Hill Country Sun, July/August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019

Exploring Uvalde’s Ox Ranch

Since 1990 people places music events parks wildlife shopping lodging dining more

What Is There To Do In Buda?

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July/August 2019 Hill Country SUN 3

INDEX

HENLY

Texas Hill Country Locator Map

© 2019 by TD Austin Lane, Inc.

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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To advertise, call Julie 512-484-9716 or email julie@hillcountrysun.com Hill Country SUN 4 July/August 2019

From the Publisher

Sweet summertime! This time of year is so fun and exciting. I’ve truly enjoyed hearing tales of the many different experiences friends and readers have had this summer. Families taking vacations locally and far away, kids going to camps, getting ready for college, new careers starting for those getting out of college, camping or glamping for some, tubing on the river, the list goes on and on.

My kids and I were blessed to be able take a cruise with special friends we call family….our “framily”... this summer. We visited Sting Ray City in the Cayman Islands. What a truly amazing experience.

Sting rays are such beautiful creatures, so gentle and spectacular.

We also spent a relaxing weekend at Rio Bella Resort on the Frio with friends and family that was full of laughter and good river time!

So many wonderful memories being made by all of us this summer.

I hope you and your family have done something to enjoy this time of year. If you’ve been busy, don’t worry, there’s still time! Head out to Wimberley for Market Days or unique shopping on the Square, take a scenic drive through the Hill Country and discover Blanco, or get some river time in! No summer is complete without the Frio River, where you can sit in the water under the Cypress trees and soak it all in, forgetting that it is nearly 100 degrees.

In this issue of the SUN, you will find many things to see and do in our amazing Hill Country. Get out there and make a special memory!

Happy Summer!

— Julie

GLASS BLOWING See Us Create

PHOTO BY ERIC W POHL

ART GLASS & LIGHTING WGW.COM FREE GIFT WITH AD

Volume 29, Number 3 ISSN: 1524-2315.

Entire contents © Copyright 2019 by TD Austin Lane, Inc.

Your Hill Country Used Car Superstore

Julie Spell Harrington Publisher/Ad Sales 512-484-9716 • julie@hillcountrysun.com

Melissa Maxwell Ball Editor/Design 512-569-8212 • melissa@hillcountrysun.com

Ernie Altgelt • Bonnie Eissler Suzy Mallard Moehring • CJ Wright Writers Gerry Burns Distribution COVER PHOTO courtesy Ox Ranch See story, page 8.

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July/August 2019 Hill Country SUN 5

Blanco River Outfitters

By Bonnie Eissler Wimberley was a popular vacation destination for many Texans long before Hays County became one of the fastest growing counties in the country. Visitors enjoy the natural beauty of the rugged area, its hills, clear creeks and rivers, and many of these visitors travel the winding River Road to the peaceful setting of 7A Ranch.

Amanda Calaway has been associated with 7A for more than 19 years and currently manages the resort with her husband, Kevin. Both long time Wimberley locals, Amanda has lived here 25 years and Kevin for 48 years. The couple actually met at 7A and have resided at the ranch the past 13 years. “It’s a special place for us and we love getting to share that with others,” Amanda says.

Open for business since 2017, Blanco River Outfitters is the most

at Wimberley’s 7A Ranch

recent addition to the resort, which includes rental cabins, a “wild West” Pioneer Town with a Cowboy Museum, old-fashioned arcade games and an ice cream parlor.

“It’s been fun establishing Blanco River Outfitters as our on-site retail store,” Amanda says. “We’re able to provide our guests with a little something special from Wimberley to take home with them while also offering a fun and unique shop for locals.” It’s the only gift shop at the resort, other than the more specialized Cowboy Museum in Pioneer Town, which has a selection of souvenirs and artifacts. Customers include in-house guests, day guests (up to 50 per day), tourists and locals.

Guests at 7A Ranch have access to a half mile of the Blanco River, which offers a nice mix of shallow and deep water for all ages to enjoy.

Amanda says, “kayaks are available to rent and the store carries all kinds of river goods, everything you need to hit the Blanco,” including river sandals and shoes, snorkeling gear, goggles, high end swimwear, towels and sunhats. But the merchandise isn’t exclusively for river fun. You’ll also find clothes and accessories, colorful socks emblazoned with funny sayings, knick-knacks, souvenirs and stuffed animals.

LuBella candles and Old Factory soap makers are two Texas Hill Country businesses with top quality products that merit special mention. The hand-poured candles are available in a variety of fragrances.

Amanda says some locals stop by regularly just to check out what’s new in the LuBella candle section. A top seller is “Hell on Heels,” an earthy scented candle reminiscent of leather.

Old Factory soaps are available for purchase at the store. “We also have the soaps in the rental cabins for overnight guests,” Amanda says.

All- natural, with no artificial chemicals or colors, the soaps often incorporate local ingredients such as Texas honey, goats milk, native herbs and wildflowers.

The shop offers a large selection of stylish T-shirts and custom tees made by Tumbleweed Texstyles as well as custom screenprinted tops from Goodtimes. Tumbleweed Texstyles was founded by two native Texans whose diverse creations are inspired by the unique culture of the Lone Star state. A genuine love for everything about their home state – beer, BBQ, bluebonnets, country music, Tex-Mex and Texas Mamas – imbues these products with an authenticity people really relate to and love to wear. The colors and designs are perfectly suited to the vibe of

See OUTFITTERS, page 7

Hill Country SUN 6 July/August 2019

OUTFITTERS, from page 6

Handcrafted Rums from the heart of Texas

Cypress Creek Reserve vacationers and day-trippers who frequent Blanco River Outfitters.

“We try to put a little bit of our history in our designs,” Amanda says. The Cypress Tree design, made by Goodtimes, features a bald cypress tree and 1946. The cypress symbolizes the significance of the towering ancient trees that line the river, many of which were lost or damaged during the 2015 Memorial Day flood. And it was in 1946 that the original seven acres on the Blanco were purchased and the history of 7A Resort began. “We’re always changing things up, making new T-shirt designs and adding fun new merchandise,” Amanda says. (Photos courtesy Blanco River Outfitters/7A Ranch.)

Blanco River Outfitters is at 333 Wayside Drive in Wimberley. The best way to stay up to date with new finds is to follow Blanco River Outfitters on Instagram or Facebook. Hours vary by season. Summer hours are Sunday to Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, Wednesday 8 am to 6 pm, Friday 8 am to 9 pm, and Saturday 8 am to 10 pm. the Ice Cream Parlor and Cowboy Museum are closed on Wednesdays. For information, call 512-847-2517.

CypressCreekReserve.com Tours available for groups of 4 or more!

Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere on our cocktail patio & tree house deck!

Tastings, Cocktails & Bottle Sales Available Tues-Thurs 11:30 am-5:30 pm Fri & Sat 11 am-6 pm

1400 Jacobs Well Rd • Wimberley • 512-847-6874

Bertram hosts 42nd annual Oatmeal Festival August 31 Bring out the best!

