Heart Beat of the Texas

Spring 2015

Saturday May 23rd

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BANDERA, COWBOY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD PRESENTS

A Reenactment Guild of AmericaNational Sanctioned COMPETITION

4 Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country SPRING 2015

The Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country is published quarterly by Heart Beat Publishing PO Box 1204, Bandera, Texas 78003. Opinions expressed in articles may not be those of the publisher and ed-itor of the The Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country, its advertisers, writers or contributors. All con-tent is copyrighted by The Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the publisher. The Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country is not liable for editorial content, typographical errors and any statements or claims by advertisers or columnists. Subscriptions are $20 per year payable to The Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country at the above address. Editorial and advertising submissions must be received by the 10th of the month before publi-cation. All ad dimensions, prices and specifications may be found at our website, texasheartbeat.com.

Publisher/Designer: Karyn LynPublisher/Editor: Greg ForestDesign & Layout: Lonesome Dove Design StudioColumnists& Contributing Writers: Karyn Lyn, Greg Forest, Kathleen Hudson, Joe Herring, Phil Houseal, Jil Utterback, Steve Stainkamp, Gary Lockte, Claire Duboise, Mary Schenk, Genie Strickland, Betty Sharp, & Jack Armstrong.Proof Readers: Claire Debois, Jil Utterback, Scotty KauffmanWeb & Application Programming: musicoffice.comSales: Adrian Woodard, Karyn Lyn, Greg Forest, Tony Griffith

Texas Hill Country Biker DestinationsOur region is incredibly popular with motorcycle riders of all stripes. With more biking routes than you can shake a cam shaft at, where do you think they stop for a cold one and a bite to eat? Fire up your choppers and chompers and take a bite out of our new section. 4

Ace Reid’s “Cowpokes” Rides AgainAce Reid was one of the Texas Hill Country’s most beloved humorists and his cartoon, “Cowpokes” became a national rage - being syndicated nationwide in newspapers and periodicals. Madge Reid has been kind enough to let Ace saddle up again and share some of his great humor with the Heart Beat... Page 53

New This Month - The Menu BoardKaryn Lyn has cooked up a new set of pages to show you options in your Hill Country dining experience. With so many choices to pick from, we are bringing you the best of the bunch and brunch. Page 20

texasheartbeat.com Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country 5

Joe HerringThe Original Long Haul Texas Truckers“The old-time freighter braved all kinds of weather and other obstacles, but he overcame them all. He was a picturesque character who served his day and generation well.” Page 13Phil HousealThe Legacy of Frank Jr.The Hill Country is known for its pioneers but few know of the early Texan musical trailblazers. Phil Houseal shares the story of Fredericksburg’s Frank Valentine Van der Stucken. Page 18

Suzanne Freeman & National Poetry MonthApril is National Poetry Month and we are showcasing Hill Country poet Suzanne Freeman, winner of the Clay Reynolds Novella Prize for her novella, Omnibo, and who has been published in numerous national literary journals. 6

TAKING ART TO HEARTJerolyn & Roger ColombikIn an artist collaboration spanning two decades, Jerolyn & Roger Columbik have balanced separate art careers while working together on projects spanning the globe from Eastern Europe to South America. Creating in a mix of media ranging from sculpture to painting, this Wimberley couple is bringing art not just to the Hill Country but to the world as well. Page 64

Kathleen HudsonWomen in Texas Music - Kimmie RhodesKimmie Rhodes is a true Texas treasure. Her crystal clear, sweet voice has gained her an audience that spans two continents and has garnered her thousands of fans and the envy of many Texas singers. Kathleen shares the story of this remarkable performer and a look at what the future brings. Page 7


Kimmie Rhodes My own project now, supported by a sabbatical from Schreiner University, has also given me the opportunity to see Kimmie Rhodes, a woman who was an interview in my first oral history, Telling Stories, Singing Songs: An Album of Texas Music, UT Press, 2001. The oral history now is Hispanic heritage in Texas music, and as I was sitting at Carnitas Uruapan on Sunday afternoon, February 1, in walked Kimmie and Deb Fleming. Seems they are also working on some history, dance halls in Texas and the stories around them. All of us were there to hear Santiago Jimenez, Jr. at his weekly Sunday gig. I will be returning too! The scene became hilarious as we documented each other documenting the music. I watched Kimmie show Santiago a Bajo Sexto that belonged to her late husband and producer, Joe Gracey. Then I watched Deb as she shared her many stories of this place. Seems she brought Marcia Ball down to a visit once. She is the manager for Marcia Ball, a woman who is in both my books on Texas music. A bridge between the oral history on songwriters and the oral history on women. The threads kept connecting as the afternoon wore one; we ended up with a tapestry of connections that contained a theme. Document the stories and songs! Kimmie Rhodes, hailing from that Lubbock space that produced Butch, Jimmie, Joe, and many more, is a force of nature. My first interview with her took place in Central Market in Austin in the mid-nineties. Her comments then support the path she is on now. Then we talked of her career in Europe, her interest in the heart and soul of music, her passion for the songs. Now she is heading back to Europe and has a new CD release on March 9. She and Deb were traveling and visiting Texas dance halls. They are exploring the roots of Americana music in the various ethnic groups that play in Texas. Deb told me some interesting things about Polish music.

“They did not record it, so it is not available like the conjunto.” Her family history is Polish so she has a special interest. The duo caused a flurry of activity in Carnitas Uruapan as Chumbe Salinas was also there, sporting her official THMF t-shirt and documenting with her video camera. Her film of Kimmie singing “Volver, Volver” with Santiago is already up on Chumbe’s youtube channel. Check it out. Here are some things Kimmie said to me during our first interview so many years ago, things that stand today: “Artists record the human experience, just how it feels to be a human being in your own time. It’s a way other people can see the world through your eyes. I think human beings feel compelled to put that experience down. They may not even know why, but the end result is that people come along later. They’re able to learn from it and relate to it. It also ends up being the only record of what went on a lot of times.” She is speaking to my Lomax gene, for sure! I was also thrilled to find that January 31st was the birthday of Alan Lomax, son of John Lomax who collected cowboy songs. I was at the Pan Am Plaza listening to Los Texmaniacs that night doing more research! Yes, the end of January and the beginning of February put me right in the middle of my own research. Check out www.kimmierhodes.com for all the updates, photos, and current tour schedule that includes Ireland and England. We started out talking about her appeal in Europe back in the mid-nineties, and we talked again about that in 2015. Yes, her hair is now stunning white to frame her very young face. The passion that was shining in her eyes as she showed the Bajo Sexto to Santiago warmed up the room. And her joy at singing with Santiago was contagious. I remember playing her duet with Willie Nelson over and over in my house as I wrote the first book. Yes, Willie is still part of our lives too, at 81.

texasheritagemusic.org


Join our growing sales team!Great commissions!Give us a call today.

Karyn (210) 316-2986 | Greg (830) 792-5737


COME VISITwimberley.org


Wimberley Updateby Sherri Cline

Wimberley’s natural beauty abounds year round, but in springtime the quaint community’s unique location takes the spotlight. Fields of bluebonnets, frolicking fawns and burbling creeks inspire artists, nature lovers and armchair naturalists alike.

Mother Nature’s generosity will be particularly apparent this year, when mild temperatures and gentle rains have combined to showcase an epic season of wildflowers. Texas’s state flower will take center stage, but waiting in the wings will be Mexican hats, brown-eyed Susans and Indian paintbrushes.

Wildflowers and natural beauty won’t be the only thing on display in Wimberley this spring. The community is renowned as an art destination and that reputation will be well deserved as winter becomes summer in the charming hill country community.

Art, antiques and crafts abound at Wimberley’s Market Days, one of the largest outdoor markets in the state of Texas. Hundreds of booths showcase a cornucopia of treasures on the first Saturday of the month, with the Wimberley Lions organizing this shoppers’ paradise.

