March 2017 EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens 19th annual
Butterfly Festival in Wimberley
R World famous wiener dog races
Buda Lions Country Fair BBQ cookoffs, mush more
R Suzy Moehring Mallard’s
Hill Country Parks R C.J. Wright’s
Hill Country Wildlife 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
Find us on Facebook HillCountrySun
Suzy Moehring Mallard
South Llano River State Park named International Dark Sky Park
hill country PARKS
A
nd now our Texas Hill Country has two International Dark Sky Parks, as South Llano River joins Enchanted Rock State Natural Area as an International Dark Sky Park. Nestled just off IH-10 on the western edge of the hill country is the International Dark-Sky Association’s newest appointee – South Llano River State Park, located just outside of Junction. The International Dark Sky Park designation will ensure the protection of the park’s dark skies not only for the park’s natural resources, but also for the local community and out-of-town visitors to enjoy. “Designation of South Llano River State Park as an IDA International Dark
Sky Park is a testament to the rapidly maturing dark-skies movement in Central Texas,” says J. Scott Feierabend, International Dark-Sky Association executive director. “The park has set a leadership exNight photos at South Llano River State Park, an International Dark Sky park. SMALL INSET Photo by Chase Fountain. Both photos © TPWD. Used with permission. ample in pursuit of dark skies and quality outdoor lighting we hope others in Texas and around the world will look toward for inspiration. We’re excited to welcome South Llano River into the Dark Sky Park family, and we look forward to a long and productive working relationship with the park.” South Llano River State Park is the third Texas state park to be designated as an International Dark Sky Park, joining Copper Breaks State Park in the panhandle and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in the hill country. Located five miles from the nearest town, the South Llano River State Park ranks as a “3” on the Bortle Scale, which ranks skies from one to nine, with one being the darkest skies and nine being the least dark. The darkness at the park provides visitors with a spectacular view of the stars. As part of the dark sky initiative, a stargazing tab was created on the park’s webpage where visitors can find out more about the work at South Llano River State Park to protect dark skies. Resources found there include a clear sky chart and real-time dark sky monitoring from the parks permanently installed Sky Quality Meter. South Llano River State Park will host a Star Party March 25 from 8 pm ‘til 10 pm Texas Tech University Outdoor School, Mason Stargazers, and park staff will reenact the legend of Perseus and give everyone a chance to learn more about the night skies and look through telescopes. Bring a red flashlight, or cover your flashlight in red cellophane, and don’t forget your lawn chairs. Parking is in the overflow lot across from campsites 18 and 20, and just walk over to the next parking lot for the program. Holly Platz, 325-446-3994 for more info.
PAGE 2 MARCH 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN
Night skies are a big deal at many Texas state parks. In March, Inks Lake State Park has several nighttime events: Pecan Flats Summit Night Hike on March 11, to enjoy dusk over the lake and the night sky on a 2.2 mile hike; and Night Sky Party events from 7 pm to 9 pm on March 14, 15, 21, 22, and 25, complete with telescopes and lasers and stories of the stars. Lost Maples State Natural Area partners with San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers and the Curtis Vaughan Observatory at UTSA on March 25 for Stargazing and Dark Sky Education from 8:30 pm ‘til midnight. Did you know International Dark Sky Week is a thing? It is, and you can be part of it the week of April’s new moon, April 22-28. That week – or, really, any week – go outside at night, look up, and look around. For more information on the dark skies at Texas state parks, check out the dark skies program page on the TPWD website. And speaking of dark skies, I’m off to Big Bend the end of this month for five days, and I’m taking a couple of Texas women who have never been – a cousin and my sister. We’ll stay in the Chisos Mountains at the lodge, visit Santa Elena Canyon and Boquillos Canyon, loll at the hot springs, enjoy those threefoot tall Big Bend bluebonnets, drive the River Road at Big Bend Ranch State Park, shiver at a Star Party at McDonald Observatory, take in some site-specific art at Chinati Foundation, and swim with the fishies at Balmorhea State Park. They’ve never been, y’all. This is going to be a blast. Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park are both pegged at 1 on the Bortle Scale of dark skies, and I’m planning to be stunned once again at the crazy beauty of the Milky Way and all of those wide, open spaces.
Hill Country SUN March 2017 Volume 27 • Number 9 ISSN: 1524-2315 Entire contents copyright © 2017 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 Ernie Altgelt Colleen Brooks Suzy Moehring Mallard C.J. Wright Writers Gerry Burns Adelle Spell Distribution
A Distinctive collection of
Fine Art in the Hill Country Kenzie, Julie & Luke Harrington
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: The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens hosts the 19th Annual Butterfly Festival Saturday, April 22, from 9 am to 5 pm in Wimberley. (See story, page 4.) Photo courtesy EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens. Deadline for calendar events is the 15th of each month. Email events/releases to melissa@hillcountrysun.com.
Tom Darrah Red Vase 48” x 36,” Oil
David Schwindt Devil’s Waterhole ‘Inks Lake’ 14” x 18,” Oil
512-847-7278
TheArtGalleryAtWimberley.net
On the Square at 100 Oak Dr, Suite 200 • Wimberley
hillcountrysun.com facebook.com/HillCountrySun
(Across from Kiss the Cook) TERRY GRISHAM, DIRECTOR
INDEX
HENLY
Texas Hill Country Locator Map
© 2017 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
Thinking about a Reverse Mortgage? I’ve been working with great people just like you for over 25 years!!
Robert Wade, CPA, CEO NMLS #268922
Call (512) 288-7777
Email: RWade7777@aol.com www.ReverseFacts.org We work to obtain the highest proceeds for you at the lowest rates and margins. • Reverse Mortgages may now be used to purchase a home in Texas. • Tax free funds will not affect Social Security • You continue to own your home.
Texas Reverse Mortgage, Inc., NMLS 1101278 290 Trailmaster Cir, Driftwood, TX 78619
HILL COUNTRY SUN R MARCH 2017 PAGE 3
WIMBERLEY
Fun takes flight at Butterfly Festival April 22
T
By Colleen Brooks
he EmilyAnn Theatre & Garden’s 19th annual Butterfly Festival will take flight April 22 from 9 am to 5 pm. The beloved event may best be described as a magical and all-encompassing day that simply must be experienced firsthand, promising a memorable occasion for children and adults of all ages. The day will begin with a commemorative butterfly release near the Veterans Memorial Plaza in honor of community members lost this year. “In our community, we lose giants each year,” explains Ann Rolling, executive director of the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens. “This year, we will honor (longtime Wimberley residents) Bill Johnson and Raymond Czichos, and the many others who flew away.” Guests can enjoy live music on several stages, and entertainment tents including a pirate tent and a tea party tent (complete with princesses). New to the festival this year: an art tent with artistled drawing lessons and a new art project offered every hour. The Butterfly Festival was inspired by a moment in a cemetery when a friend of the late Emily Ann Rolling approached her mother, Ann, with a butterfly he said was a birthday gift for Emily. Together,
EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens annual Butterfly Festival April 22 is fun for all ages. Photos courtesy EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens.
they watched the butterfly take flight. Ann explains, “All along, the butterfly has meant so much. This special moment inspired the thoughts of how the transformation of the butterfly is a lifegiving element.” She smiles, “Butterfly Day grew up around that.” At the first annual event, 36 butterflies were released, that Ann jokingly says
HURRY! Ad Deadline March 18!
