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POSTAL PATRON

PRSRT STD AUTOCR U.S. POSTAGE PAID WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 PERMIT NO. 21

Hill Country SUN FREE

november 2013 Fabulous fall foliage at

Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool

R Good food, honest, at Wimberley’s

Leaning Pear R Suzy Moehring Mallard’s

Hill Country Parks R CJ Wright’s

Hill Country Wildlife R Hill Country’s most complete

Calendar of Events Serving Austin, Bandera, Blanco, Buda, Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Comfort, Concan, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Gruene, Henly, Johnson City, Kerrville, Kyle, Llano, Leakey, Luckenbach, Marble Falls, Medina, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Sattler, Sisterdale, Stonewall, Wimberley, Utopia, Vanderpool & More

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Wimberley Glassworks’ new Candy Shop of Visual Treats WIMBERLEY H Kick off the holiday season this year with some sweet to eat, handblown, art glass treats. Wimberley Glassworks is proud to announce the opening of Candy Shop, a limited engagement exhibiting a delicious collection of confectionary creations for your delight. Whether a realistic rendition or the perfect parody, each piece will tantalize the senses with their vibrant array of colors, shapes and sizes.

November 2, from 6 pm to 9 pm, the Candy Shop will officially open its doors to purvey a delectable assortment of unique glass pieces that are sure to satisfy any aesthetic sweet tooth. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this exclusive holiday engagement featuring assorted demitasse, drinks and desserts provided by local favorites Sugar Shack and Amy’s Ice Cream, along with other exclusive holiday specials.

To further your appetite, the Glassworks will also unveil its latest shade pattern to the public. Fresh out of the furnace, our holiday release Ribbon Series will be the most recent addition to the studio’s captivating line of handblown glass light shade designs. With its gorgeous organic, linear color fields, the new design exemplifies their passion for creating the most original, highest quality art glass lighting available.

The festive Candy Shop will be open throughout the holidays and only while supplies last, so don’t miss out what is sure to be one of the sweetest events of the season!

FYI • Wimberley Glassworks is at 6469 Ranch Road 12, 6 miles outside of Wimberley towards San Marcos. For more information, call 800-929-6686 or visit the web site at wgw.com.

Learn to harvest rainwater for in-home and outdoor irrigation

©2013 A STUDIO Z • www.AstudioZ.com

PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 2013 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

BOERNE H November 2 in Boerne, the Hill Country Alliance hosts their 4th annual Rainwater Revival – a lively, free event for novices and wannabe harvesters of rainwater. A full day of speakers, exhibitors, food and fun is planned to help homeowners and businesses reduce their impact on the environment, save money on their water bills and learn the joys and deliciousness of captured rainwater.

The Rainwater Revival is an annual celebration of collection, conservation and common sense designed to help individuals and businesses learn how to capture rainwater for inhome and outdoor irrigation.

Homeowners who live entirely on rainwater, along with experienced professional catchment system installers and do-it-yourselfers, will share information throughout the day.

Event-goers can also admire and purchase rain barrels that have been turned into functional works of art by Hill Country artists. The barArtist created rain barrels rels will be offered for sale during a live auction will be auctioned at 1 pm. at 1 pm; proceeds go to a grant program that Photo courtesy Rainwater Revival. funds catchment and conservation programs at Hill Country schools.

Children can learn about conservation at the event’s Raindrop Stop, which offers hands-on, fun-filled activities for the younger folk. Food trailers and live music round out the event, set for 10 am to 4 pm.

Presentations are designed to help any rainwater user or potential user take the next step in developing their systems. Learn from homeowners who will discuss what to expect when living on rainwater, get tips for financing a system, see firsthand a complete rainwater system, and learn how and why to build a rain garden at your home, school or business. These are just a few of the topics to help attendees learn more about the many advantages of rainwater catchment.

FYI • More information about the Rainwater Revival, a full schedule of speakers, photos of the art barrels, and information on rainwater harvesting is available at www.rainwaterrevival.com. The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country.

Hill Country SUN Julie Harrington Publisher Advertising Melissa Maxwell Ball Editor Allie Eissler Suzy Moehring Mallard Rob McCorkle, tpwd C.J. Wright Writers Gerry Burns Delonn Bowie DeLane Ibarra Adelle Spell Distribution

Found only at 6469 Ranch Rd 12 6 miles out of Wimberley toward San Marcos

November 2013 Volume 24 • Number 6 ISSN: 1524-2315

“A Must See”

-Texas Highways

Entire contents copyright © 2013 by TD Austin Lane, Inc. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any fashion without the written consent of the publisher.

• The Hill Country Sun is published monthly. For advertising rates or information, call Julie Harrington at 512-484-9716 (email julie@hillcountrysun.com). Credit cards accepted.

• Circulation: 22,000. Distributed monthly to more than 450 popular Hill Country locations (see list of towns on front cover) and home delivered to all 5,276 Wimberley homes and 8,663 Dripping Springs homes by the US Postal Service.

• Cover: Bigtooth maples flash their color reflected in the Sabinal River at Lost Maples State Natural Area. (See story, page 10.) Photo by Chase Fountain © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

•

Handblown Lighting & Lamps Jewelry Platters & Vases TexasTea Sets ORNAMENTS

10% Special with this ad WGW.COM 800-929-6686 Smorgasgourd of Glass Pumpkins through November

Deadline for calendar events 15th of each month.

Email melissa@hillcountrysun.com.

Treat Yourself November 2, 6-9 Candy Shop of Visual Treats

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/HillCountrySun

HANDBLOWN ART GLASS & LIGHTING Glassblowing Demonstrations Tuesday-Sunday

www.hillcountrysun.com julie@hillcountrysun.com • melissa@hillcountrysun.com

INDEX

HENLY

Texas Hill Country Locator Map

© 2013 by TD Austin Lane, Inc.

