Hill Country Sun, November 2016 by Julie Harrington

NOVemBER 2016 Her first major tour in 25 years Dolly Parton at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center

R Celebrating Westcave Preserve with new book release, nature festival

American icon

Dolly PArton in concert

R CJ Wright’s Hill Country wildlife

R Home decor galore Cowgirls & Lace in Dripping Springs

Hill Country Parks by Suzy Moehring-Mallard

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

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C.J. Wright hill country WILDLIFE

n November northerly winds sweep through, swaying boughs and shaking loose spangled leaves, exposing branches recently home to summer nesters. Replacing them, winter birds such as Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned and Rubycrowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Whitethroated Sparrows and more flit and scurry through grasses, shrubbery and trees feeding on seeds, berries and insects. In wetland areas where the white coats of foraging Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets once gleamed against the background, resident Great Blue Herons often have the fishing to themselves. Smaller than Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets have black bills and legs with a startling pair of yellow feet that turn orange-red during breeding season. Thought to be the most elegant of herons, Snowy Egrets are especially so when, in breeding season, they grow graceful plumes along their heads, necks and backs. Sadly, a mere century ago, these very feathers caught the eyes of the fashion industry, which paid astronomical prices for them to adorn women’s hats. The egrets were hunted to near extinction. Indeed, 100 years ago unregulated shooting of any bird was the norm. Not

only were feathers harvested for the millinery trade, but many a bird’s final resting place was on a restaurant dinner plate. In 1914 the last passenger pigeon, once numbering between three and five billion, died in the Cincinnati Zoo. But in 1886, young New York ornithologist, Frank Chapman, scoured uptown Manhattan, counting the number of ladies wearing garish hats laden with feathers. Not only did he find 542 hats with feathers, but 174 of them displayed whole birds or their disembodied parts such as wings and eyes! Chapman found that 40 different species paid the ultimate price! In Boston, two socialites —Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall — learned about uncensored hunting and organized a boycott. Their activism sparked a movement. Audubon chapters sprang up and the movement grew political catching the notice of Congress, prompting them to pass the Lacy Act in 1900. This was the first law to protect wildlife by banning the illegal trade of wild animals and birds. The act, however, didn’t shut down the interstate feather trade, leading Congress to adopt the Weeks-McLean Migratory Bird Act of 1913. This act sought to protect a wide range of birds from unregulated hunting, including all migratory game

PAGE 2 NOVember 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Birds — invaluable national treasures and insectivorous birds. The act didn’t survive challenges in court. Finally, on August 16, 1916, the U.S. government signed The Migratory Bird Treaty (MBT) with Great Britain (on behalf of Canada). For the first time, two nations agreed to protect the birds that crossed their borders. Because it functioned u n d e r d o m e s t i c l a w, the treaty led to the establishment of our first national, comprehensive wildlife management system and paved the Golden Eagle. way for future wildlife protection. In 1918, Congress enacted the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which protects more than 1,000 species, making unlawful pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, sell or purchase, any migratory bird or bird part, nest, or egg. The protections do not cover non-native species such as European Starlings and English Sparrow, or resident game birds. The latter are managed through the cooperative efforts of federal and state governments. Those who otherwise work with birds—falconers and rehabilitators for example—must be federally licensed. The United States later made similar agreements with Mexico, Russia and Japan. The MBTA along with three others form the foundation for our efforts to conserve migratory birds, The passage by Congress of the Bald Eagle Protection act in 1940 (later amended to include Golden Eagles) banned hunting or distributing our national emblem. Unfortunately it did nothing to prevent DDT poisoning that caused a severe decline in the Bald Eagle population and led to them being listed as an endangered species. * An amendment to the MBTA in 1972 increased protection to an additional thirty-two bird families, including eagles, hawks, owls and corvids (crows, jays, and magpies). The migratory Bird Treaty Reform act of 2004 (MBTRA) extended protection to all species native to the U.S. and its territories. These species are those that “occur as a result of natural biological or ecological processes”. Nonnative species that occur solely as “the result of intentional or unintentional humanassisted introduction” are not included. Throughout the 1970s U.S. prosecutors started charging oil, gas, timber, mining, chemical and electricity companies for causing the deaths of millions of birds each year. With simple modifications to infrastructure, these tragedies could have been avoided, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In 2013 and 2014 the DOJ charged two Wyoming wind farm operators millions of

dollars for causing the deaths of Golden Eagles and other protected birds. To protect the birds, we must also protect the Migratory Bird Tre a t y A c t . B e c a u s e of the MBTA most of the birds threatened at the time it passed have recovered. Today, however, like birds, the MBTA is under attack. Last year the House of Representative tried to pass an appropriations amendment that would have prevented the DOJ Photo © Loisik. from enforcing the law. Though the amendment failed, the threat remains. Those who oppose the Act make it difficult for federal agencies to limit the incidental killing of protected species like our National bird. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is working to update the law to address 21st century conditions. This past May it proposed issuing permits to grant corporations immunity from prosecution if they cause accidental bird deaths, if, at the same time, they employ best practices to mitigate hazards. It’s not clear whether updates will include the wind energy industry. (Open oil pits, power lines, gas flares, cell phone towers and wind turbines kill millions of birds each year.) Nearly one hundred years ago two women started a movement and their government cared enough about the welfare of birds to respond. At that time, hunting and fishing were the major causes of plummeting bird numbers. Today 40 percent of all migratory bird species are in decline. Expanding human populations and climate change threaten habitats. By participating in citizen science programs such as the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts, we can help. We can plant wildlife gardens both at home and in our communities. When we place bird feeders and birdbaths at a safe distance from windows, we prevent bird injuries and deaths. It is so important to remember that birds are our invaluable natural treasures. They play a vital role in our economy through ecotourism, the publishing industry, and in the sale of sporting and birding equipment. They benefit our environment as they pollinate, prey on rodents and insects and disperse seeds. They are indicators of our environment’s health. Their beauty and sound offer us countless hours of joy, a gift without price. *Though not directly related to the MBTA, the Endangered species Act of 1973 is another result of our heightened awareness of the need to conserve and protect wildlife. Under the act, endangered or threatened species are protected throughout all or a significant portion of their range. It conserves the ecosystems on which they depend.

