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 fulfillment 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.
Ann Marie Kennon
Charlotte Kovalchuk
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Linda A. Thornton
Rachel Strickland
GRAPHICS & DESIGN
Sandra Evans
Zion Eaton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Christina Tucker
Christianna Bettis
DIRECTOR OF SALES • Allison Smith
IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne
CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel
As the heat of summer (hopefully) begins to wane, we are happy to share stories that include big business, fun facts, and a splash of delectable fun. This month, our feature story delves into the possibilities that await your vision for everything from a man cave to a backyard BnB. Moore Liberty Buildings is where every client's vision is brought to life with precision and clarity.
We are also highlighting the hard work of Liberty Hill's EDC as they initiate a delicate dance with major South Korean companies. What does this mean for our local economy and job landscape? Find out in our exclusive feature.
Never forget that every ballot counts and every decision impacts. Our comprehensive analysis with Committee Chair David Hays has everything you need to know about the upcoming Williamson County road bond and how it might shape Liberty Hill in the near future.
If you’re looking for brains and brawn, our feature on how service dogs play a crucial role in the lives of many individuals includes a need for public awareness regarding etiquette and best practices when encountering them. And our shelter feature shares information about the health of all our beloved pets and why vaccinations are a critical part of responsible caregiving.
ADVERTISING
Mark Elliott
mark@lhtxdigest.com
Office 512-746-4545 Cell 512-240-2267
Hoping you all relish a fond farewell to the 2023 heat dome, the thrill of fall sports, and the fresh beginnings of a new school year. Embrace and enjoy!
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Accessory structures have grown in popularity over the past few years from man caves and she sheds to barndominiums and backyard offices. Whether you’re looking to build your own Airbnb™, or just a place to store your lawn equipment, you may choose from among several local portable building dealerships. Moore Liberty Buildings, however, goes above and beyond to provide a unique customer experience.
Scan the code to learn more about Moore Liberty Buildings.
IF YOU HAVE A DREAM FOR YOUR PROPERTY, CHAD AND AMANDA WOULD LOVE TO HELP YOU BRING IT TO LIFE.
In 2015, Chad Moore bought the company after leaving his job as vice president at an educational technology company. He lost his wife to breast cancer in 2013 and wanted a career change that would allow him to spend more time at home with his four children. He says he has always been a hands-on person and was already familiar with the world of contracting. So, when a family friend mentioned he was selling his portable building dealership, it just made sense for Chad to buy it. One year later, he married his current wife, Amanda, and in 2019 she joined the company full time.
Over the past three years, the Moores realized there was a unique space in the accessory structure industry for a company that sold more than just structures. Prior to COVID, if customers needed concrete poured or plumbing installed, they would have to find third-party contractors on their own.
Today, Moore Liberty Buildings offers wooden and steel structures, and partners with HillCountry Hot Tubs to offer hot tubs and swim spas. Some of their most popular items are steel carports, RV shelters, garages, and workshops, but they also serve customers who want storage buildings, porches, and pergolas, as well as those who need barns for their farm or ranch.
The Moores know many people in the area have HOA restrictions, so they have compiled a list of local neighborhood restrictions customers must comply with, which is a step above and beyond what most companies do. “All of us, including Nathan our sales and design associate, have the experience and knowledge to steer customers to the right structure to solve their building needs,” Chad says.
Today, Moore Liberty Buildings has shifted to offering those services in-house. "If you can't direct the entire process, it’s hard to ensure the end result matches the vision," Chad says. “We include a lot more trades now than just the building. If you opt for project management services, we assign a professional manager and superintendent to your project so you don't have to talk to the electrician, building crew, concrete guy, etc. Throughout the process, you have direct communication with just one expert who ensures your project is on track."
Amanda notes, "Our customers love our project managers, Matthew and Richard. Customers don't have to worry with them in charge they make sure the project will shine!"
Currently, the couple is working on three raw land development projects where they are pouring concrete, establishing electrical service, installing septic, and drilling wells. Amanda is also working on a large landscaping project that will include a shed and a hot tub built in the back yard.
At their current location in Liberty Hill, Chad and Amanda have a two-acre outdoor showroom with over 20 different structures on display where customers are welcome to check out the various building options.
Working together, Chad and Amanda have transformed a simple building dealership into a one-stop shop for accessory structures of all kinds. They love designing beautiful buildings and seeing them come to life. To create these complex projects they have expanded into general contracting complete with project management to ensure projects are built as designed.
Chad and Amanda recently changed their business tagline from “Space for You, Storage for Your Life” to “Accessory Structures Elevated” because they feel it fits their vision better. Not only do they offer accessory structures, they also elevate them by adding insulation, electricity, air conditioning, or masonry.