Performing and visual arts have long been a Wimberley raison d’être, and this spring brings that vividly to mind. The EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens will bring Sleeping Beauty to the stage in March as part of its annual Children’s

Theatre Series, followed by The Frog Prince in April. The Wimberley Players will take on more adult fare, staging the thriller Wait Until Dark in March. The troupe will lighten things up in April, when they bring the classic Texas comedy Greater Tuna to the stage.

April will also see two of the Wimberley Valley’s most popular events on the same weekend. ArtsFest, organized by the Wimberley Valley Art League, brings together world-class artists and artisans at the beautiful natural venue of Blue Hole Regional Park for April 18 and 19. On April 18, Butterfly Day at the EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens will combine the wonder of nature’s most dramatic transformation with the artistic creations of students from throughout Texas. Shuttle service will unite the two events as well as a barbecue cook-off on the town square.

Music can be found throughout Wimberley’s many venues on weekends and weeknights. Live music fans won’t want to miss Susanna’s Kitchen, which brings Austin-caliber performers to the Wimberley United Methodist Church on the third Thursday evening of the month; concerts in the park at Blue Hole Regional Park every Friday evening in April; the world-class Blue Rock Studio Concert Series and performances at Cypress Creek Café, Linda’s Fine Foods and Ino’z.


joeherringjr.blogspot.com

We take things for granted. Take, for example, grocery stores full of groceries, clothes stores with racks and racks of clothes, hardware stores busting with nuts and bolts. Consider the problem of filling those shelves if your only way to transport goods to a store involved a wagon and mules or oxen.

Such was the case in the 1850s when many hill country communities had their beginnings. “It was a real accomplishment for a freighter to haul a load of several thousand pounds on two or three wagons trailing one behind the other for a distance of a hundred miles or more,” writes Bob Bennett in his excellent history of our county. “During rainy seasons it was a real problem to keep Junction, Rocksprings and other towns supplied with the necessities of life. These inland communities often ran short of flour and other staple food items because the freight caravan was marooned somewhere on a muddy road en route from Kerrville.”

Kerrville, because it was connected to markets by a railroad in 1887, became the supplier of most of the outlying towns nearby, a role it continues to play even now that the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad is gone.

When the interstate highway came through town in the 1970s it helped our community retain this niche. Before the railroad came to Kerrville, freighters hauled goods to Kerrville from San Antonio and even to “old Indianola” on the Texas coast. Again, from Bennett: “In the early days the wagons were pulled by ox teams, often several yokes to the wagon. Later mules and horses supplanted the plodding oxen. Teams of horses and mules ranged from two to twelve. That was before the day of highways and it required expert teamsters to handle a team over the rough and steep hill roads. “L. F. Pope was a colorful teamster of the

pre-railroad era. He started in the days of freighting from San Antonio and continued westward when the railway terminus reached Kerrville.

Old timers said Pope could hitch a team of several horses by the time others less versed in the vocation could hitch two horses. “Bells were often used on the lead horses in the teams and the wheel horse – the one that knew his business – helped to hold back the heavy load on steep downgrades. The team, or the gentle animals in the team, were hobbled out to graze on the countryside at night. “The old-time freighter braved all kinds of weather and other obstacles, but he overcame them all. He was a picturesque character who served his day and generation well.”

Joe Herring has a reputation as, “Kerrville’s Historian.” Joe has been collecting historical anecdotes and images for years and has been sharing them with the Hill Country commu-nity. If you want to see the evolution of Ker-rville and the surrounding area as a rail head for sheep and cattle ranching to the modern town it is today, Joe is your go-to man. Join us each issue as Joe brings Texas history to Heart Beat’s pages.


Telling the story of the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk from the viewpoint of its beginning and the paths it and the artists who are a part of it have taken, is an ongoing process for a long time to come. But as with anything that has longevity, the story must cer-tainly include the continued new history being made. I referred to the 2014 Award Winners tour in the last issue. I would now like to chal-lenge our readers that are songwriters to enter your songs this year, 2015, and become a part of the history. There are so many different op-portunities to do that. Here’s one now! SONGWRITERS!!!! If you are plan-ning to enter the 2015 GRASSY HILL KERR-VILLE NEW FOLK COMPETITION, have we got a cool deal for you! New Folk and the Music Camp for Teens are two of our most beloved events. So for everyone that enters New Folk before Feb-ruary 13 a donation will be made to the fund to sponsor kids to come to camp. What a great Valentine’s Day gift to a teen that is interested in music. All you have to do is send in your songs and they get help to come to camp. Per-fect, right? So get your entry in by mail, email or Sonicbids and be a supporter of a won-derful opportunity for our young humans!!!!! And feel great about having that one more thing done and off of your plate. And hold the thought for yourself that you will be playing your songs at Kerrville this year. Here’s a little info about Camp for those that are not aware. We began the Music Camp for Teens in 2006 as a collaboration of The Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation and Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas. We typically have 60 - 80 in attendance. Some of them already play an instrument or even write songs and poetry; truly a lot more now, espe-cially the ones that have attended Camp more than once, but it is not a requirement. The mission is to create understanding in young

people about the way that music affects us in our daily lives. Even if a music career isn’t a goal just being around music and feeling the healing powers it can have has been life changing for not only the kids but the co-ordinators and faculty too. This year Steve Seskin, Tom Prasada-Rao, Annie Wenz, Roy Wooten, Jena Kirkpatrick, Frank Meyer and Bill Oliver are the lucky artists that will be the Teaching Faculty. Join in to be a part of two really life changing experiences! And now to tell some more stories of past participants.If you go to the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk page http://www.kerrville-music.com/newfolk.htm and scroll down a bit right above the listings for 2013 you will see

History of the New Folk Competition Kerrville New Folk Archivescourtesy of www.happenstance-music.comIf you click on this link, there is not just the Award Winners of New Folk but a complete list of the names of ALL of the songwriters that came to the Festival to play and sing the two songs that they submitted. These pages were put together with loving dedication by Doug Coppock to whom we owe our deep gratitude. I have looked at them countless times. And still a recent discovery is an ac-count of a participant named Gordon. I am taking this story directly from the archived pages. It is from the very beginning…………

I’m Gordon Henry Barth I played Kerrville in 1973 as a new folk artist. I was reminiscing about those days and decided to google things and came up with your web site. I was nineteen at the time and was going to Texas Tech. Al-len Damron was playing tunes at a place in

they moved the festival to the ranch. Music was played 24 hours a day. I can’t remember the name of the cabins where everyone was staying but it was up the road on the Guada-lupe. I wish I could have remembered more but to me it was just playing and jam sessions and there was a “Woodstock” feeling of peace and love at that time. A time of magic. This is a semi accurate account of what I remember. Side note. B.W. Stevenson came to Lubbock about that time and Allen sent me back stage to talk to him to tell him to come to the Brookshire Inn (now known as Gards-ki’s Loft) B.W. was staying in the Holiday Inn in Lubbock, so we went to pick him up to take him to the Brookshire to meet with Al-len. He was pretty drunk at the time and he came with us. He had opened for the Doobie Brothers back then. Michael Raphael told us not to “abuse BW” and he was laying in the 2 double beds that the four member group was staying. B.W. spent about an hour and a half entertaining us with an audience of about 30 people. We went back to Allen’s apartment to play some tunes but B W drank about a li-ter of Wellers bourbon and passed out in the bathtub. We stayed up till about dawn and I never knew what happened to B. W. ......pretty exciting times for a 20 year old going to Texas Tech and getting to play with some of these guys. Just thought I would send my memories of some events in those early days of the Festival. It’s my story of those days and it really was a Texas Magic back then. Sorry to see Allen D. pass away, he was always so good to me. Dr. Gordon Barth Yorktown, Texas (Ed. Note: Thanks Gordon! from all of us who wish we coulda been there!!!)I am delighted to share these stories of New Folk experiences from the artists viewpoints, and in the process discover some new ones myself. Thanks to the Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country for the space and to you for reading!


