July 2025 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly by The Liberty Hill Independent

BIZ BRIEFS:

What’s New?

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

FOOD & BEVERAGE

First Watch

Ronald Reagan Blvd. & State Hwy. 29, Leander

First Watch is the latest business to be announced for the 29 Gateway project. First Watch is a breakfast, brunch and lunch cafe with multiple locations throughout Central Texas. 29 Gateway is anticipated to be complete in October.

OTHER

NOTABLE PROJECTS

• The Cupcake Coven Online, Liberty Hill

RETAIL

Goodwill

110 Bronco Blvd., Liberty Hill

The Liberty Hill location of Goodwill opened in mid-June. The store is one of more than 30 Central Texas Goodwill lo-

Goodwill

cations in the region. It offers a thrift store and donation center.

Pennie's On The Dollar

326 E. Hwy. 29, Bertram

A new consignment shop called Pennie's On The Dollar opened in June in Bertram. The shop sells clothing, accessories, decor and more.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS

• Morning Dew Meadows 20824 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Liberty Hill

• Bubba's Barn Loop 308, Briggs

SERVICES

Combat Performance Tuning

15390 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill

Combat Performance Tuning specializes in performance tuning, remote tuning, dyno tuning and engine tuning. Their team of technicians has years of experience in the industry and is equipped with the latest tools and technology to provide the highest level of service possible. The business takes a personalized approach to each job.

Built to Roam Rental Co. Online, Liberty Hill

Built to Roam Rental Co. is owned and operated by veterans Aaron and Christy Tucker. The

business, opening this summer, has a mission to inspire and support journeys into the great outdoors by providing reliable, high-quality rental equipment and eliminating the burden of ownership. The company will offer a variety of outdoor equipment. Built to Roam can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Jellystone Park Austin North 25101 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Georgetown

A new location of Jellystone Park recently opened on Ronald Reagan Boulevard in the former location of Jetstream RV Resort at Stone Oak Ranch. The park, which is still undergoing changes to the Jellystone brand, offers camping, a swimming pool and lazy river, pickleball, pedal carts and more.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS

• The Oaks Church

101 Main St., Liberty Hill (inside Louine Noble Elementary)

• General Solutions Electric Mobile, Liberty Hill

• Intensity Gymnastics

4701 FM 3405, Georgetown

• D-BAT Baseball and Softball Academy

295 CR 214, Liberty Hill

• Freedom Life Church 675 RR 1869, Liberty Hill

ON THE MOVE

Amber Erickson, Williamson County

355 Texas Ave., Round Rock

The Williamson County Board of Health has named Amber Erickson as the new Executive Director of the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD). Erickson most recently served as Director of Epidemiology, Community Assessment, and Research Initiatives at the North Central Health District in Macon, Ga. She officially assumed her role June 16.

Float The River Brewing 931 Main St., Liberty Hill

Float the River Brewing recently announced it has something "big in the works,"

which will entail a new look, vibe and era for the restaurant. In a social media announcement, the brewery said their classics are sticking around and bringing in a few new favorites. The brewery will also maintain the same brewmaster and beer recipes.

Mission Liberty Hill

381 CR 213, Liberty Hill

Mission Liberty Hill Lutheran Church has officially moved into its new location on County Road 213. The church was previously located on State Highway 29, but now has a permanent home within the Stonewall Ranch subdivision.

Perky Beans Restaurant & Coffee Shop

2651 E. University Ave., Georgetown

A second location of Perky Beans is planned for Georgetown. The original location, in North Leander, includes a restaurant and coffee shop. The new location will also offer both and is estimated to open in spring 2026.

Clean Slate Waxing Lounge

10 CR 279, Liberty Hill

Clean Slate Waxing Lounge celebrated its one-year anniversary in Liberty Hill in June. The spa offers a variety of services, including waxing, facials, massages and more.

Dave Dunkin & Dr. Stephanie Andrews, Liberty Hill School of Music

3608 RR 1869, Liberty Hill

The Liberty Hill School of Music recently welcomed Dave Dunkin as a new guitar instructor and Dr. Stephanie Andrews as a new piano and voice instructor.

Dairy Queen

13266 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill

In June, Liberty Hill's Dairy Queen location celebrated seven years in business.

John's Gym

233 CR 214, Liberty Hill

John's Gym is moving into a new location within the District 29 center in July. The new facility will offer an expanded

space for martial arts and jiu jitsu for both adults and children. The gym was previously located on Jonathan Drive.

Erica Chidester, A. Gandy & Co.

111 Grange St., Liberty Hill

Realtor and Liberty Hill resident Erica Chidester recently joined the team at A. Gandy & Co.

Dr. Haley Fontenot, Liberty Hill Animal Hospital

13100 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill

Dr. Haley Fontenot is the newest veterinarian to join the team at Liberty Hill Animal Hospital. Fontenot specializes in surgery and orthopedics.

Relentless Rides

225 CR 214, Liberty Hill

In June, Relentless Rides celebrated its one-year business anniversary in Liberty Hill. Relentless Rides offers full customization services for vehicles.

First Watch

Erica Chidester

Last Call for Summer Reading Fun!

Adventure is still roaring at the Liberty Hill Public Library! Don’t miss the final month of wild events for kids, teens, and adults—crafts, contests, special guests, and more. Keep logging your reading to earn prizes, and and join us for one last burst of summer fun at the library!

Dates to remember:

July 4-6 - Library Closed for 4 of July Weekend th

July 17 - Last Day to sign up for summer reading

July 24 - Last Day to turn in logs and raffle tickets

July 25 - Library Closed to set up prize store

July 26 Summer Reading Celebration 10:00am-12:00pm

July 26 - August 8 Prize Store open

Sunday: 1:00-5:00pm Mon-Thurs: 10:00am-7:00pm Friday: 10:00am-5:00pm Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm

*Library will close early for evening performances. See calendar for details.

Messy Mornings: Sensory

2GoKits: Pick up a kit to do crafts at

Teen Event (13 +).

*Registration Required. Sign up @ the library or at www.lhpl.org

ADVENTURE AWAITS AT THE LIBRARY

CALENDAR KEY:

Adult Event

Adult & Teen (13+) Event

*Registration Required. Sign up @ the library or at www.lhpl.org

Travis Motal

Travis Motal is the interim superintendent for the Liberty Hill Independent School District. He took on this role in April after former superintendent Steve Snell resigned to accept an appointment as Williamson County Judge. Motal has been a part of LHISD for the last six years, where he most recently served as chief of schools. In total, Motal has more than 20 years of experience in public education. He will serve as interim supeintendent through January 2026.

BY RACHEL MADISON OWNER/PUBLISHER

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

MOTAL: Ever since I was in high school, I wanted to be a teacher/coach. I even had the nickname Coach Motal. I think I always wanted to be part of seeing kids learn, grow and excel, and working as a teacher has been a very rewarding experience. After a few years in the classroom, I thought as a campus administrator I could reach more kids. Instead of 20 to 25 in my classroom as a teacher now I could reach 1,000-plus as an administrator. Being able to work with teachers as an administrator and watch them grow so they could help students has been exciting and bucket filling.

LHI MONTHLY: In your role as interim superintendent, how are you addressing the growth the district is experiencing?

MOTAL: We are constantly working with our demographers, local real estate partners and local governments to understand when and where the growth is coming. As we gain a better understanding of where homes and apartments are being built, we ensure the district is planning our approved bond dollars responsibly for purchasing land and building schools while maximizing our operational budgets to open schools in the correct time frames. Our community has been tremendous supporters of the

last three bond packages in 2019, 2021 and 2023 that have allowed the district to open schools to support the growth. We are in the process of updating our long range planning goals to address the next five to 10 years of growth expected in our school district.

LHI MONTHLY: What are your short- and long-term goals for LHISD and what needs to happen for those goals to be accomplished?

MOTAL: In the short term, we are focused on filling all of our open vacancies and planning for the start of school. Our goal is to hire the best people to build champion students in academics, character and community. We want day one of school to be an amazing experience for all students, parents and staff and then to build up from there. For the long term, we are working to find more budget solutions to ensure we are balancing our budget and adding funds any way we can after the large number of cuts we were forced to make the last couple of years. Our district has been rated A-Superior in our FIRST financial rating for seven years in a row, even with the funding challenges we face. It will take the school and community working together to overcome the financial burdens to empower our students and staff to be at their best.

LHI MONTHLY: What do you believe are LHISD’s biggest strengths? Biggest challenges?

MOTAL: LHISD’s biggest strength is the

great support from our parents and community and our amazing teachers that all work together for our students’ success. Our focus is to ensure every student has a meaningful experience that empowers them to be the best version of themselves. We want all students to feel value and connection in school and it takes all of us working together to make that happen. Every parent I interact with has so many wonderful things to say about our staff and what happens in our schools. I have the opportunity to visit many classrooms throughout the year and it is so inspiring to see the dedication of our teachers. This combination of parents and teachers is the perfect recipe of success for our students. Our biggest challenge is to support the growth of LHISD while doing so with limited funds and cutting budgets. Our district has to find a way to partner with the community to address our immediate and long term funding needs. Every year it is getting harder and harder to provide the same level of student programming while funds become more scarce. While this is a significant challenge, it is also one of greatest opportunities to partner and work together to keep Liberty Hill ISD at a high level.

LHI MONTHLY: What are you doing specifically in your role as interim superintendent to boost morale among teachers and staff during so many major changes and uncertainties in LHISD?

MOTAL: I believe the power of relationships is our greatest tool for morale. There are a lot of things going on that can create

uncertainty or concern. I want us to have a solid foundation built on relationships. I will set a goal for myself and for our team to make regular contact with our campuses and teachers and all staff so we can understand what is going on, what the concerns are and how we can tackle them together.

LHI MONTHLY: What should the community know about you outside your role as interim superintendent?