Since 2015, the Moores have installed hundreds of sheds and metal buildings all over Central Texas. “We want people to be taken care of all the way through the process,” Chad says. “[If customers just want] the building, or turnkey service to the last pebble and blade of grass, we can do that for them. We have a lot more to offer people at this point a lot more breadth and depth, and years of experience.”
On July 1, the WilCo Economic Development Partnership – made up of economic development leaders from Williamson County and cities of Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, Jarrell, Leander, Liberty Hill, Round Rock, and Taylor – opened an office in Seoul to help South Korean businesses looking to expand to the U.S. and encourage them to come to Williamson County. There are other cities in Williamson County that do not have economic development groups but are still included as cities of interest to any company vetted through Wilco EDP. "It's an amazing opportunity for all the participating cities. I'm proud of Williamson County for recognizing that and for understanding that the opportunity to create some great jobs here is phenomenal," says Mary Poché, director of the Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation.
As one of its first projects, the WilCo EDP Seoul office is hosting a seminar September 11-18 on how to do business in Williamson County. A delegation of economic development leaders, city managers, and others from across Williamson County will pitch their cities and what each has to offer to various Korean companies. “We all bring something different,” Mary says. “If a business doesn’t fit in Liberty Hill, then it might in Georgetown, Hutto, or in any of the participating cities. There’s much more power in working together as a region or group as opposed to going there as just Liberty Hill, Texas. But if you say 'Williamson County, close to Samsung,’ that's well known.'
Mary calls WilCo EDP a central clearing house that also acts as a marketing arm for participating cities by referring businesses to different cities based on where they believe businesses will fit best.
To prepare for the seminar, WilCo EDP cities have been working on marketing efforts with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency’s (KOTRA) Global Partnering Center, which opened earlier this year in Austin. For Liberty Hill, that has meant focusing on its ample workforce housing and labor shed of about 31,000 people – close to 60 percent of whom have at least a two to fouryear degree – as well as an excellent school district and nearby higher education institutions.
For a long time, Liberty Hill has been seen as a blue-collar community characterized mainly by farms and ranches out in rural Williamson County. But thanks to the surge in housing developments and rapid population growth in the last decade, it has become a flourishing city with a renowned school district and upscale neighborhoods. Furthermore, with the establishment of the Samsung semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor, Liberty Hill is poised to attract South Korean businesses to its burgeoning landscape.
When it comes to recruiting businesses to Liberty Hill, Mary and her EDC team are targeting industries like advanced manufacturers and semiconductor suppliers. "Liberty Hill is probably not a good fit for something as large as a Samsung project for a lot of reasons, but what supplies them, absolutely." The city is also targeting cybersecurity or defense-oriented companies with the city’s proximity to Fort Cavazos, as well as specialty distribution, niche retail, data centers, bioscience, and medical and back office operations.
Local city incentives may be available, including tax rebates and abatements, cash grants for full-time jobs, and infrastructure reimbursements as they follow state law for Liberty Hill’s corporation set-up and the baseline criteria established by the Liberty Hill EDC.
Highlighting education opportunities first has been part of the culture training Mary and other economic development leaders received from Wilco EDP's local consultant in conjunction with KOTRA. “What I've been told is that [Koreans] value education very highly. Any materials provided that showcase community and city offerings should lead with highlights about available education and close by higher education." Something else Mary has learned is the manner in which Koreans handle business discussions. “They don’t start talking business right away. They’ll very much do business over a meal, whereas Americans like to cut to the chase, ‘let’s get this done.’ It’s been a fun learning experience.”
As more people relocate to the area from other countries and regions, inexorably drawn to Central Texas' good jobs, schools, housing, etc., ancillary businesses will inevitably spring up to cater to the community’s growing and diverse demands. We can look forward to new businesses aligned with various food and entertainment sectors to shopping and worship places. With the possibility of South Korean businesses coming to Liberty Hill, Mary says, "it'll be really interesting to see what we look like in 5-10 years.”
The Citizens Bond Committee of Williamson County, chaired by Georgetown’s David Hays, was formed to assess the necessity of a bond election aimed at enhancing roadways and park facilities. The committee held six public meetings seeking input from a dozen cities in the county, municipal utility districts, county staff, the YMCA, and other partners. David reports that all six meetings were well attended and there was no opposition to the committee’s proposals.
The committee advised holding an election for road projects valued at approximately $1.68 billion and park projects totaling slightly more than $78.9 million. After reviewing, the Commissioners Court proposed last month that the electorate should decide on issuing the bonds. They narrowed down the project list, allocating $825 million for roads and $59 million for parks with a focus on safety and mobility.
“The cost of projects in urban areas like Georgetown and Cedar Park has escalated considerably due to increased traffic, and the number of projects exceeding $100M caught my attention," David notes. "With Williamson County's unstoppable growth and rising traffic challenges,
failing to enhance our road infrastructure will only set us further back." He adds, with the county's population expected to touch one million by 2030, according to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), the need is pressing.
There are 38 road projects named in the order, ranging from right-ofway acquisitions to design to full construction in all four precincts.
Expansion of Ronald Reagan from FM 3405 to Sun City Boulevard will be a benefit for the safety and flow of traffic around Sun City: $96M
Kenney Fort Blvd. extension to University Blvd., partnership with the City of Round Rock
FM 1431/US 183A intersection capacity expansion, partnership with the City of Cedar Park
Liberty Hill Bypass, complete bypass around Liberty Hill: $86.5M
East Wilco Hwy, construct twolane roadway CR 137 - CR 404: $80M
East Wilco Hwy, construct twolane roadway from Chandler Road to SH 29: $87M
Robinson Ranch Rd, construct three-lane roadway from SH 45 to McNeil: $47M
The Parks bond package includes 14 projects totaling $59 million for a mixture of projects related to:
Future parkland acquisition —location(s) TBD
Facility development projects associated with Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Williamson County Expo Center & Twin Lakes Park (YMCA)
Several shared use path projects
The county assures that if voters approve, the bond propositions will not alter the county’s debt service tax rate.
David emphasizes these bonds, combined with contributions from cities and state, will ensure an even development. For instance, “The upcoming Samsung fab will have a substantial impact on road conditions in Taylor and they are already working fast to keep up with water and infrastructure needs. Similarly, the future loop around Liberty Hill will be funded from multiple sources. Small municipalities like Jarrell are also growing quickly and the county—historically— steps in to provide funding for improvements to stay ahead of growth until the cities’ tax base can support their own road and park projects.”
Voter Registration Deadline: Oct. 10
Mail Ballot Application Deadline: Oct. 27
Early Voting:
Starting this year, Governor Greg Abbott recognized September as National Service Dog Month, celebrating the daily and life-changing impact dogs have on people with disabilities. To help educate readers on the importance of service dogs, we asked service dog owner Amanda Richardson to share her experience as well as tips on how to interact appropriately with service dogs out in the community.
Service dogs may be any breed and size, and are trained to perform tasks that make life easier for people with disabilities, such as picking up items for a person who uses a wheelchair, preventing an autistic child from wandering away, or calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack.
For Amanda, having Glamour as a service dog has been invaluable when it comes to helping with tasks like pulling the laundry basket, picking up her keys, phone, or other things she drops, opening doors if her hands are full, alerting her husband whenever she has breathing issues, and even accompanying on deliveries and serving as a mascot for her bakery business. “I never knew how much I really needed her until I brought her home almost two years ago,” Amanda says. “She has really completed our family in a way we can't begin to explain. I am grateful in so many ways to Canine Companions for helping give me some of my independence back by bringing Glamour into my life.”
While it can be hard to pass by a dog on the street without giving it lots of love and attention, it is important
you don’t interrupt or distract service dogs from the vital role they play in their handler’s wellbeing. “They are not just a pet, they become a team with their owner,” Amanda says. “And the two learn to rely on each other—not just verbally but with nonverbal communication as well. The service dog may be in the middle of performing task that is needed and it is important that it is not interrupted.”
Scan the code to learn more about service dogs and the important roles they play in helping people with disabilities.
Here are four steps to take to behave properly around service dogs, according to nonprofit service dog provider Canine Companions:
Ask the handler how the service dog helps them and get permission before interacting with the dog.
Speak directly to the handler, not the service dog
Be respectful of the service dog’s space.
Always assume the service dog is busy working, not off duty.
Sloths and manatees are the only mammals that do not have seven vertebrae in their neck.
If you squeezed an average cumulus cloud into a container, the water content would weigh about one million pounds.
Every C in “Pacific Ocean” is pronounced differently.
The black box on the airplane is painted orange to make it easier to find after an accident.
Tornadoes are invisible. We can't see wind what we see is cloud vapor and all the stuff churned up from the ground by the vortex.
It's a good thing Greenland sharks live to be about 400 years old. They aren't able to reproduce until they are about 150.
The technical term for this... # is "octothorpe."
A postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University believes the purpose of a yawn may be to cool the brain. The stretching of the jaw to yawn increases blood flow in the neck, face, and head. At the same time, the deep intake of breath forces a downward flow of spinal fluid and blood from the brain. The air breathed into the mouth cools these fluids.
William Shatner actually went into space in 2021 at age 90, so... did you know Gene Roddenberry wrote lyrics for the Star Trek theme song because he wanted the composer to have to split the royalties with him?
Beyond / The rim of the star-light
My love / Is wand'ring in star-flight
I know / He'll find in star-clustered reaches Love, / Strange love a star woman teaches.
I know / His journey ends never His star trek / Will go on forever. But tell him / While he wanders his starry sea Remember, remember me.
Soooo... you're saying being bored or sleepy makes our brains hotter?
Yes, you'll be humming it all day... you're welcome.
Situated on some of the most scenic land in Williamson County, The Canyons rests atop rolling hills looking out over the vast landscape. Offering an abundance of natural beauty and lush vistas, The Canyons has been carefully planned to integrate seamlessly into the natural environment. The development of The Canyons pays homage to the rich heritage of the land and encourages the continuation of this existing beauty to create a timeless natural environment. The homes in The Canyons are considered part of a cohesive element that melds the natural beauty with a place to call home.
With several shelters in Williamson County experiencing a recent increase in distemper cases, the Wilco Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) is highlighting the importance of pet vaccines in the hopes of fostering a healthy pet community.
Canine distemper has a wide range of symptoms, including high fever, eye inflammation and eye/nose discharge, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, and more severe symptoms like seizures and paralysis. The virus is spread through the air and by direct or indirect (e.g., utensils, bedding) contact with an infected animal.
Studies have shown that 60 percent of dogs that enter shelters are not vaccinated against distemper or parvovirus, which puts those dogs and others in shelters at a high risk of developing preventable diseases. “Vaccinations are the best way to prevent the spread of diseases and illnesses that are prevalent in nature and could harm our pets. It is considered the easiest way to help your pet live a long, healthy life,” WCRAS Community Programs Coordinator April Peiffer says, adding, “Vaccines not only protect that individual animal. Vaccines help keep the whole community protected from disease. A healthy community pet population leads to a healthy pet population in our shelters.”
Last year, WCRAS introduced a feline combo vaccine into their clinics for community cats and saw a significant
decrease in panleukopenia in kittens that entered the shelter during kitten season last summer.
Fully vaccinated pets may be safe from highly contagious viruses like parvovirus, distemper, and panleukopenia –all serious illnesses that require costly medical intervention to treat successfully and are fatal if left untreated.
Always check with your veterinarian for the type of vaccine and schedule of revaccinations that are best for the age and health of your pet. The core vaccines that all pet owners should provide their dogs are for parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and rabies. Cat owners should provide their pets with panleukopenia (feline distemper), calicivirus, herpesvirus type I (rhinotracheitis), and rabies. For pets that will spend a lot of time with other pets in environments like boarding facilities or doggy day cares, Bordatella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Leptospira bacteria are recommended as well.
While WCRAS doesn’t provide vaccines at this time due to being understaffed and overpopulated, other shelters and businesses offer them regularly. However, April says, “if individuals in the shelter's jurisdiction are having difficulty with affording basic combo vaccines for their pets, they can call the shelter for resources.”
For assistance with vaccines and other resources, call WCRAS at 512-943-3322. The shelter is open from noon to 6pm every day.
for ourselves. Losing that balance can lead to fatigue, frustration, and lower motivation. Try setting a schedule, and notify your boss, for an hour or more of silent time on nights and weekends.
We may occasionally fuss at our children when they overdo it on the screen time, but did you know the average adult spends as much as 10 hours a day in front of TV and computer screens, too? Sure, we need to pay our bills, video chat with our family members, and could spend 12 hours a day for eight years watching all the content on Netflix. Still, while the Internet is a wonderful tool, it is not exactly a healthy extension of our identity. Modern technology adds great value to our lives and our lifestyles, but it is also prudent to take occasional, or regular breaks from screens to renew our physical, mental, and emotional health.
Some things to consider when we log back in...
Productivity. Being accessible by our employers sometimes means being available, which means less time
Insomnia. Experts have been warning us for years that the flickering blue light of digital screens keeps the brain activated, and disrupted sleep prevents the brain from cleaning itself. During deep sleep, the brain discards waste products accumulated from a day’s activity, but too much time looking at a digital screen, absorbing artificial light waves, can disrupt circadian rhythms. It is recommended we turn off screens at least 60 minutes before bedtime.
Vision Troubles. Staring at screens for too long each day can trigger vision issues. Studies show our blink rates slow, which results in dry eyes. For older adults, there are concerns that blue light penetrates to the retina. Too much exposure to blue light can damage light-sensitive cells on the retina, which causes changes that resemble macular degeneration.* The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Taking a day or a weekend, or longer, to give yourself a break from screens, or even just social media, can improve your outlook.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety. Focus on Appreciation & Gratitude. Social media helps us stay up-todate on what people are doing but can also lead to FOMO (fear of missing out), unnecessary comparisons, jealousy, and envy. Powering
down from time to time allows us to reset, and be grateful for what we have. Experts advise we start by assigning a short part of the day to catch up and log out, or limit ourselves to just one platform per day.
Connect with the Natural World. Experts say we experience a natural urge to go outside when we disconnect from technology. Being outside gives us much-needed vitamin D and full-spectrum light
waves that contribute to emotional well-being and help regulate sleep cycles.
Be Productive. When you realize the natural impulse is to look at your screen in a few moments of down time, decide ahead of time that, next time you feel the urge, you will grab a crossword, cook, or walk the dog. Physical and productive activities also help increase our attention spans.
ONE Texas millionaire bragged to another, “It takes me all day to drive across my ranch.” The other Texan looked at him and drawled, “Yeah, I used to have a truck like that, too.”
Texans, and frankly, most other people, know “Everything is Bigger in Texas,” both real and imagined. While it may have roots in the enormity of our geographical area, historically, it goes much deeper than that.
The culture of Texas involves concepts of rugged individualism, self-reliance, hard work, and being a good neighbor. As part of that outward individualism, we have giant hats, big hair, big boots, enormous ranches, and tall buildings.
On the inside, there are plenty of big personalities, big egos, and nowhere else on the planet can you say, “Remember the...” without someone knowing how to finish it. All because a small army of Texans showed the world that we knew how to fight for independence. It’s also worth noting that Larry “J.R. Ewing” Hagman was a Texan. All these layers play into a mystical Texas “thing”, generated from the beginning of our history and greatly expanded, and happily self-propagated, in movies, music, and television.
In 1906, the Association of American Nurserymen had a conference in Dallas. The keynote speaker opened with this story*.
A Texas nurseryman was in New York talking with a New York real estate man. They were going down the street when the New York man happened to spy some very large pumpkins on the other side of the street.
“Now, just gaze upon these,” he said. “Have you got anything in Texas to beat that?” The Texas man said, “What are they, cantaloupes?” The New York man said, “Now, look here, I know you Texas people have got nerve, but you haven’t the nerve to tell me that cantaloupes grow that big in Texas.” The Texas man said, “Then what are they?” “They are pumpkins.” The Texas man said, “Why, hell, fellow, the seed get that big in Texas.”
Don’t misconstrue the things they say to you. When [a Texan] starts talking to you in a manner, which in any other country would be called boasting, remember it is not boasting in Texas.
The Texas State Capitol is nearly 15 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol, and larger in area than any state capitol.
The San Jacinto Monument is 12 feet taller than the Washington Monument.
The area of DFW Airport is larger than all of Manhattan Island in New York City. Our largest wind farm is 4-1/2 times bigger than Manhattan.
Three of the 10 largest stadiums in the nation are in Texas—Kyle Field-Texas A&M, Texas Memorial Stadium at UT, and the old Cotton Bowl. (If you count standing room, Cowboys’ stadium is #4.)
In 2022, the Texas economy made up nearly 9 percent of the nation’s GDP. At $2.355 trillion, it was 9th in the world.
Texas has the most Fortune 500 companies (53) in the nation.
Texas has enough crude oil reserves to fill up more than 1,400 Empire State Buildings.
The King Ranch is bigger than Rhode Island.
Broom, Texas is home to one of the world’s tallest freestanding crosses. At 190 feet, its shadow is visible from space.
Lakewood Church in Houston has 45,000 weekly members.
Big Tex (facing page) is 68 years old, and is the tallest Texan. He is 55 feet tall, wears size 96 boots and a 95-gallon hat. His jeans weigh 100 pounds.
If you drive from Dallas to Los Angeles, 12 of those 24 hours are on Texas roads.
By population, 5 Texas cities are in the top 20 in the U.S. (plus, El Paso is #21)
There are three electrical grids in the United States; East , West...and Texas.
Thanks to our history of self-determination, energy independence, and the culture and romanticism of the Old West, Texas is deserving of its iconic nature, and the unique picture it paints.
IT SHOULD SURPRISE NO ONE THAT “EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS” WAS PROPAGATED AS MUCH BY PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE STATE AS FROM WITHIN IT. WHEN YOU’RE IN TEXAS, SURROUNDED BY ITS MYSTICAL PIECES AND PLACES, IT’S JUST TEXAS. WHEN YOU GO ELSEWHERE, OR WHEN OTHERS VISIT, THE COMPARISONS BECOME OBVIOUS.
Texas is a huge chunk of land. In fact, it is 7.4% of the total U.S. area — or double the 10 smallest states combined. At one time, Texas territory included a major portion of New Mexico, the panhandle of Oklahoma, and a big piece of Colorado edging toward Wyoming. So, technically, the current Texas is comparatively smaller than even Texas used to be.
