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AUGUST 2026

Once Upon a Road Trip...

THE PAINTED PORCH BOOKSHOP: A Storybook Escape Where Every Shelf Invites You to Linger KIDS & EDUCATION Evolution of the Classroom

WHAT MAKES TEXAS 'TEXAS' The Texas Two-Step

LIFESTYLES The Importance of Reading

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CONTENTS WHO WE ARE Liberty Hill Digest is more than a magazine—it’s a connector, storyteller, and champion for our community. Since 2020, we’ve shared 550+ stories and mailed 400,000 free copies to keep Liberty Hill informed and inspired. Each issue highlights local people, nonprofits, students, first responders, and city events that define who we are. Our annual Giving Thanks & Giving Back edition and rotating nonprofit column amplify causes that strengthen our city. At our core, we celebrate what’s good, foster connection, and help Liberty Hill thrive—together.

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AUGUST FEATURES 3 / KIDS & EDUCATION • Evolution of the Classroom 6 / WHAT MAKES TEXAS 'TEXAS'? • Texas Two-Step 8 / WORTH THE DRIVE • The Painted Porch Bookshop 10 / LIFESTYLE • Turning Reluctant Readers Into Bookworms 12 / BELLE CHIMES IN • The Sunday Afternoon of the Year PUBLISHER Cathy Payne WRITERS / COPY EDITORS Ann Marie Kennon Charlotte Kovalchuk

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Liberty Hill Digest is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication and a product of AdvocateNewsTX Newspaper. Copyright © 2026 • 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.

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THEN AND NOW

KIDS & EDUCATION

How the First Day of School Has Changed— and Stayed the Same

here was a time when the first day of school meant a brand-new Trapper Keeper, freshly sharpened #2 pencils, a lunchbox featuring your favorite cartoon character, and brown grocery bags carefully folded around every textbook. If you were lucky, your best friend ended up in the same homeroom. If not, you spent the next nine months hoping your teacher would change the seating chart. For Baby Boomers and Generation X, school looked remarkably different from the classrooms students will enter this August. Chalkboards have given way to interactive displays. Heavy textbooks have been replaced by Chromebooks. Parents who once waited six weeks for report cards can now check grades from their phones.

erty Hill educator Carolyn Cobb, who spent 45 years teaching and watched Liberty Hill grow from a tiny district of just a few hundred students into one of the fastest-growing school systems in Central Texas. "When I started at Liberty Hill, there were maybe 350 students in the whole district," Carolyn recalls. "We had chalkboards, textbooks, and grocery sacks covering every book. That's just what everybody did."

Technology Opens New Doors Technology has transformed nearly every corner of the classroom. Carolyn remembers learning to use DOS-based computers simply to record attendance and grades before classrooms gradually adopted ceiling-mounted projectors, digital presentations, and online learning. Today's students have access to more information than previous generations could have imagined, and Carolyn believes technology has created opportunities that simply

didn't exist when she began teaching. "I think teachers have more opportunities now to meet all the needs of a student," she says. "Some students learn visually, some auditorily. Technology gives teachers more ways to reach those kids." She especially appreciates the accommodations now available for struggling learners, including audiobooks and other digital tools that allow more students to succeed alongside their classmates. She also points to the expansion of dual-credit classes and career and technical education programs as another positive change. "Not every kid is college material—and that's okay," she says. "We're finally seeing more opportunities for students who want to learn a trade or technical skill. We need experts in those careers, too."

Some Traditions Are Worth Keeping While Carolyn embraces many of education's technological advances, she believes some of the simple routines of school have been lost along the way. She misses classrooms filled with textbooks and lockers, as well as the face-to-face interactions that naturally happened before students carried smartphones. "I still think it's important for teachers to teach



Few people have witnessed that transformation more closely than retired Lib-

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KIDS & EDUCATION and not rely too heavily on computers," she says. "COVID showed us pretty quickly that computers can't replace teachers." She also applauds Texas' new law limiting student cell phone use during the school day, believing students learn best when they are engaged with their teachers and classmates instead of the screens in their hands. Carolyn would also like to see schools continue protecting instructional time while supporting the extracurricular activities that help students grow, compete, and prepare for their futures. "You can't learn if you're not there," she says. She also misses the consistency in classroom discipline and the strong administrative support teachers once relied upon, believing both are essential to creating an environment where students can thrive.

1980s

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Teachers Make the Difference Despite the dramatic changes, Carolyn insists today's students are not all that different from the ones she taught decades ago.

"There are so many great kids out there who really want to learn." Whether students are carrying pencils and crayons or fully charged Chromebooks, the first day of school still represents something much bigger than school supplies. It is a fresh start, a chance to make new friends, discover new talents, and find teachers who believe in them. The classrooms may have traded chalk dust for touchscreens, but every August still begins with the same quiet promise: this might be the year something wonderful happens.

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TEXAS TWO-STEP The Honky-Tonk Heartbeat by Li n d a A . T hor n ton

WHAT

MAKES TEXAS

“TEXAS”?

Who would guess that what started as the simple rhythmic beat of Texas boots on an old wooden dance floor would have people two-stepping all over the world?

sk most anyone and they will tell you they’re not exactly sure how Texas Two-Step came to be. One theory claimed it was a Foxtrot. That idea collapsed when it was shown that Harry Fox, a vaudevillian performer, popularized Fox’s Trot. Later theories suggest a mix of dances or an evolution of the French waltz. These appear to be confusions of nomenclature rather than Texas history. According to Wyatt Gauss, founder of dance school Hill Country Two-Step, the Texas Two-Step cannot be defined as one specific dance, but as a set of dances. The historical abundance of German and Czech dance halls across the state (estimates range from 1,000 to 2,500) undoubtedly contributed to this variety. Historian T.R. Fehrenbach points to a little known fact that by 1850 European (mostly German) immigrants in San Antonio outnumbered both Mexicans and Anglos. The true roots are the German Polka and the Czech Schatzi. The original and variant versions, known interchangeably as Texas Shuffle and Texas Two-Step, are still danced throughout Texas today. 6

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The Shuffle has the Polka rhythm danced as gliding or shuffling footwork, three steps to two beats (a triple step) on alternating sides, producing the classic “boot scooting” look. Studio versions such as Triple Two-Step are simply ballroom-style variations of this old Shuffle.

There are many versions of two-step across the United States and there is no one “correct” dance. Visit any dance hall and they will assure you their unique version is correct.

The Schatzi uses side-to-side steps followed by two forward steps in a slow-slow-quickquick rhythm. Some later varieties simply walk the rhythms, or even reverse its start to quickquick-slow-slow for competitive and studio use.

Wyatt Gauss grew up rather shy but enjoyed social dancing. Little did he know each step was leading him toward becoming a true dance aficionado. Encouraged by his mother to dance and inspired by his father's sense of adventure, Wyatt took the initiative to reach out to several world champion dancers. What began as an email friendship eventually turned into an invitation to train with them and he developed a deep appreciation for the artistry, technique, and subtle connection between movement and music.

Texas Two-Step in all its varieties, along with related swing dances, continue to use moves such as the “cuddle” and “promenade” that were and still are part of those original “cute” or Schatzi dances. In 1980, John Travolta’s starring role in the movie Urban Cowboy brought two-stepping and country-western bar culture into the national spotlight and they remain a core part of Texas dance hall culture today.

THINKING ON ONE’S FEET

When Wyatt founded Hill Country Two-Step, his goal was to create more than just another dancing school. His dream was to combine his love of dance with an homage to the history that celebrates this classic dance.

by Linda A. Thornton • p h o to s co urtesy Wyat t Gauss

WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"

GROWING, ONE DANCE AT A TIME With one foot still in the tech business and one foot in dance, Wyatt’s quiet nature tempers his competitive edge. Using social media and a website to promote his business, he prefers a low-key approach and relies mainly on word of mouth.

ROOTS AND RHYTHMS Wyatt has had the privilege of introducing dance newbies from all walks of life to Texas culture and dance: His expertise caught the attention of television producers. The reality show 90 Day Fiancé invited him to film a dance lesson for an episode set in Austin. He was invited to teach students at the University of Texas in the Gallery of Texas Cultures and later to lecture on the history of Texas Two-Step while teaching the dance itself to rather strait-laced visiting scholars from around the world. Even the typically reserved students from the London Business School let loose during a visit to Austin, ending their dance lesson laughing and two-stepping together. Participants in the Youth Cultural Exchange and Summer Discovery programs eagerly embraced the chance to learn the Texas two-step, while members of the Governor's Office Youth Ambassador Program welcomed the lessons as a refreshing break from their structured schedule. When Deep Eddy Vodka hosted a private event for guests from across the country, Wyatt and his team were there to introduce them to one of Texas' best-known traditions with lively two-step lessons.

In addition to private, in-studio lessons, Wyatt and his team bring dance directly to the community through weekly classes at some of Central Texas' favorite dance halls. Their mission is to make dancing approachable, welcoming, and just plain fun. Regular lessons are held in Austin at Backwoods Bar, Little Longhorn Saloon, Sagebrush, and at the iconic Luckenbach near Fredericksburg. Classes are free, although tips are always appreciated.

NO LEFT FEET, NO WALLFLOWERS Give Wyatt and his staff an hour and they promise to have you two-stepping. Enough that you will be able to attend a dance and not have to do the same step all evening. Despite starting with zero dance experience when they met, Wyatt’s girlfriend and dance partner, Crystal (above), has transformed herself into an accomplished professional in just one year. The key is to relax, have fun, and let those slow easy steps carry you around the dance floor. Scan the code to visit the Hill Country Two-Step website and mark your calendar for lessons and community events.

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WORTH THE DRIVE

by A nn Ma r i e Ke nno n

The Painted Porch Bookshop

t's not often a single retail space makes it to our "worth the drive" list but The Painted Porch Book Shop definitely earns its spot. Tucked into the heart of historic Bastrop's historic Main Street, this isn't the kind of bookstore that tries to carry every title ever printed. Instead, it offers something increasingly rare: confidence. Every book on its shelves has earned its place. Owned by bestselling author Ryan Holiday, The Painted Porch opened in 2021 with a refreshingly simple philosophy: don't stock what's trendy—stock what's exceptional. The result is a carefully curated collection where every recommendation feels personal, as though a well-read friend quietly handed you a book and said, "Trust me," and that philosophy becomes obvious the moment you walk through the front door. Nearly every shelf has a handwritten note, or a laminated review card from the owner himself, to give you an idea of what you might find fascinating before even picking up a book. Instead of towering shelves and endless aisles that can leave readers overwhelmed, the store is warm, intimate and inviting. Wood floors creak and staff recommendations tease you into picking up one more title. Beautiful editions of classics sit comfortably beside contemporary nonfiction, children's books, history, philosophy, and fiction. The atmosphere encourages lingering instead of rushing. In an era when algorithms constantly suggest "people who bought this also bought…," The Painted Porch offers actual human experience from those who read cover to cover.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ryan has built a career writing about timeless principles— discipline, courage, wisdom and resilience—and those same values influence his store's collection. The shelves reflect books that have stood the test of time or offer ideas worth wrestling with, rather than simply occupying this week's best-

WORTH THE DRIVE seller list. Even if you've never read one of his books, you'll appreciate the experience provided by a lover of great literature across thousands of years of thought. The Painted Porch feels less like shopping and more like discovering. Visitors often arrive expecting to browse for a few minutes and find themselves losing track of time. Ryan and his staff take pride in watching customers leaving with a stack of books they never knew they wanted but somehow can't imagine putting back. For readers looking for more than a single afternoon of browsing, The Painted Porch also offers its popular, subscription-based Quarterly Classics Book Club. Rather than racing through the latest bestseller just to get to the wine and charcuterie, members spend three months reading one carefully chosen classic, then gather in Bastrop for an in-depth discussion. The slower pace encourages readers to really absorb the book, reflect on its ideas, and enjoy thoughtful conversation with fellow book lovers. It's a refreshing reminder that some books deserve to be savored rather than simply finished—and it's the kind of experience that turns a charming bookstore into a destination worth returning to throughout the year.

WHEN YOU GO A visit to Bastrop's Main Street is about more than just one destination. The Painted Porch is nestled in the heart of one of Central Texas' most charming downtown districts, where historic storefronts invite visitors to spend a leisurely afternoon exploring boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés. Stop in for a coffee—or treat yourself to the raspberry iced tea at Gracie's, which the bookstore clerk says she dreams about—then simply wander and enjoy one of Texas' oldest and most picturesque downtowns. Maybe you're an avid reader searching for your next favorite novel. Maybe you're shopping for the impossible-to-buy-for friend who already owns everything. Or maybe you're simply looking for an excuse to slow down for a few hours in a world that rarely encourages slowing down at all. A bookstore may seem like an unusual destination in the age of two-day shipping and e-books, but that's precisely the point. The Painted Porch proves that choosing fewer books—but choosing them well—can create something far richer than endless selection. It reminds visitors that reading isn't just about consuming information; it's about finding stories and ideas that stay with us long after we've turned the final page. So the next time you're looking for a Saturday adventure, point the car toward Bastrop, wander into The Painted Porch, pick up a book you weren't planning to buy, and settle into the slower pace of a town that still believes some of life's best discoveries happen one page at a time. AU G U S T 2 0 2 6  L I B ER T Y H I L L D I G ES T