Austin J5 Bandera B10 Bergheim D9 Bertram I2 Blanco F6 Boerne D9 Buchanan Dam F2 Buda J7 Bulverde G10 Burnet G2 Camp Verde B8 Canyon Lake G9 Castroville C12 Center Point B8 Clear Springs H11 Comfort C8 Concan A11 Driftwood H7 Dripping Springs H6 Fischer G8 Fredericksburg C5 Georgetown K2 Granite Shoals G2 Gruene H10 Hancock G8 Helotes G6 Henly G6 Highland Lakes F2/3 Hondo B13 Hunt A7 Hye E6 Ingram B7 Johnson City F5 Kendalia F8 Kerrville B7 Kingsland F2 Kyle I8 Lampasas G1 Leakey A9 Llano D2 Liberty Hill I12 Luckenbach D6 Luling K10 Marble Falls G3 Martindale J9 Mason B2 Medina A9 New Braunfels H10 Oak Hill I6 Oatmeal H2 Pipe Creek C10 Round Rock K3 San Antonio F12 San Marcos I9 Sattler H9 Seguin I11 Sisterdale D8 Spring Branch F9 Startzville G9 Stonewall D6 Utopia A10 Vanderpool A9 Wimberley H8

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVEMBER 2013 PAGE 3

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A DISTINCTIVE COLLECTION OF in the

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Hill Country

“Honest” food in new space at Leaning Pear

I

By Allie Eissler

the pair of us lean on one another.” t’s been six-and-a-half years since “It was always our intention to evenMatthew and Rachel Buchanan first tually have the opportunity to build welcomed Wimberley foodies, fami- something from the ground up, where we lies, and food-loving folks into the rustic, renovated Lowery House on River Road — and my, what a difference just a few years have made! At the end of August 2013, the Leaning Pear officially opened the doors to its beautiful, brand new building, located just a stone’s throw away from the old one, and on the same piece of property that has been in Rachel’s family for 40 years.

Rachel and her husband, Matthew, are both native Texans — she hails The Leaning Pear crew surround owners Matthew from San Marcos, and he and Rachel Buchanan, who are seated in front. from Rockwall — and Tex- Photo courtesy The Leaning Pear. as A&M University graduates. The couple taught English in Perugia, Italy, for a year before could transfer that initial restaurant,” exrelocating to New York for Matthew to plains Rachel. The new building is sleek, attend classes at the Culinary Institute modern, and considerably larger, now of America. Upon returning to the Hill serving approximately twice the number Country, Matthew and Rachel served as of patrons, with a seating capacity of a Executive Chef and Assistant Innkeeper, little more than 130. respectively, at the Inn Above Onion It also offers several potential priCreek for several years before they de- vate dining venues that can seat around cided to open their own restaurant.

30. And longtime fans of the Pear will be “When we first opened, we were liv- pleased to learn that with this expanded ing at my grandparents’ ranch house, location also comes longer hours, includand we spent many nights out there, ing a brand new Sunday brunch, plus a brainstorming. There’s an old pear tree larger menu. that sits just beyond the back porch,” “We’re big believers in small menus,” says Rachel of the inspiration behind the says Rachel. “A small menu is an honrestaurant’s memorable name. “A pear, est menu, and we want to continue with to me, is whimsical but also has a certain that philosophy. We’ve carried over a lot sophistication to it, and we thought of it of items that we had at the former locaas the tree itself is old and leans, but also See LEANING PEAR, page 4

Manuel Garza, Three Turkeys, Oil, 8 x 10

On the Square at • 100 Oak Drive, Suite 200 in Wimberley, Texas (Across from Kiss the Cook) TERRY GRISHAM, DIRECTOR

512-847-7278 TheArtGalleryAtWimberley.net PAGE 4 NOVEMBER 2013 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

The Leaning Pear’s new building is sleek, modern, and considerably larger, now with a seating capacity of around 130. Photo courtesy The Leaning Pear.

wimberley

LEANING PEAR, from page 4 tion — you kind of want to dance with the one that brought you — but now we have enough space to offer more substantial dinners and specials. I feel like people would have our heads on a plate if we were to take their favorites away, so if there’s a huge uprising about a particular sandwich being gone, we’ll listen.”

The cafe has always focused on offering fresh, seasonal soups, salads, and sandwiches, with one or two special entrees featured, but new to the menu are a selection of 11-inch wood-fired pizzas — two of which are named for the couple’s young sons. (The Oliver features spanish chorizo and okra, and the Quintin offers up savory salami and basil.)

And of course, there are plenty of options for vegetarians, from tasty salads and pizzas to baked gemelli pasta with seasonal vegetables, provolone, and ricotta, and the classic caprese panini with tomato, mozzarella, and basil pesto on grilled focaccia.

Chicken and green chile-bacon grits, meatloaf, pecan-crusted drum, and a beef fillet with boulangère potatoes, roasted tomato, and blue cheese butter, round out the menu for meat-eaters.

“The thing that’s most important to us is that we’re offering honest food, something that you and your loved ones want to eat. There are so many wonderful moments that are shared over a table,” says Rachel.

“Wimberley has such an eclectic, bohemian mix of people with wonderful minds and wonderful palates. We initially moved back to Austin, and we loved it, but we love Austin even more being a little removed from it. The people here are like family.”

FYI • The Leaning Pear is located at 111 River Road, #110. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. The restaurant is closed on Monday. For more information, please visit the web site at www.leaningpear. com or call 512-847-7327.

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“Go for a consultation with the Boot Whisperer, who reads feet like a psychic reads palms.” Texas Monthly, August 2010 Open by appointment. Please call in advance 512-293-4890.

A Wonderful selection of styles from casual to

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Send calendar events to The Leaning Pear’s spacious interior, a lovely setting in which guests can enjoy the restaurant’s fresh, seasonal soups and salads, wood-fired pizzas, pasta dishes and much more. Photo courtesy The Leaning Pear.

THE LEANING PEAR

melissa@hillcountrysun.com

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the quarter at cypress creek • 512-847-2300 HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVEMBER 2013 PAGE 5

Suzy Moehring Mallard hill country PARKS

Austin’s Perry Park, great example of beauty of neighborhood parks

I

’m lucky to have a park across the street from my Central Austin home.

The wooded area and rocky bluffs behind Highland Park Elementary School is a City of Austin park – Perry Park, which is edged by Balcones Drive just south of Ranch Road 2222.

Perry Park is part woods, part limestone bluffs – we can go up into the park and down into the park. Going down into Perry Park is possible because the lower part of the park was a rock quarry before the neighborhood was developed in the early 1950s.

The western edge of the park and bluffs actually runs along Balcones Fault, so lots of geological interest as well.

We’ve lived in this close-in neighborhood for 35 years, so my 40and 41-year-old kids have grown up running up and down the broad hill into the quarry part of the park, climbing the

rocky bluffs along the western and southern edge, and adventuring into the upper, forested part of the park.

And I’m not exaggerating – this 6-acre park really is just across the street from our house. Pretty sweet.

As my son and daughter got older, they played on soccer teams that practiced in Perry Park, they belonged to scout troops that met in Perry Park, they just fiddled around in Perry Park when they had free time.

My 20-year-old grandson has grown up with Perry Park as well, and by the time he began playing in the park it had about a half-mile crushed granite track that ran along the top of the adjacent school playground then figure-eighted down into the quarry part of the park.

