December 2023 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

December 2023 | LHIndependent.com

‘ Tis the Season Michelle’s Patisserie shares best ways to ‘bake’ spirits bright

Get to to know know Legacy LibertyRanch Hill’s High Get incoming council member School’s new principal p.7 p.15

A bottled revolution is happening Discover the art of Christmas light at Decadent installation p.18Saint Winery p.16

Art will come to life from at area Read letters to Santa annual Sculpture second graders p.42Festival p.24 Curbside pickup and delivery available!

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CONTENTS FEATURES 7 | Q&A Legacy Ranch High School’s new principal shares vision for future 8 | WINTER WONDERLAND Liberty Hill’s annual festival set for Dec. 9 12 | BAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT Michelle’s Patisserie set to open soon, owner shares baking tips 17 | HANDMADE HOLIDAYS Unique glass art from Mosaic Garden Treasures in Bertram

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18 | LIGHTING UP CHRISTMAS Local light installers talk about the art of hanging Christmas lights 19 | FOOTBALL Former Panthers kickers up for award

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20 | PANTHER OF THE MONTH Basketball player Gabby Mundy dominates on the court 24 | BOY’S BASKETBALL The hoops squad is looking forward to a rebuilding year 26 | GIRL’S BASKETBALL Lady Panthers duo leads the team

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29 | PANTHERS WRESTLING TEAM First season of new program underway 30 | LHHS’ SENIOR GOLFER Joseph Sherman finds success on fairway

ABOUT OUR COVER

31 | SWIMMING Panthers swimmer excels despite injury 34 | HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Find the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list 39 | FREESTYLE SPORTS TEXAS Local couple bringing community, sports to Liberty Hill 42 | DEAR SANTA Find out what second graders across Liberty Hill want from Santa this year DEPARTMENTS 6 | BIZ BRIEFS New businesses opening soon 32 | WORSHIP GUIDE Find a church home for your family 44 | LOCAL EVENTS

Local entertainment planned across Liberty Hill in December

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Michelle Doyon, owner of the soon-to-open Michelle’s Patisserie, created this holiday cake by using fondant, edible sprinkles and buttercream frosting to showcase just some of her baking and decor talemts.

PHOTO BY ANNA McVEY

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LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT MONTHLY

A Publication of Liberty Hill Independent News & Media

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The information in this publication was compiled with great care to assure the accuracy of editorial content and advertising copy. Liberty Hill Independent Monthly and its parent company assume no liability for the accuracy of the information reported to us herein, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. For advertising rates and information, or to obtain additional copies, call (512) 778-5577 or send email to news@LHIndependent.com. This publication is truly a collaborative effort of experienced journalists, a professional design team, advertising specialists and many others passionate about sharing the story of Liberty Hill, Texas. Copyright©2023 Liberty Hill Independent News & Media/Liberty Hill Independent. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publishers.

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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BIZ BRIEFS:

in Liberty Hill. The Aesthetic Edit offers customers a variety of services, from hormone therapy and Botox to laser hair removal and hair restoration.

What’s New?

Latest business openings and what’s coming soon to Liberty Hill

The Zone Wellness and Beauty Bar 1900 Main St. The Liberty Hill City Council recently approved a conditional use permit for a medical facility at 1900 Main St. called The Zone Wellness and Beauty Bar. The facility intends to offer a cold plunge pool, targeted cryotherapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen chamber, IV therapy, Botox and more.

RETAIL

7 Brew 19386 Ronald Reagan Blvd.

The latest business to be announced for Bar W Marketplace is 7 Brew, a drive-thru only coffee shop that offers a variety of coffees, energy drinks, teas, smoothies and more. The shop is estimated to open in mid-2024.

Fresh Glow Bar Mobile, Liberty Hill

Taqueria Birria, Carnitas in a Million 136 CR 214 Olga Navarrete Campuzano, the proprieter behind the Mini Crunchy Tacos food truck, is opening a new food truck on CR 214. She plans to serve authentic Mexican cuisine, including her famous mega burritos.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS • Wingstop 19372 Ronald Reagan Blvd.

• Food Box 109 CR 269, Bertram

Taqueria Birria

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A new spray tanning business, which offers mobile and in home spray tans, recently opened under the direction of Laura Greer. Greer is a certified spray tan artist.

Mulligans Indoor Golf 4450 Hwy. 29, Bertram Mulligans Indoor Golf recently opened in Bertram and offers customers simluated golfing bays and top of the line equipment. Mulligans also provides a limited menu with items like pizza and wings for hungry guests.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS • Wooden Squirrels Vintage Mobile, Liberty Hill

SERVICES Freestyle Sports 75 Seward Junction Loop Freestyle Sports Texas is officially open in Liberty Hill. Not only does the facility offer basketball classes and camps, but it also has reservable pickleball courts and a soon-to-open outdoor food truck park.

The Aesthetic Edit 2921 RR 1869 The Aesthetic Edit is opening a new location inside Radiant Salon

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

Trey Hewtty and Collin Patton, Williamson County Williamson County Trey Hewtty and Collin Patton were both announced as new emergency management specialists for Williamson County in November. Both have years of experience working in the public safety sector.

Storage King 14774 Hwy. 29 Storage King in Liberty Hill will soon be expanding with the addition of two new single-story storage buildings.

Integrity Insurance 326 Hwy. 29, Bertram Andis and Whitney Goble, owners of Integrity Insurance, made the decision in November to merge their company with Rollo Insurance to expand their services to include personal, commercial, life and health insurance policies.

7 Brew

FOOD & BEVERAGE

tant veteran service officer for Guadalupe County.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS • Bertram Commercial Park 4101 Hwy. 29, Bertram • American Home & Commercial Services 12780 Hwy. 29

ON THE MOVE

Country Fire Volleyball 3831 Hwy. 29, Bertram Country Fire Volleyball recently expanded its facilities to include a third volleyball court to better accomodate young players for camps and clinics.

Michael Hernandez

Urban Defense Academy 141 Jonathan Drive Urban Defense Academy is hosting a special session of Practical Pistol Phase 1 for local teachers during the holiday break. The session consists of 10 hours of training from Dec. 27-30. Contact Urban Defense Academy for more information.

Michael Hernandez, Williamson County Williamson County Williamson County named retired Army Sergeant Michael Hernandez as the director of Veteran Services, official Nov. 1. Hernandez previously served as the senior assistant veteran service officer for Hays County, claims benefit advisor for Texas Veterans Commission and assis-

Country Fire Volleyball

specializes in cosmetology and lash extensions, which is a new service at The Hair Stop.

Advanced Manufacturing Solutions 19600 Hwy. 29 Advanced Manufacturing Solutions is expanding with the construction of four new buildings as well as corresponding water storage capacity.

Texas Classic Insurance 14251 Hwy. 29 Texas Classic Insurance is celebrating 32 years in business.

The Liberty Hill location of Texas Classic Insurance opened in 2022.

OPENING A BUSINESS? JUST PROMOTED? MOVING LOCATIONS? SHARE YOUR BUSINESS NEWS WITH US! Email rachel@LHIndependent.com

Southern Glow Tan Mobile, Liberty Hill Southern Glow Tan announced in November it would be closing its doors permanently.

Jordan Moore, The Hair Stop 100 E. Myrtle St. Jordan Moore recently joined the team at The Hair Stop. Moore

Information gathered from the City of Liberty Hill, Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation, LoopNet, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, MyGovernmentOnline and Williamson County ESD No. 4.

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Mark Koller Mark Koller is the new principal at the soon-to-open Legacy Ranch High School in Liberty Hiill. Koller comes to Liberty Hill Independent School District from the Leander Independent School District, where he most recently served as principal of Danielson Middle School. Koller is looking forward to starting a lasting legacy at LHISD’s newest school.

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER LHI MONTHLY: What are the biggest challenges of opening up a brand-new school and in particular, a high school that is only going to have freshman and sophomores the first two years, not to mention being in a different building?

KOLLER: Our goal is to create a campus culture students are excited to be a part of. I’m not sure if the challenges associated with opening a school are any different from the day to day challenges any school faces. That doesn’t mean it will be easy. Ultimately, we are challenged with providing a supportive learning environment where all students can succeed. There is obvious excitement associated with something new and “building a legacy.” My hope is that the community embraces Legacy Ranch because we continue the rich traditions of building champions in Liberty Hill ISD. Partnering with Mr. Ellison and the wonderful staff at Liberty Hill High School will be key to ensuring our freshmen and sophomores experience the high school experience they deserve.

LHI MONTHLY: What kinds of things had you heard or what was your image of Liberty Hill ISD as an outsider and how has that compared to the reality you’ve now experienced?

KOLLER: Having served on campuses close to Liberty Hill for a number of years, I’ve always admired the community and culture associated with Panther Nation. Being here is different. This district is truly amazing.

From Superintendent Snell to the Board

and within the district I can rely on if I have questions. Kids are kids. I’m a parent of an elementary-aged, middle school-aged, and high school-aged student. Sometimes there are not much different, but just new challenges. It’s about connecting with students. Making sure they know how important they are and helping them see where their education can take them. Success isn’t handed to us. We have to earn it. My hope is that students see their path toward college, career, or military readiness and I’m alongside to help them navigate.

LHI MONTHLY: Why did you choose education for a career in the first place and then decide to focus on administration in particular?

KOLLER: Like many educators, there are a few teachers in my K-12 of Trustees to the experience that I could point to as Pre-K students difference makers. I went to college having Thanksgiving lunch at Legacy Ranch High School principal Mark Koller with wife Natalia and daughters Sienna, Scarlett and initially for broadcast journalism Rancho Sienna Giada are now part of the Liberty Hill community after moving from Leander. COURTESY PHOTO but through various jobs realized working with kids was my calling.

Elementary, I struggled in school but was often high-school town, do you feel it’s importLHISD is so welsaved by those difference makers. So I decidant to establish your own unique culture coming and family oriented. LHISD values ed I would give back to students like me. My as a school aside from LHHS or is it more our students, staff and community partnerpath to administration was sparked from important to blend in with the rest of the ships and it is evident in every interaction leaders believing in me and seeing potential school district overall?

I’ve experienced. in my classroom to go further in my career.

Through leadership development programs KOLLER: I feel it’s important to create LHI MONTHLY: What are your short and in my former district, I was led to go back a culture aligned with our district vision of long-term goals for Legacy Ranch and what to school to obtain my masters in education building champions in academic, character, needs to happen for those goals to be accomadministration and the rest is history. I and community. There should not be a difplished? just hope to continue to pay that forward to ference in the level of expectation a student teachers and students. or parent should have if they live east of KOLLER: Short term. Hiring, hiring, hiring.

