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HillCountry

g n i v r e S

VISITORS

BANDERA, GILLESPIE, KENDALL, & KERR COUNTIES

THE T HE FLIP MAGAZINE THAT CAN! Get the articles you enjoy reading!

In This Issue:

COWBOY CHRISTMAS December 2nd Parade Lights on the River and More in Bandera

Featured Article:

ALL SYSTEMS GO Student Rocketeers Take Education to Another Level

PUMPKIN PATCH Fall Harvest Time in Medina

See This Magazine OnLine www.HillCountryVisitorsCenter.com

• Lot 6 • Lot 8 • Lot 9 • Lot 10 • Lot 14 • Lot 15 • Lot 17 • Lot 19 • Lot 20

2 HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016

6.37 37SOLD Acres 5.55 55 Acres A 6.14 Acres 7.13 Acres 3.26 Acres 4.56 Acres 5.79 Acres 10.0 Acres 5.22 Acres

$50,000 $50,000 $85,000 $90,000 $50,000 $50,000 $60,000 $150,000 $75,000

• Lot 21 • Lot 22 • Lot 23 • Lot 25 • Lot 27 Lot 28 • Lot 31 • Lot 32 • Lot 33

5.72 Acres cres $5 SOLD$50,000 5.32 Acres $79,500 $7 8.16 Acres $115,000 5.79 Acres $120,000 SOLD$120,000 8.20 Acres cres $1 10.2 Acres $150,000 $ 5.01 Acres $77,5000 4.52 Acres $75,000 5.53 Acres $79,000

All SystemsGO by Phil Houseal

T minus 1 day and counting...

he summer sun was setting behind the San Andres Mountains, casting shadows across the white sands of New Mexico. Half a dozen high school students scrambled to UXQ Â¿QDO FKHFNV RQ 5HGELUG + WKH IRRW URFNHW WKH\ KDG GHVLJQHG EXLOW DQG ZHUH QRZ UHDG\ WR WHVW :LWK OHVV WKDQ KRXUV EHIRUH ODXQFK DOO V\VWHPV ZHUH Â³JR Â´ 7KH ODXQFK WHDP KHDGHG EDFN WR WKH KRWHO UHVWOHVV EXW UH DOLVWLF (YHU\ VWXGHQW NQHZ WKH FRXQWGRZQ FORFN ZDV WLFN LQJ 7KH VXFFHVV RI WKH SURMHFW WKH\ EHJDQ WKH SUHYLRXV IDOO DW )UHGHULFNVEXUJ 7H[DV +LJK 6FKRRO ZLWK WKH JRDO RI ORIWLQJ D SRXQG 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 7H[DV UHVHDUFK SD\ORDG ZRXOG EH provedâ€“or disprovedâ€“in a few hours. T minus 6 hours... 7KH VWXGHQWV ZHUH EDFN DW WKH SDG E\ D P 7KH\ EHJDQ UXQQLQJ URXWLQH FKHFNV RI DOO V\VWHPV The ignition system failed. ,W VXGGHQO\ VHHPHG GDUN TXLHW DQG FROG 7KH ZHDU\ WHHQV VZLWFKHG LQWR WURXEOHVKRRWLQJ PRGH 7KH\ EHJDQ UHWHVWLQJ WKH IRRW FDEOH IURP WKH EORFNKRXVH WR WKH SDG PHWLFX ORXVO\ FKHFNLQJ HDFK RI WKH ZLUHV T minus 1 hour... $V WKH VXQ URVH RYHU WKH :KLWH 6DQGV 0LVVLOH 5DQJH WKH VWXGHQWV ZHUH VWLOO ZRUNLQJ ,I WKH\ FRXOGQÂ¶W Â¿QG WKH Â¿[ LQ WLPH WKH HQWLUH ODXQFK ZRXOG EH VFUXEEHG IRU DQRWKHU \HDU T minus 45 minutes... 2QH VWXGHQW JDYH D VKRXW +H KDG WUDFNHG GRZQ WKH ZLUH ZLWK WKH EUHDN LQ FRQWLQXLW\ 7KH\ ZHQW WR ZRUN WR E\SDVV LW 2WKHU VWXGHQWV VZLWFKHG WR WKH WDVNV RI ORDGLQJ R[LGL]HU FKHFNLQJ WKH GDWD SDFNDJH DQG UHFDOFXODWLQJ D]LPXWK DQG HO evation. T minus 20 minutes.... 7KH ODXQFK WHDP UHWUHDWHG LQWR WKH EORFNKRXVH T minus 2 minutes... 7KH FRXQWGRZQ SDXVHG IRU WKH Â¿QDO SUH ODXQFK FKHFN $OO was green for launch.

The bird shot up the rail and off the tower. The students forgot their fatigue and sent up a yell with it. Redbird 9 roared to an altitude of 35,000 feet, breaking records for speed and altitude for a rocket built by high school students.

T minus 10 seconds... 9... 8... gaseous oxygen initiated... 7... 6... 5... 4... ignition... 3... 2... 1... 0... nitrous valve opened... LIFTOFF!

The Story Continues on the Next Page HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016 3

