Bastrop Town & Country Fall Journal 23

BASTROP TOWN & COUNTRY

C R I S P!

Sweater weather is coming.

SCARY TEXAS SLEEP OVERS

BASTROP O N B O O K S

Fall Journal I S S U E

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S E P T E M B E R

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Golf Course Living

CUSTOM HOME WITH GOLF COURSE VIEWS

104 SWAN CT. $599,000

Discover a meticulously designed property offering abundant space and modern features, including updated Bamboo flooring, Pecan cabinetry, and granite countertops.

The open living area boasts an oversized dining space, leading to a covered back deck for easy entertaining. The primary suite is an oasis with a walk-in shower, jetted tub, walk-in closets, and dual vanities. While not ADA-compliant, the home features extra-wide doors and a walk-in shower.

The in-law floor plan provides privacy with a separate bedroom and bath. Situated on a vast lot with golf course views, this property offers resort-like living and community amenities like golf, tennis, swimming, and nearby river access. With low-maintenance design and proximity to Austin and historic Bastrop, this home promises an exceptional living experience. $599,000

4 BDRM

3 BATH

2829 SQFT

BUILD YOUR CUSTOM DREAM HOME RIGHT ON THE 12TH TEE BOX

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Introducing an extraordinary opportunity for new construction on a coveted lot on prestigious Colovista golf course. Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking panoramic views that this lot offers. From the manicured greens to the rolling fairways, this idyllic setting provides an ever-changing tableau of natural beauty that will inspire and delight both residents and visitors alike.

0.73 ACRES $135,000 Low Taxes Rate - $2.20 Public Water/Sewer Members' Pool Tennis Driving Range 512-720-8290 KarenDerr.com

Smithville Yarn Bombers "Hoops"

Storehouse Market & Eatery adds breakfast and lunch.

05

Editor's Note

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Plant this Now

10

Apple Cider Doughnuts

11

Sweater Weather Ready

13

Scary Texas Sleep Overs

16

Fall Calendar of Events

20

Destination New England

23

Creme Bruleé Martini

25

Fall Home Maintenance

26

Bastrop on Books

29

Cruising

512.619.5322

1015 MAIN ST. BASTROP

By Appointment

Design Services

Desiree Laux – Founder/Designer

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Window Treatments

FROM THE EDITORS

Hello,

Again

Welcome to our Fall Issue!

We've been working in the heat of July and August to bring you an issue about sweater fashions. The world of publishing is funny like that. Thank goodness our sweater models were agreeable and there was ice for our drinks at the end of the photo shoot.

We're proud to say this issue includes more local input, collaboration, and photos of more beautiful faces than any past issue. It was fun and so gratifying to have so many friends get excited about being featured.

This is our third Fall issue since 2021 and we're renewing our commitment to scare you half to death for Halloween. It's hard to do since most of our readers are adults who don't scare easily, but check out our scary sleep-over destinations and see if we did it this year.

We're also including our own itinerary for visiting New England just in time for Autumn. You need a vacation, right? Go ahead but just be back in time to work through our Fall home "to-do" list, Bastropian approved reading list, plant your fall garden, and hit some of the fun events and live music on our What's Happening calendar.

Cheers!

Karen Derr and Jon Ryan Publishers and Editors

Email us at BastropMagazine@gmail.com or look for us on Facebook & Instagram

T H A N K

Y O U

T O

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A D V E R T I S E R S

A Unique Style Bastrop has a style all its own and those who make their home here take advantage of being a small town, near the big city, in the middle of Texas's big country. Bastropians are dark skywatchers, golfers, ranchers, a little horsey, artsy, outdoorsy, Main Street dreamers, who love local. If you'd like to reach Bastrop County residents, try an ad in Bastrop Town & Country magazine. It's mailed to owner-occupied homes and ranches across Bastrop County. Call Advertising Sales at 512-720-8290 or email BastropMagazine@gmail.com.

E M A I L U S T O A D V E R T I S E O R S U B M I T P H O T O / S T O R Y I D E A I N O U R N E X T J O U R N A L .

A

Plant This Now...

Chances are you lost your herb garden in the summer heat. Start planning and replanting. You're going to need fresh sage come Thanksgiving!

Early September: Beans, English and Snap Peas, Summer Squash.