MOTAL: I have been married for 19 years to my wife, Anjie, who is an instructional coach at an elementary school. We have two kids, Emma, 16, and Ben, 10. I love getting to watch Emma perform at theater recitals and prepare for her next phase to college soon. I coach Ben in flag football, baseball and we have many competitions about who is stronger or faster. I love my family and work hard to have a good balance of dedication to my job here in Liberty Hill and being a good husband and father. I also referee high school basketball and was recently selected to officiate the UIL boys’ high school state tournament. I have been a basketball official for the past 26 years.

LHI MONTHLY: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the community, or anything else you feel people should know about you?

MOTAL: I am honored to serve as the current interim superintendent for LHISD and for the Panther, Wrangler and Stallion nations we support. I love seeing all the great experiences our teachers and staff provide for our students. I love seeing all the connections our coaches, directors and sponsors make with our students in extracurriculars. I love seeing all the parents and community come together to celebrate and support our students and staff. Personally, I appreciate all of the support from the parents and community as I transitioned into this interim role. It will take all of us working together to keep Liberty Hill a special place for those that have been here for generations and those that are new. I look forward to partnering together to make this happen.

Interim Superintendent Travis Motal, far right, will serve in his new role through January 2026. His family consists of, from left, son Ben, wife Anjie and daughter Emma. COURTESY PHOTO

Clearwater Ranch welcomes third WCESD #4 ﬁ re station

Unique design features two buildings, ﬁts neighborhood

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER

When the Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 4 (WCESD #4) chose a location to open its third ﬁre station in Clearwater Ranch, there was one distinct requirement for its design.

According to Liberty Hill Fire Department Chief Anthony Lincoln, it simply needed to ﬁt it.

“The challenge was we were building in the neighborhood, so we had to be cognizant of that,” said Lincoln. “There’s people already living here, so we had to work with our builders to say, ‘all right, let’s just be good partners with this.”

The 8,700-square-foot layout features a unique two-building design – another nod to the neighborhood, said Lincoln.

“We wanted to look like part of the neighborhood, not big monstrosity buildings standing out and I think we accomplished that,” he said. “With the two buildings and this facility set up like this, I would have never dreamed it would’ve looked this way, but when you drive by it now, you just don’t realize it’s a ﬁre station like you would a normal one.”

In fact, sensitivity to surrounding houses was so important, the building that houses the station’s apparatus was actually shi ed from its original spot in the blueprint, he said.

“We didn’t want headlights shining right into a home across the street,” said Lincoln. “So, we moved it down – you try to make yourself into a good neighbor.”

What about sirens and ﬂashers in the middle of the night, then?

“We have our response plans try to get us through these neighborhoods quietly if we can,” he said. “So, a lot of calls dictate us what kind of responses we may have, whether it’s a real emergency or we’re just going on a routine call. If it’s a ﬁre or a heart a ack, that’s one thing – the sirens and stuﬀ go on – but only if it warrants it.”

Lincoln said the importance of the neighborhood-like design ﬁts right in with his philosophy as far as taking care of the men and women that call it home when on duty.

“Our guys work 48 hours on and 96 oﬀ, so when they’re here, they want to feel like they’re home,” he said. “They might not have their family with them, but they are with a family – their ﬁre department family – and we want it to be comfortable.”

Lincoln has already experienced this himself, he said.

“I was si ing in there eating a sandwich at lunch,” said Lincoln. “Looking out the window felt like I was in somebody’s house, just having lunch with them.”

Station No. 3 is the LHFD’s ﬁrst new location to open since 2019, when Station No. 2 opened on Ronald Reagan Boulevard at the Santa Rita Ranch subdivision to go along with Station No. 1 on Main Street.

The department already has its sights set on its next station – although Lincoln said its location hasn’t yet been determined.

“We study our call volume to see what areas warrant it and as far as how fast we can cover that area,” he said. “We’ve already got two more identiﬁers and own four more station sites. It’s going be a toss-up, which one we go to ﬁrst. Right now, there’s one on County Road 266, which is south behind Smoky Mo’s and the Larkspur [subdivision] area and we also have one farther east next to Cimarron Hills, where it’s been built out a lot.”

Liberty Hill Fire Department’s Station No. 3 was designed to ﬁt in with the surrounding homes it shares a street with. PHOTO BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

Members of the Liberty Hill Fire Department conduct a traditional push-in ceremony during the dedication of Station No. 3. PHOTO BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

Passing the torch

Local legend hangs up her hat, leaving a wide-open lane for the future of Liberty Hill’s Parks and Recreation Department

BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER

Legends, whether local or the most abstract of myths, are the architects of the cherished institutions that all human beings hold closest to their hearts.

As if time ceased to exist, allowing the past to join hands with the present, the admiration of such institutions creates the overwhelming sentiment that someone – long before our time – shared the same values that became the law, the tradition, the fundamental ideal that shapes modern civilization today.

When such legends walk amongst us and share the same steps on the sacred grounds they helped create, a bond solidifies and marries the hearts and minds of a community.

Mary Lyn Jones is a living, breathing definition of a legend and her selfless humility and love for Liberty Hill will live in infamy through her many contributions, especially her decade-long role in Liberty Hill’s Parks and Recreation Department.

In 2013, there was no Parks and Recreation Department. Though there were the privately owned areas such as Foundation Park and other long-cherished grounds like Veterans Memorial Park and the International Sculpture Garden, Jones has been the pivotal figure within the city that, thanks to her passion and dedication, has brought forth the local parks that Liberty Hill knows and loves today.

What started out as a deep-rooted commitment to volunteering, Jones joined the then parks board and eventually became chair of the committee.

“I’ve always been passionate about parks and recreation and activities for people to enjoy,” she said. “I was on the parks board, just as a member, for a couple of years and they eventually needed someone to chair, so that’s when it all started in 2013.”

At the time, Liberty Hill was still “figuring it out” and there was much to be desired in terms of structure and staffing. With the emerging growth that would have the community laughing in comparison to the unprecedented expansion of present day, Jones saw an opportunity to utilize the momentous growth and create something more permanent.

Katie Amsler, Liberty Hill’s director of community engagement and communications, was wading through some uncharted waters of her own in 2013 as she’d recently joined the city staff.

With an aligned vision of what the city could and should be, she took notice of Jones’ efforts and quite the story began to unfold.

“Mary Lyn’s dedication to Liberty Hill has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Amsler. “Her leadership and vision helped lay the foundation for the parks we are so proud of today, and her persistence led to the creation of an official Parks Department within the city. She has not only guided major projects to completion, but also brought people together with her passion, optimism and deep love for Liberty Hill. Her legacy will be felt in our community for generations to come.”

Jones shared a similar gratitude for Amsler, crediting her for her help and like-minded dedication when she needed it the most.

“She stepped up,” Jones said of Amsler. “And I appreciate her stepping up and helping with the parks department.”

Though Jones still has much left to give, her decision to step away from the depart-

ment pays tribute to the team she helped bring to the playing field, citing her trust that they are the ones to see the department to its next stage by continuing to build the bridge that brings the community and the city together to accomplish their collective vision of tomorrow.

“It was just time,” she said. “We have a parks director now (Richard Fibish), and we have a great parks staff that does everything, so I feel like I’m leaving it in good hands.”

Jones offered a deeper explanation in a letter sent to her team on the heels of her announcement to move on.

“I feel that it is an excellent time to step down off the board,” she said in a letter penned to her colleagues. “I have the utmost respect and faith in the current board members to continue the work that is needed for the future of the Liberty Hill Parks and Recreation Board.”

Reflecting on her tenure, Jones went down the list of all that her board was able to accomplish over the last 10 years, and it served as a glowing reminder of just how far the city’s parks have come.

“What I’m most proud of is finishing the swim center,” she said. “It took so long to finally finish that, but I was passionate enough about it to just stay with it and make sure that it was completed. That, and the splash pad, which we named after Lib-

Mary Lyn Jones, a key player in the establishment of Liberty Hill’s Parks and Recreation Department, recently announced her decision to retire. PHOTO BY BRAD MARTIN

Liberty Hill’s City Swim Center is one of Mary Lyn Jones’ proudest achievements during her tenure as head of the Parks and Recreation Board. COURTESY PHOTO

erty Hill’s first mayor, Nathan Wetzel.”

Another proud moment for Jones was the establishment of Liberty Hill’s master plan for its parks, further proof that what she started has real staying power and will continue to flourish alongside the community.

“That’s one of the reasons that I feel like we’d accomplished everything we set out to do,” she said of the master plan as it relates to her decision to play a less active role in the Parks and Recreation Department. “And we have so many strong board members right now, and we now have an experienced park director.”

Though Jones looks to lessen her collection of “irons in the fire,” she will not be throttling her love for the community.

From her continued volunteering efforts with organizations like the Liberty Hill Education Foundation and some likely backseat involvement with the city’s parks and recreation efforts moving forward, she sees it as her way of giving back all that she can to a community that did for her, year after year.

“The Liberty Hill community is the most giving and caring community,” she said. “Throughout trials, tribulations and crises and different events, they come

together. And it’s meant so much to our family, I want to give back. Liberty Hill has always had that compassion for people.”

Along with her own personal volunteering efforts, Jones asked to leave a final request for this small town with a big heart.

Her favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11, refers to “plans to give you hope and a future.”

“I’ll leave you with this request,” she said. “If people can volunteer, there are many opportunities in Liberty Hill to volunteer. The boards, the nonprofits – just find something you’re interested in and volunteer.”

What began as gatherings held in local parking lots or privately held lands, Liberty Hill has always welcomed and empowered the sense of community.

Nowadays, there are many city parks, such as Liberty Hill City Park, Central Park and Wetzel Park, each with their own uniqiue offerings and activities. These parks didn’t appear out of thin air, and they certainly don’t flourish on their own.

It takes a village, or, in this case, a department -- and the dedication of people like Jones.

Bouncing back

Liberty Hill resident gets second chance thanks to first responders

BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER

If a national poll was taken asking what one’s worst nightmare would be, mothers from sea to shining sea would all be unified in their answer – something tragic happening to their children.