BERTRAM H Head on over to the 42nd Annual Oatmeal Festival August 31. The free and fun-filled family event Labor Day weekend in Bertram will kick off with a “Fun Run” and a trail ride, followed by games for all ages, parades, and music all day, plus hand crafted arts and crafts and plenty of food for sale.

The festival will also feature a special kids’ play area with free inflated slides and more, and a Texas BBQ cookoff. Barbecue vendors are invited to compete; applications are available on the web site.

Saturday night at Oatmeal Fest will be packed with great music, featuring Dale Watson with Jarrod Birmingham opening. There is a $10 cover for the evening dance. (Photo courtesy Oatmeal Festival.)

FYI • Find more dance and festival details, as well as BBQ cookoff registration forms, at www.oatmealfestival.org.

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Outdoor adventures abound at Uvalde’s

By Julie Harrington Lions and tigers and bears… how about giraffes, kangaroo and buffalo? And camels and emus and gazelle? Oh my! Nature lovers are in for the treat of a lifetime in the Great Outdoors at Ox Ranch in Uvalde.Upon arriving at the ranch, you’ll immediately see a huge variety of native and exotic wildlife roaming freely as you make your way to the beautiful 6,000 square foot lodge. The wildlife free range on more than 18,000 acres of Hill Country.

The Ox Ranch has been featured in the New York Times, on Naked and Afraid, CNN, ABC, NBC, FOX, ESPN, and numerous hunting shows including, Ted Nugent’s Spirit of the Wild, Razor Dobbs Alive, and L.L.Bean’s Guide to the Outdoors. And while the ranch may be renowned as a hunting destination, the lodging and accommodations rival many of the world’s finest resorts. Fair game hunting is not for everyone, so the Ox Ranch has created plenty of other activities for the entire family to enjoy.

One of the many adventures included in your stay at Ox Ranch is a safari tour through the hills. Riding with your guide in a deckedout hunting Jeep or Humvee across rivers, through pecan orchards, and up and down the rugged trails is phenomenal, but even better is the surprise wildlife you will happen upon…some of which you probably never even knew existed. But your guide will certainly be exceptionally knowledgable and ready with more information about each species than you could ever imagine.

What a truly breathtaking moment as you reach the top of the hills and look out over the ranch on your safari. You might even spot the heads of the giraffes above the tops of the tall trees below you. It’s truly a sight to see, and right here in the Texas Hill Country.

While out and about on the ranch, you can even hand-feed those giraffes. Oh, what gorgeous and gentle creatures they are. Buttercup is just one of the many incredible giraffes on the ranch. She may just steal your heart as she greets you and allows you to pet and feed her.

Cave exploring and spelunking are also available for those looking for adventure. And there is more…don’t miss the museum quality Tyrannosaurus “T.rex” tracks on the property, embedded in an old river bed.

If the water is calling, head to the 16-acre lake, where you can throw a line out for some bass fishing or grab a kayak or paddle-board.

A water trampoline and a floating rock-climbing wall also provide great fun, and a resort-style pool in a beautiful intimate setting near the Lodge is perfect for an afternoon of rest and relaxation.

Want to search for arrowheads, try your hand at archery, take See OX RANCH, page 9

Hill Country SUN 8 July/August 2019

OX RANCH, from page 8 a hike or just sit back and do some star-gazing at night? The opportunities are endless.

A unique opportunity at Ox Ranch, you can drive and shoot real WWII tanks, an adventure like no other! Drivetanks.com is the first and only company in history to allow civilians to drive and shoot these awesome machines, with multiple hangars filled with tanks, artillery, anti-tank guns, mortars, flamethrowers, and machine guns available to the public. For the history buffs, a living military museum offers “hands on history” with tanks, anti-tank guns, artillery and machine guns. There is an additional fee to take part in Drivetanks.

Lodging at the ranch for non-hunters is lakeside at The Cedars.

The quaint, yet rustic, cedar cabins are hotel style, with outdoor firepits, two queen beds and much more. Each cabin has rocking chairs on the porch that make for a spectacular way to start and end each day as you gaze over the lake.

Lodging packages are available for hunters in cabins up near the lodge. These beauties are truly a piece of history, dating as far back as the early 1800s, relocated from Kentucky and rebuilt, log by log, then updated with modern day amenities.

During your stay at Ox Ranch, you can expect all types of native and exotic wildlife to greet you as you walk out the door of your cabin. No need to be afraid, but be gentle and treat them with respect as you are in their territory…their home.

Photos courtesy Ox Ranch.

For more information about Ox Ranch, visit the website at oxhuntingranch.com, call 830-275-4962 or email info@oxhuntingranch. com. For more information about Drive Tanks, including pricing, visit the website at Drivetanks.com.

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July/August 2019 Hill Country SUN 9

Hill Country Parks

a column by Suzy Mallard Moehring

Summertime in the Hill Country: dancing at Garner, tubing the Frio I have sweet memories of going to dances at Garner State Park with my grandson when he was a young teenager and it was part of the kids’ ritual during our July Fourth week on the Frio River. Zach is 26 now, and his little sister Katie is seven, and our July Fourth week on the Frio continues. “Next year,” Katie’s Dad said as we were getting ready to pack up and leave Leakey and our cabin at River Haven recently, “next year I want Katie to go to a dance at Garner.”

The first time I mentioned those Garner State Park dances in my column, my mother sat in Fort Worth, read the article, and wrote me a letter about my daddy going to those dances when he was in flight school in Uvalde in 1942. She even told me he liked to flirt with the girls. Well, he was only 19 years old. And still single.

Garner State Park opened on June 1, 1941, so my Daddy visited Garner State Park and danced and flirted the second summer it was opened. What an oasis – the cool, clear waters of the Frio River winding through the canyons and cypress trees rising up where folks had been camping on private property since the 1920s.

During summertime Garner State Park is so popular and busy that the gates can close as early as 10 am for day use visitors. So if you really want to make sure you can get in, you can purchase a Save the Day pass with the new state parks reservation system. For the dances, gates are generally opened again at 6 pm, but can close as early as 8:30 pm when parking lots fill up. Dances are from 8:30 pm till 11pm each night during the summer ’til about mid-August. This year’s last summer dance is August 17. Labor Day Weekend dances are August 31 and September 1, and Columbus Weekend dance is October12.

Garner State Park is about a 15-minute drive down U.S. 83 from our cabins at River Haven and Leakey Springs south of Leakey on the Frio.

That first visit to Garner for my grandson was in 2007 when we were also new to spending all day in the Frio – him tubing with his friends, me loll-ing with my friends. Our friends Herb and Judy Wilson and Art and LaNell Coltharp started this Frio River tradition with friends about 45 years ago when a whole herd of folks from Austin came to River Haven and the Frio River. LaNell still carries the River Haven banner in Leakey’s July Jubilee parade, where she’s followed by 10 or 15 of our friends carrying and clacking and spinning metal lawn chairs. This year, our lawn chair brigade won second place in the parade.

