Liberty Hill Digest • October 2020

OCTOBER 2020

Smilin’ V Scout Ranch Something Great Awaits

SPIRIT REINS

LIBERTY HILL’S NOD TO

PANTHER PIT CREW

Second Chances for All

POP-CULTURE HISTORY

Support & Spirit for LHISD

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CONTENTS

FAVORITES 9

HOME & GARDEN How To Attract Some Bat-tastic Friends

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SAVE THE PLANET Creepy Critters You WANT In Your Yard

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KIDS Still Creeping It Real On Halloween

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EXPERIENCE LIBERTY HILL Smilin’ V Scout Ranch

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WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS” Pageantry

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EDUCATION The Panther Pit Crew

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FACTS TO BLOW YOUR MIND Government & History

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BELLE CHIMES IN My Modern Life “Fails”

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FOOD Gourd-geous Fall Foods

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WORTH THE DRIVE Texas Pumpkin Fest

4 Photo by Rocc Solid Media

FEATURES 4

SPIRIT REINS RIDES NEW PATH DURING PANDEMIC Equine therapy provides second chances for families ... and horses

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LIBERTY HILL CELEBRATES WILLIE NELSON Remembering a Liberty Hill pop culture milestone

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LIBERTY HILL CELEBRATES WILLIE NELSON City water tower will soon have a new, and vintage, look.

ON THE COVER

22 THE PANTHER PIT CREW

Capital Area Council BSA Scout Executive Jon Yates; Alan Vincik, previous owner of the Smilin’ V Ranch; Council VP Ron Garland, Curtis Steger (Steger-Bizzell Engineering), and Mayor Rick Hall at the flag plaza built by a supportive Girl Scout for her Venturer project.

Photo courtesy Facebook/Panther Pit Crew

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Digest Published by Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC

PUBLISHER

Cathy Payne

Like many of the best in her craft, Cathy has a specialized degree—in her case, hard science—and a gift for writing. She found her voice and fulfilment reporting and writing news and magazine features for a regional Central Texas audience.

Along with serving as the publisher of the Liberty Hill Digest, Cathy oversees multiple magazines, marketing campaigns, and books.

EDITOR Ann Marie Ludlow Kennon While not a native of Texas, Ann Marie is at home here. With a quarter-century of writing, reporting, and marketing behind her, she not only writes about central Texas, she dove into community service almost as soon as she moved here.

Currently, she is on the board of the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center and a member of several support organizations.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charlotte Kovalchuk • Greta Bauer GRAPHICS & DESIGN Zion Pistole • Ann Marie Kennon CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rudy Ximenez • David Valdez • Todd White ACCOUNT SERVICES Debbie Tolliver DISTRIBUTION David Schumacher

ANN MARIE KENNON EDITOR’S NOTE October has always been my favorite month. It’s football season. The weather is perfect; not too hot or cold. The stores start putting out their holiday decorations—I am one of those people who gets excited about Christmas in August.

Plus, I grew up in Virginia and always loved the change in the colors in nature that seemed to catch fire right around my birthday. Okay, yes, my mom always made a big deal out of my birthday, so maybe that was part of my bias. I had a chocolate cake with orange icing and M&M jack-o-lantern face every year until I was 19. She even managed to mail my cake when I was a freshman in college.

For October in the present, we have a wonderfully eclectic mix of heart, heroes, harvest, and Halloween. I can’t imagine you won’t find something new to think or talk about in these pages. We actually thought pumpkins might be a little obvious... until we saw Starbucks’ live countdown to the first pumpkin spice latté order on Facebook.

We also found some other really cool themes and stories for our favorite Fall celebration... some things just ought to be pandemic-proof.

It was a nice story-gathering month, and some good spiritual exercise to write them. As author Toni Sorenson says, “Autumn is the time of year when Mother Nature says, ‘Look how easy, how healthy, and how beautiful letting to can be.’” I hope we continue to provide some good spiritual exercise for our readers too.

IT/WEBMASTER Jesse Payne CONSULTANT W. Ben Daniel

ADVERTISING Mark Elliott 512-240-2267 • 512-746-4545 mark@fpgtx.com

Liberty Hill Digest is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication.

Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. Liberty Hill Digest is published monthly and mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in Liberty Hill, TX zip codes. Mail may be sent to Liberty Hill Digest, P.O. Box 213, Jarrell, TX 76537.

Email: info@fpgtx.com

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The “Birthday Tree” circa 1972

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Spirit Reins Rides New Path During Pandemic Spirit Reins is all about second chances...

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

SPIRIT REINS’ FOUNDER, RHONDA SMITH, had her second chance when she survived a car crash, which inspired her to open the facility.

Many of the horses that were saved from abuse or euthanasia have found a new loving home at Spirit Reins. Children who experience trauma find healing through connections with horses.

Even the organization got a fresh start during the pandemic.

Located on 125 acres at 2055 County Road 284 in Liberty Hill, Spirit Reins is a not-for-profit organization that partners equine professionals and horses to help children and families in Central Texas who have experienced complex trauma. The story of how Spirit Reins came to be started with Rhonda’s own traumatic moment.

Photo by Amanda Wintenburg Photography

HEALING FAMILIES Rhonda walked away from an accident she shouldn’t have survived. In 1999, she was run over by an 18-wheeler and, she says, “I got a second chance at life, and I wanted to make it count.”

Through Spirit Reins, she was able to combine her passion for children and horses, as well as her desire to heal families like her sister’s from the cycle of trauma. As a young adult, Rhonda felt like she didn’t have the power to save her sister or her nieces and nephews, so she poured her life’s work into understanding childhood adversity and finding the best approach to stop the generational cycle of trauma.