Lubbock called The Brookshire Inn where I earned money for school. He sat me down in the apartment where he was staying and made a tape of me and sent it in for the New Folk entry. Back then, it was pretty rusty. I re-member playing on the grounds of the Sch-reiner Institute. Bill and Bonnie were front row. It was pretty relaxed at that time and if I knew that Kerrville would turn into something BIG...I might have put in a little effort into the deal. It was pretty informal and relaxed back then. If I remember correctly, they didn’t have “winners or losers”. The deal was that if there was a good artist, he or she would get to play at the concert at the auditorium that night. I went to the first festival in 1972 at the auditorium and was wowed by the excite-ment of the deal. My cousin wanted to go to the States arts and craft fair at the Schreiner and when we went, there was advertisement for the music festival so we decided to go. What magic! Today, I get to play tunes at places around the South Texas area. I’ve become friends with Jack Motley and his Sister, Mary Martha.....they are some Kerrville die hards. I get to play with Jack at times when he invites me to sit in. (Ed. note: Jack is host at Camp On This and a dear friend of mine as is Mary Martha - Camp on This is what I consider my home at KFF) Most of my time is spent being a Family Practice Physician in the town where I was born....Yorktown, Texas. I went to Med-ical School in the Dallas Fort Worth region and turned into a dedicated Doctor instead of a musician. I decided music was not my first true love.....but it still remains my second. I love Jack’s zeal for keeping the spirit burning and cherish the times I get to sit in with him. This is a little story about the days back in 1972-1974. I never was a STAR but was invited to play at the cabins north of Kerr-ville where the top artists were staying and was known as a backup player for Bill and Bon-nie, Allen Damron, Jerry Jeff, Bobby Bridges and Townes (he was pretty drunk back then). Those days were the original campfires. I was staying in a tent with friends at the state park back then and I remember EVERYONE stayed up all night playing tunes. This was before

QUICK REVIEWS


“Touché” (Songs from Before)Beth WilliamsWillow Creek RecordsProduced by Beth WilliamsReview by Greg Forest

Many Hill Country music fans remember Beth Williamsas a favorite singer/songwriter during the last threedecades. Beth recently left Texas to set up shop in Coloradoand is still churning out great music and songs. Althoughshe has scaled back her touring schedule, she is still hard atwork writing and recording in her own Pro Tools studio.

“Touché” is her most recent effort released in January 2015. “Touché” features ten songs and two bonus tracks penned by Beth and is a walk downsongwriting Memory Lane. The songs were recorded in 2014 but written between 1978-1994,except for one of the bonus tracks. The songs vary from ballads such as, “The Last One To Know” - a tribute to the cowboylife to the snappy opening track, “Cut Run Don’t Freeze.” You can hear Williams evolving as a writeras you journey down the sonic pathway. “Kickin’ Up Dust” is my favorite cut on the CD, a tribute tocowboy/western swing in the Bob Wills style and she throws in a few of her trademark yodels. Beth has also thrown in two bonus tracks to sweeten the package, “You Have MyHeart” which was written in 2014 and an endearing salute to man (and women’s) best friendwith “I Like Dogs.” The album, along with the rest of Beth’s CD catalog, is available at her web sitebethwilliamsmusic.com. Drop by, put your feet up on the porch and hear some of the best of Texas.

“Let It Go”Jay Boy AdamsRockin’ Heart RecordsProduced by Jay Boy Adams & Monty Byrom Review by Greg Forest

Guitar pickers seem to be under every tree in Texas but few have come out of the shade and into the sunlight of national attention. Jay Boy Adams is one such guitarist and singer-songwriter. In a career spanning decades, Jay has picked and grinned with some of the best and this new CD onRockin’ Heart Records is no exception.

Co-produced with another guitar monster Monty Byrom and featuring an A-Team of players, this 12-song release has Jay’s signature country/blues style that has brought him so far. Jay wrote or co-wrote nine of the songs - from the opening track, “Judgement Day,” a reflection on hand that we are all dealt in life to a self appraisaing look in the mirror with the heart felt ballad “Road to Good Intentions.” There is also a great cover of Robbie Robertson’s “The Weight.” If you’re looking for the essence of Texas music, look no further . You can check out this CD and others in Jay’s catalog at his web site - jayboyadams.com.


Frank, Jr. Though you have passed by his birthplace many times, here’s a story you prob-ably don’t know about a Fredericksburg resi-dent. When Frank was born in 1858 in the small Texas town not far from the western frontier, his family could not have imagined the path he would follow. Frank’s father trod a similar un-charted path when he arrived in Texas from Antwerp, Belgium, only six years earlier. Like many who feel the mystic pull of the Lone Star, Frank and his brother decided to move to the picturesque little town of Fredericksburg. Once in the Hill Country, they quickly started a business and found young brides.

Four years later, Frank’s son arrived, the first of five children. Names being scarce in the old west, he named him Frank. With the onset of the Civil War, Frank Sr. left his growing family to serve as a captain in the First Texas Cavalry. Returning to Fred-ericksburg, Frank was elected chief justice of Gillespie County. For some undocumented reason, Frank Sr. decided to return with his family to his native Belgium. While there, their 8-year-old boy began studying violin. It became obvious that Frank Jr. was a musical prodigy. His fam-ily paired him with a leading violin instructor, along with starting him on studies of music the-ory and composition. Frank began fulfilling his destiny, completing two major works by age 16. Soon he attracted attention from other leading European composers, and struck up friendships with contemporaries Edvard Grieg, Giuselppe Verdi, and Franz Liszt. While building his reputation and resume across Europe, Frank never forgot his American roots. At age 26, at the urging of mentor Max Bruch, Frank returned to America, where he directed a prestigious New York male chorus. He quickly became a sought-after conductor, teacher, and composer. With his unique upbringing, Frank found himself serv-ing the dissonant roles of promoting American composers, while introducing Flemish music to American audiences. His reputation grew to the extent he was noticed in the White House. Nellie, wife of President Taft, was forming the Cincinnati Sym-phony Orchestra, and decided she would recruit this new young superstar to lead it. Frank de-murred, not impressed with the location or the salary. Nellie pressed the issue, exerted her charm (and also raised his salary and added the position of Dean of the Cincinnati College of Music), and Frank gave in. He spent the next part of his career moving between Cincinnati, New York, and Eu-

Frank Valentine Van der Stucken.

sition contest winner. Admission is free and there will be cake. If you can’t make it, at least remember to hum Ein Kleiner Walzer the next time you drive by Van der Stucken’s birthplace among the bakeries and bookstores in the 100 block of East Main. Details: Fredericksburg Community Orchestras (FCO) and Friends of Van der Stuck-en will present the Van der Stucken Festival on Saturday, March 21, 2015 7:30 p.m., at the Hill Country Evangelical Free Church, 107 E. Lower Crabapple Rd., Fredericksburg, TX. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the performances. Information is at www.fredericksburgorchestra.com.

Phil is a musician, writer, and educator, and owner of Full House Productions, a public relations firm that tells the story of your business or organization. Call 830-456-6849.


rope, scoring such notable feats as bringing Richard Strauss to guest conduct original pieces, and introducing the works of Mahler to American audiences. For the rest of his life, Frank con-tinued to create piano music, choir works, songs, and orchestral arrangements. His most famous piece is Pax Triumphans. Frank Valentine Van der Stucken died in 1929, and is buried in Germany. But his legacy continues in Freder-icksburg.

In 1991 the Friends of Van der Stucken, led by Kenn Knopp, started an annual festival that bears his name, to keep alive the story and music of Fredericksburg’s native com-poser.