I watched him one time ride his bicycle down the hill into the quarry part of the park after a rainstorm had left several

WIMBERLEY

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on all merchandise T hanksgiving Day 10 am-6 pm and Black Friday 7 am-6 pm Sunday-T hursday 10-6• Saturdays & Holidays 10-7 13900 Ranch Road 12 • Wimberley, TX 210-240-2249 • 210-563-2384

www.santafe-connection.com PAGE 6 NOVEMBER 2013 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Girl Scouts of Troop 1510 helped clear trails in Austin’s Perry Park.

Photo by Suzy Moehring Mallard. inches of water standing – legs straight out as he coasted down fast into that huge pool of standing water and splashed everything everywhere. He learned to ride his bike in Perry Park.

How lucky we are to have such neighborhood parks. I’m grateful to the City of Austin for seeing the value of keeping this slice of green space in the center of the city, and I know hundreds of my neighbors are as well.

I walked over to the wooded edge of Perry Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon last month, and as I walked the length of the park I saw tennis players – oh, right, two tennis courts on the upper edge of the park above the quarry – bicycle riders, moms pushing baby strollers, a team of young lacrosse players at practice, kids running around on a playground, little ones clambering over limestone See PARKS, page 7

Popular Del Castillo slated to play Susanna’s Kitchen November 21 WIMBERLEY H Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse Concert Series presents Del Castillo, featuring brothers Mark and Rick Del Castillo on guitars and vocals, in concert Thursday, November 21.

Described as a mix of “Flamenco, Rock, Latin, Blues, and world music,” Del Castillo has toured with Willie Nelson, Los Lonely Boys, Styx, and Don Henley to name a few. Their work earned them Best Album of the Year and Best Latin Traditional Band at the 2006 South by Southwest Music Festival. They have also been featured on soundtracks for “Spy Kids 3D,” “Sin City,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico City,” and “Kill Bill II.” Susanna’s Kitchen Coffehouse is an intimate smoke- and alcohol-free venue with free childcare, and pizza, tamales, pies, sodas and coffee available for purchase.

FYI • Tickets are $20 at the door. Susanna’s Kitchen Coffee House is at Wimberley United Methodist Church, located at the corner of Ranch Road 12 and County Road 1492. Doors at 7 pm. For more information, call 512-722-3316, or visit the Del Castillo website at www.delcastillomusic.com or Susanna’s Kitchen web site at www.wimberleyumc.com.

Find family fun at Christmas on Mercer Street December 7 DRIPPING SPRINGS H Start the Christ==mas season off with a little hometown flair at the 9th Annual Christmas on Mercer Street Saturday, December 7. Downtown festivities include free music and live performances, a classic car show, arts and crafts booths, a trackless train and pony rides for kids, photos with Santa, and mouth-watering food and drinks. With Mercer Street closed to traffic, you can stroll while enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Santa and his Clydesdale-drawn carriage will make an impressive appearance that you will love and your kids will never forget.

The annual Lighting of the Tree at the Triangle is at 6:15 pm. Carolers representing local churches and schools will serenade with heart-warming, traditional Christmas Carols, plus enjoy a holiday themed dance performance from Starbella Dance Co. Area merchants welcome visitors with a Hill Country Holiday Gift Tour and Open House, a popular tradition hosted by the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets go on sale November 11 at the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce office.

FYI • Hosted by the City of Dripping Springs and Dripping Springs Lions Club, Christmas on Mercer Street activities are primarily paid for by sponsorships, and individual and business donations. For more information, visit the web sites at www. cityofdrippingsprings.com and www.drippingspringstx.org or call 512-858-4740.

PARKS, from page 6

-

Sat, Nov. 2nd - Come to the 5th Annual

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outcroppings above the quarry part of Perry Park, and a group of Girl Scouts helping to clear a trail in the forest part of Perry Park.

My friend Nadene Morning is a member of Friends of Perry Park, and she coordinates volunteers who want to work in the park to help rid the park of invasive plants, improve trails, remove brush and wildfire threats, all manner of help.

On this particular day, she was working with about 20 moms and Girl Scouts to clear trailing lantana that had almost taken over after the abundant autumn rainfall we have had.

Nadene has led Girl Scout groups, Little Helping Hands community service groups, neighborhood association groups, people not even from the neighborhood who want to help maintain the park.

And it’s wonderful that people see the value of taking care of this woody, bluffy jewel and many others like it in many other cities and towns.

The real beauty of Perry Park is that it – and other parks like it – even exists, that such a beautiful, green spot is part of our neighborhood, part of our kids’ and grandkids’ lives. Part of the life of the neighborhood and of the city. We need green spots like this to remind us to breathe deeply, walk slowly, and watch closely.

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVEMBER 2013 PAGE 7

C.J. Wright hill country wildlife

Y

ears ago my parents made the decision to sell their 90-acre land, land that molded my formative years, that was my siblings’ and my childhood home and playground. As we gathered there one last time, I wandered through fields of wildflowers, picking some to dry

and frame. Knowing I would never walk this land again, I gave thanks for the joy it had given me: cold water swimming with pollywogs, songs of Bobolink and American Goldfinch, rabbits bounding off, their tails bobbing, sweet taste of wild strawberries, deer leaping over rock

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MODERN ORTHODONTICS FROM FRIENDLY PEOPLE.

Mark A Thompson DDS MS Specialist in Orthodontics 512-858-2916 • www.austinbraces.com corner of Ranch Road 12 @ 290 West

Connecting brain,heart leads to better decisions fences … and much more.

I made my peace with the parting, realizing the land had never really been ours. Just like those who had gone before us, we had been its caretakers. I hoped those who followed would respect and care for it as we had.

Memories of a time of hope for the future.

As 2013 winds down, finding hope in our world some days requires more than a little faith. Life on our planet grows more complex, creating problems with few solutions. Unrelenting, populations soar, demanding more of the land than it will one day sustain. Power and greed often prevail.

Known as the father of wildlife conservation in America, Aldo Leopold wrote in 1948 in A Sand County Almanac that conservation moves at a “snail’s pace,” and that we “slip two steps backward for each forward stride.” Sound familiar? Today politicians speak of conservation, after all who would run and win on an anti-conservation ticket?

Yet, words spoken and promises made are still just words or as Leopold said, “largely letterhead pieties.”

After well over half a century, Leopold’s words remain insightful and farreaching in scope. His visions on land ethics, if put into practice, just might preserve our world for future generations.