7KDW WUXH VFHQDULR LOOXVWUDWHV KRZ WKH LQQRYDWLYH 6\VWHP V*R FXUULFXOXP ZRUNV GLIIHUHQWO\ WKDQ DQ\ RWKHU 6FLHQFH 7HFKQRORJ\ (QJLQHHULQJ DQG 0DWK 67(0 SURJUDP ,W VWDUWHG LQ DW )UHGHULFNVEXUJ 7; +LJK 6FKRRO ZKHUH WHDFKHU %UHWW :LOOLDPV EHOLHYHG WKHUH ZDV D EHWWHUÂ±DQG GLIIHUHQWÂ±ZD\ WR HGXFDWH DQG PRWLYDWH WRPRUURZÂ¶V LQQRYD tors. Â³7KLV SURJUDPÂ¶V WHDFKLQJ VW\OH LV PRUH PDQDJHPHQW DQG JXLG DQFH UDWKHU WKDQ ODGOLQJ RXW LQIRUPDWLRQ Â´ :LOOLDPV VDLG Â³7KLV LV adapting our approach to teaching in order to address the realities RI WRGD\Â¶V ZRUNIRUFH QHHGV &RPLQJ RXW RI WKLV KLJK VFKRRO SUR gram, these students will understand design and development, test LQJ DQDO\VLV SURJUDP PDQDJHPHQW DQG LQQRYDWLRQÂ±DOO VNLOOV WKH LQGXVWU\ QHHGV LQ WKH ZRUNIRUFH RI WRPRUURZ Â´ ,Q WKRVH HDUO\ \HDUV )UHGHULFNVEXUJ +LJK 6FKRRO ZDV WKH ORQH VFKRRO PDNLQJ WKH WULS WR WKH 8 6 $UP\ UDQJH ,Q D JURXS RI OHDGHUV IRUPHG WKH QRQSURÂ¿W 6\VWHPV*R WR GH velop the curriculum and share it with other schools. The cur ULFXOXP LV QRZ XVHG LQ 7H[DV KLJK VFKRROV 7KLV \HDU Â¿YH VFKRROV SXW D URFNHW RQ WKH UDLO DW :605 DQG WKUHH RI WKRVH launched, an unprecedented success given the small launch window.

WSMR staff work closely with the high school students to ensure safe and successful launches.

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It takes all hands to to load the large rockets on the launch rail ,Q WKH D FRQVRUWLXP RI VFKRROV LQ 1HZ 0H[LFR ZLOO EH WKH Â¿UVW RXWVLGH RI 7H[DV WR DWWHPSW WKLV DPELWLRXV HGXFDWLRQDO program. 6FKRROV DUH HPEUDFLQJ 6\VWHPV*R IRU WZR ELJ UHDVRQV 6\VWHPV*R SURYLGHV SUDFWLFDO KDQGV RQ SUREOHP DQG SURMHFW based learning 6\VWHPV*R ERDVWV DQ Â³RXW RI WKLV ZRUOGÂ´ LQWHUHVW IDFWRU

Project-Based 3UREOHP DQG SURMHFW EDVHG OHDUQLQJ LV WKH FRUQHUVWRQH RI FDUHHU DQG WHFKQRORJ\ HGXFDWLRQ :LOOLDPV QRWHV WKH GHVLJQ DQG GHYHORS PHQW ORRS LQ WKH FODVV PLUURUV WKH G\QDPLFV LQ WKH ZRUNIRUFH Â³:KDW EHWWHU ZD\ WR VHH LI \RXU GHVLJQ DQG VROXWLRQV ZRUNHG Â´ KH DVNHG Â³WKDQ E\ VHHLQJ LI \RXU URFNHW JHWV RII WKH SDG DQG GRHV WKH ZRUN LW ZDV GHVLJQHG WR GR"Â´ 4 HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016

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TOP BRAND NAMES AND DESIGNERS NEW ARRIVALS ALL THE TIME 72'$<·6 )$6+,216 67</(6

200 Sidney Baker S • Kerrville, TX 78028

830 257-9007 6 HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016

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Making the Outdoors even easier to Enjoy! Visit Out Back Patio Furnishings to create your own Outdoor Paradise. 2104 Memorial Blvd, Kerrville â€¢ 830-890-5532 www.outbackpatiofurnishings.com 8 HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016

HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016 9

Itâ€™s Pumpkin Patch Time I

WÂ¶V WKDW WLPH RI \HDU DJDLQ ZKHQ WKH +LOO &RXQWU\ EHJLQV WR FKDQJH FRORUV PDUNLQJ WKH EH ginning of the fall season. Maple Trees, cooler weather and bright RUDQJH SXPSNLQV DUH D VXUH VLJQ IDOO LV QHDU 1RERG\ FHOHEUDWHV IDOO EHWWHU WKDQ /RYH &UHHN 2U chards, home of the Great Hill &RXQWU\ 3XPSNLQ 3DWFK /RYH &UHHN 2UFKDUGV SLRQHHUV RI WKH 7H[DV $SSOH LQGXVWU\ KDV EHHQ KRVWLQJ WKH *UHDW +LOO &RXQWU\ 3XPSNLQ 3DWFK IRU WKH SDVW \HDUV 1HVWOHG LQ WKH KHDUW RI WKH 7H[DV +LOO &RXQWU\ LQ 0HGLQD RQ +LJKZD\ 1RUWK /RYH &UHHN has the perfect setting for a chil GUHQÂ¶V IHVWLYDO 7KH *UHDW +LOO &RXQWU\ 3XPS NLQ 3DWFK LV GHVLJQHG WR HQWHUWDLQ and educate children at the same WLPH :H ZHUH YRWHG RQH RI WKH WRS 3XPSNLQ 3DWFKHV LQ WKH 6WDWH LQ 7KH HYHQW LQFOXGHV KD\ rides, scarecrow building, pump NLQ SDLQWLQJ SRQ\ ULGHV JDPHV and photo opportunities. But it also includes a petting zoo, apple RUFKDUG WRXUV FLGHU PDNLQJ DQG processing apples on the apple OLQH Â³:H ZDQW FKLOGUHQ WR H[ SHULHQFH D GD\ RQ WKH IDUP DQG IXQ VD\V RZQHU %U\DQ +XW]OHU %XW ZH ZDQW WR PDNH LW D OHDUQ LQJ H[SHULHQFH DV ZHOO :KDW D JUHDW ZD\ WR OHDUQ DERXW DJULFXO ture and how apples are grown and harvested. Our event is all about the harvest and life on a IDUP Â´ :H ZLOO DJDLQ IHDWXUH SLJ UDFHV VWRU\WHOOLQJ DQG SOD\LQJ DQ 10 HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016