The next Van der Stucken Festival will be held Saturday, March 21, 2015 7:30 p.m., at the Hill Country Evangelical Free Church, 107 E. Lower Crabapple Rd., Fredericksburg, TX. Hosted by the Fredericksburg Commu-nity Orchestras, the program features an-other Fredericksburg native, Soprano Brynn Bowyer, Van der Stucken scholar Dr. Larry Wolz, the Arion Maennerchor and Mixed Choir performing under the direction of Mark Hierholzer, another Fredericksburg composer, and the Van der Stucken compo

Soprano Brynn Bowyer will be one of the per-formers honoring Fredericksburg composer Frank van der Stucken this March. Photo by Phil Houseal

He was known as Frank, Jr., in Fredericks-burg, but grew up to be international com-poser Frank Valentine Van der Stucken.

(Behind Country Accents Antiques) (830) 535-4094 www.backyardbistrobandera.com

Bricks River Cafe, Bandera, TxLocated on the beautiful Medina River, their full service restaurant features Appetizers, Sandwiches, Soups, Burgers &Steaks. In addition are Brick's Specialties - a collection of delicious entrees featuring chicken,seafood and pasta dishes you won't want to miss. Their catering service is also available for special events & weddings. 830-796-9900 wwwwww.bricksrivercafe.com 1205 Main St., Bandera, TX 78003

Their retro 50s place is located in Boerne's charming Historic District, directly across from Main Plaza. Look for the dice! Enjoy their Burgers made with always-fresh Angus Beef...every burger, every time, and crafted with the juiciest ingredients! Try their signature Magnum Burger! Check out the Sugar Shack too, a retro Ice Cream Parlor and Soda Shop! (830) 331-8799, 103 North Main Street, Boerne, TX 78006, www.sodapopsboerne.com

Soda Pops Paao Bar & Grill, Boerne Tx

Backyard Bisso, Pipe Creek, Tx

Sids Main Sseet BBQ, Bandera, TxVoted Best BBQ in Bandera for the last 5 years! Sid’s location is an old service station offering a relaxed atmosphere with picnic tables outside. All the meat is smoked and cooked with oak and hickory and all the sides are made from scratch! They also have a successful catering business with a catering trailer ready for your large events. 830-796-4227 702 Main St. Bandera, TX www.sidsmainstreetbbq.com

For a small town like Castroville Tx, this is worth the drive! Nestled behind the main drag is a historic home-turned-cafe. Theyoffer their trademark sandwiches such as “The Landmark,” “The Alsatian,” and the Schnitzel sandwich! They also have a variety of daily homemade soups...the best Butternut Squash and tomato basil is the best! 309 Lafayette St, Castroville, TX (830) 538-2400

The Backyard Bistro and Chef Aaron's "Farm to Table Fare" proudly serves their dishes using only the finest fresh ingredients available, including organic eggs from their own chickens and herbs from their very own garden, picked daily for your culinary delight. Available for parties, catering & wine tastings. Live Music Friday & Saturdays.167 Panther Ridge, Pipe Creek, Texas 78063, Hwy 16 South

For more than 150 years, Camp Verde General Store has occupied this little piece of Texas. Give yourself a moment to indulge in the rich history of this timeless gem. Come have a one-of-a-kind sandwich from our enticing lunch menu and try our wide variety of savory jams, jellies and sauces.Restaurant hours: Mon-Sun 11am - 3pm www.campverdegeneralstore.com 285 Camp Verde Road East Camp Verde, Texas 78010

Camp Verde General Stte, Camp Verde Tx

1011 Bisso, Kerrville, TxBuilt right on the banks of the Guadalupe River, 1011 Bistro offers the most spectacular view in Kerrville. You will find something in their menu for a special occasion or family gathering, or just kick back with a bottle of wine on their open terrace. Their menu features some French & American specialties, as well as some Italian classics, with a touch of Texas! (830) 895-1169 1011 Guadalupe, Kerrville, TX www.1011bistro.com

Toucan Jim's is an island experience in the Texas Hill Country! Enter their stress-free zone and spend an hour or a day enjoying the palapas, plants, music, food and fun! It's always 5 o'clock at Toucan's. One of their islandentrees to try are the popular fish tacos! 5814 TX-27, Center Point, TX (830) 634-2640 www.toucanjims.com

The Patio café was listed among the Top 40 best Small Town Restaurantsin Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Try their Spicy Pepper Jack Burgers or homemade Chicken Salad. Choose from one of their award winning desserts: apple pie, apple cake, cookies, strudel, turnovers, muffins & famous Apple Ice Cream. 830-589-2202 14024 State Hwy 16 North Medina, TX 78055, www.lovecreekorchards.com

Tucan Jims, Centerpoint, Tx

There’s a vibrant theater community in the Texas Hill Country — and the spring season is full of great shows.

THE POINT THEATRE120 POINT THEATRE RD, INGRAM(830) 367-5121 | www.hcaf.org

The Point Theatre has a great lineup for the 2015-16 season, including a perennial favorite, “South Pacific. by Rodgers and Hammerstein The theater is located on the grounds of the Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theatre Road, in Ingram. (830) 367-5121.

PLAYHOUSE 2000910 Main Street, Kerrville(830) 896-9393 | caillouxtheater.com

PROOF - STARTS APRIL 10thby David Auburn

In this Pulitzer Prize and “Tony” Award-winning drama, the brilliant playwright explores the academic gender-based double-standard, but even more, questions about family ties and the fine line between genius and insanity.

FREDERICKSBURG THEATER CO.1668 U.S. 87, Fredericksburg(830) 997-3588 | fredericksburgtheater.org

STARTS APRIL 10thThe Fredericksburg Theater Company, renowned for its quality productions in its 250-seat Steve W. Shepherd Theater, presents “Crimes of the Heart.” by Beth Henley is a Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle award-winning play.


This winter was a cold, snowy, icy mess for much of the country. “Climate change,” say many. “Cyclical events,” say others. I’m opting out of the debate here, but I will say there were winters of my youth in Wisconsin that easily stood up to the highly publicized “Snowmageddon” in the North East. We didn’t obsess over it. It was just life when life was a bit slower. Mothers bundled us up like the kid in A Christmas Story and shoved us out the door where we made snow tunnels, snow houses, snow forts and had snowball fights if the snow was just right. When we could find the ground we made angels in the snow. I don’t remember making snowmen, but perhaps we tried and gave it up for the more immediate pleasure of smacking each other with hard packed snowballs and the horrific, but eminently satisfying, washing of someone’s face with snow. And oh, the exquisite taste of fresh fallen snow . . . Yes, yes, we all know the cautions of staying away from the yellow stuff, but we weren’t idiots and there was plenty of pure white, crisp on the tongue, melt in your mouth snow for one and all. In Vermont they make snow candy by pouring real maple syrup on real snow and I’ll bet that is just amazingly good. Crunchy, candied snow. Yum! The plain stuff is mighty fine, too, as my 2 yr old great niece discovered this past winter in Brooklyn. We had the peaceful joy of waking up and knowing, without looking, there was a blizzard enveloping the city. You know how we knew? A deafening silence. It was as if our world had been wrapped in cotton batting, damping down all sound - except the sound of silence, of snow. I wonder if Paul Simon woke to the sound of the silence of a blizzard? It’s profound.

There was the delicious contentment of a snow day from school. We savored them because we had precious few. The principal of our Lutheran grade school, a three story building with his office on the third floor, often said, “When the snow is up to the windowsill of my office, I’ll consider a snow day.” The same was true of Milwaukee Lutheran High School until the memorable day they did not call off school until too late in the day. Most of the student body had to spend the night, which was great fun for the students, not so much for the faculty. The next time we got a big dump of snow (our term for a blizzard) they let us out plenty early before the roads became impassable.