There is a lot more than dancing going on at Garner. That almost three miles of the Frio River is just hollering for swimmers, tubers, splashers, kayakers and maybe that rope swing is still there from years

Fun on the beautiful Frio River. Photo by Scott McCann.

ago. At Garner you can rent paddle boats, kayaks and inner tubes, and a tube shut-tle operates several times a day to get you up river. And the park has about 12 miles of trails, in-cluding the easy 2.8 mile Frio Canyon Trail with views of mountains from several vantage points. The halfmile Old Baldy Trail is a challenging hike with steep and rocky climbs, but then there is that awesome view of the Frio River Canyon.

It’s not going to get any cooler for a while, folks, so Garner State Park and the Frio River might just be the best place to be. Check it out online on Facebook and tpwd.texas.gov or call 830-232-6132.

Grapevine in Gruene hosts tasting every third Thursday Every third Thursday (February through December), from 5 pm to 8 pm, you can sample Texas’ best wines and craft brews at The Grapevine in Gruene’s Historic District. A featured winemaker showcases three of their newest released, top-selling or hardest to find wines, alongside a craft brew hand-picked by The Grapevine staff. The complimentary tastings are held on the patio and garden of the popular tasting room. Enjoy live music and three prize giveaways, along with a great opportunity to learn directly from the winery, brewery, and The Grapevine staff, engage with other visitors interested in wine and beer and enjoy the natural surroundings and all the offerings of Gruene Historic District.

Upcoming dates include August 15, September 19, October 17, November 21 and December 19 For information, visit www.GrapevineInGruene.com or call 830-606-0093.

Hill Country SUN 10 July/August 2019

Raise the Roof event to benefit historic Twin Sisters Dance Hall

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$ Dancing at Twin Sisters. Photo by Willard BLANCO H Save the date! The 5th annual Raise the Roof Fundraiser at historic Twin Sisters Dance Hall September 28 at 8 pm. The beloved dance hall, built in the 1879, serves as a community gathering place, hosting fundraisers, local events and a popular public dance — with a live band — the first Saturday of every month. Proceeds from the event go to the preservation and maintenance of the historic building. Members of the hall’s volunteer committee are seeking sponsorships for the fundraising event and donations for the silent auction.

For more information about the 2019 Raise the Roof Fundraiser events — plus sponsorhip and donation information — call 830-833-5773, email tsdraisetheroof@gmail.com or visit www.twinsistersdancehall.com.

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Hill Country Wildlife Need a azure title eneath an sky the air is warm and still. Painted lady but-

B

terflies dance and chase over the flowerbeds, while zebra swallowtails and a buckeye nectar on blooms of butterfly bush. An occasional dragonfly zigzags and dips, plucking insects in mid-air. A fawn bursts from woods to lawn followed by a wary doe, then they dash into the far trees. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds vie for places at feeders while others sip from coral honeysuckle blooms. Most songbirds remain hidden and silent, save on cooler mornings when Yellow-billed Cuckoos call or Summer Tanagers and Red-eyed Vireos briefly sing.

In the quiet that marks summer doldrums, many birds await the signals that tell them when to migrate south. Yet, some are early birds.

In June, and sometimes as early as May, Purple Martins begin to congregate, forming roosts that may grow to hundreds of thousands in number. Before last year the Capital Plaza property was a popular roost site for martins in Central Texas. Last year, however, 400,000 to 500,00 martins opted to move to Parker Drive Applebee’s in Round Rock, their bluish black bodies darkening the evening skies as they flew about to snatch insects before settling in trees for the night. Roosts such as this are staging areas from which martins will a few weeks later take to the skies and head for their wintering grounds in South America.

While Purple Martins are about the earliest migrants to fly north in the spring, Orchard Orioles arrive late. For a few days I enjoyed seeing a flash of burnt red as a male ducked into a honeysuckle vine laden with blooms. Another time the female appeared, her black face and neck a stark contrast to her yellow body. Alas, they fed on the nectar and moved on to an area along a creek where they grouped to nest with others of their kind. Following a short nesting period, by early July these smallest members of the oriole family begin to migrate south.

If martins and orioles stop to rest and feed among the trees along the Gulf Coast, they are likely to encounter a good number of shorebirds, also early migrants. Among them are Wilson’s Phalaropes that left their breeding grounds in the Northwestern U.S. and Canada.

Interestingly, the females wear the brightly colored feathers; however, this unusual characteristic isn’t the end of the story. Once the female has laid her four eggs, she abandons them and the male raises the clutch. Meanwhile, the female moves on to mate again and, you guessed it, leaves the chick rearing to the male. This mating ritual is called polyandry.

Although Wilson’s Phalaropes stop along the gulf’s shores to feed, mostly on aquatic invertebrates, their migration eventually leads them to Andean salt lakes and the wetlands of southern South America. Another early migrant, Caspian Terns, on the other hand, winter along the southern shores of the U.S. Easily identified by their large coral red bills, the Caspian is the largest tern, about the size of a big gull. They nest along salt marshes in western Canada and northwest U.S. Their largest breeding colony (6,000 pair strong) is on a small, artificial island on the Columbia Riv-

Hill Country SUN 12 July/August 2019

a column by C.J. Wright

er between Oregon and Washington. Because their young have a hard time mastering the art of fishing, it’s not unusual to find parents still feeding them along the gulf’s shores. Come spring, the young will remain on their wintering grounds and, in fact, won’t return to nesting areas for several years.

As summer temperatures and humidity head north and the sky turns a hot, white blue, Mississippi Kites sail over, snatching an occasional dragonfly. They are among the earliest raptors to migrate.

Dragonflies are lovely denizens of the air. Their colorfully patterned bodies and translucent wings shimmer in the sunlight. With agile grace they fly about—seemingly nonstop—in search of bugs.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Voracious, eating their weight in food in about 30 minutes, dragonflies outmaneuver their prey, yet flap their wings just 30 times a minute. (Mosquitoes, a favorite prey, flap 600 times a minute, houseflies 1,000.) I watch as a dragonfly alights on a butterfly bush, bending the bloom. Its legs have formed a basket within which it clutches a bug.

After crushing the insect, it swallows the fluid mass.

It’s no surprise to learn that as nymphs living in water, dragonflies are just as carnivorous as they are after molting, shedding their skins and taking to the air as dragonflies.

In their pursuit of most anything living under water, nymphs power themselves along, ejecting water from their anal opening to boost their speed, leaving their prey (such as mosquito larvae) little chance of escape.

Beyond enjoying the maneuverings of dragonflies, we take satisfaction in knowing they devour mosquitoes. We can do our part, too, by avoiding spraying yards with pesticides (including those labeled organic or natural) for they kill all insects including bees and butterflies—insects vital to the complex food web on which birds and other wildlife depend.