LQVWUXPHQW LQ WKH *UHDW +LOO &RXQWU\ 6\PSKRQ\ 7KHUH LV VR PXFK WR GR \RX ZLOO ZDQW WR VWD\ WKH ZKROH GD\ %ULQJ D SLFQLF OXQFK RU HQMR\ IRRG IURP RXU YHQGRUV /RYH &UHHN RIIHUV KRW GRJV +DPEXUJHUV DSSOH SLH SXPSNLQ SLH DSSOH LFH FUHDP DQG RI FRXUVH IUHVK VTXHH]HG DSSOH FLGHU ,I \RX ZDQW SXPSNLQV \RX ZLOO Â¿QG WKH ODUJHVW YDULHW\ RI SXPS NLQV JRXUGV KD\ EDOHV FRUQ VWDONV DQG IDOO VTXDVKHV DQG JRXUGV DYDLODEOH WR EX\ 7KH *UHDW +LOO &RXQWU\ 3XPSNLQ 3DWFK RSHQV LQ 2FWR EHU DQG LV RSHQ HYHU\ 6DWXUGD\ 6XQGD\ DQG 0RQGD\ IURP DP WR SP $GPLVVLRQ LV SHU SHUVRQ DQG LQFOXGHV WKH IUHH KD\ULGHV SHWWLQJ ]RR SXPSNLQ SDLQWLQJ \RX EX\ WKH SXPSNLQ DQG ZH SURYLGH WKH SDLQW WRXUV DQG HQWHUWDLQPHQW 7KHUH LV DQ DGGLWLRQDO FKDUJH IRU SRQ\ rides and face painting and a barrel train ride. The Great +LOO &RXQWU\ 3XPSNLQ 3DWFK LV DOVR RSHQ RQ 7KXUVGD\V DQG )ULGD\V IRU VFKHGXOHG VFKRRO WRXUV )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ FDOO )RU 6FKRRO WRXU LQIRUPDWLRQ FDOO 6SHFLDO ELUWKGD\ SDUWLHV FDQ DOVR EH DFFRPPR GDWHG E\ FDOOLQJ WKH QXPEHU ZZZ ORYHFUHHNRUFKDUGV FRP 7KH *UHDW +LOO &RXQWU\ 3XPSNLQ 3DWFK LV D ZRQGHUIXO GD\ WULS IRU D IDPLO\ WR HQMR\ WRJHWKHU &RPH PDNH VRPH PHPRULHV

HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016 11

12 HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016

HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016 13

Itâ€™s a Cowboy Capital Christmas

in Bandera!

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18 HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016

2 HUGE LOCATIONS 2800 Junction Hwy./830-367-7776 3556 Bandera Hwy./830-792-1141

in Kerrville

Cabin Shells from $2560 Delivered

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NO “CREDIT CHECK” - EVER!

HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016 19

20 HILL COUNTRY VISITORS-OCT/DEC, 2016

20 HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016 19

830.792.3702 • Ernest G Layton, Jr., MD %RDUG &HUWL¿HG E\ $636

251 Cully Dr. Suite A Kerrville

18 HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

RQO\ EHFRPH HIIHFWLYH LI IXUWKHU UDWLÃ€HG E\ RI WKH VWDWHV but this is a means to bypass the Washington establishment and allow state governments to lead the process. The nine amendments proposed by Governor Abbott include: 1. Prohibiting Congress from regulating an activity that occurs entirely within a single state. 3. laws.

5HTXLULQJ &RQJUHVV WR SDVV D EDODQFHG EXGJHW Prohibiting federal agencies from creating new

3URKLELWLQJ IHGHUDO DJHQFLHV IURP VXSHUVHGLQJ state laws. $OORZLQJ D PDMRULW\ RI WKH VWDWHV WR RYHUULGH D decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. 6. Forcing a seven-vote super majority on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a democratically enacted law. /LPLWLQJ WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQWÂ·V SRZHUV WR H[pressly what is granted to it in the Constitution. *LYLQJ VWDWH RIÃ€FLDOV WKH SRZHU WR VXH WKH IHGHUDO government in federal court when it overreaches. $OORZLQJ D PDMRULW\ RI WKH VWDWHV WR RYHUULGH D federal law or regulation. Only time will tell if the idea garners enough support in other states to actually call a convention, but one thing is IRU VXUH WKH DOO WRR IUHTXHQW GHSDUWXUHV IURP WKH &RQVWLWXtion -- by the President, Congress, and the U.S. Supreme Court -- are destroying the rule of law. We must use every means available to jerk the reins of WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQWÂ·V FRQVWLWXWLRQDO EULGOH DQG UHVWRUH the authority of states and local communities across the nation to make decisions that are in the best interest of their citizens. We owe it both to our forefathers, who envisioned a constrained and limited federal governance, and our children, who may very well suffer permanent and complete erosion of their individual constitutional rights to an all-consuming national system of control and dominance. 3FQ "OESFX .VSS JT B SBODIFS BUUPSOFZ TNBMM CVTJOFTTNBO BOE GPSNFS ,JNCMF $PVOUZ +VEHF XIP SFQSFTFOUT %JTUSJDU JO UIF 5FYBT )PVTF %JTUSJDU JODMVEFT #BOEFSB $SPDLFUU &EXBSET ,FSS ,JNCMF -MBOP .BTPO .FEJOB .FOBSE 3FBM Schleicher and Sutton Counties. You can learn more about 3FQ .VSS BU XXX "OESFX.VSS PSH PS CZ DPOUBDUJOH IJT %JTUSJDU 0GmDF BU 8BUFS 4USFFU JO ,FSSWJMMF PS DBMMJOH

THANK YOU! Airmen Seamen Soldiers Marines!

HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016 17

What to do When the Feds â€œMess with Texas?â€? Op-Ed Article by Texas State Representative Andrew Murr For as long as we have been a nation, the federal governPHQW KDV KDG D GLIĂ€FXOW WLPH UHVLVWLQJ WKH XUJH WR RYHUVWHS and meddle in the affairs of the states and local communities. But in recent years, the problem of federal overreach has stretched to historic levels and now threatens to irreparably harm our system of representative democracy. The Founding Fathers established our form of governPHQW VR WKDW FLWL]HQV WKURXJK WKHLU HOHFWHG RIĂ€FLDOV FRXOG HVWDEOLVK ODZV WKDW UHĂ HFW WKHLU GHVLUHV SDUWLFXODUO\ DW WKH VWDWH DQG ORFDO OHYHOV 6R UHJDUGOHVV RI RQHÂˇV YLHZV RQ VSHFLĂ€F LVVXHV LW VKRXOG IULJKWHQ HYHU\ IUHHGRP ORYLQJ $PHULcan to see a federal agency, the Supreme Court, or even the President of the United States himself usurp the power of the Congress, our state legislatures, county courthouses, city halls and school districts across the country. /HWÂˇV ORRN EULHĂ \ DW WKUHH VSHFLĂ€F H[DPSOHV RI IHGHUDO overreach in the last year: Public Restroom Policy Perhaps I am just a naĂŻve Hill Country boy, but the noWLRQ WKDW DQ\RQH ZRXOG DWWHPSW WR JDLQ DFFHVV WR P\ FKLOGÂˇV public school restroom (or locker room) by asserting that he or she is of another gender never crossed my mind until President Obama unilaterally declared that it was every $PHULFDQÂˇV ULJKW WR GR VR 3XWWLQJ DVLGH IRU D PRPHQW WKH absurdity of needing a public policy about something that should otherwise be governed by common sense and logic, DQ\ SURQRXQFHPHQWV UHJDUGLQJ UHVWURRP HWLTXHWWH PXVW EH left to our local schools districts, and our states, to decide what is the safest and most practical for the children in their care. Same-Sex Marriage /DVW -XO\ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 6XSUHPH &RXUWÂˇV GHFLsion making same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states invalidated part of the Texas Constitution, in addition to the marriage laws of more than half of the other states in the 8QLRQ WKDW GHĂ€QHG D PDUULDJH DV EHLQJ EHWZHHQ RQH PDQ and one woman. In his dissent, Chief Justice John Roberts VDLG LW PXFK PRUH HORTXHQWO\ WKDQ , HYHU FRXOG Â´7KH PDMRULW\ÂˇV GHFLVLRQ LV DQ DFW RI ZLOO QRW OHJDO MXGJPHQW 7KH ULJKW LW DQQRXQFHV KDV QR EDVLV LQ WKH &RQVWLWXWLRQ RU WKLV &RXUWÂˇV precedent... and orders the transformation of a social institution that has formed the basis of human society for millenniaâ€Śâ€? Obamacare No government, but particularly not the federal government, has any legitimate authority to insert itself into health care and the doctor-patient relationship. However, last year

the Supreme Court also upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, for the second time. Obamacare is a disaster that was sold to the American people like snake oil. Representative Andrew Murr It has forced many people out of their insurance plans, increased premiums and empowered government bureaucrats over patients and their doctors in direct contrast with the very notion of self-determination. There is little to suggest that Washington will ever curtail its intrusion into state and local affairs, regardless of the RXWFRPH RI HOHFWLRQV RU FKDQJH RI DGPLQLVWUDWLRQV 6R OHWÂˇV look at what we have done and what we can continue to do, both here in Texas and across the country, to take matters into our own hands. 6KRUWO\ DIWHU WKH 6XSUHPH &RXUWÂˇV UXOLQJ RQ VDPH VH[ marriage, I co-sponsored and helped to pass the Pastor Protection Act. This bill, which was signed into law by Governor Abbott last summer, protects Texas pastors and religious institutions from being forced to perform marriage ceremonies that contradict with their beliefs. It also protects them from penalties or discrimination for refusing to RIĂ€FLDWH RYHU RU VDQFWLRQ VDPH VH[ ZHGGLQJV :KLOH WKH 3DVWRU 3URWHFWLRQ $FW GRHVQÂˇW UHYHUVH WKH 6Xpreme Court decision, it does work to ensure that the ruling will not become a slippery slope that further erodes our religious freedom. There is also much scuttlebutt within the House Republican Caucus about plans for further legislation in 2017 which will put up as many legal roadblocks as possible against a federal government that seems dead set on enforcing its will and its values on the American people. Going one step further towards a more permanent, nation-wide solution to the problem, Governor Abbott has WDNHQ WKH OHDG DQG FDOOHG IRU DQ $UWLFOH 9 &RQYHQWLRQ RI WKH States to write new amendments to the U.S. Constitution. In January, the Governor laid out a 100-page â€œTexas Planâ€? that would add nine amendments to the Constitution with the stated purpose of reinforcing those that already exist. There are only two ways to amend the Constitution as RXWOLQHG LQ $UWLFOH 9 WKH Ă€UVW EHLQJ WKDW &RQJUHVV FDQ SURSRVH DPHQGPHQWV ZKLFK PXVW EH DSSURYHG E\ RI ERWK chambers. The second, little known and never used methRG DOORZV RI VWDWH OHJLVODWXUHV WR FDOO IRU D FRQYHQWLRQ to propose amendments. In either case, the amendments

16 HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016 15

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The Power of a Dream /LQGD .DXIPDQ SHHUV RYHU WKH SLDQR LQ WKH OLEUDU\ DW WKH Jewish Community Center in San Antonio, with childlike wonder. Her musical creation, Senior Moments, is being rehearsed by seasoned actors as they bring her dream to life. After weeks of work, including choreography and script polishes by veteran director Mark Lit and musical director, Dr. Aaron Prado, tickets go on sale and the musical sells out two performances in matter of days. Due to tremendous demand, a third show is added and sells out even faster. 0UV .DXIPDQ VKDUHV WKDW WKH YLJQHWWHV WKDW PDNH XS WKH trials and jubilations of aging in Senior Moments are based RQ UHDO OLIH Â´<RX FDQÂˇW PDNH WKLV VWXII XS Âľ VKH PXVHV In one scene, a couple, played by Byrd Bonner and Linda Melendrez, are touring an assisted living facility and introduced to some of the residents. Sitting in a chair, is a frail, but lively woman, played by Jo Grabow, who blurts out WR 0HOHQGUH]Âˇ FKDUDFWHU Â´0\ P\ <RX ORRN MXVW OLNH P\ Ă€UVW husband!â€? The crowd roars. 0UV .DXIPDQ UHYHDOV WKDW WKH TXHVWLRQ ZDV DFWXDOO\ posed to her at a local facility, Linda Kaufman to which she replied, â€œReally? You were married to an overweight Jewish woman?â€? Â´7KDWÂˇV H[DFWO\ ULJKW Âľ WKH ZRPDQ TXLFNO\ DQVZHUHG The lines are used in the show and the laughter continues. 2QH RI VHYHUDO EULOOLDQW VRQJV E\ 0UV .DXIPDQ ZKR KDV written hundreds of tunes over the years, is titled, The Power of A Dream. The music and haunting lyrics, performed by the cast, receives loud, appreciative applause. The power of a dream 7KH KHLJKWV WKDW \RX FDQ ULVH WR Believing in that dream :LOO VWDUWOH DQG VXUSULVH \RX â€œI wrote those words after I found a receipt for a copyULJKWHG VRQJ P\ IDWKHU KDG ZULWWHQ DPRQJ P\ PRWKHUÂˇV SDpers after she died at 92. I have a copy of it framed and on the wall in my apartment.â€?