Hill Country SUN November 2016 Volume 27 • Number 5 ISSN: 1524-2315 Entire contents copyright © 2016 by TD Austin Lane, Inc. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any fashion without the written consent of the publisher. Julie Spell Harrington Publisher/Advertising 512-484-9716 julie@hillcountrysun.com Melissa Maxwell Ball Editor/Design 512-569-8212 melissa@hillcountrysun.com Bonnie Eissler Suzy Moehring Mallard Laurel Robertson C.J. Wright Writers Gerry Burns Adelle Spell Distribution

Kenzie, Julie & Luke Harrington

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

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. • Cover: American icon and Country Music Hall of Fame performer Dolly Parton performs at the Frank Erwin Center December 6 on her first major tour in 25 years. (See story, page 9). Photo courtesy Dolly Parton. Deadline for calendar events is the 15th of each month. Email events/releases to melissa@hillcountrysun.com. www.hillcountrysun.com www.facebook.com/HillCountrySun

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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Discover Westcave Preserve, Hill Country treasure

By Laurel Robertson

eading it is like taking a long walk – maybe dozens of long walks – through the world-class beauty and wonder of one of Central Texas’ greatest natural treasures, Westcave Preserve. “Discovering Westcave: The Natural and Human History of a Hill Country Nature Preserve,” just released by Texas A&M University Press, is the definitive work on the 75-acre nature preserve and outdoor discovery center located off Hamilton Pool Road in western Travis County. In 256 pages, authors S. Christopher

Caran (geologist with the Texas Water Development Board) and Elaine Davenport (writer, journalist and Westcave Preserve docent) present the accumulated knowledge of hundreds of scientists, naturalists, artists and nature lovers - in conversational terms that make it an easy read. Delightful original artwork and dozens of lists, charts, and graphs make this a go-to field guide and reference book on the stunning limestone grotto and its surrounding region of the Texas Hill Country. The book begins by taking the reader on a virtual tour of the grotto, detailing in

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LEFT “Discovering Westcave: The Natural Human History of a Hill Country Nature Preserve,” just released by Texas A&M University Press. RIGHT Enjoy a tour of Westcave Preserve, book signing and more at the the Preserve’s Fall Festival November 5 from 11 am to 4 pm. Photos courtesy Westcave Preserve. rich terms the sights, smells, flora, fauna and overarching ecosystems of the natural wonder. It describes the geologic forces that in the course of 250,000 years incised Westcave’s deep grotto and travertine cave into the surrounding prairie, and explains how those same processes are still at work in the canyon today. The authors include the Preserve’s re-

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cently acquired 45 acres of surrounding grasslands, known as the Uplands, in their narrative. Maps of its hiking trails and outdoor features (bird blinds, wildflower meadows, groves of native trees, a historic homestead and picnic area) are accompanied by identifying notes and lists of hundreds of native species of plants and wildlife that have been spotted there. The book also features an extensive Appendix that catalogues all the plants, plant communities, mosses, insects, butterflies, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals endemic to the preserve. Human history in the Westcave area is traced beginning with Paleolithic tribes, through the pioneer settlements of the late 1800s and early 1900s, to the wanton abuse of the natural wonder by trespassers in the mid-twentieth century. The story ends happily with its purchase by John Covert Watson in 1974 and the ensuing decades of devotion shown it by director and protector John Ahrns and his family. A highlight of the book is its detailed description of the Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center at Westcave Preserve. The 3,000 square foot greenbuilt structure, with 4,000 square feet of outdoor classroom space, was completed in 2003 and serves as a visitors center and classroom for the Preserve’s active educational programs. The fascinating scientific principles exemplified in the Environmental Learning Center’s many indoor exhibits are clearly explained in Discovering Westcave: how the spot of sunlight admitted through an aperture in the building’s ceiling creates a solar calendar as it tracks across a photovoltaic strip in the terrazzo floor; how the pattern of Fibonacci sequence squares etched on the floor mimics patterns in nature; how the position of the See DISCOVERING WESTCAVE, page 5

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Westcave Preserve, a 75-acre nature preserve and outdoor discovery center located off Hamilton Pool Road in western Travis County. Photo courtesy Westcave Preserve. North Star in the sky describes latitude on Earth – to name just a few. The authors detail the ingenious design of the Environmental Learning Center building itself, winner of seven major design awards, including the American Institute of Architects’ Top Ten Green Buildings in 2006. The building’s design incorporates heating and cooling with deep-well geothermal systems, a cooling chimney cupola, and strategic roof overhangs. Clerestory windows offer electricityfree lighting, and solar panels supplement the electric grid. Composting toilets and a reconstruct-

ed wetland treat wastewater and captured rain supplies its clean water needs. FYI • Westcave Preserve is located at 24814 Hamilton Pool Road in Round Mountain. On November 5, Westcave Preserve will host a book signing as part of the annual Westcave Fall Festival from 11 am to 4 pm. Join them for Canyon Tours on the hour, self-guided Upland Trails access, bird feeder building, family fun arts and crafts. The book signing will feature Discovering Westcave and other books in the Kathie and Ed Cox, Jr. Books on Conservation Leadership series, sponsored by the Meadows Center for Water and Environment, Texas State University. For more information about Fall Fest, email Paul@ westcave.org or call 830-825-3442. For more details about Discovering Westcave, email Julia@westcave.org or call 512-276-2257.

20th annual North Pole Village CANYON LAKE H This year, CRRC of Canyon Lake celebrates the 20th anniversary of the beloved Annual North Pole Village. To celebrate the occasion, CRRC unveils the newest building addition to the village, The Firehouse, to honor Canyon Lake’s First Responders. Other attractions include a bakery, post office, ice fishing, elves’ house and toy land, plus a live nativity, hayrides and photos with Santa. Enjoy the fun and magic of visiting the pint-size Christmas village this season, where kids of all ages can experience a unique adventure. Admission is $5. The Village will be open 6 pm to 9 pm December 8-10 and December 15-16. Plus, you can enjoy brunch with Santa Claus December 3 ($5 admission) from 9 am to noon. FYI • For more information, call 830-964-2324 or visit the web site at www.crrcofcanyonlake.org.

