Hill Country Weekly - Thursday, October 29, 2020 Edition

$1 Kendall County Sets Early Voting Record

20,340 Votes

60% of registered voters Thru Tue., Oct. 27

Weekly hillcountryweekly.com

Thursday, October 29

BERGHEIM • BOERNE • COMFORT • FAIR OAKS • KENDALIA • SISTERDALE • WARING • WELFARE

Santikos responds to COVID-19

Santikos partners with Community labs to test every employee every week Christina Ryrholm Hill Country Weekly Like other members on the Boerne City Council, Mayor Tim Handren has another job. As CEO of Santikos Entertainment he overseas about 300 employees that work in the nine Santikos

theaters in the San Antonio area.

Handren held a press conference in the lobby of the Palladium Theater last week to announce a unique partnership that came about solely in response to COVID19 pandemic. With the intent

of providing “the safest work environment for the employees and the best experience for theater guests” Santikos started this week testing every employee every week for those with COVID but are asymptomatic.

Asymptomatic individuals

are referred to as ‘silent spreaders’ as they unwittingly spread the infection while they are actively infected but show no symptoms. It is estimated that about 50% of the transmitted cases are through See SANTIKOS, page 8

Tim Handren chats with Bruce Bugg prior to his press conference.

O C TO B E R 5 M E E T I N G

Planning and Zoning

O C T. 2 6 M E E T I N G

Lack of action by P&Z Commissioners result in tacit approval for Shoreline

County Commissioners County to award an additional $150,000 in stimulus funds Christina Ryrholm Hill Country Weekly

Christina Ryrholm Hill Country Weekly At the October 5 Planning and Zoning Commissioners (P&Z) meeting the action item for approval for phase 6 of the KB Homes Shoreline project was tabled. Instead city staff was asked to supply more in depth information on the ability of Kendall West Utilities (KWU) to supply water and sewage services to Shoreline and Tapatio as well.

With the clock ticking on a thirty day limit P&Z was required to take action on the plat approval by October 25. Therefore a special called meeting took place last Thursday evening. Present were Chairman Tim Bannwolf, Patrick Cohoon, Joe Anzollitto, Chesney Dunning and Bob Cates. Absent were Bill Bird, Kyle Kana and Ricky Gleason. The item was untitled.

Around fifteen people attended the meeting with about half being city staff and

half to observe. Three of them spoke during public comments - Mike Bowie, Paula Beaton and Lilah Lyons.

Mike commented that the city would be required to fulfill services if KWU failed to do so and that there are 29,000 members of Save Our Lake. Paula emphasized that this was a city water issue, the over 200 homes platted but not yet built would further strain KWU and that the city was not willing to admit that had made a mistake. Lila referred to Boerne Lake as a “treasured gem” that supplied water to the city and is also a water source for animals.

After Lara Talley, Director of Planning and Community Development, explained that a letter of service from KWU is not a requirement prior to preliminary plat approval the staff report was presented by Jeff Carroll, Director of Development for Boerne. Jeff explained that difference between statistics of average daily/monthly flow and

On Monday morning, October 26 Commissioners Court held their second meeting of the month. Per the new normal, all commissioners attended through zoom. In all 32 staff and observers participated.

The Kendall County Business Grant stimulus awards sponsored by the county took up two of the 22 agenda items.

First was awarding DWJ Investments, LLC $8250 from the first round of funding. They had filed prior to the deadline but the email was blocked by the county server. Had it been processed with the original requests it would have qualified. Thus,

peak daily/month flow. TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) bases their requirements on three months of consecutive figures. This determines when utilities must plan for the future and when they must begin construction on new plants.

Charts were displayed that showed the KWU current plants capacity for handling Tapatio and Shoreline.

John Matkin, President of KWU was in attendance and several times went to the podium to answer questions posed by the commissioners or to clarify certain issues when necessary. He provided a brief history of KWU in answer to a question about financial solvency from Joe Anzollitto.

In the end no motion was made by any of the commissioners. With that lack of action the preliminary plat is automatically considered approved by Operation of Law.

See STIMULUS, page 7

Man Responsible for Robbery

at Boerne Chili’s Sentenced Boerne, Texas – On July 10, 2020 Samuel McDonald plead guilty to Burglary of a Habitation and Robbery. Both offenses are 2nd Degree felonies, coupled with a prior trip to prison for felony assault and felony escape in Washington State, resulting in a punishment range of 5 – 99 years or life in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000. The State agreed to waive a jury trial and have Judge Kirsten Cohoon decide punishment after a presentence investigation by Adult Probation, and a sentencing hearing before the judge. The sentencing hearing took place on October 22, 2020. The State of Texas was represented

by Erica Matlock and Nicole Bishop, and the defendant was

represented by Chris Griffith.

Cause # 6986 – October 3, 2018 5:20 p.m. – Burglary of a Habitation – Samuel McDonald broke into the home of an elderly Boerne resident with the intent to commit theft.

McDonald rifled through the woman’s dresser drawers and went through the purse of the resident’s in-home caretaker. The caretaker discovered McDonald in the elderly woman’s home. The caretaker told police she saw her wallet in McDonald’s pocket. As he fled the home, she grabbed the wallet, pushed him out the door and quickly locked it. McDonald continued trying to get in the house. Later the caretaker noticed her iPad was missing from her vehicle.

Samuel McDonald pleads guilty Cause # 6987 – October 3, 2018 7:27 p.m. – Robbery – McDonald entered the Boerne Chili’s through the side door for patrons to pick up and pay for to-go orders. McDonald grabbed the cash register and

headed out the door. The employee attempted to prevent the theft, and McDonald assaulted her.

McDonald was able to get to his vehicle with the register. Two other Chili’s patrons tried to stop McDonald, but he fought them off. One patron was attempting to get McDonald out of his vehicle when McDonald began to drive off, knocking the patron to the ground.

Police located his vehicle shortly after the robbery on I-10 headed towards San Antonio and attempted a traffic stop.

McDonald began accelerating and gaining distance from the marked patrol car, eventually striking a vehicle causing the driver to lose control and spin onto the concrete divider.

Index Patrolling Your Neighborhood............................................ 5 FOR Term Limits........................................................................ 9 Dickens in Jeopardy................................................................ 7 Car Conversations..................................................................10 KCFA Spring Craft Fair............................................................. 8 Hall of Honor............................................................................12

McDonald eventually crashed, then exited through the driver’s window with the cash register, opened it by slamming it on the ground, and ran off with the money. McDonald eluded authorities until the following day when he was located by the Comal County Sheriff’s at a residence. After a brief standoff, McDonald surrendered when K-9 assistance was called in.

McDonald was placed in the Kendall County Jail and Justice of the Peace Teri Nunley set a $30,000 bond for Burglary of Habitation and $40,000 for Robbery. On December 19, 2018 McDonald was released from jail, and in May 2019 he See ROBBERY, page 6

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Volume 13 Issue 26

2

Thursday, October 29, 2020 H Hill Country Weekly

Happy 99th Birthday!

Turning 99 During a Pandemic

This week, I turned 99 years young. Thanks to the pandemic, it’s been a different birthday to say the least.

As a resident of a senior care facility, I cannot leave and my family cannot come in to visit me. They can drop things off for me at the front and we can talk by phone or facetime.

But I’m missing all the things I can’t do. I’m missing hugging a loved one. I’m missing holding my newest greatgrandchild or attending my granddaughter’s wedding. As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s been over seven months since I’ve been able to dine with my family. I know I’m not alone.

People every-

where are making sacrifices and struggling to get by. I especially feel bad for the youth. The young people who missed out on going to their proms, who can’t go hang out with their friends, or find part-time jobs, who can’t attend football games or concerts, who can’t live in their college dorms because of the threat of COVID. Life as they know it has changed. It takes me back to my own youth.

I was 20 years old when America entered World War II in 1941. It was a terrifying and trying time. Friends and family members left home to serve overseas. Some would never return. Those of us at home did our part to help win the war. Giving up nylons and staples for the war effort. We took jobs in the factories to build planes and equipment. We helped raise the spirits of our

fighting men and women at our neighborhood USOs. We invited homesick soldiers for home-cooked meals and sing-a-longs.

Before WWII, as a child of the Great Depression, I had seen people lose everything— their jobs, their homes, their life savings. We learned how to do more with less, and it helped us to realize what was really important in life.

We opened our homes to our friends and relatives who had lost theirs. We learned to conserve and make what we needed, from sewing our own clothes to bottling our own ketchup. We learned to love hand-me-downs before they were vintage.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in my first 99 years is that it’s always darkest before dawn, when a tiny ray of light begins to spread hope across the landscape.

Together, we will find new ways to live safely and go

by Mary Alice Yelverton

about our business in the New Normal. We must have faith in God and in each other.

And we must continue to look out for each other by finding new ways to connect through drive-by birthday celebrations, old fashioned cards you actually mail and phone calls you make to tell people how much they mean to you.

I cannot thank our first responders and healthcare workers enough for all they are doing to make sure people are safely getting the care they need. When my husband and I and our children moved to Boerne 50 years ago, we found a community that valued family and service to others. Our law enforcement, community leaders, teachers, business owners and citizens continue to work together to make Boerne the place I’m still very proud to call home.

Whether you’re 19 or 99 or somewhere in between, thank you for all you’re doing to stop

the spread of this devastating disease. Experts are finding that COVID-19 not only strikes down the elderly or those with underlying health conditions, but it’s causing heart damage and blood clots in people of all ages. If you smoke or vape, you’re at higher risk for complications if you get COVID-19 according to pulmonologists I’m confident we can beat this! When you put on your mask before going out or into a store, church or school, it shows how much you care about the people around you.

Watching your distance, avoiding crowds and keeping that bottle of hand sanitizer handy will go a long way in stopping the spread of COVID-19. The sacrifices we all make today will pay off for all of us. And we’ll be able to be together again. And I’ll be able to hug my great-grandchildren.

Bye for a while…share a smile (under your mask).

Join the drive-by birthday planned by the Kendall Country Sheriff’s office Sun., Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. Cibolo Creek Rehab & Wellness • 1440 River Rd

A MOTHER’S MISSION:

Amber’s Closet Learn to love Amber’s Closet Miranda Koerner Hill Country Weekly During the pandemic lockdown this spring, Fallbrook resident Jackie McEntire stayed busy when she was out of work for three months. She planted a garden, built a deck in the back and started Amber’s Closet to teach her 22-year-old autistic daughter Amber how to work in a business. Since Amber loves design and fashion and had worked at CuStumm Design and Tees for seven years, McEntire thought a re-sale boutique would be the perfect position for Amber.

“Amber aged out of the Champion High School in the special education program, but we couldn’t find anyone to hire her,” McEntire said. “(The owners) of CuStumm Design and Tees designed the logo for us and printed up some fliers. They’ve been so supportive and helpful. I was trying to run (the shop) out of the house, but I got my hands slapped by the HOA.” Determined to keep Amber’s Closet going, McEntire found a retail space in Boerne. Even though McEntire found another job herself, she and Amber have spent the last few months setting up their retail space. Amber’s Closet had its grand opening Saturday at its new location next to Cutie Patootie at 233 South Main Street. While McEntire never dreamed Amber’s Closet would get big enough for a retail space, she’s excited for her daughter’s future.

“I would try to tell ladies about our shop, and at first, they all thought I was just another sales pitch,” McEntire said.

“But once they hear about our cause and how this is to help Amber, you could see their faces changing. A lot of people connect to Amber’s story. I’ve had ladies’ show up with truckloads of clothes. It’s all really nice things.”

While McEntire takes consignment, she says most items are donated from

places like the Dominion or Cordillera Ranch. Some items are brand new and they offer sizes 0-4x. The shop contains women’s clothing, men’s clothing, jewelry and handbags; though does not take children’s clothing or toys. McEntire taught Amber how to sort items and label them for sale. Amber will be running the shop as the manager, though McEntire will be there to supervise.

“She’s a hard worker and she’s very friendly and outgoing,” McEntire said. “We want her to learn how to do a job and be successful. She struggles with some day to day activities, but she’s very high functioning which is a blessing. She was in a design class at Champion and she loves design. She was also a cheerleader at Champion. She’s excited to work.”

McEntire had planned on a lifetime Navy career. After Amber’s diagnosis, however, she retired in 2002 when Amber was 4-years-old.

Her oldest daughter graduated from Texas A&M and works as an engineer.

“I had planned on being a lifer in the Navy, but I had to retire after 20 years,” McEntire said. “God gave me one of each kind of kid—I have one who is smart as hell and one who needs a little help. Amber loves (working in the store). It keeps her busy and she’s learning a lot, how to figure out what to sell and what to donate.”

In turn, McEntire hopes the community learns to love Amber’s Closet. She and Amber plan to hand out candy on Halloween at the store.

McEntire also hopes to see more traffic toward the holidays as people look for gifts or holiday outfits to cheer up a coronavirus Christmas.