Grow Your Business! PRSRT STD AUTOCR U.S. POSTAGE PAID WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 PERMIT NO. 21 POSTAL PATRON
Fall/Winter
2016-17
were shipped “half frozen.” Since then, the festival has continued to grow and the number of butterflies at the event increased. “We ordered 3,800 caterpillars for this upcoming festival. We had to get them from 220 growers just to fill the order of 3,800 caterpillars,” Ann explains. The caterpillars are distributed to classrooms and other locations around Wimberley where they complete their transformation into butterflies. “Master naturalists will come in armies to nurture, package, and disburse them into about 200 classrooms, as well as local businesses and nursing home rooms. In addition, the master naturalists have developed an educational DVD that’s grade- appropriate for every classroom, explaining the life cycle and care.” Last year, students from across the state submitted more than 1,000 pieces of butterfly art in hopes of being chosen as
the 2017 festival’s Artist of the Year. Submissions came from school districts all over Texas, and winners are chosen by a team of 10 artists. This year’s winner is 11th grade student, Noah Lind, from Liberty High School in the Frisco Independent School District. His butterfly art will be featured on the event postcard and souvenir shirt available for purchase at the festival. “I used vibrant colors for my butterfly because whenever I think of fantasy, I immediately think of magic, which made me envision a bright and glowing butterfly,” Noah explains. You can meet Noah at the festival and have him autograph on your shirt. The EmilyAnn Theatre’s recent grant from LCRA and PEC makes possible the creation of a new greenhouse and butterfly garden on the grounds. Weather permitting, Ann says they hope to have the See BUTTERFLY FEST, page 5
The Ultimate Guide to Wimberley A Day...A Week...A Lifetime Your Complimentary Guide to Wimberley from the Hill Country SUN
Lodging • Dining • Arts • Entertainment Shopping • Services • Real Estate • Community
published by the
Hill Country SUN
25,000 copies!
6 months of exposure, one affordable rate! • Mailed to all residences serviced by the Wimberley Post Office (more than 5,200 homes) • Distributed to Chambers of Commerce, Visitors Centers & many locations throughout the Hill Country • Wimberley locations restocked weekly for the entire six months!
512-484-9716 • julie@hillcountrysun.com PAGE 4 4 AUGUST MARCH 2017 PAGE 2016RRHILL HILLCOUNTRY COUNTRYSUN SUN
EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens executive director, Ann Rolling RIGHT, shares butterflies with two very excited guests at Butterfly Festival. Photo courtesy EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens.
WIMBERLEY
BUTTERFLY FEST, from page 4 addition completed and showcased by the day of the festival so guests will be able to walk among the butterflies in the new area. Concessions will be available for purchase, as well as fruit to attract the butterflies. Guests can also enjoy the whimsical musical garden, life-size chess board, Justin’s castle, and picnicking on the grounds. A flyover is also scheduled, weather permitting. There’ll be plenty of commemorative butterfly gifts and souvenirs available for purchase. Butterfly releases will occur every half-hour until all 3800 butterflies (which have been carefully nurtured by local students, businesses, naturalists, and seniors) have taken their flight into the Texas sky. Ann explains, “I have come to learn one thing. If you create a palette and invite others, they will come up and paint upon it. She smiles. “The palette is there. The painting continues.” FYI • The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens 19th Annual Butterfly Festival is April 22 from 9 am to 5 pm, rain or shine. The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens is located at 1101 Ranch Road 2325 in Wimberley. Parking is available at Wimberley High School, Danforth Junior High and the Lions Field parking lots. Handicapped parking will be available at the EmilyAnn Theatre and Garden parking lot. If that reaches capacity, there’s an ADA-approved walkway from the high school to the festival grounds. Shuttles will run from all parking lots throughout the day. There is no charge to attend the festival; however, donations are gratefully accepted. You will want to bring along plenty of cash for concessions, games, and butterfly souvenirs. For more information about Butterfly Festival and the many other events at the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, call 512-847-6969 or visit the web site at www.emilyann.org.
WIMBERLEY H You can stroll the streets of downtown Wimberley, as you sample wines from more than 15 Texas wineries, enjoy live music, food vendors and more at the Wimberley Wine Walk March 30 from 5 pm to 8 pm, rain or shine. Shops will be open late on and around the Wimberley Square The ticket price includes a commemorative wineglass, a bag of goodies and a map of locations.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN FLAGS • Flags & Flagpoles • Patriotic Gifts • Knives & Cutlery
333 FM 2325 • Wimberley, Texas www.EMFlag.com Mon-Thurs 9 am-5 pm • Friday 9 am-3 pm
512-847-0010 • 800-385-5605 “Best Vintage Find” Southern Accents • “Where to Buy” London Financial Times 2006
The
O
Wild West Store
HUNDREDS OF VINTAGE COWBOY BOOTS
2017 Butterfly Art Contest winner Noah Lind BELOW and his winning butterfly art ABOVE. Photos courtesy EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens.
•Buy! Sell! Trade!
“The Boot Whisperer”
as seen on BBC World News July 2013
Just off the Wimberley Square Olde Towne Plaza - 13709 RR 12
512-847-1219 www.koolboots.com
“Go for a consultation with the Boot Whisperer, who reads feet like a psychic reads palms.” Texas Monthly, August 2010 Open by appointment. Please call in advance 512-293-4890.
To Advertise, email julie@hillcountrysun.com
T-shirts will be available for an additional fee. Tickets are $30, registration open through March 23. A limited number of tickets are available, sand reservations required. FYI • The Wine Walk benefits the Wimberley Community Civic Club and tickets are non-refundable. Individuals and teams are encouraged to dress up and show off your spirit. Please be sure to wear sensible shoes, as walking route is over uneven terrain. For more information, visit the web site at wimberleywinewalk.com.
Near Death Experience Symposium
WIMBERLEY H Learn about Near Death Experiences (NDE), what they teach about living, and how this wisdom can improve your life at the Near Death Experience Symposium April 7-9 at the Wimberley Community Center. The symposium will focus on near death experiences and related spiritually transformative topics, from philosophical and therapeutic standpoints. Lecturers are experts in their fields, and those who have had near death and spiritually enlightening experiences. Hear firsthand how these experiences have impacted peoples lives. Attendees can visit with experiencers one-on-one, during the breaks and at the social mixers and during meals for a personal perspective of their spiritually transformative occurrence. FYI • Advance tickets are available. Seating is limited, and tickets at the door may not be available. For groups interested in setting up displays, speaking, volunteering or participating in the panel, please email info@enlighteningarts. com. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the web site at EnlighteningArts.com.
SATURDAY, APR 22: 10 - 6 SUNDAY, APR 23: 11 - 5 115 TOP NOTCH JURIED ARTISTS CONTINUOUS LIVE MUSIC BEHAVED DOGS WELCOME CLASSIC CAR SHOW FREE ADMISSION & SHUTTLES TO SQUARE
WIMBERLEYARTSFEST.COM HILL COUNTRY SUN R MARCH 2017 PAGE 5
Dripping springs
C.J. Wright hill country Wildlife
Plight of amphibians a warning
W
For Advertising info, email
julie@hillcountrysun.com
PAGE 6 MARCH 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN
inter storms plague the northwest in areas unaccustomed to much snowy weather. Elsewhere, temperatures rise to the high 70s and 80s and skies shine blue. Though brisk, breezes are warm, insects come alive and frogs leave burrows to feed—all in mid January. Come evening, spring peepers sing. By mid February in southern climes, this scenario—interrupted by cold snaps—has replayed time and time again, a reminder that the climate no longer reflects the calendar. The peepers’ lulling songs remind one of how fascinating frogs are. Amazing as they dart out sticky tongues and, faster than the eye can capture, snag an insect and reel it in. An interesting study sheds further light on what we know of this amazing feat. While past studies compared frog tongues to scotch tape, there’s more to the story. This new study concludes that their tongues are ten times softer than those of humans, making them one of the softest materials known to the biological world. The research likens these tongues to adhesive shock absorbers so that after the frog casts its tongue and bug hits tongue, the tongue wraps around the morsel like “a sticky bubble gum blanket,” absorbing its victim’s inertia. Aided by the tongue’s soft elasticity, saliva coats the bug and works into the grooves of its exoskeleton. Rather than the tongue’s sticky surface, the saliva is the element crucial to the capture, for it flows normally until the insect hits the tongue. However, saliva then changes course to grip the bug as the tongue retracts. The eyes close, pushing the bug, and shazam! The saliva flows again, freeing the meal from the tongues’ sticky surface and the frog swallows the morsel. * If the peepers’ lulling sounds seem far less deafening than they once did, the reason lies in the fact that there are fewer of these captivating animals. In fact, many amphibians are threatened worldwide. Within just the last two decades nearly 168 of the world’s 7,000 known species are thought to have gone extinct, with at least 43% of the populations declining. Although habitat destruction is considered the most important factor leading to these declines, amphibians are also disappearing in protected habitats, indicting that the reasons for shrinking numbers are more complex. An emerging disease called chytridiomycosis and global climate change are considered the biggest threats. Other studies point to factors such as emerging infectious diseases, introduced species, overexploitation, increased UV-B radiation and chemical contaminants.