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Fabric, furniture... so much more at Cowgirls and Lace

By Bonnie Eissler

oday, Cowgirls and Lace in Dripping Springs attracts shoppers from all around the state and has more than 70,000 people in its customer data base, but it was the only home furnishings store in the area when owner Reba Byrd started the business in the 1990s. “I began in 1992 by taking some of the merchandise to a booth at the Old Bank Mall in Fredericksburg,” Reba says. “They didn’t have any space available at the time, but they asked what I had to sell and when I said ‘rugs,’ and showed them the product, they decided to make space for me.” Reba came to the area from Tyler in East Texas, where she worked in securities and her husband was an attorney. “He loved to ranch, so we bought a place west of Dripping Springs,” she says. Reba was storing a lot of her merchandise (rugs, material for crochet) out at the ranch, and there must have been an ever-increasing abundance of it because her husband decided to rent a space in 1993 at the end of the building that currently houses the entire Cowgirls and Lace operation (which has expanded over time to 22,000 square feet). “I started out selling rug fabric – washable percale sheeting, 110 inches wide, ends of fabric rolls and later added

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Cowgirls and Lace owner, Reba Byrd. Photo courtesy Cowgirls and Lace.

Don’t miss Cowgirls and Lace Christmas Open House November 5, with storewide discounts and photos with Santa. Photo courtesy Cowgirls and Lace. bolts of fabric, trims and sewing accessories to the inventory,” Reba explains. She named the store “Le Ragge Ruggs” and kept that name, because it was already so well established — even after Cowgirls and Lace opened in 1996, bringing in everything under the sun for home décor and more, including furniture, art, lighting, rugs both indoor and outdoor, gifts, books, dishes, potpourri, candles, toys, and clothing. Cowgirls and Lace offers professional interior decorating services along with a huge selection of merchandise and fabrics for custom bedding and window treatments. Reba says, “We buy fabric from fabric shows, but since we’ve been here for so long, there are also salesmen who come by – we have many good sources for fabric.” Pine Cone Hill and Pom Pom are two prominent bedding lines carried at Cowgirls and Lace. Some shoppers opt for a mix of ready-made and customized interior design which is less expensive than buying a complete custom set. Reba says, “for example, a customer might buy a Pine Cone Hill duvet and add custom made pillows.” Although they don’t do upholstery on site, Cowgirls and Lace does sell a wide selection of upholstery fabric and provides recommendations of good upholsterers located in Dripping Springs, Austin, San Marcos, and Fredericksburg. “Keeping up with changing tastes and all the latest trends and styles in See COWGIRLS & LACE, page 7

COWGIRLS & LACE, from page 6

DRIPPING SPRINGS Five years ago, Reba introduced Last Call, an impressive collection of estate sale finds with sofas, chairs, tables, paintings, lamps and household accessories (even the occasional piano, antique organ or ultra modern dining set), for prices that are truly a bargain. Reba says that her primary goal is “to provide a friendly place, offer good values and an experience that you can’t find anywhere else,” and Last Call is part of that unique experience. November 5, Cowgirls and Lace will celebrate the holiday season with their annual Christmas Open House, a festive event that always falls on the first weekend of November to coincide

with the beginning of hunting season. The store will be lavishly decorated with garlands, trees, and baskets of beautiful ornaments. The special occasion features storewide sales, Christmas music, guest vendors, a chocolate fountain and other holiday fare, and possibly a visit from old Saint Nick himself! FYI • Cowgirls and Lace is located on 1111 U.S. Highway 290 West in Dripping Springs. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. Christmas Open House is Saturday, November 5. Enjoy storewide discounts and bring your camera for photos with Santa! For more information and to keep up with upcoming events, visit the web site at cowgirlsandlace. com, or call 512-894-0350.

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You’ll find everything under the sun for home décor and more, including furniture, art, lighting, rugs both indoor and outdoor, gifts, books, dishes, potpourri, candles, toys, and clothing. Photo courtesy Cowgirls and Lace. fashion, fabric, and home furnishings are the keys to success,” says Reba. Currently, the trend is toward a more tailored look, with fewer trims and embellishments, indoor-outdoor fabrics that are fade resistant and easy to clean, and lots of grays and soft pinks. Buttery yellow colors will arrive soon in time for spring. The style at Cowgirls and Lace is

eclectic. “We started out western and there’s still western style in the store,” Reba says, “but there’s also shabby chic and french country – we like to have a mix of what’s popular along with some items that aren’t as traditional.” The shop offers custom lines instead of the more typical famous brands, and they have a great selection of painted furniture.

Christmas at the Caverns special celebration of the holiday season NEW BRAUNFELS H “Christmas at the Caverns” returns to Natural Bridge Caverns this season, combining sights and sounds of the holidays with an underground world of natural beauty and amazement, open nine nights December 10 and December 11 and continuing December 17 through 23. Guests can enjoy Caroling in the Caverns — a 75-minute, three-quartermile trek combining spectacular natural beauty with incredible sounds featuring Caroling in the Caverns. choirs and professional singing groups Photo courtesy Natural Bridge Caverns. from around the state. There are great photo opportunities beneath the 30-foot tall, fully decorated tree at Christmas Village, where you can shop for special gifts and crafts, indulge in treats, seasonal candies and holiday delights. Enjoy a musical light show with Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music. A hayride begins at Christmas Village and ends around a campfire, where guests enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores. At the Canopy Explorer, visitors have up to 30 minutes to grapple their way to the top of a 60-foot, four-tier adventure course. It’s a test of agility, balance and strength on 47 fascinating obstacles. There is also a Canopy Kids Course for toddlers and younger kids. Visitors can take their fun to the next level on zip lines that glide high above the Texas Hill Country for a treetop view of the fully decorated Christmas Village and neighboring Reindeer Roundup. FYI • Christmas Village with its holiday lighting and music is open to the public at no charge. Tickets are needed for the other activities. For ticket prices, which vary depending on the activity selected, as well as general ticket information and show times, visit the web site at www.naturalbridgecaverns.com. Due to the nature of the attractions, availability is limited. Advance online ticket purchase is strongly recommended and begins on Thanksgiving Day. Natural Bridge Caverns is located at 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road between New Braunfels and San Antonio.