There is no greater love than that of a mother. Regardless of age, their children remain their focus and for so many, their driving force. Sadly, one of Liberty Hill’s own had the unfortunate experience of that very nightmare becoming reality.

Several weeks ago, upon waking up and finding that her son had not returned home overnight, Michelle Schiff had a sinking feeling that only a mother’s intuition can produce –something was wrong.

“I reported him missing at 5 a.m.,” she said. “He wasn’t answering my texts, which is not like him. I had a bad feeling, so I called 9-1-1 and the officer called me and told me he got hit [by a car on State Highway 29] and that he’s in the hospital.”

Dealing with the unimaginable news, Schiff rushed to the hospital to be with her son, Jesse Schiff. Once there – and as the following days passed – she learned more about what happened, including the swift response of the Liberty Hill Police Department.

Upon arriving at the scene of the accident on State Highway 29, which happened during an evening thunderstorm in May, Jesse was found without a pulse. He had been skateboarding home from work when the storm hit, and was struck by a car.

The responding officers got right to work, reviving him before the paramedics arrived. Without their immediate and well-executed actions, a much darker story would likely be told.

“I didn’t know he had no pulse when they found him,” Michelle said. “But they brought him back, thank God.”

Also fuzzy about the details and understandably so was Jesse.

“I don’t think he remembers,” Michelle said. “When I went to see him in the hospital, he was totally out of it every time I was there. But the day I got to bring him home, I asked him if he remembered getting hit and he said he didn’t.”

Given the severity of the injuries suffered, such as bleeding of the brain, multiple staples to the head and road rash, Jesse is recovering well and his resilient spirit is front and center.

“I’m feeling 100 percent,” he said. “I just miss skateboarding.”

Jesse has a deep love for the sport of skateboarding, and has built quite the following on

his YouTube channel (@jessewhitetiger), where he documents his love of the adrenaline-filled sport.

He also enjoys showing the younger generation the fundamentals of skateboarding, emphasizing the do-it-yourself approach, showing them you don’t need money to join in on the fun.

“Sometimes I try to help younger kids learn to skateboard,” he said. “I show them how to get free used boards, free used wheels, bushings and all that.”

A frequent visitor to No Comply Skate Shop in nearby Austin, Jesse has developed many friendships with the staff and other regulars of the shop and nearby skatepark. Pending an upcoming visit to a neurosurgeon, hoping for the “all-clear,” he’s chomping at the bit to get back to his friends and to doing what he loves the most.

“I got like 20 texts last night,” he said. “They were all like, ‘We miss you! When are you coming back?’”

Michelle is also hoping for a return to normalcy soon, but there are many obstacles that have placed themselves between her and that sunny horizon. Thankfully, she isn’t facing them alone. A dear friend was quick to set up a GoFundMe campaign and the timing couldn’t have been better.

“I had a job – a good job,” she said. “But my employer wouldn’t give me time off to take care of Jesse, so I quit. So, the GoFundMe really helped, but we could use more.”

Michelle is working again, but for far less than she was earning before the accident. However, she won’t be found complaining – she is grateful, for her job as well as the community.

“They did great,” she said of the community’s overwhelming response. “I had what they call a meal train, where people were bringing us food every day for like a week. That helped out, too, because I couldn’t be home to cook.”

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and it’s no mystery where Jesse gets his resilience from. Together, they’re looking and moving forward.

As for Jesse, one would think he’d be seeking out other means of getting from point A to point B, given his recent experience. But, if he has his way, he’ll be back on his feet and headed even farther than ever before.

“I want to skateboard from here all the way to Fresno, California,” he said.

Those interested in donating to the Schiffs can do so via Venmo (@Michelle-Schiff-1) or through GoFundMe at https://gofund. me/21061b98.

Jesse Schiff and Michelle Schiff have a lot to be thankful for, especially Liberty Hill’s “boys in blue.” PHOTO

BY BRAD MARTIN

Officers Mitchell Archbell and Eric Soter were the first to arrive on the scene at Jesse Schiff’s accident, and immediately administered life-saving measures before paramedics arrived. COURTESY PHOTO

Earlier this summer, The Independent asked our readers to share all the ways they chill in the Hill during the hot summer months. Here’s a compilation of our favorite ideas, photos and fun submitted via social media. Stay cool, Liberty Hill!

COMPILED BY LIBERTY HILL

INDEPENDENT STAFF

My kiddos love making diﬀerent ﬂavored lemonades with Kool-Aid packets. Just add one packet of KoolAid to a 52-ounce (or more) bo le of lemonade and shake. Our favorite is Sharkleberry!

– Jessica Torn

Lots of swimming and ice cream! We love ice cream from Liberty Hill Dairy Queen and slushies from QT and swimming with friends.

-Nicci Bontrager

Watermelon is a MUST for those hot days! -Taylor Salazar

Water balloons for sure!

Water slide is even be er for staying cool…and organized chaos.

– Michelle Hawley

Pool time! -Erica Shearer

We love pool time and froyo from The Yogurt Experience!

-Erika Waters

I leave and go to Mexico! If I can’t do that, I like to go Tea2Go TeaN’ergy Liberty Hill and get an iced chai!

-Katie Iverson

Deﬁnitely a DQ blizzard a er a long day in the pool!

-Joni Shinholt

Iced coﬀee, slushee from gas station, and the pool!

Splash pad fun! -Brianna Gray

-Andrea Reesing

Best way to stay cool in the summer in LH: Grab a cold brew from Forrest Coﬀee House. Then walk over to the Wetzel Park Splash Pad for the kiddos to play. After that, grab some lunch and a drink at Float The River Brewing. Or, dip into the pool at City Park and then play at the playground (which has a huge sunshade). You can also get a frozen drink from Thirsty Penguin, and enjoy the playground and taco truck Taqueria Mi Ranchito Jaimes. Yum! The Vinew Shoppe has drinks, great AC, and fun outdoor space if you are in the shopping mood!

-Krista Rizzo o

-Deanna Ferguson

-Kathy Long

Read our round up to learn more about the biggest news stories affecting our community

COMPILED BY LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT STAFF

Design services for LHISD Elementary #9 approved

During a special called June meeting, the Liberty Hill Independent School District’s Board of Trustees approved a contract with Austin-based architectural firm PBK for the design of Elementary #9.

The school, which will be located in the Saddleback neighborhood of Santa Rita Ranch, will have a capacity of 1,000 students and is expected to open in the fall of 2027 or 2028, depending on the district’s enrollment growth. The $2,655,000 project will be funded from the 2023 bond program. According to information provided to The Independent by district officials, PBK will provide architectural and interior design, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, building envelope, roofing, food service and technology design services for the new school.

School board approves purchase of 160 acres on RR 1869

The Liberty Hill Independent School District’s Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 160 acres on Ranch Road 1869 during a special-called meeting June 2.

The tract of land, which includes four parcels of land owned by the “HANLEY JAMES O & VIRGINIA REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST,” according to the Williamson County Appraisal District, is located south of downtown Liberty Hill, but north of the Williamson County Cowboy Church, in the 5000 block.

The district doesn’t currently have plans for the land, according to district officials, but purchased the land now for potential future school sites due to continuing fast growth within the ISD.

District launches rebranding exploration to reflect growth, identity

Rachel Acosta, director of communications and community engagement for

Liberty Hill Independent School District, presented a rebranding concept to the school board during their most recent meeting in June. This marks the beginning of a both a visual and messaging refresh for the district.

The rebrand aims to better align LHISD’s public identity with its rapid growth, evolving academic landscape, and commitment to a modern, future-forward educational experience. Acosta’s presentation featured a series of visual comparisons, including current branding elements, neutral design options and future-facing concepts. These early design directions drew inspiration from the City of Liberty Hill as well as the existing Liberty Hill High School branding and Legacy Ranch High School’s emerging color palette.

The communications team outlined two options for completing the rebranding work, including an in-house option, which would be led by the district’s communications department. Acosta said this approach would require an estimated 12 to 18 months to complete, accounting for the internal team’s time and workload.

The second option would be to hire outside firm, VLK, which could execute the rebrand in a condensed two- to fourmonth timeframe, at an estimated cost of $28,000. This figure does not include the replacement of physical assets, like signage, decals and print materials, that would need to be updated with new branding.

Board members requested that additional options and proposals be brought forward before making a final decision.

As part of the branding discussion, a separate refresh of the Liberty Hill High School Panther logo was introduced following feedback from Principal Bryon Ellison. It was noted that the previous Panther logo is no longer trademarked by the district, opening the door for updates or redesigns.

Board members suggested incorporating student input into the process through focus groups or feedback sessions to ensure that the updated logo reflects school pride and community identity.

The rebranding discussion remains in its exploratory phase, with further engagement expected before any final decisions are made.

Leadership development, staffing numbers shared by HR

During the June Liberty Hill Independent School District’s Board of Trustees meeting, Rebecca Owen, executive director of human resources delivered two presentations—one providing an update on the district’s Holdsworth Leadership initiative and the second outlining current HR metrics and staffing trends across the district.

Owen introduced the LHISD Leadership Framework, a product of the district’s ongoing partnership with the Holdsworth Center. Developed with input from both staff and students, the framework is designed to grow internal leadership capacity in support of student achievement across all campuses. The newly adopted “North Star” for leadership within LHISD is built on three pillars, which are leading in academics, character and community. Each pillar includes defined competencies that reflect the district’s values and aspirations for its leaders, both inside and outside the classroom.

In her HR update, Owen reported that LHISD expects to welcome 634 new employees for the 2025-26 school year, including 206 substitute teachers. The district also experienced 123 total resignations, with 197 new teachers hired to fill roles. Of those, 56 have since resigned, prompting deeper analysis of recruitment and retention strategies.

To support employee engagement and retention, HR has enhanced its onboarding process and now invites board members to observe these sessions. The team also plans to visit each campus quarterly to remain visible and responsive. Post-onboarding surveys and a new “60-day stay” survey will help capture employee sentiment early.