In Wisconsin they’re pretty darn good at snow removal, but once in a while the plows have a hard time keeping up with it, or plow people in. It doesn’t happen often, but even I, who learned from an early age that snow was not an excuse to miss much of anything, was mortified the Sunday my father led the family, on foot, the four or five blocks to our church when the snow drifts were too high to drive, to find the pastor scowling at the doorway. He looked at my dad, shook his head and said, “Morning, Hal. I only came over here in case

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A TOWN OF CHARACTER & CHARACTERS

In Bandera we have many monthly events that you just can’t miss. Of Course the first Tuesday of each month we get a kick start with the Cowboy Capital Opry. Got to go, at least once. We have Bingo every Tuesday night at the Lakehills American Legion Post 410 and on Wednesday nights at the Bande-ra American Legion Post 410 or Friday night Bingo at the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire De-partment. On the first Friday night of each month is a great Classic Car Show that gath-ers at Fat Boyz Sandwich Shop or you can eat your fill of fried fish at the Knights of Colum-bus Fish Fry at St. Joseph’s Hall.

Every Saturday, for great family entertain-ment, visit the Cowboys on Main program hosted by the Bandera Business Association featuring chuck wagons, horses, strolling singers and the gunfights at Heritage Plaza presented by the Bandera Cattle Company.

On the first Saturday of each month you can purchase some great books at the Bandera Library or the Lakehills Library starting at 10 am. Then at 1:00 pm, visit the Frontier Times Museum for the Cowboy Camp. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy some tradi-tional cowboy music. Better yet, bring your guitar and join in! Most bring their own re-freshments too. Don’t miss it!

Bandera has some awesome events planned for the spring. Well, all our events are awe-some, but they are not without a unique spin! You just have to witness the Kronkow-sky Library of Bandera County’s 13th Annual WILD HOG EXPLOSION! I did say unique but did I mention Wild? Scheduled for Sat-urday March 14th, at Mansfield Park, this is a wild Hog catch and the squeals and spills are a hoot! Starts with kids 4 to 5 years old and moves on up to the adults. Of course the hogs start small too and get bigger as you go!. Check out the All bike Rally, LSBBQ Cook-off, Bacon Bingo, arts and crafts, well there is a lot more so check it out at www.wildhogexplosion.com!.

If catching wild hogs wasn’t enough for you, how about riding one? Biker Rallies of Texas presents Thunder in the Hill’s March 26th thru the 29th. Held at Bandera’s Mansfield Park it includes tent camping, poker run, vendors, food, field events, live bands and special entertainment. Friday and Saturday, a bike show, tattoo contest, a Sunday morn-ing church service, a well you just gotta go. 18 OR OVER NO EXCEPTIONS.

Things change in April and the month’s events are kicked off by Bandera Market Days around the Court House. Scheduled the first Saturday in April thru November. Arts and Crafts featuring some of the best in the Hill Country. Free and open from 9 to 4pm.

Head to the Medina River as the Bandera Business Association presents Mayhem on the Medina featuring the National compe-tition of the Reenactment Guild of America (RGA). The event is scheduled for April 11th & 12th hat Bandera City Park. The event includes competitions of Living History Campsites, costumes, and gunfights. Competitors from across the nation! Vendors, live Music, wag-on rides and more! Step into the past and experience Mayhem on the Medina! Games from the 1800’s, exhibits and food. Check it out at www.MayhemOnTheMedina.com

Well, you can’t come to Bandera and not see horses or a horse event. April 17th thru 19th TETRA/HC-SNAP will host their annual Spring Benefit Trail Ride. Join the Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association and the Hill Country State Natural Area Partners for their annual spring benefit trail ride at the Hill Country State Natural Area. Registration Friday

May 2nd kicks off the month with the 15th Annual Medina River Cleanup. Registra-tion is from 9-noon at Bandera City Park. Join the fun and help keep our Medina river to stay the cleanest, clearest river in Texas!


BBQ and music too! Call Bob Brischetto at 210-413-7264 for further information.

Wow, and when you get through cleaning up the river, join the St. Stanislaus Parish Festival on Sunday May 3rd at the Church on Cedar Street. Time: 11 AM - 5 PM BBQ, Games, Music, Auction and more.

Bandera County “Relay For Life” will kick off on May the 16th at 6:30 PM - 2:00 AM Ban-dera High School track and football field. All proceeds are used for cancer education, transportation to appointments, and other items to help those who are going through treatments. Donations and all teams wel-comed. 474 Old San Antonio Hwy Bandera, TX 78003 .

One of our most exciting events of the year is the Annual Bandera ProRodeo Time: 8:00 PM Annual Memorial Day Weekend. Held Fri - Sun May 22nd – 24th. Performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena –

On the same weekend there is plenty to do during the day too. Shop the annual Funtier Days Arts & Crafts Show. Shop with over 75 vendors on the Courthouse Square in down-town Bandera. Sponsored by the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce. For vendor information call 830-796-4447 or download the application from the Chamber’s website www.banderatx.com.

Whew! You cannot be bored in Bandera! Be sure to visit our music venues too!

For more information, dates, times, exact locations, visit www.banderacowboycapital.com and click on events. You never know, we may even add a few by the time you check it out! Yee-haw, Y’all!

Bandera Characterscontinued from previous page

So Long Winter - Hello Spring!continued from page 26

some fool tried to come to church today.” We walked home. Very quietly. No one dared say a word. There were pluses to blizzards, winter and snow, especially for kids. Maybe the biggest plus was knowing winter was almost over for another year. Usually a thaw brought temperatures in the 30’s and even ‘40’s. Almost time for shorts! Then crocuses peeked bright, happy purple and gold heads out of the snow, followed by daffodils and later, tulips. Easter was on the horizon and if we had snow on Easter (which happened more than once) folks just wished one another a “Merry Christmas” with a wink and a smile. It’s hard to appreciate Spring if you haven’t navigated a tough winter. It was cold, occasionally icy and we even had a little snow here in the Texas Hill Country, enough to celebrate – or grumble over. So, take time to appreciate Spring, when it gets here, because it’s a certainty before you can say “Whew, it’s hot out there!” We’ll be fanning ourselves and complaining about the heat. Happy Springtime!

Fine Art, Jewelry & WatchesGold & Silver CoinsArts & Collectibles

215 West Bandera RoadBoerne, TX 78006

(830) 249-2739


Sometimes the only vacation available is an imaginary one. The budget’s low weather’s uncooperative, time off isn’t going to happen. But you can transport yourself with a good book and get away, if only for a while. I don’t know how many writers live in the Hill Country, but there may be as many books set in the Hill Country as there are bluebonnets. That could be an exaggeration. What isn’t an exaggeration is that there are hundreds of choices with Hill Country background: ghost stories, adventures, biographies, autobiographies, histories, true tales or tall tales. I’ve mentioned some of my favorites in previous columns. Hill Country romances are easy to find because they all have “cowboy” in the title. The rugged rancher-veterinarian-songwriter drives his crewcab into town and runs into—sometimes literally—the local beauty. She’s a decorator-pastry chef-dog trainer. Sparks fly. Treachery or misfortune keep them apart until by luck they end up in a muddy corral together, grooming a rescued horse for the upcoming cutting (reining, halter, barrel) competition. You know what’s going to happen next. These lightweight romances are lots of fun, especially with a glass of Texas wine in hand. Although I’ll admit to reading romances, it’s Hill Country mysteries that are my favorite. I love the China Bayles series by Susan Wittig Albert, who lives near Austin. China Bayles lives in nearby fictional Pecan Springs. Disgusted with her career as a lawyer, China leaves Houston for the Hill Country. In between tripping over dead bodies, she grows herbs organically, sells them in her shop, Thyme and Seasons, and opens a tea room with her best buddy, Ruby Wilcox. Each mystery has interesting characters, romance, surprising twists, and occasional commentary on contemporary issues, such as Austin sprawl. Botanical history is intertwined with fantastic recipes featuring

fresh herbs. Characters often end up in real Hill Country restaurants, or ones you wish were real. After reading awhile, you’ll be ready to go out and eat or cook, if you have the energy. Ms. Albert veers southeast of the Hill Country in her latest China Bayles mystery, Widow’s Tears. Read it on a dark and stormy night. Leaving China in charge of their Pecan Spring businesses, Ruby Wilcox drives to Fayette County, stopping at Royers Café in Round Top. She buys a buttermilk pie with chocolate chips, pecans and coconut for her friend, Claire. Who wouldn’t want to try that pie? Ruby hopes the pie will cheer up Claire, who has inherited a dilapidated, haunted Victorian mansion. Is there any other kind of inherited Victorian mansion? Ruby inherited her grandmothers’ psychic ability, so Claire hopes Ruby can communicate with her resident ghost.