183 or west of 183. United as one LHISD is We need to staff our campus and that will LHI MONTHLY: What aspects of opening important. A true partnership with our happen throughout the spring semester. It’s Legacy Ranch are you most excited about feeder schools as well as Liberty Hill High important to recruit the very best educaand why?

School will only enhance the success for tors across the district, state, or country to all. Our name says it. Legacy Ranch will go help open LRHS. We will also really start KOLLER: All of it. This is such a fun process out of our way to pay tribute to the legacy of digging into writing a vision for LRHS. That of branding and building and learning and LHISD and all those that came before us. We cannot be done in an office in isolation. I’ll growing. It is a wild ride and I’m so excited will be new and shiny but when it gets down spend time during the spring meeting with to be a part of it. to it, we are going to focus on student learnstudents, community members and staff as ing, growth, and achievement. One of they onboard, really listening to their hopes LHI MONTHLY: How would you describe LHISD’s belief statements says every child and dreams for LRHS. Together we will set your overall philosophy of education? deserves the highest quality education. We the stage for a great high school experience. want to make sure we deliver on that belief.

Long-term? Legacy Ranch will become KOLLER: I’m for students first. Every another shining example of the amazing student every day. I believe we can create LHI MONTHLY: As a first-time high-school schools Liberty Hill ISD offers as a destinaa classroom where student discourse and principal, how will it be different at the hightion district in the state of Texas. It will be accountability are key while maintaining a school level and what are some of the new neat to drive down 29 and see flags flying level of safety so students feel they can challenges you will face that weren’t evident for both schools as pride for being a part of take academic risks. I also believe in strong at the elementary and middle-school levels?

LHISD does not divide with a second high community partnerships. I plan to conschool, it enhances. tinue my passion for community outreach KOLLER: There is going to be lots to learn and openness so all feel welcome at Legacy as each level is uniquely different. Luckily, LHI MONTHLY: As a second high school Ranch High School.

I have peers scattered throughout the state opening in what has traditionally been a one

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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COMMUNITY

Annual Christmas Festival set for Dec. 9 Downtown Liberty Hill to transform into a winter wonderland

BY RACHEL MADISON

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Downtown Liberty Hill will make its annual transformation into a winter wonderland Dec. 9 for the Christmas Festival and parade, which will feature everything from a real snow sledding hill to appearances from Santa and some of his closest friends.

Katie Amsler, director of community engagement and communications for Liberty Hill, said the event this year will be reminiscent of last year’s festival. The highlights of the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., include an ice-skating rink, a real snow field and horse and carriage rides at the Water Tower Parking Lot. New this year will be a real snow sledding hill, Amsler said.

“Kids can get on tubes and sled down the hill all day long,” she added. “We’ve moved all the snow activities to the field behind the old VFW building, so there’s more space for the kids.”

The kid zone, called Tiny Elf Land this year, will cater specifically to kids ages six and younger. It will be set up behind Viridian Rowe and will offer a variety of bounce houses for the youngest festival goers to play on.

At the Stubblefield Visitors Center, attendees will get a chance to meet Santa

as well as other popular characters from Frozen. Photos with Santa and the Frozen characters will take place inside the visitors center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Additionally, students who attend the Liberty Hill School of Music will be performing throughout the day, Amsler said.

In front of the Stubblefield Visitors Center, the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce will have an information booth set up, along with goodie bags and copies of The Liberty Hill Independent for the first 400 people to stop by.

Additionally, the Liberty Hill Public Library will have an engagement booth set up with crafts for kids and information for the library’s future building plans.

Numerous shopping and food vendors will line Main Street as well as the side streets across downtown. Some of the food vendors this year include Munch Munch Waffles & More, Waterloo Coffee Company, Hot Diggity Dawgz and Hill Country Kettle Korn.

“There will also be great shopping for Christmas presents from all the vendors,” Amsler said. “We have some really incredible vendors this year, so I encourage everyone to show up with their Christmas lists ready to shop.”

Following the festival, the annual lighted parade will take place along Main Street beginning at 6 p.m. Amsler said

The ever-popular snow activities will be held on the field behind the old VFW building this year, including a sledding hill, which is new this year. COURTESY PHOTO

even with the roundabout construction, the parade route will remain the same as in years past. She expects the parade to be about the same size as last year.

“One of the new rules this year is that floats can’t throw candy, but people can walk behind them and pass out candy,” Amsler said, adding that this change will

The annual lighted Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. and make its way down Main Street as part of Liberty Hill’s Annual Christmas Festival on Dec. 9. COURTESY PHOTO

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

make the event safer for everyone. “We also want to stress that parade goers need to stay behind the cones during the parade for safety.”

Parking for the event is free and will be available at Cross Tracks Church, Lions Foundation Park, Liberty Hill Elementary School, Noble Elementary School and One Chapel. Free pedicabs will be going up and down both sides of Main Street to shuttle people to the festival, Amsler added.

Parking on Main Street or any downtown side streets will be prohibited after 11 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8. From 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 9, Main Street and all side streets between RR 1869 and Munro will be closed.

Additionally, from 5:45 to 10 p.m., Main Street and all side streets from Munro to Noble Elementary will also be closed for the parade.

Admission and most activities at the festival are free. For more information, visit www.experiencelhtx. com.

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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COVER STORY

It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas

Michelle Doyon of Michelle’s Patisserie shares holiday baking tips as she prepares to open storefront in Liberty Hill

BY RACHEL MADISON

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Life is especially sweet for Michelle Doyon these days, as she’s putting the finishing touches on her new bakery and storefront right in the heart of Liberty Hill.

Her bakery, aptly named Michelle’s Patisserie, is set to open in the iconic pink house on Main Street, just across from Tractor Supply. And while she doesn’t have an official opening date set—she’s still finalizing a few things with the health department—she expects to be open within the next several weeks.

Additionally, beginning Dec. 5, she plans on accepting online orders that can be picked up from her commercial kitchen, a brand-new building she constructed to produce all her sweet treats, which sits just behind the pink house.

The Patisserie Upon entering the pink house, an antique, vintage vibe is the first thing you’ll notice. There are vintage chandeliers, Maire Antoinette wallpaper, royal

cats stitched on pillows (really!) and an assortment of beautiful teapots, teacups and other serving dishes. There’s even a vintage pink refrigerator, which complements the outside of the house nicely.

“I wanted it to be playful, fun and inviting,” Doyon said. “I have this vision in my head and I’m trying to bring it to life.”

Since embarking on this new bakery project about two years ago, Doyon has been collecting items that speak to that vision, including unique chairs and the teapots she plans to serve during tea parties inside the pink house.

“I find most of the teapots and cups at antique stores around the area,” Doyon said. “I’ve been collecting them for a long time.”

The first room of the pink house will serve as the retail storefront, where customers can stop in to purchase cupcakes, cakes, cookies, croissants and more. A prep kitchen and dining area are off to the left, which Doyon said will be perfect for private tea parties, and the back room sits ready to accommodate customers who want to grab a coffee and a baked good and relax for a while.

Michelle’s Patisserie will be housed inside the iconic pink house on Main Street, across the way from Tractor Supply. PHOTO BY RACHEL MADISON

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

Tea parties at the pink house will be perfect for bridal showers or baby showers, Doyon said, and will include pastries, tea sandwiches and of course, tea service.

The pink house also has a second floor, but for now, Doyon plans on using it as a storage area.

The standalone commercial kitchen behind the house gives Doyon ample space for she and her team to bake. The commercial kitchen includes large walk-in refrigerators, prep tables and racks, an office and a pick-up window for customers.

“We’ll be able to produce a lot more here,” Doyon said. “We can really concentrate on baking while we’re back here.”

Currently, MiMichelle Doyon, owner of Michelle’s Patisserie, is readying her storefront and chelle’s Patisserie is located in Austin, and café for opening later this month. Until then, she’s sharing her best baking tips. utilizes a much smaller PHOTO BY ANNA McVEY kitchen. Doyon plans on keeping her Austin bakery, as it will Tricks of the Trade continue to serve as a place for her to As she readies her bakery for its public meet with brides for cake tastings. opening, Doyon shared some of her best The pink house and commercial kitchbaking tips for readers of The Indepenen sit on three acres, which Doyon hopes dent just in time for holiday baking. to utilize in the future. She envisions Doyon said the easiest thing anyone hosting events there, like outdoor comcan bake, even if they aren’t much of a munity tea parties or local markets. baker, is cookies, like the raspberry alDoyon doesn’t know a lot of history mond thumbprint cookies she provided about the house, but understands it was a recipe for (see page 13). built in the early 1980s by the Ledbetter “Cookies are festive and it’s easy to family. The patriarch of the family was a follow a recipe to get a successful result,” preacher in the area and had a stainedshe said. “You don’t have to do shaped glass window brought from his church cookies. You can do drop cookies, which to represent the four members of his are even easier.” family when the house was built. Doyon Doyon admitted she turns to Pinterest has kept the stained-glass window as an homage to the home’s original owners.

COVER STORY for new cookie recipe ideas all the time, even though she’s spent much of her adult life as a professional baker.

“There are just so many ideas out there, and even though I’ve been doing this most of my life, there’s still so many more recipes to learn,” she said.

If cookies aren’t your thing, Doyon said cuPcakes are another fun and easy way to get into holiday baking.

“One of my tips when baking cupcakes is to take them out of the oven a couple of minutes before you think they’ll be ready,” she said. “If the recipe says to bake them for 15 minutes, then take them out at about 13 minutes. The cupcakes will continue to bake in the pan a little bit with the heat, but they’ll turn out more moist that way.”

Doyon said you can’t ever go wrong with a classic buttercream frosting to frost cupcakes, which is just a simple mix of butter, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. And lastly, if you’re in doubt, Doyon’s ultimate secret for baking is edible glitter, which can be added to any frosting.

“Edible glitter jazzes everything up,” she said. “I’m a strong believer that it makes everything look better.”

Ultimately, even if you’re not a professional baker like Doyon, it’s more about the act

The prep kitchen and dining area (left) inside Michelle’s Patisserie provides the perfect location for private tea parties, complete with tea sandwiches, pastries and tea service.

Doyon has been collecting antique and vintage looking teapots and cups (right) for her new Liberty Hill location. PHOTOS BY RACHEL MADISON/ANNA McVEY

of baking than the end result, she said.

“Baking is one of those comfort things, where you can be surrounded by family and eat something delicious,” Doyon said.

