February 2018 Echo

HAYS COUNTY

ECHO FEBRUARY 2018

INSIDE: Where do we all come from?

Tracking our roots through DNA | Growing diversity in Hays County | Preserving Mt. Baldy | Life long ago in Hays County

HAYS COUNTY

ECHO is published monthly by Barton Publications, Inc 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX Contents © February 2018.

Publisher Cyndy Slovak–Barton Editor Moses Leos III Graphics Director David White Graphic Designer Christine Thorpe Contributing Writers Moses Leos III David White Paige Lambert Contributing Photographers Moses Leos III David White Distribution David White Marketing Tracy Mack Jim Darby Office Manager Wendie Hyer For advertising information, please contact our sales department at 512–268–7862.

See the Hays County Echo online for free at www.HaysFreePress.com

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February 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE

Connecting with our roots E

ver since mankind learned how to communicate with one another, so also came the ability to disseminate stories of their history.

It wasn’t too long ago that discovering the past often encompassed telling tales around a bonfire under a blanket of unspoiled dark sky.

Today, finding out one’s history is a cotton swab away.

But no matter how it is approached, the desire to find out where we come from and how we got here still remains.

That’s why in this month’s Hays County Echo, we take a glimpse into people’s quest to look into history and find out more about

themselves.

We begin first with a story by David White on a local man whose experience with a DNA testing service turned into a life-chaging experience.

Our focus then shifts to the changing demographics locally and how growth is changing the face of Hays County. Several local elected officials weigh in on what they’re seeing.

It’s not just people that can share history, but locations as well. One

of those is Lookout Mountain in Wimberley, which many helped to save several years ago. We dig deep into our archives to share Paige Lambert’s story on Old Baldy.

For some residents, home is not only where the heart is, but also a way to recall their own past. Local, longtime resident Marylyn DeckerMitchell shares her experiences in life.

It’s our hope that our introspective into history spurs readers to delve into their own history.

Good luck and thanks for reading, Moses Leos III, Editor

IN THIS ISSUE...

Finding Family Through DNA ..............................................................................4 Sciece extends the limits of genealogical research Building a Family Tree... Where to Start? ...........................................................5 Dripping Springs researcher gives some tips Diversity in Hays County .....................................................................................8 Officials recognize shift in demographics Getting to Know Mt. Baldy ................................................................................10 Wimberley community holds on to historic Lookout Mountain If These Walls Could Talk ..................................................................................12 Reflections of life long ago in Hays County Hays County Echo Service Directory ...............................................................14 Grub Buzz............................................................................................................15

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Finding family through DNA

by David White

W

ith a quick search on YouTube, you can see thousands of emotional, life-affirming discoveries that can come from simply taking a DNA test.

There are many tests on the market now, with some of the most popular being 23andMe, Ancestry DNA, National Geographic Project, HomeDNA and MyHeritage DNA. Some services have their advantages over others. It’s worth reviewing what each service offers to best fit your needs, but when researching for this story, Ancestry DNA was the name tossed around the most.

Ancestry DNA is currently leading the market, boasting a growing database of more than six million customers. They also claim to host 90 million family trees containing more than 10 billion ancestral profiles.

There have been many mysteries deshrouded by Ancestry DNA testing, such as: Was Helen Kramer, who claimed 28 years later to be Lorraine Hudson, child survivor of the Titanic, the real deal?

She was not.

Did former President Warren Harding have a love child?

Yes. Even though his mistress, Nan Britton, lived through a lot of attacks by the family and was considered a “delusional woman that believed in fantasy,” DNA tests on Harding’s and Britton’s offspring prove Britton bore Harding’s only biological child.

Another recent connection made through Ancestry DNA was a project in which researchers, with the help of Ancestry DNA, were looking at the cast of “Hunger Games.” They thought there might be a connection between actors Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who both had deep Kentucky roots. There wasn’t a connection between those two, but while looking at actor Jeremy Renner’s lineage, who Lawrence co-stars with in “American Hustle,” it was found that Renner and Jennifer Lawrence had a common ancestor – Kentucky farmer Robert Tague.

Tague is Lawrence’s fifth great-grandfather and Renner’s fourth great-grandfather.

Locally, a Buda man named Patrick Kelly made some interesting discoveries through Ancestry DNA.

FINDING FAMILY THROUGH DNA, 6 page 4

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February 2018

Above: Warren Harding’s mistress Nan Britton revealed her love child, Elizabeth Ann, with the former president in her autobiography, “The President’s Daugther.” The family denied the claim, referring to Britton as a “delusional woman that believed in fantasy,” but DNA testing later revealed that Elizabeth Ann was Harding’s only biological child. (photo courtesy of James Blaesing, grandson of Nan Britton and Warren Harding. Warren Harding photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons) Right: “American Hustle” co-stars Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner found out they have a common ancestor in Kentucky farmer Robert Tague. Tague is Lawrence’s fifth great-grandfather and Renner’s fourth great-grandfather. (photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)

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Buda man Patrick Kelly, who was adopted at birth, took the Ancestry DNA test to see if he was really Irish. His discoveries led him to find two half-siblings and much of his family’s history.

Above, Patrick (left) unites with his half-brother Chris for the first time. (photo courtesy of the Kelly family)

See solution, page 11

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Building a family tree... Where to Start?

D

ebra Hicks of Dripping Springs has been doing genealogical research since 2000 and runs a service called BluebonnetGenealogy. com. Hendricks gave the following advice to those interested in beginning their research.

“Most people can start building their family trees simply by talking to family members, especially the older ones, about names of family ancestors, and their respective stories. They can then proceed with building family trees online or simply writing charts on paper,” said Hendricks. And to fill in the gaps she recommends three routes one can take.

First, there are programs like HeritageQuestOnline.com and AncestryLibrary.com that are free to use at most public libraries. Other online services Hendricks recommends are:

Debra Hendricks Genealogical Researcher

people and records), • FamilySearch.org (a free service with very extensive collection of digitized records), • Fold3.org (mostly military records), • FindAGrave.com (helps locate names and burial locations of people), • Cyndi’sList.com (a very inclusive list of links to all online resources), • LibertyEllisFoundation.org (for ships passenger lists), • APGen.org – Professional genealogists can be located through Association of Professional Genealogists (APGen.org).

• Ancestry.com (popular online subscription service for researching

The second type of research is good, old-fashioned investigating at physical locations like county courthouses, cemeteries, libraries and historical associations. “This type of research involves hands-on viewing of birth, marriage and death documents, called vital records,” Hendricks says. “As many records have been digitized, an even

excited to hear from Patrick, because she thought she might have found somebody that could fill in some of the pieces. She knew her father had a sister, and she thought Patrick could be one of her kids — her cousin. So, Donna asked her mother if she knew anything about her paternal aunt giving up a child for adoption. Donna was surprised by her mother’s reaction to the question. Her mother began to weep and told her that her aunt didn’t give up a child for adoption, but that she did.

Patrick’s biological mother was young when she had him and her strict Catholic father made her give up her newborn to the church. In later years, she married and had Donna and Donna’s brother Chris.

Patrick only knows about his birth mother through his half-siblings Donna and Chris. He knows she is in failing health right now and having bouts of dementia. He also learned the name of his birth father, who is now deceased. Patrick says it’s unsure if his father knew about him being born because he may have never been told.

When Patrick talked to his halfbrother Chris, who lives in Seattle, for the first time, he said he wanted to meet him. Patrick quickly agreed, so

Patrick and his wife Claire and three children made arrangements for him to stay with them, but admittedly he said it was awkward. Even though he was technically his brother, he was a total stranger.

Patrick enjoyed their visit and getting to know each other, and learning a little bit about his mom.

Patrick doesn’t know if he will meet his mother because of her condition, but he’s happy just knowing that chapter in his life and how he came to be.

But he also found out he’s not as Irish as he thought – only 3 percent.

He has 93 percent English heritage.

He and his wife said they are going to have to rethink their family vacations, because they had wanted to visit his homeland of Ireland.

Patrick said the overall experience has been very positive and it’s a story that he’s sharing with a lot of friends and colleagues and he’s found it to be very cathartic. He is glad to at least know where he came from, but he is grateful for the life he has had with his adoptive parents and the family he grew up with. “Family is the people you share experiences with,” he said, and he hopes to have new experiences with his new siblings and their (his) families.

vaster number have yet to be viewable online, and still are archived in these depositories.”

The third type of research is the DNA testing through one of the previously listed services which could fast track one through a lot of research, but considering that only about 15% of geneaology records have been digitized, indexed or posted on the internet, there’s a lot of footwork necessary in putting all the details together.

While DNA testing is rising in popularity, DNA testing parameters are still fairly broad, according to Hendricks.

“For the purposes of genealogical research, it serves as more of a supplement, rather than a replacement, of the footwork people are willing to do in their research. I have found that, if anything, it probably raised more questions than answers, which sends people back to more traditional means of genealogical research.”

FINDING FAMILY THROUGH DNA, from page 4 Patrick used to wonder if he was Irish. He had the name and the look, sort of. But his name was given to him by his adoptive parents, Richard and Linda Kelly of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Patrick was adopted as an infant from an Irish Catholic convent in Virginia in 1969. “I didn’t know that first chapter of my life,” he said.

Many years later, Patrick’s sisterin-law knew he was curious about his origins and gave him a present in March of 2017 for his 48th birthday – a DNA test and membership to Ancestry.com. Patrick submitted his test, but it wasn’t with the intention of finding close relatives. He thought he’d just find out what nationality he was.

When he received his DNA results, Ancestry.com was able to match him up with others with similar DNA matches in their database.

Patrick’s first DNA hit was somebody that was a high match.

Through a short email conversation, he decided this new contact might be a cousin or uncle of some kind.

Soon after, he was alerted to another hit that was a “very high” match. It was a woman in Manhattan, New York, named Donna who had gotten on Ancestry.com in hopes of finding more about her father. She was

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Diversity in Hays County BY

A

“It’s like a pot of stew. You don’t just put all the ingredients in there and you have the stew ... You take your ingredients, have the water simmer, heat it up slowly and you have a great stew. That’s what inclusion is.”

–Dex Ellison, Kyle City Council member

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February 2018

MOSES LEOS III

cascade of emotion swept across the face of Dex Ellison upon realizing he had claimed a Kyle City Council seat Nov. 7, 2017.

For the better part of an hour that night, Ellison bounced around a packed dance hall, embracing friends and thanking supporters with the kind of exuberance found within a Super Bowl winning team.

Roughly a week later at his church in East Austin, however, Ellison gained a much deeper understanding of the impact his victory harbored.

It was there that his pastor shared the excitement of his victory, but also explained how it was “no little feat,” based on the history of the city when it came to race relations.

“They see it already as a great goal to have won an elected seat,” Ellison said. “But to be a young black man to win that seat, that’s the surprise I’ve seen from people in winning that election.”

It’s that shift in mindset that leads Ellison, along with many others, to realize the population shift taking place in Hays County.

Speaking from strictly a demographic point, Hays County has undergone a rapid rise in the minority population within the past decade.

According to 2016 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, roughly 47 percent of Hays County’s population of 204,470 were minorities. The figure is a seven-percent rise in the minority population from the 2010 U.S. Census.

One of the growing populations involves Latinos, which now make up 38 percent of Hays County’s estimated citizenry.

Esperanza Orosco, who serves as a member of the Hays CISD board of trustees, said Hays County’s rising Latino population mirrors similar shifts seen statewide.

According to census estimates, Texas’ estimated Latino population in 2016 increased by 15 percent since the 2010 Census.

“I’ve been here for about 20 years and I’ve seen that growth,” Orosco said. “Our community is becoming more diversified.”

Hays County’s growth has brought Ellison said education is critical along economic change as well. The when it comes to ensuring an median household income in Hays inclusive attitude. While having a County rose from $45,006 in 2010 to diverse population is an asset, the roughly $60,000 in 2016. inability to voice opinion and listen Additionally, the county’s poverty to each other is detrimiental to the rate dropped by four percentage process, he said. points between 2010 and 2016.

Looking past skin color and race Debbie Ingalsbe, who has served and focusing on other important as Hays County Pct. 1 commissioner factors could allow residents to avoid for 9 years, said she’s seen a variety a dismissive disposition. of improvements in socioeconomics “It’s like a pot of stew. You don’t in Hays County. She cited a decrease just put all the ingredients in there in the number of persons without and you have the stew,” Ellison said. insurance, along with a rising rate of “You take your ingredients, have the high school graduates. water simmer, heat it up slowly and Ingalsbe said economic you have a great stew. That’s what diversification stems from a variety inclusion is.” of factors, which Continuing include assistance to diversify the from Texas State base in “We try to make employment as it enhances its Hays County is also a focus on engineering vital key to economic sure that our and science related growth. degrees.

Ingalsbe says committees But growth can also beefing up on higher mean struggles to represent our paying positions ensure representation in engineering and community well. science may be a and inclusion take place. point of focus.

We think about Currently 11 people “As we do all of of minority descent that and continue that when we’re to improve are elected officials in those in Buda, Kyle, San areas, we continue to appointing Marcos and Hays get better,” Ingalsbe County. people to said. “The county has Buda’s Kenneth improved in the last committes and Williams and few years.”

San Marcos’ Bert Continuing to we get different Lumbreras are the educate minorities only two minority on the role perspectives city managers in government and Hays County. Michael representation can from different Cardona, who leads play is also a key San Marcos CISD, socioeconomic focus. is the only minority Ingalsbe said groups.” superintendent in the younger people county. from a variety of Orosco said from backgrounds are –Esperanza Orosco, her perspective, starting to find Hays CISD school board member school districts such an interest in as Hays CISD work government. to be as inclusive She believes the as possible when it comes to public trend will continue, not only with office. That extends to standing minorities, but also with women in committees and commissions. government as well.

“We try to make sure that our “As more folks get interested in committees represent our community their county and city governments, I well,” Orosco said. “We think see our young people, a lot of them about that when we’re appointing coming up in the ranks.” people to committes and we get For Ellison, growth not only different perspectives from different extends to demographics, but many socioeconomic groups.” other factors as well.

For Orosco, obtaining different “I think that when you talk about perspectives is important, as well as diversity, that can be many different bringing different stakeholders into things, not just with ethnic and the fold. cultural backgrounds, but also Valuing the different voices is socioeconomic background,” Ellison imperative for growth in the county, said. “I think we’ve seen that happen Orosco said. in our population.”

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Getting to know Mt. Baldy Editor’s note: This story originally ran in 2014 as a piece detailing the history of Lookout Mountain, also known as Old Baldy. In 2015, an effort to preserve the natural landmark was successful after it was deemed a city of Wimberley park.

BY PAIGE LAMBERT

S

lowly climbing the irregular steps, we breathed a slight sigh of relief, then a gasp of awe, as we reached the top. The town was directly below, and behind was a green expanse of rolling hills. Only the wind and our own voices could be heard, and clouds blanketed sections of the valley. It was a peaceful getaway only five minutes from civilization.

The 1,182-foot hill, known as Old Baldy, in Wimberley, Texas, offers incomparable views of Wimberley

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February 2018

In the 1950s, long-time residents Odessa Farris and John Harris, according to a 1995 Texas Times article, constructed a dance floor, jukebox and 218 steps on the hill. The brush and boulders were cleared from the top, giving reason to the affectionate name Old Baldy.

Valley and a peace that is often hard to reach in this fast-paced world.

Old Baldy was once the home of prospectors, settlers and desperados.

The hill was part of Twin Sisters Ranch, named for the identical hills that rose from the valley. Around the 1900s the hill was named Mt. Edith for one of the rancher’s daughters.

At that time there were no cars to watch while traveling to the hill,

no fences to bar intruders. People would come and go from the lookout point, either looking to hide from the law or looking for some peace.

Wimberley resident, Liala McCall, said she and a few children who lived there in the 1930s would go to Old Baldy to pass the time.

“We went up there all the time, we ran out of things to do. So we rode horses a lot, tied our horses

at the base of the hill, climbed the mountain and climbed back down,” McCall said. “It was no big deal for us.”

In the 1950s, long-time residents Odessa Farris and John Harris, according to a 1995 Texas Times article, constructed a dance floor, jukebox and 218 steps on the hill.

The brush and boulders were cleared from the top, giving reason to the affectionate name Old Baldy.

Little is known past the 1950s construction, and the few tales circle around more as rumors than facts.

The jukebox is nowhere to be seen and only half of the dance floor is still intact, full of rivets and cracks from the weather.

Patsy Chancellor, Farris’ niece, said she found a few pictures of her uncle at Old Baldy, but little else.

Chancellor suggested that not a lot is known about the hill because the

first visitors saw it as a pastime, not an attraction.

“The people who knew about it, they’re elderly and it’s not something that they think about, they don’t have any need to talk about or promote it,” Chancellor said. “It is interesting though that we don’t know a whole lot about it, that we let those people slip through our hands before we put the history down.”

While some of the history may be lost, Wimberley residents are adding new memories to the sparse hilltop. Brenda Gillarey, a Wimberley resident since 1984, said teenagers sometimes saw the hill as a lift off point.

“Around 1990 my daughter and eight to 10 kids built this paragliding thing out of PVC pipe and duct taped sheets to it,” Gillarey said. “It started coming apart and it eventually crashed.

It’s still a big thing between the kids, they always talk about it.”

While the hill isn’t as frequented now as in years past, many still climb the steps when visiting family and friends in the area.

Bob Flocke, former mayor of Wimberley, said he would take his family to Old Baldy before settling in Wimberley, and he still goes to the hill for peace and quiet.

“It is certainly worth the trip to the top,” Flocke said. “I’ve been there all different times during the day. I’ve seen the sunrise, and it’s just beautiful. You can see the whole Hill Country up there.”

The scenic spot has also been used for religious purposes. In 1995, the land was donated to Trinity Chapel Church. While keeping it open to the public, the Wimberley congregation dubbed it “Prayer Mountain.”

Chad Hayes, the pastor of Trinity Chapel Church, said he wants to continue the previous

pastor’s plans of using the hill to resemble Prayer Mountain in Seoul, South Korea.

“In the 80s, leaders would go and pray for all the people and land that they could see in Seoul, and we want to do the same,” Hayes said.

Residents of Wimberley also use the walk up Old Baldy as a form of exercise. During the cool parts of the day many people in workout attire walk up the steep, concrete steps.

“We went up one evening and there were actually two guys who came up four or five times,” Hayes said. “Families, nature lovers, all make it a stop on their hiking trip.”

While it’s not on the Top 10 list of Wimberley tourist attractions, Old Baldy has kept hold of the community. Everyone who visits sees the natural beauty of the valley, just like the ranchers and bandits from the tall tales and history books.

“To walk up to a spot that’s higher than you’re used to being, and seeing the town where you live, is a totally different perspective of a little spot on the planet,” Chancellor said.

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If these walls could talk Reflections of life long ago in Hays County

BY MOSES LEOS III

A

long the grassy hills that line FM 150 near Kyle sits an old home with plenty of stories to tell.

The structure, built in 1884, has single wall installation, which makes it difficult to heat up during the winter months, and also difficult to cool in the rough Texas summers. Many a name has come and gone through that old house.

For Marylyn DeckerMitchell, 87, daughter of former Hays County Judge Charles Decker, the home is a reminder of the history she and her family have experienced over the years living in the area.

Decker-Mitchell said her family moved into the home along FM 150 when she was three months old. As a child, the home was a place where her family raised livestock of all kinds. Horses, cattle, sheep and goats were a constant part of the life for her family.

“I’m nuts about horses.

I have been forever now,” Decker-Mitchell said.

But for about a six-year period, Decker-Mitchell and her family moved away from the old home to San Marcos.

The move was to allow Charles to serve as the Hays County Judge, which he served as for many years.

During that time, DeckerMitchell said her father was a “keeper.” He served as county judge when Hays had a much smaller population.

But during his time, DeckerMitchell said her father was passionate about helping juveniles. She recalled how her father avoided sending troubled boys to juvenile detention facilities as they were schools “for criminals.”

“His biggest concern was young boys who grew up without a father or good

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February 2018

Marylyn recalled how her father former Hays County Judge Charles Decker avoided sending troubled boys to juvenile detention facilities as they were schools “for criminals.” fathers,” Decker-Mitchell said.

Decker-Mitchell said her father could “get along with just about anyone,” except Lyndon Baines Johnson.

At the time, LBJ, who was then a congressman, also served on the board of regents at Southwest Texas State Teachers College, now known as Texas State. Decker-Mitchell said any time there was a big deal in San Marcos, “he always hung out in Daddy’s office.”

“He was not real popular with my dad, he just wasn’t,” Decker-Mitchell said.

Decker-Mitchell and her family have dealt with joy

and tragedy in their lives. All mourned the loss of John, her brother, who served with the First Marines when he was killed in action on the island of Peleleiu in the South Pacific during World War II. But she also saw the success of her youngest brother, who, after obtaining his doctorate at SWT, tried his hand at politics in Minnesota.

For Decker-Mitchell, life also held its little ironies and coincidences. While at San Marcos High, Decker-Mitchell recalled being teased by a classmate who was “immature” and always drove her crazy.

Little did she realize that years later, the two would get married at the age of 72, roughly 50 years after their first encounter.

Brad Mitchell, Marylyn’s late husband, came from a family whose lineage went back to Stephen F. Austin’s “Old 300,” who were settlers that received land grants in Austin’s first colony in the early 1800s.

As a result, Brad and his family grew up in the wideopen spaces of West Texas. The two married on the front-porch of the old home.

“I always wanted a cowboy.

My dad and my brother were cowboys,” Marylyn said. “I found out that’s the cowboy I should have married from the start.”

Local Calendar of Events Greater Randolph Area Trail Riders

Mardi Gras Parade

This annual parade winds through the Historic Homes District of San Marcos on Feb. 5 and ends with a picnic on the Price Center gardens.

Each year features a theme and this year is no different with the theme of “Good Neighbors.” It will focus on the long standing relationship, in times of trouble, between Texas and Louisiana.

The parade will honor the unspoken friendship and support that Texans and Louisianans have always been able to count on from one another.

The Mardi Gras Parade is a fun, family-friendly event.

MED CAL DIRECTORY

6,000 copies will be distributed March 14 & 15 to subscribers of the Hays Free Press, News-Dispatch and participating medical offices.

Advertising reservation deadline is Friday, February 16th, 2018.

Advertisements range in price and size: • Ad space starting at $350 for 1/4 page • Physician Listings with name, address and photo for only $90.

Call 512-268-7862 to reserve your space.

What’s going on in Hays County?

Know about a free community event?

Submit information to david@haysfreepress.com.

Feb. 9

SERVING HAYS AND SOUTHERN TRAVIS COUNTIES

Let residents of our communities know about your services, your physicians or your clinic in this highly anticipated annual guide.

Check out local community events in the Hays Free Press Best Bets every week and online at www.HaysFreePress.com

Feb. 5 The Greater Randolph Area Trail Riders will make their annual appearance in San Marcos from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 5 as they travel to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Riders will enjoy lunch at restaurants around the square and Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler will be available for all attendees to enjoy free of charge. Watching the Greater Randolph Area Trail Riders ride through downtown San Marcos is a local tradition.

2018

FARMERS® Debbie Thames Insurance Agency AUTO • HOME • LIFE BOAT • HEALTH 251 N. FM 1626 #2C • Buda, TX 78610 Office: (512) 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 Email: dvthames@austin.rr.com Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated

PrePlanning • aftercare Program cremation • traditional ServiceS

Eddie Durham Jazz Celebration

From big bands and combos to individual instrumentalists, the Hill Country Jazz Festival will feature some of the best performers west of the Mississippi River Feb. 9-10 at Texsas State University. A very special portion of the festival will be a celebration of Eddie Durham. Durham, a Texas jazz legend and San Marcos native, was a renowned guitarist who pioneered the use of electric guitar in jazz music.

FM 2770 & Kohler’s Crossing • 1715 Kirby, Kyle, TX 78640 in Plum Creek

512-268-8200 H www.HarrellFuneralHomes.com page 13

Hays County Echo Service Directory AIR CONDITIONING A&E Air Conditioning & Heating, LLC

Free furnace special, $500 off complete system or 15% off any repair by mentioning you saw us here.

512-312-9535 www.ae4cool.com

APC Services Pro, LLC Electrical, A/C, heating Commercial and residential.

Free service call with repair.

512–295–4023 www.APCServicePros.com

NEMEC Heating and Air

Proudly serving Central Texas.

Residential, commercial and after hours available. chris@nemecheatingandair.com 512–312–9081 512–789–5132

AUTOMOTIVE AMM Collision Center

Three great locations!

Kyle: 21681 IH–35, 262–1013 Austin: 11740 Manchaca Rd., 292–1060 Dripping Springs: 3990 Hwy 290, 512–894–3888

Buda Automotive

You know us... by our reputation!

Full service car & truck repair.

601 S. Loop 4 in Buda 512–295–2832

COMPUTER SERVICE Hays Technical Services

Want help selecting the best value? Office systems not maintained? Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless? mike@haystech.com

DIRT Rick-Rob Trucking

Loam, topsoil, sand, gravel, roadbase, asphalt millings, granite, compost mix. Tractor work available. Specializing in country driveways.

512-858-7952. robinnds@aol. com, www.rick-rob.com

GLASS SERVICE Berry Glass Company

Commercial and Residential Contract glazing, storefronts, insulated glass, furniture tops, tempered glass and mirrors.

Framed & frameless tub & shower enclosure.

5360 Industrial Way Dr., Buda, TX 78610. 512–312–2767

FENCING HTC Fence & More

Wood fences built right. Repairs, gates, post replacements, fully insured. Mowing $45 for standard yard (mow, edge & cleanup). Free estimates, veteran owned.

830-556-7445

Central Garage, LLC

Complete Auto Repair, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

20 Hwy. 290 West, Dripping Springs 512-894-4114 or 512-858-4252

LANDSCAPING Daniel Stone & Landscaping Supplies

We deliver. Grass: St. Augustine, Buffalo, Bermuda, Tifway.

Chopped rock, patio rock, flagstone, drystack, gravel, river rock, mulch, sand and loam.

12015 Hwy 290 W, Cedar Valley, Austin. 512-288-8488.

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February 2018

Who Does Your Lawn

Call Jesse Reyna at 512-7882180 or email apa6207@ sbcglobal.net Offering competitive pricing and superior service in the Manchaca, Buda, and Kyle area since 2010.

Taking care of all lawn needs so you can play. Mowing, trimming, edging, debris removal, flower bed maintenance

LEGAL SERVICES John A. Hall

Attorney and Counselors At Law Business law, wills, trust, probate, family law, divorce, custody, consumer law, deceptive trade, property law, landlord–tenant law, personal, injury, DWI, criminal defense, debt defense, general civil litigation. 130 Hall Professional Center , Kyle, TX. 512–268–6425

PLUMBING Prince Plumbing Company

Residential repair, remodeling, water heaters, sewer maintenance, slab & gas leak repair. 20 years experience, family owned and operated.

512–312–0710

POOL SERVICE G&S Pool and Spa Service

Serving South Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994. 512–326–4695. www.gspoolspa.com

High Tide Pool Service

Over 10 years cleaning and maintaining pools. Drain & cleans pressure washing, full service repairs, replastering. Free estimates, call Keith Miller at 512 965-3465.

REMODELING Tri–County Construction

Let us make your dreams a reality!

Specializing in custom remodeling and insurance repairs since 1984.

Fully insured. 512–282–6224

Wild West Remodeling

No job too small or too big!

Kitchen/bath remodels, painting, tile, siding, decks, trim, door & window replacements, drywall repair, electrical and plumbing.

Curtis Dorsett, 512–402–4704

ROOFING Area Roofing Company

Serving Hays County. Residential & Commercial. Free estimates.

Insurance claims welcome. Ron Johnson, owner. 512–312–5050

Wrangler Roofing

Absolutely no money down. Claims specialist on staff. Experience, honesty and integrity. See website for special offers. www.

WranglerGutterProtection.com.

512-351-5402

SEPTIC SERVICES All American Wastewater Solutions, LLC

Septic problems... Let us help!

Locally serving our community since 1982. Septic repair and installation specialist, septic tank pumping and servicing, aerobic system servicing and more.

Commercial and residential. www. allsepticcheck.com, 512–282–3889.

Sellman Enterprises, Inc.

Septic plumbing, cleaning, repairs Commercial & Residential Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.

512–312–0002 www.SellmanSepticServices.com

SHOE REPAIR Austin Shoe Hospital

Quality boot & shoe repair as well as purse and luggage repair.

Ten locations in Central Texas including: Ben White & Manchaca, 512-440-8788; Hwy 290 & Nutty Brown Rd., 512-827-3398; and Hwy 290 in Oak Hill, 512-2886386.

TREE SERVICES Lees Trees

Firewood, pruning, tree removal, chipping, planting, cedar posts, bulk mulch. Free assessments & estimates. Affordable oak wilt treatment. Schedule ball moss treatment for June. Call Marcus Lees at (512) 858-4018, leestrees@vownet.net

WINDOW TREATMENTS Made in the Shade

Custom window treatments at affordable prices. Graber, Hunter Douglas, Norman and more.

Blinds, shades, draperies and shutters. Low prices with lifetime guarantees and fast professional installation. Call 512-847-8970, www.madeintheshadeofwimberley. com

Grub Buzz

PIES FRIES TACOS ENCHILADAS SOUPS WINGS BARBECUE BURGERS SANDWICHES SNACKS COCKTAILS

Bonne Année!

100 N. Main Street in Buda

A happy and prosperous new year to one and all

| (512) 312-4387

Serving breakfast and lunch and now open for dinner |

www.BrooklynsDownSouth.com

No sauce.

No forks.

No kidding.

GERMAN-STYLE BARBECUE RESTAURANT IN LOCKHART, THE BARBECUE CAPITAL OF TEXAS! Monday - Saturday: 10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Want to join Grub Buzz?

619 N. Colorado St. • Lockhart, TX 78644-2110 Phone: 512-398-2361 • Fax: 512-376-5576 kreuzmarket@sbcglobal.net

Call Tracy at 512-268-7862 or email ads@haysfreepress.com to advertise your restaurant today.

Business Hours:

page 15

Quality Care for Your Little Ones YOUR CHILDREN are at the center of our care team at every age. Our pediatricians are on-call 24/7 and our phone schedulers and phone nurses are available 24/7 as well.

Learn more ARC pediatrics.com

— ARC PEDIATRICIANS NEAR YOU — 3420 FM 967, Ste B-100 Buda, TX 78610 967 Wiley Way

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February 2018

512-295-1608 1626

Clinic Hours M–F: 7:30am–5:00pm

ARC Kyle Plum Creek 4100 Everett St, Ste 400 Kyle, TX 78640

Everett

Buda Sportsplex Dr

ARC Buda NOW OPEN

512-295-1333

171

Kohlers Crossing

1626

35

Clinic Hours M–F: 7:30am–9:00pm Sat & Sun: 8:00am–5:00pm