Late September: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Garlic, Kohlrabi Early to Mid October: Arugula, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Garlic, Kohlrabi Mid to Late October: Carrots, Endive, Lettuce, Spinach, Turnip All October: Beets, Chard, Garlic, Mustard, Multiplier Onion, Radish, Strawberry Plants, Most Herbs Except Basil. Dig sweet potatoes before the first frost.

Source: Master Gardner Dolores Leeper, editor of the Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity and the Secretary/Treasurer for the Bastrop 1832 Farmers' Market. Used with permission.

Page 8

FRESH AT A FARMERS' MARKET NEAR YOU The Bastrop 1832 Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.

Bastrop1832FarmersMarket.org Lost Pines Farmers Market is open Sunday - from noon-4 pm Community Gardens Bastrop 1067 Hwy 71 W - Follow them on Facebook Elgin's Farmers Market open Thursday - from 4 pm to 7 pm Veterans' Memorial Park. ElginFarmersMarket.com The East Eden Farm Stand at 1910 Main Street Bastrop is open 4-7 PM Wednesdays, 9 am-1 pm Fridays & Saturdays. edeneastaustin.com/farm/

Why Choose Ally Medical Complete service ER Open 24/7 Compassionate and patient centered care On-site lab On-site X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan Flexible billing Little to no wait

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B a k e d Apple

Cider Donuts Ingredients 2 cups apple cider 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted and divided.

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1/4 cup apple sauce 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 honeycrisp apple, chopped in 1/4 inch pieces. (about 1/2 cup) 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar 1 cup cinnamon sugar (1-1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon mixed with 1 cup sugar.)

A staple in apple country, the challenge is to make a donut that's more than just a spice cake. These are spiked with apples three ways.

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease two 6-doughnut pans with spray oil or melted butter.

2. Bring the apple cider to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until reduced to about 3/4 cup. Remove from the heat. Add the chopped apple pieces and 1/2 cup of reduced cider while hot. Reserve the remaining 1/4 cup to cool and add the apple cider vinegar for added tartness.

3. In a large mixing bowl, stir together 1/2 cup boiled cider with apple pieces, 2 T. melted butter, eggs, apple sauce, vanilla, and brown sugar until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt, and mix until just combined.

4. Spoon or pipe the batter evenly among the prepared pans, filling 2/3 the way full. Bake 12-13 minutes, until just set. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edges to release and invert the pan.

5. Brush each warm doughnut, first with the remaining condensed cider, then with the remaining melted butter.

Roll in cinnamon sugar, coating generously on all sides.

Sweater weather

It's coming...we promise!

Sage on Main Street in Bastrop As we went to press for this Fall issue of Bastrop Town and Country magazine, temps were still in the 100's daily. Bastrop County's fashion influencers braved the heat of August to bring you beautiful Fall offerings available now in local boutiques.

Daisy jacquard sweater by Entro $63, embroidered jeans by Magnolia Pearl $600, encrusted headband $49 and geometric dangle earrings by Taylor Shay $34, all available at EH Mercantile, 1509 Dorothy Nichols Lane, Smithville. @CottageGatherings on Instagram. Modeled by Paige Joost.

FALL 2023

Owner of Sage & Co. and K.C. Outfitters in Bastrop, Kari Sneed models this open knit sweater for Fall $60, Free People Jeans $88. Maldives Moon Felt Hat by American Hat Maker, $148 SageandCo.org

Texas Boot Company, Bastrop.

Fashions for men and women. Logan Hedler in a blanket jacket by Tasha Polizzi, $230.

Ivana Brown in a lightweight sweater of soft organic cotton with wooden buttons. Handmade in Portugal, Sizes 2-14, $46.

Ivana May Timeless Bastrop.

IvanaMay.com

TexasBootCompany.com

Katelyn Croyle in Jasper sweater by Tasha Polizzi, $198, Boots in gold by Liberty Black, $249.

Availble at Texas Boot Company Bastrop.

From KimmieJean Boutique in Smithville, new for Fall, Cowhand Jacket $63 paired with Nashville flare jeans, $60, Accessories Turquoise cluster earrings, $23, Rancher hat. Modeled

by Kimmie Burton.

KimmieJeanBoutique.com

SCARY TEXAS SLEEP-OVERS

H A L L O W E E N 2 0 2 3 , T U E S D A Y , O C T O B E R 3 1

This Halloween, don't just hang out in a cemetery or look for mysterious lights on a spooky backroad. Conduct your own ghostly investigation and face your fear of the dark in one of these Texas haunts that offer overnight accommodations.