“Those things just go hand in hand and it’s

a special time when you’re doing that. Even if you don’t have a big family, just baking together and having fun and being creative brings out a lot of joy naturally. There’s just something about being home and creating

and enjoying food together.”

To follow along for the official opening of Michelle’s Patisserie in Liberty Hill, visit michellespatisserie.com or follow Michelle’s Patisserie on Facebook and Instagram.

Michelle Doyon frosts a chocolate cupcake with buttercream frosting in the shape of a wreath to add a holiday touch. PHOTO BY ANNA McVEY

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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Visit V isit O Our ur T Tent ent a att tthe he LLiberty iberty Hill Christmas Festival H ill C hristmas F estival Saturday, D Saturday, December ecember 9 9,, 110am-3pm 0am-3pm

We N We Need eed Y Your our O Opinion pinion & Y Your our V Vote! ote!

Which W hich sspaces paces & sservice ervice a areas reas d do oy you ou tthink hink tthat hat o ur ccommunity ommunity n eeds iin nan ew llibrary? ibrary? our needs new P articipants m ay w in a $ 50 g iiffftt ccard! ard!

Participants may win $50 gift

Kids, K ids, m make ake a R Rudolph udolph o larice H eadband! orr C Clarice Headband!

Pet Pictures with

A Fundraiser for Living Grace Canine Ranch & the Library Bookmobile Fund

Saturday, December 16, 10:00am-12:00pm & 1:00-3:00pm Have your pet’s picture taken with Santa! All pets welcome! $10 suggested donation!

Help us make fleece beds for the senior dogs at Living Grace Canine Ranch.

Everyone is welcome to join us!

Paw Print Pastries will be selling holiday treats for your pets. A portion of all proceeds will go to Living Grace Canine Ranch

Winter Reading Bingo Challenge

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A handmade holiday Mosaic Garden Treasures specializes in unique glass art Christmas ornaments, decor

BY RACHEL MADISON

OWNER/PUBLISHER

For more than 20 years, Jean Porras has been using her talents to create beautiful mosaics in the forms of benches, pots, bird feeders and more. For the last six years, she’s been sharing that talent with the communities of Bertram and Liberty Hill.

Porras is the owner of Mosaic Garden Treasures in downtown Bertram, a unique décor, gift and gardening shop all in one.

While her store is full of her handmade creations year-round, including soaps, bath salts and candles, no other time of year is more inviting than the holidays, when she transforms the inside into a beautiful tribute to Christmas and offers unique works of holiday art, all made from glass.

Porras works mainly with fused glass, which she uses to create everything from Christmas trees and snowmen to ornaments and nutcrackers.

“Almost everything I sell in the store I make at home in my workshop,” Porras said. “I have five kilns, and after I make my creations, I fire them in the kilns,

and they turn into these beautiful glass pieces.”

From mid-October through Christmas, she also offers fused glass workshops for children and adults.

“When I do workshops, I let people pick their base and then let them have fun and be creative to make their tree or snowman or whatever it is the way they want,” she said. “Some people ask me for help, and I’m happy to do that. I tell everyone that I won’t let anybody go home with anything ugly.”

To create her glass designs, Porras first goes to a wholesale glass company in Houston to pick up several sheets of glass in 2-foot by 4-foot pieces. She cuts down the class to different sizes based on the projects she’s doing and the workshops she’s hosting.

“Everything I do is fused glass,” she said. “If it’s not that type of glass, it can break after it comes out of the kiln and cools off. It’s different from stained glass.

I fire it at 1,385 degrees using a technique called tack fuse, which means it doesn’t melt all the way. It’s kind of tacked in there where it still looks dimensional. I like the tacked look best.”

Before firing her projects, or those of the people she teaches at her workshops, each fused glass mosaic tree or snowman or nutcracker is simply glued together with standard glue.

“I show everyone how to use the glass

Jean Porras can make almost anything out of fused glass, including Christmas trees, snowmen, sleighs and reindeer. She hosts workshops out of her Bertram shop to teach others to do the same.

PHOTO BY RACHEL MADISON

Jean Porras, owner of Mosaic Garden Treasures, has been making unique fused glass art and mosaic creations for over 20 years. PHOTO BY RACHEL MADISON

tools, like the glass cutter and mosaic cutter, so they can cut pieces the way they want for their projects,” Porras said.

“Every design made is different from the next. The possibilities with glass art are really endless.”

Porras has been doing glass and mosaic work since 1999. She learned the art of glass work from her father, who took up stained glass art after he retired.

“He taught me, but I had no patience for stained glass,” Porras said. “It’s a long process and I want my projects done right now. It evolved from there. Since 1999, I’ve done craft shows and festivals and then for about a year in Killeen I owned a store with a friend, but that was 15 or so years ago.”

For the last six years, Porras has put her heart, soul and talent into Mosaic Garden Treasures in Bertram.

“I never thought I’d have my own store—it just kind of happened,” she said.

“My husband encouraged me to try it, and we’ve been here ever since.”

Besides the hours she spends in her store, Porras also spends about 30 hours in her home workshop creating her glass and mosaic designs.

“I just love where I’m at,” she said.

Mosaic Garden Treasures is open Thursdays through Saturdays. Workshops are held periodically through Christmas. For more information on upcoming workshops, visit Mosaic Garden Treasures on Facebook.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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BUSINESS

Merry and bright Local businesses light up the holidays with Christmas light installation services

to grow every year, so we don’t even have to advertise,” McCracken said.

Katie and Jason Hall own Liberty Hillbased Nighthawk Lighting, which is a business they focus on seasonally when Jason’s

BY RACHEL MADISON day job in roofing sales slows down during OWNER/PUBLISHER the colder months. In addition to temporary Christmas lights, the Halls also offer permanent lights to customers.

Most homes across Liberty Hill are looking “The majority of people prefer the tempoextra cheerful this month, and for many of rary lights because it’s a cheaper option, but the people in those homes, it is all thanks to the permanent lights are becoming more of area businesses that specialize in installing a trend,” Hall said. “They are obviously more Christmas lights. expensive, but they really are permanent.

Jesse McCracken and Brett Billingsley are You can change the colors to whatever you the duo that make up Liberty Hill-based want and customize the lights to your own Christmas light installation business J&B settings.”

Lighting. Both have day jobs year-round, but Colby McCuiston is another area light induring the holidays, they take on an extra staller who has tapped into the Liberty Hill role as light installers for homes across Christmas lighting market.

Liberty Hill.

“I was born and raised in Liberty Hill, and “We both have young kids, and we started when I was a teenager, I started a landdoing it as a way to make some extra money scaping company,” he said. “In the winter for Christmas presents for our kids, but now there wasn’t any work, so I thought, ‘I’m not we have a good client base that continues scared of heights, so maybe I’ll install Christmas lights.’

Most people don’t like climbing on the roof. Growing up my dad wouldn’t even get on the roof, and he is a manly man, so if he won’t do it, there must be a lot of people who won’t do it.”

McCuiston was right. His first year, he installed a few lights on houses on his own, but also worked alongside a family friend learning all the Jesse McCracken and Brett Billingsley work together to install Christmas tricks of custom-fit Christlights during the holiday months to earn extra money for Christmas gifts. mas light installation. Since COURTESY PHOTO branching out on his own, he has increased the number of homes he installs lights on every year. Last year, he did 80 homes, and hopes to do the same this year.

McCuiston’s largest project for the last two years has been River Ranch Inn on County Road 279. He spent an entire 12-hour day, along with three other people, installing the lights to get the project done this year.

“The owner brought lights in by the bedful, and we cover Jason Hall, of Nighthawk Lighting, offers both temporary and permanent every banister and railing in lighting products. The permanent lights stay on the home and the colors lights,” he said. “When I fincan be changed as often as customers like. COURTESY PHOTO ish it and stand back and look

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

Colby McCuiston has installed the Christmas lights on River Ranch Inn in Liberty Hill for the last two years. The job is the largest one he does every year. COURTESY PHOTO

at it [after it gets dark], I just think, ‘Yeah, that is pretty amazing.’”

McCracken and Billingsly stick to residential lighting, which has been a great line of work for them, Billingsly said.

“As the years go on, people understand more and more that by outsourcing jobs to someone who can do it quickly gives them more quality time with their families during the holiday season,” he said. “Some people might have to take off work for a day just to put the lights up for their kids, but when we do it, its painless and you can stay at work or do whatever you need to do.”

Jason agreed. Last year, he installed lights on over 300 homes and expects to exceed that amount this year.

“Everybody wants to be festive, but the ability for them to do the work themselves isn’t always there,” he said. “Having someone else do it for you also means they can custom cut the lights to your home and know exactly how many you need. Then the next year, it’s even easier to hang up the lights.”

Jason said as a light installer, he also knows a lot of tricks to installing the lights more efficiently, like using a batter-operated glue gun to stick the lights to virtually any outdoor surface or understanding the difference between the various shades of white.

The job does have some hazards, as working on a roof can. McCuiston said he’s fallen off a couple of one-story roofs and had a 22-foot ladder snap in half on him last year.

Fortunately, he hasn’t suffered any injuries from those incidents, and heights haven’t started to scare him yet.

“Whenever I open up times for installs, they book immediately,” he said. “When I first started installing lights, it wasn’t as popular, but now it seems like everybody wants to get their Christmas lights in-

stalled.”

Some customers prefer to purchase their own lights, while others want the installers to purchase the lights for them. It differs based on each company—but one thing that is consistent is that the businesses all offer take-down and storage services at the end of the season for each customer.

For most local light installers, the cost is based on the complexity of the project—like how many eaves a house has or how steep the roof is—and many build in the removal and storage of the lights into the cost, too.

“We’re just two dads trying to provide a nice holiday experience for people around Liberty Hill,” McCracken said. “It’s a fun experience to take our kids around and show them the houses we’ve done.”

Colby McCuiston spent 12 hours installing lights at River Ranch Inn in mid-November. PHOTO BY RACHEL MADISON

SPORTS

Pair of former Panthers kickers nominated for prestigious honor Twin brothers Matthew and Mason Shipley semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Each college football season, the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award is given to the nation’s top kicker and this year a pair of former Liberty Hill players made the cut as two of the 20 semifinalists.

Matthew Shipley, a senior at the University of Hawaii and twin brother Mason, who is a sophomore at Texas State University – both members of Liberty Hill’s Class of 2020 – have gone on to excel at the NCAA Division I level and have now been rewarded for their efforts by being nominated for the prestigious honor, which is handed out each year by the Palm Beach Sports Commission.

The award has been handed out to college football’s outstanding kicker since 1992 and is named after NFL Hall-of-Famer Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons for the Cleveland Browns during which he was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954, was also an all-pro offensive lineman and is largely credited for ushering the notion of teams having place-kicking specialists on their rosters.

