Hill Country Culture Magazine May 2020

MAY 2020

SAFE AT HOME: WEATHERING THE PANDEMIC

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OPENING DOORS TO THE HILL COUNTRY RANKED IN THE TOP 5 CENTURY 21 COMPANIES IN TEXAS 5 OFFICES TO SERVE YOU: KERRVILLE ∙ HUNT ∙ FREDERICKSBURG ∙ COMANCHE TRACE ∙ FARM & RANCH ©2020 CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Rankings are based on data provided from Century 21 corporate located in New Jersey.

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John Doran

Advertising Director

Account Executives Brandon Baldwin Luly Bliss Valerie Tucker

April 2020 - Volume 5 - Issue 5

For story ideas:

Carlina Villalpando

news@dailytimes.com

Publisher

For advertising inquiries:

Louis Amestoy

advertising@txhcculture.com

Managing Editor

For general inquiries: info@txhcculture.com

Nicole Crapps Page Designer

@ txhillcountry_culture

Dean Heep

Composing Manager

@ Texashillcountryculture

Jeanette Eastwood Nash Assistant Managing Editor

The Kerrville Daily Times 429 Jefferson St., Kerrville, Texas 78028 www.dailytimes.com | Phone: 830-896-7000 | Fax: 830-896-1150

Photographer Tom Holden

Copyright: Hill Country Culture is published by The Kerrville Daily Times under Southern Newspapers Inc. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine.

Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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Life interrupted

ith shocking swiftness, much of what we've come to expect from life and culture in the Hill Country underwent radical change during the past month. Few could have expected just how much the coronavirus pandemic would affect our daily lives.

From favorite local restaurants forced to close to the cancellation of major entertainment, sporting and community events, residents saw their expectations for the future shattered. Friends and family kept their distance as hugs and handshakes became taboo. Children studied in the living room while their parents hastily assembled a home office.

Most noticeably, our certainty in employment or even personal health was shaken to the core.

With that in mind, plans for May's Texas Hill Country Culture magazine received a rapid overhaul.

It may not be what you're used to seeing in these pages, but considering the unpredictability that is now a part of residents' daily lives, we hope you'll

find comfort in knowing that some things have stayed the same.

We can rely on the kindness of our neighbors, the dedication of our educators and health care providers, the creativity of artists, restaurateurs and entertainers. And especially, the enduring power of love even amidst a global tragedy.

These things haven't changed. Perhaps, they've grown even stronger as we’ve been forced to reexamine our routines and priorities.

So, please enjoy this glimpse at life in the Hill Country during the pandemic.

While the activities have changed, the warmth and generosity of it residents have not.

If you’re interested in keeping up with the magazine online, check out our Instagram page @txhillcountry_ culture and Facebook at Texas Hill Country Culture.

Continue to stay safe and healthy — and happy reading!

— Nicole Crapps

ON THE COVER

Photos of the Miller family of Kerrville were part of photographer Bella Shearhart’s front step project. During the pandemic, Shearhart took family portraits of Hill Country residents from a safe distance. The cover shot features Kiley Miller, a professor at Schreiner University; Tish Miller, an artist and teacher at B.T. Wilson; and their children Phoenix, Bhodey and Dylan. To learn about the project and see photos of more families, turn to Page 10.

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Contents 8

Features 8 APART

Art studio owner moves

painting lessons online 10

FRONT STEP PROJECT Local photographer captures family portraits during pandemic

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VIRTUAL TASTING Grape Juice hosts unique event for wine connoisseurs

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ODD OFFICES Working from home doesn't have to be a stressful setup

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STAY PUT, STAY FIT Maintaining an exercise routine is vital for health during outbreak

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UNLOCKED GENEROSITY How Hill Country residents united to raise $3M in under a month

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BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY Simple tips to work with your body to fight off illness

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STICKING WITH STUDIES Area families share photos of their kids learning from home

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DELAYED DREAMS Sweethearts pause wedding plans during social distancing

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READY FOR ANYTHING Which items to include in your emergency preparedness kit

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GHOST TOWN Drone photos show eerie scene as residents shelter in place

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CONTRIBUTORS

1 2

Faces of

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Hill Country Culture

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Contributors Kathy Sears Hall - 1

Kathy Sears Hall is a Kerrville native and graduate of Tivy High School. She is a Cooper Institute Personal Trainer and is licensed to teach Pilates and Zumba.

She holds an accounting degree from the University of Texas and spent 27 years in the energy industry. She now enjoys being back home and working with her father, husband and staff at The Center for Fitness, a business her mother started over 40 years ago.

Austin Dickson - 2

Austin Dickson is Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

Emily Guevara - 3

Emily Guevara has worked as a professional journalist for 13 years, primarily covering education, religion and nonprofits. She loves interviewing and finds it a privilege to tell people’s stories. A native Texan, she is happy to be writing about the people and places of the Hill Country. She was born and raised in San Antonio and is a graduate of Texas A&M University.

Katie Milton Jordan - 4

Katie Milton Jordan is a certified life coach and business broker who helps small business owners sell for top dollar confidentially. She believes the world would be a better place with even more successful small business owners and looks forward to seeing Kerrville become the small business capital of Texas. She is certified in Conversational Intelligence® and holds a degree in business management from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Connect with her online at katiemiltonjordan.com or in person at the Texas Business Buyers offices located at 222 Sidney Baker St. South, Suite 213.

Samuel Beaver - 5

Samuel Beaver is a fifth generation Kerrville native who has held a camera in his hand for more than eight years.

With a true passion for creating eye-catching images, he works as a contributing photographer with The Kerrville Daily Times. Additionally, he works as a ranch and real estate photographer with Wingman Imagery out of Fredericksburg. You can find him on Facebook at Beaver’s Photography and on Instagram at beavers_ photos. His work can be viewed at beaversphotos.com and you can contact him at 830-285-6690.

Bella Shearhart - 6

Bella Shearhart was born and raised in Kerrville and resides there now with her husband, Brad, and daughters, Adelyn, Camille, Elliot and Gillian. Bella began her business, Bella Photography, in early 2012 and now specializes in portraits, birth/newborn and sunset boudoir sessions. She has a passion for capturing empowering and inspiring moments in people's lives. Bella strives to preserve timeless moments in the most captivating way possible.

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STAY AND DO

APART Studio owner moves painting lessons online for creative souls stuck at home

By Emily Guevara

Callie Ann Hargis owns and operates an art studio in Hunt and her business revolves around providing art instruction, most often to groups of people, through birthday parties, paint and sips and more.

When staying at home became the new norm, Hargis had to get creative about how to keep her business going and to how to provide some joy to people during trying times.

With inspiration from other art studios, Hargis took the step into the world of virtual art lessons.

It works like this: Hargis gathers all the necessary supplies for the art project then posts a video of her teaching people how to do the project on social media and they are set.

People pay for the art supplies she provides and pick them up.

So far, her virtual art lessons have included one for a birthday party and two Easter Bunny-themed projects.

The Easter Bunny art baskets, of which she made

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HOW TO PARTICIPATE n For more information, visit Hargis’ Instagram page @callieanndesigns and message her there or call 830-370-7521. Callie Ann Designs & Studio is located in Hunt at the previous Elaine’s Table Restaurant.

40, cost $40 each and included all the supplies for two Easter crafts.

She is open to doing virtual art lessons for paint and sips, bachelorette parties and Bible study groups and will work with people to create the projects they want.

Her desire is simple: to bring a little joy to people’s day and help them focus on something positive.

She is working with Keri Wilt at Grape Juice to see if that can be a drop-off location for future Happy Art Bag projects as she calls them.

“I’m just wanting to bring a little bit of joy and it’s something to do,” she said.

Photos courtesy of Callie Ann Hargis

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It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during the current crisis. Talking to people you trust can help. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a trusted family member, friend, or your pastor or a counsellor. Limit worry by decreasing the time you and your family spend watching or listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting. Don’t use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotions. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by including proper diet, sleep, and exercise.

In addition to those with whom you share your home, maintain social contacts by email and phone with other family and friends and professional colleagues. Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you to manage previous adversities, and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during the challenging time of this outbreak. Deep breathing done several times daily will lessen stress and anxiety. It is easy to do. Take a deep breath in through your nose to a count of four, hold it for a count of seven, and exhale through your open mouth to a count of eight.

Repeat in sets of three, and do the sets several times each day.

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FEATURE

FROM MY FRONT PORCH, LOOKING IN

K

errville’s Bella Shearhart likes to be busy.

She likes projects. As a professional photographer, Shearhart is constantly looking for new ideas to make into something that will set her apart from others. She skips the weddings, instead focuses on families, portraits, intimate moments of new life coming into the world, and even boudoir photos.

However, during the coronavirus pandemic, Shearhart was faced with a new reality — limited contact with people. Of course, she has plenty of things and people to keep her busy — she’s the mother of four children.

But then inspiration struck via a video she saw from a Boston photographer named Cara Soulia, who like Shearhart photographs newborns and families. Soulia’s idea was simple — photograph those families on COVID-19 lockdown from their front porch.

