January 25, 2023 News-Dispatch

Camp Lucy offers more than just weddings

Venue brings history to life

By Brittany Anderson brittany@haysfreepress.com

SPRINGS

DRIPPING

There’s more than meets the eye at Camp Lucy, a wedding and special events venue nestled on nearly 300 acres of Hill Country land in Dripping Springs.

There’s a story at every turn here, thanks to owners Whit and Kim Hanks. Whit, a former antiques dealer, and Kim, a former events planner, have injected history and personality into every corner of the property

BCBSTX negotiates new contract with Ascension

Thousands could be affected

By Megan Wehring megan@haysfreepress.com

HAYS COUNTY — As a

looming deadline is quickly approaching, thousands of Texans could be affected if an agreement is not reached between a major hospital system and one of the state’s largest insurance providers. The current contract between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and Ascension Texas is set to expire on Jan.

31. Without a new agreement, Ascension hospitals will leave the Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials, Blue Advantage HMO and Medicare Advantage PPO networks on Feb. 1. Ascension hospitals will remain in the Medicare Advantage (HMO) and Medicaid networks.

Ascension doctors would also be removed from the Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials and Medicare Advantage

Woodcreek forms HOT Committee

By Megan Wehring

WOODCREEK — A Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Committee was established in the small community of Woodcreek to explore the possibility of implementing a HOT rate.

On Oct. 26, 2022, Wimberley City Council postponed voting on the HOT Ordinance to allow for the creation of a HOT Committee. The formation of the committee was

Rate reduction denied for Wild Game Dinner

By Megan Wehring

DRIPPING SPRINGS — To maintain fairness among nonprofits, Dripping Springs City Council unanimously denied a rate reduction request on Tuesday, Jan. 17 for the Dripping Springs Wild Game Dinner.

Dripping Springs United Methodist Church is hosting its 33rd Annual Wild Game Dinner at Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Proceeds directly benefit charities in the surrounding area including but not limited to Burke Center for Youth, Boy Scouts, Helping Hands and Dripping Springs Christian Academy.

“It’s an all-volunteer organization [and] all of the money goes back to this community for missions here or missions from here to places where we think the money would do the best work,” said Matt Rogers,

unanimously approved in order to advise the council on aspects of collecting and spending the funds received from the tax if it were passed.

“All that has been done is the formation of a Hotel Occupancy Tax Committee to evaluate whether the city of Woodcreek should or should not look into raising the hotel occupancy tax,” said city manager Kevin Rule. “If they do decide that yes,

"WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THAT TAX. YOU HAVEN'T SOLD US ON WHY WE WOULD NEED IT."

PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Camp Lucy owners Whit and Kim Hanks. Behind them are French Colonial-style Saint sculptures from Vietnam, some of the first antiques Whit began purchasing and sending back to Texas from Hanoi.

PHOTO BY NATALIE FRELS

Lizee McMillan poses with her crown and sash at the start of the Hays County Livestock Show on Jan. 21 in Dripping Springs. See more coverage on Pages 3 and 4.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Camp Lucy is full of picturesque spots with sprawling Hill Country views.

City to purchase security cameras for Founders Memorial Pool

By Megan Wehring

SPRINGS –

DRIPPING

After increased vandalism and trespassing, the city of Dripping Springs is looking to install security cameras at Founders Memorial Pool.

On Jan. 17, Dripping Springs City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the FY2023 Parks and Community Services budget for the purchase and installation of video cameras at Founders Memorial Pool. The total cost of the two ADT 8MP cameras is $5,059.34, which will be taken out of the Founders Memorial Pool Supplies

— from the floor and roof tiles to the friendly alpacas next to the check-in center.

The story of Camp Lucy, in Whit’s eyes, weaves his interest in antiques and architecture with his family.

Years ago, his son Ian was an East Asian studies major and Princeton scholar, working with Princeton graduates in Shanghai, China. Whit would travel to visit him frequently, and one trip led them to the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, a city known for its French Colonial history.

expense line. “We had an unauthorized visitor at the pool in the fall,” said Andrew Binz, Parks and Community Services director. “We decided to get cameras to monitor that area. I think it was just one person but they came several times and apparently, we have had in the past other instances of people being in the pool area out of season.”

Mayor Bill Foulds said the city has continued to see numerous instances of unwanted activity at the pool throughout the year, leading to the need for security cameras.

bringing antiques back began around 2007-08, Whit believes that Ian’s death is at the heart of everything they do, even naming the first structure on the property, the chapel, after him. Now, Ian’s Chapel is a beloved staple and host to weddings and more.

reassembled the structure piece-by-piece using an intricate mapping system.

But for Whit, persevering is half the fun.

lodging options

• An on-site restaurant called Tillie’s with food crafted by renowned chef Andy Knudson, along with a variety of amenities and activities.

Whit mainly dealt in French and Spanish antiques, so Hanoi opened up a whole new world of antiques from this era. Whit began buying and sending back Vietnamese French Colonial pieces he found to Texas before stumbling upon some that would eventually become cornerstones of Camp Lucy, including thousands of handmade orange tiles bearing a heart-shaped symbol that inspired the property’s logo and pieces of 19th-century churches that were set to be destroyed.

Whit’s second son Roger lived in China with Ian for a period of time. Through his children and finding antiques in Vietnam, he became “intertwined” with Asia, calling it a “really rich experience.”

In 2011, Ian died from a brain tumor. While the process of

“This whole kind of surreal world that my life entered — when you lose a son, you’re so mixed up,” Whit said. “You don’t even know anything. You’re so confused. So I really went on a whole different bizarre life path that’s resulted from his death, that I think is the reason we’re here.”

Transporting antiques of this size to Texas over several trips and years was no easy feat. Whit had to navigate cultural differences and language barriers with customs agents, as well as coordinate help with local villages to get the antiques onto massive shipping containers and to the port.

He also faced other unprecedented challenges, like some pieces being wrapped in contaminated rice straw that caused them to be sent back to Vietnam and re-packed after they arrived in the U.S. with unknowingly forged fumigation papers.

The process of constructing Ian’s Chapel wasn't easy either. Built from iron wood, one of the strongest and heaviest woods, Whit and his team

“You really have to think of it as, ‘What’s the end goal here?’ We’re just pressing on until we get to where we need to go,” Whit said with a smile. “You just have to roll with it. It’s part of the joy of it.”

The property that Camp Lucy sits on belonged to Whit’s parents Roger and Lucy as their weekend place. While he did not intend for the antiques he was sending back to be turned into anything significant but be a “folly,” that changed when Kim entered the picture in 2008.

After meeting at a Christmas party and being invited out to visit Camp Lucy, Kim was able to see some of the process of rebuilding the chapel. Eventually, she convinced Whit that it could be used as a wedding venue and their life together blossomed from there.

The first wedding was held at Ian’s Chapel in 2010. Since then, the property has expanded to include:

• A second wedding venue (Sacred Oaks) and reception halls

• A permanent tent structure for weddings and other events at the on-site vineyard

• Three different familyfriendly and corporate-friendly

The Hanks are also in the process of building a spa on the property, aiming for completion by February 2024. Of course, this building will incorporate many of their signature Vietnamese antiques, including iron wood timbers seen in Ian’s Chapel and Tillie’s and ceiling arches with handcarved Hindu folktales.

The history found on Camp Lucy doesn’t end with the Vietnam antiques. A repurposed 1800s Amish barn from Ohio, repurposed roof tiles from the Bexar County Courthouse, a variety of pieces picked up at Austin antique shows and more can all be found on the property, bringing unique charm and character for guests that bear personal connections to the Hanks.

The Hankses’ infatuation with history and hospitality has even led them overseas to Malmesbury, England, where they were regular visitors before becoming owners of the Old Bell Hotel, which is said to be the oldest hotel in England. Serendipitously enough, the hotel was previously owned by some of Whit’s relatives hundreds of years ago.

Through this venture, Kim and Whit’s drive to be challenged and create a cohesive hospitality experience is evident and is at the core of their being both as employers and a couple.

“I don’t even know if we’re interested in doing things that are easy,” Kim said. “I think if it’s too easy, we’re like, ‘Pass.’ We want to do something unique and something we can put our own stamp on. I think there has to be an element that piques our curiosity. It has to be something that we haven’t done before. … I think that’s the challenge of life.”

“I think we both like to stretch ourselves and we like to create opportunities that we can share,” she added.

From bringing in people from all walks of life to help cultivate their creative ideas and nurturing the company culture for their employees, the Hanks have set themselves apart from others in the hospitality business — and are always planning their next adventure while never passing up an opportunity to find a story and celebrate it.

Camp Lucy is located at 3509 Creek Road in Dripping Springs. For more information on booking the venue for a wedding, corporate or personal event or to take a tour of the property, visit www.camplucy. com.

CONTRIBUTED

PHOTO The city of Dripping Springs is set to purchase security cameras for Founders Memorial Pool as vandalism and trespassing are at a high.

By Natalie Frels natalie@haysfreepress.com

HAYS COUNTY — There was a drizzle in the cold morning air as local teens of the community gathered at Dripping Springs Ranch Park on Saturday, Jan. 21 for the Hays County Livestock Show.

A nervous energy radiated as the queen’s court and ambassadors waited for their names to be announced.

When the emcee called her name, Hays County Livestock Show Queen Lizee McMillan had a grin from ear to ear to the sound of applause as she straightened her sash and took her place among the court.

McMillan didn’t seem to have an ounce of nerves in her. She knew this day was coming. In 2022, she submitted a cover letter, resume, headshot and reference letters, vying for the top spot. It wasn’t until December that she knew she’d been named queen.

“We did our interview in October; I was pretty nervous, but it went really well. We were actually able to connect with the judges because we were in person, not on Zoom or anything. So then in

it would be beneficial for the city, then they would come up with a recommendation of what that rate would be and present that to the council.”

Hotel owners, operators or managers are required to collect state HOT from guests who rent a room or space in a hotel, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The state’s HOT rate is 6% of the cost of a room. Bed and breakfasts, condominiums, apartments and houses are also applied to this tax.

If the city were to pass a HOT, hotel operators would be required to pay both the state and city rates.

“When they file their quarterly or monthly reports, they would file one to the state for the 6% and they would file one to the city for whatever the percentage that would be,” Rule said. “It is the overnight guest that is paying the HOT and it is the operator of that facility that takes that money and gives it to the state and/or the city as well.”

early December, they started announcing [the court] and I started getting nervous because I saw there was princess and queen left and they announced princess and I knew,” McMillan said. “In my pictures, I wasn’t even smiling; I was just so nervous because I wanted it for like four years and I finally made it.”

But for McMillan, it’s not just about the pomp and circumstance and the parades, it’s about being a role model for the community.

“The main thing for me is being a role model for young kids. I love when little girls come up to us and ask, ‘Oh my god, are you a princess?’ And they always ask to wear the crown,” the queen said. “So that’s my biggest thing is being a role model for the younger kids.”

Duchess Haley Ronshausen agreed, saying, “It’s all about leadership. Being on it, you can’t do whatever you want. We have to definitely be a role model and a leader for Hays County. When we do parades, we’re very noticeable. You have to be able to be a role model. It’s setting a good example.”

“One caveat on that is that we can allow the lodging group to keep 1% of the HOT for their own administrative purposes,” Rasco said. “If they want to do marketing for their venue, they can come to the city for a grant for marketing funds or if they want to do an event, we can assist with that.”

A 2016 survey by the Texas Comptroller’s office found that most cities may impose a HOT rate of up to 7% and certain cities that fund a convention center may collect an additional 2%. Depending on the committee’s recommendation, the city of Woodcreek could consider imposing a rate of 7% to match neighboring Wimberley.

On Jan. 11, Wimberley City Council approved the first set of committee members: Lynnsey Hastie, Ann-Tyler Konradi, Cherri Maley, Tomas Palm, Danny Ross and Mike Schneider. Additional appointments will be made at the upcoming city council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m.

While the city has not approved a HOT, some residents are still skeptical.

“We are all familyowned businesses; we are mom-and-pops,” said Albert Valera, owner of Cypress Creek Cottages. “Our livelihoods are tied to this. A 7% increase by the city of our rates will drive less occupancy for us.”

Valera and Hunter Jones, general managers of the Lodge at Cypress Falls, have been in business in Woodcreek’s extraterritorial jurisdiction for about 15 years.

“[Woodcreek] is 600 rooftops in a retirement community where the 55 and older population represents 80.4% of the total population that they have. Do you think that retirees want Airbnbs running through their little city streets?” Valera said. “These people just want to be left alone. They really want traffic control [and] streets that don’t have all of the potholes that they have. They want the city to basically manage like an HOA.”

Living through Woodcreek’s previous implementation of a HOT that ran from 2008 to 2013, the business owners have concerns about the possibility of the city reenacting the rate.

“It was a disaster in the sense that well over $100,000 was spent and no additional overnight tourism was generated,” Valera said.

Mayor Jeff Rasco said that during the initial period of the HOT, between 2008 and 2013, the city did not do “a very good job” at finding ways to spend the funds collected from the tax that fit into the state guidelines.

In addition, Valera does not feel like there has been open communication between city officials and lodging owners.

“The lodging people are the only ones that pay that tax [and have] told the city that there are only three of us,” Valera said. “We are not interested in that tax. You haven’t sold us on why we would need it. … We have no outlet and no way to

share what our problems are.”

Local HOT revenue may only be used to promote tourism and the convention/hotel industries, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts stated. The following projects may be funded with local HOT revenue:

• Constructing, improving, enlarging, equipping, repairing, operating and maintaining a convention center or visitor information center

• Furnishing of facilities, personnel and materials for the registration of convention delegates or registrants

• Advertising and conducting promotional programs to attract tourists and convention delegates or registrants

• The encouragement, promotion, improvement and application of the arts

• Historical restoration and preservation projects or advertising and conducting promotional programs to encourage tourists to visit preserved historic sites or museums

• Expenses related to a sporting event in which a majority of participants are tourists

• The enhancement and upgrade of existing sports facilities or fields

• Constructing, improving, enlarging, equipping, repairing, operating and maintaining a coliseum or multi-use facility

• Signage directing the public to sights and attractions that are visited by hotel guests The city of Woodcreek would not be the only one in the area to have a HOT if it were passed. Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs and Wimberley are all set at 7% and San Marcos is set at 9%.

“It is not something new or outrageous,” Rule said. “The majority of the cities do have one.”

The HOT Committee is slated to have its first meeting in February.

The Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch is monitoring the Hotel Occupancy Tax situation in the city of Woodcreek. We will continue to update the public as more information becomes available.

PHOTO BY NATALIE FRELS

The 2022-23 Queen’s Court and Ambassadors include the following individuals: Seth Herzog, senior ambassador emeritus; Caroline Burklund, duchess; Ally Schrandt, duchess; Samantha Rivers, duchess; Amanda Alderson, duchess; Laci Holloway, duchess; Barrett Colins, ambassador; Haley Ronshausen, duchess; Zane Elmer, ambassador; Riley Steineke, duchess; Jonah Barnard, ambassador; Madyson Clark, duchess; Justin Hill, ambassador; Molly Massey, princess; Drake Alderson, senior ambassador; and Lizee McMillan, queen.

The Texas Live Oak – A Symbol of the Hill Country

If you’ve spent any time driving around the Hill Country, you’ve likely seen large areas of dead oak trees –or worse, maybe you have those skeletal oak trees on YOUR property! The likely culprit is oak wilt, a disease caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, which has become widespread throughout Central Texas. An oak wilt infection begins when fungal spores are transferred to a healthy tree by way of tiny beetles in the nitidulid family commonly referred to as sap-feeding beetles. These beetles are attracted to sweet smells, including the fungal mats of oak wilt. Fungal mats are the reproductive structures found under the bark of some infected red oaks.

HILL COUNTRY STEWARD

BY CENTRAL TEXAS CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP

comes into contact with an open wound on another oak tree, fungal spores are spread to that tree.

From there, the fungus can travel through that tree to other oaks that are connected through the roots.

Disease prevention is key. This includes: Avoid pruning all oak trees from February 1 – June 30 because this is the time of year the sap-feeding beetles are most active.

• When pruning (or accidentally wounding) an oak tree, paint the exposed wood immediately to deter beetles from the fresh wood smell that would attract them to the tree.

Regular paint will do the trick - tree-specific wound closure products are not necessary.

red oaks can be cut down and burned (responsibly), chipped for mulch, or buried underground or under a clear tarp.

Why should we be so diligent with oak wilt prevention? Oaks are not only special to us and our landscape, but they also provide many ecosystem services.

With live oaks especially, these trees are typically much older than any of us – possibly older than even our greatgrandparents. Their long lives and large size equate to thousands of tons of carbon stored away from our atmosphere while providing oxygen and clean air for our benefit. Oaks also filter stormwater by slowing down runoff, allowing the water to gradually soak into our soils to replenish our aquifers, creeks, and rivers.

When these beetles crawl on a fungal mat, they can pick up oak wilt spores. If a beetle then

• Infected RED oaks need to be destroyed as quickly as possible to prevent a fungal mat from growing. Infected

early spring, giving us shade and a green tree to enjoy all year long. They also provide shelter and food to many wildlife species. For example, the golden-cheeked warbler, an endangered bird that exclusively breeds in the Texas Hill Country, not only needs mature Ashe juniper trees for habitat, but also the insects found on oaks and other hardwood trees for food.

When pruning or working around oak

trees, keep oak wilt prevention at the forefront of your mind. Treating cuts on a single tree to prevent a new oak wilt infection can potentially save hundreds of trees. And a tree saved today may live to see another century and continue providing benefits to future generations of Texans.

To learn more and connect with folks who care about your piece of Texas just as much

as you do, visit www. texasconservation.org. Looking forward to learning more with you. –

The Hill Country Steward The Hill Country Steward – not a person, but a partnership of local experts dedicated to sharing the best information, tips, and lessons learned. Have questions? Send them to DearStew@ texasconservation.org. Learn more at www. texasconservation.org.

Live oaks are semievergreen, meaning they have green leaves almost year-round. They start dropping their old leaves while simultaneously growing new ones in late winter/

Capital Highlights: This week across Texas

Border security, tax relief and raises top list

For the Texas House and Senate, there is not much daylight between each chamber’s priorities in this year’s legislative session. Leaders say the focus will be on property tax relief, border security and employee raises.

Preliminary budgets from both chambers were released last week, the Austin AmericanStatesman reported, with a record $288.7 billion budget for the next two years. The money in the budget is made up of $93.7 billion in federal funds, $130.1 billion in state general revenue funds, and $64.9 billion in other funds.

The tussle likely comes when lawmakers start spending a whopping $32.7 billion budget surplus sitting in the state’s coffers from the previous biennium.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick want to provide property tax relief to homeowners, with Patrick proposing raising the homestead exemption to $70,000 from $40,000. Both draft budget bills set aside $15

billion –almost half the surplus – for property tax relief.

Increased funding for border security, public education and for raises for state employees are also in the draft budgets, which are likely to change several times before session’s end.

The Texas Tribune reported the preliminary budgets still leave more than $50 billion in state funds up for grabs. One of the biggest challenges is that state law and the Texas Constitution set limits on how much tax spending can increase between sessions.

Possible end to

Confederate Heroes Day?

A 50-year-old state holiday honoring soldiers who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War is again the target of a lawmaker who wants to end the holiday.

State Rep. Jarvis Johnson filed the bill, telling the American-Statesman, “This is not the look we want for our state

anymore.”

Johnson has filed this measure before without success.

Confederate monuments on public grounds have drawn complaints across the state, including the Texas Capitol.

The day is observed on Jan. 19, the birthday of Gen. Robert E. Lee.

On occasion, the holiday celebrating slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, which is held on the third Monday in January, and Confederate Heroes Day fall on the same day.

“While (the King holiday) is a reminder that we are all created equal, how do we simultaneously celebrate an ideology that has been linked with oppression and supremacy?”

Johnson asked.

Natural gas supplies held up during winter storm

The bout of subfreezing temperatures blanketing much of the state a few days before Christmas sparked concerned for the state’s

electric grid, which reached its highest peak for the entire year. But the grid held, and natural gas supplies to power plants were ample, state officials said.

The Texas Railroad Commission issued a press release saying, “There was ample natural gas supply to help the state’s electricity supply chain and keep Texans safe.”

The agency said it would continue to inspect natural gas facilities throughout the winter to ensure “infrastructure is hardened against extreme weather conditions.”

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in October said the grid is still at risk of failure during extreme winter conditions, such as what happened in February 2021 with Winter Storm Uri.

Overhaul plan for power market gets initial approval

The Public Utility Commission last week approved a potential overhaul of the Texas electricity market in hopes of attracting

private investment in new power plants, the Statesman reported. However, the Texas Legislature has ultimate approval. Critics say the plan is untested and could increase electric bills for consumers.

Abbott has already backed the plan, which is an effort to make the power grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, more reliable. It is intended to encourage more private investment in “plants that can turn on and off quickly depending on need.”

If approved by legislators, the plan could take up to four years to implement.

Lawmakers highlight state’s fragile water infrastructure

A bipartisan group of 38 state legislators have banded together to educate fellow lawmakers about water security issues, the Texas Tribune reported. Aging infrastructure and lack of funding have created water-supply problems across the state, particularly in rural areas.

Last year there were more than 3,000 boil-water notices issued across the state because water quality was in doubt. Seven of the 10 water systems that issued the most notices were in rural parts of East Texas, the Tribune reported after analyzing data from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. There have already been 79 boil-water notices in January.

The group is not advocating for any specific bills.

“Water security is critically important to all Texans and our economy,” state Rep. Tracy King, who heads the caucus, said in a statement. “We must continue to innovate, invest and strategize long-term to manage our water resources efficiently.”

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Lufkin, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@ texaspress.com.

Horse Show winners named at Livestock Show

HAYS COUNTY — At the Hays County Livestock Show last weekend, the first event following the presentation of the queen’s court and ambassadors was the Horse Show.

The patronage winners included the following individuals:

Junior English

• First: Hailey Cruce ($567)

• Second: Anna Ashley ($283.50)

• Third: Ainsley Bennett ($170.10)

• Fourth: Caydee Ralston ($113.40)

Senior English

• First: Caitlin Paier

($648)

• Second: Amber Wortham ($324)

• Third/Fourth: Allyson

Reynolds and Ellie Warner ($162 each)

Junior Western

• First: Audrey Wilks

($540)

Senior Western

• First: Amber Wortham ($810)

• Second: Caitlin Paier ($405)

• Third: Ellie Warner ($243)

• Fourth: Mareinna Cherica ($162)

Junior Stockhorse

• First: Emma Pierce ($226.80)

• Second: Brooke Bethea ($97.20)

Senior Stockhorse

• First: Amber Wortham ($891)

• Second: Ashley Wortham ($445.50)

• Third: Mareinna Cherica ($267.30)

• Fourth: Caitlin Paier ($178.20)

Junior Speed

• First: Audrey Wilks ($405)

• Second/Third:

Adalynn Fee and Halie Warner ($202.50 each)

• Fourth: Brooke Bethea ($81)

Senior Speed

• First/Second: Brooklyn Alexander and Millie Powers ($789.75 each)

• Third: Kendall Crow ($486)

• Fourth: Allyson Reynolds ($243)

• Fifth: Ellie Warner ($121.50)

Goat Tying

• First: Ellie Warner ($120)

• Second: Millie Powers ($80)

Breakaway Roping

• First: Ellie Warner

THE

PHOTO BY NATALIE FRELS

Kendall Crow (No. 206) and her horse A Fortune in Pearls stand next to Audrey Wilks (No.

115) and her horse, Mouse, waiting for the horse show to begin at the Hays County Livestock Show.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HERB SMITH AND THE HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE

Capital Highlights by Gary Borders

Karla Lipman

Karla Andrea Smith Lipman was born on Jan. 11, 2006, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and passed away on Jan. 14, 2023, in Dripping Springs, Texas.

Karly was both creative and athletic, and throughout her life was involved in a wide range of activities, including cross country, track, Girl Scouts, earning her first degree black belt in kung fu, and joining her dad’s soccer team kickabouts.

Karly enjoyed reading, painting, knitting, playing the piano, and assembling intricate puzzles and Legos. Karly was active in her

SHOW From Page 3

McMillan’s reign will last until interviews next year. Until then, she’s proud to represent the community as queen during parades and rodeos in the coming year.

The 2022-23 Queen’s Court and Ambassadors include the following individuals: Seth Herzog, senior ambassador emeritus; Caroline Burklund, duchess; Ally Schrandt, duchess; Samantha Rivers, duchess; Amanda Alderson, duchess; Laci Holloway, duchess; Barrett Colins, ambassador; Haley Ronshausen,

church community, serving as an acolyte, attending youth group, and participating with the choir.

Karly had a gift for making people feel seen. She lit up a room when she entered, and was intentional and thoughtful in her care for others. She leaves for us all a legacy of compassion and kindness.

Karly is preceded in death by grandparents Leo and Betti Lipman, Clarence and Ann Smith, Joan and Harold Lafferty, and aunt Susan Smith. She is survived by parents James Lipman and Sharon Smith, sister Mary Smith, uncle and godfather Denny Eubanks,

duchess; Zane Elmer, ambassador; Riley Steineke, duchess; Jonah Barnard, ambassador; Madyson Clark, duchess; Justin Hill, ambassador; Molly Massey, princess; Drake Alderson, senior ambassador; and Lizee McMillan, queen.

While the introduction of the Queen’s Court and Ambassadors kicked off the Hays County Livestock Show, there are plenty of great events still to come:

Wednesday, Jan. 25

• 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Home Skills Judging

• 9 a.m. Breeding Rabbit Show Followed by Market

godmothers Randy Burt and Robin Camp, and numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, teachers, neighbors, and many others.

A visitation for Karly was held Friday, Jan. 20, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX 78731. A funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 21, at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 209 W 27th St, Austin, TX 78705, with a reception following.

Flowers are welcome, or donations can be made to Lizzy’s Animal Hospice, https:// lizzyshospice.com, or to the Episcopal Student Center Counseling Center at https://www. utepiscopal.org/give or at mailing address All Saints Episcopal Church, 209 W 27th St ATX 78705.

Rabbit Pens & Market Fryer Show

• 10 a.m. - Breeding Goat Show Followed by Market Goat Show

• 4 p.m. - Presentation of Home Skill Awards

• 4:30 - 5 p.m. - Home Skills Open for Public Viewing

• 5 p.m. - Breeding Sheep Show Followed by Market Lamb Show

Thursday, Jan. 26

• 8 - 10 a.m. - Poultry Check In

• 9 a.m. - Breeding Swine Show Followed by Market Swine Show

• 11 a.m. - Poultry Show

• 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Home Skills Open for Public Viewing and CheckOut

• 5 p.m. - Breeding Cattle Show Followed by Market Steer Show

Friday, Jan. 27

• 10 a.m. - Setup Auction Ring (All Help is Appreciated) Saturday, Jan. 28

• 10 a.m. - Awards

• 10:30 a.m. - Auction Starts Sunday, Jan. 29

• 9 a.m. - Show Breakdown/Clean-Up For more information, visit www. hayscountylivestockshow. org.

chairman for the 2023 Wild Game Dinner.

“This event is all about generosity. We really rely on businesses, vendors and people we work with to donate this so all of the money can go back to the community.”

The organization requested the council’s approval of a 35% discount for facility rental, which is more than the 25% nonprofit discount that is already in place.

Upon the DSRP Board's and city staff’s recommendation to not approve any additional discounts over the set 25%, the council denied the request.

The council decided to not approve the rate reduction to be fair to the other nonprofits in Dripping Springs.

“I’m less concerned about the amount as I am about the consistency on how we treat people,” said council member Taline Manassian. “I think we have the 25% discount for nonprofits because we recognize the difference in nonprofits, and unless there is some really

HORSE From Page 4

($100)

Other results are listed below:

• Junior Showmanship – Clara Leinneweber

• Senior Showmanship – Chloe Cannon

• Clover Kids

Showmanship – Holly Dame

• Grand Champion Gelding – Chloe Cannon

• Reserve Champion Gelding – Ellie Warner

• Grand Champion Mare – Chloe Cannon

• Reserve Grand Champion Mare –Walker Kahanek

strong justification for making an exception to that, I have concerns doing it for one organization and then explaining why we are not doing it for other organizations.”

Council member Travis Crow agreed that it needs to be the same across the board.

“It’s hard to justify telling one group yes and telling another no,” Crow said.

“Twenty-five percent is still 25%. I agree that y’all do a lot for the community, but we still have a standard to uphold. We have to hold people to the same thing — everybody comes in and wants 5% or 10%, but how can I tell you yes and the other guy no? It’s hard to draw that line.”

Some of the council members were open to donating directly to the organization for the Wild Game Dinner following the meeting.

For more information about the event, including ticket information and donation opportunities, visit dswildgamedinner. square.site/.

• Junior High Point

Judged – Hailey Cruce

• Senior High Point Judged – Amber Wortham

• Junior Speed –Audrey Wilks

• Senior High Point Speed – Brooklyn Alexander

• Junior Overall High Point – Audrey Wilks

• Senior Reserve Overall High Point –Hailey Cruce

• Senior Overall High Point – Amber Wortham

• Junior Reserve Overall High Point –Allyson Reynolds

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda

First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle

Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle

Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor

Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626

Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle

Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda

Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle

Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.

CATHOLIC

Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle

St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland

CHRISTIAN

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770

Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

EPISCOPAL

St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle

Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

LUTHERAN

Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda

Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda

St. John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real, Uhland

The Well Buda

METHODIST

Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 216 Kirkham Circle, Kyle St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

Jaguars defeat Tigers

By Albert Sanchez

Dripping Springs falls to Bowie 42-38

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK

The Jaguars played great offense and a very strong defense. The final score was Jaguars, 64, Tigers, 36.

The Jaguars are currently in first place in district with a record of 9-1 and an overall record of 23-3.

The Tigers are currently in fifth place with a district record of 5-5 and an overall record of 14-11. The Tigers next home game is Jan. 27 against Westlake High School.

networks on May 1. The doctors and healthcare professionals would leave the Blue Advantage HMO network on June 15.

This leaves many to be concerned about the future of their health needs, including current BCBSTX policyholder Kim Meneses. Her husband is an open heart surgery survivor and during his recovery time, he was instructed by the surgeon to seek care at a Level 2 Trauma Center if he ever had cardiac issues or stroke symptoms.

“Ascension Seton Hays is the only Level 2 Trauma Center in Hays County and surrounding areas,” Meneses said. “We currently live in Seguin so we would have to drive to Hays right now. In the event he would need a Level 2 Trauma Center in the future and Blue Cross and Ascension do not meet an agreement, the nearest Level 2 option would be University Hospital in Northwest San Antonio. We have a long history with [Ascension] Seton Hays Hospital and even though it’s a 50-minute drive from our current home, it is our first choice for specialty hospital care.”

Changing insurance providers could be an option for some, but it’s not for all.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the option of switching insurance companies, as this insurance is the one I pay for from my job,” said Mando Navarro, Hays County resident. “I’d have no option but to travel to another hospital/clinic for healthcare.”

Hays CISD is currently locked into a contract with BCBSTX for this year — if the district had intended to pull away from the insurance provider, it would have had to notify the company in December.

Dr. Fernando Medina, chief human resources officer at Hays CISD, said that several employees rely on the services Ascension Seton Hays provides.

“Last year, we had an alternative healthcare plan made available to our employees and

the reason that it was not successful was that Ascension Seton was not in their network and that was among the biggest feedback we received,” Medina said.

“Now that is a potential problem, we know that those same employees will be concerned [if] Ascension Seton is not in the network. We are on standby to see what actually happens because even if they decide it’s not going to be something they can work out, there really is nothing our employees are going to be able to do at this time.”

Tracey Ramsey, director of human resources at Wimberley ISD (WISD), said the district contracts with Teacher Retirement System (TRS) to find health insurance. She explained that TRS negotiates the best price for employees and services.

While the negotiations are unsettling for many, Ramsey explained that this happens often.

“They do this every year; this is not the first time … I’ve seen this happen. I was in healthcare before education, and this is not unusual,” Ramsey said.

“With everything costing so much more, they are probably just trying to reach a happy medium so that the people offering services can still stay afloat while offering us a good price.”

Ramsey is confident that if an agreement is not reached between BCBSTX and Ascension, TRS will do its best to find another provider for WISD.

“The only thing that it would probably do is make it inconvenient if we have to drive farther, but I know that TRS will do its best. They are a pretty large organization and they should be able to come up with an agreement,” Ramsey said. What do the companies say?

In a Jan. 3 statement, Ascension Texas said that it's committed to building healthy communities and providing access to healthcare services.

“We enable insurance companies like BCBSTX to

offer value and choice to its members. By removing Ascension Texas from [its] network, BCBSTX is significantly reducing the value of its members' insurance coverage,” the statement reads.

The statement continued to say that “Ascension Texas offers the area’s only comprehensive, freestanding pediatric hospital in the region and the only Level 1 Trauma Center for adults in the Austin area” and for many patients, “securing comparable services elsewhere would require a two-to-three-hour drive if BCBSTX does not commit to reasonable terms.”

Ascension’s statement concluded that it wants new terms to be reached as soon as possible to prevent any disruption in services for BCBSTX members.

On Jan. 12, BCBSTX released an updated statement about the continued negotiations with Ascension Texas. The insurance provider pledged its commitment to reaching an agreement that will continue members’ access to Ascension facilities at a fair price.

“We value the care Ascension provides our members, but it is already one of the most expensive health systems in the Austin and Central Texas area. As a customerowned health insurance industry leader in Texas for more than 90 years, it is important to stand up for affordable care, especially in a time when most businesses and our members in the Austin and Central Texas region are facing inflationary pressures and a potential recession,” the BCBSTX statement said.

BCBSTX also clarified that emergency or trauma services at any hospital, regardless of an existing contract, are covered at in-network rates for BCBSTX members.

“Members being treated for a pregnancy, disability, acute condition or life-threatening illness may qualify as a continuity-of-care patient,” the statement reads. “This means they may still be able

to receive care at in-network rates at Ascension even after it leaves our networks. To find out if they are eligible, members can call the number on their member ID card for more information.”

If Ascension facilities and providers leave networks, BCBSTX “will do everything we can

Late in the second period, both teams watch as Dripping Springs’ Makynna Hubbard stands at the free throw line after a technical foul was called on Bowie Head Coach Lesha Collins. A second technical resulted in the coach being ejected. Hubbard made three of her four shots. “Pressure got to us in the second half but I’m tremendously proud of our girls,” head coach Jordan Batson said after the game. “We’re learning how to complete at the high level and execute for four quarters. We’re just going to turn the page and get after it.” The Lady Tigers held a 25-15 lead at halftime, but were held to 13 points in the second half while Bowie put up 27 points for a 42-38 win.

to help members move their care to quality, cost-effective, in-network hospitals and healthcare professionals.”

Members can find innetwork care by:

• Visiting the online Provider Finder at www. bcbstx.com/find-care/ providers-in-yournetwork/find-a-doctor-orhospital

• Registering for Blue Access for Members at www.bcbstx.com/ member/memberresources/memberservices

• Calling the Customer Service number on their member ID card

Updates about the ongoing negotiation can be found at bcbstx.com/ ascensionseton.

PHOTO BY ALBERT SANCHEZ

Maddox Bloomgren (No. 5) and Josh Oliphant (No. 10) go for an offensive rebound with Jaguar Jaxson Vandegarde (No. 4).

DRIPPING SPRINGS — On Friday, Dripping Springs Tigers basketball hosted the Johnson High School Jaguars.

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK

Dripping Springs’ goalie Reid Russell deflects a shot on goal for one of several saves in the Tigers district opener against visiting Bowie, which scored a goal in each half for a 2-0 win. The Tigers will host Lake Travis on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7:45 p.m.