August 2009

2 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.

Steve ssick
CUSTOM HOMES

Winning Team Takes GSABA Summit Awards for Second Year

It’s been a busy year for local Interior Custom Designer Catrina Hoelke and Custom Home
Builder Steve Essick. Their artistic designs captured the eye of judges once again taking home the
prestigious Summit Award for 2009 Best Product Custom Design $751,000 - $1,000,000 and 2009
Best Interior Custom Feature Design Treatment. Rich colors and elegant features that helped to
capture the Tuscan feel that Catrina and Steve were striving to achieve.
The home selected for this year’s top awards is on the market and available for viewing, located
at 28245 Equestrian, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas 78006. Interested buyers or those seeking the award
wining custom home building services can contact Essick Enterprises for more information. Design
lovers can find everything from elegant ranch, authentic Tuscany to Old World all with custom
designs at Catrina’s at the Ranch. Please visit Catrina’s at the Ranch to customize your dream.

Essick Enterprises • steve@essick.net • 210-710-0988 • www.essickhomes.com

Catrina’s at the Ranch • 830-755-6355 • www.catrinasattheranch.com
 august issue
E xplore what's inside this issue.
From the Publisher 6: calendar of events
Dearest EXPLORE reader,
As I often do, I’m writing this letter at 6:45am while sitting in my office chair. I
tend to be an early riser, and once I’m up, I figure I might as well get to work. The
office is quiet, the phones aren’t ringing, and no “fires” have popped up yet. It’s
8: nature
my favorite time of day.
I was sitting here reviewing many of my publisher’s letters searching for
Could Boerne be the next Tree City USA?
inspiration, and I just chuckled at myself. So many of my letters have continued to by Carolyn Chipman Evans
dwell on this “simplify life and enjoy the ride” theme, and I have been curious as to
why I tend to do that. My life isn’t overly complicated, although it can be stressful.
I don’t necessarily work 80 hours a week, although I do work quite hard. I
couldn’t figure out what exactly I’ve been trying to say.
10: music
And maybe I still don’t know what great breakthrough I’m seeking, but I think
I’m getting closer. I just want to be comfortable. I just want to be able to lay my
BRANDON'S REVUE
head down at night and be content with my life’s directions. Have you ever felt by Jeanna Goodrich
like that? I have continued to write about our desires to hug our kids, enjoy our
jobs, and love our fellow man. I have tried to write about the connection that
we all have, and how closely intertwined we all are. And it’s true, when you think
about it. But I think I was writing those things because I want to feel more 14: Where to eat
connected. I feel like I’m the person watching the world go by while I try to figure
out how to jump on board.
Controy's - Beer N' Burgers
My job tends to feed that feeling sometimes. My friends will call and say by Chris Jenkins
“Let’s go play golf today!” never mind that it’s a Tuesday. When I groan and say
“Wish I could”, I get ribbed that I’m self-employed and thus can leave work
whenever I want. This is a common misconception. I like to tell people “Being
self-employed means I work twice as hard for half the money”. But there goes 16: Art & culture
my friends, off to enjoy a day off. Additionally, my writing tends to disconnect
me. I sit in a weird chair – I write articles that tend to be quite personal, and have
Made In America
my picture plastered at the top of the column. I rant and rave about a myriad of
subjects (you should have seen last month’s rejected Publisher’s Letter – you would
by Jeanna Goodrich
have mistaken me for a psycho), and do so without any guarantee of anonymity,
and broadcast it to all corners of Kendall County. Then, a couple of people will
tell me they liked what I wrote, and a couple more will pick on me and tell me I’ve 24: history
lost my mind. I’m left to shrug and wonder if they know something I don’t.
But as I’ve reviewed almost two year’s worth of Publisher’s letters, I really think
Schoolhouse Rock
I’m seeking something that we all are trying to find – comfort with ourselves. We
all second guess ourselves, critique our performance, and stress ourselves out.
by Marjorie Hagy
Nobody is harder on YOU than YOU. So again, I doubt I’m unique in my desire to
seek vindication, thus continuing the “great theme” of these letters that no matter
how different I might think I am, or how different you might think you are, odds are 29: landscaping
that you and I probably lie awake and worry about many of the same things.
So I think picking on the hippies in Luckenbach, or philosophizing about the A Growing Perspective
checkout lines at the HEB are my way to remember I’m part of the team. Discussing
my fatigue with work, or my excitement with success is universal, and easily relatable.
by Jon Whitaker
Because if I’m not so different, I’m more comfortable. Being different is cool and
all, but sometimes, at 6:45am, I need to feel like I’m on the roller coaster ride with
the rest of ya’ll. After all, one of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody. 30: OUTDOORS
As always, I hope you love this latest issue. We’ve had so much fun hearing
the feedback on the layout, design, and articles. We certainly hope we continue Hill Country Outdoors - Kayaking/Canoeing
to raise the bar and provide you with a publication that makes you laugh, think,
and smile.
by Steve Ramirez
Enjoy your EXPLORE.
31: spiritual
My Wife Thinks I've Lost My Mind
Smiling,
by Kendall Aaron
Benjamin D. Schooley
PS – I have set up email addresses for almost all of the authors in EXPLORE. I get
loads of emails from people asking to pass along notes, and thought this might
simplify the system. I’d encourage all of you to write our authors with comments, Publisher
suggestions, and feedback. Trust me, they love to read them. Benjamin D. Schooley – ben@hillcountryexplore.com
associate Publisher
“Holiday Inn couldn’t be happier with the advertising we Jeanna Goodrich – jeanna@hillcountryexplore.com
have done in EXPLORE. The layout, readership, and
Creative Director
s
service have been top-notch. EXPLORE is read not only

o o d n e s by the locals, but also by the scores of visitors that come

Laura Kaples – laura@hillcountryexplore.com

G to our area, and it provides a wealth of information to

them. The new layout captures your attention, and we
have received a tremendous amount of response from the
ads we have run in EXPLORE. We would encourage anyone
looking to maximize their exposure, and to do so cost-effectively, to advertise
with EXPLORE!”
Brittany Hardy
General Manager, Holiday Inn – Boerne, TX
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Natalie Meadlin – natalie@hillcountryexplore.com
advertising sales
210-507-5250 or sales@hillcountryexplore.com
EXPLORE magazine is published by Schooley Media Ventures in Boerne, Tx. EXPLORE Magazine and
Schooley Media Ventures are not responsible for any inaccuracies, erroneous information, or typographical errors
contained in this publication submitted by advertisers. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions
of EXPLORE and/or Schooley Media Ventures. Copyright 2009
Schooley Media Ventures, 113 S. Plant, Suite F, Boerne, TX 78006

4 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.