Historically tragic and gruesome, you can stay overnight at the site of the Goliad Massacre, just two hours from Bastrop. The Presidio de La Bahia is a state historic site, open to the public year round, and is hallowed ground to Texans.

A u s t i n G h o s t T o u r s . c o m

w w w . t h c . t e x a s . g o v / h i s t o r i c - s i t e s / p r e s i d i o l a - b a h i a - s t a t e h i s t o r i c - s i t e / t h e - q u a r t e r s

About 300 Texian prisoners were held by Mexican troops, crammed inside the small Our Lady of Loreto chapel (c. 1749) awaiting what they thought would be their parole. According to the Texas Historical Commission, the prisoners were in good spirits as they were marched out on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836. Instead, they were shot at close range with only a few surviving by playing dead. Those unable to march were killed inside the fort including wounded Colonel James Fannin. After seeing his men killed, he was blindfolded and seated against the fort wall. He made three requests: that his pocket watch be sent to his family, that he be shot in the heart, and to be given a Christian burial.

The soldiers took his belongings, shot him in the face, and burned his body in a mass pyre which was reportedly picked through by buzzards and coyotes. Eventually, the remains were given a military burial nearby after Santa Ana's defeat. The chapel still offers Catholic mass on Sunday evenings.

The officers' quarters accommodate up to four overnight guests for $53.25 each and include two bedrooms, a kitchen, and living room with central a/c. BT&C editors stayed overnight and were terrified to find no staff remains on site after dark. Guests are free to roam the grounds alone, walking in the footsteps of the massacred by moonlight.

Haunted Hotel Close to Home, the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin has long been known as a paranormal hot spot. It was built in 1886 on an artesian well which was probably frequented by Native Americans long before Austin. While you can find numerous accounts online of spirits roaming the halls and rooms of the Driskill, the most tragic of the deaths was actually confirmed by hotel management in a 2013 KVUE report. In 1887, the four-year-old daughter of a Texas senator, Samantha Houston was chasing a ball when she fell to her death on the grand staircase. These days while staying at the hotel, you may wake to hear a ball bouncing down the stairs or little girl giggles in the middle of the night.

BT&C sought out Austin Ghost Tours founder and researcher Jeanine Plumer about the validity of reported deaths at the hotel. "There are many stories about ghosts in the Driskill.

Two of those ghosts we have actually documented proof they died at the hotel."

The Driskill Ghosts (continued) Senator Houston's daughter is one of those deaths. Another is a well known story about a bride from Houston who was jilted by her fiancee just days before her wedding.

She booked a room at the Driskill and set out to get even by going on a shopping spree with his credit card. Alas, she returned to the hotel, still brokenhearted, and shot herself. You may catch a glimpse of her roaming the halls or for a closer encounter book the actual room where she reportedly died - Room 525. Read up on the Driskill hauntings before your stay by reading True Haunted Tales of the Driskill Hotel by Monica L. Ballard, available on Amazon.

Sleep near the Alamo Massacre Did you know the oldest continually operated hotel west of the Mississippi is in San Antonio?

It sits right in front of the gates of the Alamo. The Menger Hotel has hosted numerous presidents, celebrities, and country music stars since its opening in 1859. On particular nights the sensitive to the paranormal might be able to feel the energy of Teddy Rosevelt planning attacks with the Rough Riders in the Menger Hotel Bar. Often cited as the most haunted hotel in Texas, you'll find many photos online of shadowy figures taken by guests at the Menger.

Hotel staff have reported strange occurrences also. Even a reporter for Texas Monthly was scared out of his skin by one of the two maids believed to have died there by either their own hands or a jealous husband. With about 1000 killed at the Alamo and having been used as a hospital and morgue during the Civil War, it's really not too surprising The Menger has at the very least a spooky vibe. BT&C staff writers didn't experience any ghostly activity during our stay but the location and vintage furnishings definitely gave us cause to expect something extraordinary. When making reservations request to stay in one of the original hotel rooms. Or request the Teddy Rosevelt, Roy Rogers, King Ranch, or Babe Ruth, suites. All are adorned with period-correct furniture. MengerHotel.com

yORKTOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Reportedly one of Texas' most haunted places, the Yorktown Memorial Hospital is open for private tours and overnight ghost hunting experiences, just 1-1/2 hours south of Bastrop. Have free rein in a retired hospital which is said to be the site of over 2,000 deaths - murders and crimes of passion included. BT&C was given a lively tour by Eddie Mayfield on a weekend afternoon. The oppressive feeling of death and the hospital's gruesome history will frighten even nay-saying nonbelievers. If being locked in a dilapidated hospital with a totally unvetted tour guide sounds exciting to you, visit their Facebook page or call to book a tour. Eddie doesn't wear a name badge or offer a tour company business card but trust him, he knows a lot about the building. He's a bit of a potty mouth and he's a little too fixated on the improprieties of the priests and nuns who lived and worked in the building which was built in 1950. He says his wife's nerves are too shot to do the tours anymore. If you decide to stay the night, you'll join the ranks of Travel Chanel's Ghost Adventurers' Zak Bagans. https://www.facebook.com/yorktownhospital/ 728 W. Main Street, Yorktown TX 78164, Phone 210-748-4475

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Happening this

AUTUMN

Sept 2nd - Grand Opening Yegua Creek Brewery Yegua Creek Brewery is a brand new brewery opening at Rising Sun Vineyard in Bastrop County. Pavilion at Rising Sun Vineyard in McDade, TX. Live Music: Allen Mogonye 1-4 pm; Shop Dawgs 5-8 pm Food: We have a brand new commercial kitchen and a whole new food menu! RisingSun-Vineyard.com

Sept 4th Labor Day

Oct 7 - Rosanky Fall Fling - Benefitting the historic rural school building. 11:am fried chicken meal, 12:30 live auction starts, 135 Main St Rosanky.

Oct 9th Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day Oct 22nd Calvary Episcopal School - 17th Annual Fall Festival. Silent Auction ~Raffle Tickets ~BBQ Meal: Donations only - all funds go directly back to the school Toro Plata Ranch at 771 HWY 304, Bastrop 12:30 - 3:30 PM https://www.calvaryschool.net

Sept 15th First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month Sept 16th Rosh Hashanah Sept 18th - The Bastrop Cultural Arts Commission Monday, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Bastrop Beer Company (1008 Main Street). This event is an opportunity for artists, performers, musicians, and more to connect with resources, learn about grant opportunities, and mingle with local artists across all sectors.

Sept 21 - 24th Bastrop Music Festival takes center stage in multiple venues in and around town.

This festival is a celebration of the Lost Pines region of Texas and showcases the best of the state: extraordinary natural beauty, remarkable and talented people, an independent spirit, and an amazing culture.

Sept 22 - Oct 8th - Willy Wonka the Musical at Bastrop Opera House Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka follows enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Purchase Tickets ($25) at BastropOperaHouse.org Sept 25th Yom Kippur Sept 30th - Oct 1st Lost Pines Knife Show Presented By: To the Point Blade Sharpening Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center 1408 Chestnut St. Bastrop, TX 78602 Phone: (512) 549-0919 Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Price: $12 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under, ages 5 and under Free All October - Octoberfest at Fat Cat Lounge. German food menu, special beers and wine. 301 Main, Smithvillle Oct 7th - Semiannual Smithville Community-Wide Garage Sale -We typically have more than 60 garage sales all over Smithville and downtown. 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Oct 7th - Smithville Music Festival 2023 - Free! 12:00pm 10:30pm, Downtown Bastrop, ExploreBastropCounty.com

Page 16

Oct 26 - 28th Elgins 36th Annual Hogeye Festival Elgin's largest event the annual Hogeye Festival is a downtown street festival held on the 4th Saturday of October.

Hogeye celebrates community, family, famous Elgin Sausage, and all things swine ElginTXChamber.com/hogeye-festival/

Oct 31st Halloween

Every Month Live music at Storehouse Market & Eatery - Wednesdays 7-9 Bingo at Bastrop Beer Co. Wednesdays 7-9 PM Cornhole Tournaments at Community Gardens Wednesdays 7 PM Elgin Sip, Shop & Stroll - 2nd Thursday Downtown, 5 -8 PM Art After Dark Lost Pines Art Center - First Saturday, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - art, live music & refreshments.