Tree frog in the Hill Country. © Michelle Pustejovsky | Dreamstime.com. At the very least, introduced species compete with native amphibians and, at times, prey on them. As an example, a non-native trout species introduced from Alpine waters all but eradicated the Mountain Yellow-legged frog in the California Sierra Nevadas. Once the trout were removed, the frogs returned. Amphibians are caught and sold as food, for pets or for medicinal and biological supply markets. They are used in research. Properties on their skins have pharmacological importance. One extract from a South American frog is 200 times more effective than morphine in blocking pain. India once led in the export of frog legs. The result? The population of insect pests increased. Happily, those exports have since been banned. Amphibians are extremely sensitive to even small changes in moisture or temperature. These changes can alter breeding behavior, affect reproduction and reduce amphibians’ immune systems, making them prone to infections and diseases while also increasing their sensitivity to chemicals. Pesticides, heavy metals, nitrogen-based fertilizers and acidification can be lethal for both adults and larvae. As climate changes and temperatures rise, pond waters grow shallow and the intensity of UV-B radiation increases. While ozone is vital in its role of filtering UV-B, it does not absorb all rays and over the past few decades—in which the ozone layer has thinned—levels of UV-B radiation in our atmosphere have risen significantly. In some instances it kills amphibians outright. In others egg and tadpole DNA is damaged. UV-B also slows growth rates, causes immune dysfunction and interacts with contaminants and pathogens. See WILDLIFE, page 7
DRIPPING SPRINGS
WILDLIFE, from page 6
Farm Fresh Veggies & Fruits Delivered to Your Door
Certified Organic and All-Natural Produce Spring peeper frog on grass. © Paul Nguyen | Dreamstime.com.
Denture
Shop
Dentures & General Dentistry for Less
Need Dentures? No Insurance?
No Problem! Call now to schedule a free consultation! Dr. Joni Avery & Associates 290 at Bell Springs Road Dripping Springs, Texas Toll Free
855-858-2250
mydentureshop.com
FULL TIME in DRIPPING SPRINGS! Modern Orthodontics from Friendly People.
Mark A Thompson DDS MS Specialist in Orthodontics
512-858-2916 • dsbraces.com
Corner of Ranch Road 12 @ Highway 290 West Pottery • Drapery Hardware • Toys Books • Artwork • Candles • More Fabric • Sofas • Furniture •
deners or citizen science projects. We can stay abreast of conservation matters and show our support for proposed legislation. The plight of amphibians serves as a warning to us all that the changes to our world could reach a point when reversing the damage isn’t possible. Therefore, as citizens of this planet, we must all work together. FYI • To learn more, search: “Watch: A Frog’s Tongue Is An Ultrasoft Shock Absorber.” For additional information, search: “20,000 Species are Near Extinction: Is it Time to Rethink How We Decide Which to Save?” “Species Extinction Happening 1,100 Times Faster Because of Humans?” “5 Surprising Drone Uses (Besides Amazon Delivery);” “Worldwide Amphibian Declines.”
www.thefarmsteadatdriftwood.com
Designer Fabrics at Discount Prices
• Fabric • Trim • Pillows • Body Care • Furniture • More Fabric
Under captive breeding programs, environmental changes are problematic. When species are reintroduced into habitats—altered from the ones their ancestors came from—the climate and environmental changes that have occurred may lead to conditions that cause new threats to emerge. Researchers conclude that rather than a single overarching cause for global declines, all these factors threaten amphibian populations and vary depending upon location. To prevent further extinctions, scientists know they must work quickly, but the problems they face are daunting. Why are amphibians important? They play a key role as secondary consumers in several food chains. Tadpoles are prey for both invertebrates and vertebrates and adults are great pest controllers. Amphibians have a high level of sensitivity and, as such, serve as an early warning system because they react to even slight changes or stresses to the environment, making them good indicators of ecological health. Scientists generally agree that we’re experiencing a period of increased species extinction and that this period coincides with the time humans have walked the earth. Habitat destruction and climate change, factors that threaten amphibians, are also key factors in the decline of other endangered species—all a part of a worldwide biodiversity crisis. On May 19, 2010 someone found a brightly colored amphibian hiding in a latrine at Joint Base Balad, Baghdad, Iraq. When brought to a U.S. serviceman and nature lover, the sergeant uploaded its picture to the mobile app iNaturalist, which identified the frog as a lemon-yellow tree frog, one that had never been recorded outside of Kurdistan. It’s known range had expanded. Thanks to smartphones, citizen science has exploded and scientists hope new technology will help in the fight against extinctions. Drones are now used to count animal populations and distributions. When scientists know where species are, they also recognize the threats to the species and are better equipped to manage them. Drone surveillance helps rangers detect poaching operations of endangered species while keeping the rangers from danger. Often decisions on which endangered species to save depend upon the popularity (California Condor) or economic value (Atlantic salmon) of the species. Conservationists believe, however, that scientists must determine which species can be saved and at what cost the management of the project. With this approach, they can increase the number of species saved. Also, setting aside and managing species-rich regions not only benefits endangered species but protects others as well. We can help in many ways from instilling in children a respect for their environment, to creating bio-diverse habitats around our homes and communities to joining a master naturalists, master gar-
Tremendous Savings Off Suggested Retail Every Day! • Custom Furniture • Designer Fabrics • Decorative Trims • Unique Gifts • Accessories • Toys Let Our Design Staff Assist You with Custom Draperies, Bedding, Baby Bedding, & In-Home Design Service. All at the best prices! Like Us On
Trail Head Market • Hwy 290 West • Dripping Springs 512-894-0350 • 800-982-7424 Mon-Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-5
cowgirlsandlace.com
Shop Unadvertised Specials in March! HILL COUNTRY SUN R MARCH 2017 PAGE 7
DRIPPING SPRINGS
Jams, Jellies, Dips, Gourmet Foods, Gifts & Warm Friendly Smiles SAMPLE OUR
Texas Pride JalaPeno MusTard Peach salsa Peach aMareTTo & Pecan JaM JalaPeno Jelly Hwy. 290, 7 miles west of Dripping Springs Convenient to Austin, Fredericksburg & San Antonio
Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm
www.newcanaanfarms.com
800-727-5267
Send In Your Calendar events!
melissa@hillcountrysun.com
Life.Changing.