 Out & About in August
Fun in the great Texas Hill Country
The most comprehensive events calendar you’ll find anywhere.
send submissions to info@hillcountryexplore.com
June 2 – August 18
GRUENE: Two Ton Tuesdays. Features the popular
rockabilly band Two Tons of Steel every Tuesday.
Begins at 8:30 pm. Gruene Hall. For more information
please call (830) 606-1281.
July 16 – 18, 23 – 26, 30 – August 2
BULVERDE: “Barbara’s Blue Kitchen”. S.T.A.G.E.,
1300 Bulverde Rd. For more information please call
(830) 438-2339 or email stage@gvtc.com.
July 30 – August 23
KERRVILLE: Hometown Crafts & Gifts – Teachers Art
Show. Exhibits artwork of Hill Country educators.
Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett. For
more information please call (830) 895-2911,
email da@kacckerrville.com or visit the website at
www.kacckerrville.com.
July 31 – August 1, August 7 – 8, 14 – 15,
21 – 22, 28 – 29
NEW BRAUNFELS: Canyon Trail Chuck Wagon Supper
& Cowboy Music Show. Hear the English Brothers –
Western Music Artists perform “How the West was
Sung” – a high energy, one hour western/cowboy
music show complete with yodeling, comedy and the
best pickin’ around. This nostalgic show follows an
authentic chuck wagon meal with all the fixin’s. Gates
open at 6 pm. Call for reservations. 1201 FM 2722.
For more information please call (888) 408-7245,
(830) 626-8200 or email greg.english@rawsonlp.com.
August 1
BANDERA: Market Day. This is an arts & crafts
vendor fair. Bandera Courthouse Square. For more
information please call (830) 796-4447 or visit the
website at www.banderabusinessassociation.com.
FREDERICKSBURG: Historic School Open House.
Former students will be available to share stories of
school days from the late 1800s to early 1900s. Willow
City School, 2501 Ranch Road 1323. For more info.
please email RMRwilkeranch@earthlink.net or visit the
website at www.historicschools.org.
August 1, 8, 15
BLANCO: Texas Fish School. Children can become
certified Junior Anglers by learning basic fishing skills
and safety at the river through games, booths and help
from fishing experts. Families can then head down to
the river to fish together. 9–11 am. Blanco State Park.
For additional information please call (830) 833-4333.
August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
BANDERA: Cowboys on Main. Features a Western
display in front of the Bandera Courthouse and strolling
entertainers on Bandera’s Main Street. 1 – 4 pm.
Main Street Bandera. For more information
please call (800) 364-3833 or visit the website at
www.frontiertimesmuseum.com.
BANDERA: BR Lightning Ranch Rodeo. Begins at 8 pm.
BR Lightning Ranch, Hwy. 1283. For more info. please
call (830) 535-4979, email billrivers@hughes.net or
visit the website at www.lightningranch.com.
August 3
SPRING BRANCH: Butterflies of Guadalupe River
& Honey Creek. Begins with an introduction to
butterfly identification. Then take off in search of
species and individuals. 8:30 am – noon. Guadalupe
River State Park. For more information please call
(830) 438-2656.
6 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.
August 5, 12, 19, 26
BOERNE: Fernbrook Estate on Cibolo Creek.
Alzheimer’s Association Support Group: for caregivers/
family of Alzheimer’s/Dementia Victims. Meetings
every Wednesdays @ 6 – 7 pm, and Saturdays @ 1 –
2 pm. Catered meal for caregiver & patient at each
meeting. Fernbrook is located at IH 10 W, Exit 538
before Ranger Creek Road. RSVP 48 prior required.
For more information and directions or to RSVP please
call (210) 557-3045 or (830) 249-3730.
August 6 – 9, 13 - 15, 20 – 22
KERRVILLE: “Blithe Spirit” – A Playhouse 2000
Production. The action of the play centers on socialite
Charles Condomine being haunted by the ghost of
his first wife, following a séance, and the ghost’s
efforts to disrupt Condomine’s current marriage.
Cailloux Theater, 910 Main St. For more information
please call (830) 896-9393 or visit the website at
www.caillouxtheater.com.
August 7, 14, 21, 28
BANDERA: Twin Elm Ranch Rodeo. Begins at 8 pm.
Includes calf scramble and mutton busting for kids.
Twin Elm Ranch, Hwy. 470. For more info. please call
(830) 796-3628, email twinelm@indian-creek.net or
visit the website at www.twinelmranch.com.
August 8
BOERNE: Cibolo Songs and Stories. Concert under
the stars at the Cibolo Nature Center featuring
Brandon’s Revue. For more information please call
(830) 249-4616.
BOERNE: 2nd Saturday Art & Wine: On Second
Saturdays the galleries of Boerne host joint openings
from 5 – 8 pm. Come out and enjoy a glass of wine
and the latest offerings on the Boerne Art Scene. Park
your car and take advantage of the free trolley service.
Restaurant participants offer 2nd Saturday specials
at Boerne Grill, Naples Ristorante, Spinelli’s Vistro,
The Creek, The Limestone Grill at Ye Kendall Inn and
The Blue Heron at Tapatio Springs Resort and hotel
participants offer 2nd Saturday special weekend rates
at Ye Kendall Inn and Tapatio Springs Resort.
August 8 – 9
BOERNE: Market Days: Take beautiful small-town
surroundings, dozens of vendors from all over Texas,
arts & crafts, antiques, collectibles, unusual items &
great food, & you have Market Days! Main Plaza.
For more info. please call David at (830) 249-5530
or (210) 844-8193, or visit the website at
www.mainstreetinboerne.com.
August 8 – 9, 22 – 23
FREDERICKSBURG: Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing.
Features a full slate of quarter horse and thoroughbred
races, special races and trials for the 2009 Fair Futurity.
Gillespie County Fairgrounds. For more information
please call (830) 997-2359.
August 9
GRUENE: Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist. Serves
awe-inspiring gospel music coupled with a mouth-
watering buffet from 10:30 am to noon. Gruene
Hall. For more info. please call (830) 629-5077
or (830) 606-1601, or visit the website at
www.gruenehall.com.
KERRVILLE: Second Sunday Summer Serenade.
Bring chairs and a picnic, and enjoy a performance by
Texas Tide. Begins at 7:30 pm. Louise Hays Park. For
more information please call (830) 895-2265 or visit
the website at www.bankofthehills.com.
August 10
SPRING BRANCH: Making of a Naturalist: Birds of the
Hill Country. Begins with a morning walk searching for
and identifying birds found in the park and adjacent
natural area. End the morning with an indoor program
taking a look at bird life histories, identification tips and
more. 7 – 11 am. Reservations required. Guadalupe
River State Park. For more information please call
(830) 438-2656.
August 13 – 15
JOHNSON CITY: Blanco County Fair & Rodeo. Includes
food vendors, animal sales and exhibitions, rodeo
shows, music and all-day activities. Blanco County Fair
Grounds. For more info. please call (830) 868-7684,
email info@johnsoncitytexaschamber.com or visit the
website at www.johnsoncitytexaschamber.com.
August 14 – 16
BANDERA: Old Bandera Downs Trade Days. Features
350 vendors. Grounds of the Old Bandera Downs
Race Track. For more info. please call (817) 832-9936
or visit the website at www.banderadowns.com.
FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop more than 350
vendors. Includes live music and more. Hwy. 290 E.,
across from Wildseed Farms. For more information
please call (210) 846-4094, email fbg@moment.net or
visit the website at www.fbgtradedays.com.
August 15
BOERNE: Byrd and Street concert. 7:30 pm. Main
Plaza. For more information please call (830) 249-9511
ext. 1181, or option 5, 3, or visit the website at
www.ci.boerne.tx.us/parks.
KERRVILLE: Guadalupe River Parade. Annual clean-up
event. Includes live music, auctions, fun and family
entertainment. Sponsored by Clear River Advocates.
Flat Rock Park, 3840 Riverside Drive. For more
information please call (830) 377-9838.
NEW BRAUNFELS: “The Couple of the Century: Wine
& Food Pairing”. Learn about the two fundamentals
in the pairing of food and wine that will provide if
not that proverbial “zing”, then at least a pleasant
dining experience. Pre-registration is required.
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards. For more information
please call 9830) 885-4076 or visit the website at
www.drycomalcreek.com.
August 15 – 16
GRUENE: Old Gruene Market Days. Nearly 100
vendors offer uniquely crafted items, collectibles and
packaged Texas foods. 10 am – 5 pm. For more
information please call (830) 832-1721 or visit the
website at www.gruenemarketdays.com.
August 18
BANDERA: Bandera Opry. 7 – 9 pm. Silver Sage
Corral. For more info. please call (830) 796-4969.
August 20 – 23
FREDERICKSBURG: Gillespie County Fair. Features
agricultural, livestock and home skills displays.
Includes horse racing, concerts, dances, carnival and
midway. Parade begins at 10 am Friday. Gillespie
County Fairgrounds, Hwy. 16 S. For more information
please call (830) 997-2359, email gcffa@ctesc.net or
visit the website at www.gillespiefair.com.
August 20 – September 13
KERRVILLE: “Working Texas Cowboys”. Photographic
images, by artist Kristi Beabout, personify the stories
of ranchers and cowboys who enhance the Texas
ranching industry. Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228
Earl Garrett. For more information please call (830)
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 nature
Could Boerne be a Tree City USA?
Our town is beautiful in great part because of our lush green canopy of
why not?

trees, our cool shade, and our soft edges that buffer the glare of concrete
and steel. And yet, we are losing trees and our cherished “Mayberry” feel
every day.
Growth is a fact of life in Boerne, Texas. People want to live here, in part
because of the beauty of our town and the small-town atmosphere. With
growth often comes the loss of the very thing most attractive.
However, I believe we can have both. With care and attention, many towns
are protecting their trees, planting new ones for the future generations, and
even winning national awards for their efforts.
All it takes is You! By Carolyn Chipman Evans
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if our town could remain a quiet oasis of
green trees and shady streets? Let’s start today!
If you are interested in being a champion for the trees and starting a volunteer
tree committee to work with our city please contact Carolyn Chipman Evans
at carolyn@cibolo.org
For More Information on Tree City, Assistance and Applications Please Contact:
http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/index.cfm.

THE BENEFITS OF TREES

• A large tree can provide enough oxygen for the daily requirements of
ten people.
• Trees have a positive impact on the incidence of asthma, skin cancer and
stress-related illness by filtering out polluted air, reducing smog formation, shading out solar
radiation and by providing an attractive, calming setting for recreation.
• Tree planting strengthens communities by providing people with an opportunity to work
together for the benefit of the local environment.
• Trees can save up to 10% of energy consumption through their moderation of the local climate.
• 1 acre of woodland grown to maturity and looked after forever would absorb the carbon
emissions of 100 average family cars driven for one year (Climate Care/Trees for Cities estimate).
• Property in tree-lined streets is worth 18% more than in similar streets without trees, according
to a survey in Chicago.
• Trees help to lock up the carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.
• Trees play a vital role in the urban ecosystem, by helping to support a great variety of wildlife.
• Trees reduce noise in cities by acting as a sound barrier.
• Trees and green spaces significantly reduce the stress of urban living.

drought care
I have done a little research because I am worried about our trees. This drought
is killing many of our trees, from small recently planted maples, to our legacy giants.
Combine this stress with the cutting of a tree here, and a tree there, and a parking lot
here and a new building there…and suddenly before our eyes, we have lost a shady,
beautiful community that cannot be replaced in our lifetime.
So, what can we do? First, we can all help by learning how to save our trees in these
drought conditions.
Drought stress develops in plants when the available soil water becomes limited.
As this happens, young roots are killed outright, reducing the plant’s ability to absorb
sufficient water. The soil also becomes hard and compact as it dries, reducing oxygen
to the roots. If landscape plants (trees, shrubs, and ground covers, especially evergreen
types) do not receive adequate rainfall or supplemental watering, heavy plant loss is likely.
Water trees and shrubs during extremely dry soil conditions. If you have to choose,
water your trees and not the grass since grass will turn green again when water is
available. For water conservation, it is best to not water your lawn at all. Trees, on the
other hand, will show subtle signs of drought, wilting or dropping leaves. However, they
can be seriously injured or die without water.
Watering and other tips for plant care
during drought:
• Depending on air temperatures, trees and shrubs need at least 1
inch of water applied every week to 10 days to cope with lack of rain.
Larger, established trees have a wide-spreading root system and need
not be watered as frequently, perhaps every 2 to 3 weeks. Let the top
few inches of soil dry out between watering to avoid saturation and to
allow roots and soil organisms to breathe.
• Water slowly and deeply so water percolates down into the soil,
electing one or two deep waterings as opposed to several light
ones.
• Use soaker hoses and drip irrigation, effective watering tools
because they discharge even streams of slow, trickling water directly
to the root zone beneath trees and shrubs. When combined with a 3
or 4-inch layer of organic mulch, plants can use nearly all of the water
that’s provided with little evaporation loss.
• Another effective means of watering a small tree is letting a hose
run slowly at its base until the ground is moist. For large trees, let the
hose run at various points around the tree’s drip line—the imaginary
line on the ground that encircles a tree’s extended branches.
• Water shrubs at the plant base and under the spread of branches
until soil is moistened to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
• When using a sprinkler system, place a container nearby to
measure when you have distributed 1 inch of water to the soil.
• Plants vary in their ability to tolerate water stress. Prioritize
watering, caring for newly transplanted trees and shrubs first, then
those that have been in the ground from 2 to 5 years. Next, water
“specimen” trees or important trees, then all other plants.
• Water strategically. Plants absorb more water in the early morning,
before the warming sun causes evaporation.
• Avoid using fertilizer during drought conditions. Fertilizer salts can
cause root injury when soil moisture is limited.

