and ran with it — within 60 days The Bridal Gypsies was open for business. FYI • The Bridal Gypsies is located at 602 Old Fitzhugh Road in Dripping Springs. Hours are by appointment. For more information, visit the web site at www.thebridalgypsies.com, find The-Bridal-Gypsies by Polly Parsons on Facebook, or call 310-251-6766. The Bridal Gypsies will host a fashion show and live music during Dripping Springs’ First Thursday celebration November 3.
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EVERY MONDAY • Rotary Club Meets. 11:45 am at Flores Restaurant, 2440 East Highway 290. 11:45 am. www.drippingspringsrotary.org. • Boy Scout Troop 280 meets at St. Martin de Porres Church Hall. 512-904-0444, drippingsprings280.mytroop.us. • Karaoke Night at Hudson’s on Mercer. 7:30 pm. www.hudsonsonmercer.com. FIRST and THIRD MONDAYS • Dripping Springs Lions Club meets. 6:30 pm at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Sharon at 512-923-8360. SECOND MONDAYS • Group of Dripping Springs (GODS) Moms meets. Dripping Springs Methodist Church 9 am to 11:15 am. 512-894-0581. FOURTH MONDAYS • Artists of Dripping Springs. Gatherings at area studios. 512-894-0394. • Gen. Ben McCulloch 2435, UDC meets at the Veterans Hall, 27500 Ranch Road 12 at 7 pm. Sharon Hudson at 512-858-7177. EVERY TUESDAY • Dripping Springs Toastmasters. 6:30 pm at Pioneer Bank, 100 Creek Road. Visitors welcome. www.dstoastmasters.com. • Dripping Springs Property Tour. 512-5797711, dshometour@gmail.com. • Hill Country Community Band Rehearses at Chapel in the Hills, Wimberley. 7 pm to 8:30 pm. 512-517-3111. • Open Mic Night at Hudson’s on Mercer. www.hudsonsonmercer.com. SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH TUESDAYS • Dripping Springs Boy Scout Troop 101 meets. Dripping Springs United Methodist Church. 7 pm. Tom Chenault, 512-707-7488. SECOND TUESDAYS • Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library. 11 am. 512-771-3217 or friendsofdslibrary@gmail.com for information and volunteer opportunities. EVERY WEDNESDAY • Dripping Springs Farmers Market. (See story, page 4.) The Triangle (Highway 290/ Ranch Road 12) 3 pm to 7 pm . cityofdrippingsprings.com. • Open Mic at Mercer Street Dance Hall hosted by Nick Gatewood. www. mercerstreetdancehall.com. • Wednesdays with Carl Weathersby a t H u d s o n ’ s o n M e r c e r. w w w. hudsonsonmercer.com. SECOND WEDNESDAY • Free Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at Arveda Alzheimer’s Family Care. RSVP to 512-637-5400. www.arvedacare.com. EVERY THURSDAY • Hill Country Jam at Mercer Street Dance Hall with Doug Moreland. Free admission. 7:30 pm. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com.
• Thyme and Dough Bistro Nights with live music, dinners and decadent desserts. 6 pm to 9 pm. 512-894-0001. FIRST THURSDAYS • Dripping Springs American Legion 7 pm. 512-858-5637. • Nonfiction Addiction Book Club meets at the Dripping Springs Community Library from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. New members are always welcome. dscl.org, 512-858-7825. • First Thursday. Participating businesses offer special events from 5 pm to 9 pm. www. drippingspringstx.org. FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY • Lions Club meets at 131 East Mercer Street. 512-858-5159. SECOND THURSDAYS • Knights of Columbus, Council 11695, meets at the St Martin de Porres Parrish Hall on Post Oak Road, at 7:30 pm. Preceded by a pot luck dinner. THIRD THURSDAYS • Dripping Springs Cookoff Club. 6:30 pm in the VFW Hall in Dripping Springs. ryoncrew@yahoo.com. • Dripping Springs VFW meets. 27500 Ranch Road 12. 7 pm. 512-858-5637. • Thirsty Thursday’s. At City Hall, 511 West Mercer Street. Poets, musicians, songwriters and storytellers eagerly share their talents. Free admission. Sponsored by City of Dripping Springs and New Life Lutheran Church. 7 pm, Dripping Springs Ranch Park. 512-858-2024. FOURTH THURSDAY • Photographers of Dripping Springs (PODS). Dripping Springs Community Library. 6:30 pm. 512-524-7897. EVERY FRIDAY • Men’s Breakfast at Fitzhugh Baptist Church. 6:30 am. 512-913-4808. EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY • Dance Lessons at Mercer Street Dance Hall. 7:30 pm. mercerstreetdancehall.com. SECOND & FOURTH SATURDAY • Pet Adoption Sponsored by Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary. Tractor Supply. 512-402-9725. EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY • Live music and food at Twisted X Brewing Company. 23455 West Ranch Road 150. 512-829-5323, TexMexBeer.com. NOVEMBER 4 • Cameran Nelson with the Warhorses. Mercer Street Dancehall. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. NOVEMBER 5 • Rooster Springs Elementary Fall Festival. 2 pm to 5 pm. www.dsisd.txed.net. • Day of the Dead Party at Verdes Mexican Parrilla Hamilton Pool. Music, See CALENDAR, page 7