Widow’s Tears is more than a cozy mystery, however. Intermingled with Claire’s problems is the gripping story of a mother and her children caught in the Sep-tember 1900 Gal-veston hurricane. Most Texans know of this horrific event but in Wid-

ow’s Tears you’ll live it. You feel fear, hear wind, smell filthy mud. You see gray waters oozing into the house as the mother moves her children upstairs, hoping her husband returns. You’ll take a deep breath when you get to retreat north to Fayette and Travis Counties. I guarantee you’ll feel like you have been away.

Memorial Day Western Swing Festival

May 21st-May 25th

www.11thstreetcowboybar.com11th StreetCowboy Bar

March 26th, 27th& 28th


I was craving my “famous” pinto beans. I say “famous” because I’ve cooked them for our Boy Scout fundraiser the past 15 years. People tell me they are the best! Preparing pinto beans can be an 8-hour affair. It was already 7pm and I wanted to eat by 8. Because I previously outlawed the use of microwaves in my home, I thought…….Pressure Cooker!

After reading instructions I gathered ingredients including my “secret” seasoning, and added enough water to fill the cooker half way. Verifying the pressure release nozzle was clear, I secured the lid then set the heat on “medium” per the instructions.

Approximately 30 minutes later I turned off the heat, allowed the steam vent to collapse, opened the lid, and to my amazement, discovered multiple servings of terrific pinto beans; perfectly cooked with great texture and taste. Rice cooks wonderfully in 5 minutes. Pot roast is perfectly prepared in 35 minutes. About every meal you can think of may be prepared in minutes, not hours. Pressure Cooking is an art you may learn quickly with minimum errors.

The pressure cooker has been around since the 1600’s when introduced by the French physicist and mathematician Denis Papin (1647-1712). Over the next 400 years, the design of these cookers greatly improved. The first US Patent for the pressure cooker was granted in 1902.

In 1938 Alfred Vischler patented his “Flex-Seal Speed Cooker” introducing it at a New York City trade show, proclaiming it the very first pressure saucepan for preparing meals, not just canning.

The “Victory Gardens” of the war-torn 1940’s encouraged Americans to grow their own food and safely preserve them by canning via the pressure cooker.

Between wars, prosperity and innovation

brought new inventions to the average housewife. The microwave oven, used extensively in German POW camps, became available in commercial markets. Modern women, finding it necessary to work to help with household incomes, became tempted with more and more “alleged” kitchen time-savers. Consequently, the pressure cooker became a relic. Today, many families have never used a pressure cooker, having succumbed to the seductive marketing of modern cooking gadgetry.

Preparing food with the pressure cooker saves time, protects the nutritional quality of most foods, and preserves precious enzymes which aid in digestion and assimilation of the food’s natural vitamins and minerals.

In addition to seeking less toxic, better quality organic foods, and concentrating on quality nutritional supplementation, many would be well served to learn and perfect the art of pressure cooking. You’ll be rewarded with great tasting nutritious meals prepared in a fraction of the time, and save money thru lower consumption of energy.

High quality stainless steel and aluminum pressure cookers may be purchased on-line, and at many retailers. You can find good pressure cookers at garage sales for pennies on the dollar. When purchasing a used one, be sure to inspect the rubber gasket-seals to validate they are soft and pliable and without tears. Replacement seals and owner instruction manuals are available from many on-line retailers.


“Bug-out: A Senior Odyssey…”Bug out: A plan; skills; physical tools for per-sons to escape impending doom.

Prepper: One who prepares for imminent danger(s).

Quite by accident, I caught an old doe in a hog trap one hot day. By the time I got to her, the doe was so exhausted and bloodied that she had col-lapsed in a barely moving heap, her limp tongue hanging out. That deer was so desperate to free herself that she had rammed her head and tawny shoulders into the sturdy hog paneling, bloodying herself from snout to tail. No amount of water or cold towels heaped upon her barely moving frame could revive that deer. Despite my best efforts, in minutes she was gone.

We’ve all found ourselves in desperate, seemingly hopeless situations and more often than not, we have fought such entanglements with the same desperation as that poor doe. She might have calmed down and waited for someone like me, the ranch manager, to happen along and free her. But she did not. She was only an animal. I am reminded of an old adage: When you find yourself in a hole quit digging.

“Failing to Prepare, They Are Preparing to Fail”

I have had an interest in all things Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson since child-hood, especially so since being honorably dis-charged from the U.S. Army in ‘73. As a boy, I daydreamed what it might be like to stroll along a distant jungle shoreline, in search of foraged seafood and adventure—to bliss-fully live out my days far from the madding crowd—beneath a thatched roof hut of my own making.

The Army thrust upon me such dubious life skills as cold-weather and desert survival training. A student of the late foraging, edible and poisonous plants expert, Euell Gibbons, I have been an unapologetic survivalist prac-titioner who has long enjoyed harvesting na-ture’s bounty—edible plants, berries, nuts, fish

and wild game—and pitting my skills against the best Mother Nature has had to throw at me.

My first civilian job, director-naturalist-devel-oper of the 140-acre nature center in Oklahoma City, was a 24-7 immersion in the Great Out-doors and wildlife adventurism. I bunked in a neat, 100-plus-year-old farm house, and I was actually paid to scour the center’s creeks, pond and wooded grounds for hidden bones and historical artifacts—buried treasure—as well as scour the center’s fruit-bearing trees, vines and shrubs for their free and oh-so-delicious mulberries, Jerusalem artichokes, pecans, and blackberries.

Since those idyllic times, between Corporate stints in artificially lit, stuffy office ‘cubes’ as a technical/marketing writer, I have studied and written on more advanced backwoods skills. In the stodgy white-collar world, I was baffled and saddened by the apparent disinterest my peers had for country life, plant and animal identifi-cation—and wilderness skills. I credited such disinterest to the unfortunate consequences of our post-industrial modern world. Today I am vindicated by a resurgence in prepping—NOT the violent kind but the sensible GREEN-friend-ly lifestyle practiced by our forefathers.

Hollywood fare, the Internet, TV and literature seem to bear this resurgence out: shades of the TV series, Survivor; the Hunger Games (book and movie); and countless film and B-grade survival-themed entertainment. The survivalist mindset, indeed the use of such take-charge ac-tion, is now common.

An obvious dis-ease has come to permeate our world—an underlying premonition that politi-cal, economic, terrorist or natural turmoil could be spiraling us out of control…and many seem eager to wrest control of their personal and fa-milial fates by gardening, stockpiling and learn-ing survival skills.

Just a few short years ago, prepping was con-sidered a fantasy of the “tree-hugging” Hippie fringe.



Today it has gone main stream—if you don’t be-lieve me, Google prepping on the Internet.

Advertisers have picked up on this trend and taken it to its logical conclusion: sales, i.e., profit.