Trivia Tuesday at Heroes Sports Bar, Wednesdays 7-10 PM Karaoke Night at Old Town Wednesday and Friday Nights Karaoke Night at Heroes Sports Bar Thursdays 6-10 PM Trivia Nights Bastrop Beer Co. Thursdays 7-9 PM Open Mic Night at Film Alley Tuesdays 7-9 PM Open Mic Night at Fat Cat Lounge, Smithville - Every Thursday 7-9 pm. Signup starts at 6:00. 301 Main St. Cornhole Tournament at Bastrop Beer Co. Tuesdays 6:30-10 PM Open Ride Day at Mayfest Park, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 8 AM-10 PM www.cityofbastrop.org/page/parks.home Farm Street Opry, 1st Thursday 5:30 PM Singles Mingle at Film Alley - 2nd Thursday 7-9 PM Game Night - Every 3rd Thursday presented by Bastrop Pride at Bastrop Games & Hobbies 5:00-9:00 PM, 711 Chestnut Bastrop.

Live Music Sept 1 Natalie Metcalf at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 7:30-10:30

Sept 30 Kathy Murray & the Kilowatts at Neighbors 7:30-10:30

Sept 1 Jamie Krueger Group Live at Copper Shot 7:00-10:00

Sept 30 Dom Cours & Company at Copper Shot 7:00-10:00

Sept. 2 Polly O'Keary & The Rhythm Method at Fat Cat 7-9

Oct 1 Troy Stone Live at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 5:00-8:00

Sept 2 Chris Dautre Group Live at Neighbors Kitchen 7:30-10:30

Oct 6 Mr. Bullavard Live at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 7:30-10:30

Sept 2 Paul Finley Live at Copper Shot Distillery 2:00-5:00

Oct 6 Vin Mott Blues Band Live at Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00

Sept 2 Tish & The Mizzbehavins Live at Copper Shot 7:00-10:00

Oct 7 Birdlegg Live at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 7:30-10:30

Sept 3 Elle Townley live at Rising Sun Vineyard 2:00-5:00 Sept 3 Lizzie Street Live at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 5:00-8:00 Sept 8 Rochelle & the Sidewinders at Neighbors 7:30-10:30 Sept 8 Ben Zuniga Band Live at Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00 Sept 9 Phil Hurley & Friends Live at Neighbors Kitchen 7:30-10:30 Sept 9 Eric Floures Live at Copper Shot Distillery 2:00-5:00 Sept 9 Chasing Gypsy Live at Copper Shot Distillery 8:00-10:00 Sept. 9 Ernie Durawa & Murali Coryell Live at Fat Cat Lounge 7-9 Sept 10 Danny Brooks & Little Miss Debbie at Neighbors Kitchen

Oct 7 Soul Shaker Live at Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00 Oct. 7 Jeff Haney Live at Fat Cat Lounge 7:00-9:00 Oct 8 Ruby Dice Live at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 5:00-8:00 Oct 13 Tahni Handal & Love Generator at Neighbors 7:30-10:30 Oct 13 The Dizzy Bangers at Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00 Oct 14 Oscar Ornela Trio at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 7:30-10:30 Oct. 14 The Gypsy Drifters Live at the Fat Cat Lounge 7-9PM Oct 15 Lindsay Beavers & Brad Stivers at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 5:00-8:00 Oct 20 The Reverent Few at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 7:30-10:30

& Yard 5:00-8:00

Oct 20 Whitestone Live at Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00

Sept 15 The Phantom Shakers Live at Neighbors 7:30-10:30

Oct. 21 Hailey Tuck Live at the Fat Cat Lounge and Cafe 7:00-9:00

Sept 15 Bluez in the Night Live at Copper Shot 7:00-10:00

Oct 21 The Ben Zuniga Band at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 7:30-10:30

Sept. 16 - Ben Harrison Live at The Fat Cat Lounge 7-9PM

Oct 21 Tish & The Mizzbehavins at Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00

Sept 16 Randy Collier & Grassland Live at Neighbors 7:30-10:30

Oct 22 Julie Bouchard Live at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 5:00-8:00

Sept 16 Ben Harrison Live at The Fat Cat Lounge 7:00-9:00

Oct 27 Rye Mountain Revelry at Neighbors Kitchen 7:30-10:30

Sept 16 Austin Nights Live at Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00

Oct 27 Joe Bobs Bar & Grill Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00

Sept 17 Fallon Franklin Live at Neighbors Kitchen 5:00-8:00

Oct 28 The Genders Live at Copper Shot Distillery 2:00-6:00

Sept 29 Sidney Ellen Scott Live at Neighbors Kitchen 7:30-10:30

Oct 28 Howlin waters Live at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 7:30-10:30

Sept. 30 - Briana Adams Live at the Fat Cat Lounge 7-9PM

Oct 29 Michelle Kay Live at Neighbors Kitchen & Yard 5:00-8:00

Sept 29 Michael Milligan Live at Copper Shot Distillery 7:00-10:00

Information was accurate at the time of printing but subject to change. Call ahead to confirm, please.