“We know people come to LHISD for the culture and the small-town feel,” Owen said. “Our goal is to build on that through relationships and communication.”

Owen noted that 311 employees submitted resignations this year. Of those, 125 were teachers and 114 fell under “other” with no specific reason provided.

Exit survey results show that most staff enjoy their colleagues but may benefit from earlier communication and support during transitions. HR plans to adjust the timing of its exit survey and incorporate feedback via focus groups.

Owen added that the district attended multiple university job fairs at Texas universities, with the goal of building long-term

pipelines. HR is also collecting staff testimonials to showcase on the district’s website.

Liberty Hill to seek rightof-way agent to accelerate infrastructure projects

In a move to speed up infrastructure development, the Liberty Hill City Council has authorized City Manager Paul Brandenburg to draft and issue a request for qualification (RFQ) for a professional right-of-way (ROW) agent.

The position, which has not previously existed within city staff, would specialize in securing land access and easements needed for public projects—especially critical as Liberty Hill expands water and wastewater infrastructure.

“We currently do not have an agent who can reach out and help with easements,” said Deputy City Manager Mike Etienne. “Retaining a right-of-way agent will inherently speed up the acquisition process and reduce associated costs.”

While the RFQ itself poses no immediate financial impact, the long-term benefits include cost savings and fewer delays for vital infrastructure improvements, according to city officials.

Developer requests $925K reimbursement for Stonewall Ranch wastewater work

Taylor Morrison Homes submitted a formal reimbursement request to the City of Liberty Hill for $925,486.74 related to wastewater infrastructure constructed in Stonewall Ranch sections 11, 13 and 14.

The request—submitted in March 2024—includes full documentation of engineering costs, invoices and proof of city acceptance. Per the 2005 Utility Facilities Construction and Conveyance Agreement, the city is expected to reimburse 70 percent of those costs, with the developer covering the remaining 30 percent.

City staff noted that the area was originally not intended for annexation and only one more reimbursement payment is expected, which may fall into either the current or next fiscal year. Staff intends to investigate further and add the item to future budgets accordingly.

City considers fleet management agreement with Enterprise

To modernize its aging vehicle fleet, the City of Liberty Hill is moving forward with a proposed partnership with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc. The agreement—

discussed at a June council meeting—includes leasing, maintenance and vehicle resale services.

Currently, the city purchases vehicles outright and keeps them past their recommended service life, resulting in high maintenance and operational costs. The new approach would adopt a more eﬃcient replacement cycle with predictable expenses.

Financial implications of the partnership will be addressed in the 2025–2026 ﬁscal year budget, with City Manager Paul Brandenburg authorized to ﬁnalize negotiations.

Council moves forward with

$28.5M plan for advanced water puriﬁcation facility

On June 11, the Liberty Hill City Council voted unanimously to initiate the next phase of its Advanced Water Puriﬁcation Facility (AWPF) project—a major undertaking scheduled to break ground in 2027 and complete by 2030.

The city secured a $28.5 million from the Texas Water Development Board, including $18.5 million in low-interest loans and $10 million in principal forgiveness. This ﬁnancing—originally approved in Decem-

ber 2023 and extended through December 2024—will be repaid using utility revenues, not property taxes.

The AWPF is a key part of Liberty Hill’s long-term water and wastewater master plans. The upcoming Certiﬁcates of Obligation will be issued in late 2025 to fund the initial construction stages.

Signal timing improvements made on Main Street

During a June city council meeting, city staff provided an update on efforts to alleviate congestion at the intersection of Main Street and RR 1869, which included a recent traffic signal study submi ed to TXDOT, reviewed and validated by the state agency.

Later in the month, TXDOT readjusted the signal’s timing to promote be er traffic flow. At this stage, there is no financial impact, though future cost-sharing with TXDOT may be required.

City updates TIRZ ordinance

The City of Liberty Hill is taking a step forward in its commitment to revitalize historic downtown, following the formal adoption and update of a previously approved Tax

o ers private training with customized programs for ﬁtness, nutrition & yoga.

Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) ordinance.

At a November 2023 meeting, council approved an ordinance establishing the original TIRZ boundary for the downtown area. Now, city oﬃcials are reﬁning plan, recommending boundary adjustments, and se ing the participation rate at 50 percent to focus reinvestment dollars even closer to areas where visible improvements will have the greatest impact.

The TIRZ, enabled under Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code, is a ﬁnancial tool that allows Liberty Hill to capture the future increase in property tax revenue within the designated zone and reinvest those funds into infrastructure and streetscape enhancements, rather than redirecting them elsewhere.

The area included in the TIRZ includes parcels along Main Street and surrounding blocks—many of which feature buildings more than 100 years old.

According to city oﬃcials, the downtown area has long been identiﬁed as underutilized and in need of strategic investment. Goals include a racting new businesses, enhancing walkability and lighting, improving public spaces and connectivity, and preserving the community’s unique historic charm. With the zone formally adopted, the next

phase involves creating project and ﬁnancing plans. A TIRZ board must now ﬁnalize a detailed project plan and timeline, which includes infrastructure priorities, such as sidewalk repairs, lighting upgrades, façade restorations and parking improvements.

Stakeholder participation is also important. Other taxing entities, such as the Liberty Hill Independent School District, may opt to contribute to the TIRZ fund, boosting available resources.

State law also requires transparent reporting of revenues, obligations and progress, all of which will be monitored and made available to the public.

Additionally, council directed staﬀ to dra an ordinance adopting recommendations from the Downtown Revitalization Committee (DRC), which will be brought back for consent agenda approval.

Revenue capture through the TIRZ mechanism is expected to begin in 2026. By focusing the participation rate at 50 percent, city oﬃcials aim to concentrate funds closer to Main Street, accelerating improvements that will directly beneﬁt residents and businesses.

While it may take years to fully realize the downtown vision, oﬃcials say the mission is clear: restore, preserve and energize Liberty Hill’s Main Street.

Inspired to ride

Santa Rita resident looks to start community movement on wheels

BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER

Everyone remembers their first set of wheels.

Whatever the reason may be, scientific or otherwise, this core childhood memory seems to last the entirety of one’s life and in its own unique way, plays a role in shaping the adult to be.

For some, it was that shiny new bicycle under the Christmas tree. For others, it was a pair of roller skates or even a scooter. Whatever the form, those wheels meant one thing: freedom.

For guys like Liberty Hill resident Jake Schultz, that freedom came in the form of a skateboard.

From an early age, he found solace in skateboarding and it stuck with him throughout his teenage years and into early adulthood.

But, just as it does so effortlessly, life got in the way and the skateboard gave way to a family and a career, yet it never completely disappeared from his radar.

“It just never goes away,” said Schultz. “It’s just part of who you are.”

It’s funny how life works, as they say.

Although it steered Schultz away from skateboarding so many years ago, it provided the very inspiration needed to reunite him with his beloved hobby – his three sons.

He dusted off the old freedom machine and started pushing through the streets of Santa Rita Ranch.

“I found a love to just go out and ride – just riding through the neighborhood,” he said. “I started riding for miles at a time and found it to be really therapeutic.”

Schultz had certainly found a new spark in his rekindled relationship with skateboarding, so he kept up with it, recruiting his children along the way.

With a newfound love of their own, it soon became a family thing and it triggered something inside of Schultz – a yearning for something more.

“I thought it’d be cool to have some friends out here doing this with me,” he said. “So, I posted on Facebook about it. A few people came out, so I just kept posting.”

As a result, a new neighborhood social club – The Santa Rita Ranch Riders – was born.

What started as a lone skateboarder, pushing through the neighborhood streets, was growing into a movement and movement requires momentum, something Schultz now looks to gain through his social media groups on Facebook and Instagram, both of which can be found by searching the club’s name.

Through these platforms and with the help of some good old-fashioned word of mouth, he hopes to fill the streets with people on whatever wheels they desire.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” he said. “That would be the dream. I think it’s a great way for people to be out getting exercise and just enjoy being in the sun or under the stars. I think there’s so many benefits.”

Schultz’s journey back to the board may have come from a mixture of inspiration and renewed interest, but an unexpected yet welcome byproduct came along for the ride.

“I found fitness through longboarding,” he said. “Over the last year, I’ve lost 70 pounds through running and longboarding – I feel like I took years of my life back. If even one other person sees that and wants to do the same thing, that’s wonderful.”

With Schultz winning on all fronts, he now looks to ignite the same spark in his neighbors and beyond.

There are multiple boxes to be checked – one for rekindling the flame of that first love on wheels, one for physical fitness and perhaps the most important of them all – one for a stronger sense of community.

“Exercise doesn’t have to be boring, you know,” said Schultz. “Also, I’m a 35-year-old that works from home, so it’s hard to meet people. To me, this was a great way to try to meet some friends and get to know more people in Santa Rita.”

Membership is quite easy to obtain in The Santa Rita Ranch Riders.

All one needs is a set of wheels, be it a bike, a skateboard, or even a unicycle, and the fresh new mindset of ‘Have wheels, will ride.’

All that’s left is to get out there and have some fun underneath the Central Texas summer night skies.

For more information on The Santa Rita Ranch Riders group, visit the organization on Facebook or Instagram.

Jake Schultz, left, has rediscovered his love of skateboarding, and has turned it into a community-focused activity for all to participate in together. The Santa Rita Ranch Riders was inspired by Schultz’s children and a long-lost love of riding through the neighborhood streets. COURTESY PHOTOS

Doing things differently

Local chiropractic office rewriting narrative on health and wellness

BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER

Health Different Chiropractic is changing the way people think about their health and overall well-being and they’re doing it by reconnecting them with their body – one patient at a time.

Following suit, I too, will break free from the norm and tell this story in the first person point of view, as I am living proof that our bodies are so much more resilient than I have ever thought before.

Dr. Summer Bailey is the founder of Health Different Chiropractic, a fitting name that suits her operation well.

