Hill Country Sun. May 2016 by Julie Harrington

MAY 2016 Suzy Moehring Mallard’s

Hill Country Parks What? Wildflowers & television!

Collings Guitars Creating musical masterpieces

R C.J. Wright’s

Hill Country Wildlife Preserving what's important for future generations

R Moonshine is fine at

Hill Country Distillers in Comfort

R The Hill Country’s most complete

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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

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Suzy Moehring Mallard

Two things: television ideas, Texas wildflowers

hill country PARKS

ow’s the time to be out in the parks, folks. Those Texas wildflowers. We have more than 5,000 species of native wildflowers, and it seems like they are all blooming this year. I have plants in my yard that I haven’t seen in years. I’m sure that’s just how it is all across the Texas Hill Country. And if they are wildflowers you’ve been used to seeing, you’re seeing lots more of them this spring. It’s a lush, abundant wildflower season for us. And really, it’s not just flowers — it’s bushes and trees and vines too. If it’s a bloomer, this is a showstopping year for it. Texas Parks and Wildflower’s—er, uh — Wildlife’s botanist, Jason Sighurst, credits much of this year’s impressive wildflower population across Texas to ideal growing conditions. “We had an unseasonably warm winter, which allowed soil temperatures to stay above average and encouraged spring wildflowers to bloom earlier than normal,” Jason says. “The late winter and spring rains stimulated a firestorm

of wildflowers blooming across Texas. State parks and wildlife management areas, especially in the upper coast, Hill Country and north central Texas, have been extremely impressive.” And another thing — a contest to win fabulous prizes and all you have to do is write down your idea for a segment on Texas Parks & Wildlife TV show on PBS. The show is celebrating 30 years on television this year, and what better way to celebrate a big ol’ birthday than by having a big ol’ contest. If you have a favorite place you and your family like to visit, if you’re intrigued by the behavior of a particular animal, or if someone you know works hard for the outdoors — you could be introducing viewers to an important part of Texas outdoors. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is big on the slogan, “Life’s Better Outside.” Now’s your chance to tell them in 250 words or less what it is that gets you outside — and it doesn’t have to be about only a state park. TPWD suggested topics include Texas state parks, na-

It’s been a lush, abundant wildflower season in the Hill Country. Photo by Chase Fountain, courtesy Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. tive wildlife in Texas, fishing or hunting in Texas, someone who loves the outdoors in Texas, technology and the outdoors, children and the outdoors, conservation, and nature-based outdoor activities. Your idea could be part of the 2017 lineup of TPW television. Write it and send it by May 31 – the form is on the web site at tpwd.texas. gov and it needs to be submitted online. Look for news and media, scroll down to TPW television, click and you’ll find an anniversary contest page.

You’ve got a month. Why you’d like to see your idea on TV, why you think other viewers will enjoy it. Heck, you can even send in two story ideas. Double your chances. But two is the limit. Did I mention prizes? A GoPro video camera. A Texas LaQuinta threenight stay. A $300 gift certificate from Whole Foods. A Yeti cooler (and not one of those Yeti beer koozies I gave my son-in-law and I called it a Yeti cooler). A $200 gift card from Visa or Amex. A $100 gift card from Whole Earth Provision. A Texas State Park Pass. And you can be on the show or on the film crew. And that’s just first prize. Two runner-up prizes include a stay at LaQuinta, gift cards and a Texas State Park Pass. You can watch the Texas Parks & Wildlife television show each week on PBS stations across Texas. Episodes are also on PBS online and YouTube. Start channeling your inner TV producer. As I write this column on Earth Day, I am reminded how grateful I am to Texas Parks and Wildlife for their generations of conservation work in Texas. Thank you, TPWD.

There’s plenty of fun in Wimberley, Texas! Third Thursdays in Wimberley Shops will be open until 8 pm on the Third Thursday of each month.

Mustang CAR SHOW Sat, May 14 12-5 pm Up and down Ranch Road 12

Mother’s Day Weekend May 7th & 8th Saturday, 10:30 - 6:00 Sunday, 11:00 - 5:00

COSTUMED Pet Parade Sat, October 15

$5 per pet donation. Parade starts at Cypress Falls Park by lower Ozona Parking lot, ends behind Cypress Creek Cafe. 10 am.

WINTER’S EVE A Christmas Festival

Sat, December 10 Shop late! Santa & Photos, Live Music, Food Vendors, Face Painters & raffle!

FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT

WimberleyMerchants.com PAGE 2 MAY 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

All Seconds Available. Selected Items in the Gallery on Sale.

4002 E. Hwy. 290 Dripping Springs, TX 78620 512-894-0938 SunsetCanyonPottery.com

Kenzie, Luke and Julie Harrington Julie Spell Harrington Publisher/Advertising 512-484-9716 julie@hillcountrysun.com Melissa Maxwell Ball Editor/Design 512-569-8212 melissa@hillcountrysun.com Ernie Altgelt Suzy Moehring Mallard Laurel Robertson C.J. Wright Writers Gerry Burns Delonn Bowie Adelle Spell Distribution

Photo by Becky Roberson Photography.