According to Leopold, a land ethic holds individuals responsible for the health of the land—health meaning the land’s capacity for self-renewal. This commitment, this ethical relationship to the land, requires—in Leopold’s view— a “love, respect and admiration for the land.” (land being a community of soils, waters, plants, and animals) Yes, we value land, though most of-

A whooping crane stretches.

Photo © Paul Wolf Tools ten not in any philosophical sense. Land is valued as an economic commodity.

Eliminating plant diversity and native trees, foresters replace slow-growing trees such as beech that increases soil fertility, with commercially desirable, faster-growing timber like loblolly pines, promoting monocultural forests.

Once home to native tall grass prairies and its wildlife, the Midwest is a drastically altered landscape. First hardworking farmers plowed the land, grew mixed crops and raised livestock. Then farmers bought out neighbors and agriculture boomed with large machinery gobbling up birds, reptiles and small See WILDLIFE, page 9

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800-727-5267 PAGE 8 NOVEMBER 2013 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

WILDLIFE, from page 8 animals. Other wildlife were untargeted casualties, poisoned by pesticides.

Then small farms transformed into large-scale business operations (agribusiness). Today rows of corn and soybeans dominate the landscape, much of it grown to meet the increased demand for ethanol. These genetically modified crops grow uninhibited, resistant to herbicides, sprayed freely to eliminate weeds, particularly milkweed, the sole food source for monarch butterfly larvae.

In 2012, 96.4 million acres of corn covered the land with additional acreage planted in soybeans.

Yet, glimmers of hope surface thanks to individuals fired with passion and love for land and its creatures. Monarchminded volunteers, teachers and schoolchildren created butterfly gardens complete with nectaring plants and milkweed. Thanks to dedicated volunteers, these plants also graced roadsides—nourishment and cover for insects.

Though far behind their usual migration schedule, monarchs begin to filter through Texas, though in much fewer numbers than previous years. Nonetheless, their presence feeds our optimism that these tenacious insects weighing a mere half a gram will complete their fall journey to the oyamel fir trees of Mexico, there to survive the winter and, come spring, replenish their diminished numbers as they journey north.

Also in late October and early No-

vember, the only wild flock of endangered Whooping Cranes (Recovering from an all-time low of 15 birds in the 1940s, the 2013 count is 280.) wing their way from Canada to their winter home at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge—a 2,400-mile fall migration.

In recent years, a few have wintered at inland sites in Central Texas.

To increase the accuracy of whooper counts, citizen scientists report sightings of the cranes, the tallest birds in North America, to the Texas Whooper Watch (tpwd.texas.gov/whooping cranes). Volunteers making a difference.

Operation Migration, founded in 2001, is a non-profit organization comprised of a team dedicated to reintroducing Whooping Cranes and building the east coast flock. Baby cranes are imprinted to the sound of an ultralight aircraft while still in the egg.

Later, pilots using the aircraft and acting as surrogate parents, lead these captive-hatched whoopers on training flights, culminating in their migration from Wisconsin to Florida.

To date, this eastern flock numbers 106. (When visiting operationmigration. org and reading about people making a difference, one realizes there’s still room in this world for wonder and beauty.)

Recently, world-renowned conservationist Jane Goodall spoke at the International Crane Foundation’s 49th anniversary celebration.

Goodall denounced man’s money-

driven pursuits, citing multi-national corporations’ and large nations’ uncontrollable appetites for natural resources.

When observing young children and remembering herself at that age, she thinks of the harm done to our planet in those intervening years and wonders if it’s too late. But, despite the destruction, she still has reason for hope.

In 1991 she founded Roots and Shoots, a program that involves children and young adults in projects to help people, animals and the environment.

Her message that—rather than live for money, we should use it to help better the world—reaches 132 countries.

Goodall believes people today harbor a disconnect between their brains and hearts, making decisions that destroy our world. In young people she finds hope that they will put brain and heart together again.

She believes destroyed habitats can be restored, that species on the brink of extinction can be saved. She places faith in the “indomitable human spirit.”

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CowgirlLoca.com HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVEMBER 2013 PAGE 9

frio/sabinal river valleys

Fall into autumn at Lost Maples State Natural Area

By Rob McCorkle,

T

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department he Sabinal River and its several tributaries have carved limestone canyons through the nearly 3,000acre park straddling Bandera and Real counties at the western fringes of the Edwards Plateau. Here, the canyons’ moist, cool microclimates support a remarkable diversity of plant life found few other places in Texas.

The bigtooth maple tree ranks as the park’s marquee species. In late autumn most years, the stands of old-growth maples set the canyons ablaze in a riot of red, orange and gold foliage, drawing upwards of 50,000 leaf-peepers to the state natural area.

The western cousin of the eastern sugar maple retained a foothold in the Hill Country canyons after vast sheets of ice advanced southward across North America almost to present-day Texas, and then retreated. (For an explanation of the park’s geological history and in-

formation about the bigtooth maple and other indigenous plant species, visit the exhibit hall in the park headquarters.)

The park is home to the state’s largest known species of the bigtooth, also known as the Uvalde bigtooth maple and canyon maple. The 40-foot tall maple with a 45-foot crown spread stands at the head of the park’s most popular trail, the .8-mile Maple Trail, just a few steps from the dayuse area parking lot. However, to really appreciate this wondrous arboretum, visitors should park their vehicle and stroll the wooded canyon trails that traverse the upland canyons of the Sabinal River, as well as Can, Hale Hollow and Lane creeks.

But no matter the time of year, Lost Maples SNA makes a worthwhile destination that will not disappoint. Visitors hoping to enjoy the park under less crowded conditions of late October and early November when the maples’ color peaks should consider an early fall visit.

Nights tend to cool off and during warm,

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sunny days, the waters of the Sabinal and spring-fed swimming holes prove tempting spots to take a soothing splash.

Almost 11 miles of well-marked trails lead to scenic overlooks, spring-fed ponds populated by Texas’ state fish, the Guadalupe bass, prime birding habitat and 40 primitive backpack camping sites.

Composting toilets near several backcountry campsites make the wilderness experience a bit more pleasant.

The Maple Trail provides the easiest access to the park’s natural wonders, traversing mostly flat terrain through a moist, shaded Sabinal River canyon. Mature bigtooths share fertile canyon habitat with monstrous chinkapin and Lacey’s oaks, Florida basswood, pecan, black willow, green ash and American sycamore.

Boulders the size of a subcompact car sit in the middle of the river and at the base of soaring limestone cliffs.

Because of the canyonlands’ microclimate effect, the park contains numerous species of plants and animals of both eastern and western affinity, as well as rare species endemic to the Balcones Escarpment. Found here are the unusual Texas madrone tree, three kinds of buckeye, witch hazel (common in Mississippi), six different kinds of oaks, Texas mock orange and sycamore-leaf snowbell whose white clusters of flowers bloom in late September.

The park’s birdlife reflects Lost Maples’ location in the North America’s central flyway, as well as its diversity of habitat that includes grasslands and scrublands; mixed evergreen and deciduous escarpment woodlands; and streamside woodlands. Birders from around the world visit the park to catch a glimpse of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo, as well as specialty birds such as the green kingfisher and zone-tailed hawk.

Water-and-electric campsites are at a premium at Lost Maples SNA. The 30 campsites, which also feature in-ground barbecue pits and shaded picnic tables,

Discover Lost Maples State Natural Area, a 2,175-acre preserve along the Sabinal River near Vanderpool.

Photo by Chase Fountain ©Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. book up 11 months in advance for the peak fall foliage period. Other times of the year, booking reservations early is recommended.

In keeping with Lost Maples’ state natural area designation, the park has limited development and facilities. However, young and old alike can enjoy nature photography, hiking, camping, bird watching, backpacking, fishing and swimming.

FYI • The day use-only park entry fees for persons 13 and older are: $5 from January through September and $6 October through December. Hike-in campsites are $10 a night and water-electric sites are $20. Lost Maples State Natural Area is located about an hour’s drive southwest of Kerrville and five miles north of Vanderpool on Ranch Road 187. Parking at Lost Maples State Natural Area is limited to 250 cars, so schedule fall trips during the weekdays, if possible.

Fall foliage reports are available at http://www.tpwd. state.tx.us/state-parks/lost-maples/foliage-reports. Reports are updated weekly through November.

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PAGE 10 NOVEMBER 2013 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Beckoning colors of fall at Lost Maples State Natural Area.

Photo by Chase Fountain ©Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Hill country calendar NOTE: Dates or locations for the events listed in the Calendar may change. Some require admission fees or reservations.

Please call ahead to confirm information.

EVERY DAY GRUENE: Live music at Gruene Hall. Enjoy free music shows Monday through Thursday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. www.gruenehall.com.

WIMBERLEY: (every day except Monday) Wimberley Glassworks gallery open daily 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm. Glassblowing demos daily. www.WGW.com.

SECOND SUNDAY BANDERA: Cowboy Camp. Live cowboy music at Frontier Times Museum. Free. 1 pm to 5 pm. 830-328-0321.

JOHNSON CITY: Taste Wine + Art Music Events. Rockin’ gospel to Latin music at the Kirchman Gallery. 830-868-9290.

SECOND AND FOURTH SUNDAY SAN MARCOS: Gypsy Moon performs at Palmer’s Restaurant Brunch. 11 am to 2 pm. 218 Moore Street. 512-353-3500.

EVERY MONDAY CANYON LAKE: Seniors Bingo. 12:30 pm at Habitat for Safe Seniors, 2174 Old pm Road, Startzville. 830-899-2256.

WIMBERLEY: Toddler Story Time at Wimberley Library. 10:30 am. 512-8472188, www.wimberleylibrary.org.

WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Community Chorus Rehearsals. The chorus is recruiting singers for the fall season. Rehearsals begin on September 9, at 6:45 pm and continue through December 2 each Monday from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Chapel in the Hills at 14601 North Ranch Road 12. Dixie Camp at 512-517-3111 or www.wimberleycommunitychorus.org EVERY TUESDAY CYPRESS MILL: The Bunkhouse Gang at Wenmohs Ranch. Paint and enjoy fellowship of other artists. 830-825-3465.

WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Community Band. First Baptist Church. 512-858-7960.

FIRST TUESDAYS BANDERA: Cowboy Capital Opry. Silver Sage Corral Senior Center. 830-796-4969.

THIRD TUESDAYS NEW BRAUNFELS: Country Music Show.

Knights of Columbus. 830-629-4547.

LEANDER: Low Cost Pet Spay, Neuter and Vaccination. 512-260-3602, ext. 101.

EVERY TUESDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY EVERY WEDNESDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Farmers Market. 3 pm to 7 pm at the Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12. March to December, rain or shine. www.cityofdrippingsprings.com.

WIMBERLEY: Farmers’ Market. Fresh produce, fresh breads, more at the Senior Citizen’s Activity Center. 512-264-1637.

THIRD WEDNESDAYS DRIPPING SPRINGS: Cook Off Club meets at 6:30 pm in the VFW Hall. ryoncrew@yahoo.com.

FOURTH WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Neighbors.

10:30 am. Community Center. 512-8472849.

EVERY THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Coffee House with Light Dinners, Decadent Desserts and Open Mic. 6 pm to 9 pm. Thyme and Dough. 512-894-0001.

FIRST THURSDAY BUDA: First Thursday. Stroll through the

downtown antique and specialty shops, enjoy the food from downtown restaurants. www.discoverbuda.com.

WIMBERLEY: YAPI (Young Artist Perfor- mance Incubator). Kids 18 and under perform. Maui Wowi. www.brendafreed. com/yapi.

SECOND THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Bead Society Meets. Wimberley Community Center.

1 pm. For information, Marilyn Pierce at mp@smpierce.net.

FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY CANYON LAKE: Noon Lions Meeting at Canyon Lake Golf Club. 830-899-4406.

THIRD THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse presents some of the best in Central Texas’ musical talent. Concerts held at Wimberley United Methodist Church, Corner Ranch Road 12 and County Road 1492. Doors open by 7 pm, concert at 7:30 pm. Free child care; tamales, pizza, pie, coffee and soft drinks available. Tickets at the door. For listing of performers, visit the web site at www. wimberleyumc.com.

EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Live Music at Linda’s Fine Foods. 500 FM 2325. 512-847-5464.

EVERY FRIDAY BLANCO: Tasting Room Open and Brewery Tours at Real Ale Brewing Company. www.realalebrewing.com.

CEDAR VALLEY: Free Wine Tasting and Art Gallery. 5 pm to 8 pm at Cedar Valley Spirits (across from Nutty Brown Cafe).

www.cedarvalleyspirits.com GRUENE: Friday Afternoon Club at Gruene Hall. Broadcast live by KNBT92.1 FM Radio New Braunfels. 4 pm to 7 pm. 830-629-5077.

WIMBERLEY: Bingo. VFW Hall on Jacobs Well Road. 512-847-6441.

WIMBERLEY: Preschool Story Time at the Wimberley Village Library. Bring your little ones at 10:30 am. 512-8472188, www.wimberleylibrary.org.

WIMBERLEY: Celebrate Recovery. First Baptist Church Youth Building. 7 pm to 9 pm, with pizza at 6:30 pm. 512-847-9035.

SECOND FRIDAY CASTROVILLE: Friday Night Fever.

Cars, trucks, bikes, food, shopping. 6 pm to 10 pm. Lundquist Automotive. www. castroville.com, 830-931-2479.

WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Area Parkinsons Association Meeting. Chapel of The Hills Church, 11 am. For information, call Gae Koen, 512-847-7953.

THIRD FRIDAY JOHNSON CITY: Cruise-In. See classic and collectable vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Free admission . www.3fjc.com.

FOURTH FRIDAY BANDERA: Fourth Friday Jam. At the Silver Sage Corral starting at 6:30 pm. Call 830-796-4969 for information.

EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FREDERICKSBURG: Rockbox Theater.

Renowned variety, music, and rock ‘n roll show, great family fun. 866-349-6688.

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVEMBER 2013 PAGE 11

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EVERY SATURDAY AUSTIN: Austin Farmers Market. Republic Square. 512-236-0074.

AUSTIN: Sunset Valley Farmers Market.

Barton Creek Mall. 512-280-1976.

COMFORT: Comfort Area Farmer’s Market. 8 am to 1 pm. Comfort Park on Highway 27.

COMFORT: Wine Tastings. High’s Café. 4 pm to 7 pm. www.highscafeandstore.com.

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Texas Music and Wine. www.solaroestate.com.

FISCHER: Jackson Open Air Market.

Local artists and farmers, food, fun and entertainment. 9 am to 5 pm. 6341 Farm Market 32. 830-935-2781.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Canyon Trail Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show. Evening of song and hearty dining. 830-626-8200, 888-408-7245.

WIMBERLEY: Tours of Jacob’s Well.

Hear the stories about floods and scuba divers, experience beauty of spring that started town. 10 am. www.jacobswellspring.org.

WIMBERLEY: Arnosky Family Farms Market. Fresh flowers, veggies, cheeses, more. Ranch Road 2325 and Highway 165. 830-833-5428.

FIRST SATURDAY BANDERA: Market Days. 830-796-4447.

BANDERA: First Saturday Book Sale.

Public Library. 9 am to 1 pm. 830-796-4213.

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julie@hillcountrysun.com • 512-484-9716 PAGE 12 NOVEMBER 2013 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Get in the holiday spirit at Santa’s Ranch Drive Thru Holiday Light Park outside of San Marcos. The park is open Sunday to Thursday 6 pm to 10 pm, and Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 11 pm November 1 through January 4, 2014. Photo courtesy Santa’s Ranch.

FIRST SATURDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Low Cost Pet Vaccinations. At Tractor Supply on Highway 290. 512-858-7229.

WIMBERLEY: Market Days. (March through December). Everything you can’t live without at Lions Field. 7 am to 4 pm. www.shopmarketdays.com.

FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Toastmasters Public Speaking and Leadership Club. 10:30 am.

Visitor’s Center. 512-913-4804.

SECOND SATURDAY CASTROVILLE: Market Trail Days.

Houston Square. 830-539-2316.

THIRD SATURDAY MARBLE FALLS: Bluegrass, Country and Western, and Gospel. 6 pm to 10 pm.

Boys and Girls Club. 830-898-1784.

EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ROUND MOUNTAIN: Tours at Westcave Preserve. info@westcave.org.

SECOND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AUSTIN: Tours of Bright Leaf Natural Area. www.brightleaf.org.

NOVEMBER 1 UVALDE: Hunters Roundup. Music, food, vendors, exhibits and raffles. 6 pm to 10 pm at Willie de Leon Civic Center.

830-278-3361.

NOVEMBER 1-3 BLANCO: 2nd Annual Blanco Western Showcase & 12th Annual Knife and Tomahawk Throwing World Championship.

Vendors, food, music, more at Buggy Barn Museum and Carriage Hills Ranch. www.blancowesternshowcase.com.

NOVEMBER 1-10 NEW BRAUNFELS: Wurstfest. 10-day celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun. www.wurstfest.com.

NOVEMBER 1-24 WIMBERLEY: Christmas Musical. Fri-

day and Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 2 pm. . www.emilyann.org.

NOVEMBER 1-30 KERRVILLE: Texas Furniture Makers’ Show. Statewide competition of finest furniture makers in Texas. Kerr Arts and Cultural Center. www.kacckerrville.com.

NOVEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 29 SAN ANTONIO: Smithsonian traveling exhibit, Native Words, Native Warriors, at the Institute of Texan Cultures.

Exhibit tells the story of soldiers from more than a dozen tribes who used their Native languages while in service in the U.S. Military. www.TexanCultures.com.

NOVEMBER 1 - JANUARY 4, 2014 SAN MARCOS: Santa’s Ranch Drive Thru Christmas Light Park. 100 displays and animations. Open Sunday to Thursday from 6 pm to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 11 pm. santasranch.net.

NOVEMBER 2 BOERNE: Rainwater Revival. Speakers, vendors, shopping, live music, art barrel auction and more. Free admission.

Convention Center. RainwaterRevival. com.

BOERNE: Wild Game Dinner. Kendall County Fairgrounds. 830-249-7277.

DEVINE: Devine Chamber of Commerce Avocado Fall Festival. 10 am parade, live entertainment, arts, crafts, avocado seed-spitting contest and carnival. Community Center. www. devinechamber.com.

DRIPPING SPRINGS: 5th Annual Fine Arts Festival at Wesley Gallery. Food, fun and fine Central Texas artists showing in a variety of media. 888-806-0678, www.wesleygallery.com for map.

JOHNSON CITY: Pleasant Hill Schoolhouse Annual Smogasboard. 5 pm to

Hill country calendar 8:30 pm. Call Milton Hawkins at 830-8689075.

KYLE: Fall Fishing Tournament. Lake Kyle, 700 Lehman Road. 512-262-3939.

WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Glassworks Candy Shop of Visual Treats. Drinks, desserts and demitasse from Amy’s Ice cream, Sugar Shack and TasteBuds. Plus door prizes, a glassblowing demo, and holiday specials. 5 pm to 9 pm. WGW.com.

WIMBERLEY: Market Days. Everything you can’t live without at Lions Field. 7 am to 4 pm. www.shopmarketdays.com.

SAN MARCOS: Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimers. 9 am. Get more information online at act.alz.org/hays13.

TAYLOR: Flying Vikings Annual FlyDay. See vintage planes, military aircraft, hot-air balloons, fire trucks, police cars and ambulances.Plus enjoy arts and crafts, paper airplane contests and other kids’ activities. Taylor Municipal Airport. www.flyingvikings.org.

NOVEMBER 3 AUSTIN: Texas Monthly Barbecue Festival. 50 top barbecue joints serve up their specialties for the public to sample and declare a winner. Advance tickets recommended. The Long Center. www.tmbbq. com/events/tmbbq-fest-2013.

NOVEMBER 7-9 FREDERICKSBURG: Texas All Star Big Band Bash at Hill Top Cafe. www.hilltopcafe.com.

NOVEMBER 8-9 WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Civic Club’s 26th annual Hill Country Home Tour. Includes six homes within the Wimberley Valley 10 am to 5 pm. Historic WintersWimberley House with gift shop, homemade baked goods, free wine tasting, and lunch by the Leaning Pear. Tickets for $20, available at Wimberley Visitors’ Center at 14090 Ranch Road 12.

NOVEMBER 8 WIMBERLEY: Birdie’s for Business Golf Tournament at Quicksand Golf Course in Woodcreek. Fee is $60 per golfer and includes green fees, cart, breakfast tacos, golf goodie bag, door prizes, trophies, and a burger basket at the 19th hole. 512847-2201,info@wimberley.org.

NOVEMBER 8-10 KERRVILLE: James Avery Hill Country Golf Classic. www.hillcountrygolfclassic.com.

NOVEMBER 9 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Annual Christmas Open House at Cowgirls and Lace. Storewide Discount. 512-894-0350, www cowgirlsandlace.com.

SAN MARCOS: The Memphis Belles with the Sentimental Journey Orchestra at the CAF Hangar Dance. Andrews Sisters group at the San Marcos Airport.

512-396-1943, www.cafcentex.com.

SAN MARCOS: Veterans’ Day Celebration Parade. 10 am. Downtown. www. sanmarcostx.gov/parks, 512-393-8420.

STONEWALL: 3rd Annual Pumpkin Chunkin’ at Becker Vineyard. www. beckervineyard.com.

NOVEMBER 9-10 AUSTIN: 21st Annual Arts from the Streets Sale. Artwork starts at $35 with proceeds going to artists. A $5 suggested

New Fischer/Canyon Lake area Artisan & Farmers Market

Local Artists & Farmers Food • Fun • Entertainment!

November 16th & 17th

Open Saturdays at 9 am 6341 FM 32 • Fischer, TX 1.3 miles east of Canyon Lake H.S.

For information 830-935-2781

Eliza Gilkyson performs November 10 at KAPS Music Fest at the new Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center, along with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Sahara Smith, Kevin and Dustin Welch and more. Photo courtesy Eliza Gilkyson.

admission donation helps to keep the program going. Www.artfromthestreets. com.

NOVEMBER 10 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Katherine Anne Porter School Music Fest and Fundraiser.

Live music from Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Eliza Gilkyson, Dustin Welch, Kevin Welch, Sahara Smith and the KAPS Band at the new Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Silent auction, raffles, food, kids’ activities and more.

Proceeds benefit Katherine Anne Porter School, free public charter high school in Wimberley. 4 pm to 9 pm. www.kapschool. org, 512-847-6867.

JOHNSON CITY: Opening Reception for Holiday Extravaganza Show at Taste Wine + Art. 1 pm to 4 pm. 213 North Nugent Avenue. tastewineart.com.

NOVEMBER 11 FREDERICKSBURG: Veterans’ Day Observance at National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 E. Austin Street. www.pacificwarmuseum.org.

STONEWALL: Free Day at the Texas White House. In observance of Veterans’ Day, as a thank you to all who have and are serving in the armed forces, free day at LBJ State Park. No charge for tours of Texas White House. 830-868-7128 ext. 222.

NOVEMBER 13 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Dripping Springs Women’s Club Holiday Market. 1 pm to 5 pm at the Terrace Club. Email edwardsbecky49@gmail.com for information.

NOVEMBER 15-17 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Seven miles east of town at 355 Sunday Farms Lane. www.fbgtradedays.com.

NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 8 WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Players present “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVEMBER 2013 PAGE 13

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PAGE 14 NOVEMBER 2013 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Based on the Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Shultz. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinee at 2:30 pm. www.wimberleyplayers.org.

NOVEMBER 16 HONDO: Christmas in God’s Country.

Lighted night parade, children’s activities, food and craft vendors. Downtown on 18th Street. www.hondochamber. com. WIMBERLEY: 7th Annual Holiday Bazaar. Community Center. 10 am to 5 pm. 512-842-5162.

NOVEMBER 16-17 FREDERICKSBURG: Fall Antiques Show. Gillespie County Fairgrounds on Texas 16 South. www.texasantiqueshows.com. GRUENE: Gruene Market Days has been held every month except January for more than 30 years and features 100-plus artisans offering handmade items made by the vendors themselves, including uniquely crafted items, collectibles and packaged Texas foods. Free parking and admission and free live entertainment. 10 am to 5 pm. gruenetexas.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Fifth Annual Train Show. Civic Center. Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. 210-542-6121.

NOVEMBER 17 SAN MARCOS: Texas Author Day. TMore than 40 Texas authors and illustrators offer readings and lectures, sign copies of their books and chat with fans.

San Marcos Public Library. www.sanmarcostx. gov/library, 512-393-8200.

NOVEMBER 22 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Wine and Cheese Art Opening at Brenham House Art and Antiques. 5 pm to 9 pm. 16746 Fitzhugh, just east of Ranch Road 12. Call 832-2602526 for more information.

NOVEMBER 23 KERRVILLE: Kerr County Market Days.

Courthouse Square. kerrmarketdays. org.

NOVEMBER 23 – JANUARY 1, 2014 JOHNSON CITY: Hill Country Christmas Drive Thru Lights Display. More than half a million lights illuminate this sisplay nightly. Enjoy lights from the warmth of your car as you listen to our very own radio station that plays nonstop Christmas music. 512-955-1706, www.hillcountrychristmaslights.com.

NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1 CONCAN: Mimosas and Thanksgiving Sale at Cowgirl Loca. CowgirlLoca.com.

NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 24 SEGUIN: Seiler Christmas Tree Farm.

Cut your own treee. Open weekends 9 am to 6 pm, weekdays 4 pm to 6 pm. Turn right on Elm Creek Road at Smithey’s Store, follow signs on Jakes Colony road. 830-401-4590, 830-379-3468.

NOVEMBER 30 JOHNSON CITY: Whittington’s Jerky Open House. Get your Christmas shopping done early at this festive event! www.whittingtonsjerky.com.

JOHNSON CITY: Lighted Hooves and Wheels Parade. Don’t miss pictures with Santa in Memorial Park. www. jonhsoncitytexaschamber.com.

JOHNSON CITY: Lamplight Tours of the LBJ Boyhood Home. 6 pm to 9 pm.

Free admission. 830-868-7128, ext. 231,

www.nps.gov/lyjo.

JOHNSON CITY: Art Walk. Artist receptions at local galleries, including Nugent Street Galleries. 4 pm to 8 pm. www.johnsoncitytexaschamber.com.

LEAKEY: Christmas on the Square. Arts and crafts and food booths, plus see Santa from 10 am to noon and 1 pm to 3 pm. www. friocanyonchamber.com.

LUCKENBACH: Thanksgiving Dance.

Luckenbach’s legendary dance hall hosts the music of the Robison Family: Charlie, Bruce, Kelly Willis and Robyn Ludwick.

At 412 Luckenbach Town Loop. www. luckenbachtexas.com, 830-997-3224.

NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 31 WIMBERLEY: EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens’ Trail of Lights. Sunday through Thursday 6 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 10 pm. www.emilyann.org.

DECEMBER 6 AUSTIN: Seton Southwest Hospital Volunteers’ annual Holiday Bazaar — “A Midnight Clear.” Wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres while strolling the bazaar to the sounds of live music. Silent auction, yule tree and private shopping featured. Tickets are $20 each or two for $35. 6:30 pm to 9 pm. 7900 Farm Market 1826. 512-324-9018.

DECEMBER 7 COMFORT: Live Music with Mike Blakely at Hill Country Pottery. 1 pm to 4 pm.

Live music, local wine poured by Singing Water Vineyards, live pottery demonstrations, and reveal of newest pottery creations. 738 Farm Market 473. www.HillCountryPottery.com, 830-446-2957.

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Christmas on Mercer Street. Downtown. Arts, crafts, food vendors, carriage rides, pony and trackless train rides, plus see Santa and his elves! Don’t miss the tree lighting at 6:15 pm. More information at www.cityofdrippingsprings.com, drippingspringstx.org.

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Hill Country Holiday Gift Tour. Purchase ticket to participate, receive a holiday shopping bag to fill with special gifts at each stop along the way. 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets at Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, 509 Mercer Street. www.drippingspringstx.org.

DECEMBER 12 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Wine and Cheese Art Opening at Brenham House Art and Antiques. 6 pm to 10 pm. 16746 Fitzhugh, just east of Ranch Road 12. 832-260-2526.

SAN MARCOS: Destination’s Annual Andrews Sisters Revue Christmas Show at the Public Library. 8 pm. 625 East Hopkins Street. 512-393-8200 for more information.

DECEMBER 12-14, 19-21 CANYON LAKE: CRRC North Pole Village. Pint sized Christmas village for kids, live Nativity, hay ride and more. 830-9642324, www.crrcofcanyonlake.org.

DECEMBER 13-14 GRUENE: Jerry Jeff Walker. Live music at Gruene Hall. www.gruenehall.com.

DECEMBER 14 WIMBERLEY: Gypsy Moon performs at Linda Allen’s Fine Food. 7 pm to 10 pm.

DECEMBER 21-22 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Ballet Southwest Academy presents “The Nutcracker.” Enjoy this holiday classic at the Austin Waldorf School Performing Arts Center. 512288-8282, www.balletsouthacademy.com.

Hill country calendar

Entertainment All Day Long!

Arts & Crafts Vendors Food Vendors Carriage, Pony, & Trackless Train Rides SANTA & his ELVES!

Saturday, December 7 The Ninth Annual

10 am - 5 pm along Mercer Street in

Downtown Dripping Springs

Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting 6:15 pm at the Triangle

The Starbella Dance Studio will present an expanded version of their Christmas Choral and Dance Show prior to the Christmas Tree Lighting.

HILL COUNTRY HOLIDAY GIFT TOUR

Saturday Dec 7th 10 am - 5 pm, Pre-register- call The Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce at 512-858-7000 Hosted by: The Lions Club • City of Dripping Springs A Special Thanks To Our Sponsors

Lone St r Gifts

For more information 512-858-9912

cityofdrippingsprings.com

Ellis & Salazar

Benton Enterprises

Security State Bank and truSt • dripping SpringS Family dentiStry

Dripping SpringS Lion’S CLub anD the DS Chamber of CommerCe prouDLy announCe

Christmas on Mercer Street’s Hill

Country Holiday Gift Tour

December 7, 2013 • Saturday 10am – 5pm

Dripping Springs area merchants welcome visitors with an open house and gift tour during the peak of the holiday gift shopping season. Enjoy refreshments at each stop on the tour which includes “Christmas on Mercer Street.”

To Participate - Purchase a $30 ticket to participate in the Gift Tour and receive a festive holiday shopping bag filled with a map to all participating stores and coupons from participating restaurants. At each store, you will receive a special free gift to fill your bag and enjoy refreshments while shopping. At the end of the tour, your holiday bag will be filled to the brim with holiday gifts to keep or to give!

Tickets go on sale Monday, November 11, and are limited to the first 100 purchasers. Tickets may be purchased at the:

Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce • 509 Mercer St • Dripping Springs • Hours: M-F 9 am – 4 pm PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS The Art Garage Bell Springs Winery The Big Drip Bordeaux’s Prime Steakhouse Carved Stone Celtic Seafare Cowgirls & Lace Dan Tay’s Flowers & Gifts Dripping Springs Pharmacy Goodie Two Shoes Hill Country Ranch Pizzeria

Hill Country Thrift Store Lone Star Gifts Mazama Coffee Co McDonald’s Restaurant Navidad Farms New Canaan Farms Nutty Brown Café Pink West Ranch 2 Runway Robin’s at Rippy’s Sacred Moon Herbs

Smoke’n Hops Sol’stice Garden Expressions Star of Texas Liquor & Wine Sunny Paige The Sweet Spot Texas Hill Country Olive Co Thirty One Gifts Trudy’s Four Star valli & Kim Wesley Gallery Whole Pets Market

Cash or check made payable to Dripping Springs Chamber. All proceeds benefit Dripping Springs Lion’s Club community service projects

HILL COUNTRY SUN R NOVEMBER 2013 PAGE 15

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POOL SWIM READY FOR AS LOW AS $25,995 PAGE 16 NOVEMBEr 2013 R HILL COUNTRY SUN