Watch wiener dogs race at Buda Lions Country Fair
F
By Ernie Altgelt
or two dog-gone great days each April, the burgeoning (and at times, barking) burg of Buda finds itself amazingly ankle-deep in determined dashing dachshunds, all itching to win one of Texas’ most unique (and beloved) canine competitions – the annual Buda Wiener Dog Races. Marking the 20th consecutive running, this year’s furry field featuring some of the finest (and fleetest) lowslung thoroughbreds from kennels across the country will undoubtedly prove once again to be the must see, tailwagging tournament extraordinaire guaranteed to delight dog, and dog fanciers of all stripe. So, as not to miss any of the fun, plan to load up the family and Fido and follow the crowds to Buda because, that’s the only way you’ll find out just which of these winsome wieners is truly the top dog. The races, first held in 1998, were an outgrowth of the long established (and very enjoyable) Buda Lions Club Buda Country Fair. Going back decades, the fair continues to be a favored local attraction filled with shopping opportunities, children’s’ activities, cooking competitions, music and lot’s of delicious food and drink. On its own, it would be reason enough to head (up or down) to Buda for two days of exceptional entertainment. With the addition of the wiener races however, it’s become an even bigger draw. Last year’s two-footed attendance exceeded 20,000. Regarding the wiener races, a number of “heats” are scheduled throughout Saturday and into Sunday culminating in the big race, the finals, Sunday afternoon. All entrants must be dachshund by breed and all are pre-inspected by a staff veterinary. The course is a straight 70 feet with the dog at the starting gate and
Buda Lions CLub Country Fair and Wiener Dog Races are Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30. Photo courtesy Buda Lions Country Fair. the owner/coach/encourager at the finish line. When the whistle blows the hounds are afoot. The fastest runner advances. At that first competition 19 years ago there were 54 participants. Today, attendees can expect a field surpassing 300 – that’s a lot of wieners! At the conclusion, the winner (or should I say, wiener) and runner-up both receive trophies, cash prizes and lots of well-earned adulation (not to mention a dog biscuit or two). And, while the races are certainly entertaining, the Country Fair is a hoot, as well. See WIENER DOG, page 9
Carly C. Cunningham, D.D.S., M.S. 512-858-1311 Next to Dripping Springs High School 131 Benney Lane, Suite A • Dripping Springs
www.CunninghamOrthodontics.com PAGE 8 MARCH 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN
Wiener dog races are Saturday at 10 am and 2 pm and Sunday at 10 am with with finals at 3 pm. Mixed breed races (introduced last year) take place Saturday at 11:30 am and 3 pm and Sunday at 11:30 am, with finals at 1:30 pm. Photo courtesy Buda Lions Country Fair.
WIENER DOG, from page 8
Frio/SABINAL RIVER VALLEY
River Rim Resort
Warning...Experiencing Experiencing on the FrioFrio could Warning... theFall beauty of the couldbecome becomehabit habitforming forming
Find Us on
at River Rim Resort on the Frio
Cabins & RV Sites • www.RiverRimResort.com
At the first Wiener dog race competition 19 years ago, there were 54 participants. Today, attendees can expect a field surpassing 300 – that’s a lot of wieners! Photo courtesy Buda Lions Country Fair.
At this April’s event, approximately 100 venders are scheduled to be on hand showcasing and selling their various (and very affordable) arts and crafts. The merchandise ranges from exquisite jewelry to functional deer blinds with tons of furniture, knives, artwork and more in between. There will also (naturally) be lots of neat dog-related products too. Continual live music will enhance the shopping experience. Beyond the wiener dog racing, other competitions will be hotly contested as well including a barbeque and baking cook off. There’s even a pet parade scheduled. And, since having fun works up an appetite, visitors will have lots of tasty, purchasable choices including juicy hamburgers, steaming hot dogs (of course), smoky fajitas, colorful snow cones and other savories.
The kiddos are covered with the provision of ample, safe, supervised and just plain cool activities – no one will be board, hungry or unhappy! FYI • The Buda Wiener Races and Country Fair are all to be found on the grounds of the spacious, comfortable and fenced Buda City Park. Shade and seating are plentiful and personal lawn chairs welcomed. The entire package is familyand pet-friendly (even for non-dachshunds). Frankly, with so much to do, most in attendance make a weekend of it. A modest admittance fee of $5 for everyone over 12 is assessed, good for both days. Parking at a remote lot (the near-by Cabelas outlet) is free with frequent back and forth shuttle service throughout the weekend. All proceeds go to various (and worthy) Buda Lions Club charities – most directed toward issues addressing vision impairment. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 from 8 am. until 6 pm. For additional information on location, entry requirements for the races, cook-offs and washer tournament, area accommodations, activities and times visit the web site at www.budalions.com or call 512565-0505.
(830) 232-5758 • 1204 CR 350 • PO Box 72 • Concan, TX 78838
To advertise julie@hillcountrysun.com At the intersection of Highways 83 & 41
Buck Home of Billy and the 830-640-3235 • GarvenStore.com
Offering River Frontage at River House & very near river at Hideaway and Cottage.
CASA RIO CABIN RENTALS
830-966-2320 • friolodging.com
3978 CR 348 • Concan • friocasario@hctc.net
friorivercasario.com • 830-591-3544 HILL COUNTRY SUN R MARCH 2017 PAGE 9
Frio/SABINAL RIVER VALLEY 2017 EDITION AVAILABLE NOW!
Your guide to Concan Camp Wood Leakey Rio Frio Utopia Uvalde Vanderpool Published by the Hill Country Sun
Read it online!
HillCountrySun.com
Science Mill hosts world music event March 18 JOHNSON CITY H Enjoy a day of lively global music, stories and culture as the Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City and Outside Voice host a “World Music, World Stories” backyard concert Saturday, March 18, from 1 pm to 6 pm. This familyfriendly event will feature exciting performances by worldclass bands from around the globe, including Tribu Baharú from Bogota, Colom- Los Texmanics perform March 18 at World Music, World bia, Los Texmaniacs Stories backyard concert at the Hill Country Science Mill. from San Antonio, Photo courtesy Hill Country Science Mill. and others to be announced. Picnics are welcome (no glass containers, please), as South Lady Bird Lane in Johnson City. Admission: is $8.50 are blankets and lawn chairs. Food will for kids 3-18, $10 for adults and $8 for seniors 65+ and also be available from the on-site Lady Military.The Hill Country Science Mill’s mission is “to ignite Bird Lane Café and several food trucks. the curiosity, ambition, innovation and problem-solving The concert is free with admission to the potential of the next generation through an innovative, imScience Mill. In addition to concert ac- mersive experience that enhances the community’s undertivities, the museum will be open from standing of, and appreciation for, science, technology, engi10 am to 6 pm. A science-themed 3D neering and math (STEM). “ movie will play throughout the day and For more information about the Hill Country Science is included in admission. Mill, visit the web site at www.sciencemill.org, email info@ FYI • Hill Country Science Mill is located at 101 sciencemill.org or call 844-263-6405.
For rates & information, contact Julie Harrington
512-484-9716 • julie@hillcountrysun.com
Clothing
Gifts H Jewelry Home Decor 337 E Main Street
Fredericksburg 830-307-3083
23223 N US Hwy 83
Concan
830-232-4402
CowgirlLoca.com PAGE 10 MARCH 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN
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: Enjoy great, live music at Gruene Hall. There are free music shows Monday through Thursday nights, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Find a complete schedule of performers at gruenehall.com. EVERY SUNDAY BEE CAVE: Thundering Paws Pet Adoption Event. Noon to 4 pm at PetSmart. Call 512-4029725 for details. SECOND SUNDAY BANDERA: Cowboy music at Frontier Times Museum. 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 TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WIMBERLEY: Glass blowing demonstrations at Wimberley Glassworks. Details at wgw.com, 512-213-2110. EVERY TUESDAY SAN MARCOS: Community Bible Study (Interdenominational). Tuesdays through 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. EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: All Abilities Chair Exercises. Free class includes breathing, gentle strengthening exercises and mild yoga stretches – all from seated position. Wimberley Library, 9:30 am to 10:30 am. 512-847-2188 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, 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. 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. WIMBERLEY: AARP Tax Preparation (through April 12). Free tax prep by trained volunteers. Sign up for dates and times in person at the Wimberley Library. wimberleylibrary.org. SECOND WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Garden Club meets at Lutheran Church of Resurrection. 101 West Spoke Hill. (September through May.) Refreshments 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. WIMBERLEY: Heart of Texas Genealogy Society meets at Wimberley Village Library. 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm. wimberleylibrary.org. FOURTH WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Neighbors. 10:30 am. Community Center. 512-847-2849. EVERY WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY WIMBERLEY: Live music at Cypress Creek Cafe. Check the schedule at 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, wimberleyumc.org. FIRST THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: First Thursday. Participating businesses offer events, food and music plus special sale items. 5 pm to 9 pm. 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. 512-847-6822. THIRD THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse presents some of best in Hill Country music. 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. facebook.com/LindasFineFoods. EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Craft Beer Tasting and Free Tour at Twisted X Brewing Company. 23455 West Ranch Road 12. Tex-MexBeer.com. EVERY FRIDAY BLANCO: Tasting Room Open and Brewery Tours at Real Ale Brewing Company. 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. ffawf.com. SAN MARCOS: Laugh Tracks. Subtle DJ set broken up between two local comedian acts. Texas State University’s Student Center. 8 pm to 11 pm. ktswpr@gmail.com. SECOND FRIDAY UVALDE: Four Square Friday Shopping, food, music, art. 6 pm to 9 pm. Downtown. 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. FOURTH FRIDAY BANDERA: Fourth Friday Jam. Enjoy music at the Silver Sage Corral beginning 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.