8 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.

 More stuff to enjoy!
tree city continued...
Next, we can encourage our City Council to work hard to
protect our trees and natural heritage and even apply to become a 895-2911, email da@kacckerrville.com da@kacckerrville.com or visit the
TREE CITY USA . TREE CITY USA is an awards program sponsored by the or visit www.kacckerrville.com. website at www.kacckerrville.com.
National Arbor Day Foundation that provides public attention and national KERRVILLE: “Ken Malson – The Spirit
recognition for local commitment to community trees and forests. August 21 – 23, 28 – 30 & Aesthetic Objects”. Expressions in
FREDERICKSBURG: Harvest Wine Trail. ceramic sculpture, furniture, paintings

reasons to become a tree city

Enjoy special events, tastings, tours, and mixed media. Kerr Arts & Cultural
food and entertainment. Twenty-four Hill Center, 228 Earl Garrett. For more
Country wineries participate. For more information please call (830) 895-2911,
• Encourages better care of community forests. information please visit the website at email da@kacckerrville.com or visit the
• Touches the lives of people within the community who benefit daily from www.texaswinetrail.com. website at www.kacckerrville.com.
cleaner air, shadier streets, and aesthetic beauty that healthy, well-managed
urban forests provide. August 22 August 28
• Recognizes and rewards communities for annual advancements in urban KERRVILLE: Kerr Market Day. More BOERNE: Summer Scene – Movie in the
forestry practices. than 75 vendors from the Hill Country Park, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Join
• Increases public awareness of the many social, economical and environmental offer arts & crafts, woodwork items, Boerne Parks & Recreation for a free
benefits urban forestry practices. metal craft, quilts, toys, native plants movie on Main Plaza. Begins at dark!
• Provides education to improve current urban forestry practices. and produce, jams and jellies. Kerr Come out early and enjoy Story Time in
• Builds cooperation between public and private sectors to effectively manage County Courthouse Grounds, 700 Main the Gazebo with Miss Constance, jump
urban forests. St. For more information please call in the Boerne YMCA Moon Bounce &
• Encourages, supports, and strengthens effective urban forestry programs in (830) 895-7962, email kerrmarket@ play Agility Games. Bring the whole
diverse communities nationwide. aol.com or visit the website at www. family, pack the cooler and set up your
• Can make a strong contribution to a community’s pride. kerrmarketdays.org. lawn chairs for a fun time! Sponsored
• Serves as a blueprint for planting and maintaining a community’s trees. KERRVILLE: Original Team Roping. by Outdoor Movies of Texas. For more
• Puts people in touch with other communities and resources that can help Cowboys compete in this exciting event. information please contact Boerne
them improve their program. Hill Country Youth Exhibit Center, 3705 Parks & Recreation at (830) 249-9511,
• Brings solid benefits to a community such as helping to gain financial support Hwy. 27 E. For more information please option 5.
for tree projects and contributing to safer and healthier urban forests. call (806) 499-3584, email office@otrc.
• Helps present the kind of image that most citizens want to have for the place net or visit the website at www.otrc.net. August 29
they live or conduct business. FREDERICKSBURG: Roots Music
• Tells visitors, through signage, that here is a community that cares about its August 27 – September 20 Concert. Features Cajun/Zydeco.
environment. KERRVILLE: Multimedia membership 6 – 10 pm. Pioneer Museum,
• Sometimes gives preference over other communities when allocations of show portrays anything that moves. 309 W. Main St. For more info. please
grant money are made for trees or forestry programs. Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228 call (830) 997-2835.
• Provides a way to reach large numbers of people with information about Earl Garrett. For more information
tree care. carolyn@hillcountryexplore.com please call (830) 895-2911, email

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• 27” Color TV • Free parking • Physical Therapy • Bathing Assistance
• Coffee maker • Microwaves
• 24-hour beverages • Hair dryers
• Occupational Therapy • Medicare pays 100%
H OT E L & S U I T E S • Speech Therapy • Can bill most insurance
• Dataports • Mini-refrigerators
S I X F L A G S W E ST
• Iron/boards • Board room
B O E R N E , T EX A S • Express check-in • Meeting room
& check-out • Bus parking
• Voicemail • Satellite
• Valet service • Jetport high-speed

830-331-1291
• Two phones Internet connections

830.249.6800 | 35000 IH-10 West • Boerne, Texas 78006

August 2009 www.hillcountryexplore.com 9

 music
Brandon’s Revue promises Boerne
a concert like no other
By Jeanna Goodrich
“Music and friends: they were his life; they
were important to him,” Bob and Linda Manning
both said of their son Brandon, who passed away
eight years ago. It seemed only natural to start
an endowment to honor Brandon’s memory, and
the Mannings began the journey to what will, on
August 8, 2009, be the fifth-annual Brandon’s
Revue, a concert to celebrate music, friends, and,
most importantly, Brandon Manning.
“It’s been eight years now since we lost
Brandon,” Bob began the story. “On May 12,
2001, the Sherrif knocked on our door to tell us
that our child was dead. He’d died in a one-car
wreck on the day before mother’s day that year.
Our life changed, as of that moment, forever, and
we looked to the need to keep your child alive,
keep their memory alive, so that people don’t
forget them. So we started looking at some sort
of endowment or scholarship—something—in
his memory. Brandon was 21 years old, and he
really hadn’t figured his life out yet. He’d moved
back home, he was saving his money, and he was
going to move to Austin, get into the music scene,
and finish his schooling. So, naturally we thought
about a music scholarship, and sat down with [the
San Antonio Area Foundation] to discuss it.”
However, the logistics of the scholarship
didn’t quite line up with the Manning’s desire to
share Brandon’s memory. “We were talking with
our neighbor, and he knew about the music and
the friends,” Bob recalled. “And he said, ‘Have
you thought about endowing something out at
the nature center?’”
Perhaps you have heard of the Cibolo Nature
Center’s Songs and Stories concerts? Perhaps
you have heard the music, indulged in a couple
of glasses of wine, and enjoyed quality time with
a picnic basket and your best friends? “We’d
been to the songs and stories concerts, but we’d
never met Brent Evans. We sat down to talk
with him, and after 30 minutes, we both knew:
something here is the right answer. This is us, this
is Brandon, and this works. It’s local; it’s organic;
it’s the answer. So, it morphed into the Brandon
Gallagher Manning Endowment, administered by
the San Antonio Area Foundation. Five percent of
the principal each year goes to the Cibolo Nature
Center for their Songs and Stories Program. Now,
we’re busy trying to grow this fund to be bigger
and bigger and bigger, so that forever they have
funding for Songs and Stories, because it is the
fitting tribute to Brandon’s memory and will
continue to be.”
The first concert to support Brandon’s fund
was the Irish Storytelling concert, but soon the
Mannings wanted to branch out even more.
“We’re on the cusp of doing a concert that has
never been done before for Brandon’s Revue,”
Bob said. “It’s transitioning into a whole new
identity, and it’s a big deal for us. We’re celebrating
what the music side of this thing has become.”
“When we first started talking about doing a
concert, we slated it as an all-day type concert.
We tried to give a series of different artists
a venue to get exposure,” Linda chimed in.
But, Bob added, “This year is unrecognizably
different. We’ve been so fortunate to have some
wonderful event planners and media people offer
to promote this event for free, into something
that’s highly commercialized, highly visible, a lot
of sponsorships; it’s going to be so well-attended
that we have moved from the CNC out to the
Fairgrounds.”
10 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.
In Memory
With mixed emotions, both Bob and
Linda explained the transitional journey from
homegrown to growing exponentially larger.
Public relations and media experts Janice and Ted
Maxymof had, according to Linda, approached
the Nature Center and offered to market one big
event, for free, and they had requested to plan
and market Brandon’s Revue. “In a way, it’s really
great, because we can hand this off to someone
else,” Linda expressed, “but in another way, this
concert is our baby, and we don’t know whether Matt (cente
r) and Bran
or not it will have the same, organic feel it has had “YEARS ag don (right)
o” a photo fro
in the past.” m
“It really is a neat experience for us,” Bob
explained, “because, if Janice were sitting
here, she’d say, ‘Yeah, it is going
to be commercialized. We’re
going to set up vendor booths
and get sponsorships.’ There’s
a wonderful push between ‘Go
there and get the big pot of
gold’ and ‘We don’t want to lose
the community feel.’ The push- Brandon
pull of that has really helped us in his
grow this year.” senior
portrait
Yet some uncertainties remain:
the Mannings began this concert
to remember Brandon’s passion
for his music and his friends, and
they don’t want to stray too far
from that ideal. “Brandon’s big deal
was friends. One of the things we
really wanted this to be was where
a family, friends, and neighbors
could come and spend a few hours
listening to music. The event has
always been pretty laid back, but
with this growth, are we trying to
be all things to all people?” Linda
asked. “We’re not used to going out
and asking for support for this event,”
she continued. “We’d had the ‘usual
suspects’: an immediate family that
we’d secured working with the
Nature Center, and our community
of volunteers. But with the growth
of the concert, the questions
arose. How do we broaden the
community involvement? How
do we stimulate the economy? Is
there a way to help the city, the
merchants, in a better way?”
So, without losing the
natural, homegrown elements
of the concert, Bob and Linda
hope that this year they can start
supporting the community that
has supported them through
their most difficult times. “We
don’t have as much support
from the local Boerne business
community as we’d like to have,
but if it shows to be a success
for us and for the people who
are sponsoring us, then part of
the answer would be to have
more local business support,”
Bob said. “If this year is a modest
As the Manning
success, it means we get to build on it. It might s attested, Bran
“surrounded by don was always
lead to a bigger venue, which would lead to a friends.”
bigger event: more sponsorships, more people
coming in, more tourism, and more benefit for
the community.”