by Sonny MelEndrez

Linda remembers taking piano lessons with her father when she was 8 years old. â€œWe would take two buses from Trenton, New Jersey to get there. After a few months, my father dropped out, but said that I would continue the lessons until I was 16. This ZDV QRW QHJRWLDEOH ,ÂˇYH EH writing and playing songs, ever since.â€? %\ GD\ 0V .DXIPDQ D UHDO SHRSOH SHUVRQ LV D YHU\ VXFFHVVIXO UHDOWRU ZLWK -R\FH .OHLQ 5HDOW\ LQ 6DQ $QWRQLR <HW as much as she enjoys helping her clients, she admits, her heart is in her music and writLQJ SOD\V ,WÂˇV VRPHWKLQJ VKHÂˇV been doing since 1993, when KHU Ă€UVW PXVLFDO (VWHUHOOD KLW the boards of the San Pedro 3OD\KRXVH ZLWK 9LYLHQQH (Oborne directing. Shortly afterwards, she collaborated with Elborne on Nothing Ever Happens In A Small Town at the Playhouse. Another collaboration, with Rachell Neuman, ,WÂˇV $OO $ERXW +DWV HQMR\HG several local productions. $W /LQGD .DXIPDQ VKRZV QR VLJQV RI VORZLQJ GRZQ ,Q fact, besides searching for new venues to showcase Senior 0RPHQWV VKHÂˇV DOUHDG\ ZULWLQJ DQG FROOHFWLQJ PDWHULDO IRU D Senior Moments II and as she exclaimed when she won a Globe Award for Esterella years ago, Â´,ÂˇP QRW OHDYLQJ WKLV SODQHW XQWLO %DUEDUD 6WUHLVDQG VLQJV one of my songs!â€? Ms. Streisand would be very blessed! 6RQQ\ 0HOHQGUH] LV DQ DZDUG ZLQQLQJ PRWLYDWLRQDO VSHDNHU +DOO RI )DPH EURDGFDVWHU DQG DXWKRU EDVHG LQ 6DQ $QWRQLR )RU PRUH RI KLV HQWKXVLDVWLF EUDQG RI LQVSLUD WLRQ DQG ERRNLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLW KLV RIĂ€FLDO VLWH 6RQQ\ 0HOHQGUH] FRP RU HPDLO LQIR#6RQQ\0HOHQGUH] FRP

HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016 13

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More Than A Day As Thanksgiving Day rolls around, ,W EULQJV XS VRPH IDFWV TXLWH SURIRXQG :H PD\ WKLQN WKDW ZHÂ·UH SRRU Feel like bums, insecure, But in truth, our riches astound. :H KDYH IULHQGV DQG IDPLO\ ZH ORYH We have guidance from heaven above. We have so much more Than they sell in a store, :HÂ·UH ZHDOWK\ ZKHQ SXVK FRPHV WR VKRYH 6R DGG XS \RXU EOHVVLQJV , VD\ Make Thanksgiving last more than a day. (QMR\ ZKDW \RXÂ·YH JRW 5HDOL]H LWÂ·V D ORW $QG \RXÂ·OO PDNH DOO \RXU FDUHV JR DZD\ %\ .DUO )XFKV

12 HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

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Alpine Lodge Restaurant at Inn of the Hills Appliance Plus Bella Serra %HOOD 9LWD ,WDOLDQ %LOO·V %%4 &DWHULQJ %LOO\ *HQH·V 5HVWDXUDQW %XUJHU .LQJ %XUNH·V 2XWOHW 6WRUH %X]]LH·V %%4 Bumdoodlers Lunch Company %\ WKH 5LYHU 59 &DPSJURXQG Carver Road Stone Carver Cecil Atkission Motors Chicken Express &KLOL·V Classic Burger Cleaning Ideas &RQOHH·V &ROOHJH RI &RVPHWRORJ\ &XOYHU·V 'DLU\ 4XHHQ Davis Law Firm 'LFNH\·V %%4 Double L Ranch & Wildlife (DUQHVW 5RRÀQJ Elan Cakes & Confections Elliott Electric Supply El Bracero de Jalisco Emergency Mobile Repair *LEVRQ·V 'LVFRXQW &HQWHU Good Ol Days Garage & Bike Shop Goss Pest Control Grace Academy Great Clips Guadalupe Electric Company Guadalupe Signs Habitat Restore +DUOH\·V 8 +DXO 5HQWDO Hill Country Café Hill Country Septic Services +LOO &RXQWU\ 9LVLRQ &HQWHU Holloway Plumbing Home Town Crafts Hot Rod Auto Detailers Impact Martial Arts Inn of the Hills Resort & Conference Center INTERCEPT Professional Investigations JC Penny .HUU %XVLQHVV 6HUYLFHV .HUUYLOOH 3OXPELQJ .HUUYLOOH +HDOWK )RRGV 10 HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

