October 2020 Hays County Echo

HAYS COUNTY

ECHO FALL 2020

INSIDE • • • •

RAISE THE BED ON GARDENING IT’S A GOOD TIME FOR OBEDIENCE TRAINING DIY MODERN FARMHOUSE MAKEOVER ARTISTIC MINDS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

A product of Barton Publications | 1

EDITOR’S NOTE HAYS COUNTY

ECHO HAYS COUNTY

is published quarterly by Barton Publications, Inc 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX Contents © October 2020.

Publisher Cyndy Slovak–Barton Editor Anita Miller Graphics Director David White Contributing Writers Anita Miller Megan Wehring Sahar Chmais Distribution David White Marketing Tracy Mack Jim Darby

A

fall like no other is arriving in Central Texas. Seasonal traditions have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, like seeds in the ground, they will sprout again when the time is right.

In addition to changing traditions, the pandemic has meant, for most of us, spending more time at home, among the people we love and possessions that comfort us.

For some of us, that extra time turned into more books read or miles walked.

Others, however, have focused their attention elsewhere – to home projects from remodeling to gardening, from baking sourdough bread to trying their hands at woodworking.

Resources for do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are readily available through public libraries and the Texas Agrilife Extension Service. Our reporters have sought out experts in various fields who might just give us lessons on some of the projects we are just trying to learn.

Enjoy.

DIY

FALL COLOR

Anita Miller, Editor Hays County Echo

Office Manager Arlene Monroe For advertising information, please contact our sales department at 512–268–7862.

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

GARDENING

INSIDE Dog days of COVID.................................................................... 3 It’s a good time for obedience training

Modern farmhouse makeover................................................ 4 Mountain City couple takes DIY home journey

Let’s stitch................................................................................. 8 Sewing makes comeback one stitch at a time

Get crafty................................................................................. 10 Artistic minds inspired amid uncertain times

Falling for fall......................................................................... 12 Master gardener offers tips on growing fall vegetables

Mud pies with a purpose...................................................... 14 Seed ball recipe makes for a colorful spring

Service Directory.................................................................... 15 Find qualfied service people in your area 2 | Hays County Echo | Fall 2020

Dog days of COVID

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

coronavirus would transfer from dog fur, to At this point in time, person, to person. I did the coronavirus has safety seminars on conaltered cerns with many of COVID-19; Working online there has the things humans a tiny gives Bond the been hold so number of ability to give dear and dogs that it has caught immediate changed it ... the feedback. our way of concern life, from is transfer When the grocery between dog guardian shopping people.” to going Online is the only to school. training person present, seems to Dog lives are no work for it can also exception, some dogs build a better and trainmore than ing has dyothers, relationship namically according between them to Bond’s changed for some observaand the dog. dog traintions. She ers more found that than others. virtual training can be COVID-19 has brought just as effective for some out a creative streak with- puppies, if not more in almost every industry, beneficial for those who dog training included. are more comfortable at Infection cases have not home or those who have slowed down enough a short attention span. for some people to There are some things feel comfortable to do they cannot do online, anything in person, and Bond said, but notes that includes training most of it is doable. their puppies. Yet peoWorking online gives ple have not stopped Bond the ability to give bringing dogs into their immediate feedback. homes and those new When the dog guardian is members often need the only person present, some form of training. it can also build a better The pandemic has relationship between moved dog training to themselves and the dog. the virtual realm where “I have a lot of people trainers can teach dog that say their dog beguardians how to train haves perfectly with me,” their puppies from the Bond explained. “But the comfort of their homes. challenge is transferring While this may not that to them. At some be an ideal situation for point it has to transfer many, some dogs have back to the guardian.” benefited from the shift.

Bond doesn’t plan Sarah Bond, owner of on virtual training to Bond Dog Training, remain her main way has moved all of her of training, saying business to online video she plans to monitor conference.

COVID-19 rates of hos“I do think there’s a pitalizations and new lot of safety concerns,” cases. When it appears Bond said. “We don’t to be safe, she plans to know a lot about if the change to in-person

Dog trainer Sarah Bond has been giving virtual instruction to dog owners during the pandemic.