In some facets, the Mannings have gained
phenomenal support. “Ye Kendall Inn has
developed a weekend package that includes two
nights of stay at the hotel, with a wine dinner on
Friday night and tickets to the concert on Saturday
night,” Linda said. The package, about which
more information can be found on their website,
http://www.yekendallinn.com/events.html.
“It was difficult for us to ask for money,” Linda
continued, “So we asked for time and service
instead, because those are things that we can
give as well. We’re hoping this partnership will
bring people from out of town to come spend
the weekend in Boerne. They’ll come to the wine
dinner on Friday night, hopefully shop around on
Saturday, and then come to the concert Saturday
night. The community supports us; how can we
then help the community in return?”
Ye Kendall Inn wasn’t the only one to come
through with support: the Mannings have a large,
local sponsorship this year, Ewald Tractors. “Ewald
Tractors is our first-ever big sponsor,” Linda
said, proudly. “We’ve never had a big sponsor,
but because of the synergy between the event
planners, the media, the professionalism, and this
being a community-based experience, all have
worked together to create the opportunities for
people who weren’t just our usuals to join in on
the concert.”
Randy Schmidt, a television producer,
presented an unexpected but delightfully
opportune media outlet. “Randy Schmidt, from
channel 12, got involved because his wife was a
big Cibolo Nature Center fan,” Bob said. “She
passed away about three months ago, so he was
looking for a way to give something to the nature
center, which aligned perfectly with our planning
of this concert. He has been such a tremendous
help to us. There will be TV commercials starting
up, and a lot of media attention that wouldn’t have
otherwise been given to us.”
“For us,” Bob continued, “this is a watershed
change of us doing the concert with our usual
suspects and with our friends at the nature center,
to making, through Ted and Janice’s professional
efforts, this breakthrough into the larger community
to get their support.” Linda added, “This might
be a catalyst for bringing big music here once
a year. If a business can benefit, we’re hoping
that this has a little creativity to overflow into the
Boerne business community as well, certainly if it’s
a success for us and a success for them.”
And what better to bring music enthusiasts
and family fun alike than a headliner like Jimmy
LaFave! “They reached into the Austin music
scene and came up with Jimmy LaFave as the
headliner this year,” Bob said, smiling. “He was on
our ‘wish-list’ of headliners,” Linda added; “we
dream big!”
“Artistically, we have the premier
Texas singer-songwriter to headline
this year,” Bob continued, “but we
also have Matt Harlen, who is up-and-
August 2009 www.hillcountryexplore.com 11
Who’s Who
at
coming of the highest order.” Harlen was a friend
of Brandon’s as well as a gifted musician. “In the
seventh grade,” Linda noted, “Brandon met Matt,
and they both got guitars and started playing
together. Matt comes back every year; he is an
award-winning singer-songwriter. We are focused
on singer-songwriters; they’re whom we made the
concert for. And this year, he’s dropping the label By Paige Losoya
deal and bringing his first CD. This has potential
to be the largest venue he’s ever played.”
She continued, “This concert provides a
possible platform to become a singer-songwriter
event where people want to come to Boerne to The gates open at 5:30 p.m.
expand their music. We’ve always concentrated August 8th at the Kendall County
on the artistic side of the singer-songwriter. Fairgrounds in Boerne with anticipated
Brandon was a brilliant musician, and Matt is a excitement. Whether you knew
fantastic singer-songwriter. It’s always been an
Brandon or not, the foundation
underlying theme: the up-and-coming artist who
is a singer-songwriter. Will we start to build? Set of Brandon’s Revue creates an
one-year, five-year goals, to pull people from local atmosphere that allows everyone
venues and from far away, if there is a reputation the opportunity for reflection and
for it? There are a lot of long-term dream goals celebration.
that we can set for this event, and no matter what,
the concert will be a success. How it’s successful
will certainly set the tone for our after-meeting, Jimmy LaFave
and answer how we now take this from our will headline as
original vision of homegrown music and build a prominent and
it to become a regional music event that
passionate singer-
people want to come see. I’d like to see
this eventually become an event that songwriter. LaFave
singer-songwriters want to come to, has received
that they promote, that they put on international
their calendar a year in advance.” attention for his
With all of the hard work from
songwriting and
the Mannings, the Maxymofs, and
the support of the local community, vocal talents and
the Mannings’ dream goals for is a long time
Brandon’s Revue now don’t seem fixture in the
too far away. “We certainly didn’t Austin music
imagine it getting this large this
scene. For over
fast, but we definitely appreciate
the support Janice and Ted have a decade he has carved out
given us,” Bob said. “It’s hard his place as one of Americana music’s
work; there’s no doubt about exceptional artists.
it;” Linda added, “but as long
as this is still fun for us to do,
and we get enjoyment out of Matt Harlan, a
it, then we’ll continue to do it. childhood friend of
And maybe it will expand into Brandon Gallagher
an all-day music event that Manning and
the entire Hill Country can
opening for LaFave,
look forward to. I couldn’t
imagine anything better to is an award
remember Brandon by.” winning singer/
jeanna@hillcountryexplorer.com songwriter and
composes scenic
landscapes and
pointed statements
disguised as songs.
Harlan’s works
confront social norms
and celebrate lives overlooked.
Whatever the inspiration, the music
is always heartfelt and genuine.
Lil’ Bit & the
Customatics is first
on stage, combining
their love of rockabilly,
country, honky-tonk and
roots music, putting
together an evening of
traditional and original
favorites.
For more information
about Brandon’s Revue
and to purchase tickets,
visit www.cibolo.org.

www.boernegrill.com | FREE wi-fi! | 830.249.4677
Welfare Café
Historic Welfare, Texas
for your Welfare and for a good time
223 Waring Welfare Road
Boerne, Texas 78006
www.welfaretexas.com
To make reservations or get information
on our specials or book a party
call 830.537.3700
e-mail gaby@gvtc.com
12 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.
Sourdough Breakfast Sandwiches
Low-Carb Wraps
Migas Plate — the one you’ve heard about!
Breakfast Tacos
Quiche & Fruit Plate
Ancho Chicken Quesadillas
Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Fries
Grilled Portabella & Pecan Salad
Thai Chicken Salad
Reuben — best in town!
Bacon Cheesesteak Hoagie
The Ultimate Philly
Knockwurst Hoagie
Classic BLT
Chicken Salad & Tuna Salad
Premium Coffee & Espresso
Fruit Tea Blasts
Root Beer Floats
Blended Chai & Blended Green Tea
Smoothies & Granitas
Beers and Wines by availability
Baked goods made from scratch every day!
We make our own ice cream, from milk,
sugar, and eggs!
T he Welfare Café has been delighting diners and critics since
they opened in 1998. Sit in the Bier Garten or inside the Old
General Store and Post Office, which was built in 1916. Eat some
of the best food the hill country has to offer. With a wide range
of entrees from a more modern take on traditional German fare
to a mixed grill of lamb, quail, duck and venison to weekly fresh
sustainable fish specials, buffalo ribeye and the ever popular beef
tenderloin served with onion rings and a spicy tamarind poblano
sauce that we call the “Darwin”. The Chicken Fredericksburg, our
first signature dish, is a hit with house made spätzel. Café hours are
Thursday thru Sunday from 5:00 until 9:00. On Sundays, in addition
to selected items from the Café menu, we offer Sunday Suppers: a
different entrée every week served family-style for $20.00 for two and
$38.00 for four. The Welfare Fathers play on Sundays starting at 6:00.
The Goat Barn, adjacent to the café, is constructed of reclaimed
long-leaf pine and cypress. Two stages, one inside and one outside,
are available for music events, such as our Welfare Wednesdays.
Starting at 6:00, we present a selected menu of specialties from the
café plus a small plate menu. Jay Bay Adams and the Roadhouse
Scholars with guest appearances play from 7:00 until 9:00. The Loft
in the Goat Barn is open for beer, wine, and specialty coffees.
The Goat Barn is available for special events. We can seat 100
inside and 70 outside on the porch and rock patio. The barn is ideal
for weddings, receptions, corporate functions, and any special
gathering.
The newly established, organically grown garden on the 14 acres
surrounding the café and goat barn provides vegetables and herbs for
use at the café and goat barn.
 Jump-Start Your Fitness Program
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Restaurant BOERNE
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featuring an
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freshly-prepared food
empower
Fri-Sat ‘til 10pm
402 River Road Boerne, Texas (4 blocks from Main St.) yourself!
• All Shapes, Sizes, and Abilities

www.dodgingduck.com • Monday through Friday

5:30 - 6:30 AM or 8:30 - 9:30 AM
• New camps starting August 3, September 8
• Spaces fill quickly for this unique experience!
• Do you need to be held accountable?
• Only $14.95 per session

Live Music
• Do you need motivation?
• Would you like to meet fun people?

If you answered “YES” to any of

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31138 I-10 West - Boerne, TX (across from Toyota) Sign up now at

WWW.BOERNEBOOTCAMP.COM
Open NOON Every Day! 830-755-5313 or call Jeff Seale at 830-370-0218

Call now! 830-388-1334

or 1-888-388-1321
Locally owned & operated!!

Doing the right

things, and doing
Sales Service Installation things right!

August 2009 www.hillcountryexplore.com 13

 dining
conroy's Beer 'N Burgers By Chris Jenkins

It’s 4:30pm on a Friday.