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New Owners for The Hero Card (Hometown Hero) Local businessman and entrepreneur Marvin Willis recently decided to scale back his business interest to LQFOXGH RQO\ KLV +LOO &RXQWU\ 9LVLWRUV *XLGH 0DJD]LQH DQG KLV ,QWHUQHW UDGLR SURJUDP $FFRPSOLVKLQJ WKLV PHDQW he had to sell the Hometown Hero Card program, a venture he founded over 11 years ago. Mr. Willis desired a buyer that would take the program â€œto the next levelâ€?, so he reached out to Clint Fiore, President of Texas Business Buyers, to discuss either the purchase of, or brokering of the business. Mr. Fiore immediately thought his friend Lew McCoy (formerly of AXA Financial Advisors) would be the perfect person to lead the program. When he showed interest, they entered into and comleted a successful purchase for 100% of the Hero Card program, with Mr. McCoy the President and majority owner, and Mr. Fiore a minority stakeholder and advisor to the business. -FX .D$PZ The Hero Card is accepted at over 300 retailers in over a Clint Fiore GR]HQ +LOO &RXQWU\ FRPPXQLWLHV DQG ERDVWV RYHU FDUGKROGHUV Â´7KHUH DUH VR PDQ\ EHQHĂ€WV WR WKH +HUR Card for every community. First, the individual consumer can easily save hundreds of dollars each year with a $25 card. Next, every retailer that accepts the card has more loyal customers coming in, keeping more money LQ WKH ORFDO HFRQRP\ DQG Ă€QDOO\ HYHU\ QRQ SURĂ€W WKDW VHOOV WKH +HUR &DUG DV D IXQGUDLVHU QRW RQO\ HDUQV QRZ EXW DOVR HDUQV IRU HYHU\ FDUG WKDW LV UHQHZHG WKH IROORZLQJ \HDUV 7KDWÂˇV D IDQWDVWLF ZLQ ZLQ ZLQ PRGHOÂľ VDLG 0FCoy. â€œWe are completely re-doing the website, simplifying the offerings, and will go to a new level of value and professionalism with the program. And, just like the founder, we are continuing to give a percentage of sales to VXSSRUW ORFDO KHURHV LQ RXU FRPPXQLW\ OLNH ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW YHWHUDQV DQG Ă€UVW UHVSRQGHUV +HUR LV PRUH WKDQ just a name for us.â€?

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8 HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

YLURQPHQW 7XUQ WKH SRW HYHU\ IHZ GD\V VR WKH Ă RZHU VWDON JURZV VWUDLJKW <RX PD\ QHHG WR VWDNH Ă RZHU VWDONV WKDW DUH leaning badly. Special glass forcing vases that support the bulb above the water are available for amaryllis. Fill the bottom of the vase with water, place the bulb in the vase making certain it does NOT touch the water. As with the pot, place the vase in a cool, dark room for 2-3 weeks until root and top growth are visible. Then move the vase into a bright room out of direct sunlight. Blooms should appear 6-8 weeks after planting. Flowering time is 7-10 weeks. $IWHU Ă RZHUV IDGH FXW RII WKH Ă RZHU VWDON WR MXVW DERYH the bulb. Continue to water the plant, allowing the leaves to grow until the plant goes dormant in the fall. Plant the bulb outdoors in partial shade for the Texas Hill Country. Amaryllis can and will re-bloom year after year. 3DSHUZKLWHV GRQÂˇW QHHG VRLO DQG FDQ EH IRUFHG LQ VKDOORZ ERZOV SDUWLDOO\ Ă€OOHG ZLWK ZDVKHG SHD JUDYHO ULYHU VWRQHV glass marbles, beads, pearl or plastic buttons, or just about anything EXCEPT metal that will provide root support. Set paperwhite bulbs pointed end up with the base in the gravel so that at least one-half of the bulb is above the â€œsupportingâ€? medium. Nestle bulbs close together for a cheerful display. Carefully add water to just cover gravel and touch WKH ERWWRP RI WKH EXOEV WKLV LV WKH ZDWHU OHYHO \RX ZDQW WR maintain. Set dish in a cool, dark spot until roots begin to form at the base of the bulbs and shoots emerge. When shoots are 3-inches tall, move dish to a warm, sunny spot. Flowers should appear in 3 - 6 weeks after forcing. When, spent, bulbs should be added to the compost pile. Unlike, amaryllis, paperwhites generally do not re-bloom. Finally, in the spirit of gratitude embodied by the season, ,ÂˇG OLNH WR VKDUH DQ H[FHSW IURP D SRHP E\ WKH ODWH 5HYHUHQG Max Coots that offers gratitude for the bounty of people in our lives: 'PS PME GSJFOET OPEEJOH MJLF TVOnPXFST JO UIF FWFOJOH UJNF BOE ZPVOH GSJFOET DPNJOH PO as fast as radishes; For loving friends, who wind around us like tendrils and hold us, despite our blights, wilts and witherings; $QG Ă€QDOO\ IRU WKRVH IULHQGV QRZ JRQH like gardens past that have been harvested, but who fed us in their times that we might have life thereafter. For all these, we give thanks. HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016 7

Too early holiday decorations are one of the irritants of ers (Candy Cane Amaryllis WKH VHDVRQ 6HHLQJ MDFN RÂˇ ODQWHUQV GLVSOD\HG DORQJVLGH is white with red stripes) and Christmas trees compresses time into a jumble of concur- even double blooms readily available at garden centers. rent celebration. A native of Europe and +RUWLFXOWXUDO JLIWV KRZHYHU RIWHQ UHTXLUH WKRVH VHYHUDO Asia, Paperwhites are miniaweeks of advance planning. Accordingly, if you want to force some bulbs for Christ- ture members of the daffodil family that produce clusters mas giving, the time is nigh! of delicate white or creamy, Spring blooming bulbs are traditionally planted in the fall, star-shaped fragrant blooms which provides the necessary period of cold ground tem- on slender stems. SHUDWXUH Âƒ ) UHTXLUHG WR LQLWLDWH EORRPLQJ 6RPH For either variety, select Carol Seminara spring bulbs such as hyacinths, grape hyacinths, tulips, crocuses and most narcissus are suitable for forcing, but ODUJH Ă€UP EXOEV $PDU\OOLV FDQ EH IRUFHG LQ ZHOO GUDLQHG (and this is an important constraint), they, too, need a mini- potting soil or in water. When planting an amaryllis bulb, mum of 11 - 15 weeks of prechilling to stimulate growth and use a pot with drainage holes that is 1- 2 inches wider than WKH EXOE GRQÂˇW XVH WRR ODUJH D SRW EHFDXVH DPDU\OOLV URRWV Ă RZHU SURGXFWLRQ need to be â€œcozyâ€? to Fortunately, the two SURGXFH Ă RZHUV SRSXODU EXOE Ă RZHUV 3DUWLDOO\ Ă€OO WKH often associated with pot with potting mix Christmas are the exand place the bulb ceptions to the rule: so the top third is Amaryllis (Hippeastexposed above the rum) and Paperwhites soil line. Water the (Narcissus tazetta). soil well, avoiding These jolly bloomers getting the bulb wet. have no prechilling Place the container SUHUHTXLVLWHV UHTXLUH LQ D FRRO Âƒ PLQLPXP HIIRUW FDUH F), dark room (an and can provide strikunheated garage is ing displays well into ideal) and rememthe new year. ber to check moisAmaryllis are tropical ture daily, watering plants originally from as needed to keep South America with 1BQFSXIJUF CVMCT JO HSBFM CFHJOOJOH UP TQSPU soil moist not wet. oversize, trumpetAfter a couple of shaped blooms appearing on up-to-2 feet tall stems growing straight out of a weeks, roots and green shoots should have formed. Move base of thick, blade-like leaves. Single stems usually pro- the potted amaryllis into a brightly lit room, but out of direct GXFH Ă RZHUV D ODUJH EXOE PD\ SURGXFH VWHPV ZLWK XS VXQOLJKW 5RRP WHPS VKRXOG EH FRRO WR DYHUDJH Âƒ Âƒ to 8 blooms. Flower colors are solid red, white, yellow, pink F -- with average room humidity for the best blooming enRU VDOPRQ ZLWK FXOWLYDUV IHDWXULQJ WZR WRQHG VWULSHG Ă RZ6 HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

Drones are used for aerial mapping ZKHQ LW LV GLIÃ€FXOW WR DFFHVV the areas in any other way.

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cue, news gathering, farming, insurance inspections, and real estate photography to name just a few of the many uses. ,Q Ă€OPPDNLQJ D KHOLFRSWHU FRVWV WR SHU day to create the action shots we are so familiar with. Thirty percent of the exemptions granted by the FAA went to Ă€OP FRPSDQLHV ZHUH WKH XVH RI D GURQH FDQ FRVW WR $7,000 per day. ,W KDV EHHQ VDLG WKDW Â´ZKHUH WKHUHÂˇV VPRNH WKHUH DUH drones.â€? Fire departments across the U.S. are utilizing GURQHV WR EHWWHU PRQLWRU WKH SURJUHVV RI WKHLU Ă€UH Ă€JKWLQJ HIIRUWV ,QVWHDG RI SXWWLQJ VRPHRQHÂˇV OLIH DW ULVN LWÂˇV D EHWWHU plan to send in a piece of plastic. 2I FRXUVH HVSHFLDOO\ LQ WKH ZRUOG RI Ă€UH Ă€JKWLQJ LW UHTXLUHV coordination between the eye in sky on the drone and the PDQQHG ZDWHU GURSSLQJ KHOLFRSWHUV WKDW DUH GRLQJ WKH Ă€JKWing. Indifference with these efforts is dangerous and illegal. Drones can be used in areas of natural disaster to observe and direct life saving efforts. The search and rescue WHDPV XVH GURQHV WR TXLFNO\ ORFDWH ORVW LQGLYLGXDOV LQ WHUUDLQ that would be slow going on foot. Many times conventional routes of transportation are rendered impassible by earthTXDNHV RU Ă RRGV 7KH GURQH FDQ Ă \ DERYH WKH GHYDVWDWLRQ and locate areas that need immediate attention. :LOGOLIH UHVHDUFKHUV DQG ODQG PDQDJHPHQW RIĂ€FLDOV DUH using drones to maintain accurate records of populations, WUDFN PLJUDWLRQ SDWWHUQV DQG NHHS WUDFN RI ELUWK GHDWK UDWHV Many times it is hard to locate wild animals due to their HOXVLYHQHVV DQG WKHLU KDELWDWV DUH GLIĂ€FXOW WR UHDFK &RQventional tracking from the air is challenging. Aircraft must Ă \ ORZ DQG VORZ RYHU UXJJHG WHUUDLQ WR WUDFN WKH DQLPDOV 7KHVH Ă LJKWV UXQ WKH ULVN RI KLWWLQJ SRZHU OLQHV RU WUHH WRSV Light aircraft crashes were the leading cause of death for wildlife workers from 1937 to 2000. 'URQHV HTXLSSHG ZLWK KLJK UHVROXWLRQ FDPHUDV DUH H[FHOOHQW LQ SURYLGLQJ RYHUĂ LJKWV DQG FORVH XS REVHUYDWLRQ )L[HG wing drones can stay aloft for hours and capture tens of WKRXVDQGV RI LPDJHV LQ RQH Ă LJKW

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On a more commercial application, a small unmanned aerial system can provide a valuable perspective to real estate agents attempting to sell a property. This is the apSOLFDWLRQ , XWLOL]H ZLWK P\ 3KDQWRP Ă \LQJ FDPHUD SODWIRUP My business, Houde Studio Digital Media in Frederickburg, Texas specializes in real estate imaging. The stabilized, high-resolution camera provides the ability to capture still images and video that are used in printed sales materials, online video and MLS listings. 7KHUH DUH DOZD\V H[FHSWLRQV EXW EDVLF JXLGHOLQHV IRU Ă \ing legally (and safely) can be summarized as follows: â€˘ First and foremost, go to the FAA website and register WKH GURQH , NQRZ \RXÂˇUH G\LQJ WR Ă \ Â‡ 'RQÂˇW Ă \ DERYH Âˇ Â‡ 'RQÂˇW Ă \ DW DQ\ HOHYDWLRQ ZLWKLQ Ă€YH PLOHV RI DQ DLUSRUW Â‡ 'RQÂˇW Ă \ DURXQG DUHDV ZKHUH 972/V KHOLFRSWHUV RU any small commuter aircraft operate. Â‡ .HHS \RXU DLUFUDIW ZLWKLQ YLVXDO UDQJH DQG XQGHU IXOO control. Â‡ 'RQÂˇW Ă \ RYHU SRSXODWHG DUHDV Â‡ 'RQÂˇW UHFRUG YLGHR RU WDNH SKRWRV LQ FRQWH[WV ZKHUH there is an â€œexpectation of privacy.â€? â€˘ Treat the air over private property as private property.