Soulia’s work garnered the attention of the local NBC News affiliate in Boston, and the video spread.

Shearhart was inspired to do her own version of Soulia’s work, and it has kept her very busy.

These portraits from the front porch are her way of connecting with many of her existing clients, and building new contacts. For Shearhart, there’s also a story telling aspect of the shoots that aligns with her career work. Over the last few years, she’s shot portraits of mother’s breastfeeding in public in order to raise awareness that it’s not taboo or illegal.

So, this latest endeavor has families from around the Hill Country heading onto their front porch, front lawns or even behind a window for a family portrait that will forever capture this moment in world history when everything stopped.

“People love getting to have quality time at home with their family,” Shearhart said. “I don’t think in a normal circumstance we’d have time like this with our families. That’s the feedback I’ve gotten from families.”

Even for Shearhart, there has been a silver lining for her — more time with her four kids. In the end, that’s what makes putting the project so special for Shearhart — seeing those families connecting.

See more photos from this series by visiting Bella Photography on Facebook and searching the hashtag #TheFrontStepProject or by visiting Shearhart's website www.bellaphotographytexas.com.

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Grape Juice inspires foodies, wine aficionados with unprecedented virtual tasting

By Emily Guevara With restaurants, bars and gyms closed since late March, gatherings of over 10 banned and schools and churches using online meeting methods, the opportunities for in-person social interaction have all but disappeared.

But that doesn’t mean Central Texans have given up on meeting.

They're just changing methods.

The Kerrville community that is built on connections is continuing to survive — and some might even say thrive — in this pandemic as communities have gone virtual.

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First there were the online classrooms, Zoom Bible studies and Facebook Live worship services. But soon after came virtual happy hours and wine tastings. The pandemic might temporarily take away high fives, bear hugs and kisses, but people are finding ways to be together.

For Kerrville resident Brittany Lehmann, 34, the thought of not meeting up once a month with her friends from supper club was a shock. Add to that the idea that Grape Juice, her favorite restaurant in town, might face hardship through this season and she set to work finding a solution.

Patrick and Keri Wilt, co-owners of Grape Juice, host their first Virtual Flight Night on April 4.

The answer? A private, virtual wine tasting with her friends. They would support Grape Juice and get together, at least on screen, in the process.

The March 27 event was a hit. The friends connected through the Zoom videoconferencing app, then they opened Facebook to watch the live wine tasting led by Grape Juice co-owners Pat and Keri Wilt.

“When you’re stuck inside all day every day, and you don’t get to talk with other adults — a lot of us have children — it’s really nice to be able to catch up again,” said Lehmann, who has two boys under 5 and a 6-month-old girl.

That private Flight Night for Lehmann, her husband, Gene, and their friends provided a test run for the Wilts, who then started offering regular Saturday Flight Nights to the public on Facebook live.

The first one sold out with 50, and Grape Juice has continued to have them ever since.

For Lehmann and her friends, the gatherings go on too.

The group picks a different local restaurant for each Zoom happy hour, orders takeout and drinks and heads home where they gather virtually and share life together. A recent week was Pint & Plow pizza night.

“It was a new experience, which I think was exciting to people,” especially in this time, Lehmann said of the Zoom get-togethers. “It was really special and meaningful. We take for granted being

able to see each other so often. For this time, it was special because it was more intentional.”

Lisa Field, 45, of Hunt, had a date night with her husband by attending Grape Juice’s Virtual Flight Night.

The two picked up food and drinks and parked their car on the top of the parking garage, where they watched the wine tasting on an iPad, ate, drank and saw the sunset.

“An unexpected surprise was the

opportunity within the virtual space created by Grape Juice to spend the evening with a lot of people we might not know or normally hang out with,” Field, a landscape designer, said. “It really gave us a sense of connection to others in our town who are going through the same thing.”

Field said it was fun to see everyone’s comments throughout the Facebook Live, something that wouldn’t happen in a formal wine tasting.

For Lehmann and her friends, the purpose of their virtual happy hours is twofold.

“We’re intentionally choosing similar things to support our favorite restaurants and have time with each other,” she said.

Though there has been a lot of bad news for many people throughout this pandemic, Lehmann said she does see good coming from this situation too.

She heard a statement recently that emphasized that.

“We’re so … (ready) to rush back to our lives, but make sure you’re rushing back to the things that are important,” she said. “What are the important things that are coming out of this? We love our friends and our community. Those don’t go when everything else falls away.”

Photos courtesy of Brittany Lehmann

Kerrville residents Gene and Brittany Lehmann, pictured at top center, have been getting together with friends on Zoom for happy hour. The friends see it as a way to socialize and support their favorite local restaurants in the process.