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B T & C

R e n e

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R E C O M M E N D S

D i r e c t o r

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MARK TRAIN

FOLLIAGE NEAR WINDHAM VERMONT

View from parlor at Wilburton Inn,

View of Lake Champlain from Shanty on the Shore, Burlington VT

Burr & Burton Seminary in Manchester VT

New England in one week? Yes, it's possible (barely.) Here's Jon's itinerary.

Vermont Leaves & NH Apple Orchards The first time I visit an area, I don't want to miss anything. FOMO sets my schedule so if you're following my lead, plan on a lot of driving and a few extra pounds gained. We traveled the first week in October so we even spent a little time on Cape Cod just as they were packing it in for the season.

Vermont Schedule an early flight from Austin airport to land in Burlington VT right around lunchtime. Lunch at Shanty on the Shore on Lake Champlain which touches the border of Canada. Don't miss their clam chowder voted top 10 in New England by the Boston Globe.

Check out the Orvis headquarters and maybe take a fly fishing class. Book at Orvis.com. Or just buy some gear and clothes so you look like you did.

For dining, we enjoyed breakfast at The Little Rooster, dinner at Thai Basil one night and another ordered Christo's Pizza while gazing at the stunning foliage on Mount Equinox from the hotel porch.

Besides leaves, don't miss Robert and Mary Linclon's personal estate and get a glimpse of Honest Abe's real top hat.

Hildene.org

Head out on the two hour drive from Burlington to Manchester Vermont and start drinking in the sight of New England in October. We stayed at the Wilburton Inn which is named among Trip Advisors '22 Traveler's Choice Best of the Best. www.WilburtonInn.com

Drive through small town ski resorts, get out to hike a mile or two of the Appalachian Trail, and make your way to the town of Weston. Stop at Vermont County Store to stock up on provisions (maple candy, Vermont cheddar, smoked meat & crackers.)

I wouldn't blame you if you decided to cancel the rest of your plans and just stay in Manchester for the remainder of your trip.

It's beautiful and there's lots nearby to explore.

Do not leave the state of Vermont without taking a drive down Highway 100 which winds through mountains and babbling streams.

Waterfront in Mystic CT

Leave the leaves and head for Salem, Boston and the Cape

AlysonsOrchard. com Walpole NH

Boston's Faneuil Hall & Samuel Adams

New Hampshire and Massachusetts Crossing the New Hampshire border into Walpole NH, you'll have the chance to stop and pick apples at Alyson's Orchard.

Driving through Manchester NH we saw two Frank Lloyd Wright homes (Currier.org/frank-lloyd-wright/. ) Continue another hour and forty-five minutes to Salem MA. We stayed at Hawthorne Hotel and got a lobster roll at the Lobster Shanty seen on Diners Drive-in and Dives. Take a tour of the house of Seven Gables or better yet, read it before you visit.

You'll see lots of witches hats on the streets and in the pubs.

It's a popular girls' trip destination in October.

Downtown Westin Hotel is right next to the historic site of the Boston Tea Party. Boston's North End is a prominently Italian neighborhood with great food and architecture. Tour Paul Revere's personal residence, get a world-famous cannoli at Mike's Pastry, see Faneuil Hall, and you might as well check out Harvard and Cambridge too.

Drive down the Massachusetts coast through Plymouth (see the rock) to Chatham, Cape Cod (2 hour drive). We stayed at Pleasant Bay Resort and were pleasantly surprised since we just pulled into the place on a whim. The beautiful Zen garden grounds are just what you need to recharge from the past days of driving. If you can muster the energy, drive up to

Lighthouse at Cape Cod National Seashore

Provincetown which closes down for the season later in October. We wished we had an extra day to explore here.

Day six, we headed out early on from Chatham to make the trip to Connecticut.

Connecticut / New York The first town we stopped at in Connecticut was Mystic, the picturesque hamlet where the cult classic Mystic Pizza was set. S & P Oyster Restaurant provided a great lunch on the water. Next up, family ties took me to New Canaan but it's an area worth seeing even if your Dad wasn't born there. I took my mom on a trip down memory lane at DiNardo's in nearby Pound Ridge NY for some authentic East Coast Italian cuisine.