In 2003, she opened Spirit Reins to serve children ages 4 to 25 impacted by trauma, most of whom are in the foster and juvenile justice systems and “have experienced the worst of life.” Caregivers are

also involved in therapy sessions, which Rhonda says sets Spirit Reins apart from other trauma organizations because it serves the whole family.

In 2010, Spirit Reins began providing equine-assisted psychotherapy services. Each child would work with a therapist, equine professional, and a horse. Equine therapy is important because the brain of a horse is similar to the developing brain of a child impacted by trauma. As prey animals, horses are keenly aware of their surroundings and constantly live in the moment to feel safe with a fight-flight-or-freeze response.

Clients often live in that same survival mode. However, their actions don’t always match their internal feelings, and horses can sense and point that out in a non-judgmental way to help them gain insight about those behaviors.

Spirit Reins is home to 33 horses that are free to be themselves and roam across the facility’s peaceful hill

Photo courtesy of Monica Trout 4

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country landscape. Like clients, many of them have stories of brokenness, both emotionally and physically. Some horses were rescued while others came with injuries or disabilities, which foster connections with children who see that the horses still have value and are able to thrive despite their struggles. “It gives them hope that, at least at Spirit Reins, there’s no such thing as a throwaway,” Rhonda says. “No one’s so broken that there’s no value.”

NEW TRACK

During this new chapter in the organization’s history, Spirit Reins is working with a Transformation Team of thought leaders, advocates, and experts to explore how they can best serve the community in a post-pandemic world. They hope that Equine Connections will be the first of other wellness programs.

“The past few months have been so difficult for us and everyone in the community. And the challenges continue,” Rhonda says. “Right now, we are reflecting on the heart of our mission and inviting those who support us closer as we strengthen our spirit of resilience.”

“‘Pivot’ is the ugly word for nonprofits this year,” Rhonda says. It’s what Spirit Reins has had to do during COVID-19 by switching to online services.

Therapists began working from home and equine professionals continued to come to the facility to care for the horses.

But telehealth was a struggle for clients. Technology was often an issue and kids were tired of staring at a screen during sessions. On top of that, Spirit Reins was losing more and more revenue, despite small business loans and a Wilco Forward grant. In the summer, the Spirit Reins board met to discuss the organization’s future. “This is not sustainable.

Either we end well or transition,” Rhonda told board members. In August, they made the difficult decision to close therapy services to come up with a new plan moving forward.

Thanks to a team of experts and donors, Spirit Reins is now on a new track. The organization has launched Equine Connections, a wellness service that targets families experiencing isolation, depression, and uncertainty because of the pandemic.

Equine Connections is not a therapy program; it is an opportunity for teens and caregivers to come to Spirit Reins to get some space, walk the land, and connect with horses. This service is designed as an immediate, short-term support, where teens and caregivers can schedule a same-day or next-day experience.

Photo by Rocc Solid

HOW TO HELP Taking care of 125 acres of land with a reduced team is a lot of work, and Spirit Reins is looking for volunteers who are able to provide administrative support, or act as greeters, fundraising event assistants, and mechanics to ensure the organization is able to serve Liberty Hill for a long time. Donations are also welcome; wishlist items include a new muck spreader and a Polaris vehicle.

To learn more about Spirit Reins, call 512-778-9449 or visit SpiritReins.org

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Image and content contributed by Katie Amsler

Liberty Hill Celebrates Willie Nelson Water Tower Poster Celebrates Picnic & Artist

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f you visit a coffee shop in Liberty Hill, you might just overhear a table of old men reminiscing about the good ‘ole days when Willie Nelson came to Liberty Hill. It’s a story that’s been passed down to different generations and, perhaps, embellished a little along the way. What many don’t know about is the artist behind the marketing who helped make such an event happen.

Jim Franklin, who is well known for his contributions to Austin’s art scene, designed the poster art and t-shirts for the festival.

The city plans to install a replication of Jim’s poster on the old Liberty Hill Water Tower located in the new parking area across from Wetzel Park. “Liberty Hill has a rich history in the arts, and the City wanted to not only memorialize the picnic, but honor the artist who helped put Liberty Hill on the map,” Liberty Hill Mayor Rick Hall says.

ICONIC EVENT Back in 1975, Liberty Hill was just a tiny burg northwest of Austin—a town not many knew was even there. “We had some movers, shakers and big dreamers running the town back then, and they had an idea to bring Willie’s picnic to Liberty Hill,” Mayor Hall says.

Organizers expected 5,000 to attend but planned for 25,000 just in case. No one could believe it when 90,000 came through the gates and paid their $5.50 admissions. Although everything didn’t go just right—traffic backed up for hours, scorching hot weather, a rain storm that caused water to leak through the stage tent (a cowboy took out his pistol and shot a hole in the tent so the water could drain and the concert could resume), lack of restrooms, and skinny dippers in the South Fork San Gabriel River—Liberty Hill had a great time. Willie was fined $1,000 for not securing a Mass Gathering Permit, but Liberty Hill gained a reputation for dreaming big and making things happen.

WELCOME TO LIBERTY HILL To honor that memorable occasion, the city hopes to begin installing the poster on the water tower by year’s end, with a big reveal early next year. Although the tower’s purpose is strictly historical—a piece of Liberty Hill history that has not been used for a long time—it is placed in downtown Liberty Hill at an intersection that welcomes folks to Liberty Hill. “We thought it would be a great place to display the art to welcome visitors to our town,” explains the Mayor.

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Paid for By John Carter for Congress 8

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HOME & GARDEN

How to Attract Some Bat-tastic Friends AN IDEAL BAT BOX IS...

At least 15’ above the ground for sun exposure and protection from predators Light in color (it’s hot enough here already) 24” tall and wide, and 5-6” deep with vents One or more dark, tight chambers on the inside Rough interior, so bats can cling to it Close to a water source When you hang your box, be on lookout for occupancy. Keep trying different mounts under your eaves, on exterior walls, or different trees until you get plenty of regular visitors.

by Greta Bauer

B

ats have not enjoyed much positive press this year, but they are still some of our best friends in nature. For starters, science tells us some of our traditional misconceptions are bogus; bats are not prone to rabies or aggressive to humans, and guano is not a source of tuberculosis.

On top of that, while cities spend a fortune on chemicals to avoid West Nile, and homeowners spend plenty on propane traps or noisy zappers to keep mosquitoes away from their backyard oases or farms, bats do the job for free. Not only do each of these snappy little vacuums rid you of 500-1,000 insects per hour, as a bonus, they will also help pollinate your yard.

So why not invite some new friends to a safe nesting spot in your yard, on your trees, or aside your home; sit back and enjoy the benefits.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ECHOLOCATION Bat Conservation International says when bat houses are placed with the bats’ needs in mind, high occupancy is likely. If you live within a quarter-mile of a body of water, and have a spot that receives four or more hours of daily sun, your odds go up. If you keep the wood plain or light-colored, and live near an orchard or other mixed agriculture, it is practically guaranteed.

Specific to Texas, most bats are happy to live on the southeast side of a home in the summer—extra points if it is a shady or stone surface—so they only get about 2-3 hours of sun and don’t overheat.

In cooler months, they prefer a west-facing house.

If you decide to give it a try, and several locations don’t seem to be working, it could be that local bats already have all the roosts they need. Also consider whether the area does not allow for relatively undisturbed hibernation; local pollution, and food sources.

PUTTING OUT THE WELCOME MAT You can download simple plans for a bat box at BatCon.org, and if you’re not ready to build your mini-condo, you can purchase starter houses at McCoy’s, Tractor Supply, and Bass Pro Shop.

At the very least, you can just leave that dead tree where it is in your yard, forego pesticides that will repel bats, and keep an eye out for cats.

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SAVE THE PLANET

Creepy Critters You WANT in your Yard

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BIGGER GAME

ike it or not, your backyard is home to many thousands of little crawlies, but 9 out of 10 are not harmful or destructive, and many are even helpful. So before you scream, swat, or stomp, here are some good-guy bugs and friends to look out for to improve your gardening space, and even the planet.

You can welcome these bugs to your yard and garden with early-blooming plants, as well as flowering carrots and herbs.

LADYBUGS: These ferocious predators start out as larvae that cruise around on plants and eat up as many as 40 aphids an hour that would otherwise ruin your plants.

GROUND BEETLES: are a type of predatory beetles that eat a wide range of insects, including nematodes, caterpillars, weevils, slugs, and silverfish.

Feel free to rid yourself of those green, iridescent Japanese beetles; be nice to black ones.

HOVERFLIES: look like tiny yellowjackets and hover above flowers like little helicopters. They are not only great predators for aphids and caterpillars, they are great pollinators, too.

STINKBUGS: do have a smelly gland in their abdomen, but they love to eat aphids, and caterpillar and beetle larvae.

DRAGONFLIES: don’t even wait to grow up to be helpful. They hatch in water and eat up the larvae of other flying bugs. Adults are happy to eat mosquitoes, gnats, and flies.

PILL BUGS: or “roly-polys” breathe through gills, and love to eat garden debris. If you have a compost heap, these are your best workers.

SPIDERS: worldwide save us billions in pesticides.

Whether living in webs or snapping up prey from holes in the ground, they rid us of aphids, flies, beetles, grasshoppers, mosquitoes, and even wasps.

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TOADS & FROGS: aren’t pretty, but they are an earth-friendly alternative to pesticides. They feed on slugs and snails that could otherwise damage your garden. They can also eat up to 10,000 bugs in a summer, making them pretty efficient too.

BATS: are natural-born killers of mosquitoes, and help eat millions of other tiny insects.

GARTER SNAKES: are harmless to humans and worthy of our respect. They hide in shady places; bushes, tall grass or piles of wood and rocks, and enjoy eating crickets, grasshoppers, and other insects.

Most garter snakes have yellow stripes on a brown or green background

THE UNSUNG HERO When a possum (technically, Opossum) isn’t busy ridding the world of 5,000 or more ticks every year, it is eating cockroaches, rats, snails, slugs, and mice. For mealtime, possums also clean up all kinds of germy carrion, including roadkill, which might explain why they often wind up as such.

Before you shoo them out of your yard some late night, consider they are resistant to snake venom and are great predators of copperheads and rattlesnakes, which you definitely don’t want in your personal space. As a bonus, if you are growing fruit or berries, they are only too happy to carry away over-ripe or rotting foods and spare you the work of doing it yourself.

If you do surprise them and they “play possum,” you can expect them to stay frozen for about 1-4 hours. Science tells us it is their only survival instinct, considering how easily they are outrun by nearly all of their natural predators.

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YOU ARE TOTALLY GOING TO GOOGLE THIS AS SOON AS YOU FINISH READING...

Michael Myers, the psychotic killer of “Halloween” movie fame, is wearing a cheap Captain James T. Kirk mask. Apparently the movie’s budget was so small, the $2 Star Trek mask was all they could afford. After cutting out bigger eye holes and adding some white spray paint, it became the creepy version of William Shatner we remember from the poster.

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k i ds

by Ann Marie Kennon

Still Creeping it Real on Halloween

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alloween was likely the last thing on our minds to be concerned about last Spring, but in many places around the country, it has become another holiday casualty of 2020. Still, in the nation that invented monster trucks and Frito pie, there’s no telling what kind of excellent and creative adaptations we might see this year.

As of press time, the City of Liberty Hill isn’t planning a ban on, or additional restrictions for, trick-or-treating.

However, they do ask everyone to practice the safety tips asked of us every other day of the year: Keep your distance from people outside of your home, wear a mask (spooky or otherwise, as long as it covers your nose and mouth), and don’t go out if you have symptoms.

With all that in mind, let’s get to the good stuff and think... if we can’t (or choose not to) do what we used to do, what can we do instead?

GO “GRISWOLD” ON YOUR HOUSE Why not get in the spirit and decorate in and outside your home. Get the neighbors involved and have a whole haunted street for drive-by visitors. Maybe create a display and invite other families to compete for the best pumpkin designs. You can even steal this theme... Gourdgeous Disney Princesses!

COSTUME CONTEST Friends and classmates can gather on a video call and show off their creativity, with makeup or costume masks rather than the regular kind. But, if you are tired of doing everything virtual, find an outdoor space to fit a long, chalk runway, and get some strong flashlights to spotlight your model scarers from a distance.

POP-UP EVENTS If you have a lot of kids and families nearby, you can plan something in secret and just see who stops by to play a game or have a costume parade. Without advance notice, you are not likely to draw a large crowd, and people can come and go at their leisure to keep the numbers low.

BAG THE TREATS We know the kids want candy. Instead of having a grab-bowl for many little hands, pack your treats in individually wrapped bags and leave them where they can easily be picked up from a table or blanket. Then just wave from the porch and replenish as necessary.

OR, STRING ‘EM UP! If you want to keep folks from grouping up on the porch, bag some candies and hang them from your fence so kids can give them a quick swipe and go. Or add some lights to your trees and hang baggies there for gamey jump-n-grabs. You could throw in a spooky character or two amid the branches and flash the lights for extra surprises.

STAY HOME AND GET CRACKIN’ Break out those plastic Easter eggs and decorate them with Halloween stickers or pumpkin faces. Fill the eggs with candy and hide them outside or around the house.

Bonus: squeeze some bendy glow bracelets inside and fill the yard with glowing eggs for a nighttime hunt.

FAIRYTALE FOREST This is my favorite from Halloween2020.org. Plan a path through neighboring woods or a park and light it up with glow sticks, flashlights and more. Line the trail with Halloween décor, props, candy, and surprises. Trees can be tied with ribbons to help follow social distance guidelines.

“BOO” SOMEONE IN NEED Maybe consider donating your candy or party funds to Williamson County Brown Santa. Sure, Christmas is really their thing, but the annual “Nightmare on Jail Hill” is their biggest fundraiser, and they had to cancel this year. This annual fright-fest draws thousands of thrill seekers from all over Texas and raises upwards of $40,000, over a few weekends, for the Brown Santa fund. No doubt their Santa wish lists will need our help more than ever this year.

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EXPERIENCE LIBERTY HILL

by Ann Marie Kennon

Smilin’ V Scout Ranch

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ust ten minutes from the city center is a gorgeous piece of countryside, purchased by the Capital Area Council Boy Scouts of America, and dedicated to the growing number of Scouts in Williamson County.

The Smilin’ V Scout Ranch has 100 acres of creative space for family camping and Scout activities, and will eventually be available to businesses, non-profits, and other groups for education and events.

Capital Area Vice-President Ron Garland says the Ranch is not only beautiful, it is optimally located.

Current Scout camps are in Bastrop, and the Ranch will provide ample local opportunities, particularly for Cub Scouts, Cub packs, and their families.

FUTURE GROWTH Over time, and with help from the community, the Ranch will add an archery and BB range, chapel, Council ring, fishing ponds, splashpad, and a “wild west” Main Street with open air and classroom space (concept photo below) for Scouts, corporate retreats, and STEM education.

P.J. Brown is a Scoutmaster and full-time resident on the Ranch. He says it is a great place to live and is looking forward to seeing the pavilions put to use for myriad programs. “With open air and covered spaces with electricity, we can accommodate nearly any program our leaders determine. We will also have climate-controlled space for a nurse’s station and trading post for Scout items, drinks and snacks.”

HOW IT STARTED Two years ago, Ron began hiring the best engineers and builders to install infrastructure for a very modern outdoor experience. Camping areas have water and electricity underground, and will include eight pavilions for activities designated by pack directors. Construction for each is about $50,000 and there are still some available for funding and naming rights for companies or individuals who wish to support future growth.

They have already upgraded the main kitchen, and modernized bathrooms to provide showers and privacy for campers and their families. “Water and power was the most expensive, but most important piece of our development. Although it is invisible to visitors, it means the difference between ‘roughing it’ and providing amenities and technology that will hopefully attract non-Scouting groups to visit and help us sustain operations for a long time to come.”

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TOO GOOD NOT TO SHARE The Ranch will primarily be used by Scouts on weekends, and throughout the summer, for activities toward Scout advancement programs. However, during the week, the Council plans to encourage others to take advantage of the unique space—and the outdoors—for corporate retreats, fundraising private events, and more. Ron says, “An organization like Hope House need only talk to us about their needs and we will make the space and resources available for their clients and families to help them meet their missions. We are about Scouts first, but we are excited about generating revenue from other groups that will help the Ranch become self-sustaining.”

Folks at Liberty Hill ISD, just five miles away, are particularly eager to get the chance to take students on fields trips for science and history education.

Superintendent Steve Snell says, “We are excited to

Engineers, builders, and community leaders gathered at the Ranch for a tour and update on Phase developments.

The monument at the main pavilion shares some history of the land and the families who lived there...

The Vincik family purchased part of the old Childress place in the mid-1980s. They lost a child on December 9, 1990 in a tragic horse accident. From that day forward, lives changed, and a lifelong process started to turn this unique property into a place of enjoyment and prosperity for young people. The name “Smilin V” was easy because their late son Shawn Alan Vincik would smile every morning while sleeping before awakening.

The Capital Area Council, BSA continues to honor him with the name of the Scout ranch. partner with the Boy Scouts to create new opportunities for our students when the world lets us out again. Looking at Ron’s vision, the educational opportunities and getting to the great outdoors, we are very excited about the path this Ranch is on and how much our students will benefit from it.”

The BSA Council has already been approved by the Health District to re-open, and are slowly adding activities beyond what Council can manage personally.

CITY SUPPORT Liberty Hill Mayor Rick Hall said, “Whether it’s in the city limits, in our community, or our county, we are happy to help out. This wonderful place is for the growth of our community and we are already growing so quickly. Our school district is one of the reasons for that growth; we have so many kids coming to the area, and Ron has envisioned something great for them. It has been awesome to watch it all coming together, and I’m pleased to see we’re at a point where it is coming to fruition. I am grateful for all the support and dedication of all the people here; engineering, construction, and fundraisers.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP Groups and companies are encouraged to schedule a tour of the property and take in their vision for the future.

Ron adds, “We bought this for camp activities, but we look forward to the final roll-out of an amenity-filled location. There is great development to come and now is the time to get in on the ground level. Many business owners have been inspired just by their walk around the Ranch.

“We would love to have more partners, or skilled workers who can help with construction. Once we have completed our phases, there will be many opportunities for church or community groups to volunteer for upkeep, and maybe spend a day out in this pastoral spot while helping a great cause.” P.J. laughs, “This is the outdoors, so there is plenty to brush to be cleared, or chores to be done. We can always put people to work.”

You can keep up with their phase development or even reserve a campsite at BSACAC.org/activities. The Ranch will soon be available to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to feel good about paying their venue fees to a great youth organization.

Photo Courtesy Capitol Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

Ron Garland and Mayor Rick Hall share thanks and remarks to close the tour Sept 29.

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WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”? part 4

Pageantry MAYBE THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE WATER IN TEXAS

by Ann Marie Kennon 18

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what makes texas “texas”

S

ay what you will, the traditional notions of gentility and feminine grace are still appreciated and practiced in many places. Not just in Texas, but all over the South. And, while we’re not here to debate the relative merits of pageant systems in the modern, progressive world, we cannot deny the significant impact of Texas style on major pageant programs.

As it stands, southern states have always made good showings in national pageants, partly due to those feminine notions, but also because, with agriculture being so much a part of the... ahem... culture, there have always been plenty of harvests needing a Queen to help celebrate local prosperity.

Texas can be proud of its record in the Miss America and Miss USA contests over the years. The first Miss Texas to become Miss America was Jo-Carroll Dennison (below) in 1942; she did a vocal and dance to “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” Jo-Carroll was also the first wartime Miss America; she traveled to visit defense plants, hospitals, and service camps, and sold war bonds. She later moved to California and signed with 20th Century Fox and became a successful actor. She was followed, at the national level, by Phyllis George in 1971, who played the piano. Phyllis went on to be a CBS sportscaster and first lady of Kentucky.

Texas last won the America crown in 1974, when Shirley Cothran played the flute for the win.

Since 1937, there have been 18 other bright young ladies who emerged as top ten finalists on Miss America’s big stage. But...

SOMETHING ABOUT TEXAS Texas held its own for many years in the Miss USA pageant, and in 1977, Kimberly Tomes of Houston brought home the Miss USA crown. Then, in the mid-1980s, things really clicked. When Texas won Miss USA five times in a row; all five times landing in the top ten at Miss Universe, it seemed as though the state beauties might have discovered a secret. Just six years later, a Texan won it all; 1995’s Miss Texas USA, Chelsi Smith, became Miss Universe. To date, Texas has earned the Miss USA crown nine times.

SOMETHING SPECIAL Some may argue that Texas, like New York and California, has tens of millions of residents, so, naturally, they have a larger pool of talent from which well-prepared contestants can emerge. But, even with many to choose from, there is no doubting the hard work and preparedness of every contestant and preliminary winner across the state.

One such special lady is Brittany Tiner Deck, who was Miss Texas Teen USA 2002 and Miss Dallas USA 2010. Today, she lives in Round Rock, is enjoying a very successful career in finance, and is married with two beautiful children.

Brittany explains that perhaps it is a lot about numbers, but only in the sense that Texas girls know they  Photo: Central Studios, Atlantic City, public domain O C TO B E R 2 0 2 0  L I B E R T Y H I L L D I G E S T

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what makes texas “texas” She adds that whenever she visits the Miss USA pageant, everyone is always looking at Miss Texas before the show even starts. Proof? When Brittany was at orientation for Miss USA Teen, the directors asked her to stand up, and told the assembled state winners, “We want our winner to talk and walk and look like Texas.”

Still, after Texas’ run in the 1980s, competition in preliminaries was fierce. Some serious competitors applied to out-of-state colleges, or moved to other states where fewer preliminaries meant better chances of making it to the national stages and winning awards. Many of those ultra-dedicated and hardworking Texans gracefully walked away with other states’ crowns. Regardless of geography, many women still see the potential for career and life skills, and dedicate their time to honing their talents for the chance to pay for college, evolve in their adult identities, and have a voice as an advocate.

THE DIFFERENCE Brittany Tiner (Deck), Miss Dallas USA, preparing for Miss Texas USA 2010. Facebook/Brittany Deck

have to work harder for it. “It is statistically significant that national titles are won among approximately 51 contestants, and most Miss Texas winners will have already outscored more than 100 preliminary contestants to earn their state titles. Even at the first level, large pageants like Miss Houston USA often open with more than 200 contestants.”

Compare these numbers to smaller states like Hawaii and the District of Columbia; contestants there have better odds of winning a local crown but also, like less dense states like Wyoming or Alaska, they have a lower chance of being the best on the national stage.

Brittany explains, “Fortunately, for ladies in the larger Texas pageants, the winner gets to go on to compete for Miss Texas, but the runners-up are also awarded ‘sister’ crowns, and invited to compete at the state level as well.

For example, if the Miss Georgetown USA preliminary had 200 contestants, the four runners-up would also compete at the state level, under the Georgetown banner, as Miss Williamson County, or Miss Hill Country. This kind of participation is what has made Texas revered in the system as a top five contender every year.”

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As a top competitor for several years, Brittany shared insights about contestant commitment. “Texas is about football, but for women, it is pageants. And it is not just about ‘pretty princess.’ I really had no idea what I was winning at the time, but it is so much more than a title or a sash and my life is different because of it. Like many other Texas women, I dedicated a year of my life to the job, and it is no different than an athlete training to make a team, or elevate to the next level of play. I learned how to interview for any job, work with high-intensity people, and handle myself with poise in any situation. It’s not just something we say on stage, it’s about being well-rounded and, given the chance, I would do it all again.”

Among the benefits of being a Texas winner is the prize package. Once crowned, the winner’s team includes an interview coach, nutritionist, physical trainer, stylist, makeup artist, and a photographer. These teams are known to be the best in the industry, and it shows in the finalist lineups. Many winners from other states come here to recruit Texas experts in everything from coaching to styling. “We keep the best for ourselves,” Brittany says, “and the other vendors may go out of state to work.

But we are truly the benchmark because everything will always be bigger and better in Texas.”

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by Charlotte Kovalchuk Photos courtesy Panther Pit Crew / Facebook

EDUCATION

The Panther Pit Crew Cooking up food, funds, and fun for Liberty Hill Students

F

olks in Liberty Hill might be spread out, but as Clint Stephenson says, everyone comes together for Friday night football games. That’s how the Panther Pit Crew began its fundraising efforts for students —as a group of dudes who gathered simply to hold tailgate parties before games.

While attending his nephew’s games at Liberty Hill High School, Clint noticed something was missing before the playing started—camaraderie.

So he, co-founder Scott Supak, and some friends started tailgating and cooking under the oak tree at the old high school stadium behind the Liberty Hill Elementary School. “We’d give away food and stuff and tried to change the atmosphere and bring the community together,” Clint says.

Later, when he pitched the idea of using their time to raise money for students, all 15 members immediately jumped on board. Thus the Panther Pit Crew nonprofit organization was born, so named for the

school mascot, the smoking pit they love, and the fact that “We’re a bit of a motley crew,” as Clint says.

Member and past president Arthur Zamarripa described it as “a great group of guys who try to have a lot of fun, create camaraderie amongst each other, and raise money for various school organizations in Liberty Hill.”

THE 2020 PIT CREW Today, about 30 members host raffles and golf tournaments to raise money for student groups at Liberty Hill schools. Each Crew member comes from a different background—whether it’s construction, medical, plumbing, or electricity—but one thing ties them all together, their passion for helping students.

“It’s just a group of really good guys who like doing stuff for the community,” Clint says.

Throughout the year, the Crew holds tailgate parties pepped up by cheerleaders and the school

John Cearley, Panther Pit Crew president, in blue, sets up a meal with other Crew members at their 2020 golf tournament.

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Crew member Michael Riley, right in white, and fellow golf team members are excited after winning this year’s Panther Pit Crew golf tournament.

band where student groups can earn points by showing their school spirit through games like corn hole, ring toss and pie-in-the-face. One fishing team even hauled a 30foot tank and spent the event catching fish.

Crew members have their own fun by cooking all sorts of delicious dishes, from buffalo chicken wings, rib-eye steaks, and jalapeno poppers to fajitas and deep-fried corn dogs. Although the tailgates take place before football games, the Crew is about more than just football—it’s about reaching out to all types of school clubs, from robotics and cross-country teams to cheerleaders and Project Graduation. Crew members recently provided $6,000 to four elementary schools that needed sprayers to sanitize equipment to comply with COVID-19 requirements.

During the final tailgate party at the end of the year, the Crew gives out money to groups, “One case where everybody gets a trophy is a good thing,” Clint says. This year, the Panther Pit Crew is trying to “make lemonade out of lemons” by figuring out how to distribute the estimated $20,000 they’ve raised while staying safe during the pandemic. They plan to organize a grant committee for student groups to request funding.

HOW YOU CAN HELP To keep up with the Panther Pit Crew and to find out ways to donate, follow the group on Facebook or email lhpantherpitcrew@gmail.com.

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facts to blow your mind

GOVERNMENT & HISTORY In 1952, Albert Einstein was offered the position of the second President of Israel. He declined.

In the Great Fire of London in 1666, which destroyed 13,200 houses, 87 churches, the cathedral of St. Paul, and left 70,000 homeless; only 8 people were killed.

King Tut was born with a diseased/club left foot and was buried with 130 of his walking sticks. DNA testing revealed his mother and father were siblings.

John Hume was on the of musicians who died while playing on the Titanic. His booking firm sent a bill to his father two weeks later for a “lost uniform.” His father wrote to The Amalgamated Musician’s Union newsletter to tell everyone never to hire anyone from C.W. & F.N Black again.

The Parliament of Iceland is the oldest, still-operational parliament in the world. It has been in existence since 930.

The old Pony Express has been romanticized in modern times, but it was a financial failure. The mail delivery service actually lost an average of $13 for every item it carried, and went out of business in 18 months.

April 23, 1982. Key West in Florida declared it was seceding from the U.S. It declared war, followed by a surrender, and a request for a billion dollars of foreign aid.

While there are currently no female players in Major League Baseball, there have been plenty of women in professional men’s leagues. Lizzy Arlington pitched during the ninth inning for the Reading Coal Heavers in 1898 and won her team the game. A little over 30 years later, African-American Jackie Mitchell pitched against the Yankees during an exhibition game, striking out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

Um... Mitchell was 17 years old at the time.

Think today’s athletes are overpaid? Roman chariot racer Gaius Appuleius Dioclese won more than half of his 1,900 races, earned $15 billion in adjusted winnings, and survived to retire peacefully at 42.

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ew!

Zero-star Yelp revi

Should hav e just made a meme

belle chimes in

My modern life “fails”  The fact that I can’t recognize my girlfriends’ husbands unless they are standing right next to them tells me Superman knows exactly what he’s doing.

 It’s sad that, in the past, I really only critically evaluated the validity of news articles on April Fool’s Day.

 I have 2,800 songs in my iTunes library that I either paid for individually, or burned from CDs I purchased long ago. And I still shuffle through five or more tracks to get to one of, maybe... ten songs I was really hoping to hear.

 Is it wrong that sometimes, on the first of the month, I think about leaving my ATM receipt in the machine because I’m so proud the balance has a comma in it?

 It’s sad that having natural ingredients in food products is a selling point. It’s also sad that I don’t care.

 When I was growing up, Christmas was the most highly anticipated, colossal event that ever happened.

At my current age, it’s a deadline.

 In 2020, when I think about 1984, it seems like a LOT less time has passed since then when, in 1984, I thought about 1948.

 Along those lines, we are just a hair shy of being halfway between Pearl Harbor and the year 2100.

 When I was in my 20s, I wore things I hoped would draw attention to me. At my current age, I kinda hope no one will notice so I can wear the same outfit again the next day.

 If I were a phone, I would be the worst model ever; eight hours of charge for 16 hours of use.

 Amazon and Fresh Fields have ruined any chance of me ever winning anything on The Price is Right.

 I always thought The Macarena was dumb, but just watch me try to remember which pocket I put my keys in.

 I would be much happier if we could “fall back” for more like five hours this month and I could go to work at noon. For that matter, how about we move the clocks ahead an hour in the Spring around 4pm on a Friday?

 All the modern communication in the world, and I still cannot convince my dogs that I will definitely be coming back.

 In case I didn’t already feel old, McCauley “Home Alone” Caulkin is 40 this year, and the entire cast of “Saved By the Bell” is nearly 50.

 When I was young, I always thought the best superpower would be “flight.” At my current age, it would just feel like exercise and I wouldn’t do it.

 I think the next big reality show should be “FlatEarthers: Looking for the Edge”. Then just enjoy watching them all lose their minds looking. I’ll even put up the prize money myself.

 I grew up with 8-tracks and rotary phones and still think it’s cool to have a 64Gb computer in my pocket.

Can you imagine what the world is going to have to invent to impress our kids?

 Somewhere in the world, there are probably 100 strangers who have a picture of me on a roller coaster.

 I have been through six Batmans in my life and all I can say about the next one is that, in my mind, Robert Pattinson will always be a teenage vampire. Then again, most vampires do turn into bats eventually, right?

 We have amazing and fantastic conveniences and technology all over our homes. But laundry is still at least five chores in one.

 Texas had it right the longest; a mode of transportation that would automatically avoid collisions, and take you home by itself, safely, if you were sleepy. (... as if I needed another reason to want a horse)

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food

Gourd-geous Fall Foods GENERAL TSO’S CAULIFLOWER 1 small head cauliflower � 2 teaspoons cornstarch

WHAT’S IN SEASON THIS MONTH? APPLES BROCCOLI BRUSSELS SPROUTS CAULIFLOWER CITRUS FRUITS CRANBERRIES GRAPES MELONS MUSHROOMS ORANGES PEANUTS PEARS PEPPERS POMEGRANATES SQUASH WATERCRESS

and... hmm, perhaps there was one more thing...

PUMPKINS, MAYBE?

1 teaspoon baking soda

� ½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sesame oil

� 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

¼ cup water

� 1 cup rice flour

2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

� 2-3c peanut or canola oil (for frying)

FOR THE SAUCE 1 tbsp peanut or canola oil

� 2 teaspoons ginger (finely minced)

2 cloves garlic (finely minced)

� 5 whole dried red chili peppers (opt.)

½ tbsp Shaoxing (rice) wine

� ½ teaspoon sesame oil

1½ tablespoons light soy sauce � 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons sugar

� 1 cup water (or chicken stock)

1 T cornstarch (mix 1T water)

� 1 scallion (cut at 1/2” angles)

INSTRUCTIONS Cut cauliflower into 1- to 2-inch chunks. Mix cornstarch, baking soda, salt, sesame oil, white pepper, water, and ¾ cup of rice flour in a large bowl until it forms a batter. Toss in cauliflower and fold together until well coated. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup of rice flour over the cauliflower, and stir until everything is sticking to the cauliflower. Add a bit more rice flour to pick up leftover batter at bottom of bowl.

