WATER-SMART KIDS
Setting the Bar for Safety and Success
The largest international provider of year-round, indoor swim instruction dedicated to teaching water safety through our proven curriculum.
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 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.
SENIOR WRITERS / COPY EDITORS
Ann Marie Kennon
Charlotte Kovalchuk
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Linda A. Thornton
GRAPHICS & DESIGN
Sandra Evans • Marilee Goldoni
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Patrick St. Cin
CONTENT MANAGER • Camy Reynolds
IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne
CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel
ADVERTISING
Allison Smith Allison@lhtxdigest.com 512-966-2164
Liberty Hill Digest is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication and a product of AdvocateNewsTX Newspaper. Copyright © 2025
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@lhtxdigest.com
WHO WE ARE
In a world where daily headlines often drown out meaningful local stories, Liberty Hill Digest stands as a beacon of positivity and connection. More than just a lifestyle magazine, we’re passionate about telling the stories that define who we are as a community — through the people, programs, and values that help Liberty Hill thrive.
Since our launch in 2020, we've shared more than 550 stories highlighting the spirit of our city and have proudly mailed over 400,000 copies — free of charge — to keep our community informed, inspired, and united.
Our mission extends beyond the printed page. Each issue supports causes close to home, from promoting adoptable pets through the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter to spotlighting local nonprofits like L4 Cares. Our rotating nonprofit column creates space for advocacy, awareness, and connection.
We’re especially proud to showcase the heart of Liberty Hill — from students, FFA and 4-H youth, and Lib-
erty Hill ISD to essential organizations like Operation Liberty Hill. Through indepth features and cover stories, we honor those making a difference and inspire others to get involved.
Cultural touchstones like Whimsy & Wonder and city-wide events are celebrated not just as happenings, but as expressions of our shared identity. We also amplify the voices of first responders, veterans, and everyday heroes working behind the scenes.
Every November, our Giving Thanks & Giving Back issue reminds us of the impact of gratitude and community support, shining a light on the philanthropic efforts that make Liberty Hill stronger.
At its core, Liberty Hill Digest is more than a publication — it’s part of the community fabric. It advocates, educates, and celebrates. It reflects what’s good and possible when we choose to lift one another up.
We’re proud of what we’ve built, and even more excited about what’s ahead.
Before They Dive In Smart Tips for Choosing a Swim School
With swimming season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start thinking about swim lessons! Whether you’re just beginning to explore swim schools or have looked into a few options already, we know that choosing the right swim school for your child is an important decision—one that requires careful and deliberate consideration.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of what to look for when you begin your swim school search. Read on for our priority considerations when choosing a swim school.
1.SAFETY FIRST
Safety is every parent’s top priority, and it should be that of any swim school, too. Look for schools that teach proficient swimming as a lifelong skill, not just “get-to-theedge” techniques.
2.SMALL CLASS SIZES
Learn what the instructor-to-student ratio is at each swim school. Smaller class sizes allow children to receive more individualized attention, which helps them succeed. Class size is also important for social interaction. Swim lessons give children an opportunity to meet new friends and develop relationships.
3.CURRICULUM CENTERED AROUND PROGRESS
A swim school’s curriculum should have a foundation in childhood development and offer a clear path to becoming a safe and confident swimmer. Every child learns at their own pace and in their own unique way. Swim instruc-
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tors should recognize this and be willing to adapt their teaching styles as needed, helping your child to understand and progress.
4.QUALIFIED, FRIENDLY INSTRUCTORS
Similar to traditional schooling, finding swim instructors who are certified and highly trained is important. The length and quality of this training matters, too. Ask how many hours of training each instructor is required to complete and what this training consists of. Swim instructors should also have a friendly, welcoming attitude, a deep level of patience and the ability to help new swimmers feel at ease, building trust and excitement for each lesson.
5.FAMILY-FRIENDLY FLEXIBILITY
Make it easier on yourself by finding a swim school that offers weekend or evening classes and a clear make-up policy in case of illness or vacations.
6.HASSLE-FREE MONTHLY PRICING
Schools that have a consistent monthly rate make tuition more budget-friendly, easier to plan for, and an even better value in five-week months. That way, you can focus on what truly matters: your child’s safety, confidence and progress in the pool.
7.PROVEN EXPERIENCE AND REPUTATION
Discover how long the school has been teaching, what their reputation is in the community, and how parents feel about their programs. Online reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations can give you insight into the school’s consistency, approach and success in helping kids become safe, confident swimmers.
From Quirky to Iconic Art That Sets Us Apart
WHAT MAKES TEXAS
“TEXAS”?
by Linda A. Thornton
With its fiercely individualistic streak and proud history of doing things its own way, Texas didn’t just accept the avant-garde— it ran toward it with open arms and a sideways grin. Part of a proud, offbeat heritage, these creative artworks have flourished into renowned tourist attractions. Featured on social media and celebrated in songs, photographs, videos, television, and movies, this is what happens when folly and fame intersect.
PRADA MARFA: YOU CAN STOP, BUT YOU CAN’T SHOP
It made perfect sense to Scandinavian artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset: construct a luxury designer boutique in the middle of the desert that is not actually a store and not actually in Marfa.
With the help of Art Production Fund and Ballroom Marfa, two art organizations, the artists found a rancher who was willing to donate land in the town of Valentine–population 200. The project was named after the town of Marfa, known in the art world as the onetime home of famous minimalist artist Donald Judd.
In 2005, the structure, modeled after a Prada boutique, was completed. Though Prada did not commission the project, their founder, a contemporary art enthusiast, gave permission to use the Prada logo and donated merchandise for display, which can be seen through the locked door.
The night it opened, the building was vandalized. Thieves stole all the
Prada merchandise and spray-painted graffiti on the walls. After repairing and restocking, a security system was installed, which many saw as a nod to today’s society.
A 2013 threat by the Texas Department of Transportation to remove the structure, deeming it illegal roadside advertising, was thwarted by granting the installation museum status. Through it all, tourists have eagerly embraced this powerful statement, thought of as a commentary on modern life, a time capsule, and a statement on high priced commercialism.
"TEXAS": ART INSTALLATIONS
THE CADILLAC RANCH: JOYRIDE IN AMARILLO
Only in Amarillo, can you find 10 Cadillac cars buried in the dirt, nose down, with their tail fins proudly held high (facing page).
In 1974, The Ant Farm—a group of San Francisco hippies—and silent partner, Amarillo billionaire Stanley March, III came up with an idea for this public art installation, which pays tribute to the American car culture by highlighting the famous Cadillac tail fins.
Inspired by America’s infatuation with road trips, the initial site was
located directly on Route 66, west of Amarillo. Long before sleek interstates cut across the map, Route 66 was the open road—a legendary lifeline of American adventure and migration. The highway begins in Chicago and crosses eight states before ending in Santa Monica, California.
When the highway was realigned, the installation was moved to anoth-
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH WALL: AUSTIN’S LOVE LETTER
It started out as just a few simple words painted on a wall. Passersby shared in the spirit of the fun, sweet, uplifting message. Soon, lines formed to have photos taken, and its location–the side wall of Jo’s Coffee at 1300 South Congress Avenue–officially became the most famous street corner in Austin.
It was originally a personal message from local musician, Amy Cook, to her partner, Liz Lambert, majority owner of Jo’s, back in 2010. South Congress Avenue–also known as SOCO–is known for its high foot traffic, which helped the wall gain in popularity. Through the years, the public love letter has also cultivated a sense of community in Austin.
er spot in Amarillo. Now, rather than just viewing the artistic grouping, tourists are invited to bring spray paint and leave their mark on the cars. Though their artistic comment will only last until the next spray cans take aim, the creative activity remains an exciting collaborative gesture.
MEOW WOLF: PROVOCATIVE PLAYFULNESS
Picture artists being given carte blanche to manifest their innermost psychedelic dreams in a cavernous space.
In 2008, a collective of artists in Santa Fe joined forces to publicly display their work. Today, the creative minds of an artistic staff collaborate in a range of media–sculpture, fabrication, digital art, writing, film, and music–into “a mind bending, interactive, immersive, explorable art experience.” Houston and Grapevine have now joined the other five Meow Wolf locations in the United States.
In one its famous displays, you quickly realize the only way to continue through the home is to either open the refrigerator and walk through it or open the clothes dryer and slide down it. Part jungle gym, part haunted house and part children’s muse-
um, visitors of every age can easily become enthralled with the level of creativity and downright outlandishness.
Just when you wonder if the best way back to reality may be via the bar, their neon-colored cocktails topped with cotton candy remind you of their slogan “We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery.”
The Making of Williamson County
New Museum Exhibit Explores 200 Years of Growth
On January 1, 1892, Charles Belford signed a deal to buy out his partner, Moses Harrell, and take full ownership of the Belford Lumber Company. Over time, his lumber would become the backbone of the homes and businesses that anchored Georgetown and other growing Central Texas towns. The Portal to Texas History website calls the company “a well-known and respected business... that built some of the most architecturally and historically significant buildings and homes in Georgetown.”
More than 130 years later, those original purchase documents found a home at the Williamson Museum and are among many displays that tell the story of Williamson County as part of the museum’s new Building Up Wilco exhibit. Curated by Ben Geiger with the help of museum intern Daniel Weinstein, the exhibit explores nearly 200 years of growth, construction, and change across the county. Ben
shares, “With our current growth rate being one of the fastest in the country, the Williamson Museum and I wanted to reflect how Williamson County has continued to build since its initial settling in the 1800s. This goes anywhere from what they built with, what they built, who built it, and why they settled in the places they did.”
BRINGING THE PAST TO LIFE
Designed with all ages in mind, the Building Up Wilco exhibit offers interactive elements that allow people to engage with history in a hands-on, play-based learning environment. “It is also a great place for visitors to the Square to take a break from the outside, let their kids play, and have fun with history,” Ben says.
Among the exhibit’s displays are stories that shine a light on the lesser-known challenges early settlers faced–e.g. the process of cutting and hauling stone in the 1800s, which was a far cry from today’s quarry operations. “In the 1800s, they did not have excavators and technology we use in the 2020s. Instead, they did everything by hand and often used mule-drawn carriages to transport the stone.” It wasn’t until the arrival of the railroad that the process sped up significantly, allowing materials to be transported more efficiently, including pink granite from Marble Falls that was used in the construction of the Texas State Capitol.
The railroad didn’t just move materials; it moved people, too–shaping the map of Williamson County in ways that trace its historic roots and modern growth. In fact, entire settlements shifted their locations based on where the tracks were laid. One example is Bagdad, the original settlement near present-day Leander. When the railroad route bypassed Bagdad in favor of Leander, many residents relocated, leaving Bagdad behind as a ghost town. A similar story played out in Corn Hill, where people moved to the newly established town of Jarrell after the railroad created new opportunities there.
STORIES STILL UNFOLDING
Whether you’re a lifelong resident curious about your hometown’s beginnings or a newcomer eager to understand the landscape you’ve joined, Building Up Wilco offers an engaging window into the people and enterprises that have built Williamson County–and continue to shape its next chapter. Ben explains, “It’s a reflective project that asks, ‘How have we built for almost 200 years, and how will we continue to build?’ ”
The Building Up Wilco exhibit will run through March 2027 at the museum located at 716 S. Austin Ave. in Georgetown on the west side of the Courthouse Square. To learn more about the Building Up Wilco exhibit and other upcoming museum events, scan the code or visit williamsonmuseum.org
FIGHTING CANCER,
13-Year-Old Cancer Warrior Sworn
In May, 13-year-old DJ Daniel was sworn into the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and several other local law enforcement agencies, tallying another stop in the young cancer warrior’s quest to be sworn in across a total of 1,000 law enforcement agencies.