The Hill Country Sun is published monthly. For advertising rates or information, call Julie Harrington at 512-484-9716 (email julie@hillcountrysun.com). Credit cards accepted. • Circulation: 22,000. Distributed monthly to more than 450 popular Hill Country locations (see list of towns on front cover) and home delivered to all 5,276 Wimberley homes and 8,663 Dripping Springs homes by the US Postal Service. • C over : Flowering plants and crops need animal pollinators—bees, butterflies and moths, beetles, other insects, and birds and bats—to reproduce. (See Hill Country Wildlife, page 6.) Photo © Geschaft. Inset Photos: Left © Sergii Koval Right © Sikth | Dreamstime.com.

Deadline for calendar events is the 15th of each month. Email events/releases to melissa@hillcountrysun.com. www.hillcountrysun.com www.facebook.com/HillCountrySun

Books • Artwork • Candles • More Fabric • Sofas • Furniture •

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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 MAY 2016 PAGE 3

Collings Guitars, crafting true works of musical art

wimberley

By Laurel Robertson

A Distinctive collection of Fine Art in the Hill Country

Tom Darrah, Taos Canyon, 24” x 36,” Oil

512-847-7278

TheArtGalleryAtWimberley.net

On the Square at 100 Oak Dr, Suite 200 • Wimberley (Across from Kiss the Cook) TERRY GRISHAM, DIRECTOR

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512-847-5994 H www.CorralTheatre.com PAGE 4 MAY 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

uitars crafted in the Hill Country are making their way into the hands and hearts of musicians world-wide. Collings Guitars, made in Dripping Springs since 1991, are proving to be that rare mix of technology and artistry that defines a masterpiece. Bill Collings isn’t a musician. An engineer by heredity and a perfectionist by character, he mostly loves to build things. When the college dropout became intrigued with the construction of guitars back in the mid-’70s, he researched and practiced the craft with the intensity with which he approaches everything in life. The results impressed a young Lyle Lovett so much that he ordered a model in 1979 — and has played Collings guitars ever since. Lyle isn’t alone. Musicians ranging from Texas artists Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, and Rodney Crowell to international stars like The Rolling Stones, The Who, Joni Mitchell and George Strait are proud owners of Collings instruments. As his reputation spread, Bill’s operation grew from a shared space near UT in the late ’80s, to his own shop with eight employees west of Oak Hill in 1991, to today’s 2,700 square foot production facility with 85 employees near Dripping Springs. Throughout the changes, his general manager, good friend and sometimes handler, Steve McCreary, has been alongside to help navigate. “Bill’s brain burns on full blast 24/7. He’s like the ‘Energizer Bunny’ on steroids,” Steve says of his friend’s zeal for guitar making and life in general. “And his sense of design is uncanny for someone with his level of engineering skills.” Bill’s ability to blend form, design and execution are what makes his instruments the sought-after works of technology and art that they are, says Steve.

The beauty of a piece — its look and feel — are as important to the Collings name as the engineering. Photos courtesy Collings Guitars. At Collings Guitars, the emphasis is on maintaining that fine balance of crafting quality instruments at production level. In 2016, they will produce over 3,000 acoustic and electric guitars and mandolins, made by top craftspeople, assisted by computer-controlled machines. “We’re taking wood to a thousandth of an inch accuracy,” Steve points out. “This is a living material, not extruded plastic. It’s an organic process guided by the experienced eye, ear and touch of a master craftsman.” Collings’ luthiers hand-select wood by tapping, bending and flexing it to determine the best piece for each compoSee COLLINGS GUITARS, page 5

COLLINGS GUITARS, from page 4 nent in an instrument. They favor East Indian rosewood, Central American mahogany, Alaskan and Adirondack spruce, maple and ebony in their guitars and mandolins, and care about sustainable sourcing of those tropical woods. (I’m a tree-hugger,” Steve admits with a shrug.) Each instrument’s design takes into account many factors, including the amount of “pump” (shrinking and swelling) that the top will undergo with changes in humidity. The shop is maintained at an exact 71 degrees and 49 percent relative humidity to account for that. “A well-made guitar should last for 100 or 200 years,” says Steve, “and we design for that.” With 180 pounds of tension on the strings, design and engineering standards have to be high to achieve that longevity, he points out. The beauty of a piece — its look and feel — are as important to the Collings name as the engineering. “The tone is a given,” says Bill. “But that feel, the balance and the weight — we work so hard to put that into the guitar.” The newest addition to the Collings line is a return to the style and sound of Depression Era guitars, before mass production became common after World War II. The Waterloo line offers the “drier, more raw sound” characteristic of the Holy Grail of guitars from the ’30s, says Steve. He describes the sound as less resonant than modern guitars, but with an “immediacy, a pop” characteristic of early country blues music. To research engineering for the Waterloo line,

WIMBERLEY

EAGLE MOUNTAIN FLAGS • Flags & Flagpoles • Patriotic Gifts • Knives & Cutlery

333 FM 2325 • Wimberley, Texas www.EMFlag.com Mon-Thurs 9 am-5 pm • Friday 9 am-3 pm

512-847-0010 • 800-385-5605 “Best Vintage Find” Southern Accents • “Where to Buy” London Financial Times 2006

The

Wild West Store

HUNDREDS OF VINTAGE COWBOY BOOTS •Buy! Sell! Trade!

Bill Collings at work. Photo courtesy Collings Guitars.