Interest in foraging and prepping might be a fad—a passing phase, I don’t know. I know I have been a prepper much of my adult life. And after periods of training and education on any subject, inevitably there must come a period of immersion in the field and the field of study for the student to apply what he or she has learned. So it is with me and this column, announcing my sabbatical from the Hill Country.

This isn’t my last column, only the foreword to more hunting, fishing and yes, prepping adven-tures.

I’ll be on the road: camping and exploring wil-derness and backwoods America, bringing YOU the stories.

If you find yourself in a tough spot, take a deep breath, relax and consider your options. Often, many who find themselves in trouble—say, lost in the wild—give up and die, if from nothing more than fear.

My best survival advice?—1 Peter 4:7: “But the end and culmination of all things has now come near;” “be sober” (don’t panic), “pray” and show mercy and love. We may bump into each other at a remote campsite; the OST, when I’m back in town; or you can read all about it in this column. Till then, Shalom!

Author’s Note: Special thanks to Anthony Walk-er of A.R.E. Camper Shells of Ohio and Shane Tubbs, Owner, Off Road Truck Accessories of Kerrville.

. . . Bug Out


1480 Junction Highway, Ste C, Kerrville, TXMonday -Friday 8am - 7pm | Saturday 8am - 3:30pm


Located in the Heart of Historic Downtown Kerrville, Azul Lounge can be found underground in the old mercantile of the historic Schreiner Building. The speakeasy-style atmosphere returns you to a time where martinis and moonshine were forbidden. Azul blends a flare of South Texas Charm and 1920s history with a fresh squeezed lime. Cocktails, delightful jazz and classic blues will add a lovely finish to your work day. All drinks are made with a variety of freshly squeezed fruit juices, agave syrup, and the finest liquors. Just look for the blue lights and head underground for a more uplifting nightlife experience. With live entertainment Thusdays and Fridays, you can hear the best of the blues and jazz in the area. Thursday nights the stage is open to local musicians who want to step up and be heard. Azul is open Wednesday through Saturday 4pm-Close and features a long long Happy Hour that kicks in from 4-8pm. Go underground tonight!

Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Saloon…a Honky-Tonk as true as the “T” in Texas!On Main Street in the “The Cowboy Capital of Texas,” Bandera Texas, is a Honky-Tonk as true as the “T” in Texas! Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar has many legendary stories where many notable names have played, visited, and shot videos. From new-acts-to-known, live country music is featured every Friday and Saturday night, along with an open jam session every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. It doesn’t have to be a weekend, pickers from near and far randomly play throughout the weekly evenings as well! Over a hundred years of history resides on the walls, so come take a gander at the memorabilia, lend an ear to a local, put a quarter in the Dolly Parton pinball machine, boot-scoot on the sawdust covered dance floor and order a cold beer—the best prices in town! Arkey Blue’s is about to accomplish forty-six hard-earned years May 1st, so come raise your beer and honor a man who has kept this true Honky-Tonk alive!!

Biker Destinations

Hill Country Cruisin’


Cypress in the Hill Country In the very first set of conservation notes, it was pointed out that much of the material would come from personal experiences here on “The Farm.” This is one of the advantages that age provides. Certainly all of the experi-ences may not be positive, but relating them can present considerations that others may use when planning their own endeavors. The topic this month is Bald Cypress, the majestic trees that line many of the Hill Coun-try’ streams. These trees are especially import-ant not only for the shade, ambiance, and char-acter that they provide, but for their place in the history of the Hill Country. Bald Cypress is generally thought of as being adapted only to the banks of active waterways. However, there are two pair of these trees on this property that are growing well in distinct-ly upland locations. One set is directly across Pue Rd. in front of what we call Meme’s house. The other set is in front of the big party barn known as the pavilion.

My mother gathered seed from trees growing on the banks of the Guadalupe River behind her childhood home in Center Point. For this reason it has become customary to re-fer to them as Guadalupe River Bald Cypress. The planting of the then 6” seedlings in front of the pavilion can be documented as hav-ing been 1992, shortly after the first phase of the building was erected. The two in front of Meme’s house were planted significantly be-fore that in the l980’s shortly after that house

was built. All of these trees are now over 60’ tall, and have canopies extending out over 25’ in all directions. The very successful growth of these trees, especially the one on the North East corner of the pavilion, prompted this writ-ing. For some time it has been noticeable that the small concrete pad in front of that door was breaking up and that a significant toe stumper had developed between the concrete add on and the dance floor. A short time ago when Albino was mowing, he pointed out to me that this was being caused by a very large root extending out from the big cypress tree. The total discernable length of this root is 42’ from the base of the tree, and the distance past the trees branching canopy is 25’. It now becomes obvious that cypress have evolved the same wide spreading shallow root system adaptation that is characteristic of almost all of the true native trees--oaks, cedar, hackberry; etc. that have developed over thou-sands of years in the Texas Hill Country. These trees collect water from a wide area rather than sending down taproots in an attempt to obtain water from deep in the ground. Knowing this adaptation explains why arborists in the hill country advise water-ing and fertilizing primarily around the outer canopy of the trees rather than concentrating inside the canopy close to the tree trunks. It also explains why during the ravaging flood on the Medina River of 1978 so many of the huge trees were washed down that several sawmills were erected to make lumber. The shallow root systems simply could not hold up under the tor-rents of water. It was from these mills that the lumber for the outside of the rec hall, where the pool and ping pong tables are and Meme’s house was pur-chased. It might be added here that many of the old timers will always point out that “cypress lumber tries to go back to the river.” This is be-cause of its tendancy to warp badly. With good nails, screws, and curing time, this problem is


photo by Greg Forest


not insurmountable. It might be added that cypress lumber is very durable, almost decay proof. The real historical significance of Bald Cy-press trees in the Hill Country lies in their part in the founding industry of Bandera County. “In l853 A.M. Milstead, Thos. Odem, and P.D. Saner, with their families, came to Bandera County and camped on the Medina River, where they engaged in making cypress shin-gles.” This is from J. Marvin Hunter’s Pioneer History of Bandera County. My grandfather, Jack Stevens, arrived in this area around l856 and must have been involved in the cypress in-dustry from a very early age. Evidence of this is found in the old tools on the wall of the pa-vilion restrooms and the lumber used in the construction of many of the original buildings. The old blacksmith shop is a prime example of cypress lumber construction, but even more significant are the boards that make up the walls of the porch and the small bandstand of the Farm Cupboard Restaurant. These boards several of which are close to 2’ wide are on their fourth life on these premises. They were a part of the first home, which was under the pecan trees down on the banks of Hicks Creek. When the house was rebuilt at its present location, they were not used in the new home (replaced by more stylish bead-board) but became part of a shearing floor in a shed that was below the bluff across Pue Road. When the grain bins were remodeled to become the swimming pool restrooms, part of the boards from that old floor were used in the rest rooms and part of them are inside the rec hall. Later after the decision was made to add on to the old house and build the restaurant porch, they were pulled out of the restrooms and used in that construction. Evidence can still be seen of the large circular saw marks that resulted from the milling equipment of the time. There are also splotches of the tar that was used to treat animal wounds. This was a result of their life as a shearing floor. These boards were quite like-ly milled somewhere between l856 and 1866 (making them over 150 years old). Thus this story of cypress could be said to extend from l856 to 2014.

continued from previous page . . .

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I remember back in the late 1960s when Ace Reid and Hondo Crouch used to hold court at the Angora Club at the Inn of the Hills when it was still a private club. The whole room revolved around these cowboys with wits sharper than a tack and, with no shadow of a doubt, were always the funniest guys in the room. Ace and Hondo have both passed but still have strong legacies - Hondo’s at Luckenbach and Ace’s widely-syndicated cartoon column, Cowpokes.