Sarah Bond

training outdoors. But virtual training will remain part of her overall dynamic for those who do not feel comfortable doing anything in person. Bond also said that working online has expanded her client bubble, bringing in people from out of state to partake in her service, so she will continue offering it after the pandemic

subsides.

Not all trainers have fully moved online, though. Whole Pooch, owned by Caitlin Lane, started doing virtual training at the beginning of the pandemic, but soon moved back to in-person training. She finds teaching dogs face to face to be the most effective method.

Lane said her compa-

ny had to change some things to ensure safety.

During in-person training, they wear masks, abide by social distancing rules and sanitizing and they teach lessons outdoors.

Some people do not want the trainers coming to their home so, instead, they decide to meet at a large store. This technique keeps people out of the blazing hot sun, while giving them the room to do leash training.

Still, some of Bond’s clients are immunocompromised, so they prefer to keep things virtual.

Much like humans, dogs have also been affected by the coronavirus on a psychological level. Both Bond and Lane discussed how dogs are creatures of routine, which has been broken for many dogs.

Their sensitivity spans beyond this change; Lane said dogs pick up on what is going on around them. When they sense the anxiety, stress, depression, they pick up on those emotions and it can make them regress.

Some of Lane’s clients have told her that they believe their dog has become depressed or feels anxious.

On the flipside, some people have had more time to be home, giving them the chance to better focus on training and on being present with their pet, Lane said.

The other piece of good news, according to Bond, is that a lot of people are adopting and getting puppies. Not only does this create more business in the future for dog trainers, but it has opened up more homes for dogs who need it.

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Modern Farmhouse Makeover Mountain City couple takes DIY home journey

BY SAHAR CHMAIS Walking into the Painters’ home, revamped to resemble a modern farmhouse, a smell of warm spices, vanilla and pumpkin fills the air. It’s a scent paired perfectly with the rainy day, foggy windows and silver sky, a scent that whispers fall is around the corner.

The cozy yet modern home tells the eyes a story about a house that is being remodeled; new floors, a new kitchen, a complete facelift on the outside with details in every corner.

But looks are deceiving because the remodel is not being done by a contractor, instead, the owners had to do all the work by hand after a contractor took the couple’s money and skipped out.

“It’s been stressful,” said Monica Painter, the executive director of The Equality Alliance.

“In the beginning there was arguing and we were sleep deprived because of the baby. We were supposed to be done in June, but the contractor left us in the end of May.” When the Painters decided to buy a new place, they had to make a decision between an expensive house with a small property, or a cheaper house with a bigger property. They went with the latter in order to provide their child with lots of space to play. Their thought on 4 | Hays County Echo | Fall 2020

AFTER

BEFORE Monica and Jennifer Painter, left, were faced with the challenge of renovating their Mountain City home after their contractor skipped out on them.

the matter was that they could hire a contractor to fix up the home and move in within two months.

It has taken two and a half years to get to the point where they have almost finished everything in their home. The recent coronavirus-infested months gave Jennifer Painter, softball head coach in Round Rock High School, a chance to a finish a big chunk of the remodeling project.

That may seem like a long time, but with work, a twohour commute and limited resources, it was difficult to catch up on the destruction left behind. The contractor gutted their home by ripping up the old floors, taking down a load bearing wall, leaving electric wires exposed, ruining their plumbing and more.

After paying him his price, he never came back and left their lives in danger with all the exposed wire and a roof that could cave in any moment.

Mountain City residents showed their benevolence by coming to the Painters’ home, helping them with the wiring process and other things they did not know how to fix. One resident and contractor helped them place a beam to balance

their ceiling; he also helped them place sheet rock in their home so they did not have holes open to the outside.

Soon after, Jennifer picked up the habit and Googled videos on remodeling. She redid all the floors in the living room and kitchen in medium brown wood grain tile. In the laundry room and bathrooms, Jennifer laid a black and white modern-vintage tile.

“It came to us learning how to tile floors,” Monica said.

“Jennifer tiled almost our whole house, her hands were numb toward the end.”

But fixing the basics was not enough; they gutted the kitchen and rebuilt it, built mud lockers in the laundry

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DIY MAKEOVER, from 4 room, built a coffee and tea bar which the couple continually uses, expanded their bedroom and bathroom, made a workshop and a covered patio.

The work became more detailed, and they focused their attention not only on what was necessary, but expanded into finessed details.

“I just get better with every project,” Jennifer said. “What I don’t know how to do, I watch videos and get better. I look back at some projects and think, ‘I probably should redo those.’”

Jennifer used that accumulated experience and, soon after, built unique bed frames by hand for her children. One bed frame is shaped like a red and white farmhouse, and the other is triangular and white, resembling scenery from the sky. As an added bonus, the bed frames have built-in bookshelves.

What began as a personal project soon expanded into other’s homes. Time is tight,

“To us, every room tells a story,” Monica reflected on their journey. “We remember what we had to do to get there. We wanted shiplap, but it had gone through the roof because lots of people wanted it. So Jennifer figured a way to take plywood and made it look identical to shiplap.

We look at each room and smile and say ‘remember that?’ I think we will be here a good long while.”

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but Jennifer found enough time to squeeze in some outside projects. She started a page where she sells custom beds. Although it is not sustainable as a business because of limited time and human power, Jennifer considers continuing this work when she retires from teaching.

Fixing up the home took team effort from the couple. While Jennifer does the building, Monica paints. She has also been the eyes of the design, a balance for Jennifer.

Monica will find the color schemes best suited for the designs, or look up what new idea can be implemented, and Jennifer will make it.

Had the couple found an honest contractor that stuck with them and finished the home, there is a beacon of doubt that the contractor would have given their home such a personal touch – a touch that invites in guests and says ‘come in, this is a piece of Jennifer and Monica’s paradise, feel free to kick off your shoes, drink a hot coffee or tea and relax with our cats and dogs.’

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LET’S STITCH

Sewing makes comeback one stitch at a time

BY MEGAN WEHRING

“We laugh about quarantine quilts. There were so many quilts finished during this time. People were pulling out their stash of fabrics, ordering what they needed to go with it and making quilt after quilt.

“There were so many quilts finished during this time.

From protective face masks People were pulling out their to home decor projects, stash of fabrics, ordering what sewing is back in full swing. they needed to go with it and Local fabric stores are seeing making quilt after quilt. I neva new boom in business while er had so many quilts to quilt more people dust off their old for people.” sewing machines.

Right behind the fabric –Linda Hasselberg, owner of the Wimberley Stitch Studio While some businesses were shop lives the newly conhit with turmoil, the Wimberstructed Turquoise Treasure be creative.” can see the hills across from ley Stitch Studio has stayed retreat. The retreat offers In the small town of Wimyou and the scenery is just busy with the hustle and comfortable sleeping arrangebustle of customers during the berley, nestled in western Hays spectacular.” ments for up to 8 people, County on 8.5 acres, the shop Offering about 3,000 bolts of while still allowing visitors to pandemic. sits at about 2,500 square feet fabric, customers have a wide perfect their craft.

“We are as busy as we were with a newly built addition. selection to choose from for before the pandemic, if not Hasselberg said what start“You feel like you are out any project. Hasselberg said busier,” Linda Hasselberg, ed out as a pure pipe dream in the middle of nothing,” homemade face masks conbusiness owner, said. “There has now turned into a little Hasselberg said. “It’s so open tinue to be the sewing project paradise for many crafters to are so many people who are of choice, especially using sewing now that are hungry to with all of the oak trees. You enjoy. themed fabrics.

“Quilt retreats are big for “I can’t tell you how many quilters,” Hasselberg said. thousands of yards of elastic “There’s a lot of people that, we sold for masks, as well several times a year, will book Linda Hasselberg as interfacing and fabric,” quilt retreats. They will come of the Stitch Studio Hasselberg said. “Now people in and either have a teacher shows off some of are coming in to pick out their that will teach them or they their fall patterns. own fabrics. We’ve got people will just come in and work on coming in to pick out fabric their own projects.” for back to school, Halloween Working from home is the and Christmas.” new normal, thus causing With 40 years of quilting many people to turn to DIY experience, Hasselberg said projects to keep them occuthe pandemic has encouraged pied. From gardening to conher, along with many others, structing home decor or even to polish their quilting skills sewing a quilt, Hasselberg now more than ever before. said “throw[ing] yourself into “We laugh about quaransomething you love makes life tine quilts,” Hasselberg said. easier.”

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Artistic minds inspired amid uncertain times “Art is often something that people don’t feel qualified to do. Just giving people a little bit of instruction, or to even know what kind of supplies they need to use, opens them up in ways that they didn’t know was possible.”

–Susan Guerra, co-owner of Inspired Minds

BY MEGAN WEHRING Creativity is flowing as local woodworking and art studios see more people interested in do-it-yourself (DIY) projects.

Board and Brush in Dripping Springs focuses on workshops teaching all the steps that go into customizing a wooden sign.

Distressing the wood to a rustic look, staining, applying stencils and painting are just a few.

While the wooden signs are created in the studio, owner Nicole Gilchrist said she believes that the workshops could motivate people to create DIY projects at home.

“For some, they have all the materials already and just need a clearer idea of how to complete a project,” Gilchrist said.

“For others, they would just rather book a workshop and not have to worry about rounding

up all the supplies themselves.”

Inspired Minds Art Center in Buda adjusted its business model earlier this year to offer both in-person and online classes or workshops, while still supporting local artists with hosting galleries.

Co-owner Sinead Whiteside said the Daydreams and Distractions

exhibit encourages beginner photographers to participate.

“It inspired amateur photographers to go out and take photographs,” Whiteside said.

“When we had this gallery opening, there were people who never had their work in a gallery before coming in and

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and complete a workshop.”

Inspired Minds is one of the few local art centers open at this time. Co-owner Susan Guerra said beginning artists can be encouraged to participate because they are provided with an outlet suited just for them.

StarTex Real Estate “Art is often something that would like to thank people don’t feel qualified to all our clients for do,” Guerra said. “Just giving helping us be people a little bit of instruction, able to give over or to even know what kind $31,000 in 2018! of supplies they need to use, opens them up in ways that they didn’t know was possible.”

We look forward to The current climate of the helping you with they felt really great.”

COVID-19 pandemic has all your real estate Some may feel discourbrought uncertainty and needs in 2019. aged about partaking in any discomfort. Gilchrist said more workshop if they have limited people are incorporating creSupporting our community is our mission. experience. Gilchrist said the ative options, like DIY projects, instruction-led portion of the to bring a little more light into If you list or buy a home through StarTex Real Estate sessions are intended for the their life right now. we will donate 10% of our sales commission projects to be accessible for “When things shut down upon closing and funding of the sale to local every person. originally, we received a lot of innon-profit organizations.

“Not having been a crafty per- terest in DIY at home options,” son before this, I can definitely Gilchrist said. “People were just Call us today! 512-312-1150 relate to customers that come in looking for something to do and and are a little bit nervous or insomething to keep their Giving back to Fullfamilies service automotive repair timidated,” Gilchrist said. “I think busy to help pass the time. I the communities andyou maintenance the step-by-step instruction think it is satisfying when where we live, makes it easier for people who finish a project, big or small, work and love!

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Falling for Fall Master Gardener offers tips on growing fall vegetables

Melissa Tyree’s first experience was with the deep, sandy soils of East Texas. It was amazing, according to her, but a far cry from anything in Central Texas. “I moved to Round Rock and realized you can’t go down. Raised beds are the way to go with our soils.”

BY ANITA MILLER For all the work that goes into a vegetable garden, some of the produce won’t even make it to the kitchen, much less the dinner table.

“Peas don’t make it in the house,” explained Hays County Master Gardener Melissa Tyree said. “We really enjoy the snow peas and snap peas and eat them fresh.”

Tyree, who achieved the rank of Master Gardener last year and now volunteers for the organization, spreading her knowledge about Central Texas soils – which vary widely within Hays County – and the kinds of popular vegetables they most readily produce.

In a way, her certification couldn’t have been more timely, as the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the availability of some foods even though grocery stores have remained opened.

During and after the spring lockdown, the coronavirus has also meant more people are staying home and many have turned to do-it-yourself projects to pass the time as well as accomplish something meaningful.

Many people associate vegetable gardens with the spring and while tomatoes, peppers and other crops do best then, Central Texas residents can also raise fall crops.

Right now, Tyree said, would-be gardeners have a choice of seed or transplant for crops like broccoli, cab12 | Hays County Echo | Fall 2020

bage, Swiss chard, lettuce and spinach.

She’ll be mixing in some radishes and turnips because of their tendency to control pests through companion planting.

Before buying either plants or seeds, however, you have to consider your soil.

Tyree’s first experience was

Because of the wide disparity between different parts of the county, Tyree recommends getting soil tested before any attempt to “amend” it. Basic to the test is to determine the pH of the soil, whether it is acidic or alkaline.

That can be accomplished through the Texas A&M Agrilife office. “There is a charge involved,” she said. “You send in a sample and they send you back an analysis of your soil.

Then, you will know what to add.”

In addition to her home garden, Tyree was instrumental in maintaining one at Rooster Springs Elementary School in Dripping Springs, where her youngest daughter is in the eighth grade. (Her older daughter is a sophomore this fall at Dripping Springs High with the deep, sandy soils of School).

East Texas, where she grew up “Another parent had started on a Christmas tree farm. the garden. I took it over and That soil, she said, was ran it for a couple of years. It “amazing” to work with and started as a site no one wantwas a far cry from anything in ed, on a courtyard” primarily Central Texas.

“I moved to Round Rock and designed to promote drainage.

“We turned it into an amazing realized you can’t go down.

Raised beds are the way to go with our soils.”

FALL GARDENING, 13

Right now, Tyree said, would-be gardeners have a choice of seed or transplant for crops like broccoli, cabbage, Swiss chard, lettuce and spinach.

Central Texas Planting Guide

What to plant and when Jan

Artichoke (crowns/transplants)

Feb

March

April

May

June

crowns

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

transplants

Asian greens (seeds or transplants) Asparagus (crowns) Beans, snap and lima Beets Broccoli (transplants) Brussels sprouts (transplants) Cantaloupe (muskmelon) Carrots Cauliflower (transplants) Chard, Swiss (seeds or transplants) Collards (seeds or transplants) Corn Cucumber Eggplant (transplants) Fava beans Garlic Greens, cool season Greens, warm season Kale (seeds or transplants) Kohlrabi (seeds or transplants) Leeks (seeds/transplants) Lettuce (seeds or transplants) Mustard (seeds or transplants) Okra Onion, bulbing (transplants) Onion, bunching/multiplying Peas, English, snap and snow Peas, Southern Pepper (transplants) Potato, Irish Potato, sweet (slips)

Average first freeze Nov. 27

raised bed demonstration garden” using materials from railroad ties to corrugated stock tanks, cinder blocks and cedar to hold the soils and plants.

She said the stock tanks proved among the best options for kids because they are two feet high and easy for them to reach into.

The return is well worth the investment, she said.

“There’s nothing like fresh food from your garden and you’re burning calories while you’re gardening. You’re getting a workout and getting fresh vegetables to your table.

“And of course you’re outside. We do it as a family. It’s a great family activity.”

COVID-19 has also disrupted Master Gardening classes, though the Agrilife office has some online classes scheduled this fall. For more information call 512-393-2120 or visit https://txmg.org/hays/.

Cabbage (transplants)

Average last freeze March 4

FALL GARDENING, from 12

Pumpkin Radish Shallots Spinach (seeds or transplants) Squash, summer Squash, winter Tomatoes (transplants) Turnip Watermelon Source: Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service

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Seed Bomb

Recipe

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3. Add clay or kitty litter and mix again.

4. Slowly add water, mixing into a well-blended paste.

5. Stop mixing when you are able to form a ball that holds together.

6. For into 1-inch balls and place on cookie sheet.

7. Allow bombs to dry for 1-2 days. They dry faster in the sun.

8. Bomb the area of your choice! Do not plant.

Mud pies with a purpose

BY ANITA MILLER

with good drainage into a wildflower meadow that will Nothing feels quite like bloom year after year with squishy mud when you close little additional care or worry. your fist around it. It tries to The process is simple and escape between your fingers starts with commercialand finds a seemingly perma- ly-available mixes of perennial nent home under your nails. wildflower seeds native to Making mud pies is just a Texas. For her demonstration, childhood memory for many.

Blankenship used one sold by However, those same skills can Bayer. To that add purchased actually help turn a forlorn soil. “You don’t want to use piece of bare earth into a wild- soil from your house because flower garden. it can have weeds in it. Buy Seed balls – concoctions a premium soil,” she recomof seeds, soil, water and a mends. Next, she adds a little binding agent like clay or kitty water and finally, a binding litter – can pull off a landagent. Though the recipe calls scaping miracle, explained for low fire red clay, that can County Extension Agent Kate be hard to find. Kitty litter is a Blankenship, whose specialty good and available substitute, in the county’s Agrilife Office but Blankenship warns to is home skills. A dozen or so choose an “all natural” variety “balls” tossed out in October without chemicals added for can transform a sunny area odor control or other purpos14 | Hays County Echo | Fall 2020

es. “Keep working it,” she says, “until it sticks together.”

Ideally, the balls will be about an inch in diameter but perfection is not the goal. Put them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and let them dry – ideally, for a day or two.

“Then when they are dry you can toss them out into the field.” For an area about the size of a classroom blackboard, she recommends 10 to 12 seed balls as evenly spaced as you can throw them. “In a few years you will have a meadow for the bees, birds and butterflies that’s really pretty.”

The advantages of putting seeds in a ball are many. “If you just threw seeds like this in your back yard they would just blow away,” she cautions.

“Within the ball, the seeds are protected from birds,

sun and wind.” When spring rolls around the seeds will sprout and burst open the ball. Because the wildflowers are perennial, they will reseed themselves year after year.

Hays County Echo Service Directory AIR CONDITIONING

DIRT

A&E Air Conditioning & Heating, LLC

Rick-Rob Trucking

Free furnace special, $500 off complete system or 15% off any repair by mentioning you saw us here. 512-312-9535 www.ae4cool.com

NEMEC Heating and Air

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

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Proudly serving Central Texas.

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

Barton Financial Group Financial planning, investment planning and insurance planning.

Zach Barton, 512-686-7589 107 S. Main St, Ste A, Kyle, Texas

COMPUTER SERVICES

LANDSCAPING

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

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. 512-2888488.

CONSTRUCTION Reliable Handyman Painting, remodel & home repair, flooring & tile, carpentry, decks & fences, pressure washing, gutters, cleaning & repair, RV repair. Get your honey-do list done right.

512-618-0482, DHall45@yahoo. com

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 & Associates, P.C. Attorneys and Counselors at Law. Family law, business law, criminal law. 130 Hall Professional Center, 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 & clean, pressure washing, full service repairs, replastering.

Free estimates, call Keith Miller at 512 965-3465.

Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm 251 N. FM 1626 #2C, Buda, TX 78610 Office: (512) 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 dvthames@austin.rr.com

Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated

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, 512-4408788; Hwy 290 & Nutty Brown Rd., 512-827-3398; and Hwy 290 in Oak Hill, 512-288-6386.

TREE SERVICES

REMODELING

Lees Trees

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

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

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866-691-2369 A product of Barton Publications | 15

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