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LOCAL BUSINESSES delectable experiences tasting rooms fine art galleries luxurious events

A Family Sweeter than Sweet Boy Leroy

www.bluemulewines.com

Just 1 mil e Hwy off 237!

Hours: Thursday - Sunday noon to 6pm 8127 N FM 1291 • Fayetteville, TX 78940 •

713-226-9344

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FEATURES

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A Family Sweeter Than Sweet Boy Leroy.............................................4 More Than Just a Vineyard............................................................10

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The Gallery at Round Top............................12

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A Place You Have to Experience to Understand...........................16 Everything Imaginable at Art Connections Gallery..............................22

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Old River Photography................................24 Rosemary’s Memory Grows in La Grange Vineyard.....................................26

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ADVERTISING

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Advertiser Index............................................30

SPECIAL SECTIONS STAFF PUBLISHER Regina B. Keilers EDITOR Jeff Wick DIGITAL EDITOR Andy Behlen STAFF WRITER/OFFICE H.H. Howze LouAnn Adcox Kara Koether ADVERTISING Becky Weise Jackie Daniels Jessica Montez ACCOUNTING Theresia Karstedt Nonnie Barton

PRODUCTION John Castaneda - Newspaper Lindsey Fojtik - Special Sections CIRCULATION JoAnn Mueller Bennie Vasek George Kana Bobby Bedient

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127 S. Washington St. | P.O. Box 400 La Grange, Texas 78945 Ph: 979.969.3155 | Fx: 979.968.6767 Email: editor@fayettecountyrecord.com www.FayetteCountyRecord.com The Fayette County Record is published every Tuesday and Friday, except the publication immediately following Christmas by Fayette County Record, Inc. serving Fayette County since 1922. The Fayette County Record is locally owned and operated by the Barton family since 1976. (USPS 188-440)

L T R A C E N

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s L LOCA ble experience s delecta tasting room es ri lle ga fine art s events luxuriou

On the Cover

Ashley Dalhart and Mike Gamble of Blue Mule Winery Photo by Old River Photography

r Sweete A Family Boy Leroy eet than Sw

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Taking “Family Business” to a Whole New Level WRITTEN BY KARA KOETHER | PHOTOS BY OLD RIVER PHOTOGRAPHY

When I asked what gave them the idea of starting their own winery, Ashley Dalhart laughed and said, “We were really thirsty.” And that set the tone of the afternoon.

finish it out. “It was like, ‘It’s time. We can do this. We can make our own wine, we know what we’re doing… maybe,’” Ashley laughed.

Ashley has been making wine since she was a kid, with her mom, Beth Gamble, and her step-dad, Michael Gamble. “I remember us driving down the road and stopping somewhere on Independence (the Texas Independence Wine Trail) on a dusty dirt road with some farmer and his wild Mustang grapes growing on a fence post, and we’d just pull up and pick grapes,” she laughed. “We’d take ‘em home, crush them up in the bathtub–the tub would be stained purple for months. We made really horrible wine. Started off really bad,” she admitted with a chuckle. “But as you practice you get better and better.”

Ashley, Michael, and Beth got their licensing and finished the barn, and ever since then, the local support has been great. “It’s nice getting the travelers who come through, too, from Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. It’s nice being smack-dab in the middle of those three cities,” Ashley said.

The Gambles eventually moved from Houston to the sprawling metropolis of Fayetteville in 2011 when they bought their farm.

With some at-home wine-making experience tucked under her belt, Ashley began working at Rohan Meadery, where she worked for about five years. One day, she took over a bottle of the wine that she and Michael had been making in the back of their barn. When they tasted it, her coworkers at Rohan asked, “Who made this?!” and Ashley said, “Michael did!”

So, for three years, they made Blue Mule Wine at Rohan Meadery.

It eventually got to the point where everyone was becoming pretty successful, and everyone needed more space. Ashley and Michael already had their barn up, they just needed to 4

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When making their wine and preparing to sell it on their own, one important issue quickly made itself obvious: they needed a label. “We thought of doing a western girl, pin-up style label, but to use stock from a movie is very expensive,” Ashley explained.

Michael originally wanted a single label that they could simply change the name at the bottom for different wines, but Beth and Ashley outvoted him and began brainstorming label ideas.

Beth suggested that they might try to find someone in the family that could draw a label, but Ashley said, “Maybe, but we have really beautiful women in our family. If we still want to go with the pin-up style, we have great pictures to use.” So they agreed to use photos of their relatives on the labels. In addition to being able to maintain a very family-oriented, rustic, and fun appearance to their new business, there was another perk.

“We don’t have to pay dead relatives for their likeness,” Michael laughed. And Ashley had the perfect photo in mind to use: one of her Mimi, Delores Schoenberg Daley, where she’s got a big ‘ole smile on her face.

So Ashley went over to Mimi’s house and knocked, and her little five-foot tough German grandma from Somerville opened the door. When Ashley explained that she was looking for a specific picture (and that the only defining characteristic of the picture that she could remember was that Mimi was smiling in it), Mimi pointed her towards the photo box at the top of the closet. They finally found the photo, and Mimi asked, “Now, what are you going to do with it?” And Ashley told her, “I’m gonna put you on a label!” To which Mimi replied, “Oh, Hell, nobody wants to see that!”

“It’s nice getting the travelers that come through, too, from Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. It’s nice being smack-dab in the middle of those three cities.”

- Ashley Dalhart

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But the thing is, the picture was just too perfect not to use. It almost looks like a choreographed stock photo, or a still from a glamorous movie from the old Hollywood days. The photo ended up being assigned to Blue Mule’s Paint the Town Red, a sweet black cherry Pinot Noir that will bring your palate alive with its dark cherry flavors. Ashley says that it’s the sweetest wine that Blue Mule offers. This wine is perfect for Mimi to have been featured on, as she’s full of fun and adventure, and even lives there at Blue Mule Farm. Visitors are likely to see her running around on her golf cart and feeding the chickens. Mimi is now featured on two labels, and boasts about it to her friends. Michael joked, “I tell her, ‘You’re on two labels and you’re not even dead yet!” Mimi is also featured on Hijinks.