“The Boot Whisperer”

Bill actually took apart a favorite old guitar of his made in the ’30s. Collings Guitars are sold by select guitar dealers worldwide. Regionally, they can be found at Hill Country Guitars in Dripping Springs, Fiddlers Green in Austin and Custom Shop Guitar in San Antonio. FYI • Collings Guitars are made at the shop between Dripping Springs and Austin. Tours of the shop are available by reservation most Friday afternoons beginning at 3:30 pm and last 60 to 90 minutes. For more information, visit the web site at www.collingsguitars.com.

as seen on BBC World News July 2013

Just off the Wimberley Square Olde Towne Plaza - 13709 RR 12

512-847-1219 www.koolboots.com

“Go for a consultation with the Boot Whisperer, who reads feet like a psychic reads palms.” Texas Monthly, August 2010 Open by appointment. Please call in advance 512-293-4890.

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512-406-1719 • www.ply-yarn.com HILL COUNTRY SUN R MAY 2016 PAGE 5

DRIPPING SPRINGS

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Observing, respecting nature and pollinators in the process

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Texas Pride JalaPeno MusTard Peach salsa Peach aMareTTo & Pecan JaM JalaPeno Jelly Hwy. 290, 7 miles west of Dripping Springs Convenient to Austin, Fredericksburg & San Antonio

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Life.Changing

here was a time when most children knew nature firsthand. They explored fields and burbling streams where whirligig beetles skated the surface and where, in spring, they captured a gelatinous mass of frogs’ eggs to take home in a jar to watch wiggly pollywogs hatch. They listened to the hopeful calls of Red-winged Blackbirds that perched on nearby cattails. In summer the sweet aroma of ripe, wild strawberries drew them to the fields. In evening they caught fireflies that proliferated the trees and undergrowth. They examined the windshield and radiator grill of the family car, pasted with bugs after a drive. Today many of us live in a society cut off from the natural world, a society of concrete and lawns of invasive grass, manicured and punctuated with non-native plants the blooms and fruits of which offer no sustenance for wildlife. A society whose children see all insects as pests to be stomped on, whose children don’t know what a lightning bug or polliwog is.

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www.CunninghamOrthodontics.com PAGE 6 MAY 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

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And those bug-laden grill screens and windshields? Not so much anymore. Why? We’ve sprayed away billions of insects, insects that pollinate the plants of much of the foods we eat, insects that nourish nestling birds. About 75 percent of our flowering plants and almost 75 percent of our crops need animal pollinators—bees, butterflies and moths, beetles, other insects, and birds and bats—to reproduce. More than 3,500 species of native bees alone help increase crop yields. In June 2013, a Target store parking lot near Portland, Oregon, was the scene of the largest single, bee die-off on record1—50,000 wild bees according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The reason? Aphids secreted sticky honeydew deemed a nuisance yet not harmful to the 55 linden trees sprayed with dinotefuran. The casualties would have been higher had the trees not been covered with netting after the reported deaths. Bees, the little workhorses of the insect kingdom, were doing their jobs: pollinating flowers, collecting nectar and pollen. The insecticide dinotefuran, a neonicotinoid, did its job too well.2 Although the science is not all in on the effects of neonicotinoids, research shows: they can unintentionally reduce biological control and crop yield; they don’t directly target crop pests but affect predatory arthropods and soil communities as well; they affect animals below the mortality level by impairing immune function, reducing growth and reproductive success; they may cause death or reproductive impairment to sensitive birds eating treated seeds. While many factors can impact insecticide persistence, little research is accessible regarding the effective life of insecticides after spraying (mainly held by chemical companies). However, insecticides that enter the ground remain longer. Rains wash chemicals into streams, affecting frogs, other aquatic life, and the water supply for animals and humans. Throughout the Midwest, genetically modified corn and alfalfa seeds, the plants of which are sprayed with glyphosate, have all but eliminated milkweed, the plant monarch caterpillars need to survive, possibly contributing to the dramatic decrease in recent years of the migrating population of monarch butterflies. Volunteers in Canada and the U.S. continue to respond to their precipitous decline, planting native milkweed and nectaring plants in yards, on school See HILL COUNTRY WILDLIFE, page 7

HILL COUNTRY WILDLIFE, from page 6

A bee gathers nectar. Photo © Colette6 | Dreamstime.com. grounds and other public areas. They raise monarchs, all the while monitoring them for disease, then release the healthy. This past February, monarch watchers awaited the official count of the wintering population in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in the heart of the Sierra Chincua in Mexico. Upon hearing the news, they rejoiced. The numbers had increased dramatically from record lows of the past three years. The clustering butterflies covered 4.01 hectares of forest (10 acres as compared to the 2.8 acres of the 2014-2015 winter) compared with 18 in 1996. Favorable conditions in summer 2015 were credited for the increase. Then, on the night of March 8, a winter storm battered the Reserve with snow, hail and 70 mph winds that ripped out trees, transforming the landscape. In the aftermath an observer had difficulty recognizing the area. It’s thought that most of the monarchs had not yet left for their migration north at the time of the storm. With many trees gone—due to storm and illegal logging3—the Reserve is compromised, endangering future wintering monarchs, for large firs provide canopy, creating the microclimate the butterflies need to buffer them from cold and storms. Although bees and monarchs are the canaries in the goldmine, all of our pollinators are at risk, at risk from insecticides, loss of habitat and global climate