As homeowners we can reduce mosquito populations by working together to stop them from breeding around our homes. Because mosquitoes need stagnant water—even as little as fills a bottle cap—to breed, it’s important to eliminate standing water in leaky hoses, corrugated drainpipes, clogged gutters and drains, any containers that hold water. Always check after a rain for anything that trapped water. Drain birdbaths every five days to kill any mosquito larvae. If larvae are present (worms less than ¼ inch), use a BTI Mosquito Dunk. Also wash pet dishes regularly.

To prevent mosquito bites, the breeze from a box fan on the patio keeps bugs away. Wearing protective clothing and spraying it with insect repellent as directed helps too.

For more information and ideas, Google Xerces Society: Managing Mosquitoes. You will find several articles on this topic.

Armed with these practices, we can enjoy the outdoors and remain safe as well.

9/15/18 to 11/15/18

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The exceptional portraiture of Leonora Volpe

By Ernie Altgelt

The act of skilled, visual creativity is an astounding thing. The proficiency to accurately capture, on paper or canvas, images that evoke what others only partially “see” has always been an appreciated and revered aspect within the greater realm of the recognized arts. It’s inspiring in its output and also, in those few gifted with the abilities to actually execute.

One such exemplary practitioner is far Northwest San Antonio’s Leonora Volpe, an accomplished technician known for her impressive portraiture.

Since childhood, this respected and productive artist extraordinaire has devoted her energies to “showing us” just what this wondrous world really is as perceived through her very astute eyes. This summer, her focus narrows specifically to her adopted community of Helotes where, with the help and participation of many of its eager citizens, she’s vowed to literally “paint the town!”

For a little background on Leonora, this transplanted native of Long Island, New York discovered her talent early. As a youngster she loved to sketch and draw. While never formally trained, her gift was soon recognized by others. She recalls, “When I was a teenager, a friend saw some of my doodles. Impressed, she told me to start painting whatever I wanted – on anything and everything. So I did. I put colorful images on pots, pans, furniture, and anything else I had at hand.”

After several intense weeks, the energetic Leonora had transformed dozens of commonplace, household items into fun, fantastic works of art.

Her friend then invited the neighborhood over to attend Leonora’s “first show.” Was it a hit? Even the young artist was surprised (and proud) when “everything sold.” A career was born with Leonora soon accepting commissions, her first at age 14. Since then, she’s completed several thousand impressive works delighting a diverse and, always growing, clientele.

To describe her style the term “photo-realism” immediately comes to mind. Her paintings seem to perfectly capture the subject matter. Upon closer examination however, the viewer begins to “see” the subtle influences Leonora achieves with color and technique that impart “emotion” and “feeling” further enhancing the picture’s appeal. Add in a dash of Leonora’s deep Christian spiritualism and, the results can be breathtaking.

So, why this sudden urge to “paint the town” of Helotes? Well, the answer is part emotional, part commercial. First and foremost, Leonora loves the small, rural community and its warm and welcoming inhabitants. Couple that with the recently opened and well-curated Helotes Gallery and its desire to establish itself as a source where fine art is not only purchasable but, in her case, its very creation can be witnessed as well.

And, since Leonora, like all in business, wants to promote herself too, this particular project can also be considered a personal marketing tool, too.

Whatever the motivations, with Leonora’s natural penchant for “connecting with people” coupled with her innate gift of being able to accurately capture not only a subject’s exterior self but also to also reveal something of his or her “soul,” offering to “paint” the eager and excited community has been a definite win for all involved for the past two months.

Working at a makeshift studio within the gallery on weekends, the fast-executing Leonora has been able to produce a substantial number of beautiful portraits of area residents to date. These paintings, rendered in oil, remain on display after completion. Later, most (after purchase) will “go home” with the happy models.

The artist plans on continuing this project throughout the summer attracting art lovers who desire to witness the creative process and, perhaps to also sign up to be future subjects for Leonora’s canvasses. In closing, when asked about the project’s ongoing popularity and appeal, Leonora simply offers, “Folks want to see how it feels to become a work of art and, it’s gratifying for me to help them do just that. It’s fun too!”

So afficianados, now’s the perfect time to head to the Helotes Gallery located on the town’s primary street, experience some of Leonora’s incredible work (and, if it’s a weekend, meet her too) and, through her exceptional images, revel in the wonderful diversity that comprises Helotes humanity.

You’ll definitely be impressed at how skillfully this talented lady has been able to “paint the town.”

(Photo courtesy Leonora Volpe.)

For more information about Leonora Volpe or, to contact her regarding a commission, visit the website at leonorasartwork.com.

For information about the Helotes Gallery (located in Helotes at 14931 Old Bandera Road), including directions, hours and shows, visit helotesgallery.com.

Helotes artist Leonora Volpe. Photo by Ernie Altgelt.

Fair and Rodeo July 26-28 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park

DRIPPING SPRINGS H Don’t miss the annual Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo July 26-28 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Cowboys compete in Friday evening’s CPRA rodeo at 8 pm, and there’ll be plenty more fun for the whole family Saturday, with vendors, a petting zoo, kids’ activities and more, plus a ranch rodeo at 11 am, and an 8 pm CPRA rodeo and dance. Sunday’s events include team roping.

For more information, visit drippingspringsfairandrodeo.com.

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Thanks to all who have made this a great 10 years...looking forward to the next 10!

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Dripping Springs Alumni

Tracy & Tom Demchuk

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS July/August 2019 Hill Country SUN 15

8th Annual Gunner Thames Memorial RODEO JACKPOTS

Friday Aug 30 & Saturday Aug 31 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park

MUTTON BUSTIN’ sign up is 6 pm nightly

CALF SCRAMBLE

nightly with chances to win vouchers that go towards purchase of show animals for ages 8-14 and 3-8 yrs have a chance to win bicycles

Benefitting the mission & vision of the Gunner Thames Foundation

The Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation

www.gunnerthames.com SANCTIONED BY

FOR RODEO INFORMATION CONTACT Danny Duckett 512-289-0724 or John Thames 512-844-9103 FOR SPONSORSHIP OR BOX SEATING contact Kellie Duckett 512-738-1350

Saturday, Aug 31 & Sunday, Sept 1 @ 7:30 pm Chester Franklin Arena @ Veterans Park | 401 Jacobs Well Road, Wimberley, TX

Hill Country SUN 16 July/August 2019

Calendar of Events NOTE: Event location/times listed may change. Some require admission fees or reservations. Please call ahead to confirm.

The Cit y of Burnet Presents

EVERY DAY GRUENE: Live music at Gruene Hall. gruenehall.com.

EVERY SUNDAY BUDA: Farmer’s Market. 10 am to 2 pm. 308 S. Main at Buda Mill and Grain Company. www.budafarmersmarket.com.