Matthew Shipley said being nominated for the second time is even more enjoyable this time around due to the fact his brother joined him on the list.

“It’s a good feeling to be on the list again and is a cool thing to experience,” said Shipley, who this season was 30-of-31 on extra points and 14-of-18 on field goals for the Warriors. “Mason and I grew up together and are best friends – we talk on the phone every day – so it’s pretty unique to be on the list with him.”

Mason Shipley expressed gratitude for his inclusion.

“Definitely, it’s a great feeling,” he said.

“But, first and foremost, I give glory to God for giving this opportunity and I’ve also been really blessed to have a good offense that puts me in position to make kicks.”

Mason has only missed a single kick all season in going 52-of-53 on extra points and a perfect 14-of-14 on field goals for a Bobcats team that went 7-5 and qualified for the first bowl game in school history.

Originally, Mason had gone to Oklahoma State University, but after a redshirt season for the Cowboys, he transferred to Texas State, where his career has taken off after a rough start, he said.

“The opportunity was better for me here,” said Mason. “So, it was a good move for me.”

During the brothers’ respective senior

Matthew Shipley (1) recently completed his senior season at the University of Hawaii and was nominated for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

Mason Shipley (17) is currently kicking for Texas State University after a four-year Liberty Hill high-school career and was nominated for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

seasons with the Panthers in 2019, they shared kicking duties for the Purple-andGold with Mason punting. Due to the efficiency of Liberty Hill’s Slot-T offense, though, field-goal attempts were few and far between, although there were certainly plenty of extra points.

However, both Shipleys fared extremely well at elite kicking camps attended by college scouts, which opened the door for Division I offers.

Mason said it was an adjustment kicking at the college level compared to his highschool days.

“In high school, the guys are smaller,” said Mason. “But, in college, you have to get the ball out quick and up higher. Although the biggest thing is being mentally prepared and having a proper routine. When it’s your time, you have to execute, have belief and confidence and go out and do your job.”

Matthew said it took awhile for him to settle in upon his arrival in the 50th state.

“My freshman year, I came in and had to figure it out,” he said. “The hardest part were the small things as far as realizing how important it is to get ready for games because the atmosphere in college is different.

But, by my sophomore year, I had it down.”

But, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing in the Pacific since, as Matthew underwent back surgery in April to repair a herniated disc only to come back strong for this past season.

According to Matthew, the football scene in Hawaii is quite different than back home in Texas.

“They take it pretty seriously here and people like their football,” he said. “There’s definitely a culture surrounding it, but of

course, it’s nothing like Texas.”

Matthew had an opportunity to play at one of college football’s most iconic venues last season – a memory he won’t soon forget, he said.

“We went to Michigan and got to play at The Big House in front of 100,000 people,” he said. “We’ve also played UNLV at the Raiders’ stadium in Vegas, so that was cool, too.”

Matthew and Mason aren’t the only members of the Shipley household to play college football, though, as older brother Michael, who graduated with Liberty Hill’s Class of 2018 and went on to kick at West Texas A&M University.

Mason said being part of a kicking family tree definite has its advantages.

“It’s really cool because we all coach each other,” he said. “We watch film of each other and talk each other through the process.”

Matthew is majoring in interdisciplinary studies, while Mason is studying economics, but with both brothers enjoying excellent college playing careers, the lifelong dream of playing at the professional level is now one step closer.

“I have another year of eligibility left,” said Matthew, who is on schedule to graduate in the spring. “So, I don’t know yet what I’m going to do.”

Mason is a few years away from that crossroads at this point and said the possibility is real, but he’s not focused on that yet.

“I don’t think about it too much,” he said.

“If kicking in the NFL could be my future job, that would be great and every time I go out to kick, I’m building a resume for the next level.”

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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PANTHER OF THE MONTH

Living up to lofty expectations Purple-and-Gold point guard values sibling relationship

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Gabby Mundy didn’t have far to go to find a role model.

After all, he was right in her own home and even played the same sport – older brother Bobby, who graduated with Liberty Hill’s Class of 2021 and played on the Panthers’ basketball team.

“Bobby had a lot of influence on me,” said Mundy, a junior point guard for the Lady Panthers. “He’s my older brother and I looked up to him in every aspect.”

Mundy said she was inspired by Bobby in the sporting sense, as if she wanted to be just like him.

“Everything he did, I did,” she said. “We were pretty competitive.”

However, once she reached middle school, it became quite clear where Mundy’s athletic journey would take her.

“I decided I was going to play basketball,” she said. “I like the fact it was an indoor sport, was more of my thing and I just loved it – it was what I wanted to do.”

Mundy can still recall her earliest roundball memories, she said.

“I remember picking up a basketball and starting to learn how to dribble and handle the ball,” said Mundy. “I always knew I was

going to be shorter, so I wasn’t going to be a post.”

Instead, the now-5-foot-5 Mundy became an orchestrator at the point guard position and hasn’t looked back since in leading the Panthers at every level she’s played at, up to and including debuting on the Liberty Hill varsity as a freshman.

On the eve of the beginning of district play that season, Mundy was thrust into the limelight due to a teammate’s injury and seamlessly took over the reins of the offense as if she had been there all along – an occurrence Lady Panthers head coach Chris Lange said was the culmination of an organic process.

“By then, Gabby had already made it obvious to me and her teammates she deserved to be the starter,” he said. “It became clearer and clearer for me to put her into that spot.”

Lange added Mundy is the kind of player that needs no extra motivation to strive to get better.

“She puts in a lot of work on her own, which not everybody does,” he said. “So, it’s good to see all her work paying off.”

Of course, Mundy was also still wanting to live up to Bobby’s standards, as well, said Lange.

“I think it helped a lot for her to have

Liberty Hill’s Gabby Mundy (2) burst onto the scene as a freshman and has led the Lady Panthers to consecutive Class 5A state regional finals. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

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someone to look up to and strive for excellence,” he said. “Sometimes when you want to impress a sibling, it helps you grow in wanting them to look at you.”

One thing Lange said separates Mundy from her peers is her unflappable demeanor regardless of the situation or what’s at stake.

“Gabby’s not fazed by anything,” he said. “She handles pressure and big moments – clutch moments in the playoffs.”

Speaking of the postseason, Mundy has led the Lady Panthers to the Class 5A state regional finals in each of her first two seasons, success that has increased her confidence to the point now where she will be a de-facto on-the-court coach.

“During practice, she’ll stop something we’re doing and explain to everyone else what’s supposed to be happening,” said Lange. “She coaches, but she’s also still completely coachable. Gabby stepped up and Gabby Mundy (2) has balanced the ability to score with distribshowed an interest in that part of it uting the ball depending on the situation as she has continued to grow as a player. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO and even took control of our team during the fall league.”

“I’m not a ball-hog,” she said. “I always According to Mundy, a studious want to make sure I can pass the ball, but approach is one she’s always taken. sometimes I need to shoot – I’m still strug“I’ve always been a student of the game,” she said. “As a point guard, you need to gling to get better at that.” know where everyone on the court should Lange said Mundy has done well in that be and that’s why I’m a student because it regard as she has gained more experience. helps a lot.”

“She knows when to take it on her own Despite the fact she’s still barely halfway and can turn it on and off as needed,” he through high school, Mundy has already said. “It’s a good balance being able to read received plenty of attention from college the flow of the game.” scouts at the NCAA Division I level, but Mundy began her high-school career she’s also considered what she might pura year after Bobby left for Texas Tech University, so their respective times as a sue in the classroom once she matriculates Panther never overlapped, which means to the next level in a couple years. when the older sibling is back these days “Probably something in business manfor a visit, it’s a special time – such as one agement,” said Mundy. “I feel like my job particular instance she readily recalls. on the floor now means I can be a leader “Bobby’s someone I’ve been with my and be able to control and be the boss of whole life and then he was gone,” she said. something.”

“There was one game when he came to see Mundy said she was always a standout us play at Austin High and it was surprise while working her way up the hoops ranks, – I didn’t know he was going to be there – I but has never let that dissuade her from cried. He’s my brother and always someone a relentless pursuit of constant improveI’ve loved and competed with.” ment.

Along those lines of love blended with “You can always be better than what you competitive spirit, when Bobby delivered think you are,” she said. “I always know I his speech as class valedictorian during can do better – it’s just a matter of doing it.” graduation, he thanked his sister for her As a point guard, Mundy has to walk support over the years, but also made light the fine line of knowing when to take the of the fact he could still beat her at oneshot herself and when to give it up to a on-one – a fact Gabby steadfastly denies to teammate that might be in a better scoring this day. position – something she has inner conflict “I can definitely beat him now and I at times with, but not in the way one might could even then,” she said. “He knows it, think. too.”

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23

SPORTS

Learning from experience Panthers hoops squad hopes to build on wisdom gained

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Twelve years is a long time to wait for anything.

Yet that was how long Blake Boren served as an assistant coach under his father, longtime Panthers bench boss Barry Boren, before finally getting the opportunity to slide down one more chair on the bench in taking over the program upon his father’s retirement after the 2021-22 season.

After having played for the elder Boren during his high-school career, then learning alongside him for over a decade, perhaps nobody was more qualified to take the reins upon his appointment.

However, nothing could truly prepare him for what it would be like the first time he sent his Panthers out onto the court in being the head man and Boren found that out the hard way, as he experienced a season of ups and downs that ultimately resulted in a winning record at 20-16, but a fifth-place finish in the district standings that saw the Purple-andGold miss out on the playoffs after losing out on a tiebreaker with Glenn, which finished with an identical 7-7 league mark.

According to Boren, this time around will be easier due to the fact he had an entire offseason to prepare – a luxury he didn’t have last year.

“The most important thing is this year I got

a full spring, which sets the tone for the summer and that carried over to the incredible offseason we had,” said Boren. “Anything we worked on was with intent – we played with a purpose.”

In addition, Boren said he had to crack the whip a bit more that he was willing to during his maiden campaign on the sidelines.

“This year is completely different in a good way,” he said. “We needed to be more disciplined and we’re better off for it.”

Boren also needed to step of the considerable shadow of his father in order to be his own coach – something that is easier with a year of experience now under his belt, he said.

“I think I’ve been able to balance it and do it both ways,” said Boren, of the blend of goodcop-bad-cop psychology required to run a tight, ordered program. “I had to find my own way – last year was tough – we went through just about everything. Once we got behind in district, we had to mount a comeback and I had to change as a coach.”

On the court this season, Boren has a mix of returners and players new to the program at his disposal and leading the pack will be 5-foot-11 junior point guard Marchel Timmons, who transferred in after playing at Georgetown the past two years and featuring on the Eagles’ varsity squad last season as a sophomore.

“Marchel is a true point guard,” said Boren.

Panthers point guard Marchel Timmons (5) transferred to Liberty Hill from Georgetown after two seasons on the Eagles’ varsity squad. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

24 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

Liberty Hill senior Luke Lande (12) will be looked to for leadership and scoring this season for the Panthers as they embark on a new campaign. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO “We’re lucky to have him because he’s strong and really good defensively. Also, whenever we get new players, they have to buy into our system and he’s done that.”

Another transfer is 6-foot-2 shooting guard Brian Stewart, who transferred from Vista Ridge and will compliment Timmons’ distribution of the ball with sharp shooting skills, he said.

“Brian has an extremely quick release,” said Boren. “Which you need in our system.”

Most prominent among the Panthers who are back this year is 6-foot-3 senior guard Luke Lande, who Boren said is the quintessential Purple-and-Gold basketball player.

“With Luke, it’s more a question of what does he not bring?” he said. “He’s our best shooter, our smartest player and on top of all that, he’s been in Liberty Hill his whole life, does the right thing all the time and is a perfectionist who leads by example.”

Lande said he’s using last season as a lesson moving forward into this year.

“We had to shift our attitude to be better and learn from our failures,” he said. “All of us need to be on the same page as far as where we need to be on the floor, get our shots and play aggressive defense. I just want to help lead this team in winning district and making it to the playoffs.”

Liberty Hill will certainly be loaded down low in the paint with a trio of junior post players that all stand 6-foot-7 in Austin Fulford, Erik Richardson and Jaxson Scott, which should make venturing into the area under and around the basket hazardous for opponents.

Richardson, at 240 pounds, is the most physically imposing, but is still getting accustomed to the rigors of banging bodies with the big boys, said Boren.

“I think he needed a year to be on varsity without necessarily being depended on too much,” he said. “Erik’s one of the strongest guys in our program and can run up and down the floor.”

Along with Lande, fellow seniors and forwards Toby Rimann and Ray Avery will bring stability to the Liberty Hill lineup, said Boren.

“Toby is the anchor in our press, was in the gym a lot this summer and plays as hard as he can the entire time he’s on the court,” he said.

“Ray is our vocal leader, doesn’t let people do their own thing and is a high-character kid.”

Glenn, Cedar Park and Leander will be the Panthers’ primary rivals this season and make no mistake, Boren and his squad are aiming high despite last season’s disappointment, he said.

“We plan on being in a dogfight for first in district,” said Boren. “People may not think we can based on last year, but you’ll never hear me say we’re playing for fourth place. Last season, we always seemed to have a point in games when we struggled offensively, but we geared ourselves to fix that.”

As a Class 5A program these days, Boren is optimistic about the future.

“On the first day of tryouts this year, we had 60 kids and we’ve never had that many,” he said. “Last year, our goal was to build depth and we’ve accomplished that. We’ve never had the kind of talent at Liberty Hill as we do now.”

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

25

SPORTS

Doing the dirty work

Lady Panthers sophomore duo provides defense, rebounding

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Both Falon Stroup and Renee Stemmons are sophomores who made their respective varsity debuts for the Lady Panthers last season as freshman.

But, the similarities certainly don’t end there.

Both are roughly six feet tall and both are more than willing to do much of the dirty work on a basketball court any team needs to win games.

According to Liberty Hill head coach Chris Lange, the duo is indispensable.

“Both of them are hard-nosed and dependable,” said Lange. “More importantly, both want to do well.”

Stroup, who stands 6 feet, is the Lady Panthers’ resident rebounding machine, having no fear whatsoever of banging bodies with the big girls under the boards in doing whatever it takes to secure the ball.

But, it’s more than just desire that guides her, said Lange.

“Rebounding is definitely a skill and Falon has it,” he said, of the feisty forward. “Either she finds the ball or it finds her – she’s always in the right place at the right time and fights her way through. Some people just have a knack for it. Coming in last year as a freshman, you don’t think she’s going to be able to

do it, but she has great upper-body strength and a will to battle.”

Much of Stroup’s penchant for pounding the glass is genetic, as mother Nichole was a standout post player for St. Edward’s University and was elected into the Austin school’s Hall of Fame in 2020 after a career that saw her rank third all-time in points (1,520), fourth in rebounds (779) and fifth in blocks (68) in addition to being a three-time all-conference selection and second-team all-region honors for the now-NCAA Division II Hilltoppers.

In other words, when Mom speaks, it behooves Stroup to listen to someone who has been there and done that, she said.

“She always tells me, ‘If you’re just going to stand there and watch the ball, you can go watch from the bench,’” said Stroup, whose father Joshua was also an accomplished player. “I know she’s right and both of my parents have a lot of great information to help guide me.”

Stroup said her Jedi-like ability to track the ball quickly gives her an advantage.

“The first thing is to see where the ball is and not the player you’re up against,” she said.

“After that, it’s easier to go after.”

Stroup also plays volleyball and attributes her ball-tracking abilities to her other court exploits.

“In volleyball, you see the ball, you want it

Lady Panthers forward Falon Stroup (24) plays a physical game under the basket in addition to her rugged rebounding skills. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

26 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

Liberty Hill’s Renee Stemmons (23) provides tough defense and rebounding for the Lady Panthers, along with work ethic and intensity. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO and you don’t want an opportunity to go to waste,” she said. “So, in basketball I use that to push through people and get the ball for my team.”

Defensive ace

Stemmons is known for her defensive prowess, which was one of the primary reasons the 5-foot-10 forward made the jump directly from middle-school hoops to high-school varsity – along with a rugged, physical playing style that sends a distinct message to opponents, said Lange.

“Renee is a bit of a bull out there,” he said.

“She’ll beat you up and go right through you if she has to and has the ability to do whatever it takes to win. When you make varsity as a freshman, you need to be able to find a niche and be able to help the team and Renee did that right from the start.”

Stemmons said the transition right to the varsity level for both her and Stroup was made infinitely easier by teammates that immediately made them feel like part of the group.

“It’s hard to make that step up – you need to have the skill and talent,” she said. “But, our teammates helped and made us feel accepted, so that way, it’s a lot easier to make mistakes because you know they have your back.”

Most players will tell you defense is a lot more difficult to play than offense not only due to the energy expended to lock opponents down, but the mental strain required to do so.

However, for Stemmons, it’s quite the opposite, she said.

“Obviously, it takes a lot of running to pro-

vide help for my teammates,” said Stemmons.

“Defense is more of a free-for-all and I find offense a lot more difficult.”

Speaking of offense, at some point – regardless of expertise in one particular aspect of the game – players are eventually counted on to provides points as well as prevent them, which is an organic process Stemmons has already made big strides doing, said Lange.

“Renee knows she’s playing because of her defense,” he said. “But, the offense will come as she gets more experience.”

Sophomore sensations

Lange added he knew what he was getting in Stroup and Stemmons after having seen them perform in middle school.

“With eighth-graders, you can tell just by watching them play a little who has heart,” he said. “Just never giving up and having that ‘it’ factor to be able to fight tooth and nail and help everyone else.”

After last season’s run all the way to the Class 5A state regional finals – the Lady Panthers’ second such trip in as many years – both Stroup and Stemmons are poised to take their respective games to the next level – with a bit of caution, said Lange.

“Expectations go up,” he said. “They’ll continue to improve and make some mistakes along the way, but both of them have completely bought into our system, so it’s a credit to them and their parents for raising them right.”

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

SPORTS

Establishing a new legacy Panthers wrestling team joins Liberty Hill athletic program

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

– 60 boys and 20 girls in all.

Despite the newness of the program on the Panthers’ athletic scene, Zieschang said he’s not necessarily surprised so many Last month in Gatesville, history was athletes have come out in force to be a part made as Liberty Hill’s newly-minted wresof the team. tling team competed in its inaugural match.

“There was a lot of built-up anticipation But, more than just that. of wrestling coming to Liberty Hill,” he said.

In true Liberty Hill fashion, the Panthers “Right from the beginning, we wanted to grapplers defeated the hosts for the proestablish a culture of working hard while gram’s first-ever victory. having fun and every day we have new kids According to Liberty Hill head coach at practice.”

Danny Zieschang, it was certainly a moment One of those is junior Aubree Schubert, to remember. who transferred from Stony Point this year “It was a blessing we had a chance to just in time to be part of the program’s setmake history at a school that’s known for up. having a history of athletic success,” said “I’ve done Brazilian jiu-jitsu for seven Zieschang. “We even had more people there years, which has a lot in common with cheering for us than the home team.” wrestling, but I’ve only been wrestling for Zieschang was hired to found the proa month,” said Schubert, who competes in gram back in the summer and only began the 152-pound division. “I always wanted assembling his co-ed squad once practice to start wrestling in high school because I began in the fall and already the participawant to wrestle in college and get my career tion numbers are through the roof, with 80 going and maybe own a gym someday, so wrestlers in all on the varsity and JV teams when we saw Liberty Hill was going to have a wrestling program, I knew I’d be in good hands.”

Schubert said one of the aspects of the sport that is so appealing to her is it doesn’t end when she steps off the mat at the end of a practice or meet.

“Wrestling is such a high-intensity sport because it’s a lifestyle,” she said. “You have to go home and make sure you do what you need to do to feel good as far as what you eat and getting enough rest. You have to put your whole body and soul into it and also need to be mentally strong.”

Another aspect Schubert enjoys is the individual battles that go on within the team sport, she said.

“I’ve always been Liberty Hill’s wrestling team won its inaugural match at Gatesville after having only competitive and it’s been training for two months and already has 80 members in all on the varsity and such an adrenaline JV squads. COURTESY PHOTOS rush when you step OWNER/PUBLISHER

Liberty Hill head coach Danny Zieschang instructs a pair of Panthers wrestlers during a practice earlier this season. PHOTO BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

onto the mat,” said Schubert. “It’s a chance to show all you’ve worked for – just being in a sport where you mentally grow will help me in the future as far as developing the kind of mentality to be able to handle different situations.”

Sophomore Blake Hunter competes in the 132-pound class and isn’t exactly a neophyte in knowing about the sport, although this is the first time he’s actually competing.

“My older brothers wrestled, I always enjoyed watching them and they encouraged me to do it,” he said. “So, I always wanted to and was very happy when we got a program here.”

Hunter – who also plays football and spent this past season on the Panthers’ junior varsity as a running back and cornerback – contrasted his fall pursuit with his winter endeavor.