Beth’s favorite uncle on her mother’s side of the family, E. W. Schoenberg, was chosen to be depicted on Cigar Box Jack, a wine made from estate-grown Black Spanish grapes. He was quite a character–smart and funny, he always had a story to tell. And he was handsome.

The picture on the label is actually his high school senior photo.

His dad had bought him the hat he’s wearing at the Houston Fat Stock Show (he showed prize hogs), which later became the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Cigar Box Jack is a dry wine, with hints of fig and plum on the nose, and earth and leather on the palate, with strong dark fruit flavors. It sits in oak barrels for 18 months before even really being looked at, as it needs that time in the barrel to relax, and let the acidity “soften up,” and therefore takes nearly two years before finally getting into a bottle Michael’s beautiful mother, Jean Cleveland Gamble, is featured on the Fair Lady bottle. She was a society girl from New York. Cleveland, Ohio is named after her family, and she was kin to former 22nd and 24th president of the United States, Grover Cleveland, who served two non-consecutive terms in office, from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897. Jean could actually trace her roots all the way back to the Mayflower ship, which sailed to the ‘New World’ from England in 1620. Fair Lady is made from estate-grown Blanc du Bois grapes, and is dry and fresh with a melon nose and citrus flavor on the palate.

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Above: Each of the wines have been carefully named for various family members.

Left: Michael Gamble and Ashley Dalhart hold glasses of Cigar Box Jack and a bottle of Fair Lady.

Below: The famous ‘Blue Mule’ of Blue Mule Farm.

All are Willkommen

Saturday, October 26th, 2019

11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Official Keg Tapping Ceremony at 12 noon Hosted by

Round Top Schützen Verein In the Historic Round Top Rifle Hall 710 FM 1457 just outside of Round Top

Quality German Biers Delicious Kassler, Wurst & Kraut Free Concert under the outdoor pavilion Musik provided by: Enzian Buam Alpine Yodelers Round Top Brass Band Auf Geht’s!

Join us for the 147th annual Schützenfest Sunday, September 15th at the Round Top Rifle Hall Dance at 5pm • Crowning of the Schützen König at 6pm Special concert performance by

Markt Erkheim band from Bavaria (Germany) at 3pm

Blissful Folly Farm wine + cider + mead

OPEN

F R I - SAT

1-6PM

100 WEST U.S. 290, LEDBETTER TX K O O P E R FA M I LY. C O M

VISIT THE FARM

6002 FM 2981 La Grange, TX

Tasting/Tap Room Hours: Wed. by appt. Thurs. - Sun. 12 - 6pm Pizza Truck open Sat. & Sun.

979-249-5652

www.blissfuljollyfarm.com | Find us on FB & Instagram 2019 VINE & STEIN

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February 15, 2020 3pm - 7pm Fayette County Courthouse Square

Wine Stroll

Zia Bella features Beth’s Aunt Clara, a full-blooded Italian with a hilarious sense of humor and a hot temper. She could cook the most fabulous food, and bake and decorate cakes like a professional. There was always a get-together at Aunt Clara’s house. Zia Bella is a classic Sangiovese– made from a red Italian grape that derives its name from the Latin sanguis Jovis, which translates to “the blood of Jupiter.” It’s a dry wine, medium body.

It contains notes of red berries and brown spices, and is rounded out with a pleasantly smooth finish.

Michael’s aunt and uncle are featured on the Annie & Albert label. The picture on the bottles is an actual picture from their wedding toast. Albert left for World War II the next day.

Fortunately, he survived the war and made it back home to Annie, and they shared many happy years together. Annie & Albert is made from the perfect blend of Zinfandel and Malbec; the Zin lets the red fruit come forward while the Malbec lets it finish earthy and dry.

Ashley’s Granny, Mavis Uhlig Gaas, on her dad’s side of the family, is the lady lounging on the Pretty in Peach label.

Granny loved music and dancing, and she made the best kolaches in the world. This sweet peach Chardonnay is semi-sweet, with light peach flavors.

Grab a Friend and get ready to sip and stroll while you shop downtown La Grange.

TICKETS ARE $30

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Hijinks features the infamous Mimi again, but this time with her sister-in-law, Theresa Jones Schoenberg. These two ladies were best friends and were always up to something. They fished together, partied together, raised kids together, and loved to go arrowhead hunting together.

Hijinks is a semi-sweet wine made from estate-grown Blanc du Bois. It’s fruity, with a sweet apricot and honeydew melon essence.

Michael’s dad is featured on William’s Reserve. Michael was a little upset that Beth didn’t use the picture of him in his Captain’s uniform, but Beth liked his quirky little smile in this picture better. It’s how she best remembers him looking after telling one of his many funny stories. He was a graduate of LSU, the same college that Michael graduated from. William’s Reserve is a dessert style Black Spanish wine. It’s not too sweet, and has sultry notes of dark fig and toasted oak.

Keeping with the theme of dads, Beth’s father, James Lloyd Daley, is on the Cowboy label. And it ain’t called Cowboy without a good reason–it was James’ nickname. It’s what everyone called him.

He worked for years on Robinson Ranch after coming home from World War II at the age of 20. He absolutely couldn’t leave the house without his cowboy hat on, which was designed specifically for him by the American Hat Company. And to top off his personality, his horse’s name was Ice Cream. Cowboy is a semi-sweet Rosé of an estate-grown Black Spanish and Blanc du Bois blend. It has hints of strawberry and black current, and finishes with a little herbaceousness.

Summer Days is one of Blue Mule’s newest wines. It’s a dry and crisp Chenin Blanc, with refreshing notes of pear and persimmon. It’s cool, with lemon blossom on the palate. Cooper Dalhart, Ashley’s husband and Beth and Michael’s son-inlaw, provided the label photo for this one.

It’s a fabulous photo of his grandparents on their vintage motorcycle. It’s one of his favorite family photos, and the Gambles’ too.

And last but certainly not least, is Sweet Boy Leroy, the blackberry Merlot. He’s a relative of Michael’s but they aren’t sure exactly who he is. They just found several different pictures of him in Nana’s old photo box. They think that he may have been a cousin from the group shots that they found. But regardless, he made everyone smile when they found this picture, so there he is. “That’s our joke, that nobody knows who this guy is!”

Ashley laughed. “But Nana had so many photos of him, he’s gotta be a cousin or something.” Beth said, “There’s pictures of him in group shots around cars or down at the creek where they’re swimming.” He reminds Michael of a grown-up version of Alfred E. Neuman from the old issues of Mad Magazine. Beth thinks he looks like what you’d get if Alfred E. Neuman and Howdy Doody had a baby. “Maybe somebody will walk in someday and say, ‘That’s my granddad! His name’s not Leroy!’” Ashley laughed.

But for now, Sweet Boy Leroy it is.

All of these relatives, both past and present, have found their perfect niche within the business. Their vintage portraits add to the quaint and rustic feel of the vineyard. Blue Mule Farm is simply three generations of women living on a farm. Everything is handmade and homemade, as they grow their own vegetables, can their own goods, raise their own chickens, and even handdye their yarn. It’s a beautiful little slice of Texas, with a good

photo opportunity wherever you look, whether it’s in the vineyard, with the chickens and alpacas, or at the many beautiful table settings scattered throughout the farm.

But don’t let this down-home appearance fool you–this is one seriously capable family that have tackled whatever’s been thrown at them. In addition to growing their own grapes, they also use grapes brought in from other vineyards in Texas to make a wide variety of delicious wines. They’re looking at bringing in some new things for next year, such as a Zinfandel and a Montepulciano.

And that’s not all. They will also host the next Texas Independence Wine Trail event on September 28. All nine wineries on the trail will be at Blue Mule Winery, along with many vendors and fun activities to partake in. For now, head on over to enjoy a wine tasting. Or, if you’re like me and don’t get along well with the heat that comes with Texas summers, try a Sangria Slushie or a Peach Bellini Slushie, made with Cigar Box Jack and Fair Lady respectively. Whatever it is that you come for, you’re sure to have a great time and some good laughs with these folks.

Blue Mule Winery

8127 N FM 1291 Fayetteville, TX 713-226-9344 | bluemulewines.com Homemade Burgers • Reuben Sandwiches • Wings & More!

KARA OK and E LIVE M U on th SIC weeke e nds!

Where it’s always Happy Hour and No Cover Charge!

361.865.3655

12604 State Hwy. 95 Cistern, TX wwwcisternstore.com

2019 VINE & STEIN

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BY KARA KOETHER

One day, Beth Gamble thought that it would be a good idea to get some dairy goats. So she bought some Nubian goats, and learned that they had to be milked twice a day. She also learned that the buck had to be separated from the does, or he’d affect their hormones and end up making their milk taste funny.

However, the buck is still a herd animal, and he still needed a buddy. So, Beth said to her daughter, “Ashley! I have this great idea!” And those were the famous last words.

Ashley Dalhart had learned to crochet when she was just a little girl, when her grandma taught her. Later on, when she was in college, she ended up learning how to knit as well. “Mom told me, ‘Let’s get an Angora goat so we can shave him and shear him and use the thread–you like to knit, right?’” Ashley laughed. “So I said, ‘Yeah, mom! Sure!’” And that’s when Beth went and found an Angora goat. “He was the saddest Angora goat, but we loved him still,” Ashley laughed.

From there, the mom-and-daughter duo decided that the next step was to head to Boerne to check out the Kid ‘N Ewe and 10

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Llamas Too Fiber Festival. They met ladies there who showed visitors how to spin, shear, and just about everything else. Beth found a nice group and asked her how exactly to start the whole process. The ladies asked, “Well, where are you in this process?”

Beth shrugged and exclaimed, “We bought a goat!” All the ladies’ jaws dropped and shouts of ‘What?!’ echoed throughout the festival. One lady said, “You see, most ‘normal’ people just buy the fleece and start from there. But you just went out and got the whole animal!” But that’s just how Beth and Ashley operate: impulse decisions and hard work.

In fact, they even went so far as to buy a booth the next year at the festival. “We realized that we’d need a pasture full of goats and be spinning 24/7 to pay for the booth and the trip,” Beth said. “So we asked ourselves, ‘What else can we do?’” That’s when they decided to buy raw yarn from mills around the country and dye it themselves, and sell the hand-dyed yarn in their Blue Mule Fiber business.

Beth and Ashley have now been dying yarn for four or five years,

have their own spinning wheels, and have learned to shear their own animals. When they still sheared, they were even up to a speed of 30 minutes per goat, if they were both working on the goat at the same time. They had to skirt the wool to get rid of the “nasty stuff ” that nobody wants in their yarn, then had to wash it. Washing the wool was an entire process in and of itself; the temperature of the washing water has to rise and fall together, because if you take cool fiber and put it in a hot pot, it will instantly felt. So Beth and Ashley started doing ‘solar washing,’ which allows the sun to heat the water and then cool overnight.

And they like to blend their wools, so they dyed it before they spun it, and would then spin from the bat for hours.

When I asked how the aplacas came into the mix, Ashley grinned sheepishly and said, “Well, we had a friend…” Beth laughed and joked, “Can you really call these people friends?”

The friend in question had a herd of show alpacas that she raised, and she needed to shrink her herd. When she asked Beth if she wanted any, Beth said, “Sure!” Then another friend found out that they’d gotten a few alpacas from someone else, they said, “I didn’t know you wanted alpacas! I have some I can give you!”

And that’s how Beth and Ashley ended up with their five alpacas; and now they even have a little baby alpaca out there, and he’s as cute as can be.

Blue Mule Farm has hosted yarn-dying classes before, and they’ve even begun their own yarn event called the Texas Yarn Lovers Event, which they held this past April. They’ll be hosting the event again on April 25, 2020 from 10 a.m. to about 6 p.m.

“It’s going to be spectacular,” said Ashley. Last year, Bodega Wine Market came out and sold over 40 lbs. of their chicken salad.

Some farms brought out lambs and alpacas for petting. There was an indigo vat set up so that visitors could bring their white jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirts, and more and dye it themselves.

They had dying classes, felting classes, crocheting classes, and knitting classes. “We have some really fun stuff. I mean, we have wine,” Beth said with a laugh, “Wine, live bands, and yarn!” For more information on the event, check out the website at www. texasyarnloversevent.com.

Above: One of the alpacas that live at Blue Mule Farm.

Right: Both wine and hand-dyed yarn can be found in the tasting room.

Below: One of the many chickens that inhabit the farm. There are Australorps, EasterEggers, Rhode Island Reds, and Barred Plymouth Rocks.

For all of your yarn-based needs, check out their website, www. bluemulefiber.com, or visit their Etsy store of the same name.

There are many varieties of hand-dyed yarn at the farm as well, if you’re planning on visiting in person, and in a wide range of beautiful colors. Stop by and visit Beth and Ashley, and they’ll be sure to answer all of your questions about the yarn-dying process and what all they have available.

Blue Mule Fiber

8127 N FM 1291 Fayetteville, TX 713-226-9344 | bluemulefiber.com 2019 VINE & STEIN

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Bringing the Comforts of Art to You

BY THE GALLERY AT ROUND TOP

The Gallery at Round Top opened its doors in Round Top 13 years ago. A few months later they expanded into their sister store Comforts. The two galleries are owned by Ken and Karen Vernon Muenzenmayer, two artists whose works are found in major collections around the world.

When the two painters moved to the region in 2005, they 12

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brought with them not only the love of art, but the passion for sharing art. Through the years, they have experienced and seen the impact that art and creativity has made on the lives of individuals. Being able to continue sharing quality artwork and handcrafted items seemed to be a natural evolution in their careers. Moreover, the desire to offer art in a friendly, relaxed environment worked perfectly in their plans.

Left: Paintings by some of the nation’s most recognized artists hang on the walls at The Gallery at Round Top. Top: Ken and Karen Vernon Muenzenmayer have a love of art and a passion for sharing it.

They opened the doors of the gallery with a stable of seven artists. That small group has grown to over 135 fine artists and artisans from across the nation. Established patrons and firsttime art buyers can find a delightful array and unique blend of artwork throughout the stores. Paintings by some of the nations’ most recognized artists hang on the walls alongside those of regional and local artists. Sculptures, pottery, woodworking, handmade jewelry and more fill the spaces and create a treasure trove of handmade items.

“We are not one of those stores that are filled with market items brought in from other countries. It’s important to us that our patrons enjoy a quality experience when they see or touch something purchased at our galleries. Even a simple coffee mug can stimulate the senses and bring pleasure to someone’s life. Life should be filled with beauty and wonderful experiences.

“The Gallery at Round Top and Comforts offers artwork and handcrafted items that we say, ‘have the thumbprint of the artist on them.’ Each piece has been designed and created by a creative maker that is passionate about his art.”

Beyond the artwork sold in the galleries, the couple also offers art workshops. Art Round Top is another offering by these highly talented artists. Both Ken and Karen are nationally recognized art instructors. They continue to teach across the nation and are lead speakers at national conventions. Along with their own offerings of classes, they include workshops by nationally recognized painting instructors. The workshops are a part of their mission in offering art. They love the beautiful green hills of Texas, the gentle breezes and the quiet escape that it offers. “It is the perfect art retreat. The countryside calls, the skies are amazing, and the region is so readily accessible from the surrounding cities. These green hills are the ultimate Texas Art Escape.”

The Gallery at Round Top and Comforts are located in the heart of Bybee Square in Round Top, Texas. The stores are open Thursday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are open everyday through their online store at www.stores. thegalleryatroundtop.com, as well. The Gallery at Round Top invites you to relax and renew with the finer things in life.

The Gallery at Round Top & Comforts 201 & 203 E. Austin Round Top TX thegalleryatroundtop.com 2019 VINE & STEIN

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Still Thirsty? Visit these Flatonia Chamber members for a great glass or bottle of wine!

C&M Liquor | Henry K’s | MajekVineyard &Winery | The Market & The Market 2| MoraviaVineyard &Winery | RedVault Bistro |Wine Haus

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A Place You Have to Experience to Understand The Bugle Boy Focuses on the Artists

BY KARA KOETHER

Upon setting foot in The Bugle Boy in La Grange, it becomes plain for one to see how intimate the performance they’re about to witness is going to be: the room only seats about 80 people.

That is, not counting the people from all over the world who live stream each performance at www.concertwindow.com, from places such as Tazmania, Australia and Hiroshima, Japan.

Before the artists come out, staff members politely ask the audience to keep their phones and cameras put away so as not to distract any of the guests behind them during the show. The only time people are allowed to take photos and videos is during the first song. And once the lights go down and the artists begin playing, that’s when The Bugle Boy truly becomes a magical place.

The sound quality and the acoustics of the room are amazing– there is no reverb like what you would hear at a stadium concert.

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Top: The listening room provides an intimate setting for performances.

Bottom: Beat Root Revival at the beginning of their concert on June 28.

Original Live Music

Everything that the performers play comes through crystal clear.

In addition, there are no loud and distracting crowd sounds; the audience members are very respectful, not shouting or cheering or talking during the performance, but simply nodding their heads to the beat and truly enjoying the performance. Andrea Magee, one half of the duo that makes up Beat Root Revival (the band performing the night I came to The Bugle Boy), said after the show that, “The audience is so silent and intensely focused on you, and then you finish your song and it’s almost like an explosion of love.” And she is right–during every song, there was pin-drop silence, but as soon as each song was finished, there

was an explosion of applause and cheering from the crowd. The experience literally gave me goosebumps.