At 6 years old, DJ was diagnosed with a rare brain and spinal cancer and given five months to live. That was six years ago and, since then, he has traveled around the world visiting police stations and being welcomed into their ranks after word spread of his dream to become a police officer. That dream took root in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, when DJ witnessed firsthand the compassion local law enforcement showed in responding to the disaster in the Houston community where he lives.
He was first sworn in as an honorary officer by the Brookshire Police Department in Texas in 2019 and, as more departments began reaching out, DJ’s journey gained momentum and eventually attracted national attention. In March, President Donald Trump recognized him during a joint session of Congress and named him an honorary U.S. Secret Agent.
DJ’s initial goal was to be sworn in by 100 law enforcement agencies. He has since been named an honorary member departments and offices across the United States, Belgium, Turkey, Italy, and Israel. Multiple GoFundMe fundraisers have helped fund their travels as DJ continues his inspirational journey around the world.
WILCO WELCOMES DJ TO THE FAMILY
When Williamson County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Combs heard about DJ’s story, “I felt like I had to do it for him here in Williamson County,” he says. He reached out to DJ’s dad, Theodis, and invited them to visit for another swearing-in ceremony. DJ kicked off his stop in Williamson County with a swim at Kalahari Resorts before heading to the courthouse the next day, where he was sworn in by Sheriff Matt Lindemann as well as police chiefs from Georgetown, Jarrell, Cedar Park, Granger, Florence, Taylor, Constable Precinct 3, and other cities around the county. “It was an honor, a very special honor to be able to swear him in as an honorary deputy here in Williamson County,” Sheriff Lindemann says. During his remarks, prior to administering the oath, the Sheriff noted, "This young man set a goal for himself of being sworn in by 1,000 law enforcement agencies from across the country. He's at 1,350 today and 1,351 is going to be the best by far if you ask me. I told DJ he is going to be our best looking deputy yet."
CENTER: County Judge Steve Snell, Theodis Daniel (black hat), Sheriff Matt Lindemann (white hat), and DJ Daniel with Wilco chiefs, officers, deputies, and K9s.
ONE BADGE AT A TIME
as Honorary Member of Wilco Agencies
Despite 13 surgeries and a relapse earlier this year, DJ has maintained a positive attitude, keeping attendees laughing with jokes and quips throughout his swearing-in ceremony. “It feels great,” he said simply when asked what it’s like to be recognized by so many law enforcement agencies. As he has told his growing community of online supporters, “Like I always say, I’m going to keep on going until my gas tank runs out. If you got cancer, don’t give up on life. All you got to do is pray, believe in God, and just keep that negative energy out of your mind.”
He remains optimistic about his cancer battle, saying after the ceremony, “If you have terminal brain cancer, you’re not alone because I’m still battling it. But I’m not going to let it take me over.”
His dad sees their travels and ceremonies not just as symbolic gestures, but part of DJ’s healing. “They are a form of treatment for him,” Theodis says. “Most parents, when they find out their kids have cancer, they close them off from the world. But it’s not healthy for them. Take them out and let them be as normal as possible. I don’t care if they have two months to live. Take them to a football game, yeah put a mask on them, do whatever, but let them enjoy life. Yeah, you’re looking at two months, but it could be substantially longer than that if you keep the positivity that makes your worst day the best day.”
There are several GoFundMe pages in DJ's name. This link was provided by his father, Theodis, so you can scan with confidence and bless their family as they carry the financial burden of DJ's medical care on a single income.