change. The late March storms, the droughts, the deluges, the temperatures—warm when they should be cold and cold when they should be warm— show us that abnormal is the new normal. What can we do? The role of citizen scientists in research is being recognized around the world. In the U.S. the Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Act of 2015 encourages the use of citizen science within the federal government.4 A team behind the Open Source Beehives (OBSH) project, a group of ecologists, beekeepers, engineers and designers, have created hives equipped with sensors to monitor bee health. The objective is to help us understand why honeybees are disappearing. The project is building a global effort and encourages the general public to join and to become citizen scientist in the project.5 As is true of honeybees, migrating monarch butterflies in the eastern U.S. desperately need our help to save them from extinction. We must work toward stopping habitat fragmentation and destruction. Buy from nurseries that sell native milkweed and native nectar plants, with special attention given to fall blooms for when monarchs migrate south. A robust monarch population helps balance out the losses if and when the next devastat-

ing weather event hits. In all efforts include children and encourage them to observe and respect nature so that they can one day look back on childhood with fond memories of monarchs in migration, bees pollinating garden plants, Wood Thrushes singing and fireflies winking lights in the dark. Celebrate National Pollinator Week, June 20-26, 2016! FYI • Visit www.fws.gov/pollinators to learn how you can help pollinators. 1 According to Xerces Society spokesperson, most bee die-offs go unrecorded because they’re not due to illegal use. 2 In January, the EPA announced its first

preliminary pollinator risk assessment for neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid. The study shows that imidacloprid poses a potential risk to hives when the crops they pollinate are sprayed with the insecticide. (Similar assessments of neonicotinoids dinotefuran, clothianidin and thiamethoxam are due out in December.) 3 On December 18, 2015, AP staff reported studies found that illegal loggers had clear-cut at least 24 acres in monarch butterflies’ wintering grounds in 2015. 4 For more, Google “Examining New Trends in Citizen Science. 5 For more, visit the web site at opensourcebeehives.net

DRIPPING SPRINGS MODERN ORTHODONTICS FROM FRIENDLY PEOPLE.

Mark A Thompson DDS MS Specialist in Orthodontics

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Come on down to historic Mercer Street in Dripping Springs and say hello!

Apparel for Women & Men Accessories, Jewelry & Gifts 512-858-4100 Open Daily! M-F 10-7, Sat 10-8, Sun 12-5 209 Mercer St., Dripping Springs, TX 78620

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R MAY 2016 PAGE 7

Hill Country Distillers, where the ‘shine is fine

By Ernie Altgelt

hile many serious sippers may associate the Texas Hill Country, due in part to a heavy infusion of Old World Germanic influence, with the joyful creation and consumption of heady beers and full-bodied wines, thanks to an innovative couple in Comfort, a new libation is now steaming things up and, the thirsty are truly thrilled! Yep, entrepreneurs (and happily

married couple) Cayce and John Kovacs have opened and now operate a very well-received distillery in the heart of the old historic hamlet that lovingly produces Lone Star variants of that storied, highoctane, hillbilly concoction referred to simply as “shine.” So, for all those McCoys or Hatfields, or anyone else in need of a “spiritual” nip with a Texas twist, a visit to Hill Country Distillers is mandatory. Hic-cup!

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Rio Frio Lodging & Nature Center

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www.friolodging.com • www.hillcountryadventures.com

Moonshine (the name is probably derived from the old English term, “moonraker” which referred to illegal smugglers), generally describes any distilled (usually illegal) spirit produced from a grain- or corn-based “mash.” And, while this time-honored (or deplored) process of “cooking, fermenting and then condensing” that the Kovacs utilize for their “white lightning” remains traditional in all aspects, their recipes have been decidedly modified to fit local tastes. So, as Cayce relates, “We dropped the corn and grain, substituted jalapeño and prickly pear then experimented like crazy. The resulting product might not fly in Tennessee or Kentucky but Texans seem to love it.” So, how did this formerly San Antonio-based pair get into “cooking shine?” As John remembers, “A friend in Bandera first started playing around with a peppery mix. We liked what he was doing and, after hitting on a few very tasty recipes decided we might be able to sell the stuff. And, boy were we right.” Initially however, once the determined duo decided to “get into the business,” a lot of research was required that eventually took Cayce and John to Kentucky where they literally, attended “moonshine school.” Taught at a still manufacturing plant, it was there that, according to Cayce, “We learned all about yeasts, sugars, fermentation, aging and basically, how to run a still.” After “graduation,” the Kovacs headed back to Texas (with a new still in tow), found a defunct Comfort winery which they purchased, set up shop under the name Hill Country Distillers and got cooking. That was in 2013 and since, the business has been bubbling right along. Today, the distillery, with a staff of four, offers multiple, original products including its signature 102 proof Cactus and 80 proof Jalapeno Moonshines and the newest offering, Texas Revenge Gin – a combination of prickly pear, cedar berries, orange and lemon peel and even, cinnamon. The distillery also produces as line of savory liqueurs which are appropriately called “dulces” because of their sweetness. These 50 proof favorites come in a variety of fruity flavors. The operation’s entire annual pro-