HELOTES: Family Night and Free Dance at John T. Floore’s Country Store., 14492 Old Bandera Road. 6 pm. liveatfloores.com.

JOHNSON CITY: Live music at Pecan Street Brewing. 106 East Pecan Street. 6 pm to 9 pm. pecanstreetbrewing.com.

SECOND SUNDAY BANDERA: Second Sunday Music Fest. Afternoon of music, food, and fun at Frontier Times Museum. banderacowboycapital.com.

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 CYPRESS MILL: Bunkhouse Gang at Wenmohs Ranch. Paint and enjoy fellowship of artists. 830-825-3465.

EVERY TUESDAY JOHNSON CITY: Tuesday Supper Club. Five course chef’s tasting and wine pairing. Limited seating. Call in advance for reservations. 5 pm to 9 pm. 300 E. Main Street. 830-868-2424.

SAN MARCOS/WIMBERLEY: Community Bible Study. Interdenominational Bible Study. Men, Women, Couples, Spanish, Youth & Children.

6:30 pm to 8 pm. First Christian Church, 3105 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos. Register at 512-808-9156, paula.king206@yahoo.com.

SECOND TUESDAY COMFORT: Music in the Park (May through October). Bring a lawn chair, enjoy the music and dance, too. Comfort City Park, State Highway 27 and Broadway. 830-995-3813.

EVERY WEDNESDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Farmers Market. 3 pm to 6 pm at Highway 290, Ranch Road 12. cityofdrippingsprings.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Veteran Music Group at VFW Post 7110. 5 pm to 8 pm. Open to all veterans, all skill levels. Songwriting, guitar, keyboard, more. 600 Peace Avenue. Gary Walter, 512-460-9919.

SAN MARCOS: Kent Finlay’s Songwriter’s Circle. You never know who’ll drop in to join the circle at the historic Cheatham Street Warehouse. 8 pm. cheathamstreet.com.

WIMBERLEY: Farmers’ Market. Senior Citizen’s Activity Center, Ranch Road 12. 512-264-1637.

EVERY WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY BLANCO: Live music at Old 300 BBQ. old300bbq.com.

EVERY WEDNESDAY through SUNDAY SAN MARCOS: Wimberley Glassworks. Watch art being created in a live glassblowing demo. Gallery is open 10 am to 5 pm daily and Sunday noon to 5 pm. wgw.com THIRD WEDNESDAY WIMBERLEY: Heart of Texas Genealogy Society meets at Wimberley Village Library. 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm. wimberleylibrary.org.

FOURTH WEDNESDAY WIMBERLEY: Meeting of the Hill Country Neighbors. 10:30 am. Community Center. 512-847-2849.

EVERY THURSDAY INGRAM: Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market. Highway 39 & Old Ingram Loop. 2 pm to 7 pm. 830-367-2800.

WIMBERLEY: “Do Lunch” at Cafe’ Susanna (June-August). 11 am to 1 pm. 16th summer serving up “good ole church cookin’” to the Wimberley community. $9 for entree, two sides, bread, ice tea and your choice of a decadent dessert. Join in a friendly family setting at Wimberley United Methodist Church, 1200 County Road 1492. 512-847-3109.

FIRST THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: First Thursday. Events, food and music plus special sale items. 5 pm to 9 pm. drippingspringstx.org.

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Vince F. Taylor American Legion Post 290 of Dripping Springs meets at 7 pm. 512-858-5637.

The Bluebonnet Airshow

Wings & Wheels Sept. 14, 2019

HIGHLAND LAKES SQUADRON

July/August 2019 Hill Country SUN 17

Calendar of Events FIRST & THIRD THURSDAY CANYON LAKE: Noon Lions at 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 & FOURTH THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Toastmaster Club. Learn public speaking, leadership. 7 pm to 8 pm. Community Center. 512-847-6822.

THIRD THURSDAY BANDERA: Cowboy Camp. Pickers who play cowboy, Texas, or swing music welcome to sit in. banderacowboycapital.com.

BOERNE: A Thirst for Nature. Learn about plants and wildlife of the Hill Country. Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road. 830-249-4616.

Hill Country SUN 18 July/August 2019

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Dripping Springs VFW Post 2933 meets at 7 pm.

512-858-5637.

WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse presents some of best in Hill Country music. Intimate, smoke-free venue makes for great listening. Pie, tamales, pizza, coffee, soft drinks available. Doors 7 pm, music 7:30 pm. wimberleyumc.org.

WIMBERLEY: Third Thursday. Shops stay open in downtown area ’til 8 pm. WimberleyMerchants.com.

EVERY THURSDAY - SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Live Music at Linda’s Fine Foods. 500 FM 2325. facebook. com/LindasFineFoods.

EVERY THURSDAY through SUNDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Craft Beer Tasting, Free Tour at Twisted X Brewing Co. Tex-MexBeer.com.

EVERY FRIDAY BLANCO: Tasting Room Open & Brewery Tours at Real Ale Brewing Company. realalebrewing.com.

WIMBERLEY: Bingo. Family friendly fun at the VFW Hall on Jacobs Well Road. 512-847-6441.

FIRST FRIDAY BANDERA: Knights of Columbus Fish Fry. 5 pm at St. Joseph’s Hall. www.banderacowboycapital.com.

FREDERICKSBURG: First Friday Art Walk. ffawf.com.

MARBLE FALLS: Art Walk. 5 pm to 8 pm. marblefalls.org.

SECOND FRIDAY BANDERA: Medina Community Jam Session. Bring a covered dish, snack, dessert. Community Center. banderacowboycapital.com.

UVALDE: Four Square Friday. Shopping, food, music, art. 6 pm to 9 pm. visituvalde.com.

EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY BLANCO: Live music at the Redbud Cafe.www.redbud-cafe.com.

EVERY SATURDAY BANDERA: Flying L Chuckwagon Dinner Enjoy barbecue, wagon rides, roping lessons, gunslingers, line dancing, more. flyingl.com.

BANDERA: Bandera Cattle Co. Gunfighters Experience gunfight re-enactments. 12 pm, 2 pm. Visitors Center. . banderacowboycapital.com.

BANDERA: Cowboys on Main. See and interact with a sample of the Old West cowboy lifestyle on Bandera Main Street. Main Street. banderacowboycapital.com.

BOERNE: Farmers Market at the Cibolo. Herff Farm, 33 Herff Road. visitboerne.org.

BULVERDE: Saturday Night Rodeo. All types of Texas entertainment, from live music and dancing to mechanical bulls, mutton’ bustin, and calf scrambles. tejasrodeo.com.

FISCHER: Jackson Open Artisan and Farmers Market. 9 am to 5 pm.

6341 Farm Market 32. jacksonopenairmarket.com, 830-935-2781.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Farmers Market. nbfarmersmarket.com.