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds evenly over cauliflower. Heat oil to 375° in cast iron pan or small pot. Fry cauliflower in batches until light golden brown and crunchy (about 3 minutes); transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels.

Heat 1tbsp oil in wok over medium heat. Add minced ginger, let fry for 15 seconds. Add garlic and dried red pepper. Stir 10 seconds. Add Shaoxing wine, and immediately add sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sugar, and water (or chicken stock). Turn heat to low, letting entire mixture simmer.

For extra crisp, re-fry cauliflower in batches for about 20 seconds or until golden brown, and drain on paper towels. Add cornstarch slurry gradually to sauce while stirring constantly, let simmer for 20 seconds. Sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon.

Add cauliflower and scallions, and toss the entire mixture until everything is well-coated in the sauce, then serve.

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fo o d B R E A K F A S T B A K E D S W E E T P O T A T O E S (paleo-friendly) 2 medium sweet potatoes, washed 2 tablespoons natural almond butter 1 banana, sliced

� 2 tsp chia seeds

Cinnamon

�Sea salt

Preheat oven to 375°. Line medium baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Use fork to poke several holes in the sweet potatoes; place on prepared baking sheet and roast for 45-60min or until fork-tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool 5-10 minutes.

Once ready to eat, split warm sweet potatoes open with a knife and sprinkle with a tiny bit of sea salt. Next drizzle 1 tablespoon of almond butter, 1 teaspoon of chia along with banana slices and finally a sprinkle of cinnamon in each sweet potato. Serve immediately.

Photo: AmbitiousKitchen.com

WHITE CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN SNICKERDOODLES 1 cup granulated sugar, divided

� 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

6 Tablespoons pumpkin puree

� 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)

1/4 teaspoon salt

� 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

� 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*

� 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or chunks

INSTRUCTIONS Melt butter in the microwave. In medium bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/2c granulated sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Whisk in vanilla and pumpkin until smooth. Set aside.

In large bowl, toss flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mix with large spoon or rubber spatula. Dough will be very soft. Fold in white chocolate chips. They may not stick to the dough because of the melted butter, but do your best to have them evenly dispersed in the dough. Cover dough and chill for 30 minutes, or up to 3 days.* Chilling is mandatory.

Take dough out of the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Roll dough into balls, about 1.5 T of dough each. Mix together remaining 1/2c granulated sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Roll dough balls generously in cinnamon-sug-

ar mixture and arrange on baking sheets. Slightly flatten the dough balls (cookies will only slightly spread in the oven).

Bake cookies 11-12 minutes or until edges appear set.

Cookies will look very soft and under-baked. Remove from oven and press a few more white chocolate chips onto the tops, if desired.

Option; flatten them with the back of a spoon when you remove them from the oven.

Cool for at least 10 minutes on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack.

(The longer the cookies cool, the chewier they will be.)

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WORTH THE DRIVE

Photos/Image: TexasPumpkinFest.com

Texas Pumpkin Fest 10930 EAST CRYSTAL FALLS PARKWAY, LEANDER TEXASPUMPKINFEST.COM • OPEN DAILY 9AM-8PM THROUGH OCT 31 WEEKDAYS $5 / WEEKENDS $13

T

exas Pumpkin Fest is a family-owned pumpkin patch that has been entertaining families since the early 1990s. Not only do they provide Texas-grown, food-grade pumpkins, the Patch includes family-friendly activities, games, face and pumpkin painting, rides, and vendors. Perfect for a family outing or a field trip, they are open every day until Halloween, and provide free and handicap parking.

SO MUCH TO DO A variety of pumpkins and gourds are available for sale, beginning at $2 each, as well as corn stalks, hay bales, and more. There will also be several food trucks onsite, and many fall-inspired retail and craft vendors.

Families will have the opportunity to explore five acres of pumpkins and gourds, play a variety of Halloween-themed games and get lost in a maze.

There are also selfie stations and photo ops all around the patch.

The Patch also hosts school field trips every day, which provides students an opportunity to experience the festivities of the season. Field trips may be scheduled for one-hour visits 9am-2pm on weekdays; everyone can enjoy their lunch on the Terrace. Student tickets are $7, parents & teachers are free, and everyone gets a pumpkin to take home. Get your trip on the calendar at 512-247-8978.

WHEN YOU GO Organizers request visitors bring no pets or coolers. They also ask everyone to respect the pumpkins; no sitting on, kicking, or throwing the little guys, and treat all people with kindness. The Patch is also observing the Governor’s COVID-19 guidelines, so social distancing will be observed as much as is reasonable, and sanitizing stations should be utilized. Visitors must self-screen with regard to symptoms, and masks should be worn when visitors are not able to maintain 6-feet of distance.

PUMPKIN PATCH TRACTOR RIDES ($3) PHOTO OPS & SELFIE STATIONS PUMPKIN PAINTING ($10) ARTS AND CRAFTS KIDDIE BARREL RIDES FACE PAINTING CORN HOLE GIANT CONNECT-4 COUNTRY BOWLING RING TOSS VENDORS REFRESHMENTS FOOD TRUCKS VENDORS You can also visit TexasPumpkinFest on Facebook to win four tickets and $100 Pumpkin Credit.

Tag friends and Like their page; winners chosen weekly until Halloween.

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A Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC P.O. Box 213, Jarrell.

TX,Publication 76537

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ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON LIBERTY HILL, TX