Though chiropractic care lies at the core of their offerings, there is a much deeper focus on how the body and mind work in tandem with each other and how critically intertwined the two are.

In a journey that started as a general desire to build a career in the medical field, the path quickly led Bailey to what soon became her calling – the world of chiropractic care.

“Even in the first month or two, it just made sense how the brain and body connect,” she said of her early days in the practice. “And we were helping to make that happen – not putting drugs or medicine into the body. I just fell in love with it at that point.”

As her journey continued, it found her at a crossroads as she juggled both her professional career and her new family. A partner

in a successful chiropractic office in Austin at the time, she made the eventual decision to go out on her own and open Health Different Chiropractic in Liberty Hill, a logical next step considering she already called the small town home.

Though she had her initial reservations, as any new business owner would, she continues to find confirmation that the decision was the right one at the right time.

“I was very surprised by just how much the community supports us,” she said. “It’s like family here, and we’ve definitely created a family environment. “

Speaking of the family environment, Bailey and her team see a wide range of age groups pass through their doors on a given day.

As many have long thought chiropractic care to be a solution reserved for those involved in car accidents or other significant bodily injuries, Health Different is proving otherwise by targeting all types of ailments and symptoms and even helping people avoid the many pitfalls associated with both aging and active lifestyles through consistent maintenance by way of chiropractic adjustment.

According to Bailey, a chance to help younger people get an early start strikes a chord within and offers a coveted opportunity each time.

“Part of my passion is with children,” she said. “They’re so fun to see as patients and people here in Liberty Hill really care about

Dr. Summer Bailey and her staff at Health Different Chiropractic have recently celebrated their one-year anniversary of serving the Liberty Hill community. PHOTO BY BRAD MARTIN in our community,” Bailey and her team are changing the lives of many – including myself.

their kids and their families, so there have been more and more parents that will bring their children here before themselves and it’s super-rewarding to see – that in itself speaks more than anything else in terms of community. I’ve been grateful for it.”

When it comes to what keeps Bailey motivated to provide custom-tailored services on a level that makes each patient feel as if they have their very own medical team on staff, she said she likes to zoom out and take a look at the big picture.

“That, to me, goes to gratitude – easy,” she said. “Any time I’m feeling lazy or not in the right mind space, I go back to gratitude, because I am so, so lucky. For one – my family – and here, we’ve got a great business and we get to take care of people. I’m literally doing

From my early days that found me on a skateboard for over a decade to a long career in the steel construction industry, I have battled severe pain for almost 25 years now.

I have been facing the recent realization I will soon be forced to stop doing many of the activities I love, which would be decades too soon. But Bailey and her team have changed all of that.

Over the past few months, I have made progress I would never have thought possible and I’m now looking at a very bright future with almost no pain at all and I owe it all to Liberty Hill’s own Health Different Chiropractic.

“We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing –taking care of the Liberty Hill community.”

Dr. Summer Bailey, Health Different Chiropractic

a job that can change someone’s life – I love what I do.”

The status quo does not apply within the inviting walls of Health Different Chiropractic and Bailey made that point crystal clear.

“We want people to know that we’re not here to crack your backs and necks,” she said. “We’re actually here to help you as a whole in terms of your nervous system health, which is so important. We want to empower people to have trust in their body and how the body can heal itself.”

Fueled by a short list of core values, the first being “Confidence to be courageous

As far as what lies ahead, Bailey has no intention of slowing down.

While there are some potential options for growth on the table – such as adding more staff or even evolving into a wellness center – she’ll be focusing on what matters most for now – her family and having a positive impact on the health of those who walk through her door – day in and day out.

“We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing – taking care of the Liberty Hill community,” she said. “We’re planning to stay here, treating one back at a time and helping the community be healthier.”

Health Different Chiropractic offers a wide array of services such as chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression, along with a thorough evaluation and diagnosis process. COURTESY PHOTO

Austin still offers quaint treasures, sweeping views

BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER

There are those trips that you spend months, sometimes years, planning all the way down to the outfits you will wear and the places you will eat. Tickets are purchased, reservations are made and the itinerary is set as you count down the days to that early morning drive to the airport as you breathe the biggest sigh of relief and go straight into vacation mode.

Then there are the trips that choose you. Whether it’s due to a family issue or a case of pure spontaneity, you grab what you can given the short planning window, toss another dash or two of food into the fish tank and head out the door, hopefully remembering to close the garage on your way out of the driveway.

The latter of the two is how this adventure unfolded and boy did it happen fast. I awoke just two days before with one burning thought in my mind: Get me to the water. I didn’t care how and I surely didn’t care where – a puddle would’ve done the trick – but the call was too strong to ignore, so it was off to the races as we hopped onto AirBnB and typed “summer vibes” in the search bar. The season was calling in a big way, and it was time to take a break in cooling waters underneath the hot Texas sky. It didn’t take long to find our spot as it had all of what we were looking for and much more. These “cabins” as they’re referred to are more like miniature luxury homes, though they don’t feel small by any means. No detail was left overlooked, and we instantly felt right at

home. Though there were just three of us for this trip, these two cabins would easily fit up to 10 people comfortably. The outside areas were even more inviting than the interior spaces and the recycled football turf made it like no other. And there was water!

Yes, as a wonderful precursor to our lakeside adventures, the cowboy pool got us primed and ready for more of the same. This place is a gem, and it can be found by searching “Luxury Cabin Lake Austin” on AirBnB.

We were so ready to embark on this last-minute trip that we soon realized that we hadn’t eaten breakfast. But that was quite alright, because there just so happened to be a legendary spot waiting for us less than 10

minutes away – The Oasis on Lake Travis. I know this trip may be in Liberty Hill’s backyard and there are those that have been to the Oasis too many times to count on two hands, but there are also a ton of people who continue to find their way to Central Texas and who can blame them?! To them, this place is completely unfamiliar and The Oasis is an absolute must for anyone and everyone to experience at least once.

The self-proclaimed “Sunset Capitol of Texas,” this place offers an endless array of sensory experiences that will stick with you in the best way.

Founding visionary Beau Theriot has created a true artist’s paradise with awe-inspiring architecture, sculptures and landscapes throughout the property. The only box left unchecked on the blueprints during construction was the one that read “ordinary.” The works of art come from all over the world, but the man upstairs offers the most mesmerizing collection that comes in the form of the most captivating sunsets, night after night. I dare you to find a better vantage point to witness the sun paint the skies with colors that words will never do justice.

There are many places to visit while on the property, including a brewery, an arcade, candy and gift shops and even an art gallery, to name a few. As if that didn’t offer a diverse enough experience, there are breathtaking views from almost every shop, restaurant, bar or otherwise. It’s fun for the whole family and you can easily

spend the better part of a day here without even realizing it. It’s almost as if time doesn’t exist, at least not as it does in the real world.

We spent a few hours here as we adjusted to the lakeside pace and let our bacon-wrapped hot dogs and Greek fries (yum!) digest.

The views kept robbing us of conversation, and we were okay with it – it was just what the doctor ordered. We’d only had a taste of the water at this point, and we were salivating for more, so off we went, meandering through the winding lakeside roads through some beautiful Texas Hill Country.

The cabins are two blocks from Lake Austin. Yes, blocks. In less than a minute or two, you can be at the water’s edge. There were six kayaks offered by the AirBnB hosts, but we were in search of submersing ourselves in the soothing water rather than floating atop its currents below, so we opted for Bob Wentz Park on Lake Travis.

This historic park has it all. From shaded picnic areas with stunning lake views, to sand volleyball and other recreational offerings, it was the perfect place to spend a storybook summer day. Best of all, it has a gigantic swimming area, and I don’t even remember the short walk down to the water.

All I remember is being chest-deep in water that was of the coolest blue and at the perfect temperature. That is what I came in search of and I had finally found it. I’m not sure what it is about swimming in a cold lake on a hot

The Oasis on Lake Travis has offered stunning views and lakeside fun for many decades as a staple of Central Texas. PHOTO BY BRAD MARTIN

The Oasis on Lake Travis provides a summer getaway like no other with its wide variety of activities. PHOTO BY BRAD MARTIN

summer day, but it reset my soul in a way that few other experiences can.

With our souls at ease and finally clocked into summertime, we were as happy as could be, yet the afternoon’s adventures had quickly burned the fuel of our lunches. With our stomachs growling, we headed back to the cabins for a night under the stars and in what has to be the coolest backyard in Austin.

The evening was spent just enjoying the pristine cabins and unique grounds. There were some additional dips in the cowboy pool, some monkeying around on the playscape and we caught a movie on the 65-inch big screen in the main cabin.

And those growling stomachs I mentioned? They were silenced by some tender and juicy ribeyes and scallops prepared on the large Blackstone flattop grill. What better way to honor summertime than with some grilled surf and turf? It left us feeling complete as we drifted off to dreamland on the most comfortable beds shortly after.

This was a short, one-night getaway and it was just what we needed. As we woke to the second and final day, we were still happily stuck in a summer state of mind. We were in no hurry to be anywhere, and we had no clear agenda. All that we knew was that we wanted brunch, but not from any of our known spots

– we wanted something new. Well, it turned out that there was quite the spot just miles away, so we put on our Sunday Funday hats and hit the road toward Oz. Tap House.

This family-friendly beer garden complete with expansive indoor and outdoor spaces won us over right away. We had our little dog, Millie, in tow and they welcomed her with open arms and had treats and doggie water bowls at the ready. The beer, wine and cocktails are all on tap, and it’s a self-pour setup. They charge by the ounce (hence the name “Oz.”) and they had a selection that would suit the needs of even the pickiest of connoisseurs. There was live music, lots of smiling faces, and a playscape that was crawling with kids of all ages. However, the food stole the show, hands down.

I went for the brie chicken sandwich and my wife set her sights on the ahi tuna tacos. We shared them both, and there wasn’t so much as a crumb leftover. The onion rings were some of the best I’ve ever had. Even our daughter’s grilled cheese sandwich was delicious. The tap house is dedicated to the farm to table experience, and the quality and wholesome tastes backed it up.