John and Cayce Kovacs, owners of Hill Country Distillers. Photo by Ernie Altgelt. duction is limited to a few hundred bottles per batch of each existing product however, other creations are continually “still” being worked out in the lab. At Hill Country Distillers, visitors are welcome on Thursday through Sunday, in the afternoons and early evenings. After a tour of the production facilities, the on-site tasting room is always a “hit,” but there’s plenty of relaxing, outdoor accommodation where even kids and dogs (and picnic lunches) are allowed. Occasionally, the distillery even hosts live “sipping” music and food trucks too. Purchases can be made at the premises but, due to legal restrictions, no mail order or internet sales are allowed. Fortunately, as a result of rising demand, the Kovacs’ concoctions are now being offered across the state at a number of liquor stores, restaurants and bars. Has it been a success? Well, according to a smiling John, “In our case, the ‘proof’ isn’t in the pudding. It’s in every bottle we sell!” FYI • Hill Country Distillers is located at 723 Front Street (one block off historic High Street) in Comfort. Hoursre Thursday and Friday from 2 pm to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 pm. For more information, call 830-995-2924. visit the web site at www.hillcountrytxdistillers.com, where you can find retail outlets that carry the product, music and special event dates at the distillery and even a listing of fun and tasty mixed drink recipes.

River Rim Resort

Warning...Experiencing Experiencing on the FrioFrio could become Warning... theFall beauty of the could becomehabit habitforming forming

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(830) 232-5758 • 1204 CR 350 • PO Box 72 • Concan, TX 78838 PAGE 8 MAY 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Hill Country Distillers’ offerings range from Texas Moonshine to gin to savory liqueurs, or “dulces.” Photo courtesy Hill Country Distillers.

HILL COUNTRY CALENDAR 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. Free music shows Monday through Thursday nights, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. www.gruenehall.com. EVERY SUNDAY BEE CAVE: Thundering Paws Pet Adoption Event. Noon to 4 pm at PetSmart, 12812 Shops Parkway #400. adoptions@thunderingpaws. org, 512-402-9725. SECOND SUNDAY BANDERA: Cowboy Camp. Live cowboy music at Frontier Times Museum. Free. 1 pm to 5 pm. 830-328-0321. JOHNSON CITY: Taste Wine + Art. Kirchman Gallery. 830-868-9290. FIFTH SUNDAY DRIFTWOOD: United Methodist Church Bluegrass Gospel Sing-along Service. Every fifth Sunday on months with five Sundays. 11 am. Farm Market 150 and Elder Hill Road. 512-944-6300. EVERY MONDAY CANYON LAKE: Seniors Bingo. 12:30 pm at Habitat for Safe Seniors, 2174 Old Road, Startzville. 830-899-2256. CYPRESS MILL: The Bunkhouse Gang at Wenmohs Ranch. Paint and enjoy fellowship of other artists. 830-825-3465. EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WIMBERLEY: Glass blowing demonstrations at Wimberley Glassworks for travelers and art glass enthusiasts from around the world. wgw.com, 512-213-2110. FIRST TUESDAYS BANDERA: Cowboy Capital Opry. Silver Sage Senior Center. 830-796-4969. WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Community Band Rehearsal. Chapel in the Hills. 7 pm to 8:30 pm. 512-517-3111. SECOND TUESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Art Society of Wimberley

(ASW) Meeting. 6:30 pm at the Art Room, 100 Melody Way, Suite H. Please email msalaun@ austin.rr.com for more information. THIRD TUESDAYS NEW BRAUNFELS: Country Music. Knights of Columbus. 830-629-4547. LEANDER: Low Cost Pet Spay, Neuter and Vaccination. 512-260-3602, ext. 101. EVERY WEDNESDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Farmers Market. 3 pm to 7 pm at Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12. Rain or shine. www.cityofdrippingsprings.com. WIMBERLEY: Farmers’ Market. Senior Citizen’s Activity Center on Ranch Road 12. 512264-1637. SECOND WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Garden Club meets at Lutheran Church of Resurrection. 101 West Spoke Hill. Meets September through May. Refreshments at 9:30 am; meetings and programs at 10 am. WimberleyGardenClub.org. THIRD WEDNESDAYS DRIPPING SPRINGS: Cook Off Club. 6:30 pm. VFW Hall. Email ryoncrew@yahoo.com for more information. FOURTH WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Neighbors. 10:30 am at the Community Center. 512-847-2849. EVERY WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY WIMBERLEY: Live music at Cypress Creek Cafe. www.cypresscreekcafe.com. EVERY THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Coffee House with Light Dinners, Desserts, Open Mic. Hours are 6 pm to 9 pm. Thyme and Dough. 512-894-0001. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Thursdays with Doug Moreland and Flying Armadillos. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Live Music at Smoke ‘N Hops. smokenhops.com. WIMBERLEY: Cafe’ Susanna. Serving lunch 11 am to 1 pm. $9 for entree, two sides and decadent desserts. Wimberley United Methodist Church, Corner of 1492 and Ranch Road 12. www.wimberleyumc.org.

FIRST THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: First Thursday. Participating businesses offer special events, food and music plus sale items. 5 pm to 9 pm. www. drippingspringstx.org. FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY CANYON LAKE: Noon Lions meet at Canyon Lake Golf Club. 830-899-4406. SECOND THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Bead Society. Meeting. Wimberley Community Center. 1 pm. Marilyn Pierce at mp@smpierce.net. SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Toastmaster Club. Learn public speaking, leadership. 7:10 pm at “old” Baptist Church, 501 Old Kyle Road. 512-847-6822. THIRD THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse presents some of the best in the Hill Country’s musical talent. www.wimberleyumc.org. WIMBERLEY: Third Thursdays. Shops open until 8 pm. WimberleyMerchants.com. EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Live Music at Linda’s Fine Foods. 500 Farm Market 2325. 512-847-5464. www.facebook.com/LindasFineFoods.

EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Craft Beer Tasting and Free Tour at Twisted X Brewing Company. Live music and food Saturday and Sunday. 23455 West Ranch Road 12. TexMexBeer.com. EVERY FRIDAY BLANCO: Tasting Room Open and Brewery Tours at Real Ale Brewing Company. www. realalebrewing.com. GRUENE: Friday Afternoon Club at Gruene Hall. Broadcast live KNBT-92.1 FM Radio. 4 pm to 7 pm. 830-629-5077. WIMBERLEY: Bingo. VFW Hall on Jacobs Well Road. 512-847-6441. FIRST FRIDAY FREDERICKSBURG: First Friday Art Walk. Tour fine art galleries offering special exhibits, demonstrations, refreshments and extended viewing hours. www.ffawf.com. SECOND FRIDAY UVALDE: Four Square Friday Shopping, food, music and art at the event named for town’s original design with four town squares. 6 pm to 9 pm. Downtown. www.visituvalde.com. WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Community Civic Club Meeting. (September through Novem-

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ber, January through May) 11 am at Chapel in the Hills, . Milly Maxey at millymaxey@gmail. com or Aurora LeBrun at 512-847-3595. FOURTH FRIDAY BANDERA: Fourth Friday Jam. Enjoy music at the Silver Sage Corral begining at 6:30 pm. 830796-4969. EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FREDERICKSBURG: Rockbox Theater. Variety, music, and rock ‘n roll show, great family fun. 866-349-6688. EVERY SATURDAY AUSTIN: Austin Farmers Market. Republic Square. 512-236-0074. AUSTIN: Sunset Valley Farmers Market. Barton Creek Mall. 512-280-1976. BANDERA: Flying L Ranch Chuck Wagon Dinner. Barbecue, wagon rides, roping lessons, branding, more. www.flyingl.com. BOERNE: Tejas Rodeo. Rodeos, live music, events and steak dinners. TejasRodeo.com. BOERNE: Farmer’s Market at the Cibolo. 9 am to 1 pm. www.cibolo.org. COMFORT: Area Farmer’s Market. 8 am to 1 pm. Comfort Park, Highway 27. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Texas Music and Wine. www.solaroestate.com. FISCHER: Jackson Open Air Market. 9 am to 5 pm. 6341 Farm Market 32. 830-935-2781. NEW BRAUNFELS: Canyon Trail Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show. 830-6268200, 888-408-7245. SAN ANTONIO: Tejas Pro Rodeo Series Live Rodeo. Gates 5 pm, rodeo at 7:30 pm. Live music and dancing 9 pm. Adults $12, kids 6-12 $6. www.tejasrodeo.com. WIMBERLEY: Tour Jacob’s Well. Hear stories about floods, divers, experience beauty of spring that started the town. 10 am. www.jacobswellspring.org. WIMBERLEY: Arnosky Family Farms Market. Find flowers, veggies, cheeses, more. Ranch Road 2325 and Highway 165. 830-833-5428 WIMBERLEY: Saturday Evening Dinners. www.blairhouseinn.com.

UTOPIA: Lunch and Dinner Served at Laurel Tree. www.utopiagourmet.com. FIRST SATURDAY BANDERA: Market Days. Courthouse Square. 830-796-4447. BANDERA: First Saturday Book Sale. Public Library. 830-796-4213. DRIFTWOOD: Driftwood Community Club meets to enhance community spirit. Dinner at 7 pm. www.driftwoodtx.org. WIMBERLEY: Market Days. (First Saturday March through December). Shop more than 475-plus booths, enjoy free admission. 7 am to 4 pm. www.shopmarketdays.com. SECOND SATURDAY CASTROVILLE: Market Trail Days. Houston Square. 830-539-2316. WIMBERLEY: Second Saturday Gallery Trail. 15 galleries around Square open late offering art, wine, appetizers. Facebook.com/SecondSaturdayGalleryTrail. THIRD SATURDAY MARBLE FALLS: Bluegrass, Country and Western, and Gospel. 6 pm to 10 pm. Boys and Girls Club. 830-898-1784. EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Craft Beer Tasting and Free Tour at Twisted X Brewing Company, plus live music and food. 23455 West Ranch Road 12. TexMexBeer.com. ROUND MOUNTAIN: Tours at Westcave Preserve. www.westcave.org. SECOND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AUSTIN: Tours of Bright Leaf Natural Area. www.brightleaf.org. FOURTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. Food, artisans, more. JohnsonCityTexasChamber.com. MAY 1 FREDERICKSBURG: Maifest German Chorale Concert. Enjoy an evening of German song and Fredericksburg Gemutlichkeit (hospitality). St. Joseph’s Halle, 212 West San Antonio. 830-456-1713. STONEWALL: Lavender Festival at Becker