Hill country calendar
April 21st - 23rd 2017
WHERE KIDS BECOME A COMMUNITY YMCA Camps offer children & teens safe, exciting, and memory-making experiences. At the Y, campers gain a sense of accomplishment, build relationships, and find their sense of belonging.
Register at AustinYMCA.org/camp or call Program Services at 512.236.9622
HILL COUNTRY SUN R MARCH 2017 PAGE 11
Hill country calendar 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. flyingl.com. BOERNE: Tejas Pro Rodeo Series Live Rodeo. Gates 5 pm, rodeo at 7:30 pm. Live music and dancing 9 pm. tejasrodeo.com. BOERNE: Farmer’s Market. 9 am to 1 pm. cibolo.org.
Books
By
COMFORT: Area Farmer’s Market. 8 am to 1 pm. Comfort Park, Highway 27. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Texas Music and Wine. solaroestate.com. FISCHER: Jackson Open Artisan and Farmers Market. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm. 6341 Farm Market 32. jacksonopenairmarket.com, 830935-2781. NEW BRAUNFELS: Canyon Trail Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show. www.theenglishbrothers.com. WIMBERLEY: Tour Jacob’s Well. Hear stories about floods, divers, and experience beauty of
ErniE LEE New Release!
A Book of Poetry by Ernie Lee, the Bard of the Blanco
Signed copies or appearances
ernie.lee@live.com
Available at Amazon.com or & Aim-HiBooks.com
Bringing out the best!
34+ Years Experience
LOCAL • PROFESSIONAL
Get Your Home Ready for Spring! Call today to schedule your free estimate.
Professional, Quality Painting • Great References • Friendly Service Exterior Painting H Interior Painting H Restoration Staining H Decks H Carpentry H Drywall Repair
512-360-7062
BallBrothersPainting.com PAGE 12 MARCH 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN
the spring that started the town of Wimberley. 10 am. 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. blairhouseinn.com. UTOPIA: Lunch and Dinner Served at Laurel Tree. 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 at 7 pm. driftwoodtx.org. WIMBERLEY: Market Days. (First Saturday March through December). Shop more than 475-plus booths, enjoy free admission. 7 am to 4 pm. shopmarketdays.com. SECOND SATURDAY AUSTIN: Gain Peace, NOW: A Study in ‘Divine Love Consciousness’ with Vrinda Devi. 9 am to 11:30 am. $20 (first class free). 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. westcave.org. SECOND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AUSTIN: Tours of Bright Leaf Natural Area. brightleaf.org. FOURTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. Food, artisans, more. Information at JohnsonCityTexasChamber.com. MARCH 1-26 KERRVILLE: February Gallery Exhibits. View works by Andy Villarreal, Johann and Kristin Halldorsdottir Eyfells, Monika Lovelace, and Saundra Kattawar. Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett St. kacckerrville.com. KERRVILLE: “Fashionably Early.” Exhibit explores early Kerr County history, fashions of time. Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett Street. kacckerrville.com. MARCH 2 AUSTIN: “Elvis Lives.” Multimedia and live musical journey across Elvis’ life features champions and finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’ worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, more. The Long Center. thelongcenter.org. MARCH 3 SPICEWOOD: Bill Kirchen in Concert. Grammy-nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter does it all: rock ’n’ roll, swing, and blues and bluegrass. Spicewood Vineyards Event Center. spicewoodarts.org. MARCH 4 AUSTIN: Zilker Kite Festival. The nation’s oldest kite festival features hundreds of kites and is free for all ages; complete with kite flying contests, food, games and more. 2100 Barton SpringsRoad. abckitefestival.org. BLANCO: Twin Sisters Dance. Monthly oldfashioned dance in a more than 100-yearold country dance hall. Twin Sisters Dance Hall, South of Blanco on U.S. Highway 281. twinsistersdancehall.com. NEW BRAUNFELS: Historic Home Tour. Tour the music studio where Stefan Haelbig
gave lessons to generations of students, sit in a desk in an 1870 one-room limestone schoolhouse, get a shave and a haircut in the working barbershop, and much more. newbraunfelsconservation.org, 830-629-2943. MARCH 10 NEW BRAUNFELS: John Anderson in Concert. Rare, intimate acoustic show featuring songs from four decades of traditional country music, featuring early hits like “I’m Just An Old Chunk of Coal,” “Swingin” and “Seminole Wind.” Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre. brauntex.org. MARCH 10 - APRIL 7 INGRAM: “Flight.” Exhibit features art inspired by things that fly. Hill Country Arts Foundation. hcaf.com. MARCH 10-19 AUSTIN: South by Southwest. Filmmakers, musicians and multimedia artists from around the world converge to showcase music, film, technology, fashion, food, comedy at more than 50 venues during internationally recognized event. Various locations. sxsw.com. MARCH 11 COMFORT: Hermann Sons Chili CookOff. Annual event invites chili and bean cooks—CASI and amateur—to Hermann Sons Retirement Home to compete for prizes and bragging rights. Proceeds benefit the Retirement Home Scholarship Fund. Hermann Sons Family Lodge, 220 Altenheim Road. 830995-2188. STONEWALL: LBJ Kite Day. Bring your own or use provided materials to make an oldfashioned 1900s-era kite. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, 199 Park Road 52. nps.gov/lyjo, 830-644-2252 MARCH 11-12 BOERNE: Market Days. Artists, crafters and vendors share their creative talents and wares to the sounds of homegrown Texas musicians. Main Plaza. visitboerne.org. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Second Annual Treaty Oak Kitetail Festival. Come celebrate the beginning of spring and fly a kite! treatyoakdistilling.com. FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Hell Week Bicycle Tour. Daily 40- to 100-mile bicycle tours of Gillespie County. Sunset Inn, 900 South Adams Street. hellweek.com/texas.html. FREDERICKSBURG: WWII Pacific Combat Program Bringing history to life with equipment and weapons used during WWII and a battle re-enactment set on an island in the Pacific. Pacific Combat Zone, National Museum of the Pacific War. pacificwarmuseum.org. MARCH 12 GRUENE: Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist. Awe-inspiring gospel music features The Gospel Silvertones and Bret Graham, coupled with a mouth-watering buffet, catered by Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar. Brunch hours are 10:30 am to noon. Gruene Hall. gruenehall.com. MARCH 13-17 JOHNSON CITY: Robot Week at the Science Mill. Enjoy extended hours and Robot Mania during spring break. Watch live humanoid robot demos, plus plenty of hands-on robot building, programming, coding and battling, conquering obstacle courses with robotic cars, guiding SWAT-like robots on a rescue mission, robotic painting with watercolors, battling flipper bots, and more. Complete details at www.sciencemill.org. MARCH 14 - MAY 12 INGRAM: “Life in the Hill Country.” Juried exhibit features artists inspired by the people, places and things that surround them. Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theatre Road. hcaf.com. MARCH 15 STONEWALL: Junior Ranger Day at LBJ State Park. Kids can visit with park rangers, enjoy time in the natural world and see American Bison, some of the official Texas state Longhorn