The Big Apple - Departing Get up early (seriously your flight depends on it.) Traffic on I95 can be drastically different depending on the time of day.

Your two-hour 8:am commute into NYC can be 5-6 hours if you hit it at the wrong time. We took an evening flight and had plenty of time to sightsee and grab a slice in Manhattan before leaving out of JFK. Driving in the city on a weekend is really not as hard as everyone thinks. It just takes some guts to dodge the busses and don't let the construction vehicles bully you off the road. This trip got my feet wet and definitely had me planning next year's vacation on the flight home.

Crème Brûlée Martini Simple and elegant, this two part cocktail is perfect for your next fall cocktail party or after dinner treat.

Ingredients :

Procedure :

8-10 caramel squares

1. In a bowl carefully microwave 8-10 caramel squares in 30-

1 part Absolut Vanilla Vodka

second increments until liquid. With a silicon spatula,

3 parts white chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur (McCleary

immediately drizzle over parchment paper in a circular motion

White Chocolate)

forming a lacy caramel disk. Set disks in the freezer until

Notes :

chilled.

2. Mix all parts in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds.

For one drink, use 1/2 oz Vodka & 1-1/2 oz white chocolate Irish Cream.

3. Pour into a coup or martini glass and top with the caramel garnish.

For a less alcoholic version, add an ounce of milk or almond milk.

W H A T

T O

D R I N K

N O W

Give the gift of wearable art. Original designs by Robert Derr aka XtraSketchy on high quality T-shirts. XtraSketchy.printify.me

Autumn Home "To Do"

It's not too early to stock up on pipe insulation and hose bib covers while they are in stock.

Have your heating system serviced or assess heaters before the winter rush and lower inventories.

As days start to get shorter, check outdoor lights and replace bulbs.

Change your AC filters and also clean vents. Mildew around vents can mean the duct isn't properly attached in the attic.

Don't be scared to dive into Fall DYI's.

Check your chimney for blockages.

Cooler temps make Make sure your damper is working. projects more Prune any overgrown limbs away from your roof so none are touching enjoyable.

Clean out flower beds and mulch.

Take down soil/mulch that has become too high against foundation.

or scraping to damage shingles or metal.

This home maintenance reminder is Check windows and screens for brought to you by The Lori Tuggle Agency. damage. Mowing may have thrown a www.lorituggleagency.com rock or two into panes.

Your home is your largest investment.

Make sure it's protected year round.

Page 25

BOOKISH BASTROP COUNTY On any given week there's a book club happening somewhere in Bastrop County where you can discuss with like-minded, or maybe debate with unlike-minded friends, books ranging from current bestsellers to classics. Our libraries are flourishing, just when you thought libraries might be rendered obsolete by technology. We've all heard that it's difficult times for independent bookstores but Bastrop's is a popular destination. We asked a few of your Bastrop County neighbors to share what they're reading now or to share a book that was life-changing for them.

Enjoy their recommendations!

AnneMarie Ricks Schindler & daughter Harlow

Bastrop neighbor and business owner AnneMarie is a self-described personal finance nerd. "I recently read How I Invest My Money by Joshua Brown and Brian Portnoy. It was an easy read but refreshingly transparent as far as finance books go."

Tara Knox

David Bragg

"In 1970 in a large, used bookstore in Washington D.C. I purchased a book for the sole reason that it was signed by the author, a name unknown to me. That book was Fear on Trial, by John Henry Faulk. It changed me radically, teaching me the danger of groupthink and censorship that allowed McCarthyism to infect and even flourish in America. After we moved to Austin, my wife Cindy and I had the privilege of getting to know John Henry as our friend. He was an American hero, and the message in his book is timeless."

"My current read is food for my spirit and soul."

Bastrop escrow officer Tara Knox is reading Disruptive Thinking by T. D. Jakes and she's not alone. It's an Amazon #1 Bestseller in Christian Spiritual Growth. Jakes encourages readers to break free of the well-worn paths of those who came before us and evolve our most original and potentially transformational ideas from vision to reality. Disruption has always been essential for great change.

FICTION OR NON-FICTION, A GOOD READ CAN CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE. Page 26

DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ

READ THIS NOW ON READING Deborah Jones' all time favorite book is April 1865 by Jay Winik. A fiction favorite is Pride and Prejudice. CS Lewis' Mere Christianity inspired her. "The most recent book I've read is Conspiracy by Ryan Holiday. I’m still thinking about the conclusion. It’s pretty much a must read."