“With football, you have to worry about everybody else on the field and what they do,” he said. “But, with wrestling, it’s just 1-v-1 on the mat – people can’t help you compete.”

Bright future

Zieschang expects his team to continue to grow as more and more are introduced to the sport, he said.

“I think once kids see it, they’re hooked and they’re ready to buy in,” said Zieschang.

“I had hoped year one would be like this and it’s already exceeded my expectations.”

Following the team’s victory in Gatesville and the 130-mile round trip that saw it get back late that night, the Panthers were back at it less than 12 hours later for a 3-mile team run around the track at Pan-

ther Stadium at 6 a.m.

Such is the way of wrestling, said Zieschang.

“One thing I noticed during our first meet is we need to work on our conditioning,” he said. “It’s incredibly important, especially when the body is tired.”

Zieschang added he believes there is a primal attraction to wrestling few sports have.

“Wrestling has been around since the first Olympics,” he said. “As a kid, there’s something natural about grappling with your brother or sister on the living room floor.”

With only a handful of his athletes having previous wrestling experience, Zieschang must make sure he takes his instructions one step at a time.

“We started off slow with only two or three basic moves, like a breakdown, takedown and a pin,” he said. “After that, we keep adding and adding.”

Zieschang has a philosophy for success that is based on five basic elements, he said.

“Physical, mental, strength, stamina and technique – that crosses over between both genders.”

For Zieschang, the proof has already been in the pudding with how many of his wrestlers have reacted after participating in the sport for only a short amount of time.

“We’re building a culture and it’s something kids really want to be a part of,” he said. “I’ve had kids come to me and say they feel healthier and the best they have in a long time, which has been very good to see.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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SPORTS

Giving up the court for the course Panthers senior golfer prefers fairways to nets

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

At age three, Joseph Sherman first swung a golf club – you know, one of those little plastic ones that comes in the set especially for aspiring toddlers.

A couple years later, he landed the real McCoy and has been swinging away ever since.

Now a Liberty Hill senior, Sherman is enjoying the game as never before and is the No. 1 player on the Panthers’ boys’ squad.

However, he still thinks back to his beginnings in the sport.

“Even as a kid, I remember always being good at driving the ball,” said Sherman. “I think tennis helped with that because both sports are rotational using your legs.”

Indeed, Sherman has also played tennis just about as long as golf and was also a member of Liberty Hill’s tennis team up until a few years ago when he decided to step away competitively to solely focus on golf – but not before he got a chance to do something he had always

wanted to.

“My older sister Sophie was on the team and we were mixed doubles partners,” he said. “I always wanted to play with her, but once I got to high school, I fell out of love with the sport because it’s year-round, there are no breaks.”

Alas, once Sophie graduated, younger brother left the purple hardcourts behind for the lush green of fairways and greens and hasn’t looked back.

Although before all of that came to fruition, Sherman had successfully fought a battle to play football in middle school despite his parents opposition, he said.

“Both of my parents are doctors, so they were big on me not playing contact sports – especially football,” said Sherman. “Finally, in eighth grade, I said ‘I’ve had enough’ and I kept bugging them until they let me. But, then I decided I didn’t want to after all.”

Liberty Hill’s golf team doesn’t have a home course, so the players are left to their own training methods, although that’s okay with Sherman, he said.

“Golf doesn’t take as much athletic ability as some other sports. But, it’s one of the most mentally-challenging – you need to keep everything under control.”

Liberty Hill senior Joseph Sherman

Liberty Hill’s boys’ golf team is comprised of Joseph Sherman, Brycen Dorsch, Jaxon Hicks, Brady Jones and Ben Hogge. COURTESY PHOTO

30 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

Liberty Hill’s girls’ golf team features Rylie Clayton, Ashlyn Zimmerman, Emma Walz, Paityn Nash and Katherine Philpott. COURTESY PHOTO

“I don’t really have an instructor in golf, but I’ve learned to take the good from things I see,” said Sherman. “I watch a lot of YouTube videos, which has been a big part of my journey to this point.”

One thing Sherman doesn’t do is get rattled on the course when something fails to go his way, said Panthers head coach Ryan Revere.

“Seeing how Joseph has so much experience, he has the ability to delete a bad shot from his head and move on,” he said. “Which is critical because the mental game is the biggest challenge in golf – you’re always playing on your own and not with teammates during a round.”

According to Revere, perhaps the strongest aspect of Sherman’s game is his ability to study a course and translate the information he collects into a game plan suited for success on that particular layout.

“Joseph is always surveying and examining everything to see how he can take advantage of the course,” said Revere. “He has a very high golf IQ and thinks through every shot.”

Revere added Sherman is usually at his best when the stakes are highest.

“He’s usually at the top of his game against competitive golfers in tournaments,” he said.

“Joseph’s not usually outplayed when he’s under pressure.”

Speaking of high-level competition, Sherman said he would like to play college golf, but at this point in his life, it’s more important to attend the right school.

“I kind of know I don’t really want to play

pro golf,” he said. “So, I’m going to (Texas) A&M (University) and I’ll probably play club golf there.”

Sherman has been a member of Cimarron Hills in Georgetown near where his family resides for most of his life and said he has played the Jack Nicklaus-designed, 7,302-yard, par-72 course hundreds of times without the same layout ever getting old.

“They have five different tee boxes to hit from,” he said. “So, I always enjoy playing because that makes it different.”

An old golf adage says “Drive for show, putt for dough” – one that Sherman has the first part down, but not necessarily the second, he said.

“When my driver’s on, it’s definitely my strength and I can hit 300-330 yards off the tee,” said Sherman. “My wedges are decent and my putter is alright – it doesn’t really gain more or cost me strokes.”

However, on a day when the driver isn’t working, Sherman doesn’t hesitate to pull a shorter, more accurate club from his bag.

“If my driver’s not on,” he said. “I’ll just hit other clubs to stay out of trouble.”

Despite the fact golf doesn’t take the physical toll on one other traditional sports do, Sherman pointed out the other aspect of the game.

“Golf doesn’t take as much athletic ability as some other sports,” he said. “But, it’s one of the most mentally-challenging – you need to keep everything under control.”

SPORTS

Tears in the pool

Panthers swimmer balances joy of swimming, sorrow of injury

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

the unnatural arm-and-shoulder motion required to perform the stroke, which had taken its toll on the shoulder over the years, Carstens now found herself injured once One thing about Corinna Carstens is she’s again – only this time with the prospect of a competitor. having to go under the knife to recover – The Liberty Hill junior swimmer burns something she found quite unappealing, she with desire to be in the water taking on said. opponents and settles for nothing less than “With any serious injury, surgery is victory. always a possibility,” said Carstens. “I was So, when a shoulder injury began to told if I kept swimming anyway, I would plague her this season, she was suddenly definitely need it and maybe wouldn’t be faced with the very real possibility of being able to swim anymore.” stranded on the sidelines while her teamFor Carstens to hear that was like a fish mates continued their aquatic endeavors being told it can no longer be in water, as without her. the pool has been her home for as long as However, Carstens has carried on in batshe can remember, but luckily a happy tling through the nerve damage in her right medium was discovered that has enabled shoulder and the pain it causes to remain a her to continue on after visiting the Airrosti valuable member of the Panthers’ squad – Rehab Center in Georgetown, where she has both in the water and on the deck. been put through a unique brand of physical The injury initially occurred while therapy, she said.

Carstens was competing in a club meet “They’ll do deep-tissue massages and in mid-September when her trademark have me do all kinds of stretching, which I competitiveness kicked in, for better and as have to do three times per day and also roll it turns out, worse. my shoulder out with a lacrosse ball,” said “I was swimming a 50-meter freestyle and Carstens. “The best part of it is I can still I remember being up on the blocks trying to compete and train while I rehab.” hit a 25 (sub-26:00 time),” said Carstens. “I As a result, Carstens has continued to had just recovered from an overuse injury in excel and even qualified for the prestigious the same shoulder and when I was almost at Texas Interscholastic Coaches Association the end, I saw someone out of the corner of meet in San Antonio on Dec. 1-2 in both the my eye and just said to myself ‘I’m not going 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 39.38 to let them beat me.’” and 50-meter freestyle (26.34), both well Carstens indeed won the race, but paid under the required times in the respective the price in the process. events.

“When I swung my arm to touch the wall, According to Liberty Hill head coach DimI damaged my shoulder with the impact,” itra Becker, Carstens has shown an extraorshe said. “I’m double-jointed in my shouldinary amount of mettle in facing down this ders, arms and fingers, but got injured challenge while continuing to provide the anyway.” entire Panthers team with leadership of the After having already stopped swimming highest order. the butterfly – her preferred event – due to “Even when she was hurt, Corinna led the team better than anybody who was in the water,” said Becker.

“She would be at the warm-up pools coaching them through and helping everyone get better – what a team leader – that’s something you can’t teach a kid and is a gift.”

Despite all the Liberty Hill’s Corinna Carstens qualified for the Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association meet in San Antonio in both the 50-meter success she’s had in the pool, it didn’t exactly breaststroke and 50-meter freestyle. PHOTO BY SOPHIA AHO start out that way, said OWNER/PUBLISHER

Corinna Carstens cites a close relationship with Panthers head coach Dimitra Becker with helping her persevere through a shoulder injury that has plagued her this season. PHOTO BY SOPHIA AHO

Carstens.

“All I wanted to be was a soccer player,” she said. “In soccer, I was always No. 1 and I sucked at swimming.”

After having stuck with the sport, though, Carstens moved from her native Northern California to Central Texas right before her sophomore year and quickly found a home among the Purple-and-Gold ranks, in no small part due to the role Becker played in indoctrinating her into the program.

“I’ve always had a coach presence in my life and had some challenging times,” said Carstens. “But, I’ve never had such an emotional connection as I have with Coach Becker. I could never sit down with any of my coaches and tell them where I was at mentally as far as certain parts of my life was, but I always know I can talk to her.”

One such tumultuous time in Carstens’ life was when her best friend back in California was set to undergo open-heart surgery last year – a piece of news that shocked and saddened her to the point where she almost couldn’t compete, she said.

“I would be swimming at practice and all of a sudden start thinking about her and be crying in the pool,” said Carstens. “Sometimes, I would have to just get out and leave.”

At the time, she was also searching for motivation after having left the pressure-packed environment of California club competition behind for the more relaxed atmosphere of Texas high-school swimming, but used her friend’s inspiration to light her competitive fires once again.