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YOUR HOME

ODD

OFFICES Working from home doesn't have to be a stressful setup

By Katie Milton Jordan If you’re like most, your work environment has changed drastically since the COVID-19 outbreak. Unless you’re an essential worker — big shoutout to all our essential workers: thank you! — you’re now working from home.

Here’s how to solve some common challenges and a few little-known resources that’ll help you adapt even faster to your new remote work environment.

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Cut yourself some slack Being thrust into a remote work environment if you’ve never done it before is jarring and stressful. Give yourself a break by lowering your expectations of what really needs to get accomplished during a normal work day. I mean, we are in the middle of a global pandemic, after all.

Stay in touch Being literally and figuratively disconnected can really affect team trust and morale. Be intentional about staying connected with your key work mates. For example, set aside time regularly to connect with them one-onone via phone or video conference. Remember, you can leave the agenda open and simply listen to how they’re doing.

Conquer tech Being relatively tech-savvy myself, this challenge is hard to empathize with. But I know my mature work mates are pulling their hair out trying to figure out how to download Zoom when their App Store log in is expired and there’s not enough storage on their phone. … If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with technology, go to YouTube.com and search “how to + the thing you want to know.” Before long you will find the answer you’re looking for.

Be patient with your learning curve.

Choose a spot It is helpful to designate a specific work space in your home. Our productivity can lag when we try and work from our lap from different rooms in our house because psychologically we associate the bedroom with sleeping, for example, or the living room with watching TV. Those subconscious associations can hinder our ability to do good work, so designate a specific area of your house from which you work and remember to mentally check in and check out when you “arrive” to work.

Clock in and out For many, it is difficult to walk away from uncompleted work, especially when it is within reach. Some find themselves working around the clock or constantly being distracted by domestic chores. Intentionally determine which hours of your day will be set aside for work tasks and which for personal tasks. Pay attention to your environment and don’t expect to get productive work done while staring at a mountain of laundry — do the laundry or move to a new location where you can’t see it. Since willpower is a muscle that weakens over time, its strongly recommended that you do your most important tasks first thing in the morning so you have less chance of sabotaging yourself with procrastination.

Expect obstacles and be realistic My home office mates are a 9-pound rescue chihuahua and a loud-talking husband who may or may not have a hearing problem. When I know I have a conference call scheduled, I make sure that husband knows in advance the “quiet hours,” and I always turn down the shades to reduce the chances of my dog going crazy when the postman is filling the postboxes across the street.

Regardless of my efforts, there are occasions when interruptions happen. I do my best to handle the distraction, quickly apologize to my work mates on the conference call and remember, we’re all working from home right now wearing a million different hats and juggling just as many responsibilities.

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UNLOCKED GENEROSITY How Hill Country residents united to raise $3M in under a month

By Austin Dickson It’s often said that adversity reveals character, and if that’s true, then we should be proud of the way the Hill Country’s character has been revealed. Every day online, in the pages of The Kerrville Daily Times, and here in this magazine are stories of everyday people stepping into essential leadership roles in a time of crisis: selfless, servant leadership at its finest.

There are the mask-makers. The grocery stockers. The food pantry volunteers. The bankers fielding calls at all hours. The health care workers working double- and triple-time. The pastors learning YouTube.

Everyone is stepping up and adapting to the moment.

Hill Country philanthropy is also joining in to help. In a typical year, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country grants about $2.4 million to local charities, and we expect to do the same this year. In addition, the foundation has taken steps to adapt and not only meet the charitable needs that it always does, but to also make some extraordinary moves during this time of crisis. Now is the moment for community philanthropy.

On March 16, the foundation created Hill Country Strong, an emergency response fund for the entire region. The foundation, which made over 500 grants last year to local charities, is uniquely positioned to raise and

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manage funds as well as identify areas with the greatest need. Hill Country Strong provides unrestricted grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the Hill Country that are meeting emergency local needs created by the pandemic. The grants are focused on families with school-aged children, those who have lost their job, first responders, the elderly and economically vulnerable populations.

Under normal economic circumstances, about 42% of Kerr County households live paycheck to paycheck, according to 2019 data from United Way Worldwide. With the economy grinding to a halt, with at least one million Texans losing their jobs, many people are struggling to make ends meet. For those who were already struggling — this is a catastrophe. It’s up to government to address structural economic issues for businesses and workers, like lost revenues and income, but philanthropy can help support local groups helping community members in need.

Thus the need to be Hill Country Strong. At first there was one $200 donation to the campaign, then $1,000.

A few folks donated $50 online. Then, the H.E. Butt Foundation called pledging $80,000. Then, a business sent a $10,000 check. Someone dropped by a $50,000 check. The ping of donation emails became constant.

Local businesses, neighbors, so many people just wanted to give something.

Molly Adams, board president of the Community Foundation and senior vice president at Security State Bank & Trust, was overjoyed: “The outpouring of

❝

The outpouring of support is heartening and not surprising at all. I love this community.

— MOLLY ADAMS, Board president of the Community Foundation, senior vice president Security State Bank & Trust

support is heartening and not surprising at all. I love this community.”

In addition, local Kerrville residents and city council members Judy Eychner and Delayne Sigerman dropped by the foundation to meet with me — at a social distance — to discuss an idea; there is a desperate need for groceries for people. We created Kerrville Food Relief, an emergency fund that helps Kerr County nonprofits purchase groceries for individuals and families in need. Flyers are all around town and in church bulletins; donors have eagerly responded to that need as well.

The first Kerrville Food Relief grants were hand-delivered just before Easter.

“H-E-B lifted product limitations for us, so we could us the Kerrville Food Relief grant to get folks everything they needed to have a great Easter,” said Katie Givens, Hope 4 Health Project Manager at the Doyle School Community Center.

on where best to make emergency philanthropic investments, everyone can make a huge financial difference, with or without the foundation.

The recently passed CARES Act is allowing taxpayers who do not itemize — that’s 85% of all taxpayers — to make up to $300 in tax-deductible charitable contributions for 2020. That might not sound like a lot, but if just half of Kerr County households gave $300 to charity, that’s $3 million! For taxpayers who itemize, the CARES Act allows deductions up to 100% of adjusted gross income this year, which could be an extra incentive to dig deep and help local causes that you care about.

Giving financially might be the most socially distant way to help in this moment, but there are also masks to make, neighbors to check on and volunteers needed all over town. Food donations are especially needed at local food pantries right now. We are in a crisis, and it calls for service — however you can make it happen … safely.

One of my favorite Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quotations is: “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” When we look back on this moment, I believe we will remember how it revealed our character — how, seemingly overnight, we transformed from ordinary people into extraordinary servants.

While the foundation is accepting gifts, reviewing grant requests and making determinations

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FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE COUCH

STICKING WITH

STUDIES

We asked parents from around the Hill Country to send us photos of their kids working hard from home throughout the shutdown of local schools. In all, more than 80 parents sent us pictures, and we pulled together some of the best. These are photos of brothers and sisters helping each other. They show children using technology to interact with their teachers and adapt to a new way of learning.

Ava Chapman, a pre-K-3 student at Ingram Elementary, holds up her butterfly project.

Grant Gutierrez, a third-grader at Kerrville’s Notre Dame Catholic School, and his sister, Clara, a pre-kindergarten student (also pictured below), look over Grant’s homework assignment.

Mazelynn Booth, along with her dad, work on her pre-kindergarten assignment at home.

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READY FOR ANYTHING

By Stephen Lehman and Gina Stewart Members of the Hill Country Preppers since 2012 Imagine a day, when you wake up and you don’t have a care in the world. You have a roof over your head, food in the pantry and the fridge, the bills are paid, the kids are safe and your neighbors are happy. Then you open the paper and see a pandemic; rationing, panic, sheltering in, activities restricted and no end in sight.

And you still don’t have a care in the world.

Why? Because you prepared ahead of time for a situation just like this one.

We’ve been visiting the stores for weeks, noting what can’t be found. Milk and eggs disappeared for a while but can be found now, but you have to know somebody or be there when the toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissue gets restocked. Still no sign of hand sanitizer, antibacterial soap, disinfectant wipes and bottles of alcohol.

Of course, if you’ve been paying attention and preparing ahead of time, you are not short of any of those things. Not that we advocate hoarding, but we stock what we use during a period of time, depending on the shelf life of that item. Our goal for most things is a year’s supply. When we use something, we replace it. When there is a shortage, we use our stores, rationing if necessary, until we can restock. We don’t need to run to the store and grab armloads of whatever at the last minute, competing with people who are totally unprepared.

The peace of mind is unbelievable.

Emergency preparedness is not just about pandemics. We have a flu season every year. CDC estimates that influenza was associated with more than 35.5 million illnesses, more than 16.5 million medical visits, 490,600

hospitalizations and 34,200 deaths during the 2018–19 influenza season. This burden was similar to the 2012–13 influenza season. Is it crazy to prepare for something that happens every year? Floods, storms, fires, job loss, accidents, crime, deaths and medical emergencies happen to thousands of people every single day. Sometimes, with awareness and planning, they can be avoided. If they can’t be avoided, planning and preparation increase your chance of survival and make recovery less emotionally and physically stressful.

Case-in-point: The current pandemic.

The annual flu season mandates for most people that they be stocked up on the usual medicines. Flu season should also heighten the need to clean more frequently often-used surfaces and food prep areas, so being stocked up on cleaning supplies makes sense also. Limiting your exposure to people coughing and sneezing is a good idea year-round. Unfortunately, experience shows that most people don’t think about any of these things until the bodies start piling up.

Awareness is key in any situation, not just emergencies. Planning and contingencies are important. The shelter-in recommendations should have been anticipated when the contagion started to spread. What you use when you are stuck at home should have been anticipated as well, like toilet paper, paper towels, extra food, cleaning supplies, medicine and anything else you use on a daily basis of which you don’t have an adequate supply. A couple of years ago, FEMA and the CDC increased their recommendations for food and

supplies storage to three weeks, instead of three days. For this particular crisis, you should have at least three months.

Sheltering in and other emergencies also require financial planning. An emergency fund large enough to cover three months’ worth of expenses has been sage advice for decades. With businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues closing, job loss is another effect of COVID-19. Does anyone still think an emergency fund is unnecessary?

COVID-19 will pass into history as have all the other pandemics. We will pick up the pieces and get back to doing what we always do. Hopefully most of you will also take some of the lessons learned and apply them to the future.

Emergency planning covers several areas that can be applied to many and multiple emergencies and disasters.

Food and water storage, sanitation and hygiene, medical supplies and training, financial planning, shelter in or evacuate and emergency communications all require thought, discussions with family, stocking certain supplies and practice. Planning is useless if you don’t test and practice those plans.

The county and city have emergency plans. Most businesses have emergency plans. Individuals and families should have emergency plans also.

Emergency preparedness is not just a hobby. It has nothing to do with doomsday.

It is a necessary and critical everyday activity that should be practiced by every single person in the community. It requires thought, commitment, patience and a shifting of priorities.

Start now. Your life may depend on it.

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WELLNESS

STAY PUT

STAY FIT

By Kathy Sears Hall

COVID-19 has changed all of our lives in profound ways. If you are staying home to stop the spread, you’ve lost every bit of your daily routine. You are likely sleeping, eating, dressing, driving, working and socializing differently, not to mention the changes you’ve made to your exercise regimen, if you even had one to begin with. While we are all facing the same pandemic, the choices we make on how to handle it can vary widely. One of those decisions is whether to exercise and, if so, how.

WHY IS EXERCISE IMPORTANT?

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COVID-19 attacks those with heart and lung issues. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs.

According to the American Heart Association, physically active people have up to a 50% lower risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death. The American Lung Association adds that when you are physically active, your heart and lungs become more efficient in supplying the additional oxygen your muscles demand.

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People with weak immune systems are vulnerable to this virus. The more active you are, the less likely you are to come down with any type of illness. For example, Jawbone, a manufacturer of wearable tracking devices, found that men ages 25–45 who take an average of 14,000 steps daily are four times less likely to become sick than those taking fewer than 4,000 steps daily.

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Fear of illness, social isolation and financial problems are breeding grounds for stress.

Stress is detrimental to your health. According to the CDC, stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, causing: changes in sleep or eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, worsening of chronic health problems, worsening of mental health conditions and increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

HOW CAN I EXERCISE AT HOME?

The good news is that you can get a great workout indoors even if you don’t have much space. All you need to do is overload the muscles more than you usually do.

Your body doesn’t care if you accomplish this with a barbell, a resistance tube or your own body weight. So, here are some sample strength exercises, along with modifications to vary the level of intensity. Repeat each move 10 times (reps).

Cycle through each exercise two or three times (sets) when you have more energy.

LUNGES n Stand tall with your feet together, then step back with the right foot and lower the right knee toward the floor. Reverse the move to return to the standing position. Repeat on the left. n Make it harder by pausing for 10 seconds at the lowest point of the lunge. n Make it easier by stepping back without lowering the knee.

SQUATS n Start by sitting in a sturdy chair, then stand up. n Make it harder by pausing for 10 seconds halfway down and halfway up. n Make it easier by starting in a standing position and lowering part way toward the chair before you stand up again.

PUSH UPS / PLANKS n Start on the floor with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.