But the sound quality, although amazing, isn’t really what brings in audience members and performers alike. It’s the ‘personality’ of the venue itself. What I mean by that, is that The Bugle Boy isn’t your typical concert venue. It’s classified as a listening room, but don’t let that term intimidate you. It’s a very organic place, and isn’t nearly as strict or ‘stuffy’ as you might expect. Audience members can take in the performance without distractions, at its most basic state, and enjoy the music as it was meant to be heard 2019 VINE & STEIN

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live, and feel the wide array of emotions that music can bring about. “Authenticity” is a word that kept coming to mind over and over throughout my evening spent at The Bugle Boy. The building itself is an old World War II Army barracks from the WWII Camp Swift Infantry Base in Bastrop that was transported to La Grange and retrofitted into the venue that it is today. While originally purchased and owned by Lane Gosnay, the Founder and Executive Director, today the venue is owned and operated by The Bugle Boy Foundation, a non-profit that was created in 2008 by supporters of The Bugle Boy in order to “elevate and sustain live music” through the operation of the listening room and a variety of other music-based community outreach projects. The Bugle Boy’s name came from the Andrews Sisters’ 1940 hit, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and its logo came from an ad in a 1944 edition of Mechanics Monthly magazine.

Original Live Music

The bugle Boy Like having a concert in your living room

1051 N. Jefferson St. La Grange, TX 979.968.9944 thebugleboy.org

K US BOO Y! TODA

Your Small Town Get Around We want to connect you with all the area has to offer and keep you safe while enjoying it!

Weddings • Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties • Schuber Tuber Beer and BBQ • Golf Weekend • Happy Hours • Saturday Saunter Baby Showers • Wedding Showers • Romantic Date Night Wedding Transportation • Quinceaneras & MORE

bookings@schuber.co 18

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Magee talked about how it’s nice to perform at a venue such as The Bugle Boy, because it encourages audience members to put down their phones and just be present and ‘with’ the artist.

“Being an artist and being able to express yourself like that, there’s no real way to describe it; it is stunning, and I love being able to play The Bugle Boy for that reason,” Magee said. There was a standing ovation at the intermission, and when the set had finished, the crowd once again took to their feet, stomping this time, begging for an encore. Venues like The Bugle Boy (and the audiences that fill them) encourage artists to dive deeper into their art, and encourage performers to become the artists that they truly want to be.

“The Bugle Boy to me is like this special little anomaly,” said Ben Jones, the other half of Beat Root Revival. “There’s so many artists that have played here over the years that I really admire, everyone from Ray Wylie Hubbard to Kevin Welch, to people that I know in Austin, like Phil Hurley with the South Austin Moonlighters, and all of them kept saying once they’d heard us, ‘You gotta play The Bugle Boy.’” This venue is a haven for acts who perform and tour on a grassroots, organic level. “The people that come here have come to just listen and soak it all in, and you owe them a show then, because they’ve given you their time,” Jones added. “If you’re not authentic, they’ll see straight through it.”

To put it simply, I can only say this: if you’re a fan of music, you’ll be a fan of The Bugle Boy–this place is about the artist, not the event. Performing at The Bugle Boy provides artists with a chance to interact very organically with their audience in an intimate setting. They can actually hear the feedback and response to their jokes and stories between songs, and they’re not responding to the general roar of an anonymous crowd. This allows artists to have humorous interactions with the audience, and create a fun line of inside jokes that run throughout the show, which helps audience members feel as though they truly know the artist as a person, and make the experience that much more special and unique.

The building is a renovated WWII-era Army barracks.

Staff and volunteers with Beat Root Revival in the traditional post-concert group photo.

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And as if the incentive of enjoying a quality live music experience wasn’t enough, you can take comfort in knowing that a portion of the proceeds of the shows and just about every donation that The Bugle Boy receives supports a wide variety of community outreach programs that include a vast array of individuals, ranging from children to veterans to elderly folk struggling with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The staff and volunteers at The Bugle Boy recognize that many in the community are not able to enjoy the concerts at their venue, so their community outreach programs have been designed to take the music into the community in order to reach those who may need the inspirational and healing power of music the most.

These programs include Youth, Nursing Home and Hospice Concerts, as well as Soldier Songs & Voices Workshops. Area youth enjoy a variety of artist-led music programming at schools and libraries during the Youth Concerts, and learn about singing, composing, recording original songs, improv dancing, and even learning to play the harmonica. Swan Songs involves fulfilling end of life wishes for patients in Hospice care, providing a meaningful concert as a way for families to share a final experience together with their loved one. When it comes to “Lifting Hearts and Spirits,” the music provided in area nursing homes helps to alleviate the feeling of loneliness or isolation that 20

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Memorabilia from past concerts adorn the walls of The Bugle Boy.

residents or nursing homes may have while they tap their feet, sing along, and keep time with their hands. And finally, Soldier Songs & Voices Workshops allows area veterans and military personnel to come together, write songs, and play guitar in order to bring about a sense of healing and camaraderie among individuals with shared experiences. These workshops are hosted by professional songwriters where they teach veterans both the art of songwriting and guitar lessons.

The Bugle Boy Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and depends on locals and visitors alike to continue their mission of educating and healing through music. Whether it’s a concert-goer confiding how much the show meant to them, a nursing home resident saying that the music program “made their day worthwhile,” or a family expressing profound gratitude for having been able to share such a special musical moment with their loved one in hospice care before their passing, the

Rotary Club of La Grange presents

Oct. 5, 2019

Songwriter Terri Hendrix with kids at the “Celebrate The Difference” performance at the Fayette Public Library earlier this year.

Saturday,October October6,5,2018 2019 || 3pm-7pm 3pm-7pm Saturday, FayetteCounty CountyCourthouse CourthouseSquare Square Fayette TICKETS $25 $30 TICKETS

Authentic German Cuisine effects of the community outreach programs are easy to see and appreciate. The small staff relies on a committed and passionate group of volunteers, who assist not only with venue operations during concerts, but also with social media, carpentry, electrical, sound engineering, and grounds maintenance. Pat Settle has volunteered since doors opened in 2005 and Michael Bates has been volunteering for over six years. Other volunteers are intermittent, but equally as important.

For Gosnay and Heather Allbright (Operations Director) in particular, as well as Joanna Castillo, who is the booker and a songwriter herself, it’s a real labor of love. “They give all of their time and effort for very little in return, other than the fact that it’s their passion,” Jones said. “It’s not like they’re making a fortune out of it. They’re doing it for their love of the live music scene and to be able to give exposure to folks like us, but also to bring in those established artists like Michael Martin Murphy and Jimmy LaFave.” Beat Root Revival has performed at The Bugle Boy three times now, and are hoping to come back again soon to experience the magic of The Bugle Boy once more.

Artists love performing here, and audience members love coming to enjoy the shows. I can describe the evening’s events to you readers all I want, but it is truly a feeling that you have to experience to understand.

The Bugle Boy

1051 N. Jefferson St. La Grange TX 979-968-9944 | thebugleboy.org

Kids Activities

Live Music

Craft Beer & Wine

Thank you to our Sponsors EVENT SPONSOR

www.VisitLaGrangeTX.com 979-968-3017 Event SponsorS

La Grange Community Development & Tourism Rotary Club of La Grange

Gold

Ginger Petroleum • Fayette County Record

Silver

Colorado Valley Communications • Edward Jones Heritage Texas Country Properties National Bank & Trust • TASC • The Compound

Bronze

Carmine State Bank • Capital Farm Credit Electric Motor Service • EMS Party Rentals Fayette County Veterinary Clinic • La Grange Ford Napa Tire • Willie Joe’s Processing & Meat Market

To purchase tickets Call 979-968-3017 or visit www.VisitLaGrangeTX.com 2019 VINE & STEIN

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Everything Imaginable at Art Connections Gallery Offering the Most Eclectic Display in the State

BY KARA KOETHER

Located in the heart of La Grange at 123 N. Main Street on the Square is Art Connections Gallery. The gallery was opened by Deborah Johnson, who began painting in her mid-30s and sold professionally for nearly three decades in Austin. The gallery was originally located in Bastrop, and used to be called Paintings by Deborah. It at first featured only her own artwork, but she soon “got the bug” to do more, and expanded to include the works of six other artists’ work, and changed the name to Art Connections Gallery.

The gallery kept growing and growing, and Deborah made the decision to pack up and relocate to the 2,200-square-foot building in La Grange where it is today in October of 2017.

Art Connections Gallery now shows works by over 160 artists and artisans.

Everything in the gallery is made either directly by the artist, or is made under their direct supervision. The artists are local, national, and even international, too–from Niger to the Netherlands to as close to home as New Ulm. “We have a lot of Texas artists,” Deborah said. “There are a lot of Texas artists out there, so it’s easy to get them here.” Deborah goes to art shows anytime she travels, and attends specific art shows that feature handmade goods. The gallery displays both traditional art such as paintings and sculptures, but also an array of functional goods.

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These goods include just about anything imaginable, from glass to wooden to metal wares. The types of functional art that Art Connections Gallery offers includes nightlights, South African pottery, welded picture frames, handmade kaleidoscopes, pocket watches and knives, artisan soaps and candles, pins, cigar trays, and a wide variety of dinnerware and cutlery. Both shaving mugs and serving spoons with handles made of leaves cast in bronze and patinaed. The gallery also carries accessories, such as scarves, artisan jewelry, and art purses from about ten different designers, ranging from carved wooden purses to a retro line designed by two young women from London (some of which even

light up!). There are also beautiful animal hide purses, and a line of fine leather bags is set to arrive just in time for fall.

Art Connections Gallery also has a book nook, which features Texas authors and books about Texas artists and Texas subjects.

This area of the gallery is also home to leather journals and notebooks, and a lovely line of candles called Library Candles, which are hand-poured by a company called Paddywax in Nashville. The scent of each candle is based on the era and place where the titular author might have lived. For example, the Jane Austen candle contains notes of gardenia, tuberose, and jasmine, reminiscent of the English countryside, and a quote of Austen’s: “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. They also made candles featuring other authors, including William Shakespeare (papyrus, palm, and eucalyptus), Mark Twain (tobacco flower and vanilla), and Edgar Allan Poe (cinnamon, absinthe, and sandalwood).

In the back of the gallery, there is even a kids’ corner containing books, toys, and accessories, all of which are made in the United States. Well, all except for one–Deborah almost sent the madein-China product back, but decided to keep it just because it was so cute. One of the most interesting and interactive goods in the gallery that is kid-friendly are the puzzles, some of which feature a few sculpture pieces, like butterflies and fish, hidden within the regular puzzle pieces. Don’t worry, there are adult puzzles available, too. Currently, a beautiful collection of industrial oil paintings from a Giddings artist is also displayed in the back, which features colorful landscapes of birch trees. There’s even a “smattering” of CDs for sale, mostly by people who play at events hosted at the gallery.

“We are the largest and most eclectic display of fine art and artisan-made goods in the state. We’ve researched it, and we can’t find anyone else, so we’re going to claim it until somebody proves us wrong,” Deborah laughed. Most of the big art pieces on the floor-to-ceiling display walls are on consignment, but a lot of the smaller pieces from people who are not in the area are purchased wholesale. “If they’re in Oregon or Pennsylvania, they’re not going to consign with someone that they just met, who lives far away, and they can’t keep up with,” Deborah explained. Art Connections Gallery hosts a Second Saturday Soiree every second Saturday, which features one or two of the artists whose work is currently on display. Several other artists usually show up, there’s live music, and wine and cheese is served. The gallery also hosts book signings. People come from Austin, Victoria, and other major cities to attend these events.

For more information, call (979) 206-2222 or visit the website at www.artconnectionsgallery.com to see what art pieces are available. Deborah is a wealth of knowledge for every piece that she carries in the gallery, so don’t hesitate to ask her any questions before making a purchase of a lifetime, and supporting artists both local and worldwide.

Art Connections Gallery

123 N. Main St. La Grange TX 979-206-2222 | artconnectionsgallery.com

THE LARGEST AND MOST ECLECTIC COLLECTION OF FINE ARTS & ARTISAN MADE GOODS IN TEXAS JOIN US FOR OUR MONTHLY SOIREE!

The second Saturday of every month Featuring artists, Live Music, Food, & Beverages

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm & by appointment

123 N. Main St. La Grange, TX 78945 | 979-206-2222 Shop Online! www.shop.artconnectionsgallery.com

MISS TEXAS CZECH-SLOVAK

QUEEN PAGEANT 2019 Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen, Lydia Pustejovsky, and her Little Czech Sister, Allison Pustejovsky, invite young ladies of Czech or Slovak descent, age 16-26, to compete in the 2020 Pageant!

Prizes are awarded at Local, State and National levels including cash, scholarships, prizes and a trip to the Czech or Slovak Republics.

FOR PAGEANT INFORMATION, PHOTOS AND QUALIFICATIONS VISIT

http://czechheritage-texas.org 2019 CHS Czech Slovak Queen Lydia Pustejovsky Little Czech Sister Allison Pustejovsky

Fayette County Chapter applications due OCTOBER 1, 2019

Fayette Co. Chapter at Betty Danner at bettyjdanner@yahoo.com Texas Pageant Director at Kathy Podsednik at kathypods@gmail.com

State Pageant Finalist applications due JANUARY 15, 2020

This pageant is hosted by the Czech Heritage Society of Texas and local chapters.

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Brooke Weise's Old River Photography Capturing Moments to Last a Lifetime

BY BROOKE WEISE

Everyone has a story, and I am so honored when I get the opportunity to capture and tell their story. My story of becoming a photographer started when I became a mother five years ago.

Like any mother, I wanted to freeze every moment to last a lifetime, showing that unique part of my son’s life, so that no matter how many hours or days went by, I could always look back and relive that moment again and again. That is when I realized the power of photography and what joy those captured images can bring. It slows down the clock in this fast-paced world we live in, and forces us to pay attention to loved ones and remember the happiness, pain, or humor that was experienced in that second. Taking pictures of my little boy and family brought me so much enjoyment and pride that I knew I had to share this adventure with others. What a treasure it is to be a part of noteworthy times in people’s lives, from a child’s graduation, selling a home, to even a new business opening. I do not just view myself as a photographer, I view myself as a storyteller that can archive treasured memories.

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When I was asked to be a part of Blue Mule Winery’s story, I knew it was my cup of tea (or should I say my cup of wine). The energy I felt was incredible. I instantly knew that I loved Blue Mule, because they create an atmosphere of “a little bit of fancy meets a whole lot of country.” This was the story I wanted to tell through my pictures. From the chickens at the front door to the vintage labels on each bottle, this is a place anyone could enjoy spending the afternoon reminiscing about the “good ole days” while sipping on good wine. The scenery is a picture in and of itself, enticing me to capture the beautiful history of this winery and the big personalities that go with it. I hope the photographs reflect the welcoming character and inviting climate of Blue Mule Winery. I can personally attest that the smiles and laughter were genuine. Go by and see for yourself.

Old River Photography

979-406-2521 | oldriverphotography.zenfolio.com

Old River Photography Samples Above: Mike Gamble and Ashley Dalhart enjoying a glass of Cigar Box Jack in the vineyard.

Left: Some of the handdyed yarn available for purchase in the tasting room.

Below: Beth Gamble lounging on the bar while sharing one of many funny family stories.

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Elon Goldman, a visitor from Austin, enjoying a wine tasting.

Rosemary’s Memory Grows in La Grange Vineyard A Label of Love from Di-Vine Intervention

BY KARA KOETHER

Emmett Schulze met Bea Speer in 1997 while she was running her restaurant, La Matita, on Highway 6 in Manvel, Texas. “This man walks into my restaurant, orders some tacos and a beer, and said, ‘I wanna know one thing. Do you have pots and pans and do you know how to cook?’” Bea laughed. “My assistant cook said, ‘Oh, lady, this man keeps on coming in and wants to take you out to dinner.’ So, we went to Papa’s. He said, ‘I’m getting tired of tacos.’” And that’s where it started.

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When we asked Emmett what he was thinking when he was coming in to eat tacos all the time, Bea laughed and said, “He just needed a cook!” Which pretty much sums up their relationship. When they still had the restaurant, Emmett would fix everything when it ended up breaking. “I would fuss over everything that broke, but there was a young woman from the civil war-torn country of El Salvador who worked for me. She was a lifesaver for me,” Bea said. “It’s been 12 years and she still comes to see me. She said, ‘Lady, you’ve taught me a lot.’ And I said, ‘No, you’ve taught me a lot.’ Anytime I would fuss, she

would tell me, ‘Lady, please. You have enough to fix it or buy another one. Remember, you’ve been blessed, and everything has to come to an end because it served us well,’” Bea said. “This was a 24-year-old woman, and she was teaching me about life. Until you’ve seen war, be grateful.”

After marrying in 1999, Emmett and Bea Schulze came out to Fayette County to purchase the property that their vineyard still sits on today. They planted their first grapes in 2000, making them “Fayette County’s first little winery.”

One day, Bea’s older sister, Joann Cooley, called her up from New York and asked what she was up to. Bea said, “Well, Joann, I’m trying to make a label.” So Joann said, “I’m going to send you this beautiful little alabaster artwork that I purchased in Italy.

You can hang it in the vineyard for Rosemary.” Rosemary was Bea and Joann’s youngest sister, whom the vineyard is named for, who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2001.

When the artwork finally came in the mail and Bea laid eyes on it, she said, “Oh, no,” and knew that she couldn’t hang it up.

Instead, she said, “This is my label.” If you notice on the label, there’s a lady and two little cherubs–Rosemary only had two children. In fact, my coworker Becky Weise and I were the first visitors to see the alabaster carving when Bea brought it out to show us. “This is why I say it’s divine intervention: Joann held onto this for 12 years before Rosie passed. I believe that your story is written, and you just gotta live it,” Bea said.

Rosemary inherited an extremely generous personality from their mother. “I remember one day, she saw this family walking, and it was hot, and the children didn’t even have any flip flops.

So she ran out with water and sandwiches and gave the mother $10 to buy the children flip flops so their feet wouldn’t burn,” Bea said. “But, you know, you can only do what you can do. When they came back through again, she saw them and noticed that the children didn’t have the flip flops, and were still walking barefoot. So she said, ‘Okay, maybe they needed the money for something else.’ That’s who Rosie was,” Bea smiled. She held no regrets for being kind to people.

Above: Not-yet-ripe grapes on a vine at Rosemary’s Vineyard and Winery.

Right: The alabaster carving that served as inspiration for the wine label.

Below: Guests are welcome at the winery every single day.

The last thing Rosie did, towards the end of her fight with breast cancer, was perhaps the action most symbolic of her generosity towards everyone. “There was a man walking, and he just drops– he had a heart attack. So she starts doing CPR on him, and he wouldn’t come back. She had to give him mouth to mouth, and she brought him back. But the doctor said, ‘You know, you cut your life short doing that,’ because the cancer was already so advanced. And she said, ‘That’s alright,’” Bea remembered tearfully. “She gave part of her life to save someone else’s.”

Rosemary and Bea would have lovely lunches in their little backyard, and they loved Chardonnay. “Whoa, we drank so much,” Bea laughed. “I said, ‘You know what? What better than a 2019 VINE & STEIN

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vineyard?’” So, Rosemary’s Vineyard is dedicated to her, all those fighting breast cancer, and all the survivors.

Bea’s grandparents on her father’s side were from Jerusalem, and on her mother’s side, they were from Spain. There has always been war in Jerusalem, and Bea’s grandmother fled a short time before the fall of the Ottoman Empire, which dissolved after World War I, when the Turks were still in control.

The Turks would come through and burn everything, the trees and foliage. Mark Twain told a story about his visit to Jerusalem and said, “I’ve never seen such a desolate place.” Today, it’s custom to plant a tree when visiting Jerusalem. So, naturally, when Bea went to visit, she planted a tree for her late father and grandmother. “And then I planted a vineyard for my sister,” Bea smiled.

They were soon open for business in March of 2006. The Schulzes believe in minimal handling of the grapes, so they are hand-picked and processed by their family onsite. For this reason, their quality standards are exceedingly high.

They represent a rural community with a traditional German background. “We don’t do events, or social media, really. We couldn’t keep up with it. It’s more of a lifestyle for us,” Bea said.

Today, Rosemary’s Vineyard carries ten wines: five dry and five sweet. They include a Chardonnay, Lenoir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blanc du Bois, a Sweet Blanc du Bois, White Muscadine Wine, Muscadine Wine, White Zinfandel Wine, and a Ruby Port. “We grow the Blanc du Bois, Red Muscadine, and the Lenoir, which is a Black Spanish,” Bea said. “We buy a lot.

You have to buy a lot.”

While the vineyard is busier during the summer, customers from outside of Texas even come by to visit. “We get customers from every country you can think of,” Emmett said. “We get people from Africa, China, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, India, Russia, the Czech Republic.” Most of the time, these international visitors are stopping by on their way from Houston to Austin.

“We’d like to thank La Grange for being so supportive, and the Independence Wine Trail,” Bea said.

Rosemary’s Vineyard and Winery is located five miles east of La Grange, at 5521 Highway 71 East. They can be reached at (979) 249-2109 (the winery) or at (281) 728-9737 (the mobile number). They can also be contacted by emailing rosemarysvineyard1@yahoo.com. They’re open daily, from 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the week.

Visit their website, www.wines-made-in-texas.com, to view their selection of wines before stopping by to visit this lovely couple.

Rosemary’s Vineyard & Winery 5521 Hwy. 71 East, La Grange, TX 979-249-2109 | wines-made-in-texas.com

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Above: A few of the 10 wines available.

Left: Rosemary Speer-Avendoño, Bea’s younger sister, whom the vineyard is named after.

Below: The tasting room offers a cool escape from the Texas heat.

Upcoming Productions ALICE IN WONDERLAND August 9th-11th

SHAKESPEARE’S

MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM

November 1st - 3rd AUDITIONS Aug. 20th - 3:30 Aug. 24th - 5:30 at Historic Casino Hall

Tickets are available at faycotheatre.com or at Historic Casino Hall 2019 VINE & STEIN

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ADVERTISER INDEX Art Connections Gallery...................................23 ARTS for Rural Texas............................................15 Bistro 108...................................................................14 Blue Mule Wines......................................................2 Bodega.......................................................................19 The Bugle Boy.........................................................18 CHS Queens Pageant.........................................23 Cistern Country Store..........................................9 Fayette County Community Theatre..........29 Fayette County Record.....................................30 The Gallery at Round Top.................................15 Kooper Family Whiskey Co...............................7 La Grange Ford Lincoln.....................................32

eeter A Family Sw eroy oy L B t ee Sw n tha

La Grange Uncorked............................................8 Ma jek Vineyard and Winery...........................31 Oktoberfest La Grange......................................21

Do you have a brewery, distillery, or winery?

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We can help bring customers to you!

Oktobierfest Round Top......................................7 Old River Photography.......................................25 Rohan Meadery........................................................7 Rosemary’s Vineyard & Winery....................29 Rustic Redbird........................................................29

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979.968.3155

127 S. Washington St. | La Grange www.FayetteCountyRecord.com

Schuber.......................................................................18 Sixth Street Bourbon.............................................7 Texas Czech Heritage Center Muziky........25 Wonderful Winter Wine Walk Flatonia......14

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