LIFESTYLE

Turning Reluctant Readers

ALTERNATIVE STORY FORMS TO HELP AUDIOBOOKS Audible Kids offers a large collection of children’s audiobooks with a paid subscription, while Hoopla and Libby connect young readers with free audiobooks and e-books through participating libraries. YouTube Kids provides access to read-aloud stories and interactive storytelling videos. For families looking for a screen-free option, Yoto Player uses physical cards to play audiobooks, podcasts, and short stories.

E-BOOKS For kids who prefer reading on a tablet or e-reader, platforms like Epic!, Libby, Hoopla, Sora, and Kindle Kids offer digital books with features like adjustable text sizes and built-in dictionaries.

very book serves as a passport to another world, offering the chance to explore countless unfamiliar places while gaining wisdom and experiences beyond our own. “Books can take you anywhere,” Liberty Hill Public Library Director Julie Pearson says. “It sounds cliché, but you can go anywhere, you can learn anything, you can be an expert in anything.” Yet for many young people, developing a love of reading can be a challenge. According to the National Literacy Trust’s annual literacy survey, young people’s enthusiasm for reading has fallen to its lowest level in two decades. In 2025 just one in three adolescents ages 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time—a 36 percent decline since the survey began in 2005. Daily reading has also dropped, with fewer than one in five young people saying they read something every day in their spare time. Still, reading remains a powerful tool for supporting children and teens’ academic, emotional, and social development. Beyond improving vocabulary and literacy skills, reading has been linked to stronger empathy, improved focus and cognitive function, reduced stress, and greater emotional well-being. For children and teens in particular, books can provide safe spaces to explore new perspectives, build emotional awareness, and find comfort in stories that reflect their own challenges and experiences.

Graphic novels can help readers engage with stories through both visual and written storytelling, serving as a great entry point for those who feel intimidated by traditional chapter books. “Some parents will come in and say, ‘Oh, graphic novels aren’t really reading.’ It is reading! They use different parts of your brain than other forms of reading,” Julie says.

BEYOND THE PAGE

HIGH-LOW BOOKS

For reluctant readers, finding the right format can make all the difference. While a traditional physical book may be the perfect fit for some, others may connect with reading through audio, visuals, or interactive features. The goal is not finding one “right” way to read—it’s discovering the experience that captures the imagination and makes stories come alive.

Short for high interest, low readability, high-low books are designed for readers whose reading abilities are below the typical level for their age group. They pair engaging, age-appropriate topics with simpler vocabulary and shorter sentences to make reading more accessible.

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GRAPHIC NOVELS

by Cha r lotte Kova lc huk

into Burgeoning Bookworms

LIFESTYLE

KIDS DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF READING IMMERSIVE READING Combining text, audio, visuals, and interactive features, immersive reading can help make stories more accessible and engaging for reluctant readers. Print options like Wonderbooks and VOX Books pair physical books with built-in narration, while digital platforms like Epic!, Sora, and other apps offer read-aloud features, highlighted text, and interactive elements.

Unearthing a Summer of Stories

The ongoing decline in reading enthusiasm among kids and teens is why libraries and bookstores continue filling their calendars with story times, book clubs, and summer reading programs—creating opportunities to ignite imaginations and help the next generation discover the joy of reading. This year’s national Summer Reading Program theme, “Unearth a Story,” invited libraries to celebrate the joy of finding stories through books, programs, and shared community experiences. At the Liberty Hill Public Library, that theme came to life through a month of reading challenges and hands-on activities that encouraged readers of all ages to dig into a treasure trove of literary adventures. This year, the library expanded its programming to reach more of the community, offering activities for all ages. Younger readers enjoyed dinosaur-themed activities, crafts, and story times, while older participants took part in arts and crafts, a teen juggling workshop, and a summer-long Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Performers including magicians, musicians, and a singing zoologist brought stories to life in unexpected ways. Participants also tracked reading through logs, earning Brag Tags, raffle tickets, and prizes while helping drive record participation, with adults logging 2.9 million minutes compared to 2.7 million the previous year. For Julie, the goal of summer reading is not just about how many books someone finishes, but about creating positive experiences that make reading feel exciting rather than like another assignment. “We hope that they had fun,” she says. “You hope those readers who don’t typically come in find that incentive to make it more fun, so they don’t feel like it’s something they have to do.”