“I never ran bleachers or lifted weights for swimming before I got here,” she said, of the Panthers’ extensive dry-land training program. “I don’t really like all that stuff and

I was forcing myself to go to practice. But, then I found what I was going to swim for – I was going to swim for Margaret and go faster than ever before because she couldn’t.”

Even after suffering her shoulder injury, Carstens has stayed the course because she simply doesn’t know any other way, she said.

“Back in California, I was the only freshman on my high-school team and that’s something that just doesn’t happen,” said Carstens. “Over the summer, my shoulder kept getting worse, but I kept swimming through the pain because I wanted to be the best.”

Turns out, chronic shoulder ailments are hereditary in her family, she said.

“I have a brother in the Army who had a bad shoulder and another who was a quarterback in football and a point guard in basketball who needed to have right-shoulder surgery,” said Carstens. “It’s the Carstens family curse.”

Becker beams when describing what she has witnessed Carstens go thorough only to come out the other side stronger.

“Corinna has come so far mentally in showing herself some grace because sometimes you’re going to have a bad practice or race,” she said. “I’m so proud of her because she’s done this on her own and is still one of the most selfless people on the team.”

Carstens said the advice she would give another athlete going through such trials and tribulations is to take care of your body and trust others close to you.

“Do your stretching,” she said. “But, also lean on people and make sure they know what you’re going through.”

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

31

COLUMN

Holiday season prompts memories of those who have passed on

BY JAMES WEAR

COLUMNIST

As one grows older he finds the holiday season often brings moments of sadness and reflection as some folks who played a role in his life story have passed on, and he finds himself consoling himself and the family and friends left behind, perhaps with a story that brings a smile and eases the pain of loss.

In just the past few days I have learned of the deaths of three women who I encountered over the years. Two of these women played a role in shaping Liberty Hill while the other befriended me in my younger years.

It’s been more than 40 years since I last saw Bonnie Ray, and if memory serves me correct, we met while she was working the graveyard shift at a small diner in Lampasas. She was a waitress and I enjoyed her banter with myself and other customers.

Later on, I would date her daughter and get to know Bonnie even better.

She always treated me well, and was a huge help to me the time I booked country music legend Merle Travis to perform at the Lampasas AmVets Hall. Bonnie, a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, took a handful of tickets and sold dang near every one of them, and I was feeling good about the show…right up to the point when the commander of the AmVets pulled me aside and said, “You know we have barred the VFW members from our building.”

No, I didn’t, and I begged him to set aside the two group’s differences for one night.

Bonnie, who was among those women the VFW barred, agreed to remain civil and had enough pull with other VFW members to convince them it wasn’t a night for any

past differences to boil over into trouble, and so the show went on without a hitch.

A few months later I would leave Lampasas and never saw Bonnie again. I heard she remarried and enjoyed the last several years of her life.

I first met Bobbie Fletcher when I began covering Liberty Hill back in the mid-1980s. At the time she was secretary at Liberty Hill Middle School, and she always took time to guide me in the right direction when I would go up to the school seeking information about this or that.

I already knew her husband Randel. He and my oldest brother Richard worked together for Alice Cowan (left) was among the most successful business owners in Liberty Hill history, as her cafe gained statewide acclaim when several years framing houses in cited by an article appearing in Texas Highways magazine. Bobbie Fletcher (right), after serving as an employee of the Liberty Hill the Georgetown area, and while school district for many years, continued to play an active role in the community in her retirement years. Here she’s pictured (standing they eventually parted ways, with the white blouse) with other members of the fire department and community on the morning construction began on the new fire station at Foundation Park. COURTESY PHOTOS they remained friends.

Bobbie herself was perhaps my mother-in-law Wanda’s best friend, and dubbed the Hobo as having the best chickof the board of directors of the Liberty Hill every day, after school was dismissed, one en fried steak in Texas, and for months Volunteer Fire Department, and served as could find Bobbie making her way to Wanafterwards every Friday and Saturday night treasurer when we built the new fire station da’s downtown café where the two would the café was packed as out-of-town visitors on land donated by the Liberty Hill Developdrink coffee and smoke cigarettes and visit made the trek to Liberty Hill and discovered ment Foundation. for a couple of hours. the article in Texas Highways was every bit Alice Walden Cowan once worked for After Wanda died, Bobbie continued her of the truth.

Wanda Lane, and had enough respect for routine, only now with Wanda’s daughter Alice was a big supporter of the commuWanda and her family that she waited until Paula on the other end of the conversation, nity in a quiet manner, and when we were the Liberty Hill Café closed for good before and the two became closer, with Paula often building the new fire station, she always she launched Hobo Depot, the “little shack referring to Bobbie as her other mother. paid for our lunch on Saturday workdays. by the railroad track” at the intersection of Bobbie was an active member of the Ladies Later, her husband Clyde donated his skills RR 1869 and the railroad line.

Auxiliary of the Liberty Hill VFW, and every in finishing the drywall we had installed in She poured herself into making the Hobo Thursday night without fail one could the station.

Depot a family-oriented café and employed find her working in the kitchen on bingo Alice eventually left Liberty Hill to enjoy family and friends to make her dreams nights. Later, she joined me as a member her retirement years on the Texas coast. come true. At one time Texas Highways

WORSHIP GUIDE Liberty Hill & Surrounding Communities ANDICE BAPTIST CHURCH 6570 FM 970, Florence (254) 793-2557 | www.andicebc.org PASTORS Derrick Norris, Senior Pastor Matt Koehler, Associate Pastor of Students & Families SERVICES Sunday Bible Study 9:45am Sunday Worship 11am Wednesday AWANA 6:30pm

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CROSS TRACKS CHURCH 101 Church St., Liberty Hill (512) 515-0070 www.crosstrackschurchumc.org PASTOR Michele Lott SERVICES Sunday School 9am Sunday Worship 10am Sun. Online Facebook.com/cross trackschurch/ Christmas Eve Worship, Dec. 24, 6pm & 11pm

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

HOLY ANNUNCIATION ORTHODOX CHURCH 5205 CR 236, Liberty Hill (512) 627-7674 www.annunciationtx.com PASTOR Bp. Irineos Placek SERVICES Vespers Sat. 6:30pm Divine Liturgy Sun. 10am LIFE SPRINGS CHRISTIAN CHURCH 15611 W State Hwy 29, Liberty Hill (512) 633-6074 www.lifespringschristianchurch.org

PASTOR Dr. William Brannan SERVICES Sunday Worship 10am Online youtube.com/c/LifeSprings MISSION LIBERTY HILL LUTHERAN CHURCH (LCMS Affiliated) 15725 W State Hwy 29, #7 Liberty Hill (512) 778-9310 www.missionlibertyhill.com PASTOR Rev. Mike Cofer

SERVICES Sunday Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 9am Sunday Church Worship 10am Sunday Online 10am missionlibertyhill.com/onlineworship/ ROCKPOINTE CHURCH LIBERTY HILL 170 CR 214, Liberty Hill (512) 259-8872 www.rockpointechurch.com PASTOR Darin Ramsey, Campus Pastor SERVICES Sunday Worship 9:30am

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Shop local 2023

Holiday Gift Guide than e r o l is m se at a a c c a ing lo a purch s. It’s p p o Sh aking l busines bers of m t s ju Hil g mem rk y t r e Lib pportin who wo t su munity ique u n o u b a vide om e our c sly to pro n only b s n ca tirele ces that rea. Whe ect servi in our a the perf d r , foun oking fo y season lida erty re lo you’ s this ho e of Lib gs gift out som offerin k al ised chec best loc be surpr Hill’s u might nd!

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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37

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

From the Netherlands to Liberty Hill

BUSINESS

Local couple opens Freestyle Sports to not only teach kids basketball basics, but to also create a community hub, including a food truck park

BY ODALIS A. SUAREZ

STAFF WRITER

It hasn’t even been a month since Freestyle Sports Texas opened its doors on the corner of Highway 29 and Seward Junction Loop in Liberty Hill, but husband and wife owners Ayla and Jasper Eden are already launching an expansion in an effort to create a community hotspot.

First started in 2015, the core business at Freestyle Sports is basketball—offering private lessons, group classes and basketball camps.

The differentiating factor in how the Edens coach basketball is by making sure all players understand the “why” in the techniques being trained.

“We get them into the exercise of asking questions,” said Jasper. “The answer should never be ‘Oh, because coach said so.’ That can never be the answer. We want them to

understand why.”

With their new facility currently in operation for the basketball side since mid-November, the Edens have been quick to optimize the property to also house a food truck park.

Already scheduled to reside in the designated food truck area are The Food Dood, Indian Spice, The Rush Coffee, and Hoppy Hydrant – a beer purveyor with eight taps on a restored fire truck. The Edens anticipate more food trucks will move to the property to complete their food truck park concept. “[The] community has been so great to us, so we wanted to provide something that the community could enjoy, and what brings people together is food,” said Ayla. “Especially as parents we always try to look for spaces where we can eat and where our kids can play.”

It’s a fast-moving growth spearheaded by

Freestyle Sports Texas’ ‘coming soon’ sign for their food truck park is posted on the corner of Highway 29 and Seward Junction Loop. PHOTO BY ODALIS A. SUAREZ

energetic owners with a passion for community unity. Looking back, their journey began over 5,000 miles away in their home country of Netherlands.

Ayla was blossoming as a professional basketball player representing the Dutch Women’s Basketball League and winning two national championships.

Also sitting in her trophy cabinet are two national cups, three supercups and one final four award.

Jasper acquired Ayla and Jasper Eden with their three children, from left: 2-year-old Camryn, 4-year-old fame in the basketball world Huxley, and 8-month-old Dakota. COURTESY PHOTO as a showstopper of their incremental growth when they player with incredible ball handling skills. started the business.

He is a two-time national freestyle basketToday, with a new spacious property ball champion (think Harlem Globetrotconsisting of a 4,000-square-foot basketball ters). Additionally, he is a USA Basketball gym and 1.7 acres of land, Certified Coach and holds a master’s degree Ayla and Jasper are making sure to utilize in physical education. all the space available in an effort to support Ayla and Jasper met in their home country two missions: elite sports coaching and a through no other than a co-ed international central spot for families to enjoy. basketball tournament.

Aside from the basketball programs avail“Literally as I was warming up for a left able and the upcoming array of food trucks, layup, she blocked my shot and said, ‘Hi, I’m visitors can also rent pickleball courts for Ayla,’” said Jasper. $20 an hour.