HILL COUNTRY CALENDAR herd and more. Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, 199 State Park Road 52. tpwd.state.tx.us, 830-644-2252. MARCH 16 GRUENE: Come and Taste It. Eleven wineries and breweries showcased on patio of popular tasting room in Gruene Historic District, with complimentary tastings of craft beer and three of the wineries’ newest releases. Also enjoy live music and prize giveaways. grapevineingruene.com. WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse presents Slaid Cleaves. Live music in am intimate setting at Wimberley United Methodist Church. Doors at 7 pm. www. wimberleyumc.org/susannas-kitchen, MARCH 16-18 WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Writing Symposium. Professional gathering offers insight into writing for fiction, non-fiction and poetry, plus sessions on publishing. Presented by Texas Authors Institute of History, one-ofa-kind museum dedicated to Texas authors. The Village Library, 400 Farm Market 2325. writing.texasauthors.institute. MARCH 17 AUSTIN: St. Patrick’s Day Festival. A familyfriendly St. Patrick’s Day event to enjoy the culture of Ireland, music and dancing. Pioneer Farms. stpatricksdayaustin.com. DRIPPING SPRINGS: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Ranch. Live music and plenty of Treaty Oak beer. treatyoakdistilling.com. MARCH 17-19 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop more than 450 vendors or relax in the Biergarten while listening to live music. Sunday Farms, 355 Sunday Farms Lane. fbgtradedays.com. MARCH 18 BANDERA: Wild Hog Explosion. Teams of two enter the ring, catch a Texas wild hog and race to the finish line. Spectators can also enjoy vendor booths, food, arts and crafts, music, and a cook-off. Mansfield Park. wildhogexplosioncom. BOERNE: Outdoor Family Fair. Community event offers families an opportunity to enjoy and learn about local services and organization. Main Plaza. visitboerne.org. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Texas Night Sky Festival. Nocturnal activities include live presentations, hands-on experiences, a dome star show, solar observations, night sky observing party. Dripping Springs Ranch Park. cityofdrippingsprings.com, 512-858-4725. JOHNSON CITY: “World Music. World Stories” Outdoor Concert at the Science Mill. Family-friendly event features performances by bands from around the globe, including Tribu Baharú, Los Texmaniacs and more. www.sciencemill.com, LUCKENBACH: Mud Dauber Festival and Chili Cook-Off. Open chili cook-off and music fest in honor of the pesky wasp. luckenbachtexas.com. MARCH 18-19 FREDERICKSBURG: “Celebrating Sinatra: His Life in Music.” Concert features Bryan Anthony, famed big band vocalist of the Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Nelson Riddle orchestras. Steve W. Shepherd Theater, 1668 U.S. 87. fredericksburgtheater.org. GRUENE: Old Gruene Market Days. More than 100 artisans offering handmade items including packaged Texas foods, plus live entertainment, shopping, wine tasting, dining and river rides. Gruene Historic District in front of Adobe Verde. gruenemarketdays.com. MARCH 19 FREDERICKSBURG: Doug Montgomery in Concert. Pianist’s unforgettable live performances and numerous versatile recordings reveal vast talent of a world-class musician. fredericksburgmusicclub.com. KERRVILLE: The Letterman in Concert. Legendary vocal group performs their greatest hits live in concert. Cailloux Theater. caillouxtheater.com.
MARCH 20 BOERNE: Concert in the Cave—Spring Equinox. Rudi Harst and the Circle Band welcome spring with upbeat songs and contemporary acoustic music on ancient and modern instruments. A portion of the concert will be performed in complete darkness, illuminated by periods of flickering candlelight. Cave Without A Name, 325 Kreutzberg Road. visitboerne.org. MARCH 23 BOERNE: A Thirst for Nature. Join the Cibolo Nature Center and team of experts for an evening of themed cocktails and educational programs. Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road. visitboerne.org. MARCH 24 - APRIL 8 INGRAM: “Godspell.” People help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using games, storytelling techniques and comedic timing. Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theatre Road. 830-367-5121. MARCH 23-25 AUSTIN: Onion Creek Hickory Classic. Premier hickory-shaft golf tournament in the Southwest United States. Golfers, dressed in period attire, compete using antique hickory-shaft golf clubs. Onion Creek Club. onioncreekhickoryclassic.com. MARCH 24-26 AUSTIN: “Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music.” . Children learn that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together. Frank Erwin Center. uterwincenter.com. MARCH 25 BOERNE: Community Garage Sale. Kendall County Fairgrounds, 1307 River Road. visitboerne.org. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Treaty Oak Crawfish Boil and Live Music. treatyoakdistilling.com FREDERICKSBURG: Hill Country Indian Artifact Show. Find a wide variety of Native American artifacts from Texas and the U.S., including arrowheads, pottery, beads and books. Pioneer Pavilion at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, 606 Texas 16. hillcountryindianartifacts.com. KYLE: Hooked on Fishing. Unique tournament will test your strategic ability to catch qualifying species of fish in Lake Kyle: large-mouth bass, sunfish/perch and channel catfish. The grand prize is a three- da, two-night stay in Rockport. Lake Kyle, 700 Lehman. cityofkyle.com 512-262-3939. LAMPASAS: Trade Days. Meet artists and craftsmen who create one-of-a-kind items— antiques, collectables, quilts, crafts, folk and fine art, new home furnishings and more. Marigold’s Antiques and More, 2646 U.S Highway 190 East. lampasastradedays.com, 512-734-1294. LLANO: @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour. Visit with artists in their creative work spaces. Art includes clay, fabric, glass, iron, jewelry, leather, metal, paint, photography and wood. Various locations. facebook.com/llano.art. studio.tour, 325-247-4645. MARCH 25-26 JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. Family friendly monthly event features local artisans, crafts and merchandise sold in an outdoor venue, with food trucks on site. Avenue G and U.S. 290. lbjcountry.com. MARCH 26 AUSTIN: “Fela!” The Concert. The founding father of Afrobeat, one of the world’s most celebrated and rebellious music legends. Includes live 10-piece band, singers and dancers. The Long Center. thelongcenter.org. MARCH 29 - APRIL 1 MARBLE FALLS: Paint the Town. Artists from across the nation work in various mediums to capture the sights and scenes of historic Marble Falls and the panoramic Hill Country that surrounds it. Includes four days of live demonstrations, interactive arts stations, student competitions, galleries and more. Various locations. hlcarts.com.
CANYON LAKE...YEAR ROUND VACATION LIVING Come enjoy our clear lake and cool, refreshing river! Shop • Dine • Swim • Tube • Raft • Canoe • Fish • Camp • Sail
800-528-2104 • canyonlakechamber.com
~BEvery I NFriday G O~ v 4 Early Bird Games 7:15pm ~ 50/50 Split v 10 Regular Games 8pm VFW Hall Post 6441 @ Veterans Park 4 mi. no. on RR 12 to Jacobs Well Rd Non Smoking • Plenty of Parking • Air & Heat • Food Available www.texasvfw.net • 512-847-6441 • Lic. #1-74-6066562-7 www.visitwimberley.com/vfw
Email Your Calendar events to
melissa@hillcountrysun.com
HILL COUNTRY SUN R MARCH 2017 PAGE 13
Hill country calendar MARCH 30 WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Wine Walk. Venues on streets surrounding the Square feature wines from Texas wineries. Food, live entertainment and prizes. Preregistration required. Downtown Wimberley. wimberleywinewalk.com, 512-722-3668. MARCH 30 - APRIL 1 FREDERICKSBURG: American Chuck Wagon Association Championship Cook-Off. In conjunction with celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail. Texas Rangers Heritage Center at Fort Martin Scott. ftmartinscott.org. MARCH 30 - APRIL 23 KERRVILLE: Hill Country Youth Art Show. Features 1,000-plus students from grades K-12. Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett Street. kacckerrville.com. MARCH 31 - APRIL 1 AUSTIN: Urban Music Festival. More than 15,000 music lovers converge to enjoy Austin’s only music festival focused on R&B, neosoul and hiphop music. Auditorium Shores. urbanmusicfest.com. MARCH 31 - APRIL 2 AUSTIN: “The Magic Flute.” Stephen Mills’ production draws you into a world of suspended reality, featuring visually arresting shadow puppetry, mythical creatures, fantastical costumes, star-crossed lovers and an enchanted instrument. The Long Center. balletaustin.org. AUSTIN: Art City Austin. Iconic outdoor art fair will showcase more than 100 exhibiting artists in its 65th year. Palmer Events Center. artallianceaustin.org/artcity. KERRVILLE: Dog Agility Show. See dogs run and jump as handlers direct them through an obstacle course. Competitors of all levels at Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center. heartoftexasdogsports.com.