At the Liberty Hill Public Library, Wonderbooks are available in the easy readers and picture book sections, with titles extending through middle grade. “For kids who have a hard time focusing, and for kids with learning issues, parents said they found them really helpful,” Julie says.

That encouragement can make a difference when students return to school in the fall. Julie notes that summer reading programs help children retain skills from the previous school year and transition back into the classroom with more confidence. Although the summer program has ended, the library encourages families to continue exploring stories throughout the year. With winter reading programs, ongoing events, and opportunities to engage with the library beyond books, there are countless ways to stay connected. “You don’t have to get a book every time you come to the library,” Julie says.

bout “It’s just a er ids ov exposing k ding.” o rea and over t

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BELLE CHIMES IN

by A nn Ma r i e Ke nno n

The Sunday Afternoon of the Year

here comes a point every August when you walk outside and realize the sun has somehow become personal. It is no longer simply hot—it is offensive. The grass crunches beneath my feet like corn flakes. My steering wheel feels like a branding iron, and even my dogs give me looks that say, "We're not doing this today." By August, we've all become survivalists. We know exactly which parking spots will have a sliver of shade after church and we've mastered the art of carrying a dozen grocery bags in one trip because nobody is making a second journey across the parking lot. We can tell the difference between "it's 102 degrees" and "it's 102 degrees with humidity," because one feels like an oven and the other feels like being hugged by a wet mattress. And despite Texas feeling like a blast furnace for six straight months, August still feels a little different from June or July. Mostly because June is the hopeful start to a long break from school schedules, vacations are still ahead, tomatoes are just beginning to ripen, and the pool still feels like a fresh idea. Then July comes with fireworks, cookouts, and the relief that there is still a whole month before we have to start doing things again.

pelled to post the season's first Christmas display the minute she spots one, usually around August 2—even though it's still ninety-eight degrees after sunset and stepping outside feels like standing in front of a jet engine in the desert. We're caught between two seasons. Maybe that's why August is such a good reminder to slow down. There are only so many evenings left to watch lightning bugs blink across the yard. Only so many backyard burgers before chili starts sounding like a good idea. Only so many peaches, watermelon slices, homemade ice cream, and late sunsets before the calendar quietly turns another page. In fact, you don't even need a calendar. You just need to hear that television theme you've been associating with football since Reagan was in office. Before the first commercial break, Chris Collinsworth is diagramming a blitz, and you're suddenly in the fourth quarter of summer. Life has a funny way of convincing me that the next season will finally be the one where everything settles down. After school starts... maybe after football season... no, probably after the holidays. Still, if I'm honest, life nev-

But the whole month of August is basically a Sunday afternoon. That feeling that the weekend isn't over yet, but you can already hear Monday clearing its throat and you're giving your alarm clock the side-eye. Stores are quietly replacing beach towels with pumpkins. School supplies are arriving like the parking lot is directly adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz and the ships are carrying nothing but #2 pencils, glue sticks, and spiral notebooks. And Belle always feels com12

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er really slows down, it just changes costumes. So maybe August isn't asking me to hurry toward fall. Maybe it's inviting me to sit and enjoy what's left of summer. My backyard is swarming with dozens of precious little hummingbirds on their annual migration south, the tomatoes are stubbornly producing one more harvest, and the neighbors wave from the driveway after dinner because it's finally cool enough to stand outside for five minutes. My pool water is bathtub temperature, which is great for naps on a float, and I can enjoy my morning tea for an extra 30 minutes before the heat of the day descends on the porch like the Road Runner dropped it. Those ordinary moments rarely make my calendar, but years from now they're often the way I remember a particular stage of life. August reminds us every season has its own kind of peace—even the kind that tries to melt my flip-flops to the driveway. So before you start decorating with pumpkins while wearing shorts and sunglasses, take one more evening to sit on the porch, watch the sunset, listen to the cicadas, and wave at a neighbor. Fall will get here soon enough; usually sometime between the first high school playoff game and Thanksgiving. And if you're one of those people who lights a pumpkin spice candle before Labor Day, just know the rest of us are secretly judging you... while also possibly wondering where you bought it.

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