“We’ve had such a positive reaction,” McEntire said. “We had a great turn out on opening day and people have been really supportive. We just want to help people and share Amber’s story.”

Amber’s Closet is located at 233 South Main Street. For more information, call (210) 859-4515 Photos by Jackie McEntire

Amber McEntire is the inspiration behind Amber’s Closet, a re-sale shop created by her mother to teach her special needs daughter how to work in retail.

Bea everything you can be and Bea Moore.

Daughter asked Pappy If she could marry Joe but Pappy said NO! She ran away crying ‘cause she really loved Joe Honey child go ahead and marry a Jim or a Joe ‘cause Pappy ain’t you pappy But he don’t know Author unknown

Have Medicare questions? I have answers.

Eliza Calpena Licensed Sales Agent 210‑612‑5777, TTY 711 calpenab@gmail.com medicaretexasplans.com

SCHOLARSHIPS & TRIPS Online applications for scholarship and Youth Tour programs are open!

Youth Tour Deadline: January 18, 2021 Scholarship Deadline: February 26, 2021

Visit BanderaElectric.com/Youth

Hill Country Weekly H Thursday, October 29, 2020

3

This and That Compiled by Randy Schmidt

Toyota and Lexus production is nearly back to where it was a year ago, top Toyota Motor North America executives said yesterday, adding that they expect a continuing recovery for the industry to yield 14.5 million U.S. sales this year. That result would still be down from 17.1 million U.S. lightvehicle deliveries in 2019, but significantly above the levels of this past spring during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Apple is expanding a new physical store format as it tries to get iPhone 12 models into customers’ hands, Reuters reports. The new Express stores come as COVID-19 rates are rising around the U.S. and Europe. The new format has a wall built in front of the main store with sales counters protected by plexiglass and a few shelves of accessories such as phone cases and AirPods. Customers make an appointment to pick up orders placed online or interact with Apple’s technicians for customer service.

Tractor Supply Company’s momentum continued in Q3 as the pandemic continued to drive strong demand across all the chain’s product categories. The nation’s largest rural lifestyle retailer reported that its income increased 56.1% to $190.6 million for the quarter ended Sept. 22, from $122.1 million in the year ago quarter. eBay is opening a dedicated storefront for refurbished inventory in time for the holidays. The e-commerce marketplace now offers an official Certified Refurbished section of its site.

Chief rival Amazon launched its own refurbished product storefront, Amazon Renewed, in 2017.

I can’t wait till the clocks turn back next Sunday so the clock in my truck will finally have the right time again. Larry The Cable Guy The percentage of workers around the world that is permanently working from home is expected to double in 2021 as productivity has increased during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey from U.S.-based Enterprise Technology Research (ETR). ETR in September surveyed about 1,200 chief information officers from around the world across different industries.

A new survey from Red Points found that 65% of shoppers anticipate shopping more online on Black Friday this year than last. Of those surveyed, 26% have previously bought knockoff items on Black Friday. More than half of survey respondents said they would ask for a refund for counterfeit purchases, and nearly half would also write cautionary reviews about the merchant who sold the item, per the survey.

U.S. single-family homebuilding accelerated in September, cementing the housing market’s status as the star of the economic recovery, thanks to record-low interest rates and a migration to the suburbs and low-density areas as Americans seek more room for home offices and schooling.

The report from the Commerce Department this week reinforced expectations that the economy rebounded sharply in the third quarter after suffering its deepest contraction in at least 73 years in the second quarter.

Amazon.com has launched a new program that asks members to send in 10 receipts per month for purchases made at businesses that it does not own. For sending in the receipts, participants will earn $10 that can be applied to their Amazon balance or gifted to charity. Additional rewards are available for completing optional surveys.

Lowe’s is offering free delivery of fresh-cut Christmas trees and orders of $45 or more. The service is part of the retailer’s Season of Savings promotion that offers discounts on appliances and a wide variety of products not normally associated with the chain, such as an air hockey table, bedding, home workout equipment and other products.

LG has announced that its world-first rollable TV is finally going on sale, albeit in limited fashion. The 65-inch LG Signature OLED R is now available at seven consumer electronics store throughout South Korea and will cost 100 million won, or more than $87,000. The Signature OLED R is built around a flexible OLED panel that LG describes with characteristic restraint as “the most innovative development in television technology in decades.”

Dunkin’ Brands Group confirmed it is in talks to be acquired in a move that would take it private. The parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins said that it has held preliminary discussions to be acquired by Inspire Brands, the parent company of Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic and Jimmy John’s. Inspire is backed by the private equity firm Roark Capital. According to The New York Times, the deal is valued at $8.8 billion..

Amazon plans to open a robotics fulfillment center in Waco, Texas, in 2021. Employees in the 700,000 square-foot facility will work alongside robotics technology to pick, pack and ship small items to customers. Products fulfilled from the center will include books, electronics and toys. According to Amazon, it will create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs at the center.

Sam’s Club will soon deploy a fleet of 372 autonomous floor-scrubbing robots in most of its 600 U.S. stores, and the retailer also announced an expansion of a shelf analytics pilot program that uses an accessory to the cleaning robot. The machines feature an add-on that employs a cloud- based program to better analyze inventory and verify pricing accuracy, among other functions.

The final presidential debate on Thursday drew just under 63 million viewers, according to Nielsen. The total fell short of the 73.1 million viewers who tuned in the first time President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden squared off.

Lee Kun-hee, the chairman of Samsung Electronics who guided the corporation to becoming the world’s biggest producer of smartphones, televisions and memory chips, has died. He was 78. Lee died yesterday, according to a Samsung statement.

Real-time messaging and chat functionality, virtual vehicle walk-arounds and test drives with video, and completing financing and trade-ins online.

Those are some of the new methods consumers are using to purchase their new or used cars from local dealerships. Sixty-one percent of recent car buyers would want their newly purchased car delivered at home from their local dealership, Cars.com stated, sourcing a September DealerRater consumer survey. Cars.com said the stay-at-home economy is bringing a surge in buying cars delivered directly to consumers’ homes.

Concern about their personal finances and the economy in general is on the rise among U.S. consumers. Forty- nine percent of U.S. consumers reported their personal finances were poor, up 20% since July, according to dunnhumby’s latest Consumer Pulse Survey, a multi- phased, worldwide study of the impact of COVID-19 on customer attitudes and behavior. In addition, 68% reported that the economy wasn’t doing well and 91% said they are closely watching store prices. Survey respondents’ concerns with higher food prices align with the latest Consumer Price Index for Food, which reported that August food prices were 4.1% higher than in 2019.

The “dunnhumby Worry Index,” a measure of how concerned consumers are about COVID-19, is now down to 24% in the U.S. drop of 5% compared to July. The survey found Walmart dominates customers’ minds when it comes to value.

I’m gonna live forever I’m gonna cross that river I’m gonna catch tomorrow now You’re gonna wanna hold me Just like I always told you You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone Nobody here will ever find me But I always be around Just like the songs I leave behind me I’m gonna live forever now

RIP Billy Jo Shaver 8/16/39-10/28/20

Youth sports remain in a moment of crisis, as the health and financial situations brought on by the pandemic continue wreaking havoc.

The Aspen Institute’s recent survey of 1,103 parents with sport-playing kids aged 6-18 paints a rather bleak picture.

29% of parents said their kids are simply not interested in sports, up from 19% when they were last asked in June.

64% cite fear of their child contracting COVID as a barrier to resuming sports.

28% say they’d spend more money on youth sports now than pre-COVID, but 27% say they’d spend less.

6.4 fewer hours: Kids are spending just 7.2 hours per week playing sports, down from 13.6 before the pandemic.

Solo sports on the rise: Cycling and golf have risen in popularity during the pandemic, as their relative drops in participation are minimal compared to team sports.

Kids, parents and coaches alike are feeling the weight of uncertainty and the fear of permanent loss.

“It’s not enough. It’s not nearly enough,” 17-yearold Aaron Teklu talks of the minimal basketball he’s been able to play. “[Basketball] has always helped me deal with my emotions and what is going on in my life.”

“The time my boys spend playing is down probably 80 percent,” added high school basketball coach Tyrone Riley. “I spend a lot of time wondering how we’re going to get out of this.”

‘I am’ is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that ‘I do’ is the longest? George Carlin Sharp enrollment declines due to the pandemic have taken a severe financial toll on many colleges and universities, and the impact may last for years to come. To that point, 67% of higher education leaders said decreased revenue from tuition and student housing are the biggest challenges they face, according to a poll from consulting firm NEPC’s endowments and foundations practice. Overall, undergraduate enrollment fell 4% this year, according to separate data National Student Clearinghouse Research, with incoming freshmen accounting for the biggest drop — sinking 16% from last fall. As many schools moved to a hybrid approach to education, with a combination of in-person and online classes, the number of students living on campuses is also down.

Nearly 75% of those polled said occupancy in school-owned housing declined this year.

Walmart is suing the government in a pre-emptive step to avoid paying a penalty for the alleged role its pharmacies are playing in the nation’s opioid crisis. Walmart is arguing in its suit that the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency lacked both the regulatory and enforcement wherewithal to stop the spread and are instead looking to make the retailer the fall guy for their failings.

175 years ago today, the New York Morning News printed what is believed to be the first ever baseball box score. This was the second of three October games played on Hoboken’s Elysian Fields between the New York and Brooklyn Ball Clubs. New York won, 24-4.

14 years later, baseball writer Henry Chadwick created something more akin to the modern product, adding things like hits, assists, errors and strikeouts.

Chadwick is the reason we use “K” for strikeouts, because he already used “S” for sacrifice, and K is the last letter in “struck.”

Under the category of Best Used Car Deals, Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book say the Acura MDX is “a practical choice in three-row, midsize luxury SUVs,” Auto Remarketing reports. “It’s comfortable, spacious, and legitimately luxurious,” the companies said.That is just one portion of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book’s latest effort to bring consumers “the most recent information on the best car deals monthly.” Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book are releasing several new lists, bringing together standouts to help make car shopping easier.

The companies describe purchasing a car as sometimes being a stressful process, and they say they are “looking to alleviate any consumer uncertainty.”

The expanded coverage of top new and used car deals includes best SUV lease deals under $300; best truck lease deals; best used SUV deals; best used car deals; and best luxury car and SUV deals.

The Chevrolet Equinox is another example of the list of Best Used Car Deals, and Autotrader and KBB say the Equinox is “stylish and nicely equipped.” The two-row, five- passenger Equinox is a “comfortable, agreeable compact SUV.” In 1919, brothers Rudolf and Adolf Dassler began making shoes in their parents’ home in Herzogenaurach, Germany. By the 1928 Olympics, most German athletes were wearing Dassler spikes.

But in 1948, the brothers had a falling out, each branching off to start his own company. Rudolf founded Puma, while Adolf — who went by Adi — combined parts of his first and last name and launched Adidas.

Puma is no match for Nike and Adidas, but 2019 was its best year yet ($5.93 billion in sales), and big bets on basketball and soccer could take the brand to new heights.

4

Thursday, October 29, 2020 H Hill Country Weekly CONTACT US Hill Country Weekly

Toyota of

Boerne ISD Saves

$36 Million by

Boerne aligns

Refinancing Bonds The Board approved authorization for BISD to refinance any or all of the district’s outstanding bonds.

BISD will move forward and refinance three bonds, from 2013, 2014, and 2015, which will save district taxpayers an estimated $36 million over the next 22 years.

The Board approved the 2020-21

with BISD

Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) membership at Tuesday’s meeting. The SHAC membership is approved yearly by the board.

The SHAC assists the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district’s health education instruction.

for donation

BISD names new CFO Wesley Scott named new BISD CFO The Boerne Independent School District has announced that Wesley Scott has been named Chief Financial Officer.

Scott’s appointment was approved by the Board of Trustees at the Regular Monthly meeting on October 20th. Scott will take over for current CFO Tish Grill who will retire in December.

Scott joins Boerne ISD after five years as the Assistant Superintendent for Budget and Finance at Northside ISD. At Northside, Scott is responsible for the Accounting, Payroll, Budget, Special Revenue, and Purchasing Departments and their 100 employees. NISD has an annual budget of approximately $1.2 billion and serves approximately 106,000 students.

“Wesley Scott brings a wealth of knowledge with nearly 25 years of experience in the finance industry,” Boerne ISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Price said. “We are very excited that he will be joining the Boerne ISD family. We had an extensive interview process and Wesley rose to the top of the impressive field of applicants. He will be a tremendous addition to our leadership team and our community,” Price concluded.

Prior to joining NISD, Scott served as the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Dallas County Schools.

Scott is a 1992 graduate of Abilene Christian University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Registered Texas School Business Administrator (RTSBA).

After graduating from college, Scott worked at Weaver and Tidwell for 14 years, a midsize public accounting firm.

He and his wife Stephanie have three children, McKenlee, Ransom, and Fielder.