WIMBERLEY: Tour Jacob’s Well. Hear stories about floods, divers, and experience beauty of the spring that started the town of Wimberley. 10 am. jacobswellspring.org.

WIMBERLEY: Arnosky Family Farms Market. Ranch Road 2325 and Highway 165. 830-833-5428 WIMBERLEY: Saturday Evening Dinners. www.blairhouseinn.com.

UTOPIA: Lunch and Dinner at Laurel Tree. utopiagourmet.com.

FIRST SATURDAY BANDERA: Market Days on Courthouse Square. 830-796-4447.

BANDERA: First Saturday Book Sale. Public Library. 830-796-4213.

BANDERA: Bandera Cattle Co. Gunfighters. Re-creating shootouts and life of the Old West. Noon, 2 pm. banderacowboycapital.com.

BANDERA: Cowboys on Main. Interact with a sample of Old West cowboy lifestyle on Main Street. banderacowboycapital.com BUDA: First Saturday. Explore unique shops downtown, enjoy live music, food and drinks. www.budatxtourism.com.

DRIFTWOOD: Community Club. Group meets to enhance community spirit. Dinner 7 pm. driftwoodtx.org.

KERRVILLE: Kerr County Market Days and Hill Country Swap Meet.

Youth Exhibit Center. Free admission, kerrmarketdays.org.

SECOND SATURDAY BOERNE: Art Beat. Shops and galleries team up for heart-racing fine art experience. Hill Country Mile, 100 North Main. visitboerne.org.

Calendar of Events SECOND SATURDAY CASTROVILLE: Market Trail Days. Houston Square. 830-539-2316.

WIMBERLEY: Gallery Trail. Galleries around Square open late offering art, wine, appetizers. www.Facebook.com/SecondSaturdayGalleryTrail.

FOURTH SATURDAY BANDERA: Frontier Times Jamboree. Live music, storytelling, and more free fun for all ages. Frontier Times Museum, 510 13th Street. banderacowboycapital.com.

EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Craft Beer Tasting and Free Tour at Twisted X Brewing Company, live music and food. TexMexBeer.com.

ROUND MOUNTAIN: Tours at Westcave Preserve. westcave.org.

FIRST/LAST SATURDAY-SUNDAY LAMPASAS: Trade Days. Meet artists and craftsmen who create one-ofa-kind items, from antiques, collectibles, quilts, and crafts, to folk/fine art, home furnishings. marigoldsantiques.com SECOND SATURDAY-SUNDAY AUSTIN: Tours of Bright Leaf Natural Area. brightleaf.org.

FOURTH SATURDAY-SUNDAY JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. JohnsonCityTexas-Chamber.com.

JULY 11-AUGUST 10 KERRVILLE: 19th Annual PhotoQuest. Exhibition of photographs by the Hill Country Camera Club. Kerr Arts & Cultural Center. kacckerrville.com.

JULY 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 UVALDE: Sahawe Summer Ceremonials. Dances from the Kiowa, Sioux, Crow, Apache, Hopi, Santa Clara, Taos, Aztec, and Yaqui tribes at Sahawe Outdoor Theater, South Wood and West Garden. sahawe.com.

JULY 16, 23, 30 NEW BRAUNFELS: Tuesday Night Swing with Dirty River Dixie Band.

Krause’s Cafe and Biergarten. krausescafe.com/events.

JULY 18 GRUENE: Come and Taste It. Sample Texas wines and craft brews. The Grapevine, grapevineingruene.com.

WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse Concert Series presents Ruthie Foster. Wimberley United Methodist Church, corner of Ranch Road 12 and County Road 1492. Doors at 7 pm. $25 adults, $5 kids. wimberleyumc.org/susannas-kitchen.

JULY 19 BOERNE: Star Party. Astronomy-filled event features star experts with their telescopes for dazzling night-sky experiences. Bring blankets, chairs, and bug spray. Boerne City Lake Park, 1 City Lake Road. visitboerne.org.

JULY 19-21 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop more than 400 vendors or relax in the biergarten while listening to live music. 355 Sunday Farms Lane. fbgtradedays.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: North American Jewelry and Gift Show. Civic and Convention Center. 210-410-0737, nashows.com.

JULY 19, 26 BANDERA: Bandera Summer Rodeo. Friday night summer rodeo events include bull riding, mini bulls, team roping, tie-down roping, No. 10 roping, open roping, break-away roping, open barrels, junior barrels, and, of course, mutton bustin’. Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena, 2886 State Highway 16 North. 830-796-3045.

JULY 20 FREDERICKSBURG: Night in Old Fredericksburg. Celebrate the heritage of the Texas Hill Country with a barbecue and chili cookoff, live music, food, drinks, and more. Gillespie County Fairgrounds. gillespiefair.com.

JULY 20-21 FREDERICKSBURG: Live Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing Full slate of live quarter horse and thoroughbred races at Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive. gillespiefair.com.

GRUENE: Old Gruene Market Days. Gruene Historic District, 1601 Hunter Road. gruenemarketdays.com KERRVILLE: Texas Gun and Knife Show. New and used guns, knives, gold and silver coins, jewelry, camping gear, military supplies, and more. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center. texasgunandknifeshows.com.

July/August 2019 Hill Country SUN 19

Calendar of Events JULY 20, 27 BANDERA: Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters Experience gunfight re-enactments. Shows are at noon and 2 pm. Bandera Visitors Center, 126 SH 16 S. banderacowboycapital.com.

BANDERA: Cowboys on Main. Every Saturday, expect to see and interact with a sample of the Old West cowboy lifestyle. Main Street.

830-796-3045; banderacowboycapital.com.

BULVERDE: Saturday Night Rodeo Live music and dancing plus mechanical bulls, mutton’ bustin, and calf scrambles. tejasrodeo.com.

JULY 26 BANDERA: Texas Heroes Hall of Honor Induction. Frontier Times Museum, 510 13th Street. banderacowboycapital.com.

JULY 26-27 BANDERA: National Day of the American Cowboy Chuckwagon breakfast, Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters, Little Wrangler’s StickHorse Races and Boot Scramble, fiddlers, storytelling, Native American exhibits, bucking bulls, chicken ropin’, Texas Rangers, craftsmen, a picker’s circle, and blacksmiths. Stay for the ranch rodeo at Mansfield Park Arena. 500 Main Street. banderacowboycapital.com.

JULY 26-28 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo. CPRA rodeo, ranch rodeo, vendors, petting zoo, dance and more. Dripping Springs Ranch Park. drippingspringsfairandrodeo.com.

FREDERICKSBURG: 42nd Annual Hill Country Auto Swap Meet. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, SH 16 South. earhartproductions.com.

July 27-28 JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. City Park, US 290 at Avenue G. johnsoncitytexas.info.

JULY 31 - AUGUST 4 JOHNSON CITY: Shark Week at the Science Mill. Special showings of Great White Shark 3D, dig for real baby shark teeth at the Fossil Dig, and more. www.ScienceMill.org.