BELLE CHIMES IN
by Ann Marie Kennon
GUEST DAD COMMENTARY
"Beau Weighs In" Vacation Planning
Belle is handing over the keys—figuratively, of course, because he insists on driving—to the dad in the house we'll affectionately call *Beau.* In honor of Father’s Day, it seemed only right to let a dad have the floor… or at least a recliner, a remote, the big piece of chicken, and a solid 500 words to say what’s on his mind. After all, he is among those giants of grilling, champions of dad jokes, brave souls who could reach the backseat with one hand while steering through construction with the other—and somehow still know exactly where the nearest Buc-ee’s is.
So, as you please, dear reader, crack open a root beer, adjust your shorts, and enjoy this month’s column, brought to you by the guy who believes “Don't make me come back there!” should be printed on every family vacation t-shirt.
I’m not saying I don’t *like* vacations. I’m just saying they cost a lot, require suitcases I see once a year, and somehow still involve problems I have to resolve. It’s amazing how every Airbnb comes with complimentary towels, coffee filters and, inevitably, something I have to snake out of a drain.
Around here, “vacation planning” means Belle fires up a dozen browser tabs, toggles between TripAdvisor and weather apps, and starts way too many sentences with “Wouldn’t it be fun if…”—to which I brace myself and silently channel my inner Captain Kirk: “Sulu… go to red alert.” Next thing I know, we’re booking a place that’s “charming” (read: no Wi-Fi and has a questionable smell). On the plus side, rustic is apparently code for “able to pee outside with privacy.”
As is my anthropoligically programmed prerogative, I’d rather drive than fly. With air travel I have to *people* from start to finish, I have no fondness for $23 airport sandwiches, and I can never say, "If you don't stop fighting I'm going to turn this plane around and take us all home!"
I pack one pair of cargo shorts, three t-shirts, a Swiss Army knife, and a roll of duct tape, which is just common sense. The kids want amuse-
ment parks and pricey sno-cones. I want a chair in the shade and the legal limit of beef jerky. Bonus points if I can serve every component of our dinner with grill marks—while holding a Coke, a spatula, and a Bluetooth speaker, all without losing my flip-flop.
And don’t get me started on screen time negotiations. Kids have no idea how good they’ve got it. I grew up riding in the back of a station wagon with no seat belts, making faces at the cars behind us, and playing the license plate game until someone got car sick. No tablets, no earbuds, no in-seat charging ports—just window smudges and boys weaponizing the burritos they had for lunch and blaming it on the dog. Entertainment was either I-Spy, dirty word hangman, or someone crying. Sometimes all three.
Here in 2025, we rent a cabin with a hot tub, surround sound, and a view worthy of a travel magazine... and the kids are still glued to their screens watching otter core. I point out a bald eagle soaring over the lake and get a grunt of acknowledgment without eye contact.
But then—somehow—around a fire, no screens in sight, one of them will say something unexpectedly kind or hilarious, and I’ll think: *Okay. It’s still getting through.* Even with all the
gadgets and devices, the moments still find a way in. And maybe that’s the real magic of vacation—less about the scenery, more about the glimpses of who we’re all becoming when the distractions are buffering.
Every year, I survive by one principle: lower your expectations and nobody gets hurt. You won’t see that stitched on a beach house pillow, but you *will* see it etched into the soul of every dad who ever tried to herd sandy children through a souvenir shop without buying more seashells.
Somewhere between “Dad, are we there yet?” and “Honey, can you carry my bag too?” I begin to wonder when “vacation” turned into a mobile version of my daily responsibilities—just with more humidity and fewer bathroom options.
Still, I can’t lie. I wouldn’t trade it. Because somewhere along the way, we laugh, connect, and accidentally make memories that will outlast the sunscreen stains. And even if the trip includes a flat tire, sunburn, and a bird stealing half my sandwich—I’ll take every ridiculous minute of it.
Just don’t ask me to plan it. Or worse… review it online.
Happy Father's Day, Liberty Hill!
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