Ace’s wife Madge has been keeping the fire burning at Cowpokes and has honored us with the opportunity to share some of Ace’s work with a whole new audience. You will alwas ride a happy trail with Cowpokes!


MARCHMarch 14th

March 17-21

Frio Country Resort1801 County Road 348 “River Road”Concan, Texas, 78838

March 26-28

Head for the Hills Music FestivalQuiet Valley Ranch, Hwy 16 Kerrville, TX

March 26 - 29

Thunder in the Hills11th Street Cowboy Bar307 11th Street, Bandera, TX 78003(830) 796-4849

APRILApril 11 - 12,

Mayhem on the MedinaBandera City ParkDowntown Bandera, TX

April 16-19

Old Settler’s Music FestivalCamp Ben McCulloughDriftwood, TX


April 24-25Backyard Spring Fest13801 Bee Cave Parkway, Bee Cave, TX(512) 651-5033

MAY

PsychFest May 8-10Carson Creek Ranch in Austin, TXaustinpsychfest.com

MAY

May 1-3Hill Country Run Motorcycle RallyLuckenbach, TX(830) 997-8515 | luckenbach.com

May 21-June 2Kerrville Folk Festival (21 days)Quiet Valley Ranch, Kerrville, TX(830) 257-3600 | kerrville-music.com

Compiled by Jack Armstrong


Suzanne Freeman is a Hill Country writer whose poetry has appeared in numerous national literay journals. Her novella, Omnibo, won the

Clay Reynolds Novella Prize and was published by Texas Review Press.

Uncle Art’s Emergency Room Run

After the warhe came home to West Texashad a radio shopand a string of jukeboxesfrom Marfa to Pecos to Pyote.A call came in from Carlsbad:the music had died at the SundownerArthur rode off on a borrowed Harleythrough a 1940s jackrabbit desert,and across the state linehe discovered the usual--a slug in the Wurlitzermessing up the magnets.Repairs complete,the ride back almost wrecked him--the wind, the darkness, the washboard roads.He swore off “motorsickles”after that night, but at least Hank Williamswould be singing again.

The Poetry Reading

Metal chairs, bad backs,the cups of bargain wine.

Outsidecold mist travels the cedar grove,stirring a hidden gong.

Hour of the Musician(for Catfish)

Someone less brave might give in,give up such supreme exertions--the struggle to ignore the Kali in cracked linoleumor the menacing wires calling from the walls;might just take the Jesus exit on the highway of life,get a flat-screen lobotomy, breathethe tailpipe perfume in a closed-up garage.

But you park it in the gloom of smoky bars& loud guitars--the glittering wreckof your existence--and sing about it.

Country Wedding Photography

karyn lyn 210.316.2986

realalebrewing.com

realalebrewing.com

KERRVILLEKerrville Folk Festival

May 22- June 23876 Medina Highway, Kerrville, TX

(830) 257-3600

Texas Heritage Music Foundation2100 Memorial Blvd, Kerrville, Texas

(830) 792-1945

Cafe on the Ridge13439 S Ranch Road 783, Kerrville, TX

(830) 896-0420

Azul202 Earl Garrett St, Kerrville, TX

(830) 896-9338

Callioux Theater910 Main Street, Kerrville, TX

(830) 896-9393

Ol Watering Hole1109 Broadway, Kerrville, TX

(830) 257-4653

Guadalupe River Club1483 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, TX

(830) 896-3354

Inn of the Hills1001 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, TX

(830) 895-5000

Nautilus Beach Bar2126 Sidney Baker Street, Kerrville, TX

Phone:(830) 895-2920

Pampell’s701 Water St Kerrville, TX (830) 896-0177

Headwaters SaloonHwy 783 Harper, TX

(830) 864-4055

Kerrville Hills Winery3600 Fredericksburg Rd, Kerrville, TX

(830) 895-4233

1011 Bistro1011 Bistro, 1011 Guadalupe, Kerrville, TX

(830) 895-1169

BANDERA11th Street Cowboy Bar

307 11th St, Bandera, TX 78003(830) 796-4849

Longhorn Saloon1307 Main St, Bandera, TX 78003

(830) 796-3600

Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar308 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003

(830) 796-8826

Flying L RanchSaturdays - Chuck Wagon Dinner & Show

PO Box 1959, Bandera, TX

LIVE MUSIC VENUESIN THE HILL COUNTRY


BOERNE/BLANCOSoda Pops

103 North Main Street, Boerne, TX 78006(830) 331-8799

Cave Without A NameFrequent Concerts in the Cave325 Kreutzberg Rd, Boerne, TX

(830) 537-4212

Redbud Cafe410 1/2 4th St, Blanco, TX

(830) 833-0202

COMFORT/WARINGCocky Rooster

7 US Highway 87, Comfort, TX(830) 995-5109

Tucan Jim’s5814 Texas 27, Center Point, TX

(830) 634-2640

Waring General StoreLive Music ednesdays

544 Waring Welfare Rd, Waring, TX(830) 995-4377

FREDERICKSBURGLuckenbach

412 Luckenbach Town LoopFredericksburg, Texas 78624

(830) 997-3224

Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse305 W Main St, Fredericksberg, TX

(830) 992-3288

Hondo’s on Main312 W. Main St. Fredericksburg, TX

(830)-997-1633

The Rockbox109 N Llano St, Fredericksburg, TX

(830) 997-7625

Silver Creek310 East Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX

(830) 990-4949

El Milagro Twenty Twelve249 East Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX

Phone:(830) 307-3051

Buc’s Bar & Grill304 N Llano St, Fredericksburg, TX

Phone:(830) 990-1283

INGRAM/HUNT/FRIORoddy Tree Ranch

820 Texas 39 Ingram, TX830-367-2871

Crider’s Dancehall2310 hwy 39 Hunt TX

(830) 238-4441

The Hunt Store1634 Highway 39, Hunt, TX

(830) 238-4410

LIVE MUSIC VENUESIN THE HILL COUNTRY



ROAD TRIPJOIN US FOR THE

13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS 50TH REUNION

SUNDAY MAY 10, 2015

PACKAGE INCLUDES:Admission to the FestivalRound Trip Motor Coach

Kerrville to AustinAll Taxes, Surcharges and Fees

Call (830) 792-5737 for details

FROM THIS

To THIS

Jerolyn and Rodger Columbik met in 1994 and started their collaboration while maintaining their separate art careers. Living in Hill Country now, their journey has taken them far afield from their Texas home spending several years experiencing the post-Soviet/post Berlin Wall hangover that has destabilized several countries attempting to become civil societies. These works were undertaken in milieus where traditions and cultural heritage have collided head-on with westernization and government

malfeasance. Major public projects have been undertaken in Armenia, Republic of Georgia and Romania where the focus was to promote community dialogue on issues of emigration, education and communal memory. A portfolio of these projects can be viewed at www.wooloo.org/colombik. An ongoing project in Ecuador that examines the lives of former street children who now live in shelters, Sacar Adelante can be viewed at www.sacaradelante.org. Through mid-May a few of their smaller works can be viewed at Robert Hughes Gallery in the Blue Star Complex in San Antonio. Also in May Jerolyn will have a new outdoor work featured in an exhibition at the Kemp Center in Wichita Falls as part of a show featuring ten women sculptors. This fall Roger will participate in a group exhibition at the International Sculpture Center in New Jersey.

Blanco Lavender Festival

June 12 - 14, 2015

Friday: Noon—6PM

Saturday: 9 AM—6PM

Sunday: 10AM—4PM

Visit our web-site for Schedules and Directions www.blancolavenderfest.com Or give us a call! 830-833-5101

11th Annual

Lavender Farm Tours Lavender Market on the Square

Live Music Local Beer & Wine

Texas Specialty Packaged Foods

Visit Beautiful Blanco

The Heart of the Hill Country

Heart Beat of the Texas

Documents

Transcript of Heart Beat of the Texas