The place was so good that it left us feeling a bit down that we live so far away, but it isn’t far enough to keep us coming back for more.

We enjoyed the early afternoon underneath the giant oak tree that watched over our table until finally peeling ourselves out of our chairs and into the truck – the destination: home.

I’ve said it before, time and time again. You don’t have to travel far to find an adventure. To some, a one-night getaway to a nearby city may not sound like traveling, but to us, it was as if we were in another country for a day. There were new discoveries at almost every step, and in an area that we’ve called home for decades. It just goes to show that there’s always something new out there, just waiting to be discovered. What are you waiting for?

The backyard of these luxury cabins near Lake Austin exude summertime fun spent with family and friends, making memories to last a lifetime. PHOTO BY BRAD MARTIN

Stepping away at the right time

Lady Panthers basketball coach made three state tourney appearances

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER

When a coach is victorious in over 75 percent of their team’s games, suﬃce to say one can be considered highly successful.

Following a decade on the Liberty Hill sidelines, Lady Panthers girls’ basketball coach Chris Lange has stepped down from his post with an overall winning percentage of .773 during a period of dominance for the Purple-and-Gold that saw the program win multiple district championships and make three appearances at the state tournament.

According to Lange, now was simply the time for him to step away from a lifestyle that he’s been immersed in for over 30 years.

“There’s so much change going on at the school now and it’s a lot,” said Lange, who compiled a 286-84 record in 10 seasons.

“Also, I have some things going on in my personal life – including wanting to be a good son and help take care of my mom, along with being a grandparent for the ﬁrst time.”

Lange praised wife Patience for backing him up every step of the way through a coaching career that was typical of the topsy-turvy nature of the profession.

“My wife let me coach for 30-plus years and a lot of time as a coach, you sacriﬁce family for the team,” he said. “So, now I need to give her some time back.”

How commi ed was Lange as a coach?

“When I was coaching junior high in

Temple and my daughter was born, I was there at the hospital at 1 p.m.,” he said of the arrival of second child Autumn. “But, I had to leave because I had four games to coach starting at 4 p.m. that day, so I’m not sure my wife was so happy about that.”

Nearly two decades later, Lange got to coach Autumn a er he moved from his position at Liberty Hill Middle School to take over the Lady Panthers at the high school level – a source of great satisfaction, he said.

“I got to coach my daughter her senior year, which was a special experience,” said Lange, whose son Garre was also a Liberty Hill athlete. “(Former Liberty Hill athletic director and head football) Coach (Jerry) Vance was the one who gave me that opportunity, which was a blessing.”

Lange couldn’t quite recall exactly how many district titles his teams had won over the years, which was a clear indication of the fact he always had lo ier ambitions for his squads entering each season, he said.

“I always had higher goals than just winning district,” said Lange, who won five league titles. “At the very least, I wanted to make it to the regional something – quarterfinals, semifinals or finals – because that was when you had the opportunity to get to state.”

However, despite playing at the state tournament three times – including advancing to the championship game twice, including his ﬁnal season this past year – Lange said his most vivid memory will be from a contest that was played much closer to home.

“When we played Cedar Park in Georgetown in the regional ﬁnal this year,” he said, of Liberty Hill’s 58-40 win over the Timberwolves in front of a standing-room only crowd. “A er they had beaten us at the same stage of the playoﬀs the previous year, to just control the game like we did was awesome.”

However, it wasn’t just the result that will live on in his mind.

“A few times during that game, I just stopped and looked around at everything going on with how many people were there and everything,” said Lange. “It was the greatest atmosphere I had ever been in with all the emotions – it was so perfect as

far as what high school is supposed to be and was an awesome feeling.”

Ironically, Lange was never even on the path to a coaching and teaching career while a ending the University of Mary Hardin Baylor – but a profession a bit more mundane – until intervention from an unlikely source steered him in a diﬀerent direction, one that would ultimate alter the course of his life and career.

“I was going to be an accountant,” said Lange, who never played competitive basketball during his high school days. “Cliffa Foster was the head women’s basketball coach and I used to play pickup games with her at lunchtime. One day, she pulled me into her office and said, ‘You sound like you know what you’re talking about out there. Have you every considered becoming a coach?’ A er that, she said she was looking to hire a student assistant on her staff and asked me if I was interested.”

So, instead of balancing books for clients, Lange embarked on life as a biology teacher who traded books for basketballs each day a er school and never looked back.

In fact, one of the most profound accomplishments of his educational career is one of an academic variety, he said.

“In all my years of teaching, I never had a class average below 91 percent,” said Lange. “So, that’s something I’m very proud of.”

Lange said the relationships he had with his players over the years will be his most cherished memories.

“When you look back, it’s not necessarily the games or the scores you remember,” he said. “But, the times on the bus, in the locker room a er games or even at practice. I was blessed to have so many players over the years – Shaylin Vickers, Gracie Whi en, Bethany McLeod, Kasye Bevers, Elizabeth Buck – too many to name – that really bought into what I wanted them to do and gave me everything they had.”

Despite his decade-long period of success – during which he oversaw the Lady Panthers successfully transition from a Class 4A powerhouse to Class 5A without missing a beat – his time wasn’t without some turbulence.

“During the COVID year, I got sick and was in the hospital with the virus,” he said. “We had one bad year and there were some parents who said I had lost my passion for the job – they tried all summer to get me ﬁred. But, at the end of the day, I had the last laugh.”

Lange credits one of his former players at the time for ﬂipping the script on that narrative and using it in his favor.

“Abbie Billingsley would come up to me and say, ‘Pride and passion, baby,’ and that became our mo o,” he said. “I always took pride in and had passion with what I did in giving everything I had for 30 years.”

Lady Panthers head coach Chris Lange compiled a 286-84 record in 10 seasons, including ﬁve district championships and three appearances at the state tournament. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

Diﬀerent colors, same calling

Seasoned Liberty Hill coach expands her reach in district

BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER

It’s safe to say that most residents of Liberty Hill know the name Gretchen Peterson.

Throughout the last two decades, Liberty Hill High School’s volleyball and track programs have experienced countless victories and crowning achievements, all thanks to Peterson and her long line of stellar athletes that showed up year a er year, ready to win.

As the growth of this community has paved the way to a brand-new school, with a brand-new team and a brand-new staﬀ, Peterson saw an opportunity to shi gears a bit, following her children into the halls of Legacy Ranch High School whilst taking the back seat in their volleyball program, aﬀording her the opportunity to watch her kids write their own stories.

It didn’t take long for Peterson’s inherent talents to make waves of their own throughout the Wrangler family, as she was named both Coach and Teacher of the Year at Legacy Ranch High School in its ﬁrst year in operation – two honors she doesn’t take lightly.

“It’s very humbling because I know how good everybody is,” said Peterson of her colleagues at Legacy Ranch. “I feel like, especially here on this campus, I’ve been super-impressed with the amount of talent and knowledge and diﬀerent perspectives. It’s been really cool to learn from everyone and again, humbling to be selected from such a talented group of people.”

Through her humility and a ﬁerce dedication to the Liberty Hill community, Peterson has seemingly fallen right into place at Legacy Ranch. As she approaches her 24th year of coaching and teaching – 20 of those with the Liberty Hill Independent School District – she approaches it with the same level of energy and enthusiasm as she always has, something that has been with her since the very beginning.

“I always wanted to be a teacher and a coach growing up,” she said. “I come from a family of educators – teachers, coaches, school nurses, a cafeteria dietitian – so I’ve always loved school and I always knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Peterson cut her teeth in coaching at Ingram ISD, which provided the introduction to the Liberty Hill community and as fate would have it, would soon present the opportunity to call it home.

“In those early days – at the time – Ingram was 3A and so was Liberty Hill,” she said. “And we were in the same district, so my ﬁrst experience with Liberty Hill was when we would drive two- and-a-half hours to come get the crap kicked out of us. They were really good – at everything – and everyone was just so professional and kind and wonderful. I was like, ‘That looks like a great place to be,’ so that was how Liberty Hill got on my radar.”

Taking a shot at the vacant volleyball head coach position soon a er, LHISD saw great potential in Peterson and her long list of accolades and years of services is all the proof anyone would ever need.

Now, as she ﬁnds herself in Columbia Blue and navy rather than purple and gold, and although she misses the people over on the west side of town, she has a newfound energy and purpose, and she’s surrounded by a like-minded team of both students and staﬀ alike.

“When you’re on this side of town and you’re the show in town, there’s a lot more eyes on you,” she said of Legacy Ranch’s whirlwind inaugural year. “Laying the groundwork for it was really cool, but these aren’t brand new kids. It’s a brand-new building. It’s a brand-new football field and it’s a brand-new coaching staff, but they’re still Liberty Hill kids and there’s a lot ingrained in Liberty Hill kids that, if you’re from this area, you get it. Liberty Hill kids are just different. They grow up wanting to work hard and they grow up to be winners. So, we were lucky we already had that DNA.”

Given all the newness surrounding Legacy Ranch, not much a ention has been paid to the fact that LHHS and LRHS will soon be rivals.

Peterson shares her excitement for what’s to come, knowing these “Liberty Hill kids” on both sides of town, though ﬁercely competitive by nature, will bring a sense of class and good sportsmanship to the playing ﬁeld and beyond.

“I think it’s going to evolve into something really cool and really dynamic, which is what makes sports so great – those rivalries,” she said. “It’s going to evolve into that – it’s just going to take time.”

Looking ahead, it doesn’t seem like Peterson will be doing anything other than what she loves most within the community that has shaped her marriage, her family and her career.

“I really like my job, so why would I not do it?” she said. “I love it because I love people – I’ve always been a people person. I like serving others, I like helping and I know

how much coaches and teachers meant in my life, so to be able to be a part of that and pay it forward is really cool. I just don’t know anything diﬀerent and I don’t know what else I would do. Also, how could you not like working here? It’s a really good energy – you feel it - and that doesn’t happen everywhere. It’s pre y awesome.”