Like us on Facebook /HillCountrySun
NOVEMBER 2016
CALENDAR, from page 6 art, dancing and shopping. Create your own ofrendas (celebration of life alters). to celebrate life of a loved one. Food, drink, special menu for the occasion. 512484-5808, events@decoratorforhire.com. NOVEMBER 6 • 19th Annual Empty Bowls Project at Mercer Street Dance Hall. Benefits Helping Hands, Dripping Springs’ food pantry and financial assistant nonprofit. 11 am to 3 pm . www.helpinghandsdrippingsprings.org. NOVEMBER 10, 11, 12 • Dripping Springs Middle School Musical Show Night. Cafeteria. Please contact larin.hinson@dsisdtx.us or meg. steiner@dsisdtx.us for information. NOVEMBER 11 • Rotary Club Veterans Tribute. Mercer Street Dancehall. 5 pm. More information at www.drippingspringsrotary.org. NOVEMBER 12 • The Derailers. Mercer Street Dancehall. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. NOVEMBER 12-13 • SAXET Gun Show. Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center. www.saxetshows.com. NOVEMBER 16 • Dripping Springs Women’s Club Holiday Marketplace. 1 pm to 7 pm at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. More than 40 vendors selling hand-crafted jewelry, clothing, and unique gifts for everyone on your list. A portion of $3 admission goes towards DS Women’s Club scholarship fund for female seniors. www. dswomensclub.com. NOVEMBER 17 • Doug Moreland. Mercer Street Dancehall. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. NOVEMBER 18 • Guy Forsyth. Mercer Street Dancehall. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. NOVEMBER 21-25 • Dripping Springs ISD Thanksgiving Student Holidays. NOVEMBER 24 • Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Hill Country Sun! • Third Annual Turkey Day with the Dotin’s. Mercer Street Dancehall. www.
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Don’t miss Christmas on Mercer Saturday, December 3, where Santa is sure to make an appearance. Photo courtesy Christmas on Mercer.
mercerstreetdancehall.com. NOVEMBER 25 • People’s Choice Band. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. NOVEMBER 26 • Three Chord Rodeo. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. NOVEMBER 26-27 • Artisan Market. Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center. Find on Facebook / Dripping Springs Market Days. NOVEMBER 29 • Beginning Band Winter Concert. Dripping Springs High School Auditorium. 6:30 pm. Email jay.larson@dsisdtx.us for additional information. DECEMBER 1 • First Thursday with Doug Moreland. Mercer Street Dancehall. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. DECEMBER 3 • Christmas on Mercer. Special holiday festival with arts and crafts booths, children’s games and activities, live family entertainment, local food vendors, and of course, Santa. Free admission. 10 am to 5 pm, with tree lighting at dusk. dslionsclub@gmail.com, 512-858-4725. DECEMBER 9 • Cory Morrow. Texas singer and songwriter at Mercer Street Dancehall. Advance tickets available. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com.
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on Mercer Street SATURDAY, DEC. 3RD — SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Christmas on Mercer 10:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Downtown Dripping Springs Along Mercer Street Arts and Crafts Vendors Children’s Activities Food Vendors Trackless Train, Pony Rides Petting Zoo Live Music
Santa’s Workshop 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Starrs on Mercer (on the patio a.k.a. Sister’s Alley)
Lighting of the D.S. Lions’ Christmas Tree 6:00 p.m. The Triangle Hwy 290 and Mercer Christmas Tree Lighting Christmas Caroling Coffee and Hot Chocolate
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