Toyota of Boerne made a generous donation to the Boerne ISD Auto Technology program yesterday. Toyota donated a Hunter Hawkeye machine, which will be used for car alignments. BISD’s Auto Technology program serves around a total of 150 students from both Boerne and Champion High Schools.

Published every Thursday 216 E. Blanco, #102 PO Box 1373, Boerne, TX 78006 Phone: 830-331-8454

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SUBSCRIPTIONS 1 Year Subscription Toyota of Boerne made a generous donation to the Boerne ISD Auto Technology program yesterday. Toyota donated a Hunter Hawkeye machine, which will be used for car alignments. BISD’s Auto Technology program serves around a total of 150 students from both Boerne and Champion High Schools.

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The answers for the Sudoku and Crossword puzzle on page 9 can be seen to the left.

Church Directory ANGLICAN St. John’s Anglican 7 Sisterdale Rd. • 249-3978 or 331-4001 Don Hughes, Minister ASSEMBLY OF GOD Living Hope Church of Boerne 603 Frey St. • 249-2174 Pastor Jeremy Errickson • Sunday 10:45am Templo Vida Nueva #11 Sisterdale Rd. • 249-7544 BAPTIST Bible Baptist 113 Industrial St., Ste. 1 • Manuel Garcia, Jr., Minister Comfort Baptist 104 Amber Dr., Comfort • 995-3638 • John Music, Pastor Comfort Hispanic Baptist Mission 236 Broadway, Comfort • 995-3993 • Pedro Aguila Lopez, Minister Currey Creek Baptist 35 Cascade Caverns Rd. • 755-8806 • John Free, Minister First Baptist Church Boerne 631 S. School St. • 249-2527 • fbcboerne.org • Worship: 8:30 & 11:00 am • Jason Smith, Pastor First Baptist Church of Fair Oaks Ranch 31375 FM 3351 (Ralph Fair Rd.) • 438-8504, Eric Hightower, Pastor Worship Service: 10 am Iglesia Bautista Emanuel 103 Chapel Hill • 537-4589 Leon Springs Baptist 24133 Boerne Stage Rd., San Antonio, 698-2880, Dan Allen, Minister • SS: 9:00 am • WS: 10:30 am Waring Baptist Waring • 995-2652 • Harvey Davis BIBLE Boerne Bible 1026 E. Blanco Rd. • 249-2343, Sun. School: 9:45 am • Worship: 10:45 am, BoerneBibleChurch. org Faith Bible Church of Boerne 1 Bergmann Road • 249-8448 Tim Ekno, Pastor • Worship: 8:30 & 10:40 am Cross Community Fellowship 8770 Dietz Elkhorn Road, 830-331-9337 Gary McCarron, Pastor • Sunday School: 9:30 am Worship Service: 10:30 am CATHOLIC Sacred Heart Catholic 114 U.S. Hwy. 87, Comfort • 995-3708 Rev. Michael Peinemann St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic 8500 Cross Mountain Trl, San Antonio • 210-6981941, Msgr. Conor McGrath • Mass: Sun 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm (Spanish), 7 pm St. Joseph’s Church - Honey Creek 25781 Hwy. 46 W., Spring Branch • 980-2268 St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church 202 W. Kronkosky St. • 816-2233 • Norman Ermis, Mass: Sat 5:30 pm, Sun 9 & 11 am, 12:30 pm (Mass in Spanish) • 6 pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Each Wed 4:30-8 pm • First Fri 10:30 am-5 pm CHRISTIAN Christian Character Ministries 43360 IH-10 West • 537-5244, Walter H. Tracy, Jr. Christian Science Group Church & Sunday School; Wed. Testimony Meeting, For info call: 830-331-9779 • www.spirituality.com Christian Spiritual Church of Unconditional Love 537-5467 • Elizabeth Paddon, Minister Hill Country Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 20845 Hwy 46 W., Spring Branch, TX. 78070, 830-980-2019 www.trymychurch.com Healing Place Church San Antonio Sunday at 10 A.M. • 28703 IH 10 W in Boerne CHURCH OF CHRIST Boerne Church of Christ 1 Upper Balcones Rd. • 249-2685 Church of Christ Southside 46 Old San Antonio Rd. 210-316-3824 • Howell Moore, Minister EPISCOPAL St. Boniface Episcopal 116 Hwy. 87 North, Comfort 995-3897 • The Rev Carol Blaine, Interim • Sundays 8:45 & 11 am St. Helena’s Episcopal 410 N. Main St. • 249-3228 Sundays-7:45, 9:00 & 11am INTERDENOMINATIONAL A Hill Country Chapel 886 Mountain View Lane • Pipe Creek, off Hwy. 46 • 510-4731 • hillcountrychapel.org Albert “Skip” Marks, Pastor • Melissa Morris, Youth Coordinator Sun. School, 9 am - all ages • Sun Worship 10 am • Eve Worship 6 pm • Wed Bible Study 7:00 pm - all ages. First Sun Eve of the Month - Family Night 6 pm Cibolo Creek Community Church 30395 Ralph Fair Rd. Fair Oaks Ranch • 830-9818989 • cibolocreek.com • Paul Wilson, Pastor • Janine Smithies, Executive Pastor Sundays - 9:15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

City Hills Church Currently meeting at Starplex Cinema Boerne. • Sundays at 9:30 & 11 am • www.cityhillstx.com Cross Mountain 24891 Boerne Stage Rd. • Sundays at 9 & 11 am Randy Ayers & Jerry McNeil • www.crossmountain.org His Hands • Meets Sundays, 10:30 am • 111 A Jennifer Dr., Pastors Ronnie and Jo Ann Squyres • 830 230 5352 Journey Church - Leon Springs Dance Hall 24135 IH-10 W. • 210-877-9045 • Danny Jones, Minister Sunday 9:30-11:00 am • www.journeychurchsa.com Kendall County Cowboy Church 605 FM 289, Comfort,210-669-7819-Pastor Steve Gross-Fellowship at 9:30a.m. Service 10:30a.m. kendallcountycowboychurch.org nineteen-ten church 130 FM 1376 • Sundays 8:30, 10, 11:30am Pastor Jason Brown • 830-249-1217 • 1910church.com JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Jehovah’s Witness 304 N. School St. • 249-2452 JEWISH

Don’t brag about tomorrow.

You don’t know what a day will bring.

Let another person praise you, and not your own mouth.

Let other lips praise you, but not your own.

Treasured Words

Michael Glick insurance aGency 116 N Plant Ave Boerne, TX 78006

830-816-9488 103 N. Saunders St. Boerne, TX

830-816-2131

Pico Petroleum Products Wholesale: Gasoline • Diesel • Propane 303 S. Ebner • Boerne, TX 78006 • 830-249-2416

Jewish Community Of The Hill Country 960 Barnett Street, Kerrville, 830-331-8941 • Fridays 6:30 pm at The Unitarian Universalist Church LUTHERAN Immanuel Lutheran 318 High St., Comfort • 995-3756 Shelly Simmon, Minister, Katie Rode, Vicar Messiah Lutheran 9401 Dietz-Elkhorn Rd. • 830-755-4300 St. John Lutheran Church of Boerne - The NALC A Lutheran Congregation In Mission For Christ • 315 E. Rosewood, Traditional Worship: 8 & 10:30 am, Praise Worship 10:30 am SS: 9:15 am Pastors: Eric Waters & Mariola Bergquist www.stjohnlutheran.com Our Savior Lutheran Community (ELC A) Boerne Hill Country YMCA • 820 Adler • Sun. Communion – 10:30 am • Pastor Steve Rode • 210-260-0317 METHODIST First United Methodist 205 James St. • 249-2565, Dr. Ricky Burk, Dr. Russell Miller, fumc-boerne.org • Sun. 8, 9 & 11 am Gaddis United Methodist 141 Hwy. 87, Comfort • 830-995-3813. Rev. Barbara Dyke • gaddischurch.org • Sunday Worship 10 am Spring Creek United Methodist 2897 Old Fredericksburg Rd. 830-981-8331 • Rev. Stephen Sanders MORMON Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 203 Stonegate Road, Boerne, 830-2497257, www.lds.org, Fair Oaks Ward - 9am to 12pm – Bishop Bryan Dunn, Leon Springs Ward - 11am to 2pm – Bishop Peter Roming , Boerne Ward - 1 to 4pm – Bishop Mark Swensen, Balcones Branch (Spanish) 4:15 to 5:15pm – President Carlos Villarreal PENTECOSTAL Boerne United Pentecostal 235 Frey St. • 249-5993 Kerry Hammer, Minister • SS: 10 am • Wed 7:30 pm PRESBYTERIAN Christ of the Hills 635 Highway 46 East, Suite 204, Boerne • Rev. Pete Johnson • HYBRID church (ZOOM or at the building) • 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study & Children’s Sunday school • 11:00 a.m. Worship • www.christofthehills.org or 210-843-5366 Leon Springs Presbyterian 23943 IH-10 W. • Sunday School 9-10 am • Fellowship 10 Worship Service 10:30 am • Pastor Wayne Urbanowski, Jr. • 210-698-2325 Pipe Creek Presbyterian 8598 St. Hwy. 16 S. • Duane Manning, Minister • Sunday School 9:30 • Worship 10:30 St. Mark Presbyterian 208 W. Bandera Rd. • 816-3000 • 249-3232 • Rev. Dr. Joan H. Watson, Interim Pastor • Sunday Services: 9 am-Contemporary • 10:10 am-Sunday School (all ages) 11:10 am Traditional • Childcare is provided during both services Trinity Presbyterian (PC A) 8:00 Worship • 9:30 Sunday School, 10:10 Fellowship, 10:30 Worship • 31 Ammann Rd. www.trinityboerne.org SEVENTH -DAY ADVENTIST Laurel Heights Seventh-Day Adventist 703 W. Ashby Place, 210-732-6898 UNITY Unity Church of Boerne 121 Scenic Loop Rd., Boerne, Sundays 11:00 am 380-7555419 www.unityofboerne.org OTHER Boerne First Ward-Jesus Christ 203 Stonegate Rd. • 249-0016 Calvary Temple Church of Center Point & Comfort 4 miles west of Comfort on Hwy. 27 • 995-2459 David James, Minister Centering Prayer 16 W. Highland Dr. • 210-286-4320 Community Bible Church 17 Old San Antonio Rd. B, Sun 10:30 am 210-896-2631 • cbcboerne.com • Pastor Terry Parks Faith Harbor Church • 830-755-5205 • Sun. Prayer Service 2:30 pm • Tues.-Fri. Prayer 1-5 pm Full Life Fellowship Nelson City Reception Hall • 825 Highway 289 (just down from Po-Po’s restaurant) • Tony Nowak - Pastor www.full-lifefellowship.org • 210-560-3532 Haven in the Hills Christian 809 N. Main, Boerne 830-249-3040 • Pastor Frank Autry Jesus Name Full Gospel Church 402 E. Theissen, Boerne. Sun. at 10 am • 830-5375060 • 210-699-0240, reachtheharvest.com Kendalia Community Church 108 Arthur St., Kendalia, Pastor Reverand Roger Bryan Van Pelt • 209-781-0849 Sanctuary of Truth 28715 IH-10 West, Boerne • David Welch Worship Service 10 Sundays. Prayer meeting Thursday 7 pm.

Solid Rock Church 6656 Hwy. 27, Comfort • Pastor Larry Baker 830-739-4440 The Church at Boerne - Full Gospel Cowboy Fellowship Stone Creek Plaza, 1100 N. Main, Ste. 103, Boerne • Tues. 7:00 pm 210-414-8616 Touchstone Community Church See website for details, Touchstonecc.org, Reverend Billie Watts and Reverend Kerry Kirtley, 830-999-7100 Vida Nueva Boerne 11 FM #1376 • 249-1314

Hill Country Weekly H Thursday, October 29, 2020

5

Patrolling Your Neighborhood 100 Blk Turkey Run Lane 12:38 a.m. Comfort A local resident informed dispatch that he believed there were subjects trespassing on his property and he requested a deputy to come out for a ‘face to face’ conversation. The caller then stated that drones were also flying over his residence and he wanted to make deputies aware of this fact as well. The responding deputy was informed by dispatch that the caller can be delusional and often sees lights and dark objects that are not there.

529MM E IH 10 3:00 a.m. Comfort A deputy on patrol pulled over a vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.

After speaking to the driver and running both the driver and passenger’s information, both occupant’s of the vehicle were taken into custody by the conclusion of the stop.

Staudt St 6:14 a.m. Boerne A warrant service was successfully conducted by KCSO deputies as the wanted subject in question was arrested without incident and the vehicle was towed away.

300 Blk S FM 3351 6:30 a.m. Bergheim Dispatch received a 911 call from a motorist who stated that he had just been run off the road

300 Blk S Esser 3:19 p.m.

Dispatch received a 911 call about a vehicle driving in the wrong direction while going through the drive thru of a local restaurant. The caller relayed a description of the vehicle and the last direction the vehicle headed. An officer arrived noted the vehicle was going the correct direction in the drive thru lane.

100 Blk Desert Flower 5:22 p.m.

A resident informed dispatch that there was a couple of suspicious people that had been sitting in their vehicle for almost an hour at the above location.

The caller stated that he found this behavior odd and requested an officer to come on location to make sure everything was copacetic. However, in an interesting twist, the resident called back less then ten minutes later and informed dispatch that the ‘suspicious people’ were in fact neighbors from the down the street and that everything was fine.

100 Blk Old San Antonio 8:32 p.m.

A motorist dialed dispatch and stated that one of the tires on his trailer had just suffered a blowout and therefore was currently immovable. The caller inquired

Ammann/Ralph Fair 12:06 a.m.

I was running traffic on Ralph Fair Road and observed a vehicle traveling at 69 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. Once I was standing by at the vehicle I detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. I asked the driver if he smoked marijuana inside the vehicle and he stated that he has in the past. I asked dispatch to send another unit to facilitate a probable cause search.

The additional unit soon arrived at my location and stood by as cover as I searched the vehicle.

No contraband was found and he was issued a warning for speeding.

7K Blk Fair Oaks Pkwy 1:01 a.m.

While on patrol, I checked out the above location in reference to a security check. While on foot patrol I observed a golf cart on location. I continued to search the area and observed two young males off in the distance. When the subjects noticed me one said “Oh s**t” then both ran away toward the golf course. I searched the area along with other officers but we were not able to locate them. Well those subjects

and subsequently hit a fence.

The caller stated that he wasn’t injured but that his vehicle was now inoperable. A crisis report was generated and the caller’s vehicle was removed from the roadway and towed to, presumably, an auto repair shop.

100 Blk N Hwy 87 7:03 a.m. Comfort A security company contacted dispatch and stated that one of the businesses they monitor showed that an alarm had been tripped. A deputy was dispatched and after arriving on location was able to make contact with the manager who advised that she had accidentally set off the alarm. You know what they say ‘no harm, no foul’ and all that. As there were no signs of criminal activity, the deputy returned to his patrol.

8000 Blk FM 1888 8:28 a.m. Blanco Dispatch received a call from a resident who stated that her estranged boyfriend had padlocked her gates two days ago and consequently she stated that she was unable to leave the property.

The caller further stated that her ex was not on location and that she didn’t have any way to cut the locks, hence her current predicament of being, quite literally, shut in. The resident was advised to contact her local fire department

if it would be okay to leave the trailer parked at the above location overnight and then come back tomorrow morning to pick it up. The caller was given the go ahead to remedy the tire situation in the light of day.

200 Blk Hunters Creek 9:27 p.m.

A call came into dispatch from a resident who stated that there was a substantial amount of kids that were currently TP-ing a house. The caller also stated that it looked like nearby vehicles were also falling prey to the toilet paper onslaught. An officer was dispatched and after arriving on scene, spoke with the rascals who stated that they were, in fact, TP-ing their own residence and vehicles. That’s certainly one way to cure the boredom brought on by months of quarantine.

31000 Blk W IH 10 12:06 p.m.

An employee at a local rental company informed dispatch that a customer was refusing to return one of the company’s vehicles and thus wanted to report the vehicle as stolen. An officer was dispatched and after speaking with the employee, the officer called the individual who was refusing to return the vehicle for whatever reason, and the subject

definitely didn’t sound suspicious at all.

28K Blk Pfeiffer 11:42 p.m.

On the above date and time I was dispatched in reference to a suspicious person. I made contact with the caller who stated that a male subject had walked into the store and asked if they sold ammo. When the caller stated that they did not she said that the man then left. I advised her that I would patrol the area.

Get the distinct feeling that there’s more to this story?

FM 3351/Hwy 46 6:34 p.m.

While on patrol, I was dispatched to the above location about a reckless driver reportedly driving into the city going over 90 mph. The caller also stated the driver had nearly run him off the road. I found the vehicle that matched the description and conducted a traffic stop for failure to signal. The driver stated when he was in Bergheim the vehicle in front of him was driving slow so he went around and had never tried to run anyone off the road.

I wrote the driver a warning for failure to signal a turn.

7K Blk Scintilla

Kendall County

in assistance in cutting the chain as they would have the proper tools to be able end her forced confinement.

Kreutzberg Rd/Mark Twain 11:45 a.m. Boerne A local resident informed dispatch that there were two teenage subjects, one on a quad and one on a dirt bike, that were reportedly racing and otherwise driving recklessly around the neighborhood. The caller stated he didn’t need any contact for follow up on the call but was concerned for the teens’ safety as well as the safety of others in the neighborhood. The responding deputy was able to locate the teenagers in question and escorted them back to their home. The deputy then spoke with the parents that were on scene about the reason for the escort home. No further action taken.

1200 Blk Fifth 2:52 p.m. Comfort A fire alarm at a local business at the above location was triggered somehow that was accompanied by a water flow tamper alarm as well. Firefighters and deputies arrived on scene and were informed by the supervisor that there was no fire currently rampaging through the business and that it had been a false alarm. The supervisor stated that he was in the process of trying to

straighten everything out with the alarm company when the first responders had arrived.

300 Blk High St 2:56 p.m. Comfort Dispatch received a 911 hangup from the above location and upon dispatch calling back, an employee stated that everything was okay. A deputy was dispatched nonetheless and confirmed that there were no signs of criminal activity and spoke with the employee who stated that it was an accidental call.

2900 Blk FM 473 4:28 p.m. Kendalia A caller informed dispatch that he wanted to make a theft report in regards to subjects who had stolen his medications. The caller stated that he believed he knew the identity of the subjects in question and that the theft had occurred about a week and a half ago. The caller further stated that he believed the subjects to be involved in the Mafia or possibly even the Aryan Brotherhood.

30300 Blk W IH 10 4:53 p.m. Boerne A local resident dialed up dispatch and stated that she had recently received a letter about a car loan that was taken out in her name by somebody that was certainly not her, as she stated that she had not applied for any car loans. The caller stated that

Boerne

stated that he would return the vehicle later in the day.

700 Blk River 1:26 p.m.

Dispatch received a call from a resident who stated that his hearing aids were missing. While this might seem like an unusual call for dispatch to receive, especially seeing that the caller lived in one of the original 13 colonies.

The caller explained that he had left his hearing aids at the above location while visiting Boerne and needed to make a report in order to be able to get replacement hearing aids.

300 Blk Ivy 3:35 p.m.

A security company informed dispatch that an alarm had registered glass breaking at one of the homes they monitor and that they were unable to make contact with the keyholder. The responding officer spoke with the owner of the residence who stated that she wanted to make a report about damage and that she felt that someone had messed with a window in her backyard. The responding officer checked the residence and surrounding area and made sure that all accessible windows were secured. The caller later called dispatch again and stated that she had spoken with

the BPD officer who had arrived on scene and requested extra patrols.

545MM W IH 10 4:29 p.m.

An interesting call came into dispatch where the caller stated that her vehicle had been stolen in San Antonio and that she was currently tracking it on her phone. The caller stated that she could see it was on it’s way to Boerne and would soon be crossing through Boerne Police Department’s jurisdiction. What set this vehicle apart from any other stolen vehicle? The caller stated that she worked for the DEA and that her work phone and ID were inside the vehicle that had been stolen. The caller stated that there were no weapons in the vehicle, but that the vehicle had a tracker on it. The information about the vehicle was passed on to Kerr County dispatch as the vehicle was well on it’s way to heading out of the county.

100 Blk City Park 5:52 p.m.

A local resident informed dispatch that someone was igniting smoke bombs in the area near the river, and was concerned as it could be a possible fire hazard.

Fire fighters arrived on scene and

Fair Oaks Ranch 9:34 a.m.

I was dispatched for a duck that was killed by dogs. The resident wanted to know if there was anything I could do about it. The duck was properly disposed of.

9K Blk Fair Oaks Pkwy 5:55 p.m.

I was dispatched to a business for a 911 hangup. ’ I arrived on location and made contact with an employee who stated that two female subjects had come inside the store and stated they had fallen victim to a scam. I spoke with the female who told me she had received a call from someone claiming to be Boerne Police who had advised her that she needed to send them gift cards. The female said she sent $700 in gift cards. Coming to this location, the clerk informed her of the scam. The female then stated that she would call the Boerne Police Department.

9K Blk Leslie’s Gate 2:51 p.m.

I was advised to contact a resident who stated that she is currently going through a divorce.

She said it was rather peculiar that she caught her spouse scanning her driver’s license and when she asked why, he was

pushed her away. The lady stated that she did not want to file any charges, just a report on file.

30K Blk Cibolo Trace 8:04 a.m.

I was informed by dispatch that I needed to contact a resident about a hurt squirrel. I was able to talk with the resident and let her know that she needed to contact a private company to rescue the squirrel. I also provided her with several numbers which she could call.

7K Blk Pimlico Lane 8:08 p.m.

While on patrol I observed a vehicle driving southbound with a defective headlight and initiated a traffic stop. I smelled the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. I asked for another unit and when the additional officer arrived on scene I conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. No contraband was found during the search and therefore I wrote the driver a warning for a defective headlight.

8K Blk Fair Oaks Pkwy 8:40 p.m.

While on patrol I observed a vehicle parked on the side of the road. I made contact with the driver who stated that she was

she had originally contacted the Kerrville Police Department and had been provided a case but had been instructed to contact the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office.

After speaking with a deputy, the caller stated she would call back with a good time for her to file the report in person.

Staudt St 6:05 p.m. Boerne A female subject arrived at the Kendall County Law Enforcement and stated that she was there to turn herself in.

However, deputies were able to determine that there was not a warrant out for her arrest, but rather the court had ordered her to turn herself in on a DWI conviction.

536MM W IH 10 7:55 a.m. Boerne A deputy on patrol noticed a vehicle on the side of the road, and given the potentially dangerous position as the vehicle was pulled over on a highway, the deputy stopped to investigate.

After speaking to the driver, the deputy was informed that the driver had lost her gamble with the miles left in the gas tank and ran out of gas. However, she did state that she already had someone on their way bringing a gas canister and that they would be arriving shortly. As such, the deputy returned to his patrol, ever on

the lookout for any other drivers that test the blinking empty light on their gas gauge.

100 Blk N Hwy 87 10:54 a.m. Comfort The manager of a local business informed dispatch that a male subject had just tried passing off two counterfeit $100 bills while attempting to purchase items.

The caller stated that the subject had left less then 10 minutes ago and also stated that they had the subject as well as the attempted fraudulent transaction on camera.

524MM E IH 10 12:48 a.m.Comfort A deputy on patrol pulled over and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. At the conclusion of the traffic stop, and after speaking to the driver and running his information, the driver was taken into custody and escorted to the county jail while the vehicle was towed away.

100 Blk Ranger Dr 5:36 p.m. Boerne A motorist informed dispatch that there was an injured deer that was still alive and unable to stand and move itself from the roadway. The responding deputy located the deer and dispatched it with one shot. The carcass was then removed from the roadway.

made contact with the subjects and informed them that their actions placed them in violation of city ordinances. The responding officers checked the area and were unable to locate anyone.

However, the officers later met up with the fire department who stated that they had made contact with the family and that they had given them advice on their recent actions.

100 Blk S Esser 7:15 p.m.

Dispatch was informed by a motorist that there was a deer carcass on the side of the road.

The caller stated that while the deer was out of the lane of travel it was still close enough to the side of the road that he was concerned it could still be a traffic hazard. An officer was dispatched and noted that the deer carcass was on the curb and looked like it had been dead for several days.

He then made a note for animal control to pick up the carcass.

700 Blk N Main 6:10 a.m.

A Good Samaritan stated to dispatch that he had found a stray dog running around the above location without any tags. The caller stated that he currently had the canine inside his vehicle and was unable to keep it. An animal

control officer met up with the caller and took possession of the dog and transported it to the local shelter.

700 Blk Rosewood 8:12 p.m.

Dispatch received a call from a salesman who stated that he wanted to speak to an officer in regards to better software. The salesperson was instructed to call back during business hours but insisted on speaking with an officer. An officer then came on the line and further instructed the caller to contact administrators during normal business hours to give his software pitch.

300 Blk W Hwy 46 4:55 a.m.

A security company contacted dispatch about an alarm that had been tripped at one of the residences they monitor. The responding officer arrived at the above location and found that the front gate was secured with a heavy-duty padlock. Not only that, but the automatic gate was also attached with bolts making any entry impossible. As such, the officer noted that he was unable to make mechanical entry and that there was no apparent evidence of criminal activity.

driving her mother’s vehicle and she wanted to turn off the screen to the vehicle because it was too bright. I assisted the driver in turning off the screen to the vehicle. Nothing further. Kudos for the officer for moonlighting as technical support for the driver!

FM 3351/Ammann Rd 7:07 p.m.

On the above date and time I was dispatched to the above location in reference to a reckless driver. I observed a vehicle matching the description that had been given to dispatch traveling south bound on Ralph Fair. I ran the license plate and it showed that the vehicle was driving with expired registration. I made a traffic stop and issued a warning for the offense.

30K Blk Keeneland 10:47 p.m.

While on patrol I observed a vehicle parked at the park after hours. I approached the vehicle and noted there were two individuals inside the vehicle. They stated that they were just at the park talking and I advised that the park was closed and it was currently after hours. They stated they understood and advised that they would go home. Nothing

seemed out of the ordinary. I returned back in service. .

7K Blk Turf Paradise Lane 8:51 a.m.

On the above date and time I was dispatched to the above location for a deer that was stuck in a fence. Upon arrival, I was able to locate the deer and was able to release it and it went on it’s way.

29K Blk Raintree Ridge 11:44 a.m.

I was dispatched for a dead armadillo in the resident’s yard.

The resident had placed the armadillo carcass by the front driveway and I removed it and properly disposed of it.

28K Blk Riva Ridge 8:29 a.m.

I was dispatched to the above location for a deer stuck in a fence. Upon arrival I was able to locate the deer and the resident and I both tried to remove the deer but were unable to without harming it. The deer had to be put down and another officer was called out and one .22 caliber round was discharged. The deer was then removed and properly disposed of at the precinct cooler.

Meals-On-Wheels receives resolution Emily Perry, representing the Kronkosky Place/Rainbow Senior Center, received a copy of a resolution at Commissioners Court Monday morning. The resolution authorized Kendall County to give $15,000 for their Meals-On-Wheels program that delivers 80,000 meals per year.

This is part of the Texas Department of Agriculture Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meals Grant Program.

Harriet Seidensticker was recognized Monday morning at Commissioners Court for her 15 years of service with the County Clerk’s Office.

6

Thursday, October 29, 2020 H Hill Country Weekly

Robbery Continued from page 1 was arrested in Bexar County for additional felony offenses. On May 13, 2019 Judge Cohoon revoked the bonds.

In the hearing before the Court, the State presented evidence of these crimes against persons as well as McDonald’s extensive criminal history. Throughout Washington, Arkansas, and Texas between 1997 and 2019, McDonald committed numerous offenses including burglary, theft, assault, escape, evading, forgery, false report to a peace officer, and drug violations. Just three days prior to the Kendall County crimes, McDonald was placed on felony probation in Arkansas.

Adult Probation Officer Oscar Moncada completed the sentencing investigation, and recommended incarceration given the nature of the crimes, McDonald’s extensive criminal history and severe drug addiction.

Other testimony to the court was from the caretaker who stated she still suffers fear and anxiety from the

Classifieds H E L P WA N T E D

burglary, and a Boerne Police Department officer who stated that while McDonald had assisted by giving information about drug investigations, this did not justify putting the community at risk.

McDonald’s family testified that this behavior was completely out of character for McDonald, and blamed his actions on drug addiction as well as drug treatment medication he took while trying to get clean. McDonald testified to witnessing violence with his parents growing up and guilt he felt from the loss of his sister to a drug overdose. McDonald testified that he did not remember that day clearly, and that he had never felt that way before. McDonald also stated that he could not remember driving.

Defense attorney, Griffith, asking for leniency, argued for the court to take into consideration who McDonald’s character, his upbringing, his cooperation with law enforcement, and his addiction. McDonald was now clean and intended to stay that way.

Assistant District Attorney Matlock reminded the court that under current law, a person who has committed the charged offenses is eligible for parole when they have completed one-fourth of their sentence or 15 years, whichever is less. The time completed is calculated by the number of actual days incarcerated plus any good-time credit earned. (Note: when goodtime credit is applied on a 15-year sentence, a defendant could be eligible for parole in 2 years, 1 month and 20 days.)

ADA Matlock argued unlike a first time drug offender, McDonald’s crimes against persons demonstrate a risk to the public. The State argued the priority in sentencing should be on protecting the community and deterring similar crimes. Matlock stated “to release McDonald back into the general population is risking the safety of the community on a hope and a prayer that McDonald will not fall victim to his addiction again.”

The State requested a sentence of 40 years in the interest of public safety and deterring others from committing similar crimes.

Judge Cohoon sentenced McDonald to 15 years in prison on both charges to run concurrently.

Criminal District Attorney Nicole Bishop: Drugs not only hurt the user but the family and friends that care about them as well. The crimes that occur to pay for a drug addiction also hurt the community. We want to do everything that we can to try to rehabilitate first time offenders or those who are a low risk to the community. The goal of rehabilitation is for individuals to break the addiction, thrive, and not reoffend. However, rehabilitation takes a backseat when the defendant is a repeat offender or poses a future danger to our citizens and our businesses. Therefore, we seek sentences that both align with past jury sentences, and that also have a deterrent effect on future crimes. We want someone to think twice before feeding their drug addiction by committing crimes against innocent victims in Kendall County.

Ranch Hand-Full Time Boerne area Ranch maintenance to include tractor shredding, yard work, deer feeders, fence mending, brush clearing, etc.

The Patrick Heath Public Library celebrated the Friends of the Boerne Public Library this past week. It was National Friends of Libraries Week, and as part of the festivities Mayor Handren issued a proclamation on Wednesday to demonstrate the City of Boerne’s appreciation of the library support.

Must be physically fit to walk rough terrain.

Resumes to: spaulding.darlene@gmail.com

Gaddis United Methodist Church (Comfort, TX) is seeking an

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

From left to right: Friends volunteer Kevin Henning, Mayor Handren, Friends president Sandy Henning, Friends secretary Karen Whitehead, Friends 1st vice president Ann Liebner, Friends treasurer Teresa Landers, PHPL staffer Sandy Johnston, and library director Kelly Skovbjerg.

for a permanent position (32 hrs. /wk.) In our church office. Requirements include proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Photoshop, preparing graphics for worship, and maintaining our church website. Must be dependable, a self-starter, and have the ability to multi-task. For consideration, complete our application form from our website (www.gaddischurch.org) and return both to: Gaddis UMC, P.O. Box 566, Comfort, TX 78013.

Classifieds

The City of Boerne is a progressive employer located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Excellent benefits package and competitive salaries. The City can offer an opportunity for professional growth.

FACILITIES & GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER I (WATER & WASTEWATER)

The City of Boerne is a progressive employer located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Excellent benefits package and competitive salaries. The City can offer an opportunity for professional growth.

PARKS CUSTODIAL WORKER I

Assists with general labor in performing routine preventive maintenance and repairs on city water and wastewater facilities and distribution and collection facilities; and operate various equipment.

Performs custodial work in the city buildings and parks facilities.

Requirements: Knowledge of methods, practices and equipment used to repair and maintain facilities in water plant and wastewater treatment plant; basic plumbing, electrical and construction techniques; and safety procedures. The skill and ability to understand and follow instructions; operate and maintain a variety of tools and equipment; tolerate outside working conditions including exposure to adverse weather conditions; and maintain a Texas Driver’s License applicable to job responsibilities and a good driving record. Tasks involve bending, stooping, walking, standing, carrying and lifting or using a force equal to 50 pounds.

Requirements: Knowledge of cleaning methods and procedures. Ability to use a wide range of janitorial equipment and supplies; understand and follow written and business English instructions; safely and correctly operate cleaning equipment; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees and officials. Ability to carry or use a force equal to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, lifting, walking, and standing.

Appropriate Texas driver’s license.

Salary: $ 15.08 hourly DOE Closing date: November 10, 2020 Apply online at governmentjobs.com/careers/boerne-tx The City of Boerne is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary: $15.08 hourly DOE Closing date: November 10, 2020

CALL Hill Country Weekly

Apply online at governmentjobs.com/careers/boerne-tx

(830) 331-8454 to place a classified ad

The City of Boerne is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Business Directory AIR CONDITIONING

ELECTRICAL

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Call 830-331-8454 for advertising opportunities in the Business Directory

PROPANE

Hill Country Weekly H Thursday, October 29, 2020

7

Obituaries Charles Marvin “Chuck” Dechert • May 29, 1934 – October 20, 2020

Charles Marvin “Chuck” Dechert passed away on October 20, 2020, at the age of 86.

He was born on May

29, 1934, to Marvin and Lois (Palmer) Dechert in Kerrville, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his wife of over 65+ years, Joyce (Ammann) Dechert; his parents; and his brother, Roy Wayne Dechert. He is survived by his children: Tommy and his wife Terrie, Holly Dechert Yancy, and Kristie Dechert; grandchildren: Brandon Dechert, Wesley Yancy, Sterling Yancy, and Cody Hall; greatgrandchildren: Riann

Yancy, Lola Dechert, and Augustus Yancy. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry Dechert and his wife, Kay; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Chuck graduated from Kerrville High School and continued his education in New Mexico. He worked at Kelly Air Force Base Civil Service in the Special Weapons Division until his retirement in 2006. In 2007, he joined the National Association of Retired Federal

Employees (NARFE) and served as a Service Officer up until 2019.

Chuck was an avid bowler and a lifetime member of the Turn Verein Bowling Alley. In 1968, he joined the Kendall County Fair Association and remained active for 50 plus years to make the KCFA better and bigger.

Chuck loved horse races and rodeo and annually sponsored the Bull Riding Buckle. His family continues the tradition. He

loved ranching, cows, goats, deer, fishing and hunting. He most enjoyed taking his family on vacation every year to Corpus Christi. One of his favorite past times was fishing in Rockport. His partner in crime was his pet cat, Henry McKenna (Henry).

Chuck was very compassionate about the feral cats at the fairground. For many years he took food and cared for them. In his later years, his family would take him so

he could continue the support.

In lieu in flowers, please donate to St. Jude at www.stjude.org.

A Celebration of Life is planned for the near future to honor Chuck’s life. To leave condolences for the family, visit ebensberger-fisher.com.

Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.

Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home

Oldest, continuous business in Boerne. Family owned and operated since 1882.

When a Death Occurs in the Life of a Child, Part 1

O C TO B E R 2 7 M E E T I N G

City Council Christina Ryrholm Hill Country Weekly City Council met on Tuesday evening with a lengthy Consent Agenda and two long range planning issues - a five year economic strategy plan and Boerne participating in WCID #4. See next week’s issue for a summary of the presentations and discussions.

After Ben Thatcher, City Manager, went through his monthly report Mayor Tim Handren opened the discussion on the future for Dickens on Main, a Boerne tradition that kicks off the Christmas holidays with a two day and night event the weekend after Thanksgiving.

During that weekend the Hill Country Mile becomes a visual winter wonderland with activities for all ages. There are carriage rides, shopping, food vendors and, of course, Santa among other holiday celebrations.

At least that has been the program prior to COVID-19 pandemic. As soon as it became apparent that the pandemic was going to extend through the rest of the year, and beyond, city staff went back to the drawing board. They found way

to preserve the essentials of the holiday weekend in unique ways.

It was decided to have the event on two different Saturdays, November 28 and December 5, and to have pre-purchased tickets for the four main events (the Bah Humbug Show, Ice Sculpting Battles, 60’ Ice Slide and the Birds of Prey Show) to limit the number of people. The parade was cancelled.

At the October 13 City Council meeting Paul Barwick, Special Projects Director, presented the new concepts and Handren said that the city would keep a close eye on the pandemic situation. Last night he stated that he would make a final determination about whether or not the city would host a Dickens on Main this year by the end of the week. But first he wanted the input of the council members.

Tim opened the discussion by commenting that he certainly understood the struggles that businesses were having and appreciated the creativity that went into restructuring Dickens on Main but it was necessary to balance commerce on one hand and public safety on the other.

Stimulus Continued from page 1 it was approved unanimously to grant them the money.

The next item was to discuss whether or not the county should consider having a second round of stimulus grants. On March 27 Congress passed the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities) Act. Kendall County could qualify for just over a $1,500,000. While it is mandated that 75% must be spent on three categories specifically dealing with COVID and health care issues, the other 25% is available for the county to award qualifying businesses with stimulus money.

Following the same protocols as before the county will soon begin the process of receiving applications. The total amount of will not exceed $150,000.

Modified Dickens on Main in jeopardy

Ty Wolosin said, “I don’t see how we can do this”. With limited ticket sales more people would be in the shops, requiring them to enforce the social distancing and wearing of masks. The employees and first responders would be the people most exposed and at risk.

Nina Woolard mentioned the concerns of the rising number of cases and that in the past Dickens has been a big draw for families and individuals from out of town.

With not having the ability to really control the crowds she wished there was a way “for local people to support local businesses without the crowds [of non-residents]”. She ended with “We can’t do it safely”.

Quinten Scott stated that he’s had children that had COVID and realized that the elderly were at risk but “COVID shouldn’t control our lives as it has”.

He feels that we shouldn’t take away business opportunities and that people “should not live in fear” and they could elect not to come. He concluded with “I am glad it is not my decision”.

Bryce Boddie commented that while people should take personal

The individuals that wished to speak during the public comments portion of the meeting all deferred to the agenda item they wished to address - the update on “potential legislation specific to Kendall County”. Speaking for State Representative Kyle Biedermann was Karin Dyer, Chief of Staff, and for State Senator Donna Campbell was Zach Dooley, Senior Policy Analyst.

Commissioner Richard Elkins stated that the draft with Kendall County specific language is focusing on working with developers and quality of life issues. He believes all requests concerning roads are reasonable. He concluded with the only way the court will get the authority to have these restrictions will be when it is received from the residents in the county through the ballot process.

Three individuals spoke expressing their concerns on this issue - Milan Michalec, a director with

responsibility for their actions and he would prefer that the city’s efforts focus on the local residents and businesses.

“It’s a scary responsibility for two weekends” and “it is too dangerous”.

Joe Macaluso emphasized that we [city council] are the “stewards of our employees” and we must be concerned with people coming from all over. Remarking on his medical background, he observed that, “COVID is real and it’s here. There are many cases that we are not aware of and the disease is highly contagious”. He concluded with the thought that many are suffering from COVID fatigue, another factor that cannot be controlled.

The mayor closed the discussion with “We don’t want to be that city”, the one that sponsors the only (as of now) uncanceled event in Southern Texas and have it turn out tragically. Keeping in mind that a decision needs to be made in a timely manner before businesses spend in anticipation of two busy Saturdays, he promises a decision by the end of the week.

Ultimately the decision is his to make.

the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, Denise Lindemann and Denise Dever.

Milan focused on water issues and the two-fold problem. First is the high density of development and the “second is the significant threat of proliferation of the Water Control and Improvement District (WCID) and the Municipal Utility District (MUD)”.

Denise Lindemann also focused on water issues stating that the water crisis was already here and that we “are all straws drinking from the same cup”.

Denise Dever introduced Zach Taylor from Donna Campbell’s office and commented that there needed to be coordination in the efforts to get anything done. She mentioned that individuals were willing to send emails to elected officials and that it was necessary to realize that everything would not be accomplished at once, but a step at a time.

Both Dyer and Dooley reiterated that Biedermann and Campbell were listening and would take Kendall County’s requests to Austin. Lux ended the discussion by quoting Michalec closing lines, “Future growth must respect the unique local conditions and not sacrifice those institutions and natural resources that contribute so greatly to an enviable high quality of life.

This includes preserving the natural beauty, native wildlife, as well as the local historical and cultural heritage of this unique region”.

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Tell the child in terms that he/she can understand that the person has died using age appropriate language. “Susie was very sick and her body couldn’t go on working so she died.” “Your mom was in a car accident and her body was so hurt that her heart stopped working and she died.” “Your dad’s heart became very sick suddenly and he died.” (Never tell them the loved one “went to sleep.”

This could cause the child to fear going to sleep thinking they might die too.)

Allow the child to ask any question and/or express any feeling. If a child says, “I HATE that doctor for letting mommy die!” an appropriate response would be “I wish mommy hadn’t died too.” This is not an appropriate time to correct the child about saying hate. If a child asks, “When will mommy come back?” say, “Mommy can’t come back because she died. Died means her spirit has gone to heaven to be with God” (or an explanation that is appropriate in your value system).

Allowing the child to express their feelings will keep communication open. Correcting the child or shaming them for expressing a feeling will shut them down and prevent further discussion about death.

111 Rosewood Ave. • Boerne (830) 249-2321 • Ebensberger-Fisher.com

City hires first Human Resources Director Meet Lisa Robles The city of Boerne has hired Lisa Robles to serve as the city’s first Human Resources Director. Until this year the human resources functions for the city’s 270 employees have been managed by City Secretary Lori Carroll.

“Lisa was selected from a large group of qualified applicants,” said City Manager Ben Thatcher.

“She has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of Human Resources ranging from policy development, talent acquisition, employee relations and advocacy, workers compensation, performance management, and training programs.”

Ms Robles has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, a Master’s degree in Psychology and is a certified Human Resources Professional.

She loves watching sports, particularly football. She also loves watching horror movies, has 2 rescue puppies, and is a Harry Potter fanatic.

Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home

Oldest, continuous business in Boerne. Family owned and operated since 1882.

When a Death Occurs in the Life of a Child, Part 2 Participation in ritual is helpful to a child. Allow the child to participate in funeral/memorial rituals to the degree they have the ability. Allow even young children to attend a funeral/memorial.

Prepare them in advance for what the service will be like: • There will be lots of people who knew Grandpa there and some will be crying because they are sad that Grandpa has died. Someone will speak about Grandpa and what is said may make you sad, which is okay, and it is okay to cry.

• There will be a box called a casket at the front and it has Grandpa’s body in it. His body no longer has Grandpa’s spirit in it so we will bury his body at the cemetery, but his spirit lives on in our memories, is in heaven, etc.

• There will be a picture of Grandpa at the front of the room to remind us how much we loved him. We are going to put some of his favorite things on the table with his picture. Can you think of something you would like to see on the table with his picture that reminds you of Grandpa?

Adapted from article written by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.

111 Rosewood Ave. • Boerne (830) 249-2321 • Ebensberger-Fisher.com

8

Thursday, October 29, 2020 H Hill Country Weekly

Focus On The Family – Advice for dealing with social distancing

by Jim Daly

This column sponsored by:

Boerne (830) 249-3955 Leon Springs (210) 698-8100 Member FDIC Q: This social distancing thing has dragged out SO long; just when we think we’re easing back to a routine, something else sets us back. As a family, we’ve done all the virtual alternatives and time fillers until we’re sick of it (and each other). Do you have any advice?

Jim: We’re all hoping for a return to normal – whatever “normal” will

look like going forward.

But I’ve got three simple ideas for you to consider doing now, and also moving forward.

First, eat together. For most of us, the usual tendency – and especially in times like this -- is to eat in front of each other while watching television or using our phones. As often as you can, sit down and connect over a meal.

Family dinners aren’t about the food; they’re about the connections that take place around the table. Don’t feel pressured to fix a gourmet meal every night. The main thing is to look each other in the eyes and to connect.

The second idea is to look back and reminisce a little. Pull out the old photos and videos. Tell

your kids stories about their childhoods and yours. Family history connects your children to something beyond themselves and deepens their bond with you.

Finally, look ahead.

Crises have a way of resetting our priorities or giving us a new perspective on things. Is there something that you’ve wanted to do for years – a big goal you’ve put off?

Maybe now is the time to go for it. And if you’re going right back to what you were doing before, it’s healthy to look forward. Start planning now for everything you hope to do as life opens up again.

For more ideas to help your family thrive, visit FocusOnTheFamily.com.

Q: How can I help my

children manage feelings of anxiety?

Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting & Youth: Anxious feelings are something all kids must learn to navigate.

To help them, you should know that: Anxious feelings rely on how we interpret reality.

They occur automatically and often unexpectedly.

They can be created by experiences, biology, perceptions and overall personality.

As we mature and get older, the brain either adapts and learns to manage anxious feelings or becomes more and more controlled by them.

Feelings provide important input for thoughts and decisions, but usually don’t deliver enough

information to produce an appropriate response.

You have to learn to interpret your experiences and thoughts properly.

For example, if a child is very anxious about being rejected, she is most likely expecting – and is hypersensitive to – signs of rejection. Her thoughts (“I’m not good enough”) can produce anxious feelings when she’s with others. That insecurity can be self-fulfilling – until she learns that her value isn’t dependent on other people’s input, and she can confidently thrive in her unique giftings.

Thoughts and feelings dance together. Help your kids see the “thought themes” that anxious feelings can create, and what thoughts may be creating their anxious

feelings. Help your child learn how to bring truth to their thoughts. For example, some kids are afraid of the dark, but darkness doesn’t necessarily mean danger.

Teach your children how to know and communicate their limits.

Kids shouldn’t be forced to satisfy competing anxious feelings. For instance, some children may be afraid of heights, but may also be anxious about looking weak when their friends are climbing higher. Kids can learn to stretch their boundaries in healthy ways and develop limits that are based on freedom – freedom from needing to impress or gain acceptance, as well as freedom from avoiding everything that sparks anxious feelings.

Shake dem Halloween Bones!

A movement-based storytime

Celebrate Picture Books November is Picture Book Month, a time to celebrate the print picture book during a time of increasing digital use. As noted in the Terms and Criteria of the Caldecott Award Committee, A “picture book for children as distinguished from other books with illustrations, is one that essentially provides the child with a visual experience. A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures of which the book is comprised.” Librarians will often simplify this definition to explain to patrons that a picture book is one for children in which the story is told as much through the illustrations as through the words.

Author Dianne de Las Casas founded Picture Book Month after reading an article in “The New York Times” back in 2011 that pondered the future of picture books in an increasingly digitalized world. An advocate of the printed word, de Las Casas felt compelled to champion the relevancy of the printed book. As she noted to the “Huffington Post,” “Picture books celebrate childhood. They speak universal truths and help children better understand the world around them.”

Picture books are indeed worthy of a celebratory month, for their benefits for children are many. By virtue of their colorful illustrations, captivating plots, and often playful language, picture books are highly inviting for young children. Such books are therefore a wonderful way to introduce youngsters to the wonder of literature and reading.

Picture books can also enhance developmental skills.

Lori Calabrese noted in “The Children’s Book Review” that picture books help develop comprehension skills. The illustrations help children analyze and comprehend the story. Moreover, the concept of cause and effect is developed as

children listen to the story and consider what will happen next. They therefore acquire “story sense,” an awareness of beginning, middle, and ending.

Language is also enhanced by picture books, which afford children the opportunity to practice sounds and words, repeating them as a parent reads them aloud.

Similarly, the repetition in picture books engages a child. As he eagerly awaits a repetitive line to recite, he is practicing phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension and fluency. Picture books also stimulate a child’s imagination.

Each book provides a youngster with a multi-sensory experience, a wonderful package of captivating words, engaging illustrations, and the delicious smell and touch of the printed page.

Our library will be celebrating Picture Book Month this November through our social media with photographs of community members posed with favorite picture books.

Check out our Children’s Corner Facebook page at that time to see this fine gallery of individuals, all of whom we thank for their time and hard work.

Dance teacher Ms. Crysta will treat toddlers to a movementbased storytime just perfect for the holiday season.

Little readers will be able to observe and participate in Fall and Halloween themed stories experienced through movement.

Little readers should dress for the weather, spinning, and perhaps going briefly upside down.

Crysta Caulkins-Clouse has a MFA and BS in Dance and has taught dance to all ages for 25 years. Her dance research is based in how play and games enhance learning, performing, and making dance, and her mission is to create joyful environments for others to embrace taking risks and challenges. Currently teaching dance and Arts Preschool for Lonestar Collective Dance and fitness for FIT4MOM in Boerne, Crysta has also performed, taught, and choreographed all over the US with her company, Big Rig Dance Collective.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT! REGISTRATION BY EMAIL ONLY: keremes@boernelibrary.org Since we are limiting the number of families, not people, families are asked to register as one.

Note, while attendance by reservation is recommended, walk-ins will be permitted.

Each family will be asked to bring a blanket(s) big enough for the entire family to sit upon.

Each family MUST observe social distancing of 6 feet per family at all times. Facial coverings for all those ages 10 and up are required when not able to socially distance.

For your convenience, there will be a sanitation station and safety champion on site.

Dance teacher Crysta Caulkins-Clouse Restrooms will be open for of movement-based storytime. patron use. The public should Shake dem Halloween Bones! be aware that these facilities are Outdoor Seasonal Special at the cleaned regularly but not sanitized Amphitheater! after every use. People should conWednesday, October 28, 10:30 sider bringing their own disinfecta.m. ing wipes to clean surfaces.

1st Annual KCFA Spring Craft Fair The Kendall County Fair Association, Inc. is thrilled to announce they will host the 1st Annual KCFA Spring Craft Fair, scheduled for Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25, 2021. The two day scheduled show will be held on the grounds at Herff Park and will feature vendors showcasing homemade/handcrafted arts and crafts merchandise. Applications will be open and accepted from public vendors local and state wide.

The Kendall County Fair Association, Inc. faced three heartfelt cancellations decisions during 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. First, the 8th Annual Community Garage Sale scheduled for March 28, 2020 was cancelled and in July the KCFA Board made the decision to cancel the 115th Annual Kendall County Fair. In September another heartfelt cancellation decision was the 37th Annual Oma’s Christmas Fair.

All three annual events are fundraisers for the Association and all profits help to continue to further the interest of the Association and for improving properties and the grounds.

The Association is a 501 (c)3 Non-Profit with officers and directors serving without remuneration. The cancellations were not only a financial loss for the Association, but also for the vendors at all three events who suffered financial losses.

With the cancellation of the 37th Oma’s Christmas Fair Director Marilyn Culak proposed a Spring Craft Fair to the KCFA Board Of Directors not only to help the KCFA but for the Oma’s Vendors as well. Oma’s vendors was polled and overall positive responses was a deciding factor for the KCFA to host a Spring Craft Fair.

The KCFA Board of Directors voted on September 8, 2020 to host a spring craft fair.

On October 6, 2020 the KCFA Board of Directors voted to name the spring craft fair “KCFA SPRING CRAFT FAIR” and set the date for the two day annual event. “We are so thrilled and excited to host and provide another event for all to enjoy,” stated KCFA Director Marilyn Culak. She will Chair the upcoming event.

So mark you calendars and save the dates of April 24 and April 25, 2021 for great shopping within a “CRAFT FAIR” setting. Visit www.kcfa. org and face book page for more details as they become available.

Rainbow Senior Center at Kronkosky Place

*Call ahead to confirm meals are being served 830-249-2114 ~ 17 Old San Antonio Road

Santikos Continued from page 1 asymptomatic carriers.

Santikos is partnering with Community Labs, a non-profit that did not exist until last month.

Co-founded by Bruce Bugg, Graham Weston and Tullos Wells (Managing Director of the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation) their objective was to find a way to maximize the number of people tested. With

a quick turn around of 24 hour results the individuals can quickly begin the two week quarantine.

The testing is done under the direction of Dr. Rachel Beddard, Chief Medical Officer of BioBridge Global. The test itself is a nasal swab that will detect the genetic material of the virus that is only present if the individual is actively infected.

Originally planned for use in schools in order to stop the spread of the virus within a controlled environment (the same people in the same place daily) the concept is now being expanded to include businesses.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER MENU Friday October 30 Grilled Hamburgers w/ Fixings Tater Tots • Spiced Peaches

Monday November 2 Oven Fried Chicken Green Beans w/ Onions and Mushrooms Roasted Potatoes Tuesday November 3 Mixed Chicken & Beef Fajitas w/ Onions and Bell Peppers • Refried Beans WednesdayNovember 4 Liver and Onions Beets • Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes Thursday November 5 King Ranch Chicken Black Beans • Corn O’Brien

Hill Country Weekly H Thursday, October 29, 2020

9

FOR City Council – TERM LIMITS Term limits misinformation cleared up

Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries’ 20 Year Anniversary What a fun afternoon it was celebrating Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries’ 20th Anniversary today! Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries’ mission is to help unite and equip the body of Christ with the food, resources, and training necessary to transform our communities and the lives of those in poverty through the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. Learn more about Hill

Country Daily Bread Ministries, the amazing work they do and how you can volunteer or help by going to hillcountrydailybread.com or visit their facility at 38 Cascade Caverns Road in Boerne. You can also call them at (830) 755-5200. Happy Anniversary HCDBM, here’s to 20 amazing years of service!

Signs by Card My Yard Boerne.

FOR new police lieutenant selected

It has come to the City’s attention that there is misinformation circulating within the community regarding City Council Term Limits and the eligibility of the respective candidates.

In response, the City Manager and Mayor have consulted with the City’s attorney regarding the issue surrounding candidate eligibility. Legal counsel has advised the City that the below interpretation of Section 3.08 A of the Charter is accurate.

In accordance with the Charter, all current candidates are eligible. We wanted to take a moment to clarify the misinformation that is currently circulating through our community.

Section 3.08 A. of the Fair Oaks Ranch Home Rule Charter prescribes Term Limits as follows: A. Office of Council Member No current or future elected Council Member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms of office nor more than four (4) three (3) year terms of office during a lifetime. No Council Member shall be eligible to take office for a period of three (3) years from the end of a second consecutive Term of Office.

The language in Section 3.08.A of our Charter was written to provide a transitioning mechanism for council members from two-year terms to three-year terms. That language was necessary because some sitting council members were going to be assigned two-year terms initially

and some were going to be assigned three-year terms. The goal was to provide eventually for all council members to be elected to three-year terms and to stagger the elections so not all members would roll off at the same time. The easiest way to visualize this plan is to look at the chart on page 25 of the Charter.

The basic rule was that no current or future Council Member could serve more than two consecutive three-year terms nor more than four three-year terms in a lifetime. The other basic prohibition was that there had to be a gap of at least three years from serving two consecutive terms of three years before a council member could stand for election again. That is the meaning of the second sentence in 3.08.A. If the misinformation were accurate, the Charter would be limiting a council member whose place was initially assigned a two-year term to four years of service when the clear intent was to allow a council member to serve as much as four threeyear terms in a lifetime.

At this point in time, no applicant for City Council nor any sitting Council Member has served two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms of office nor more than four (4) three (3) year terms of office during their lifetime.

Accordingly, all candidates that have filed to run for a place on City Council are eligible.

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Fair Oaks Ranch Police Chief Tim Moring is pleased to announce the selection John Ojeda, a 13-year veteran of the police department for the promotion of Lieutenant.

Lt. Ojeda has a total of 17 of years in law enforcement. During his 13 years with Fair Oaks Ranch PD he has served as a patrol officer, Corporal and Sergeant.

“John has been a valued member of this Department since 2007.

During his time here, he has solidified himself as an individual that Officers look to for guidance and leadership. I am very proud of John and the leader he has become and fully believe he embodies the values and goals we have set to move forward as a true community-based Police Agency,” said Chief Moring.

City Manager Tobin E. Maples said “the City of Fair Oaks Ranch is very fortunate to have Lieutenant Ojeda. John has held significant positions within our Police Department and is a consummate professional.

We appreciate the emotional intelligence and community orientation he displays while serving our City and I look forward to working with him as he assumes this leadership position on our Command Staff.”

Ojeda is a veteran of the U.S. Navy with a total of 22 years of service, 5 deployments and several commendations for his service.

He is a 2019 graduate of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas and is a certified Master Peace Officer. Lt. Ojeda is also 2010 graduate of Wayland Baptist

University with a bachelor’s degree in Justice Administration and an Associates of Applied Science in Computer Systems.

Mayor Manitzas states, “Three internal candidates interviewed for the Lieutenant position. All three who interviewed are high quality officers of whom we are very proud. John Ojeda was selected as the best choice in terms of experience and training for the position. We congratulate Lt. Ojeda and look forward to him continuing to do great things in our police department.”

Lt. Ojeda officially began his new role on October 15th and states, “I am honored to continue to serve the citizens of Fair Oaks Ranch and be a mentor to our officers”.

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Thursday, October 29, 2020 H Hill Country Weekly

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The following conversation took place as I was schlepping the children home from the park. Names have been changed to protect their humiliation when they get older and read this. And if they still share these opinions as an adult, Lord help us all.

Birdie (5-year-old daughter): “Mama, Bee is going to be tall when he grows up.”

Me: “Yup. The doctors say he’ll six-feet, as tall as Grandpa.”

Birdie: “I’m going to be tall.”

Me: “They say you’ll be as tall as Daddy.”

Birdie: “I need to be tall to get married.”

Me: (rapidly trying to think of a response) “Well…”

Bee (2-year-old son): “Bumblebee!”

Birdie: “I have to get married to have kids. I’m going to have lots of kids. Boys and girls.”

Me: “How many kids do you want, honey?”

Birdie: “Five. Boys and girls.”

Me: (laughing hysterically) Birdie: “And you’re going to take care of them, Mama.”

Me: (stops laughing) Birdie: “You’re going to feed them and take them to the park and change their diapers and teach them their letters…”

Me: “What are you going to be doing?”

Birdie: “I’ll write stories like you! Or read books.”

Me: (Both thrilled at her response of wanting to write and terrified at prospect of raising five grandkids.

Can’t figure out what to respond to first.)

Bee: “I-I-I- I’m going to be tall like Grwan-pa! I’m going to shoot bad guys with Bumblebee. They’re in BIG TROUBLE! Let’s fire that bad boy up!”

Birdie: “Are you going to get married?”

Bee: “Mmm- HMMMM!” Birdie: “How many kids are you going to have?”

Bee: “Two! A boy baby and a girl baby!”

Birdie: “And what are you going to name them? Are you going to name them Birdie?”

Bee: “Nooooooooo.”

Birdie: “Are you going to name

them Ariel or Elsa?”

Bee: “I’M GOING TO NAME THEM BUMBLEBEE! Girl Bumblebee and Boy Bumblebee!”

Me: (laughing so hard I can’t breathe.) “What are you going to name your kids, Birdie?”

Birdie: “Chloe and Lennie and Elsa and Ariel and Cinderella.”

Bee: “Bumblebee!”

Me: “What about the boys? You can’t name a boy Elsa.”

Birdie: “It’ll be ok. They like it.

It’ll be ok, Mommy.”

Bee: “I shoot bad guys! Pew! Pew! Pew! Bo-Bot! T-Wex!” Birdie: “Mommy can take care of your babies too, Bee. They can all be best friends, like we’re best friends.”

Bee: “Bumblebee is my best friend. I wuv Bumblebee. Mama, I wuv Bumblebee.”

Me: “I know you do. What’s Bee going to be doing while I take care of his kids?”

Birdie: “I don’t know. Shoot bad guys or paint pumpkins. I don’t know, Mama, I’m hungry.

Can we have Chick-Fil-A?” Me: “Why not?”

Comfort resident and decorated Vietnam veteran, Tommy Blake, left, interviewed for the Veteran’s History Project by Pat Patterson of the Boerne chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution

Veterans visit free

In honor of both veterans and active military, entrance fees for all visitors will be waived at all Texas state parks on November 8, the Sunday before Veterans Day. Capacity limits are in place; day-use reservations are highly encouraged. Camping and other activity fees still apply.

Kendall County Democratic Party Deputy Chair Laura Bray and Wendy Davis at the KCDP booth

Vietnam Vet, Col. Tommy Blake

American war veterans personal accounts preserved As a part of its ongoing support of the Library of Congress’s Veteran’s History Project, Pat Patterson of the Boerne chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution recently interviewed Comfort resident Tommy Blake, a retired army colonel and highly decorated Vietnam War vet.

The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so

that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Many patriotic organizations, as well as individuals around the country, interview veterans in their communities for the project. The Boerne SAR chapter has taken an active role in this project.

Blake, who served as a troop commander, operations officer and aviation officer in Vietnam ,received several decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the

Bronze Star, both with oak leaf clusters along with the Purple Heart for wounds he received in combat.

Following the war, Blake continued to be active in both the Air National Guard and the Army Reserve while completing a career as a helicopter pilot for Mobil Oil Corp.

NEWS from Boerne Chapter #64 Sons of the American Revolution For more information, contact Pat Blackman 830-439-0477 or jackpat@gvtc.com

JOINT ELECTION JOINT ELECTION (Elección Conjunta) (Elección Conjunta)

Election Night

Victory Party Please join the Kendall County Tea Party on November 3 at 6:30 pm at Tusculum Brewing for an Election Night Victory party! Enjoy food, drink and fellowship with Tea Party supporters, Republican

party workers, Trump Train driv- be provided. Cash bar. Donations ers, and anyone who wants to encouraged. make America, Texas and Kendall County great again! We will be Tusculum Brewing Company watching live coverage of the elec236 S Main • Boerne, Texas tions during this party. Food will

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 NOVEMBER(3 3, 2020de 2020) de Noviembre

(3 de Noviembre de 2020)

ELECTIONDAY DAY VOTE ELECTION VOTECENTERS CENTERS (Centros de votación del día de las elecciones) (Centros de votación del día de las elecciones)

A at ANY ANY of of the the Election ElectionDay DayVoter VoterCenters.

Centers.

A voter voter may may vote vote at (Un votante puede puede votar envotar CUALQUIERA de los centros (Un votante en CUALQUIERA de de votación del día de ) los centros de votación dellas díaElecciones. de las Elecciones.)

(Polls Open 7am – 7pm) VOTE CENTER #1

City Hall (Training Room)

VOTE CENTER #2

First Baptist Church (HUB)

VOTE CENTER #3

Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department

VOTE CENTER #4

Burdick Community Center

VOTE CENTER #5

Kendall County Fairgrounds (New Hall)

VOTE CENTER #6

Kendalia Community Center

447 N. Main Street, Boerne, Texas 78006

631 S. School Street, Boerne, Texas 78006 1 Old Curry Creek Road, Bergheim, Texas 78004

119 Old San Antonio Road, Boerne, Texas 78006 1307 River Road, Boerne, Texas 78006 2610 FM 473, Kendalia, Texas 78027

VOTE CENTER #7

Boerne Bible Church

1026 E. Blanco, Boerne, Texas 78006

VOTE CENTER #8

Sisterdale Community Center

2 Sisterdale-Lindendale Road, Sisterdale, Texas 78006

VOTE CENTER #9

Comfort Baptist Church

100 Amber Drive, Comfort, Texas 78013

VOTE CENTER #10

Waring Fire House

VOTE CENTER #11

Nineteen:Ten Church

11 Waring Rd, Boerne, Texas 78006 130 FM 1376, Boerne, Texas 78006

Hill Country Weekly H Thursday, October 29, 2020

T he

“I a m not a n o r m al w o m an”

Dé cor Gen e

By Calista Drake

What I am about to say will shock and horrify you. You see, I am not a normal woman.

I don’t like decorating. In any form or fashion.

When we built our current home, my husband poured over catalogues of samples, fretting over what tile went with what cabinets and carpets. I grudgingly gave my opinion, and didn’t even notice when he chose the opposite of what I said. My mother-in-law and mother decorated the rooms and chose lamps and furniture.

The only rooms I invested in were the kids’ bedrooms and my hide-away upstairs, which has now been overrun with children’s toys and homeschool materials. Until we had kids, my Christmas décor consisted of a gimpy tree we bought when we were first married a thousand years ago and on a tight budget that I covered in a mish-mash of white and colored lights and whimsical ornaments like flamingos and tutu-wearing Chihuahuas.

My mother and sister, however, LIVE to decorate. I can not begin to tell you how many Parade of Homes neighborhoods I was dragged along on in childhood or how much HGTV played in the background while I was doing homework. My sister even got a degree in interior design. My mother-in-law has an unofficial degree in Southern style

décor. For years, I haunted every boutique in town to find just the right bauble or curio to adorn her bookshelf or side table for all gift-buying occasions. She happily bestowed hand me downs to me and still comes over to suggest places for chairs or tables to “finish out” decorating the house.

I went to the gym during those discussions. It’s my happy place.

Like most parents, I was certain that I’d have children that shared my interests in things like reading, dancing, being outside and art.

And like most parents, I was wrong, and have children desperate to play soccer and decorate, my two worst nightmares.

It’s not just my daughter who wants to decorate. It’s my son as well.

“Punkins!” my son will shout any time we drive by one of the decorated houses in our neighborhood. “PI-DAH (spider!)”

“Mom, we need some zombies,” my daughter informs me on a daily basis.

“Do you even know what zombies are?”

“Ghosts. Duh. And we need some witches. And some skeletons.” She’ll point out the window as we pass a yard with a 12-foot skeleton. “Can you get me that for Christmas?”

“By Christmas, all the Halloween stuff is down. Then

11

we’ll have Christmas lights and our Christmas tree up.” And before you start on me, yes, we still have the same gimpy tree. It’s just missing a few branches now, has hot pink lights as well as colored and white and is now covered in only non-breakable ornaments because I can’t get the kids to leave it alone. Oh, and it has a star on top instead of an angel because my daughter informed me that only stars go on top of Christmas trees.

“An-ta! (Santa!)” my son cheers from the back. “Gn-Ging (Jingle) bells! Gn-Ging Bells! (incomprehensible before volume triples) ALL THE WAY!” As you can imagine, I tried to get away with decorating for Halloween using my mother’s old yard decorations.

Ha. We are now the proud owners of a strand of orange ‘punkin’ lights and several window stickers that have been re-organized to read ‘Eek or reat” with various letters stuck to random doors downstairs. Outside, we host a modest skeleton graveyard next to a feather-boa wearing full sized skeleton and skeleton dog. I was proud. I had decorated.

Well, my daughter decorated. I just swiped the credit card. But she wasn’t done. Oh no. She has two sets of decorating genes and a burning fervor to visit the pumpkin patch.

So, after a week of whining, begging, and cajoling on my end, I gave up and took them this morning.

“Punkins!” my son cried, barreling to a display that was bigger than he was. “Mama, I can hold it in my ‘and (hand)!”

The pumpkin stem reached his belly button. “Orange, bumblebee (yellow), orange, Elsa (white), green,” he intoned, labeling the colors of the various pumpkins and crabapples scattered around the display.

Meanwhile, my daughter had drug a volunteer not much bigger than she was over with a wheelbarrow. “I need this one and this one and this one and that BIG one and the white one…” she instructed, breaking off to study a mottled squash. “Ew, this one is weird!” She switched tracks and stared intently at the volunteer. “Where are your baby pumpkins?”

“Baby punkins!” my son gasped, clasping his hands and beaming. “I put baby punkins in my ‘and!”

My daughter shooed him away. “Shush! I’m talking! Do you have Bumblebee pumpkins?” she quizzed the poor girl. “And white pumpkins?

I like the white ones better than the orange ones because they’re not colorful and I can paint them and they’re white like a fairy tale and I really like white pumpkins,” she exhaled,

stopping to take a breath.

She wrinkled her nose at the offerings around her. “Do you have prettier pumpkins? These pumpkins aren’t as pretty.”

“Baby punkin,” my son cooed, hugging a palm sized pumpkin to his chest.

“I gotta baby punkin! Aw, cuteeeeeeeee.”

“Get that one,” my daughter instructed the volunteer, sauntering through the various clusters of pumpkins like a celebrity at a sample sale. “That one is too sticky. That one looks nice. Mommy, should we get one for Daddy?” she called.

“You can have one baby pumpkin and one small pumpkin each. That’s it!” I yelled after her.

As you can imagine, no one listened to me. At the register, both children were loading in pumpkins as fast as I could take them out. The employees had already labeled me as a sucker and were hanging onto my daughter’s every instruction.

“What are you going to do with the pumpkins?” another volunteer asked us, trailing behind us with $40 worth of pumpkins in the wheelbarrow towards our car. My daughter pushed her hot pink sequined sunglasses down her nose and gave him a withering stare.

“Decorate, of course,” she said.

Of course.

Boerne Community Theatre The roll of a co-producer For each production at Boerne Community Theatre, the group seeks a co-producer. The contribution they provide helps to underwrite the costs to produce each show. In return, the co-producer is listed on the poster, the playbill, the marquee, in press releases, on the website, and thanked during the host’s opening speech at each performance. They also have the choice of having a private performance for an audience selected by them (usually clients, customers, friends). This year BCT has had a great response from several companies and individuals including the GVTC Foundation, the UPS Store at 1604 and Blanco, Rogers & Moore PLLC, a couple who are Friends of BCT, Susan Willis Realtor, The Giles Hotel in Comfort, Holt & Holt Funeral Home and Penguin Suits. The theatre really appreciates their support.

Interested parties who might want to co-produce a show (there is one left–the May production of Old Ringers), should contact Christine Crowley, Executive Director, at (210) 269-3290.

Jerry Watson, BCT Board President, Sheree Stevens, BCT Board member, Christine Crowley, BCT Executive Director, Catherine Carson, GVTC employee/donor, and Les Johnson, GVTC Foundation Director.

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Thursday, October 29, 2020 H Hill Country Weekly

Hill Country Happenings sponsored by Holt & Holt Funeral Home

Halloween Haunts:

Sisters Grimm

s r u o t t s o gh

The Bobcats returned to action this week against the Lago Vista Vikings in their second District 13-3A matchup.

They managed to tie the score at 21-21 in the 3rd quarter before the Vikings pulled away late for a 42-21 victory.

With the loss the Cats fall to 0-2 in District 13-3A play and 6-2 overall.

They travel to Blanco next Friday.

Jose Neri, Jr (21) looks for daylight.

Class of 2020

A Sister’s Grimm employee gives a tour at a San Antonio cemetery.

Boerne Native Now Ghost Queen of Downtown SA A fascination with the ghosts haunting the Alamo City

By Miranda Koerner Lauren Schiess was born into the ghost business, you could say. As the owner of Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours, which she does indeed run with her sister and sister-in-law, Schiess makes her living repeated stories told to her by her own mother over years and years. While Schiess, who grew up in Boerne, currently lives in Leon Springs, she has long had a fascination with the ghosts haunting the Alamo City.

“My family has been here since the Canary Islanders here in the 1700s,” Schiess said. “My mom would get us interested in the history by telling us ghost stories, because you learn the history but it’s a ghost story. I started the tour and my sisters joined me. I had a sister that did phone calls and a sister that did tours, so we were the Sisters Grimm.”

The Sisters Grimm have several different ways to scare you, from a traditional walking tour to a nightly bus tour that stops at a graveyard.

Schiess said the most popular spot for visitors is the Menger Hotel, which is a hotbed of paranormal activity. The walking tour also covers the Alamo and the Spanish Governor’s Mansion. At the Spanish Governor’s Mansion, Schiess had her own spooky experience.

“The Spanish Governor’s Mansion is our tour guides’ least favorite spot, and I’ve felt that way as well there,” Schiess said. “There’s something sinister there. The story is there was a robbery in the house and the mother was murdered protecting her daughter. She’s a spirit called the Lady in Grey. They say when kids, especially girls, come up to the window they’ll see the woman in Grey. I was training a tour guide and there was a little girl that was making a lot of ruckus.

She asked me, “Who’s that?” and pointed. I said, “Who?” She said, “There’s a woman in the window, and she says her stomach hurts and she wants out.” The Lady in Grey had been stabbed in the stomach.

It was really creepy. I was just like, “Ok, let’s go find your parents!”

However, the bus tour is Schiess’s favorite tour to lead, as the bus allows groups to visit the old San Antonio jail, red light district and a

historic cemetery that is so spooky grown men have been known to not get off the bus.

“Sometimes you’ll find weird things in the cemetery, like voodoo dolls and Santeria artifacts,” Schiess says. “That cemetery has a lot of famous people buried there.”

The Sisters Grimm also have a deal with the Menger Hotel where one can dine and tour the famous haunts of the hotel. It was at the hotel one night where Schiess experienced her own close up and personal with the other worldly residents.

“We have a closet where we store the items in the dinner tour, and the tour that evening had ended really late because of Halloween season,” said Schiess. “It was midnight and I went to go put some stuff in the closet. The door always has a lock sticking out and never locks on its own. When I went in, the door slammed behind me but I was too busy trying to put stuff away. The door handle started shaking like someone was desperate to get in. I go to open the door and the doorknob is still shaking. When I got it open, there was no one behind the door and no one in sight. It freaked my sister out!”

Schiess likes ghosts so much she wrote a book about the hauntings in San Antonio under her married name, Lauren Schwartz with her husband James. The book, Haunted History of San Antonio, talks about several of the tour spots, of course, as well as the Emily Morgan Hotel, Black Swan Inn, and San Fernado Cathedral.

An excerpt from Schiess’s book reads: “The Menger had so many different types of tragedies on the premises-including a battle next door- and people stay throughout the years there’s no wonder the hotel bears the title, ‘Most Haunted Hotel’ in Texas.”

But much to Schiess’s dismay, she says she never saw ghosts in Boerne. That’s not without trying, of course!

Masks are required on all tours.

To check tour times and dates, visit sistersgrimmghosttour.com.

The Haunted History of San Antonio can be found on Amazon or the Sisters Grimm gift shop.

The Boerne Independent School District inducted the Athletic Hall of Honor Class of 2020 on Friday during a luncheon at Tapatio Springs. This year’s inductees are the 2004 State Semi-Finalist Boerne High School Football Team, with the individual inductees being Russell Moldenhauer, Hunter Lawrence, and Drew Oldis, as well as Russell Hawkins earning the Bill Canavan Memorial Benefactor Award.

The 2004 Boerne High School football team is considered one of the most successful teams in Boerne history, having reached the State Semifinals that season. Coached by Tommy Bludau, the Greyhounds went 12-2 during the memorable 2004 campaign, winning the District, Bi-District and Regional Championships, before falling to Marshall in the State Semifinals.

Individual inductees Moldenhauer, Lawrence and Oldis are all graduates of the Boerne High School class of 2006, and went on to star at the University of Texas.

After the Greyhounds 2004 State Championship Baseball season, Moldenhauer was named the Class 4A/5A Texas Player of the Year, and received multiple All-State and

All-American honors.

Moldenhauer went on to be a fouryear starter in baseball at the University of Texas, and was drafted by both the Anaheim Angels and the Washington Nationals organizations.

Lawrence was a highly successful kicker for the Greyhounds football team, and was named Class 4-A FirstTeam All-State two years in a row.

After his success at Boerne High School, Lawrence was a top recruit for the University of Texas, and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Oldis was a key offensive lineman for the Greyhound Football team, and was named First Team All-State, as well as graduated in the top 10 percent of his class in 2006.

After his many accomplishments at Boerne High School. Oldis went on to play for the University of Texas Football team.

Russell Hawkins will be the recipient of the Bill Canavan Memorial Benefactor Award. Mr. Hawkins has served the Boerne community for over 20 years. Initially he was a sports writer for the Hill Country Recorder and later as a sports photographer for Boerne and Charger Athletics.

2004 Boerne football team

Russell Moldenhauer

Hunter Lawrence

Drew Oldis

Russell Hawkins