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Christmas on Mercer for family holiday fun

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By Laurel Robertson

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anta will need to bring a lot more candy canes this year! Over twelve years, Dripping Springs’ Christmas on Mercer Street celebration has grown from a small gathering to a large holiday festival, and this year is going to be bigger than ever. Over twelve years, Dripping Springs’ Christmas on Mercer Street celebration has grown from a small gathering to a large holiday festival, and this year is going to be bigger than ever. The celebration will take place Saturday, December 3 on Dripping Springs’ main street and in the surrounding historic districts. Parts of Mercer and adjacent streets will be closed to traffic and filled with revelers, decorations, live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, holiday shopping, food and drink, a trackless train, petting zoo, pony rides, kids’ activities and more. All events take place within the walkable Downtown and Old Fitzhugh historic districts, so wear comfortable shoes and bring the stroller. To add to the fun this year, everyone is encouraged to come dressed in their most festive holiday sweater. Hosted by the Dripping Springs Lions Club and the City of Dripping Springs, the event is free to the public. Festivities begins at 10 am, when Santa arrives on Mercer Street in a fire truck. Santa’s Workshop will be open until 2 pm inside Starrs on Mercer, where Santa’s lap will be available for photos (bring your own camera!) and a one-onone with the old elf. Toys will entertain kids while they wait in line and Santa will have a candy cane and a kind word for each visitor. He’ll be compiling his list of Naughty and Nice, so come make sure your name is in the right column! You can have your holiday photo

Plenty of family friendly fun at Christmas on Mercer December 3. The fun runs from 10 am to dark. Photo courtesy Christmas on Mercer. taken at a booth with artificial snow – just the right setting for the season. Kids can get a ride on a giant robot brought by the Dripping Springs High School Robotics Team. The group will also have science experiments using toys to explain motion and circuitry. The Dripping Springs Lions Club will host a booth where parents can have their young children’s eyes checked for free. The kids’ eye booth is a regular project of the Lions Club International. Arts and crafts booths will be interspersed with vendors offering food, locally roasted coffee and regionally produced wines. The Dripping Springs Cook Off Club will be hosting a cook off event on a side street and beer pubs, wine bars, coffee See CHRISTMAS ON MERCER, page 9

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Santa will arrive at Christmas on Mercer at 10 am by fire truck. Bring your own camera for photos ‘til 2 pm at Santa’s Workshop inside Starrs on Mercer. Photo courtesy Christmas on Mercer.

Dolly returns to stage on first major tour in 25 years AUSTIN H American icon Dolly Parton is set to bring her boundless energy to Austin’s Frank Erwin Center December 6 as she embarks on her first major U.S. and Canadian tour in more than 25 years. Dolly’s set list will include hit songs and new songs from her new album “Pure & Simple,” released last summer. She will also be performing songs that have not been heard live for decades. “We’re so excited to get out there and see the fans again. I’m really looking forward to singing songs the fans have not heard in a while, as well as the hits, while debuting a few new ones off Pure & Simple,” Dolly says. An internationally renowned superstar, the iconic and irrepressible Dolly Parton has contributed countless treasures to the world of entertainment. All-inclusive sales of singles, albums, hits collections, paid digital downloads and compilation usage during her illustrious career have topped a staggering 100 million records worldwide. Achieving 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, Dolly has had 25 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. She has garnered seven

Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards, three American Music Awards and is one of only five female artists to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award. Making her film debut in the 1980 hit comedy “9 to 5,” Dolly earned rave reviews for her performance and an Oscar nomination for writing the title tune, along with her second and third Grammy Awards. Roles in “Steel Magnolias,” “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Rhinestone,” and “Straight Talk” followed. Dolly saw a cherished dream become a reality in 1986, with the opening of her own theme park, Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. In 1988, Dolly began the Dollywood Foundation, which funds Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across America and in Canada by

giving every preschool child a book each month from the time he or she is born until the child reaches kindergarten. Currently 60,000,000 books are mailed to children in the US, Canada and throughout the UK. In 1999, Dolly was inducted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 2004, the U.S. Library of Congress presented her with their Living Legend Award for her contribution to the cultural heritage of the United States.

In December 2015, more than 13 million viewers tuned into “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” and was the mostwatched film on broadcast networks since May 2012. FYI • TFYI • Tickets and official VIP packages for Dolly Parton’s December 6 concert are available; you can find details and purchasing information on the web site at TexasBoxOffice.com. Other Texas dates include Corpus Christi’s American Bank Center Arena December 2, Grand Prairie’s Verizon Theatre December 3, Houston’s NRG Arena December 5 and San Antonio’s Tobin Center for the Performing Arts December 8. To learn more about Dolly, visit the web site at DollyParton.com.

Frio/SABINAL RIVER VALLEY

830-966-2320 • friolodging.com

Welcome to the Hill Country

“Pure & Simple,” Dolly Parton’s latest release. Photo courtesy Dolly Parton.

Country Music Hall of Fame musician Dolly Parton. Photo courtesy Dolly Parton.

CHRISTMAS ON MERCER, from page 8 bars, food establishments on Mercer and Old Fitzhugh streets will be open. A wide variety of Christmas shopping is available at the eclectic assortment of shops and boutiques in the area. At dusk, after festivities on Mercer Street wind down, folks will gather one block east on the City Triangle for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. State Representative Jason Isaacs will introduce the entertainment on the Home Depot Stage: the Dripping Springs Middle School Cheer Team, Premiere Dance Studio’s dance troupe, Dripping Springs Middle School’s choir, and the Dripping Springs High School High Steppers. Santa will make a return appearance. At dark, Rep. Isaacs will throw the switch that lights the 30-foot tall Christmas Tree, to the delight of the crowd. The choir will sing carols to mark the perfect end to the hometown holiday festival.

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The celebration will take place on Dripping Springs’ main street and in the surrounding historic districts. Photo courtesy Christmas on Mercer. FYI • Christmas on Mercer is Saturday, December 3, from 10 am until dark, with the Lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Triangle (at Highway 290, Ranch Road 12 and Mercer Street). The annual event is sponsored by the DS Lions Club and the City of Dripping Springs. For more information and vendor applications, visit the city’s web site at www.cityofdrippingsprings.com, or call 512-858-4725.

Published by the Hill Country SUN

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julie@hillcountrysun.com HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVember 2016 PAGE 9

Suzy Moehring Mallard hill country PARKS

always think that getting outdoors is a fine thing to do. And if we can get outdoors and do some good? Even better. Every year for lots of years, Austin has had an It’s My Park Day in the springtime, thanks to the fine folks at Austin Parks Foundation. People fan out all over their neighborhoods and all over the city and pay some needed attention to parks and trails, creeks and streams, river and forest lookouts, and other places where people go to enjoy being outdoors. This year, Austin Parks Foundation has added an It’s My Park Day in the fall, so that on November 5 lots of loving care will be paid to parks. It’s My Park Day projects this year include creating rainscapes, planting butterfly gardens, weeding overgrown native plant gardens, improving trails, removing invasive plants and putting in native grasses, thinning out overgrown greenbelts along creeks, mulching trees, weeding, and removing litter – truly, something for everybody.

When my grandson was in high school he and I worked one It’s My Park Day at an historic cemetery just down the street from our Central Austin neighborhood. All one cold morning we dug holes, tried to get the trees in as straight up-and-down as possible, loaded in lots of compost, then built a mulch berm around the trees to hold in water. And so many of these It’s My Park Day projects are kid friendly. Zach spent the rest of that day using his teenage boy muscles to remove cactus from a meadowy median up the hill from us – a big median, one where the neighborhood kids play football. Football and cactus do not mix. Last year It’s My Park Day had nearly 100 projects all over the city, with 3,000 volunteers and 10,000 hours of volunteer labor – about the equivalent of five park employees working full-time for an entire year. Just in my neighborhood, we had people working on trails in woodsy Perry Park behind the elementary school, folks sprucing up the parking lot, trails,

Frio/SABINAL RIVER VALLEY

It’s My Park, and Thanksgiving, too and hilltop pavilion at Covert Park at Mount Bonnell, and families weeding and mulching at quaint, little Mayfield Park. Austin Parks Foundation has lots of corporate sponsors, and Austin Parks and Recreation Department is a huge partner in It’s My Park Day. Austin Parks Foundation also sponsors outdoor projects on National Trails Day in June and September’s National Public Lands Day. All month long, Garner State Park has a thing going on called “1 Bag 2 Make a Difference.” It’s a chance for kids to help keep Garner State Park clean, healthy, and beautiful. Kids can get a little prize at the Visitor Center by filling a bag with litter from the river or from trails or any public area – but really, kids, not your own campsite and really not from your car, that’s just not right. Bags can be turned in any time the Visitor Center is open, from 9 am ’til 3 pm. Kids making a difference. About the time Thanksgiving rolls around later this month, some of the parks have cute ideas for getting people outside. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area will host a Black Friday at the Rock – a hike with a ranger to the top of the rock on Friday, November 25. Be at the gazebo at 9 am and #optoutdoors. And on actual Thanksgiving Day, November 24, you can join a ranger at Enchanted Rock for a walk on The Other Side of the

Sunset View, Inks Lake State Park. Photo by Earl Nottingham, © Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Rock. You know, burning a few calories before you eat way too much. And Inks Lake State Park will have what its calling Fresh Air Friday Morning Hike on Friday, November 25 – time to walk off a little pie and see the new Devil’s Backbone Nature Trail. Be at Devil’s Waterhole trailhead at 10 am for the three-mile hike. Happy Thanksgiving, all y’all. I am so thankful for the beautiful outdoors of Central Texas and the Hill Country.

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CowgirlLoca.com PAGE 10 NOVember 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

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, 512-4029725. 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. 11 am. 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 artists. 830-825-3465. EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Vinyasa at the Vineyard. Yoga at Hawk’s Shadow Winery, 9 am to 10 am. www.hawksshadow.com, 832978-0162. EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WIMBERLEY: Glass blowing demonstrations at Wimberley Glassworks. wgw.com, 512-213-2110. EVERY TUESDAY SAN MARCOS: Community Bible Study (Interdenominational). Tuesdays September 6 - May 9. 6:30 pm to 8 pm. “Red Sea to the Jordan River.” Classes for men, women and couples. First Christian Church, 3105 Ranch Road 12. 512-808-9156. 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). 6:30 pm. Art Room, 100 Melody Way, Suite H. Email msalaun@austin.rr.com for information. THIRD TUESDAYS NEW BRAUNFELS: Country Music. Knights of Columbus. 830-629-4547. LEANDER: Low Cost Pet Spay, Neuter, Vaccination. For more information, call 512260-3602, extension 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. NEW BRAUNFELS: Veteran Music Group at VFW Post 7110. 5 pm to 8 pm. Open to all veterans, all skill levels. Song writing, guitar, keyboard and more. VFW Post 7110, 600 Peace Avenue. Gary Walter at 512-460-9919. WIMBERLEY: Farmers’ Market. Senior Citizen’s Activity Center on Ranch Road 12. 512-264-1637. 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. WIMBERLEY: The Herb Society of America Hill Country Unit Meeting (August through May). 9:45 am to noon at Wimberley Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 956 Ranch Road 2325. HillCountryHerbs.org FOURTH WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Neighbors. 10:30 am at the Community Center. 512-8472849. 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. 6 pm to 9 pm. Thyme and Dough. 512-894-0001. thymeanddough.com. WIMBERLEY: Cafe’ Susanna. Serving lunch 11 am to 1 pm. $9 for entree, two sides and decadent desserts. Wimberley United Methodist Church, www.wimberleyumc.org. FIRST THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: First Thursday. Participating businesses offer events, food and music plus special sale items. 5 pm to 9 pm. www.drippingspringstx.org. FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY CANYON LAKE: Noon Lions Meeting. Canyon Lake Golf Club. 830-899-4406. SECOND THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Bead Society. Wimberley Community Center. 1 pm. Marilyn Pierce, 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. 512847-6822. 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 stay 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 and 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 the first Friday of every month. 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 - November, January - May) 11 am. Chapel in the Hills. Milly Maxey (millymaxey@gmail.com) or Aurora LeBrun at 512-847-3595.

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NOVEMBER 19 & 20, 2016

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Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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FALL ANTIQUES SHOW

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Country Furniture • Baskets Stoneware • Glassware Jewelry • Textiles • Paper • Toys Silver • Quilts • Pewter American Oak • Southwestern Americana . . . Everywhere!!!

Admission $5.00 Good for both days Children 12 & Under Free Rain or ShineBooths Under Cover!

NEW, EXCITING FALL ANTIQUE SHOW IN BOERNE, TEXAS Decorating homes with authentic antiques for over 30 years. From the Directors that bring you the Comfort Spring and Fall and Boerne Spring Shows. Directors Tommy and Lori Titsworth - Texas Presentations www.texasantiqueshows.com

KENDALL COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS H BOERNE, TX HWY. 46 EAST - 2 MILES FROM MAIN STREET

HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVember 2016 PAGE 11

HILL COUNTRY CALENDAR Sat, Nov 12 9 am-6 pm Sun, Nov 13 9 am-5 pm

Guns • Knives • Ammo • Coins Militaria • Shooting Supplies Ranch Park Event Center 1042 Event Center Drive Dripping Springs From Highway 290, go north on Ranch Road 12 for 2 miles

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the

Hill Country

SUN

SKILLS, CHARACTER, TEAMWORK At the Springs Family YMCA, you, your friends and family will find more than a gym — you will find a community with a cause Join us and discover how you can be transformed today! WINTER YOUTH SPORTS REGISTRATION OPEN NOW! COED BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL

SPRINGS FAMILY YMCA 27216 Ranch Rd 12 • 512.894.3309 AustinYMCA.org PAGE 12 NOVember 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

FOURTH FRIDAY BANDERA: Fourth Friday Jam. Enjoy music at the Silver Sage Corral begining at 6:30 pm. 830-796-4969. 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, branding, more. www.flyingl.com. BOERNE: 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. 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. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm. 6341 Farm Market 32. 830935-2781. NEW BRAUNFELS: Canyon Trail Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show. 830-626-8200. WIMBERLEY: Tour Jacob’s Well. Hear stories about floods, divers, and experience beauty of the spring that started the town of Wimberley. 10 am. www.jacobswellspring. org. WIMBERLEY: Arnosky Family Farms Market. Find flowers, veggies, transplants, cheeses, much 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. Group meets to enhance community spirit. Dinner is served 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 AUSTIN: Gain Peace, NOW: A Study in ‘Divine Love Consciousness’ with Vrinda Devi. Classes aim to share ancient Vedic Knowledge to help participants end loneliness, feel centered and calm, realize eternal connection, meet like-minded people and enjoy a vegetarian lunch. 9 am to 11:30 am. $20 (first class free). www.radhamadhavdham. org, 858-722-5474 or Laura@RadhaMadhavDham.org. 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, 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. Information at JohnsonCityTexasChamber.com. NOVEMBER 1-20 HONDO: South Texas Maize. People of all ages find their way in and out of 7-acre maze, plus family friendly activities. 911 U.S. 90 East. southtexasmaize.com. WIMBERLEY: “White Christmas” at the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens. An indoor musical appeals to the whole family. www. emilyann.org, 512-847-6969. NOVEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 2 KERRVILLE: 17th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show. Juried exhibit features some of the best furniture makers in Texas and showcases dozens of finely crafted heirloom quality furniture pieces and high quality craft furniture accessory gift items in three gallery spaces. Kerr Arts & Cultural Center. www.kacckerrville.com. NOVEMBER 4 BANDERA: Annual Hunters Bar--Que and Musicfest. Includes a Texas-size gun raffle, music, barbecue, exhibits and entertainment. Antler Oaks Lodge, 3862 Texas 16 North. www.banderatexasbusiness.com. BLANCO: 5th Annual Hill Country Western Showcase. Western-style outdoor festival offers food, games and contests. Pine Moore Town Buggy Barn Museum. www. buggybarnmuseum.com FREDERICKSBURG: First Friday Art Walk. Tour fine art galleries offering special exhibits, demonstrations, refreshments and extended viewing hours the first Friday of every month. www.ffawf.com. NOVEMBER 4 WIMBERLEY: The Herb Society of America Hill Country Unit invites you to the 9th Annual Herb Celebration Day Luncheon. 10 am to 1:30 pm at Wimberley United Methodist Church, 1200 County 1492. $20 ticket includes lunch, herb shoppe and silent auction. Reservations: 832-287-9366 or purchase at Wimberley Visitors Center. NOVEMBER 4-6 AUSTIN: The Settlement Home’s 41st Annual Charity Garage and Estate Sale. Find antiques, furniture, art, rugs, jewelry, clothing, books, electronics, sporting goods, holiday decorations and more. Palmer Events Center. www.settlementhome.org. FREDERICKSBURG: Armadillo Sheep Dog Trial. Border Collie sheep dogs and their handlers direct small groups of sheep through an obstacle course and into a pen. Armadillo Acres Ranch (Lewis Ranch), 13437 Farm Market 2093. armdillosdt.org. NEW BRAUNFELS: North American Jewelry and Gift Show. New Braunfels Civic Center. www.nashows.com. NOVEMBER 4-13 NEW BRAUNFELS: Wurstfest. Unique annual celebration rich in German culture features food, music, dancing, carnival rides and games, plus German, Texan and domestic beer. Features special events and the finest in Alpine- and Bavarian-style entertainment. L Wursthalle, 178 Landa Park Drive. wurstfest.com. NOVEMBER 5 AUSTIN: 25th Annual Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival. Enjoy dancing and singing in the arena, authentic Indian market and a food court with native foods. The Heritage Stage showcases flute playing, storytelling and demonstrations. austinpowwow.net. BANDERA: Bandera Market Days.

Features arts and crafts vendors. Bandera Courthouse Lawn, 500 Main Street. www. banderatexasbusiness.com. BOERNE: Hot Rod Night. Relive oldfashioned Americana street parties with this gathering place for old and new friends. Soda Pops, 103 North Main Street. 830-3318799. BOERNE: Chamber of Commerce Wild Game Dinner. Sample fried alligator, Cajun crawfish pasta, stuffed pheasant, bison sliders or bacon-wrapped Nilgai, duck gumbo, spicy jambalaya and axis carne guisada, plus traditional favorites. Kendall County Youth Agriculture & Equestian Center. www.visitboerne.org. BURNET: City-Wide Garage Sale. 8 am to 4 pm on the Downtown Square, 220 South Pierce Street. www.burnetchamber.org. CEDAR PARK: Veterans Memorial Parade and Ceremony. Memorial Park, 2525 West New Hope Drive. 512-401-5500. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Rainwater Revival. Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm, admission is free. www.RainwaterRevival.com. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Christmas Open House at Cowgirls and Lace. (See story, page 6.) Bring your camera for photos with Santa. 512-894-0350, www.cowgirlsandlace.com. FREDERICKSBURG: Harvestfest German Chorale Fall Concert. Light refreshments provided. St. Joseph’s Hall, 212 W. San Antonio. markhierholzer@gmail.com. KERRVILLE: Hill Country Swap Meet. Community garage sale, flea market and trade day. Concessions, free parking. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, www.kerrmarketdays.org. ROUND MOUNTAIN: Westcave Preserve Fall Festival. (See story, page 4.) 24814 Hamilton Pool Road. Paul@westcave.org, 830-825-3442. SAN MARCOS: Veterans Day Parade. Honoring all who served. Downtown Courthouse Square. 512-393-8400. UTOPIA: Utopia Arts & Crafts Fall Fair. Vendors from around the state will display and offer for sale handmade arts and crafts including jewelry, metal work, canned goods, furniture and other works of art. Enjoy the food, live music and silent auction. Utopia Town Square, Ranch Market 187. 830-966-4159. WIMBERLEY: Market Days. More than 475 booths along a windy, shady path feature treasures of all sorts. Includes live music and great food. Lions Field, 601 Farm Market 2325. www.shopmarketdays.com. NOVEMBER 5-6 AUSTIN: Texas Book Festival. More than 250 nationally and critically recognized authors, 20 venues including the State Capitol, more than 80 exhibitors, live music, local food trucks, family activities, and countless opportunities to meet authors and fellow book lovers. Texas State Capitol and surrounding grounds. www. texasbookfestival.org. NOVEMBER 6 DRIPPING SPRINGS: 19th Annual Empty Bowls Project at Mercer Street Dance Hall. Benefits Helping Hands. www. helpinghands-drippingsprings.org. NOVEMBER 10 WIMBERLEY: Empty Bowls Preview Party and Sale. Wimberley Community Center, 5 pm to 7 pm. Free admission. View and bid for beautiful one-of-a-kind bowls. Many will be collector’s items. 512-847-2201. NOVEMBER 10-12 FREDERICKSBURG: Texas All-Star Big Band Bash. Three nights of rockin’ concerts benefit boys and girls in Gillespie County who are involved in music and theater.

Hill Country Calendar

~B I N G O~ Every Friday 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.texasvfw.net www.visitwimberley.com/vfw • 512-847-6441 • Lic. #1-74-6066562-7

20th Anniversary for the CRRC

NORTH POLE VILLAGE December 8, 9, 10 & 15, 16, 17 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 $5 r Live Nativity

Admission only $5.00 - 18 mos. & under Free! CRRC Recreation Center - Below Canyon Dam 125 Mabel Jones Dr - Canyon Lake

www.crrcofcanyonlake.org • 830-964-2324

Brunch with Santa • Sat, Dec 3 • Photo opportunities! 9 am to 12 pm - $5 per person, 18 months & under free

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(888) 526-8787 SPECSONLINE.COM LOCATIONS ACROSS TEXAS HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVember 2016 PAGE 13

HILL COUNTRY CALENDAR Hill Top Cafe, 10661 North U.S. 87. www. hilltopcafe.com. NOVEMBER 11, 25 WIMBERLEY: Glassblowing Class at Wimberley Glassworks. In small groups of six to 10 participants, you can experience

thrill of coloring, shaping and creating your own hand blown glass flower or elegant paperweight. See details and sign up at wgw.com or call 512-213-2110. NOVEMBER 11-12 FREDERICKSBURG: Frontier Days.

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Bandera celebrates NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY

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HILL COUNTRY WILDLIFE by C.J. Wright

History comes alive at

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Leakey’s 1st anual REDNECK GAMES

The Hill Country’s most complete CALENDAR OF EVENTS

National Day of the American Cowboy in Bandera

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Features living history re-enactors, pioneer crafts, chuck-wagon food, Old-West shootouts, Native Americans, storytellers, musicians and hands-on activities for kids. Fort Martin Scott, 1606 East Main Street. www.ftmartinscott.org. NOVEMBER 11-13 FREDERICKSBURG: Die Kunstler Fine Art Show and Sale Representing more than 65 member artists and over 300 original works of art; includes vote for the People’s Choice Award. Zion Lutheran Church, 406 West Main. www.diekunstler.com. WIMBERLEY: “Wimberley Alive!” Music and Arts Festival. Weekend filled with music, art, special performances and food trucks. Wimberley Square, 13900 Ranch Road 12. www.wimberleyalive.org. NOVEMBER 11-DECEMBER 4 WIMBERLEY: “Gvanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” by the Wimberley Players Presents a hilarious play about sibling rivalry and regrets. Wimberley Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle Road. www. wimberleyplayers.org. NOVEMBER 12 SAN MARCOS: CAF Veterans Dinner and ’40s Swing Band Hangar Dance. Celebrate and remember the brave men and women who gave us our freedom at the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing in San Marcos. Enjoy an authentic ’40s-style swing dance, surrounded by a number of restored and functional WWII aircraft. Commemorative Air Force CenTex Hangar, 1841 Airport Drive, Building No. 2249. www.CAFcentex.com. NOVEMBER 12-13 BOERNE: Fall Pre-Holiday Market Days. Magical outdoor market blends traditions of Hill Country with creations of today. Includes food. Main Plaza, 100 North Main. www.visitboerne.org. NOVEMBER 13 BANDERA: Bandera Honors Veterans. Enjoy music, official ceremony and parade at noon. Free barbecue sandwich lunch for veterans and their wives. Food, military displays, concessions and more. Bandera County Courthouse Lawn, 500 Main Street. 830-460-0394. BANDERA: Frontier Times Museum Cowboy Camp. Bring your guitar and join in the song circle for traditional cowboy music. Bring your own refreshments and chair. www.frontiertimesmuseum.org. WIMBERLEY: Empty Bowls, Crisis Bread Basket’s 30th Anniversary celebration. Admission is the purchase of a beautiful bowl for $30. 11 am to 2 pm. Located on grounds of Santa Fe Connection, 13900 Ranch Road 12. 512-847-2201. 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 18 MARBLE FALLS: Light-Up Parade. 218 Main Street. walkwayoflightstx.com. NEW BRAUNFELS: Christmas Tree Lighting. Treats and photo opportunities with Santa on the bandstand. Main Plaza Downtown. www.nbtexas.org. NOVEMBER 18-19 BURNET: Hill Country Christmas. Features lots of vendors just in time for your Christmas shopping. YMCA of the Highland

Lakes. www.ymcagwc.org/burnet. NOVEMBER 18-20 NEW BRAUNFELS: Weihnachtsmarkt German-style Christmas market offers unique decorations, specialty items, gifts and antiques. New Braunfels Civic Center, sophienburg.com. NOVEMBER 18-20, 25-27 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. More than 400 vendors in seven barns, acres of antiques, a biergarten and live music. Seven miles east on U.S. Highway 290 across from Wildseed Farms. www.fbgtradedays.com. NOVEMBER 18-30 MARBLE FALLS: Walkway of Lights. More than 2 million lights transform Lakeside Park. walkwayoflightstx.com. NOVEMBER 19 HELOTES: Bob Schneider plays John T. Floores Country Store. Tickets $15. More information at www.LiveAtFloores.com. KERRVILLE: 16th Annual Holiday Lighted Parade. Officially welcome the holiday season and the arrival of Santa Claus. Downtown Kerrville. www. mainstreetkerrville.com. NEW BRAUNFELS: Chosen Marathon. Event includes half marathon, full marathon or 5K alongside the Guadalupe River. newbraunfels.chosenevents.org. WIMBERLEY: Chapel in the Hills “Holiday Bazaar.” Shop for handmade craft and gift items, Christmas ornaments, wreaths and centerpieces, original art and wooden art objects, handmade jewelry, holiday baked goods, lots more. 9 am to 4 pm. 14601 Ranch Road 12. 512-847-9762. NOVEMBER 19-20 GRUENE: Old Gruene Market Days. Nearly 100 vendors offer uniquely crafted items, packaged Texas foods. Historic District. GrueneMarketDays.com. November 20-December 31 COMFORT: Life-size Nativity Scene. Fully restored historic Nativity figures on display for public viewing. Comfort Park, 423 Main Street. www.comforttexas.com. NOVEMBER 25 FREDERICKSBURG: Annual Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and German Pyramid. Marktplatz. www. visitfredericksburgtx.com. JOHNSON CITY: Art Walk. Art galleries and shops open from 4 pm to 8 pm, kicking off holiday season. Downtown Johnson City. www.stidhamoutfitters.com. NOVEMBER 25-JANUARY 3 FREDERICKSBURG: Eisbahn Outdoor Ice Skating. Annual seasonal outdoor ice skating event benefits The Heritage School, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of Fredericksburg. Marktplatz. www. skateinfred.com. NOVEMBER 25-26 BOERNE: Dickens on Main. Shop for unique holiday gifts along Boerne’s Hill Country Mile while the whole family enjoys theatrical performances, and children’s activities — Santa, and a 60-foot snow slide, ice sculpting shows, horsedrawn carriage rides and snow on Main Street. Downtown. www.visitboerne.org. NOVEMBER 25-27 JOHNSON CITY: Market Days Features vendors with handmade, crafts, Christmas goodies. www.lbjcountry.com. NOVEMBER 26 COMFORT: Christmas In Comfort. www. comfort-texas.com. JUNCTION: Wild Game Dinner. Plus gun

Hill Country Calendar raffle, hunting paraphernalia and knives. www.junctiontexas.com. LEAKEY: Christmas on the Square. Spend a day with arts and crafts vendors, and food carts, Meet Santa and enjoy the beautiful Frio Canyon in the fall. 146 U.S. Highway 83 South. www. FrioCanyonChamber.com. STONEWALL: Holiday Cookie Decorating and German Traditions. Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. www.tpwd.texas.gov/ state-parks/lyndon-bjohnson. NOVEMBER 26-27 AUSTIN: City-Wide Garage Sale. Palmer Events Center, www.cwgs.com. CEDAR PARK: North Pole Flyer. Twoand-a-half hour ride on a real train features a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa and a Christmas cookie. Austin Steam Train, 401 East Whitestone Blvd. www.austinsteamtrain.org. KERRVILLE: Kerrville Traders Fest. Hill Country shopping event includes more than 150 vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and kids’ activities. River Star Arts and Event Park, 4000 Riverside Drive. www.kerrvilletradersfest.com. NEW BRAUNFELS: Liberty Gun Show. Show provides safe environment to buy, sell, trade guns in legal manner, allowing youto bring in unloaded firearms to be appraised or fitted for accessories. New Braunfels Civic Center, 375 South Castell Ave. libertygunshow.com. NOVEMBER 26- DECEMBER 18 WIMBERLEY: “A Christmas Carol.” Holiday classic for the whole family at EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens. www. emilyann.org.

NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 3 SAN MARCOS: 3 Sights and Sounds of Christmas Highlights include carnival rides, arts and crafts, pictures with Santa, local school performances, live nativity scene and a food court. San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 North CM Allen Parkway. www.sights-n-sounds.org. DECEMBER 2-3 WIMBERLEY: Winter Wonderland at the Community Center. Beautiful holiday displays and fun for the entire family. Friday 4 pm to 8 pm, Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Free Admission. info@wimberley. org, 512-847-2201. DECEMBER 2, 9 WIMBERLEY: Glassblowing Class at Wimberley Glassworks. In small groups of six to 10 participants, you can experience the thrill of coloring, shaping and creating your own hand blown glass flower or paperweight. wgw.com, 512213-2110. DECEMBER 3 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Christmas on Mercer. (See story, page 8.) Arts and crafts, children’s games and activities, family entertainment, local food, and of course, Santa. Free admission. 10 am to 5 pm, tree lighting at dusk. dslionsclub@gmail.com, 512-858-4725. DECEMBER 6 AUSTIN: Dolly Parton at the Frank Erwin Center. See story, page 9. 512-477-6060, TexasBoxOffice.com. DECEMBER 10, 11, 17-23 NEW BRAUNFELS: Christmas at the Caverns. Sights and sounds of Christmas and the natural beauty of Natural Bridge Caverns. Advance tickets recommended. www.naturalbridgecaverns.com.

More info available online at wimberleymerchants.com

ON SALE NOW DECEMBER 6 • FRANK ERWIN CENTER TICKETS: TEXASBOXOFFICE.COM (512)477-6060 • 800-982-BEVO (2386) TEXAS BOX OFFICE OUTLETS INCLUDING SELECT H-E-B STORES FACILITY FEE AND CONVENIENCE CHARGES MAY APPLY. ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. SUBSCRIBE TO BE THE FIRST TO KNOW AT TEXASBOXOFFICE.COM.

Hill Country Sun 5.25”x6.125” Color

HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVember 2016 PAGE 15

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

Photo with Santa

GENEROUS HOSTS AND SPONSORS — FREE ADMISSION

For more information, please visit www.cityofdrippingsprings.com. PAGE 16 NOVember 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN