Georgetown View Magazine • June 2021

ge o r ge t own v i ew JUNE 2021

W E B U I L D CO M M U N I T Y

AESTHETIC GENEROSITY IN THIS ISSUE GISD: A Great Report Card for Recovery | 14 City and County: Honoring Mr. & Mrs. Georgetown | 28 Mustang Grapes : Local Food and Fun | 47 & 57 J U N E 2 0 2 1  G E O R G E TO W N V I E W

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georgetown view Published by Optimus Media Group, LLC

ANN MARIE KENNON EDITOR’S NOTE June Greetings…

PUBLISHER | Cathy Payne

cathy@georgetownview.com

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

Along with serving as the publisher of the Georgetown View, Cathy oversees multiple news magazines, marketing campaigns, and books.

EDITOR | Ann Marie Kennon annmarie@georgetownview.com With a quarter-century of writing, reporting, and marketing behind her, Ann Marie enjoys sharing her vision and voice with a Central Texas audience. She believes being involved in and writing about local communities is the best way to show her affection and appreciation of everything Texan.

SENIOR WRITER Charlotte Kovalchuk CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Karina Cuenca • Megan Diane Beatty • Greta Bauer GRAPHICS & DESIGN Zion Pistole • Ann Marie Kennon CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rudy Ximenez • David Valdez • Todd White SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Jenny Campbell ACCOUNT SERVICES Debbie Tolliver IT / WEBMASTER Jesse Payne

June is the time we celebrate getting out of school and getting outside. Maybe even getting to the beach or the mountains. In 2021, we are also celebrating a gradual return to normalcy, however painstakingly slow.

This month we have a wonderful mix of people, plans, and proclamations that highlight fathers, food, and fun in Georgetown. First up, it was very exciting to check in with the “Smile Freely” dentists at Aesthetic Dentsitry and see how their patients are paying their new smiles forward.

In our schools, Dr. Fred Brent has much to be proud of, and he continues his resolute efforts to ensure every student has the opportunity and support to move forward in his or her academic progress. With tremendous respect, I could add my own gratitude to his story. The weight of this allin-one global pandemic and calamitous winter storm year seems evident, but just ask him to talk about his students and watch him light up with joy like a kid on Christmas.

In the community, Jimmy Jacobs is helping Pastor William Quickley renovate the historic Wesley Chapel AME Church.

Jimmy’s love and support for Georgetown has been pivotal for many organizations over the years and we’re lucky to have them both.

While we’re on the topic of ‘love for Georgetown,’ there is no greater story than Leo and Vivian Wood. Not only was it Mr. and Mrs. Georgetown Day in Georgetown last month, Judge Gravell and Commissioners Court got on board and honored them on behalf of the whole county.

There are plenty of Texas things to enjoy as well. From wild grapes to cowboys, add a General and some ladies showing us how to enjoy being friends the way we used to, and it's a perfect start to the summer.

DISTRIBUTION David Schumacher CONSULTANT W. Ben Daniel

ADVERTISING Mark Elliott 512-240-2267 • 512-598-3500 mark@georgetownview.com

Georgetown View is an Optimus Media Group, LLC publication.

Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. Georgetown View is published monthly and individually mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in Georgetown, TX zip codes. Mail may be sent to Georgetown View, P.O. Box 203, Jarrell, TX 76537.

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Happy to see the Oinkmobile at Carver Elementary... rolling through Georgetown, as promised! p.34

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ver since she was little, Ngoc “Nina” Chau wanted to help people and solve challenges. It’s why she decided to go into the business world and help small businesses tell their stories through brand and event marketing.

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HOW WOULD MY EXPERIENCE WITH PRECIOUS GEMS DIFFER FROM OTHER MARKETING COMPANIES? Precious Gems Marketing differs by being the only full-service marketing consultant firm in Georgetown, Texas. From SEO and PPC, web designing, social media marketing to event coordinating, we are here to help.

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INSIDE 17

FEATURES 10 AESTHETIC GENEROSITY Smile Freely Program 14 GEORGETOWN ISD A Great Recovery Report Card 17 GRADUATION 2021 Senior Parade

CLASS OF 2021 GISD celebrates the end of a very atypical school year with the second of a new tradition of Senior Parades.

FAVORITES

Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church is getting a much-needed facelift and invites all to visit and celebrate on any given Sunday.

ON THE COVER The doctors and staff of Aesthetic Dentistry Georgetown celebrate another beautiful smile.

Photo courtesy of Aesthetic Dentistry Visit our Facebook page for follow-ups to these stories, outtakes & hints to those upcoming...

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THRIVING AFTER 55 A monthly, special section highlighting the people and lifestyles that build quality of life for us all.

20 COMMUNITY A New Look for Wesley Chapel Church

44 BRIG. GEN. CHARLES SCHOENING A Career of Service

24 SHELTER STORIES Trixie the Shelter Greeter

47 MUSTANG GRAPES Consuming and Canning Tips

28 MR & MRS GEORGETOWN Tribute to Leo & Vivian Wood

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32 EVERYBODY HAS A STORY 13 Licenses 34 EXPERIENCE GEORGETOWN Oinkmobile Food Truck 38 GEORGETOWN WORKS Mapping Georgetown 40 ARTS Festival of the Arts 52 WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?

Cowboys

50 HEAT HEALTH Tips and Tricks Pictured, General Schoening, courtesy of Brandon Jones

56 FOOD Summer Comfort Food 60 POPPY TALKS Deus Ex Mayberry 64 PARTING SHOT Summer Spirit on the Square

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cover story

by Ann Marie Kennon · annmarie@georgetownview.com photos courtesy of Aesthetic Dentistry

PAYING GOOD HEALTH FORWARD

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very patient has a unique story, and Aesthetic Dentistry of Georgetown is proud to help each one maintain, restore, or rebuild oral health in the most informative and compassionate way.

Founded in 2005, they have always been focused on patient-centered relationships, and taking the time to care for people who really need it.

PUTTING THEIR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS Not content to simply provide quality care and services, Drs. Mandy and Mark give back to the Georgetown Community in a profound way. This year, they are celebrating the 6th annual Smile Freely program, which provides one deserving patient each year with a complete smile makeover at no cost, to help that person find their smile again. “We know the need is out there. We’ve been blessed with great patients and a great team, and we wanted to find a way to pay that forward. The best way to do that is to apply our skillset to help people trapped by their smile.”

The doctors look for people who can articulate what it would mean to have their dental problems fixed, but also are willing to commit 2-6 months, make lifestyle changes, and reclaim a smile that was holding them back in their life and their goals. Dr. Mark explains, “Our smile is a big part of who we are. If you don’t smile—it’s unintentional—but you may be judged as an unhappy person, and perhaps not someone people want to hire or work with.”

Dr. Mandy Holley, Alisa-Rose, Dr. Mark Duncan, 2017

more severe, but he is an executive, so I took care of his treatments to help him with his professional image.”

Today, Alisa is fostering an infant son and his 11-yearold sister and is reveling in being able to pour herself into their young lives. “People tell me all the time I have a beautiful smile. One of my patients reached out and told me she was always fearful of dentists but if I could do it, she could too. I’m even leading two small groups at my church; it has really changed me.”

She still visits the doctors sometimes because, she adds, “They are like family. If you want to feel at home at your dentist, they are life-changing.”

SMILE 2019 • MELISSEA SMILE 2017 • ALISA-ROSE When Alisa’s dental problems reached a point that she could only eat certain foods, she assumed the problems couldn’t be fixed. “I had dealt with my teeth for so long, I had honestly just given up,” she says, but this eager nurse had big plans for her life and was ready for a life change.

Dr. Mark says one of the things that touched them about Alisa’s story was her desire to foster-to-adopt. She was fully committed to that goal, including quitting cigarettes right away and for good. Plus, when her treatment was completed she began paying it forward right away.

“My brother had problems with his teeth. Mine were

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Dr. Mandy smiles to remember Melissea’s reveal, “It was amazing. We all cried because she didn’t ask, just came in to fix her mouth and was prepared to pay for it.”