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Vineyards. www.beckervineyards.com. MAY 1-8 WIMBERLEY: “Good People.” Presented by the Wimberley Players. Wimberley Playhouse. www.wimberleyplayers.org. MAY 1-13 SAN MARCOS: “Animals Among Us: Photographs from the Permanent Collection.” Exhibit features cats, dogs, horses, fish, fowl, insects, more in images by 39 artists. www. thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu. MAY 1-15 AUSTIN: “Come As You Are: Art of the 1990s.” First major American museum survey to historicize the art of this time, featuring approximately 60 works by 45 artists. www.blantonmuseum.org. MAY 1-22 KERRVILLE: Kerr Arts and Cultural Center Exhibits. “Kerrville Art Club Annual Juried Show,” “Deeper Than Beauty” with fiber art by Caryl Gaubatz and watercolors by Martha Allen, and “Patrick McDaniel: Glassworks.” www.kacckerrville.com. MAY 1 - JUNE 9 AUSTIN: “Texas Czechs: Rooted in Tradition.” Exhibition introduces contemporary Czech culture. State Capitol Visitors Center. www.polkaworks.org. MAY 1 - JULY 24 AUSTIN: “Our Global Kitchen.” Exhibition tell stories of complex, entwined relationship between humans and food. Bullock Museum. www.TheStoryofTexas.com. MAY 1 - SEPTEMBER 16 AUSTIN: “Wish You Were Here: Postcards from the Texas State Archives.” Featuring more than 100 postcards, photographs and documents highlighting timeless tourist destinations. www.tsl.texas.gov. MAY 1 - SEPTEMBER 18 AUSTIN: “Journey Into Big Bend.” Bullock Museum shines spotlight on Big Bend region with photography, personal artifacts, reflections. www.thestoryoftexas.com. MAY 3 BANDERA: Cowboy Capital Opry. Enjoy “Grand Ole Opry”-style entertainment hosted by Gerry and Harriet Payne. Begins at 7 pm at Silver Sage. www.silversagecorral.org MAY 5 AUSTIN: Jeff Dunham’s “Perfectly Unbalanced.” Jeff Dunham, popular and internationally acclaimed comic/ ventriloquist, brings cast of characters to Texas. Frank Erwin Center. www. uterwincenter.com. MAY 6 FREDERICKSBURG: First Friday Art Walk. Various locations. www.ffawf.com. KERRVILLE: First Friday Wine Share. 6 pm. www.storkcountry.com. SPICEWOOD: “A Toast to Tony” Annual jazz concert in honor of Tony Campise features performances by trumpeter Bobby Shew and saxophonist Elias Haslanger. www. spicewoodarts.org. MAY 6-8 AUSTIN: “Cinderella.” Enduring rags-toprincess story offers promise of “happily ever after.” Long Center for Performing Arts. www.balletaustin.org. MAY 7 AUSTIN: Texas Early Music Project presents “Paris City Limits: Chansons, Dances, and The Birds.” 8 pm, University Presbyterian Church. www.early-music.org. BOERNE: Boerne Handmade Market. www. visitboerne.org. BOERNE: Hauptstrasse Quiltfest. Music, quilts, special exhibits, presentations, more. Main Plaza and downtown. www. visitboerne.org. FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Flower Country Women’s 5K and 10K Run. Post-race champagne brunch. Wildseed Farms. www. runintexas.com/flower. KERRVILLE: Hill Country Swap Meet. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3705 Texas 27 East. www.kerrmarketdays. org.

Hill Country Calendar NEW BRAUNFELS: Wein and Saengerfest. German-style wine and singing festival includes beer and wine tastings, music, a grape stomp, art market, food seminars, chef showdown and children’s activities. Downtown. www.weinandsaengerfest.com. SONORA: Cinco De Mayo. Includes festive music, dancing, children’s games and the crowning of Miss Cinco De Mayo. Sutton County Park, 1700 Crockett. www. sonoratexas.org. STONEWALL: “The Fandangle” Sampler at the LBJ Ranch. Features a shortened version of the Fort Griffin Fandangle with barbecue and live music. LBJ National Historical Park. www.friendsoflbjnationalpark.org 830/8687128 ext. 222. WIMBERLEY: Market Days. Open air market with live music at Lions Field. Free admission. 601 Farm Market 2325. 512-847-2391, www. ShopMarketDays.com. MAY 7-8 MARBLE FALLS: “Howdy Roo” CASI Regional Chili Cook-Off, Lonestar Barbecue State Championship and Backbone Creek Chili Cook-Off. www.marblefalls.org. MAY 8 AUSTIN: Mother’s Day at the Capitol Presented by the Austin Symphonic Band. www.austinsymphonicband.org. AUSTIN: Texas Early Music Project presents “Paris City Limits: Chansons, Dances, and The Birds.” 3 pm, First Presbyterian Church. www. early-music.org. MAY 9 WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Valley Art League. Artists and art lovers invited. Featuring Dana Brown of Ampersand. Wimberley Community Center. 6:30 pm. wimberleyartleague.org, 512-826-4286. MAY 10 COMFORT: Music in the Park. The Almost Patsy Cline Trio. www.comfort-texas.com. MAY 9-15 AUSTIN: National Wildflower Week. Enjoy special exhibits in honor of these natural treasures. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. wildflower.org. MAY 13-14 LUCKENBACH: Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally. Includes bike rides through the hills, live music, a cowboy breakfast and the Brew and ‘Que. www.hillcountryrun.com. MAY 13-15 AUSTIN: The Ferrari Challenge. www. circuitoftheamericas.com. MAY 14 BOERNE: Second Saturday Art and Wine. Participating galleries offer beverages, hors d’oeuvres and art. www.visitboerne.org. FREDERICKSBURG: Founders Day. Pioneer Museum. www.pioneermuseum.net. GEORGETOWN: Market Days on the Square. www.VisitGeorgetown.com. WIMBERLEY: Garden Club’s 21st Annual Garden Tour. Six private gardens and one new public garden. Refreshments, native plant sale, unique, hand-made garden art. www.wimberleygardenclub.org. WIMBERLEY: Mustang Car Show. Noon to 5 pm up and down Ranch Road 12. WimberleyMerchants.com. WIMBERLEY: Second Saturday Gallery Trail. More than a dozen galleries offer wine, snacks and art displays from 4 pm to 7 pm. www. facebook.com/SecondSaturdayGalleryTrail. MAY 14-15 BOERNE: Boerne Market Days. Main Plaza. www.visitboerne.org. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Tour the Talent Studio Tour. Free event highlights painters, jewelers, sculptors, and photographers with varied mediums and styles. 11 am to 4 pm at seven art studios. www.tourthetalent.com. MAY 18 AUSTIN: Journey and The Doobie Brothers. Austin360 Amphitheater at Circuit of the Americas. www.circuitoftheamericas.com. MAY 19 GRUENE: Come and Taste It A featured winemaker showcases three of their newest