Small UAS can be used for inspections of such areas as roofs. HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

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Send in the Drones by Joe Houde

/RRN 8S LQ WKH 6N\ ,V LW D ELUG" $ SODQH" 1R LWÂˇV SUREDEO\ within 8 hours or taking a drone, or more correctly called a Small Unmanned Aerial drugs that would impair System (sUAS). The devices commonly known as drones judgement. Drones must are popping up everywhere and analysts at the Federal EH Ă RZQ ZLWKLQ OLQH RI Aviation Agency (FAA) predict more than one million ad- sight at all times. Drones ditional drones could be sold by this Christmas. cannot be operated from :LWK WKH SUROLIHUDWLRQ GURQHV LQ WKH DLU FRPHV PDQ\ TXHV- a water craft. tions about safety and about privacy. There are many rules to Joe Houde readies his drone for On August 29, 2016 the FFA published what is known as follow as a licensed Small aerial photography. UXOH RXWOLQLQJ WKH SURFHGXUHV IRU OHJDOO\ Ă \LQJ FRPPHU- Unmanned Aircraft System Pilot. I follow the rules, some do not. cial drones in the US airspace. More and more sUAS have cameras built in or support Prior to the 107 rules, one had to apply for an FAA 333 exemption. This exemption lifted many of the restrictions the attachment of cameras, because of this, privacy and sUAS use is becoming a major topic of that were being applied to this new class This article should not be discussion. Reckless endangerment or aerial vehicle. The one restriction 333 Ă \LQJ D GURQH RYHU D FURZG LV RQH PDdid not was the charge that you must taken as legal advice. It KROG D SLORWÂˇV OLFHQVH WR Ă \ WKHVH VPDOO NFSFMZ SFnFDUT UIF WJFXT PG jor concern and privacy could well beunmanned craft. I have a 333 exception. its author. Please consult come a major basis for prosecution or However, with my 333 exemption I had XJUI BO BUUPSOFZ UP EFUFS- lawsuits against sUAS operators. Normal privacy laws would seem to apply to become a licensed pilot or hire one to NJOF XIBU JG BOZ MFHBM to image and audio capture from aerial Ă \ P\ FDPHUD GURQH LI , ZDV WR XVH P\ requirements or restrictions cameras that apply to photography in drone commercially. apply to the use of general. For the most part, one is alWith the issuing of part 107 the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems lowed to record or photograph in conincluded a provision to directly license in your area. texts where there is no â€œreasonableâ€? drone pilots who use their aerial camerexpectation of privacy. as for commercial purposes. There are rules for when and ZKHUH \RX FDQ Ă \ ZHLJKW UHVWULFWLRQV IRU WKH FODVVLĂ€FDWLRQ and other provisions all to insure safety in the air. I am one of the new FAA licensed sUAS pilots. I took and SDVVHG WKH OHQJWK\ WHVW DQG QRZ FDQ Ă \ P\ GURQH FDPHUD to take aerial real estate photos and videos of properties to JR DORQJ ZLWK P\ LQWHULRU JURXQG OHYHO LPDJHV RI SURSHUWLHV In general, under part 107 of the FAA rules drones must be registered and the number displayed on the aircraft. 'URQHV DUH QRW DOORZHG WR Ă \ DERYH IHHW RI JURXQG OHYHO 'URQHV PD\ QRW Ă \ QHDU DLUSRUWV ZLWK WKH GLVWDQFH YDU\LQJ GHSHQGLQJ XSRQ WKH DLUSRUW Ă LJKW FRQWUROV LQ SODFH 'URQHV DUH QRW DOORZHG WR Ă \ DW QLJKW 'URQHV DUH QRW DOORZHG WR Ă \ over people unless the people are under a protective shelter. Drone accidents involving serious injury or damage to property must be reported to the FAA. Drone pilots are not DOORZHG WR Ă \ LQ DQ LPSDLUHG VWDWH L H KDYLQJ GUXQN DOFRKRO

If you are in a park, or on a city street, there is no â€œreasonableâ€? expectation of privacy, nor is there generally a legal basis to make an invasion of privacy claim, since one is in what is generally understood as a public place. The same may even apply to parts of private property â€œnormallyâ€? visible from public space, such as a front yard visible from the street. ,I \RX ZDQW WR Ă \ D GURQH IRU SXUHO\ SOHDVXUH ZLWK QR FRPpensation for the effort, that is allowed without the FAA license. Hobby use is exempted but the registration of the aircraft is not. The simple registration materials are at www. faa.gov. It is $5 for the registration and anyone over the age of thirteen should register their machines. 7KH . +' FDPHUDV RQ GURQHV DUH EHLQJ XVHG IRU Ă€OPPDNLQJ Ă€UH Ă€JKWLQJ KXPDQLWDULDQ HIIRUWV VHDUFK DQG UHVHOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016 3

2 HOMETOWN JULY-SEPT 2016

Inside: SEND IN THE DRONES Small Unmanned Aerial Systems and their uses in dozens of applications.

FORCING THE SEASON Gardening tips for forcing holiday bulbs.

THE POWER OF A DREAM Sonny Melendrez relates the story of RQH ZRPDQÂ·V TXHVW WR UHDOL]H KHU GUHDP

Plus: an OP-ED ArtiCLE From Representative Andrew Murr.