When oil lured people from failing mid-west industrial complexes, the prevailing attitude of the rushers was that Texans “were too dumb to know what can not be done, so they just went ahead and got done what everyone else knew was ‘impossible.’ ” That can-do attitude was part of Texas culture born out of being under, and gaining independence from three foreign nations prior to becoming a sovereign nation, and later, a U.S. state. Even the Federal Government has to ask Texas’ permission to build on public land. No other state has a history like that. Being proud about that is also part of being Texas.
The City of Houston created one of the largest seaports in the United States — 50 miles from the ocean. When the weather became too hot and humid to watch professional football comfortably, Houston built the first air conditioned football stadium.
Perhaps because it takes a long time to drive across Texas, State Highway 130 has a 41-mile section (which goes through Williamson County) with a marked speed limit of 85 mph—the fastest in the nation.
Still, if you must ponder the fact that the Northwest has bigger trees, Florida has better beaches, Arizona has the biggest canyon, and Alaska’s tallest mountain is more than twice as tall as ours, remember ... the U.S. Census Bureau says more than 1,000 people move here. Every. Day. So bigger here or not, a lot of people want a piece of it. ‘Nuff said.
For you trivia buffs, the New Braunfels Buc-ee’s was the largest convenience store in the world (66,335 sq ft.) until a 74,000 sq. ft. store was opened in Sevierville, Tennessee in 2023.
Texas is the birthplace of Dr. Pepper, Fritos, Chili, 7-11, frozen margaritas, and the microchip.
Even your friends who are fifth-generation Texans are newcomers. Some really smart scientists say humans have gathered at the Gault site for about 18,000 years. It contains the earliest evidence of human settlement the oldest art and even a house on the continent.
First excavated in 1929, on farmland owned by Henry Gault, this dig is 30 minutes from Liberty HIll. For $10 a person (free for school groups), you can take the tour, see artifacts that pre-date writing by 10,000 years, and enjoy hearing how discoveries in our own backyard change everything you thought you knew about early modern humans.
Around the world, Gault is considered a rock star of research and reconstruction. It has long contributed to our understanding of human evolution; how early modern man adapted and reacted to the bounty of Central Texas.
Former Executive Director and current Research Associate Dr. Clark Wernecke says, “Part of our mission is to educate people about what archaeology is, and why it really matters. It is the shared path we all have and is an important building block for where we’re going in 100 or 1,000 years.”
While some accounts differ as to who migrated where and when around the world, archaeologists working at the Gault site have been able to date many of their artifacts with all manner of scientific methods.
You may have heard of carbon-14 dating, but, among other things, the tour at the Gault site will introduce you to a laser technique that can determine when a single grain of sand, from deep underground, was last exposed to sunlight. Remember in 2018 when Saharan dust clouds gave us pretty sunsets? Those particles have been coming here for 20,000 years, settling into the Texas soil, and were dug up by Gault experts.
Dr. Michael Collins purchased the land in 2006 and immediately donated it to the Archaeological Conservatory. He says the site is a “stratographic package” of time and space that is distinctive. Clovis was previously believed to be the earliest people in the Americas. Gault has artifacts contemporary with the Clovis, above a layer completely void of artifacts, then another deeper layer some call the “Florence culture”.
Still, we don’t want to include too many spoilers in this story. The fascination and entertainment is best left to Dr. Wernecke, who is as committed to this treasure trove of history as he is excited to share it with people who wish to know more about it.
The education is definitely worth the drive but, worst-case, you’ll enjoy a beautiful day in the quiet of Florence. Imagine a child’s face when history comes off the page as tangible objects he or she can identify, and wonder about the person who left it there millennia ago. Dr. Wernecke says, “It gives us a perspective of the time-depth of humans, not just on the Earth but right here in our neighborhood.”
Dr. Wernecke welcomes anyone who wishes to volunteer on the project so if you like to dig, and have the patience to work a 10 x 10cm grid with bamboo tools (pictured), the school works a number of small excavations every year, and they are ready to train you. Contact Lab Director Nancy Williams at nvelchoff@ gaultschool.org or field director, Dr. Steve Howard at avp.archaeology@gmail.com.
YOU WILL FIND NO PLACE TO VISIT IN CENTRAL TEXAS AS UNIQUE AS THE GAULT SITE IN FLORENCE. TECHNICALLY, THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE ENTIRE WESTERN HEMISPHERE OF THE PLANET AS UNIQUE AS THE GAULT SITE.3433 FM 2843, FLORENCE • GAULTSCHOOL.ORG • TOURS $10 BY APPOINTMENT MON-SAT
Dr. Wernecke demonstrates what he calls “a paleolithic version of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone X”. Even stone tools were constantly upgraded and old ones were discarded at the site.
A cross-section of the site. Volunteers and scientists dig by centimeters, for many years, until they reach bedrock.
Dr. Wernecke explains that while archaeologists use a great deal of scientific method and technology, much of their work is about interpretation of their findings and piecing together things from the past. As such, they struggle to procure funding and grants from STEM and other scientific sources. During an official visit, Congressman John Carter remarked, “There is a lot of money nationwide but it is very competitive. But if the Gault school wants some, we will help them. This is a real jewel and everyone can help just by talking about it. This is a dream area and we need to keep it going.”
Ben Daniel, chair of the Florence Economic Development and P&Z Committees adds, “We are not creating this phenomenon, we are just recognizing something unique and wonderful about Florence. Even the science shows that this was an aggregation site; people have been coming here to hunt, make tools, and maybe even celebrate things for 18,000 years. We hope people will come here to visit and they will feel it too.”
SINCE 1929, THE GAULT SITE HAS BEEN EXCAVATED, SCIENTIFICALLY AND PUBLICLY DUG, LOOTED, AND PRESERVED. ARCHAEOLOGISTS, HOBBYISTS, AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE UNEARTHED MORE THAN 2,300,000 ARTIFACTS FROM JUST 3% OF THE SITE.
The Gault Site is private property so tours must be scheduled.
Contact the Williamson Museum for regular monthly tour schedules. For a class or private group of 10 or more, contact Dr. Wernecke at cwernecke@gaultschool.org
Private tours are first-come-first-served.
Length, activities, and program differ but visitors can expect to spend about 3 hours and cover 1-1/2 miles. At the end of the tour there is a picnic area and gift shop.
Photo courtesy of the Gault School
Welcome to our collection of one-skillet meals, where convenience meets delectable. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, these recipes are tailored to bring warmth to your table with minimal fuss. Discover the magic that happens when simplicity, taste, and efficiency come together in perfect harmony.
• Use a “Cowboy Cut,” bone-in rib eye, aged, marbled, about 1-1/2” to 2-1/2” thick. If you do not see them in the meat case of your super market, ask the butcher to cut them for you.
• Place steaks onto a sheet pan, sprinkle Himalayan salt and ground peppercorn on both sides, making sure to pat it into the meat. Adam’s Reserve products, especially the All Purpose rub, are a good alternate option.
• Take meat out of the refrigerator at least one hour before placing in the skillet.
• Sprinkle the tops of each rib eye with chopped fresh rosemary.
• Turn flame/burner to medium. Give it about a minute; drop a dollop of virgin olive oil into the skillet, let sizzle for about 30 seconds. Add 1/2 stick butter. For most things, salted butter is the best, but for this recipe, I recommend unsalted, since you have already salted the steak.
• Tilt the pan, side-to-side, to make sure the skillet is well coated. Place steak in pan when the butter/olive oil starts turning brown, constantly baste with bubbly mixture.
• After 6 minutes, turn steak over and cook/baste 6 minutes more.
• Immediately remove the steak to a large enough plate to accommodate the juices that will leak, then place on cutting board. I like to collect the juices to make a delicious au jus. Pour three ounces of the steak’s juicesfat- in a skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk flour into beef fat; cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
• Let steak rest 5-10 minutes. Slice across the grain. Bon appétit!
It is a myth that you can not cook acidic foods in cast iron. As long as your pan is well-seasoned, you can cook tomatoes over low heat for great flavor. Heat pan to about 385°, add tomatoes and cook 1015 or until they begin to burst. Shake the pan, then allow them to cook 5 more minutes to sear the sides. Your finished product is a sweet and juicy addition to any summer salad.
• 6 apples peeled, cored and chopped into chunks
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
STREUSEL TOPPING
• 1-1/2 c oats
• 1/4 c flour
• 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
Perfect in mid to late summer, corn loves the high heat of cast iron to bring out even more sweetness in the kernels. Trim the kernels and toss them into a hot oiled pan. Season with salt and pepper; stir and allow to cook for a few minutes. Your preferred cooking time depends on the volume of corn in the pan, juiciness of the kernels, and your skillet temperature. Stir occasionally to sear the outsides evenly.
The high heat of an iron skillet creates greater sweetness in carrots, and caramelizes the tips. Use very little oil on a well-seasoned skillet. Cook on medium-high heat, uncrowded, and not stirred too often. Garnish and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
• 1/2 c packed light brown sugar
• pinch of kosher salt
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 c chopped pecans • 1/2 c packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter
In medium bowl, mix oats, pecans, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Cut 6 tbsp butter into small pieces and, with fingers, massage butter into the mixture until incorporated fully. Set aside.