Melissea says her life has definitely changed for the better and she loves all the glowing compliments. “My new confidence opened many doors for me. My mortgage business has grown, so we moved to Houston for bigger business opportunities. Plus, I never felt like my outward appearance was something for video, but I stepped out on faith and did a radio show that turned into a video podcast. When I watched myself on the monitor, I couldn’t help but smile the whole time.”

cover story

ing toward for several years, and perhaps be a teacher in my next chapter. I wouldn’t have the confidence to be in front of students without good teeth.”

Melissea is happy she is no longer held back by self-conscious thoughts; she doesn’t cover her mouth, or look down when she talks. “A few years ago I would have been A-OK wearing a mask, but last year I was like, Man, you want me to cover this up? For anyone who felt like me a few years ago, I can tell you; just do it!”

SMILE 2021 • BRANDY Brandy (below) smiles at the irony of being glad people are wearing masks all the time these days and says she nearly dropped the phone when they told her she would receive the Smile Freely treatments.

When she came from Dallas to see the doctors at Aesthetic Dentistry, she had been self-conscious about her smile for some time and had seen several places for a solution. “When I was a kid, we didn’t go to the dentist much; I didn’t have my first visit until age 17, and later had a regular prescription that contributed to tooth decay.“ When she became a mom, she saved her money to make sure her daughter’s teeth were perfectly cared for, to the detriment of her own. “It hurt to chew, particularly sweet things, and cold things are exaggerated. Plus, I grind my teeth.”

Brandy was pleased to have her daughter at her ‘reveal’ appointment and she cried when she saw the big and very dramatic difference in her smile. She is enjoying wonderful feedback; “My smile is back where it was and I feel more confident trying new things I wouldn’t otherwise. The experience exceeded what I expected, and the results far outweigh any discomfort and any anxiety I had about what it might look like.”

She gives all the staff and doctors much credit for her amazing look; “I am most pleased that everything looks completely natural. They did a great job matching the size of my mouth and teeth, and I even brush and floss the way I always have. I’m sleeping better, I don’t grind as much so I have less jaw pain and headaches. And I’m not grumpy anymore! They treated me like family and there are no words for the gratitude I feel for being chosen and getting this wonderful gift.“ Brandy is eager to continue selfcare to maintain the great work the doctors did. “When your outside looks good, you want to keep it going.”

Brandy was not happy with solutions other dentists proposed to help regain her smile for her job in retail sales. “One just wanted to fix my front teeth to improve my appearance, another said he needed to work on my whole mouth.” She was disappointed because, at 40, she felt she was too young for a full set of dentures. “What Drs. Mark and Mandy did for me is not just the confidence that comes with a good smile, I also have a healthier mouth. With my background in education and my new smile, I am fully prepared for the management position I have been work-

T H E P O I N T I S N OT TO PAY B A C K K I N D N E S S B U T TO PA S S I T O N . ~ J U L I A A LVA R E Z J U N E 2 0 2 1  G E O R G E TO W N V I E W

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education

by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.org

A Great Report Card for Recovery Dr. Fred Brent at work in the Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning

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s what was arguably one of the most memorable school years this century came to a close, GISD Superintendent Dr. Fred Brent shared his thoughts on the successes and opportunities for growth that will keep the students he cares about so deeply moving forward. Like many in pandemic leadership, Dr. Brent is exceedingly proud of the efforts and dedication of those under his guidance; administration and staff, principals, teachers, and students alike.

For starters, although it’s June, there is no rest for the Superintendent or the many professionals he leads.

The District has Summer programs already underway to assist students wishing to accelerate their recovery in learning. “We recognize the past 15 months have been a challenge for all and our campuses are reaching out to students who will benefit most from a Summer semester.

We expect the full adjustment to take about three years, and we will reach out at all levels to make sure students continue making academic progress.”

THE SUCCESSES From the beginning, the mission was to open schools safely, and to the fullest degree possible. Dr. Brent says, 14

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“Early on, our district staff at every level committed to that goal. From day one, our teachers, principals, and instructional teams’ top priority was to enable academic growth and show progress for every student, wherever they were in their learning. As well, we put safety protocols in place to provide as much of the school experience possible for each student, including extracurricular activities and competitive sports.”

THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE SHOWED R E S O LV E , A N D T H AT S P E A K S TO O U R B E L I E F T H AT P U B L I C E D U C AT I O N I S T H E F O U N D AT I O N O F T H I S CO M M U N I T Y. OUR PEOPLE REVEALED WHO WE WERE. In schools and in homes, school counselors completely rebuilt their services to reach out and take care of the emotional needs of the students. “Counselors, teachers, and principals made home visits to reach out and connect with our kids. We were all moved by a visit with one student who was shouldering the sacrifice of remote learning, and was struggling missing his friends, because his grandparents live with his family. The principal just talked to him at the door to see how he was doing, but

education May 17: Dr. Brent prepares for his favorite School Board agenda item; honoring students.

it proved the principal’s love for his kids and the kids for their families.

There are countless stories of that kind of personal outreach.”

Dr. Brent also praised his team for their ability to roll out technology to the degree they were able. “It was already in our plans to provide a device—as a one-to-one district—and WiFi access to every student. We are partnering with the Citizens Advisory Committee to make that happen.”

“The bottom line,” he adds, “is COVID was an obstacle, but we never stopped moving forward. There were lessons learned but we never stop striving to meet the needs of all students.”

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Dr. Brent shows his characteristic joy and enthusiasm when he talks about the things revealed by the technology adaptations of the school year. “In our implementation of more technology-driven instruction, we have been introduced to greater numbers of and diversity in learning platforms. They are opening our minds to new ways to meet kids where they are. Our children are exploring things, with new technology, we didn’t have in the past.”

He believes the abrupt pivot of 2020 that fostered the use of those new platforms will enable the District to address gaps identified in 2019 scores. “Some students flourished in this atypical environment, and when we bring everyone back, teachers will have more tools to provide a blended level of instruction that will enable kids to pick up where they left off, we simply have to be patient. Our kids just survived a global pandemic and they deserve for us to fill the gaps in the time they’ve lost; we need to help them recover. Learning builds on itself, and we will be thorough with our standards to make sure all students have what they need to connect to the next level and achieve proper academic growth.”

MOVING FORWARD Dr. Brent has great confidence that the District will respond to the heightened social and emotional needs of the students. “You will not hear anyone say, ‘You’re behind and we have to crank up the work.’

Wherever they turn, our students will know we are glad to have them back and eager to get started on our new journey.” Other positive changes include: Tippit Middle School’s daily wellness check, which helped counselors identify where and when new student needs emerge, will be adapted District-wide.

Masks became optional as of June 1 and plans are being made to remove the plastic dividers to strengthen students’ social engagement.

All students will return in-person. Remote learning will only be available to students enrolled in special programs at Richarte High School.

BE A PART OF IT Dr. Brent encourages everyone in the community to explore opportunities to connect and volunteer. “Always ask. My hope is that people will not form assumptions out of any hesitancy to ask us the hard questions. We are constantly trying to tell the story of so many great things and I hope people will call, come to our public meetings, and continue to engage with us.”

He is also excited to work with new Trustees. “We are here to serve the community and the Trustees they elect. My job is to bring them my expertise and share the work we are really doing. My hope is that anyone who serves will bring their best thinking to the table and keep us all moving forward.”

May 2021 Board of Trustees

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 Trustee Andy Webb and Dr. Fred Brent

 EVHS Rylee  GHS Cheerleader Anna

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 GHS' Carsen an Kennedy

 EVHS' Jordan Webb

ailey

n and H

' Triste

 GHS

 Officer Delta Jolly with GHS’ Joel, Joey, Christopher, and friends.  EVHS moms, Michelle Pickers, Norma Smith, and Nikki Martin

EVHS' Andrew, Kamren, and Molly

 EVHS’ Julian, Victor, and Jameen

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community

by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

For Love of Wesley Chapel

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he historic Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church is undergoing a special renovation that will restore one of Georgetown’s oldest churches.

Constructed in 1904, the building is being lovingly repaired and repainted to return its exterior to as close to its original beauty as possible.