Legacy Ranch is about to enter a new chapter. No longer will they be the new kid on the block, and the proverbial honeymoon is over – so it’s time to get to work and continue the momentum the Year One crew helped establish.

For Peterson, she looks forward to it all and chances are LHISD will need to purchase another trophy case in the very near future.

“I’m just really thankful that I’m along for the ride,” she said. “I’m super thankful I get to be a part of it in whatever capacity that needs to be. I don’t know if the kids in Liberty Hill know how to do anything other than work hard, compete hard and be good at what they do. So, if we can keep them going through the ups and downs and we keep growing through that, I know the success is going to come.”

Re-Election Campaign Statement for Judge Angela Williams, Justice of the Peace

Precinct 2 – Williamson County Paid for by Angela Williams for Justice of the Peace Pct 2 Campaign.

It is my greatest honor to serve as YOUR Justice of the Peace and to ofﬁcially announce my intent to seek candidacy for re-election as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2 in Williamson County. I am seeking another term as Justice of the Peace to continue upholding the Constitution and the laws of our great State of Texas. My commitment is to provide impartiality in every case, maintain efﬁciency in the courtroom, advocate for improvements that enhance our justice system, and serve with a strong community mindset. Together, we can ensure justice is fair, timely, and accessible to all.

Gretchen Peterson was named Teacher and Coach of the Year for Legacy Ranch’s inaugural school year. COURTESY PHOTO

From the Hill Country to Hollywood

Former Lady Panther lights up diamond out west

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER

Rylee Slimp had her “We’re not in Texas, anymore” moment not long after she arrived in her new softball home of Southern California.

“Some of my teammates and I were at a Mexican restaurant and I wanted flour tortillas, but all they had were corn,” said Slimp. “Then we had a whole debate about the difference between Tex-Mex and the California version.”

However, that momentary culinary bump in the road was a mere blip on the radar for Slimp, who quickly assimilated into life as a member of the squad at the University of California-Los Angeles, where the Liberty Hill alum became an integral part of a Bruins team that advanced to the Women’s College World Series this past season.

According to Slimp, her just-concluded freshman campaign was the culmination of a lifelong goal she had pictured for herself for almost as long as she can remember.

“Playing college softball has always been my dream since I was eight years old,” said Slimp. “So, this has really been a dream come true.”

But, it was a dream she wasn’t sure was ever going to come to fruition at various points.

“I was a late bloomer as far as my skill set goes and it took me awhile to really start to believe in myself,” she said. “But, then around my freshman and sophomore years of high school, I started to see the player I could be.”

As the Lady Panthers’ center fielder her senior season, Slimp batted .529 with six home runs, 41 runs batted in, 66 runs scored and 42 stolen bases without being thrown out to go with an on-base percentage of .595 and on base-plus-slugging percentage of 1.515.

With numbers like those, it was no surprise Slimp had her choice of Division I offers to sift through as far as where her journey at the college level would begin, but said once she visited her current campus, it was a done deal.

“As soon as I got there, I knew it was where I wanted to be,” she said, of the school located in Westwood located between Beverly Hills and Bel Air. “I had two more visits scheduled after that and I canceled them.”

Suffice to say, life in L.A. has certainly

proved a seamless transition for Slimp, who immediately broke into the Bruins’ starting lineup and earned Big 10 all-freshman team honors after posting a .383 batting average, two home runs and 25 RBIs.

Individual accomplishments aside, though, Slimp said the highlight of her maiden voyage in Blue-and-Gold was the team’s trip to to the World Series.

“Oklahoma City was unlike anything I could’ve ever dreamed,” she said. “I used to watch the World Series on TV with my dad, so to be out there on the field competing with the best players in the country on the biggest stage was a blessing.”

After defeating UC-Santa Barbara and South Carolina in the regional and super regional rounds, the Bruins were victorious over Oregon before losing to eventual national runner-up Texas Tech and Tennessee, which saw them out of the double-elimination tournament.

With UCLA now part of the Big 10 – as opposed to the now-dissolved Pacific 12 Conference – Slimp experienced many miles on the road all season long as she and her teammates navigated to far-away Midwest outposts such as Michigan and Iowa, even going as far as the East Coast for a league series against Maryland on the way to a 17-5 result that was good for a third-place finish in the standings in what would eventually be an overall record of 55-13 for the season.

“Being in the Big 10 is definitely a rigorous schedule,” said Slimp. “We were always flying across the country and sometimes staying on the road for two weeks, which can get kind of tough. But, I’m really grateful to be part of a program that offers a lot of support and everything we need to prepare us mentally and physically to be successful.”

Off the field, Slimp said everyday life in

one of America’s busiest, most-congested cities is certainly a far cry from what she was accustomed to growing up in the Austin area.

“It’s very fast-paced here, for sure,” she said. “There’s a lot to do, but I didn’t really get the full experience yet because I didn’t have my car this year.”

Which meant she has only experienced world-famous Los Angeles traffic to this point as a passenger – including Southern California’s most infamous freeway.

“Oh, yeah, sometimes it’ll take 20 minutes to go five miles,” said Slimp. “Especially on the 405.”

With her busy athletics and academics schedule, Slimp said she hasn’t spent quite as much time at the beach as one would think, but has still already picked out a favorite seaside destination.

“The Santa Monica pier is the beach we always go to,” she said. “I’ve also been to Venice and that’s pretty, too.”

Over the summer, Slimp has returned to Central Texas and is spending some of her offseason as a youth coach, a labor of love she hopes will provide a path for future athletes.

“I think it’s really cool to be an inspiration for girls and a role model,” she said. “I’m proud to have been a Liberty Hill Panther and part of a program that’s been so successful.”

Slimp said returning to her Lone Star State roots is proof positive she hasn’t gone completely Hollywood yet and in fact, has flipped the script on that narrative already.

“Yeah, I’ve gotten into the scene out there a little bit,” she said. “But, when we went to the tailgate party for our football game against USC, I wore cowboy boots to bring a little bit of Texas because that’s where my heart will always be.”

Liberty Hill alum Rylee Slimp (29) was named to the Big 10 all-freshman team following an excellent season with UCLA this year. PHOTO BY JBS SPORTS

Former Lady Panther Rylee Slimp (29) has quickly assimilated to life on the West Coast both on and off the field. PHOTO BY JBS SPORTS

Coming in swinging

Wranglers continue to bolster roster with new tennis coach

BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER

It’s oﬃcial – Legacy Ranch is on the map.

What started out as an array of surreal experiences in a place still full of that new car smell has quickly turned into a Columbia-and-Navy painted locomotive running full steam ahead.

As year one will soon be logged into the history books, year two is coming up around the bend and there is unﬁnished business racing head-on toward the Aug. 12 ﬁnish line.

With a firm grasp on the impending first day, Legacy Ranch’s powers-that-be have kept their fingers steadily on the pulse of the to-be-filled positions as they scour the hillsides and beyond in search of the perfect candidates to join the Wrangler team. One such position was recently filled as the Wranglers welcomed their newest member aboard – Head Tennis Coach Lauren Mioton.

Growing up in nearby Leander has given Mioton a fairly close look into Liberty Hill Independent School District and its methodical ways of bringing eager minds and bodies to the winner’s circle in both athletics and academics. Her previous experiences in working with former Leander ISD alumni and now LRHS principal, Mark Kohler, helped make her move that much more logical, but it goes much deeper than that for her and it started at a very young age.

“As a kid, my favorite thing to do was play school,” she said. “Of course, I was always the teacher and I made all of my friends be the students. So, I’ve always had an interest in teaching.”

A er a midlife career change years ago, Mioton’s mother became a teacher herself and the door opened even wider for that li le girl and her dreams of standing before her students.

“Being able to go into her classroom and help setup and even read to the kids just really drew me in,” she said. “It was more of that, ‘Hey, I really do want to be a teacher,’ and that led me into Rouse High School’s Ready, Set, Teach program, where I was able to work within the elementary and middle schools in the district.”

A storied English teacher by now, Mioton looks forward to continuing her growth amongst a team she already feels so at ease with. As unfamiliar faces become more and more familiar, she leans on an already familiar face that served as a guide to this newfound opportunity.

“I’ve already felt so welcomed,” she said. “And the way Mark Kohler talks about our campus and the culture and the legacy they want to set just really drew me in. I’ve already worked with a lot of people on campus so far and I feel really comfortable with them – I think they’re amazing people.”

Oﬀering yet another fresh perspective, Mioton shared her take on the upcoming four-day student schedule. A known point of contention in the community, she looks through the commotion and brings what ma ers most into focus: the students.

“I’m excited for the new hybrid four-day schedule for the students,” she said. “Ge ing that extra time to plan will be so beneﬁcial. We can sit down and look at our curriculum, look at our standards and make meaningful lessons instead of trying to scramble and throw things together. I think it will enhance the students’ learning overall. It will enhance more authentic learning.”

The sport of tennis may be somewhat new to Mioton, but coaching is not. Serving double duty for her entire career so far, she has found an equally magnetic calling in coaching kids and it doesn’t stop once the match has been called.

“I’m really excited about the tennis program,” she said. “I love coaching and any opportunity to get to work with kids outside of the classroom is so unique, because you get to know them from a diﬀerent perspective. You get to lead them and not just encourage them to be a good athlete, but to be a good

teammate, to be a good person and to learn how to work through problems. It’s just a great opportunity to really get to encourage them and make an impact.”

There’s another facet to Mioton’s decision to call Legacy Ranch her new home. Even with year one under its belt, she sees an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than herself – a lasting legacy by way of the contributions of her and her students and athletes.

“It’s honestly an honor to be able to be a part of building something new and something that’s going to become a legacy,” she said. “I’ve very excited about it.”

Mioton then began to lay out the specifics of what lies ahead, starting with how her landing on the tennis program came to fruition.