In large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter in a 10-inch cast iron or oven-proof skillet. With sharp knife, on a cutting board, slice down the middle of the vanilla bean. Gently scrape small egg-looking vanilla bean specks. Add vanilla to melted butter and stir about a minute.
Increase heat for the skillet to medium-high and add coated apples. Cook 5 minutes, tossing apples gently in the vanilla butter. Remove from heat and evenly scatter the streusel topping over the apples. Bake for 30 minutes at 350°F.
My three siblings and I live in three states and, since we all have families, we are in that season of life when we can typically only prioritize our middle-class money for reunions at weddings and funerals. But a few weeks ago, Older Brother took his daughter on a college visit and Little Brother's house happened to be on the way. They posted a selfie on Facebook and my first thought was how nice it was for them to get together for the first time in 12 years.
My second (and mildly startling) thought was, "Who are those old guys?" I mean, yeah, Belle has looked in the mirror lately, too. I have watched myself get just as old incrementally, and I see my siblings on FaceTime every now and then, doing whatever they are doing. But all of a sudden, as a group ... WE are the old people in the family. I had flashes of family gatherings 40 years ago (suddenly realizing how often I say “40 years ago” to describe the 1980s!) when my uncles and aunts seemed super old at my current age.
It's not as if we siblings haven't lamented the sad infrequency of family visits for the past 30 years already. That was about the time we all started getting married and moving to the places our spouses were from. (Why did it end up that way anyway?) And then we all had children, so we finally stopped fighting like children ourselves.
I have to say, that was the best thing that could have happened to our relationships. The brother that I fought with, literally, every day, because he
spent most of his teen years trying to compete with and outshine me, is now the first person I call for everything from a silly dad joke to bad news from my doctor.
He's also the sounding board I spent the most time with into my adult years (because it took us forever to move out of Mom's house). Incidentally, now that we're old, he has outdone me in many ways, but Mom secretly told me he was always working so hard to make me proud of him. So, yes, Little Brother, I am. And sorry-not-sorry, you are the big one in the photo but in my neural network, you will forever be my little brother
Naturally, I had a third thought, and many more after. I spent a weird amount of time on it actually. Even though we are all in our 50s, and old enough to be grandparents, we are still and will always be the people we were in 1973. Big Brother is still the trailblazer, doing everything first and giving us younger sibs the idea to try something new. He's still a computer nerd, has a secret stash of comic books, and he still likes to do the things only he got to do with our dad because he was the first son. Plus, he
has almost always driven hotrod cars that made us wish we were as fearless as he.
Big Sister has always been in motion, obsessing about her latest car, doing everything from field hockey to windsurfing. She still has a passion for sports and fitness, particularly as a cancer survivor, and still tells me to eat more vegetables as if I hadn't yet heard the news about healthy food. She has always been consumed with her work but only because she finds genuine joy in being excellent and showing off the work ethic she got from our dad. Seriously she puts the same energy and enthusiasm into her current semi-retirement job at a grocery store deli as she did with million-dollar marketing accounts 10 years ago and managing at a public park as a teenager.
The thing is, there's nothing better than the people who know your entire history, share your values and memories, understand exactly which eye roll you're executing when your parents embarrass you, and allow you a place where you will always belong. And even in our 50s I’ll paraphrase that great essay from The Breakfast Club we continue moving through and between the lanes we carved as younger people: a nerd, a stress-eater, the oldest child / baby of the family, the middle children, over-achievers, athletes, singers, comedians, and prayer warriors.
I don't know exactly when we merged into the "old ones" lane, but it's been a good time getting here and it's nice to be here together.
Atradition as important as the first pep rally or kickoff, Liberty Hill's annual Dads & Decals brings together generations, weaving stories of past triumphs with bright hopes for future gridiron glory.
At its core, this tradition is not just about stickers and protective headgear. It's about bonding, remembrance, and anticipation. For players, each decal tells a story representing a significant game, late coach or teammate, or just a team logo, and these symbols are affixed with care and respect.
For the young players, the ritual is a rite of passage. As they watch fathers or veteran players carefully placing these emblems, they learn about pride, dedication, and the weight of the legacy they carry. Each decal becomes a badge of honor, symbolizing their commitment to the game and their team.
For the fathers, it's an opportunity to connect with sons and friends, sharing tales of their own histories, highs and lows, and lessons learned. It's a moment in which each can express their hopes, impart wisdom, and inculcate the values that the sport stands for.
Before the first Friday night, this quiet, personal gathering sets the stage for the season to come and in a world where traditions are slowly fading away, this ritual is a testament to the timeless bonds of family, teamwork, and the enduring spirit of the game.
