Austin County Insider Winter 2022

8 Mommy Moments

21

Giving Tuesday

26

Austin County Beer & Wine Scene

34 Youth Hunting 55 Drought

PUBLISHER

Amy Lieb

EDITOR Karen Lopez

ASSISTANT EDITOR Cole McNanna

WRITERS

Roxanne Avery Carrie Ward Amanda Luksha Holly Galvan Posey Nancy Naron Emily Kelley

ON THE COVER

Wolf Pack Bar and Grill

PHOTOS/SUBMITTED COPY Getty Images Amanda Luksha Family Features Joe’s Italian Grill Kathy’s Korner Mesquite Mexican Grill River Hills Seafood and Steak Restaurant Saddleback Saloon Bar and Grill Wolf Pack Bar and Grill

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Copyright © 2022 by Across The Board Media LLCAustin County Insider. All rights reserved. This publication or any portion there of may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

L E T T E R F R O M T H ELETTER FROM THE

Editor Editor

I have a bucket list of places that I want to go and things that I want to experience. One of those goals is to step in or drive through every state in the United States. I only have about 20 states left to go. I’d better get on that one as I am not getting any younger. So, we did. Eddie and I took a vacation to Key West, Florida this summer. The sights, sounds and tastes were incredible.

We decided to charter a boat and do some deep-sea fishing. We were grateful for the two barracudas, the mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) and Sail Fish that we were able to catch. Yes guys, the Sail Fish was mine!

To end the day, and since Key West is at the southernmost point of the United States, we decided to rent scooters and join the hundreds of people that gather at Mallory Square to participate in the sunset celebration. There were sword-swallowing and juggler entertainers, outstanding Cuban food vendors and lots of kissing.

I look forward to our next adventure together in Kansas City, Kansas as we participate in the American Royal Cook-Off. I hope to be able to highlight our trophies in the next edition. But, even if we don’t win, my reward will be that I was able to spend the time with the one that I love.

Make your bucket list and email it to me at Karen.ATB@outlook.com. Let’s compare! Get out, enjoy life, and laugh a lot! -Karen Lopez

M O M M Y MOMMY

M O M E N T S MOMENTS

by Amanda Luksha

C O S T U M E S H O P P I N CG O S T U M E S H O P P I N CG CC O SSS TTT U M EEE SSS H O P P III N G G G

We are coming into one of our favorite times of year again, Fall and Winter seasons! The colder weather, leaves changing, everything starting to smell like pumpkins and apples makes my heart soar. Decorations start slowly popping up in your house, in stores and businesses, and spooky decorations cover the outside of homes. We begin to think of what decorations will go up outside this year. Do we want to be cute and friendly for the younger children? Or have the scariest decorations that make the teenagers run away?

What about costumes? How do we decide what costume we want this year? As adults, it is easier, because if we are going to a Halloween party then we go based on who is throwing it. Family Halloween party, we keep it classy and not scary. Friends kid-free Halloween Party, well use your imagination.

Kids are pickier when it comes to costumes, especially as they get into their pre-teen and teenage years For instance, my oldest is trying to find the scariest yet coolest costume so when he shows his friends at school they will be impressed. He will want to wear it to school the day they are allowed, then to Boo Bash in downtown Sealy where he will see his friends AGAIN. He has wanted to be everything this time from a to a skeleton and some other characters from games I do not understand

My middle child is currently in the stage of wanting to be his favorite character from tv shows, these are the ones that, us as parents, are either never able to find or cost over eighty dollars. Sorry kiddo, you do not get enough wear out of it, can we be more budget friendly? Last year he chose a character from Minecraft, which is still a game I do not understand but kids love. I could not get over this costume because of the giant, plastic, brick-like head. What was even better was his older brother also chose to be a character so, I got to go trick-or-treating with two big head characters from Minecraft, and we were not the only ones

Now my youngest has been the easiest when it comes to costume shopping! Last year was fun because of his red curly hair, I was able to dress him up like “Chucky” and yes, I did. I have had this Halloween planned since that red hair started growing and I knew the day would come he would get to be “Chucky” He had fun with it, and everyone loved it but definitely not as much as I did. This year we are already going simpler. I asked him what he wants to be, and he is going as a Marvel character.

Great bonus about being a boy mom, they all go through the phases of eventually liking the same thing so, as one grows out of one costume, another can start wearing it. Halloween costumes may only go to the stores once a year, but they are in the children’s closets all year-round. They love to play dress up games with them and I love to enjoy all the moments the costumes bring Especially when they do not cost an arm and a leg, no Halloween pun intended.

Now parents, remember we get the candy for all our suffering and the expense of costume shopping, decorating, costume make-up and trick-or-treating. At the end of the day, if you do or do not celebrate Halloween, we remember that kids have an imagination and it is fun for them. Also, Halloween leads us into the holiday season and he colder weather of the year. Before we know if it will be time for sweaters, hot chocolate and the Christmas tree!

The The perfec perfect ad pp dition addition to anto any dessert y dessert

By Roxanne Avery

Matters

Duringa Recession

Scary news continues all around us: America is in a recession! The market is falling! Inflation is out of control! Your retirement savings are dwindling! Resist the urge to panic. Stop and breathe. Neuroscientific evidence shows when we are anxious, angry and unable to relax, it’s easy to become confused. In an ironic twist, we lose access to the genius of our brains—our creativity, problem-solving, emotion regulation and decisionmaking skills—at the very times we need it the most.

Recession or not, now is the time to take control of your money. If living through a pandemic wasn’t enough to motivate you to take a hard look at your finances, then maybe a recession will. Plan for your money because if you don’t tell it where to go, it will go everywhere. Now is not the time to stuff your money under a mattress but is the best time to watch your spending and not take risks that could put your financial goals in jeopardy. By taking a few simple steps, you can reduce your risks that could impair your personal finances.

WhatExactlyIs aRecession?

By definition, a recession happens when there is a slump in economic growth (measured by gross domestic product) (GDP) for at least two quarters. GDP is the total of all goods and services produced by the economy. In the first quarter of 2022, GDP was -1.6% and -0.9% for the second quarter. With two negative quarters of GDP growth, the United States is technically in a recession. While recessions come with opportunities, such as depressed markets and low interest rates, they also come with financial threats including layoffs and decreasing nest eggs.

It’s tough out there right now with inflation up and the stock market down. Grocery prices continue to increase as shelves remain empty. Filling up at the gas pump is shocking enough to increase your blood pressure and rising utility bills are causing lots of people to rethink how much space they really need to live in. But don’t focus on things you can’t control like the economy. Focus on what you can control: your finances. When your money is in a good place, you don’t have to worry about what the economy is doing.

WhatHappensDuring aRecession?

Recessions cause companies to lose money, lay off employees and sometimes go out of business, causing a downhill slide in the stock market. But recessions come in different intensities. Our last recession began February 19, 2020, was caused by coronavirus shutdowns and was considered mild. There was a huge drop in the GDP and unemployment soared, but the economy recovered quickly. Compared to the Great Recession that began October 9, 2007, it lasted much longer – 18 months. During that time, a lot of businesses failed or had to be bailed out by the Federal government and unemployment hit 10%.

Remember that recessions are a natural part of the economy, and the economy is going to take a dip sometime because you can’t sustain growth without expecting it to eventually go the other way. The United States has experienced long periods of economic growth, while the average length of the 13 recessions since World War II is only 10 months.

HISTORY LESSON

A recession is full of motivation for why you need to cut debt out of your life forever. Paying off a credit card that charges 18% interest is like receiving an 18% return on your investment, an amount you’re not going to get anywhere else during a recession. Debt steals from your future and keeps you stuck paying for the past. Think about how you will feel being debt-free.

Look at the money you have in your savings account and your emergency fund. An emergency fund is money you have available for everything life will throw at you including deductibles and depreciation for home repairs during storm season as well as things like losing your job. A fully funded emergency fund is the amount of money it will take for three to six months to cover your expenses.

It may be tempting to sell your investments during a recession in order to keep your retirement account from going down but resist that urge. A recession is a great time to find bargains in the stock market including companies on your wish list you’d like to own but couldn’t afford until now. You will reap the benefits when the economy bounces back, which history shows us happens over and over including after the great depression, the great recession and after 9/11.

Always remember the golden rule of investing: you don’t lose money unless you sell at a loss. Any losses you see on paper won’t impact you unless you take the money out of your accounts. When you’re invested in strong companies, they will bounce back along with the economy. You’ve done your homework. Now stay calm and ride this storm out. Your future self will be thankful. If you need additional advice, talk with an investment advisor.

HowtoBuildaDividendPortfolio

Investors seeking income often turn to dividends because of their advantages over bonds and bank deposit accounts. Dividends not only provide consistent cash flow, but they can also allow investors to participate in the appreciation of the asset as well. Dividends also provide favorable tax treatment when you’ve held the securities long enough.

Dividends are the periodic distributions of a portion of the company’s retained earnings to shareholders. These distributions are usually made as cash or additional shares in the investment. For every share of stock, ETF or mutual fund you own on the ex-dividend date, you’ll receive a dividend. Companies usually pay dividends on a consistent basis. Depending on which investments you choose, the dividends may be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

Long-time dividend investor John R. Depe says when analyzing potential investments for your dividend portfolio, look for a consistent track record of dividend payments. “A company that has paid dividends every period without fail is usually a better choice than one that started and stopped payouts numerous times.,” he said. “Additionally, companies that regularly increase dividends can help you keep up with inflation and boost your income.”

When looking into dividend stocks, pay attention to the dividend yield which is the ratio of a stock’s annual dividend to current stock price. The average yield for S&P 500 ranges between

A SIMPLE SALADA SIMPLE SALAD MAKES AMAKES A

LIGHT MEAL FOR ALLL LIIG G H H T T M M E E A A L L F F O O R R A A L L L L

Despite fall officially arriving in September, summer weather often lingers well into the month. On those days when steamy temperatures persist, it's ideal to have a recipe that is easy to throw together in a matter of minutes.

While one may not expect rice and salad to be in the same sentence, that's just what's in store with this recipe for Heirloom Rice Salad from Edible Seattle: The Cookbook (Sterling Epicure) by Jill Lightner.

Heirloom Rice Salad

Serves 4

1 12 ounce block firm tofu

1 tablespoon grapeseed oil 1/4 cup mirin

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

3 cups cooked and cooled heirloom rice or mixed grain rice

2 cups red grapes, halved 4 scallions, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced Salt

Freshly ground black pepper 3/4 cup raw or salted or roasted cashews

1. Heat a large saute pan over medium high heat. Slice the tofu into 1/3 inch thick slabs. Add the grapeseed oil to the hot pan and fry the tofu until it is golden brown, about 4 minutes per side Remove from the pan and let cool Slice the fried tofu into small strips

2. Whisk together the mirin, sesame oil and vinegar in a small bowl for the dressing. Set aside.

3 In a large salad bowl, gently toss the cooked rice, grape halves, scallions, pepper slices, and fried tofu strips together Fold in the dressing and season to taste with salt and pepper.

4 Add the cashews just before serving (they will get soft and rubbery if allowed to sit)

How to participate inGivingTuesday

The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is widely referred to as the holiday season. Holidays such as Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa all take place in this typically six-week window. During this period, there's another, possibly lesser known, event that can elicit many of the same warm feelings generated by more recognizable holidays.

GivingTuesday is held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving every year. Though that typically means the day is celebrated after the calendar turns to December, this year GivingTuesday takes place on Tuesday, November 30.

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday organizers describe the event as a movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world. GivingTuesday is often characterized as hashtag activism, which involves social media users employing Twitter hashtags to show support for a cause. Twitter hashtags do not utilize spaces between words, so GivingTuesday references adhere to this practice.

How can people participate inGivingTuesday?

The organizers behind GivingTuesday note that the day is about all types of giving. Individuals who want to participate can donate money, food and/or clothing; start an advocacy campaign; help a neighbor; or commit an act of generosity. Participants need not make their GivingTuesday efforts part of any official event associated with the day, but those who want to can visit VolunteerMatch.org to look for volunteering opportunities in and around their communities. Employers and even local governments also may sponsor or host events on GivingTuesday. Twitter users also can use the hashtag #GivingTuesday to promote causes and/or encourage donations throughout the day.

Some organizations may match users donations up to a predetermined dollar amount, and users can enter #GivingTuesday into the Twitter search engine to discover such efforts. Parents can even help children find ways to participate by visiting GivingTuesdaySpark.org.

#GivingTuesday

GivingTuesday is a global effort that emphasizes the power of generosity. Individuals can learn more at GivingTuesday.org

AUSTIN COUNTY BEERAUSTIN COUNTY BEER AND WINE SCENEAND WINE SCENE

BY HOLLY GALVAN POSEYBY HOLLY GALVAN POSEY

Wine and beer lovers will find various ways to enjoy wines and beer from Austin County. There are several vineyards, wineries and even a brewery in Austin County. Small-batch beers and a constantly rotating portfolio of seasonal beers built Huff Brewing Co's reputation.

Ryan Huff is the head brewer, general manager and co-founder of the brewery and said it all started back when he was in high school.

"I was a homebrewer when I was going to Bellville High School, and I made my first batch of beer between my sophomore and junior year," Huff said.

The brewery is celebrating its 10th year this year. Huff said that the brewery has evolved over the years.

"In some ways, it's changed a lot. We've grown the business, expanded our production capacity, and made a lot of friends along the way. In my opinion, the beer has gotten better as well," Huff said. "In other ways, it hasn't changed much. We're still a small-town brewery out in the middle of the country, located in the same building I was homebrewing in 20 years ago."

There was only one choice when it came to where to house and grow their business.

"We're from Bellville. The Huffs settled in the Industry area back when the community was first established, and the brewery is located on our family property. After I left town to go to university and see the world, I couldn't wait to get back," Huff said. "It's a great feeling to brew beer in the same place I grew up. I feel a great sense of responsibility to our town, and they've given me space and room to grow as a person and as a brewer."

Huff Brewery has several mainstays on tap, including the first beer ever created at the brewery.

"We always keep the first beer we made on tap, and that's our Huffmeister Lager. It's a light American lager, though we still brew it in the German tradition. Everything else rotates with the seasons," he said.

Huff said that the seasonal beers rotate to try and match the weather and the mood of each season in Austin County.

"We tend to find styles that aren't readily available in the market. The beer market can be a bit of a fashionable place, and you'll see that when a style gets popular, every brewery starts making that style until the world moves on," Huff said. "We look for the spaces in between and highlight the styles that aren't everywhere in the market. We also tend toward traditional styles as we spend a lot of time focusing on process, not ingredients."

Huff's Brewery is expanding to cement its spot in Austin County history at its new location at the historic Bellville Square.

"We're planning a big expansion into downtown Bellville and building out a satellite location in Bellville Square. We'll still have our brewery in the country, but Huff's on the Square will offer a wider selection of our beers as well as wine and our draft root beer," Huff said.

A variety of vineyards are also located in Austin County. Local wineries purchase grapes from vineyards for making wine.

James Kasparek wears a number of hats as the owneroperator of the Starry Night Farms and vineyard.

"I'm President, CEO, Chief cook and bottle washer. I don't make wine as I know my limitations," Kasparek said.

The local vineyard is currently producing Blanc du Bois grapes that will later be made into wine.

"We planted our first block in 2014, our second block in 2015. Not much has changed (over the years), other than the cost of everything," Kasparek said.

There was one simple reason why Kasparek chose to start their business in Austin County.

"We chose to start our business in Austin County because we already lived in Austin county and this is where I grew up," Kasparek said. "I don't make wine, I currently grow mostly Blanc du Bois grapes."

Wines and meads will be produced from the grapes grown in Austin County.

"We sell to several wineries and a meadery. You can find wines made with our grapes - Haak Vineyard and Winery in Sante Fe, Louis Wines in Johnson City and WildFlyer Meadery in Navasota." he said. "We also sell to other wineries that haven't opened yet."

There are other vineyards in Austin County, including StarHill Farms' vineyard, which also produces Blanc du Bois grapes. Besides the historical cabins and farmhouses that date back to the 1800s, StarHill Farms is also a venue for events and a working farm. The vineyard and farm are located at 2038 Iris Lane, New Ulm.

The Vine, located in New Ulm, is a family-owned andoperated winery venue. A tasting room is available at the Vine Vineyard, where you can sample various wines and local beers. In Austin County, guests can enjoy a tasting and tour of the vineyard, book a private event, or just stop by and sip. The vineyard and tasting room are open Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 25200 Bernard Road, New Ulm.

Worth the trip: The family-owned Shire Distilling Co. is located just outside of Austin County. The distillery was founded in 2017 with the belief that quality, locally-sourced ingredients are the key to making the best spirits.

Shire Distilling Co., one of the largest distilleries in Texas, creates high-quality craft whiskey and vodka. The distillery is open for tours and tasting on Saturdays from 12-6 p.m. at 505 Bains Street, Ste. 303, Brookshire.

Shire Distilling Co. is in talks to make a move to Austin County. Shire Whiskey Distilling Company presented its desire to move into San Felipe at the April 12 Town Council meeting.

Two wine lovers opened Cast Iron Winery in Sealy in November 2017 with the hope of bringing a touch of Texas hospitality and great wines to the community. As wine lovers and Texans, Sean and Chelsea Humes opened the tasting room in 2017 and they planted their first Black Spanish vine clippings in 2018.

Red wines are their signature, but they also offer whites, rosés and sweet wines. Winery guests book private events at the winery such as a Paint and Sip Class.

It is a great place to play a game of bags and enjoy the countryside. Enjoy a glass of Cast Iron Wine on the patio while watching chickens, beautiful sunsets and the growing vineyard.

The winery is dog-friendly and family-friendly. For more information on the winery call 979-472-9733 or visit at 1657 Meier Road, Sealy.

YOUTHHUNTING

BY MICHAEL J. NOVAK GAME WARDEN - AUSTIN COUNTY

My favorite time of year is here! While writing this, I have begun checking the dove fields of Austin County. I am happy to see our youngsters in the field, and this year I have seen quite a few under the age of 12 trying to hit the difficult flying targets. The topic for this article is introducing our youth to the outdoors, and more specifically, hunting. Equally valuable is continuing to provide them with opportunities to get outdoors as they grow.

When I was growing up, my dad was not an avid hunter, but he did take me from time to time. More importantly, he allowed me to tag along with my uncles, who were hunters. I started out squirrel hunting in the creek bottoms of Washington County on my Grandparent’s place. Things were quite different back then, and the way I grew up hunting might lead some people to think of parental neglect.

Long before the days of state mandated Hunter Education, gun safety was primarily taught by hunting family members. Looking back on it now, my cousins and I were taught well by our parents and relatives, but we lacked a formal “hunter’s education”. My grandmother would allow my cousins and me to go out all day on their 120-acres to hunt and we would only return for lunch and dinner.

I am sure activities like this still happen from time to time, but I have not seen it. Parents today are much stricter on children and the way they handle firearms, and rightfully so. I did not know it then, but the statistics do not lie. Hunting accidents in Texas were much more common in the years I was running around unsupervised and not formally educated in hunter safety. Today they still happen but are rare compared to years ago. In fact, 2021 was a record low year, with 12 reported hunting accidents, one of which was fatal. It was the lowest number since statistics began being kept in 1966. For example, in 1982, when I was running around in the woods, there were 97 reported hunting accidents in Texas, 23 of those were fatalities. Since mandatory hunter education was implemented in 1988, the number of accidents and fatalities began to consistently decline. 2019, 2020 and 2021, each showed one fatality per year. In terms of fatal accidents, I am hoping 2022 will be the first zero on the board since 1966 and there is a good chance of that happening.

I am slightly biased, but I feel that beginning a child out hunting squirrels and rabbits is a great way to get them started. Getting kids out in the woods, and not in a box blind play a fantastic part in catching their interest. The experience, sights and sounds of a pre-dawn walk in the woods are ones that are never forgotten. The memories I have of tagging along with my uncles are welded in my mind and are some of my favorite stories to tell.

Even if your family does not have a lease or family land to hunt, there are still some amazing opportunities for kids to get out into the woods on public land. I am continuously surprised at how many people are unaware of the public hunting options in Texas. There are three easy ways for kids to hunt without access to leases or family land.

First, for $48.00, you can purchase an Annual Public Hunting (APH) permit that allows access to many parcels of public hunting land all over the state. When you purchase the permit, a booklet is provided containing a list of the places, as well as maps of all the units.

Secondly, TPWD offers Drawn Hunt Opportunities for youth and adults (https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing.) The application is free for youth 16 years old and younger, and $3.00 per application for an adult. There are no hunt fees for the youth if they draw a hunt, but most adult hunts have a fee if you are drawn. The drawn hunts are very good for a learning experience. TPWD personnel are happy to help the kids and parents regardless of their experience levels. The application deadline has passed on some of these youth hunts, but all is not lost. Most of these hunts allow hunters to show up on the morning of the hunt to go “standby” in case a drawn hunter did not show up. Make sure to call ahead to see if any standby opportunities will be available.

Third, the Texas Youth Hunting Program (www.tyhp.org) offers hunts and is geared toward educating inexperienced young hunters. This program has its own application process and requires the participating youth to take hunter education before applying for any of the hunts. These TYHP hunts are typically provided by private landowners, who allow youth from 9 to 16 years old, and an adult family member access to their private ranches for hunting opportunities. The hunts are beneficial to the landowner by helping achieve management and harvest goals. The hunts are extremely structured but benefit the youth by providing opportunities to hunt private ranches in a manner which is focused on safety. The hunts offered by TYHP do require a fee to cover the insurance and meals for the trip. Each of these hunts are ran by volunteers trained by TYHP to provide a safe and educational experience. My children have been on APH hunts, TPWD drawn hunts and TYHP hunts and have been successful on all three. Two of my kids drew a rifle deer hunt through the TPWD drawn hunt program this year and they are looking forward to the experience. All these programs can be found online and with a little effort, your children can be hunting this fall.

It is important for us, as parents, to pass the tradition of hunting along to our youth. A hunter education class is a great way to start. Small game hunting such as squirrels, and doves are a challenge and a fantastic way to expose kids to the great outdoors. It could let you know that they may not be interested in hunting, as was the case with one of mine. Most importantly, spending time with our children in the open air allows for a slowdown from the fast-paced world we live in.

Stay safe and get your kids outside!

HOLIDAY

HOLIDAY ACTIVITY AND EVENT GUIDEAND EVENT GUIDE

By: Holly Galvan Posey

attend this fall

included in

guide

patches, Christmas lights, festivals and more. In

local and out-of-town holiday activities and events.

FARM FALL FESTIVALDEWBERRY FARM FALL FESTIVAL

Dewberry Farm is in Brookshire and hosts a Fall Festival every year on the farm. All farm activities are included in the Dew It All ticket. Military, first responders, teachers and seniors are all eligible for discounts. On Saturday evenings in October, Dewberry Farm will host live entertainment on the Old Barn Stage from 4 8:45 p.m.

Oct. 1: Jon Couch Oct. 8: TBD Oct.15: Wes Nickson Oct. 22: Colton BlacK Oct. 29: Colton Black

Times vary. $34.95 to $41.95 (Dew-It-All ticket, price ranges on the date.) FM 362 & Morrison Road, Brookshire. 281-934-3276. Dewberryfarm.com

FARMS PUMPKIN PATCH AND FALL FESTIVALPATCH AND FALL

FARMS PUMPKIN

At Blessington Farms, you can enjoy the pumpkin patch and fall festivities. You can go on hayrides, encounter animals, gather gems, and more during the fall season. Fall at the farm includes admission to the pumpkin patch, which has a variety of pumpkins sold by the lb. The entrance fee includes all Farm Funland activities except gem mining (prices vary), flower picking and camel and bird feeding, which cost $3 each. Fishing is free with admission, but guests should bring their own pole, barbless hook, and bait.

NEW ULM OKTOBERFESTNEW ULM OKTOBERFEST

10 A.M.-5 P.M. FREE (ADMISSION). NEW ULM FIREMAN'S PARK,10 A.M. 5 P.M. FREE (ADMISSION). NEW ULM FIREMAN'S PARK, 1899 TRACK ROAD, NEW ULM. NEWULMTEXAS.COM1899 TRACK ROAD, NEW ULM. NEWULMTEXAS.COM

Enjoy authentic German music, hearty food, and a cold drink of your choice at the New Ulm Oktoberfest. The 2022 event is sponsored by the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce and New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department. A festive occasion of music, food, and fun may be remembered from previous years, and The Chamber hopes to revive this event. There is something for everyone at this Oktoberfest festival. Local artisans, crafters, and businesses will also be selling items to take home. The festival will offer German food such as sausage, sauerkraut, desserts and more, as well as wine, beer, and non alcoholic beverages.

DEWBERRY FARM HALLOWEENDEWBERRY FARM HALLOWEEN EVENT EVENT

10 A.M 9 P.M. $34.95 TO $41.95 (DEW IT ALL TICKET, PRICE10 A.M-9 P.M. $34.95 TO $41.95 (DEW-IT-ALL TICKET, PRICE VARIE $ S ON THE DATE.) 5 F ( M 362 & MORRISON, ROAD,VARIES ON THE DATE.) FM 362 & MORRISON ROAD, BROOKSHIRE. 281-934 ) -3276. DEWBERRYFARM.COM,,BROOKSHIRE. 281 934 3276. DEWBERRYFARM.COM

29-30

Trick or treating will be available for children, as well as costume contests and more. In addition, the farm will offer fall farm activities as well as Halloween activities.

BOO BASHBOO BASH

FREE. 5 P.M. 8 P.M. DOWNTOWN SEALY.FREE. 5 P.M. 8 P.M. DOWNTOWN SEALY.

Halloween night, the 14th Annual Boo Bash, will be held at the Historic Main Street in downtown Sealy. Hosted by The Sealy News, Austin County Insider Magazine, the Sealy Chamber of Commerce and Sealy Convention and Visitors Bureau, a variety of entertainment, kid s games and contests, food trucks, a haunted house, face painting, train ride, candy and more will be offered for free to the public.

THE POLAR EXPRESS AT THETHE POLAR EXPRESS AT THE GALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUMGALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUM

VARIOUS TIMES. $52.50 (CHILDREN 3 12), $57.75 (13 ANDVARIOUS TIMES. $52.50 (CHILDREN 3 12), $57.75 (13 ANDUP) O , FREE ( M UNDER 2). 2602 SANTA FE P , L, GALVESTON.UP), FREE (UNDER 2). 2602 SANTA FE PL, GALVESTON. 409 765 5700. GALVESTONRR , MUSEUM.ORG409 765 5700. GALVESTONRRMUSEUM.ORG

11Dec 23

The journey to the North Pole begins at the Galveston Railroad Museum's vintage train station. In addition to Santa Claus, guests can meet the conductor, the singing chefs, and the hobo from the film. As part of the event, guests are encouraged to wear their PJs and will be served cookies and hot chocolate by the singing chefs. If you're on the nice list, Santa will give you a Silver Sleigh Bell as the first gift of Christmas.

SANTA'S WONDERLANDSANTA'S WONDERLAND

TIMES VARY DEPENDING ON THE DAY. $47.95 (CHILDREN 3

TIMES VARY DEPENDING ON THE DAY. $47.95 (CHILDREN 3 12), $52.95 ( Y GENERAL ADMISSION). 18898 HWY 6, COLLEGE12), $52.95 (GENERAL ADMISSION). 18898 HWY 6, COLLEGE ST ) A , TION. 979 690 7212. SANTAS WONDERLAND ,.COM/STATION. 979-690-7212. SANTAS-WONDERLAND.COM/

Santa s Wonderland is a must-do for your holiday activity list. Santa's Wonderland features the Walkable Trail of Lights. One-of-a-kind displays and photo opportunities abound on this trail that can only be traversed on foot. In addition, Santa's Hayride Tour is included in the General Admission Ticket for a total Texas Christmas Experience. Over 4 million holiday lights are featured on Santa s Hayride with festive holiday music, freshly bundled hay and raised seating for a better view. Of course, visiting Santa's Wonderland would not be complete without meeting Texas Santa. Wearing a cowboy hat and black boots, he can be found at Santa s Station.

One of the fan favorites of Santa's Wonderland is Frostbite's Snow Playground. The admission fee includes access to real snow for making snow angels, snowballs and more.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

GIFTHOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS GIFT MARKET MARKET

VARIOUS TIMES. $52.50 (CHILDREN 3 12), $57.75 (13 ANDVARIOUS TIMES. $52.50 (CHILDREN 3 12), $57.75 (13 ANDUP) O , FREE ( M UNDER 2). 2602 SANTA FE P , L, GALVESTON.UP), FREE (UNDER 2). 2602 SANTA FE PL, GALVESTON. 409 765 5700. GALVESTONRR , MUSEUM.ORG409-765-5700. GALVESTONRRMUSEUM.ORG

The journey to the North Pole begins at the Galveston Railroad Museum's vintage train station. In addition to Santa Claus, guests can meet the conductor, the singing chefs, and the hobo from the film. As part of the event, guests are encouraged to wear their PJs and will be served cookies and hot chocolate by the singing chefs. If you're on the nice list, Santa will give you a Silver Sleigh Bell as the first gift of Christmas.

DEWBERRY CHRISTMAS

TREE FARMDEWBERRY CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

TIMES VARYTIMES VARY

Dewberry Farm offers residents the opportunity to find the perfect Christmas tree during the Christmas season. Wagon rides are offered at the Christmas Tree Forest so guests can choose their ideal tree. A member of the Dewberry Farms team can help you cut the tree down, or you can do it yourself. A Christmas Activity Wristband or tokens can be purchased for activities at the farm. Christmas tree shoppers have free access to activities like Little Farmersville and the corn maze.

HOLLYDAYS

MARKET OFHOLLYDAYS MARKET OF ROSENBERG ROSENBERG

DEC. 2 AND 3, 10 A.M. 6 P.M. DEC. 4, 11A.M. 4 P.M. VARIOUSDEC. 2 AND 3, 10 A.M.-6 P.M. DEC. 4, 11A.M.-4 P.M. VARIOUS TIMES. $6 (GE , NERAL ADMISSION). FORT BEND COUNTYTIMES. $6 (GENERAL ADMISSION). FORT BEND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, 4310 TX 36, ROSENBERG, TX 77471FAIRGROUNDS, 4310 TX 36, ROSENBERG, TX 77471

It s a three day holiday shopping extravaganza at Hollydays Market of Rosenberg. The event features three indoor buildings to shop with more than 100 merchants and you're sure to find lots of gifts to have you ready for all your holiday gifting needs. So, grab a friend and shop small with some shops at Hollydays Market of Rosenberg. Free parking.

SEALY FANTASY OF LIGHTSSEALY FANTASY OF LIGHTS

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The Fantasy of Lights Celebration takes place in Sealy on the first weekend of December and always brings a lot of excitement to the local community. Visitors from all over Texas come to the community to celebrate Christmas.

The event features a Lighted Parade, live music and entertainment and a variety of kids activities. The annual BBQ Cook off and real snow are just a few reasons that keep Fantasy of Lights visitors coming back year after year. Kids can also get some time with the big man himself as Santa always makes an appearance at the parade and festival.

SMALL TOWN CHRISTMASSMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS

FREE (ADMISSION). DOWNTOWN BELLVILLE, 1 EAST MAINFREE (ADMISSION). DOWNTOWN BELLVILLE, 1 EAST MAIN STREET, BELLVILLE. 979 , 865 3407.STREET, BELLVILLE. 979 865 3407.

Every year in Bellville, Small Town Christmas celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Christmas. The Bellville Chamber of Commerce sponsors Small Town Christmas. Small Town Christmas kicks off at noon with a baking contest and sale. The parade starts at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2, followed by late night shopping. On Saturday, the event will feature a variety of vendors selling their goods at Market Days at the Square as well as other holiday activities.

AUSTIN COUNTY’SAUSTIN COUNTY’S

Favorite Eats

By Emily Kelley

The wise say, “Eat to live; don’t live to eat.” I suppose they have a point, but to me, life is much sunnier when I’m enjoying some good grub with some delicious friends. Wait, maybe that was supposed to be the other way around. I’m not sure. I get confused when I’m hungry. Anyway, if you have a similar philosophy, you won’t want to miss the chance to check out some of Austin County’s best eateries. We polled the community and here are some local favorites that come highly recommended!

Joe’s Italian Grill

If you’re looking for a great Italian meal served in a casual dining atmosphere, you won’t find a place better than Joe’s Italian Grill in Bellville. Patrons say the food is superb, and they rave about the generous portions and reasonable prices. They offer everything you’d expect at an authentic Italian restaurant, and each dish is prepared and served to the highest standards. The chicken marsala, chicken parmigiana, and lobster ravioli are customer favorites, and they also offer a full bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks.

Kathy’s Korner

Kathy’s Korner is an all-in-one gas station, restaurant, and fresh seafood market located in Sealy. Although regulars agree that everything on the menu is delicious, the catfish basket, chicken fingers, chicken fried chicken, and pork chop plate are all especially popular. The location features a delightful covered pavilion where you can enjoy your meal al fresco. Currently, due to understaffing, the location is only open for breakfast and lunch, but they have plans to reinstate dinner service as soon as possible. Depending on the season, you can soak up some live music while enjoying crawfish, shrimp, or barbecue. There is a playground near the outdoor area, so your kiddos will also have a great time.

Mesquite Mexican Grill

Mesquite Mexican Grill in Sealy was recently chosen as “Best of the Best” Mexican food by readers of The Sealy News. There are so many delicious items on the menu that it would be impossible to make a poor selection, but the fajitas will definitely never disappoint. We all know that salsa is paramount to an excellent dining experience at a Mexican restaurant, and those who frequent this restaurant give the homemade salsa the highest praise. The guacamole is prepared tableside, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. You’ll always be treated like family when you’re there.

River Hills Seafood and Steak Restaurant

Don’t let this restaurant’s proximity to a gas station fool you; they are serious about their food. The prompt, courteous, knowledgeable wait staff at River Hills in Sealy will expertly guide you through the restaurant’s menu, which has plenty of variety and even includes some Asian flavors. Guests particularly enjoy the fish and shrimp, which both come either grilled or fried. The steak is always tasty, and even the veggies served as sides are delightful and perfectly prepared.

Saddleback Saloon Bar and Grill

Saddleback Saloon Bar and Grill is another “Best of the Best” winner awarded by readers of The Sealy News. They racked up some serious accolades—best steak, coldest beer, and best atmosphere. In addition to the steak, the Bronco Burger is quite popular, so be sure to check it out. The establishment, which is located in a historical building, has a rustic feel and features live music on Saturday nights and free pool on Wednesdays. Kids are welcome before 8:00 p.m., so don’t hesitate to bring them in for a meal and a game. If you’re the brave type, you can sing your heart out on Friday night at karaoke. (That cold beer is the perfect antidote for stage fright.)

Wolf Pack Bar and Grill

This family-friendly Sealy favorite is housed in a beautifully remodeled former feed store. Their menu boasts too many unique and delicious items to list, but the cheese curds are epic, the Lone Wolf Burger is delectable, and the boudin balls and Sterling’s egg rolls are up-and-coming stars. If you stop in on a live music night, some sweet tunes will set the perfect mood for a fun and relaxing dining experience. If you like to plan ahead, the restaurant has an active Facebook page where they post upcoming musical lineups. The location also has a courtyard area with seating and games, and friendly pooches are welcome in this outdoor space.

Is your stomach growling yet?

You can start that diet tomorrow. Call your friends or family and meet them for a bite! (But don’t bite them in your haze of hungry confusion!) No matter your specific craving, you can’t go wrong with any of these excellent local establishments.

A aperitivocentury-old is againtrendy

Various tried and true drinks have withstood the test of time.

Hosts may want to offer these traditional favorites at special occasions where alcohol will be served, especially if the beverages are once again trending in the right direction.

Although Aperol has been a popular product across Italy since its inception in 1919, it is enjoying newfound fame more than 100 years later. By 1950, the Aperol Spritz became the drink du jour of movers and shakers, and in recent years has enjoyed a resurgence of that popularity.

Aperol does for orange what limoncello has done for lemons.

It has a zesty orange flavor with herbal notes and a touch of vanilla. Lightly alcoholic, an Aperol Spritz is refreshing and suitable for most occasions. Perhaps the biggest feather in the cap of an Aperol Spritz is that it can be paired with a variety of small bites, making it a very host-friendly cocktail.

Aperol Spritz

Serves 1

3 parts Prosecco

2 parts Aperol

1 splash of soda Orange slice for garnish

In a stemmed balloon glass full of ice, pour the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol, and then add the splash of soda. Garnish with an orange slice.

“ T h e b e s t t i m e t o p r e p a r e f o r a d r o u g h t i s d u r i n g a t h u n d e r s t o r m , ” s a i d J o s e p h K l o t z o f K l o t z F a r m s i n F r y d e k .

W h i l e A u s t i n C o u n t y f e l t r e l i e f f r o m t h e l a t e s u m m e r r a i n f a l l , J u l y w a s t h e t h i r d d r i e s t a n d t h e f i f t h h o t t e s t i n A u s t i n C o u n t y i n t h e l a s t 1 2 8 y e a r s o n r e c o r d a c c o r d i n g t o D r o u g h t . g o v . T h e s u m m e r ’ s c r a c k e d s o i l a n d p o o r p a s t u r e c o n d i t i o n s a f f e c t e d o u r l o c a l a g r i c u l t u r e p r o d u c e r s a n d w i l l f o r s o m e t i m e .

T h e b e e f c a t t l e i n d u s t r y h a s b e e n h i t p a r t i c u l a r l y h a r d a c r o s s T e x a s a n d i t h i t s c l o s e t o h o m e f o r l o c a l r a n c h e r s s i n c e b e e f c a t t l e a r e t h e t o p a g r i c u l t u r a l c o m m o d i t y i n A u s t i n C o u n t y , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e T e x a s A & M A g r i L i f e E x t e n s i o n . “ T h e h i g h e r i n p u t s l i k e h a y , f e

“If you look at the drought map, you can see visually we are burning up. The high temps are burning plants up. Everyone is struggling to find hay unless they are irrigating,” said Stacie Villareal, the County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources at the Texas AgriLife Extension.

This is the first time since 2011 Klotz has had to buy hay.

Villareal says the majority of incoming calls to the Texas AgriLife Extension are cattle producers asking where they can find hay. Smaller operations are struggling to find hay and are buying hay with money made from the sale of cows. In other words, they’re selling cows to pay to feed the remaining herd.

Low supply due to drought is driving hay prices up from the normal price of $60 to $70 a bale to $110 - or nearly twice the normal price for a bale.

An estimated 37,500 acres of Austin County are currently grown for hay production according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and hay producers have had to bale hay earlier than usual because of the cost of irrigation or to prevent it from drying up.

To make matters worse social media scams are taking advantage of ranchers by offering hay with a down payment and then not delivering. Online scammers are also advertising hay that doesn’t even exist, Villareal said. Cattle producers are responding to the drought conditions in a variety of ways. Some are selling more cattle than usual, some are selling earlier than usual and others are making adjustments in different ways to preserve their herd.

“There’s no supply of hay so lots of people are selling. They’re getting rid of (cattle) and selling them. We usually have the big fall runs but we aren’t going to have them because the cattle will be gone,” said Scottie Schwartz, co-owner of Cattleman’s Brenham Livestock Auction and Triple S Ranch in Washington County.

He said Triple S Ranch is weaning calves now and they usually don’t until November or December. The market might improve in the new year, but that’s what ranchers will need to make up for this past year of difficulties, he explained.

Villareal said people are trying to hold on as long as they can before selling, but are still selling early and auction barns are flooded with cattle. She said her family ranch is no exception and culled their herd earlier than usual this year.

He practices what he preaches and after the drought in 2011, Klotz started using “old time genetics” from the 1950s and 1960s in his herd of Brahmans which creates a smaller, more efficient breed. They require lower inputs which helps mitigate the effects of drought.

Klotz also uses rotational grazing techniques and no matter the conditions, he watches the stocking rate of his herd.

“Dad told us ‘it’s not what you’ve got, it’s what you have left,’” Klotz said and explained that if possible, ranchers should hold onto replacement cattle. Once we get out of this drought, there will be a strong demand for this type of cattle, he predicts.

“We’re going to make it. We’re used to it. We’ve had floods. We’ve had drought,” Schwartz said.

More than just making it, Schwartz and his business partners, Doug Bass and Cody Cerny further invested in the cattle business in early September 2022 by purchasing the Columbus Livestock Auction Co. in Columbus, which is now Cattleman’s Columbus Livestock Auction. With many years spent in the cattle business between them, Schwartz and his partners continue pursuing the passion and the tradition for the next generation.

“We’re excited about it. This is what we love to do and it’s what our children love to do,” Schwartz said.

Ghosts of Sealy’s Past

By Nancy Naron Sealy Area Historical Society

According to many, there are ghosts walking among us on a daily basis. When least expecting it, building owners and tenants in downtown Sealy have experienced shenanigans that are attributed to spirits from Sealy’s past. One of the most active downtown locations is the old Citizen’s State Bank building constructed in 1917 on the southeast corner of Main and Fowlkes Streets. Ghost sightings and other paranormal activity have been experienced by a number of occupants both upstairs and down in the old bank building, including objects moved to different places in the building, items witnessed flying across the room, and the smell of cigar smoke.

It seems there are a couple of spirits who visit more than one downtown location, including the Preibisch Building, constructed in 1886, now occupied by the Saddleback Saloon and formerly occupied by My Place, the old Felcman Confectionery, now occupied by State Farm Insurance, Bliss on Main at 124 Main Street, and the old Sealy Rice Mill on Front Street. Several people have given accounts of two particular ghostly images. One is described as a tall man wearing a large black hat and dressed in a black duster, which is a long, loose coat worn by ranchers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The “man in black” has been seen in several locations, standing very still, seemingly staring at folks in the room. The smell of cigar smoke seems to accompany him. The other spirit seen repeatedly in downtown buildings is a very young, blonde girl wearing a long white dress.

Around the world, the image of a ghostly tall man wearing a hat and dressed in black is commonly reported. However, many of the sightings of the figure in a black hat are experienced by people who awaken during the night to find him standing in their room. Sealy’s “man in black” has been seen in broad daylight and by people who are wide awake, leading one to wonder if he is truly a spirit of an early resident.

Other buildings on Front Street with documented paranormal activity include the Mesquite Grill, formerly Zapalac’s Bar and Restaurant, and the Wolf Pack Bar and Grill, which was originally the Schier Feed Store. In addition to ghost sightings, a number of people have heard voices from spirits who can’t be seen. The sounds of children playing and men talking have been heard multiple times in several downtown locations.

In conjunction with the Sealy Area Historical Society’s Ghost Tours, paranormal investigators and psychics have shed some light on the ghostly encounters. Prior to renowned Houston Psychic Diane Gremmel’s first visit to Sealy, she was aware of the spirit of the young girl. Ms. Gremmels description matched exactly what others have stated about the spirit’s age and appearance. According to Ms. Gremmel, the child’s spirit was excited about the Society’s plans to tour the downtown buildings that have become her playground.

Teams of paranormal investigators have recorded moving figures, colored light orbs flying across the room, and high levels of electromagnetic energy in the streets. The documented paranormal activity has inspired local historians to discover what past events might have led to the continued sightings. However, to date, none of the investigations have uncovered the reasons spirits are so active in both the streets and buildings of downtown Sealy.

The Sealy Area Historical Society holds the Ghost Tour on the Saturday before Halloween every other year. The tour will be held this year on October 29. For more detail and to purchase tickets, visit sealyhistoricalsociety.org.