It’s been a helluva week, your tie is crooked, and your back is aching. Sound
familiar? We all can get pretty wiped out at times, and sometimes we just want a
place where we can sit with good friends, have a cold beer, and eat a big ol’ burger.
At these times, I want you to grab a buddy or two and run up to Conroy’s Pub.
When Conroy’s first opened, I knew that it would be a success. It is, quite simply,
a great sports bar. We’ve had a lot of restaurants pop up that then try to capture
a “bar crowd” and a lot of bars that try to become high-end eateries. It has left
the customers confused. This is precisely where Conroy’s shines. You know exactly
what you’re going to get.
Located at the corners of Fair Oaks Ranch Parkway and I-10, you can’t miss it.
Capturing a lot of the “19th hole” crowd from the Fair Oaks Country Club, Conroy’s
boasts an eclectic mix of the older golfers with a younger professional crowd.
This is a rarity in this area, and it’s a welcomed change. So often we get “biker
bars” or “dives” or “uppity wine-sipping” bars…so it’s cool to have a place for the
“regular Joe”.
Entering through heavy oak doors, it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to
the lower lighting, and you quickly see that the owner cut no corners. Boasting an
amazing custom bar, complete with flat screen TVs above the bar, a most handsome
liquor collection, and several beers on tap, you can quickly belly up to the bar.
Waitresses wear Irish-themed skirts, and are quick with your drink orders. A jukebox
pumps music throughout the bar, but not so loudly that you’re shouting at your
buddies. The interior is nicely done, and quite clean. There is smoking allowed,
but they have an enormous air filtration system, so even with the worst of allergies,
you wouldn’t know that someone is smoking inside.
The menu is rather comprehensive. I must admit I was expecting nachos,
burgers, and…that’s about it. However, it’s actually a full menu the likes of which
you would expect at more formal eatery. Several appetizers, a wide array of
entrees, and even a nice selection of desserts sets Conroy’s apart from some other
sports bars. And the food is very, very good. My burger was cooked to a perfect
medium rare, garnishes were fresh, and it was served quickly. The rest of the folks
in my party had the same comment – “This is actually really good!”
And that’s really main the draw to Conroy’s. It’s somewhere that you can enjoy
some really good food, enjoy some really cold beer, and just have a really good
time. It’s not pretentious, and makes no false assumptions. It’s a place where you
can relax, not worry about getting into a bar fight, and enjoy a night in the Hill
Country.
Live music is abundant on the weekends, as are drink specials. I
get to travel all over the Hill Country checking in on some of the finest
restaurants in the area. I eat complicated foods, drink sophisticated
wines, and rub elbows with the elite. Sometimes it’s just fun to grab a
burger and a beer, laugh at a tacky joke, and just enjoy myself. Check
out Conroy’s Irish Pub and Grill. I promise you’ll have a great time.

chris@hillcountryexplore.com

14 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.

 Good Pub Grub!
Full menu available from 11 am to 10 pm.
Popular items include :
Hot Wings • Beer Battered Mushrooms • Loaded Nachos
English Banger on a Stick • Classic Burger & Fries
...Plus a variety of salads, enchiladas and steak sandwiches
Darts & Pool

12 Beers on Tap Beer & Spirits

Live Music Monday
Heineken $2.50
- Friday & Saturday Absolute & Flavors $3.00
Nights
Tuesday
Jack Daniels $3.00
Karaoke
Fat Tire $2.50
- Wednesday Nights
Wednesday
Daily Lunch Specials Titos $3.00
Shiner Bock $2.50
Executive Chef Thursday
- Jim Barajas Bacardi $3.00
of Casbeer’s! All Mexican Beer $2.50

Friday
9091 Fair Oaks Pkwy. Happy Hour 11 am - 8 pm

Boerne, TX 78015 Saturday

Crown Royal $3.00
(210) 698-7310 Bass Ale $2.50

conroysirishpub.com Sunday
Domestic Pints $2.50
Never a cover charge here,
Happy Hour 11 am - 2 am
though patrons must be at least 21.

NOW OPEN 11 a.m. EVeRyDaY!

August 2009 www.hillcountryexplore.com 15
 art&culture
By Jeanna Goodrich
Meet Curtis Kroesche: a metalworking artist
in New Braunfels, Kroesche is truly proud to be
an American. He’s proud that his art is American,
too, and hopes to share his enthusiasm through
the work he creates.
Kroesche’s pride in his country and his craft
stem from his time in the United States Navy,
where he served as a mechanic at sea. “I started
metalworking in the Navy,” he began, relaying
his history with metal arts. “I went to school to be
a machinist, making and repairing parts for ships.
I was on a destroyer tender, so we were like a
floating machine shop.”
Returning to dry land—though his passion
for the sea, as he so artfully exemplifies, never
quite left him—Kroesche moved to Pennsylvania,
where he started working for metal fabrication
companies. “I started working on trucks for the
electric companies,” he recalled; “I worked with
dump trucks, machine trucks, railroads, and
gas companies. Eventually, I worked to build a
machine to pull underground cable. We owned
the patent on the machine—there were only five
of us—so we put the machines in service, we
repaired them, we went out and demonstrated
them.” Kroesche laughed, admitting, “It was
probably the most interesting job I ever had.”
But Kroesche, a native Texan, eventually returned
to his home state, where he could have resumed
a machinist job with a utility company. However,
he decided he wanted to “try and do something
a little different.”
“A little different” morphed into brilliantly
designed, hand-cut, heat-colored works of metal
art. Kroesche cuts intricate, puzzle-pieced patterns
from sheets of unfinished steel; he then grinds
the steel according to shape, size and features
to give a reflective appearance. Then, Kroesche
molds and shapes the steel, and hand-heats it to
bring out vibrant colors, each color representing
a different temperature range. Using this coloring
process, no two pieces can ever be duplicated,
which makes every piece an individual piece of
art. All pieces are then sealed in an automotive
clear coat sealer to achieve a high luster finish
and prevent rusting.
Fish of various types hung as patterns
from the back room of his workshop; crosses,
small and large, decorated the house; pelicans
and whooping cranes were perched over the
workshop. “I had all of these metal working skills,
so it became a matter of developing something. wanted to make a living at doing this art, I would
I knew steel could turn these colors—” he said, have to establish myself better as an artist.” It is
referring to the deep blues, purples, and golds what he has been doing for the past five years:
that shone from the fins of his fish—“from when “I started this in 2000, and for the last four or five
I used to make parts. It’s how you could tell if years I’ve been establishing myself here in Texas,
you were going to burn your cutting tool up: if it trying to reach out at every opportunity.”
started turning blue, you were cutting too quickly. For his local community, Kroesche has
But could I use this to my advantage? Could I use cut signs, logos and artwork for various local
those colors to make metal artwork?” businesses. You know the dancing bears in
To test these questions, Kroesche set up a Grueue? The ones you’ve taken a picture by,
small metalworking studio right in his family’s own trying to pose in the same style they’re dancing
backyard. “My shop is my dad’s old workshop. (or was that just me)? Yep, those bears are
He was a woodworker; he built numerous Kroesche’s, a decorative commission by the
cabinets, entertainment centers, and he used Dancing Bear. Further throughout the state,
to repair old wood screens and screen doors for Kroesche has customized work for Clear Springs
the historic homes in New Braunfels. He helped
me get started in the business before he passed
away. He spent a lot of time out there with me
during the course of the day. I gave him odds and
ends to do to help him be a part of the process.
Now, it’s a good feeling to know that I can earn
a living from something he left for me. And, it’s
not just my shop—it belongs to my family. It’s a
great place to work, and it gives me such a good
feeling that I’m always close to my dad.”
He attested that his family was his biggest
help in developing an answer to his most difficult
question: “Knowing what I know about metal
working, how could I turn it into an art form?”
Which is where Kroesche’s mother chimed in. She
recalled of his first artistic experiment, “He pulled
a picture of a little bitty fish out of the paper one
morning, and by that afternoon he had a fish
this—“ she held up her hands about 18 inches
apart—“big.”
Kroesche laughed, saying, “Well, I love to fish!
My brother and I have a place in Port O’Connor,
and we try to go fishing as much we can. I also
have some friends in Florida, and the fishing
is great there.” Kroesche went on to describe
his first attempts at turning his art into his own
business. “I asked myself, what can I do to go
on a paid vacation?” he chuckled, “so I started
creating metal salt-water fish, which is what I love Seafood Restaurant and for Eddie V’s Restaurant
to do. I’d load my trailer up and go to Florida for in Austin, as well as various other works of art
six weeks. I’d stay with my friends and sell a little from the beaches to the Hill Country. His vision
of my art at fruit stands on weekends. I’d make has even brought him back—just visiting, of
enough for the week, and go fishing, and it was a course—to the Pennsylvania area to showcase
pretty easy lifestyle.” his work at the Buyers Market of American Craft
But after spending so much time in Florida, [BMAC]. “I’m basically just trying to reach out to
Kroesche came back to Texas yet again. Though the northeast corner of the United States now,
the fruit-stand fishing adventures were fun and sales that I can’t get in places like Dallas. The first
exciting, Kroesche said, “I realized that if I really time I set up in Dallas, someone came by in a suit
and said, ‘You need to start marketing in Philly. You’ll sell
your stuff here, but you’ll never get where you want to be.’
It took me another three years to research and produce for
the market in Philly, creating new designs that I felt were
good enough to compete with the high-dollar artists.”
Kroesche’s research and creation has paid off: The
BMAC isn’t your average craft show. “It’s a jurored show,”
Kroesche explained. “I have to submit photographs to
ensure that I have the quality of work to fit there, and the
buys are subjected to be jurored as well. It’s not a gift shop
atmosphere: it’s for galleries, upper-scale stores, people who
want to buy handcrafted American art, made by Americans.
They don’t want to buy stuff from Mexico, China, or Taiwan:
they can buy that anywhere!”
Passionate about his country, Kroesche boasts his art
as American by placing “Made in America” stickers on the
back of each piece of his art. “Hey,” he laughed, “we still
have the capability to do things here; we’re not just a lazy
country. Granted, it’s a world economy, and the countries
of the world have to help each other. But when we give our
jobs to China and have poison in our dog food and lead
in the toys we give our children, there’s not a lot of trust
in that. We need to build America, and take a little more
pride in America and in our jobs, to make sure that we have
our own economy working for us. That’s why I use made
in America stickers on the back of every piece of all of my
products, and have been doing so for the past 8 months
now. A lot of times, people will look at the sticker, and even
if they don’t like the art as much, if they see it was made in
America by an American, it gives them a sense of pride in
buying an American good.”
More than just selling his American art, Kroesche also
donates to the CCA, to Wurstfest for college scholarships,
and “to any organization that needs my help,” he said.
Kroesche believes strongly in helping others, and hopes
that he can help as much as possible through his artwork.
“I love to do it,” Kroesche ultimately stated. “It’s a very
dirty, hot process, especially this time of year when it’s 102
degrees, I’m sitting by a fire turning steel blue; it’s probably
150 degrees or more next to where I’m working. I’ve had
to learn that you can’t do it all, and that’s what’s very hard
about it. A small guy like me, I do everything from design
and ideas to manufacturing to sales. Everybody says that
it must be nice to work for yourself and have your own
business, but very few people have an idea what’s involved.
It’s a lot of work; it’s a full time job: I’ve got taxes to pay,
I’ve got insurances, and I’ve got customers to work with.”
With local stores, walk-in customers can find a variety of Hill
Country pieces—such as stars, crosses, and other local flora
and fauna—or request a consultation for a custom order. You
can find Kroesche’s art locally at Lone Star Country Goods
and Gruene Outfitters in Gruene, at The Gingerbread House
in Bandera, at Country Home Furniture in Bulverde, and at
Valeskas Inc. in Fredericksburg; you can visit his website,
www.lonekro.com, to place orders or request custom work
online.
“I want to make sure my art makes my customers
completely satisfied,” Kroesche emphasized. “That mass-
produced, commercial-type art: I can’t compete with
it; I don’t want to compete with it. I like to take
a challenge from a customer of something
they want, and give them exactly what
they wanted on their wall. There’s a
great sense of pride when you make
something with your own hands, and
someone pays you with their hard-
earned money and hangs it on the
wall in their home and brags to
their friends about it. There’s a lot
of gratification in that; it’s what
keeps pushing me forward.”
jeanna@hillcountryexplore.com
 welcom
e to Congratulations to our long-time friend and advertiser,
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It’s been a busy year for local Interior
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once again taking home the prestigious
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 history
B
schoolhouse rock
y the end of August, when Sears had its back-to-school sale
and we were all herded down to Central Park Mall with every other
kid in South Texas and where, despite our pleading to be costumed
like the Jackson 5, we were invariably outfitted in striped shirts and
corduroy pants more befitting Bert & Ernie, no self-respecting kid
would admit it, but we were all secretly looking forward to going
back to school.  By the time, the week before Labor Day, we were
marched to the Winn’s store to load up on school supplies, we were
actually excited for the first time since that day in May when the last
bell rang on the last day of school and we erupted out the school
doors in a cacophony of shrieking and a storm of loose-leaf paper.  limestone block building was built, and that’s what became the City
After all, summer was played out by the end of August.  We’d been
to the Boerne Pool often enough that our ear infections were more
or less permanent and our hearing was in danger, and we’d slopped
around in enough stock tanks that we ought to have been good
and dead of Staph, if not Ebola.  We’d been dragged kicking and
screaming to Vacation Bible School and even when we were finally
old enough not to have to go anymore, mom signed us up as
volunteers.  We’d been halfway across the country in the backseat of
an un-air-conditioned car with our butts not three inches away from
the butts of our siblings, having perfected the art of mental torture
so that we knew just exactly how far we could go before our parents
snapped.  We’d ridden our bikes enough miles to get us back and
forth to the moon at least five times and we’d just run out of things
to do.  Those August days were the dog days.  We could actually
feel ourselves getting stupider with each re-run of Gilligan’s Island.  smelled like one hundred dirty feet and a couple of sack lunches that
We were ready.  It was time.  So: here’s to school, gentle reader.
In the fall of 1857, public school officially started up in Boerne.  In 1929, the student population having outgrown the 2-story
Up until then, it had been a matter of private education and tutors,
or more often no education and your parents making you read
the Bible by candlelight (I made that last part up). But in 1857, a
guy named Herman William Toepperwein, a 20 year-old German
immigrant who was only six years out of the mother country, became
the first public school teacher in Boerne.  He was married to a gal
named Amalie Luckenbach, and he had command of a one-room
log cabin schoolhouse and 19 students from nine different families:
Baumann, Bergmann, Hagemann, Pfeiffer, Schaefer, Stephan, Theis,
By Marjorie Hagy
Vogt and Wendler.  Amazing how many of those names survive in
Boerne today, 152 school-years later.  The old log cabin was located
on what is now Blanco Street, but was moved at some unknown date
to the corner of Graham and Herff Streets in the Flats, where it is
now used as a house.  Yeah- it’s still there!  For his services, Herman
was paid $25 a month.
In the 1870s, a new 2-room rock schoolhouse was built on the big
hill on present-day Blanco Street, right behind our Boerne City Hall. 
This was where the older kids went, and they built a wood-frame
building just in front of it for the lower grades.  In 1911 a new, 2-story
Hall & Utilities building.  The wood-frame schoolhouse was moved
from that location to the corner of Hosack and O’Grady, also in the
Flats, and from that time it became the Boerne Colored School, later
called the Royal School.  It is also still standing, also in use now as a
private home. 
In 1915, Boerne High School graduated six seniors in a ceremony
at the Metropolitan Opera House here in town.  In 1924, the PTA—
already established at that early date—first launched the Boerne
School Lunch Program, and by 1956 was serving an average of 360
meals a day.  It wasn’t until 1949 that the School Board voted to
purchase three school buses and thus began the district’s transporta-
tion system—of which I would later be one of many victims.  Old Bus
6, which was my own particular cross to bear, was a sort of rolling
house of horrors, that sounded of unearthly shrieks and moans and
went bad last semester.  Ugh– I still wake up screaming. 
Blanco Street building, a new high school was constructed on Johns
Road and the newly-named School Street, what is now Boerne Middle
School North.  Up until 1937, no electives were offered at the high
school, but in that year Vocational Agriculture was added. In 1938
the Board voted to offer Home Economics, and a cottage was raised
on the campus for that program.  In my time at BMS, the Home-Ec
cottage had been joined to the main building and served as the
library, and in my kids’ day, it was the office.  When I went to school
there, the office was in the middle of what we called the Main building,

across the hall from the entrance to the auditorium, and the receptionist, the
principal, the teachers and any other adult who wanted to all smoked like
exhaust valves in there.  When they slid open that little glass window you
could get a mean nicotine buzz.  The Ag Building was constructed in 1941
under the National Defense Program, and later became the art building.
At some point the Boerne Lions Club built the lighted athletic field at the
high school campus, that later became the Gordon D. Leesch Memorial
Stadium, after the Boerne native who was killed in Korea.  In 1939, the School
Board purchased the land across Johns Road from the High School from
the Lohmann estate for $2000, for the purpose of building a new grammar
school, and the new school was built (which is now the oldest part of
Fabra Elementary School). By 1951, all the schools in the
so-named Boerne County Line Independent School District
were located along Johns Road, and the 1911 schoolhouse
on Blanco was sold to the City of Boerne for $20,000. The
total school enrollment for the district in 1956 numbered
772 kids, of whom 190 were high school students, and seven
attended the Colored School.  Boerne Schools also employed a
superintendent, three principals and 31 teachers, and that year, for the first
time, a high school counselor; also, five lunch-ladies and three janitors.  was added, Harry’s mother, Minnie Perrin, taught there, from 1905-1910.
In 1967, 50 acres of land on the Herff estate were donated to the school
district by the Herff twins, Caroline Kennon and Juanita Chipman, as a
site for a brand-new high school.  But it wasn’t all smooth-sailing…not in
Boerne of course.  The newspapers in those days were full of controversy,
with different factions taking out ad space and letters to the editor getting
increasingly nasty as the bond election in the amount of 1.3 million dollars
approached in May of 1970.  Some letters pointed out how ridiculous it
was to locate the new high school “out in the middle of the woods” and
“so far away from town,” and others cited the necessity of building a new
“T-shaped” road to access the site.  There were allusions to crooked school
board members, city councilmen and contractors advancing the cause in
order to line their own pockets.  Nevertheless, the bond issue passed and
the new school was eventually built, and dedicated in a Sunday ceremony
on March 12, 1972, at which U.S. Senator John Tower held forth.  The
408 administrators, teachers and students of BHS had moved to the new
campus the previous Monday. They had begun classes on March 6, 1972,
in the “eleven very attractive new buildings on North Esser Road.”  The
new “ultra-modern” Boerne High School was designed to resemble a
college campus, with its detached science, business, language, social
studies, home economics buildings, etc.: 62,000 square feet connected
by walkways under the oak trees and paths radiating out from its central
administration building.  Eight of the buildings were air-conditioned, which
was a switch, let me tell you, because the old schools on Johns Road
definitely were NOT.  There was also a gym, two vocational shops housing
the auto mechanics program and Vocational Ag, a 5-hole golf course and
a 440-yard oblong track with plans to build a football field in the future.  mood for another school year.  If you’re getting down about having to go
An aerial shot of the new high school campus taken in April 1972 shows
the buildings clustered in their splendid isolation, so far away from town
and, indeed, in the middle of the woods.  That’s where I graduated, from
that ultra-modern campus, in 1982.  As I used to say: Class of 82– Totally
AWESOME!  God help me, I was a hick from the sticks, trying to talk like a
valley girl.  Confession is good for the soul.
Up until school consolidation in the 1950s, there were also a whole
lot of rural schools scattered all over Kendall County.  In the days before
automobiles, and then before reliable roads were paved, all the little
communities dotted around the big, old county were distinct and
autonomous; what are now the names of roads or half-forgotten, vague
places were then little villages with a store and a school and a cluster of
houses, farms, and their own family names.  The Pleasant Valley School,
on what is now Hwy 46, was one such school, first located on the Joe
Nickel ranch and moved, plank by plank, in 1887 to its new location on the
hill, onto an acre of land donated by R.W. Whitworth.  It was an 18’ x 20’
wood-frame building onto which a porch was added in 1906, with two
outhouses and a pump.  When the schools were consolidated in the early
50s, the Panther Creek Schoolhouse, where many of the children of the
cedar choppers attended, out on Kendalia Road near Bergheim, was
moved to the site and joined to the Pleasant Valley School.  Kids continued
to go to school there up until the late 50s, and after that the schoolhouse
was donated by the Whitworth heirs for use as a community center.  In the
early days of the Pleasant Valley School, the term only ran from October
til May, and only went through the 8th grade.  One early student had to
pass by Indians on his way to school.  During WWII the school closed
down, from May 1944 until the fall of 1947, as the teachers all went to
help with the war effort, many at Camp Bullis.  One of the teachers at the
Pleasant Valley School, Joyce Rust, was a student there herself, like her father
before her.   
The Balcones School, built around 1876 on Scenic Loop Road over-
looking Balcones Creek, also still stands and is in use today as a church
and American Legion hall.  In fact, it doubled as a church from the very
beginning, and parties, dances and BBQs were held there too.  The one-
room, one-teacher, wood-frame schoolhouse was built by Daniel Perrin,
maternal grandfather of the late Harry Davis, and when a second room
 