released, top-selling or hard-to-find wines, alongside a craft beer. Grapevine Texas Wine Bar. www.grapevineingruene.com. WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Coffeehouse presents Susan Gibson. 7:30 pm. Tickets $20 for adults, $5 for students under 18 at the door. www.wimberleyumc.org (click on Susanna’s Kitchen Concerts). MAY 20-21 OZONA: Fort Lancaster Western Frontier Days. Historic site comes alive with soldiers, settlers, wagons and live animals in this livinghistory event. Fort Lancaster State Historic Site. www.visitfortlancaster.com. MAY 21 DRIPPING SPRINGS: “If Tombstones Could Talk: Celebrating Cemeteries.” A fun and educational genealogical research family event. www.drpoundhistoricalfarmstead.org. MAY 22 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Tiger Splash & Colin’s Hope present the 1st Annual Tiger Triathlon for Kids Ages 5-15. Highpointe of Dripping Springs. runsignup.com/tigertri. MAY 20-22 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop more than 450 vendors, enjoy live music in the Biergarten. Sunday Farms. www. fbgtradedays.com. PFLUGERVILLE: Deutschen Pfest. Family MAY 21-22 GRUENE: Old Gruene Market Days. www. gruenemarketdays.com. MAY 22 GRUENE: KNTB Americana Music Jam Gruene Hall. www.gruenehall.com. MAY 26-JUNE 12 KERRVILLE: Kerrville Folk Festival. Texas Hill Country based international songwriters’ festival features more than 100 songwriters and bands. www.kerrville-music.com. MAY 26-JUNE 26 KERRVILLE: Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show. See the finest examples of gourd art by the best gourd artists from across the nation. Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett Street. www.kacckerrville.com. MAY 27-29 BANDERA: Bandera Pro Rodeo. PRCA rodeo action begins at 7:30 pm at Mansfield Park, 2886 Texas 16 North. www.banderaprorodeo.org. FREDERICKSBURG: Crawfish Festival. Fun inspired by all things Cajun. www. fbgcrawfish.com. MAY 28 BOERNE: Axiom String Quartet in Concert. Enjoy music by talented ensemble combined with nature’s staging and cave acoustics. Cave Without A Name, 325 Kreutzberg Road. www. cavewithoutaname.com. FREDERICKSBURG: USO-Style Memorial Day Hangar Dance. Dress in your best 1940s inspired outfit. Swing dance lessons, music by Lone Star Swing Orchestra. Hangar Hotel Pacific Showroom. www.hangarhotel.com. JOHNSON CITY: Last Saturday Art Walk. Evening of art, complimentary wine, beer and appetizers. “Power of the Flower,” acrylics in vivid color, by Kathy Meador. 4 pm to 8 pm. www.texcetera.net. UVALDE: Fishing Derby. Uvalde National Fish Hatchery, 754 City Road 203. www.fws. gov/fisheries/uvalde. MAY 28-29 BANDERA: Funtier Days. Shop more than 75 vendors on the square, plus enjoy a hometown Memorial Day parade Saturday. www. banderatex.com. KERRVILLE: Kerr County Market Days Old-fashioned market on square features handmade crafts, artwork, homegrown plants, produce. www.kerrmarketdays.org. MAY 30 FREDERICKSBURG: Memorial Day Observance. National Museum of the Pacific War. www.pacificwarmuseum.org.

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DRIPPING SPRINGS: RED Arena Round-Up. Free family fun: bounce houses, games, petting zoo, mini horses. Plus barbecue, raffles, silent auction. Dripping Springs Ranch Park. 10 am to 2 pm. More info at REDarena.org JUNE 25 BANDERA: Riverfest. Don’t miss the “Great Hill Country Anything That Floats Regatta,” plus kayak races, exhibits, water games, a riv-

er rodeo, car show, live music, food booths, arts and crafts, paddle boats a cook-off and more. Complete details at www.banderariverfest.com. JOHNSON CITY: Last Saturday Art Walk. An evening of art and complimentary wine, beer and appetizers. Show featuring the art of Kathleen Marie in conjunction with Black Spur Emporium. Texcetera, 207 North Nugent Avenue. 4 pm to 8 pm. www.texcetera.net.

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