AUGUST 1-4 NEW BRAUNFELS: Lone Star Gourd Festival. The Texas Gourd Society hosts this quirky festival featuring a gourd art competition, gourd art sales, gourd supplies, and technique classes. New Braunfels Convention Center. texasgourdsociety.org.

AUGUST 3 BANDERA: Market Days. Shop arts and crafts vendors. Bandera County Courthouse Lawn. banderacowboycapital.com.

BANDERA: The Old Timers Trading Post Meet local artists and artisans.

The Old Timer, 14178 State Highway 16 North. banderacowboycapital. com.

FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Ranger Day. Ranger Camp re-enactments and a cannon firing. Texas Rangers Heritage Center, trhc.org.

WIMBERLEY: Market Day. More than 450 outdoor booths are filled with art, furniture, collectibles, and treasures of all kinds. Live music and food and drink make for a shopper’s delight. Lions Field, 601 Farm Market 2325. 512-847-2201, shopmarketdays.com.

AUGUST 10 KYLE: Market Days. Enjoy local vendors, live music, and family fun under the shade of the oak trees. City Square Park, 101 S. Burleson Street. cityofkyle.com/recreation.

SAN MARCOS: Bubble Fest. From a ball pit and bubble dance floor to Art Squared Arts Market and the farmers market, there is plenty of entertainment to go around Downtown San Marcos, downtownsmtx.com.

AUGUST 10-11 BOERNE: Market Days. Hundreds of festive booths display everything from collectibles and remembrances of the past to modern innovations. Boerne Main Plaza. visitboerne.org.

AUGUST 10-11, 24-25 FREDERICKSBURG: Pari-Mutuel Racing. Event featuring a full slate of live quarter horse and thoroughbred races. Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive. gillespiefair.com.

Schedule of Events

DS Ag Boosters City of Dripping Springs Present:

July 26 Friday July 27 Saturday

CPRA Rodeo - 8:00 pm

July 28 Sunday

Team Roping - Books Open 9:00 am; Roping Begins 10:00 am

Slack - 9:00 am Vendors, Petting Zoo, Pet Costume Contest, Kids Activities From 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Ranch Rodeo - 11:00 am CPRA Rodeo - 8:00 pm; Dance immediately following

All Daily Events except CPRA Rodeo are free to Spectators Mutton Bustin’ Signup Begins - 6:30 pm each night Tickets To Rodeo

5 & Under Free 6-12 $10 per night Adults $15 per night $5 daily car pass Dripping Springs Ranch Park ⚫ 1042 Event Center Dr. ⚫ Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

Hill Country SUN 20 July/August 2019

CalendarofofEvents Events Calendar AUGUST 16-18 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop more than 400 vendors or relax in the biergarten while listening to live music. 355 Sunday Farms Lane. fbgtradedays.com.

AUGUST 17 BOERNE: Moondance Concert Series. Bring drinks, chairs, and a picnic for a concert beneath the Texas stars. Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road. visitboerne.org.

AUGUST 17-18 GRUENE: Old Gruene Market Days. Nearly 100 vendors offer uniquely crafted items and packaged Texas foods. Gruene Historic District, 1601 Hunter Road. gruenemarketdays.com.

AUGUST 17-18, 24-25 STONEWALL: Grape Stomp at Pedernales Cellars.2916 Upper Albert Road. pedernalescellars.com.

AUGUST 18-24 BANDERA: Buck Sloan’s Musician Reunion Bring chairs, camping supplies, snacks, and fans if you have one. Enjoy a community dinner every evening around 5 pm. 300 Seventh Street. banderacowboycapital.com.

AUGUST 22-25 FREDERICKSBURG: 131st Annual Gillespie County Fair and Parade.

Includes agricultural, livestock, and home skills displays, plus horse racing, concerts, dances, a carnival, and midway— all at the oldest continuously running fair in Texas. A parade starts at 10 am Friday on Main Street. Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive. gillespiefair.com.

AUGUST 24-25 JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. City Park, US 290 at Avenue G. johnsoncitytexas.info.

AUGUST 27 STONEWALL: President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 111th Birthday. The public is invited to participate in this free event. Check in at the Visitor Center first for information on the day’s activities. Lyndon B. Johnson State & National Parks. 830-644-2252; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/ lyndon-b-johnson.

AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 1 BOERNE: Kendall County Fair and Rodeo. Annual festival includes vendors, jewelry, and handcrafted items; a pageant; a rodeo and livestock show; and a parade on Main Street Saturday morning. Kendall County Fairgrounds, 1307 River Road. visitboerne.org.

UVALDE: PalominoFest and Pro Rodeo Labor Day Weekend Celebration. Enjoy live music, a carnival, rodeo events, and a parade. Uvalde County Fairplex, 215 Veterans Lane. palominofest.com.

AUGUST 30 FREDERICKSBURG: Hill Country Sunset Harvest. Messina Hof Hill Country Winery. messinahof.com.

AUGUST 30-31 BERTRAM: Oatmeal Festival. Experience an “oatrageous” weekend of fun in the towns of Oatmeal on Friday night and Bertram on Saturday.

Enjoy a morning trail ride, pet and grand parade, multiple vendors, food, music, games, arts and crafts, a baking competition, a barbe- cue

cookoff, and a street dance. Runners from across Texas are expected to take part in the legendary 3.3-mile Run for Your Oats in downtown Bertram Saturday morning. 512-244-6357; oatmealfestival.org.

AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 1 KYLE: Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival. Beautiful hot air balloons illuminate the sky on Friday and Saturday evenings and will float over the Kyle sky Saturday and Sunday mornings. Pie Cafe tent, baking contest, pie eating contests, pie vendors (sweet and savory), more, plus live music, drinks, vendors, kids’ play area. Lake Kyle Park. pieinthesky.com.

AUGUST 31 BANDERA: Experience Bandera. Bandera honors its cowboy and Western heritage with a Longhorn Cattle Drive Parade on Saturday, arts and crafts, music, gunfight re-enactments, and a ranch rodeo. Bandera County Courthouse Lawn, 500 Main Street. 830-796-3045; bandera cowboycapital.com.

Bring your sugar to...

16th AnnuAl

HUNTER’S NIGHT OUT October 19, 2019 @ 6 pm

St. Mary Catholic Church 14711 Ranch Road 12 • Wimberley, TX

“Under the Big Tent”

Tickets $40 ea or 4 for $140 At Door $45 ea or 4 for $160 Buy Online@ HuntersNightOut.com Ticket includes one meal & beverages

Live Music 6 -8 pm

Knights of Columbus Council 9151 - Wimberley, Texas Doing business as Central Texas Columbus Club Inc. 501(c)(3)

FEATURING

42ND ANNUAL

OATMEAL FEST 2019

Jar r ed Bir min gha m

OPENING

LABOR DAY WEEKEND • SAT, AUG. 31 • DOWNTOWN BERTRAM July/August 2019 Hill Country SUN 21

Calendar of Events GRUENE HALL & KNBT 92.1 FM PRESENT

OCTOBER 10-13 featuring the best in texas wine, music

AUGUST 31 BOERNE: Concert in the Cave. Cave Without A Name, 325 Kreutzberg Road. visitboerne.org.

DOSS: 36th Annual VFD Benefit Fish Fry. Enjoy golden fried catfish with all the trimmings, prize drawings, and live entertainment. Doss VFD Fire Station, 14500 Ranch Road 783. 830-669-2220, dossvfd.org.

FREDERICKSBURG: Grape Stomp. chisholmtrailwinery.com.

AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 1 FREDERICKSBURG: Pacific Combat Living History Re-enactment.

Equipment and weapons used in WWII and battle re-enactment set on island in Pacific with flamethrower, tanks, actors, more. National Museum of Pacific War Pacific Combat Zone. pacificwarmuseum.org.

WIMBERLEY: 8th Annual Gunner Thames Memorial Rodeo Jackpots, mutton bustin’, calf cramble and rodeo events at Veterans Park, 401 Jacobs Well Road. www.GunnerThames.com.

SEPTEMBER 7 KERRVILLE: All Original Arts and Crafts “Handmade – Homegrown” and Giant Garage Sale. Handcrafted jewelry, fiber, wood, metal, soaps, lotions and home decor, more. Flea market and trade days all in one. 8 am to 3 pm. Hill Country Youth Event Center. kerrmarketdays.org.

SEPTEMBER 8 BLANCO: Julia Oautz and Tina Chong. Violin and piano at Uptown Blanco Ballroom. 3 pm. BlancoPerformingArts.com.

SEPTEMBER 13-15 WIMBERLEY: Wings Over Wimberley. Unique three-day arts and cultural celebration of Wimberley’s bat population. www.wimberleyarts.org/ wings-over-wimberley SEPTEMBER 14 BURNET: Bluebonnet Airshow— Wings and Wheels. Highland Lakes Squadrom Commemorative Air Force. bluebonnetairshow.com.

SEPTEMBER 28 WIMBERLEY: Gourdgeous Glass Pumpkin Patch & Festival at Wimberley Glassworks. See artists create a custom glass Monster at 11 am and an extra large glass pumpkin at 2 pm in a glassblowing demo. Pick your own pumpkin colors and watch artisans make one just for you.

Plus, enjoy a pretzel bar, fresh lemonade, coloring contest, and colorful photo ops. Festivities will be ongoing throughout the day, indoors and out, from 10 am to 5 pm, with live music from 12 pm to 3 pm. WGW.com.

OCTOBER 10-13 GRUENE: 33rd Annual Music and Wine Festival plus Craft Beer Event.

GrueneMusicAndWineFest.org.

OCTOBER 15-20 CONCAN: Frio Family Camp Fall Retreat. Weekend of family fun includes kayaking, fishing, arts and crafts, golf, horseback riding, archery, birding and more. VisitUvaldeCounty.com.

OCTOBER 19 WIMBERLEY: 16th Annual Hunter’s Night Out. Huge gun raffle, barbecue dinner, more. HuntersNightOut.com.

OCTOBER 25-27 WIMBERLEY: Haunted Pioneer Town at 7A Ranch. Friday and Saturday 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm, Sunday 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. 333 Wayside Drive.

Email tiedyeb1rd@gmail.com for more information.

OCTOBER 26-27 NEW BRAUNFELS: Train Show. Free rides on Landa Park Railroad for kids up to age 10. 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm Sunday.

New Braunfels Civic Center.www.NBRRM.org.

and craft beer!

CALENDAR EVENT?

BENEFITING THE UNITED WAY OF COMAL COUNTY

Get published! Email melissa@hillcountrysun.com

GRUENEMUSICANDWINEFEST.ORG Hill Country SUN 22 July/August 2019

Bringing you the best in old-fashioned fun plus the freshest family entertainment in the Lone Star State!

Live Pari-Mutuel Racing Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred July 6 & 7, July 20 & 21 Aug 10 & 11, Aug 24 & 25

Night in Old Fredericksburg July 20 Race Day Classic Steer Show • 42 Tournament • Goat Roping Wiener Dog Races • Lone Star Barbecue Society BBQ Cook-off Washer Pitching Tournament CASI Chili Cook-off • Car Show • Vendors

LIVE IN Chris Rybak 6 pm to 9 pm CONCERT Moe Bandy 9 pm to 11 pm

131st

Gillespie County Fair

AUGUST 22-25 4 days of great events!

Parade • Carnival & Midway • 42 Tournament • Goat Roping Food & Drink • Livestock Judging • Ag Exhibits • Arts & Crafts Antique Tractors • Live Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing • Vendors

Parade Friday, Aug 23 10 AM Down historic Main Street in Fredericksburg

CONCERT Friday, Aug 23

Jake Hooker & the Outsiders 8 PM

after 6 pm, Adults $15 each

CONCERT Saturday, August 24 Stephanie Urbina Jones 6 PM Pauline Reese 8 PM THE OLDEST Tanya Tucker 10 PM CONTINUOUS COUNTY FAIR IN TEXAS! after 6 pm, Adults $20 each

530 Fair Drive, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 • www.gillespiefair.net • 830-997-2359

GRUENE HISTORIC DISTRICT

250+ Wines.

30+ Craft Brews.

Enjoy one of the largest selections of Texas wines around!

• Complimentary tastings daily • Free live music in the garden GrapevineInGruene.com

MEET TEXAS’ BEST WINEMAKERS Third Thursdays 6-9pm On the third Thursday of each month, The Grapevine invites you to a unique event featuring one of Texas' best winemakers offering complimentary tastings of its best wines, alongside a Texas craft brew hand-picked by the Grapevine staff.

Enjoy live music and prize giveaways.

FOLLOW US:

Head down to Gruene Historic District where you’ll find live music, delicious food, river toobing and more good times than you can handle.

Gristmill River Restaurant

Learn more at GrueneTexas.com

July/August 2019

PRSRT ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PFLUGERVILLE, TX 78660 PERMIT NO. 16

Post Office Box 1019 Dripping Springs, TX 78620

LOCAL POSTAL PATRON

SEPTEMBER 8 2019 Sunday, 3 pm

Julia Pautz and tina Chong violin & piano

NOVEMBER 26 2019 Tuesday, 8 pm

the Vienna Choir Boys: Christmas in Vienna

FEBRUARY 16 2020 Sunday, 3 pm James diCk piano APRIL 18 2020 Saturday, 7:30 pm

WindsynC

wind ensemble

JUNE 7 2020 Sunday, 3pm

thalea string Quartet

SEASON 10 2019-2020

all ConCerts in the uPtoWn BlanCo Ballroom

BlancoPerformingArts.com

830-385-1173