The Balcones School enrollment lists Perrins, Beaths, Voges and Georgs,
descendants of whom still live in these parts.  Students from the Fincke and
Ertel families attended here, along with pupils from the former Hastings
School, located 3.5 miles west of Boerne on the Bandera Road.  Opened in
April 1898, the Hastings School was in the English Colony, whose people
did not hold with the practice of teaching, at least half the time, in the
German language.  This was actually a big controversy in the old days. 
The Upper Balcones School was also predominately English, and when
Hastings closed because of low attendance in 1919, its students joined
with those at Upper Balcones.  In 1953, it was absorbed into the BISD. 
The Kreutzberg School was another one-room, wood-frame place, built
on Zoeller property off 474 and Kreutzberg Road.  It had eight benches
and sat 32 students.  In 1898, subjects taught there included arithmetic,
composition, grammar, reading, writing and physiology, and the teacher,
JP Corley, earned $33.50 a month. 
There were other one- and two-room schools all over Kendall County,
including Cedar Grove, out near Bergheim, which also served the children
of the charcoal burners, Sheppard Creek School in Kendalia, Wasp Creek
and Waring and Sisterdale Schools, where generations of Langbeins,
Gourleys, Schuchardts, Edges, Herbsts, Woolschlaegers, Ammanns and
Bergmanns came of age.  Many, if not most, of the schools had their
corresponding “colored” schools; there were Kreutzberg, Wasp Creek,
Welfare and Simmons Creek Colored Schools.  The Boerne ISD was not
integrated until February 13, 1963, when federal law mandated the policy.
So there’s a part of the story of school in Boerne, to get you into the
back, count your blessings: you don’t have to evade Indians to get there;
teachers aren’t allowed to snatch you outside and wail you with a stick
anymore; and—far and away, more important than anything else—now
they air-condition the place.
marjorie@hillcountryexplore.com
 Brian McLoughlin
Agency

s s
430 W. Bandera Rd., #8

Good n e
Next to H-E-B
Boerne, TX 78006
830 249 1221 GO!

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Come home to Boerne’s newest gated townhome community filled with tons of Boerne charm, where we pride
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Back to School
AppleTree Day School in Boerne is completing its
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Full and P/T programs available • Government Aid Accepted • Secure web-based cameras in every classroom for parents to observe

26 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.

Bluebonnet Realty
830-816-2288 • www.boernetexashomes.com
For Sale:
$410,000 - This beautiful
$515,000 - FANTASTIC PROPERTY in River
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car garage, plus a large shop
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is fenced with an automatic
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$155,000 - PRICE REDUCED! Very nice home in

town near p. o., schools, main street shops and
restaurants, very convenient. This home has 3
bedrooms, 2 baths, and approx. 2000 s.f. of
living space, with a large fenced back yard.
Owner says “SELL SELL SELL”! So,
BUY BUY BUY!!

$259,000 - 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in

Chaparral Creek. Approx. 2500 s.f. of living
area on 1/4 acre lot near downtown shops
and restaurants. Separate dining room and
$495,000 - Fair Oaks Ranch - 4 bedroom, 4 bath home with breakfast area. Master bedroom downstairs.
approx. 3600 s.f. of living area and a 3 car garage. This home has Gallery entrance. Screened porch. Large fenced
a large fenced yard and covered patio. There is also a study/office backyard. 2 car garage. Owner will consider 1 year
downstairs with an adjoining full bath. Laminated floors compliment lease at $1500.
the wood and ceramic floors throughout. Lots of extras!

For Lease:
$3950 - Cordillera Ranch, fully furnished. 3800 s.f., heated pool, 3.37
acres. 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths and 1 half bath; study/office, 2 eating
$1300 areas, 2 living areas. 2 year lease available.
- Boerne
$795 - Burning Tree Condos - 2 Heights - 3 $1375 - Boerne Heights - 3 bedrooms,
bedroom, 2 bath covered parking, bedroom, 2 2 bath, 2 car garage, approx. 1625
fireplace, approx. 1000 s.f. living bath, 2 car garage, $850 - 2 bed, 2 s.f. of living area. Clean, well-
area office/study, approx. 1520 bath duplex maintained by owner, ready to
s.f.of living area. go!

$4700 - Fair Oaks Ranch - 5 bed, 4.5

baths, approx. 4578 s.f. of living area,
3 car garage. 3 living areas, separate
dining room and breakfast room,
granite countertops in kitchen, double
ovens, gas cook top. Gameroom has
surround sound. Heated pool with
adjoining spa. Lot is .68 acres, fenced. $3000 - 4 bed, 3 bath, approx. 3200 s.f. of
Owner will pay pool maintenance, living area in Fair Oaks Ranch. Beautiful
lawn service, pest control and maid home, beautiful yard!
service 2x month! All Boerne Schools.
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341 Ammann Road
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A Growing Perspective
landscaping By Jon Whitaker

reve r se psychology
All you need to do is drive down the street these days and it becomes
painfully obvious that we are in the throws of summer in south Texas. Crunchy,
sun-scorched lawns and vegetation as far as the eye can see. This season,
more than any, reminds us that we live on the edge of a desert, and I believe
it to be one of the most beautiful, mysterious, and wonderful regions on this
continent. A thin long oasis of Hill Country with rolling hills and live oak truly is
a blessing to be a part of. But it does come at a cost (a.k.a. extreme heat), and
demands our respect at this time of year. The question is, “Do we embrace
this, or fight it?”
I believe we embrace it and ask ourselves the appropriate questions to
learn how to adapt to this truth: “It’s hot in Texas.” By doing this, it can free
us from the traditional thought that landscaping can only look a certain way.
I’d like to share with you alternatives to watching your lawn turn into hay, or
irrigating so much that it becomes unnatural, un-regional, or unreasonable.
The truth can set us free in many cases, and this is no exception. Using these
challenges as questions, we can create opportunities to think of landscaping
our yards in new and bold ways.

taking up about 30-40% less of the yard than it originally did. And finally
picking one area to make a centralized turf grass social/ play area that could
be used for pleasure, cutting, watering, etc., and the rest of the turf grass
around the house could lead to this centralized space. Basically concentrating
the areas and defining them: turf grass area for regular use; planting areas
are for nature; a main lawn area for designing, grooming, and entertaining.
By doing this, you could drastically cut your outside water consumption, and
allow for a moisture- and bug-barrier between the plants and the home. Also,
by pushing the plants away from the house, the architecture of the home
would become more exposed and less cluttered.
Now, I know what I’m suggesting seems a bit radical, but if you consider
it for a moment, it really is quite simple and more natural. I do know I’ve
thrown a lot at you, but I believe we are ready. And, of course, this would
not be right for every application or homeowner. Maybe using 100% of these
ideas would also not be the right balance; maybe only using some aspects of
it just for fun or experimentation could be worth the effort. Just imagine how
interesting this would look if an entire street approached they’re landscaping
this way. As you passed by each home, you would notice lush native plants,
with architecture exposed, and clear definition between nature and usable
space, lush and green grass protected from the harsh Texas sun, and native
The typical landscape design goes something like this: planting beds
plants doing what they do best: being natural.
and plants pushed right up against the home, and most of the time a few
Be Well, Jon
years after planting they are growing right into the home’s exterior. Next, the
jon@hillcountryexplore.com
lawn covers about 65-70% of the yard space and is usually exposed to the
scorching rays of summer sun. Then, hopefully a few mulched planting beds
add some interest. Now, there’s nothing wrong with this approach, but I feel
that it does not embrace the challenges set in front of us by the scorching
Texas summers.
What I am proposing is at bit more daring. What if we inverted or reversed
the way we think of landscaping? Let’s start by moving the planting beds away
from the house and giving the vegetation some room to grow, exposing them
to the full wrath of the South Texas sun. This would allow for more opportunity
to use native plants and lots of them! Ornamental grasses, sages, flowering
bushes, and rock could fill these beds and add wonderful color, texture, and
depth. Also, it would soften the space between the street and the home, by
giving it a more natural, three-dimensional look.
Then, take the lawn and put it up against the house, where it could find
more shade. It would be more accessible, interesting, and usable, while