Move the knees back until you form a straight line from head to knees. To perform a push up, bend the elbows so that your chest lowers toward the floor, then straighten the elbows to return. To perform a plank, hold the upper part of the push up for 10 – 30 seconds. n Make the pushup harder by lifting the knees so that your

straight line is from your head to your feet, then pause for 10 seconds halfway down and halfway up. When practicing the plank, hold for 30 seconds or alternate lifting each hand and foot an inch off the floor. n Make it easier by standing up and putting your hands on the wall directly in front of your shoulders. Walk your feet back until you form a straight line from head to feet. To perform a push up, bend the elbows so that your chest lowers towards the wall, then straighten the elbows to return. To perform a wall plank, hold the upper part of the push up for 10-60 seconds.

BRIDGES n Lie face up with your head, shoulders, and hips on the floor. Maintain neutral spine by keeping a little bit of space under your lower back. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your hips.

Lift your hips off the floor, forming a straight line from head to knees. Lower your hips back to the floor. n Make it harder by holding the bridge for 10 seconds or alternate lifting each foot an inch off the floor while maintaining the height of the bridge. n Make it easier by lying down with your head, shoulders and hips on your bed.

Maintain neutral spine by keeping a little bit of space under your lower back. Tilt your pelvis up, keeping your hips on the mattress while you lower the waistline to the bed. Hold for 5 seconds and return.

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WELLNESS

HOW YOU CAN

BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY

By Kathy Sears Hall Our immune system is a natural defense mechanism that protects us against disease.

To function properly, an immune system must detect a wide variety of agents and distinguish them from healthy tissue.

The Harvard Medical School states that “the idea of boosting your immunity is enticing, but the ability to do so has proved elusive for several reasons. The immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. To function well, it requires balance and harmony.” Our first line of defense is to make healthy lifestyle choices:

n Don’t smoke. n Exercise regularly. n Maintain a healthy weight. n Drink alcohol only in moderation. n Get adequate sleep. n Take steps to avoid infection, such as

washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly. n Try to minimize anxiety and stress. n Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

The New Mexico Dietetic Association says eating foods rich in four special nutrients can help you boost your immune system:

n Vitamin A: red peppers, spinach, beef liver, sweet potatoes and carrots n Vitamin E: green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, eggs and nuts n Zinc: red meat, poultry, oysters, fortified cereals, whole grains, beans and nuts n Iron: beef, chicken, salmon, tuna, lentils, beans and spinach

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NEWSPAPERS HAVE YOUR BACK. We are grateful for those who have our back in this important time. The list is long, but we want to thank our first responders and front-line workers.

Especially in critical times, newspapers have your back.

COVID-19 is a national story that is impacting you at home and at work. Your local newspaper is keeping you informed with current events in your neighborhood and is bringing communities together in these challenging times.

From actions your localfor government taking, have to lists of localback stores that are Wetheare grateful thoseiswho our in this delivering and tips on what to do while you’re at home, your local newspaper is important time. The list is long, but we want to committed to bringing you the news you need, when you need it.

thank our first responders and front-line workers.

WE ARE IN THIS

Especially in critical times, newspapers have your back.

TOGETHER

COVID-19 is a national story that is impacting you at home and at work.

Your local newspaper is keeping you informed with current events in your neighborhood and is bringing communities together in these challenging times.

Support your local newspaper. Subscribe in print or online.

From the actions your local government is taking, to lists of local stores that are delivering and tips on what to do while you’re at home, your local newspaper is committed to bringing you the news you need, when you need it. dailytimes.com • 429 Jefferson Street • Kerrville, Texas 78028 • 830.896.7000

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FEATURE

Delayed dreams As social distancing made gathering family and friends impossible, area sweethearts put their wedding plans on pause

By Parastoo Nikravesh

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A

month before the wedding day, a brideto-be should be putting the final touches on her perfect day. An event that takes couples months to plan should be falling into place and filling the bride and groom with joyful anticipation.

One local bride-to-be, Kerrville resident Serena Way, had her venue, photographer and gifts for guests ready for her wedding on April 11.

However, on March 15, the CDC recommended canceling or postponing

all large in-person events or mass gatherings consisting of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks — including weddings. The number rapidly dropped to just 10 people allowed in a group.

“I’m feeling a lot of anxiety because you already have stress planning a wedding to make sure everything is perfect,” Way said. “Now it’s chaos, and I’m planning a wedding in the middle of it.”

Way’s wedding was planned to happen locally with only a few out-oftown guests — approximately 160 guests planned to attend.

“Because of the panic, I’m in a tough place (whether) to move forward or not,” Way said in March. “Most of my guests have not been concerned at all. Some have told me not to make a decision for about two weeks because in just the last few weeks people have gone from zero to 100 worrying about the virus, so I should see what happens before making a major decision. No guests have canceled. Of course, I want to keep everyone safe.