The couple arrived to the United States in In an effort to expand on their Freestyle 2016 with Central Texas being their immediSports name and establish a training ate choice to reside in. powerhouse, the couple is also working on In 2018, they opened their first physical building a turf field outside. location—a 1,600-square-foot facility in Their goal is to spread their sports Cedar Park. coaching philosophy by bringing in experts “We realized there was a huge need for to train in soccer, strength conditioning, just private lessons for kids who wanted to baseball and volleyball. get into the sport, but felt there’s too much To learn more about Freestyle Sports Texpressure to go into a group right away,” said as’ services, visit freestylesportstexas.com.

Ayla. “So that’s where we started with just To stay up to date on the food truck park’s a bunch of private lessons, mainly outside official opening, follow Freestyle Sports because we didn’t have our own facility yet Texas on Facebook. in 2016.”

“We had 1,100 private lessons,” said Jasper

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

39

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OBITUARIES

Terry Sherwood, Jr. Nov. 14, 1983 - Oct. 10, 2023 Terry Sherwood, aka TW, was a kind, loving soul that never met a stranger.

TW is survived by his father Terry Sherwood, mother Cindy Black, sister Tonya Collins, brothers Don Sherwood and Dean Sherwood, his nieces Bethany Collins, Hailey Faris, Halley Faris and nephew Ethan Collins.

He loved his friends and family and was a loyal friend.

He had a smile that would bring light to any party. It was even said that he was the life of the party.

Family gathering was one of his

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favorite past times and he often expressed how he wished the family would get together again one day.

He never had any children of his own so he wanted to be the best uncle he could be to his sister Tonya’s children.

Although he loved everyone in his family, he and his sister Tonya had a strong bond since childhood that nothing could break.

He will be missed by so many. See you on the other side, TW. A celebration of Terry’s life will be held in the near future.

The date will be posted as soon as it’s set.

P.O. Box 953, Bertram, TX • TECL#32830 Veteran Owned & Operated

Alice Walden Cowan Dec. 30, 1952 - Nov. 9, 2023 Alice Faye (Tomerlin) Walden Cowan, 70, of Liberty Hill/Bertram, passed away on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

Alice was born December 30, 1952 in Austin to parents James and Juanita (Chaudoin) Tomerlin.

Alice was a longtime resident of Liberty Hill and Bertram, living there for 24 years before retiring and moving to Seadrift, Texas.

Alice was in the restaurant business and was owner of Hobo Depot Café in Liberty Hill for over 20 years. Many will have fond memories of the Hobo Depot and her presence there.

She is survived by her children; daughter Donna Walden of Bertram, daughter Becky Child and husband Chris of Liberty Hill, son Chad Walden and wife Sheila of Liberty Hill, son Virgil Cowan of Liberty Hill, brother David Chaudoin of Leander, brother Doug Tomerlin and wife Dema of Georgetown and sister Teri Watson and husband Bobby of Kingwood. Alice was the proud grandmother to grandchildren Lyndsey Walden and partner Tyson Maynard, David Harmon, Kevan Harmon, Michael Child and wife Kane, Allison Child, Camryn Child, Shavon Harris and husband Brock, Sarena Ringstaff and husband Josh, Chance Churchwell and wife Reggie and great-grandchildren Justin, Blaine, Landyn, Hayden, Zeke, Zane, Haven, Cooper, Case, Levi, Carson, Hunter, Addie and Cheyenne. She is

also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She is preceded in death by her husband Clyde Cowan, parents James Tomerlin and Juanita Chaudoin, niece Kimberly Tomerlin Axtell, niece Kelli Tomerlin Konopczyk and grandchildren baby Walden and great-grandson Raiden Harmon.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Lakeview Hall located within LCRA Black Rock Park in Buchanan Dam, 3400 TX-261, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609, on Sunday, December 3, 2023, beginning at noon.

Lunch will be served onsite following the service. For those desiring to do so please bring a covered dish or dessert in lieu of flowers.

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

41

Letters to Santa Dive into the whimsical world of children's letters to Santa, filled with Wishful thinking, sincere hope, and holiday hilarity to read them all, scan here Dear santa, hey how are you today. did you go to scool when you were a kid? do you spread every holiday? like thanksgiving? i use integerdy a lot. becuse i try to sneak but then i think. i just don’t sneak. After i try to sneak i go back to my room. My wish is that everyone is happy for crismis. your caring chloe

Dear santa, i want a crossbow. I kwno you thing i am crazy but my dad said to ask for one for christmas. i will be safe with it. brooks wilson

Dear santa, i am 7 years old. i liv in liberty hill TX. i will milk for you and i care about elvis. and i want a nintendo swich, a phone, a x box, a tv, a pokemon gacit, and a pokemon fanee pak. i cant wate for you and elvis to come visit. reagan h.

Editor's Note: The following letters to Santa were submitted to The Independent by Liberty Hill second graders across the Liberty Hill Independent School District.

The letters shown were transcribed unedited.

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

Dear santa, Dear Santa, how are you. how is your elfs dooing? i love love love christmas becasue i don’t let the grinch rooin christmas! get to spend time with my famuliy what cookies do you want? what and we decorate the tree. an i ben tipe of milk would you want? You good. I want a iphone and a christmas are ralley speshel to me santa. this bear. is guna be the best christmas ever! I your friend, hope you have a grate christmas Audrey santa. i hope you have a grate day! thank you! your friend, cason

Dear santa, I would like to please ask for only american girl stuff, please? i will want the american girl kitchen set, the tea time set, and the sphgetti set very please. If i am bad, sorry. if I am good, thank you! also, on cristmas eve night, please take me to Tokyo, please? I want 4 stuff please. your loving fan, ma ps i wish i can go to tokyo with you at night.

Dear santa, how are you? how is your wife doing? how is your elfs doing? don’t let the grinch steal christmas!!!!!! because i want a lot of presents. i hav a question for you. do you want chocolate milk or normal milk? or shooger cookies or chocolate chip cookies? i really want a x box. i allso want a dirt bike please. your good person, braDY

Dear santa, you bring me joy every year and you bring my family joy. i enjoy your presents that you give me every single year. so today i want to thank you. you are the best santa ever and i have a quesetin for you. can you live with me. sincerly, taylor

i ho becau for ch goin

vr, v I don’t t

dear santa, i hope you had a great year, but now you have to get to work. So about that.

I want a new camera american girl doll, school american girl doll, american girl doll kitchen

Dear Santa, I want a ipade for christmes. I want it to have games and youtube. so much youtube! love, max

Dear Santa, how are you? hows missis clos? oh! i have a questin for you. is Santa your real name? aneyways i want a

and more!

Alesia Dear Santa, i have been good because I dont want to be on the naughty list. have you been good at the north pole? what I want for cristmiss is a cross necklace a iphone and a barbie dream house. thank you, bella pillow

Dear Santa, I ha I play with my bruther. I lisin to my b mom. i love that you breg littel kids like us nice Dear presents.santa, i will I wish back. wat cuzis make you cookifor es andmymilk.cat this wut ran away so use your elf pouw please h i wat for chrilook smas i wut a around. i wish thousand rob hoverboardforandeight a doll house. please and thank you. love, my tv and i wan can you fix avery elf. from, hazel

Monthly 43 Dear santa, D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | Liberty Hill Independent Dear Santa how was your summer? i have a how are you? I hav a question. do you like chocolate question. do you wunt co

EVENTS CALENDAR

BERTRAM JINGLE & MINGLE Bertram Boutiques Bertram 11 a.m.-4 p.m. facebook.com/ShopBertramTx

December December 2

BERTRAM COUNTRY CHRISTMAS Downtown Bertram Vaughan Street 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. facebook.com/BertramCountryChristmas WINTER WONDERLAND FESTIVAL Mrs. Amy’s Adventures Preschool 14370 Hwy. 29 2-6 p.m. mrsamysadventures.com CHRISTMAS STROLL Liberty Hill Boutiques Liberty Hill 10 a.m.-6 p.m. facebook.com/LHStroll

ELF Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 12 p.m., $5-7 globetheatretx.com

Jake Sherard December 6

WEDNESDAY TRIVIA Liberty Hill Beer Market 13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 7-9 p.m. libertyhillbeermarketmenu.com

December 7

RADNEY FOSTER: AN ACOUSTIC EVENING Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8 p.m., $25-200 globetheatretx.com

THURSDAY TRIVIA Time Out Sports Bar 10280 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 7-8:45 p.m. facebook.com/timeoutsportsbarlh

December 3

December 8

CHRISTMAS FAMILY PORTRAITS RockPointe Church 170 CR 214 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. rockpointechurch.com

Radney Foster

JAKE SHERARD Liberty Tavern 3000 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 7-10 p.m.

Libertytavern.co

The Blend 316 E. Vaughan St., Bertram 6-8 p.m. facebook.com/theblendbertram THURSDAY TRIVIA Whiskey Barrel Pub 1004 Main St., Liberty Hill 7 p.m. whiskeybarrelpub.com

December 15

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (JIM CARREY VERSION) Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 7 p.m., $5-7 globetheatretx.com

CHRISTMAS WALK OF LIGHTS TOY DRIVE 1415 CR 258, Liberty Hill 6-10 p.m. facebook. com/61552142274167 KARAOKE Liberty Hill Beer Market 13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 8 p.m. libertyhillbeermarketmenu.com

December 17

A CHRISTMAS STORY Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 2 p.m., $5-7 globetheatretx.com

December 20

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 7 p.m., $5-7 globetheatretx.com

December 21

HOME ALONE Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 7 p.m., $5-7 globetheatretx.com

December 23

BRAZILBILLY: HONKY TONK HOLIDAY SHOW Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8 p.m., $25-250 globetheatretx.com

December 9

MOSAIC TRAIL RACE Indian Mound Ranch 12805 Hwy. 29 5:30 a.m. tejastrails.com

December 24

BRAZILBILLY: HONKY TONK HOLIDAY SHOW Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8 p.m., $25-250 globetheatretx.com

LIBERTY HILL CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL & PARADE Downtown Liberty Hill Main Street 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (festival), 6 p.m. (parade) experiencelhtx.com

December 30

December 10

DECK THE HILL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR Liberty Hill Various homes 1-6 p.m., $25 facebook.com/deckthehill

December 14

Liberty Hill Christmas Festival 44

JINGLE, MINGLE & ORNAMENT EXCHANGE

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

Brazilbilly December 16

THE MARKET LHTX – CHRISTMAS EDITION Cross Tracks Church 101 Church St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. facebook.com/MarketLHTX

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 4 p.m., $5-7 globetheatretx.com

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVE BASH Hometown Watering Hole 3317 Hwy. 29, Bertram 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. hometownwateringhole.net

December 31

NEW YEAR’S BASH The Vineyard at Florence 111 Via Francesco, Florence 8 p.m.-midnight, $60-345 thevineyardatflorence.com

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