August 2009 www.hillcountryexplore.com 29

hill country outdoors
By Steve Ramirez
There is something primal about digging your
paddle into the water and propelling your spirit
forward. I remember in my youth, the pirogue
slicing through black African waters across the
lagoon and past the crocodiles. It felt like
adventure. Later in life, my canoe drifted across a
mountain lake. It felt like serenity. This morning,
as our kayaks launched into the Guadalupe River
under the cypress trees and past the feeding
white-tailed deer, it felt like home. There is a
natural rhythm to the action of paddling a kayak.
When you paddle a kayak down a Texas Hill
Country river, it feels right. You can almost see
the cares of the “civilized” world as they sit on the
shoreline watching you leave them behind; you
drift with the current, and you do not look back.
Today I shared this journey with my daughter
Megan. She has an adventurous spirit. She really
had no choice in the matter. It was genetics,
karma, or both. The poor girl is doomed to a
life of exploring, experiencing, and living. It is a
shame what parents do to their kids. This morning
she did not seem to mind as we paddled along
tree-lined riverbanks and listened to the birds’
morning songs. When we reached a patch of mild
rapids, I could see her power up through them
and I knew she was having fun. I think she even
forgave me for waking her up before sunrise.
Guiding us along the river was Ben Munoz
of Guadalupe Canoe Livery (830-885-4671).
This stretch of river was new to us and Ben had
volunteered to give us the tour, pointing out where
he and GCL owner Bill Johnson had seen a flock
of wild turkey the day before. Ben, also a former
Marine, was a gracious host as we paddled along
the Guadalupe. Occasionally we would slow our
progression to share our impressions of a tree,
rock formation, or the river. For the most part, we
just paddled in silence. When you are out in the
subtle beauty of the Texas Hill Country, not much
needs to be said.
In parts of the river, we paddled rhythmically,
in the circular fashion of the kayaker through the
glassy water. Wild flowers grew along the banks.
Cardinals sang as kingfishers fished. Mayflies
hatched near the shoreline. Guadalupe bass
jumped into the air, perhaps to catch the mayflies,
perhaps because it was fun. Map turtles slid from
their sunny places as a soft-shelled turtle sniffed
the morning air. A herd of Axis deer stood silently
watching as we passed them by. At every turn,
the hill country showed us something new—a
window into what goes on while people waste
time and money at the mall.
In other places, the river narrowed. The
current quickened and we paddled with intensity
partially to power through the rapids, and
partially because it was fun. We stopped along a
gravel bed to survey a section where the rapids
rushed under two fallen trees. After a brief survey
of the river and the obstacles, Ben pointed out
where we would need to “do the limbo” under
the fallen trees while keeping our kayaks pointed
downstream between the rocks and powering
through the rapids. We got back in our kayaks and
as we launched I heard Megan say, “Excellent!”
We each smiled and laughed our way down the
rapids, under the trees, and through the rocks.
Half way through one set of rapids, Megan was
spun around. She has some experience at white
water canoeing and actually cut through one set
of fast water backwards to avoid being tipped.
I have experience at laughing at myself, which
really came in handy as I zigged when I should
have zagged and almost swamped my kayak. The
thing about the rivers in the Texas Hill Country
that makes them great is that they are both
serene and fun. Under normal conditions, there
is just enough water to give you both the calm
stretches where you can take in the scenery, and
faster, class II rapids that are just plain fun.
Hill Country Rivers include the Guadalupe,
Medina, Llano, Nueces, Frio, Sabinal, Pedernales,
Blanco, Lampasas and the San Gabriel. Just to the
west of the Hill Country is the Devils River, which is
wild, scenic, and eventually meets the Rio Grande
at Lake Amistad National Recreation Area. Each of
these rivers has some service available, either a
full service kayak/canoe rental/shuttle, or one that
will shuttle you and your vessel from point to point.
On this trip, we chose to run the Guadalupe from
Spechts Crossing to the Guadalupe Canoe Livery
docks at Hwy 281. This is a trip of about three hours
and was perfect for an early summer morning.
I grew up paddling a canoe, but this was my
first time with a kayak. If you have ever wondered
if paddling a kayak is rocket science: don’t; it’s
easy. Because the water is often very shallow in
places, “sit on top” kayaks are prevalent in the
Texas Hill Country due to the fact that they have
less draft than the “cockpit” style. A kayak feels
like something you are wearing that floats. It is as
if you have inflatable pants. You get to feel the
river, and the motion of paddling a kayak is circular,
natural, and serene. Canoes work very well on our
rivers, again because they have a shallow draft.
Whenever I paddle a canoe, I feel like a pioneer.
It feels adventurous. And, it is a lot better use
of my limited lifetime than sitting on the couch
watching reruns of shows that weren’t any good
the first time. This leads to another great benefit
of getting off the couch and enjoying the Texas
Hill Country outdoors; you can burn a calorie or
two and have fun doing it.
The wonderful thing about rivers is that they
connect things. Rivers connect us to moments in
time. As I paddle my kayak along the Guadalupe, I
am reminded that Comanche braves, Confederate
soldiers, Texas Rangers, and intrepid homesteaders
all watered their horses here. You have to think
about that, because otherwise you would never
know it; they never threw a beer can in the water.
They only left the tracks of their horses, and
perhaps a memory or two. I like that about those
who came here before me, and I hope to do the
same for those who will come after me. Our Texas
Hill Country rivers deserve to be treated kindly.
After all, they are teaching us all the time. Life
flows, is transient, movable, uncertain, beautiful,
at times turbulent, giving, and in the end….it
does not end; it just changes course.
A green heron watches me suspiciously, as I
pass slowly by. He is still catching his breakfast
while I’m beginning to think about lunch. High on
a hilltop overlooking the river is a ranch house
from which emanates the sweet smoky smell
of a brisket being born. I fight my primal urge
to paddle for the shore, climb the hill and ask,
“What’s cooking?” In the distance I can hear
the sound of “civilization” intruding, and in that
moment I know that our journey is about to end.
Like taking the last sip of a very good bottle of
wine, it’s best not to lament the ending; instead
I feel fortunate to be truly alive and know that
the memory of this adventure will belong to
Megan and me for at least this lifetime. I know
that we will never forget laughing as we ran down
the rapids or feeling blessed as we watched the
deer as they watched us. We will never forget the
feeling of launching into the river or the beauty of
the Texas Hill Country that surrounded us. Funny,
I can’t remember a single thing about any of my
past trips to a shopping mall.
steve@hillcountryexplore.com
 By Kendall Aaron
My wife thinks I’ve lost my mind.
I want to throw my TV away. I know that most
guys would break out in a cold sweat at the thought
of not being able to catch the football games on their
51” HDTVs, but I’ve come to believe that my tv is
a source of evil. Maybe “evil” is a bit dramatic, but
I’ve begun to eyeball my tv when I walk past it as an
enemy of my family. Before you brand me as crazy as
my wife has, let me explain.
I’m 33, which makes me a relatively young man
still, but when I was growing up, I had 3 tv channels.
They were on an old Zenith TV, and you had to
manually turn the knob on the front of it to switch
through six channels of fuzz to get to the next station.
You had to hit it real hard on the side sometimes
when the sound quit working. And, as a kid, rarely
was there anything worthwhile on TV. We had the
Saturday morning cartoons, but outside of that, it
seemed like every time I turned on the tv, all I could
find was “soaps”, talk shows, or the news. As a kid,
this was no good. So I did the unthinkable. I turned
off the tv and went outside on our 10 acres and did
“stuff”. I climbed trees, shot my bb gun, and played
spiritual
in the creek behind our house. I rode our horse, explored, and watched the clouds. As I
grew older, I watched sports on Saturdays, but when you don’t even have cable, there were
only a few games on per season.
My kids have almost 200 channels of tv. They have about a dozen channels devoted
exclusively to them. From BAM!, to BOOM, to Nickelodeon, to the Disney Channel…
they can turn on the tv 24 hours a day and find dozens of shows playing that they love
to watch. But even the shows are different. I was telling someone in the office the other
day about my all-time favorite cartoon, Tom and Jerry. This was good ol’ fashioned silly
violence. It was hysterical. Now cartoons have “morals” and “lessons” that the kids must
learn. They’re no fun anymore, but sure enough, there’s my kiddos sitting there slack-jawed
watching mindless TV. And it’s driving me nuts.
As parents, we are bombarded as well. I have 7 different HBOs to choose from. 6 different news channels
that remind me of everything wrong in the world. It never stops. I know more about what’s wrong than I
ever wanted to know. And so as I’ve begun to look at this situation, I am beginning to see how out of control
it is. Why do we allow something so intrusive to take our precious family time from us? Most nights I can
look around our family room, and find one person playing a video game on a handheld system, one person
watching mindless tv, while yet another is arguing over changing the channel to something equally as useless.
Why aren’t we playing a board game? Why aren’t we going for a walk? Why aren’t we out watching the
sunset? Why aren’t we spending time as a family?
And because of all that, I want to chunk my TV. God didn’t design us for this, in my humble opinion. Our
families are our strength and our shields. They help mold us into the people we are to become, and are the
ones to catch us when we fail. They are our most precious gifts from God, and ones to not be squandered by
spending hours a day staring blankly at a TV. I know it’s a lot easier to settle into our chairs, fire up a movie,
and spend two hours before bedtime unwinding, but tell me what your kids will remember – the time you
spent together as a family, or the latest “Ice Age” movie you rented?
Surround yourself with your families and make it a mission to shield them from all of the negativity that
your TV can allow into your world. Make memories together, and cherish the time you have. Just as with your
own life, cherish the gifts from God and make every effort to use time to glorify God.
I don’t think I’ll win my argument for tossing the TV. Besides, there is a good game on this weekend.
kendall@hillcountryexplore.com

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32 EXPLORE it! The REAL Kendall County.