Deborah Jones

BOTH FICTION & NON

INSPIRING

BIOGRAPHY

Proust and the Squid Samantha Holiday

by Maryanne Wolf.

"In a time when it’s so easy to get lost in your screen, this book is a powerful reminder of why reading is so important and how reading has changed our minds and human history. Wolf explores how we learn to read, the evolution of reading, the adaptability of the brain when faced with reading challenges, creativity and how the reading world is changing.

I love the balance in this book between examining neuroscience and exploring nuanced prose from passages of literature. It’s a great book for anyone who loves to read or has a little one on the cusp of learning to read." Keep up with what Samantha's reading at @PaintedPorchBookshop on Instagram and her husband Ryan Holiday at ThePaintedPorchBookshop.com.

A GOOD STORY

Jon Ryan

"I found "Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller Sr. by Ron Chernow captivating. About one of recent history's most influential men, the research into Rockefeller's early life, through the building of his empire and eventual monopoly of the oil refining business, is thorough and fairly unbiased. It's a portrait of a complex human being instead of just a ruthless shark eyed capitalist. A great read."

Willy Culberson

BT&C ambushed local rancher, retired rescue pilot, and chairman of the Smithville Chamber of Commerce Willy Culberson at a ribbon cutting to ask if he'd read any good books lately. He was quick to recommend Blood on German Snow: An African American Artilleryman in World War II and Beyond by Emiel W. Owens. While the book chronicles Owens' experiences in World War II, he also recounts his early life in Smithville.

"What I found so intriguing as I read his very honest account of growing up in Smithville was that I actually recognized people I knew in his stories."

ON WRITING A blank piece of paper is God's way of telling us how hard it is to be God. Sidney Sheldon

Writing is like sex. First you do it for love, then you do it for your friends, and then you do it for money. Virginia Woolf Writing books is the closest men ever come to childbearing. Norman Mailer

Robert Espenscheid, Jr., Smithville Texas The Sentinel Papers An unlikely family chronicles their blended lives through family newsletters that span from the Vietnam War to the '90s. A decade after the war, "The Deck" of battle scarred veterans - Jack, Ten and Heart, set out together to bring ailing Harley Davidson back to it's glory days. They get accepted to HD mechanic school, find romance with three sisters and reunite with long lost children. Espenscheid is a master at bringing to life characters who are ready to cross boundaries for romance, loyalty and last chances. Heartfelt, but never nostalgic. Available at Amazon.com Lissa Johnston, Smithville Texas The Centé Conspiracy Trilogy, The last installment of this trilogy is hot off the press. Written to appeal to both young adults and biotech fantasy enthusiasts of all ages, it is fast paced and action packed. A fun read, but thought provoking if you care about where our food comes from. www.LissaJohnston.com or Amazon

Rob Espenscheid

Lissa Johnston

Recent Releases from Bastrop County Authors

Margie Crisp

Margie Crisp, Elgin Texas Duck Walk:A Birder's Improbable Path to Hunting as Conservation Published in early 2023, Duck Walk is about Crisp's realization that duck hunters create more crucial habitats for birds than birdwatchers. Although she'd always been afraid of guns, in 2016 she decided to learn to shoot and hunt, with the help of her elated husband. It's a serious book about conservation in Texas but a very entertaining read due to Crisp's humor and endearing style. It is illustrated by the author who is also an accomplished artist.

MargieCrisp.com

CRUISING

Classic Cars in Bastrop County

BastropAreaCruisers.com Heroes & HotRods

Veterans' Day Weekend Car Show

Page 29

Old But Gold

Does one of these fine rides seen around Bastrop County belong to you?

Claim your cruiser and we'll give you a $10 gift card to Tracy's Drive-In or Smithville General Store & Coffee.

Just text to 512-720-8290 or email BastropMagazine@gmail.com and tell us you saw it in Bastrop Town & Country Magazine!

1 per car please.

Dr. Sandra Dunkin, MD serves Austin and the Central Texas area at her Bastrop psychiatry practice.

Access psychiatric wellness.

BrainWell Psychiatry and Mental Health

BrainWellPsychiatry.com 909 Pecan Street Bastrop, TX 512-360-8488

Anxiety and Mood Disorders - ADHD - Substance Use Disorders - Insomnia Now Offering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Treatment Resistant Depression and OCD