Some places are closing and some aren’t.

People are just panicking, and it’s so chaotic.”

Like most weddings, Way has invested energy and money into planning the event.

“I spent eight months, thousands of dollars, trips to find the right dress and venues and purchased personalized items that can’t be returned,” Way said, speaking to items such as guest gifts, mints, wine glasses, beer koozies and more items that have the couples’ names and the date of the event, April 11. “I can’t afford to repurchase all these items.”

In an already emotional time for the bride, she tries to keep a positive outlook. Although the circumstances of a pandemic were certainly unexpected.

“If something happens and we do have to postpone it, then we will of course,” Way said. “And come next January when we have the wedding and everything says ‘4/11’ on it, we’ll all just have to laugh about it.”

Brides aren’t the only ones on their toes on how coronavirus will alter their wedding plans, as people who work in the industry are also adapting.

Personalized party favors display the original date of Serena Way and Jerry Reyna's wedding. The coronavirus pandemic's unexpected arrival forced the pair to alter their plans. (Contributed photo) 28

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Mayra Eads, a local wedding photographer, had booked four weddings this spring. Eads said she is prepared for

any alternative and will go through with the weddings as long she can. She will try to accommodate her customers if the event has to be rescheduled.

“My best advice is to get a wedding planner,” Eads said. “They help a lot with rescheduling and problem solving.

I always help my brides if they need me or don’t have a wedding planner. Just going that extra mile for them so they don’t feel alone during this time.”

Eads photographed a 150-guest wedding in early March and said the festivities included hand sanitizer at every table and a plated dinner — a less exposed food option than a buffet.

“Also couples need to be more cautious about who they’re getting as vendors and for their venue and when signing the contracts,” Eads said. “When they sign the contracts, they don’t expect something to go wrong to cancel the wedding, and then the couple might not be able to get their deposit or payment back. And the vendors are just trying to take care of themselves also because otherwise they’ll be out of money. It’s best that everyone is on the same page as far as acts of God.” One local business also navigating possible cancellations is Ginger Snaps

Cake Co. owned by Megan Untermeyer.

Untermeyer recently had a wedding and large birthday party postpone orders.

“Typically, I book out three to four months in advance for custom orders and anywhere from six to 12 months for weddings,” Untermeyer said. “I have a no-refund policy for deposits, and refunds will only be made within a four week advance notice, however, as the pandemic has become a global issue, I reached out to my clients to see whether or not they still needed their product. At this point, I am allowing clients to postpone their date or request a full refund if they need to cancel, as no one could have predicted this situation.

“As a customer, please be kind and communicate with whomever you are receiving services from. If you are even thinking your need for their services or product might be impacted, just reach out and let them know, and do not wait until the day before. This is seriously impacting small businesses in the worst way, so just be kind and aware that people are going to be struggling to come back from this for a very long time.”

A new venue, Sendera Springs in Kerrville, had a few weddings lined up without cancellations as of March.

Hannah Plucheck, director of Sendera

Springs, explained that if there were any government mandates to cancel events, they would abide, but until then, it was up to the brides.

“They’re (the couples) telling their guests if they’re sick or have traveled recently to affected areas to not attend, but we’re all being careful and keeping the events going,” Plucheck said. “We do our part to keep everything clean, especially after the events. And we’re here to listen and to help our weddings with whatever they need.”

Another local photographer, Leah Thomason, is also making the effort to help with future weddings.

“My position with my brides, like many photographers, is one of encouragement, support and flexibility,” Thomason said.

“I know a lot of brides this year are facing postponements, cancellations and most of all disappointment that important people may no longer be able to attend their weddings. I think it will be a time for photographers and vendors in the industry to come together and help each other make sure these brides are covered as best we can and really embrace the value of community over competition.

This is something I’m seeing every day in the wedding industry, and it’s really encouraging.”

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Downtown Kerrville is emptier than usual with most residents staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Samuel Beaver)

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FEATURE

GHOST TOWN

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With the coronavirus pandemic closing most of the country, we asked Kerrville photographer Samuel Beaver, who has shot regularly for The Kerrville Daily Times, to take his drone out to capture a glimpse of the city when it should normally be busy.

With restaurants, businesses and other services shuttered to the public, the photos that Beaver provided demonstrate the eerie quiet of this period — when it seems everything is standing still.

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Weddings & Events

at Comanche Trace

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ith our pristinely manicured golf course, hill country views that stretch for miles in all directions, and our experienced staff committed to exceptional service, we are sure to make your special day one you will always cherish at Comanche Trace.

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