LLANO: Fiddle Fest. Variety of competitions, including Air Fiddle contest, Anything Goes fiddle contest and 40th annual Llano Open Fiddle Contest with a $700 grand prize. Saturday night concert, a Sunday service, cowboy breakfast and fiddle program and Llano County Museum Fiddle Exhibit. llanofiddlefest.com WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Community Chorus presents “Thoughts of Love.” Directed by Jack Wilds and accompanied by Julius Coyle. Friday and Saturday 7 pm, Sunday 3 pm. Free admisson, donations accepted at the door. Presbyterian Church, 956 Farm Market 2325. wimberleycommunitychorus.org. MARCH 31 - APRIL 16 FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Hill Country Wine and Wildflower Trail . Self-guided tour includes special events, tastings and discounts. Various locations. texaswinetrail.com. MARCH 31 KERRVILLE: Magic of Motown. Fundraising event loaded with live music, singing, dancing, more all benefitting the Art 2 Heart kids program. art2heart.org. MARCH 31 - APRIL 16 FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Hill Country Wine and Wildflower Trail. Enjoy the Texas Hill Country wineries and wildflowers, with self-guided tour featuring special events, tastings and discounts. texaswinetrail.com. APRIL 1 BLANCO: Twin Sisters Dance. Monthly oldfashioned dance in a more than 100-yearold country dance hall. Twin Sisters Dance Hall, South of Blanco on U.S. Hihgway 281. twinsistersdancehall.com. BOERNE: Cibolo Nature Center’s 27th Annual “Mostly Native Plant” Sale. Features native and tried-and-true Hill Country plants, and chance to meet expert growers and learn from informal presentations
and demonstrations. Kendall County Fairgrounds. visitboerne.org. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Ducks Unlimited Banquet. Hog Heaven. 6 pm. Call Dr Chae at 512-496-8333 or email drchae@ffchiro.com. KERRVILLE: Hill Country Swap Meet. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Texas 27. kerrmarketdays.org. APRIL 1, 15 BOERNE: Hot Rod Night. Reminiscent of old-fashioned Americana street parties—a gathering place for old and new friends. Soda Pops. sodapopsboerne.com. APRIL 2 AUSTIN: Austin Symphonic Band Concert. AISD Performing Arts Center austinsymphonicband.org. BOERNE: Jump In. Main Plaza will be filled with inflatables for Nineteen:Ten Church’s annual event. Enjoy mini-moon bounces for the little ones and giant obstacle courses for the older kids and parents. Main Plaza. visitboerne.org. APRIL 6-9 AUSTIN: International Poetry Festival. Poets from around the world gather for four days of live performances, readings and workshops in inclusive, diverse, multi-generational environment, Strange Brew Coffee House, 5326 Manchaca Road. aipf.org. APRIL 6-9 AUSTIN: Lonestar Roundup. Huge outdoor car show and live music festival features tons of vintage hot rods and custom cars driven here from all over the country. Travis County Expo Center. lonestarroundup.com. APRIL 7 BOERNE: “Taj Express—The Bollywood Musical Revue.” Live cinematic journey through modern Indian culture and society is a high-energy celebration of India’s new pop music, Bollywood culture and deep traditions featuring colorful costumes, joyful dance and live music. Champion High School Auditorium. visitboerne.org.
APRIL 7-9 BURNET: Bluebonnet Festival. Declared “The Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” by the 67th State Legislature, the city of Burnet celebrates with festival the second weekend of April. Come for some fun and bring your camera to take pictures of the bluebonnets. Burnet’s Historic Square. bluebonnetfestival.org. WIMBERLEY: Near Death Experience Symposium. Wimberley Community Center. www.EnlighteningArts.com. APRIL 8 BOERNE: Second Saturday Art and Wine. Participating galleries go all out each month with complimentary beverages and a variety of hors d’oeuvres along with fantastic art. Travel to each gallery in the downtown area on foot or on the Shabby Bus. Various locations. visitboerne.org. FREDERICKSBURG: Bluebonnet Tractor Ride. Antique tractors, cars and trucks make a 20mile loop through scenic Gillespie County. Various locations. rustyiron.org. WIMBERLEY: 27th Annual Pie Social. Good, old-fashioned family fun, with live music, activities for kids, best pie contest, hot dogs, lemonade and lots of homemade pie! 11 am to 2 pm at historic Winters-Wimberley house located at Ranch Road 12 and River Road. Free admission, food/activity tickets $1. Hosted by Wimberley Institute of Cultures. For information and to download pie contest entry form, go to www.wimwic.org. APRIL 8-9 BOERNE: Market Days. Enjoy a magical outdoor market that blends the traditions of the Texas Hill Country with the creations of today’s culture. Main Plaza, 100 N. Main Street. visitboerne.org. FREDERICKSBURG: WWII Pacific Combat Program. Brings history to life with equipment and weapons used during WWII and a battle re-enactment 41set on an island in the Pacific. pacificwarmuseum.org. FREDERICKSBURG: Waltstock and Barrel
Near Death Experience
* Free on Friday
Symposium
FREE Friday Admittance 5p to 9p Saturday Presentations 9a to 6p Sunday Presentations 9a to 4p From $39 - $89 Advanced Sat & Sun $109 w/ food
“A Little Taste of Heaven” In Beautiful Wimberley, Texas NDE Presentations Social Mixers Meet NDErs Drumming Vendors
PAGE 14 MARCH 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN
April 7-9
Advanced Tix / Info EnlighteningArts.com
EnlighteningArts@gmail.com • 888-444-8169 Wimberley Community Center • 14068 Ranch Road 12
Wine and Music Festival. Music, wine and craft beer festival featuring headliner Walt Wilkins, as well as artists and food trucks on site. Texas Wine Country Jellystone Park Camp-Resort. waltstockandbarrel.com. NEW BRAUNFELS: Folkfest. Annual family heritage festival features living history reenactments, pioneer-craft demonstrations, free museum tours, children’s activities, musical entertainment and delicious food. nbheritagevillage.com. APRIL 8-23 FREDERICKSBURG: Wildflower Celebration. Colorful fields, shopping, butterfly gardens and special activities. Wildseed Farms. wildseedfarms.com. APRIL 13 BOERNE: Diva Night. Night of fun shopping, live music, dining and great specials. Hill Country Mile. visitboerne.org. APRIL 14-15 AUSTIN: “Greater Tuna.” Take a trip to Tuna in this irreverently hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town. The Long Center. thelongcenter.org. AUSTIN: Reggae Festival. A fundraiser for Capital Area Food Bank, this event features three days of reggae, world and dub talent, along with more than 50 vendors selling food, and arts and crafts. Auditorium Shores. austinreggaefest.com. APRIL 14-16 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop with more than 450 vendors or relax in the Biergarten while listening to live music. fbgtradedays.com. KERRVILLE: Easter Hill Country Bike Tour. Quiet, well-paved roads, fully-stocked rest stops and panoramic scenery have made this tour one of the premier cycling events in Texas, with routes suitable for all categories of participants—from novices to experienced riders. Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Conference Center. ehct.com. APRIL 15 COMFORT: Easter Volksmarch. Choose between two distances in this traditional volksmarch race, starts at Comfort Park. Prizes will be awarded. comfort-texas.com. JUNCTION: Easter Pageant. On picturesque hillside beneath bluff known as Lover’s Leap, local thespians present the re-enactment of crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Begins at dusk. Cedar Creek Road at Farm Market 2169. junctionmensbibleclass.com. KERRVILLE: Here’s to the Heroes Easterfest and Cook-Off. Free community event includes barbecue and chili cook-off, games, vendors, live music, washer-pitching tournament, Easter egg hunt, and open car and bike show. Flat Rock Lake Park. kerrvilletx.com. APRIL 19-30 AUSTIN: “The Phantom of the Opera.” Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical success. Bass Concert Hall. broadwayinaustin.com. APRIL 19-22 AUSTIN: Moontower Comedy Festival. Comics from around the globe perform. austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy. APRIL 20-23 DRIFTWOOD: Old Settler’s Music Festival. Enjoy bluegrass, folk and Americana acts performing on four stages over four days, along with camping in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch. oldsettlersmusicfest.org. APRIL 21-23 AUSTIN: MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. Pinnacle of two-wheel racing features high-speed racing all weekend, culminating with the Grand Prix on Sunday. circuitoftheamericas.com. DRIPPING SPRINGS: Founders Day Festival. Features free music and entertainment on two stages, the Mighty Thomas Carnival, food, beer, street dances, cook-off competitions and more than 150 arts and crafts booths and vendors. Downtown Dripping Springs,
Mercer Street. cityofdrippingsprings.com. LAGO VISTA: Balcones Songbird Festival. Balcones Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge. BalconesSongbirdFestival.org. LLANO: Crawfish Open. Held along the Llano River, enjoy great food, live music, a golf tournament, team roping, a 5K, kids’ activities and more, all in the spirit of fundraising for local charities. Robinson Park. llanocrawfishopen.com. APRIL 22 AUSTIN: Girls in STEM Conference. Discover STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers at event for 4th to 8th grade girls. Hands-on workshops led by women in STEM fields, lunch, and a t-shirt. Registration at www.girlstart.org. BOERNE: Texas Corvette Association’s 25th Annual Open Car Show. Hill Country Mile, Downtown. visitboerne.org. FREDERICKSBURG: Spring Fish Fry. Enjoy a freshly fried catfish dinner with all the trimmings and live music. Marktplatz. visitfredericksburgtx.com. JUNCTION: Outdoor Women Event. Women learn or brush up on archery, team wagon driving, fly-fishing, bird watching, handson self- defense, trailer backing, tomahawk throwing, kayaking, shooting, outdoor photography and more. South Llano River State Park. junctiontexas.com. KERRVILLE: Cajun Festival in the Park. Activities for kids, music, dancing and Cajun flavors with wine and beer. kerrvilletx.gov. APRIL 22-23 AUSTIN: Monster Jam. Trucks are customdesigned machines that sit atop 66-inch tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Frank Erwin Center. uterwincenter.com. JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. Local artisans and craftsmen sell their wares. City Park, U.S. Highway 290 and Avenue G. lbjcountry.com. KERRVILLE: Texas Gun and Knife Show. Includes new and used guns, knives, gold and silver coins, jewelry, camping gear, military supplies and several businesses under one roof. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center. texasgunandknifeshows.com. WIMBERLEY: 2017 Arts Fest at the Waters Point at Rio Bonito. 115 juried artists, live music, classic car show, plus free admission and shuttles to the Wimberley Square. WimberleyArtsFest.com. APRIL 23 AUSTIN: Capitol 10K. Texas’ largest 10K race as. Downtown Austin. cap10k.com APRIL 27 AUSTIN: Umlauf Garden Party. Event highlights include a silent auction, wine and savories by more than 20 of Austin’s top restaurants, live music in the museum’s garden. umlaufsculpture.org. BOERNE: A Thirst for Nature. Join Cibolo Nature Center and their team of experts for an evening of themed cocktails and educational programs. visitboerne.org. APRIL 27-30 FREDERICKSBURG: Hill Country Film Festival. Annual film festival that screens the best of independent film from Texas and around the world. Fritztown Cinema, 2254 U.S. Highway 87. hillcountryff.com. APRIL 28-29 FREDERICKSBURG: Fort Martin Scott Days. Re-enactors in period dress bring to life Fort Martin Scott in the 1850s, demonstrating pioneer skills and crafts. Fort Martin Scott, 1606 East Main Street. ftmartinscott.org. APRIL 28-30 AUSTIN: Food + Wine Festival. Top chefs from across the nation host more than 40 events, including hands-on grilling demonstrations, expanded interactive fire pits, numerous tasting tents, book signings and more. Various locations. austinfoodandwinefestival.com. FREDERICKSBURG: Wings Over the Hills Nature Festival. Educational and entertaining opportunity for the whole
Hill country calendar family to experience the unique winged wildlife of Texas Hill Country. wingstx.org. NEW BRAUNFELS: Crawfest. Enjoy four stages filled with live music, a battle for gumbo championship, 5K dash, arts and crafts market, and more than 10,000 pounds of crawfish. comalcountyfair.org. APRIL 29 AUSTIN: Eeyore’s Birthday Party. Pease Park. eeyores.org. WIMBERLEY: The Wimberley Garden Club & Wimberley Art League present “Art in the
Garden.” Tour five homes with magnificent views, one newly designed event center, and more. Tour includes live art and sales by league artists and garden art and native plant sale focusing on attracting pollinators. www.wimberleygardenclub.org. APRIL 29-30 BUDA: 20th Annual Lions Club Country Fair and Wiener Dog Races. (See story, page 8.) Barbecue cookoff, vendors, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, food booths and more. 8 am to 6 pm. Buda City Park. www.BudaLions.com.
See More Tours at www.travelphiletours.com
For More Information Contact Cynthia Marion - 214.497.4074
Travelphile Tours is a small group tour company based in Wimberley,TX . Choose one of our tours or let us plan a custom tour that is on your bucket list.
Treasures of the Carolinas and Outer Banks
Outer Banks, Kill Devil Hills, New Bern, Myrtle Beach, Wilmington and Charleston
Monday, June 5 - Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Final Payment Due No Later Than April 21, 2017
9 Days / 8 Nights
Tuesday, September 12 - Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Final Payment Due 9 Days / No Later Than June 12, 2017
Fall in Big Bend Country & National Park Monday, October 2 - Sunday, October 8, 2017 Final Payment Due No Later Than August 4, 2017
Eastern Canada Fall Tour
Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City 8 Nights
Cuba! The Time is Now! Various Dates Available 2017 Call Cynthia @ 214-497-4074 for Details
7 Days / 6 Nights
9 Days / 8 Nights
Contact Cynthia Marion at (214) 497-4074 cynthiamarion@travelphiletours.com www.travelphiletours.com
20th Annual
April 29-30, 2017 • 8:00 am to 6:00 pm WEINER DOG RACES - Saturday 10:00 am and 2:00 pm & Sunday 10:00 am with finals Sunday at 3:00 pm MIXED BREED RACES - Saturday 11:30 am and 3:00 pm & Sunday at 11:30 am with finals Sunday at 1:30 pm BBQ Cook-Off (Saturday), Arts & Crafts Booths, Food, Kid Games includes Bouncy Houses, Petting Zoo, Fish Pond, Live Music, The Buda Bee and Bake-Off (Sunday) $5.00 General Admission - Kids 12 years & under get in FREE!
HILL COUNTRY SUN R MARCH 2017 PAGE 15
Vintage & New Boots, Clothing, Accessories & Jewelry for Men & Women Richard Mason Fine Art Attila Sculptures
EXCLUSIVELY CARRYING
Old Gringo • Corral Freebird Boots • Free People C.P. Shades Linen Aratta • Roja • Kippy’s VSA • Double D Ranch Driftwood • Steampunk Hats
CIGARS
Corner of the Wimberley Square • Open Daily • 512-847-1818 • www.wallstreetwestern.com
Photo © Mason Photography • www.mason-photography.com
PAGE 16 MARCH 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN