LIVING
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BEAUTIFUL
LIFE
MARCH 2019
MEDINA LAKE Life on the water
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
Explore how the Guadalupe has shaped our region’s history
TREEHOUSE UTOPIA
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March 2019 - Volume 4 - Issue
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Copyright: Hill Country Culture is published by The Kerrville Daily Times under Southern Newspapers Inc. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.
EDITOR’S LETTER
Kerrville Daily Times photographer Tom Holden snapped this shot of cranes enjoying a quick dip near the Upper Guadalupe River Authority Dam at Guadalupe Park in Kerrville, one of many wonderful sights to be found in the region.
Surrounded by Hill Country beauty The Great Outdoors. Mother Nature. God’s green earth. This month, the team at Texas Hill Country Culture celebrates the natural world — and the many options for rest, relaxation and recuperation our remarkable region provides. Most Texas natives — even those from far outside our area — are well aware of the Hill Country’s natural beauty. Folks come from all over the Lone Star State to visit the likes of Enchanted Rock or for fun times along the Guadalupe River. And for many who come to make the Hill Country their new home, that natural beauty is often a large part of the appeal. Of course, when you’re surrounded by such wonders every day, it can be easy to grow accustomed to them. All too often, many of us — caught up in busy schedules or staring at screens — forget to stop and smell those proverbial roses. Yet there is perhaps no better place in all the world to do so. And now, with warmer weather on the way but while we’re still spared summer’s oppressive heat, is the perfect time to explore the Hill Country’s natural bounty. Any day now, the bluebonnets will be in season, the birds will be singing and the Hill Country will be alive with spring. Whether you’re looking to begin an outdoor activity such as cycling, enjoy an afternoon at one of the region’s many fine vineyards, or even escape the mundane with a stay in a fairytale treehouse, the Hill Country has an abundance of options for enjoying the outdoors. And just as we challenge you to appreciate the region’s natural wonders, we at Texas Hill Country Culture enjoyed — as always — the thrill of exploring our own community, learning new things about all of you as we fill these pages. We hope you enjoy exploring them as much as we enjoy sharing them.
Travis Webb
Managing Editor travis.webb@dailytimes.com
TXHCCULTURE.COM
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Contents Features 16 LIFE ALONG THE GUADALUPE The river’s presence has shaped the history of the Hill Country 20
MEDINA LAKE LIVING Life’s better on the water
22
RIVERSIDE NATURE CENTER Nurturing the young minds with the natural world
Your Home in the Hill Country 27
27
TREEHOUSE UTOPIA A rustic but refined treehouse getaway
22
32 A HIDDEN HILL COUNTRY GEM A private retreat amid the hills
16 ON THE COVER Treehouse Utopia offers an escape from the ordinary Courtesy photo
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Departments 6
9 NIGHT SHIFT Meet one of Kerrville PD’s nighttime guardians 12 WHEELS Hill Country Bicycle Works 38
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GET TO KNOW Game Warden Kenny Lee
GOOD TASTE Biscuits and Gravy at Hill Country Cafe
40 UNCORKED Bingham Family Vineyards 42 HILL COUNTRY SCENE Photo of the Hill Country’s natural wonders. 46 EVENTS March calendar
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Kenny Lee GAME WARDEN EXTRAORDINAIRE As told by Kenny Lee
1. I knew I wanted to be a game warden when I was in 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
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elementary school. When I was a kid, I would spend all day catching grasshoppers and go fishing in the evenings. Both of my grandfathers liked to hunt and fish. I loved to hear their stories about the trips they took and the times they met the game wardens. I always brought animals home to keep them for a short time before releasing them back to the wild. My mom was upset once when a snake got loose in the house and we never found it. I loved hunting squirrels and still do. I have many great memories of those hunts with my dad. I really enjoyed catching sunfish, and I take my daughter fishing for them now. I think sunfish fishing is very underrated — they are a blast when you can get the big ones, and they are really good to eat. I worked at “Eastham” and “The Walls,” prison units in Huntsville, when I was in college. I worked many executions while at “The Walls,” including Karla Faye Tucker, which some of y’all may remember. I graduated from Sam Houston University with a degree in criminal justice, and then went to work at the Orange County jail in Orange.
Hill Country CULTURE | March 2019
10. I began duck hunting in college and hunted them 11.
12. 13. 14. 15.
while I was in East Texas. I had a yellow lab that I trained and I learned to use a duck call pretty darn well. A fter graduating from the Game Warden Academy in Austin, I was stationed in Jefferson County where I worked commercial shrimpers, commercial crab fishermen, sportsmen and filed a number of boating while intoxicated citations. I was stationed in Hardin and Liberty counties for two years and worked deer hunters, some drug cases and responded on a double homicide in progress. I have been in Kerr County for 13 years and, in that time, I have helped to catch an actual tiger and made some good antiquities code cases. I spend a lot of time on deer breeder enforcement. I helped create and lead the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department critical incident team: a team that responds when first responders have experienced a traumatic event and provides immediate psychological first aid.
photo crdit
Courtesy photo
GET TO KNOW
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“... I still get to see a little bit of daylight. But if you ask my wife, she would say she prefers days for sure.” – TYLER COTTONWARE.
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Hill Country CULTURE | March 2019
NIGHT SHIFT
The Night’s Watch
ONE OF KERRVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S FINEST TALKS LIFE ON THE NIGHT SHIFT Story by Jenna Carpenter | Photos by Aaron Yates
I
n the age of digital assistants, self-driving cars and TVs that record your favorite shows for you, it’s easy enough to expect things to be a certain way — for some things to just be ready and taken care of as we start our day. But long before the advent of any of the modern conveniences we’ve come to expect, a certain segment of society has been working magic behind the scenes to keep our fast-paced, consumer-friendly civilization running while the rest of us are asleep. They are the third shift, the graveyard shift, the night owls and the (very) early birds. Whether it’s making sure shelves are stocked at the local grocery store or keeping us safe from some of the real things that go bump in the night, there are millions of
Americans who have said goodbye to the old 9-to-5. Call it a byproduct of today’s fast-paced world: According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 15 million Americans work full time on the evening shift, night shift, rotating shifts or other employer-arranged irregular schedules. Roughly 20 percent of the American workforce is on the clock during “non-standard” hours of the day. They play an essential and often unseen role in our communities and face a number of risk factors to their physical and mental health. This is part 2 of an ongoing series that will examine their careers, stories and contributions — and how their unusual working hours affect their lives.
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NIGHT SHIFT
Kerrville Police Department patrol officer Tyler Cottonware tries to make the most of his precious daylight hours when working night shifts — but enjoys staying busy during the long watches of his nightly patrols. On patrol
shifts can be hard when it comes to As the rest of Kerrville is preparing juggling family time. ... I like to be proactive and for bed, Tyler Cottonware is patrolling “But we’ve gotten accustomed to staying busy. There’s a lot the streets. shift work, and I make the most of the From checking on drivers suspected more to do on a night shift if time when I’m working days,” he said. of driving under the influence and A policeman for seven years, you want to do it. responding to disturbance calls Cottonware said his sons, who are – TYLER COTTONWARE. to making routine traffic stops, four and five, don’t know anything Cottonware’s duties as a Kerrville different. Police Department officer never end. “They were born into it, and they In fact, they only tend to ramp up as the sun goes down. know daddy’s away at night,” he said. “A majority of our calls are disturbances — fights, familial He enjoys the power shift most. disputes,” he said. “And I think a big factor is alcohol — “I still get to see a little bit of daylight,” he said. “But if you people start consuming it later in the day, and it gets out of ask my wife, she would say she prefers days for sure.” hand.” While on the job, Cottonware’s primary focus is on DWIs. KPD patrol officers rotate schedules every three months, “It’s helping someone in the long run, and keeping so that means everyone works the night shift at some point themselves from getting hurt or hurting others,” he said. in time. And when he’s not responding to a call, he’s making Night shift is broken down into two schedules — power traffic stops. shift, which is 3 p.m to 3 a.m., and night shift, also known Some of them are for minor violations, like a taillight as “deep night,” which is from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. that’s not working. But he’s also looking for signs of Because of that breakdown, Cottonware estimates he intoxication. works nights at least nine months out of the year. “I like to be proactive and staying busy,” he said. “There’s A husband and father of two boys, he said the change in a lot more to do on a night shift if you want to do it.”
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Hill Country CULTURE | March 2019
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WHEELS
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TIPS ON GETTING A BIKE BUILT FOR YOU OR FOR TWO Story by John and Polly Holmes March is here and spring has sprung. It’s time to get out and commune with nature. There’s no better way to do that than to get out the bicycle and hit the road. The Texas Hill Country provides some of the best trails to ride your bike in the whole country. You will see lots of riders in this area because it’s a popular cycling destination. Some bicyclists are tourists from all over the country who ship their bikes to ride our many trails, like the ones in KerrvilleSchreiner Park or Louise Hays Park, or even to participate in one of the competitive events or supported rides held around the area. Bicyclists generally fall into two camps: those who ride for
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sport and those who are leisure/commuter cyclists. No matter what your style is, there’s a bike built just for you. There are electric bikes with pedal assist, plain oldfashioned bikes, comfortable bikes with upright position, three-wheelers, mountain bikes, bikes for commuting, bikes for fitness and fun, bikes for riding only on paved roads and there are even hybrids that combine some of these traits. Additionally, any bike can be customized to suite your needs by adding rear view mirrors, daylight visible lights, speedometers — you name it. To go up and down the hills, you may want more gears, or have electronic shifting! Once you decide the kind of riding you want to do, you can
The team at Hill County Bicycle Works supports PeopleForBikes a registered 501(c)(3) that works to support cycling initiatives nationwide. Learn more at peopleforbikes.org.
Photos by John and Polly Holmes
find a model anywhere from $400 to $11,000. Long established bike store, Hill Country Bicycle Works is just the place to go to get everything you will need to hit the road-or dirt trail- on a bike. Adam and Lisa Salladin, Hill Country Bike Works owners, have owned the shop since 1995 with two locations:141 W. Water St. in Kerrville and 702B E. Main St. in Fredericksburg. If you don’t own a bicycle, how about renting one to try out a great way to get exercise and enjoy this beautiful area? A rental is only $30 per day, including all necessary accessories. If you find you like riding, you might even want to buy one later, and they’ve got quite a selection to choose from. Hill Country Bicycle Works also have helmets, clothing, tire repair kits — whatever you need. The shop also repair bikes if you happen to have a bike that’s been sitting for a couple of years in the back of your garage. Be sure to check out www.hillcountrybicycle.com for
more information on purchasing or renting. It’s important to remember that bicycles are considered vehicles under the law and must conform to the rules of the road. At least you don’t need insurance. March is the right time to join in a very healthy lifestyle, plus enjoy nature’s many wonders — on a bicycle!
John and Polly Holmes John and Polly Holmes are longtime gearheads. They have written for automotive publications for more than 40 years. Now they’re going to bring some interesting stories about things with wheels in the Hill Country. Their perspective comes from years of racing, restoring classics and participating in car club activities. TXHCCULTURE.COM
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Y
Photo courtesy of Joe Herring Jr.
SOURCE OF HISTORY Story and photos by Joe Herring Jr.
It is unlikely most of the communities in Kerr County would be located where they are today had it not been for the Guadalupe River. While many natural resources were necessary for a successful settlement, water was primary. Good soil, timber and natural defenses were important, of course, but everything depended on having a reliable source of water. In the earliest days of our communities, that source was the Guadalupe River.
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PHoto credit
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FEATURE
It was not only the settlers of the mid-1800s for whom the river was a primary source of water. There is evidence humans have spent time in Kerr County since the end of the last ice age, a little over 10,000 years ago. When Joshua Brown, the founder of Kerrville, arrived here in the mid1840s, his first shingle-making camp was built on the site of an old Native American campsite.
PHoto credit
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Photo credit
People have been living in the river valley for a very long time. While those first visitors to our area probably never built permanent settlements, there were campsites that were used over and over again for many years — possibly for thousands of years. It’s no coincidence those campsites can be found in the same locations as present-day towns in Kerr County. The advantages of the sites were the same 10,000 years ago as they are today. The point where Town Creek and the Guadalupe River meet, near Riverside Nature Center, has been a thoroughfare for generations. Well before the new river trail bridge crossing Town Creek was built, the site was used as a crossing for all traffic heading west from Kerrville. If you were headed from San Antonio to El Paso, there’s a good chance your route would have taken you through Town Creek at that spot. A 1905 photograph shows wagons taking that route, crossing the creek there. That photograph shows relatively recent travelers, because those wagons were probably following a route taken previously by earlier folk: Mexicans, Spaniards and Native Americans, both historic and prehistoric. On higher ground, near the Town Creek crossing, an extensive archeological dig found a wide variety of stone tools and dart points, suggesting the site was a popular campsite for Native American tribes visiting our area. The 200 and 300 blocks of Water Street were busy places, even thousands of years ago.
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Hill Country CULTURE | March 2019
Photo credit
FEATURE
When the American and European settlers arrived in Kerr County, their first industry here was shingle making, where Joshua Brown and others harvested the giant cypress trees along the river and made shingles from them. Later, dams and mills were built along the river, which provided the power to mill grain, saw lumber and even generate electricity. In the early decades of the 20th century, a new industry started along the river: Summer camps for children brought thousands of families here to enjoy the river. The most successful camps have beautiful river fronts, with swimming, fishing and canoeing.
“... everything depended on having a reliable source of water. In the earliest days of our communities, that source was the Guadalupe River.” – JOE HERRING JR.
Lately, the economic focus in Kerrville has been “quality of life” amenities, and the most popular project has been the river trail that follows the Guadalupe through the downtown area of Kerrville. This sidewalk provides public access to areas once privately owned and allows those with mobility issues to easily visit areas once too difficult to cross. The Guadalupe River, most of the time, is a quiet presence in Kerr County. It’s easy to forget what an important role it’s played in the history of our communities and in the lives of people here for thousands of years.
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Livin’ on the Lake & Lovin’ the River By Judith Pannebaker
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Hill Country CULTURE | March 2019
He worked as a sales manager at a chemical corporation and traveled throughout South Texas. She served as a sales manager for a business unit of 3-M Corporation, responsible for sales and distribution for the entire country. And retirement hasn’t slowed this couple down at all. Don and Sharon Sloan are now restoring a historic property located on the shores of Medina Lake, in addition to working to protect their beloved lake and the river that fills it. Purchasing a historic home In 2005, the couple purchased the 3,900-square-foot Cedar Rock, which was built in 1929 by “a well-known Texas oil tycoon.” “This house and several others were constructed on the east-west portion of Lake Medina to take advantage of the cooling southeast summer breezes,” Don explained. “In the winter, the bluff above the houses protected them from nor’westerners.” According to lore, local stone was used for Cedar Rock, construction logs were cut on the property, and other supplies were floated across Medina Lake from Mico — although, as Don conceded, “History can sometimes be sketchy.” The home’s second owner, Fred F. Morgan, was quite a character, according to Don. He owned Lost Valley Guest Ranch, which in its heyday was one of Bandera County’s premier properties. Morgan bought Cedar Rock in the 1950s during the region’s “drought of record.” “Property was cheap then, because the lake was essentially dry,” Don said. “Fred was a good businessman.” A harbinger of current tourism efforts, Morgan actively promoted the Hill Country, Bandera in particular, as a vacation destination — particularly for Europeans. After the death of a previous owner, who had lived in the house for 50 years, Cedar Lodge was purchased by a woman who had dreams of restoring it to its former glory. After two years, however, she admitted defeat and contacted the Sloans, who were then living in a house on adjacent property. Restoring a historic home When the Sloans purchased their dream home, Cedar Rock had not been renovated since the 1960s. “The first thing we did was replace the roof, removing wooden shingles that had been laid over previous shingles,” Don said. “An inspector said it was a wonder this place hadn’t burned down.” He gave Don three months to fix the roof. “Four men removed the shingles,” he said. “Then I discovered there’s zero market for (repurposing) old wood shingles, so we filled two industrial-sized dumpsters with them and hauled them off. We replaced the shingled roof with one made of coated heavy-duty steel.” During subsequent years, the Sloans removed carpeting to reveal original wood floors, which they refinished. Another massive project was renovating the kitchen by installing new appliances and mesquite cabinets. Because the original owner had employed a cook and butler, the kitchen was separated from the dining area by a wall and swinging door. “Apparently, that cook didn’t need a panoramic view of the lake, but I did,” Sharon said. The wall was removed and a 6-inch steel support beam installed to preclude the house from “falling down around our ears,” Don said. Now the open floor plan dining and kitchen area serves as the heart of the home. The nearly 4-plus-acre compound features rock outbuildings, including a garage, guesthouse, walk-in freezer, pump house and tool shed. “Work on this place will never be completed. It’s an ongoing thing,” Don said with some resignation.
Photo by Judith Pannebaker
FEATURE
FEATURE
Protecting Medina River Managing Medina Lake better Along with meticulously restoring Cedar Rock, the Another pressing concern of the Sloans is maintaining a Sloans remain committed to protecting Medina Lake. consistent water level in Medina Lake. Currently, the couple is During the recent drought, working on the 19th annual which lasted from approximately Medina River Cleanup, slated 2010 to 2015, lake water for May 4. In 2018, volunteers dropped to 3 percent of its total Apparently, that removed approximately 6,620 capacity, devastating the Lakehills cook didn’t need a pounds of recyclable metals economy. and trash from 50 miles of the “When the lake went dry three panoramic view of river in Bandera County. years ago, farmers had no water Volunteers have ranged for their crops,” Don noted. the lake, but I did. in age from 4 to 88, and the The Sloans recognize that largest attendance recorded water problems and possible – SHARON SLOAN, OWNER was in 2010 when 250 people solutions continue to generate helped clean up after an April controversy. But, to them and flood exceeded river banks by others, water concerns remain 5 feet. paramount throughout the state — especially given Texas’ According to Don, registration for the river cleanup rapid population growth. will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the dam in Bandera Currently, according to surveys conducted by the City Park on the day of the event. Volunteers and donors United States Geological Survey, Medina Lake is full and will chow down on breakfast tacos, lunch and a barbecue water is going over the top of the spillway. dinner with live music — all gratis. Additionally, volunteers “It’s perfect right now and we love it,” Sharon said. will receive commemorative T-shirts. Don, however, predicted, “A drought will come again, For more information on the Medina River Cleanup, but with good water management, we’ll be better visit medinariver.net. prepared for it next time.”
“
Photos by Judith Pannebaker; Sunset photo courtesy
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FEATURE FEATURE
SEEDS FUTURE By Tina Woods
Want your kids to do better in school, have higher selfesteem and develop good self-discipline and problemsolving skills? Get them outside. Spending time in nature aids a child’s development in multiple ways, according to Becky Etzler, executive director of Kerrville’s Riverside Nature Center. “There’s a real concern about ‘nature deficit’ with kids spending hours absorbed on their phones, social media and the internet,” Etzler said. “But studies have shown there are tremendous benefits from simply playing outside and experiencing nature with all our senses. It’s easy, affordable and as close as your own backyard.” Etzler pointed out that the center’s arboretum and nature trail are free and open — and right in the heart of downtown Kerrville. “It’s been 25 years since we planted our arboretum, so we’re celebrating trees all year with a new exhibit, Hill Country Releaf,” she said. “We want families to pick out a tree in the arboretum to visit periodically and do a photo history of how that tree changes through the seasons. Trees might seem static, but they’re not. Adopting a tree and sharing their observations costs nothing but a little time. However, families will reap benefits and memories for years.” Etzler noted that some of the kids who visited the newly planted arboretum 25 years ago now are bringing their own children to see it.
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“In many ways, that’s the epitome of our mission, what we’re trying to do,” she said. “Preserving and protecting our natural environment for today and for future generations.” Since its founding in 1989, the Riverside Nature Center has worked with local schools to introduce children to nature. The center also hosts kid-friendly activities during summer and spring break. Besides the arboretum, there’s a 2-acre nature trail with butterfly garden and Monarch waystation, native healing garden, wildflower meadow and rainwater harvesting. There are several outdoor exhibits that help visitors appreciate the unique Hill Country environment. The center also serves as a trail head for the city’s 5-mile River Trail. The Riverside Nature Center is at 150 Francisco Lemos St., is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. There’s no admission fee. The center is a nonprofit organization that relies on memberships, donations, grants, special events and an army of volunteers for support. Several levels of membership are available. Find more information at www.riversidenaturecenter.org. Riverside Nature Center is a member of Texas Children in Nature, a statewide network of organizations dedicated to connecting families with nature. Visit www. naturerockstexas.org for tips on how to help Texas kids be happier, healthier and smarter.
Courtesy photo
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Photo courtesy of Treehouse Utopia
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MY LISTINGS ARE SELLING! CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST PLEASE CALL ME TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY! JO ANNE ALSO HAS A HIGH NUMBER OF SALES WORKING WITH BUYERS! SHE IS A CERTIFIED BUYER’S AGENT.
JO ANNE ENGLISH • Broker/Owner 200 Sidney Baker St., South, Ste. 30 “In Riverhills Mall” • 830.285.0190 www.KerrvilleHomeListings.com • englishj777@gmail.com 26
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YOUR HOME FEATURE
TREEHOUSE UTOPIA Story by Nancy Foster Photos courtesy of Treehouse Utopia
Picture yourself in luxury surroundings, 16 feet above the ground in a tree hundreds of years old. The Texas sky is studded with brilliant stars, the sounds of the night embrace you, and the feeling of wonderment locks you into a mood-changing environment. Your special someone is with you to share the experience where no conversation is needed to reconnect. Welcome to the magical world of Treehouse Utopia. It’s glamorous, rustic and downright charming — and it’s rooted right here in the Texas Hill Country.
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YOUR HOME FEATURE
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Treehouse Utopia opened in August and has already soared to success. A stint on Animal Planet’s “Tree House Masters” gave a good boost to this unique business, and word has spread around the world that this belongs on the A-list of everyone who’s ever sought out — and needed — a blissful retreat. As owner Laurel Waters tells it, the vision for the treehouse development was inspired by her own busy lifestyle. “Life gets busy. Our goal is to provide a magical place to spend time together in a one-of-akind setting so people can enjoy quality time and make wonderful memories,” she said. Treehouse Utopia is less than a 90-minute drive from most parts of the Hill Country and sits on acres of private grounds flanking the fissure spring fed Sabinal River. If nature is your inspiration, you’ll find it here.
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photo credit
The Developers Texas native Laurel Waters is from Houston and has been coming to Utopia since she was a child. Her folks bought land there in 1972 so “it’s always felt like home” and proved to be a natural fit for her tree house bed and breakfast project. This dynamic lady is a seasoned entrepreneur and incorporated her classical training in France — where she received the LeGrand Diplome from Cordon Bleu — to open the hugely successful Laurel Tree Restaurant in Utopia. This classy restaurant, now in its 14th year, has won acclaim, including “The Most Charming Restaurant in Texas” and write-ups in Southern Living, Country Living and Food & Wine, so reserve in advance. The restaurant is only open on Saturdays, and it has been known to book up months in advance.
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YOUR HOME FEATURE
Laurel also has imported fine French antiques to Texas for years and sells them out of her Main Street Utopia shop. Along with her husband, Robert, they own and run two businesses in nearby Leakey: Bear’s Market & Specialty Meats and Bear’s Den, where barbecue, pizza, small plates, beer and wine can be purchased. Laurel’s business partner for Treehouse Utopia is Pete Nelson, Treehouse Master and founder of Nelson Treehouse and Supply in Fall City, Washington. Appropriately nicknamed the “treehouse guy,” Pete has penned several books related to treehouses, runs a successful treehouse B&B near Seattle and hosts Animal Planet’s popular “Treehouse Masters” series. The Treehouses Treehouse Utopia has four uniquely themed treehouses,
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all of which soar at least 16 feet above the ground and are anchored in bald cypress trees, one reportedly 800 years old. Much of the exterior wood used in the treehouses was hauled in from Washington State, although wood for the exterior of the Chapelle and Chateau was repurposed from an old barn in Ohio. Locally sourced cedar is used for railings, banisters and stairs. Each unit has a distinct flavor. Carousel is packed with whimsical furnishings inspired by Laurel’s mother’s collection of antique carousel horses and antique carousel panels brought over from France. Biblioteque is a dream come true for book lovers, with warm rustic furnishings, a cushy bedroom featuring fully stocked floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, cozy reading nooks and comfy outside seating. The romantic Chapelle is bedecked with rich French
YOUR HOME FEATURE
“Life gets busy. Our goal is to provide a magical place to spend time together in a one-of-a-kind setting...
”
– LAUREL WATERS, TREEHOUSE UTOPIA
tapestries, stained glass windows, clawfoot tub and an exquisite chandelier. The two-story Chateau is where elegant French styling meets warm country chic and delights with an opulent bedroom and glamour bath. All units have spacious decks and incomparable views. There are several “no, you can’t” rules and regulations, all necessary because of the property’s uniqueness. There is a two-night minimum, no more than two to a room, no children, no pets, no cooking or barbecuing on premises, no TVs or radios provided. Balance that with numerous yeses: They provide high speed internet, each unit has a compact refrigerator and water, and they provide assorted
coffees and teas, as well as a breakfast basket of scratch-made goods, granola, fresh fruit, milk and OJ. Note: Utopia is a dry area, so guests should bring their own beer and wine, or purchase it in Leakey, just 20 minutes away. Reserve your stay An enticing sneak peek at the treehouses can be viewed by Googling “Treehouse Utopia” on YouTube. See for yourself why guests have visited from as far away as Singapore to embrace the fairy tale peace and tranquility of Treehouse Utopia. Reservations can be made by phone or online: 830-966-8733, www.treehouseutopia.com TXHCCULTURE.COM
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HOME SHOWCASE
A Hill Country
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HOME SHOWCASE
A private retreat in the heart of the Hill Country Story by Gary Cochrane | RE/MAX Kerrville A spacious retreat tucked away amid the hills — and yet mere minutes from Kerrville — this custom built is a spectacular example of what a Hill Country home should be. From the soaring ceilings to the expansive views and attention to every detail, this home has it all. Seldom does a home of this quality come on the market — let alone one with 92 acres of nicely kept property. The owners of this home have taken immaculate care
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and it shows. Complete with Kodiak granite, alder cabinets, a butler pantry, wet war, swim spa, Anderson doors and windows, plantation shutters, a spacious garage, plus a workshop/barn this luxurious home boasts a host of amenities that the new owner will get to enjoy. It offers exceptional views of the surrounding countryside and is just minutes from Camp Verde. Contact Gary Cochrane at 830-459-8808 or 830-8957771 to learn more about this magnificent home.
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www.Remax-Kerrville-Tx.com Each REMAX® real estate office is independently owned and operated.
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HOME SHOWCASE
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Quarter Page Randy Purswell RANDY PURSWELL # Realtor ®
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Photos by Dave Askins
Like love on a plate VENERABLE CAFE SERVES UP BISCUITS AND GRAVY TO FALL FOR by Dave Askins The thing I order for breakfast every time, if it’s on the menu, is biscuits and gravy. I want to be clear: I don’t measure by a culinary standard — that is, I’m not a biscuits-and-gravy snob. Sure, I am partial to certain styles of preparation. My quirks are clear enough when I bake my own biscuits and fry up sausage gravy myself. I add maybe a cup of sugar to the dough, even though the recipe I work from calls for just two tablespoons. I use butter, not shortening. I cut out the round shapes with a widemouth drinking glass, because I like big biscuits. And I add red pepper to the gravy. But it doesn’t matter to me if the biscuits and gravy I’m served matches my preferred style and taste. That’s because it’s impossible to prepare the dish poorly. To me, no matter how it’s made, biscuits and gravy will taste exactly the way it’s supposed to. Like love on a plate. A Texas Legend When I first walked through the Hill Country Cafe’s door, I wasn’t sure biscuits and gravy was even on the menu. I had done some background research
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by rummaging through the archives of the Kerrville Daily Times. I found several mentions of the cafe, one of them from 49 years ago. An advertisement in the Oct. 2, 1969, edition of the local paper announced a move to the cafe’s current location and mentions steaks and homemade pies, but not biscuits and gravy. Husband-and-wife team Rich and Barbara Tolmen restored the cafe back to the way it was when the Texas Monthly Magazine called it “A Texas Legend,” according to a June 26, 1988, story in the Daily Times. An Oct. 31, 1995, front page headline reading, “Local breakfast giants merge,” announced a deal between owners of the cafe and Donut King. The story described some of the food served at the cafe. If biscuits and gravy was on the menu then, it was relegated to a generic catch-all phrase: “The cafe is known for its breakfast fare, including tacos, huevos rancheros and more ...” A July 26, 2003, story highlighted Farmers Brothers as the brand of coffee served at the time: “For an old-fashioned
TOP: Regulars eat breakfast at the Hill Country Cafe at 806 Main Street in downtown Kerrville. cup of coffee, look no further than Hill Country Cafe.” The story was focused just on coffee and did not include any mention of food, much less biscuits and gravy. But sifting through the newspaper archives did reveal one biscuits-andgravy connection to the cafe — a recipe for biscuits from Hill Country Cafe coowner Mike Piper. It was published as a part of a collection in a Jan. 19, 1994, Lifestyles piece headlined: “What’s for dinner? Breakfast!” Some highlights from the ingredient list for biscuits: 4 cups of flour; 4 eggs;
GOOD TASTE 1/2 cup shortening. No measured amount is specified for the milk, just a note that buttermilk is preferred. I met Piper one day at the cafe after I’d finished my plate of biscuits and gravy. I asked him about the recipe. He couldn’t say if he still used the same one, because he makes the biscuits by feel. Always has. The recipe he wrote down for the paper, he said, probably was a matter of estimating what he did routinely every morning by sense of touch. Scanning the dining room that morning, Piper said most of the people eating breakfast were regulars, people he knew. “After 27 years, I’m serving my friends. It’s hard to let a friend down,” Piper said. The Regulars On any given morning, it feels like most everybody who comes through the door at the Hill Country Cafe is a regular. Four women who clasp hands around their table as one says grace. Men who remove their caps and place them on the hat rack by the door before joining a table of
maybe 10 of their friends. A while later, after breakfast, they’re calling out numbers to each other and doing arithmetic. It’s not clear at first what they’re up to. One of the men, Ken Whitewood, told me he’s been coming to the cafe for 35 years. He described the number game. It’s what some people call high-low. One person picks a number between 1 and 500 but does not reveal it. Others try to guess the number in turn. The response to a guess is either “high” or “low.” Eventually, the guesses narrow down the possibilities to yield a winner. The buy-in that morning was $5, so they were playing for a pot of $50, Whitewood said. The game is the reason he likes to come have breakfast at the cafe, he says. “I don’t come to stay, I come to play!” he jokes. When they need a guess, Whitewood told me, they’ll sometimes ask Rhonda — a waitress with 15 years of service at the cafe — to provide a number. Not all the apparent regulars are a
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part of a group. The way Rhonda greets solitary visitors to the cafe hints at familiarity. But it’s hard to say for sure that she knows them. My very first day at the Hill Country Cafe, Rhonda’s invitation to order sure made me feel almost like a regular. “Whatcha thinkin’?” she asked. I was thinkin’ biscuits and gravy, of course. In my second week, it was Shelly, not Rhonda who approached my table with a cup of coffee. She asked: “Do you want to stick with what you’ve been doin’? One biscuit with sausage gravy?” Yes. How did she know? “Rhonda told me, and she’s a genius,” Shelly answered. She said she’d also seen my tickets for the last couple of days. Anyhow by my count, it takes less than two weeks to become a regular at the Hill Country Cafe in Kerrville, Texas. It’s a place where I can now go inside, sit down at the corner table, and the folks there don’t have to ask, to know what I’m thinkin’: Love on a plate, biscuits and gravy.
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UNCORKED
Rooted in Texas Soil
FAMILY, MUSIC AND THE WINE AIN’T BAD EITHER Story and photos by John and Carol Aceti Rooted in Texas soil, Bingham Family Vineyards is a The local representative of the family and tasting room multigenerational wine-growing family enterprise. manager in Fredericksburg is Steven Krueger, who brings Cliff Bingham is a fourth-generation farmer in Meadow, extensive experience in the beverage industry to the room. Texas. Cliff and wife Betty grow organic cotton that is sold Steven compared winemaking to a cross between NASCAR all over the world. They added grape vines in 2003, and now and a ballet. Harvesting is fast and furious. Then comes the own or manage 200 acres of slow, delicate blending as the vineyard. wines age gracefully. ... the culture of the wineries in the Their harvest is sold to The Fredericksburg tasting Fredericksburg area as one of friendly many wineries in the Hill room is spacious, with old Country, but 10 percent of wood and a warm, Western competition and cooperation. They all realize their product is kept for feel. that the reputation of the Hill Country Wine estate wines — meaning all The staff credits their Trail depends on everyone’s success, so they the grapes are grown at their enthusiasm on the job to the help one another anyway they can. vineyard, and the wine is Bingham family, who are bottled at their winery. great people to work for, they – STEVEN KRUEGER, Bingham Family Vineyards Cliff Bingham is general say. manager and wine namer, while his son, Daniel, is the winemaker. Wine, awards and music In 2015, they opened a wine tasting room in Grapevine, By 2014 the Bingham family was marketing prize-winning and in September 2018, they opened a wine tasting room wines. Some of their offerings reflect their love of the land connected to YeeHaw Ranch Outfitters on U.S. 290, just east and honor the pioneering spirit and early adventures the of Fredericksburg. family had when they settled in Meadows.
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The dry 2014 High Plains Sunset Rosé brings a distinct flavor of strawberry with a dark cherry and chocolate aroma. It earned a Silver Medal at the 2017 Lone Star Wine Competition. Their 2016 Dugout salutes the early sod homes built on the treeless high plains. It is a blend that was rewarded with a Double Gold Medal, Best of Show at the 2019 San Antonio Livestock & Rodeo Wine Competition. The medium-bodied 2016 Dirt Farmer pays homage to the farmers who hung in there when the times were tough and it took grit to keep farms going. It boasts of flavors of blackberry and dried figs as bold and adventurous as the Texas High Plains. A sweet white, the 2017 Fine ’n’ Dandy is dedicated to Eddie “Dandy” Bingham, Cliff’s father, who was clearly loved and respected by all. It won a Bronze Medal at the 2019 San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition. A bled of five varietals, the 2014 Cloudburst welcomes rains on the High Plains after times of drought. It is a nine-time medal winner, including a Gold at the 2017 Lone Star Wine Competition. The family knows how to make more than wine. With all due respect to the Van Trapp family, the Bingham family knows how to make music too. Their 11 children were homeschooled and all play a musical instrument.
At their annual wine club dinner in Grapevine in January, Cliff played the piano and the children joined in with guitars, violins, cellos and a bass fiddle. Betty documented the event with her camera. The oenophiles could claim to be musicophiles all in the same evening. Grandma Peg contributed the logo seen on all their wines. The design combines the power of the Bingham name and the romance of music. A quarter note and a bass clef are attached — with a flourish — to the “B” in Bingham. Not quite finished yet, there are three dots of staccato notation attached to the B. The family reflects their spirituality by quoting Psalm 100:1 on every bottle, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!”
John and Carol Aceti After encouragement from Dick Holmberg, owner of Singing Water Vineyards, John wrote “Wineries of the Texas Hill Country Plus One Fine Brewery” in December 2016. After visiting 30 wineries in the Hill Country, he is convinced that the area has plenty to offer wine connoisseurs and casual wine enthusiasts.
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HILL COUNTRY SCENE Hill Country Scene We’re looking for photos of Hill Country Scenes. Show us what you love about living in the Hill Country by sending your photos to news@dailytimes. com. REQUIREMENTS: Photos must be high quality, 300 dpi or a larger file size, and in focus. 1. A globe thistle, courtesy photo. 2. “Long, Slow Drink” by Jake Pratt. 3. A dragon fly sticks his landing, Tom Torget. Courtesy photos by Hill Country Camera Club
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HILL COUNTRY SCENE
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Hill Country Scene 1. A juvenile bluebird prepares to chow down on a snack, courtesy photo. 2. Spring in bloom, courtesy photo. 3. Great Egret eats a snake, Dale Bargmann. 4. “The Lookout,” by Bill Thompson.
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March Events RECURRING EVENTS
March 1 First Friday Wine Share A fun way to meet new or different wines, people and places. Please bring no more than one bottle of wine per every two people. Singles may feel free to bring a bottle every other month. Bring your own wine glass. This could be a conversation starter in itself. Different location each month. 6-7:30 p.m. 830-896-6600 www. firstfridaywineshare.com
EVERY FRIDAY Kerrville Farmers Market - Downtown he Kerrville Farmers Market is a producers only market offering a variety of locally sourced produce, meat, eggs, bread, cheese, beer, wine, and more. 4-7 p.m., AC Schreiner House, 529 Water St. www.kerrvillefarmersmarket.com
MARCH EVENTS MARCH 1-3 Monty Python’s Spamalot This British comedy parodies the legend of King Arthur and his band of haphazard knights as they sing and dance their way through an inane divine quest for the Holy Grail. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; 1668 S. US 87 Fredericksburg; 830-997-3588, fredericksburgtheater.org.
MARCH 1-3 The Outsiders Playhouse 2000 Youth Theater, students ages 12-18, presents “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton. Expect the unexpected. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. Playhouse 2000 VK Garage Theater, 305 Washington St. 830-896-9393. www.playhouse2000.com
MARCH 1-9 20th Annual “Images” Art Show 46
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KACC’s 20th annual juried members’ show “Images”, which includes the latest work in a wide range of media by some of the most talented artists living and working in the Texas Hill Country. Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett St, Kerrville, TX 78028. 830-895-2911 www.kacckerville.com
MARCH 2 Kerr County Market Days & Hill Country Swap Meet Market Days continues to feature artists and crafters bringing their own original handcrafted jewelry, fiber, wood, metal, soaps, lotions and more. Hill Country Swap Meet is a community garage sale and flea market with all types of merchandise. Concessions available, indoors, free parking and pet friendly. Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Hwy. 27. 830459-6198. www.kerrmarketdays.org
MARCH 2 Cool Freddie E & the Crew “Rockin’ the Cailloux” A Celebration of Music Join Cool Freddie E & The Crew as they take you on a magical musical journey from the 40’s & 50’s to today’s hits. Featuring incredible performances of Oldies, Classic Rock, Country, Motown, Blues, Jazz, Pop, Top40, Standards, and Easy Listening Favorites, their “Rockin’ The Cailloux” Show will bring back your most favorite music, and joy to your heart. Make plans now for this wonderful Family event, and celebrate the music that has become the fabric of our lives. 7:30 p.m. Cailloux Theatre. 910 Main St., Kerrville TX 78029. 830-896-9393. www. caillouxtheater.com
MARCH 2 Hill Country Chorale Classical Musical Festival Classical music performed by the Hill Country Chorale. 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. 830-895-0760 www.hillcountrychorale.org
EVENTS MARCH 3 Wine Down with Yoga To guarantee a relaxing afternoon we are offering 1 ½ hours of yoga, paired with tasting of four pose-enhancing wines. 2-3:30 p.m. Kerrville Hills Winery, 3600 Fredericksburg Rd. 830-895-4233. www. kerrvillehillswinery.com www.hillcountrychorale.org
MARCH 9 Rockapella – Pioneers in the World of A-Capella As the sound of PBS’s hit TV series “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?” Rockapella took the world by storm. Their mix of original arrangements from the worlds of pop, soul, Motown and more will ensure an unforgettable night. 7:30 p.m. Cailloux Theater, 910 Main St. 830-896-9393. www.caillouxtheater.com
MARCH 9-10 San Antonio Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show
1,000 dogs and over 100 breeds being exhibited. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Hwy 27. 210-725-0661. www. sanantoniokennelclub.com
MARCH 14-APRIL 13 Schreiner University Seniors Show Schreiner University students present their senior projects in an exhibition representing their research of a chosen topic. Reception: 2-4 p.m. 1550 Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett St, Kerrville, TX 78028. 830-895-2911 www.kacckerville.com
MARCH 21 Artist of the Month Reception — Karen Cooper Karen Cooper is the Museum of Western Art Artist of the Month. Each month, a wine and cheese reception is held with a brief talk by the artist about their work and inspiration. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Museum of Western Art, 1550 Bandera Hwy. Kerrville, TX 78028. 830-896-2553, www.museumofwesternart.com
Annual all breed dog show featuring approx.
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EVENTS
MARCH 22-APRIL 13 The Zirkels Zwei: A Retrospective of Art by Mary & Al Zirkel An exhibit featuring two local artists Al & Mary Zirkel. Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theatre Rd., Ingram. 830-367-5120. www.hcaf. com.
MARCH 24-APRIL 7 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, (Abridged) An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was London’s longest-running comedy having clocked a very palpable nine years in London’s West End at the Criterion Theatre! Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories
Mark Your Calendars for Thursday, March 28th -- BigGiveSA!!!
ONE DAY! HC Animal League HUGE IMPACT! # Quarter Page
This annual event is 24 hours of online giving to your favorite nonprofits, where you can make a difference in your community!
and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. Hill Country Arts Foundation, The Point Elizabeth Huth Coates Theatre 120 Point Theatre Road, Ingram, TX 78025, www.hcaf.com
MARCH 23 Camerata San Antonio String Quartet – Complexity Camerata San Antonio presents chamber music. Saturday 3 p.m. Schreiner University, Rodman Steele Recital Hall, Junkin Worship Center, 2100 Memorial Blvd. 210-492-9519. www.cameratasa. org
MARCH 24 Painting with Pizazz Create a personalized, one-of-a-kind wine glass to treasure and keep. Enjoy a glass of wine, chocolate treats, and lots of fun while creating your personal masterpiece. 2 to 4 p.m. Kerrville Hills Winery, 3600 Fredericksburg Rd. 830-895-4233. www. kerrvillehillswinery.com
MARCH 29-APRIL 13 ‘Footloose’ A Musical by Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford, and Walter Bobbie. P2K joins forces with Schreiner University’s Music and Theater Departments to present a lavish production of the modern Broadway Musical “Footloose.” A large cast of all ages representing the children and adults of a small farming town that has banned dancing. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. Cailloux Theater, 910 Main St. 830-896-9393. www.caillouxtheater.com
MARCH 30 Third Annual City of Ingram Easter Egg Hunt
Last year hundreds of supporters like YOU gave to Hill Country Animal League on Big Give day, almost $25,000! The funds allowed us to continue our spay/neuter mission by keeping our prices affordable for everyone, thank you all so much! And…you can DOUBLE your impact, because two generous donors are providing $10,000 in matching funds on March 28th!!! Spay/neuter not only reduces animal overpopulation, but also helps to reduce the spread of rabies, the need for euthanasia, and tax burden from overwhelmed shelters across the 15 counties we serve. Keep an eye on all our social media feeds as we approach Big Give day and take part in the excitement, fun, and satisfaction of making a difference in our communities!
Visit www.thebiggivesa.org and look up Hill Country Animal League to learn more!
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Free and open to the public. Easter egg hunt, games and prizes. 107 Old Ingram Loop, Ingram. 830-367-5115.
KDT Archive photos
EVENTS
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1. The annual City of Ingram Easter Egg Hunt is slated for March 30. 2. The San Antonio Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show will be held on March 9 and 10. 3. The Zirkels Zwei: A Retrospective of Art by Mary & Al Zirkel kicks off on March 22.
THE MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART MARCH EVENTS
Artist of the Month: Karen Cooper March 21: Artist’s Reception March 2: Adult Workshop Cooking with Stacy Whittemore March 9: Children’s Workshop St. Patrick’s Day fun Info/RSVP: 830.896.2553
Family Memberships available
1550 Bandera Hwy. • Kerrville museumofwesternart.com
Light Stream by Karen Cooper
Colors for 1/8 Spring! Baublit’s Jewelers Since 1970
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Baublit’s 719 Water St.• 830-257-8317
15 years TXHCCULTURE.COM
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Full Page TM
Comanche Trace #
Your Home in the Hill Country Luxury Living. Endless Activities. Unmatched Value.
Weddings & Events
Championship Golf
We provide personalized service and professional accommodations for a variety of celebratory and business functions. Let us help make your event a success! Breathtaking views, on-site catering, and more! We look forward to exceeding your expectations.
27-holes of award winning, premium Hill Country golf with the best course conditions in the state, designed by golf course architects, Tom Kite and Jay and Carter Morrish who know how to accentuate the native terrain for the ultimate golf experience.
Membership Membership at Comanche Trace offers an array of golf, and social events, along with fine & casual dining, designed to enhance our beautiful community’s casually elegant lifestyle. Members can enjoy a vast number of amenities and recreational opportunities throughout the development. Comanche Trace continues to offer our members exceptional value and lifestyle!
2801 Comanche Trace Dr., Kerrville, TX • 830.895.8500 ext. 236 • info@comanchetrace.com • www.comanchetrace.com
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