The specialized work is being done by Gossett Construction and completely funded by Jimmy Jacobs and Grand Endeavor Homes. Jimmy, who grew up in and has great love for the city, says, “My wife Sheila and I feel very blessed to have been raised in this beautiful town. Five generations of my family, including my children and grandchildren have loved calling Georgetown their home. This community has allowed me to build a very successful business and I believe we should all give back. Georgetown has done a great job preserving its small town charm, and as a community, we need to use our resources to ensure our historical structures are preserved.”

the project, he says, “This is a gracious and wonderful group and I am humbled to be able to do this.”

THE NEED Jimmy and Chris Gossett realized they needed to do a complete rehabilitation on the exterior; the original siding—more than 100 years old—was rotting in some places.

Chris added the trees overhanging the roof had caused water to leak through the cracked wood, and, as the Rev. William Quickley says, “Hosted the squirrel that God threw in for free.”

Chris explains, “The work requires pulling out the rotted boards without disturbing the good, getting things dry, then matching the siding to maintain the look.” Once the custom wood is replaced, they will give it a fresh coat of paint, and much to First Lady Adriene Even-Quickley’s delight, they saved some original wood, which will endure in the form of a new cross for Easter 2022 services, courtesy of Gossett.

After speaking to the congregation about

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Chris’ crew is also repairing rotted window frames,

and an exterior structure that houses the water heater, which wasn’t prepared for an ice storm. They expect all projects to be complete by the end of June.

THE CHURCH The Quickleys shepherd a small congregation of older adults and families. Rev. Quickley says they have many emergent needs due to the age of the structure and cold-weather damage, so they have been faithful in their prayers asking God to “make a way where there is no way.”

When he heard Jimmy agreed to do the work pro bono, he simply said, “‘Thank you, Jesus’ because Jimmy has been a kind patron; he loves God and loves the church.”

Mrs. Quickley calls him their unsolicited angel.

The Quickleys invite everyone in Georgetown to visit or attend a service and hopes their message—and their new look—will inspire others to replicate Jimmy’s support for similar needs elsewhere in the community.

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shelter stories

by Charlotte Kovalchuk · charlotte@georgetownview.com

Trixie, the Shelter Greeter and the previously dubbed Feral Fiddy became known as Trixie, thanks to her tricky personality.

“One minute she would let you pet her and then she might swat at you the next minute,” Vicki says.

She slowly acclimated herself to life at the shelter, and began to allow more attention from the staff, volunteers, fosters, and customers. In time, it became clear she had chosen the shelter to be her home, and she now happily accepts petting and scritches. “She’s endeared herself to everyone here,” Vicki says. “She pulls everyone together. We all have that in common; we love Trixie and look out for her best interests.”

GETTING TO WORK

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ext time you make a trip to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, don’t be surprised if a friendly orange, white, and black cat runs up to say hello. That’s just Trixie, the shelter’s unofficial greeter. “She’s like the guy in front of Walmart. She says hello to everyone.

It’s so sweet,” Community Programs Coordinator April Peiffer says.

Trixie wasn’t always the friendly feline she is today, though. When Round Rock Animal Control brought her in as a stray in 2019, shelter staff quickly realized she wasn’t going to be a happy, adoptable calico and placed her in the barn cat program, designed for cats that aren’t friendly. Waiting to be adopted by someone with a shop or barn in search of a mouser or outdoor cat, Trixie decided she’d had enough of her kennel and escaped. A few months later, staff began noticing a cat hanging out in a nearby storm drain that would take off whenever someone came close. “She was afraid of everybody,” Animal Services Specialist Vicki Jones says.

Drawn by the food left out for shelter cats, Trixie stuck around the area, gradually allowing people to get close and pet her. Staff realized it was their missing feline, 24

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Trixie can be seen running through the grass in front of the Shelter Services Center, climbing trees, and dashing through the door as soon as a customer walks into the lobby—to her, this is the common house cat game of in-and-out.

Most people owned by cats are familiar with this finicky feline phenomenon.

She also serves as an icebreaker for visitors who feel bad about surrendering an animal or bringing in a stray.

Having a friendly cat greet them helps take their mind off what are often difficult decisions, a welcome respite in moments of sadness, April says.

Trixie also has a fearless nature around shelter dogs, which has led to another job of sorts at the shelter— helping to gauge a dog’s cat-friendliness, or lack thereof. Experienced shelter staff bring dogs out front to see Trixie from a safe distance and watch the dogs’ behavior. “She stands her ground out there,” Vicki says.

“No matter how big or little the dog is, she puffs up to twice her size. She stands there and dares the dog to come near her.”

As for any adoption plans for Trixie, Vicki and April say they would be sad to see her go.

Unlike the shelter’s other furry residents, Trixie has already found her forever home, right there at the shelter.

PETS OF THE MONTH AGATHA, 5 YEARS OLD, 8 POUNDS, FEMALE Agatha is a sweet cat who came into the shelter pregnant and is now finished raising her kittens. Her feline fancy is to find that family that will furnish her with yummy food, a sunny spot to lounge in, and fun toys to play with. Agatha is eager to meet you today. Send an email to adoption@wilco.org to schedule a priority-service appointment with an adoption matchmaker. Agatha’s got a lifetime of love and devotion to reward you with.

OREO, 6 YEARS OLD, 82 POUNDS, FEMALE Double-Stuff Oreo, as her fans at the shelter affectionately call her, is a mature lady that likes nice soft dog beds and long, leisurely walks. Oreo thrives on attention and affection, and she will let the whole world know it when it is her turn to partake in such pleasures. She takes treats gently and is house-trained, curious, active, and playful. She has been in a playgroup with male dogs and has done well, though we do recommend a meet and greet with your resident dog to be sure Oreo approves!

She enjoys a ride in the car, fetch, and playing in the water and would likely do best in an adults-only home. Oreo even caught the eye of a secret admirer who decided to be her Adoption Angel, so her adoption fee has been paid! All she needs now is for you to be the milk to her Oreo cookie! Email adoption@wilco.org to schedule an appointment to meet Oreo.

Ready for Summer on the Square Jordan found the coolest spot in the downtown area and posed for a quick photo from his grandfather, Rob Jensen.

Open every day 9am-8pm

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williamson county

by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

“Mr. and Mrs. Georgetown” Day Whereas Leo and Vivian Wood have resided in and supported the growth of Georgetown since 1969; and Whereas Leo Wood became City Manager of Georgetown in 1969, when the population was only 6,000, a job which included physically throwing the switch to turn on and off the street lights in downtown as well as the switch for the water pump that fed Georgetown’s single fire hydrant; and

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any still call him “Mr. Georgetown,” and it is fitting.

They met at a movie theater in Llano, Texas in the summer of 1960 and, as you might expect, Leo says it was love at first sight. During an interview in January 2020, Vivian said her first thought was, “I wonder what daddy is going to think.”

She smiled as she quizzed him (unsuccessfully) on their various commemorative dates; “But just ask him something like how much water the city used in March of 1973...”

They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August and many in Georgetown, Williamson County, and other parts of Texas mourned Vivian’s passing April 14, 2021.

FRIENDS REMEMBER After 50 years in Georgetown, there are not enough pages in this magazine to share all the Woods’ stories. Suffice to say, we are fortunate they chose to stay. On the occasion of “Mr. and Mrs. Georgetown” Day, friends in business and leadership shared laughs, love, and praise. The proclamation was read at Commissioners Court, where Judge Bill Gravell also resolved May 18, 2021 to be “Mr. and Mrs. Williamson County” Day. MIKE MCCLOSKEY • You truly look at them and say if there was ever any two people who created what the city has become, it’s Leo and Vivian. It’s hard to picture Georgetown without them.

RON GARLAND • When I think of Leo and Vivian, I simply think about servant leadership and the things they brought to the community collectively through their efforts, and their work to serve our community in ways many of us don’t know.

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Whereas Leo Wood was elected Mayor of Georgetown in 1992 and served until 1999, during which time he provided leadership for the growth and improvement of Georgetown including revitalization of the downtown square (which won the Great American Main Street Award 1997), construction and growth of additional parks and trails, recruitment of Sun City to Georgetown (which has added 8,500 new homes and 15,700 residents) and the vision to build SH 130; and Whereas Vivian Wood was elected Williamson County Treasurer in 1994, named Outstanding Texas County Treasurer in 2004, and re-elected five times, serving a total of 22 years; and Whereas Vivian Wood served as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce for 17 years; and Whereas Leo Wood remained very active as a private citizen in encouraging development and growth in Georgetown, restoring the historic Williamson County Courthouse, organizing dozens of charitable events and promoting veterans issues; and Whereas, despite many offers which were presented to Leo and Vivian Wood, which would have required them to relocate, all were turned down so that they could remain here and continue to support Georgetown and Williamson County; Therefore, be it resolved that the City of Georgetown is grateful for the tireless efforts and dedication of Leo and Vivian Wood, and hereby proclaims that May 18, 2021 be dedicated as “Mr. and Mrs. Georgetown Day” in honor of Leo and Vivian Wood.

williamson county

Back: Commissioner Terry Cook, Commissioner Cynthia Long, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Pitts, County Judge Bill Gravell, Commissioner Valerie Covey, Commissioner Russ Boles • Front: Leo Wood (center); granddaughter Madeleine, and sons John, Eric, and Owen

BEN DANIEL • They were Williamson County’s first power couple. What they yielded was amazing. Leo was our “folksy” friend but he was a visionary... we’re so thankful for all the people who are here, in Sun City, that we can call friends because of Leo’s forward thinking. Plus, as founder of the Steak Fry, he has been a part of donating more than $300,000 in an around Georgetown.

BRAD CURLEE • When Leo became Mayor, he began giving kids nickels, and when he left office, he had moved up to quarters. The kids all called him the Quarter-Man. He wanted to encourage children to save money, but also because he was just nice.

JOHN MARLER • There was never an arrogant bone in his body. When Vivian would say “He’s the politician,” I never pictured him in that word. I pictured him as truly a person who was here to serve everyone he ever met.

Vivian and Leo are impossible to separate; you can’t talk about one without the other. At one point, he introduced me to Vivian and said “This is my arm candy.” The beauty of the woman always shone through.

MAYOR JOSH SCHROEDER • Leo’s foresight has become even more prominent in the last eight weeks now that Tesla and SpaceX will be adjacent to 130, and those will be the greatest economic drivers this area has seen for 40 years.

When I told Leo I wanted to run, he sat me down and told me how everything worked. We talked about how far

Georgetown has come in all the years he was here. One example, he mentioned the Arts Center and Thundercloud Subs—that was City Hall. “The City” was Leo, the Secretary, and the Chief of Police. On Friday mornings he would say “Hey are we going to make payroll today?”

She would say “I don’t know,” and he responded, “Hey you better go collect some water bills.” That wasn’t that long ago, and some days I wish we could go back to that level of simplicity and certainty.

COUNTY JUDGE BILL GRAVELL • In all my time as County Judge, I have not proposed a proclamation, and I can not think of one more worthy or more important. The resolution to the County reads similarly [to Georgetown] except for the last paragraph, Therefore be it resolved that Williamson County is grateful for the tireless effort and dedication of Leo and Vivian Wood and hereby proclaims this day to be dedicated as Mr. and Mrs. Williamson County Day in honor of Leo and Vivian Wood.

The reason we’ve done this resolution today is that you and Vivian are a wonderful example of good people.

Our community has been made immeasurably better because of your sacrifices, and to your family, know that your dad and granddad is a force that has shaped this community to be what it is.

Motion seconded by Commissioner Covey; motion passes unanimously.

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everybody has a story

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@georgetownview.com

History is Still Personal Confiscated Jewish Licenses Lead to Tale of Redemption

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n 2016, Holocaust survivor Inge Stanton took her daughters and their families on a trip of a lifetime to tour her hometown of Lichtenfels, Germany, from which her family was forced to flee in 1939.

Inge’s daughter, Suzanne Schlesinger, who lives in Austin, didn’t think they would return any time soon, but just two years later they found themselves back in Lichtenfels, thanks to a local high school teacher, his students, and an unforgettable history project.

Student Clara Aumüller emailed Suzanne in May 2018 with the news that 13 Jewish driver’s licenses had been found, two of which belonged to Suzanne’s grandfather, Alfred Marx, and his brother Sigmund. Clara asked for help from Suzanne, her sister, and mom with her research and for months, the Schlesingers sent information and photos. Clara’s teacher, Manfred Broesamle-Lambrecht, invited them to visit Lichtenfels as their guests for a special opening presentation of the 13 Driver’s Licenses project on the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or Night of Broken Glass, a pogrom that destroyed synagogues and vandalized Jewish stores in 1938.

RETURNING TO GERMANY “We wondered if we weren’t traveling again too soon but when I think about what I could have missed, I can’t even believe it. We would have missed this life-changing event,” Suzanne says.

The emotional journey was filled with incredible memories, but also sadness. The story of the licenses dates back to 1938—a harrowing time for Jewish citizens in Germany who were oppressed under Nazi regime. The anti-Semitic campaign included the confiscation of driver’s licenses in the small town of Lichtenfels in Bavaria.

Eighty years later, 13 of those licenses are finally back where they belong, in descendants’ hands, thanks to an accidental discovery by district administrator Christian Meissner and the relentless efforts

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of 14 German high school students to restore the documents to their rightful owners.

Suzanne noted the licenses’ wrongful confiscation is now a story of redemption, one she was inspired to document in a photo book for future generations.

“It wasn’t just a license—it took away a part of them,” Suzanne says. “I feel like it is my responsibility to share my story. It is important that the Holocaust is never forgotten, and never happens again.”

Suzanne says the project helped the students put faces to the story of Jewish persecution, and they won’t soon forget. “It’s not just six million Jews that were killed. These are the actual people that were killed or escaped,” she says. “The students feel like they’re the new young generation and are taking responsibility for the German people from that time.”

Suzanne and her family developed a close relationship with Manfred and his students, three of whom visited the Schlesingers last summer in Austin, as well as Suzanne’s cousins in Boston, and sister in New Jersey.

everybody has a story

LIBRARY EXHIBIT Congregation Havurah Shalom of Sun City, in cooperation with the Georgetown Public Library, is bringing an exhibit featuring 13 Jewish Driver’s Licenses: A Tale of Nazi Destruction, Discovery and Reconciliation. The free exhibit will be on display: June 27-August 4 9am-6pm Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 402 W 8th St. The exhibit focuses on the discovery of the licenses, the project to trace the families, each license owner and their unforgettable stories of survival, and tragically for some, their murders. “13 Jewish Driver’s Licenses is about a German town coming to terms with its darkest past,” says Lisa

Salko, a relative of Alfred and Sigmund Marx. “This is a story about discovery, exploration, reflection, and reconciliation. It is a story about human connection and about doing the right thing. And it is a story about hope for all of us in today’s tumultuous world.”

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experience georgetown

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@georgetownview.com photo courtesy of Food Network

Hitting the Road in Alaska Georgetown Food Truck Owners Compete in Food Network Show

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self-described Food Network junkie, Heather Clauser always dreamed of competing in the The Great Food Truck Race, in which folks new to the industry compete to sell the most food.

She applied to the show but didn’t hear anything so the family forgot about it. Over six years, Heather passed the baton of her Arizona restaurant, The Oink Café, to her brother, while her kids, Tyler and Emily, worked as baristas.

The family found their way to Central Texas after a friend who had moved to Georgetown kept telling Heather how great it was living here. She fell in love with the city and moved here with her husband, followed by her kids, who ultimately settled in Round Rock.

Out of the blue, Food Network called and, “We basically dropped everything to focus on that and banded together,” Tyler says. He and his family are grateful for the culinary competition that brought them back together. “If not for The Great Food Truck Race, we never would have worked together again.”

Inspired by their previous iteration, The Oink Café restaurant, they launched The Oink Mobile food truck, which sells all things pork. As Tyler says, it’s creative, it’s eye-catching, and everyone loves bacon.

The Clausers joined six other teams in Alaska to show off their cooking chops while battling the elements during the show’s 13th season. Each week, host Tyler Florence gave the trucks a limited budget for shopping and cooking; the teams that sold the most food advanced. Losing teams drove home, and the last truck standing won the $50,000 grand prize.

FIRE AND ICE The Clausers were less enthusiastic about the climate.

Having vacationed in Alaska one summer, they weren’t prepared for the Fall cold. Faced with 5° weather, they spent the first two days in Alaska shopping for winter clothes.

The weather didn’t merely challenge the cooks.

Throughout the competition, most of their cooking equipment took forever to reach the right temperature, 34

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and there was an ongoing struggle to keep the food warm. “We were fighting against the cold weather constantly,” Tyler says.

They faced the opposite problem on Day 2, which started off well enough with a line of customers flocking to their door. “Our second customer was a fire,” Heather says. A fire extinguisher put out the flames, but it also ruined all the food they had spent hours preparing. There was no coming back after that, Tyler says. “We were digging ourselves out of a hole.”

They spent the rest of the week trying to recover after a full day without sales. Ultimately, The Oink Mobile was the first to go. But, despite the disappointment of having to leave so soon, Heather was glad it wasn’t because their food wasn’t good. Plus, “How many people get to say they were on a TV show?”

The Clausers’ early defeat didn’t stop them from making their food truck dream a reality. The Oink Mobile opened at The Good Lot Beer Garden in Cedar Park in June, and it rolls around Georgetown and Round Rock as well.

“We are thankful we got to do it,” Tyler says. “It was an awesome experience—we learned a lot. It brought us back together to do what we do best and we’re excited to share our story and our food with Austin.”

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georgetown works

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@georgetownview.com

Mapping Georgetown

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efore emigrating from Siberia, Alexander Polansky had never touched a computer.

Now, that’s all he does.

“I’m like a child who gets a new toy. When I touch my computer, I forget about everything,” he says.

A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyst for the City of Georgetown, Alexander is one of the folks behind the maps that tell you which City Council district you live in, where to find parks and trails, what new developments are coming to Georgetown, even where to spot Georgetown’s signature red poppies. The GIS Department plays an integral role in analyzing and conveying information to City staff as well as citizens, he says.

Before mapping Georgetown, Alexander had his own geographic adventure—crossing continents to start a new life in Texas. Born and raised in a small town in Siberia, Russia, Alexander endured poverty, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and his wife’s death before embarking on his journey to the United States.

A meeting in 1998 with an Austinite visiting Russia on business led to a whirlwind courtship, and after tying the knot just one week later, they flew to Austin to start their new life together.

Coming from a place where a frown was more common than a smile, Alexander was surprised by

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how friendly and kind everyone was, especially when it came to his language barrier. He also couldn’t get over all the “wide, free roads. In Siberia, there are no roads at all,” he says.

But the most impactful culture shock turned out to be technology.

“I had never touched a computer in Russia. As a civil engineer I used pencils, rulers, and erasers to make plans. I was excited,” he says. He took ESL, computer, and software classes at Austin Community College, and even built his own computer from scratch.

A City of Georgetown job posting for tech professionals caught his eye and he applied for the position, but “I thought with my poor English, I wouldn’t get the job.” Not only did he get the job, Alexander has been working for the City for the past 17 years. “This is my second family,” he says.

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Any time the City Planning Department needs a map for annexation or building permit requests, Alexander is the one to call. Since the early 2000s, his workload has grown in parallel with the city. “When I first came here, the South Inner Loop was not even shown on a Google map.

[Georgetown] is so rapidly growing,” he says.

Alexander takes pride in helping people with his maps, such as residents who need to find their water lines after their water meters break (he had many such requests during February’s winter storm). “I’m so proud to be one link in the chain,” he says.

Scan the code to check out the city’s voluminous variety of maps.

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arts

by Charlotte Kovalchuk photos courtesy of Maureen Donelan and Barry Scott Williamson

Curtain Falls on Festival of the Arts Texas Bach Festival Carries on Georgetown’s Classical Music Legacy

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or 15 years, the Georgetown Festival of the Arts transported classical music lovers around the world with music ranging from Nordic melodies to Latin American tunes, as well as film screenings, lectures, musician meet-and-greets, and a dazzling display of fireworks. In 2020, organizers planned to bring the music theme home by featuring American composers, until COVID-19 forced them to postpone the festival. “Things didn’t look good for 2021 either,” FOA Artistic Director Ellsworth Peterson says. “We decided this would be a good time to bring our series of festivals to an end.”

The festival’s finale is tentatively set to feature four or five concerts this Fall and next Spring, depending on whether patrons are willing to attend in person. While FOA is coming to an end, its enlightenment of music fans over the years is long lasting. “We have tried to do music that’s reasonably well-known and not well-known at all to help people realize there is much more music available in certain areas than they’re likely to be aware of,” Ellsworth says.

Original Festival Committee Member Florence Gould adds, “What I’ve enjoyed the most about the festival is the excitement of listening to beautiful music from such a variety of composers and performers. Maybe most of all, though, has been the joy of making new friendships that have centered around a shared love of music.”

Visit gtownfestival.org for concert updates.

THE MUSIC PLAYS ON As the curtain falls on one classical music festival, another will continue serenading Georgetown. “We are now the only classical music festival left in Georgetown,” says Barry Scott Williamson (above), founder and artistic director of the Texas Bach Festival (TBF). “We have a great responsibility to our audience and to Bach.”

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When he started talking with other music aficionados about creating a festival that would feature music by Johann Sebastian Bach and other composers, he made sure Ellsworth was on board with the venture. “The Festival of the Arts was still going strong, and they were it as far as classical music goes,” Barry says. “We wanted to start a festival as well, but we didn’t want to usurp any of their ground or compete with them.”

Barry shared his vision with Ellsworth and assured him TBF wouldn’t compete with FOA or drain its audience, since FOA took place in the Spring and TBF would happen in the Summer. “He thought it was a great idea,” Barry says. “[He said,] ‘The more beautiful classical music Georgetown has, the better.’ ” Now that FOA is wrapping up, Barry hopes Ellsworth will help TBF continue to thrive. “I’d love to get him involved in a way to perpetuate the great work he’s been doing,” Barry says.

BACH 4 MORE After having to postpone TBF’s 2020 season, Barry decided 2021 was now-or-never for the festival, pandemic or none. “We can’t miss two in a row,” he says. “One way or another, we’re doing this festival. If we have to do it in an empty hall and livestream, that’s okay.”

arts TEXAS BACH FESTIVAL: BACH 4 MORE That plan remains for the fourth annual Bach 4 More festival June 23-27. Five livestreamed concerts will be offered, free of charge, as TBF’s gift to musically starved listeners in Central Texas, although they welcome donations to help make the event a success. Interested viewers must subscribe to TBF’s email list to receive the livestream links. Ticket information will be posted on the website if audiences will be allowed to attend in person; scan the QR code for information and updates.

VIRTUAL GOALS TBF’s goal of offering concerts mainly in Georgetown didn’t work out this year because of COVID, but since Bach 4 More’s concerts are virtual, it doesn’t matter where they are performed, because “a person in Georgetown can watch it the same way,” Barry says.

That virtual presence came in handy last year after TBF organizers decided to offer additional concerts outside the festival’s summer time frame. In December and March this year, TBF presented two livestreamed concerts. “We didn’t let the pandemic affect that part of the vision. It accelerated that vision,” TBF Chamber Music Director and violist Bruce Williams says. “It’s important to have a virtual presence. It shouldn’t supersede a live audience, but it can help the organization.”

Bruce will play in the Artisan Quartet’s “Beauty in Simplicity” concert on June 24, with the gem of the three-piece performance being Antonín Dvořák’s “American Quartet,” Bruce says. Listeners can enjoy chamber music and piano concerts on the following two nights, leading up to the finale on June 27 that will feature Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion.” The TBF Choir, pianist Rick Rowley, and conductor Barry will tell the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross, his crucifixion, and burial according to the gospel of Matthew. Barry calls it “arguably Bach’s greatest epic, sacred masterpiece. It’s so rarely done because it’s expensive, difficult, and long.”

Those who can’t wait until June 23 can also tune in to TBF’s “Bach 2 the Future” program Fridays at 6pm on Radio Georgetown 106.7 KGTN.

Bruce Williams, Viola

Wednesday, June 23, 8pm “Bach & Friends” Grace Episcopal Church, Georgetown Organist David Polley playing music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Philip Moore, Oskar Lindberg, and Niels Gade Thursday, June 24, 8pm “Beauty in Simplicity” St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran, Austin Artisan Quartet performers Patrice Calixte, Caleb Hans Polashek, Bruce Williams, and Douglas Harvey playing music by Joseph Haydn, Samuel Barber, and Antonín Dvořák Friday, June 25, 8pm “Bach to the Romantics” St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Pianist Toby Blumenthal, violinist Patrice Calixte, violist Bruce Williams and baritone Tim O’Brien playing music by Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johannes Brahms Saturday, June 26, 8pm “Appassionata” St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Tenor Angelo Ferrari and pianist Rick Rowley playing music by Bach, George Frideric Handel, Gaetano Donizetti, Gioachino Rossini, Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, and others Sunday, June 27, 3pm Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church TBF Choir, conductor Barry Scott Williamson, and pianist Rick Rowley presenting excerpted recitatives, arias, chorales, and choruses from Bach’s rarely heard masterpiece.

All five concerts will be livestreamed, free of charge, as TBF’s gift to Central Texas listeners and communities.

Donations gratefully accepted.

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A Texan Serving Texas

by Ann Marie Kennon photos courtesy of Brandon Jones, Texas Military Dept.

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ongratulations—and our deepest gratitude—to Brigadier General Charles Schoening, former Commander of the 71st Troop Command and current Assistant Adjutant General, on his retirement at Camp Mabry May 1.

Gen. Schoening was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal and the Texas Superior Service Medal in honor and recognition of his many years of dedicated service to the state and nation.

Having lived in the Austin area since 1981, the General and his wife Kay were always fans of Georgetown so when they were preparing for their most recent move, Georgetown was top of the list.

As the son of a Command Sergeant Major, Charles was not very interested in military service as a young man. “At age 28, I was a married father of three. I was working full time for the City of Austin and it seemed like a good time to have a part-time job. I went to see a National Guard recruiter and enlisted that day.” Charles was ‘the old guy’ in basic training, but with his college degree, he was sent to Officer Candidate School and came out an Engineer Officer in 1991.

What stands out in his story, aside from his contributions to national defense, is that the General has been hard at work his entire life for family and country.

After high school, he went into construction to pay for college, and began serving in the Guard while also working full time for the City of Austin. After 23 years, he retired from the city and moved to the private sector, still maintaining his military service, and even plans to stay with his current employer, Arcadis, after retiring from the Guard. “But,” he adds, “I’m really glad I’ll have some extra time to go fishing.”

THE MISSION When he joined the Guard, the commitment was still one weekend a month and two weeks a year, but Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism changed everything. As an engineer, he provided oversight for construction and improvements in force protection at Camp Mabry, and stood up a National Guard task force for airport security. “I was fortunate that I had really supportive civilian employers. Being called to active duty for a full year after 9/11, and three deployments to the Middle East, was a sacrifice for them as well, but they never complained.”

He has great appreciation for the harmony between his careers. “Having a civilian and military career worked 44

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Top: Maj. Gen. Gregory Chaney (right) presents the Superior Service Medal Bottom: General Shoening and his wife, Kay.

well. Things I learned from one I was able to bring to the other; military leadership lessons allowed me to advance in my civilian career. Likewise, the technical skills I learned in my civilian career supported my combat engineering and knew how to implement necessary improvements.”

The General plans to continue working at Arcadis as Principal in Charge of Central and South Texas operations. He is also looking forward to spending time with his five grandchildren and going to soccer games. “I’m getting all my weekends back, but I am truly honored to have been able to serve in the military for 32 years.

Even though I’m retired, that will always be a big part of my life, and my family’s life. We will look back fondly and move to the next chapter to build some new memories.”

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Canning with Mustang Grapes

contributed by Emily Kane

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Bring the water to a boil then lower the temperature to a simmer; this cooks the grapes.

Since Mustang grapes grow wild in many parts of Texas, they are a great place to start. You can find them found blanketing old fence lines, and climbing up trees and power lines along roadsides. They ripen as early as mid-June and can be picked through August and you’ll know a ripe berry from its thick skin and deep dark purple color. It is recommended to pick and handle them wearing gloves to protect your skin from the high acidity of the juice. As well, it is not recommended to eat them straight off the vine.

Strain the juice. My preferred method is to use a few layers of cheesecloth over a strainer placed into a large bowl. I rest my strainer on a mug to elevate it and allow more space for the juice to filter into the bowl.

Another way is to use a fine mesh strainer instead of cheesecloth. If you use a fine mesh strainer, you may need to strain the juice twice to filter out debris (grape skin, twig, seeds, etc.).

aking jelly has been a fun hobby of mine for over 20 years. I love sharing jelly, and canning jellies is a straightforward process.

This may sound like a negative, but in the world of jelly making, acidity levels are a positive in creating a beautiful firm jelly.

My jelly recipe requires only three ingredients, including grapes you want to pick early in the season, and no pectin, which saves money.

The key to not needing pectin is making sure that one-fourth of the grapes are unripe; the firm green grapes growing alongside the ripe purple ones.

Unripe grapes contain a high amount of natural pectin. I use scissors to cut them off the vine in bunches, which makes them last longer.

MAKE THE JUICE

While grapes are cooking, use a potato masher to mash them. When done, grapes will look like a soup.

Allow the cooked berries to strain. Cover in plastic wrap and leave on counter or place in fridge.

Allowing to strain overnight allows you to harvest the most juice and the last bit will be thicker with a rich quality.

Now that you have the juice, you make the jelly.

MAKING THE JELLY In a heavy pot, bring 5 cups of juice and 7 cups of sugar to a boil, stirring often. Reduce to medium to keep it to a boil and prevent it from boiling over.

Note: At this point, if you were unable to use one-fourth unripe grapes, add one pack of pectin after the mixture reaches boiling point, allow it to boil for one minute and then remove from heat.

The jelly is done when the temperature reaches 220°F, this can be checked by using a candy or jelly thermometer. If your recipe included unripe grapes, the surface and color of the jelly will have a smooth, dark look.

Another way to tell when it is done is to cool some on a spoon and see how it drips off the spoon. When the jelly has jelled, a drop will hang on the spoon.

Remove stems and leaves, then rinse with clean water.

Fill a thick deep pot half full of the grape combination (3/4 ripe, 1/4 unripe). This doesn’t have to be exact, it’s more of a guesstimate to your actual ratio of ripe to unripe grapes, but it is okay to guess or measure out.

Fill the pot with grapes and enough water to cover them.

STORING THE JELLY If you know you are going to use it right away or gift to family and friends who will use it soon, there is no need to can it. Use a container with a lid and store in fridge.

If you want to keep some year-round or gift it throughout the year, this is where canning your jelly 

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comes in handy. The shelf life of canned jelly is over a year.

Sterilize your jars in boiling water and dry them before using them.

Pour hot jelly into sterilized jars.

Wipe the jar rim clean with a clean damp wash cloth or paper towel.

Place clean lids on the jar and put the rings on, finger-tight and seat the jars using the water bath method.

WATER BATH The water bath should be at a boil before the jars are lowered on the rack into the water. The water level needs to cover the jars by at least two inches.

The jars need to be in the boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Remove them from the bath and allow them to cool on a towel for 12 to 24 hours before moving them The jars should seal. You will hear “pings” as the jars make their seal.

CLEAN AND LABEL JARS The last step is to clean and label your jars of Mustang jelly.

Fill clean sink with warm soapy water. Remove the rings, leaving the lids on the jars, and submerge the sealed jars upright in the soapy water. This cleans the outside of the jars and helps detects false seals. The lid should be firm and not move up and down when you press on it. If you discover jars didn’t seal, place those jars in your fridge to use first.

Rinse off soap, dry the jars and rings.

Put the rings on and label the jars.

The date jelly was made and name of jelly can be easily

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written with a permanent marker on the lid. A good thing to do is make a label with the name and ingredients. This is an important step if you are gifting in case your recipients have food allergies.

My last word of advice is don’t be afraid of failure. If the jelly doesn’t get firm, there are ways to use it. You can try boiling and canning it again, use the juice as a syrup, or as a fruit juice concentrate (just add water until it tastes like grape juice). Happy jelly making, and good luck.

Check our Food section (page 56-57) for recipes for baking and cooking.

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by Greta Bauer • greta@georgetownview.com

Heat Health Awareness

I

t’s Summer. You already stay hydrated, and exercise in early morning and late evening. But, you’re still in Texas and it’s hot all the time, so here are more facts and hacks to help you stay and healthy during the high heat.

People who are immobile or morbidly obese are at higher risk for heat-related illness.

Heat worsens symptoms of multiple sclerosis. When body temperature is elevated, it becomes harder for the central nervous system to work properly.

If you’re diabetic, overheating and dehydration can affect blood-sugar. Keep insulin and other diabetes medications out of the heat, as hot temperatures can ruin them.

The first stage of heat-related illness is cramps. Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that occur due to dehydration and loss of nutrients from excessive sweating.

They are associated with heavy perspiration and are most common in the abdomen, back, arms, or legs. The Red Cross suggests:

lytes. The list topper is Pedialyte, which adds nutrients as well.

Although caffeine and sugary drinks are enjoyable, they are not better than water for hydration. They can make the heart race and the kidneys work harder to produce more urine to eliminate them.

USE A MOISTURIZER You can help those 4 million sweat glands by applying moisturizer on a daily basis. These products contain water-based ingredients and oils as a sealant. While you may not enjoy feeling greasy, the oils will keep moisture on your skin and create a barrier that can aid in reducing water evaporation. The right moisturizer may depend on your level of skin dryness under normal conditions.

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE The more water in your meal, the better it will be for hydration. Fruits and vegetables have high water content and lean fish and meats can mitigate some water loss if you are also having high fat or starchy foods.

Get to a cool place to rest

SLEEP WELL

Stretch and gently massage the cramped area

Scientists from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in Amsterdam found people sleep better when the skin is cool. Try putting your top sheet in the freezer before bed, or spraying it with a mister and using a fan to keep you cool all night. Results showed the most improvement in older adults with insomnia.

Drink electrolyte fluids; sports drink, fruit juice, milk, or water. Do not take salt tablets.

‘HOW’ TO DRINK WATER Many experts recommend we sit down to drink water, because posture can affect how we process it. When standing or walking, the blood flow is higher towards our hand and legs, which can keep water from reaching the digestive system where it is most needed.

MORE FUN THAN WATER As we age, dehydration is not only about liquid consumption—consider how much you are sweating. We have 4 million sweat glands on our bodies so staying cool helps to maintain hydration.

It is also important to keep from eliminating your body’s supply of water too quickly.

You can reduce your trips to the bathroom by adding coconut water or tomato juice. If you want something sweet, fruit juices and milk are effective and contain potassium and electro-

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by Ann Marie Kennon annmarie@georgetownview.com

COWBOYS WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?

T

hough the occupation and lifestyle originated in Mexico, American cowboys exemplified the kind of spirit that shaped our nation, and to this day, Texas is the cowboy capital of the world. While their ascendancy spanned a relatively short time in history, cowboys have since been celebrated ubiquitously in popular culture for the freedom, natural living, and romance of the Old West.

In the 21st century, opportunities may have shifted, but the American Cowboy is still very much a part of life in Texas and those who have done it know how challenging the life can be.

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BIRTH OF A LEGEND New World explorers from Spain began building ranches in Mexico in 1519.

Using animals brought from Spain, landowners trained Native Americans to ride their horses and handle the cattle.

By the early 1700s, cattle ranching had spread north to lands destined to be Texas, and the riders, called vaqueros (from the Spanish word for cow; vaca), used braided rawhide reatas (the root word for lariat).

Over the next century, settlers continued to move westward and adopted cowboy culture and practices. Cowboys

what makes Texas “Texas” came from diverse backgrounds and included African-Americans, Native Americans, Mexicans and settlers from the eastern United States and Europe.

THE GOLDEN AGE Though there were cowboys long before the cattle drives of the latter 19th century, the golden age of the American cowboy began in earnest after the Civil War. Prior to that, ranchers primarily raised cattle to eat and sell locally. Since Texas was home to vast herds of Longhorns and cattle that had been breeding and free-roaming for nearly 400 years, beef was veritably free for the taking. As a result, most of the legendary trails and cattle drives originated in Texas, heading north to the railroads of Kansas, which created opportunities for cowboys to make $19 to $40 a month driving them.

MODERN COWBOYS Modern cowboy Sean Kampmeier is a former rodeo rider. He explains a bit about the arena lifestyle and some of its key players. At 41, he is ready for the ‘senior’ tour (over 40) despite many broken bones and being temporarily paralyzed. “On both sides of the fence, this is a family. Maybe I’m just a little nuttier than most, but the rodeo is different from every other sport. When I finish a ride, thrown or not, I get back on that gate or in the chute and help my buddies out. In any case, the camaraderie of the rodeo is unique. You want to win, but we’re all here pulling each others’ ropes and telling each other, ‘You better win this one!’ Basically, it beats a day job and I’m good at it.”

Over the years, the number of working cowboys has declined, but the occupation isn’t obsolete. The cowboy lifestyle and culture is still found in Texas, albeit to a lesser degree than a century ago. Working cattle is a year-round job that takes dedication and commitment to the well-being of all animals.

Cowboys continue to help run large ranches in Texas and other states, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2003 there were about 9,730 workers in the category “support activities for animal production,” which includes cowboys.

Oliver Loving (L) was a Texas pioneer in the cattle industry as early as 1845. He was the first to drive cattle to the northern markets of Illinois in 1855 and Colorado in 1860. In 1866 he and Charles Goodnight set out with 2,000 cattle and 18 riders to blaze the Goodnight-Loving Trail from Texas to Colorado.

This went on to be a well-traveled route to both Colorado and Wyoming.

Charles Goodnight (R) was a cattleman, rancher, philanthropist. He started as a cowboy, joined the Texas Rangers, blazed the Goodnight-Loving trail, became a rancher at Palo Duro Canyon, and was one of the most wealthy cattle barons of his time. Goodnight crossed longhorns with Herefords to produce a more commercial breed of cattle. He also was instrumental in saving the few remaining herds of Buffalo from extinction. In their later years, Goodnight and his wife Molly founded Goodnight College.

Loving and Goodnight were loosely represented as Gus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call in Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove”.

Bill “Bulldogger” Pickett was a cowboy of African and Native American descent. He worked as a ranch hand at a young age.

By studying the way herding dogs subdued steers, Bill developed a cowboy technique for wresting and controlling them (including biting their upper lip), which became part of ranch and rodeo history and was called “bulldogging.”

His abilities brought him respect and renown, and before long he was performing with the “101 Ranch Wild West Show” in Oklahoma, often receiving top billing despite Will Rogers’ participation in the shows. He was the first Black American to be inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1971.

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food

Summer Comfort Food June is

ICED TEA MONTH If you have too many lemons and don’t want them to go bad, slice them into quarters and freeze in an airtight bag or container.

A frozen lemon wedge is also wonderful in a cold glass of tea!

TEA-BRINED DOUBLE-FRIED CHICKEN Inspired by chef Joseph Lenn of Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 T molasses

Breading • 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour (divided)

• 1/2 c. kosher salt

• 3 garlic cloves

• 1 1/2 T cornstarch

• 10 sprigs thyme

• 1 T cayenne pepper

• 1 c. Seltzer

• 1 head garlic

• 1/2 c. lard or unsalted butter

• canola oil for frying

• 1/2 lemon (sliced) • 4 drumsticks

• Salt

Brine • 8 c. sweet tea

Coating • 3 T chili paste

• 4 chicken thighs In large saucepan, bring 4 cups of sweet tea just to a boil. Add kosher salt and stir until dissolved. Add thyme, halved garlic head, lemon slices and remaining 4 cups of sweet tea and let cool completely, then refrigerate until well chilled.

Add chicken to the brine, cover and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.

Remove chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine 3 garlic cloves with the chili paste, molasses, and cayenne and puree until a paste forms. Add lard and puree until smooth. Season with salt. Scrape the chile mixture into a very large bowl.

In large saucepan, heat 3 inches oil to 350°F. Set a rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Spread 1 cup flour in a pie plate. In medium bowl, whisk remaining 1/2 cup flour with cornstarch, and a

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generous pinch of salt. Whisk 3/4 cup of seltzer until a thick batter forms, adding more seltzer if needed.

Dredge 4 chicken pieces in the flour, tap off excess and transfer to the rack. Dip 1 piece of chicken at a time in the batter, let the excess drip back into the bowl and add chicken to hot oil. Fry chicken at 350°F, turning occasionally, until pale golden and crisp, about 8 minutes; transfer chicken to the rack. Repeat with the remaining 4 pieces.

Return first 4 pieces of chicken to the hot oil and fry at 350°F until golden and reaches internal 165°F, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining 4 pieces of chicken. Add chicken to very large bowl with the chile mixture and toss to coat. Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve right away.

food THE BEST DINNER ROLLS

dipped in jelly from page 47

• 4-5 c all-purpose flour • 2 T rapid rise, instant yeast • 1/3 c granulated sugar • 1 t salt • 1-1/2 c warm milk (110°F) • 5 T butter, softened • 1 egg, room temperature

INGREDIENTS Combine 3c flour and remaining ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Attach the dough hook and mix on lowest speed until flour is incorporated, scraping sides of bowl as necessary.

Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes.

Pinch off pieces of dough and form 24 rolls. Size may vary but, if weighed, they should be about 2 ounces each.

Add 1/2c flour and blend with dough hook until incorporated. Add another 1/2c flour and repeat, mixing at medium speed 2 minutes until a ball forms.

Transfer rolls to lightly-greased quarter baking sheet or 9”x13” baking dish. Cover with towel or plastic wrap and let rise an additional 30 minutes at room temperature.

Add additional flour as necessary. Dough should be slightly sticky, soft, and pulling away from the bowl’s edge.

Bake in pre-heated 375°oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Tent with foil to avoid too much browning.

Transfer dough to lightly greased bowl and cover with towel or plastic wrap. Let rise 30 mins at room temperature. Remove cover and deflate dough by punching down slightly.

GREEN GRAPE PIE

In 19th-century Texas, Spring was not a time for great dessert fruit. Pioneers did have sugar from local mills, which they used to sweeten the readily available but very tart green Mustang grapes.

Remove rolls and, while hot, brush with melted butter.

Serve immediately or store cooled in a plastic bag for up to three days.

recipe by Earlene Drumm Mix first 7 ingredients to make a custard. Then mix in the grapes and pour the mixture into the pie shell. Add crust strips to make a lattice.

Bake 45 – 50 minutes, or until golden brown.

“Green” means unripe. Pick them when they are nearly full size, but still green. The seeds will not have had a chance to harden; they are still soft and relatively small so they will not be noticeable in the pie.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 egg beaten

• 1 ½ cup sugar

• 3 tablespoons flour

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ teaspoon lemon juice

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla • 1 cup de-stemmed green grapes • 1 unbaked pie shell with top lattice strips Pre-heat oven to 350°F.

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poppy talks

Deus ex Mayberry I

t’s Father’s Day and I can’t help thinking about how often I get a little “God from Mayberry.”

The older I get the more I appreciate the TV Land channel and all the memories of my childhood it evokes.

Most specifically, all the shows I watched as a kid because they were what my dad watched. Since there was only one television in the house (What?! said all the millennials in the world), everyone basically watched whatever Dad watched. We also functioned as his remote control...”Go change it to channel 7, please.”

That also explains why I like a few typically non-female-demo things like Star Trek, Barney Miller, Sanford & Son, and Muhammad Ali. Although I did get to watch The Brady Bunch when he wasn’t around.

My dad was predominantly Archie Bunker at times; Hawkeye Pierce some days, and a little John Wayne now and then. Definitely not a Mike Brady. When we were in trouble there were no sit-on-the-couch-to-share-feelings episodes. Just plain old run-for-your-life moments.

Those were good days with wholesome TV. I liked Andy Taylor then, but, as a parent, I have a new appreciation for his kindness, wisdom, and the way he always defused the insanity around him without taking credit for it.

Opie once got his feelings hurt because Andy had a new girlfriend and he was worried his Pa wouldn’t like him as much someday. What Pa said stuck in my head word for word because of it’s brevity and profoundness.

“Come here a minute. I’m gon’ tell you somethin’ Op’e and I want you to listen real carefully. You’re my young’un.

And I love you more than anything or anybody in the whole world. And nothing or nobody can ever change that. You know it’s hard for me to tell you just how much you do mean to me cause you’re a part of me.”

Simple as that. You are my own and a part of me. You didn’t earn my love and affection because you didn’t have to, but they are there for you until I’m gone. I know it’s just a bunch of TV writers and a script but I get choked up every time I see that one.

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ground without ever letting on that he knew his son was being mistreated.

Again, even though they were actors, the scene where Andy looks Opie in the eye before he goes to school, presumably to be punched in the eye, is a true sense of a Father loving his young’un enough to let him be a man, even if he’s only 6. Opie was so proud of his black eye and they shared a great moment.

I know life is not like TV, but I like to think that dads really do love their kids like that, even if they can’t always show it. You know, because they’re big strong men who have to just wipe the dust from their eyes when they have an emotion.

Today, I know a lot of Andy Taylors. There’s Charlie, whom I secretly believe is a baby whisperer because his children are gentle, kind, and want to please him out of love and respect. There’s Bill, who shepherds pretty much everyone he comes in contact with, from a place of Godly love and genuine compassion. And he gets a twinkle in his eye when he’s being clever, just like the good Sheriff Taylor. There’s Robert, who is a ‘father’ to hundreds of kids. He doesn’t divide his love between them, he multiplies it.

My own dad has been gone more than half my life and it’s odd to think I’m nearly as old as he was when he passed away. And while I feel confident I can love and protect my little boy like a bear and a good soldier, I hope he will always have a few good men like my dad to look up to as well.

Who else is going to share those priceless, “Don’t tell your mother we did this” moments, or slip a $20 bill in a handshake before a date or a trip? Dads are great to share the first sip of beer, the first worm on a hook, the first driving lesson, the first “girls/boys suck” conversation, and that last minute getaway offer (just in case) right before the wedding.

Dads, enjoy your special day, the comfy chair, the big piece of chicken, and sole control of the remote.

Happy Father’s Day! XXOO

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parting shot

by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

Summer Spirit on the Square

Standing/Sitting from L-R: Yaneth Ungo, Julie Hobbs, Shawna Barclay, Rose Anderson, Abby Anderson, Evelyn McLean, Becka Trevino, Shelley Rodocker, Shanna Thompson, Amanda Tuttle, Amy Blair, Jen Stenbakken, Angela Silva, and Destiny Bozeman.

M

ove over Red Hat Society, this group of creative ladies raises the bar on how to enjoy Georgetown with friends.

Julie Hobbs created this annual, costumed luncheon four years ago to celebrate Springtime in a grand way. Ladies are invited and encouraged to dress in decade apparel, and, as you can see, they enjoy the challenge.

Most of the ladies dressed in 50s regalia—bobby soxers to June Cleaver—but Julie herself had a 40s military-swing flair, and Becka fully committed to a 20s flapper look.

“We had to skip last year because we are a pretty large group,” Julie says. “This year, we were excited

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about The Golden Rule [restaurant]; it’s new and hip, plus their banquet room is a perfect space and a good fit for our group.”

While not an official club, this eclectic mix of friend groups enjoys finding costumes online and spending a Spring day with mimosas and girl time. They are very welcoming to new friends, and already looking forward to next year’s luncheon. Julie says, “It’s fun to do the decade theme, and is a great excuse to have some refreshments and dress up. Really, we’re all just so pleased to be able to do something that feels a little ‘normal’ for a change.”

Julie’s next planned dress up opportunity is the 5th Annual Georgetown Ball Gown Square Crawl November 20, and will benefit her non profit HELP Crisis Assistance.

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