“It sort of came with the territory,” she said. “Although, as a coach, I want to be able to coach any sport at all, so I’m really excited about this new journey. I’m going to be working with an assistant who does have more on-court knowledge, but I’ve been coaching longer so we’ll be able to work cohesively together, to bounce ideas oﬀ each other and keep building this new program, which is a really great opportunity.”

Along with her position at the helm of a budding tennis program, Mioton has clear expectations and an even clearer vision of the future.

“That’s an exciting part of being able to help establish the tennis program,” she said. “It’s about se ing those expectations. If you’re going to be in this program, we’re going to hold you to a standard. We’re going to push you and it’s okay to feel uncomfortable because it’s going to grow you. So, it’s a privilege to be a part of establishing this program. When we get oﬀ the bus and people see our team, I want people to be like, ‘There’s Legacy Ranch and they’re going to be a big competitor.’ I know we’re small right now, but as we grow, we want the kids to push themselves to be the best athletes and reach those regional and state levels outside of our district.”

There’s a special place reserved in the heart of Mioton for those that pass through her classroom every day – considering how much she cherishes those who taught her –she now has the chance to do the same for the youth of Liberty Hill.

“We don’t know what our students go home to. School, or tennis, or just si ing in the teacher’s classroom can make a world of diﬀerence,” she said. “I had teachers growing up that really made an impact on my life. To walk into a building and know that people love you is such an impactful thing. I want to be somebody that encourages these kids to make a diﬀerence, to know that they’re loved and valued. It’s a hard day sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be a hard life. I’m here for the kids.”

In June, the Liberty Hill High School baseball team was celebrated for its state semifinalist win this season, which was the first time in Liberty Hill High School history the team made it that far. The team was presented with the o cial UIL state semifinalist trophy. Each player also received a UIL medal and a Hometown Hero Award from Liberty Hill Mayor Crystal Mancilla. COURTESY PHOTO

Lauren Mioton, formerly of Leander ISD, has joined Legacy Ranch High School as head tennis coach. COURTESY PHOTO

Fi y years later, memories of Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic in Liberty Hill remain

BY JAMES WEAR COLUMNIST

There just isn’t any ge ing around it – for Willie Nelson, 1975 was a big year. That’s not to say Nelson, now 92 years young and still packing in the crowds when he makes an appearance, hadn’t already enjoyed a bit of success leading up to that year. He’d already wri en many songs that other country artists turned into gold but it was during the early 70s, when he le Nashville to move to Austin, that he, along with others, turned the tables on the country music establishment and along the way, became household names.

In January of 1975, Willie was the featured act on the pilot episode of a new show airing on PBS. The show, titled Austin City Limits, was created by Bruce Scafe, Bill Arhos and Paul Bosner and introduced several Texas acts to a national audience, including Rusty Wier, Doug Sahm and the Charlie Daniels Band, all of who would join Willie when he came to Liberty Hill that summer to celebrate the Fourth of July.

It was during 1975 that Willie released his “Red Headed Stranger” album. Dismissed by record company executives as a “demo,” Willie exercised his creative control – and the album, along with a single release oﬀ the album, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” would go on to sha er records for sales and garner many honors.

How Willie ended up picking Liberty Hill remains a mystery to me, but some suggest it had something to do with its small-town charm and perhaps the late Bernie Swindler,

who owned the property the picnic was held upon, knew somebody who knew somebody.

Indeed, back then fewer than 500 persons lived within the city limits and the school district enrollment was easily less than 800. There wasn’t a single stop light in town. And there was a bit of nervousness about the community as July 4, 1975 drew closer. The editor of The Libertarian, the local newspaper at the time, opposed the concert as did the county commissioner. But the show went on, despite eﬀorts by the opposition.

And so, by some estimates, more than 75,000 persons descended upon Liberty Hill to celebrate Independence Day. Admission at the gates to the picnic, held on Swindler’s 200-acre ranch just west of town oﬀ RR 1869, was $7.50 per person. Folks were allowed to bring coolers and lawn chairs.

Joining Willie and the before-mentioned entertainers were Kris Kristoﬀerson, Rita Coolidge, the Pointer Sisters, Billy Swan, Alex Harvey, Delbert McClinton and Milton Carroll – indeed, an all-star lineup. The concert went on for more than 24 hours, leading to Nelson being ﬁned $1,000 for violating the Texas Mass Gathering Act, a law that prohibited the gathering of 5,000 people for more than 12 consecutive hours. Ironically, the same legislature that passed that law voted to approve a resolution dubbing July 4, 1975 as Willie Nelson Day in Texas.

During the concert, a heavy rain came through the area, leaving the grounds muddy and delaying some acts from taking the stage. The Pointer Sisters, who arrived in a limousine, were unable to make it to the backstage area. Lifetime Liberty Hill resident

Gary Spivey recalls hooking up the limo to his tractor and pulling the sisters’ vehicle through the quagmire, enabling them to take to the stage a bit later.

The late Paul English, Willie’s drummer, noticed the tarps above the stage were beginning to give way due to the heavy rainfall. Legend has it English pulled a pistol from his pocket and ﬁred a round through the tarp, providing a relief outlet for the water.

Many concert goers parked their vehicles alongside Highway 29 from as far away as Seward Junction and began walking the fivemile trek to the show. The late James Mather, another lifetime resident of the Liberty Hill community, hooked up a 16-foot flatbed trailer and began offering rides to those hiking, although the ride wasn’t free. Assisting Mather and making sure folks paid up was my future brother-in-law, Bud Lane, who tossed those refusing to pay from the trailer.

Out on Highway 29, Bud’s father, Johnny Lane, sat in front of his wife Wanda’s cafe –swapping hamburgers for six-packs of beer. Despite Johnny’s “sales” the cafe did just

ﬁne. My wife Paula once told me her mother paid her $400 for a 20-hour shi waiting on hungry customers – this a er Wanda had originally planned on being closed for the day.

Over the years, I’ve wri en of this event several times, but never had much luck ﬁnding photographs from the picnic. This changed just a few days ago, when while once again surﬁng the internet, I came across a collection of photos taken by Bill Burton of Austin. Back in 1975, Bill came all the way from Texarkana to a end the concert and snapped several photos during the show, all of which tell a story in themselves about the picnic.

Bill was kind enough to agree for The Independent to publish his photos, some of which appear elsewhere on this page.

“True act, maybe even interesting,” recalled Bill. “On my way home to Texarkana a er Willie’s Picnic, I went by way of Dallas to a end the big Rolling Stones concert at the Co on Bowl on July 6, 1975. It was quite a long weekend of music I’ll never forget.”

Willie Nelson takes a drag o his cigarette during a backstage break at his Fourth of July Picnic that was held in Liberty Hill back in 1975. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL BURTON

At left, tra c was backed up as far as Seward Junction on Independence Day in Liberty Hill back in 1975 as fans made their way to Willie Nelson’s third annual

Fourth of July Picnic. This photo was taken on RR 1869 near the railroad crossing where Liberty Tavern is located. Center, it is estimated more than 75,000 persons braved the heat and rain to attend Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic. At right, this group of unidentiﬁed young folks were among those to attend Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL BURTON

EVENTS CALENDAR

July 8

GREEN THUMBS UP OUR MATURE YARD: THE NEVER ENDING STORY

Williamson County Master Gardener

550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park (Cedar Park Library) 7- 8p.m. txmg.org/williamson

July 9

TRIVIA NIGHT

Liberty Hill Beer Market 13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 7-9 p.m. facebook.com/LHBM512

July 11

CHRISTIAN FAMILY BARN DANCE Williamson County Cowboy Church

8111 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 6;30-10 p.m. familydanceclub.org

SATURDAY UNDER THE OAKS WITH AGAINST THE WIND

Agape BBQ

3610 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 6;30-9 p.m. agapebbq.com

July 12

CHASE GASSAWAY

Fire Oak Distillery 4600 CR 207, Liberty Hill 12-4 p.m. ﬁreoakdistillery.com

SECOND SATURDAY SUNSET MARKET The Market LHTX

Princess Tea Party

Main Street & Myrtle Lane, Liberty Hill

5-9 p.m. themarketlhtx.com

July 18

MOM WALK

Forrest Coﬀee House

103 Forrest St., Liberty Hill

9:30 a.m. facebook.com/ events/1415333229811831

July 19

PRINCESS CHARACTER TEA Michelle’s Patisserie

1908 Main St., Liberty Hill 12:30 p.m., $75 michellespatisserie.com

TWO TONS OF STEEL “NOTHING BUT BUDDY” Globe Theatre

132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8-10 p.m., $30-$233 globetheatretx.com

July 20

JULY 2025 SHOOT

Hill County Bowhunters

540 CR 258, Liberty Hill

8 a.m. facebook.com/HillCountryBowhunters

July 25

JULY JAMS

Dahlia Cafe 2450 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 6:30-8:30 p.m. dahliacafe.com

LARRY GATLIN

Globe Theatre

132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8-10 p.m., $36-$348 globetheatretx.com

July 26

HANDS ON IN THE GARDENPART 1, SEEDS TO TRANSPLANTS Williamson County Master Gardener

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER COOKIE DECORATING CLASS

Baked by Joy Leigh 1201 Main St, Liberty Hill 12-2 p.m. bakedbyjoyleigh.com

July 27

JUSTIN GAMBINO Fellowship Church 3600 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 8:30 & 11 a.m. fellowshiplh.com

July 31

SECOND ANNUAL PANTHER QUARTER: FOOTBALL 101 FOR WOMEN

Liberty Hill High School Panther Stadium 6:30 p.m. facebook.com/ events/610295185510679

100 Wilco Way, Georgetown 9-11a.m. txmg.org/williamson

THE MARKET

LHTX SMOKE & SPICE SHOWDOWN BBQ & CHILI COOK OFF The Market LHTX Main Street & Myrtle Lane, Liberty Hill

9 a.m.-1 p.m. themarketlhtx. com

Dog Days of Summer Cookie Decorating Class

Larry Gatlin

Chase Gassaway